5 thing Friday - freezer cleanout/restock, backyard relaxation, paver re-do, ice cream, Girl Lunch

For the last few weeks I had been doing little grocery runs for fillers and eating meals made of what I had left in the freezer.

I got myself organized with everything I wanted to do for the morning.

I made some containers for work: Beefy Spaghetti, Chicken and Lentil Tikka Masala with rice, and Veggie and Chicken Korma with rice.  Eight containers that should make Friday food prep easier for almost a month. Pasta and rice dishes generally heat up really well for me at work.

Then I wiped down the inside of the freezer and bought some things from Trader Joe's that I think will be both appetizing, and easy to cook.  I will fill in with sandwiches and the occasional meal out.

I bought a new strap for the vintage binoculars - worth it to not accidentally drop this thing on my concrete patio.  I have been spending lots of time in the backyard, listening to and watching birds.  So relaxing.

I got the firepit put up and hauled the lounger over to the shade.  A perfect place to unwind with a glass of wine.  Now I need a pretty lumbar pillow.

Then I reworked the pavers (again!) and will gift the others to a friend for her garden. (she also has the timber from the Cannary kid's playscape!)

 The two piece design was making it easy for the oak sprigs to push up between the pavers.  And it was impossible to keep them level.  While I was at it, I used some random ones to make a small little "plant patio" under the window.  That's how it goes with projects sometimes - tweak it 'til you get it just right.

And then reward yourself with a treat - sweet cream ice cream with bananas and caramel swirl in a waffle dish at Coldstone's.  That hit the spot.  Our days are pushing 100 degrees now and rain is nowhere in sight!

Another way to cool it down - Girl Lunch.  This week: fresh peaches, water crackers, Caesar Salad dip, prosciutto rolled with mozzarella, pinot noir rose.  Better than take-out!

Gina

A quick trip to Port Aransas

I went to Port Aransas this week for two days.  I was going to take my time getting there, and maybe shop a little but I got a late start on Tuesday and was ravenous by 11 a.m.

I stopped at a Mexican restaurant in Luling that had amazing enchiladas and friendly people.

Got to the Aransas Pass ferry landing around 2 p.m. and I was the first on/first off, so Brigid had a clear view!

Home for the next two days was Best Western - fancy fancy.

I walked down to the beach (about 3 blocks) and sat for a couple of hours.

This is pretty much the exact spot we always came to when I brought the kids.  The water felt cool and wonderful, the breezes were so nice.  I could have napped right here on the sand.  I walked back to the hotel and ate a girl dinner of snacks while I read.  Slept like a rock!

Next day - the hotel provides breakfast and I was too impatient to stand in line to make a waffle, so I made a plate with some breakfast empanadas.  I loaded up my ice water and headed back to the beach.

The seagulls are like birds anywhere - hoping you will toss snacks their way.

I walked along gathering shells and just enjoying the breezes.  It started warming up pretty quickly so I walked back to the hotel after a couple of hours to shower and relax in the A/C.  Dinner seemed pretty far away, so I scouted out a new-to-me restaurant near Fisherman's Wharf called Grumbles Seafood Company.

Goal to eat a shrimp Po'Boy - accomplished.

I ended up bopping around a couple of souvenir shops, visited the paint your own ceramics shop (then decided against it), then headed back to basically lay around reading my book.

Around sunset I had another Girl dinner: wine, cheese, and crackers.

This is a low key hotel, but was small, close to the beach, and very comfortable.  Had I not been so tired from my beach trekking I would have taken a dip in the pool!

The next morning, I felt homesick and I knew it was time to head back to Austin after breakfast. I made good time on the road and was back in my home sweet home at a little after 11 a.m.! 

Got my totes unpacked, laundry washed and put away, made plans for tomorrow, napped, and made an easy meal.  All that's left to do today is give Brigid a shower - washing road bugs and sand off her. I'd say it was a pretty sweet little trip, but I have a different kind of thing in mind for mini-vacays going forward, and now I can cross this off my summer bucket list.

Happy weekend!

Gina

Summer bucket list

I made out a new bucket list for Summer!

just me admiring a summer pedi (:

continue getting regular pedicures!

give myself more cooking breaks

clean and re-seal the deck

power wash back patio

store the firepit

clean outside windows

paint office furniture

make a plan for replacing the carpet

power wash near front door, touch up the door paint, replace weather stripping

clean a/c coils

get mower maintenance done

clean the gutters

arrange for the oaks to be trimmed

photo project progress

meet up with 2 book clubs

find a new PCP

therapy appt. 2x/month

walk at least three days a week

Port Aransas mini vacay

attend "Cozy Adult Social Hour" at library

plan a family get-together in July

get my RSV vaccine

visit dentist for teeth cleaning

refresh my wardrobe

try a new local restaurant

meet up with a friend at least twice

This time I am placing no monthly deadline on items - just a general goal for end of August.  I want to plan more fun things to do as well as get some of the things done that the rain has delayed.  We will see how it goes!

Gina

5 thing Friday - crockpot pork, new ladder, daylight bulbs, sewing, gin

 Its been a long week.

On Wednesday, I bought a few groceries, and as per usual, I looked at the marked downs in the meat department.  I found some boneless seasoned pork ribs for $3.91 after markdown and partner card (thanks, Scout!)  Popped them into my crockpot for about 7 hours yesterday - no need to add liquid.

They came out tender and juicy and I managed to get 5 meals' worth out of them, plus the stock they created.  Boneless pork in the crockpot is one of those good things in life. With the shredded meat you can do tacos, sammies, soup, a dinner salad...the meat is so tender and delicious!

Said pork on a salad of romaine and avocado with balsamic dressing.

I grew soooo weary of trying to use the heavy as crap giant ladder that Mark bought just before he died.  So, I finally bought my own ladder. (no idea what I will do with the other one)  This one has two top step platforms and a task tray you can hook on.  I already love it and have many projects in mind where it will come in handy. 

Yes I did try it out to see if I could use it to paint in the front rooms and den. I just need to work on that fear of heights I have.

While I was in Home Depot I found some small daylight bulbs for the fan fixture in the sewing room.  How did light bulbs become so expensive?!  These were $6 APIECE. But I can tell the difference in visibility.

They add much needed light on sewing and craft projects.

Like these bookmarks I made for the reading library in our work breakroom.  "Leave a book, take a bookmark".  The last batch lasted about 2 weeks.  I spent $4 on interfacing and 74 cents on ribbon.  It will take me quite some time to use up all the fabric scraps I have.

Yesterday evening I went to a gin tasting featuring Hendricks Gin at Total Wine that was actually quite fun.  We got a welcome cocktail, then got to mix two of our own.  They also had fruit and cheese trays with my current obsession - Manchego.

The woman seated in front of me was solo, too, and very fun and friendly.  I was kicking myself for not hanging out with her for a bit. She looked about 10 years older and maybe a widow, too.  Note to self: getting out there requires that you put some effort in!  There's always next time.  First day of PT today for my shoulder - wish me luck!

Gina

5 thing Friday - concert, deck, pastimes, music, paint plans

 At the end of June I went to another concert:

All three acts were so good!

{The Hip Abduction, Stephen Marley, Stick Figure}

The music had everyone dancing and singling along the whole time!

It was hot out, but we haven't hit those 100 degree days yet, so it was tolerably in the low 90s.  The Girl took me there AND picked me up with a snack and a bottle of water.  I still ended up walking what felt like miles and was on my feet most of the time.  I was pretty tired the next day but it was worth it!

This deck is the source of some aggravated shoulder issues recently.  I should have just power-washed it to begin with, but no, I scrubbed it TWICE with some deck cleaner, then sealed it.  It came out looking blotchy, even though it is clean.  Next June: power-washing, not scrubbing.  I gave the chairs and table a spiff with black spray paint, and called it done.  I am literally the only person who sees this.

Learning something new, too.  I've been catching up on my reading and focusing on eating more healthily.

Multiple attempts at getting the turntable hooked up just left me frustrated, so I scrapped that idea and bought something to listen to tapes and albums with.  {it also has a radio and CD player, but I will rarely use those} This is where the TV used to live - there are assorted stereo components down below.

I added a tap light on an auto shut-off timer, some command hooks for the album cover of what is playing, and some small baskets for 45s and record-cleaning supplies.

The sound quality is just OK, but I having fun tripping down memory lane with some of my old vinyl.  I just close up the cabinet when I'm done.  The TV went to live in a closet until I decide to get rid of it forever - I literally never watch TV.

I finished up puzzle #2 and am diligently working on #3 and meanwhile, found another three puzzles at Half Price Books. Its a nice calm activity while I listen to music and enjoy the A/C.

The next big project is painting the sewing room.  It should take me about 4 hours total, including moving things, painting, spiffing up the trim, and moving everything back.  The color I chose is about one shade darker than it is now, called Spiced Vinegar.  I also put up the memo board you see.  Its been a lovely space to craft some things lately.  The long hot afternoons were made for creative pursuits!

Gina

5 thing Friday - eating, shopping, Queen Bee, painting, memories

Its full on summer here with a few days of no rain, praise.  In celebration, I took myself to Andy's again, but I realize that I probably should put the brakes on such activities. This one was a blackberry jackhammer - 10/10.

I'm going back to logging my foods and following the rec's from the dietician (exercise plan, sleep hygiene, increase hydration, focus on fiber and protein, limit alcohol).  But I'm also not punishing myself for enjoying life.

Is it too early to think about Christmas?  There's a new Hob Lob near me and I spent some time in their A/C walking around and looking at EVERYTHING which is how I spotted these pink ornaments which would look so pretty on my girlie bedroom tree.  I also need to think about what homemade thing I would like to make the peeps this year.  I work until 3:30 p.m. on Christmas Day, but have most of the week off.

Happy Father's Day to me, the Queen* Bee. 

I bought another paint by number, this one is wood.  I just really loved the colors and it was easier than the last one.  These kinds of projects fill in empty parts of my day when I don't feel like repairing or mowing or fixing or maintaining anything house related. I've been reading and working puzzles more, as well.

Slowly I am coming to grips with cooking for myself.  I have been making all-in-one-pan meals using my mini cast iron skillet.  This one was blackened tilapia, with some frozen peas, and some dirty rice.  Other times I do chicken thighs with potatoes and frozen green beans, or taco meat with sweet potato, pasta and sauce with deboned chicken, etc.  Really any protein with a side works.

I came across this license plate frame and had it hanging in the garage because it sparked happy memories for me.  Adding it to Brigid seemed like a no-brainer.  I think Mark would smile about it.  The lettering may need a touch up some day with oil-based paint and a steady hand.

Gina

*Mark used to call me The Queen and even told the Google Lady that was my name...