Just Some Ramblings & More!
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I’ve been told I love to ramble on, so why not pass along some of my ramblings from this past month to all of you!
Welcome to My Life Abundant, a collection of ideas, tips, inspiration, and just thoughts. I love to share everything happening in my abundant life and the inspiration I have found from others around the World Wide Web.
Happy Thanksgiving next week!!
I would normally have this post next week, but I’m taking the week off. I will be having Thanksgiving with sweet friends. I will truly miss Mr. G there, but I will have a piece of Pumpkin Pie for him.
I hope everyone is ready for the holidays! Have you started shopping yet, or are you already done? When do you start decorating for the holidays?
I wait until the day after Thanksgiving, which has been a tradition passed down to me from previous generations. I like to decorate while listening/watching the Georgia and Georgia Tech football game with Mr. G. We started this tradition when we got married many moons ago. 🏈🎄❤️
But now, the tradition is just for me to decorate and watch the game by myself. I know Mr. G will be there with me in some way, and the memories will make me smile.
As I sit back and reflect on all that has happened this year since Mr. G passed, I’m so very thankful.
I’m thankful I live in a beautiful home, even though it is aging and has its issues; I couldn’t be happier here. I’m thankful for all those who have stepped up to help me out this past year with fixing the small issues I’ve had with the house. I’m thankful for the area I live in, which has everything I need to keep going so close by. I’m aging and I have issues, too!
Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you have bestowed on my life. You have provided me with more than I could ever have imagined. You have surrounded me with people who always look out for me. You have given me and my family, as well as my friends who bless me every day with kind words and actions. AMEN!
🪴WIDOW LIFE: Thanksgiving will be hard this year. It’s another first for me. Even though I used to prepare a very small Thanksgiving meal for Mr. G and me, we still enjoyed this day together and remembered the blessings we had shared. I also went and got one of our favorite pumpkin pies at The Fresh Market, where my mom used to live. It’s such a popular pie that I have to get it a week in advance and keep it in the freezer. This was our big treat for Thanksgiving, and I had to keep that tradition going. I cannot tell you how good that pie is!! 🥧
A few of us are going vintage and thrift shopping one day after Thanksgiving. I know we will find some great vintage Christmas items.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” – Matthew 5:4
In other news, my yearly checkups are this time of the year. I also have bloodwork and physicals, and I also see my dermatologist. I also had my yearly mammogram done. Ladies, it’s so important to have the girls checked out every year. I found these cute stickers for my planner to help remind me.
🐕🦺DIXIE UPDATE: She is just the best!! She is learning more and more, but still won’t learn to shake. Can’t figure that one out. Her favorite thing is still taking a quick walk first thing in the morning to smell all the dogs before her and enjoy being outside. She also loves dog puzzles that you put small treats in. She figures those out pretty quickly.
She seems to be getting better at being around strangers when we are outside. But when a male comes into the house, she is agitated very quickly. I’m not sure if it’s because she is protective of our space or if a male has hurt her in her home. If I’m having work done in the house, I will just keep her on a leash and let her watch the workers. I let them know to just not pay any attention to Dixie. I hope that over time, she will get over a lot of her fears of people.
Remember, when it comes to training a dog, practice really works. Just a few minutes each day will make a big difference.
🍎Pumpkin Crisp: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. In a bowl, mix 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 2 large eggs until smooth. Pour the mixture into the prepared dish. In another bowl, combine 1 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour), 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1/4 cup melted butter until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over the pumpkin mixture. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until golden brown and set in the center. Cool slightly before serving warm.
🎄FUN AND INTERESTING CHRISTMAS FACTS: The song Jingle Bells was written in 1857 for Thanksgiving, but became a Christmas song in the 1870s. Prince Albert introduced the German custom of decorating Christmas trees to his wife, Queen Victoria of Britain. Since 1978, there have been over 733 different versions of “Silent Night” copyrighted. 3 billion Christmas cards are sent in the U.S. each year. Alabama was the first state to officially recognize Christmas in 1836. Oklahoma was the last, in 1907.🎄
⛪ IN CLOSING: Take a deep breath. Give yourself grace. And lean in — maybe with a friend, maybe in a quiet moment — and say softly: “Even if things don’t go like I planned, God is still good, and my hope is in Him.”
Something to chew on
“When you feel overwhelmed, remember: a little at a time is how it gets done. One thing, one task, one moment at a time”
💗What I’m loving this month
- White Chicken Chili Recipe
- Food Safe Christmas Treat Bags
- Kraft Cookie Boxes (love these to take cookies to folks)
- 2025 Botanical Planner (if you love plants, this one is beautiful)
- Gingerbread Ornaments
- Framed Vintage Card Ornament (Love this!)
- Christmas Tree Wooden Coasters
- This cute cardigan in several colors and styles
What I’m watching, reading & listening to
📺 Has anyone watched All Her Fault on Peacock? If you love a good mystery, this series is a must. Great acting, and I did NOT see that ending happening.
📺 It’s that time of year, and I am watching all my favorite Christmas movies. It’s A Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story, The Santa Clause, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, Elf (the funniest movie EVER), Home Alone, The Holiday (love romance this time of the year), Christmas with the Kranks, Love Actually (finally watched it), and finally, Planes, Trains and Automobiles (Candy and Martin have some of the best quotes. Priceless). And let’s not forget all the Hallmark movies. My fav is Christmas at Graceland since I’m a huge Elvis fan.
🎵I’m listening to Sirius Radio channel Holiday Traditions, and if you love old Christmas music, go to YouTube and search for vintage Christmas music. I also love all the screensavers with Christmas music to go with it. Some good stuff out there.
My Christmas Favs
Shop some of my favorite Christmas decor.
Our Books and coloring books
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
⬇️ Find out what that verse is all about from our books ⬇️
Free Printable Christmas Planner
Looking for recipe cards for the holidays?
This is an 8 x 10 printable to print and frame at home using heavy-weight cardstock. Or send it to your favorite printer for no-worry printing. I prefer this method for a more true color printing.
Click on the button below to download the recipe card to your computer.
the ultimate garden planner
Make your garden the best it can be
It’s time to plan that dream garden with our digital garden planner, and the printables feature a range of topics, including planning, planting, growing, and maintaining your garden.
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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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The prayer you included is so beautiful. I just repeated it and felt amazing. Thank you so much for being such an inspiration Tammy.
I love your spirit and perseverance. I’m so glad you can still enjoy the holidays.
Really enjoyed your honest reflections here—makes me feel like I’m chatting with a good friend. Thanks for sharing your thoughts that inspire others.
Wow, that must be an amazing pumpkin pie to have to get it a week in advance. It’s isn’t something I have tried but it does sound yummy!
I completely agree that when it comes to training a dog, consistent practice does make a massive difference. A lovely prayer to comfort all of us and thanks a lot for including it.
I do the Christmas tree after Thanksgiving, as I like having it out for Christmas dinner only, and I find both holidays to be sort of similar in what we like eating. I do live in England, so got to have Thanksgiving early, which was fun.
looks like an amazing month you’ve had. I need to try out the recipe
The. Christmas tree for us always goes up on the 1st December . I can’t wait to do some thrift and vintage shopping in our local second hand shops soon!