Tag: christmas

CURRENT MOOD – Aaaahhhhhhhh…

As much as I love the hustle n’ bustle of the holiday season I really love these first few days of the new year. The beginning of the seasonal decompression.

My life is now in that New Year’s Eve “wake me up when the ball drops” phase, or in our case when the potato drops. 
True story… Not sure what the deal is with the wings on the spud, those are new but whatever. There was also some kind of glitch in the timing by a couple of seconds but that was just part of the weirdness that was Boise this year.

Another moment of Boise weirdness? Spending 3 hours in ONE Jumanji cursed neighborhood looking for the winners of the neighborhood Christmas lights contest and finding this…
I sooooo wanted to go knock on their door and ask them when the Easter egg hunt started but ya’ know what? Whatever. I hear a lot of people on my creepy crime documentaries talking about how they found Jesus in prison and I am just so happy that on this night we found Him all over this neighborhood!
And we found joy on the rooftops!
And Santa in the windows!
And eventually, we did find the winner of the Christmas lights contest.
No, not that house altho to be fair…

Drumroll, please…
This house was awesome. It had so many lights and cool stuff I couldn’t fit all of it into one pic but this gives you a pretty good idea. It really was beautiful in person and well worth the fun of going round n’ round in one neighborhood for 3 hours.

Okay, okay, it may have been my partner in crime that made it awesome and fun and so worth it but still…
Omgosh, I laughed so hard my sides ached for hours!
SIDE NOTE: Forget trying to find the winners, try finding the way out of the neighborhood! I don’t think either one of us has ever done that much swearing so close to the holidays. (Family get-togethers excluded.) 

Friendship really is one of our greatest gifts.

I hope you’re all settling into the new year. Decompressing a bit from all things merry and bright. I know we’re only 2 days in but these 2 days feel realllllly nice.

MIMI’S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY –

Be kind ~ Be thankful ~ Be loving ~ Be you!

❤ mimi ❤

2020 – RELATIONSHIP STATUS

If there’s anything this pandemic has taught me it’s the importance of relationships.
Seriously… My Amazon shopping history for the last 6 months looks like I was a contestant on Supermarket Sweepstakes! And today I’ve got Christmas presents arriving for my grandkids.
Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and just order shit. Last night was one of those times.
I sleep with my windows open and between Life Flight helicopters and the military doing middle of the night exercises with their helicopters I always get woke up. So, what’s a girl to do?
Well, this girl placed an order on Amazon…
Sweet dreams to me!

Current relationship status?
Seriously…
Some summers the heat doesn’t bother me. This is not one of those summers.
My mindset is that I cannot wait for fall and yes this is me.
Or will be… Trust me I am on 24/7 lookout for that first leaf!

Some other relationships that are getting me thru the pandemic…

 

One of my faves…
It’s just the best.

Hulu and Amazon Prime.

And of course, my daily go-to.

No reason for this. I saw it and had to post it.
You’re welcome.

Sooooo…. Happy, happy Tuesday everyone!
What’s everybody up to?

For me, it’s all about staying cool and waiting for the Amazon truck.
It’s Christmas in August at Mimi’s!
I’ll get some sewing done, some crocheting and I’ll be repotting some plants as soon as the sun gets it’s hot ass rays away from my back patio.

And my exciting evening ahead???

What’s your Tuesday looking like?
You know the drill.
Share in the comments below.

MIMI’S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY is actually a Facebook status I posted.

“Ya’ know what. At what point when you’re peeling a million hard-boiled eggs for some egg salad do you just say fuck it, we’re just gonna’ call it yolk salad.”

 

NOVEMBER THREE/FOUR – Simple Sunday/Manic Monday

This post is brought to you courtesy of
‘The Simple Woman’s Daybook‘.
WELCOME TO MY SIMPLE SUNDAY –

<3 Looking out my window – I see frosty rooftops.
<3 I am thinking – Of all of the projects I need to finish up this month!
<3 I am thankful – That Christmas music is now playing on the radio!
<3 One of my favorite things –
Making things!
<3 I am creating – Afghans.
<3 I am wearing – A cozy flannel nightgown.
<3 I am reading – The Bible. Not much time for reading.
<3 I am watching – Motives & Murders on Prime
<3 I am listening to –
The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole
<3 I am hoping – To get everything finished in time for the holidays!
<3 I am learning – That patience is not something I have in abundance.
<3 In my kitchen – The Instant Pot is workin’ hard for me. It’s soup season!
***I made some squash soup yesterday and it’s delicious. I’ve been asked for the recipe and honestly, it’s really just whatever you want your soup to taste like and however thick you want it. I’m a “dump” cook so I just do what looks and tastes right to me.

– Cook your squash. – Add whatever seasons and meat you want.

Tada! That’s my dump recipe.
You can find a more “real” recipes on Pinterest or make up your own!

<3 Under my needle –
This was the last project under my cross stitch needle and now he’s put away until next year.
<3 On my hook – This actually is just off my hook.
<3 A moment from my day –
Finally being able to take down these creepy towels that my DIL made.

UPDATE – This is a twofer post because somewhere along my day yesterday I got distracted… Shocking, I know.

Anyway, Happy Monday everybody!
I hope you all had an enjoyable weekend. You see what my weekend consisted of. All things mish-mash holidays! I suspect it will be much the same for the rest of the year but I’m not complaining. I quite enjoy the process.

Okay. Now that Halloween has passed is anybody looking forward to Christmas???
I know we have Thanksgiving first but still…

Seriously tho, Thanksgiving is coming up!
In the next few days let’s start sharing recipes and horror stories of family gatherings!

Wow. It’s after 11pm. I need to get this posted and head to bed.
I’m heading up to the mountain tomorrow but I’ll be back in the valley with plenty of time to catch up on posts!

Sweet dreams my friends!
MIMI’S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY –
Be well.
<3 MiMi <3

SORRY, WRONG NUMBER

At some point in our lives, we’ve all made the “sorry you’ve got the wrong number” call.

Years ago I called my little sister’s house on Super Bowl Sunday and as soon as her husband answered, me being me, bursts into…

ME –  “Can you fucking believe that ref?? He’s either working for the other team or he’s fucking blind!”

MY BRO IN LAW – Laughing, laughing, laughing.

ME – “Okay… Let me talk to my sister.”

MY BRO IN LAW – “Okay… Who’s your sister?”

ME (being me again) – “Okay jackass put my sister on the phone.”

More laughing and now I’m out of patience because of course, I would call my sister last minute for a recipe on the day that I need the recipe!
Anyway…

MY BRO IN LAW – “No, really who’s your sister?”

Now I’m all pissy.
ME – “Just get my sister please.”

Now it’s roaring laughter and then the light bulb comes on…
I DIALED THE WRONG NUMBER!!!!
Now I join in the laughter and I’m apologizing and whoever is on the other end of the phone NOT my bro in law was watching the game – thankfully – and he thought the ref was crooked too.
 Anyway, long story not so short. When I came across the pic below it made me think of my “sorry wrong number” story.
Raise your hand if you’ve got a “sorry wrong number” story because you know I want to hear about it!
Drop it in the comments below.

If your “sorry wrong number” story is a long story not so short, blog about it so the world wide web can laugh along!
Happy June and happy Saturday, folks!
Who’s got plans??

Wherever you go, whatever you do, be safe and have fun!
I wish for you beautiful blue skies, plenty of sunshine and temps perfect enough to not melt your face off.
You’re welcome.
MIMI’S THOUGHT FOR THE DAY –
Only 6 months away…
Don’t shoot the messenger.
Time – 9:56am
Temp – 64 degrees F/ High 76 – Chance of storms.
Mood – Better
Bitch, bitch, bitch – Zero
Best thing – Waking with purpose.
Be well.
Mimi

#22 – STUCK IN 2nd GEAR

Apparently, it’s going to be another “recap”  “Bujo” post soooo here goes!

  • Woke up with the theme song from “Friends” bouncing around my head. Crazy because I remember no dreams having to do with “Friends” the t.v. show, the song, the cast of “Friends” or my real life friends.
    In any event, I hope this earworm wiggles it’s way out of my head pronto!
  • Father’s Day has come and gone and for those of you who were fortunate enough to celebrate with your dads, I hope it was a day of making wonderful memories.
    To those of you, like me, who have fathers that have passed on, I hope it was a day to recall wonderful memories.
    It’s always a tough day for me. A little bit sad, a little bit jealous and a whole lot of wishing for just a little more time…
  • I’ve been on a crochet kick lately. Mainly for the new grand-Diva on the way. Baby blankets, booties, hats but I’ve got some scarves going for the trees downtown for the homeless when the weather turns. One day I’ll post all of the little projects I’ve been working on. Today is not that day. I’m just too lazy to gather it all together and take pics.
  • We have new neighbors upstairs.
  • We have new neighbors next door.
  • We have new neighbors two doors down.
    That’s a blog for another day.
  • Still trying to organize my blogging. Figuring out the days to visit and read, and the days to post. This is somewhat challenging and I know I’m not alone with this.
    If there’s an easy fix please fill me in. Thanks.
  • Our weather is much like everyone else’s I suspect.
  • A happy little reminder tho…
    What’s happening with all of you? Big plans for the 4th of July?
    After a bbq or two, I’ll be at home snuggling my pup so she, along with every other dog in the neighborhood, doesn’t go nutso.
    My dog haaaattttteees fireworks, actually she’s not a fan of loud noises in general and of course. the 4th is the worst day/night for that.
    I wonder if fireworks affect other animals like they do dogs.
    I hope you’re staying cool wherever you are and whatever you’re doing. And I hope those storms aren’t wreaking havoc in your neck of the woods. It’s just heat and wildfires for us so the norm. I suspect I will never enjoy sitting next to a campfire ever again not after all these years of fire, fire everywhere!
    Be well my friends! Stay cool and stay safe!
    And don’t forget our furry friends!
    Mimi’s quote for the day –

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

I just wanted to take a moment to wish all of you
– my readers, my friends, my Facebook friends –
a very, very Merry Christmas.

Personally, I’ve struggled through this holiday ever since my dad passed away. He was Christmas. Growing up it was his imagination and antics that made Christmas just absolutely magical. I miss that and I miss him.

I’m also missing my grandbabies more than I can put into words..

And lately, I’ve been living in a daycare. Not literally but it feels like it. First my son got sick, then me and my daughter-in-law, and so it goes, round n’ round. We’re on round two right now.

Compartmentalizing all of that as I tend to do. I’m quite enjoying the sights and sounds and festivities – AND GOODIES – here at home and throughout the city.  We’ve even gotten some significant snowfall here in the valley and more is on the way so definitely a white Christmas ahead. That makes me smile.
2017-divider-line-blue-icyI hope Santa spoils each and every one of you and gives you all that you wish for.
Again, Merry Christmas to you all.
2017-divider-line-blue-icyMimi’s quote for the day –
daddy-one-thing-that-changed-everything2017-divider-line-blue-icyfeather

FRUITCAKE’S HEAVENLY TWIN

snowflake-gray-lineI LOVE gingerbread and unlike fruitcake, the evil twin – sorry Cranky, hahahahaha – gingerbread is delicious!

Side Note: Cranky and I have both written about fruitcake. He writes lovingly because you know, with a blog named Cranky Old Man, how else would he write?
You can AND SHOULD read his fruitcake post here.
Read it and let me know if you, like me, are a fruitcake bully.

I write not at all so lovingly about fruitcake (check my tagline, “and one foot in hell..”) and other gross food, here.
snowflake-gray-lineWhen my kids were little I would attempt – key word attempt – to make gingerbread houses with them. Sadly, I have no photos but they were very basic. Gingerbread glued together with frosting, more frosting on the roof and at the seams, and then a bunch of candy stuck to it. Candy, that hours later, one by one fell off onto the table as the frosting dried and crumbled away.
snowflake-gray-lineI didn’t attempt those gingerbread houses very many times. Mainly because of this…
Whoever belongs to this mess feels my pain and I stand in solidarity with them admitting defeat as a fellow
NON-architect of gingerbread construction.
snowflake-gray-lineOn the flip side of my disastrous gingerbread house attempts are these amazing gingerbread houses…
cma-gb-house2 cma-gb-house3 cma-gb-house4 cma-gb5
I wish I had known about this one when my kids were little.
It’s not gingerbread, it’s Poptarts!
I love it!
cma-gb-poptartOf course, if after several attempts your gingerbread houses are epic fails.
Here are a few options.

You can buy a kit, which a lot of women in line at Jo-Ann’s were doing. Several at a time in fact.
I always found these questionable as far as freshness goes but the women I talked to in line said they were wonderful.
So, option #1.
cma-gb-joannsOr, option #2, altho I’m not entirely sure how lazy a person needs to be to accomplish this..
Back home we have a word for this one.
Ghetto.
cma-gb-bread-spiceOr, my favorite, option #3.
cma-gb-dinosnowflake-gray-lineDo any of you make gingerbread houses or have you at least attempted them?
If you have, success or fail, you should absolutely share the pics!

We finally got some winter weather. FINALLY. We didn’t get a huge amount of snow but just enough to get the roads wet n’ icy. I only hit one patch that caught me by surprise and almost sent me full circle down the road but my Michigan driving skills kicked in and all was well.
michigan-drivingHappy Wednesday everyone. Half way to the weekend. Any plans??
Whatever you’re doing, wherever you’re going, be safe. If you’ve got winter weather just remember, there is NO place worth dying to get to. Be late!
If you’ve got good weather. Enjoy!

I will be doing all things Christmasy today and sending happy Christmas vibes to all of you!
snowflake-gray-lineMimi’s quote for the day –
hansel-and-gretelsnowflake-gray-line feather

EVERY TIME A BELL RINGS YOU’LL SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT

cma-20-dayssnowflake-gray-lineGrowing up there were two Christmas movies we watched every year.
One was ‘White Christmas’ to which every song and dance number was memorized and acted out in the middle of our living room at least once every Christmas season.
cma-white-christmassnowflake-gray-lineThe other movie we always watched was ‘It’s A Wonderful Life.’ This became my most favorite Christmas movie of all time. I can’t remember a year of my life when I haven’t watched it at least once. In fact, I will watch it as many times as it comes on tv!
I should probably purchase the DVD.
cma-wonderful-lifeThis is such a feel good, cheer for the underdog, warm n’ fuzzy kinda’ movie. I just love everything about it and no matter how many times I watch it I always, always find myself saying out loud with Zuzu (George Bailey’s little girl),
“Every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings.”
Side Note – This is the first movie that got me really thinking about life. How just one person missing from your life, whether it’s you or someone else, would make such a huge difference.
Think about it for a moment. Take yourself out of the equation of all things that you know to be your life. How would life be different for those around you? How many of those around you now would even be here?
Interesting, huh?
snowflake-gray-lineMy second favorite Christmas movie came along in 1983, the year my oldest was born. Yikes!
‘A Christmas Story.’
cma-christmas-storyThis movie just brings back great memories of big, puffy snowsuits and being bundled up so tight you can only move in a robotic state. There was definitely no running and God help you if you fell down. You’d lay there like a turtle on it’s back waiting for a friend or sibling to take mercy on you and help you up! Not even kidding.
And the whole touching your tongue to a flag pole? Nope. Not this Michigan girl. You learn early on not to fall for that triple dog dare.

Side Note – I would totally own one of these lamps and display it proudly in the middle of the living room window WITH the matching stocking close by.
You can see the stocking here.
FRA-GEE-LEE!!!
snowflake-gray-lineHappy Monday!
Go me, I got a post done early in the morning! Woo hoo!
My Monday is all about spending the day shopping with my boy. Always a great way to spend a day.

We still have no snow. We may, in fact, have a green Christmas down here in the valley. It just seems to fluctuate between too cold to snow and too warm to snow. It’s a little crazy.

What’s on tap for your Monday? Shopping? Snowstorms?? Or just snuggling in??
Here’s to a great week ahead!
snowflake-gray-lineMimi’s quote for the day –
cma-dear-georgesnowflake-gray-linefeather

NOW BRING US SOME FIGGY PUDDING…

snowflake-gray-lineI’ve never had “Figgy Pudding,” aka “Plum Pudding” but I’d be open to a taste testing if it were an authentic figgy pudding with the original ingredients which interestingly enough did not include figs. Not that I don’t love figs. I do but originally they weren’t a part of the figgy pudding recipe.
However, raw beef or mutton fat was. I know, disgusting but hey, brandy was also a part of the original recipe so I think one cancels out the other.
According to my online source Google, you can find an authentic figgy pudding recipe here.
snowflake-gray-lineAltho I wasn’t privy to figgy pudding growing up I do remember a few of the following “gems” adorning my grandma’s Christmas buffet. And thankfully a few of them did not.

My grandma did do her Christmas hams with the pineapple and cherries. I do mine this way and my kids do theirs this way..
cma-ham
My grandma did not do this whole fish thing. Gross!

Somebody used to bring one of those Jello vegetable mold salads. It was soooo disgusting but my dad taught us to take a tablespoon of everything on the table so a tablespoon we gagged down or scraped into the trash when no one was looking!

My grandma always had cocktail weiners but she never displayed them quite like this…


And my grandma always had a couple of these.

Platters n’ platters of these and she always used those tiny silver ball decorations that were impossible to chew!
cma-cookies
Least favorite thing on grandma’s Christmas buffet?
This. Gross, gross, gross!
Waldorf salad with mayo and apples and walnuts. SO gross!
I have no idea who brought it but it was always there and always disgusting.

AND THIS!
Ugh. I can’t staaaaaand fruitcake and somebody always brings one or makes one and evvvvverybody always says, “Oh, you’ll like my fruitcake.”
Okay. No I won’t.
Not in the rain, not on a train.
I would not like it here or there.
I would not like it anywhere!
cma-fruit-cakesnowflake-gray-lineYour turn. Spill.
What were your favorite Christmas foods growing up?
What did you scrape into the trash??
Anybody ever had authentic figgy pudding?? Was it good??
snowflake-gray-lineSadly, I will not make my self-imposed shipping date of tomorrow but I’m definitely shooting for Tuesday!
Happy Sunday folks!
snowflake-gray-lineMimi’s quote for the day –
(I really do…)
cma-sleigh-full-of-fabricsnowflake-gray-line
feather

THE WHITE CHINESE ELEPHANT

christmas-23-dayssnowflake-gray-lineSome people, maybe most people, call it a “White Elephant Christmas.”
We always called it a “Chinese Christmas.” I have no idea where either of those names came from but they’re both basically the same Christmas get together game.
Sort of like Monopoly is basically the same game – depending on who you’re playing with.
snowflake-gray-lineHere are the rules to the “White Elephant Christmas.”
Just click on the pic. I chose one of the random websites of thousands that explain this game.
(These are the same rules we used for our “Chinese Christmas.”)
snowflake-gray-lineSo, hopefully, you clicked on the link and read the rules.
If not, I’m skipping a whole lotta’ shit here and jumping straight to the gifts.
Invite your people. Set a price on how much everybody spends on a gift.
Everybody brings a gift for at least that price.
You can spend more on a gift but you shouldn’t  spend less than the agreed upon amount.
The gifts can be useful, they can be a dud, they can be a pair of fucking socks – who knows.
As an example, here are some homemade/store bought “White Elephant,” “Chinese Christmas” gift ideas $20 dollars and under.
Enjoy!
snowflake-gray-lineFor the book lover on your list –

And the music lover – (Who can resist “The Hoff?”)cmas-gifts-david-hasselhoff
For the girl in your life who just doesn’t want to let summer go –
cmas-gifts-flip-flop-slippers
And here’s a handmade version – sort of…
cmas-gifts-hm-maxi-slippers
Guys always need new underwear –

And Christmas Eve is always Christmas pajama day –

Surely there’s a girl on your list who loves her shower gel –
cmas-gifts-blood-shower-gelAnd don’t forget the stocking stuffers – Students, kids starting out on their own.
cmas-gifts-hm-life-tool-kit-rock-paper-scissors
I would actually like to try this.. I love wasabi!
cmas-gifts-ss-wasabi-chapstick

And who doesn’t love a good ‘ol fashion jigsaw puzzle?
cmas-gifts-sawdust-puzzle
Oh, but wait. In case it’s a combo party. “White Elephant,” “Chinese Christmas,” AND “Ugly Christmas Sweater.”
Well then, here ya’ go!
Side Note – It appears these lovely holiday sweaters are only available in children sizes.
Mental Note – Rename family Christmas party.
“White Elephant,” “Chinese Christmas,” “Ugly Christmas Sweater,” “Bring Your Freaky Kids” Christmas party.
cmas-gifts-ugly-sweater1snowflake-gray-lineIt’s Friday folks and a late post which will end with me snuggling in and watching some ‘Scandal’ on Netflix – I may be an addict. – I finished all 12 seasons of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and that was amazing. ‘Scandal’ appears to be as well although it does remind me an awful lot of ‘House of Cards’ with Kevin Spacey – also on Netflix.
I need a fucking life.

What’s your weekend looking like? I’ve got a quilt to start and finish this weekend and some shopping and wrapping and baking to get done. Fingers, eyes and toes all crossed that everything will be ready to be mailed out on Monday.

It’s gotten cold here and we’ve had a few flurries but so far no snow. The ground is still too warm nothing sticks. Last year we only had snow twice in the valley and it barely covered the grass. No complaints here. If we want snow it’s just a short drive away…

Here’s to a productive, warm n’ snuggly weekend!
Cheers!
snowflake-gray-lineMimi’s quote of the day –
hot-cocoasnowflake-gray-linefeather