This post contains affiliate links.  I didn’t link up with Happy Homemaker Monday because my post is a bit different, but the writing prompts are inspired by her.

The weather outside is // 

January is shaping up to be the month that can’t make up its mind!  4-5″ of snow last week, a weekend in the 60’s/70’s, and now a handful of mild temperatures.  I don’t know how to dress at this point.

On the breakfast plate this morning // a bowl of maple and brown sugar oatmeal with frozen Maine blueberries sprinkled throughout.  And a big cup of coffee.

As I look outside my window // I see brown: bare trees, dead grass and mud from the rain and melted snow we had last week.  There’s always beauty somewhere in nature, but you really have to look for it in January.  

As I look around the house // I see a lot of bare spaces – we took down the last of our Christmas decorations last weekend.  (I like to keep my twinkly star lights up throughout January, though.)  I am enjoying the breathing room while I decide how I’d like to redecorate.

On this week’s to-do list //

On the menu this week //

Monday: leftovers from the weekend

Tuesday: crockpot white chicken chili

Wednesday: tacos

Thursday: sandwiches and chips

Friday: Ugandan rolex wraps

Currently reading // Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls and a book for Netgalley.  The first one is a re-read at the recommendation of my son and is as good as I remembered.  The second book…I’m really struggling through it.  A little over halfway to go!

What I’m creating at the moment // nothing, but I’d like to change that.  I have a winter-themed cross-stitch that I’ve worked on every January for the last two or three years and I’m soooo close to finishing!  Maybe I’ll pull that out this week.

New recipe I want to try this week // I stumbled upon a recipe for Fruity Overnight Baked Oatmeal that I’ve never tried.  I tend to eat the same breakfast over and over again, so this might be a good time to make something new!