Happy new week my Friends :)
September has been coming in cool, clear and crisp. And I can't say I'm mad about that. Granted, there are still more pontoon rides I hope, and some golf. And it's kind of sad the garden is all done - I picked the last of the cukes this weekend.
But we've also been getting in some long walks on nice sunny but chilly days. And watching football is always such a fun thing we share together. Our Packers looked pretty great yesterday! And they won, yay! We went for a 2 mile walk and then we made fun snacks and just had a living room picnic watching the game... and that was our dinner. Autumn perfection in my book. Over the weekend we also had dinner with my Mom and step Dad one night and helped them get out their Fall decorations for their apartment. We also went to church and grocery shopping.
Throughout the weekend I texted and kept up with my kiddos. Annie often likes to facetime too. In productive news I've been working to complete our wedding scrapbook. I was doing a little watercolor painting over the weekend too. As well as getting in lots of reading...often with the accompaniment of hot tea. Lately I've been on a mint tea kick. Matt and I have also been playing our usual cards or games that we always enjoy. Instead of just sitting in front of the tv we like to do things like that. Living room picnics aside, we sit at the table every night for dinner and catch up on our day. Then either play cards, go for a walk, sit out on the deck & play with Ruby in the yard, or go out on the pontoon. It feels kind of nice to have a routine to our lives again now that we're back to the "Fall schedule".
So life here has been feeling cozy, fun, and filled with gratitude. I hope you can say the same my blogging Besties. 🙏🏻💗
THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:
ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:
hot coffee with cafe latte premier protein and vanilla almond milk foam, an apple cider donut for special 😋
ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:
errands, go to gf's daughter's game, might run around with my Mom one afternoon, having honorary Aunties over for brunch, dinner with my Dad & step Mom, make list of home projects for Fall (clean windows, go through closets, get out decorations etc), hospice work
THINKING ABOUT:
How proud I am of my sweet Hubby. He is 11 years sober today. He has shared stories with me about his past and it, at times, is quite an entertaining one (his really young days especially). But as a more mature adult he realized he had a problem, and over a decade ago changed many things in his life. At that time he discovered even more of a relationship with God too. As well as so many other wonderful areas of his life he nurtured to become the amazing kind, honorable, loving man I know as Husband. He is such a good person to the core... I don't think that ever changed in him. But He continues to work to be healthy and the best version of himself every day. I love that about him so much! The kids and I are so very grateful for the gift of him in our lives.
Matt is wonderful and God is so good!!
❤️❤️❤️
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:
Finding a wonderful new candle for the season...and even getting to smell all different kinds during the search. :)
CURRENTLY READING
I've decided to finish all the Dream Harbor series before moving on to my other books. Still enjoying these and some seasonal magazines.
ON THE TV TODAY:
Americas Got Talent, Jeopardy is back, The Office, Football, Big Brother,The Last Kingdom, I think we may both watch the House of Guiness when it comes out later this month (I think on Netflix)
ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:
MONDAY - low carb BBQ chicken stuffed sweet potatoes, asparagus
TUESDAY - leftovers from weekend and Monday
WEDNESDAY - dinner with Dad & Mary: brats on the grill, veggie tray, deli salads, fruit
THURSDAY - protein pasta with marinara and Italian chicken sausage, veggies (I didn't make it last week)
FRIDAY - maybe out for dinner?
* for the Aunties brunch I'm making cheddar broccoli quiche and melon. I will also have a charcuterie tray out to start and to pick at during the meal (veggies, grapes, crackers, salami, cheeses, nuts, preserves) And I will have a pitcher of peach iced tea with frozen peaches as ice cubes.
Then we can do "dessert" out on the deck and have coffee and I'm baking some cherry almond scones with cinnamon glaze for that.
TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:
scrapbook, painting, reading
TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:
I work to be better about recycling and the environment. I turn off the water while I brush my teeth, I buy the k-cups for coffee that are fully compostable, I recycle our paper, plastic and glass. I work to cut down on using so many paper towels and paper plates etc. And I've also started doing more thrift shopping for clothes. I will buy some new pieces now and then....but I've been using the site thred up especially. I have found amazing pieces for a fraction of what I would normally spend for brands I love. I put in sizes to sort my searching (you can also sort by cost etc). And I then put in the brands of clothes I like - or even something specific I'm looking for like "skirts" And I look through what is offered in my size. It will state the condition of the piece and I have only bought "very good" or "excellent" condition pieces with great success! It even states on the site how much you save the environment by buying used pieces. They're still new to me and I feel good about spending less money and helping the environment. Win-win. They have tons of options of brands and sizes.
And I just recently also got a bag from them that I can load with some of my old things and mail back in. If my items sell I will get credits for buying things I want on the site. They have handbags, shoes and accessories like that as well.
I'm not getting paid for this or anything. Just a recent discovery I've really been liking. I have received a few boxes now and only had a skirt that didn't fit and it worked for Annie and she took it to college! Just thought some of you might be interested too.
FROM THE CAMERA:
Life is good when you can take long walks in cool crisp air, instead of sweating like crazy. And to see some leaves turning makes my heart go pitter pat. 🧡
Go Pack Go!
A couple watercolor painting moments I did over the weekend:
The screen on our fridge this AM - 48* and love the fall leaves :)
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 real change to happen to prevent another shooting from ever happening in our schools again and protect our children.
For Christ's Light and Love to cast out the darkness everywhere and help the world find its way. 🙏🏻