How is it already the second week of July? Didn’t summer just begin? Got to make sure to really savor the second half.
Didn’t do much better at keeping up with my blog last week. Truth is, this time of year, my head and my heart are out in the garden or with the flowers in nearly every single free moment. Or I’m reading about it. Or escaping into a summer read.
However, I’m determined to stay on course with these Monday planning posts. So, I’m as always joining linking to Sandra’s Happy Homemaker Mondays over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.
The Weather 
Same old summertime story. Hot. Not heat advisory hot (that was last week) but still mostly hotter than average. Currently 91 and sunny. Tomorrow is supposed to be “normal” with a high in the mid 80’s but then back to the 90’s for the rest of the week. No chances of rain until Saturday.
As I Look Outside My Window
I see birds out the back door, hopefully not angry birds though I do need to fill the feeders. Blue skies, flowers mostly blooming or about to bloom.
Right Now 
Putting up this post before I do a few other “have-to” computer items.
Thinking And Pondering
Weekend ended (or week started?) on a wonderful note. Last night, I went to over to visit some family I’d not seen since 2019! It was so nice to see them all again (One brother from Texas was visiting another brother). Between politics and the pandemic, we’d fallen out of getting together. So nice to get together with family again. Hopefully, we’ll all get to go see my brother/the kids’ aunt and uncle before they head home. Politics and ideas about the pandemic are stupid reasons to miss out on seeing family (my belated opinion on matters).
Homemaking Tips
Not much to share but speaking from sad experience, make sure the freezer door is shut if you have an extra one. I apparently didn’t get our deep freezer door shut on the Fourth of July. We lost quite a lot of food, had to cook a fair amount that was thawed as well. SIGH. On a grateful note, it could’ve been so much worse and while annoying and frustrating, it was mostly heat and eat “crap” we lost so I can easily replace it a few items at a time.
How I Am Feeling This Morning
Trying not to feel guilty for saying no to work not once, not twice, but three times this morning! I do have things I *have* to do because I work non-stop from Wednesday on until the 25th. And I need to schedule things. Plus, a bit concerned because 2 of the teachers calling were in the classroom I’m supposed to be in this week. Don’t want to be sick!
On The Breakfast Plate
Not oatmeal. Not yogurt. Today was a Starbuck’s cheese Danish and caramel macchiato (cold brew). Last of my Mother’s Day gift card.
On My Reading Pile
A pretty intriguing Lisa Gardner book entitled One Step Too Far. A “real” book from the library as opposed to an e-book.
On My TV
Not a whole lot. Bit of Dr. Who still. I did break down and rent Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom so I could say I’ve see all the Jurassic Park movies before seeing the final one. It was better than I expected.
On The Menu
I went grocery shopping this morning and I still don’t know…hoping we’ll have another family catch up night one day this week.
MONDAY: Depends on whether J wants to eat before or after his lesson *J has a lesson at 6:30*
TUESDAY: Spinach chicken skillet
WEDNESDAY: Husband’s choice *I work 9-5* *Mom’s club reunion dinner at local Italian restaurant*
THURSDAY: Pork chops, crunchy coleslaw *I work 7-1:30*
FRIDAY: Homemade pizza (might try cooking it on the grill?) *I work 7-1:30*
From The Camera
Looking Around The House
UGH. I did clean it one day last week (Thursday, I think?) but you can’t tell now.
On My To Do List
Fun Stuff:
- Make sun tea
- Figure out a time to go see my dinosaur movie (probably this weekend)
- Research upcoming trip a bit more
- Take care of garden/flowers around yard. Plan out a new shade garden area in backyard.
Have To Do’s:
- Grocery store *DONE*
- Laundry *In progress*
- Make J appt for an immunization he needs for school
- Cat vet appt (I had this on here before and procrastinated/then forgot)
- Pay bills
On My Prayer List
Friends. Family. Strangers. My neighbor and her son. The world. Prayers of gratitude for our freezer food loss not being as serious as it could’ve been. For reconnecting with family. For my husband’s ability to pick out a good watermelon.
Quote For The Week
Gardening is a medicine that does not need a prescription and has no limit on dosage. (unknown)
Hello my Lovie!
Your flower pics are always so beautiful and I don’t blame you giving yourself a good blog break this time of year!! And I think you’re right to enjoy that break, and not get sick, by saying no to going in extra too. 💕
I’d like to see the new jurassic movie too – I’ve liked all the other ones. I’m going to see the new Thor movie this week with my SIL because she loves those movies…well, and to be real – we both just love looking at Chris Hemsworth. 😂
I’m so sorry about your freezer. What a major bummer!! But I literally LOL’d that under your prayer caption was your hubby’s ability to pick a watermelon 😆 Blessings on the rest of your week Jean. And stay well!! xo
Thank you. Of course, my schedule became all mixed up this week and I probably should’ve worked that extra. Oh well, just trying to enjoy these “surprise” summer days off when I have them. I’d like to see the new Thor movie as well. I always enjoy them and yes, I know what you mean about Chris Hemsworth 😉 It’s the little and the big things, right? Hope you are having a wonderful summer week!
Hello, my friend. Sorry about the freezer. We had that happen too. Steve didn’t close the lid tightly once. It was in our basement, and we didn’t notice until it began to smell!!! Your photos are so beautiful! And I join you in prayer. Have a cozy week! Wish I could have joined you for breakfast! Sounds delicious!
Seems I’m not the only one who’s done something like that with the freezer. That’s our deal as well, the freezer is in the basement. I’ll be double-checking it from now on for sure. At least, we didn’t lose everything and I can set about replacing some of the lost items that had been there a bit long with things we like better. You’d been joining me for breakfast in the grocery store, LOL! That would have been fun though 🙂 Hope you’ve had a great week so far!
Your flower pictures are awesome as always! Love that butterfly! I’ve heard so many mixed reviews on the Jurassic Park movie, but COVID numbers are on the rise here so still avoiding the theatre 🙁 I’ll settle for seeing it on our 4K when I can. So sad about families, COVID and the politics that surround it all. We have had some similar issues in our family and it’s just so sad. We had a similar situation with our garage freezer a couple years back. Don’t know how yours is set up, but we were able to attach a bungee cord that we always keep hooked to the shelf next to it “JUST IN CASE” to keep it closed. Have a GREAT rest of the week and enjoy the summer/outdoors while you can! Summer seems to be speeding by.
Thank you! I’ve seen mixed reviews as well but I’ll just take it for what it is, a movie about giant dinosaurs that’s not meant to be overly serious (I actually enjoyed Fallen Kingdom which didn’t have great reviews for some of the goofiness of it). Our numbers are rising as well, we’re back to masks highly encouraged indoors at my work. SIGH. However, I’m still going to brave the movie theater to see that movie (there’s one that’s not popular, no thrills at all…it’s in a casino of all things, so we’ll likely be the only people in there). I admit I was the one holding back from family to an extent (couldn’t handle the covid stress and political differences at the same time) but it’s been so nice to reconnect this week. I’ll have to run the latch/bungee cord idea by my husband. Hope you’ve had a fantastic week so far!
I liked Fallen Kingdom too 😀 Just checking in on you to see that you are okay and missed.
Thank you for checking in on me! I had a super busy work week last week plus it was crazy hot (even for me) so if I wasn’t at work, I was watering the flowers and garden or too tired to move. I’m hoping to get a post up today.