A Crazy Kind of Week

 "Lean forward into your life... catch the best bits and the finest wind. Just tip your feathers in flight a wee bit and see how dramatically that small lean can change your life." (Mary Anne Radmacher)

Hello, my lovely friends!

    Oh my goodness, what a whirlwind of a week it has already been! I am honestly looking at my bed right now wondering how on earth I actually managed to catch a few hours of sleep over the last few days. Between Mother Nature throwing an absolute tantrum with this wild, unpredictable weather and the non-stop rush of getting the house completely ready for company tonight, it’s been a beautiful, chaotic blur. If you had told me on Monday that I'd survive on this little sleep and still be standing, I probably would have laughed and asked for an extra-large coffee.

But you know what? Even with the crazy storms and the endless to-do lists, I am just so incredibly excited. There is something so special about opening up your home and gathering the people you love under one roof, even if it means running around like a headless chicken right up until the doorbell rings. The pillows are fluffed, the snacks are prepped, and the cozy vibes are officially set. If you're having a frantic week of your own, please remember to take a deep breath, give yourself some grace, and maybe sneak in a quick nap if you can.

The big excitement is that Renee and George are officially flying in tonight! They’ll be staying with us all the way through Monday afternoon. It’s definitely bittersweet, and there is a heavy, sad cloud hanging over the reason for their visit this time around. Life throws those tough moments at us, but if there’s one beautiful thing about the hard times, it’s how they remind us to lean into the people we love. Even though the circumstances aren't what we would have chosen, I am so incredibly grateful that we get to have this dedicated time together to just be. We’re going to hug a little tighter, talk a little longer, and soak up every single second of each other’s company.

Of course, it wouldn't be a true family visit without a little bit of a game plan! My mom already has a running mental list of a few things around the house that she wants to tackle, and she’s looking forward to having George lend his handy skills to help out with them. There’s something so comforting and bonding about working on projects together, and I know we’ll find some pockets of joy, shared laughs, and good old-fashioned teamwork in between the chores. Here is to a weekend of connection, comfort, and being there for one another.

    You know those random grocery store finds that just completely change your week? That was me a few days ago. I was wandering the aisles at Costco when this seasoning totally caught my eye. Honestly, they 100% won me over with the packaging—it had this gorgeous, vibrant Mexican Day of the Dead skull on it, and I just couldn't resist. I ended up grabbing the all-purpose version, figuring it was worth a shot, but I had no idea how quickly I’d become obsessed.

Naturally, I had to try it right away. I was whipping up a regular old salad for dinner and decided to use the seasoning on some shrimp to throw on top. Oh my goodness, it was so incredibly good! It gave the whole meal this perfect, flavorful kick that turned a standard weeknight salad into something genuinely special.

But the story gets better. Yesterday, I was back at Costco, and what do you know? They were actually handing out samples of french fries tossed in that exact same brand of seasoning, just a different flavor! It felt like fate, so of course I had to grab one. I absolutely loved them, though my mom tried a bite and wasn't quite as big of a fan. To each their own, right? More seasoned fries for me!

While I was there, I also noticed the pre-made Beef and Broccoli stir fry over by the rotisserie chickens and decided to pop it into the cart. We are actually having that for dinner tonight, and I am so excited to see how it turns out. Hopefully, it’s just as much of a hit as my new favorite skull seasoning!

Thanks for dropping in! I’d wish you a good morning, but since I don't know your time zone, let's just go with: Have a spectacular next 24 hours. See you at the next one!