Sunday, July 31, 2022
Thursday, July 28, 2022
Thankful Thursday: July 28, 2022
I Am Thankful For:
Morning rain that keeps temperatures cooler
Finally getting to sleep
My husband suggesting meals for the weekend that he'll cook
When the Male Offspring wants to hang out and talk
Knowing that I am loved
Smores brownies
Air conditioning
My headache went away
Shopping with my husband
Cute new dresses
The dogs making new "friends" at the park
Smoked chicken
Pretty yarn colors
New Etsy orders
Getting medicine to treat Max's ear infection
Taco salad
Listening to the grandkid's stories
Sunday, July 24, 2022
Thursday, July 21, 2022
Thankful Thursday: July 21, 2021
I Am Thankful For:
Baking with the grandkid
Hearing the hawks calling to each other along the ridge
Making plans to travel
Time for self-care
Texting with my husband
Seeing a hawk on the power line
My husband back home from business trip
Getting out of cleaning because the power is out
The power coming back on in time to get ready
Date night
A long walk at the park
birthday dinner
30 years as a mom
My daughter
Understanding customers
Covid boosters
Sunday, July 17, 2022
Friday, July 15, 2022
Blank Pages
I don't know what is going on lately with my writing. I suppose I should say my lack of writing.
I sit down with my journal or at the computer to write and nothing comes. Even if I had a spark of inspiration at some point and have a plan to expand on that idea - it fizzles out as quickly as it came.
It has now come to a point where I procrastinate trying to journal or write. Many days, I avoid it altogether Anything to put off that moment of staring at a blank page and finding nothing to fill it.
It's frustrating. And extremely discouraging.
Thursday, July 14, 2022
Thankful Thursday: July 14, 2022
I Am Thankful for:
A cooling rain storm
My grandson's laugh
Cupcakes
Beautiful mornings
Lunch with my mom
Live music
Dinner on the grill
Game night
Rainy Sundays
An afternoon nap
Planning for football season
The satisfaction of a spotless kitchen
Ibuprofen
My youngest niece
Trips to the craft store
Sunday, July 10, 2022
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Thankful Thursday: July 7, 2022
I Am Thankful For:
A cool breeze on the back of my neck
Sleep
A quick dental appointment
The sun warming my face
Extra long weekends
Running errands with my grandson
Leftovers
New plants
Fresh paint
A cute new cabinet for the entry
Dreams
Playing card games with the family
Sleepover with the grandkid
That I live in a country where I am free to criticize it
Grilled cheeseburgers
Fires
My mom coming to visit
New dog harnesses
Listening to the thunder come in
Wednesday, July 6, 2022
My Chocolate Cake is Better Than Your Chocolate Cake
Tomorrow is World Chocolate Day! And who doesn't like a little chocolate?
Ok.. sure, I know not everyone likes chocolate. But for the rest of us, who know a good thing when we see it (kidding!!) - I thought I would share my favorite chocolate cake recipe. This starts with a basic devil's food cake boxed mix, making it super simple. It builds from there, making it into something extraordinarily decadent!
Be sure to serve it with a side of vanilla ice cream or a glass of cold milk!
Over-The-Top Chocolate Cake
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a bundt pan with vegetable oil and flour or baking spray
- Blend cake mix, pudding mix, oil, water, and eggs in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute. Scrape down the side of the bowl. Mix on medium for 2 to 3 minutes until well blended.
- Fold in both types of chocolate chips until well distributed
- Pour batter into the pan, smoothing the top
- Place on middle oven rack and bake 50 to 55 minutes - or until done
- Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes before removing from pan
- Once the cake is cool, melt chocolate frosting in microwave and slowly pour it over cake
What's your favorite cake? Let me know in the comments!
Sunday, July 3, 2022
Friday, July 1, 2022
Currently... July 2022
Maybe you noticed that the blog wasn't very active in June.
I haven't felt much like writing recently. Not here. Not in my personal journal. Even my Instagram captions have been sort of... meh. I've been in a bit of a creative slump for the past few weeks. Call it a case of writer's burn-out. Or something like that.
Its not just my writing, though. My Etsy shop is also stuck in the doldrums. Sales have been in a huge slump for the past couple of months. I've actually found myself wondering if I should just shut it down. 😳
Hopefully, July brings the energy levels back up and my creativity back on track!
Working On: I have been trying to take advantage of this quiet time in my Etsy shop to create some readymade items for new listings. I also made a blanket to gift our neighbors who are expecting. And this week I am going to start crocheting a top for myself.
Celebrating: July is always a big month for celebrations in our family. There's the fourth, which means a nice long weekend and the Man of the House cooking something yummy on the grill. My youngest niece turns 18 this month. And my "baby" girl also has a big birthday at mid month.
Wanting/Needing: Clearly, I need a little something to help me get my creative mojo back! (In the case of my yarn work, would that be "cro-jo"?)
Eating: I'm still on a produce kick. Berries, watermelon,and stone fruits. Plates of raw veggies with hummus or another dip for lunches. Salads or a plate of vegetables for dinner. Little to no cooking is a bonus!
Loving: The grandkid is on summer break and that means we get to spend several days together each week. I try do do some kind of baking with him each week. And every day after lunch we sit down and read a book together.
Goals for July:
- Write 3 blog posts per week
- List at least 5 new items to Etsy shop
- Read 3 books
- Clean up office/craft room
- Crochet top for myself
- Max: check up at Vet
What's on your list for July?
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