Sunday Mornings at Home
Good morning and welcome to Sunday Mornings at Home!
This is my weekly lifestyle posts where readers often participate with content…I just love that some of you have been sending your decor and recipes!
I have much on my mind for today’s Sunday Mornings at Home.
This past week was such a wonderful change in South Texas with cold breezes, lower humidity and a touch of seasonal changes…I just love it.
I do have blog updates for you at the close today…so make sure you power through to the end.
Let’s get cozy with a cup of Joy and begin today’s Sunday Mornings at Home.
SUNDAY MORNINGS AT HOME: HOME DECOR
The top picture and this one show you my little blessing plates…which I love and they keep reminding me of the reason for this wonderful Thanksgiving season.
Counting blessings and being thankful is really something we should do every day, but I love having an entire month to focus on this message.
Now, I loved hearing from reader Dorothy about her home decor.
She sent this image of her fall decor on the hearth.
And then this fellow Texan said, “I’m a spring and not only wear my colors but also use them in decor.” You can see that in her hearth.
When I had my colors done, I was told by Annie Castano that usually a woman’s color palette is reflected in her closet and home decor.
At that time I looked at my home decor, and said to myself…yes, I am a warm autumn palette all around. I prefer warm home decor all season long.
Perhaps, this is why some are drawn to pink holiday decorations.
What do you think? Are you the same person in your closet as you are in your home decor?
Thanks so much for participating, Dorothy…your hearth is lovely.
Ladies, please send your holiday decorating when you begin to change over to Christmas or Hanukah. Also, please send your recipes…all with pictures. The audience loves this sharing.
SUNDAY MORNINGS AT HOME: A TIP FOR CHILI
After, I read Kathie’s favorite Pumpkin Chili recipe, I really wanted to try it, but did not think I could get it past Mr. B.
There are hardcore Texans who believe…don’t touch my chili.
So, I touched his a little and waited to see what he said. In lieu of one can of chopped tomatoes, I poured in a pint of Mango Salsa…fresh in the produce section of HEB.
Then I also added a 1/4 cup of apple cider.
It was great and he loved it…and I will do it again. And sometime soon, I will sneak in the Pumpkin Chili.
SUNDAY MORNINGS AT HOME: CHANGES AHEAD
My foot surgery is tomorrow. This is the office of my doctor who is one of the doctors for the San Antonio Spurs Basketball Team…and many athletes in the city.
As I sat in his office and looked at a banner above the desks, I thought…Yes, I belong here…life is a competition and in a way, we are all athletes. So here I am.
I am trying to lengthen my time in the game… with healthy feet which will keep me active.
I have loved having my office upstairs. I look out over the neighborhood.
Mornings are my most productive times to work. I turn on my lamp and look out at the sky and trees and sit awhile for motivation and direction for the messaging of each post.
My office is a special place for me and reflects who I am and what I do.
I love to watch my neighbors walking by and it reminds me to be thankful for where I live.
I will miss it for a little while as I recover from this surgery.
It is full of Christmas gifts right now since I tried to shop as much as possible before the surgery…so it remains Gigi’s Christmas central.
However, there will be new perspective.
Mr. B is moving my computer today down to the breakfast area. There are windows all around there.
This is one window I can see from the table, where this week I could view the gorgeous harvest moon.
I am one writer inspired by surroundings and always take it all in when I sit down at my desk.
In this new location, I will Think Happy Thoughts, and lift up prayers as I recover…hopefully rapidly.
I want to assure you that I plan to keep on keeping on with the blog.
I have posts already written and set up for next week. If I am not responding quickly, then I need that recovery time.
Though I cannot go out and about for awhile, I do plan to keep bringing you content I hope you will enjoy.
Of course, I would love to have you send me your home decor, recipes, and any fun gift ideas you have discovered with pictures…to over50feeling40@gmail.com.
The only thing that has saddened me so far is that I have to turn down modeling in a couple of local Talbots fashion shows. I wanted to do it so bad, but believe they are too close to the actual surgery.
Oh yes, and of course, I had to say no to hosting Thanksgiving this year…but boot or not, I am hosting Christmas…no matter what.
This is what I was wearing early in the week while working at home.
On the back of this shirt is the cruise line from this past summer.
But, this week on Monday and Thursday I will be sharing where I shopped and what I purchased for extreme comfort wear after surgery.
I always look at times like this as God sitting me down and desiring my attention…so I will listen, Lord, to what you have to say.
That is it for today in Sunday Mornings at Home…thank you for being here and all prayers are welcome tomorrow morning. Love you guys!
KEEP SMILING!
By Pamela Lutrell
Remember, you can shop ANYTIME with the links under the page at the top called SHOPPING LINKS...and I will receive a small compensation for your shopping.
Also, if I have posted a link on a specific garment, and you use that link to go to the website of the brand, but look around and buy something else, I still get credit…though you do not buy what I am wearing.
Please ask any questions… this income helps keep me here, because even at age 70, Mr. B and I need additional income. He also works two jobs.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who shops this way.
Even if you have to change to windows you look from for a time!
Pam: Good luck with your surgery; hoping the misery goes away soon. Having had 2 knee replacements in the last 2 years, I have learned that healing is a process. I am stronger and better than I have been in years thanks to a good surgeon and a physical therapist that has taught me tons about my body and healing. You will be too!
Thanks Nyla! Your encouragement is appreciated!
Pamela, many blessings to you on a successful surgery and quick recovery. You are right that sometimes God gives us a situation that causes us to rest, reflect, and mentally recharge. You will be a glamorous model in the future. God bless you.
Blessings to you, Marcia! Thank you.
What is it about cold weather and chili? Soon after the cold front hit South Georgia my Mr. B asked if I could make some chili which I did easily. When our freezer died about two months ago, I saved several pounds of ground beef by cooking it with onions and refreezing it in 1 lb. packs. How easy to throw that in the pot with a can of petite tomatoes, a can of beans, and some spices. I didn’t think of the pumpkin but will try to remember next time. My Mr.B will say “ Why mess with a good recipe?” which means ‘ I like it like you make it!’ … probably like your Mr. B. I will put you on my prayer list for successful surgery, and rapid and complete healing. Hope you can sleep well tonight! Praying!
Prayers for skillful doctors, minimal pain and as quick a recovery as possible. You’ve got this girl and you are in His hands!
Thank you for the prayers! My Mr. B would also say don’t mess with it!
Amen! I trust that I am…thank you for the prayers!
Best wishes for your surgery. I have been through foot surgery twice, and it is well worth it. One suggestion, keep your foot elevated as much as possible. Much of the discomfort comes from swelling, and this helps. Prayers for an easy and smooth recovery. 🙏🏻
What a lovely post today. Pam. You are so generous with your readers. I am praying for you, your surgeon, and caretakers. I know that you have your content lined up, but I hope you can sneak in some updates. Good luck!
Thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery. I am sure your family will be thrilled to have the opportunity to serve you on this Thanksgiving holiday.
Good advice! Thanks Kathy!
I will…at least I plan to! I hope my first big update will be on the Sunday post one week from today. Thanks for the prayers.
Thank you, Janet. Just to be with family is a blessing.
Good luck tomorrow, Pamela. My daughter is having stomach/esophagus surgery tomorrow, and my prayers will be with you both.
I’m focusing on good outcomes and better living ahead!
I hope your foot surgery goes well. I’ll pray for you.
Thank your for some of your suggestions on what to see in San Antonio. It was rainy but we did get to the River Walk. Because we didn’t have a lot of time there we would like to come back again. Take care.
Sending up a prayer for successful surgery and rapid healing – it sounds like you’re in great hands with your surgeon and Mr. B. After breaking my leg, I was in a boot/on a scooter a few years ago during the holiday season and definitely learned by necessity to slow down and just enjoy the festivities. Try and let others do for you while you heal and don’t worry about responding to blog comments – we understand!
Pam,
Sending prayers for a successful surgery. I know it’s difficult to have to slow down for the healing process (I am not a good patient when that’s a requirement), but I hope it provides the relief and comfort you have been seeking. Wishing you a speedy recovery, as well!
Wishing you lots of good luck and prayers for a speedy recovery.
Good morning Pam,
All the best with your foot surgery and remember, ice is your new best friend for the coming weeks. Just think of the shoes you will now be able to wear as a Talbots model. Funny about the decorating colors, if you walked into my closet you would see that I am a summer through and through. Yet I love the autumn colors and that is how my home is (and has always been) decorated, all earth tones. In a year, as you are running around with your grandkiddos, you will be so glad you had the surgery while you were still young! As Marcia stated, use your recuperation time to rest, reflect and mentally recharge. That in itself is a gift!
Best wishes for your surgery. Elevation, Ice!, keep ahead of the pain by taking meds as prescribed. All are things learned from coaching my husband through FOUR joint replacements. He did great and you will, too. Soon better mobility will be the reward.
I also wish to say: please prioritize your well-being and healing. Your readers, at least this one, will cheerfully wait however long for your posts.
Pam I’m sending you Prayers and Positive energy to help with your healing. God works in mysterious ways and just maybe this pause in your usual high activity life is what He feels you need. I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow! Blessings…..
Good luck with your foot surgery and recovery. Looks like you are in good hands. Hope you’ll have another chance to model in a Talbot’s fashion show. I will keep you in my prayers this week. How clever to add Mango Salsa and cider to your chili. My husband adores a very hot Mango Salsa and I think I’ll mess around with my chili recipe next time too. I decorated my previous house in autumn colors. Since we built it I was able to start from scratch. Here I still have mostly autumn colors except in the bathrooms. Three have no natural light and the other has one tiny window. I found a very pale aqua brightens them up. I’ve repainted 2 so far.
Dorothy’s home is gorgeous! I would say my home is decorated in my style adjectives but not totally my colors, as it’s creamy and rather minimal with crisp black accents. It’s traditional, but with abstract art in mostly teals, golden yellows, and terracotta. In my wardrobe, I wear more rich and deep color and am more accessorized. I’m sure your surgery will go well, and your only regret will be not having done it sooner. I added you to my prayers last week, after you mentioned it coming up. We will be thinking of you tomorrow.
I am praying for your daughter right now!
So sorry you hit our minimal bad weather. I hope you can come back soon.
Good advice, Tess. Slowing down is hard for me.
I will heed your advice!
Thank you, Glenda. I have great hope that it will help me to be more active and pain free in that foot.
Thank you, Nancy!
Thanks for sharing about the decorating, Betty! Perhaps we can be own mixed bag of colors! LOL, I am not an official Talbots model. But I was looking forward to being in that show…hopefully I will be in the spring.
Yay! That would be the goal! Thank you.
Thank you…I hope to not miss a beat!
Thanks Paulette…I do appreciate prayers.
Thanks for sharing about your decorating. The cider and salsa were so good together.
Thanks so much, Linda. And I agree…Dorothy’s home is beautiful!
First and foremost, I send you a bundle of love for all the best this week. Prayers daily, of course! Thanks to Dorothy for sharing her lovely fireplace picture. Like her, I am a Spring, and after our very manly and woodsy lodge up in the mountains, I was happy to embrace our cottage back in town when we moved and embarked on a full remodel three summers ago. Our home is definitely a reflection of me, light happy colors, a few nods to my love of Mexico with patterned tiles, and a touch of elegance in the 1940’s painted woodwork everywhere, and my music room with plants and black and white art-photography.
Praying for a successful surgery on your foot and a speedy recovery! Having had shoulder replacement earlier, do ALL the physical therapy they ask. I know that is what sped up my recovery and made the surgery so successful. Although it is hard for us to slow down!
Good luck with the feet. I am on the injured reserve list for the holidays as well.
By the way, if anyone has ideas for a non food neighbor gift, I’m all ears.
Blessings and prayers for an active recovery
Mari
Your cottage sounds amazing Connie! Thanks for the daily prayers!
Always good to hear other experiences! Thanks Beverly.
Great question! I would also love ideas for non food neighbor gifts! Thanks for asking Mari!
Praying for a successful surgery and quick recovery!
I love Dorothy’s decor. Perhaps that’s because I’m a spring too. I also love anything with a coastal vibe.
Thanks Elaine! Our bent toward our best colors to wear is fascinating to me.
Pam,
We will be praying for you and your doctors for your foot surgery. Blessings for you and Mr. B.
I truly liked the change of color for the mantle Dorothy shared with us.
I am so glad Dorothy sent it! I hope we get more from readers for the holidays. Thank you for praying for me and for the doctors!
Pamela,I hope you have a quick and pain free recovery as possible! Thanks for all you do!
Thank you, Denise! This blog community is the best!!
Pam, I am praying that all goes well with your surgery tomorrow. Prayers that God will guide the surgeon’s hands and that you have an easy and speedy recovery.
Pam, you are the best. I am thinking of you as I sit here in my post-surgery boot. With all the prayers and love, you will be up and around in no time, I’m sure. Just follow your doctor’s instructions on elevating and icing — and relax. You already spend time looking out at nature and reflecting, so this is a time to bask in your family’s care. And if they are allowed, I’m sure the children will love signing Gigi’s cast!
A funny note on my ankle, every time I see a photo of stiletto heels, it makes me nauseous. So weird.
Praying for you Pamela for a successful surgery and quick recovery.
Sending lots of positive energy your way. Good luck tomorrow!
Thanks for sharing your beautiful blessing plates! Your photos reminded me to get mine out, and I served brunch on them today! Also, thanks to Dorothy for sharing your beautiful holiday decor with us. I don’t care for orange, so decorating for fall has always been a bit of a challenge. I try to use more browns, greens and burgundy, and yes, those are all good colors in my clothing palette, although I had never thought of it that way before. Or maybe it’s the Aggie Mom in me, preferring maroon to orange? LOL with love and respect to Pam’s Longhorn allegiance. Like so many of your faithful readers, I’ll be praying for a successful surgery tomorrow morning, and for your quick and comfortable recovery. You have built a wonderful, supportive community of grace and joy here and I think I speak for many of us when I say “Take all the time you need to recover; we will be right waiting to welcome you back after any unforeseen absence necessitated by your recovery.”
Non-food neighbor gift ideas —
Do they like to feed birds? A hummingbird feeder or Baltimore Oriole feeder; black-oil sunflower seeds; sunflower hearts (no mess!) A dishtowel with an embroidered cardinal or a dishtowel with a bird print.
Do they have a dog? (or cat?) Organic treats from the pet store — like roasted sweet potato “ears.” Or a catnip toy.
Do they like to garden? An amaryllis bulb or paper-whites in a pot for in the house. Or a hyacinth bulb in a bulb-forcing vase. Spring-planted bulb(s) for the outside garden. A small stake-type garden ornament.
Amazing Kim! I am going to bring your info and more ideas back in another post. Thank you…these are great!
All of you are so sweet…everyone has made this an uplifting day!
May God Bless You! With all these prayers you simply have to have a successful surgery and speedy recovery. 🙏🏼
Regarding your other topic: If my home decor was anything like my closet, my home would look like a morgue! 😂
My wardrobe is primarily black and other dark colors.
Thank you, Nancy.
Thanks so much, Elise!
I just picked up all the medications and praying I won’t need all of them! If I ever write one of those letters to my younger self, it will start with…ditch the stilettos!!
Now that’s a funny one!! Thanks for coming back to share!
Thank you, Pam, for sharing the photo of my fireplace, and thanks for the compliments from your readers. Add me to the list of those praying for successful surgery and a speedy recovery. Wish I could give you a big hug and pray with you personally. I know you are in the care of the One who loves us.
Thank you, Dorothy! The virtual hugs are amazing and I am appreciative of all the prayers! There is such power when we all pray together…for anything! ❤️
Pam. wishing you well with your foot surgery…and a speedy and successful recovery. The mantel you shared is gorgeous, spoke to my heart.’
hugs,,,nancy
Prayers for your speedy and pain-free recovery. I have done that three times and always glad to have done it. Just follow doctor’s orders/ Right to ditch the stilettos… I wish I had done that, too!
Kim beat me to it, but I also wanted to suggest paperwhite bulbs as a non-food neighbor gift. I received some during COVID and had so much fun planting them with my grandkids that it has become a holiday tradition in our family. While babysitting for their mom and dad’s annual December anniversary date night, I now bring the bulbs and a suitable container with potting soil. Each of the kids gets to plant their own bulbs and they enjoy tracking the rapid growth over the next few weeks. Another inexpensive treat that can be enjoyed by all ages are Christmas light glasses (similar to 3-D glasses, found in Christmas stores) that add a little something special to holiday light viewing expeditions, or just the lights in your own home. I learned from a Muslim friend that dates are the Middle Eastern equivalent of a box of candy if you have any friends or neighbors from that culture. I buy several containers of good quality dates at Costco early in the season to remember my Muslim friends and co-workers during the holidays. Finally, when a close friend was on Weight Watchers I bought her an inexpensive Christmas bowl at Michael’s craft store and filled it with the sweet little clementine oranges, tied up in a big red bow. She was tickled to have a healthy snack and her entire family loved them. This has become my “go to” hostess gift that takes almost no time and can be put together at the last minute. I use Michael’s coupons to purchase a few of the bowls each season when they first go on sale, which takes one stressful thing off the December “to do” list.
I love all of these gift ideas for neighbors…great work everyone!
Pam, I finally found you. after weeks of searching. Sorry I didn’t know your last name. I loved your dressing room diaries with Jennifer and then,without any explanation, you were gone. If you can’t comment, I understand.
And am wondering how foot surgery went.
.
Hi Mary…I actually did not collaborate with Jennifer on her dressing room diaries. We collaborated on several ideas…most notably was Would You Wear It. My blog Over 50 Feeling 40 has been here for 14 years and easily pops up in a Google search. Why don’t you scroll to the bottom of the homepage and subscribe with you email to get notifications where I do post new content which is daily. My foot ended up with two surgeries…an amputated toe…and a broken pin in a bone! Crazy right? But I am hanging in there and hope to ditch the boot in February. So glad to have you here.