Gratitude December - Day 8

Today I am grateful for bonus points and store promotions.

Tuesday night I went shopping for a few items. I noticed in the flyer that they were giving fewer points than usual for certain expenditures on food.  However they were giving bonus reward redemption points.

This was good for me because I don't really need much in the way of food at the moment but I did need to stock up on things like laundry detergent, tin foil, cling wrap, zip loc bags, condiments and so on.  As of yesterday I had just over 18000 points or about $30 Canadian in my account.  Today those points were worth $50. Canadian.

This small haul cost $95.95 Canadian. After $50 discount I paid $46.32 ($45.95 + $.27 GST + $.10 PST) for a total of $46.32 Canadian. I had a balance of $7.56 remaining on a gift card I purchased so the balance payable was $38.76. Groceries have become super expensive and I'll need to spend a lot more before this month is over just for the Christmas meal and if I decide to do any baking. Other than that I have a good stock of food and only need to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, milk and yogurt.

 

This is the first time I've heard of or used a bonus redemption at the grocery store. Normally I see that at the pharmacy. I hope more stores implement this idea.

How about you dear reader? Do your grocery stores have bonus reward redemptions? I know couponing is a huge thing in the USA and one can get groceries for very little or for nothing at all if you know what you're doing. I don't think I'd be a good couponer but I do like taking advantage of store rewards and special offers.

Gratitude December - Day 7

 Hi friends,

I wanted to thank those of you who have been following my daily gratitude blogs this month and especially those who left a comment. I have been having some issues with blogger for over a week now where I cannot post replies or sometimes even comments.  It took me numerous tries over 2 days to leave replies at the last post. I apologize for this if you are returning to see what I may have posted.

From time to time, I've read of other bloggers having this issue.  I've been blogging for approximately 12 years and thankfully this is the first time I've experienced a technical issue that has gone on for more than a week. I'm sure it will resolve itself in time.

Today is Day 7 of my daily gratitude challenge. I am grateful for this platform of blogging and for other free social media services. Yes, there are some cons or disadvantages to these platforms but overall they provide a service that most of us have come to rely on for various things. I love that I can 'meet' new people and keep in contact with others that I already know. It gave me a good substitute for socializing when I was unable and/or too busy with family needs. It also helped lead me to the Kenyan missions work I now do.

I'm feeling a bit tired so I will have an easy day. I'll finalize a package for shipping, maybe take a walk to the post office to mail it and buy a very few items for some planned dinners.  Dinner will also be easy. I've already prepared homemade meatballs so I can make that with sauce, spaghettini and salad. I'm also thinking of making a tuna casserole. I seldom make casseroles but I'm feeling like tuna and I have most of the ingredients. For those I don't have, I can buy or substitute with ingredients I have on hand. The main ingredient I'm missing is peas but I do have frozen carrots/peas/corn mix.  I prefer the casserole with peas alone but in the end I used what I have on hand instead of making a dash to the store. It gives me another day or two if I need it to make a store run.

Update: 

The tuna casserole turned out perfectly and was very tasty. I'm still having issues posting comments. It takes me many, many tries. I won't stress about it as I'm sure it will resolve itself in time. Take care!

What's on your gratitude list or simple dinner makes?

Gratitude December - Day 6

Happy Monday. 🎊🎉

Today we woke up to snow 🌨️❄️🌨️ It is cold enough to freeze the water in the bird bath. 🐦🛁

On Day 6 of Gratitude December I'm grateful for indoor heating. 🔥

For a warming dinner I made beef brisket in the Instant Pot.

I hope you are warm enough where you are.🧣🥾🧤

 

Thank you for stopping by!

Gratitude December - Day 5 & Tuesday 4

Today is Day 5 of my posts about gratitude and those things for which I'm grateful. Saturday was a beautiful day and more sunny than what I managed to capture in these photos.

 

Overnight there was snow and you can see some on the north shore mountains just under the clouds in the photos below.  There was an awful lot of traffic.

 

 

 

I was on my way to pick up some books on hold at the library. I picked up  the 3 books at the top of the pile. The other 2 books I already had in my reading pile. I also have another 3 digital books. This is the most books I think I've had on loan at one time. I try to space them out and change hold dates if I need to so I can finish reading what I already have.  However these books all came suddenly. I think it means that people are not busy reading as much right now for them to all be available so quickly. I didn't have time to change the dates.

 

Anyhoo, books are on my gratitude list today. I love books! There are many places in the world where books are not readily available and yet here I can pick up all the books I could ever hope to want to read. How blessed I am!

Fortuitously there is a books and movies theme out for Tuesday 4 so I've decided to participate in that.

Tuesday 4 is published each week in memory of our dear friend Toni Taddeo, it's author.

1. Is there a hero or character on TV, in a book or a movie .. or even on all three, that you are especially like? What do you find attractive about them?

I love heroes. I like strong characters whether they be male or female although I'm likely more drawn to male heroes simply because we hear or see much more of them.  I've totally enjoyed the movie hero, James Bond as played by Daniel Craig. I looked forward to each and every movie release and I'm sad to see his role come to an end. As the old saying goes 'all good things must come to an end'.  What I liked about him in the role are his looks, his believability, his strength yet vulnerability, his conscience and his big heart.  As for female heroes, I think my favourite is Wonder Woman. I grew up watching the television series and was always enthralled by the female lead as played by Lynda Carter. I would say that the female lead, now played by Gal Gadot on the big screen is not as well developed a character but perhaps in time she will be.

 

2.  Was there a book that was better in movie form? How about a movie you thought didn't live up to the book?

One book that I can readily recall which I thought was better in movie form is The English Patient written by Michael Ondaatje, Sri Lankan Canadian.  This book came with a lot of hype and it took me years to get around to reading it. When I finally did I was sorely disappointed. I simply did not enjoy it at all. The movie on the other hand I did enjoy and the movie cast is made up on very talented actors.  It is rare that I've seen and enjoyed a movie more than a book I've read.  It's happened once or twice but at the moment I cannot think of any. One movie that surprised me is The Life of Pi. I'd read it many years before and I enjoyed it so much. I had to go and see the movie because I couldn't figure out how they might manage to turn the book into one. The movie was great too.

 

3. When you choose a book, program or movie which subject it is most likely to be: science fiction, mystery, romance, comedy, documentary, etc.?     What draws you to a particular book or movie?

I've been keeping track of the books I've read over the last 10 years. Too bad I didn't keep track of books I read before then. What I've discovered through tracking books is that I tend to be drawn primarily to books of historical fiction and books set in other countries or within different cultures. I'm surprised by that because though I liked Social Studies as a student I would not say that I was overly drawn to history though I realize it is important. It wasn't a surprise to me that I love books set in other countries and cultures since I love to learn about other places and people whether that be trying new foods, attending festivals, making friends or travelling.

 

 

4. How important is the title or picture on the cover of a book?   How much importance do you place on a movie because of the actors who are in it?

The title or cover design are important to me because if I'm unfamiliar with the author or the book content this is what will draw my eye to it on the bookshelves. I've picked up many books that way though whether I liked them is another issue.  I don't choose movies based solely on who my favourite actors are. It really depends on the subject matter and my own schedule. Having a favourite actor or two will help but is not the determining factor.

I hope you have had a fabulous weekend and I wish you a wonderful week ahead. I'm linking up with Tuesday 4.

Gratitude December, Day 4

Hi friends and fellow bloggers. 

I didn't mention it previously but I am spending a few moments each day to reflect on one thing I am grateful for that day. Of course there is usually more than 1 thing, both big and small that I am grateful for each day but I want to try and focus on one thing.  I didn't post for Day 2 and 3 so I will do that separately. I'm not yet decided whether I will post several days of gratitude in one or do a separate post for each day. We shall see but I will use the labels "grateful" and gratitude" to make them easy to search.

Today is Day 4 and I thankful for a phone call from the daughter of my childhood Sunday School teacher. My former was such a wonderful, loving and kind person. She is now well into her 90s and developed dementia a few years ago.  She is now in a care home but her son and daughter visit her almost daily. After their mother developed dementia, the daughter and the son would bring her south for a holiday each summer and they would make a point of visiting various people including myself and my late mom when she was in a care home too. 

Such a blessing this family entire family is to so many people. The example of their mother and father, stalwarts of the church and kindness and love exemplified, helped me to become the person I am today. My spiritual fruits still have a long way to go to ripen as well as theirs but honestly their example still encourages me to this day.

Here is the basis on which I love to give gratitude in all things. It's been my daily practice for long though I don't always write it down.

 "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:8

A Clear Day

 

December started off just right. We had a clear, blue sky. At least most of it was blue. After several very damaging rain storms, this was a welcome sight!

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you and your loved ones enjoy the weekend.

Joining in with Skywatch Friday this week.

December is Here

 Hi friends and fellow bloggers,

 

 I hope you are all doing well.

I'm just popping in to wish you all a very wonderful December. We've all gone through some rough patches for a very long time. Now we are in the last month of the year. Let us usher it in with peace, love and determination to be joyful no matter the circumstances we may face. It isn't always easy to be joyful or grateful but we can try.

As I usher in this last month of the year, I am setting my mind to enjoyment and relaxation as much as I possibly can (watching television, listening to music, a bit of crafting and maybe baking). I am also doing my best to finish up and clear away old business and get back to some good, daily practices.

Over the past year I've been working with the Fly Lady system, mostly just doing the morning and evening routines and not always all of them each and every day.  One of the daily routines is shining the sink after washing dishes.

 

 

I am also remembering to look after myself better and work on the things that have piled up over the years. I am making great progress and need to continue moving forward in all these areas. In this last month I will add two daily practices, or at least as often as I can. I will be more committed to daily exercise and to daily acknowledgement of the things for which I am grateful. I have done both of these practices before but have slipped over time so I am back at it, lol. Today, in the exercise routine I really was so winded and so this renewed practice comes at a good time.

Some of my long time readers to this blog will know that I have often baked bread and I've enjoyed doing it.  Over the past year or more,  I cut back on most of my baking due to blood sugar issues. However I was watching someone's vlog the other day and I was motivated to make some bread again. This is Amish Bread. It uses far more sugar than I need or want but anyway I've baked it and I will try it the way it is supposed to be made. I will likely bake it again but next time only use 2 tablespoons of sugar which I've read some bakers have done with no ill effect. If you are interested in baking it I've linked the recipe I used here. Now the bread has cooled and I had a slice with butter. Oh my. It's seriously tasty. Even so, next time, reduced sugar for me but if you have no glucose issues, try the original recipe. I'm sure you would love it if you like bread.

I actually haven't had flour in my home for awhile but recently our highway was destroyed and long haul truckers were hampered in bringing in supplies to the big city. I bought a bit of flour to have on hand because people tend to buy out all the stock of many things the moment there is some kind of emergency.  

 

The highway will not be reopened until late January and only to commercial traffic when it does reopen. At this point, it's up in the air as to how long there will be highway closure for recreational travel. Trucks are delivering various commodities through an alternative, less direct and probably more difficult route but there are delays.

My gratitude for today then is for my safety and the safety of my loved ones.  Also for the flour and other food that I have on hand despite the highway and other food supply issues.

Thanks for stopping by.