Monday Thoughts ♥

 Hello Friends! Happy Monday! I've been busy working all day but wanted to pop in and say a quick hello and show you my hyacinth plant.  A sure sign that spring is on the way! Every year at this time I treat myself to one from the grocery store.  I LOVE the smell of these plants.  This one has three big bulbs, so I'll be blessed with lots of flowers.  Year after year I replant the bulbs but I've never had luck with them blooming again.  I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong but I'm hopeful this is my year.   

After a very busy and stressful week last week, I had a nice restful weekend and I'm feeling positive about the week ahead.  I heard a quote yesterday that really resonated with me.  It was "happiness is not a destination" and isn't it the truth. How many times have we said to ourselves "I'll be happy when (fill in the blank...)" but it never ends, does it?!  I'll be happy when I lose 10 pounds, or I'll be happy when I get a promotion. I'll be happy when I buy a house or have a baby or go on a trip.  And so on and so on and so on.  There's always more.  It's never a destination.  It's a journey. I don't think anyone is truly happy all the time no matter what they have or have done, are they?  I think I'm striving more for contentment than happiness, if that makes sense.  And like everything else, I take it one day at a time.  I can't worry about tomorrow.  I can only live today. Anyway, that's what I was thinking about and wanted to share with you.  

♥

The weather here today is sunny and in the 40's.  I'm hearing this week we may even touch 50!  I have the heat a touch lower today which is nice, and it doesn't look like I'll need a fire in the wood burner this week! :)

Tonight's plans are chicken francese for dinner (a new recipe I saw online last night) and watching the movie Conclave.  Have you seen it?  Next week is the Oscars and I've hardly seen any of the movies! 

Have a great night, friends! ♥

xoxo

Something To Think About....

 

For me anxiety happens when I start worrying about the future.  Things that may or may not even happen. And it's always the worst case scenario.  I've learned that I'm a happier, calmer person when I just focus on the present day, and not think about what could happen tomorrow.  

I hear the term "live in the moment" all the time, but it wasn't until I actually started doing it that I understood the peace it can bring.  Last year because of my constant worrying I developed a severe case of hives.  When feeing anxious, they would sneak up on me and attack my entire body.  Red, itching, burning, miserable, hives. After seeing my dermatologist to get some type of relief I was told to simply "manage my stress" and they would go away.  Not what I wanted to hear and naturally it caused me more stress.  If I knew how to manage it I would be getting the hives. 

Through seeing another doctor and talking things through I've learned techniques that help me now and even though I do still have breakouts, it's not as bad as it used to be.  One of the main things that has helped me manage it is this quote.  Master the day.  No one has it all figured out and no one knows for certain what tomorrow will bring.  We have to live in the now and try to enjoy every day we have.  One day at a time.  So I'll just keep doing that.  Today, tomorrow, and everyday : ) 

Happy Wednesday Friends!  I hope you all have a wonderful day.  Stress free! Xx 

Current Favorite things! ♥

Hello Friends and happy Monday! ♥

 I hope you all had a great week and a restful weekend.

 I had a long to-do list of chores to get done around the house this weekend and guess what? None of it got done. My heart wasn't in it and that's ok.  That's how it goes sometimes.  Taking John to the movies was more appealing than washing the bathroom floor.  I have no regrets.  So I'm starting this week off still looking at Valentines Day decorations (because they didn't get put away) and a mound of laundry that's going in the wash as soon as I finish this post.  It will all get done.  Eventually : ) 

 I was thinking about what to post today and I had a thought that I haven't done a current favorites post in a while.  

So without further adieu here are 10 of my current favorite things:

 1. Homemade pasta ♥

Recently I've started making my own pasta.  It's so much easier than people think and tastes so much better than store bought.  All you need are eggs, flour, salt and a little time.  I have a stand alone "crank" pasta maker, not an attachment to my stand mixer.

It takes very little time to mix up the dough and crank it through the machine.  Something about that last step where the dough is cut into spaghetti is so satisfying!  My love language is feeding my family and this method certainly fills my heart with joy!  Here is a the basic pasta recipe I've been following.  I think I'm ready to move on to raviolis! 

(link to recipe)

2. Walking ♥

The weather has been unseasonably warm here.  Here we are in February and last week it was 60 degrees!  I'm not sure what's going on...  I've been taking advantage of the warm days and trying to get out for walks when I can. It's still chilly, but no where near where it usually is in February.  I like to walk this beach that's near me.  I'm not a fan of exercise but knowing I get an ocean view motives me to get out of the house.  I always feel better when I get home. I'll put on a podcast or my current audio book and walk for 30 minutes.  It ends up being a lovely experience.  

(and before you ask, there are plenty of other walkers there like me so it's completely safe:) 

 

3. Neutrogena eye cream ♥

Taking good care of my skin has always been a priority for me.  I have very dry, sensitive skin and I break out easily.  Because of that, I have a morning and evening skin care routine that I follow religiously (or try to anyway:).  Over the past year I have noticed a lot of changes to my skin.  The natural process of aging is happening and that's ok.  My eye area is a particular concern of mine.  I have dark circles that even the strongest Columbian coffee can't fix.  Also crows feet and fine lines.  We all have them.  It's just life.  Keeping my skin moisturized is vital.  I use an exfoliating cleanser, face serum, eye cream, and moisturizer. I would like to do a whole post on skin care sometime, but for now I need to tell you about this eye cream.  Because I love it. It's transformed my eye area and makes the makeup around my eyes look so much better.  I use it twice a day.  Definitely a holy grail beauty product for me.  

Love Love Love! 

Trader Joes Flowers ♥

I think everyone already knows this by now, but just incase you don't - if you have a Trader Joes near you, you must stop in for a dose of spring! They have the best selection of cut flowers at the best prices!  I stopped in on Saturday to get blueberries (for Sunday pancakes :) and I couldn't resist coming home with some beautiful carnations (see picture above).  They have so many beautiful bouquets to pick from.  Note to self: I think I'll go every week. 

PS here's a picture of the pancakes I grilled in my cast iron pan (another favorite thing).  

SO YUMMY! 

4. Evening Tea ♥

I've mention before how much I love my afternoon tea time.  Lately I've been pushing it to later in the evening.  It's wonderful to wind down with a cup of tea, especially on a winter's night.  I'm also trying to have my herbal teas without sugar.  So far so good : ) 

Here's the one I'm currently loving from Bigelow ♥

I have an idea to do a future blog post on my favorite teas and favorite coffees so stay tuned for that : ) 

5. Twice Bake Potatoes ♥

Just like with the pasta, I'm learning to try things that I have always assumed to be too difficult.  Especially with recipes, just because there may be a few more steps than I'm normally used to, I can manage it.  For our Valentines Day dinner John requested twice baked potatoes.  He'd had them once in a restaurant and loved them.  I gave them a go, and guess what?! I did it and they were delicious! A big hit for all of us!  I will definitely make them again.  Here's the recipe I used (I left out the bacon)

(link to recipe)

6. Breaking Bad & Better Call Saul ♥

So what have you been watching?  I just finished watching the entire series of Breaking Bad and it's prequel Better Call Saul.  AMAZING!!! Both had me on the edge of my seat.  For a certified lover of Hallmark movies this was big stretch for me and do you know what? I couldn't get enough of this world. I can't decided which series I loved best because they were both so good.  The acting is phenomenal!  Both are available on Netflix! Highly recommend! 

 

7. Chicken Piccada ♥

One of the easiest recipes I know and still one of our favorites.  I've been making this alot this winter and we haven't gotten sick of it yet.  If you use the thin chicken breasts you won't need a knife to cut them! 30 minutes is all it takes.  It's my go to recipe for when I have no idea what to make.  In fact, it's what's for dinner tonight! LOL 

(blog post with recipe linked here)

8. The Body Shop Boost Hand Lotion ♥

I purchased this hand cream for myself at Christmastime.  My hands get SO DRY and cracked that sometimes they actually hurt.  I've been using this hand lotion at night (it's on my nightstand so I remember) and it's helped so much!!  I rub it on my cuticles and in the morning my hands feel soft and pain free!!! Whatever is left on my hands I will rub onto my heels as well.  Heavenly!  

The citrus scent is also very nice :) 

9. I Love Lucy on Pluto TV ♥

Pluto TV now as an I Love Lucy channel (under classic TV).  Finally!!! 

Now I can watch my favorite show anytime I want, 24 hours a day!  Whenever I need a little Lucy, she's there for me.  It's been my favorite show since I was 12 years old.  I love it so so much.  

10. This quote which has stuck with me this past week...

#quoteoftheweek

It's so true! Thanks for the reminder, Your Majesty ♥  

And there you have it! 10 current favorite things.  

What are some of yours? 

Have a wonderful week, friends! Thanks for stopping by today! 

Stay cozy!! xoxoxo 

Quote of the Week ♥

Good morning friends and happy Monday! 

How was your weekend?  Despite it being bitterly cold, mine was lovely. We saw family on Saturday night and Sunday I did my usual puttering around the house (which you know I love to do : )  

I read a quote the other day that I can't get out of my head.  It was this:

"Cultivate the life you love, not wait for it to happen" 

♥

These words repeated in my head over and over. 

So what exactly does this mean? 

Well, for me it means do the things I love, nurture the things, people, and relationships that are import to me, and create an environment and lifestyle that I am comfortable in.  

All the things I know in my heart to be true, but sometimes I need a little reminder.  

This was it ♥

Work on goals and hobbies, however big or small. Nothing will happen if I don't do it.  Nothing will change unless I change it.  I save so many things for "rainy days" that never come.  On Saturday I made these cute little pastry envelopes for no reason other than to bring me joy.  

It worked : )   

I'm creating a lifestyle that is truly me. 

So read the book, start the journal you've been thinking about, go on the trip, plant the garden.  Download your favorite music and go for a drive.  Stop for a coffee.  Get the extra whip cream.  Bake the cake, watch all the movies on your list, call your friends, visit them often, decorate the room, wear the lipstick and the pretty shirt, be polite, smile often, love much, and most of all, don't let others drag you down. 

Do all the things.  The only one that can make it happen is YOU.  We only get one shot at this life. Shouldn't it be beautiful? I think so too ♥

"Cultivate the life you love, not wait for it to happen" 

Wise words.  What does it mean to you? 

Have a wonderful and cozy day Friends! 

Thank you for visiting today! I'm glad you're here! 

xoxoxo