Who am I? A wife for almost 40 years. A mom for over 36 years. A sister and a friend, of course. Each of these help describe me. But, even more, I have been a Christian since accepting Him as my Savior when I was 12 years old and, this truth defines each area of my life. I have enjoyed some mountain top experiences but have been through some very deep valleys as well. Valleys of incredible grief and even pits of depression. However, most of my days are ordinary, routine kind of days. But in every one of my days, God has been faithful. He has walked with me whatever the day. He strengthens, comforts, encourages and blesses me with life "most abundant."

A favorite life verse: The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Why do I write? Though not quite as private as my dad, I am definitely my father's daughter. I find it difficult to share. And to let others in. But I do love to write. I love to put words into sentences and sentences in paragraphs that help express my thoughts. I hope my words help me share my heart. Share the life that God has given me and all that He has done for me and through me. I write with the hope of giving Him at least a bit of the glory He is due.

A verse to guide my writing: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:7

Happy Monday with a little This or That

Posted on By jennifer

Happy Monday friends!  How was your weekend?  I hope your weather included even just a bit of the beauty that filled the past 48 hours or so around here.  I am typing this on Sunday afternoon and, I have been told/forewarned that, change is coming!  But let’s not dwell on that.  Instead I am grateful for the incredibly nice weather we had over the weekend.

We started our weekend on Friday going to a large Christmas fair and craft show.  The weather was anything but Christmas-y…unless, of course, you are in Australia:)  But, no complaints from me.  I could do picnics and sunshine on Christmas!  But that is a dream in Virginia.  This show was alot of fun.  There was a large variety in vendors and several new things.  It was busy but not wall to wall with people (which can get miserable super quickly).  I actually checked off several gifts from my Christmas shopping list – including my brother.  He is one of the trickiest for me.  When he lived close by, we had stopped exchanging gifts and would share a Christmas event each December.  I loved that! Now he is (literally) across the country and I really miss those great evenings we used to look forward to each year.

On Saturday, I had a ladies meeting at church and, afterwards, I ran a few errands.  Several of you had suggested looking at Hobby Lobby to see if there were any pilgrims (or other cute things) I might add to my Thanksgiving decor.  Although Christmas has definitely taken over Hobby Lobby, there were actually two aisles of fall and/or Thanksgiving things.  No pilgrims though and nothing that I really needed.  Or nothing that I wanted to stand in line 20 people deep in order to buy.  It was insane.  But not nearly as crazy as the Chick Fil A, I might add.  I have no idea what was driving the chicken obsession on Saturday but it was like a Walmart Black Friday frenzy in there!!

I also ran to Aldi.  I had heard (or seen on YT) that their annual advent calendars were available.  There was a day when lines would begin forming before the store opened and customers were given tickets in order to get one of these calendars.  I guess the tickets were to prevent the trampling that has occurred at the previously mentioned Walmart craziness.  I dunno but there were tickets.  For Aldi advent calendars??  Go figure.  Back in the day, there were two kinds of calendars.  Now, Aldi offers more ways to count down the days until Christmas than I can remember.  To go with the the traditional chocolate ones, there were ones that promise all kinds of daily fun.  Wine samples, as well as Irish cream liqueur.  Hot sauce.  Twelve days of crafting. Legos, Squishmallows, puzzles, pet plush toys and even 25 days of hot sauce!!  I’m not usually one to “jump on the bandwagon” but there was a  coffee one that caught my attention.  A different flavored coffee K-cup for each morning leading up to Christmas….sounded fun to me!  So, I looked at my local Aldi.  Many calendars were still there.  Apparently, no calendar frenzy this year.  However, the coffee ones were all gone (as were the wine ones, just sayin.)

Well, then the challenge was on.  It had been two days since I checked my store but I decided to run into the Aldi closer to the church.  I was going that way anyways, right?  And, yep, there is was.  Just waiting for me.  In truth, there were several but I still felt like I had scored!  Yeah me.  I will admit all but maybe two of the flavors sound yummy.  Of course, I have no idea what kind/what brand of coffee it is but I am here for the fun!!  I’m actually thinking of posting throughout December (just an idea) and maybe I will share my coffee thoughts along the way.

Since I am apparently in a silly mood and I have food/drinks on my brain…how ’bout I finish this post with a bit of silly Thanksgiving This or That.  With a nod to Thanksgiving food.  Have you made your menu yet?  Will you be eating at home?  In a restaurant?  Or at someone else’s house?  Is there one thing that you are always asked to make and/or to bring?  Let me know in the comments.  This Friday, I will be having Friday with Friends again.  Sharing quick answers to a quick question.  This week’s question will be “pies.”  I will put it out there on Wednesday.  See you then and, as always, thanks for stopping by…

  1. Pumpkin pie or pecan pie?  Not really a sweet pie fan but, forced to choose, go sweet or go home, right??
  2. Candied yams or sweet potato casserole?  This just reminds me of my childhood Thanksgivings!
  3. Canned or homemade cranberry sauce?  This is one time that canned just tastes better.  In my humble opinion.
  4. Classic stuffing or cornbread stuffing?  I guess??  Not exactly sure what is the difference!
  5. Spinach dip or buffalo chicken dip?  For Thanksgiving?
  6. Roasted green beans or green bean casserole?  For my husband, it would not be Thanksgiving without it, so I might as well choose it here.
  7. Glazed carrots or roasted brussels sprouts? I like carrots!
  8. Alongside pie, whipped cream, or ice cream?  For sure.  No ice cream on my pie, please.
  9. Turkey or side dishes?  Ok, this one was hard.  I changed my answer.  A few times!
  10. Deviled eggs or pigs in blankets?  Do folks really have pigs in a blanket for Thanksgiving???

Good Monday Morning

Comments (12)

  1. Fun! I was at Hobby Lobby on Saturday and it was crazy crowded. Like hard to move in the Christmas aisles crazy (Alyssa and I were not looking for pilgrims…). However we lucked out in the line department and only waited a few minutes to make our purchases. I was at Aldi, too, over the weekend there were definitely no lines for advent calendars. I didn’t know that was a thing though I did see advent calendars there. I’m with you on almost all of your answers. My thoughts on food at Thanksgiving is anything goes- if you and your loved ones love pigs in blankets then go for it!!

    1. Definitely the season for crowds!! Glad you snagged the short line:) I do suppose pigs in a blanket could be quite tasty on Thanksgiving!!:) happy Monday, my friend!!

  3. It sounded like you had a wonderful weekend especially the craft fair. I haven’t been to one of those in years. I had a most enjoyable time attending the Stitching in the Smokies retreat in Pigeon Forge. We will be dining out for Thanksgiving. We were always asked to bring the pies (pumpkin and apple).

    Have a wonderful Monday, Jennifer!

    1. A retreat in Pigeon Forge sounds like great fun!! So glad you enjoyed it. And we dine out as well:)

  4. We just got Aldi in our area. I went once. I didn’t overly love it, but I am a creature of habit and I love Publix which began in Florida. I did notice some cheaper things though but I felt it is for the people who love bargain shopping and while I love a good price I don’t like going to multiple places for them. I had no idea about the Advent calendars ther, so maybe iwill pop in again. I am behind on my Thanksgiving planning although it is the same as always but with a little less on people this year. Pooh! The more the merrier.

    1. Sorry your crowd won’t be as large as you enjoy…but I’m sure you will enjoy those who can be there! It is interesting that we usually find a grocery store we like and then stick with it:)

  5. I’ll take cranberry sauce/jelly either way – canned or homemade. But for the life of me I cannot understand why someone would put cinnamon in it. NO. I usually make my own cranberry sauce and that reminds me to add a bag of them to my grocery list. There will only be 5 of us, but it will be a warm and cozy Thanksgiving.

  6. I’ve never heard of the Aldi calendars, but our closest Aldi is in Houston, a few hours from us. Oh well. I did get a coupon for free butter from Kroger’s 🙂 hahaha But it sounds like fun!

  7. I haven’t been to Aldi in ages! I need to go. They can have the most unexpected great things there.
    I’m looking forward to your Fridays with Friends this week. Sounds like fun!

  8. We were at Aldi just yesterday. We went for one express purpose…they now have their German treats in stock and it wouldn’t be the holidays for us without some Cherry or Marzipan Stolen.

    Looking forward to seeing what you put out there for us on Wednesday.

Comments are closed.