New Year Seafood Boil

It's a Quast tradition to say goodbye to one year and hello to the next with a seafood boil. 

We visit a local fish market for our seafood. The selection may vary depending on what's available and what everybody is in the mood for.

Flyboy is in charge of the meal but the boys assist in the prep work and food section. He always takes pix of the food to share with those who cant join us. (We know he just wants to make them envious.)

Mom & Dad always enjoy themselves. 

Humpday Help - Journals

Ugh...Wednesday almost slipped past without me noticing. This year I'm constantly asking, "What day is it?"

I am wondering tho... how many of you have started a journal this year. Are you documenting your thoughts as you make your way through this crazy time?

I started, but it lasted for a whole five days. Over the years, I've kept many journals. This year is a perfect year to document, but my mind is more focused on work and muddling through daily life.

Hmm.... maybe I should start a journal as my New Year's Resolution. Now, that's a thought!

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If you are thinking of starting a journal, here's a few ideas to get the mind kick started. 

*Remember something that made you so scared you thought you were going to faint dead away. 

*Remember something that made you laugh uncontrollably. 

*Think about your most embarrassing moment.. come on, I know you have one. 

 Just sit down, close your eyes. Think back to the days of childhood and sift through memories and you'll find a treasure chest of things to write about. Think about what you were wearing, how you felt, what you thought or said. Your words will reflect emotion and you will find yourself writing with freedom and fluidity. It's really not hard. Give it a try. I'm sure you'll have a story to tell.

Chase Away Winter Blues

Life during covid is moving in slow motion. 

Being stuck inside on gray days can be depressing. But there is a bright side

Lack of sun affects several of us by placing an emotional grey cloud over us.  Now with the separation from family and friends, the grey clouds gather. For the single person, loneliness and fatigue may set in; for couples, the romance may become stagnant.   

It's time to turn the season around, make your own fun, add some romance into your life. The beauty of winter and the long nights may offer many opportunities for romance.

Instead of avoiding the cold, get outside.  Grab whoever you can and drag them with you. Act like a teenager again.  Go skiing, sledding, ice skating, or simply have a snowball fight. Build a snowman. Afterwards, slip indoors for cup of hot cocoa (add a shot of Peppermint or my favorite Michigan Cherry Schnapps) and watch a movie.

On a sunny weekend afternoon if the weather is too cold for your taste, select an audio book and hop in the car for a scenic drive.  Plot your destination to be a quaint little town where you can visit a couple local businesses or simply enjoy the drive.

For a bit of fun after a busy day, pull that special someone into the kitchen and heat things up.  Pick out a recipe together and spend the evening preparing dinner.  When the meal is ready, enjoy it next to a warm fire or by candlelight.  Spread a blanket on the floor and  have a picnic. Turn the evening in to a weekly or monthly tradition and maybe even build your own "couple's cookbook" to share with friends.

Another way to spend an week day evening is playing a board game.  If Monopoly isn't your thing and you want to steam things up a bit, pick up a fun sexy board game.  Check out Lover's Lane, Amazon or Adam & Eve for several fun ideas. Visit their websites together and anxiously await your delivery.

Warm up on a chilly night in an extravagant array of bubbles. If you're a single person, treat yourself to a bit of romance in the tub.  If you're not one for bubbles, try bath salts, bath bombs or a bath soak.  Bath soaks are usually a blend of ingredients you add to your bath water to create a desired effect, such as a sore muscle soak, stress-easing soak or relaxation soak. Most bath and body and drug stores carry bath soak products. Check out online as well. Pour yourself a glass of wine, light some candles, grab a steamy romance novel to read or your favorite BOB. 

For couples, a languishing dip in a steamy tub for two is enough to inspire romance for even the stodgiest of lovers. If you're worried about interruptions, arrange your water play encounter at a time when you can be together alone. A great way to do this and create the perfect memorable night is staying at hotel with a spa or Jacuzzi tub in your room.  Give each other the ultimate bath and spa experience with a little basket filled with spa items from you local bath and body shop.  Don't let the romance stop after the bath. Give each other a light, lotion-laden massage.

Eat Away Monday Blues

 During my last trip to Traverse City, I picked up a jar of Blueberry Lavender Jam. 

I put some on my toast and YUMMMMM!!!!

The jam is wonderfully thick and spreads like warm butter. Pieces of blueberry add to the thickness. The flavor of berries is sweet with a hint of fresh northern air. Close your eyes and the taste will carry you away. The final flavor is the lavender. Smooth, gentle and relaxing. You will finish each bit with a sigh, a hum of satisfaction and a smile of contentment.

Make a slice of toast for your sweetie and share the enjoyment. It is great with a cup of joe or tea.

Visit Harbor View Lavender Farm if you are ever in the Traverse City area. Check out their website for all their amazing products. I love their lotions and the jam. I look forward to trying more products.

During Covid, I've taken to doing most of my shopping online. It's been great fun finding small businesses online and purchasing their products. Many small businesses are part of Amazon. Join the movement to keep small businesses alive.

Support small business. Support you local shops.

Visit Harbor View Lavender Farms on Facebook.

Warm Up With a Bailey's Winter Bliss

The first night of Winter  was dark; a light rain combined with snow fell.

Being a good dog mom, I took the girls for a stroll. 

Once inside, we all dried off.

The girls curled up for naps; I felt the cold to my bones.

 Hubby made a hot drink for me to warm up with.

Ingredients
2 oz. Baileys® Hazelnut Irish Cream Liqueur
4 oz. hot chocolate
...

Directions
Pour Baileys and hot chocolate into a coffee mug

This recipe contains no more than 0.6 fl. oz. of alcohol per serving.

Best consumed in front of a fireplace with a special friend.

Give Me Coffee!

I love flavored coffee! It really picks me up any time of the day. I don't mean the caffeine... I simply enjoy the hot beverage. Oh, don't get me wrong, I still am a tea totter. 

After Covid, I look forward to visiting my local coffee shop, The Elbow Room. I miss going up to the counter and saying, "I like coffee and chocolate. You decide what to make me." The barista would smile and make me a wonderful surprise. 

It's like a mini Christmas gift when I hold that cup in my hand; not really knowing what is inside. Is it a Latte, Cappuccino, does it have whipped cream? I may know it's coffee with some kind of chocolate flavor, but there are so many varieties. Mocha, Mocha-caramel, Choco-mint, Choco-almond, Choco-cherry, Choco-hazelnut... the list is endless! What? I can get it hot or iced! Oh wow! Can I have both? 

Not only is there delicious java, but there is an array of natural flavored teas. I plan to try anything with "Vanilla" in the name. 

Yep... I can see myself lounging by the fireplace with a good book and hot beverage. 

What is your favorite hot winter beverage?

 

#Thursday13 - Clip-n-Save Love Coupons

You know how I'm always leaving little love notes in Flyboy's bag when he leaves for trips. I thought I'd share a variety of "coupons" with you. 

Feel free to print, clip and use. Put one or more in your honey's Christmas stocking!

 1. 2.

 

3. 4.

 

5.

6.

7. 8.

 

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

Be sure to visit The New Thursday 13 blog for more fun Thursday Thirteen!

Fireside Romance

Sitting by a fireplace, no matter the time of year is nostalgic and romatic.

We often light up the hearth when the family is together. Memories of being together over the years flow. 

The house may be full but when hubby sits next to me, hands me a glass of wine and looks at me with those eyes...I'm lost. For a moment, it's just him and me. 

Be sure to find little romatic moments this holiday. 

Wrapping and Wine

 I've had fun supporting my local businesses and shopping online but it's time to wrap. Every year I end up wrapping gifts on Dec. 22 and 23 in a rush. This year is different. My goal is to find a little Romance of the Season. Wrapping gifts is all about LOVE. Grab a glass of wine, place some holiday tunes and wrap some love.

I suggest a sweet wine to pair with wrapping. 
Have a small dish of chocolates handy for energy.
Avoid salty or greasy items; they will leave marks on the paper.

I set up a wrapping station in my basement (close to where the gifts are hidden in totes).Bins of various sizes contain paper rolls, bags, boxes, bows and ribbons.

Wrapping the largest gifts first makes for easy organization.

Clothing is tucked into boxes with colorful tissue. I sealed each box with tape so nosy boys won't peak. On a corner of each box, in tiny print, I wrote the first initial of who the gift is for.

My "assembly line" is simple:

*One table is cleared so I may wrap the gift.

*Then I select a ribbon and bow. After I attach the decoration, I put the spool of ribbon back in its tote.

*Finally, I attach a tag. This year I found some "fancy" tags at The Christmas Tree Shop but I still have the old fashion stick-on tags.

I sort the gifts by size to be taken upstairs to the tree.

As gifts are wrapped, I place them under the tree. Some gifts are "Santa Gifts" and are set aside to be placed under the tree late Christmas Eve. 

I always thought it would be fun to have a gift wrapping party with my sister and niece or with my girls. 

Do you have any wrapping traditions?

#ThoughtsToPonder - The 12 Days of Christmas

People often think of 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' as the days preceding the festival. Actually, Christmas is a season of the Christian Year that lasts for the twelve days beginning December 25 and lasting until January 6 - the Day of Epiphany, when the church celebrates the revelation of Christ as the Light of the world and recalls the journey of the magi. 

Four Magi? Sure, why not.
Middle son and friends before a Christmas Pageant. c2006

Concerning the popular song 'the Twelve Days of Christmas,' 

I learned this legend behind the text from an article in a church newsletter. 

 From 1558 until 1829 Roman Catholics in England were not allowed to practice their faith openly. During that era someone wrote 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' as a kind of secret catechism that could be sung in public without the risk of persecution. 

The song has two levels of interpretation: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of the church. Each element in the carol is a code word for a reality of our faith. 

 The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ. The pear tree is a reminder of the cross. 

 The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments. Two great gifts which each Christian receives. 

Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love. 

 The four calling birds are the four Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John, which speak of Jesus. 

 The five gold rings recall the first five books of the Old Testament or the Torah. These books were treated by the Jews with great reverence and considered worth more than gold (Psalm 19:10). 

 The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation. Eggs are an almost universal symbol of new life. The laying geese God spoke the word and brought forth life. 

 Seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:6-8): prophesy, service, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, mercy. 

The eight maids a-milking are The eight Beatitudes of Jesus (Matthew 5:3-10) nourish us as milk does. Nine ladies dancing? 

The nine ladies dancing could be the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. 

 The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments. Lords were men who had authority in people's lives. (Exodus 20:3-17). 

 Eleven pipers piping stand for the eleven faithful disciples. 

 Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the 12 points of belief in the Apostles' Creed."

This legend has been around for a long time. It has been said the author of the song refuted any hidden meaning behind the song. 

One theory of the song is simply "it's a fun party song". A sort of "memory or forfeit" type game. It was popular with children as well. Folks would often sing the song much like we often sing "Row, Row, Row the Boat" in three parts.

No one may ever know if there truly is hidden meaning but the song is still fun to sing.