Yesterday was a very difficult day, and I appreciate having the opportunity to blow off a little steam via my blog here. But I can't remain in a headspace of stress and uncertainty for the next 70 days, so I'm going to work even harder than normal to stay engaged and focused on the many wonderful things that make up our lives here in S. California.
So, Currently I Am . . .
Loving FaceTime. For the last week, my six year old granddaughter has been using her mom's phone to FaceTime us every evening in order to read several books out loud to us, and we are loving it. Generally she spends a few minutes telling us about her day , then sits down with a pile of beginning reader books and reads to us. The process of listening to her read has been just wonderful. We are able to help her sound out new words, help her with words that can't be sounded out, and talk a little about each story as she finishes. Since we've been doing this with her almost daily, it's been exciting to see and hear how quickly her reading is progressing. And I know her mom, our youngest daughter, has appreciated the break it provides since she is on her own during weekdays for the most part, due to our military son-in-law being on temporary assignment in a different part of their state that only affords him the opportunity to return home on the weekends.
Cooking These Greek Burgers with Feta & Yogurt Sauce. They turned out delicious! I chose to make mine with ground beef, not ground lamb because, well, I can't stand the taste of lamb personally (to my husband's disappointment I should add - he loves lamb!). I grow my own oregano, which the recipe calls for a lot of, and the fresh herbs really brighten up what is already a terrific recipe. I also cut each burger in half, so one half burger per pita half, because for us personally we prefer meat to be the side component rather than the star. Plus it then allowed more room in each pita 'bun' for fresh vegetables and yummy feta-yogurt sauce.
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| Source: Eating Well |
Looking Forward To The weekend, simply because the house will be empty then of remodeling workers. Our last big interior remodeling project kicked off on Monday, and although the team working here has been professional and conscientious, it is always a bit of an adjustment turning the house over to other people. Plus, due to the pandemic we are trying to stay completely away from where the team is working, meaning just a small portion of the house is 'ours' currently. I would love to simply leave each day, but alas, I cannot in that there are many small design decisions that need to be addressed as they come up, and I'm the one of us that does that. So, the weekends will be particularly appreciated between now and the middle of December, when the job should be completed.
Happy That I will soon have four beautifully remodeled bathrooms, and a pretty linen cabinet and laundry room to enjoy. All six items were stuck in 1980's builder grade mode prior to our remodel kicking off, so the change should be dramatic, and once they are all completed the entire house will have been upgraded. Truly, as I walked around yesterday, I wasn't able to identify any other element in the house that needed refreshing, so I do think this is 'it' and we'll be able to settle in and enjoy for a good time to come.
Reading My first spy novel as a result of my Book Club, the so-far-excellent Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by British author John Le Carre. Mr. Le Carre is credited with being among the first in the spy genre, thus why we selected it. It's full of the usual British wit, of which I am a hugh fan, and the story, though a bit confusing (I think this is common in spy novels, yes?) is excellently written, and exciting enough so far to keep me reading ahead of my book club chapter reading schedule.
I'm also reading The Lake of Dreams by Kim Edwards, who also wrote the compelling and beautiful The Memory Keeper's Daughter. This is what I call a 'Just for me' book vs. the books I read for my various book clubs.
With the shorter days, and the need to hide out from our contractors during the day, I anticipate lots of reading will occur this month and next.
That's it for me this week. What's going on currently where you are?
Bet your remodeling will be lovely! Just requested both books although I'm sure I read the Le Carre years ago. Lots of reading here as there isn't much else to do although I managed a 1 1/2 mile walk Monday with is a post surgery best so far.
ReplyDeleteJuhli, I would definitely recommend Kim Edward's first book, 'The Memory Keeper's Daughter if you haven't yet rezd. It's lovely. Hoping this book will be just as good, but I've just started it so the verdict is still out.
DeleteThose Greek pitta pockets look delicious! I'm like your husband, lamb is high on my list of favourite meats. I bet you can't wait for all the construction work to be done, after all the time planning and shopping for tiles, taps etc it's great when the work actually starts. Good to have some books on the go for when you are trying to ignore the work going on around you!
ReplyDeleteHi Debs, yesterday we finally found the last element needed for our remodel- shower drains. So mundane you would think, but, no, actually, they are awesome. They have a hidden built-in trap for catching hair that can be easily removed for cleaning, meaning no more clogs. So cool!
DeleteThe burgers and feta yogurt sauce would be even better with lamb I am sure, but I'll have to take your word for it. I've tried and tried to get over my aversion to lamb, but sadly I just can't seem to. 😕
Tamara, learning to read is a huge accomplishment for kids. The fact that you and your husband are able to participate in the process so intimately from across the miles is one of the blessings of technology. Congrats to your granddaughter - it must be heartwarming to see and share in her progress!
ReplyDeleteMary, considering we live 3000 miles apart, it is amazing that we can still be a daily and important part of her life. I am so, so appreciative of what technology allows. And of course as grandparents, we can give her our undivided attention for as long as she wants, which she seems to thrive on. As does her mama, our daughter, but for very different reasons. LOL 😆
DeleteReading: Just finished Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. It was a book a couldn't wait to get back to.
DeleteCooking: There's a pot of carrot/rice soup in the fridge that I "embellished" with a pkg of Untamed Feast's wild rice/mushroom soup mix. Delicious.
Looking forward to: I'm anticipating Christmas, however that may play out this year. I particularly enjoy the preparations. Need to have the sugar cookies ready for the grandkids to decorate. And, ~5 wks until the winter solstice and the coming of the light.
Loving: The rush of fall activities is over and I'm loving the slower pace with time for reading in front of the wood stove and lighting candles and warm throws. Hygge in all its glory.
Happy: I'm happy to have enough good food, good health, good friends to sustain me. And speaking of health, those uninterrupted 6-7 hr sleeps make me happy.
Thank you for sharing, Mona. Your life sounds positively cozy at the moment!
DeleteTamara, I love to use FaceTime to talk with my friends overseas. No more expensive long distance calls. We've had a good stretch of nice weather here so I'm happy and look forward to being outside cycling and walking along the lake front. I just finished reading Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin. Good novel. It was made into a movie in 2011. You might have read and/ or seen it.
ReplyDeleteNovember is such a beautiful month to be outdoors, everything feels so crisp! And then to come back inside where it's warm, and sit down to a good book? I don't think it gets much better. ☺
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