It really is two steps forward, one step backward for me these days. I work hard, really hard, to accept what is, and find joy in the present moment, but every so often I stumble and get caught up in what used to be. And, well, this past week was one of those weeks.
What I Am Currently . . .
Feeling I have been through a flurry of feelings this week. Sadness that my youngest daughter and granddaughters are now being back home on the opposite coast, and thus so far away. Concern about two close friends struggling with cancer. Fear at being thrust into a social situation that turned out not to be as safe as it had been presented; and from which we bailed halfway through to the possible detriment of a friendship. Which then led to anger at the lack of compliance by my fellow citizens, which will simply prolong the agony for the rest of us.
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| Both photos taken during their recent visit here in California. I miss these little sweeties soooooo much. |
So, yep, quite the mixed bag of emotions over the last seven days.
Cooking I made a lovely salad for our weekly picnic dinner at the harbor, this Chicken and Garbanzo Spinach Salad from Cooking Light magazine, one of my go-to sources. And tonight we are making Japanese style grilled chicken, thanks to this post from the wonderful Laura of The Occasional Nomads.
Also on the menu for the week will be carne asada that I bought from a specialty Mexican carniceria, which we'll be grilling and serving with homemade chimichurri.
Baking Oh boy, what I disaster my recent attempts to bake a boxed angel food cake turned out to be! Not one hour after our cleaning service had left our home absolutely spic and span, I attempted to make a boxed angel food cake using my Kitchen Aid countertop mixer. The mixer, even on the lowest setting, was simply too much for the boxed mix ingredients, and it sent cake mix flying every. where. Literally everywhere. I ended up having to wipe down my wood floors four times to get up all the sugar residue.
On the bright side, however,although the angel food cake baked up a little shorter than normal (a lot of cake mix got flung out of that bowl!), it was still much enjoyed with whip cream and fresh berries that I first macerated in a 1/4 cup each of aged balsamic vinegar, sugar, and water. So, all's well that ends well.
Watching Netflix's Indian Matchmaking. I am endlessly interested in Indian culture, and as a result I am thoroughly enjoy this somewhat-fluffy series. It's easy viewing, what can I say?
And I've been watching Hillary on Hulu, which is sort of my carbon footprint offset to above. 😄
Buying Not very much after last week's many purchases. My primary spend this week, aside from groceries, was at a We Olive store that is closing near us. I purchased some truffle oil, a back up bottle of 18-year aged balsamic vinegar, several jars of olive tempenade, and a half dozen jars of their wonderful dips. I will miss this store so much!
Indulging In We were recently told about a gourmet doughnut shop near us, so after completing a six mile sand walk at the beach a few days ago, we thought we'd burned enough calories to drop by and give the place, JD Flannel Donuts, a try. We decided on a Bacon Maple raised doughnut, cut it carefully in half, took our respective bites, looked at each other and agreed we'd just died and gone to heaven. Yep, it was that good.
Looking Forward To Starting golf lessons. We are signed up with a private instructor and will be sharing four one hour private lessons, a half hour for me, then a half hour for my husband who has played before.
Also, one of the organizations I volunteer for, on
How about you? What's happening currently where you are?
