January Goal Recap

January was glorious.  It was relaxed, without the pressure of lessons every day, and a chance to get some things done on my list!  Here's the January Goal Recap!  

My goals for January are as follows: 

1. Complete 31 pages in Scrapbooking (towards my 365 total page goal) Done!  I exceeded this goal by a few pages.  I have this awesome chart that a fellow Creative Memories person made and I love filling it each time I scrapbook.  

2. Read my three books in my plan this month.  Record them in my Pinterest folder of what books I read this month. I read 2 of the three.  I didn't look at the number of chapters in the two non-fiction books to figure out how many chapters to read a day and apparently 1 a day was not enough HA!  

3. 1000 hours outside - There is a blog and a Facebook page about this concept but the tracker can be found HERE. The goal of the blog is to get 1000 hours outside in a year.  That's not happening HA!  Instead my goal is just to get outside more.  I'm hoping that we can shade in lots of the chart over the next year - there is no "fail" because anytime spent outside is success.  I have not even addressed this yet with my family and I did not track anything.  We've had a wet January - more rain/slush then snow so going outside hasn't been ideal.  

4. 365 Declutter Calendar - Finish all 31 tasks on the list (or at least all that apply to me - sometimes there are line items that do not apply to my home or the way I do things here) This month is focusing on the kitchen so I plan to deep clean and declutter the kitchen along with the tasks.  I recently shared THIS post about a couple different declutting blogs/ideas I like.  So instead of the 365, I've moved to the snail paced concept of writing my own 52 week declutter missions.  I completed all of January's tasks which were all in Nate's room and moved on to the next weeks task, Josh's desk.  

5. Order the Macaroon making kit on Amazon. As we started the new year, as I usually do, I went on a slight spending freeze so this did not make the list in January.  

6. The basement - The end goal is to have a well organized, useful basement.  So, my goal this month is progress.  I'll try to remember to take a before and after photo so "you" can actually see that I make progress. Yes!  I got another shelf set up and sorted through things and packed Christmas stuff away neatly.  So I feel like I accomplished this task this month 

7. Read one chapter in my photography book and PRACTICE the skill.  I did pick up the book and start reading it but that is as far as I got! 

8. Put all the page protectors on the pages that need them.  Also put all completed pages in albums. Done! 

9. Pick camping dates for this summer and reserve the spots I can. I haven't done this yet. 

10. Go on one date with Darryl. This is scheduled for this weekend - even if we just go get our favorite tacos for lunch :-) 

11. Pick out the song I want to record for Christmas on the piano.  Done, yes, I really DID pick it! 

12. Plan out the first adventure to visit at least one of the great lakes. I started to plan this but have shifted my plan some and need to re-plan

13. Get some spines imprinted - my consultant has told me there will be a sale this month so I'm hoping to get 10 imprinted (Buy 4 get 1 free). Yes!  I ordered them and they should be here by the time this posts! 

14. Set up a schedule for the boys to accomplish seat work, regular school work, piano and AWANA lessons.  We have to catch up on AWANA so they can finish on time (end of April). We will pick up the plan starting next week! 

15. Clean out my recipe box. Done 1.5.21.  Threw away a whole stack of recipes we either didn't love or I haven't ever made even once! 

16. Plan the menu for the month and keep it (to use next year - to make planning easier!) Use the Air Fryer and make at least one recipe out of my new cookbooks. Done. 

17. Completely clean the master - I always have to totally regain the master after Christmas between wrappings, boxes, and bags it is a mess HA!  It's time once again to totally clean, declutter and make sure everything is put away once again (I always tackle this room in January for this very reason!) Done 1.4.21 - I even had a new comforter set to put on the bed thanks to my mom.  

18.  Help Nate finish up organizing in his room - we started it before Christmas but then things got moved in there to make room for the tree so we never finished.  He wants his room organized and everything where he can find it and use it. Done - and it looks amazing! 

19.  Help Josh finish up the last things in his room - we were 90% done before Christmas.  We've moved his desk into his room too so we need to make sure that is also cleaned up. We got his desk area done and the rest of the room is on my "52 weeks" list for February. 

20. Set up my scrapbook stuff on the bedroom shelf - I'm trying to simply the visual clutter on my desk - since I tend to scrapbook at a specific time (like one weekend a month) I would like my stuff more put away yet easy to grab to do a quick page. Done 1.4.21  This was an easy transition once I cleaned the bedroom.  I like having the bins off the top of my desk. 

21. Update my Holiday Journal with everything from Thanksgiving - New Years.  Read ideas from last year on upcoming events.  Plan the superbowl party, Valentine's Day, and Darryl's birthday. Done 1.4.21  I had no notes about the Superbowl so I will add them this year.  

22. (I was aiming for just 21 goals but I have this "misc." category that needs to be added!) So, here are my misc. items that need to get done. A) Josh got a punching bag penguin for Christmas that we need to set up - get some sand to add as a weight and blow it up.  B) Josh and Nate each got a new desk chair for Christmas - we need to get those put together AND finally put away all of the extra folding chairs that are constantly floating around! Done 1.5.21 C) My mom made beautiful shadow boxes for each of the boys for Christmas that we need to get on the walls.  D) I bought a new Echo Dot for the living room so I can listen to our local Christmas Radio Station so Darryl needs to hook that up for me.Done 1.4.21  E) Give Darryl a spot for his stuff  Done F) Josh got a new solar system set to hang from his ceiling but he wants it measured out correctly so Darryl needs to help get that accomplished.  G. I have a small box worth of Amazon returns that need to be taken care of by the end of January. Done 1.5.21  H.  Taxes - it is that time of year to start that process - I'd just like as much done as possible by Jan. 31st so we can file at the earliest date. 1.5.21 - Completed - just waiting until February to send them in 

What We are Eating - Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

 

Up until a week ago, I had not been able to find one of the main ingredients for my normal enchilada recipe - it's been a year (thanks covid!) so I went in search of a new one.  Guess what?  There was one in my new Magnolia Table Cookbook!  It used the green enchilada sauce which I have never used yet Darryl informed me he likes that better then the red!  Imagine that!  This was a great recipe!  I did cut it in half because I knew only Darryl and I would eat it.  In doing so, though, it ended up being little too saucy so next time I will add less sauce. 

January Reading

 I purposefully made time to read this month and I think it shows.  I set aside time each morning to enjoy the quiet of the house and read my daily devotional readings as well as at least one chapter in my January goal books.  I will admit, it was easier to read extra chapters in the fiction than the non-fiction :-)  

You can see all the books I've read this year HERE.  (Since it is just January - these are the only books in that Pinterest Folder currently) 

I am continuing to read through all of Julile Klassen's books and they never disappoint.  This book tells the story of the daughter of the town Apothecary and how she learns to not only enjoy her life but also to love those around her.  She begins be searching for something different but in the end, returns to what has always been in her heart. Julie Klassen writes with heart and has a way of drawing the reader into the life of the characters until you feel like they are your friends.  I always hate seeing a good book end and would like to continue on to see where their lives travel to next!  

Just Look Up  is a book on my January "to read" goals (I did not post a photo of the Fiction books I wanted to read - but my goal is to read two off of my shelf each month)  Once I started this book I realized I had actually read it before but it's been long enough that I didn't remember it all so I went ahead and read it.  It's a great story of learning to forgive past hurts and trusting those around you.  

I'm nearing the end of Julie Klassen books and I've really enjoyed them.  Lady Maybe was published in 2015 and it shows how much Julie's writing has improved.  Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed this book as much as the others but the writing itself wasn't quite as good and the story had many tangents that sometimes got a little tangled.  There were also a lot of flashbacks in this book and, honestly, that is one of my least favorite things in a story.  I skipped quite a few pages in this one just to get past the fluff and get to the real story.  BUT with all of that said, this was still a great book that had me guessing all the way until the very last page on what was going to finally happen!  

This is one of my "January Goal" books.  This is a pretty easy read overall.  The author takes on the topic of whether we are really ready to give up everything for God.  Are we really willing to pray "God, anything."  Are we willing to give up our scrapbooks of what our lives should look like to follow wherever he would send us or do whatever it is He calls us to do. Really, most of what was presented are truths I've heard before but in chapter 14 she hits on the topic of God's Glory.  What does God want most?  God is most after his glory.  Glory is the evidence of God so where do I see God's glory - I should be seeing it in everything yet often we only see it in the magnificent - the sunset, a beautiful lake, or the birds singing.  What if we wanted God's glory above everything else?  Some great questions to ask and seek after.  

Weekly Worship --THERE IS HOPE, Mark Lowry

Here's ago I went to a Mark Lowry and Amy Grant Concert and it was amazing.  Mark is just a great comedian and a great singer too.  I hope you enjoy this song as much as I did. 

2021 Weekly Photos #3

 Here's a look back at our week! 

Saturday: We enjoyed some football.  We are trying to soak in the last few weeks of games and will miss it when it is gone!  

Nate loves the Packers.  He got the jersey and hat for Christmas.  (And yes, that is the Packers game on the TV).  He also really likes Josh Allen from the Bills and has his jersey too!  (Actually Darryl and Josh also got jerseys - it was the year of the jersey HA!) 

Sunday - A super relaxing day of football (we really hoped the Browns would win!) and Scrapbooking for me too.  

Monday - This is our super easy week.  Our friends are back in school and Josh and Nate have just a few school things to do (required testing) so for the most part, we are doing nothing!  I had to run a few errands and then Nate and I started the big organizing of his room. 

Tuesday - Same thing :-)

Wednesday - Josh and Nate had an orthodontist check up and then Nate and I finished his room.  It's not nearly as big of a deal to him as it is to me - but I just love how clean and neat it is.  We removed a plastic "industrial" type shelf and it really opened up the space.  

Thursday - I relaxed :-)  Josh had two tests to take and Nate had to do a standardized test but outside of that I enjoyed my day! 

Friday - Grocery shopping and Nate started back to Tae Kwon Do once again.  

Not many photos lately since we aren't doing much!  

Weekly Menu

Guess what, I used my air fryer last week and made French fries and they were good.  I know, so daring, but it's kind of one thing at a time for me!!  Not to mention that I used my Pampered Chef Microwave popcorn maker for the first time too.  Crazy, I know HA!  

Friday - We are back into our "normal" routine and are having our "night out/eating in" tonight.  

Saturday - Back to dinner at my mom's  We really do enjoy this evening - my mom cooks some good food, we laugh alot, and now often play a game.  I do have to plan lunch though!  Sausage Gravy and Biscuits and fruit is the plan! 

Sunday - Last Sunday I did not make the Ham and Cheese quiche so that is on the plan for tonight.  I did make the sides throughout the week so new sides!  Roasted Asparagus and crescent rolls for tonight.   Lunch - I'll be honest, the past several weeks Sunday lunch is "whatever you want from the freezer".  Maybe grilled cheese or BLT's?  We will see!  

Monday - Pork Loin in the crock pot, crash potatoes and green beans

Tuesday - I'm going to use left over Pork Loin to make the Mango Salsa Pork tacos from last week that I never made :-)   

Wednesday - Chick-Fa-Lay Nuggets (In the air fryer) and Daddy Fries - if I can't do them in the air fryer I might as well fry them for real HA!  

Thursday - Chicken Alfredo, green beans and Garlic Bread 

Breakfast and Lunch Options

 Last week I referenced planning better for breakfast and lunch so I thought I would share my basic plan for each meal and how I bounce off of that for more ideas.  I share this because I struggle with these simple meals and, if I don't plan, I tend to grab whatever and sometimes that is cookies HA!  I am also someone who can eat the same thing almost every day and not care - I just tweak it a little here and there.  

First up, because it is how the photos loaded, is lunch! 

My basic go to lunch includes:  Two slices rolled deli meat (turkey or ham), veggies, fruit and hard boiled eggs.  How I serve that food varies!  

1. Lunch Meat - most of the time I just roll it and eat it but sometimes I spread a little cream cheese in the ham and roll it around a pickle or a green onion.  Or I'll add a little seasoning to the cream cheese, like dill, spread it on the turkey and roll that around some sliced peppers or cucumber.  

2. Veggies - Veggies and dip are an easy choice.  I also like celery with peanut butter or garden veggie cream cheese.  Another option is just a garden salad with my favorite dressing. 

3. Fruit - whatever I have in the fridge!  Oranges, Apples, Grapes, etc. 

4. Hard Boiled Eggs - you will notice in the photo that it is actually egg salad which I love.  It depends on the eggs - I over boiled this set of eggs so they were "dry" - made eating them plain a little difficult!  

As you can see there are lots of different ways I can do the same basic things. My goal with lunch is to be full until dinner!!  Eating lots of veggies really helps with that as well as getting that protein in too! 

Next, breakfast! 

My go to breakfast is a bagel thin with cream cheese, fruit and a hard boiled egg.  The key for breakfast for me - it HAS to be simple . .. like throw it in the toaster simple.  I am not a morning person and don't want to have plan time to make breakfast.  My kids both eat a bowl of cereal and that is all they want - all other breakfast foods are reserved for dinner! 

1. I love bagel thins.  I like plain and everything bagels and get my flavor of cream cheese based on the bagels I pick out!  

2. fruit - again, whatever fruit I have in the house.  I happened to have some of the cream cheese fruit dips left from New Years Eve so that is a nice treat!  

3. Just a simple hard boiled egg.  I add a little salt and just eat it for the protein.  

Sometimes I add a little babybel cheese for some added protein.  

Other options for breakfast to mix things up a little are:

1. Cream of Wheat - Yes, I love it, especially on the really cold days.  

2. Left over Breakfast Quiche or Casserole.  When we've had it for dinner and there are leftovers - it makes for the best breakfast.

3. English Muffins - if I get tired of bagel thins, I'll switch it up for a week with English Muffins with peanut butter.  

4. Frozen Waffles - this doesn't keep me full but sometimes I just like to have them with some peanut butter for a treat. 

I have found that having a base for each meal has really helped me eat better and snack less during the day.