Sunday Inspiration: The Future

Thankful Thursday: August 27

 I Am Thankful For:

Waking up for another day

Coffee

Helping with an errand

Sun making the dew sparkle

Scalp massage

Beautiful yarn

Quiet days

Packing for a trip

Safe travels

Burgers on the grill

Being lake side

The rain stopping

The puppy swimming

Teeny tiny frog

Afternoon drive

Relaxing in the sun

Yatzee

Lazy Sunday

Oreos

Geese flying in perfect V formation

Sunday Inspiration: Pay Attention

Thankful Thursday: August 20

 I Am Thankful For:

Fresh starts

Sunny days that aren't too hot

Delicious 0 WW point dinners

A cooling breeze

Grapes

The Man of the House making me a morning smoothie

The snooze button

The puppy chasing a butterfly

Trusting God

Cute toenails

Virtual "Meet Your Teacher" day

New toys for the puppy

The cresent moon

Big brown puppy eyes

Candlelight

The power came back on sooner than expected

The Male Offspring putting away the grocery delivery

Homemade veggie pizza

Croissants

Freshly cut grass

Old movies

Random August Thoughts

There comes a day in every August when - despite the fact that we're still in one of the hottest months of Summer - there's the slightest promise of autumn's impending arrival. 

It can be difficult to put your finger on exactly what it is that brings to mind that fall is coming - but nonetheless, it's definitely there. 

It may not be an especially chilly day even though there's a touch of crispness to the air.  Just cool enough to remind us that more comfortable days are coming.  

It will still be a couple of months before Autumn colors are in their full beauty.  But, the earliest budding trees are already starting to see some leaves turn yellow and begin to fall,  A preview of what will come.  

Those days are a pleasant break from the weary heat of summer.  You start dreaming of sweaters, boots, and pumpkin spice. Or maybe for you it's bonfires and apple cider.   

You may find yourself with a strong desire to begin putting out your autumn decor and wondering if it's still too soon.  (my answer: it's not!)

This August has also been a bit damp so far.  At least here where I live.  There's an old wives tale which says that "For every fog in August, there will be a snowfall." If there's any truth to that - we are in for a wild ride this year.  (Considering how 2020 has been so far, that wouldn't be such a huge surprise)

So, perhaps we should enjoy these last days of summer as we anticipate the coming Autumn.  And we'll deal with whatever may lay beyond that as it comes.

Sunday Inspiration: Make the Best of It

Thankful Thursday: August 13

 I Am Thankful For:

Rainy days

Pasta salad

Flirting with my husband

Laundry

Getting more done than expected

The first bird song of morning

When the grand kid gets excited about telling a story

Texting with the Female Offspring

Love

Wasting time

The Male Offspring making me laugh

A cheerful song stuck in my head

A hug and "I'll miss you, Oma" from the grand kid

Prayers answered

Seeing the bottom of the work pile

Cheesecake

A short visit with my dad

Watermelon

Easy Peasy S'more Brownies

I adore s'mores.  All that chocolate-y, roasty, toasty, marshmallow-y goodness.  YUM!  (What I don't adore is the campfire smoke and bloodthirsty bugs that usually come along with them.  No, thank you!) I also adore my grand son.  And he adores cooking.  So, in honor of National S'mores Day - we whipped up some ooey, gooey and delicious s'more brownies!

To make these treats you'll need the following ingredients:

• Chocolate brownie mix
• Graham crackers
• Chocolate chips
• Mini marshmallows

The first step is to prepare the pan by lining it with parchment paper.  Then lay a single layer of graham crackers.

Next, prepare the chocolate brownie mix according to the instructions on the box. Pour over the graham crackers and bake for the time indicted. 

While the brownies bake, crush a couple of graham crackers into crumbs.

Once the brownies are done, remove them from the oven.  Cover the top with chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and the graham cracker crumbs. 

Turn the oven to Broil.  Place the pan of brownies back in the oven for a few minutes to soften the chocolate and "toast" the marshmallows.

We like our marshmallows on the crispy side

Remove from oven.  Let brownies cool completely, slice, and Enjoy!

These brownies are incredibly simple, but oh so delicious!  Let me know if you decide to try them.

Sunday Inspiration: Not So Little

Thankful Thursday: August 6

 I Am Thankful For:

Stones and pavers for new walkway

Getting to see the grand kid again

BLT's

Seeing a bear

Curly bangs

The grand kid's beautiful eyes

New notebooks

Acceptance

Nectarines

Sleeping in until 7am

Meal planning

Business is booming

Quiet time

Packed orders ready to ship

Prayers answered

A new month

A new lawnmower

Reservations made

Finally getting my hair cut

Bright sunshine in the pouring rain

Joy filled afternoons

Currently... August 2020

Remember back in the late winter/early spring when we were hoping that Covid-19 would go away during the summer with the heat and sunshine.  That didn't quite work out as we wished, did it?  Here in North Carolina the numbers - especially hospitalizations and deaths - have continued to increase.  

Schools are opening this month and that whole situation is going to be anything but typical for a while. They are going with a "hybrid" plan, which means beginning with some brief in-person time (including masks and social distancing) to get to know their teacher and the program, then at least the remainder of the first semester will be remote learning.  

It's not going to be easy on anyone.  Least of all, the children.  I don't envy the administrators and government officials for having to make those decisions.  Not the teachers trying to readjust lessons and plans to meet new requirements and also managing to keep kids 6 feet apart and stop them from fidgeting with masks all day for that first week while worrying about keeping themselves healthy.  Or the parents trying to make this work for thier families.  Lots of prayers going all around! I will be helping out with the remote learning portion of the grand kid's schooling since it's not as if one of his parents can just take a semester off from work.  

I'm still pretty much self quarantined here.  About once or twice a month I make a trip out to the craft store to pick up yarn needed for my shop orders (fully masked and social distancing as far away from other people as possible)  Other than that, I stay safe here at home.  I'm not enjoying the heat this summer, which keeps me inside with the comfort of air conditioning where I do a lot of reading and crocheting.

Working On:  Staying sane.  Aren't we all?   In 2020 so far, some days it really does feel like work.  If you're like me you go along thinking you're doing pretty well keeping it all together, then you have a day (or a week) when you feel as if you are truly struggling.

Celebrating: My dad's birthday is this month.  And I think that's the only celebration we have for August

Reading:  Last night I finished The Alienist by Caleb Carr.  I have started watching the show and wondered if the books were as good or better. (Answer: better)  Next on the To-Read queue is American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins and then The German Heiress by Anika Scott.  I'm also still limping my way through The Great Influenza.  Parts of it really drag on and the parts that don't are depressing in that they show that nothing has changed much in 100 years.

Loving:  All these afternoon and evening thunderstorms.  I'm one of those weirdos that enjoys the thunder, lightening, wind and rain of an afternoon storm.  As long as it's not severe.

Wanting/Needing:  To reorganize my office and get a space ready for the grand kid's remote learning time. I want him to have a dedicated place for education away from distractions.

Dreaming about:  An upcoming getaway.  In this summer of Covid, I'm not comfortable going somewhere touristy or at risk of having crowds for a vacation.  So, the Man and I have booked an AirBnB at the lake for a long weekend soon.  I am in great need of a few days by the water, resting, reading and soaking up the sun.  

August Goals:

• Drink 64 oz of water per day
• Journal every day
• Meditate at least 3 times per week
• One week sugar detox
• Created blog schedule for September
• Create Thankful Thursday posts for September
• Create Sunday posts for September
• Receive 20 new orders
• Write at least 3 posts for shop blog
• Create shop social media schedule for September

What's your August going to look like?