Hello and Happy Monday Friends!
I hope you had a wonderful weekend and are ready to jump into this week. Life took over for me, in the form of our divorce being official last Monday, so I wasn't in the mood for blogging last week. The finality of it is sad but I felt ready to have it done. I have grieved it for so many years that it really felt like more of a technicality. In true form to who we still are as forever family and even friends - Ad called me right after and was emotional and wanted to make sure I was okay. We had a great talk and have had several since then. I keep choosing gratitude. And I'm so grateful to co-parent with someone I can still care about and who cares about me. 🙏
I felt good this weekend and have been getting excited about what the future will bring. I have several endeavors I'd like to dive into and I've been getting my creative juices flowing again. I will keep you posted when I actually take the plunge on them. I ordered an organization system for my craft room and closet next to it and have been working on that as well. I'll share once it's all done. Annie and I also went furniture shopping this past week so we will have quite a bit of new furniture coming in the months ahead! I will share all as it gets settled.
It's also my birthday week this week. This is not where I saw my life in my late 40's....but I keep learning more about myself and my strength and I'm proud of the woman I'm becoming. I'm excited about pursuing some interests and passions I didn't even realize I had until I've had the freedom to focus on myself. I keep letting the Lord lead and I feel great about the paths I believe He's illuminating for me. I don't feel like I'm at the end of something, I feel like I'm just beginning and that gives me goosebumps. I think some of my best days are ahead! ♥️ 😊
THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:
ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING
raspberry jelly toast, peach yogurt, coffee
HOW I AM FEELING THIS MORNING:
It's a gray rainy day and I have the fire going. Instead of feeling sleep, though, I feel cozy and wanting to be productive around the house
ON MY MIND:
My bday this week and turning another year older. Wondering what this next year may bring - hopefully many positive changes for our world!! 🙏 Also, thinking about Scott and his daughter coming to visit on the weekend. His daughter has an October birthday as well. So we're going to have a fun little party this weekend. 😊 🎉 So I'm thinking about the things I'd like to accomplish this week too. I'm going to lunch with a girlfriend one of the days and on my actual bday my Mom and I are going out for lunch and to do a little shopping.
This is what "almost" 49 years looks like. Didn't I just turn 35 a minute ago and Annie was a baby? How does this happen so fast?
AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE
I see some craft room and closet things in my living room because I'm in the middle of cleaning them out and reorganizing them. But it also looks cozy with the fireplace and Ruby snuggling in front of it
CURRENTLY READING
Still reading Regretting You by Colleen Hoover
ON THE TV TODAY:
Big Brother, HGTV shows, Cooking shows, Dancing with the Stars, Mad Men bingeing
ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:
MONDAY - sun-dried tomato & basil spaghetti (HF meal) and I'll add a caesar salad with homemade croutons
TUESDAY - tempura chicken fingers & dipping sauce with zesty rice and green beans (HF meal)
WEDNESDAY - szechaun noodles with veggies and fried egg on top (HF meal)
THURSDAY - bday dinner - may order favorite take out?
FRIDAY -squash & caramelized onion flatbread with thyme ricotta and balsamic drizzle (HF meal)
My Mom gave me a bunch of apples from her friend's apple tree and they are so good! So I had to make an apple pie the other day (of course) 😉 Here's the recipe I used from Taste of Home 🍎 🥧
I made a few of my own leaves from the leftover crust to decorate the top
TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:
go out with family and friends for fun lunches, might schedule a pedi?, read more of my book, walk in crunchy fall leaves, exercise with yoga & meditation
FROM THE CAMERA:
Some fun around the inside of the house:
Some fun around the outside of the house:
The Fall color in the northwoods has been glorious this year! 🍁 ♥️
my Girls ❤️
We had mamabear and 4 babies back visiting the backyard again 🐻
And pretty glowing nights indoors:
And I am such a blessed Gal. I've already been getting some bday cards and gifts in the mail. Including this gorgeous PW cookbook holder! I love it so much - thank you dearest Auntie-in-love!!
🌸 😃 💜
PRAYER LIST:
I pray for an end to this virus. For peace, healing and unity in our world. I pray for safe travels for Ad and Aaron as they return from cleaning out Aaron's apartment down in FL. And for an Aunt dealing with cancer - I pray for strength and comfort for her and family. Please hold them up with your loving arms Lord. 🙏