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!!