Happy New Year

 

Cheers to a new beginning!  Prayers for all to have peace, love,  prosperity and happiness this year.

It was fun watching all the countries experience the new year and their festivities.  I started as New Zealand hit midnight.  So many spectacular fireworks, but my favorite was Australia and Rio was my second.  

That is what I did for New Years Eve.  It was a nice, relaxing day, evening and I watched the Times Square Ball come down one more year.

NEW BLOG POSTS

Subtropical Gardening

Why Houseplants are More Likely to Die in the Winter + Practical Winter Care Tips

The Complete (And Easy!) Guide to Snake Plant Care

How to Attract Birds in Winter

Get Your Christmas Cactus To Bloom Big

Gina's Italian Kitchen

Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies

Spicy Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo

Ham Ravioli Bake

Lasagna Casserole

Tiramisu Cheesecake Dessert

Air Fryer Pork Tenderloin

Creamy Garlic Noodles {Homemade Pasta Roni}

Carrabba’s Champagne Chicken

New Year's Eve Recipes - A Collection

Scalloped Potatoes with Pork Chops

Hush Puppies

Fudgy Chocolate Dump Cake

Caramel Apple Dump Cake

Black Forest Dump Cake

Banana Bread Dump Cake

Easy Oreo Dump Cake

Creamy Crab Pasta

Snickerdoodle Cake

Blueberry Turnovers

Cheesecake Crowns

Black-Eyed Peas

All About The Attitude

 

Florida will be getting a glimpse of winter this week and we will see lows in the 40's for a few days.  I don't like it, but it is better than some of you guys experiencing snow.  The hope is that it will go away since I do not have a heater (and don't want one).  But I do have a lot of heavy clothes that usually works for me unless we get in the 30's.  No worries here for now, it is all about the positive attitude.

My blog focus for the next day or so is all about New Years Eve, food, traditions, etc.  My black eyed peas have already been purchased and I will start the soaking process tomorrow.  Other than that, I think a pork tenderloin sounds good and will last a few days.  No sweets this holiday week since I have blood labs due this coming month and I want the doctor to be happy.

Hoping that everyone is enduring the cold weather and bad storms in the US, not sure about the other parts of the world.  Have a good week!

NEW BLOG POSTS

Subtropical Gardening

How to Propagate Succulents (for More Free Plants!)

Jump-Start Spring by Forcing Bulbs Indoors

The #1 Reason Houseplant Leaves Turn Yellow & The Instant Fix

Fabulous Frugalista

Understanding Food Expiration Date Labels Made Simple

Peace Love Happiness

One day at a time

Gina's Italian Kitchen

Lemon Cake

Buttermilk Biscuit Ham Pot Pie

Collection of Ham Posts from Baking to Leftover Ham Recipes UPDATED

Ham & Egg Pockets

Farmhouse Chicken Cornbread Casserole

Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding

Country Potato Pancakes

Skillet Lasagna

Pecan Cobbler

Better Than Starbucks Lemon Loaf Copycat Recipe

Banana Bread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Crockpot Ham and Bean Soup

Air Fryer Boneless Pork Chops

Smothered Pork Chops With Mushrooms

Let them eat cake!

 

It has been a quiet, peaceful Christmas week.  Of course I had my terrible grief moments and momentarily lost it, but I pulled myself together fast.  Progress is getting over the moment quickly.  I'm happy!

Yes, I'm craving a beautiful, delicious cake.  You can tell by all the cake posts!  And I have not posted all the recipes I have found.

Doing research for my blog posts has really been enjoyable.  For most people, it would be considered work, but for me it is fun.  I have always been a geek like that, loving work and being the classic workaholic.  Not a bad way to be.  

Have a fabulous weekend!

NEW BLOG POSTS

LaBelladiva

A Lifetime of Memories Packed Away for Another Year

Gina's Italian Kitchen

Cannoli Cake Semi-Homemade

Chocolate Cheesecake

Cheesy Country Ham Grit Balls

Cake Mix Cookies

Tagliatelle Pasta (Homemade)

Honoring the cheesecake and searching for the perfect one

Root Beer Bundt Cake

Slow Cooker Root Beer Pulled Pork

Turkey Leftovers UPDATED

Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy

Mississippi Pot Roast Slow Cooker

Limoncello Cake

Lemon Ricotta Cake

Italian Cream Cheese Cake

Come-Home-to-Mama Chocolate Cake

Happy to be living in Florida!

 

We are enjoying the beautiful weather that makes us Floridians happy to be living in Florida.  Loving these open window days!  Much of the south has been experiencing very nice warm weather, however, our friends in the north are having awful weather.  The news was showing the travel difficulties at a time when everyone is going back home from the holidays.  So sorry for you guys!

My lifestyle change of no sugar didn't work so well for Christmas.  One of my Christmas gifts to myself was a pumpkin pie.  Not just one piece, but a whole pie.  Treating myself on special days helps me stay on track when I know the treat is coming soon.  But I did go a little overboard on the treat.

Facebook gave me the gift of keeping me out of my account.  Too many problems with Facebook.  When it finally comes back, I think I'm done with it.  I will learn how to use Instagram instead since I don't hear of too many problems even though they are owned by the same company.  Maybe it is a better program.

Looking forward to a new year, even though I made much progress this year.  It is nothing more than going from one day to the next, psychologically a new chapter in the book of life, a new beginning.

Hope you are all having a wonderful holiday week and being grateful for all your blessings.  I know I am so grateful for all the good Lord has blessed me with . . . especially those awesome memories that still make me happy and sad and always will.  Love and miss you Captain and Kiki.

NEW BLOG POSTS

Gina's Italian Kitchen

The Best Way To Store Cookies To Keep Them Fresh

How to Make Homemade Pasta

Italian Almond Cookies (Amaretti)

Chocolate and Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies

Lemony Butter Cookies

Sausage Gravy Breakfast Lasagna

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

DIY In-N-Out Burger at Home

Subtropical Gardening

7 Smart Ways to Use Old Potting Soil, According to Gardening Experts

Composting Methods That Turn Food Scraps Into Garden Gold

Great Ways To Use Coffee Grounds In The Fall

How to Propagate Fruit Trees

Pine Cone Bird Feeders

Seeds And Feeds To Attract Cardinals This Fall & Winter

Fabulous Frugalista

What Happens To Your Fridge Food When The Power Goes Out

Merry Christmas Animal Lovers and everyone else!

 

Merry Christmas!

Hope you all are having a wonderful joyous Christmas.

Here is an old Christmas video I made that never gets old:

Since I am a huge animal lover, I am always looking for others on You Tube and I found the cutest ever Merry Christmas video from a big time animal lover.  They are special and precious!  Hope you enjoy it as I have.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Christmas is sad without
The Captain and my sweet Kiki,
but I'm OK, I have awesome memories
to keep me smiling

NEW BLOG POSTS

LaBelladiva

Sew A DIY Casserole Carrier

Holiday Decorating Made Easy: Your Guide to a Beautiful and Festive Season

How to Sew a Pet Collar

Subtropical Gardening

Keep Your Chickens Healthy Over Winter

Things Everyone With An African Violet Should Know

Grow Garden Pansy Flowers for Early Blooms

Grow Vegetables Without a Greenhouse in Winter

Colorful Succulents That’ll Brighten Your Home All Winter Long

Gina's Italian Kitchen

Feast of the Seven Fishes - Shrimp Scampi

Martha's Prime Rib Roast

The Best Christmas Recipe Guide - UPDATED

Pecan Pie Dump Cake

Spicy Mexican Shrimp Pasta

Loaded Breakfast Puff Pastry

Healthy Appetizer Recipes

Naughty or Nice?

 

He's making a list and checking it twice . . . have you been naughty or nice?

I've been nice . . .

This year has flown by and I can't believe Christmas is almost here.  At least I am glad time has flown since I am closer to being "normal" and over all the sad stuff.  But I'm getting there!

The world continues to go crazy, but what else is new?

I'm just happy for all the dog people breeding and selling dogs, letting us watch them grow up on You Tube and also the horse people showing off their horses or letting us in on their day to day stuff on a horse farm.  For some strange reason, it has helped me deal with losing my Kiki girl.  I love animal people and I have grieved alongside them when they lose one of their precious animals.  I've watched some of them for years.

One of them just had a Christmas party for their horses and they dressed them up in festive attire.  They were precious!  Here is the link to the party if you enjoy festive animals having a Christmas party . . . 

 

Hope you are all having and joyous and festive holiday season! 

Listed below are new blog posts.

NEW BLOG POSTS

Subtropical Gardening

How to Care for Poinsettias Now and After the Holidays

Feeding and Attracting Cardinals to Your Feeders In The Winter

Peace Love Happiness

Coming out of the fog

LaBelladiva

Christmas Tree Decoration Ideas For A Dazzling Holiday

Gina's Italian Kitchen

Chocolate Lasagna

Italian Cream Cake

Sparkling Linzer Cookies

Peppermint Mocha Cake Balls

Pecan Cheesecake Pie

Dr Pepper Sheet Cake

No Bake Oreo Pie

Chocolate Éclair Dessert

Baklava from The Pioneer Woman

Grilling/Smoking . . . A Collection of Recipes

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

Bisquick Apple Coffee Cake

Grandma Dot's Stuffing Balls

Hummingbird Cake

Fudgy Cocoa Brownies

Alice Springs Chicken

Cattle Drive Casserole

Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes

Russian Tea Cake

Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole

Cherry Cheese Danish

Slow Cooker Classic Goulash

Impossibly Easy Cheeseburger Pie

Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup

Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Lemon Shortbread Cookies

Christmas memories

 

Happy Friday!  Seems like we just started a new week and here we are at the weekend.

There is an article I posted to LaBelladiva that took me back to exceptionally good Christmas times with JR.  It is about your first wedding Christmas ornaments and I thought about little things I haven't thought about in 20+ years.  Stuff like shopping for Christmas ornaments and remembering conversations we had while selecting them.  Priceless memories of times with JR after he's been gone over 20 years.  Seems like yesterday.  Check out the article and see what memories it brings up for you.

My posts the past couple of days have focused on recipes I would like to try since I am really bored with food.  For one thing, cooking for one sucks and I really don't like leftovers.  So I have decided to focus on meals that leftovers can go in the freezer for another time.  I found lots of them!

Hope your pre-Christmas time is joyous and memorable.  Cherish your loved ones and tell them you love them while you can.

NEW BLOG POSTS

Peace Love and Happiness

Positive anything and everything

Agree to love

LaBelladiva

Why My Favorite Christmas Ornament Will Only Get Better With Age

Gina's Italian Kitchen

Potato Puffs

Ham and Swiss Casserole

The Best Coconut Layer Cake

Slow-Cooker Crab Rangoon Dip

Quick Cannoli Dip

The Best Coconut Cream Pie

The Best Focaccia

Bacon Ranch Cream Cheese Wellington

Crispy Roasted Potatoes with Lemon and Garlic

The Best Stuffed Peppers

Rosemary Roasted Potatoes

Potatoes . . . a collection of recipes

Mamaw's Chicken and Rice Casserole

Funeral Potatoes

Potato Chip Chicken Tenders

Stromboli

Baked Tilapia

Lemon Thyme Chicken

Sausage Bread

Angel Biscuits

Caesar Chicken

Shipwreck Casserole

Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies

Orange Rolls from scratch

Spaghetti Aglio E Olio UPDATED

Cowboy Cookie Bars

Oven Roast Beef

Slow cooker breakfast casserole