The Weekly Ramble – November 21, 2025

Hello and Happy Friday from rainy San Diego. The original forecast predicted a full week, but it’s been very sporadic and often at night which I love because we get the much-needed rain without the hassle during the day.

Thankfully, it took breaks each time I was hauling a big cart of groceries out to the car. And that’s happened often!

It’s wild to think that Thanksgiving is just six days away. It feels like it snuck up on me even though I know it didn’t.

I’ve done almost all the grocery shopping I could possibly do. I’ve been to Costco, Aldi, and Ralph’s for the best deals, have a Walmart pickup for tomorrow am for the things I couldn’t find elsewhere. Someone will probably still have to pop into a store for something, but I think we’re prepared for the duration.

Honestly, I’ve shopped a lot for December food, too. I’m hoping to shop the kitchen as much as possible for the next six weeks and not have to go out much during December.

In fact, I’ve cleared my calendar as of 12/15 so I can sleep late, read books, putter around the house. Well, I guess almost cleared my calendar. Miss 17 still has classes that week and I have a hair appointment, but still. I’m gonna rest before the wild rumpus begins.

Next week the Sacramento Fishers are coming for Thanksgiving along with the grandparents and a Japanese friend who’s been an exchange student here. We’ll see how organized I can get in the next few days so it’s calm and welcoming.

The tree is up and lit, but we still haven’t put on the ornaments. Gramma suggested we do that on Thanksgiving, so maybe it can wait until then. In the meantime, we’re enjoying the lights each morning.

Pro tip: plug your tree lights into the lamp outlet in the room. That way, you can flip a switch to turn them on and off everyday.

Okay folks, I’ve noticed a trend since I started this stream-of-conscious rambling. Fewer people pop into the comments section!

So, I’m going to go back to the regular topics of what I’ve been doing, eating, listening/watching, reading, and/or writing this past week in the hopes that more people chime in. I know you’re there!

What I’ve Been Doing

What have I been doing? A little of this, a little of that. Trying to keep up on cleaning, Bible study, journaling, bookkeeping, cooking, blog work, physical therapy, steps, and a little bit of holiday prep thrown in for good measure.

I met a new-old friend for coffee this week and that was so fun! Rebecca has been a longtime blog reader and we’ve exchanged instagram messages going back almost a decade.

A few weeks ago we met in real life because Bryan and I started visiting the church her family attends. It was all a total coincidence, but a fun one that I see God’s hand in.

Most of my friends live far away so I don’t get many coffee dates, so that was a super fun break in my week. Making real life friends is hard, particularly once your kids get past play date age.

I’m working on it, though. You may remember a few years ago I was convicted that social media gave me a false sense of connection.

Since then I’ve tried to make more intentional contact with my faraway friends via text and Marco Polo. Slowly, I’m making real life connections via Bible study, and now church. It’s been good.

I’m also reducing my phone use. I loaded the Be Present app to my phone and it is helping.

What I’ve Been Eating

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I started counting macros. It was rough to start but I’m getting a hang of it now. It helps that I’m seeing a difference on the scale and in my clothes. Yay!

I’d lost weight in Japan with all the walking and not vibing with the food, but gained it all back pretty quickly. Now, I’m back to my post-Japan weight — without being on a starvation diet! Note: I’m also adding in weight training and some supplements so Mama can get swole. 🙃

It’s still a pain to weigh everything I eat, but I’m finding some very yummy combos. The hardest part has been to add flavor without adding a lot of oil, butter, or cheese. We know those are my weaknesses.

This salad pictured was delicious this week: shrimp with fajita veggies, garbanzo beans, tomatoes, cilantro, and feta – topped with my Greek Yogurt Salad Dressing.

Inspired by my success, Bryan also has begun this journey, so now I get to weigh things out for two of us. Ha! We’re in our 50s and 60s are hoping that we stay active. Watching what we eat is more about health span than aesthetics, but the aesthetics certainly don’t hurt my motivation.

What I’ve Been Listening/Watching

I’ve mostly been listening to music on Spotify. When I’ve been in the car, I usually have someone with, so music fills in any gaps in conversation without interrupting it.

I created a Remember playlist to remind me truths about God. I need that more these days than other things.

I have also been enjoying the holiday traditions episodes on the Art of Home (here and here). It’s so fun to hear what other people do for their Christmas celebrations.

As for Christmas movies, Miss 17 and I started a Hallmark film, but I just can’t embrace them like I have in years past. Not sure why.

Instead, I invested in buying some films that we, mainly the girls and I but sometimes the boys, like watching at the holidays. I’m tired of commercials on the streaming services, so it’s worth it to have hard copies or the actual movie purchase of these:

• The Shop Around the Corner (this was the inspiration for You’ve Got Mail)
• It’s a Wonderful Life (I bought the BW version on prime almost ten years ago)
• The Family Man (one of my favorites!)
• While You Were Sleeping (I found this for a great price at Target!)
• You’ve Got Mail (this too!)
• A Charlie Brown Christmas
• Elf

One of the boys requested Narnia so we’ll add that to the list and possibly Die Hard and Die Hard 2 just for fun.

I’m so glad we didn’t ditch our dvd and blu-ray collection. It’s coming in handy now that commercials are back in town.

What I’ve Been Reading

I finished the Bible! Miss 17 and I started a Navigators Bible reading plan on the Bible app this year and I read ahead. I finished a couple weeks ago and promptly started my next read through.

Really, there are no spoilers or “can’t reread” when it comes to the Bible. There’s always something to notice that you didn’t see before. I love God’s kindness in that.

I am doing a chronological reading this year with the ESV Chronological Bible. I bought a hard copy as I’m trying to reduce my device addiction.

This particular edition breaks it up into daily readings, but I’m ignoring the divisions. I’m interested in reading it at a faster pace.

When I’ve done the Bible in 90 Days, it’s always been a good experience. It takes about 45 minutes of reading each day, but I’m not quite up to that time commitment yet.

What I’ve Been Writing

My writing has been blog-related for several months now. I am still simmering the three novels I have drafted. I long to get back to them, but there are bills to pay.

One thing I’m particularly chuffed about is this year’s Meal Plan Advent Calendar. It’s full of 30-minute meals to make dinner easy throughout December.

Per usual I’ve included loads of substitutions and make-ahead/prep tips. I’m giving two copies away this weekend, so be sure to subscribe to the newsletter to be entered!

Drop your email below and be sure to click the confirmation email that gets sent to you.

I’ve also been working on new Club resources for December and January as well as writing new content or updating older stuff on the blogs. You can check out what’s new here:

What’s NEW on Good Cheap Eats

Wassail with Tea (Non Alcoholic Christmas Punch)

Wassail with Tea is delicious! Starting with a fruit juice blend, this warm Christmas punch is jazzed up with spiced tea and fun garnishes.

Get the Recipe

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

The easiest Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe comes together in just minutes, tastes great, and feeds a crowd easily. Try this tonight!

Get the recipe

20+ Thanksgiving Bread Basket Ideas

Wondering what breads and rolls to serve for Thanksgiving? Here are some of the best Thanksgiving bread basket ideas.

Read the post

Easy Meals for Thanksgiving Week

Thanksgiving dinner with its set menu each year takes a fair amount of prep work, so let’s plan some easy meals for the days before and after Turkey Day. I love the week of Thanksgiving!

Get the meal plan

20+ Easy Breakfast Ideas for Thanksgiving Day

Looking for an easy breakfast for Thanksgiving Day? We’ve got you covered with make-ahead meals and quick fixes to keep everyone from getting hangry.

Get the recipes

Alrighty. You get an award for getting all the way to the end. Now, tell me what’s new with you!