The First Monday of the Year

 

The First Monday 

of the New Year! 

Marvelous Opportunities Await

Marveling at the morning sun,

Opening the week with fun.

New opportunities to seize,

Delighting in the gentle breeze.

Awake, arise, don’t delay,

Your destiny starts this Monday.

By Dan Higgins 2024

I hope you all are doing well and ready to seize the opportunities ahead! 

• As I look at my week starting today - it’s back to BSF on Wednesday—I can’t wait! Those two weeks off felt longer than expected, and I really missed the routine.
• After Wednesday, I’ll be rejoining my church Bible discussion group on Isaiah, which I’ve been looking forward to. It will be great to get back into that groove and be with everyone.
• I also hope to start doing some of my home projects...

On Sunday, I noticed many people at church were giving away their oranges and lemons. The scent was absolutely delightful! It’s such a wonderful reminder of how God sustains us in the winter - bringing in some vitamin C just as we head into the cold and flu season. The aroma of those fruits makes me think of the approaching Spring. Oranges bring a ray of sunshine during the winter, and I’m excited to enjoy lemon in my water as well. 

Oh, Susie...

She couldn't resist...a nibble.

Okay, I love the "look"

I might make another orange cardamom olive oil cake. I'll freeze half of it. 

So, what's this little cupboard you have on your counter? 

My middle son, whom I lovingly call Foodie, surprised me with a beautiful Mother's Day gift when he was just 18 and working at Mervyns. I've always dreamed of painting my cabinets in that same style, but I think it might be a bit too bold for my taste.

My kid knows what I like, and I have loved it from the first day he gave it to me. It gets dusty though and I use a Q-tip to get into all the tiny places -

During our move up here nearly 17 years ago, several little parts broke off - I initially believed I had retained the broken pieces to repair them, but in the chaos of the move I misplaced them. 

This is the year, I plan to address this issue by eliminating the remaining pieces and developing an alternative solution that closely resembles the original.

I decided to take advantage of the $20 Kohl's Cash I earned through my recent purchases, knowing I had to use it up before the deadline of January 9. Excited to find something nice, I wandered through the store, exploring various sections in search of an item that I not only liked but also needed. I set a strict limit for myself, determined not to spend more than the $20 Kohls cash. 

After browsing through racks of clothing, shelves of home goods, and displays of accessories, I found myself drawn to the handbag section. I can always use another purse, especially since I prefer smaller sizes. I came upon this compact purse that seemed ideal; it was just the right size, spacious enough to hold my phone, key fob, wallet, pepper spray, and some chap stick which is all I typically need. 

This purchase had nothing to do with the unfortunate coffee spill. The new bag was reasonably priced at $12.50, and I thought to myself, "Why not?" 

After making my purchase, I realized I still had $7.50 left to spend. However, I knew my options were quite limited at Kohl's with such a small amount. Perhaps I can find a kitchen towel or a small household item? Regardless, I was thrilled that I didn't have to pay out of pocket for anything today and It felt satisfying to score a new purse while sticking to my budget!

Then I went to Target to return something, and I spotted this attractive box of Kleenex with a decorative pattern that caught my attention. I like Target; except for the clothing and shoes. I like that they have a CVS pharmacy, which adds convenience and the Dollar Spot located at the entrance is fun to look through. 

Too bad I couldn't have used my Kohl cash at Target! 

I placed a few things around for that winter touch. 

Next week, I plan to begin decorating for the Chinese New Year, which falls on January 29th this year. This celebration marks the start of the Year of the Snake in the lunar calendar. 

Right now, the electricity to the lights in the dining room is out - my husband is replacing a wobbly switch. ✔One item is now crossed off from our list for this year's maintenance. 

Currently, the temperature is 60 degrees with sunny conditions. The front door is open. The lawn remains soft and squishy due to the heavy rainfall experienced last week. 

The bulbs are beginning to sprout, which is typical for this area.

At the rate they are growing, these mini daffodils might bloom next week with the warmer temperatures and sunshine.

Miracles in the Making

Miracles happen every day,

Open your heart, don’t sway.

Never lose faith or hope,

Dreams are like a kaleidoscope.

A miracle might be on its way,

You’ll find it, perhaps this Monday.

by Dan Higgins

Sincerely,

Debby