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. 

 

 

Watermelon Facts

There are 1,200 varieties of Watermelons

Watermelon is grown worldwide and there are well over 1000 varieties to choose from. They all fit into four categories, seeded, seedless, yellow, and orange. Rush Springs is known for our delicious watermelons,  including seeded Jubilee, Black Diamond, Sugar Babies, red seedless, orange seedless, yellow and orange watermelons. 

Over the years watermelons have revolved greatly. Mr. C. For about 8 years worked in the Watermelon field. He planted and harvested the watermelons. He then delivered to the stores. 

Did want to mention that Orange watermelons included

Desert King     Orange Crisp. Orange Crush

                        Yellow watermelons include.

                                                                     Yellow Crimson and Buttercup Yellow

Black Diamonds have very dark exteriors with bright red, super juicy insides.  Rush Springs does grow the best watermelons around. Of course I might be biased as I have lived here for over twenty years. 

It’s an ideal health food

Watermelon offers numerous health, benefits, Primarily, due to its high water content, antioxidants, and various vitamins and minerals. Is known for promoting hydration, Supporting heart health and potentially reducing the risk of certain cancers. It can also aid in digestive, and may help with weight management. Watermelon is particularly beneficial for the kidneys and heart. It acts as a natural diuretic. Watermelon’s citrulline content can help relax blood vessels, which would help improve heart health and blood pressure regulation.  

Gut Health 

provide essential hydration and dietary fiber for the beneficial gut bacteria.

Anti-inflammatory

Loaded with lycopene, Vitamin C, and antioxidants 

Eye Health 

Lycopene and Vitamin A may help preserve eyesight as you age.

Muscle Recovery 

Hydrating nature and amino acid citrulline aid muscle recovery and reduce soreness. 

Nutrition

Packed with vitamins (A,C,B6) minerals (potassium, magnesium,) and antioxidants. 

From weight loss to eye, heart and skin health, cognitive support, muscle recovery, and digestive support,  Watermelon has amazing health benefits.  Have you had watermelon lately? 

The Beauty of Late Summer

August carries a magic all its own. The sunsets seem warmer, the nods are cooler, and the pace of life slows just enough to make us notice. It’s time to: 

Linger over light-summer produce like peaches, corn, watermelon and tomatoes.

Watch the stars in the still warm night sky.

Watch the sunset over Lake Taylor. Our local lake.

                                       -A Natural Transition -

This month is a bridge. It reminds us that life moves in seasons: A time for energy, a time for rest, and a time for renewal. As we move towards September, ask yourself.:

What do I want to carry with me from summer?

What routine routines or habits no longer serve me?

How do I want to feel going into the fall?          

This reflection makes space for clarity and  helps us step into the next season with intentions. 

                    -Creating a gentle end-of-summer routine- 

You don’t need a grand gesture to honor this shift. Sometimes small rituals are the most meaningful.

Try: 

Latin in a candle during your evening wind down to symbolize the transition.

Write in a journal about your favorite memories from the summer.

Decluttering one space in your home to create room for new energy.

“ I embrace the closing of this season with gratitude and look ahead with hope and intention.” 

August may be the end of summer, but it is also the beginning of something new. By slowing down and honoring the moment, we create space to both celebrate where we’ve been and prepare for what’s ahead. 

Fourth Wing Book Review

Fourth Wing 

By Rebecca Yarros

Fantasy Romance

Published May 2, 2023

I really didn’t have any clue what this book was about except it was fantasy and included dragons. What I did know that several of my co~workers were talking about the books on Facebook. I was able to download it on my Kindle for free!  It took me about 3 days of reading it to finish the book. 

Violet (MC) was well written. I felt like I was with her every step of the way for her training to be a rider. Her dragon was extremely large and powerful whose name is Tairn. 

Violet’s mother forced her into the Riders Quadrant.  Unfortunately Violet has an unspecified chronic disease that affects her connective tissue and making her joints weak. Which means that it’s hard for her to keep her seat while riding Tairn. 

The characters were all written perfectly. A few of the characters were obnoxious. I am a little obsessed with Xaden and Violet. Also Rhi, Liam, Ridoc and Mira. Every character was so detailed. Read the book I’ll become part of the characters, And love the dragons as well. Everyone is so vivid and full of life. The plot twist towards the end was literally shocking.

Violet finds herself in a complicated relationship with Xaden, a wing leader with his own secrets. Will Violet and Xaden be able to fully trust one another? 

There are four wings for riders at Basgiath. Each wings makeup is identical. The wings or how cadets are kept orderly and function under peer command.

Wing leader is a student elected by leadership to be in charge of the entire wing. Xaden is the wing leader and should not be allowed to frolic with the students under him. For me that makes the book more interesting tome. I have always been a rule breaker myself. 

If you’re looking to read a good fantasy series do not sleep on these books by Rebecca Yarros. 

 

Sunday Funday

This mural is super cute found in Norman, Oklahoma. In fact we actually turned around so I could take a picture with this mural. I have been on a mission to find murals near to me. We seen many murals that we are going to take pictures of in the future.

Barnes  and Noble Bookstore

Going in to this bookstore is like being embraced by a familiar friend. So many books to choose to buy. I want so many of the new releases on a limited budget.  

Who likes a little spice in their books? You better believe I do! I remember years ago my Grandma Pearl said “I don’t need to read an instruction manual on sex.”  She definitely would blush as these spicy books that I have been reading! 

It’s time for Lunch at The Sweet Basil Thai Restaurant. Oh my gosh I really enjoyed the food. I will be going back to try different dishes. Do you enjoy trying different foods?

The decor was cute, exactly how I would have wanted the restaurant to look like in real life. 

Cherrie had sweet and sour stir fry. She went with zero spice.

I had Pineapple fried rice with chicken. Level 4 spice. Somehow I ended up with zero spice level and Cherrie got the spice in her dish.  I had no clue she could not do “heat” in her food.  We’ve been friends well over 30 years and just finding out this info.

Seems like So many restaurants are putting this on their walls. Makes me wonder what the next decor craze will be?  It’s cute and makes for a nice place for pictures.  As many of  you are aware Iam big on pictures. I remember a season in my life I did not take any pictures of myself because of low esteem.  With doing our Sunday Fundays I need pictures even of me! 

After eating we went to Ollie’s for a few things. Found more scrapbook supplies. I spent about $50.00 on supplies.  I do plan on doing a scrapbook haul post soon. I know what I got was well worth the money. I didn’t have many alphabet stickers and bought several packages. Will use them in my journals. 

Crest was our last stop. I had my list, then Brody’s small grocery list. Cherrie is getting groceries as well.  Since her list isn’t as much as mine she will grab items on Brody’s list. Am sure she thought she was doing a scavenger hunt.  

Overall the day was great. Am always grateful that we are able to get out and have these special days. 

 

National Book Lovers Day

 As long as I can remember I have loved reading books. Much to my surprise, we have a National Book Lovers Day!  Seems like I am always learning something new from the internet.  I treasure my books and hopefully always will love them. 

There is a local book club that I can join at our local winery.  I just haven’t gotten around to going yet, The Facebook group gives all the details, but seems like I forget to go or mentally exhausted.  I’ve been wanting to keep a detailed book review journal on books I’ve read. Just haven’t done that either.  

I recently got a library card to a library in same town that I work out. Much bigger library than my local library.  They are always doing fun activities.  I may have to check out the books that the book club are interested in reading this month. So I can be ready for the next meeting.  

How I will probably celebrate National Book Lovers Day is reading a good book with a glass of wine. May even go to the library and enjoy the morning.  Celebrate this day with a great book. 

Rush Springs Watermelon Festival

      Rush Springs Annual Watermelon Festival 

I haven’t been to the Watermelon Festival in many years. This year our grandson Lane is going to be in the Little Tots competition.  So it was worth fighting the crowds to watch him be on stage. 

So we live in the country and when we got to the highway intersection we saw a bad wreck right in front of us. A black car turned into a truck with a stock trailer. It shook me up. It took less than a minute for the police to arrive thankfully as they were at the football field. We continue on to the park and it took us 30 minutes to get to park because of all the traffic.  Keep in mind our small town has normally a little under 1,200 people, during festival day it swells to over 20,000 people.  Then I had a motorcycle that didn’t even look as he pulled out in front of me. Wow!  

Lane on the stage answering his questions and then he sings Jesus loves me. He did amazing on stage.we were all so proud of him. We wasn’t sure how he would do but dang he did so much better than we thought. I was thinking he would freeze up when he seen everyone in the crowd. 

Brody, Mr. C. Landon and Landon.

Lane and baby Sophie

Sophie hanging out with us at the park.

Went to see the crafts and goods being offered at the festival. It was getting hot and more crowded as the morning wore on. 

Lane and Landon on the carnival rides Friday. Ignition.

Landon is excited to be driving the car. Love watching how happy the boys were at the carnival.

Lane said the hot air balloon ride was his favorite ride.

Lane got 3 rd place in the Little Tot competition. 

Grandpa and Luther having a moment before the competition starts. 

Grandpa, Lane and Brody. 

After leaving the festival we went to Marlow to eat lunch at Esperanza. 

Chips and dip was served as always. This could be a meal by itself. I always eat way too much of the chips. 

My food was so good had to have the street tacos.  This is our favorite restaurant to eat at that is close to us. The food is always delicious and everyone is so friendly.  We do have to drive to Marlow, Oklahoma but it’s only a 15 minute drive.