Today feels like winter again but yesterday was a glorious spring day! I know soon we’ll get more of those and fewer of these cold, winter feeling ones. A few photos from a sunny and warmer spring day.
Can words describe the fragrance of the very breath of spring? (Neltje Blanchan)
Where flowers bloom so does hope. (Lady Bird Johnson)
No matter how chaotic it is, wildflowers will spring up in the middle of nowhere. (Sheryl Crow)
This is the day the lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)
More quotes about spring can be found here on Bliss Quote as well as on Pinterest.
It was another lazy day today. The sun did make a brief appearance though so that was nice. Other than that, today really wasn’t too exciting. Here let me tell you all about it. First, I’ll add it’s supposed to be nicer out tomorrow and I’m really hoping to get out and get some decent photos to share for upcoming posts.
Meanwhile, here’s a picture of the final amaryllis bloom.
See the tape? I accidentally knocked it when taking it outside on a nice day and the stem broke. However, a little tape fixed things enough for it to go ahead and still bloom.
(Oh my, ignore the dirty windows, please. They are on the spring cleaning list.)
The Short List of A Slow Day
Woke up very early, 5AM for no reason. Then, fell back asleep until about 7. However, I was up to ask my husband about the drivability of G’s car. He had car issues last night.
Made a protein shake for breakfast, coffee and chocolate.
Ruined the progress later by eating too many cookies. (Clean out the pantry cookies but I did make them with whole wheat flour and not much sugar so maybe not that bad?)
Took J to school.
Spent some time visiting a few lovely blogs/answering comments here
Thought about writing a post called Listmaker as I have more than 3 list type posts to do
Ran to the grocery store to pick up a few items for dinner. And accidentally took a screenshot of the recipe ingredients:
Picked J up from school
Made lunch: turkey, salami, and mozzarella melts on sourdough bread
Unloaded/Loaded Dishwasher
Vacuumed kitchen floor and living room rug
Cleaned up cat puke, joys of pet ownership though who owns who is up for debate.
Did the social media tour: Instagram, pretty pictures, then Facebook, why?
And now I’m getting this post done before my husband decides he wants to come down here and nap.
Tonight’s Plans
Tonight’s plans are that there are no plans. Well, other than attempting the pasta dish. The recipe for Penne Rosa is here if your interested. It’s new to us but I was intrigued. I’ll be using rigatoni instead of penne because I already had some in the pantry.
It’s another cold, gray, and cloudy day here. I’ve had no motivation all morning. And now I barely have time for a post before heading into work.
Mostly, I’m over here dreaming of more flowers for warmer days. And glancing back through my January through June garden journal. Wondering why I didn’t make one for July through August. Still time, I guess.
Planning to catch up with everyone tomorrow. And write another proper post then as well.
So winter is over, no more winter Wednesday posts. It helped me to have a theme for something on Wednesdays so I’m starting a new one today.
Inspired by Rachel over at Living Better One Day At Time , I decided to do Wellness Wednesdays. She does Weigh In Wednesdays. Sorry, I am not going to share my weight each Wednesday. I’m not that brave.
However, I’m going to share my wellness goals and small steps I’m taking (or planning to take) to get there. Sometimes I’ll share physical (let’s not say diet) things and sometimes emotional things. Maybe it will motivate me a bit. I hope so anyway.
Today to quote an old Olivia Newton John song “Let’s Get Physical” and talk about the weight.
Ten Over
Sometimes I’m 11 over as well
Oh, if I was just 10 over my goal weight, how happy I’d be. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. I’m currently 10 lbs over my “do not pass” number. Ugh. Definitely, time to take action.
Trying something new (and not new): This morning for breakfast, I had a protein shake from a new company. I signed up for a trial with a company to see if I liked their shakes. I was pleasantly surprised that the taste wasn’t too nasty. Of course, I did use one of their recipes to make it a “caramel mocha” shake. Coffee and protein all together? Yes, please. Cheaper than Starbucks? I’ll let you know. More on the company after I’ve had more time to decide if it’s a keeper.
Goal For The Next Two Weeks
So, my short and sweet goal for the next two weeks is to simply get back to the scary scale number. Obviously, long term it’s to get to healthier weight. How am I going to do this?
Going Way Back!
I’ve been thinking about the days when I was 25 and in amazing shape. The things I did then. (Aside from not having a husband and 2 fantastic sons always wanting snack food!). Went to the gym every night. However, I also lived by myself and ate a bit healthier. Actually, I didn’t eat quite so much. (Hey, just call me Oprah but I do love bread! And pretty much all food!)
Then and now (well, the now was from February):
Back then, I ate a breakfast bar in the mornings, a big lunch, and then not much dinner really. Honestly, I don’t think I even thought about food all that much. So I’ve decided to try and replicate that eating pattern. Shake for breakfast. Bigger lunch/I might eat breakfast food for lunch as breakfast is actually my favorite meal. Then, much smaller dinner. And I’ll probably have a snack here and there, it’s not like I ever ignored the “candy jar” when I worked an office job.
Stopping here for today. So I can go back to spring cleaning. One thing I did do this morning to help with this goal is a little pantry redoux:
Sorted everything, moved things, wiped down all the shelves, and updated the ant baits (I’m on the offensive this year!). I’ve decided I’m not buying anymore junk unless someone specifically requests it.
My plan for today is to do some spring cleaning. However, right now I’m reading about it. Why actually do the cleaning when you can peruse a million different ideas about it on the Internet?
My thoughts for a quick spring cleaning this year are really to just do a top to bottom cleaning and clearing of the entire house.
The top part usually presents challenges as I’m not super tall. So, the ceilings and ceiling fans might not get the treatment they deserve. A little is better than none, I think.
Some of the spring cleaning I’d like to do in the coming weeks:
Top
Clean the vent fan in the bathroom
Dust some light fixtures/ceiling fans
Clean off the top of the fridge (maybe the cabinets as well *if* I can get my husband to help)
Clear the ceiling corner cobwebs
Bonus item: I’d love it if I could talk my husband into repainting a few of our ceilings but that’s low odds
Middle
Wipe off all the kitchen cabinets
Dust pictures
Clean windows/curtains (I know I have this on my to do list for the week for some reason)
Clear off some cluttered surfaces/clean them when clear/hopefully get rid of some stuff
Refresh the mattresses
Bottom
Finally, we are almost to the end of the spring cleaning!
Wash all the floors and vents and add a drop of peppermint oil to them
Basement Bonus
Last one, clean off the desk down here and go through more tubs
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Before I leave here to actually go do this cleaning, tell me do you do a full spring cleaning? What’s on your list?
Been a busy first day of spring around here so I’m a bit late getting to things today. Are you excited for the new season? I know I am so happy and ready for warmer days, green grass, and flowers.
Let’s just get straight to joining in with Sandra over at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom for this planning post.
The Weather
It’s currently 60 degrees and sunny. We couldn’t have asked for better first day of spring weather. Maybe a little less windy but I don’t mind as I’m too busy soaking up the sunshine and warm temperatures. There are chances for rain the rest of the week until Friday, cooler tomorrow with a high of only 48 but then, we bounce to 67 before leveling off in the 50’s for the rest of the week.
As I Look Outside My Window
I see a robin! A sure sign of spring. All the winter birds are still here but I I’m thinking they should be packing their suitcases soon (looking at you little snowbirds!)
Right Now
Trying to get this post done before I have to throw together dinner and take J to his lesson tonight.
Thinking And Pondering
Too much on my mind. One of the things: I was just in the grocery store thinking how sad it is that my go-to cheap meals are now some of the more expensive ones. French Toast used to be such an easy thing but now the bread, eggs, and milk make it cost as much as a “normal” meal. And still with the random things they don’t have at times. I just want my normal taco seasoning packet (and yes, I know I can make my own but I like this kind)
On My Bedside Table
Currently the camera bag. I should have my phone on the charger but just remembered it.
On My TV Tonight
Probably just The Voice.
Listening To
Nothing at the moment. Earlier the cat was meowing mad at me for forgetting her outside when I came back inside. I got an earful of meows! Ha.
On The Lunch Plate
The boys and I had McDonald’s, one of those days.
On The Dinner Plate
No idea, grocery store chicken, leftovers (pork chops or tacos), cereal. We ate lunch kind of late. My husband had a root canal so is not super excited about eating. It’s an on your own type of night, I think.
On The Menu This Week
MONDAY: OYO *J had to take a test for school off-site at 9:30* *J has a lesson at 6:30*
TUESDAY: Chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes *I might go to Bunco*
WEDNESDAY: Homemade sub sandwiches, chips, fruit
THURSDAY: Might make fajitas or finally the pepper steak I keep moving around on the menu *I work 2:30-5 and then, have CPR training, I think…need to make sure*
FRIDAY: Pancakes (might switch this with Wednesday depending on how my husband feels)
On My Reading Pile
Just the spring magazines. I really need to find a book for tonight.
On My To Do List
My faux plant from Ikea for our bathroom
Spring cleaning
Grocery store
Pay a couple bills
Get some seeds started
Other stuff…?
Plans This Week
wash living room curtains, shower curtain, (all the curtains!), clear off a few tall surfaces, go to Bunco depending on how tomorrow goes, work
What I’m Creating
Way too early but I’m anxious to get the garden going. Also, I did buy a new diamond art painting to try.
Simple Pleasure
Warm spring days with sunshine, birds, flowers, and bees!
(See that little yellow ball on the bee? I had to look that one up as I’d never noticed that on my early spring bees before. Interesting explanation of it all in this article about why bees have pockets.)
Looking Around The House
Ugh. Let’s do that after a bit of spring cleaning happens. We did get a new dresser for J’s room at Ikea but I forgot to take a photo before we set it up in there. I’ll have to sneak in one day when he’s not home.
From The Camera
Last sunset of winter over a local lake.
On My Prayer List
A peaceful, positive spring season for all. J to graduate high school, we’re inching closer. My husband to not be in too much pain after his dental work. Friends, family, strangers.
Quote For The Week
Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat. (Laura Ingalls Wilder)
Just a quick post to say Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!
Our day was fairly low-key. Started off by baking a loaf of Irish Soda Bread.
I used this recipe. And added a few golden raisins. Turned out pretty well. I would make it again. Should note that I did use a little less salt than the original recipe, 1 1/2 teaspoons instead of the full 2.
J and I did a bit of running around so he could get some new vinyls (we called these albums or LP’s back in the day). And of course, we swung by McDonald’s for Shamrock shakes. Our tradition.
Finally, after dinner we had shamrock sugar cookies from Target for dessert.
Somewhere during today, it also snowed on and off a bit but melted as it arrived. I watched some of the local St. Patrick’s Day parade on tv and may or may not have taken a short nap.
