37 weeks until Christmas

I now have 8 of the inexpensive items for 3 sets of Advent Calendars.  For those who do this, do you include Christmas Day?  Or just December 1-24th?  I think I am going to do the traditional 24 days.

These are photos from different stores/shops/boutiques we came across over the last two/three months.  There were so many Christmas shopping options available.

I bought myself this absolutely cute "crochet" Christmas tree ornament. I love it! Even my husband thought it was cute.

I purchased this cutie at a thrift store. It's actually a cookie jar, but I'll be using it for decoration most likely. I just love the bright blue color on it. Yes, my husband loves it too, and he rarely gets excited about Christmas. I take that back. The first year after Mom passed, he was all fired up on Christmas spirit, and that particular year I wanted nothing to do with it.

I had to laugh at the fact it was carrying a suitcase, and I never noticed it until we got home. A sign to "skip" Christmas? Ha ha ha! Traveling in December is iffy with the iffy weather too. Anyway, the snowman was inexpensive, and my husband even approved. We don't have a lot of Christmas decor, and we do like it that way, but I did buy the guy.

Books borrowed from the library. No new recipes saved yet. I may have one recipe, but we'll see what I decide later.

(source: Google)

I have discovered I need gift boxes (possibly a 4 x 4 by 2 inch high size) for many of the advent gifts, and I have no idea where to look for them (besides online). I'll have to check Hobby Lobby or Michael's stores maybe? Not sure if Walmart or Meijer craft sections would have them either. Any suggestions?

37 Weeks until Christmas ©  April 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Small Harvest and Other Fun

I harvested a handful of green onions and chives before the very cold weather moved in (more so than before).  The chickens are not happy.  I'm not happy, but trying to find the joy in the days either way.

My kitchen has been in full force the last few days.  My goodness, I have never felt overwhelmed with baking and cooking, but it has taken over in whirlwind lately.  These photos were not even everything that was getting baked/cooked or mixed up.

Despite the need to get meals made around here, I managed to squeeze in a trip to the library book sale.  I only brought home three books, but snagged some free magazines too.  

I used to read magazines when Mom was with us.  She'd pass her magazines onto me to read.  When she passed, I no longer read magazines.  I never thought to borrow some from our library.  

In light of garden season moving in slowly (thanks to this colder weather), we've been enjoying our empty nest life.  Yes, we have repairs, a coop to finish building and so on, but some times we need a little fun too.

Johnny Cash/June Carter Tribute band

Righteous Brothers Concert

Over the last three months, we've been enjoying outdoor walks, hikes, hiking trails in other towns/cities, and we even hiked a not-so-easy waterfall (so proud of our healthy lifestyle, and progress in staying fit).

We have also been to a few concerts too.  We have not been to concerts during all of our long, busy years (and years) of raising all the kids and working jobs, so it's been a huge enjoyment.

One concert was a Johnny Cash Tribute band (very good, the guy was from Nashville), and we had the priviledge to see the Farewell tour concert of the Righteous Brothers.  Bill Medley is 84 years old, and he put on a fantastic concert.

Bill Medley also wrote a book, and you know I bought a copy.  It's on my list to read after a few more books.  In fact, I have had fun window shopping on our outings too, and that is how I have found advent gifts for Christmas.

My newest suncatcher I purchased recently.  Just ignore my dirty winter window.  It's not been conducive weather to clean the outside of the windows just yet.

Nothing earth shattering news for blogland today, and I bought myself some fun pens. One of my daughter's bought me a pen set for my birthday/Mother's Day(?) and I am down to one pen now.

The one on the top in gold says "Good Days Start with Coffee" the next says "Drink Coffee.  Be Nice" (ha ha!), and the last says "Caffeinated and Motivated."

Small Harvest and Other Fun ©  April 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart