Just Me & My Moments!
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Here you will find a collection of ideas, tips, and just thoughts. I love to share everything happening in my abundant life and what inspires me.
Welcome to Just Me & My Moments! It’s a little space where I share the bits and pieces that make up my everyday life. From small joys to honest reflections, it’s all about capturing the moments that shape who I am. Nothing fancy, just real life, simple and meaningful, and one moment at a time as a widow.
I’m so happy you are here!
Happy New Year!
As the new year arrives, I find myself standing in a season of reflection and quiet courage. It will be a year soon since I became a widow, and while the ache of loss never truly disappears, time has gently taught me how to carry it and carry on. This past year has been filled with moments of deep sadness, unexpected strength, and small glimmers of hope that reminded me I am still here, still living, still learning.
January 1st was a very hard day for me because I felt like I was leaving Mr. G behind. All of our memories were before 2026.
The new year doesn’t erase the past, and it doesn’t demand that I forget. Instead, it offers space for new beginnings to exist alongside cherished memories. I’m learning that moving forward doesn’t mean moving on; it means honoring what was while opening my heart to what can still be. Some days look like laughter, other days it’s simply getting through the day with grace.
And I thank God every day for the people in my life who have helped me keep it together.
So, for the new year, I decided to change the name of my monthly post to Just Me & My Moments. It’s a new year, a new beginning, and a new possibilities! I have also decided that I won’t be writing as many posts as I have in the past. I’ve been blogging for over 15 years now, and I’m ready to slow down a bit. I’m not going anywhere, just enjoying life outside of the blog more.
WORKOUTS – Since it’s the first of the year and many folks start a workout regimen, I thought I would share mine. When my father had is heart attack, I was 22 years old, overweight from being pregnant, and exhausted. I knew I shouldn’t feel that way in my early 20’s. Watching my father, mother, and husband live on meds for most of my life, I knew I didn’t want that. So, in my early 20’s, I started working out with VHS tapes. As the years went on, I could watch workouts on tv and in today’s world, I do walking workouts on YouTube. I use Get Fit with Rick, Up to the Beat Fit, and my long-time workout gal, Leslie Sansone’s Walk at Home. All three of these are easy to follow, with great music and cues. There are long videos and short ones to follow. I’ve been working out for over 40 years now, at a good weight and not on any meds. I feel great and get around very well. I do feel my age when it comes to doing a lot of work outdoors or trying to lift something. But you learn to take smaller steps and do what you can. Enjoy your life in the future! Eat the best you can, take some vitamins, and get moving!!
DECLUTTER – I think the whole world is decluttering right now. I went through my boxes of Christmas items and had to decide what needed to go. It was hard because some of the items had been with me for 40 years. But I need to make my Christmas simple now. I took a couple of boxes to the local Goodwill. Did you declutter this month?
CREAMY CHICKEN MARSALA GNOCCHI SOUP – In a large pot, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Cook 1 lb diced chicken breast with salt and pepper until browned; remove. Add 2 tbsp butter, 8 oz sliced mushrooms, 1 chopped shallot, and 3 minced garlic cloves; cook 5 minutes. Stir in 2 tbsp flour, then 1 cup Marsala wine, scraping up bits. Add 4 cups of chicken broth; bring to a simmer. Add 1 (16 oz) pkg gnocchi and chicken; cook 5 minutes. Stir in 1 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, and 2 cups spinach until wilted. Season to taste and serve warm.
MY WINTER TABLE: I decided to keep my small table in the kitchen set up with winter decor. I used wooden chargers, my MIL’s gold-trimmed china plates, vintage brass snowflake napkin holders, and vintage winter scene plates. I also made some snowflakes from quick-dry clay, pressed them with a doily, and cut them out with a snowflake cookie cutter. You can find doilies in thrift stores if you don’t have any. The snowflake was inspired by the picture below.
🐕🦺DIXIE UPDATE: I did a DNA test on Miss Dixie just to see exactly what breeds she is. I swiped the inside of her cheek with the large Q-tip from the test and sent it off. I received an email stating that the test had been received, and a couple of weeks later, the results were available. Was I ever surprised! She is 24% toy dog (no surprise) and 17% Yorkshier Terrier (no surprise). But the interesting part is that there are 6 other breeds she has in her. Other types of terriers, mastiffs, pointer spaniels, spitz/sled dog, and hound! 😯 All these different breeds explain a couple of traits she has. She sniffs like a hound, and she is very muscular. The test also lets you know what medical issues may occur, and she may get Wilson’s Disease, which can affect the liver. I think we can truly say that Miss Dixie is a true mutt or Heinz 57, as my dad used to say, with 8 different breeds in her.
🛋️FUN AND INTERESTING FACT: What is the most common color in the universe? Beige, a shade close to white, is the most common color in the cosmos. It’s called Cosmic Latte. No wonder it’s so popular among decorators!
⛪ IN CLOSING: But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us – Romans 5:8
Something to chew on
“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.” ~Henry David Thoreau
💗What I’m loving this month
- Beautiful Winter Wonderland tablescape. Those mittens for the utensils!
- Easy gifts in a mug for any occasion
- Preserving memories with scrapbooking
- Perfect Healthy Breakfast Cookie before school
- Self-Care Day ideas for “those” days
- Heart-shaped skillets for the Love Day
- My favorite winter meal is Baked Spaghetti Casserole
- Easy Valentine Wreaths to make
- This Glycolic Acid peel has really helped with brown spots
- And this Undereye Corrector is perfect for dark circles
What I’m watching, reading & listening to
📺 Where are my Stranger Things fans??? I love a lot of series, but sometimes the ending disappoints. Not Stranger Things! I didn’t want the series to end, but I had tears at the end of this one. I would love to hear your thoughts about this series. Netflix also came out with a documentary on how they made the last season. Worth a watch.
📺 Since Stranger Things is over, I needed a new series to watch. The West Wing came across my screen, and I decided to give it a chance. Love it! Even though it’s about politics, the storyline is very interesting and compelling, and mainly about the lives of the president’s advisers. The performances and actors are great together. The series came out in the late 1990s and is on Netflix.
📺 I also watched His & Hers on Netlix, and it was an interesting show of twists and turns mystery. The ending knocked my socks off!! Just a warning that the language gets a little much.
My winter Favs
Shop winter items that are essential for anyone.
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The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. – John 10:10
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Tammy
I’m just a country girl loving my geeky life, always taking pictures, getting my hands dirty in the garden, exploring with travels, and enjoying thrifting. But above all, living my faith as a child of God!
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Decluttering is a bit one for me, my house is a mess lol…I’ve always thought I was a minimalist, well, I am not! I like the idea though. I definitely need to declutter….
I’ve definitely been on a decluttering kick. I looked around one day and thought, “This is too much stuff.”
I really didn’t want stranger things to end either. We spread it out over the Christmas/ New Year break and I loved it. I’m also decluttering, but I feel like I’m doing that all the time, not just in Jan haha x
What a lovely reflection on the end of a year. I am skipping the “starting to work out and then ditching it” this year, for the good of my mental health.