Just the Facts #3

 "I think happiness is what makes you pretty. Period. Happy people are beautiful. They become like a mirror and they reflect that happiness." (Drew Barrymore)

 

Hello, my lovely friends! 

 

 Welcome to another edition of Friday Funday! I'm enjoying the process of developing these weekly themes, and this week, we'll be focusing on sports.

 

1. Track and field day held a special magic for me. I remember the thrill of running, the pride of being chosen for the relay, and the cascade of colorful ribbons. It was a full-day celebration, capped off with a joyful school picnic. Yet, there was one event that always caused a flicker of dread: the long jump. I'd invariably find a way to avoid it.

 

2. My heart belonged to the balance beam in gymnastics, a love that my dad understood. He built me a backyard version, a simple wooden plank that became a portal to my gymnastic dreams. I remember the countless hours spent practicing, the thrill of each cartwheel, and even the occasional splinter, a small price for the joy it brought.  

3. My love for the Chicago Bulls during the Michael Jordan era was all-consuming. I was decked out in their gear, glued to the TV for every game, and thrilled to see them in Denver whenever I could. It was a family affair too; my baby nephew/godson, Cuinn, sported Bulls sweatsuits, and my mom even surprised me with a Bulls-themed birthday cake. Those years were truly special.

 

4.  I'm a big fan of both basketball and baseball, though I'm a die-hard Yankees supporter, not a fan of our local team. It's been especially fun over the years, as my brother-in-law, a Boston native, and I have a classic Yankees-Red Sox rivalry. He's lost some of his enthusiasm for baseball lately, though.

 

5.  I love watching the Avalanche, and one of my most cherished memories is from their first championship year. I was working at the mall when Joe Sakic walked in! The buzz that rippled through the store was electric; everyone recognized him instantly. I remember my heart pounding as he approached, a legend in front of me. I managed to swiftly and excitedly snag his autograph, and even managed to get ones for Kyle and Cuinn. I recall the way he smiled and interacted with everyone, making each person feel seen. It was a brief moment, but it's etched in my mind as a perfect snapshot of that championship excitement.

 

6.  Wrestling isn't just entertainment for me; it's a connection to my childhood. My dad taking me and my best friend to that first live event, when we were barely teenagers, was a pivotal moment. I remember the raw energy, the boisterous fans, and the pure excitement when our favorites came out. It was a shared experience that bonded us, and it fueled a passion that's taken me to countless shows since.

 

Thank you for stopping by! Wishing you a day/evening/morning filled with sunshine, laughter, and perhaps a little bit of magic. Until next time, ta-ta for now!

Jazzing Up Store Bought Ramen

"When you're trying to motivate yourself, appreciate the fact that you're even thinking about making a change. And as you move forward, allow yourself to be good enough." (Alice Domar)

Hello, my lovely friends!

 Okay, ramen lovers, let's talk! We all know that sudden urge for a steaming bowl of deliciousness. But sometimes, hitting up a ramen shop just isn't in the cards. So, I've been experimenting with store-bought ramen, and I'm excited to share my game-changing tweaks! My recent grocery run left me with a mountain of instant noodles, and I knew I had to level them up. Forget boring instructions – these are restaurant-inspired ramen hacks you won't want to miss!

 

 What I did…
1. Take any ramen noodle bowl or packet. I used two cups of water in my pan and the seasoning packet that comes in the bowl. If you use a ramen bowl instead of the packet there is usually more than one seasoning packet. I put them all in and brought it to a boil.

2. While the water is heating up I thinly cut up some mushrooms. I also got some shrimp and pot stickers (wontons) ready. 

3. This is going to go by fast as soon as it boils. The first thing I’m going to do is throw in the wontons and let those go for about five minutes alone. They take about eight to nine minutes so they need a head start. After five minutes I then toss in the mushrooms and noodles and let that all go for another three to four minutes. I throw in the shrimp and let everything cook for another three minutes.

4. I use a pasta bowl to put everything in. My mom said I should have added some spring onions to it, but you all know how I feel about onions. Next time for my mom I will. 

 

Thank you for stopping by! Wishing you a day/evening/morning filled with sunshine, laughter, and perhaps a little bit of magic. Until next time, ta-ta for now!

Coconut Shrimp (recipe)

 "Leave the door open for the unknown, the door into the dark. That's where the most important things come from, where you yourself came from and where you will go." (Rebecca Solnit)

Hello, my lovely friends!

 

 I’m back with the recipes and this was a request from my mom. I made this last year and she loved it. Her favorite thing to eat at Red Lobster is their coconut shrimp with the Pina Colada dipping sauce. There are so many different recipes online, but the one I found for the sauce is spot on. There are some that want you to cook it on the stove with flour and no this one is just like it. This is a great recipe to have during Lent if you do the no meat on Friday thing.

Pina Colada Dipping Sauce
1∕2 cup sour cream
1∕4 cup pina colada nonalcoholic drink mix
1∕4 cup crushed pineapple (canned)
!/2 cup shredded coconut

Coconut Shrimp Batter:
Panko Breadcrumbs (2 cups)
Shredded Coconut (1 cup)
Flour or corn starch (1 ½ cup)
½ tsp. Paprika
¼ tsp. Cayenne Pepper
Salt & Pepper
2 Eggs
Water

Directions
Heat oil in a dutch oven or deep-sided pot/pan. Oil should heat to 340°F before frying.

Lay out the shrimp, pat dry, and season.

Set up three shallow bowls for the dredging process: one with flour, paprika, cayenne pepper, white pepper, & salt; a second with eggs and water whisked together; and a third with breadcrumbs and shredded coconut.

Dip the shrimp in the flour mixture, then the eggs, then the breadcrumb/coconut mixture. And then dip it a second time in the eggs, and again in the breadcrumbs. Then place it in the hot oil to fry.

I placed them on a cookie rake with paper towels underneath to drain oil. I don’t like placing them directly on the paper towels because they get soggy.

It's so good. The sauce is just like Red Lobster. I need to put this recipe in my recipe book to keep forever. 

 

Thank you for stopping by! Wishing you a day/evening/morning filled with sunshine, laughter, and perhaps a little bit of magic. Until next time, ta-ta for now!

Giving Some Encouragement

 

Same Thing Over and Over Again

 "Take chances, make mistakes. That's how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave." (Mary Tyler Moore)

 

Hello,my lovely friends!

 

     The snow's playing a vanishing act, a fleeting white whisper against the thaw. But don't stow your mittens just yet! Next weekend a dusting is on the horizon, a gentle reminder that winter still holds the stage. And let's be honest, March? That's when the snow really throws its best party. So, while the landscape breathes a sigh of relief, remember, we're just hitting the reset button on moisture, not the spring countdown.

 

     Okay, confession time: my house is officially staging an intervention. It's been a while since the carpets saw the light of day, and the drapes are practically whispering, 'Clean me.' So, this week, Operation Spring Cleaning is a go! Since 'travel' currently means a trip to the fridge, we might as well make our home a place we actually love hanging out in. Plus, we've been dreaming up some changes – you know, finally making this place ours. And speaking of dreams, I have this whole plan for the den. It's currently a 'Dad's stuff/random junk' zone, but I want to turn it into my mom's art studio. She's always talking about painting and creating, but she's the queen of putting herself last. I'm determined to make her a space that screams 'You deserve this!

 

   Mom's pain is a rollercoaster, up and down, a daily struggle against a cocktail of meds, now including cannabis gummies. It's a hard pill to swallow, literally and figuratively, for her to see me going into a dispensary. But they work, and that's what matters. I've seen improvements, moments of clarity and ease, but then the pain strikes again, a cruel reminder. It's tough seeing her like this. I'm just hoping this current surge is finally subsiding, for her sake and mine. It's a weight on my shoulders, a constant worry in the back of my mind. I try to be strong for her, to offer a smile and a comforting presence, but sometimes it's hard. I see the toll it takes on her, the way it steals her joy and energy. But she's a fighter, my mom. She never gives up, always searching for a way to manage the pain, to reclaim some semblance of normalcy. And I'll be right there beside her, every step of the way, offering my support and love.

 Thank you for stopping by! Wishing you a day/evening/morning filled with sunshine, laughter, and perhaps a little bit of magic. Until next time, ta-ta for now!

 

Just the Facts #2

 "Think for a minute about what makes you fabulous and how you can celebrate it." (Laura Mercier)

Hello, my lovely friends!

    Woohoo! It's FRIDAY! And because Fridays are for fun, I thought I'd share a few random, quirky things about myself. As always let us know something about yourself. 

1. I'm a vintage soul, my heart beats to the rhythm of a bygone era. I'm drawn to the elegance of classic furniture, the charm of old movies, the melodies of vintage music, and the stories whispered by old books. My DVR is a time capsule, filled with treasures from Turner Classic Movies. My top ten favorite films are a cinematic journey through the golden age of Hollywood, each a masterpiece frozen in time.

 

2. I'm pretty much a swear-free zone. Okay, maybe a "damn," "hell," or "ass" slips out on the rarest of blue moons. But honestly? "Crap" covers 99% of my needs. It was a no-no growing up, so it just kind of...stuck. And you know what? I've never really felt the need for anything stronger. Just doesn't seem worth it to me.

 

3. I've got a high bar for how I treat myself, and I think everyone deserves that same level of self-respect. It's too easy to underestimate our own worth, and I'm just not about that. I give respect, so I expect it in return. If that's not your vibe, then we're probably not a match. I'm not willing to compromise my values or lower my standards for anyone.

 

4.  I try to live with a positive outlook. It's not always easy, we all have those days where the struggle is real. But generally, I find joy in the everyday. I've known what it's like to be in a dark place, and honestly, I refuse to go back there. I've learned that darkness can be a heavy burden, and I'm choosing lightness now. So, I look for the good, even when it's hard to find.

 

5. I've saved every single card I've ever received, from birthdays and holidays to just-because notes. It all started way back in kindergarten, and now my collection lives in a big bin. My grand plan is to one day organize them all by year – a fun little trip down memory lane. I'm so happy I started this, especially because I have some treasured cards from my dad and grandparents. It's like a little time capsule of love and well wishes!

 

Thank you for stopping by! Wishing you a day/evening/morning filled with sunshine, laughter, and perhaps a little bit of magic. Until next time, ta-ta for now!

Well That Was Something Else...

 "The inward journey is about finding your own fullness, something that no one else can take away." (Deepak Chopra)

 

Hello, my lovely friends!  

    I've been MIA for a few days, felled by a nasty cold. It definitely threw a wrench into things, especially caring for Mom, but we weathered the storm. It was a short but intense bout of crud, but I'm finally back on my feet.

 

     Remember those winters? The ones where snow piled high and the air bit with a delicious, frosty edge? For a few years, we'd almost forgotten what a real winter felt like, basking in unseasonably mild temperatures. But winter's back, baby! And honestly? I'm kind of thrilled. Especially from the cozy vantage point of my warm house. I know, I know, many of us are bundled up and braving the chill, but think of it this way: every snowflake that falls is one step closer to spring. We'll get through this, together, one chilly breath at a time. Sunshine and daffodils are just over the horizon.

 

    Valentine's Day was bittersweet this year. I wanted to make it special for my mom, who's been missing my dad terribly. I surprised her with flowers and chocolates, and we spent the day and evening cuddled up watching movies. It was a small gesture, but I hoped it brightened her day a little.

 

     The added stress of a jury summons hasn't helped. A few weeks ago, I received one and honestly panicked. With Mom struggling so much – she's barely even making it downstairs anymore – there's no way I can leave her. I've been bringing all her meals upstairs, and we've been having dinner together in her room. It's a lot of running up and down, but it's better than her trying to navigate the stairs in her condition.

 

     So, I filled out the caregiver exemption form and sent it to Kaiser last Monday. They said it would take a few days to process, which was cutting it close since my summons was for today. You only have a week to respond, and by Thursday, I was starting to get really anxious. Friday came and went, and still no word from Kaiser. I'm on pins and needles, hoping they come through.

 

     My quest for this elusive document began on Monday with a phone call, a week after my initial request. "Where is it?" I'd asked, only to discover it had been languishing at the front desk, unknown even to her doctor. Rage simmered. They promised a nurse's call that never came.

 

    Tuesday, I took matters into my own hands, emailing her doctor directly. Within minutes, a helpful voice was on the line, promising the paperwork within the hour. Hope flickered. Two hours later, I arrived, only to find…nothing. Not only that, but her doctor had left for the day, requiring a frantic call for approval and a stand-in signature. My courthouse deadline loomed, then vanished with the closing bell. Dejected, I plotted a Wednesday morning assault, the day before my reporting deadline. Dismissal seemed impossible.

 

    Wednesday dawned, and I marched into the deserted office, a ghost town. At the front desk, I recounted my week-long odyssey. The receptionist, bless her soul, efficiently processed the paperwork, confirmed my number, and uttered the magic words: "You're dismissed." Five minutes. Five minutes after a week of frustration. The irony stung, but the relief washed over me in a tidal wave. My bureaucratic Everest, conquered in a sprint.

 

     A wave of relief washed over me. I'd checked the draft call numbers, and mine was up. The thought of leaving Mom alone, though...it was impossible. Bringing her wasn't an option either; her pain made sitting through anything unbearable. I was stuck. Then, the best news: postponement until April! Even better, Mom suggested I get the paperwork signed declaring me her sole caregiver. That would mean a lifetime deferment. Perfect. It solved everything.

 

    Now, I can finally relax. And just in time, too—it's snowing again! I'm so grateful I don't have to venture out into that white flurry. Instead, I'll curl up inside and enjoy the winter wonderland from the warmth of my window.

 

 Thank you for stopping by! Wishing you a day/evening/morning filled with sunshine, laughter, and perhaps a little bit of magic. Until next time, ta-ta for now!

Getting Better

 

Love Yourself First

 

Under the Weather

 

Happy Valentine's Day Y'all

 

A Little Hot Cocoa to Warm You Up

 

 "Life is going to give you just what you put into it. Put your whole heart in everything you do." (Vivian Baxter)

Hello my lovely friends! 

Its been freezing here for the past couple of days not even getting to double digits. Not much is going on since my mom has that pain that keeps her home and I have to stay to make sure she's okay. The other morning while cleaning the kitchen I decided to make us some hot cocoa.

 

White Peppermint Cocoa

2 cups of milk (fat-free or low-fat)
1/2 cup of white chocolate chips
2 pieces of white peppermint chocolate squares (use a couple of peppermint cadies)
Lite or sugar-free Cool Whip


Directions
Pour the cold milk into your saucepan and heat it on medium-low. Add the white chocolate chips and continuously whisk the milk, you do not want to step away because it could boil over if it gets to hot. Add the peppermint chocolate or the peppermint candies. It turns the milk to a light pink color, very pretty. About 6 to 10 minutes later it should be done. Pour into your favorite mug and add a cup of dollops of whipped cream and curl up and enjoy!

Thank you for stopping by! Wishing you a day/evening/morning filled with sunshine, laughter, and perhaps a little bit of magic. Until next time, ta-ta for now!

Beef Pot Roast (Recipe)

 

“Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.” (Harriet Van Horne)

Hello, my lovely friends!

 

 There are days when I loathe cooking, but most days I love it. I enjoy the whole process of finding a recipe or looking through cookbooks, cutting everything up and then cooking. The other day was one of those days.

Beef Pot Roast
Beef Roast (3lbs.)
Potatoes, cut in half (used small ones)
Bell Pepper, bit sized pieces
Onion, cut and quartered
Carrots, cut in the size of a baby carrot
Mushrooms, sliced in thick pieces (1 small container)
Herbs de Provence, 1 TBSP.
Olive Oil, ½ cup
Salt & Pepper, to taste

Directions
1. In a large roasting pan and spray it with Pam. Turn the over on to 325 and prep all the veggies.
2.. In a bowl I put potatoes in, put some olive oil and the herbs, salt and pepper and mixed them. On the outer part of the dish put the potatoes down flesh side. I then did the same thing to all the veggies and then add them to the dish.
3. Turn the stove on high and I put a cast iron pan on it. I put salt and pepper on both sides of the roast. In the cast iron I put some oil in it and browned the roast on all sides. I then put it on top of the veggies. I covered the whole thing with foil.
4. I cooked it at 325 for about an hour and a 20 minutes. I took the foil off the last fifteen minutes.

    

Thank you for stopping by! Wishing you a day/evening/morning filled with sunshine, laughter, and perhaps a little bit of magic. Until next time, ta-ta for now!

 

 

Find the Beauty in Things