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Category: Blog365

Weekend Plans

Blog365 2 Comments

This is going to be one of those quick no photo posts. It’s raining now so no going out for a quick picture. And I really don’t see anything too photo worthy inside at the moment. Could just be I’m tired after working 7-3:30 today.

Happy Friday! We’re having a low-key night around here. J is off with a friend to an event at a local game store. G just got home from work. My husband and I were watching Top Chef: World All-Stars before I took a break to order million dollar Chinese food for dinner (Husband’s idea and that’s just my nickname for our local delivery restaurant. It is very good, however).

No huge plans this weekend, the electronics recycle event is actually tomorrow (I thought it was last week) so we’ll do that. Then, maybe the local farmer’s market for a garden/arbor day event. I’ll buy a few plants somewhere I’m sure.

And I started a new book, Fairytale by Stephen King. Very promising so far. Plus I have a few streaming shows to watch yet.

Sunday is wildly free as J doesn’t have band practice. Not sure what I’ll do without my Sunday night Target run!

Can you stand all our excitement over here? Do you have big weekend plans?

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Slowly Changing

Blog365 garden areas 7 Comments

Isn’t strange how the rest of the world seems to be moving so fast and yet, the spring season so slow this year?  It almost feels like the tortoise and the hare story with spring around this area.

We got off to a rocket start and everything started blooming super early. Then, it’s as if, oh wait, let’s take a nap. SIGH.

Seems things are starting to shift back to the spring and summer pace again at last. Just a few photos to share today. (I’m back to working this afternoon and tomorrow, then I get the weekend and maybe a few days next week to myself).

Orange tulips are still going strong:

However, the next flowers are preparing for their time in the spotlight:

Do I see some purple getting ready to burst through?

Maybe I’ll be sharing the full flowering purple alliums by next week. And look, here comes an Easter lily as well! Planted from a store plant many years ago.

Last one to show, a rose bud! Thought for sure this rose bush had given it up after last summer’s drought but surprise! Here it is again.

Today, I must go into work around noon. So, not as many garden plans as I’d hoped. Probably just a trip to a small local place to see if she’s open yet. And if so, perhaps, a herb or too for the backdrop for the purple alliums. It’s usually done by now.

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Happy Homemaker Wednesday

Blog365 HappyHomemakerMonday 4 Comments

Well, instead of wordless Wednesday, it’s going to be a Wednesday full of words around here. I’m finally getting to my Happy Homemaker Monday post!

I made it one of the items on my 23 for 2023 list to join in with every Happy Homemaker Monday hosted by Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom. So, a Wednesday posting it shall be. Plus, these posts really do help me get my weeks organized, even if it’s mid-week.

The Weather

local kite festival we drove by on Sunday

 

It’s nice out but I feel like we could be warmer! It’s currently 52 and sunny outside. Chilly enough in the mornings for jacket but warm enough to go without by the afternoons. I didn’t wear a jacket at all yesterday though I did wear an elbow length sleeved shirt. Slight chance of rain tomorrow into Friday but otherwise, highs in the 60’s and lows in the upper 40’s. Next week looks warmer. I’m glad as I really want to move my hibiscus and monstera outside to their summer locations.

As I Look Outside My Window

I need to fill the bird feeders. And put out the hummingbird feeder! I’ve not seen any yet but want to be ready.

Right Now

Trying to focus on this post and wondering if I should go check on the cat. I left her outside a little bit ago when she came with me to take out the trash.

Thinking And Pondering

The stuff I need/want to do and get done in the next few days. My thoughts are little jumbled this morning so I’m hoping this post can help me sort things out a bit.

How I Am Feeling

Tired and a little overwhelmed. Not feeling bad though.

On The Breakfast Plate

Coffee, more coffee in the form of a caramel macchiato from Starbucks, toast with strawberry jam

 On The Lunch Plate

No idea, maybe leftover pizza. Or a sandwich. Or nothing.

On The Dinner Plate

Giving G his choice when he comes back from class. Either: pepper steak (chicken for him) and rice or ham steaks, corn on the cob, and fresh pineapple.

What I’m Wearing

Marching band tee shirt from G’s senior year of high school, jeggings, and leopard print slip on shoes.

On My Reading Pile

A stack of April magazines (a first/last glance through and then, recycle bin). Trying to read The Paris Diversion by Chris Pavone but struggling to get into it.

On My TV This Week

It’s Masked Singer and Ted Lasso night! Dr. Who (just one episode), Barry, The Big Door Prize are all things I’m watching by myself. Oh, and The Spring Baking Championship. My husband and I together are watching: Top Chef, season 20 plus Last Chance Kitchen as well as Wayward Pines. We also watch the first two shows mentioned together.

On The Menu This Week

This week starting off so busy kind of threw my menu planning off a bit.

MONDAY: We had Backyard Burger (fast food restaurant) *I worked 7-4* *J had a lesson at 6:30*

TUESDAY: Papa John’s Pizza (husband ordered this while I was at work but I was glad not to worry with dinner) *I worked 7-4*

WEDNESDAY: Pepper steak/chicken and rice OR ham steaks and corn/pineapple

THURSDAY: Pepper steak/chicken and rice OR ham steaks and corn/pineapple

FRIDAY: I was just looking at this goulash recipe here. Or I might make spicy potato soup. Or ???

Looking Around The House

It’s bad. I should be picking it up and cleaning instead of writing this post.

On My To Do List

  1. Grocery store *DONE*
  2. Probably some laundry
  3. Clean the house
  4. Check that I paid all the bills
  5. Take J driving
  6. Look into getting some new spring/summer clothes
  7. Outside chores: mow the lawn, add some flowers, work on the garden
  8. Other stuff I’ll remember later

From The Camera

On the phone camera, a couple more shots of the kites at the kite festival.

Real camera: more flowers, of course.

On My Prayer List

Friends, family, strangers. My boss and her family as her husband passed away from cancer over the weekend. Peace and kindness to overtake the world.

Quote For The Week

Not a quote exactly but this song has been in my head ever since driving by those kites on Sunday:

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A Second Delay

Blog365 6 Comments

The teacher I worked for yesterday missed her flight home so it’s another 7 to 4 day for me. And part of that is helping with school picture day (not a relaxing job).  It looks like my Monday post is most likely going to happen hopefully on Wednesday.

Here’s at least a photo. This was on Sunday afternoon as we were driving over the Missouri River.

Thank you for all the kind comments the past few days as well! I’ll reply as soon as I have another few minutes.

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Delayed

Blog365 6 Comments

This is my short and sweet post for today. Happy Homemaker Monday is delayed for me until Tuesday. I work 7-4 today and then, J has a lesson at 6:30. Somewhere in-between or after I have to go grocery shopping (need to get my gas discount!). So I doubt I’ll be in posting form later tonight. See you all on Tuesday!

Stuff I’ve Been Reading And Watching

Blog365 Books and TV Shows 4 Comments

Did I mention I seemed to have lost my blogging mojo? I do have some mojito mint, haven’t lost that. Yet. We are under a freeze advisory for tonight (I can’t remember the last time it felt this cold this late in April).

Anyway, I did promise a post a few days back about what I’ve been reading and watching so here it is.

Reading

I really need to be doing more of this! If you want to follow along with what I’m reading, I do have a Goodreads profile. Usually don’t write too many book reviews unless I absolutely love or hate a book. And I tend to be generous with my star ratings.

Lately, I’ve been on a Chris Pavone kick. Honestly, I’m not sure why. His books aren’t all that great but they do entertain me. Something about them is just complicated enough I can’t breeze through them. That said I sometimes skip big chunks of them as well. Not a great endorsement and yet here I am currently reading his book titled The Travelers.

Just finished one called Finders Keepers by Stephen King, well-written as always. This is the second in the Mr. Mercedes trilogy. So far these books are more real world type scary than monster under the bed type scary.

When I need a light escape type reading, I turn to Donna Ashcroft, Daisy James, or Alison Sherlock. And Alison Sherlock’s new series start Heading Home To Lavender Cottage did not disappoint me. I’m ready to move to the Cranbridge/Cranfield area.

TV, Too Much

Been watching too much tv lately. I go through spells. Hardly watch it and then, THEN. So much viewing. Too much viewing. Doesn’t help that we have too many streaming services! So, that’s how I’m dividing things.

Sort Of Regular TV

Regular TV: Masked Singer always, Next Level Chef, most of the time, and Just Call Me Kat, The Voice, FBI, and Animal Control, when I happen to catch them

Peacock App: My husband and I have been watching Top Chef, season 20 and Last Chance Kitchen. I’m enjoying this season as it’s chefs from around the world. He also watched  Cocaine Bear on there. I caught the very end. (We also watch Saturday Night Live on this sometime on Sundays as we can rarely stay awake long enough on Saturday nights)

Streaming Services I Watch Rarely

AMC+: Decided I was ready to face the zombies again. Over the past 2 days, I binge-watched Walking Dead, The World Beyond. (Direct quote from our house: I can call my show stupid, but you can’t call my show stupid while I’m watching it!). Also watched a short one called Fear The Walking Dead: Dead in the Water. I think it would’ve made a better prequel series than the actual Fear The Walking Dead. (Still need to catch up on that one)

Discovery+: (Have you heard they are merging this with HBO max? And renaming it MAX? Bad marketing name but I’m excited to have one less streaming service to worry with). Each Monday, I watch The Spring Baking Championship on this one. And last night I started watching one called Ciao House.

Regular Streaming Services

Netflix: We recently watched both Night Agent and The Recruit. Good fairly short bingeable tv shows. Husband liked Night Agent better but I preferred The Recruit. 

HBOmax: My one episode a week of the David Tennant series of Dr. Who, I’m up to Martha Jones as his companion. And I’m excited that my favorite dark comedy has finally returned for its season 4, Barry. It’s so good but definitely not for kids!

Apple TV plus: Ted Lasso, of course! And then, I’ve watched the Tetris movie, so good. Highly recommend for any gamers but even as a non-gamer I really enjoyed it. The Big Door Prize is different, a bit more drama than comedy or rather perhaps it needs its own absurd category. Also, watching Shrinking a bit, struggling to get into it. And finally, I started watching The Last Thing He Told Me. Read the book a while back and loved it. So far, the show is true to the book so very good. And I’m waiting for the release of Lessons in Chemistry, another show from a book I read and absolutely loved.

Today, since it’s a bit too cold to do outdoor things, I’m probably going to watch the Ghosted movie on there although I think it looks a bit dumb.

Oh how I need the weather to turn warm and sunny again!

Have you read/watched anything interesting lately?

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No Mojo

Blog365 2 Comments

Seem to have lost my blogging mojo a bit. And missed another day in the Blog365 challenge. So, here’s yet another place holder on a missed day. Hoping I get it back this week!

Orange Tulip Obsession

Blog365 Just Photos 6 Comments

Almost forgot to post tonight!

Not too much to share so I’ll just let you enjoy some photos from my orange tulip obsession.

Look, do you see the mini tulips that sprang up? Little unexpected baby orange tulips!

A look inside a regular opened tulip.

And then, I noticed this double tulip (sure there’s a more official name but I have no idea what it is).

It’s supposed to storm overnight with a wind advisory. I sure hope my orange tulips are still there in the morning.

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Mostly An Outdoor Day

Blog365 2 Comments

Today I had mostly an outdoor day. And it shows in the house. So, I’m just sharing outside pictures in this post!

Went to Menards early this morning. Best time to go before it gets busy. Really, if I don’t get there by about 10a.m., I save it for another day. Needed birdseed and a few flowers. Tried to control myself. Was excited to pick up some violas on clearance for $1 though! Fill a giant flower pot of mine for just $5. Sounds good.

Outdoor Time

At home, I spent time hard raking the garden. No idea if that’s the proper technical term or not. However, it’s a lot more flat now. It was so hilly and uneven after we rototilled it a couple weeks back. Ready for planting now.

Planted my new Bleeding Heart plant (I buy one a year for filling up a garden space in our backyard). And my two additional sweet William, wild blue phlox plants. Love the smell of it. Realized that really I should be planting it closer to the deck. Ah, an idea for a new garden space!

Moved round to the front to fill in the large flower pot plus ponder a few herbs I bought yesterday. Is it me or has the price of garden herb starts increased? Still waiting on my favorite garden store for most of those. Added lemon verbena and mojito mint to the back deck rail. And just set a rosemary and lavender in my big front porch pot. Plus added another lemon verbena to my herb wall in front of the porch. Just starting that project.

Driving Lesson Time

After lunch, I took J for another driving lesson. He did pretty good. Just had to remind him once that we weren’t in the UK and maybe to drive on the right side of the road, ha! Then, we tackled a few busier roads complete with waiting for a train. While he did good, I’m not saying I didn’t come home and take some deep sniffs of the lavender and rosemary.

Dinner Time and Then, Bunco

Now, it’s taco time and then, I’m off to Bunco for the night. Just wanted to get a quick post in for the day.

What are you up to on this lovely Tuesday?

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