Thankful Thursday ~ 12/31/2020

 

Here are some things that made me thankful/smile/excited this week:

~~~~~~~~

~ Christmas!  We had a wonderful, relaxing Christmas!  The girls are getting older now so we slept in until around 7am and I actually had to wake them up!  I love the Christmas season and all the preparations and time spent together.  Things were a little bit different this year but still GOOD :)

~Mary, Did You Know!  The Ladies Choir at Church sang "Mary, Did You Know" this past Sunday morning after having one practice!  Yikes!  We were worried about coming in at just the right moment but we managed to pull it off :)  Here's one of my favorite versions of the song, that we sounded nothing like.  Nothing...

~New Computer!  I mentioned earlier in the week that my oldest daughter, Kaylee, got me a new computer for Christmas!  It didn't get here until this past Monday but that is OK.  I'm still super excited to have my own computer again!  It was just so hard to use my kindle for everything.

~Bible Reading Plan!  I will be attempting to read The One Year Chronological Bible in 2021.  I'm very excited about this because my Mom and my Aunt Donna will be reading along with me!  I'm hoping that having the extra motivation and support will help me be more consistent with my daily Bible reading.  If you'd like to join along, here is the Bible we will be using.  There is even a Kindle version.

~Calendars and Planners!  I have my new wall calendar and a new blogging planner all set and ready to use come tomorrow!   My new calendar is Landscapes and my planner is in my favorite turquoise color.  I'm a geek about these kind of things :)

~New Year's Eve!  I want to take this little bit of space to say goodbye to 2020 and say hello to 2021...It has been real but I'm ready to leave 2020 behind!  I pray that 2021 will be kinder and more gentle to us all :)

What are you thankful for/smiling/exited about this week?  Tell me all the good stuff! 

Colletta

P.S. I love for you to stop by MY SHOP and give it some love!

Wondering Wednesday ~ Looking Back At 2020 ~ 12/30/2020

Welcome to Wondering Wednesdays hosted by A Baker's Perspective, a weekly post to learn more about me and other bloggers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today’s question is – Looking back on 2020, what is something that had a big impact on you?

My Answer -  Now here's a loaded question!

I'm not going to get political, so I'd say the thing that had the biggest impact on me is everyone being home more.

The hubby and Kaylee still had to go to work, but Laken's school was on a hybrid schedule and now is all virtual.  I can't say that I mind sleeping in and not having to fight her to get up for the school bus...  However, I don't think most kids are getting the education that they should be getting and I worry about Laken falling behind even though she is getting all A's on her work.  I'm just not sure if the workload is up to par.

We've had to learn to be creative with our downtime.  We've put more puzzles together this year than ever before.  We've played family games and had matches of 500 Rummy.  We've learned new recipes.

Basically, we've had to adapt.  BUT, I do hope that things normalize a bit more.

What is something that had a big impact on you in 2020?

Colletta

P.S. I love for you to stop by MY SHOP and give it some love!

First Book 2021

Sheila, over at Book Journey, is once again hosting "First Book of the Year" fun!

My "First Book of the Year" will be:

She needs to move on. He wants to let her go. Will they finally be able to go their separate ways even though their hearts seem to have other plans?

Elizabeth Ashburn is madly, deeply, irrefutably in love with her best friend. They know each other better than their own minds. There is only one problem: To him, she is Little Lizzie, and nothing she does seems to replace the idea in his mind. No matter. It is her first Season and she is determined to make a match with a gentleman—any gentleman—who will help her steal her heart back from Oliver Turner and his sea-blue eyes.

Oliver Turner can remember the exact day that Lizzie grew up. And now, he cannot see her as anything besides the beautiful woman stealing his breath—no matter how much he needs to. He won’t marry her. He can’t. He loves her too much for that. Now, he simply needs to help marry her off so that she will officially be out of his reach.

What is your "First  Book of the Year"?

Colletta

P.S. I'd love for you to stop by and give MY SHOP some love!

Tuesday 4 ~ New Year's ~ 12/29/2020

Head over to Tuesday's Place for the questions and to visit everyone's answers!

The Times Square ball first dropped on December 31, 1907. It is 12 feet in diameter and covered with Swarovski crystals. 

1.  Despite the weirdness of this past year, was it still a good year for you anyway or not?

Yes, the past year was strange and unlike anything we've had to deal with before, but it was still a good year.  We learned to spend more time with family and cherish every moment together.

2. How will you spend New Year's Eve?

We will spend New Year's Eve with our family having shrimp and apple cider, our traditions :)

3. What do you do on New Year's Day? Is football part of the agenda?

New Year's Day is usually a relaxing day.  We do cook the traditional pork and sauerkraut.  Football doesn't really play a big part of of New Year's Day.  How about you?  What are your traditional New Year's foods?

4. It's a Scottish tradition to kiss at midnight.  Do you keep that tradition? Does everyone get a kiss if you do?

I didn't know it was a Scottish tradition until this post!  The hubby and I do share a kiss at midnight.  Sometimes, if I'm really tired, I'll go to bed but set my alarm for 11:50pm just so I can wake up for the ball drop and my kiss :)

Colletta

P.S.  I hope you can stop by MY SHOP and give it some love!

2021 Goals

When I thought about writing a "goals" post for 2021, I was almost a bit afraid...  Isn't that silly?  But that is honestly how I felt.  I then decided that I wouldn't let that fear be bigger than my faith.  So here it is!

What a year 2020 has been!  I mean WHEW!!!! There can't be many people who won't be glad to see this year end with hopes, prayers and dreams for a brighter, kinder 2021.

I wasn't sure where to begin so I decided to take a look back at my 2020 Goals.  Click HERE if you want to go see that post and how epically I failed...  Therefore, a lot of my 2021 goals will be the similar.

Without further ado, here are my goals for 2021 in no particular order:

1.  Read 26 Books.  I actually completed this goal last year so I decided to not mess with a good thing and will be keeping my goal at 26 books.  The only challenge I will be participating in will be the Goodreads Challenge for 2021.  I'm not a good reader when under pressure so I'm going to keep it fun!

2.  Lose 52 lbs.  This was another goal from last year.  I did NOT complete this goal and it makes me a bit sad.  However, I'm going to try to keep it upbeat and strive for 1 pound a week once again.  

3.  Exercise 5 Days Per Week For 30-60 Minutes.  I got a treadmill for my birthday in March so no excuses!  I've already scheduled time into my daily planner.  Now I just need to do it!

4.  Daily Bible Study Time. I will be reading The One Year Chronological Bible this year along with my Mom and my Aunt Donna.  I'm excited to have some motivation and support to keep me accountable and on track.

5.  Ladies Bible Study.  We have a Ladies Bible Study time on Sunday mornings at 8am before Sunday School/Church.  My goal for 2021 is to be consistent in my attendance and participation.  To do that I need to also be consistent in completing the weekly lessons.  My biggest hinderance is getting up so early on Sunday mornings.

6. Morning Routine.  I want to establish a morning routine for myself.  Right now, with the youngest being educated virtually, our mornings are pretty lazy.  I'd like to get up a bit earlier and actually be productive before 9am!  This will help with Goal #5, I hope.

7.  Read For Pleasure.  I've not picked up a book (kindle or otherwise) for about 2 months.  I just haven't taken the time for reading.  I feel like I've lost my reading mojo and I'd like to get it back.

8.  Grow My Etsy Shop.  I've been watching countless Hallmark Christmas Movies and crocheting items for my Etsy shop.  While I still have lots of ideas and patterns that I want to create, I need to set myself a schedule so that it isn't ALL that I do.  I want to grow the shop while still having time to do other things.

9.  Blog Daily.  This is something I currently try to do and want to continue.  I have a pretty good schedule set up for myself.  Blogging is a wonderful outlet for creativity.

I wanted to make it an even 10 and I'm sure I'll think of things I'd like to add later but that is all I can think of for now.

I'd LOVE to know what your goals are for 2021.  Let me know in the comments!

Colletta

P.S.  I'd love for you to stop by MY SHOP and give it some love!

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 12/28/2020

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello, and Happy Monday!

Who else is excited to leave 2020 behind this week?

The weather outside is:

It was super cold the past few nights but warmed up nicely Sunday afternoon.  I'm not sure what this week entails weather-wise but now that Christmas is over, I'm ready for Spring.

On today's to-do list: 

I need to make a menu and grocery list then make a grocery run.  Pretty much my usual Monday...

Happening this week:

My new computer that Kaylee got me for Christmas should be arriving Monday!  I'm so excited to not have to borrow the hubby's laptop to blog anymore.  I'm also excited for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day!  I have my new wall calendar all ready to hang :)

Currently reading:

I'm not currently reading anything but I want to make more time in my day for reading in the new year.  I'll be setting my Goodreads Challenge goal at 26 books again this year.  I don't do well with pressure reading so I'm setting the bar low and hoping that I make it!

On the TV:

WONDER WOMAN 1984!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hobbs & Shaw

We subscribed to HBO-Max for 6 months so that we could watch WW84 on Christmas Day.  There are so many movies and shows to watch.  If you have a favorite that is a must-watch let me know in the comments :)

Listening to:

I featured "This is Jesus" by We Are Messengers on my Songs on Sunday post yesterday as my last featured Christmas Song of the season.

On the menu week:

Monday ~ Ham, Fried Potatoes

Tuesday ~ Chicken and biscuits

Wednesday ~ Fish, Fries

Thursday ~  New Year's Eve

Friday ~ New Year's Day

Saturday ~ Spaghetti, garlic bread

Sunday ~ Church Potluck

In the Craft Basket:

I'm currently working on a Prayer Shawl in Yellow.  I'm just getting started on it and I'm not sure I like the color for a Shawl.  What do you think?

Picture From the Camera:

The hubby with his Coke and popcorn.  Oh and the ever-present remote.

Bible Verse/Devotional

 "And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."  Luke 2:7

Have a great Monday!

Colletta

I'd love for you to stop by and give THE SHOP some love!

Songs on Sunday ~ This is Jesus by We Are Messengers

I've really loved featuring Christmas songs this month!  Here's the last one for the season :)

Enjoy!

Colletta

P.S.  I'd love for you to come visit my SHOP!

Saturday at the Shop ~ 12/26/2020

Below are some of the new listings to my shop.  Just click on the picture to go to the listing.  I also love to make custom orders!  You can email me at collettaskitchensink@yahoo.com .

I finished up the Red Prayer Shawl I was working on last week.  It would be a great gift for Valentine's Day...

On Christmas Day while watching Wonder Women 1984, I finished a Turquoise Prayer Shawl.  This is truly my favorite color and my favorite prayer shawl to date :)

I hope you'll stop by MY SHOP and give it some love!

Colletta

Book Blogger Hop ~ 12/25/2020

Q.  Did you meet your reading goals for 2020? How many books did you read?

A.  First of all, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!  I hope you had a great day!

I actually answered this question a few weeks ago for a Wondering Wednesday post :)

I did meet my reading goals for 2020.  I set the bar low this year and met my goal of 26 books back in November.  It was a good thing because I haven't picked up a book since!

I'm hoping to get some more reading time set aside in the new year.  I'll probably set my Goodreads goal at 26 books once again.

Did you meet your read goals for 2020?

Bookishly Yours,

Colletta

P.S. I hope you can stop by MY SHOP and give it some love!

Wondering Wednesday ~ Christmas Favorites ~ 12/23/2020

Welcome to Wondering Wednesdays hosted by A Baker's Perspective, a weekly post to learn more about me and other bloggers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today’s question is – What is your favorite part of Christmas?

My Answer -  Oh my!  This is a very hard question!

I think my favorite part of Christmas is on Christmas morning.  Before we open any presents, we all find our spots in the living room to sit.  Then my Mom will read the account of Jesus's birth from Luke 2.  It reminds us that more than anything, Christmas is about our Savior coming to Earth to ultimately die for the forgiveness of our sins.  It is such a beautiful time.

Other than the reading of Luke 2, I think I would say that the preparations for Christmas are my favorite part.  The shopping, wrapping, cookie baking, Church activities, etc., etc., etc.

What is your favorite part of Christmas?

Colletta

P.S. I love for you to stop by MY SHOP and give it some love!

Tuesday 4 ~ Christmas Traditions ~ 12/22/2020

Head over to Tuesday's Place for the questions and to visit everyone's answers!

Christmas is fast approaching for millions of people...

1. Do you have a favorite Christmas carol and if so is there a particular version you especially like?

My favorite traditional Christmas carol is "O Holy Night", no particular version.  My favorite secular Christmas Song is "Jingle Bells" by Shedaisy.  You've got to listen to it!  For your pleasure:

 

2.  Do you have a special dinner for the holidays? What foods are included?

On Christmas Eve, we have sandwiches and finger foods.  On Christmas Day, we usually have ham or roast.  This year we're having both!

3.  Holiday movies ... which do you like to watch?

My absolute favorite Christmas Movie is "White Christmas" with Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, etc.  I have to watch it every year :)

4. What traditions do you continue to keep year after year for the holidays?

I've mentioned in a few other posts this year that we get each of our girls an ornament every year.  We started 20 Christmases ago and have continued the tradition.  The idea is for the girls to have ornaments for their own trees one day.

Colletta

P.S.  I hope you can stop by MY SHOP and give it some love!

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 12/21/2020

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello, and Happy Monday! 

The weather outside is:

We got the snow that I was excited about last week!  Everyone was home so I didn't have to worry about them traveling to or from work in the nastiness; we could just enjoy the snow day.  The temperatures have stayed right around freezing so a little bit of the snow has melted but we still have a good couple inches of covering.  I'm hoping it stays around for Christmas!

On today's to-do list: 

I'm getting this post up a little late because I've already been to the bank, the Post Office and 3 different grocery stores!  I am done shopping for EVERYTHING!  I'm not stepping foot into another store until after Christmas!

Happening this week:

Other than the normal day-to-day tasks this week is CHRISTMAS!  We'll be having Christmas dinner here at home.  The hubby got a ham from his work so we're having ham and roast with mesquite rub for something a little different.  We still have cookies to make so that will take up most of the rest of the week.

Currently reading:

Nothing.  I haven't picked up a book (or my Kindle to read) at all this week.  (DITTO for this week)

On the TV:

Hallmark Christmas Movies (LOTS OF THEM!)

Justice League

Listening to:

I featured "A Christmas to Believe In" by Matthew West on my Songs on Sunday post yesterday.

On the menu week:

Monday ~ Ham, fried potatoes

Tuesday ~ Chicken, Stuffing

Wednesday ~ Keilbasa, mac n cheese

Thursday ~  Christmas Eve

Friday ~ Christmas Day

Saturday ~ Spaghetti, garlic bread

Sunday ~ Church Potluck

In the Craft Basket:

I'm currently working on a Prayer Shawl in Red.  I'm hoping to get it listed in MY SHOP within the next few days.  Sorry not a very good picture

Picture From the Camera:

Delilah Sue

Bible Verse/Devotional

"5 in order to register along with Mary, who was betrothed to him, and was pregnant. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to give birth."  Luke 2:5-6

Have a great Monday!

Colletta

I'd love for you to stop by and give THE SHOP some love!

Songs on Sunday ~ Christmas to Believe In by Matthew West

I'm so excited to be featuring Christmas songs this month!

Enjoy!

Colletta

P.S.  I'd love for you to come visit my SHOP!

Saturday at the Shop ~ 12/19/2020

I've been really busy this week adding new items to MY SHOP.  Below are some of my new listings.  Just click on the picture to go to the listing.  I also love to make custom orders!

I finished up the Cafe Latte Prayer Shawl I was working on last week.

I also made and listed a Medium Thyme Prayer Shawl.

I also relisted the Heather Gray Prayer Shawl.

I have the yarn for a few more Prayer Shawls in my stash.  I just need to decide what color to make next.  What do you think?  Red or Black???

I hope you'll stop by MY SHOP and give it some love!

Colletta

Book Blogger Hop ~ 12/18/2020

Q.  Do you have any bookish ornaments on your Christmas tree? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)

A.  I don't have any bookish ornaments but my daughter does.  Each year we get our girls an ornament that represents something about their year.  One year, we bought Kaylee a notebook ornament off of a shop on Etsy.  (She is always writing stories.)  It actually has notebook paper inside that she can write memories in.  So cute!

Do you have any bookish ornaments on your Christmas tree?

Bookishly Yours,

Colletta

P.S. I hope you can stop by MY SHOP and give it some love!

Thankful Thursday ~ 12/17/2020

 

Here are some things that made me thankful/smile/excited this week:

~~~~~~~~

~ A Snowstorm!  It might not seem like something to be happy about but this is the first big snow of the season and I'm excited!  Laken spent the afternoon sled riding and the rest of us hunkered down inside :)

~More Gin Rummy!  Last week I wrote that my Dad and I played Gin Rummy together.  Today, during the snowstorm, we played some more.  Someone asked if my Dad lives with us and in fact we live with my Dad AND Mom.  We are a "multigenerational" home.

~Cookies!  Another snowstorm pastime was making cookies Wednesday morning.  They were just Chocolate Chip but with the snow falling it was so Christmassy :)

~Stickers!  Kaylee learned how to make stickers with her Cricut!  She made me some custom name stickers.  After the new year she will be opening her Etsy Shop and offering all kinds of artsy stuff.  I'll be sure to update you when she is up and running :)

~The Christmas Tree!  We put up our little Christmas tree in the Family Room on Thanksgiving with the girls' ornaments.  Today we put up the live Christmas tree in the main Living Room and decorated it.  With the snow and Christmas music it was so nice to spend the time together :)

What are you thankful for/smiling/exited about this week?  Tell me all the good stuff! 

Colletta

P.S. I love for you to stop by MY SHOP and give it some love!

Wondering Wednesday ~ 2020 Goals ~ 12/16/2020

Welcome to Wondering Wednesdays hosted by A Baker's Perspective, a weekly post to learn more about me and other bloggers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today’s question is – Did you meet any goals you set for 2020?

My Answer -  I did!

I set my Goodreads goal for 26 books and I met that goal in either October or November.  Of course, that was the last book I read this year...

I had big plans for 2020 as I'm sure lots of people did.  A great big wrench was thrown at us, wasn't it?  

I'm excited to set some new goals for 2021.  I'll probably write a 2021 Goals post sometime so stay tuned.

Hopefully, 2021 will be little a little kinder to us all!

Did you meet any of the goals you set for 2020?

Colletta

P.S. I love for you to stop by MY SHOP and give it some love!

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 12/14/2020

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello, and Happy Monday! 

Are you all set for Christmas or running behind?

The weather outside is:

This weekend has been very temperate.  We did have some heavy rains last night but I didn't mind :)  The forecast for mid-week is calling for some decent snowfall.  If we get what they are forecasting, it will be our first heavy snow of the year.  Don't tell, but I'm kinda excited!

On today's to-do list: 

We picked up groceries on Saturday so I don't have to do that today.  It is going to be a pretty down day.  I do want to write Christmas Cards out sometime so today might be the day.  I also have a package to get to the post office today.

Happening this week:

It is a pretty normal week for us.  One note-worthy thing on the schedule is that we'll be baking our Christmas cookies this week!  I can't wait to have some fresh, warm cookies straight from the oven.  Maybe it will start feeling more like Christmas... 

Currently reading:

Nothing.  I haven't picked up a book (or my Kindle to read) at all this week.

On the TV:

Hallmark Christmas Movies (LOTS OF THEM!)

The Meg (again)

Listening to:

I featured "O Come, O Come, Emanuel" by For King and Country on my Songs on Sunday post yesterday.

On the menu week:

Monday ~ Ham, fried potatoes

Tuesday ~ Chicken, Stuffing

Wednesday ~ Weiner Winks, French Fries

Thursday ~  Sausage, Eggs, Cinnamon Rolls

Friday ~ LumberJack Snacks

Saturday ~ Pizza

Sunday ~ Church Potluck

In the Craft Basket:

I'm currently working on a Prayer Shawl in Cafe Latte.  I'm hoping to get it listed in MY SHOP within the next few days.

Picture From the Camera:

Kona Mae

Bible Verse/Devotional

" Now Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,"  Luke 2:4

Have a great Monday!

Colletta

I'd love for you to stop by and give THE SHOP some love!

Songs on Sunday ~ O Come, O Come, Emanuel by For King and Country

I'm so excited to be featuring Christmas songs this month!

Enjoy!

Colletta

P.S.  I'd love for you to come visit my SHOP!