What's top of my mind: As I enjoy this slow cozy month I've been making my home project list for this year. There are only three, various painting jobs, air ducts professionally cleaned and have an electrician change out all of the light switches and outlets. Last year we had probably 10 items on the list, but they were all smaller projects.
Where I've been: Other than work, I stopped at Kroger for produce and dairy. We also went out to breakfast yesterday at TBG's request.
Where I'm going: TBG has a follow up with his cardiologist tomorrow that I will go with him to. Other than that, we have no appointments or commitments, and I love weeks like that.
What I'm watching: I watched a few episodes of Instant Dream House on Netflix and The Storied Life of A.J. Fikey. The movie was good the home reno show was just OK.
What I'm listening to: Even in winter I try to get out in the backyard for at least 15-20 minutes every day and I love how quiet it is. It's a great way to relax and clear your mind from a long day.
What I'm reading: I just started Afternoon Coffee (available on Amazon) by my blog buddy Billie Jo Stoltz. (Afternoon Coffee And Evening Tea ) She has such a beautiful way of looking at life, family and the simple pleasures of life. She recently lost her beloved Mother, and my heart goes out to her and her family.
What I've been eating:
This week I wanted to eat up a number of meals we had in the freezer to free up my containers and to make room for a different chili, soup and/or stew before Winter is over.
Red Maine fish, rice and salad
LO soul southing chicken and white bean soup with my homemade artisan bread
When I make stuffed shells, I usually make two separate pans. One to cook that night and one to add to the freezer. I had one in there from Christmas Eve so I heated that up and added a small salad and bread.
LO Brunswick stew and bread
Lamb burger/cheese and red onions on a Brioche roll with 'fries'
Chicken sausage with peppers and onions and a baked potato
Who needs a good slap: The neighborhood deer. Our back yard has a six-foot-high fence around it so we don't have to worry about it. For the 13 years we didn't have to worry much about our front yard either until this year. This fall they ate the mum flowers as fast as they opened, and they were on the porch. Now they have destroyed my holly bush. This photo was sent to us two weeks ago from a friend that saw the deer outside our house. She text it to us saying we had a visitor.
See the large, full holly bush?
This is what it looks like now. Mangled and almost stripped of all leaves. I hope we can just cut it way down and save it. I would never slap an animal but will give 4 virtual slaps.
What's making me smile: It's Sunday so it's my weekly at home, mani, pedi, facial. I always look forward to that hour of pampering that gets me ready for another week.
I hope everyone has a fabulous Sunday!!
I go outside 365 days a year - no matter the weather. Much to be said about fresh air.
ReplyDeleteI bet you can give the bush and even more drastic haircut and it will thrive. Silly buggers must be hungry or just want a treat!
Your meals sound good.
Have a good one.
I do too Cheryl. Fresh air is the best. I think because we had snow on the ground for so much longer than 'normal' they were hungry. I'm going to cut it way back and hope for the best. Have a great week!
DeleteI'm spending Sunday going through old papers before we move. Why move all this stuff again when we don't need it? My hip is acting up so I have to sit there at that task a bit at a time. Getting a nerve block on Wed. which should help for a time.
ReplyDeleteI went outside last night as I heard the coyotes howling it up.
Prune that bush back a little more and it should make a recovery.
We moved from Florida to Southern Illinois 20 years ago so I feel for you and all that you'll have to do. Yes, it is the perfect time to go through everything you have. No need in moving what you don't need. Sorry to hear your hip is acting up and i hope the nerve block gives you relief. I think it will work to cut the bush back, it's just frustrating.
DeleteHere you cant kill a holly bush unless you have it yanked up by the roots, and even then some residual root might come back just out of spite. Prune away!
ReplyDeleteThanks Anne, I plan on doing that.
DeleteHope TBG gets a good report!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your home project list. We still need to put new flooring in one bedroom, but I'm sure there will be more that we need to do.
We have problems with deer too, but I don't think they have bothered my holly bush yet. But the mums, zinnias and roses were tasty for them. Hope your bush comes back in the spring.
Your meals sound tasty. I am going to roast a chicken this week, and I may turn the leftovers into chicken and bean soup. Thanks for the idea.
Hope you have a good week.
Thank you. He's feeling really well so hopefully that means his numbers are up. I have always had mums and roses out front and they've never bothered them. This area has really expanded in the last 20 years we've been here so they have less area of their own so it's really not their fault.
DeleteI hope all goes well with the cardiologist tomorrow. I found out a few hours ago my brother's in ICU for a couple of things. I'm basically hanging out for further word on what's going on. I'm also a big believer of being outdoors. Instead of riding the stationary bike yesterday I went for two laps around my hilly block. That was fun!
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm sorry about your brother. I hope things improve. It is nice being outside and getting fresh air. I bet that was a good cardio workout going up the hills. Hope you have a good week.
DeleteI have so much empathy about the deer issue. They destroyed the majority of our bushes before we got smart and fully covered them with nets. Even then, they attempt to nibble through the holes or get their heads up under the bottom.
ReplyDeleteI’m making stuffed shells this week because I have homemade sauce in the freezer to use up, I’ve never heard of Red Maine fish?
I guess it's to be expected since this area has really built up and taken their area's away but it's frustrating. The pile of poo that was left wasn't nice either. lol I LOVE stuffed shells. We started getting a box from Sea To Table again and that is one of the fish included and it is one of my favorites.
DeleteThat's a shame about the deer. Nice to see them but not when they are destroying plants in your yard. Awfully bold of them to eat the mums right off your porch.
ReplyDeleteAnd they left a huge pile of poo in the drive way. I feel bad for them because in the 20 years we've lived here they have built up this area a lot taking away the wooded areas where the deer live.
DeleteI feel your pain. I have to go out of my way to protect my garden.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't even garden if our back yard wasn't fenced in. It's bad enough with the squirrels.
DeleteThe deer come right up by the house and eat your bushes? That's crazy! Years ago after a snowstorm we saw obvious tracks of several deer in the snow in our front yard. We were fascinated because we have never actually witnessed deer walking in our neighborhood. (Of course I was attacked my an owl in our neighborhood but that's another story, haha) When Audrey and Erica lived together during Dagny's babyhood however, Erica looked out her window one night very late and saw a whole pack of deer strutting down their street! She still talks about it, haha! xoxo
ReplyDeleteYES! They come right up to the front porch. They poo all over the drive way. We have so many around here because of building on the wooded land. It's sad but frustrating too.
DeleteWe have pretty much given up on growing anything that is not specifically deer resistant. ..we have no fence and the deer love to congregate on our backyard.
ReplyDeleteI see them in my next door neighbors back yard all the time. Sometimes as many as 8 or 9 all together.
DeleteUgh of the deer, very sorry they destroyed stuff. We had that here too, they were all walking about the front, snacking on gardens. You crack me up with who needs a good smack. So funny.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED the poster for winter. Super chill and fun.
Dried mushrooms for sure. I love to make mushroom miso soups and when those shrooms go on sale for cheap at Aldi, I like to gather them up. Some day, I'll get a freeze dryer and make mushroom dust for various dishes.
What do you use your dried mushrooms in?
The deer have not done this before so I'm assuming it was due to all of the snow we had. They really can stop leaving piles of poo on the driveway. I make a lot of broth's with dehydrated mushrooms and I use them in beef stroganoff too. So many uses.
DeletePoops too. Ours don't leave those (yet), but we have woods in the back so I'm hoping they keep pooping there.
DeleteI try to spend a little time outside every day too. Someone told me they open the windows of their house at least once a week for 15 minutes no matter how cold it is. I need to do that too. Hope all is well with TBG. Shame about the deer eating your bush but it should come back in the Spring.
ReplyDeleteI just feel better with a little fresh air. I do the same airing the house out even in the winter. With the house closed up and the heat on I feel like the air is stale and stuffy.
DeleteDeer can be very destructive. They frequently eat all of our flowers and keep our shrubbery shaved- Although I never see the deer, we find deer poop all over our yard.
ReplyDeleteThey are pretty bold here coming right up to the front porch. We do see them and it drives Binx crazy.
Deletethe deer are gorgeous but i can understand not being happy with them munching on your foliage :=)
ReplyDeleteThat and leaving piles of poo everywhere is getting old.
Delete