Currently November + TBB Linkup

Today I’m joining Anne and Julie of A Hopeful Hood for a look at what is currently going on over here as well as Jenn and Jessi for What’s Hap-“pinning” Wednesday.

It’s November 1st and this month is always a favorite for me.  October is full of birthdays and celebrating and it leaves my heart so full and ready to spend November being more conscious about giving and being thankful for all we have.  It sets my heart up perfectly for the Christmas season and keeps me focused and less stressed.

Realizing

There are only 54 days until Christmas y’all!  I seriously feel like this all just happened and a yet a year has gone by!  I am not an overly prepared Christmas shopper but by this point I traditionally have at least half purchased with lots of great ideas for the rest.  Umm…I have exactly zero gifts purchased and only one idea thus far!  The best things about big kids though is sometimes one gift is all they need because they want such pricey crap!  Ha!

Stirring

I stirred up a delicious pot of chili for Halloween and devoured a frito pie like nobodies business.  This was my first time using my instant pot and it certainly was more flavorful.  I typically use a McCormick seasoning packet but pulled spices together based on a recipe I found and tweaked just a bit.

  • Saute 1 1/2 lbs ground beef, chopped onion and 5 cloves chopped garlic directly in instant pot
  • Combine 2 tbsp chili power and cumin, 2 tsp garlic powder and oregano and add to pot
  • Add one small can tomato sauce and one cup beef broth and stir
  • Drain one can Rotel tomatoes and dump on top (I didn’t stir)
  • Seal instant pot and set to manual for 12 minutes with vent sealed
  • Salt and pepper to taste

We ate ours over fritos (because I’ve lost all control this week) so I did wait to salt until I tasted since the fritos add in some salt.

Appreciating

How truly blessed I am to have so many sweet women in my life who support and inspire me, hold me accountable and provide comic relief!  October is always a special month for me as I end up having some extra time with friends to celebrate my birthday and every year I appreciate it just a little bit more!

Investigating

TMI warning, but I’m definitely investigating more about menopause.  At 48 I’m still a little early but I’m definitely having some changes I feel certain are attributed.  Mainly irregularity but also some anxiety and moodiness. I know this is just part of life but really do like to have all the information possible to hopefully mentally process a little better!  It has been 36 days since my last cycle and I feel bloated, exhausted and am a tad (okay maybe more than a tad) bit testy.

Following

The World Series!  The games have all been pretty exciting and it is just so amazing to see the excitement from these grown men living their dream.  That being said, I am certainly excited today will be the last game because I need my evenings back.  Ha!  Of course we are Team Astros!

If you missed my post yesterday you can hop over and see What I Wore on Vacation!  Be sure to link up your favorite look with The Blended Blog Style!


31 Comments

  1. Haha! Nothing is more exhausting than a long World Series any time the Cards would go it was always the death of me. I really need to read more about Instapots. I kind of want one and I am assuming there will be all kinds of really great black Friday deals on them so I should research now.

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  5. So I bought an Instant Pot, it sat in the box for about 3 weeks staring at me and I finally returned it last week. I just didn’t know what to do with it. I’ve never been a pressure cooker user and I did get out the manual, but decided that was just way to much information for this A.D.D chick to read…LOL Ok friend, let’s talk menopause. It’s a blessing and a curse. I was 47-48 when I started really seeing the signs. My periods got totally whacky. They’d be long and then they’d come way to frequently, heavy, then I’d start skipping several months at a time. I’m now officially in the big M. I haven’t had a period since May of 2016 (so 1 1/2 years). My dr said I was a little on the younger side (I have to say that to make myself feel better. HA) I’ve been having hot flashes for about 3 years and they are a pain in the butt. The worst part is the metabolism slowing down. I can really tell and I’ve got this “fluff” around my middle that I’ve never had. It’s so depressing. I did the whole clean eating thing this summer and that did really help, but I just don’t want to live feeling deprived. I love to eat…all the food! I refuse to go down the hormone replacement road. I don’t want to introduce that into my body. Chocolate, yes. Hormones, no.😉 So there’s my TMI for ya’. Hang in there. We’re all in this together! (are singing the song from High School Musical now? You’re welcome for that😂)

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  7. I’m the same – I normally have a lot of gifts for the holidays already, but I have NOTHING right now. However, I do have a few ideas, so I guess that’s something. I’ll be utilizing a lot of deals this month for sure.

    -Lauren
    http://www.shootingstarsmag.net

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  8. I’m so grateful for the women in my life, too!! And that chili sounds soooo good. A friend just gave me the recipe for a cashew chili, which I have to make, too!

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  10. Oh girl, yes, to all the menopause stuff. Especially the moodiness, bloated feeling, and irregularity. Why, oh why does this have to be???
    Also, why, oh why is Christmas literally a stone’s throw away? So much to do and right now my house is up-ended as we push towards the finish line with all these home improvements. You are right about big kids, the high dollar ticket items make shopping a little easier.
    I hope you finish the week strong and have a wonderful weekend!
    xo,
    Kellyann

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  11. Don’t hate me but menopause was like…what? No changes, nothing happened except no periods. I know I’m blessed! I hope it gets better for you. The only advice I have is what was given to me – try to stay off hormones because once you get on them you can’t really get back off. I haven’t taken any but if I had an issue I would totally go the natural route and use essential oils.

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    1. No hating here Carrie! I’m just kind of curious where things are and would love to know if some of what’s going on is attributed to hormones. I think I’m going to have a blood panel done so I can then research some natural ways to handle. My mom did take hormones briefly when she first started getting a little crazy but she quickly migrated back off.

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  18. That happened to us last year when the Cubs were in the World Series – exciting, but oof, we needed our evenings and our sleep back after that 🙂 And great reminder about chili – somehow I always forget about that as a meal option, after a hot summer…

    Reply

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