A Peek Into Last Week (July 23-29)~

I had the curtains open all last week to let the sunlight in so, if you happened to be passing by and caught a glance in our windows, you may have seen a bit of this and that...

Homekeeping~ In addition to the usual suspects of daily chores, this weeks focus was the office, desk and paperwork. I was successful in clearing off the top of our filing cabinet (that had been more of a "piling cabinet") and shredding a three inch stack of business papers dating back to 2016(!) that were no longer needed. 

I also spent some time copying and transferring recipes from my phone and tablet bookmarks, that we've tried and want to make again, into my recipe binder.

In the garden~ I planted out a Roma tomato plant that was grown from seed and harvested more sweet potato leaves.

What I'm cooking, baking & eating~

Pancakes and over easy eggs, oatmeal with cinnamon raisin toast, scrambled eggs and toast, fruit & veggie smoothies, French toast, chocolate "nice cream" (frozen bananas, chocolate almond milk and a bit of Swerve sweetener blended until smooth), banana bread, "French" cobbler, lemon cooler cookies (you wouldn't know we have a sweet tooth would you?😋), fresh cherries, Chana masala served over rice, tuna pasta salad, bean burritos with blender salsa, mac and cheese, cucumber salad with homemade Italian dressing, pulled pork burritos. 

What I'm watching/reading~

"Janina Duszejko, an elderly woman, lives alone in the Klodzko Valley where a series of mysterious crimes are committed. Duszejko is convinced that she knows who or what is the murderer, but nobody believes her." (movie summary taken from imdb)

It was an interesting and enjoyable movie!

the books I've been pursuing lately

I like to read several books at once at any given time. I mostly read nonfiction but will occasionally get caught up in a good fiction read. I hardly ever read the latest and "greatest" books that are out since most of my books are found on my treasure hunts at thrift stores.

Create~ I spent a few minutes a couple of days this past week prepping pages in my traveler's notebooks. I love the calming outlet this provides for me but don't always make the time for it. I have begun to put it on my to do list so I don't get too busy and overlook this small gesture that feeds my spirit so greatly. 

Highlight of the week~ Another good rainstorm!

And watching Galahad give Dollface a bath, lol!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed this peek into our week, and that maybe something you read here gave you an idea or inspiration to put on your to-do list for your upcoming week.~TJ 

A Peek Into Last Week (July 16-22)~

 Another little peek into this past week for us...

In the garden~ I'm still enjoying the beauty of these golden dahlias!

I harvested a big bunch of sweet potato leaves (enough to fill two and a half gallon zipper freezer bags). The vines are growing so rapidly and abundantly, me thinks I will have more than plenty to get us through the winter.

Errands~ At least once weekly I head out to gather the things we need. This week: groceries, the post office and prescription pickup. It's nice to be able to get out for the short time I am able, as I can't leave hubby alone at home too long on his own.

What I'm cooking, baking & eating~ After spending time outside in the garden and running errands in the brutal heat and humidity, I've been enjoying some of my own home brew. Homemade cold brew coffee that is. Slightly sweet, creamy & over ice is enough to cool me down while feeling indulgent.

over night oats in the fridge 

A few other down home delicacies😉we've had this week: pancakes, cream of wheat with cinnamon raisin toast, hot oatmeal with cinnamon toast, egg and cheese sandwiches, overnight oats, smoothies, burgers (cheese and beef for hubby, bean & mushroom for me), pizza pasta bake.

Homekeeping~ Most days have a gentle rhythm to them where housekeeping is concerned. I  loosely follow a schedule that gets things done in a decently timely manner, but I've made peace with not sweatin' the small stuff~life has its own way of doing a good enough job in that area at times. Things get done without me pressuring or stressing myself out (too much).

This week, as I was changing the bedding on hubby's bed, Galahad decided to help, as he often does. And then...he couldn't resist climbing under the sheets for a quick cat nap. Mommy can finish making this bed later.💤

Highlight of the week~

Although, like last week, we had a nice afternoon rain shower one day, this week had a highlight that Dollface (my mini doxie) and I always enjoy. While dropping off an Avon order to one of my clients, we couldn't resist stopping by a favorite park near her home. Because it was so terribly hot, we only strolled around a few minutes. It was long enough for me to spy out the Little Free Library and how far it has come from when they first installed it. From plain & undecorated and only a couple of books, to now colorful and bursting at the seams with reading material!

another delightful surprise hidden in a tree on a different day at the park

May your week be gorgeously abundant with ALL good things! 

I would love to hear about it! 

dried and saved flowers from bouquets

Thanks for stopping by!~TJ 

A New Sleep Routine~

on my nightstand, everything to help with a dreamy sleep

This night owl 🙋‍♀️ is incrementally working towards going to sleep before 3/4/5 am (true story🥱🙃). I'm having to parent (discipline) myself and establish a new routine. I've got my hot bedtime tea, relaxing aromatherapy essential oil, frankincense & myrrh lotion, foot lotion, melatonin, ear plugs, (3 fans for) white noise central set up ('nother true story~I need cool moving air too. Aren't I the little hothouse flower?) annnnd sleep mask. I call it going into my cocoon. 

How about you, are you a night owl or an early riser?

Thanks for stopping by!  

Now it's about to be lights out...good night and sweet dreams!💤💭

Dahlia Dahhhling~

I've been waiting (im)patiently for several days to see this beauty unfurl it's petals and show off what has been hiding in that tight little bud. The day finally came and she very graciously agreed to a photograph! She's one darling of a dahlia, and there'should a few more staging their grand entrance as well. Patience, I must have patience!

Thanks for stopping by to see my dahlia, dahhhling!~ TJ

A Peek into Last Week (July 9-15)~

Here's a glimpse into our days this past week... 

Mornings~ I like to start the day in a serene way with coffee☕️ and quiet time reading my Bible 📖 and devotional.

sometimes Galahad joins me

Homekeeping~ After I get myself ready for the day, make breakfast for hubby when he gets up, I feed the pets, clean up in the kitchen, get started on laundry and any other things that may need attention. 

flour sack and bar mop towels are my current favorite kitchen towels

What I'm cooking, baking & eating~ some things we've had this week: I've made several bean dips (hummus & black bean) that were enjoyed with flour tortillas and/or tortilla chips, 3(+) ingredient cookies, smoothies, yogurt bowl, coconut oatmeal cookies, breakfast burritos, eggs and biscuits. grilled cheese sandwiches and more!

What I'm watching~ Borgen

 

Borgen is a Danish political drama television series about prime minister Birgitte Nyborg's

rise to power and how power changes her.

When the day is done and I want to unwind with a cup of tea and TV, this is what I've been enjoying.

Several months ago I got engrossed in Nordic noir and the like and I find I am still enjoying the drama of it all! It does require me to read subtitles in order to follow along, which isn't always easy, but I see no end in sight to my latest obsession.

Highlight of the week~ Rain!

Although it's hard to see it in this picture, it is raining quite a bit and boy did we need it! I always love when it rains but it's even more the blessing when we haven't had any in a while.

I hope you enjoyed this little peek into this past week for us. How was your week? What was the highlight of your week? I'd love to hear about it. 

Thanks for stopping by! ~TJ 

Booch and Brekkie~

 

I'm not big on eating first thing in the morning, never have been. I do consider the first meal I eat for the day breakfast, no matter what time it is. Sometimes I eat what would normally be considered "breakfast-y" type foods and sometimes not. I eat what my body is asking for and always try to make sure it is healthy.

delish!

Today I threw together a favorite combo when I realized I needed to eat the yogurt in the fridge soon. Plain yogurt, frozen fruit that I left in the fridge to defrost overnight, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of chia seeds, flax seeds and cinnamon. YUM! A little bubbly to drink (GT's Synergy Gingerade kombucha that is) and I'm ready to take on the day!

cheers!

 

Are you a breakfast eater? I'd love to hear about your favorite breakfast. 

Thanks for joining me for breakfast today!

bts~the cast of characters~Great Value Mixed Fruit, Stonyfield yogurt, 

honey, Synergy kombucha, flax seed, chia seeds and cinnamon 

Surprise in the Front Yard

 

Today as I was out watering the garden to give my plants a fighting chance in our 102°(F) heat,  and while on a quickie (I wanted to get back inside!) weed patrol, I noticed a handsome "weed" whose form stood out against the grass in the lawn. I plucked it from the dirt before thinking my action through, and musing that it looked unusually fern-like, decided I would check it out on the PlantNet app just to be sure before tossing it in the weed pile. Sure enough, my suspicions were correct~it was a little asparagus fern! 

Excitedly, I carefully planted it with it's (thankfully) still intact roots, in a pot with new soil and a healthy drink of water. I am looking forward to nurturing this new plant baby while pondering how it came to be planted in our front yard. In the future, I will also be keeping an eye out in the spot where I found it, on the off chance that there might still be tubers left behind in the soil from my careless yanking of the plant, in the hopes they might send up new ferns. 

I'm always amazed at the treasures my own suburban yard offers up, due in part I'm sure, to the help of the birds, squirrels and other assorted wildlife passing through whilst carrying little treasures of their own. Thank you little ones! You are welcome here anytime. 

What are some unexpected discoveries you have found in your yard? I would love to hear about them!

Thanks for stopping by~YOU are welcome here anytime 😊