Sunshine and the Super Bloom

Hubby and I went to the desert for spring break this year. Mark and Karen came with us and Kassie's parents and friends were there too. Hubby's Mom shares her timeshare with us and one of our favorites is Wyndam in Indio.  Thanks Es!

 Karen and I love coconut cake and Tommy Bahama has one of the best coconut cakes. It ties for first place with House Without a Key on Oahu.

 When our guys were still traveling with us, we tried to have an educational day on our trips.  Once they were gone that fell by the wayside.  You may remember the Palace on Oahu or Pearl Harbor with the guys in earlier posts.

This year we brought back the field trip and went to Joshua Tree National Park.  It was in full bloom and we had a good time hiking so we actually went back for a second day. 

The field trip days are back!

 It was fun to climb on the rocks or walk on the trails. We packed a lunch and entered the park at the north entrance and exited via the west entrance on the first day.  The second day we used the south entrance and after some time in the park we left the way we had come in that morning.

 I want to give a shout out to one of my favorite fashion bloggers, Sheaffer. I wanted comfy walking shoes that were more like a sneaker and she found them for me.  They were great in the park and for morning walks, and just to wear with shorts or jeans. I'm wearing them with my favorite skort from Macys. These skorts are comfy for walking and great for camping and can be dressed up and worn out for a casual dinner. I have black too. And I think I may have to order the orchid print for Hawaii.

 The west park entrance has a cute little street of artists' shops and galleries.  All are closed midweek.

 I had a fun trip with Hubby.  I make the trip arrangements and get us there and set up and he then takes over and does the driving, mixes the cocktails and grills. #teamwork

 I wanted to pay tribute to U2 and their album Joshua Tree and my peeps are willing to play along with me.

Our travel day to get to PSP was a little crazy.  Our flight got changed due to the 737's falling out of the sky. We decided to only use carry on luggage. Seven nights, eight days and one carry one.  Stay calm.  It was a challenge for me and my shoes! Another blogger I follow is Shay and she has posted about packing cubes several times.  Her and her husband travel with their four kiddos and she loves the cubes.  And now so do I.  I drank the packing cube kool aid and loved using them. In one small/medium cube I packed 3 swim suits, 3 cover ups, 2 skorts, 2 tees for walking, yoga pants, sports bra, 1 tank and socks.

 Besides the packing cubes and an educational field trip, I have one more trip tip.  Instacart! I created a group cart for Karen and I, we filled it with breakfast items, we each did a dinner, a picnic lunch, snacks, liquor and sunscreen and lotion.  It was so great to have our groceries delivered within an hour of our arrival. Especially since our travel day was hectic.  Our stop in Seattle involved a bus, two trams and very brisk walking on the people movers to make our flight.

It was a wonderful trip with a lot of relaxing by the pool.  #poolside

Next spring, the Big Island of Hawaii for ten nights.  Aloha!

In the meantime we are getting excited for camping season,  Hubby is practicing his Dutch oven game plan.  One night we did rustic bread, baked spaghetti and a chocolate caramel cake. Delish!

Okay friends, I think we are all caught up and I need to clear the dining table today...

Yep, it's going to take all day.

And it's March

Last week was mid winter break. It felt like I'd just had a vacation with so many snow days in February but this was different.  I stayed home in February and it felt good.  This break I got out and that felt good too.

On Thursday Karen picked me up and we went to Burlington to do some shopping. I am a coupon queen, reward hoarder, Gap family shopper.  I needed a spring wardrobe boost for under $50. Success at Old Navy. We went to Target too.  Yes, we have a Target in Bellingham but the Burlington one is better.  We had lunch at the Train Wreck, always a good idea. The sun was out and it was a pretty drive.

On Friday Franny had an estate sale scheduled and I made plans to go with my sis, Jodi.  There was a lot of photography equipment as it was the estate of an US Army photographer and his wife.

I brought two cast iron pots home to Hubby.

 He worked on them on Saturday,  they are seasoned and ready for camping season.

The quilt made from an army blanket and lined with flannel is really interesting and is just the right size for a camp fire lap robe for me.

 Jodi and I met up with Chris, Kim and Shelly at the sale.  Chris asked us if we wanted to shop her studio... Uhmmm, YES!

I am going to paint the table for the sitting room, the table in there now is too low and has bugged me long enough.

 The mountain picture is from the estate sale, I have a similar one from my parents and I'd like to hang them together.  I'm hoping to collect more of that style.

 The old radio is getting a paint job. It's not going to work for the spot I intended but I'll find a spot. The top lifts up and I hope to find a cooler to fit inside.

 We usually go for coffee after shopping at an estate sale but that morning went so long that we ended up having lunch at The Mill. A long, laughter filled, delicious lunch with inspiring women.  

Yes, please!

Friday night Sam and Max stayed here. This mama is always happy when the guys come home.  We went out for breakfast on Saturday. Sam went home and Max stayed for the weekend.

That was a fun filled long weekend, just what I needed. Now it's back to eating at home, walking and working on the projects I purchased.

This text is from Max, and I thought y'all could use a laugh.

I am working on a second edition of the cookbook I wrote for the guys.  Apparently, I left out tater tot casserole and taco soup.  It has caused some angst.

Enjoy a wind free day, my friends!

February Love

February seems to be going by quickly, though, I have enjoyed every minute (except for a power outage and snow in the attic).  It's been all of the best for me, snow, snow days, Love Week, our wedding anniversary, Valentine's Day and a house party with friends. All the loves.

 This sunshine was the calm before another storm.

 I like to get outside in the snow so I shovel the driveway, bring in the firewood, get the mail and take photo walks. Any excuse to be outdoors!

 It was back to school on Friday and since there hadn't been school Monday through Thursday, we celebrated Valentine's Day on Friday. And y'all know how much I love Valentine's Day at school.

 It's all so sweet and first graders are really kind and thoughtful.  

 On Friday evening our friends arrived to spend the weekend at The Stone House. We had a Valentine dinner for them.  The girls dressed for dinner.  It was fun and cozy.  

Since I had four snow days that week, I worked on my napkin folding skills. 

Hubby created some delicious cocktails and helped with the cooking.

 It was so great to visit with our camping friends in February.  We are making a point of meeting up in the off season.  I love it!

 Annie is safe in the carport but still gets snow due to the NE winds.

I have two Sisters on the Fly trips scheduled for 2019.  Hubby and I have about 7-8 other trips on the books.  I know, right? It looks like a fun summer!

It's snowing like crazy right now and sooo pretty!  Get out there and enjoy it.

More January Random

There is no school today, the teachers have a work day without students.  Last Monday was a holiday so I am enjoying having another Monday at home. The best part of not working on a Monday is the Sunday evening before, just chillin'. 

Just a random post today. I am still on my declutter, get organized and pare down the junk January kick.  I filled the back of the Jeep last week and brought a load of things to the thrift store. I have cleaned the laundry/work room.  I could get rid of more craft stuff, but just wasn't ready. I cleaned out the cabinets above the washer and dryer, wiped down all flat surfaces and mopped.

I sewed a new liner for our dirty clothes basket.  Remember, I am not a seamstress. I'm just a gal sewing seams with stress.  I am pretty proud of the fact that there are no open seams, my arrows are lined up and I didn't lose my salvation.

 All for dirty laundry.

 I refreshed my ribbon bar.

 Romans 12:12 is my Bible verse, I mutter it to myself a lot. I found it online and actually ordered it, hung it up and embellished it with faux greenery. We have lived in the Stone House for 17 years and there are bare walls.  I am not good at wall decor.

 For four years I left Christmas up on the wall at the top of the landing.  It was all I had. That has been fixed too.

 Some days I get more checked off the To Do list than others.   I do have a job, regular housework and a life.  Some days I pick one drawer and clean it out. On Saturday I just could not face the attic so I went through my pajamas.  It's baby steps.

The eat less, move more should progress at this point as Hubby and I have now finished the Costco package of Almond Roca. Yep, we did it! Ugh.

I am walking and I am looking through all of the exercise videos on Netflix.  No, not actually doing them yet but I am checking them out.

Which leads to my other goal of watching more television.  I started Longmire last night and I think I am going to enjoy it.  Any other suggestions?

It's not all work here, on Friday evening Hubby and I enjoyed a strawberry basil martini, appetizers for dinner and spun some Bobby Darin tunes. Good times in the sitting room at the Stone House.
NOTE: Blogspot and videos are not friends so this is just a snapshot.

In my last post I touched on the government shut down which resulted in me deactivating my face book account.  We are getting a break until February 15th, but I am not quite ready to return to FB.  I had enough stupid comments in real life.  It's better if I hibernate right now.

  

Enjoy your week!

January Random

Oh January, you aren't easy. The pressure to eat less, move more, the wind, the lack of light, back to school, the pressure to clean and organize. Ugh.  #thestruggleisreal

The first week of school isn't busy for subs so I had coffee with Leslie and Marjean one afternoon and I visited with the Pie Pals one afternoon. Having a bit of  friend time helps with the winter blues.

*It was last minute but I texted the Pie Pals and asked them if they could come over one afternoon for pie. They fell over themselves getting back to me. Yes, they would love to come over for pie! Since it's January I suspected diets and resolutions were the norm.  If I baked a pie I thought some wouldn't eat any or ask for a tiny sliver. 

So, I made sugar-free Jello in a pie plate. I had Cool Whip in the freezer left from Snow Salad Season aka Christmas and I had berries I had froze this summer. 

Imagine their shock, no coconut cream pie today, ladies! Oh my, did we laugh! I told them if they were having a cheat day I had Cool Whip.  The Jello with Cool Whip and Berries was a BiG 25 calories.

It turns out everyone loves Jello and it's the new January Pie Pals tradition.

Hubby and I have enjoyed the leftovers for dessert in the evening. 

*Besides the usual January eat less, move more, I have set another same goal. Hhhhmmm, as I'm writing I am realizing that if I have to keep setting the same goals or making the same resolutions every January, I am obviously not successful in the prior year. Anyhoo, back to goals, I have again set the goal to watch more TV.  I am generally not a fan of the television.  I have nothing against it, I just don't have the patience to sit there look at it. 

For Christmas I received a Roku and a Firestick, I kept both.  I am serious about it this year.

Party conversations turn to television shows and movies and I've been lacking. So, here I go again.

I've been watching the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. I love the apartment, her wardrobe, the cars and the fast pace.  Midge is predicted to be the 2019 girl name of the year. #partyconversation

*I have watched a half an episode of Marie Kondo. I jumped up to clean out out junk drawer in the kitchen, got intimidated, sat back down and watched one episode of Schitt Creek.

Watching Marie Kondo is a two-fer resolution/goal.

I am watching TV and organizing and cleaning. Wait!  It's a threefer because I am moving more while organizing. 

The junk drawer is a fail.

The dishtowel drawer has been reorganized.  Isn't it pretty?

And that will last 3, 2, 1...

I have filled a few shopping bags to bring to the thrift store. But the reality is that I haven't actually brought them there yet.

*I have deactivated my Facebook account for a bit.  The political hate is too hard for me right now. 

Everyone is entitled to their opinion and to free speech, but the pasting and sharing of unverified information was bringing me down and making me think less of some friends.

 Essential personnel is still going to work, yes, they will eventually be paid, no they cannot go on vacation. Furlough isn't a paid vacation if you still are going to work every day.  Many officers are GS5 or GS7, they live paycheck to paycheck and though they aren't getting paid, their daycare provider still needs to be paid.  Single parents, single income families are hurt by the government shut down.  Please don't sugar coat it with the trite, oh well, they'll eventually get paid, to me.

It's too close to home and if you can put names and faces with it, it would be for you too.

*The best thing about January is thinking about sunny vacations, camping trips and all of the planning. #overplanner  Sometimes my sunny fantasy doesn't match reality. But a girl can dream.

Isn't her suit darling?

Best Wishes friends, may all of your goals be reached and attainable this year!

Carry on.

Happy 2019

Happy New Year friends! A fresh start and new beginnings, here we come.

 Christmas decor is back in the attic.  I took a lot of time this year organizing and going through things as I put everything away for another year. I kept the poinsettia as it still pretty and some wintry coasters that I love.  There is candy on the kitchen counter but it's not long for this world either.

I took down all of the blow molds, Napco figurines and bottle brush trees from the kitchen shelves.  As I put things back together I went through each basket, found and organized all 2018 tax information, took care of appointments for doctor referrals, and organized bills and records. 

 During December I don't look at the bank account because it may be frightening and because I'm busy.  I have since balanced and checked everything and that feels good.

As soon as the new year arrives I start making campground reservations and airline reservations.

Check and check. I like to look forward to something so the January rain doesn't get me down.

All holiday linens have been washed, starched and ironed.  I am still working on the pile of shirts.  Oh, how I miss Toni and Pearl.  Our local dry cleaners closed in November and I miss those girls and their mad ironing skills.

 I am dreading the power bill for December.  The lights are taken down inside, Hubby has to take down the outside lights this weekend, weather permitting.

 We enjoyed many lovely holiday meals.

 Baked Alaska for dessert, yes please. Oh my, it was fun!

Now recipes like Sassy Water are popping up everywhere.  Not as fun but I'm ready for less.

One last hurrah!  The traditional post holidays clean out the deli drawer mac and cheese dinner.  I'm going to make it for dinner tonight.  Whether it's good or bad this year, it will never be duplicated. 

Vacation ends on January 7 for me and until then I am organizing, prepping and doing some relaxing.  List making is my favorite so it doesn't feel like work to me. Goals and resolutions do not begin until vacation is officially over, as in back to school.

I don't make hard core resolutions so much as goals and just wanting that uncluttered fresh start that comes with a new year.

Here I go!