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Category: Chitchat

Five on Friday: Holiday Thoughts and Other Things

Chitchat 8 Comments

Thought I’d just do a Five on Friday today. It’s been a while. Here it’s a freezing Friday with single digit wind chills. The actual temperature is something like 19 degrees, I think. Good day to do inside things. So happy next week is supposed to be back to normal November weather around here.

First: Thanksgiving Plans Sorted

It’s been a bit of a week between J’s birthday, my husband’s hunting, and G having a bit of car trouble. However, my brother sent me a text last night and we’re going to go over there for Thanksgiving. I’m contributing cranberry sauce (homemade, no cans here!) and a chocolate meringue pie. Both easy things, which is great as I agreed to work a full day next Wednesday.

I’m so happy to have plans for Thanksgiving and be seeing family. All our family won’t be there, just my brother hosting, my other brother, and then some of my sister-in-law’s side. A few others may or may not show. My sister and brother are still at odds, so I won’t see her or her family or my other brother who lives in Texas. I keep saying other brother and thinking of the Bob Newhart show though none of my brothers are named Larry or Darryl:

Second: Follow Through Friday

Back when I blogged over at So Not Organized, I thought I might be rich and  famous for my “real life” organizing. Pausing a moment for us both to enjoy a laugh at that one. A feature I often had was “Follow Through Friday” which I now realize is basically just the Fly lady anti-procrastination day but on a Friday instead of a Wednesday. So basically, I’m spending some time today to get some tasks I’ve been avoiding checked off the list. Cleaning off the kitchen table, the sofa, finding time to look at the blender my husband bought me, bill paying, laundry, etc.

Third: Three Nice Things from The Week

  1. I’ll start with this sunrise from Monday. Have I mentioned it enough how much I enjoy the sunrise being at a normal time again? 
  2. The restaurant where we ate for J’s birthday gave him his meal for free. Super nice! I really wish I’d liked the food a bit better but the red sauce on the pasta was too sweet for me. My eggplant parmigiana was great though.
  3. When I worked on Wednesday afternoon, a student told me that I was one of his very favorite teachers. And one of the more “spirited” students at that. Warmed my heart quite a bit.

Fourth: Too Many Sales

Warning: Grouchy rant ahead. As I glanced at the papers while cleaning off the kitchen table (just the free Wednesday grocery ads), I noticed a Lowes flyer for a Black Friday sale. Except it ended the day before Thanksgiving? Wait, what?

So many early Black Friday sale confuse me. Is the better price now or do I wait until after Thanksgiving? It’s too much. And all these one day sales (looking at you Bath and Body Works) lose my business rather than gain it. Give me a day or two to ponder things.

Tis the time of year to remind myself: There’ll always be another sale.

Ranting about it all because I’m moving into Christmas mode and starting to think about what gifts to give to the family.

Fifth: Random Stuff

Starting with another photo from my walk last Sunday.

Starting with last week, I’m planning to go for a walk at least once every week, weather permitting. Mentally prepping my Winter Wednesday posts as well.

I saw a blog post as I was messing around doing research on Pinterest where they stated the winter season November to April. Um, maybe because I live somewhere we can have all the seasons in one week (and often do) or I’m too technical…that time span seemed so wrong.

Technically it’s December 20 to March 20 in these parts. However, I’m not opposed to giving into saying it starts in December. However, I’m going to give a firm no to it stretching to April (even if we’ve seen snow on the 1st day of that month and sometimes even in May).

What time frame do you consider winter?

And with that question I’ll conclude this rambling mess of a blog post.

 

 

 

Bridges and Birds

Birdwatching Chitchat Just Photos 2 Comments

And maybe a few random thoughts. As I mentioned Monday, I went for a walk at one of my favorite parks on Sunday afternoon. It felt nice (though a bit chilly) to get out the camera again on a walk. 

The weather did come as expected on Monday night, not too much snow.  However, it’s still cold this morning as we’re sitting at 24 degrees with NW winds making it feel like 18.  Next week, seems to be back to normal. Definitely thankful for that!

Killdeer

Sometimes I see these little birds at this park but not always. They’re usually pretty shy so I was happy (with the help of the zoom lens) to get some semi-decent pictures.

I also saw a rather large group of doves. It was fun to capture them all in flight when I was trying to determine what they were.

Doves

Not the best pictures of the doves because we have these in the backyard so I wasn’t too excited once I saw them properly.

We also have lots of sparrows in the backyard but I never realized until I started seriously bird-watching how many different types of sparrows existed. I think but very well could be wrong that this little bird below is a song sparrow.

Sparrow

Sometimes without the high end zoom on a camera it’s hard to get a decent shot (and of course, if I had said high end zoom, then it requires a tripod to get a stable shot and that’s too technical for me). Here are couple of shots that needed better zoom and/or more cooperative birds.

Hide and Seek

some type of sparrow hiding here
You have to search but there are 2 Cedar Waxwings in each of the  photos.

The Random Bits Plus Another Bridge Photo

Clearly, I don’t do well with the concept of wordless Wednesdays.

Anyway, a bit of fun about this park. It used to be an old race track so it’s quite large and tends to feel empty. It’s been a work in progress for years probably.

I have a terrible nickname for it of “Serial Killer Central” (Note: I’ve never really felt unsafe here, just need to use common sense). However, now they’re doing this:

Gonna need to find a new nickname, I suppose. At least the parking here will be better (I hope).

Today is anti-procrastination day in Fly lady land. I’m off to clean up a bit around the house, pay some bills, and work. Later, I’ll deal with the last task on my anti-procrastination list and call my brother to see if there are any Thanksgiving plans out there.

What are your plans for this Wednesday?

 

Sleepy Saturday

Chitchat Week in Review 4 Comments

Um, I just learned something new as I started this post. And it has a new title because of it. I wondered why the red squiggle line was under the first word of my title. Sleepy is fine obviously.

I started to call this post “snoozy” Saturday. Um, turns out that word doesn’t mean exactly what I thought it means in all circles. I thought it meant sleepy and drowsy and according to the normal dictionary it still does. However, in the urban dictionary it has some entirely different (and not so appropriate) definitions. Oh my, I AM old. Anyway, post title switched to Sleepy Saturday. 

Why is it a sleepy Saturday?

First, It was a long week

Not a bad week, just a long one. Remember way back in Monday’s post when I thought it was going to be a busy week? I wasn’t wrong. For the first time in some time, I ended up working every day. Originally, I had Tuesday but ended up working a half-day that started early. Add in taking J to his lesson Monday night and a fun night out with friends on Wednesday. And waking up at 4:00AM for every day of it. Not on purpose, our little gray cat doubles as an alarm with only one setting.

Work wasn’t bad as I was in my favorite classroom for most of it but it’s still tiring working with preschool kids. Thankfully, we were able to be outside a lot during the week prior to the cold front moving into our area. And that brings us to the next thing in the making of this lazy day.

The Weather

Perhaps all those people putting up Christmas lights and trees (I did see one all lit up in someone’s window as I drove home on Thursday evening) triggered something. It went from 70 degrees on Wednesday evening to a cool, rainy Thursday. The temperature went from 50 to 45 degrees as I drove home that evening (and just for your reference, I’m talking about a 10 minute drive). Yesterday, we woke up to cold, felt like it was in the 20’s though the actual temperature was in the mid-30’s.

This morning, it was so cold that I had to turn on the Netflix fireplace (and bump the actual heat up a bit)! The little gray cat stayed out only a few minutes. The temperature was in the 20’s but felt like 14 degrees. It’s cloudy and dreary out. I’m not supposed to be freezing while filling bird feeders in November. Feeling this funny:

Photo found on “My Crazy Page” on Facebook.

 

That said, if you want to put up your Christmas decorations, go ahead. To each their own. I guess the weather is right for it anyway.

Holiday Planning

And it’s not as if I’m not thinking about the holidays at all. It’s just we have a November birthday to do first (J turns 18 on Tuesday! Yikes. When did that happen?)

My simple holiday plans so far:

  1. The boys (and husband) are going to write down 5 things they want for Christmas or for every blank space on the list, they’ll be getting underwear. They might get underwear anyway but just not as much if I get an actual idea or two out of them.
  2. In looking for the mini Keurig, I found my Christmas journal from 2021. Nice surprise (so much for the Rudolph day celebrations/planning for 2022 though. Oops!). Reminded me I wanted to do a Christmas tree theme for decorating this year. Based on a stack of Christmas tree mugs I picked up on clearance last year.
  3. If we end up having Christmas at home again, I definitely need to plan the food better. And for my own sanity, make everyone commit to a time to start things.

The holiday planning makes me think I also need to do a bit of blog post planning…

Blog Posts I Want to Write and Share Soon

I’ve been striving (not always successfully) to post abut 3-4 times a week. I’d like to continue that but sometimes I have ideas when it’s not convenient to sit down and write. Here are some of those ideas that have been swirling about in my mind lately.

  1. Keurig vs Coffee Maker. If you’re wondering why I was actually looking for the Keurig, it’s because I only use it when my husband is off hunting.
  2. A series: Winter Wednesdays, I really do want to do this. I want to work on embracing winter by doing something to celebrate it each Wednesday of the season.
  3. Sharing my fall/winter holiday reading list. I try to move from thrillers to “lighter” selections for the holiday season.

I do have more but should probably get back to accomplishing some household chores today while all is quiet around here. Mostly, I’m just focusing on laundry today (so I can watch tv and fold clothes, ha!).

What are your plans for this Saturday?

 

 

 

Indoors and Outdoors

Chitchat Just Photos 8 Comments

Just a not so wordless Wednesday post for the day. We’ve woke up to rain the past two mornings. So very nice. And then, sunny before noon hits. Here’s a glimpse of a few things from the past few days that are more interesting than the tv remote and laundry piles.

Indoors

Had cool weather for a second or two…

Baked banana bread

Started decorating for Halloween/Fall

One of my indoor plants back from its outdoor vacation…

Outdoors

Nice to have a break from watering the garden

Last of the cherry tomatoes, hoping they turn red soon.

Threw these pots to the side of the house in disgust a few weeks ago after some creature ate all my sunflower blooms off the stalks.

Wait. When did this happen?!

 

 

 

 

 

Dinner, Dessert, and TV Show Talk

Chitchat Recipes 4 Comments

Felt like yesterday’s Thankful Thursday post maybe ended on a bit of a down note. And since I mostly try to keep it positive around here, how about a peace offering. Recipes for a simple dinner and a dessert. Plus some chit chat about the TV shows I’ve been watching. Normally, I guess it would be dinner, dessert, and a movie. However, I’ve not had the attention span for a movie lately. Maybe later this weekend.

To start, an easy dinner recipe for you. I found this recipe in the oddest of places. Back in the spring, my hairdresser was running just a bit late (very rare) and I was glancing at the magazines. For some reason, they had a food magazine in the collection. I wish I could recall which one.

Broccolini, Chicken Sausage, and Orzo Skillet

Aside from a little sausage and vegetable chopping (oh, and garlic mincing), this is one of the easiest recipes to make. As an added bonus, every single person in my picky family likes this! In the picture above, I also used turkey sausage to double the meat. While it works with turkey sausage as well, it’s much better with the chicken sausage. 

We use regular orzo, broccoli in place of broccolini, and skip the cheese and lemon zest. It’s a good filling, one dish kind of meal.

And now for a simple dessert…

Scotcheroos

Sometimes people give my husband desserts when he’s working and this is one he brought home and then, the next day had the person text the recipe. I’d forgotten about them until recently when I spotted the grocery store bakery selling them in a clamshell. So, I decided to dig out the recipe and make a batch. They’ve been a hit! Super easy to make, we’ve been just storing them in the fridge. Funny I’d always thought they were made with Cornflakes but this recipe used Rice Krispies.   

And Now For Some TV Show Talk

What’ve you been watching lately? For me, I binged right through Only Murders in the Building on Hulu. So good, I highly recommend it.  Started back catching up with The Walking Dead yesterday. It’s a scary show I can watch only in the daytime. For whatever reason, I don’t find zombies all that scary. Plus, anyone that’s seen more than an episode or two knows the zombies aren’t nearly as scary as some of the people in that show.

Last night, I was searching for something light to watch and saw the Steve Martin and Martin Short comedy special. Enjoyed that very much (if you don’t know, they are the two stars along with Selena Gomez in Only Murders in the Building).

Then, still searching for something that didn’t take too much effort to watch (like watching tv takes so much effort, ha!), I clicked on Kim’s Convenience. I’d read about in Simu Liu’s autobiography (he’s the star of Shang Chi, a great Marvel movie if you have Disney +) and mentioned getting his role it it. It was funny though I confess to falling asleep watching it (past my bedtime). Might be a good laundry folding show.

This weekend I’ll probably watch a bit more of the new Walking Dead episodes and maybe a Halloween movie. Any not too scary suggestions for me?

 

Surprise! Another Post!

Chitchat garden areas Week in Review 2 Comments

Not that I’m counting but I think this means I’ve posted four times this week! On a bit of a roll. Nothing special, just another random one with a review of the past week.

Believe it or not, these morning glories and this post inspired me to write today!

I’ve been tossing morning glory seeds around this post ever since my husband took the fence down a few years ago.  This post is right next to our backyard vegetable garden. I have visions of morning glories winding their way up and around the post. Every year: NOTHING.

However, Tuesday morning as I went out to check the garden. What did I find?

A morning glory tucked behind a few of its leaves quietly blooming away! A nice surprise from a rather rough morning.

Shall we grab a cup of something. And review the week. Maybe lavender? 

This planter, I waited so patiently for it to go on clearance at the grocery store, makes me so happy. And I decided to share the unedited version so you can see the mess on our outdoor table on the deck. I have visions of this gorgeous deck with plants but this is the reality. Maybe next summer.

This Week

Monday and Tuesday

Monday was our 24th wedding anniversary that we celebrated by doing absolutely nothing. I did at least bother to get my husband a card. I’ve just about simmered down over him mostly ignoring it. I did buy myself a few flowers at the garden center. Of course, I’d have done that no matter what.  Not all his fault as I did work that day until almost 6, then take J to his baritone lesson. And the weekend before was busy as well. Next year better be a fantastic trip somewhere though!

Tuesday was rather rough as I mentioned. J didn’t go to school saying he just needed to sleep. We’d got off last week to such a good start that this came out of nowhere for me causing my optimism about the new school year to take a dive. At least I found my morning glory that morning.

Wednesday and Thursday

Wednesday turned out to be a much better day. Took the cat to the vet in the a.m. (finally!) and let me just say putting a cat in a carrier is not a fun one person job.  I thought I had work training but I ended up not having it. So happy about it as I wasn’t in the mood. And G bought my lunch, it was just McDonald’s but it was good. Everyone went where they were supposed to go that day as well.

a bloom on my fall garden zucchini plant

Thursday ended up a full day for me. I worked from 8 until 4. And while I didn’t have the time for Thankful Thursday post (need to get back to those), I did find lots of little items of gratitude. Got to work in my favorite classroom. The school lunch wasn’t messy (it’s a bit of joke for us that whenever I sub for a certain teacher who helps the kids clean after lunch, that day’s lunch is always one of the messiest!). The garden continues to do well.

Last night was a meeting for the parents of the senior band students. And my husband actually went with me. Sure he was probably regretting it though as I’m not one to say nothing (ironic as I was always “the quiet one” who hardly spoke in high school and college). That could be a post all by itself so perhaps I should remain “the quiet one” in this space. Trying to remind myself that as a been there done that parent, I need to think kinder thoughts toward the first time parents of seniors. The difference between the parents of G’s class and J’s class, sigh. Give me the class of 2019 parents any day of the week. Has always been an issue for me.

TODAY: Happy Friday, the start of Labor Day Weekend

Everyone is once again where they belong today. I’m enjoying a few hours of bliss in an empty house before I go pick up J from school and run him to a 3p.m. appt. I’ve watered the gardens, started some laundry. Taken a quick run to the store as we were out of cat food. So I picked up a few snacks for the weekend as well as some strawberries on sale. While I could be filling the house with the scent of an autumn candle, I opted for baking an angel food cake instead.

The rest of this weekend should be low-key for us: out with friends on Saturday night and no plans as of yet for the other days. I’m hoping we manage a visit to a local festival for kettle corn and pork rinds (tradition) and of course, my garden chores are always there.

How was your week? What plans do you have for the upcoming weekend?

 

 

Summer Summary

Chitchat On My Mind 2 Comments

As we say goodbye to August and hello to September, I thought I’d share a summer summary post. And just for the record, I’m well aware it’s still summer until mid-September. However, it’s time to transition to fall. 

And I’m starting that transition by looking back on the summer of 2022 and sharing some things I’d like to remember about it. I’m also starting my post in late May though I also know summer doesn’t technically begin until mid-June.

Over all it was a fairly low-key summer around here but that’s okay. I’m being lazy and sharing pictures already posted in previous posts for this with maybe a bonus photo thrown in here or there.

MAY:

G turned 21! J finished his junior year of high school (whew!). I got a little more serious about my gardening adventures. Even had a rose bloom though sadly said rose bush is no more, we’ll see if it rebounds next year.

And then, it was onto the month that truly starts summer.

JUNE:

J got to go on a band trip to Disneyworld in Florida! I was jealous (as we opted not to go) but happy he obliged my request to text me one photo a day while he was there. The rest of us toiled at our jobs. When he returned from Disney, J had summer school. Thankfully, it went fairly smooth. And my green thumb improved enough to grow flowers out of the cracks in the sidewalks (not really but I did have some volunteer flowers that way). One day I ran into my sister and nephew in a garden center. That was a good day. 

JULY

Definitely our busiest summer month! We had a low-key Fourth of July at home. I worked and watered the garden and flowers. My older brother came into town from Texas and I was able to reconnect with family we’d not seen since 2019 (stupid pandemic and politics!). Three of us went to St. Louis for a music competition for J. We were able to visit the St. Louis arch while there. While J got superior ratings on all his performances, I think my proudest mom moment was on the grounds of the arch when my son stopped to pick up someone else’s abandoned trash and throw it away. Nice to know I at least did something right in raising him to be a good steward of the Earth.

And of course, I worked. Some work weeks were better than others but I generally enjoy summer as I typically work to cover vacations so my schedule is set for a week at a time.

AUGUST

July ended and August started with a sweltering heat wave. Hot even for us summer weather loving types. Band camp for J. More work for me. Less blogging than usual. A summer of Sonic Sour Patch Kid Floats. Another family gathering and reconnecting with more family!  Monthly get togethers with friends, my Mom’s Night Out friends. Game nights the first Saturday of each month with husband and different friends (in honor of his friend who passed away one year ago).

More watering, garden planning. And twice a week filling of the hummingbird feeders.

Since I mentioned J in July, I should mention how proud I am of G’s kindness. Brings me home spring rolls from Panda Express whenever he stops there on his way home from work simply because he knows I love them. Always sharing funny and interesting memes he finds on his phone. And has helped out so much with picking J up from school for us.

And Finally, here we are at the last day of August. My mind is on a very long list of end of season garden chores (though I have plenty of time with our weather here). A stack of new September magazines. Marching band (football) season at the high school with a senior! Fall cleaning. Festivals! Blogging more. Focusing on a sorting and saving (money) kind of September. And a return to the fall tv schedules.

What are you thinking and doing as you say goodbye to August and hello to September?

 

Summer Images From My Phone

Chitchat Just Photos 2 Comments

I realized today that I’ve been dealing with a bit of Blogger’s block. The Happy Homemaker Monday posts are easy enough because the categories are there. However, I just can’t seem to get into a good flow with anything else. Hoping it might pick up again soon because I do miss writing about more than my weekly plans in this space.

Since today is “Wordless Wednesday” in a lot of the blogosphere (look at me with the big fancy words!), I thought I’d pop on here with something simple and hopefully, kind of fun. Summer is coming to a close, here that just means school starts next week (for preschool) and the week after that (for local public schools). Thought I’d just go through my phone and share a few random picks I’ve took with it during each of the summer months so far.

Nothing overly exciting and I may have shared some in the past, not sure at this point. I did try and pick things I’m fairly certain I didn’t previously share in this space. And phone pics so not the best quality.

MAY

Poison Ivy Flowers. Had no idea it made flowers, did you?

Birds from from outside the Kennedy Space Center in Florida (sent to me by J while he was on his Disney trip with the band). We’re still not sure what kind of birds.

And technically, that was a June 1 picture so….

JUNE

Speaking of being technical. I do this so many times it’s almost (it IS) embarrassing. Usually get them deleted but this was in the June photos…

Random screenshot anyone? How about a lovely butterfly on the lemon gem marigolds instead?

Oh how I wish they still looked that pretty. They do not. Dried out and barely clinging to life. I may pass on this variety next spring/summer.

JULY

We got on a bit of a Sonic drink kick especially the Sour Patch Kids Float. I got one just to try it. And then, I got another one. And now, I’m kind of craving it again. Smaller size. Size pictured was a bit much.

In St. Louis, we went to White Castle, a novelty that isn’t in these parts any more though it used to be here. I’m good for another few years though. This rabbit was hanging out in the parking lot.

Not much for this month yet…all food so far. Please, don’t judge.

AUGUST

Cucumber salad made with cucumbers from our very own garden! Then, we kept the “juice” and made a second batch with store cucumbers. I really had to dig for the recipe so will need to put it on here at some point (it is over on So Not Organized with no photos).

Last photo of my post was one I took just for laughs. J loves Cinnamon Toast Cereal but we both agreed this sounded disgusting. You can take the goodness of a flavor/brand a bit too far, I think.

Hope you’ve enjoyed the random sampling of my phone pictures from this summer. Anyone want to go to Sonic with me for a Sour Patch Kids Float?

 

About Our Easter

Chitchat 4 Comments

To appreciate our Easter this year, we have to start on Good Friday. Maybe we can blame some of the weekend on the full moon?

Good Friday

I had the day off but J had school as they were using the day as a make-up snow day (not a hugely popular decision but it beats going to school after Memorial Day).  Spent the day making this recipe for hot cross buns. Note: The buns turned out but it also happens no one else in the family liked them. SIGH. I think if I’d skipped the glaze, I could’ve sold them better.

When I went to pick J up from school, things got interesting. We’re almost home and I casually mention I picked him up a little later because I thought he’d bring his baritone home.

J: Oh yeah, I forgot it!

Me: It’s okay, I doubt you have practice this Sunday (He’s in a band with his private lesson teacher that typically practices on Sunday nights)

J: I need it though for when we play at the church on Sunday.

Me: What? Are you playing at the church this Sunday for Easter?!

J: Yes. I told you that. (Everyone with teenagers can figure out the tone here. And no, I don’t think he did)

Me: Are you sure? What time are you supposed to be there?

J: YES. (This is where you just know it’s not worth the argument) 9:30

Me: Okay, so I guess you’re playing at the 11:00 a.m. service.

And with that, we turned around and went back to the school for the 3rd time in one day. He ran in and was able to get his baritone (A nice janitor let him in the band room. Whew!)

Saturday

Usually a day where in the past, I’d spend the entire day in the kitchen preparing for Easter brunch. Instead, early in the morning, I went to Target and overdid it on items for my big kids’ Easter baskets. Worked in the yard a bit, not much it was too cold. Overall, a rather low-key day. 

Easter Sunday

We could probably subtitle the beginning of our Easter, a comedy of errors.

First: Crockpot Chaos!

The ham I planned to cook in the crockpot while we attended the church service was too big for the lid to fit. Decided to throw it on the smoker instead. Realize, I don’t have the right size can of pineapple so make a hurried dash to the store (thank you stores for being open early in the morning on Easter) to grab it and a few dinner extras. Hurry to get back so I can take J to the church by 9:30.

Second: Time Changes are Never Fun!

Rush home, it’s 9:10 and J’s not ready. Ask him why not? He informs me he doesn’t need to be there until 10:30. Wait, what. This changes all the plans. Now, we’ll all have to hurry so we can all go together (Original plan: I drop him off, come home and get ready and the rest of us go to get there at 11). Start my mad dash of getting ready. J comes out of his room panicked. I read it wrong. It WAS 9:30.  This is at 9:20. Okay, get dressed and I’ll get you there. You’ll just be about 5-10 minutes late. Away we go!

Then, We “Home Alone’d” Our Oldest Son

Get back from mad dash number one to the church. Why isn’t G up yet? Husband tells me, G says he didn’t know anything about it and isn’t going. We had a whole conversation about it, I’m not happy at this point. However, I need to finish getting ready. About 10 minutes before we need to leave, G gets in the shower. I think, maybe he’s trying to hurry up so can come with us. Husband says we need to leave NOW. I say but I think he’s trying to go with us. No, he’s just in the shower replies my husband. I think he’s wrong but comply and we get in the car. We’re 5 minutes from the highway, a phone call from G. Where are you guys? You Home Alone’d (his words) me. I was planning to come. SIGH.

Church Service

Finally, we arrive at the church and enjoy a lovely Easter morning service. I was sorry that G missed it as the pastor shared a great message. And of course, the band and choirs sounded amazing.

Easter Dinner

Came home, starving but dinner wasn’t ready yet. Waffles for a late breakfast/lunch. We didn’t end up eating our dinner until around 5. Ham, asparagus, green beans, corn, and rolls (not the hot cross buns). White chocolate strawberries for dessert (melted too much almond bark and made pretzels as well).

Now, we have lots of leftovers but not as many as the years where I’d host the big Easter brunch for our families. Still trying to figure out how I still ended up in the kitchen almost all day though. In the end, it was a nice Easter, everyone was up at a decent but not too early time and we had a nice day and dinner.

Still trying to navigate these changing traditions as the kids get older so who knows how next year will look. And I need to work on taking more pictures on the holidays!  How was your Easter?

 

Browsing the Land

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Had a few minutes this morning as my work schedule changed. Went from training this afternoon, to a full day, to just a few hours followed by training. And I’m going in to work to do a zoom meeting type training. Don’t even ask.

Not yet Thursday but I should also throw in here how very thankful I am for hot coffee and warm breakfasts.

Pouring down rain again today and cold! Had to don the mud boots to take the trash and recycle out to the curb. (Note: snow boots in the winter are the same boots I call mud boots once it becomes spring)

Thankfully, I brought in all the sensitive plants last night. Hopefully, Lucinda the lemon tree won’t shudder and throw off all her leaves now.

Since spring cleaning and the scary terrifying number on the scale have been mostly on my mind. Thought I’d share some fun sites I’ve found while browsing the land of the Internet. Maybe you’ll enjoy them as well.

Weight Loss Related Sites

These are some sites that caught my eye while searching for various weight loss ideas and plans. Most of my searches in this area start with the word “free” because I’m cheap. Plus, I’ll be honest, it’s not like I need to pay someone to tell me what I need to do. Going back to the old adage, really, I need to pay someone to follow me around and slap my hand whenever I pick up junk food.

Sites found browsing the land the of weight loss ideas, a vast sea I’ve narrowed to a few favorites:

The Mom Grows Up blog caught my eye when I was doing a weight watchers vs Noom search.

(Sidebar: I thought $159 for 6 months of Noom was a bit pricey! $159 for 6 months after a free 14 day trial? Pass. And why do free trials always demand your payment up front? Let me really try for free and then, if I’m happy, you can have my money. I don’t appreciate the mal-intent behind hoping I’ll forget to cancel even if it seems to be the way of the world.)

I read quite a few of her posts and found her very relatable in her struggles and enjoyed the humor in the posts. She also mentioned this book titled Brain-Powered Weight Loss which intrigued me.

Reading her posts and reviews/thoughts on the various diets made me realize something about myself, I hate doing food math. Whether with calories through Noom or points with Weight Watchers, it all feels too complicated to me.

I just want to eat and be healthy. That thought led me to this article:  20 Ways To Lose Weight Without Counting Calories, According to Experts and Real Women  

Common sense advice. I think I’ll print the article out as a reminder to myself. One last link to share in this area as I remembered I had a whole Pinterest board devoted to getting healthy! And an item on my 22 list to try my pins this year, clean up those boards. Note: pins made long ago might no long lead to very nice sites, SIGH. This pin still worked, however, and I think I’ll start by adding it in to a routine. Especially after the whole pulled muscle from kicking the chair thing: How to Regain Flexibility After 50

Let’s move on from this topic and see what I found when browsing the land of the Internet regarding spring cleaning.

Spring Cleaning Fun

I’ve not done a lot of spring cleaning this week. Honestly most my to do list items remain undone today. However, last week I did find this fun site when searching up “spring cleaning in a weekend.” It’s a site devoted to weekends and I’m quite enamored with it. Been reading it a lot when I should have been cleaning. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy Almost the Weekend as much as I am. It’s my favorite place of all the Internet land I’ve explored in the last week or so.

Finally, since I need to stay a bit on track, I also found this handy calendar called 31 Days of Deep Cleaning Your Home over at Laura’s Crafty Life. It’s nice how it isn’t for any one specific month so could be used at any time. And some time soon, I might just give it a try.

Have you found anything interesting while searching/browsing the Internet lately?

 

 

 

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