Hey my sweet Peeps!
Happy Monday to you. :)
How is the week beginning for you? And how was your weekend?
The weekend was a lovely one here. The end of the week a gf took me out on an early birthday outing (my birthday is later this week). Matt went to the lake property Thursday evening. He took Friday off to help his parents pack up and close everything at the lake. I stayed back because we had the work crew here still working on our bathroom renovation. Plus, I was going out with that gf as I mentioned.
Then Matt got his folks to the airport early Saturday and when he got home we did some work around here too. It was unseasonably warm (in the 80's!) - so we figured it was a good time to get started on putting away some of the deck furniture. We went to Saturday evening mass and then out for a nice dinner. Sunday we did some house cleaning and then watched our Packers. It was so nice to see them look more like themselves and they played great! They won against the Bears. Yay! We also watched Annie's hockey games online throughout the weekend as her college team played in a tourney in Georgia and they did great! Annie had some assists and goals. Go Bulls! 💚 I was grateful she had that tourney and got out of Florida due to hurricane Isaias. I always worry about those hurricanes with her going to school down there.
Today it's gray and rainy and windy. This whole week is supposed to only be in the 50's - so back to true October in the northwoods. I'm going out for another birthday outing with Mrs. C. this afternoon. We go every year for our birthdays (she's an October girlie too).
Pretty great way to start the week in my book 😊
THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:
it was warm this past weekend but definitely back to normal chilly temps this week
ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:
just coffee today - saving up for our lunch outing 😋
ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:
lunch with Mrs. C, pickleball, out for lunch and shopping with my Mom, home projects, hospice work
THINKING ABOUT:
that it's hard to believe I turn 55 this week 🙈
Birthdays always makes me reflect on things - do they do that to you too? I look around me...at our parents. At my Ruby. Sometimes she sleeps so hard I check to be sure she's breathing (she is almost 15 now - which means close to 105 in dog years) and she has several health issues. I'll tear up when I look at her sometimes and remember her as a puppy. And then remember my hardest years - finding myself alone after being with my ex for almost 30 years. The kids were getting older and off with friends on weekends and I would often be alone. I, of course, spent time with family and friends often. But many times I was on my own for the first time since I was a teen. And Ruby has always been that extra special smart, sweet, wonderful pet and bestie that has been there for me through all of the tough times.
It also gets me emotional when I think of the loss facing Matt and I in the future (all of our parents are in their 80's). And I just thank God for the gift of aging. For the gift of all of our parents still with us. And for the gift of Matt in my life - a true partner to face all that life will bring in our future. I think that's truly how I've always tried to approach everything. With gratitude. It's amazing how happy a grateful heart is in this world. ❤️
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:
Getting some early Christmas shopping done and working on secret holiday gift projects ❤️💚
CURRENTLY READING
I have such a list I want to read yet - I have a book called Garden Spells (sounds very Autumnal), one that my friend Bille Jo recommended a while back(The House Wife), I still need to finish Rebecca, and Theo of Golden is also on my list as I've heard such good things.
ON THE TV TODAY:
Jeopardy, Best Medicine, Survivor, Dancing with the Stars, Youtube things, Fall movies I want to watch, Halloween Baking Championship, Great British Baking Show
ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:
MONDAY - harvest pasta skillet and green beans from the garden
TUESDAY - slow cooker salsa chicken we will have over spanish rice with toppings and raw veggies and protein ranch dip
WEDNESDAY - buffalo chicken & sweet potato bowls, lemony green beans
THURSDAY - birthday time! (out to dinner or takeout)
FRIDAY - slow cooker chicken ramen and I will either wilt in baby bok choy or spinach
TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:
embroidery project, watercolor painting, diamond art
TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:
FROM THE CAMERA:
Last week Matt had to go for some work outings about an hour away and asked if I wanted to go along. He would be long at either place and then we could go out for dinner. It was quality time together, good food, and a beautiful drive. I am always in on that!
Watching our Girlie kick some butt! We 💚 #16
A lovely and very thoughtful birthday card from a friend across the pond. 😍 (Thanks again Jules - you touched my 💗!)
The garden keeps producing green beans! So we keep collecting them and cooking them up. So good! They were so good as a side dish one night when I made a brown butter sauce to go with butternut squash and caramelized onion ravioli we had picked up at Costco. I also toasted pine nuts to put on top. It was decadent, so Fall and so yummy! I will share the recipe later this week.
that little light yellow glass pumpkin was a gift from the gf that took me out for dinner for my birthday - she knew I collected them :) I'm such a blessed and loved girlie
