My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind: I have loved the downtown areas in every city I have ever lived in and have so many memories from them all. Where we live now has really evolved over the last few years.  We have a number of good restaurants and shops.  The library is there. TBG's Tae kwon do school is there. A number of weekly, monthly and yearly festivals go on there also. Now the city took a large vacant area in the middle and made a gorgeous green space with lots of seating, swings and picnic tables.  It is a great place to hang out during some of the festivals or to just relax and enjoy.  They had an Easter egg hunt there this year and it was so cute to see so many children running around.  I think it is a great addition to our town.

Where I've been:  Wednesday I had a dentist appointment for a cleaning.  All is good except the two back bottom molars that need to come out soon that I've known about.  We went to a grand opening of a furniture restoration business that a couple we know opened.  They do beautiful work, and the store front is very pretty.  Saturday there was a recycling event, so got rid of a few old electronics, went and picked up soil for the gardens and then had a nice lunch at the local BBQ place. The rest of the day and most of Sunday was spent outside working in the yard and on the gardens.  I have a couple of more things to plant (and pick up) and then we're done.  It all looks so nice.  I'll get pictures soon.

Where I'm going:  We have a high school graduation to go to Saturday.  I also want to stop by the orchard to pick up a flowering basket of some kind and a few more things.  They beat the box store prices and products by a mile.

What I'm watching:  We watched Nonna's on Netflix and really enjoyed it.  His lifetime experiences with food are the same as mine so I really felt his story and what he wanted to do. The 'real' guy that started Nonna's has a cameo in the movie so I'm glad I had seen a previous story on the movie to recognize him.  

What I'm reading:  Little French Bistro by Nina George and I LOVED it. From the NY Times, "this is an extraordinary novel about self-discovery and new beginnings."  Her writing really puts a picture in your mind of the places and characters.  For me to make time to read a book in a few days tells you just how good it is. It was an unpredictable, heartwarming story.

What I'm eating:

Beef, veggie and cheese quesadillas with rice

Blackened chicken, mashed potatoes and asparagus

BIG salad

Indian chili with cornbread  Culinary Adventures with Lori: 52 Recipes in 52 Weeks #5 Indian Spiced Chili  It was a rainy, slightly chilly day and this hit the spot.

Roasted chicken legs, mac and cheese, coleslaw

Salmon, rice and salad 

I tried a new salmon recipe from the latest cookbook I picked up that I can't wait to post about this week.  It was amazing.

Who needs a good slap: People that never have anything good to say and spread their toxicity to everyone around them.  I just don't understand it. The constant complaining, and grumbling is just exhausting.

What's making me smile: This may sound funny to some but checking things off my to do list really makes me smile.  It's good to be able to look back and see what you've accomplished.  Even the little things feel so good to get checked off the list.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!! 

Things That Make Me Smile

 

This picture popped up in my FB memories today from probably 12 years ago.  Some of you know my Mom has had severe dementia for the past 5-6 years.  Like many mothers and daughters, our relationship was 'complicated'.  But through it all, I can still see pictures like this and smile.

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind:  Am I the only one that can't believe it's May already?  I seriously feel like we just finished the holiday season but that was almost 5 months ago.  I'm doing everything I can think of to be in the moment and slow down, but time just keeps ticking by too quickly.  

April was a very wet month here and so far, May has continued with that trend.  In between the rains I've been trying to work on the yard and the garden.  

Asparagus season has arrived here, and we've been enjoying it so many ways.  We do love it roasted but if you haven't tried it fried, you really should.  It takes it to a different level. Culinary Adventures with Lori: My Week and the April A-Z Challenge

Where I've been:  I had lunch with a friend group at our favorite Mexican restaurant which is always fun.  TBG and I have been on daily walks (in between the rain). It really is beautiful here this time of year. Friday nights Downtown was last night and while we were there walking around, I finally stopped in one of the new kitchen/food item stores.  TBG wanted to try their popcorn seasoning (which is very tasty) and I found a spice blend that sounded delicious.  (We haven't tried it yet.)

Where I'm going:  Wednesday I have a dentist appointment for a cleaning.  It's at 8am so I took the day off to reward myself.  I am also taking off the last week of May so we can get away for a few days.  I'm excited about that.

What I'm watching:  We started watching the new series on Netflix Four Seasons. I'm a big fan of Tina Fey and she stars in it and produced it. We watched one episode and really enjoyed it. I think between tomorrow and Wednesday we'll binge watch the rest. I also watched The Chef's Table-Legends on Jamie Oliver. I love his outlook on food.  I have a couple of his cookbooks that I refer to often.

What I'm reading:  I did sit outside a few times when the sun was shining and continued reading Care and Feeding.  I'm close to being finished and am enjoying it.  I am trying very hard not to buy any new cookbooks, but I had to have Nagi's second one.  There are SO many recipes I can't wait to try so I'm glad it jumped in my cart.

What I'm eating: 

Blackened cod, basmati rice and coleslaw

Chicken sausage with onions and peppers, pasta alfredo and asparagus

BIG salad x2

Add some cheese, chicken and/or hardboiled eggs and all of these veggies made 6 really good size salads. We both also eat a lot of various salads for our lunches.

Skillet chicken Shawarma, rice and naan 

Last night when we were leaving the downtown area, TBG wanted to stop at the Elk's for their Friday chicken bucket special.  It was delicious as always and so much food so we're having the leftovers tonight.

Who needs a good slap:  I can't think of anyone off the top of my head.

What is making me smile:  The last two Sunday's have been awesome.  It really is nice making sure there is nothing that has to be done and just let the day unfold as it comes.  Unscheduled time to do whatever we want in the moment has been amazing.