We’ve been building a fire in the fireplace. Love this!

Around the House
It’s so clean. I love the day the cleaning lady comes! Of course I am looking to start weaning myself off of that — the cleaning lady is only for this particular season of life. To that end I am rethinking chore lists for the kids and myself. Implementing new chore routines are about to become the big deal around the house in December.

From the Kitchen
We are eating-from-the-pantry. I just had so much stocked away, but kept buying more. This week I made menus based on what we had. Last night it was potato, cheese and broccoli soup and tonight dressed pinto beans and rice.

Homeschooling
It was nice to have a break. It was so nice that we got nothing at all done last week. The break was nice. (Did I mention it was nice?)

On the Blog
The Around the World :: France post will go up this week. Also check back for a peek at some Christmas list ideas.

Fitness
Pass. If I can get through the holidays with my pants still fitting, I will consider it a success. I always get extra motivated in January. I am counting on it.

Plans and Schemes
Back to the busy this week. I hope to sneak away to a movie with a friend tomorrow night. A meeting on Wednesday holds much promise. The kids are gearing up for basketball season. Is it bad that I am wishing it was all over already? My entire bit of Christmas shopping, minus one lone item which I will get at the store this week, is sitting in my Amazon cart waiting for pay day, and me to push “buy.” The kids want to put up Christmas decor — I do not. I think I am going to trickle it out a little bit at a time to preserve Advent as much as possible. I really can’t wait for “Christmas break” later in December when most of our activities will stop for about three weeks.

Reading and Crafting
Started Olivia’s hat. Still reading Laura Berquist’s Teaching Tips and Techniques at Sarah’s recommendation. It’s good, and I am feeling the need to take notes. I also finished a Haystack Full of Needles, A Catholic Home Educator’s Guide to Socialization, which I do recommend (even for non-Catholics) and enjoyed, but didn’t find ground-breaking in any way. One or two good ideas there. Thanks to last week’s recommendations I started Father Elijah: An Apocalypse and am enjoying it very much so far. The major action hasn’t started yet, but it is already intriguing. I also watched the BBC version of Emma this week. Very enjoyable, and I highly recommend it.

Saying Yes
We will get out the Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer toys this week. And we will get peppermint chocolate chip milkshakes from Chic-Fil-A. That one is an easy yes for sure.

A Memory
Love this face from a couple of Christmases ago (when I actually had light to take pictures with!!)