SUNSHINE~ SOUPS~ SMILES~PANTRY CLEAN OUT!!!

Hello Beautiful Friends! I hope you all are hanging in there!! I am so excited to say WE HAD SOME SUN!!!!!  I fully took advantage of that MONDAY and took a wonderful walk after I did some chores. One of my goals I shared Monday was that I wanted to tackle cleaning my pantry in the month of February! Posting that gave me just the boost I needed and I accomplished that the same day I posted!

Yes, this sun brought a MUCH NEEDED SMILE to my face. It did however RAIN all day yesterday (Tuesday) BUT the sun blessing on Monday kept me smiling during the rain. I raised some of my windows and listened to it as I did some chores.

It is sunny today but cold! BUT your GIRL WILL BUNDLE UP AND HIT THE WOODS at some point hopefully today! I even stepped outside this morning with my warm drink in hand in the cold and let the sun hit my face for a long bit. It felt so nice. 

I have been making a lot of soups this week. Normally, I never make a soup back-to-back. Monday is always soup night in the fall/winter season BUT my soul has been craving nourishing soups sooooo that is what we have been enjoying. Luckily, my family likes soups. :)  After I cleaned my pantry, I tackled my refrigerator and I made some potato soup on Monday with ingredients needing to be used up. I had mashed potatoes and I turned it into potato soup and it was probably one of the best ones I have made. I also used up some ham from Christmas I had frozen to use later.

I came across this recipe on Pinterest. It was just this image with no directions, but I feel it is self-explanatory. I loved finding the little star pasta to use in it as suggested. Thank you, Amazon. :) 

It was good. It was a brothy nourishing soup. Perfect soup for if you are unwell too!!!! It was basically chicken noodle soup with small star noodles and sprinkle of parmesan. 

Here is the pantry before...no judgement. Lots of things leftover from the holidays and it was just time to clean it out. Plus, our young adult sons have their own things they like. 

All nice and orderly! I have spaces for the guy's stuff. Our oldest is eating healthy and drinks protein shakes so he has his own little section. He has lost almost 90 pounds this past year. I am so proud of him. 

After I did this, it inspired me to clean our refrigerator and freezer. I will show that tomorrow to spare this post being so lengthy. :)

After I did these chores I went to treat myself to a cup of soup and drink and then went walking as I showed above. Monday night I had a devotional book club coffee meeting with ladies in my church that I lead at Starbucks. It was so enriching and a perfect ending to my day. 

How has your week been so far?? Let's do a midweek check in!!

With Love, 

Chrissy T

Tuesday's Tea at The Martha Vick House

Hello Friends!! It is Tuesday Tea! I am posting a Tea I went to the past December (2025). It was hosted at The Martha Vick House in Vicksburg, MS. This house was built for the founder of Vicksburg's daughter. It is considered a Greek revival style mini mansion for the time it was built. Martha's parents died and left her to raise 8 of her siblings. The home is a quaint and lovely place. This is my second time attending the Tea here. My friend Jen and I have been here twice for the Holiday season.

 I just loved these heads on the mantle. (weird, I know)

This was a new addition to the decor this year. They had very similar decor and set up in the past. I just thought these were so neat!

This is my TEA FRIEND (Jen) and her daughter, Hannah joined us this time. 

This was a table set up in the porch area. We sat here last year and it was nice looking out to the gardens in the back. This year we were seated in a different room. It was nice but I really like this area more. 

Our menu! I will be honest and say the food was not the best. The sandwiches were very and I mean very stale and dry. Last year was the same way and we discovered they premade things days in advance. You can taste that. They also didn't give us an option for different teas so that was a little disappointing. 

My teacup that was at my place. It was very pretty. I always love when I go to these Teas and see what cup I will have. 

Here is another area that was set up. Once, again this wasn't our area though. But I absolutely love the window covering!!!

This was one of the highlights I did like. This year they had Pear Rosemary Spritzers before the Tea started and a get to know you. This was actually very good! I loved the experience. 

This was our table. My favorite thing about Teas that we go to is getting to know other ladies. Normally, when we go, we are seated with random people and I love it. There were ladies we met last year and we just so happened to sit by them this year too. They remembered us! We had a nice time. 

Little more closer pictures. I am allergic to nuts and they were super accommodating and gave me extra of the nut free things. So, I review our food when I share these posts. As I mentoined earlier, it was definitely not the freshest and while could have had great potential the lack of freshness and too many unique flavors really brought this food review down. 

Savories section I didn't care for much other than the Cucumber Canape. 

Scones- the gingerbread scones saved the day with the clotted cream

Sweets- cream cheese cranberry tea cake was good

To wrap this post up.... it isn't always about the food. Although, your lady loves some food. BUT it is about the fellowship, the connection, the experience, and I wouldn't trade that. I enjoy the tradition of doing this with my friend. We may or may not stopped by Chick Fil A and ate on the way home after the event. HAHA!!!

Lastly, here we are....

Thanks for tagging along on my Tea Adventures. Oh, and the tea they served was a Rooibos Tea. It was pretty good. :) 

With Love, 

Chrissy T

One Simple Thing at a Time.......

Hello all my beautiful friends.

FEBRUARY!!! Insane! Time just ticks and ticks and goes and goes. 

I can honestly say it feels I celebrated December 31st blinked and February 2nd is here but AT THE SAME TIME...it has felt this month has painfully been drawn out. 

 Isn't that strange how that can happen?!

Really, all the things I had good "intentions" to do did not get done. Life is funny like that. I did accomplish my reading goal, a month long break from YouTube that I am continuing (except worship music) and I read my devotional and kept up with my Bible time. But really nothing else that I had planned was accomplished. :) 

I am dealing with TERRIBLE winter blues. As I have entered into perimenopause and closer to menopause, I can say it seems winter seems harder from me every year. But enough of that....

I can either be discouraged I didn't even get an inch of what I wanted in our home done, or eat the best I had intended, walked as much I had planned, I  didn't hike as much I needed, didn't do this or that....I am going to start fresh and look at it that my body and soul needed a BREAK. I needed to just rest. I think I can often forget that January is a harder month for me mentally and emotionally which reflects physically. 

I made TOO many goals for a month that I know deep down is hard for me. It has been that way for 20 plus years. All but one or two Januarys I have really had such a difficult time in those 20 plus years. With that being said, I want to set small goals or intentions to try to work towards in February. There is only 28 days and this encourages me that I can simply simplify my month to accomplish things that help me move forward after January's stillness. While I enjoy that stillness and I needed it I also know that if I don't push myself a tad I will get in a very dark place. So, with that in mind here we go....

I am breaking this up in a few different categories....

I will choose ONE THING for each category I want to do. I will do a tag in Mid-Month and if I accomplished the goal I will add a new thing. If I haven't, I will make sure to work towards it before Feb. 28th.

Spiritual- schedule my SOLO Prayer & Quiet Time Overnighter (I have done this for years and it does a world of good for me)

Physical- One Winter Hike 

Emotional- Journal emotions and moods or use a prompt to journal daily at night

Creative Outlet- Finish my miniature Book Nook Craft

Brain Boosting- Finish the three books I am currently reading

Homefront- Make a daily and weekly routine and put into practice this month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Organization- Clean Pantry

Nutrition- Eat more vegetables

Ministry- create a binder and organize all ladies' ministry info

**I am a pastor's wife. A huge part of my life is serving in ministry and church so I have needs that I would like to set to accomplish in this category.**

Just for FUN- make bird feeders

What about you? Do you have some simple things you would like to do in February??? Please share!

With Love, 

Chrissy T

Scripture and a Snapshot- There is a RIVER!

It's Sunday!! Today, I am linking up at A Fresh Cup of Coffee, host of Scripture and a Snapshot. 

This week there was a praise song that kept coming to my mind called There Is a River by Rita Springer and it really got me thinking of this verse below!!

I have been studying the AWE of God. This verse just soothes my soul....

“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.” – Psalms 46:4

This is a waterfall I hiked to last spring. Talking about being in AWE......standing there feeling the wind of this powerful waterfall that actually had 3 more falls before it that led to this fall and hearing the mighty roar of this 104 ft waterfall made me feel so small but also in AWE of our wonderful Creator!!

Here is a version of the praise song I love....

There Is A River / #STNWorship / Feat. Jessica Goodman

Please stop by A Fresh Cup of Coffee and check out the other Scriptures and Snapshots. I am also linking up at Sweet Tea & Friends (February Link Up) 

With Love,

Chrissy T

January Reading Recap (2026)

 Hello friends. I wanted to share the books I read this month! I log my books I read on Goodreads. I set a challenge every year and I have met my goal for years. I keep my challenge pretty low and I usually read more than I set my challenge goal for but I try to not put a ton of pressure on myself if I don't go over. I would rather set it lower than to too high. Here are my January reads........

Ratings for each book are 1-5

1- Terrible 

2-I could have spent my time better 

3- Survived the read. Not bad and not great. 

4- Good 

5- AWESOME

The Dutch House- 3 (Part of a book challenge I had to read. Survived it. It was okay)

An Irish Bookshop Murder- 4 (Part of a book challenge I had to read. Good but some things I would have rather it not been in the book. But the plot and the twist was good)

Death By The Book- 4- (Part of a book challenge I had to read. Good but some things I would have rather it not been in the book. But the plot and the twist was good)

Elizabeth- Dealing with Disappointment- 4 (I enjoyed this)

Amazed: 30 Days of Growing in Awe of God- 5 (I LOVED THIS and Highly Recommend) 

Did you read any good books this month?  

With Love, 

Chrissy T

Cold Breezes and Baking...just a hanging in there kind of day....

 Hello Beautiful Friends! I am feeling that gray blah winter season hard, today! It's cold, but luckily, I like cold to a point. I love a good cold breeze on my face. It helps me feel alive in the midst of these bleak kinds of days. 

I had to get out today. WELL....I truly told myself ...GET UP GIRL!! YOU HAVE TO! 😆

Today, I had to go to the courthouse to renew one of our kiddo's car tags. He wasn't able to go before closing. I love this old courthouse. It is 167 years old!!!!

After I took care of that I was planning to go straight back home but, on my way back I remembered a neighborhood that has their own arboretum and a trail in the woods. They are pretty open about people walking it.  At first, I felt anxious about stopping but I said to myself..."Chrissy, you have hiked 10 miles in a forest by yourself! You can do this. It is a small path and has houses nearby.!"

So, after a good pep talk, I stopped on my way home. I AM SO GLAD I DID! I needed that sun, to hear the birds just a singing and chatting. I needed to feel that cold breeze on my face. I needed to see a little hope of spring coming as I seen a small patch of a green which meant daffodils are preparing to bring us hope of spring soon. 

 I always keep hiking and outdoor gear in my car. I have been known to stop on my way back from anywhere and do a little trekking. I have a nice tote I keep in my car that has gear, weather appropriate items and shoes. 

          Signs of Daffodils!!! I love finding life in the middle of dead of winter. It brings me hope!

I always smile when I am walking in winter and see some green life! It is such a wonderful reminder of new seasons and fresh hope!

It was definitely bare looking other than that little patch of green. But nonetheless it was still refreshing. As the name of my blog, I truly do try to embrace each season and prepare for the best I can for the next. Because LIFE REALLY IS ONE SEASON TO THE NEXT!

After that, I came home did some house chores, read my devotional (which I finished) and relaxed because to be honest I am just not feeling the best. I am trying though. My stomach has been a little off too!

Our churches little girl's tea party that I was to host tomorrow was cancelled due to girls being sick and we have very cold temps tomorrow and it would be 1 degree during the event. I didn't want little girls to get out in that. 

I decided to still whip up some banana bread. It has been so long since I have made some. I have tried several different recipes but since I tried this one about 7 years ago, I stick with it. It is our favorite. It is out Vol 1 Magnolia Table Cookbook. Also, she has the best pimento cheese recipe!

I just love pictures of people baking and things all set out for baking!!! I always am drawn to those pictures. It just speaks cozy to me! :) 

Now, it the bread is currently baking, I am reading blogs and working on this post. I am smelling such divine sweet gloriousness of banana bread....my heart feels peaceful and cozy! I have piano music going in the background, low light, and the cutest glass with mushrooms on it filled with a fizzy beverage!

I will say that no matter what my low MOOD is telling me...... I am choosing JOY. PEACE. I am choosing to be grateful! How grateful I am to be able to sit here in a heated home, enjoy a walk, be able to pay our car tag, bake a yummy bread for the family, and read all your awesome blogs for encouragement and smiles. 

With Love,

Chrissy T

I am blessed! 

January 2026 Monthly Musings

 After I visited one of my favorite blogs I read (Slices of Life) I loved the link up she did, so I am jumping on board with Monthly Musings with Patty! Go check it out!!!! How fun!!!!! I needed this to break up my memory posting!!! 😁

1. Describe your winter so far in one word

                      

                                                                         Gray! 

2. What winter activities have you never tried but want to?

As an avid hiker I would love to try snowshoeing! I also want to try cold plunging! Yes.....I am insane. Our gym just put a cold plunge in and I want to try it but....... I am working the nerve!!!

3. Favorite winter beverage...

I love a good ole classic hot chocolate. I also love an eggnog milk shake with cinnamon, 

4. Least favorite winter chore?

Since, I do not live in the north anymore that requires winter chores I have to say I really do not have a chore here in the south that bothers me. 

5. Soup or chili? Share a recipe if you would like.

Hands down.....SOUP! I love soup! We have soup every single Monday in our home starting in fall until the end of winter. We have rich food a lot on the weekends and starting our week off with a big pot of soup to enjoy for dinner and then lunch the next few days is my favorite thing to cook this time of year. I try A LOT of soup recipes every week. We recently tried this Cheeseburger Soup! FANTASTIC!

It is from Insanely Good Recipes....click here. 

6. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, both, neither?

Uhhhh... I love it all!!!!!!!! 

I love a good Chocolate Lava Cake!!!!!

7. Share your Galentine's or Valentine's plans

We used to do a family dinner with Italian food at home, a dessert and I would give each person some candy. My husband and I really do not do much. We may swap some candy or something. When the kids were all at home we made it super special. I think this year we will not do much because they each have their own plans. But I will cook lasagna and who can come will. BUT I am trying to convince my poor hubby to go to a Valentine's tea party with me. He is not thrilled or convinced. LOL!

NOW....my brain is swirling with ideas after this question! LOL!

8. Do you dress festive for Valentine's Day?

I have at times in the past dressed festive and I usually will wear the colors like pink or something. I don't do red because I am red headed. :) 

9. Do you make any sweet treats or Valentine's Day?

Usually, I make lava cake, but I will make something different this year. I am undecided. 

10. What is your love language?

Act of Service!!! Actually, I knew that, but it has been a while, and things change as you age so I took a free test here to double check!!!

I had so much fun doing this!!! It has been a while since I have participated in a link up!!! Go check out both of the blogs above!!! 

With Love, 

Chrissy T