Wordless Wednesday

 

Wednesday Wonder: Spring This or That

 

Hi there dear Friends!

Welcome to Wednesday Wonder - This or That edition. :) 

As I look out at a gray day that's, once again, chilly. And there are some brown grassy patches - but still lots of snowy patches. I choose to think Spring thoughts! ☀️🌸 I know it will come eventually. 

 I actually saw a robin a moment ago and I feel so badly for it - as I'm sure it's wondering where Spring is too. 

So I thought I would share this fun little chart I found on pinterest.

And here is how I would answer the this or that chart:

*PICNIC -  (I love a BBQ, but a picnic is so much more romantic)

*SUNSHINE - (I love a rainshower - it soothes me, but I live for the sunny days up here in the northwoods)

*DAFFODILS - (I love them both but I love the bright yellow of a daff and I think it's one of the most cheerful flowers)

*ICED TEA - (I like flavored lemonades but I can't do too much acidity - so I would choose iced tea most of the time)

*GARDENING - (I love to dig in the dirt and plant herbs, veggies and flowers. I can't wait to start this Spring!)

*BOTH LADYBUGS & BUTTERFLIES - (I truly can't choose - love them equally)

*FLORAL - (I wear and choose so many floral print things that anytime Matt sees something floral he says 'that looks like you' Lol)

*CHERRY BLOSSOMS - (they are both beautiful but the color of cherry blossoms takes my breath away)

*SANDALS - (I don't have rain boots and I'm always so excited to wear sandals or go barefoot each summer)

*STRAWBERRIES - (this is a true toss up as I never met a berry I didn't like...and raspberries would beat them both. But 🍓 just a bit more)

*YELLOW - (it just gives me energy and a smile)

*UMBRELLA - (I don't own a rain hat, but I sometimes use the hood of my raincoat too)

Thanks for playing along with me. It's fun to dream on Spring...even though we've got another good month before it really shows up around here. I would LOVE to know your answers to the questions above - no explanations needed if you want to keep it easier. I'm just curious. And I think it's just kind of fun. 

xoxo🌸💚

Wednesday Wonder: Pinterest Love

 

Hello lovely Friends! 

Happy mid-week to you.☀️

 It's a gray and drizzly here today. I had to run some errands this morning. But then had lunch and hung out with my Annie a while. The time is flying so fast and she'll head back to college soon. So we've been doing lots of gabbing, planning, playing games, golf, watching shows together and just enjoying each others' company. I'm so grateful to have such a special relationship with her and reaching a level of friendship that fills my heart. I love my kiddos more than anything in this world and thank God EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. for the gift of them in my life. 🙏🏻

As I think about feeling so blessed to be their Mom...this thought transitions into to my topic today. Pinterest love. I have loved and used pinterest from the first moment I discovered it. I have way more boards and pins than I could possible need...but yet, they continue to grow. Lol I have many different themed boards that provide inspiration in many kinds of ways. So, back to my love of my kiddos - one of my boards is titled "mom stuff" and I have many quotes, funnies & some photos that makes me think of my kids or the joys of being a mother. 

Some examples include:

I think a lot of people use pinterest for recipe ideas. It's SO wonderful for that purpose. I have so many boards related to recipes and some include:

 

seasonal ones like a SUMMER one

CHRISTMAS & WINTER one

MY FAVORITE SEASON (FALL) one

SIDE DISHES board

YUMMY DRINKS  board

even a board dedicated just to SLIDERS

Here are some of what I have pinned on all of those various boards to give you more of an idea:

this is a maple chai pumpkin bread 😋

I have also used it as a tool when I'm working on plans for something specific. For example, I had a board for when I worked on Annie's graduation party and did a luau theme. And I have a board for inspiration related to the cottage renovation that Matt and I work on as our retirement plan. Here are some pins from those boards:

I have so many more boards than I've been mentioning here. And thousands of pins. But that's what works for me. I love knowing I have a giant resource, at the ready, that visually fills my brains in the inspirational ways I'm looking for. But I could understand that to some people that's just overwhelming. 

I have several boards that are just related to things that speak to my soul. Not for necessarily a definite purpose other than to make me happy. Or be a feast for my eyes and soul. 

Some of those boards include: 

STAINED GLASS  board

POETRY board

STYLE  board with outfit ideas

MOTHER THERESA  board filled with quotes

COLORS  board 

Here are some samples of pins from those boards:

So what about you? Are you a pinterest person? If you are, do you have thousands of pins? Or very few? 

I have more boards like salads, slow cooker, cottage core, scrapbooking, crafts, artists I like etc. If you want to see all of my pinterest boards and pins just click here.

💗💗💗

Spring This or That

 

Hello lovely Friends!

Happy Wednesday to you. ☀️✨

We're almost over the hump and on our way to Friday. The sun is shining here today and it may be close to 50* this afternoon...so for this time of year in the northwoods it's basically glorious! 😍

It makes me think about Spring ahead and Easter right around the corner. And I've always loved the posts of others where they ask "this or that" questions. So I thought I'd do a Spring related one today as I'm curious to see where your preferences lie. 

SPRING THIS OR THAT

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

1) Tulips or Daffodils?

2)April Showers or May Flowers?

3)Chocolate Bunnies or Cadbury Cream Eggs?

4)Easter Brunch/Lunch or Dinner?

5)Gardening or Porch Sitting?

6)Lemon Bars or Lemon Merengue Pie?

This is how my answers would go:

1) This is a very tough one because I love them both so much for Spring - but I think I sway to DAFFODILS. They are the most cheerful flower to me and I always see a smiling face when I look at them (the trumpet part is the nose - Lol) Am I crazy for that? But they sure make me happy. 

2)I'm completely a MAY FLOWERS kind of Gal. The showers around here make it muddy and gross. And to me that's different than a good summer thunderstorm. I love that! But bring me flowers in Spring all the way!

3)CADBURY CREAM EGGS are a weakness - that is all.

4)I host EASTER LUNCH here after Easter morning mass. 

5)GARDENING for this girlie. I'm so itching to dig in the dirt already!! 

6)I live for lemon desserts so this is tough -but I don't anything can beat a great LEMON BAR! My favorite recipe for them is my former MIL's and you can find it if you click here. They are the best! 

I would love to see what your answers are my Friends so thank you if you play along. :) Are you a Spring lover? As many of you know, Autumn is my absolute favorite...but the older I get the more Spring truly has become my 2nd favorite. I can't wait until it shows up here!! 

Blessings 🌸💚

Asian Spicy Cucumber Salad

 

Hello and happy Friday to you Friends ~

I hope you have a wonderful weekend planned ahead. :) We will be having some relatives gathering here to celebrate some family events. Matt & I will also get in some chill time, hopefully some walks, church time, and maybe out with friends one evening. 💗

Annie is down getting all settled in her dorm to begin college next week. It's still not really sinking in for me and I keep expecting her to drive up the driveway any minute. Eventually it will become real but right now, honestly, denial hasn't been a bad thing. Lol 😁

Matt & I are getting into our new normal with meal planning for only 2, and working on it together. The other night I had dinner in the oven cooking and we had several cucumbers to use up - so he whipped up this yummy salad while dinner was cooking, as a kind of appetizer for us. He didn't really measure and looked at several different recipes as references. Then he threw together what he thought sounded good. It turned out so yummy! We stood in the kitchen chatting and eating it right out of the bowl he made it in - using chopsticks of course - as that's just more fun. 🥢 🥣 We both love Asian food and flavors and always have chopsticks on hand. 😊 

So after grilling him about what he thought he threw in there - this is what we're guessing the approximate amounts he did:

SPICY CUCUMBER SALAD:

He used 2 really big cukes cut very thin, but I think you could use more as we had leftover sauce

2 Tbsp soy sauce

2 Tbsp peanut butter

1 Tbsp rice wine vinegar

garlic (we used powder because out of cloves) otherwise use 1-2 cloves

1/2 tsp chili oil (or use a full tsp if you like it spicier - I requested less)

1-2 tsp sesame oil

sesame seeds (we used toasted ones we had) - sprinkle how much you like

*addendum to this is Matt reminded me that he added about a tsp or so of chili crunch to the dish too. If you like a little spicy this really makes it! I recommend trying it that way. 

Mix the dressing ingredients in a big bowl. Cut up the cukes very thin and toss into the bowl with dressing. Mix all to coat everything. We suggest you eat it with chopsticks for best flavor. 😉 Lol

*I have seen other recipes like this that do it more Thai style and add cilantro and chopped peanuts. Some use chopped scallion too. And some even add honey or sugar for sweetness. 

Feel free to add and adjust ingredients to your flavor preferences or what you have on hand. It's a very versatile and yummy salad if you use the basic flavor profile of cucumbers, soy sauce, pb, rice wine vinegar, garlic and sesame oil - and then you can build from there. 

If you try it I hope you enjoy! 

xoxo

Happy Homemaker Monday

Happy Monday Friends 

How are things beginning for you this week? Are you seeing signs of Spring since it begins tomorrow? Yay! Unfortunately we've been in a cold snap here and doesn't look like it will let up much in the immediate days ahead. But we're still not having any snow and half of the bay is open water now. I have heard geese hanging that have flown back for the season hanging out and swimming down there. All true signs of Spring. 

🌷💗

We had a wonderful weekend here. Matt and I did a lot of our usuals. Went out for dinner, went to Saturday evening mass, got in some exercise time, watched some shows and movies, and we finally started tackling a kitchen project. On St. Patrick's Day (yesterday) I wore my green (I have Irish heritage) to go along with a little St. Paddy's manicure I gave myself. We also went out for a lovely brunch. Then came home and tackled the kitchen project which included cleaning out the island and cabinets. We cleaned and organized them and got rid of old things to donate to Goodwill and added some of the things we brought from Matt's house he wanted to keep. He is renting out his house now and it feels like our home now. 😊❤️

Then we watched a movie, played some cards, loved on the furry babies and just chilled. A perfectly productive and yet relaxing Sunday.

Lots of other Spring thoughts are going on over here - my daughter found her prom dress. Yay! Her bf is coming up, next month, from FL to take her. It's really sweet. Also, we are making plans for over Annie's Spring break time too. Fun things to look forward to! Along with looking forward to planting flowers and my little garden, once we're truly thawed out around here. Spring is on it's way and it makes my heart so happy! 

☀️🌸💚

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

1/2 of an onion bagel with lite butter, low cal yogurt and coffee

ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:

errands,  dinner with a gf, a lunch with Mrs C., hospice work, senior party meeting (I'm on the committee at Annie's school), dinner at my Mom's, hospice calls to do from home

THINKING ABOUT:  

How grateful I am to have come so far with my arthritis and aches and pains issues. The shoulder issue was a minor one compared to the past year and half herniated disc issue. I saw PT for my shoulder recently, and I'll probably have one more follow-up visit and I feel good that issue is resolving quickly. In my workouts I'm basically back to the same strength and ability I had pre-disc issue. 🙏🏻 Thank goodness!

The back issue finally resolved a few months ago. It sure had been such a process to get through. But meds, therapy and regular at-home exercises have brought back strength and mobility. It feels amazing! I wasn't able to golf or do much pickle ball, or other active sports, last summer. And this year I'll be able to fully enjoy it all! Yippeee!! 🎉

It's been a lot of hard work. And now with continuing to do daily strengthening exercises, regular cardio, and counting daily calories - losing weight is a wonderful side benefit! I'm truly changing a lot of my lifestyle for good and I know it will make aging that much easier for my future self. A wise investment I think 😉💕

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE

Sun is shining in. I can hear Ruby snoring in the chair in the tv room next to me. Lol I have soft Celtic music playing softly. It feels peaceful.  

CURRENTLY READING

 reading Ready or Not by Cara Bastone (really good so far, I just need to add more reading time in my days so I finish it)

ON THE TV TODAY:

Jeopardy, Shark Tank, Ghosts, LPBW, The Good Wife, Grey's Anatomy,  Survivor, Love on the Spectrum (I watch this one myself - it just makes me smile so much), New season of Blown Away on netflix (glass blowing competition show Matt & I like)

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

    MONDAY -  jalapeno cheddar brats on the grill, boursin cauliflower side dish, baby corn on the cob, salad

TUESDAY - leftover tacos from the weekend 

WEDNESDAY -  might be out with a friend for dinner

THURSDAY - dinner with my Mom & step Dad she requested spaghetti hot dish I make that she loves, garlic bread, caesar salad, lemon bars for dessert

FRIDAY -  probably fish dinner?

*We are going to be starting back to Hello Fresh for a little while to shake up our menu and need to do less grocery shopping. We start next week. This summer we'll probably cancel again because we eat less and do lots more grilling. But for a couple months we'll try it again. It's convenient, cost friendly and was always really tasty. :) 

  

TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:

read, cross-stitch, work on our bedroom (clean/organize)

TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:

FROM THE CAMERA:

The furry babies love when Annie gives them snuggles

my St. Paddy's mani - shamrock shake green + gold coin polish

this smells so good! 

perfect scent for the kitchen (along with real coffee 😁)

Thinking this year for Easter that instead of a bunch of small fruit pizza cookies - I'll do this  & make one big Easter egg one. Hmmm 😏

more of Easter around the house 🌷

Matt's Mom sent this gorgeous stained glass hanging because she said it just looked like me. Geesh, what a Honey. Still recovering from all of her cancer treatments and thinking of me out of the blue. I put it in our bedroom window so I could look at it first thing every morning. It's so beautiful and fits well because in our master bath we have the big stained glass window above the soaking tub with similar colors. I just love it and I just love HER!! I feel blessed to be getting such a wonderful MIL. 💗

PRAYER LIST:

 For an end to the conflicts all over the world and anyone living in war & fear. For peace and unity in this country, especially from hate and shootings or violence.  For anyone sick, suffering, in pain, fear, loneliness etc ... that God bring them comfort and peace. For His Light and Love to cast out the darkness everywhere.  For healing for both of Matt's parents as they continue to deal with their health issues. 🙏🏻💕

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

Happy official Spring tomorrow Friends! I'm sharing this with Sandra of Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.