Wondering Wendesday ~ 2021 Goals ~ 1/6/2021

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

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Today’s question is – What are your goals for 2020??

My Answer -  I wrote a whole post on my 2021 Goals.  (Go check it out, if you'd like.)

Just a few of those goals are to get healthier, read more, and establish a better daily routine.

Basically, if I could sum up my goals into one word it would be commitment.  Maybe even perseverance.  I just want to actually finish something that I start or at least make some decent progress.

How about you?  What are your goals for 2021?

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.

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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!

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.

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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!

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.

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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!

Wondering Wednesday ~ Christmas Traditions ~ 12/9/2020

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

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Today’s question is – Do you have any family Christmas traditions?

My Answer -  One of my favorite traditions that we started the year our oldest was born is to get each child a Christmas ornament that commemorates that year in some way.  The idea is that when they get their own house and have their own Christmas tree, their ornaments go with them and become cherished memories.

This is Kaylee's 20th Christmas!  I can't believe it!  So, she has 20 ornaments.  This is Laken's 14th Christmas so she has 14 ornaments so far. It is always so much fun to get the Christmas ornaments out each year and remember what was going on in their lives.

Another tradition that started way before I was born, with my Gram, was the making of Nut Horns.  Nut Horns are a little cookie make from a yeast dough and chopped walnuts.  The walnuts are rolled up within a triangle of the dough and baked.  Confectioners sugar sprinkled on top is optional but I love it!

One more tradition is Christmas Caroling with my Church family.  The Sunday evening before Christmas we walk around our little town and sing carols at doorsteps.  It is all very Hallmark Christmas movie-like!  Although we do get the occasional Scrooge who shuts the door in our faces  :(  Bah-Humbug!  After we're about as cold as we can stand, we go back to the Church social hall for hot chocolate and cookies.  Good times!

Do you have any family Christmas traditions?

Colletta

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

Wondering Wednesday ~ Christmas Season ~ 12/2/2020

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

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Today’s question is – How early do you start celebrating the Christmas Season?

My Answer -  Usually I start celebrating the Christmas Season around Thanksgiving by listening to some Christmas music while we prepare Thanksgiving Dinner.

This year, like so many other people I've seen, we started celebrating the Christmas Season a lot sooner.  We started listening to Christmas music and watching Christmas movies in the beginning of November.

My husband and I usually "officially" kick-off the Christmas Season with Black Friday shopping.  This year is so different.  We were almost completely done with our shopping before Black Friday even hit.  We did a lot of online shopping this year, too.  It isn't quite the same but it IS exciting to see the delivery truck pull into the driveway!

We're just trying to go with the flow this strange, strange year...

How early do you start celebrating the Christmas Season?

Colletta

Wondering Wednesday ~ Celebrating Thanksgiving ~ 11/25/2020

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

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Today’s question is – How does your family celebrate Thanksgiving?

My Answer -  Sadly, in 2020 this is a loaded question!

So, I'm going to talk about Thanksgivings PAST.

When I was little we always went to my great-grandparents' farm where the entire (I mean entire) extended family celebrated together.  We ate in two shifts because there were so many of us.  The men ate first, then women and kids after.  I didn't mind this at the time but I do remember sometimes the mashed potatoes had grown cold by the time I got to eat.  Isn't it funny the things a person remembers?

After my great-grandparents passed away, my Mom took over Thanksgiving preparations for our branch of the family tree.  She has it down to an art and knows exactly what time she needed to put the potatoes on to boil so they would be done just in time!  lol  I helped with preparations especially the pie making.  This continued for about 25 years.

The past few years my sisiter-in-law, Kelly, has taken over the torch.  There are much fewer people at our celebration as the family has grown too big to host everyone like in the "good old days".  She does a wonderful job and won't except any help other than my brother.  She really gets into it and wants to treat us all to a meal that we didn't have to cook.

I pray that each and everyone of you have a joyously grateful Thanksgiving this year!

How do you "normally" celebrate Thanksgiving?  Has it changed over the years as it has in my family?

Colletta

Wondering Wednesday ~ I'm Thankful For ~ 11/18/2020

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

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Today’s question is – What is something you are thankful for this year?

My Answer - Each Thursday I blog about what I'm thankful for that week.  I find that this helps me always be on the lookout for things to be thankful for.

This year has been a difficult year for so many.  All of us to some degree or another.

Therefore, I am especially thankful for the health of my family and friends.

There have been a few people I know who have gotten COVID.  Both my girls have been tested at some point and thankfully have both been negative.

COVID is just now really starting to hit closer to home and our small town.  We have been very blessed.  I continue to pray that God watches over us all and protects and gives us safety and health.

We have much to be thankful for!

What are you thankful for this year?

Colletta

Wondering Wednesday ~ Do Your Children Read? ~ 11/11/2020

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

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Today’s question is – Do your children like to read as well?

My Answer - I'm happy to say that my children do like to read!

Kaylee, 19 years old, prefers to read short stories on her phone.  She enjoys the normal for her age:  dystopian, steam punk, etc.  Every spare moment she has, her nose is glued to her phone reading.  It is probably her favorite pastime.

Laken, 13 years old, prefers the good, old fashioned paperback or hardback books.  She loves getting books from the library and was even a library assistant last year.  She would be this year also but COVID...  She enjoys the typical YA books such as those written by Rick Riordan, especially the Percy Jackson series.  She's also a sucker for a good book revolving around animals.

I'm so happy that they love to read!

Do your children like to read?

Colletta

Wondering Wednesday ~ Non-Fiction November ~ 11/4/2020

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

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Today’s questions is – Are you participating in Non-Fiction November?

My Answer - Non-Fiction November is when for the month of November you concentrate on reading Non-Fiction.

Every once in awhile I will read a non-fiction book.  Usually when I'm in a fiction reading slump.  I find that a good non-fiction book will kick start my reading mojo.

However, a whole month of non-fiction doesn't really appeal to me.

So, I might read maybe one or two non-fictions this month but generally I read fiction.  Who knows, I might surprise myself!

Are participating in Non-Fiction November?

Colletta

Wondering Wednesday ~ Favorite Snack ~ 8/5/20

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

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Today’s questions is – What is your favorite snack?

My Answer - What a loaded question!  If I'm being honest and I am, I'd say Doritos or Oreos and milk.

However, I'm TRYING to be healthier.

White Cheddar Poppables are yummy but very addicting.  They are very WW (weight watcher) friendly though.  So if I can limit my consumption they are a healthy snack.

I wish I could say my favorite snacks were apples and carrots.  I like apples but I can't say I crave them or that they satisfy me when I'm looking for a snack.  As for vegetables....YUCK!

I do like cheese and crackers.  I guess that would be mid-way between healthy and unhealthy.  In moderation.

What is your favorite snack?

Colletta

Wondering Wednesday ~ Summers as a Kid ~ 7/29/20

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

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Today’s questions is – What did you do during the summers as a kid?

My Answer - Summers in the country is how my love of reading came about!

There weren't any kids around to play with and there really wasn't much to do, so I found new friends in books :)

Every Friday we would go to "town" for groceries.  I would beg my parents to stop at the library each week where I would stock up about 10 books per week.  Believe me I had no problem reading them all.

I stayed up late reading and would also pick my book back up first thing in the morning.

I can't tell you how many times I got in trouble for sneaking away to my room to read when I was supposed to be helping my Mom with dishes, laundry, etc., etc., etc,.

So...During the summers as a kid I read :)

What did you do during the summers as a kid?

Colletta

Wondering Wednesday ~ Rural or City ~ 7/15/20

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

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Today’s questions is – Do you live in a rural or city setting?

My Answer - I live in a rural setting.  In fact, we are surrounded by State Game Lands.

The closest town is 10 minutes away and it is very small.  The next "bigger" town north of us is a good 30 minute drive.  This is where Laken goes to Middle School and Doug and Kaylee work.  The next closest "city" south of us is also a 30 minute drive.  This is where Kaylee's College is located.

I love living in the country.  The only thing I mind is all the gas money we have to spend traveling to work, groceries, practices, etc., etc., etc.  That bums me out but I guess it is worth it ;)  Oh, and winter can be a bear too!

Do you live in a rural or city setting?

Colletta

Wondering Wednesday ~ Getting to Know My Family ~ 6/3/20

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

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Today’s questions is – Can you tell me about your family?

My Answer - 

Where to start?  Where to start?...

I guess I'll start with the hubby, Doug.  I've been married to the love of my life for almost 20 years (September 17, 2000).  Here we are right after the wedding ceremony. 

Here we are on our Honeymoon.  Yes, we went to Disney World :)

And this is us about 2 years ago before going out on a date.

I can honestly say that I love this man more now than I ever have.  He is a wonderful husband, father and provider.  He works hard every day to take care of his "girls".

Next, would be our first born, Kaylee.  She doesn't like her picture taken very much anymore so I had to go back into the archives from Prom 2018 to find a good one of just her.  She'll be 19 years old on June 13th (how can that be???).  She has 2 semesters of college completed toward a certificate in accounting.  She has 4 more classes to take and is working a full time job in a warehouse distribution center.  She has been working for a little over 1 month and I'm so proud of her!

Then there is our youngest, Laken.  I have tons of pictures of her by herself.  (I guess it is the age.)  She is 13 years old and just finished up 7th grade.  She's a very eclectic child.  Her tastes and mood depends on the day, the hour, even the minute!  (I guess that is the age also.)  She loves to bake and wants to be a Scientist, a Microbiologist to be exact.  Again, very proud :)

Here are some family pictures from a Valentine Dinner.  Somehow Doug is hiding behind Kaylee's head!  :)

Love my family!

Can you tell me a little about your family?

Colletta