Weekend Coffee Share.....Come Sit With Me

It's another week of Weekend Coffee Share. I always love everyone's posts. Are you like me and try to visit everyone? It doesn't always happen but I try. I have loved getting to know different bloggers and I figure if they take the time to write a post, I'll find the time to visit, even if it's a week later. I truly enjoy what you all share and I often learn so much. 

Check out all the other posts on Weekend Coffee Share, hosted by Natalie the Explorer. I'm off to go visit some now. #weekendcoffeeshare.

If we were having coffee we'd probably talk about:

The weather: Still dry and cold. The highs have been in the low 40's and the lows in the 20's. Next week it's showing the highs in the 30's and lows in the 20's with possible snow. I know that's not considered very cold in respect to other parts of the states, but it is cold for us. There could be possible snow next week. I wouldn't mind. 

What we're thinking about: I'm thinking often about peoples responses to current events of the past week. I'm saddened by much of it (from both sides). I just choose to stay out of things and not respond...that might be the non-confrontive part of me, but at the same time, much is what I am just seeing from "friends" on social media and the reality is, they probably don't want to hear another point of view, or they're not asking for someone else's opinion, etc. 

I'm also thinking about being intentional with getting together with some friends here and there, making more time for friends. I really like the Marco Polo App because it does allow us to send videos to one another and we can watch them when we are able to. 

What we're thankful for: Right now, I'm thankful for the chiropractor. I have had a painful lower back, right hip for the last week and got in yesterday. I didn't even mind waiting forever. I can definitely feel the relief. When I have these kinds of aches and pains I am thankful for not having chronic pain. My heart goes out to those who do experience it. 

Around the house: We had to replace 2 of our large filter tanks in our pump house for our water system. Yikes..that was $$$ we weren't planning to spend. Thankfully we have an emergency fund, and while this wouldn't be deemed an emergency, it did need to be done. Now we'll build that fund back up. We have a few things that my hubby is kind of working on because we want to put in a detached garage at some point, but we have to work on some permitting. We also would like to do some type of tiny house on the property whether for someone we know or as an airbnb.

Last Wednesday I was cooking bacon at the stove and noticed something kind of drip from the range hood cover (piece that is over the fan area)...well, lo and behold it was kind of greasy, so I figured out how to remove the piece (photo of the piece below), and YIKES, it was FULL of grease..not runny, but kind of semi gelatinous. It was disgusting. I didn't realize this would happen...as in, no clue. That was a fire waiting to happen. So, my original plan to honestly read most of the day changed and I spent time cleaning that, my stove and figured I might as well clean my ovens as well. I did try a new method of cleaning them. I have self cleaning ovens, but those settings take hours, heats up the house like crazy and don't smell that great. Well, I had seen on FB (I actually scheduled it for the gal I VA for and made a reel)...a way to do it by filling a shallow baking pan (I used a rimmed cookie sheet) with water, vinegar, baking soda and sliced limes. Turn the oven on a high temp (I did 450) and leave it on for 20 minutes. Turn the oven off, let it cool down and then wipe out with a damp cloth. It worked. It came off fairly easy (no harder than anything else). I did have to use some elbow grease on a few spots, and it did take me a bit to make sure no residue was left and leaving streaks. Even the windows came clean easier. This might be my go to from now on. 

For the love of food: This week I finally made a sandwich bread using the Kamut flour I purchased awhile back from The Food Nanny. I loved it. My husband still says he prefers sourdough, but I really liked this bread. I think I'll try using the flour the next time I make sourdough. It is an ancient grain that has better nutritional value than regular flour. 

Meal wise, I made cilantro lime rice, burrito bowls, taco soup, and a meat sauce that we served over lightly cooked chopped cabbage. Nothing overly exciting. My post for Jo's BKD Cookbook club can be found here. The theme this month was cookbooks that inspire healthy eating. I shared one that I use frequently. The recipe I shared was for Rainbow Quinoa bowls with Peanut dressing. It is one I really like anytime, but definitely in the summer months. 

For the love of reading: I finished The Zookeepers Wife. The research and storyline (it is a true story), was interesting and not one I had heard about, it didn't really keep my attention or interest that well. I mailed it today to the next gal in my passalong book club. I also received the book I'm to read in February Husbands and Lovers  by Beatriz Williams. I'll get started on that soon. I started an ARC I received which is the second book in the Hometown Hardware Mystery Series, titled Axe Me No Questions by Paula Charles. Paula is a local gal who I have enjoyed following and meeting in person. 

What we're listening to or watching: I am listening to John Stamos's Memoir If You Would Have Told Me. I've just started it, but I think I'll like it, even though there are some F-bombs (which I get, okay, it's their life...just not my fave word). We used to LOVE watching Full House and Fuller House, which were the main shows I know him from. I was never into Soap operas though I do remember him from General Hospital when my mom would watch him. I often think it's fascinating learning about what got people to where they are. I haven't watched much, though I did watch part of an episode of The Pioneer Woman while I walked on the treadmill. I listened to a few podcasts. I listened to music while I was trying to decide on a new audiobook. 

Favorite quote: I want to re-join in with #WQ but don't think I have time in the week to dedicate an entire post, though I hope to at some point...so for now, I'll use this spot to share a quote on the theme (which runs 2 weeks, so one week, I'll share a quote on the theme of #wq and the other week I'll choose another.) Marsha passed the baton to Kym and Sadje who I'm sure are doing a great job. The current theme for the next two weeks is winter sleep. The photo below is from a snow of 2008.

"It's cold, and it's winter, and the world has gone to sleep."

James Frey

I do love winter, though here in the PNW region where I live, it is mostly wet, dark and dreary..however, we are graced (like we are right now), with periods of cold, dry weather where the sky is blue and the air brisk. We may see snow in the later winter months, even early spring, but it is not a guarantee. While our temperatures rarely get in the teens, some weeks we can over in the 30's and 40's and I relish the crispness of the air. 

"Winter is nature's sleep."

H.S. Jacobs

I know I've shared before about a video I watched that suggested waiting until spring to set goals, intentions, resolutions, to go with the seasons. Winter is a time of hibernating, of resting, perhaps planning out ideas, etc, but nothing solid. I listened to a podcast about hygge the other day and they were discussing other countries and how even in the winter, no one minded putting on a little weight. It was a time to hunker down and be cozy. 

I also just noticed while looking for quotes, that there is a movie called Winter Sleep. Hmmm I might have to watch it. 

I'll leave you with this final quote. If we were having coffee I'd ask what the weather is like where you are...are you in a true "winter" or is it more mild...what about in your life, are you going through a "winter" season? 

"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, 

for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk

beside the fire: It is the time for home."

Edith Sitwell 

 

Favorite photo(s): We made a fun craft last Tuesday..we covered TP rolls in natural peanut butter and rolled them in birdseed, then we set them outside. My hope was to attract some birds but so far I haven't seen any. I wanted to hopefully get some photos for my Sunday Stills post but not sure that's going to happen. Oh well. The kids had fun. 

Random or not so random things: 

I am really working on getting back into an exercise groove, but it's been hard. I've done great on the walking and getting steps in, but I am struggling more with getting back to doing a routine that includes weights, etc. I'll get there.

Indiana started youth basketball and seems to be enjoying it. He loves sports and learning all about them. He'll try anything. I love that about him.

I'm making good progress on my current puzzle. They take me forever but I really enjoy just pausing what I'm doing to put in a few pieces here and there. 

I had Monday off, which meant I had three days off last week. Monday was a bit of a struggle to get in a groove, but ended up finding my "groove" by heading out to grocery shop at 7:45 in the morning. 

Well, that's it for me this week. I'm off soon to meet a friend. 

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin