Dear Tension Headaches....I guess you are good friends with my sinus, because you jumped right on the bandwagon and have plagued me for a week and a half. Quite frankly, I'm sick of you both and can't wait for you to leave.
Dear Valentine's Day....Maybe I should be thrilled you're here, but we've never been one to celebrate this date, so fur us it's just another day. We do the flowers, chocolates and I love you's all year long, so I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything, but for those that celebrate, I know you make them happy, so thank you for that.
Dear Cold Weather....Ok you've shown off, now it's time to go. I was so happy with warmer weather and then you swept in, knocked us off our feet and have frozen us the past 3 days. Can you please just go? You can come back next year.
Dear Elliott....You're a cat and all that, and I know you have your personality and cats are supposed to be stuck up and not very loving and friendly, but you love me. Oh you love me and you've chosen me as your favorite person and that makes me so happy. I never thought I would love a cat but here I am, besotted with this literal fur ball. Stop acting like you don't care sometimes, I know you do.
Dear Kaia....I don't think you'll ever know just how much I love you and how you have healed my heart after Marley's loss. Your eyes are filled with love, and you have the sweetest face and disposition. You really are my shadow, at least during the day and during the week when daddy is at work, because on the weekends? Not so much, I hardly see you Hahahah
Dear Chickpeas....You have become my go to, one of my absolutely favorite foods if not the favorite at this point. I love how versatile you are, how healthy you are and how happy you make me each time I take a bite. It's crazy, but you really are the best food ever. Thank you for giving me sustenance for the past year, you helped me through some hard times. Best friends forever ♥
Many of you have been enjoying these Friday letters and have emailed me asking if I could add a linky. I wasn't going to because I didn't think anyone would want to join in, but I will add one today, in case some of you want to jump in. Even if just one of you joins, that's ok.
4 bone-in pork chops (or boneless)
1 envelope onion soup mix (1 oz. packet)
1 (14 oz.) can chicken broth (lower sodium)
1 can (10.5 oz.) cream of chicken soup
1 envelope dry pork gravy mix (1 oz. packet)
1 tsp. garlic powder
to thicken sauce:
3 tbsp. corn starch
3 tbsp. cold water
In a 5-6 quart oval slow cooker, combine onion soup mix, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup and pork gravy mix.
Whisk together until combined.
Season both sides of the chops with a little bit of garlic powder.
Place pork chops into the slow cooker.
Do your best to spread them out and cover with the gravy mixture.
Cover and cook on low about 4-6 hours.
Just before the pork chops are done - whisk together the corn starch and
cold water in a small bowl. Once it is smooth, pour it in with your
pork chops in the slow cooker and stir gently.
Cover and switch the slow cooker to high and cook for another 30 minutes (until gravy has thickened.)
This one takes me back as well. I was born in 1974 and grew up in the 80s with all the good music.
There are specific songs that remind me of different times, and I can be instantly transported to a certain year, place, country. This one from F.R David, is one that takes me back to our life in Portugal and makes me miss those days, so very much.
Good morning everyone, welcome back on this beautiful Monday morning.
It is the start of a new week and actually one of my most loved days. I know you probably think I'm insane but I do love Mondays, I always have. I get excited thinking about giving the house a good clean and getting things ready for the busy week ahead. It's also grocery shopping week so I need to work on a new meal plan, which is something I also really enjoy doing. At this point, if you want to just completely disown me, go ahead, I know i tend to love things that others may find crazy. Hahaha
Before I shock anyone else with more random facts about me, let's just get on with our post for today.
Have a blessed week my friends!
The weather in my neck of the woods:::
We're back down to cold weather, like really cold weather, and had some rain here and there the past few days. This morning, we woke up to gray clouds and more rain. Who's ready for spring?
Monday - Rain showers, 40
Tuesday - Cloudy, 40
Wednesday - Morning ice, 32
Thursday - Partly cloudy, 36
Friday - Cloudy, 57
Saturday - Partly cloudy, 45
Sunday - Mostly sunny, 43
As I look outside my window:::
Dark skies, gloomy looking trees. I can't wait for green and sun and spring to come along. I don't get seasonal depression or sadness, but even I start to get sick of the gloomy winter weather after a while.
Right now I am:::
Sitting on my bed. I just finished my coffee and a cinnamon raising bagel with cream cheese (that is pretty much my bread carbs for this week). As always my furry babies are asleep next to me, and on the TV I am watching the newest video from Royalty Now.
Something fun to share (a blog, a video, a tip):::
As I mentioned above, I am watching a video by Royalty Now. If you don't know this channel on YouTube you are missing out. The creator uses AI to bring to life historical figures from all countries, different eras and so on. It is fascinating to listen to and to see her bring these known famous people to life. She doesn't just show the photos, she tells the story about the person she is working on.
Here is the newest one, watch as she tells the story of Robert Dudley who many think was Queen Elizabeth's true love.
Thinking and pondering:::
I am itching to get some sewing done this week, and I have two projects I want to work on, so trying to decide which one to tackle. I have a quilt that I started many years ago, and has just been sitting all cut up in a basket, waiting to be sewed together.
I also bought some green fabric to make some pillow covers for my living room. Not sure which one I'll work on, but definitely one of those this week.
On my bedside table:::
My phone, my book by Janette Oke, a bottle of water and some kleenex.
On my tv:::
Last night's When Calls the Heart Homemaking vlogs
Hallmark movies
Listening to:::
Royalty Now's video
The turtle tank filter in the office
Kaia snoring
On the menu for this week:::
As usual, I'll be working on the new menu plan and will do grocery shopping on Wednesday.
Monday - Shrimp Fajitas, Mexican Rice, Zucchini in Tomato Sauce Tuesday - Baked Fish Fillets, Garlic and olive oil pasta, Roasted Veggies
Wednesday - *new meal plan will kick in* Thursday -
What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::
Nordic Afghan
Sewing
My simple pleasure::: Believe it or not, meal planning. I don't know why but it's something I very much enjoy.
Lesson learned the past week:::
That the lessons our loved ones taught us many years ago, are to be held on to and cherished. That the way they lived, albeit simply, are something for us to aspire to. I spend a lot of time thinking about my early childhood and my grandparents, and the older I get, the more I want to go back in time and bring them to life through my actions and my own experiences.
Looking around the house::: Aside from the tv in the background, the rest of the house is quiet and dark. I will be lighting some candles soon and beginning my day.
Doors will be flung open and windows will be raised to allow fresh air in.
From the camera:::
If you're ever curious what I usually look like during the day.....well look no further, this is me, right here, in my happiest place.
Prayer List:::
My stepmom as she continues grieving and trying to deal with all the stuff that comes with someone's passing.
My mom, her dementia is continuing to progress and it's such a sad thing to see.
All of you, whatever you are going through, whatever you are needing prayer for.
Bible verse, Devotional::: You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. - Isaiah 26:3
I had a pretty good but very busy Sunday. Getting into bed, I am beyond exhausted, but I also know that this means I'll have a really good sleep. And a good sleep is always a good thing.
My brother is celebrating his birthday on Wednesday, but we saw him today. We took him and my sister in law to lunch, then went back to their house for a coffee and a slice of cake. I also did the gym in the morning, and basically rushed home for a quick shower and change before heading to lunch.
By the time I got home at 4pm, I had to immediately get dinner in the oven because Sunday's are our family days where Jasmine and Issac come over for dinner and family time. I managed to make a delicious meal in the quickest time ever. We ate, we played a game of Blank Slate....which by the way if you're looking for a fun family game, you should give this one a try.
And we had the Superbowl going in the background. I am not a football fan and don't care for the Superbowl but my brother in law breathes football and we don't mind having it on for him to enjoy while we spent time together.
Then of course dishes, and getting coffee machine ready for the morning, feeding the furry babies, shutting everything down, showering and finally climbing into bed. I felt like I was on the go from the moment my feet hit the ground in the morning.
I will say, I don't enjoy days like these often, I much prefer a quiet weekend, but I also love spending time with family and as exhausting as these days may be, they do leave me with a huge smile on my face.
Good morning, welcome back to my Five Sense Saturday!
Let's review the past week, shall we?
::::HEAR
- Alexa playing Thunderstorm sounds every night, while we sleep
- M80 Radio online. A radio station in Portugal that plays all the oldies that I remember
- The roosters crowing at 4:30am
- The water kettle boiling for tea
- Curt and Nick laughing loud while playing the Wii
::::SEE
- A clean house
- Big drops of rain gathered on the grass
- My daughter and son laughing and hugging each other tight every time she comes over
- Elliott chasing a foil ball
- Random Hallmark movies on the telly
::::TOUCH
- The cold metal of the gym machines
- Fluffy cushions on the couch as I puff them up
- The soft silky leaves on my plants as I water them
- The pages of my Bible as I do my daily reading
- Grocery bags
::::TASTE
- Keto Magic Cookie Bars
- Chicken Curry
- Cold icy water
- Bitter taste of my calcium and vitamin d pill
- Chickpea salad
::::SMELL
- Mahogany Teakwood candle from Bath and Body Works (one of my faves)
- Gorgeous soap from Portugal
- Vanilla Cake baking in the oven
- Fire crackling
- The earth after a good rain shower
Dear Sinus....I know, you are an important part of our bodies, but could you maybe not bug me as much as you have been doing the past week? Just ease up a bit on the sinus headaches and pressure. Thanks!
Dear Life....I am so thankful to God for breathing air into my lungs every morning, and allowing me one more day on this planet. But, with life comes death, and we have seen our share last week, from my uncle Tony to Curt's aunt Jean just a few days after my uncle passed. It's been a sad week.
Dear Hallmark movies....You are predictable, from the girl to the guy to the situation and the way it all ends, but yet, you are very much a comfort thing for me and so many others. I have been watching your movies nonstop this past week, it's helped me keep my sanity and brought me some calm and peace through the sadness.
Dear Chickens....Oh how I love you. You stopped laying about two months ago and just started again, and you don't know how happy I am to see those gorgeous big brown eggs. Eggs are expensive at the store, so thank you for helping your human mama out.
Dear Plants....I am thrilled that you have forgiven me for the years upon years of abuse and death that I unwillingly bestowed upon you. I wanted to much to have plants and just could never keep you alive. The past 10 years I have tried and learned and researched and finally found the way to keep you alive, and now I can't live without you around me. I am slowly becoming a crazy plant lady.
Dear Bible....I
have read you many times, but every time I open you up it feels like it's the first time. I learn something new, I understand something I couldn't understand before, and I am retaining so much of your scripture. I may finally become one of those Christians I've always wanted to be, you know the ones? They rattle off scripture like it's second nature.
Dear Blog.....I have fallen in love with you again. I thought I had a few times over the past few years, but I guess I didn't, because I fell off the wagon immediately. However, this year (ok I know it hasn't been that long, but still), as I post every day, I am finding myself loving the process again and looking forward to it. It's a different feeling from before, and very reminiscent of when I first began blogging in 2006. It's actually hard to believe that yesterday was 19 years since that very first post.
Good morning, welcome back to another Slow Cooking Thursday.
Today's recipe is a must try, and if you're not convinced, I hope the photos will make you drool enough to go get in that kitchen, and make this delicious dessert for after dinner tonight.
Line
a 6-quart oval slow cooker with parchment paper (12.5 inch x 16 inch).
Press the paper down into the slow cooker to create an outline of the
bottom of the slow cooker.
Remove parchment paper and place unrolled pie crust onto the
parchment paper (lining it up with the creases from the outline in the
parchment paper).
Gently roll up the edges of the
pie crust and make small indentations to help the crust stick to the
parchment paper and to keep in the filling better.
Place parchment paper/pie crust into slow cooker (pastry should
extend 2 to 3 inches up the sides). Bend and fold the pastry as needed
to get it to fit properly.
In a bowl combine the eggs, corn syrup, sugar, melted butter,
cinnamon and vanilla. Whisk until smooth. Stir in 1 cup of the pecans.
Gently
pour batter into crust in the slow cooker. Then top with remaining cup
of pecans. Placing them evenly in a pattern to make a nice presentation.
Place a layer of paper towels on top of the slow cooker then cover
with the lid. Cook on high for 3 to 3 ½ hours or until filling is puffed
and set. Turn off slow cooker. Let stand, uncovered, 1 hour.
Cut and serve straight from the slow cooker. Or gently lift the parchment paper out of the slow cooker, then slice and serve.
