Slow and Sweet Sundays at Home

 

Sometimes Sundays are meant for adventure but today was all about home comforts. Instead of heading out for our usual “Sunday Funday” I leaned into a slower pace, and was just what I needed.

The kitchen became my cozy corner this morning. I prepared cheese ravioli to tuck away for a few easy work lunches this week, and the oven carried the rich chococolatey aroma of s’more brownies that will make the perfect treat later. There’s something so satisfying about stocking up on homemade goodness before a busy week begins. 

I also turned my attention to the house. The guest bedroom is now fresh and ready for Kyndall and Liam’s next visit (and yes, their parents too!). A quick reset in the bathroom brought everything back into order~counters wiped, bath products neatly put away, and the floors shining again.

The best part of the day, though, was simply being with Mr. C.  We spent the afternoon catching up on Netflix, chatting about our upcoming plans, and just enjoying the quiet rhythm of being home.

Two Netflix shows we watched was American Murder: The Family Nextdoor and also Ad Vitam. Both were decent to watch. 

 As the weekend winds down, I feel refreshed and ready to stop into a new work week. Sometimes, the sweetest Sundays, are the ones spent right where you are. 

Watermelon Jam Recipe

A Taste of Rush Springs: Homemade Watermelon Jam

With Rush Springs being well known for their watermelons, I just have to share this easy watermelon jam recipe with you. There’s something special about homemade jam-it simply taste fresher and better than anything store bought. This vegan-friendly jam recipe is easy to make and a perfect way to use those local,  homegrown watermelons. 

Watermelons might not be the first fruit you think of for jam, but trust me-it makes a light, refreshing spread that’s perfect on toast, bisquits, or even swirled into yogurt. Plus, it’s a fun way to hold onto that taste of summer a little longer. 

Ingredients 

4 cups seedless watermelon, cubed and blended into juice.

2 tablespoons lemon juice (fresh is best)

3 cups of sugar 

1 box of fruit pectin

Instructions

1. Prepare the watermelon

Cut cucumber into cubes, remove any seeds. Blend until smooth the measure out 4 cups of juice.

2. Cook the mixture

In a large pot, combine the watermelon juice and lemon juice. Stir in the fruit pectin and bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium high heat.

3. Add sugar

Once boiling, add all the sugar at once. Store continuously and return to a full rolling boil. Let it boil hard for one to two minutes.

4. Check consistency

Remove from the heat and skim off any foam. To test at the gym is ready, place a small spoonful on a chilled plate. If it thickens as it calls, it’s set

5. Jar the jam

Carefully lot of the hot jam into sterilize jars, leaving in about 1/4 inch a space at the top. White rims, seal and process in a hot water bath for about 10 minutes.

Tips and serving ideals

Try spreading watermelon jam on a warm biscuit or scone for a sweet taste.

It also pairs beautifully with cream cheese and crackers for a quick appetizer.

This recipe makes about 5 to 6 half-pint jars, perfect for sharing or storing away for later. Every bite is like capturing a little taste of summer sunshine!

Just like the Rush Springs watermelon festival brings people together to celebrate community and summertime sweetness, this jam captures that same spirit in a jar. Whether you’re spreading it on toast at breakfast or gifting, a jar to a friend, you’re bringing a little piece of Oklahoma’s summer to tradition right into your kitchen.

  

Iron Flame Book Review

 

By Rebecca Yarros

Fantasy Romance

Published October 31 2023

Iron Flame is the second book in the Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros,  released in November 2023. It builds directly on the events of Fourth Wing and continues Violet’s harrowing journey through dragon-rider training and revolution. 

Story highlights 

-Immediate Aftermath- The book begins with Violet grappling with shocking truths: her brother Brennan is alive and leading a rebellion. There’s a dangerous creature called Verin beyond Nevvarreis wards,and her love interest, Xaden, has been hiding secrets.

-Back at BasgiathWar College-

Violet returns for her second year, facing brutal training under a sadistic new vice president, Major Varrish, while her dragon Andorra, undergoes a mysterious sleep-like transformation.

-Secrets and Mistrust-

Her relationship with Xaden continues to strain under secrets and conflicting ideals of trust. Meanwhile, Violet distances herself from some friends, with betrayals like Dain’s memory-readings, and steps deeper into revolutionary plots. 

-Uncovering Ancient Lore-

Violet and her allies steal long-lost journals of the First Six-the creators of Novarre Wards- hoping to learn how to fix the failing shields protecting their world. 

-Capture and Torture-

Varrish eventually captures Violet, torturing her for information. Dain intervenes, stabbing Varrish, and Xaden arrives to rescue Violet as he professes his love. 

-Rebellion Rises-

The truth about the venting is finally revealed to the school. Many students join the rebellion. A new base is built in Aretia rallying more allies- including Violet’s sister, Mira

-Dramatic Finale-

The venin attack Basgiath, overwhelming its wardstone. Violet discovers Andarna’s vital role in restoring the wards-only to lose her mother. Who sacrifices herself to power the magic. Xaden seeking to protest Violet, channels venin magic, himself changing the stakes-and himself forever. 

Characters navigate a web of secrets, loyalty, and betrayal. Violet’s struggle between honesty and survival is consistently on her mind. 

The magics, politics, and history of the Empyrean universe deepen in this installments: ancient ward love, terrifying venin, and darker magic take the forefront. 

I had no clue this series was so good.  Personally I do like the fantasy and steam punk romance. It did have several steamy scenes, intense chemistry. The perfect book for me! 

If you haven’t started this series yet. I highly recommend it to you! 

  

Midlife My Way

Becoming Me At 58

There’s something about reaching midlife that makes you a little more reflective – or maybe a lot more. Lately I find myself pausing to ask. “ Am I where I want to be? Do I need to change anything going forward?” These aren’t gloomy thoughts, just honest ones. With age,  perspective, and the older I get, the more clearly I see how each season of my life – good, bad, and everything in between – has shaped me

I’ve had years filled with struggles, disappointments, and what felt like setbacks. At the time, those moments knocked the wind out of me. But when I looked back now, I realize things could have been worse. In fact, those bad years taught me lessons that no easy road ever could. Each season sharpened me a little, toughen me a little, and made me a little wiser.

And here’s the best part of growing older: I finally finally don’t care what people think about me. Do you know how freeing that is? To embrace who I am, quirks and all, without worrying about whether I “fit”? It’s like throwing off a heavy coat you didn’t realize you were wearing. These days, if there’s something I want to do, I don’t put it on the.” One of these days shelf.” I start making plans, clear my schedule, and just go for it.

No more waiting. No more apologizing. No more trying to fit into a particular group or social circle. If people don’t like me, that’s OK. I’ve discovered I don’t have the time, patience, or energy for drama – or fake friends. My circle of friends has shrunk considerably over the years. Some drifted away and, yes, I was sad to lose them. Others well, I was secretly glad they let themselves out. (No hard feelings, but life is too short for toxicity.)

What’s left now is a very small, but very solid circle. The people who remain are the ones who matter most, the ones I can laugh with, cry with, and be completely myself around. Quality over quantity – is a cliché for a reason. 

And then there’s my husband. Let me just say, I hit the jackpot with him. He’s been my rock from the very beginning, my partner in crime, my sounding board, and – yes it’s true – my best friend. He doesn’t always get me 100% but honestly who could? I’m grateful he gets me most of the time, and that’s enough. After all these years, he’s still the one I’d rather spend a Friday night with than anyone else. That, to me is priceless.

So where does that leave me in this Midlilfe season? Surprisingly… Happy. Not because everything is perfect – because it’s not. But because I’m finally embracing life my way. I don’t have to chase acceptance, approval, or popularity. I don’t have to waste time on people or situations that drain me and I don’t have to put all the things I’ve always wanted to do until.” Someday.”

Ollie’s mini haul

Cherrie and I do like stopping by Ollie’s as you never know what they will have. I had seen several people sharing their scrapbook supplies they bought from Ollie’s. I wasn’t sure I would find any at the Ollie’s I shop at, which is Lawton Oklahoma and Norman Oklahoma. So glad Norman, Ok had plenty of items to choose from! 

I really needed alphabet stickers. I don’t normally use a lot of these type of stickers, but now that I have them I will be incorporating them in my journals. 

The different stickers I picked up will be a great addition to my sticker collection. Several of these are not what I would normally buy. Although I do know I will use them. I also will send Kyndall stickers as well for her sticker book.

 

Monday Rambling

During the work week we get up around 5 am or earlier. Never before 4:30 am, that is to early for me and makes for a long work day.  Getting up at 5 am gives me time to my head space in the right place. Mr. C. And I plan our day or even the week during our morning chats. He is usually at Brody’s Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. This is Brody’s days off.  I am glad that Luther goes over to visit and see the grandchildren. Luther is usually always in pain has been for years. So I understand him not going many places. By him spending time with his son and grandchildren he is making memories. The boys always come running to us when we go over to see them. 

Shelby gave me this Pioneer Woman Instant Pot.  She had got it from her aunt. I also  got an Bundt cake pan, glass lid, and steam rack. Unfortunately it didn’t have the inner pot or power cord. I got both of them ordered and delivered from Amazon. I am excited to start using it, but have no clue how to use it. Thank goodness for google and YouTube.

I do believe that I will try cooking a soup in the instant pot first. Don’t think I can mess up with doing something easy. At least I hope not. Mr. C. told me that since he mastered the air fryer that this was mine to figure out and use. Which I took as he thinks it might be more complicated to use.  At work today I am going to google several recipes so I can add to my own collection. Will have to be things we already like to eat. Where I like to try different foods he doesn’t like experimenting with foods. Every now and then I will try something new and he will like it. My last trip to Trader Joe’s I picked up fried rice and coconut shrimp. He actually liked the dinner and requested more. Totally surprised me. The trip to Trader Joe’s is over a hour away. Guess I will try to get up there in a couple of weeks. Needless to say I am so excited to try it! 

Brody came over before 6 am to help put up a blind in our bathroom. Only took about 15 minutes to install. Told Mr.C. We need to paint the bathroom and he was quick to say no. I really would like to do a makeover in our bathroom. It needs updated with paint and a different shelf over the toilet. Also would love to put different flooring down as well. Maybe I should plan on it and starting buying the supplies. I am pretty sure I could figure out how to do the floor myself. I’ve seen other women laying the flooring. I need to get the measurements and talk to Cherrie about it, she has more knowledge about home Improvements. 

It’s almost time to head to work. My lunch is packed and I am dressed. My lunch today is grilled cheese and tomato soup. For snacks I have black olives and cucumbers. I also have a bottle of water, Dr Pepper and a protein shake. 

Have a good day! I am going to go in and give it my best shot. Thanks for stopping by my blog. 

 

Sunday Reset

Today I stayed home with Mr. C. As you may know that isn’t something I normally do on the weekends. I think today has been fairly productive for us. We cleaned and organized our kitchen. Needed to get the snacks and drinks organized for our small kitchen.  We even cleaned out the refrigerator, which needed some help. I needed to make room for my work snacks. I sliced up some cucumbers to have with ranch dressing. I also portioned out black olives as well. I am going to try hard to get back to eating more healthy. Watching my carbs and cutting down on sweets. Tomorrow I am bringing home a watermelon to take to work as well. My mouth has been watering for a good slice of watermelon. Especially as much as I have blogged about watermelons this month.

Black olives are tasty. They are also rich in healthy fats,vitamins, and antioxidants,  Dr Angie has been giving me advice on how to lower my bad cholesterol thus helping reduce the risk of heart disease. They also have vitamin E, which protects cells from damage.  Unfortunately all my life I have been an unhealthy eater. I realize I can’t turn time around, but I can begin to make better food choices. 

For me I have found if I will do prep night on Sunday nights, I do tend to eat better at work. Cucumbers has quite a few of health benefits as well. They can support hydration, aid, and weight management, promote heart health, and can help regulate blood sugar levels. Additionally, cucumbers can contribute to healthy skin, digestion, and bone health. 

So I am trying to be intentional with the foods I am eating. When I am eating better I feel better. I don’t feel so sluggish or tired. Food chatter in my brain is a real problem. Even when I dang well-know I’m not hungry my brain tries to tell me I am.  I under Not all people have the chatter but mine is loud and obnoxious.  Sometimes it’s hard to say no. 

Thankfully I am doing better with getting my work outfits organized and ready to wear Monday morning. My summer clothes are exactly what I had been needing in my life. For the longest time I was wearing dark and heavy clothing all the time. Since I have been losing some weight my clothing taste has changed as well. Have been leaning toward bright fun summer colors. Aqua, yellow oranges and greens as well as pink colors. Have several shirts that is flowers. Definitely a great wardrobe for the spring and summer months. 

This evening is time for reading a book. Currently reading Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros.  I plan on doing another book review when finished with the book. With being back at work tomorrow I won’t be reading it as fast. 

I also worked on my journal for Swap~Bot. I needed to be writing more in it but have stalled out on it. Maybe this week in the evenings I will get caught back up on it.  It’s a two month journal. I haven’t wrote anything in it since last week. Although I have been decorating the pages so they will be ready for my entries. 

Then my planner needs to be updated with Dr visits and special occasions coming up. I also want to order some new planner stickers for fall.  Personally if aI decorate my planner each week I tend to utilize it more often. There is just something about opening my planner and see it looking all cute with stickers and washi. 

Greatful for a good weekend at home with my dear husband. Time went by at a rapid pace for us. I am just glad that it overall was a good weekend.