Let’s see what type of party music I can curate at 61 years old, don’t expect current music because I don’t know any. Maybe we’ll call this an oldies music party. :)
Commodores – Brickhouse (Live)
Kool & The Gang – Get Down On It
Michael Jackson – Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough (Official Video)
Bee Gees – Stayin’ Alive (Official Music Video)
Rocky – Eye of The Tiger
Flashdance – What A Feeling (S.Martin Remix 2019)
Enjoy New Year’s Eve, have a great time but don’t drink and drive.
Melinda
Do you make resolutions every new year but rarely manage to stick to them beyond the end of January? Research shows that just eight percent of people manage to stick to their resolutions, with many people abandoning their good intentions around mid-January. But, it is crucial to remember that although your previous attempts may not have been successful, you can still achieve your resolutions in the future; you just need to know how to do it. Getting your new year off to the most positive start possible is an excellent way to get on the path to success in the new year. Here are some tips to help ensure your 2025 gets off to a positive start.
Good health is the foundation that enables people to achieve their goals. If your health is poor, it is challenging to focus on other areas of your life and how you would like to live. Making your health a priority in the new year is a great way to start on a positive note.
When deciding to make health a priority, it is a good idea to begin by focusing on habits and behaviors that are damaging your wellness. Getting the proper support to overcome addictions is an excellent way to get started and break free from the control these habits have over your life. Seeking professional support is a big help, and you can do this by taking a look at Rehab List to find the treatment you need more easily.
Feeling constantly stressed can take its toll on your well-being and impact your mood. It is hard to feel positive when you have constant stress weighing you down. Taking action to reduce the stress in your life and changing the way you respond to it is an excellent way to get your new year off to a positive start.
Stress can be beneficial in some situations, and the stress response plays a crucial role in keeping people safe in potentially dangerous circumstances. However, having your stress response triggered regularly can impact both your health and your outlook on life. Playing an active role in dealing with your stress is a valuable way to manage it. Identifying the root causes of your stress and addressing these is beneficial. Mindfulness techniques to prevent you from becoming caught up in unhelpful thinking patterns.
Giving your well-being the attention it deserves is another excellent way to start the new year positively. Channeling your efforts into activities that nourish your body and mind rather than harm them will ensure you feel at your best as you start the new year. Focusing on nurturing your physical and mental health to become as strong as possible will provide a firm foundation for a positive start to a new chapter in your life.
One important key I learned several years ago is to focus on the goals that mean the most to me. I write only a handful of goals and then focus on making them happen. If needed I can always rethink and add a couple more. There’s nothing like having a list of 25 and accomplishing nothing. That doesn’t do much for your self-confidence.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
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This surgery is completely different than the one earlier this month. He is doing Carpel Tunnel surgery on my right hand which is a piece of cake. Technological advancements make the procedure less intrusive and allow for a shorter recovery time.
I hope to be out for a few days, we’ll see how it goes. I don’t like taking pain medication so that can delay blogging for a day or so.
Thank you for all the love shown to me during the last surgery, your words filled me with joy.
Take good care and I’ll see you next year.
Melinda
“These are great for a morning or afternoon snack when you just need a little pick me up. I like to take them to the office with me.” Kristin Cavallari from her cookbook True Comfort.
1/4 cup finely chopped raw almonds
2/3 cup almond flour
1/2 cup creamy raw almond butter
1 tablespoon instant coffee granules
1/4 cup vanilla protein powder
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 to 2 teaspoons almond milk
1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
In a large bowl, combine the almonds, almond flour, almond butter, coffee granules, protein powder, maple syrup, vanilla, and almond milk.
Roll the dough into golf ball size balls and place them on a baking sheet.
Place the shredded coconut in a shallow dish.
Roll each ball into the coconut and then return to the baking sheet.
Place the baking sheet in the fridge to chill for at least 1 hour for the bites to firm up before you eat.
These bites keep well in a ziplock bag in the fridge for up to 14 days.
Here’s a great Gluten Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. My archives contain many Gluten Free recipes.
Enjoy!
Melinda
As we approach several holidays mocktails are great for those who chose not to drink.
Here are a few great recipes
INGREDIENTS
Add the lime pieces, lemongrass slices, ginger syrup, and sugar to a sturdy highball glass or a cocktail shaker. Muddle until the sugar has dissolved and the aromas are released. Add the mint leaves and muddle a bit more.
1 wedge lime
4 ounces *brewed jasmine green tea, chilled
4 ounces ginger beer, chilled (I used Gosling’s)
Garnishes: Fresh sliced strawberries and additional lime wedges
Fill a glass with ice cubes. Squeeze the juice of a lime wedge over the ice and drop the lime wedge into the glass. Add the chilled green tea and ginger beer; stir gently. Garnish with strawberries and additional lime wedges.
Makes 1 drink
Here are the ingredients in a virgin piña colada recipe:
Throw these in a blender, and you’ve got a tasty signature drink in no time. Except you need one last required item…drink umbrellas!
Brilliant green matcha makes this healthy mocktail creamy and comforting. Plus, it’s packed with antioxidants and features a little caffeine kick.
We recommend using plant-based milk as the foundation for your Green Russian. This renders the drink accessible to those not consuming dairy, but it also allows the matcha to shine; milk proteins can block the absorption of matcha’s beneficial compounds.
2 ½ cups plant-based milk
Tip: Use a richer, fuller plant milk, such as cashew, macadamia, or barista-grade oat milk.
1 ½ tablespoons matcha powder
2 oz cold coffee
Tip: Try to use cold-brew coffee. Since we’re only using a little bit, you’ll want your flavor to be as full as possible. Alternatively, mushroom coffee can be used to achieve an earthy taste and add nutritional benefits.
2 tablespoons sugar or other sweetener
1 pinch cacao powder (optional)
1 cup ice
Warm 2 cups of your milk over low heat. Add the sugar and stir. Next, add the matcha powder and stir until fully dissolved. Remove from heat and set aside.
Next, add ice to your glasses. Once the matcha mixture has cooled, pour it into the glasses. Add a quarter cup of the remaining milk to each glass. Pour a splash of cold coffee on top of the milk for a beautiful combination of colors and flavors. Dust the mocktail’s top with cacao powder for added glamor (and superfood power). Serve and enjoy!
Melinda
References:
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The recipe is from Kristin Cavallari’s cookbook True Comfort.
I am so impressed with her cookbook, she covers every meal, snack, and smoothie. You don’t have to be living a Gluten-Free life to enjoy the recipes, they sound delicious. Several followers have made comments about how good the recipe was.
1/2 avocado
1 tbs raw honey
1 cup almond milk
2 tbs raw cacao nibs
1 cup frozen cauliflower florets
1 big handful of fresh spinach
1 tsp brain octane oil (she likes Bulletproof)
1 tbs bee pollen
1 tbs hemp seeds
1/4 cup chopped or sliced blueberries and blackberry
Place the avocado, honey, almond milk, cacao nibs, cauliflower florets, spinach, and brain octane oil (if using) in a high-powered blender and blend until well combined, about one minute.
Pour into glass and top with the bee pollen, hemp seeds, and berries.
Enjoy right away.
Serves 1
Melinda
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Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.
Such wise words!
Melinda
Coffee drinks give me a chance to stop & relax.
1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
1-2 shots of expresso
1 TB raw cacao powder
1 TS pure maple syrup
1/4 TS teaspoon peppermint extract
Warm the coconut milk to your desired temperature over medium to high heat in a small saucepan.
Pour the warmed milk into a high-powered blender and add the espresso, cacao powder, maple syrup, and peppermint.
Blend until the drink is combined and slightly frothy, about 1 minute.
Pour into a mug and enjoy it immediately.
Serves 1
Double the recipe to make 2 servings.
Enjoy
Melinda
WOW!!!!!! Sing it, Sammy.
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me this week for another edition of Weekend Music Share.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
If you would like to see the complete list, click here.
Thank you for the positive feedback on this monthly post.
Melinda
Reference:
https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/january-awareness-days-months
Kwanzaa is an African American celebration of family, community, and culture. It’s a spiritual holiday and is not attached to any religion.
The graphic is from the African-American Cultural Center and can explain the holiday and its history.
I hope you are surrounded by friends and family to celebrate Kwanzaa.
Melinda
Melinda
The family cookbook contains recipes my Gramps and Granny used often. It is the type of food I grew up on: good ole Southern food, from my Gramps’ dumplings to Granny’s pecan pie.
This recipe is a keeper! My brother and I would beg Granny to make it.
1 can condensed milk
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup peanut chips
2 cups tiny marshmallows
2 cups chopped nuts
Stir and melt chips and milk over medium heat, don’t scorch
Stir all the time and fold in marshmallows and nuts
Spread on buttered oblong pan and cool.
It is worth forgetting about the calorie count.
Melinda
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I wish you happiness and health on this joyous occasion. I hope you have the pleasure of spending time with family and friends. Breathe in the sunshine of this special holiday.
Melinda
I pray you and your family have a blessed Christmas day. Christmas traditions like gathering with the family for a good meal and exchanging gifts are great memories. I hope you will take the time while the family is all together to count your blessing and be grateful for the help God has given your family in 2024. Remember Jesus is the reason for the season.
If you don’t celebrate Christmas, I wish you and your family the best leading up to the New Year. May 2025 bring you great joy.
Melinda
The family cookbook contains recipes, my Grandparents used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like dumplings, and pecan pie. Some recipes have been passed down or from other family members recipe.
1 stick butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup quick oatmeal
1 egg
2 tb. vanilla
2 tsp. flour
1 cup finely chopped pecans
Cookie sheet
Cream butter and sugar until combined
Add egg, and vanilla, and blend.
Add oatmeal, flour, and nuts, and mix until combined
Use a teaspoon to measure with
Drop mixture 2 inches apart on a folded lined cookie sheet
Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown.
Cool and slide off the foil
Store in an airtight container
This recipe was a favorite of Granny’s.
Melinda
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One of the greatest rewards of slowing down on writing is that it has allowed me to spend more time communicating with the bloggers who comment. I thank each of you who have left your comments, they are the lifeblood and the joy of blogging. I appreciate the time you’ve taken to share with me, it brings a smile every time
Here are the bloggers who have commented the most this year.
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I appreciate you reading my post and sharing your thoughts with me, You’re the best.
Melinda
Tear Jerker! What can you say about a person who shows true kindness?
Melinda
The family cookbook contains recipes that my Grandparents used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like my Gramps dumplings, to Grannies pecan pie.
3 or 4 cups sugar
1 cup water
Half a stick of butter
Medium pot
Cook until butter is melted
Cook at 400 degrees until brown.
Pour over potatoes
Melinda
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I love the sound of Pentatonix.
Melinda
Willow & Sage by Stampington
Simple to make, classic sugar scrubs are a must-have item for your skin routine. They not only help remove dead skin cells, improve circulation, unclog pores, and prevent ingrown hairs, but they also leave your skin feeling soft and smooth- a necessary tool during cold winter months. You can use a sugar scrub one or two times are week. For sensitive skin, you’ll want to watch how your skin reacts and perhaps exfoliate less often.
Boost skin circulation
Exfoliates dead skin
Improves skin texture
Moisturizing dry skin
Scalp: Brown Sugar
Faces: Sanding/Caster Sugar
Lips: Brown Sugar
Hands: White granulated sugar
Legs: Cane sugar
Feet: Raw/Turbinado sugar
Melinda
Melinda
Willow & Grace by Stampington
Bowl: Large
1 cup Castile soap: unscented/citrus
1/4 cup distilled water
2 tsp. sea salt
2 TB. vegetable glycerin
Spoon
15-30 drops cedarwood essential oil
15-20 drops of frankincense essential oil
10-15 drops clary sage essential oil
10-15 drop vanilla essential oil (optional)
2 TB raw honey (optional)
Airtight container: 8 oz
In a large bowl, combine the Castile soap, distilled water, sea salt, and vegetable glycerin, and stir gently until well combined. Add cedarwood, frankincense, clary sage, and vanilla essential oil if using. Start with the lower amount of 15 drops each and adjust to your preference.
For an extra moisturizing boost, stir in the raw honey, if desired. Pour mixture into airtight container of choice for easy storage.
To enjoy, run a warm bath and add 1/4-1/2 cup of bubble bath under running water. Relax and soak in the woody aroma.
Melinda
Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.
Melinda
Great song to be celebrated in every state!
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me this week for another edition of Weekend Music Share.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Her voice blows me away!
Melinda
In this fast-paced social media world, finding time to look within or back in time can be difficult. I hope you find these quotes and questions interesting. I’m so glad you stopped by today!
An ordinary life can be extraordinary; there is beauty in IMPERFECTION, and the magic can be found in the everyday.
Melinda
Willow & Sage by Stampington.com
Yields 3 Tins
Bowl: small
4 1/2 TB brown sugar
1 tsp. gingerbread spice/ground cinnamon
1 1/2 TB fractionated coconut oil
Spoon
Storage tins: 0.5 oz (3)
Sprinkles: gingerbread man (optional)
In a small bowl, add brown sugar, ground spices/cinnamon, and coconut oil, and mix until the ingredients are well blended. Pack the holiday lip scrub into storage tins. Decorate with gingerbread man sprinkles if desired.
Sounds yummy and sends you into Winter and the holiday season. Would make great gifts.
Melinda
I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.
These are a few of my favorite ornaments. The Santa in the first photo is made of sterling silver and I forgot who designed it. The other ornaments are made by hand with European glass by Christopher Radko.
Melinda
https://www.christopherradko.com/pages/how-we-make-our-ornaments
The family cookbook contains recipes my Grandparents used and the type of food I grew up on: good ole Southern food like dumplings and pecan pie.
What You Need
1/4 ts. vanilla
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
3 tbs. flour
1/2 stick butter or margarine
3/4 cup white Karo
1 cup pecan’s chopped
How To Make
Sprinkle pecans in the bottom of unbaked pie crust
Add filling
Bake at 300 degrees for about an hour
In a bowl add together all of the ingredients except for chopped pecans. Let the butter/margarine get soft before adding
Sprinkle pecans in the bottom of unbaked pie crust
Add filling
Bake at 300 degrees for about an hour
One of the most important things is not to overcook. Take the pie out when there is only a small part in the middle that shakes
I’ve made this Pecan Pie so many times, it’s easy and delicious.
This is a great pie year-round, but it was always on the table at the holidays.
Melinda
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lookingforthelight.blog 