I'm still Alive.....

Just a little note to let you all know I am still alive and well. Just doing some reflections on life and deciding what I need to get back to blogging about. Hope all of you are well. The holidays are upon us!!

Currently.....

Outside my window...

Today is a gorgeous autumn day in Kansas. The wind is blowing a bit but that is not unusual here. The sky is blue and there is some coolness in the air. It is currently 59*. We have more rain moving into the area. But today is beautiful. 


Pondering..

I have been doing a bit of pondering lately. I have cleaned out my social media of people who I feel are toxic to my well-being. (I know some of you will go look to see if you are still on my list) Some are family. Some have been long time friends. Who needs it?? Life is too short for me to continue to hope you will see me as 'good enough' to be a part of the group. Just too short. 

Watching...

I have finally gotten caught up on A Million Little Things and New Amsterdam. Both really good new shows. Both emotional. But who doesn't need a good cry now and then?


Reading or Listening....

I am listening to a freebie from Kindle Unlimited (well since I pay for Kindle Unlimited I guess we can't call it a freebie) The Widow's Watcher by Eliza Maxwell. I am enjoying it. It is the tale of woman who has lost her husband and all three kids in a plane crash. While on her way to end her own life she comes across a reclusive older gent who has his own deep mystery. 


Creating...

There is nothing much creative going on around this house. 


Planning....

I really don't have much in the plans either. (I must be boring). I sent out a text to all my family recently that I was not going to host a Thanksgiving dinner this year. Surprisingly (or maybe not so surprisingly) there was not much push back. It is hard to get a day that agrees with everyone so I just decided I didn't want to try. I hear Swanson's has a good turkey TV dinner. LOL!


Drinking....

What's in the kitchen...

I have been using what I have in the kitchen and today I am going to the grocery store. So I plan to make some stews, soups, and chilies. That is how I roll in the winter. I am still loving Clicklist, so I just need to drive up and wait for them to load it up. Then drive home and unload it. They have finally started doing delivery here but it is $11.95. I can drive there and back many times before I use that much gas. But, I'm not ruling that out if the weather outside gets frightful! 

A quote to share...

Photos to share...

The road I walk 2-3 times a day 

My house

This quirky  little fellow

A final thought...

My Current Favorites

Can anyone believe it is Halloween 2018? I know I talk about this every month, but the older I get, the faster time seems to fly by.
Anyway I have some new favorites to tell you about.

Coconut-Coffee 2 in 1 scrub Stick

This is a new cleanser I tried from Grove Collaborative. This is where I get a lot of my cleaning products from. In full disclosure this was a freebie. I haven't decided if it is something I will order again as it is $9.99 and I find that to be a bit much. But it is the coolest thing. It pushes up like a deodorant. It is very hydrating and the coffee is supposed to be energizing. It is a real treat to use. And my skin feels so soft afterwards. It's like a coffee break for your face. Ha! Ha!

I also ordered a KonJac Sponge from Grove to use when cleansing my face. I purchased the charcoal one because it is for sensitive skin. My sponge is black. It comes very hard and you have to soak it in warm water to soften and then use. It has a little thread attached and I hang it on the faucet when I am finished using it. This little sponge is made from the root of a Korean plant and it is great at exfoliation. I use it along with the cleanser above but you can use it alone. I swear the texture of my skin is improving. (and I'm not being paid to say this) 

Also, this month, I tried the Hello Fresh.
These were the two meals I received and they were both delicious. If you want to try them you can send me your email and I will be able to offer you a $40.00 off your first delivery. I also have 5 free boxes of Blue Apron to give away. I just need your email address. Let me know. My email is on the side bar.  

Honey Glazed Chicken

Grilled Mediterranean Steak

I've also been trying some snacks that are delivered from Graze. The first box was free. I got 4 snacks to try and I liked them. My first monthly box was $13.99 and I got 8 snacks. They are packaged in the perfect size for one person. That is $1.75 a snack. So far the ones I have tried are: 1)Grilled Cheese Crunch which had poppyseed onion sesame sticks, almonds, Gouda puffs,and ranch half popped kernels. 2)Natural Vanilla Seeds which included Vanilla pumpkin seeds and vanilla sunflower seeds. These snacks are calorie controlled and very nutritional. I'll let you know if I continue with this box. This is perfect for a single person who does not want to buy large bags and boxes of snacks that I will eat all by myself. Do you know what I mean??

My new favorites TV shows and Netflix binges are: 1) Dancing with the Stars (of course)
     2) A Million Little Things (oh my gosh another tear jerker)
     3) Shameless (I'm deciding on when to start season two)
     4) This Is Us (not new, but still a favorite)
     5) Survivor

I am also wanting to watching the back episodes of New Amsterdam so that I can start watching it each week. And I am hearing The Making of a Murderer on Netflix is really good. I will have plenty to watch. What are you watching?

Are you all ready for all the spooks and goblins to arrive on your doorsteps tonight? We don't get many in our neighborhood anymore. We are more a neighborhood of older people without kids. But I have a few treats on hand just in case.

Happy Halloween guys!

Currently....

Outside my window...

See that beautiful red bush in my neighbor's yard

My Oak tree last week

My oak tree today

Pondering..

I'm pondering whether or not to replace my goldfish. The one I have had for the past few years died last week. RIP Goldie 2! I spent the weekend cleaning the aquarium. There is still a Plecostomus living in a log inside the aquarium. I enjoy the fish! They are calming to watch. So I might make a trip to Walmart and get a couple small ones. I like the goldfish because they like cold water and I don't have to run a heater in the tank. That is why I'm not so into tropicals. It's just such a balancing situation. 


Reading...

I'm reading/listening to In Pieces by Sally Field and enjoying it. She had a tough childhood, like so many of us did. I am still planning to get back to Ghosted by Rosie Walsh.  

Creating...

I am creating a home for this little guy. He belonged to my brother Fred and his wife. They have had him since he was a baby, 12 years ago. You will remember my brother died in 2017 and his wife died in August. This little guy went to live with their grandson but that did not work out for a couple of reasons. (Mainly because they have a feisty dog and a even more feisty son) So Meet Beetle Bailey. We call him Bailey. He's very timid and shy. He has never walked on a leash, so we are learning how to do that. He is used to a doggie door but I do not have one (or a fenced yard). But I have a lot of love to give him. So we will work on all the other issues. I think he is getting used to living here. We take little walks 3 times a day. He's old and so am I; so we break them down into little walks. 

Beetle Bailey and the stuffed dog Fred bought me when I was wanting a little Yorkie!

Learning...

I have been learning all about Yorkies. Yesterday I gave him a bath. He didn't much like me for awhile afterwards. But he is okay today. I will probably have him groomed every few months and maintain him in between. This is the first in-door dog I have had in more than 40 years. So there is a learning curve here. LOL!

What's in the kitchen...

Today I am making Spicy Shrimp Pasta for my dinner. It is a Blue Apron dinner. On Saturday Justin and Paige came over and we went out to eat at Olive Garden. I made Justin a Shepherd's Pie to take home with him.

A quote to share...

A final thought...

Today, we are wishing this guy a very happy birthday. 43 years young! I love you Justin!

Currently.....It's Cold!!

Outside my window...

The sun is shining!!!! Yes! It has been a dreary few days with lots and lots of rain. And I mean lots. We have had much flooding. I live higher up than the town so it was only in my ditches and yard. Harley had to take a longer way to work because the main road to the nursing home was closed due to water over the road. And then the water went down. And yesterday it snowed. According to the National Weather Service it was 1898 the last time it snowed this early in Kansas City. We are a ways from Kansas City but I don't remember too many snows this early here in Hutchinson. The ground was covered (didn't stick to the streets) and it's all melted today. The temperature right now is 44* with a light wind. Cold!!


Pondering..

My youngest son has found out he has 5 bulging discs and servere spinal stenosis and a cyst putting pressure on his nerves. They are going to try some compression therapy and PT first. I hope no surgery. All prayers and good thoughts appreciated. It's always something, isn't it? 



Watching...

I have binge watched Season One of Shamless on Netflix. Not yet sure if I like it enough to watch 7 more seasons. Time will tell. What I have been loving is You Tube on my TV. So much better than watching on my phone or my desktop. I bought FireStick from Amazon and I am trying it out to see if I can get rid of Cox cable TV. (I will have to keep it for my Internet). Do any of you have experience with Firestick? With Hulu? Sling? All advice accepted.


Reading...

I finished Between Black and White by Robert Baily *** and started (again) Ghosted: A Novel by Rosie Walsh. I decreased the speed of her reading to see if I will enjoy it more on Audible. I also just downloaded In Pieces, by Sally Field to listen on Audible.  

Planning....

I don't have many plans right now but some coming down the road. I think!

What's in the kitchen...

Tonight, I have some leftover Taco meat and I will be making myself a Tostado for dinner. Thursday will be my Blue Apron delivery so that will take care of a few days. Otherwise, I am going to take it one day at a time. 




A quote to share...

A final thought...

As many of you know, I had a stillbirth. Yesterday she would have been 44 years old. I took a trip to the cemetery and had a peaceful few minutes of remembrance. I left some pink and purple flowers and a birthday crown on her grave site. Tonight I will light a candle in honor of her and all the other babies amongst the stars. You can read my first blog post about Elaine here if you are interested. 

No one Asked me, But, yes, Harley is Getting Married

For all of you who did not know: Harley is engaged. This happened in July. They now have plans for a fall 2020 wedding. No exact date yet set. We are planning a wedding! 

great acting

Will you marry me?

She  said yes!

Currently...

Outside my window...

 It has been rain, rain, rain. The ditches are full and today the TV is full of flood warnings. And it is dreary!

Pondering..

Last week was depressing. I sometimes feel like our country is LOSING! What is all this winning "they" are talking about? It isn't happening here. Also, I have been listening to a podcast called "The Uncurated Life" and it is really a good podcast to help us think about what is important in life. For the most part, the person who does the podcast talks about planning and things planners are interested in. But she brings it around to telling us about 'the curated life', you know the one when you are looking at pictures on Pinterest and Facebook and etc. Those that aren't what the poster's life is REALLY like? Just what they are showing us. A bit of it! The picture that is 'set up' for us. Today Cindy talked about her struggles with a chronic disease and how it really affects her feelings. Good listen!


Watching...

With most of the new fall shows now on, I am watching 'too' much TV again. (Who am I kidding? I always watch too much TV). I have been watching Dancing with the Stars (haven't yet decided on who I am rooting for), Survivor (have really landed on who I want to win), This is Us, Grey's Anatomy, and How To Get Away with Murder. What are your favorites for the fall season? I am also finishing the second season of Ozark on Netflix. 


Reading...

Who has time for reading when they are watching too much TV, right? LOL! I started a new book Between Black and White by Robert Baily. It is a legal thriller. The second in a three part series. (I read the third one first) and I am glad to get a lot of things cleared up. I would read them in order if you are interested in legal thrillers. 

Creating...

My fall mantle
My 'curated' life!!

Learning...

I am , once again, joining a group of ladies on Facebook in doing this Bible study! I enjoy digging into the Bible and learning with a group is fun too. Do you do Bible studies? Have any favorites? I think I have asked this before but never hurts to ask again. 



Planning....

I don't really have any plans going on right now. Harley comes over and we work on wedding planning sometimes. But we are only throwing around ideas right now as the wedding will not be until fall of 2020. That seems so far off. But it will probably be here before we know it. 

Listening....

I talked about the podcast above. I have several podcasts I listen to on a weekly basis. Usually at night when I am trying to fall asleep. Some help me fall asleep and some keep me awake. LOL! I am also listening to the Audible book Ghosted: A Novel by Rosie Walsh. I wish I had downloaded the book instead of the audible because it is an Enlish reader and sometimes I find it hard to understand. But I will persevere. Thank you Kwizgiver for the recommendation. 


What's in the kitchen...

Today, in the kitchen, is a crockpot of Beef Stew simmering for the rest of the week's lunches. I love soup. That is about the only thing I really like about colder weather.


A quote to share...

Photographing...

sitting outside last week

on my counter

A final thought...

Register to vote!!

Cheddar Bacon Potato Soup

As promised last week here is the recipe for my favorite potato soup. Full disclosure: this recipe came from my friend Jodi at My Life As Mama Jodi. She also has a You Tube Channel and that is where I found this recipe on her Tasty Tuesday segments. Thanks Jodi!

Cheddar Bacon Potato Soup

Ingredients

1 pound of bacon, cut into small pieces

1 1/2 cups chopped onion

1 cup chopped celery

5 cups potatoes, peeled and diced (I used about 6 large potatoes)

6-7 cups chicken stock

1/2 pound Velveeta cheese, cubed

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 tsp salt (I left this out)

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (I would use less)

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 1/2 cup instant potato flakes

Directions 

Fry bacon until crisp. Remove from pan, drain off all but 2 TBSP of the grease, then add the onions and celery, cook until transparent. Add the chicken stock, potatoes and spices. Cook until the potatoes are tender. With a potato masher, mash the potatoes to your likeness. (I like it chunky). Add the potato flakes, stir well, then add the cheeses. Do not bring to a boil once you add the cheeses. I sprinkled crisp bacon pieces on top when I served it up!! 

Standing Up for What I Believe in!!

This has been a painful week. Especially the last two days. I have been watching the Senate confirmation hearings for Judge Brett Kavanaugh and I have felt sick. Is this really what our country has come to?? I have many family and friends that do not feel the same way I feel. And that is okay! We are all entitled to our opinion. I have lost friends over this and I am sure I will lose more. But I will not change my opinion or my beliefs. This is what I posted today on Facebook:

I will always stand by women who claim sexual abuse of any kind until they are Fully investigated! If, after a full investigation, Judge Kavanaugh can be CLEARED then  what will be, will be. But I will continue to fight with every fiber in my being against this disgusting current administration. 

Currently....

Outside my window...

I think fall has arrived in Kansas. Today has been mostly cloudy with occasional brief episodes of the sun shining. The temp right now is only 69* Tomorrow is supposed to be just like today. How is the weather in your neck of the woods? Has fall arrived?


Pondering..

Sometimes my heart just gets too full to keep pondering all that is going on in this world. Today I watched the President of the United States get laughed at by members of the United Nations and he thought it was okay!! Where has the dignity of the office gone?? Are any of you following the Kavanaugh debacle? I don't know how to applaud Bill Cosby being sentenced for the crimes he has committed and still see a president who has not paid for his crimes against women. And then we are going to watch Kavanaugh be voted into the Supreme Court even though he has allegations about sexual assault.A full investigation is needed. I'm sorry but I believe the women. Okay! Okay! I really am not a political blog. But I am frustrated with what is happening to this country. 



Watching...

I started watching Dancing With the Stars last night. It was a good start for the season. I haven't picked a favorite yet. Are you watching? And this week I will watch the end of Big Brother and the beginning of Survivor. I love reality TV. I don't care who wins Big Brother. I just haven't picked a favorite this year. I have almost finished the Netflix binge of Orange is the New Black. Interesting! I have lots in the lineup for this winter too.  


Reading...

My reading has fallen by the wayside to say the least. I just finished the last two I mentioned here: Women Who Fear and The Restless Wave. I think I'll look into a suspense novel. Or a good mystery. What are you reading right now? 

 
Creating...

I have created my October bullet journal pages and I really like them. It was fun and creative. Here is a sneak peek:

October calendar pages

my mood and gratitude trackers

the monthly pages I did something different this month and added dutch doors

a peek at my fall mantle

Thankful...

I have so much to be thankful for. I need to never forget! Two weeks ago the agency my son Justin works for in Wichita (he is a deputy sheriff for those who don't know) had a deputy killed in the line of duty. It was a devastating week for us. He was a good friend to Justin. And it made this mother's heart hurt for another law enforcement mother. And those scary thoughts of "what if it was my son?" couldn't help but to rear their ugly head. It was good to see how the community came together for Deputy Kunze and he had a most wonderful send off. I hope the good feelings will continue and people will see how important it is to "BACK THE BLUE."



What's in the kitchen...

I had company for the past two weeks so I mostly cooked all meals at home. She was here to take classes during the day and then was here in the evenings. But mostly she studied. It is soup time of the year. I will be sharing one of my favorite potato soups with you soon. I made a huge pot yesterday and Harley stopped by and took some home with her. I still have enough for a couple of lunches this week.Yummy!




A quote to share...

A final thought...

I didn't do a very good job of blogging this month but I know it will get better as the cold weather begins. I've missed you all and I need to make my way around to your blogs and hope to welcome you again to mine.

And today is National Register to Vote day!

Currently....

Outside my window...

Rain, rain, and more rain. That is what the weather has been like here the past few days. And that, with heat, makes humidity! I am ready for fall. Maybe! But not winter. Can we just skip winter please??


Pondering..

Always so much to ponder. Do you remember when I talked about my brother, Fred, who died in April 2017? Well, this past week his wife died. I haven't seen her much since Fred's passing. She has been sick and sounds like she was ready to meet Fred again. So we had a funeral to attend this past week. Attending these funerals makes one remember that we are now the older family members and each day is precious. Tomorrow is never promised. 

Watching...

Still watching Big Brother. Will be glad it is over. I have been binge watching Orange is the New Black on Netflix. I like the story-line but goodness there is way too much sex!! Can you remember back when there was never sex on TV. And NEVER, EVER between women....

Reading...

I am reading What Women Fear by Angie Smith. Good! And I am listening to The Restless Wave by John McCain. Parts of it are read by John but the biggest portion is read by Beau Bridges. This book covers from 2008 to the present. So sad to have lost such an American hero. I watched all of the funerals this past week. WOW! That is a lot to go through for his family. I don't think I would have ever made it through the week if I would have had to keep repeating memorial services over and over. But this American hero deserved this kind of send off. He gave so much for this country. He was not a perfect man and I wasn't on his political team but I respected him a lot!!

Creating...

I have been thinking about my fall mantle but haven't done much about it as of yet. So that creating is going on in my mind. 

Drinking....

Justin came over on Saturday and we went to lunch at the Cancun Mexican Grill. We decided to have a Margarita sampler. We each tried 5 different flavors of margaritas. And, oh yummy, were they good. We also had some really good Mexican food. And we both came home and took a nap. Really, those glasses were not all that big. But tequila in the middle of the day.....


What's in the kitchen...

I'm not really meal planning right now. I need to get back to it though. I eat better when I meal plan. I am still getting the Blue Apron meals once a month (which provides me with 2 varieties=4 meals) Yesterday I had a spicy chicken with couscous and green beans and tomatoes with Tzatziki sauce. It was very good. Spicy, but yummy!


A quote to share...

A final thought....

I have some company coming this month. That will keep me busy for a couple of weeks. And I am going to really force myself to get back to downsizing and working on the garage. After the weather is cooler. It is too hot to spend long days in a hot, hot garage. What are you guys up to? Looking forward to fall??

August Favorites

I had favorites in July. But I didn't write about them. What the heck??? But these are some of my favorites for August.

I have some new dish cloths to rave about. I love these  crocheted dish cloths. I'm sure you've all seen them. I bought a couple of them years ago at a craft show. And my mom had given me a couple. But I use bleach to keep them white, white, white. And eventually they wear out. This summer mine were so worn out that I started to need to find some more. I never go to craft shows anymore. But I have

a talented blog friend whom I met on line. So I reached out to her to see if she made them. If you don't follow her blog you should. It is called Laws of Gravity She made me my dishcloths and I am in love with them. She also has an Etsy shop called Zizi Rho Designs. I bought one of her adorable lip balm key chains for Harley last year so she could attach her lip balm to her book bag. She is still using it now in college. Might need to replace it soon. It is looking a bit ratty. 

I also got the cutest little salt grinder and love having it sit on my counter, by the stove. It is called the Kikkerland Rivsalt Grater Set. I will link you to Amazon to see it. Mine has the pink Himalayan Salt and I love using it. So cute. 

Have I talked about my new Bible? I don't think I have but I am pretty forgetful. I ordered it from Amazon too. As you know, I love adult coloring. And this is so beautiful. It is called the Inspire Praise Bible. It is the NLT edition. You can do Bible journaling as well because there are  blank, lined, pages as well as the ones that can be colored. I find coloring to be very relaxing. 

the edge is so pretty

Some of the pages I have finished

I  participated in an online Bible Study with a nice group of ladies. It lasted 6 weeks and was so fun. This is the book we used and it was amazing. It really links the entire Bible in a 'seamless' manner. Angie Smith is a fabulous author. She makes reading fun. I  used some of her You Tube sessions along with the study. Have you ever done any personal Bible studies on your own. I would love to hear about them. Right now I am reading Angie's book What Women Fear.I'm enjoying it as well. 


Have you ever used (and loved) Dove soap. I used to always use it to wash my face. But it leaves a lot of soap scum in the shower so I stopped using it. Recently I found Dove Beauty cream at Dollar Tree (you know this is my favorite store). And I am in love with Dove all over again. This little tub of lotion is all I use on my face right now. And the smell is so fresh. Smells just like the bar soap. 

A new wine I tried this month is from the Barefoot brand is the Pink Rose. I think I might have tasted Rose years ago but had forgotten what it tasted like. It's not dry and not overly sweet. But right in the middle. It has sweet cherries and watermelon. Who would have thought. I'm not really a wine connoisseur. But I like to drink it. I've enjoyed a bottle (or so) of this. I also like their moscato and their sangrias. Yummy. I might be having a glass later today. 

I hope everyone is having a great summer. Mine has been pretty uneventful. I'll be catching you up with a "Currently" pretty soon. Tell me what are your favorites this month?