Monday, January 10, 2011

Monday Mumbles...



I've been listening to the news this morning wondering what in the world is going on with the world!   There are terrible Floods in Australia, snow, ice and freezing temperatures in the deep south, birds falling out of the sky, fish dying,  men, women and children being shot - I would really love it if there was some good news! 

It's really cold here in Idaho, but that's normal for January.  We are expecting to be in the mid 30's by the end of the week - hallelujah!  This morning it was a bone chilling -8 degrees in my backyard, that's too cold for anybody!  Yesterday was a beautiful day, cold, but the sun was shining and the world looked all white and blue, with a few sparkly diamonds from the snow thrown in for added beauty!

This is my grandmother's bench that I painted blue last summer - it looks to be the same color as the shadows in the snow!  I love the way  the shadows from the tree look against the barn, you can even see the shadow of the bird feeder on the bench if you look closely!

Big Black Dog had fun playing in the snow too!  When he is outside, he always finds one of his toys to pack around with him, what a funny guy!  He is a big dog - 110 pounds of puppy!

Over the holidays, I gained about 10 pounds!  I'm not going to beat myself up for it . . . no I'm not!   I'm just going to do something about it... :0)  I got busy this morning and planned my menu for the week.  Friday you will find me right back at Weight Watchers, getting back on track!  And . . . I have spent 30 minutes on my elliptical today!

Monday - Crockpot roast beef with potatoes and carrots, green salad with light dressing.

Tuesday - Crockpot Minestrone Soup, (I will put left over roast beef in mine), whole wheat bread to soak up the juice!

Wednesday - Grilled chicken breast, baked potato, California blend veggies, orange fluff salad (low fat and sugar free).

Thursday - White bean chicken enchiladas (made with left over chicken), green salad

Friday - Turkey zucchini burgers with sweet potato oven fries.

Saturday - Sloppy Joe's on whole wheat thins, coleslaw (low fat)

Sunday - Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, homemade rolls, chocolate cake with fluffy frosting and ice cream!  Really!

I know, these recipes don't sound like  healthy, low fat, high fiber and high protein foods - but they are!  Well . . .  all except the chocolate cake and icecream... ;0)

I will leave you with a cute picture of Averi playing the piano for us on Christmas Eve - it was amazing, and so is she!!  I think she started the concert playing every Christmas song she knew, and some that we didn't know she knew!  She ended her concert with Hallelujah Chorus, it was beautiful!


Stay safe and warm and dry!

Hugs,

15 comments:

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Hi Barb,

It's a cold one here, too. Snowing and the highways are treacherous. I will be worried until all my family are safe at home after their workday.

I agree about the bad news we hear everyday. Where's the good news? The birds falling out of the sky has me a little worried. At least they haven't blamed that on Bush yet...as far as I know. :D Some are blaming the conservatives for the shooting in AZ, I've heard. Crazy, isn't it?

Love your photo of sweet Averi. She's an amazing little girl. I'd love to hear her play.

I admire you for planning your menus in advance. I'm never that organized. I made soup today, but it definitely wasn't lo-cal. Yummy, tho!

Have a good evening and stay warm!
Hugs,
Cheryl

Julie Harward said...

Hi there, thanks so much for your visit. You have a lovely blog full of good thoughts and pictures. I just love meeting a new friend! Your weeks menu looks so good. Come say hi any time :D

Kimmie said...

We are wet and stressed but hanging in there!

Deb from WhatsInMyAttic said...

Hope you keep warm, Barb! We rarely have temps that extreme. Those weathermen have their hands full predicting our weather; always a challenge and they always say, "...unless, of course,..." because you just never know being on the coast midpoint between north and south.

I'm really really really enjoying your music. I just got my first MAC yesterday and don't know how to turn down the volume. It's beautiful, though, if very very loud! hehehe

Thanks for the pic of your sweet girl. She sounds like a real performer!

Crazy things are, indeed, going on in our world. Truthfully, I get my news "filtered" by my husband. I work a lot and the rest of the time I keep busy with other things. LT, on the other hand, finds politics and current events to be an enjoyable hobby of sorts. He keeps me updated, because I hate hearing all the terrible stuff all the time.

Have a good week!

Ladybug said...

Love all your Photos... Barb enjoy your weekly
menu great idea... Yes its been crazy down here
in Az..So very sad...Keep the prayers coming
Hubby keep me updated, I hate all that terrible
stuff..
Blessings and Hugs...

amelia said...

So humbling, looking at this sweet little girl playing the piano. Is there any way you can get her music on your blog?

Vee said...

Hi Barb,

I may be wearing a red face concerning your comment that you see me all over the place. Yes, I do tend to love visiting blogs. Guilty...ouchie!

Thank you for mentioning Harold B. Lee. I had no idea who he was, I simply felt that his quote best expressed my own thoughts on the work we do in this world.

Oh I love to see children at the piano...

I'm bookmarking your corner so that I may return and visit again.

Vickie said...

Hey, Barb - don't feel bad, I'm feeling a bit "fluffier" after Christmas, too. I got on a sugar craving and can't seem to slack off! I think it's the winter, too. We stay in more, and cook and bake more. In summer I cook lots more vegetables and light items like salads. What is it about winter that makes us wanna eat!!! Shame on me! I've gotta get back on the diet wagon, too - EEEK! My son's getting married April 30! I definitely don't wanna be a fluffy Mother of the Groom walking down the aisle!!! Have a great week!

Sue said...

Loved the photos Barb. your snow looks so much different from ours, it looks dry as ours is wet, and to top ours we had ice, mix that with cold temps. and it will be here for a few days.
I too gained ten pounds, and had planned to start my walking back, but as you know I had that bout with vertigo, and now snow. lol And like you I am not going to beat myself up over it. lol. I will start when the snow melts.
I love it when children play musical instruments, and I know Averi brings so much joy and pleasure to you all with her playing.
Thanks for all of your encouraging visits.
Enjoy your week.
Hugs, Sue

The Halls said...

It is too cold!
Its too bad that the news only reports that bad things, it sure would be nice to hear something good everyday.
I am glad that I am not the only one that gained during the holidays... there are just too many goodies!!
Keep warm! Love, Laura

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

-sigh- I've decided to not follow 'the news,' in the various forms I usually do. I need to eliminate negativity from my life. It has to be better, for my health.

This drop negativity thing, is the influence of a new Net friend. Who knows if it will last, but I'm grabbing onto it, with hope. :-)

I love photos of shadows!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love them! You could even crop that shadows/barn/bench pic some and make a header pic out of it, if you wanted to.

Precious picture of your precious Grand.

Gentle winter hugs...

Unknown said...

That's why I don't listen to the news. That sounds pretty cold. It's cold here too, but not that cold. We are suppose to get snow tonight and it's suppose to warm up tomorrow. Your menu sounds yummy. Stay warm.
Linda

Julie Harward said...

Barb, my ancestors were Utah pioneers too...wonder if they knew each other? Charles A. Harper..he came with the first company into the SL valley with Brigham Young. Charles was the wheelwright for that first company. :D

LeAnn said...

What a lovely post. I loved the pictures. It is pretty cold here too. I have tried to avoid going out in it; but ended up having to anyway.
I would have loved to have heard Averi's piano playing; I don't suppose it got recorded. She so amazes me. What a sweet little spirit.
We are so blessed to have her.
I gained over the Holidays too; but I always keep trying and I will never give up so at least I stay somewhat stable. I do think I should go for it with Weight Watchers. Can I come to dinner at your house; you menu's sounds so good. Do you have the recipe for the Orange fluff; it sounds really good.
Have a wonderful week and know that you are always loved my me; and remember to give our grandchildren a hug from me when you are with them. Blessings and hugs to you! LeAnn

Just Ramblin' said...

Why is it that every Christmas I tell myself I will NOT gain weight but then always do. I, too, am back on the bandwagon. Since it is so cold and the air so bad, I'm on my stationery bike. Can't wait for the weather to get better so I can go walking again. Your menu's sound so yummy! Is the orange fluff made with lowfat cottage cheese and sugar free jello?
Enjoyed the pictures of your precious granddaughter. What a sweetheart!
Nola

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