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: We've continued to have great weather. It did rain on Thursday, but that's okay, it wasn't cold and honestly a day or two of rain here and there sure helps, AND I don't have to water as much. 

What we're thinking about: I thought of something last night, and I know I should have written it down..it was something I have been thinking about, but it's slipped my mind....oh, I know now...I have been going through peri-menopause for a few years now and while the actual physical symptoms and tiredness, etc have mellowed, I have been struggling with weight gain and lack of motivation to exercise. I normally do pretty good having grace for my body, but when I've gained back all the weight I had lost a few years ago, it's very frustrating and discouraging at times. Especially when I try to be mindful of eating, etc. I know I need to get back on track with exercise, that will help physically and mentally, but the thing I've thought about recently is how much advertising on social media plays on our discontent, just hoping we'll take the bait. I'm all for promoting things, and have no real problem with products being advertised. I have a problem with them being advertised like they are a fix-all....AND how the things that show up are the very things you are dealing with. It's the ones that say "I took this and in two weeks lost 10 pounds, lost 40 pounds without doing anything, got rid of that meno-belly fast". Ugghh....but what else did you do along with that, and did you really? Maybe I'm just a tad cynical, or maybe I'm right to be wary. It can be so tempting though to click the purchase button. I know that there are many great things that do work but I also know that it's more than just a pill, a smoothie etc. "Do this exercise to get rid of your belly"...on and on it goes. I use and am a consultant for Arbonne. I love their products, both skin and nutritional...I know many people have lost weight and have felt better after doing their 30 days program. I have felt better when I do it...BUT I also know results vary on all the other things you do along with it. I would never make false claims just to get someone to buy something. Okay, I will get off my soap box. I will work hard to get back to exercise (for my mental and physical health), and I will learn ways to treat my body well, while doing what I need to do to lose some of this weight. I will try hard not to give in to some things I see. 

What we're thankful for: I'm so thankful for the time we'll have with our oldest daughter and her family here on our property. I know I've said it before, but I just wan to make the most of the moments we have with grandkids running back and forth from house to trailer, listening to them playing outside. 

Around the house: We think we've settled on a builder for a garage and a plan we like. It will have an apartment above it. We will more than likely rent that out as an airbnb or as a short term/extended stay rentals. 

I did some weeding the other day before it got too hot. The spot looks much better, but I still have quite a bit to do. I'll work on that this weekend. We are having the tree trimmer come out on Saturday and trim up some more of the trees. I'll share photos next week. 

For the love of food: I made a loaf of sourdough bread the other day and was VERY happy with how it turned out. I made some last month and it was a little on the flat side. This one turned out great. I also made a lamb roast last Monday, and I liked the flavor. The rest of the week was pretty simple. 

It was a huge loaf, but it turned out great and was gone by the next day. 

Homemade hot dog buns. I used some sourdough but the recipe also called for yeast. They were a bit heavier than a normal hot dog bun, but I thought they were really good. I'll try again.

For the love of books: Our book club met to discuss The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. It's always nice getting together with them. There were only three of us. I'm on for picking choices for our next read. I need to get to work on that. I have a few books on hold at the library. One I'm hoping to get before I travel to Ohio and I'll take it with me. It's titled Erie Ending, taking place on Lake Erie, which is where I will be. I can't remember if it's a cozy mystery, or just a mystery. I did purchase an e-book called The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History by Sharon McMahon. It happened to be on sale on Amazon and was on my TBR list so I scooped it up. 

What we're watching or listening to: Mostly my usual weekly podcast These are Good Days. Last weeks was around being True to You...finding your real, authentic self. I know I've said that what I love about this podcast is that it's like you're sitting with two good friends having a conversation about life. They are light hearted, funny and yet I usually walk away with some great nuggets. I haven't watched anything on TV or on my computer on any of the streaming channels. 

Favorite quote(s): I have a few I could share, but when I was reading Jennifer, from The Retirement Phases post last week, she shared a thought by a fellow Substack author that said "So I keep turning the page. Because somewhere, someone is waiting for a sentence that unlocks something in them. And maybe, just maybe, it's mine. This was his post. That just jumped out at me. Our words matter. Whether we know it or not. Whether they are profound or oh, so simple. Write the words. Even if no one seems to read them. Someone might and they might make a difference. This spurs me to find ways to share words. Whether on my blog or Facebook, or IG. I want to be an encourager. 

Favorite photo(s): 

Its' fun having the grandkids playing in the backyard on a daily basis. Yesterday my grandson said how much he loved having such a big yard to play in. Their yard at their last house was small and they couldn't go out to play by themselves. Here, they can and at their new property they'll be able to as well. 

Last Tuesday was a beautiful day so after preschool we went and got ice cream, saving out bowls because we had plans to go look for rocks. 

Random or not so random things: I've not made any headway on my puzzle I've worked on. I need to get it done so I can work on another one. 

I've been wanting to go to our local wildlife refuge to get some pictures but haven't really made time for it. I thought maybe next week after my dentist appointment I'd go. I'll be numb, so won't feel like talking or doing much. I'm planning to save for a new lens that is good for wildlife photography. 

Last weekend my oldest daughter had a wedding with her coffee cart. I went to help. It was at a quaint outdoor space and we did a morning serve. 

When she does events she will customize menus and even make cute stickers to go on the cups. I love that. 

Unfortunately we also ended up with a completely flat front tire. Thankfully a very kind guest helped us out and we were able to stop at a Walmart Tire Center to get it fixed. 

I'll end the update here since it's Sunday now and I have things to do this morning before any grandkids make an appearance out the door. 

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin