Since it’s not Friday, I guess this is going to have to be a Saturday summary in lieu of a Friday catch up post. Could also be a sleepy Saturday summary thanks to a certain little gray cat. She seemed to think I wanted 5AM to be my new wake up time.

This week divided into home and work with 2 days at home and 3 days at work. Thankfully, I had beautiful weather no matter where or what I did. Not really much to share so I’ll just share some random bits.

Spring is definitely here!

A Pretty Dinner

I thought the ham and potato stir fry looked pretty in the pan as it cooked on Monday night. Didn’t come out quite as well as my first attempt, thinking I cut the potatoes a bit too big this time.

Squirrel Food?

If you pop back to Wednesday’s post, you can see where I planted 3 hyacinth bulbs in my teacup planter. So imagine my shock at returning home from work on Thursday to find only 2 bulbs in the planter. My prime suspect is a squirrel. So far, thankfully, the other 2 bulbs remain.

Maybe because they’re starting to bloom?

Work Stuff

My work days weren’t bad at all. Getting to enjoy the wonderful weather with the kids is a great perk of working at a preschool. Fresh air and sunshine? A nature walk in the middle of the day? Sold! Also, in the class where I worked on Thursday and Friday, a parent brought us all amazing iced coffees from the local Dutch Bros not once but 2 days in a row! Much welcomed by me as I had to open the school both days which meant getting there around 6:45 in the morning.

Also, a sweet little girl gave me a dandelion and told me I should put in my hair. And then, another child gifted me more flowers. So I wound them in my ponytail holder. Nothing like getting home and realizing you have dead flowers in your hair, ha!

Tulip Time

I must’ve planted a very early blooming variety. Tulips usually don’t bloom quite so soon around here. This lovely little yellow tulip also randomly bloomed in the flower garden beside the front porch. It’s a solo tulip.

Happy Discovery

In addition to the lone yellow tulip, I finally found my peonies emerging in the front yard. I transplanted them a few years back and had thought that perhaps the long summer drought did them in last year. Glad to see these shoots coming up out of the ground.

Hibiscus Blooming Time

The silly hibiscus bloomed almost all winter and here it goes again. I actually have 2 tropical hibiscus purchased on clearance from Menards, this one though is 3 maybe 4 years old. I need to replant it but I’m a bit nervous. We’ll see how it goes. Clearance purchase or not, I’ll be sad if repotting this is what does it in.

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It’s another beautiful weather day once again so perhaps after I get a handle on the laundry (yikes, talk about a laundry monster!), I’ll get out there and enjoy it. We are supposed to possibly have severe storms tonight. Not much else going on. Hope everyone is out enjoying the weekend no matter the weather!

Joining in with Cathy over at My Creative Life for the Friday Catch Up although as I said, mine’s a Saturday summary this time.

When Am I Ever Wordless?

March 26, 2025

jehdld

Chitchat 6 Comments

Not sure what to write about now that I’m done with the hot chocolate trials for the year. Back to regular coffee in the morning. Had a Dr. Pepper with my lunch (that’s rare but it sounded good today).

Trying to decide whether to have a theme for my Wednesdays moving forward, used to do wellness Wednesdays a while back, or just skip it. Every blog post doesn’t need a theme.

For today, just some random photos from this early afternoon. I woke up and the weather was glorious! Sunny and in the 50’s (it’s in the 60’s now). Ran to Menards for bird seed, a new birdfeeder, and finally, they had some early spring flowers out! Did I need any of that outside of the bird seed? No. Did I buy it all anyway? Yes.

Came home and still managed to fill 2 yard waste bags in the time before our trash service came today. Go me! I was excited about that one.

New Front Yard Flowers

Finally bought a hanging basket of pansies. They take the cold if the temperatures dip back down again. The sunshine yellow called out to me today.

And a container of columbine flowers, another one that can take a dip in the temperature.

Small floral project

They had small containers of hyacinth on sale in Menards and so I thought they might look fun in my teacup planter.

We’ll see how it looks after they bloom. What do you think of my dragonfly art? It was a rain gauge but the glass broke while I was cleaning things on the front porch this morning. Keep it there or not?

After lunch, I went back out to do a bit more and the weather? My weather?! What happened?

Chance of Rain?

This morning it looked pretty much like this:

And this afternoon, after lunch, the sky suddenly looked like this:

Reminding Myself Rain Helps the Flowers Grow

My Bleeding Hearts are coming back!

Cat’s Corner

Nothing to do with the rest of this post but here’s a photo of an uncooperative cat.

Time to go see if it’s the 50 percent rain or 50 percent not rain out there…..

Do you have a favorite spring flower?

Happy Homemaker Monday, It’s Spring!

March 24, 2025

jehdld

HappyHomemakerMonday 4 Comments

We made it through winter and now, it’s officially springtime!

Joining in with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom for the Happy Homemaker Monday link up.

The Weather

A bit chilly and cloudy, 55 degrees right now. Supposed to bump up into the 70’s by the end of the week. Along with a few thunderstorm chances.

As I Look Outside My Window

Thought I saw a goldfinch on the feeder earlier but I was too slow to get to another window to confirm.

Right Now I Am

Finally sitting down to finish up this post at 2:30 in the afternoon.

Something Fun To Share

I always come across great stuff in the weekend favorites by Courtney Carver.

How to Feel More at Peace was my favorite one from this past weekend. Much needed!

Thinking And Pondering

Spring cleaning. Decluttering. Whether or not I like the lilac scented candle. Can’t decide if it smells more floral or too much like old lady perfume.

On My TV

Did a bit of tv watching last week: Wicked, Moana 2 for movies. White Lotus, Spring Baking Championship, Righteous Gemstones, Tournament of Champions, and started a rewatch of The Last of Us for streaming series. Also, still on Brooklyn Nine-nine. On regular tv, The Voice, Next Level Chef, and started Farmer Wants A Wife.

On My Reading Pile

Still working my way through my James Rollins book. Need to read more this week.

Listening To

Currently nothing. Two weeks ago with no warning the 2 most popular morning radio shows in our area were cut. So I’m boycotting those stations while searching for something else. (And I’m not alone in my boycott) It’s a very small thing but I very much miss my morning radio program!

On The Menu For This Week

Tried to plan out the fridge/freezer a bit.

MONDAY: ham/potato stir fry with asparagus (keep forgetting it’s in the fridge!)

TUESDAY: tacos

WEDNESDAY: pork loin on the grill with fresh green beans

THURSDAY: roast in the crock pot

FRIDAY: open

On My To Do List

Pay the bills (DONE), grocery store (DONE), a bit of spring cleaning and clearing (not done) more yard clean up (not done) not sure what else, having trouble focusing today

Happening This Week

Not much, official spring break is over but I’m currently not scheduled to work until Friday (7:30-4)

What I Am Creating

Thinking about Easter basket ideas….that’s about it

My Simple Pleasure

A good night’s sleep. I didn’t get that last night.

Lesson Learned The Past Week

It was spring break, didn’t have time for learning! Ha. I’m sure I learned something but I’m drawing a blank right now. Oh wait, I know. Don’t walk around in those little foot mask socks from Target or you could hurt your foot.

Looking Around The House

It’s not looking great, lots of tidying needed.

From The Camera

Spring is in bloom around the front yard

Prayer List

Friends, family, strangers, the world.

Quote For The Week

The renewal that comes in springtime refreshes not only the earth but us as well. (George H. Bonner)

Spring Break Summary

March 21, 2025

jehdld

Friday Catch Up 4 Comments

Question for you. Do you count spring break (or a vacation) from the Monday to Friday you have off or do you include the weekends?

I think of it as only the Monday through Friday as I am off on the weekends either way. By that standard, today is, sadly, the last day of my spring break. It’s been a fun and relaxing one.

Outside Time

Spent some time in the front yard doing a bit of yard work and noticing new spring blooms. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I ran out of yard bags and didn’t get more until yesterday. The weather’s not been the most cooperative this week either. Sunny and warm, then wind/rain/snow, and cooler. Today the sun is out there but whew, windy! Reminded myself spring jackets are a thing as I froze on a quick grocery store errand.

Fun Outings

G also works at a school (a local college) and our spring breaks happened to align. So we went to the movies on Tuesday afternoon. I skipped my dinner out with bunco friends but I wasn’t a fan of the restaurant pick so I’ll just catch up with all of them next month. How many chances do you get to go to the movies with your adult children after all?

We saw Mickey-17. It was good, a bit different from the book but not in ways I minded too much. We skipped the popcorn (but I won’t skip Junior Mints, brought most of them home) opting instead to go out for a quick dinner afterward. My birthday gift card from my work covered dinner for both of us at Panda Express!

Also, yesterday, G and I again did some running around going to a game store for him. Then, World Market to get a few hard to find ingredients for Korean Fire Chicken. A dish J has been wanting to try. And then, a quick lunch from Freddy’s.

Fun Food and Drink

Since Monday was Saint Patrick’s Day, we did go to Arby’s and get our traditional mint shakes. Arby’s mint shake > McDonald’s shamrock shake. Definitely. So much better. Maybe a bit pricier? We only get these once a year on Saint Patrick’s Day. A nice, simple tradition.

Made the Korean Fire Chicken dish. Also, spilled a quarter of a bag of Jasmine rice (was trying to stretch the meal as I read too late that it only served 2 but they must have been big servings as we have leftovers?)

Picture on left is from the cookbook, right is my efforts.

Pretty close! I did make a few mistakes as I don’t think I got the rice cake slices quite crunchy enough and they turned gummy and I put a bit too much oil in the chicken coating (didn’t read!).

We all liked it but said we preferred the spicy Korean chicken I make on the grill. So I’m not sure this dish is going to be a repeat. (The Asian market visit didn’t happen due to weather thus settling for World Market).

Hazy Lazy Days at Home

Spent some time catching up on television shows and movies. And catching up on laundry (doesn’t count as a fun thing but nice to be done with it for a day).

Finally watched Moana 2 yesterday. Not as good as the first one but I really enjoyed it. At some point today or tonight, I’ll finally watch Wicked as well. Reading my books as well.

Revelling in not getting up with an alarm, lazy mornings, afternoons of my choosing, and I would say staying up late. However, the truth is I still go to bed fairly early. Morning person problems…

Looking Toward The Weekend

Nothing planned. And I’m okay with that. What about you? Anything exciting planned for your weekend? How was your week?

Joining in with Cathy over at My Creative Life for the Friday Catch Up.

Best for Last

March 19, 2025

jehdld

Winter Wednesday No Comments

Today is the last day of winter. We made it! And I tried a new hot chocolate every week of the winter.

After beautiful spring preview weather, winter’s not leaving without a few words (and maybe snowflakes!). It’s currently 43 degrees and starting to rain. Supposed to change over to snow later. Not supposed to stick thanks to those warmer days. And a high wind warning until later tonight. I was just out there feeding the birds and the wind was calm right now. Howled earlier though.

Didn’t drink this hot chocolate today. Actually had it on Sunday when again, winter shared a few parting words. Since it was almost Saint Patrick’s Day, mint hot chocolate easily won the contest for the final flavor.

Mint Hot Chocolate

I loosely used the ideas in this Andes Mint Hot Chocolate recipe. First major/maybe minor difference is I didn’t use Andes mints. I do like those. However, we had these on hand:

Dark chocolate and mint? Yes, please! I also skipped the peppermint syrup, didn’t have any and didn’t think it needed it.

Had my guest judge of J along again for my final hot chocolate tasting of the winter. He opted for a full cup of hot chocolate this time. Sans marshmallows/whipped cream. I added the whipped cream and chocolate syrup to my cup to make it look photo fancy but it didn’t need it. Enjoyed it more once I spooned through that layer.

Title says it all. J and I both agreed this was the best hot chocolate of them all. Not that I didn’t very much enjoy some of the others but this one was just perfect. Easy to make, not overly rich, no weird aftertaste. Just everything to enjoy about mint and hot chocolate combined.

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Hope you’ve enjoyed reading along as I’ve tried so many hot chocolates this winter. If you are interested, most recipes and quite a few others I didn’t get a chance to try are listed on my Drinks Pinterest Board.

A few I didn’t get a chance to try: s’mores hot chocolate, Colombian hot chocolate with cheese (very intriguing), and orange hot chocolate.

Technically, I only did this for January, February, and the beginning of March as I followed the idea on my 25 for 2025 list. Will I pick it back up in December? Undecided. For now, I’m switching over to coffee and hopefully, very soon iced tea and lemonade (sometimes together/sometimes separate). And of course, water!

Happy Homemaker Monday, Spring Break!

March 17, 2025

jehdld

HappyHomemakerMonday 6 Comments

It’s Spring Break week here. So nice to not have to think about work for an entire week. My plan is to do something in the “need to” department each day as well as something fun. We’ll see how that plan works.

And of course, we’re celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day today. Just minor things, mint shakes somewhere and something Irish-esque for dinner.

For now, I’m joining in with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom for the Happy Homemaker Monday link up community.