Hello and Happy Monday blogging Besties!
Can you believe this month is almost over already?? This summer is moving forward at lightening speed. 🙈 I'm still trying to focus on getting in all the summer things we haven't done yet. And trying not to focus on the fact that it will be August in a matter of days...and August in the northwoods is really pre-Fall. It's getting Fall focused even in the world right now as there are lots of Autumn things in the stores and all the back-to-school stuff too. Fall is my favorite, but I'm determined to try and keep my heart and mind in Summer for right now. ☀️🌸
This past weekend I got some great bonding time with my Annie boo. Matt went to the lake to see his folks, but Annie and I had made some plans and I wanted some quality 1:1 time with her. Her bf, Kristopher, comes to visit this week. And not long after that she heads back to college. So I'm soaking up all the time with her I can. We did some fun shopping, fun food, played cards and watched shows. And of course fun girl talk. I treasure time with her and I'm so grateful this is still home base for her. She will be a junior this year - so I know that time is fleeting too.
But enough thinking about that sad (but proud) stuff and on to the week ahead...
THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:
ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:
an egg white muffin that has veggies and cheese in it (frozen Costco ones that are really good), iced protein coffee and I will admit to putting chobani pumpkin spice creamer in it...and it was delish! 🎃
ON MY TO DO LIST THIS WEEK:
errands, bring things to my Mom, some groceries, my hair appt, fun outtings with Annie's bf visiting here, going to visit my Dad & step Mom, hospice work
THINKING ABOUT:
The plans for our Christmas in July day while Kris is visiting. He loves Christmas music like I do, so Annie suggested we do that while he's here visiting. So I'm going to make a simple version of a holiday type meal. And kind of a cheater version of my Gram's cut-out cookie recipe. Just going to use grocery store sugar cookie dough - but make my Gram's cream cheese buttercream and sprinkles for the top. We're going to listen to Christmas music and I will probably color or craft and Annie said she will either color or her & Kris will do a puzzle or work on a lego project she has. :) Not sure if Matt will play along for that part or maybe we will do the music part during the day while he is working. Lol
I also got some little gifts I'm going to surprise the kids & Matt with that evening. I love Christmas and miss this old tradition I did years ago when Annie was little - so it will be fun to a get a fix before July is over
🎄❤️💚
THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:
feeling God's blessings everywhere & having such gratitude in my ❤️
CURRENTLY READING
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower
ON THE TV TODAY:
Jeopardy, Big Brother, AGT, some Hallmark Christmas in July movies I taped, a last episode of Castle Impossible we didn't watch yet, we need to get back to House of Dragon and finish this new season
ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:
MONDAY -leftover slow cooker sweet & sour meatballs & veggies
TUESDAY - Christmas in July night: chicken, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, vegetable medley, cranberries, dinner rolls, sugar cookies with Xmas sprinkles
WEDNESDAY - grilling burgers and vegetable kabobs with glaze
THURSDAY - maybe leftovers or breakfast for dinner?
FRIDAY - out for dinner?
TO RELAX THIS WEEK I WILL:
color to Christmas music (yay!), craft, read
TIPS OR SOMETHING TO SHARE:
FROM THE CAMERA:
Last week one of Matt's old high school & college buddies, Dave, was in the area. So we invited him over for dinner. He played football with Matt and was one of his best friends. They hadn't seen each other in 14 years! Dave lives down by Iowa and doesn't come up this way too often...but happened to be coming up for work and so he reached out. It was so fun to meet him and Annie hung out with us all too. We enjoyed hearing all the old stories about Matt. 😊💗 Their line in football was called "the big dogs" line because they were all big and tall dudes. Matt is 6'2" and Dave is 6'3" and another friend on their line was almost 6'5". Matt said it was so fun for him and that it felt like no time had past since he'd last seen Dave. Dave kept making fun of Matt and saying that it wasn't fair that he looked exactly the same and still had all of his hair. 😂 (Dave was pretty bald under his cap)
My hydrangeas and lilies are really popping out now. I love that about this time of year.
And I love that the lettuces and herbs are spilling over in their pots. The garden is becoming a big jungle and in another week or so we will be able to pick some cucumbers already. And it's been so nice not having more wildfire smoke so the nights have been clear with a pretty moon:
Over the weekend Annie & I also went to our local farmers market. There is a lady there that makes AMAZING sourdough bread & items. We got a loaf of cheddar jalapeno for Matt. And a loaf of cheddar chive (in the pic below). We also got sourdough strawberry rhubarb scones (not pictured). We got a huge lovely tomato, some broccoli, a cuke, some huge fresh basil and some jam. Annie made her favorite caprese sandwich for lunch with the basil, cheddar bread & tomato. She wants to go back to get more goodies next weekend!
Also, Ruby got all cleaned up at the groomers recently and I love the chicken bandana they put on her! And Bubba was up to his usual craziness this past weekend. The furry babies sure keep us entertained!
