I have really gotten into watches lately; not only for their functionality but also their fashionability and these are the ones I have had my eye on.
Stella Sport Multifunction Rose Gold-tone Stainless Steel from Fossil
Rainey Park Luggage/Leopard-print Reversible from Kate Spade
Kensington Leather Watch in Lavender from Nixon
Perry Stainless Steel Mesh Bracelet Watch from Coach
Lilibling Grey from Swatch
I was gifted this awesome journal for Christmas this year; Picadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts. I thought it would be fun to spend a few moments each Wednesday working through this journal and then sharing them with you.
What about you?
Last year, COVID-19 ruined the holidays for many of us; we couldn’t gather with our loved ones. This year we are finally able to gather. We host the major holiday feasts at our home; but all the prep work, cooking, serving and cleaning takes my attention and time away from my family. I have been using the following hacks to survive. So this Thanksgiving, give these a try so you too, can spend more time with your loved ones.
is fast approaching; Sunday October 10th! As per the World Health Organization (WHO), the “overall objective is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. [It] provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.”
I’d like to share with you some resources that I have found helpful.
I was gifted this awesome journal for Christmas this year; Picadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts. I thought it would be fun to spend a few moments each Wednesday working through this journal and then sharing them with you.
What about you?
Heading back to the classroom after two school years affected by COVID-19 in some way; is STRESSFUL. Whether it was a long term closure down with asynchronous online teaching OR a year of in-person teaching with rigorous masking, distancing and sanitizing protocols but periodic short-term closures and synchronous online teaching OR another absurd form of teaching/education.
I’ve been listening to Spotify A LOT lately; making my own playlists or rocking out to their pre-made ones. I used their “100 Most Relaxing Songs” to make my own playlist of the 23 that I enjoyed the most and helped me relax the most.
1.Break My Heart –Piano Acoustic (JC Stewart)
2.Berlin (RY X)
3.Green (Abraham Marder)
4.Counting Flowers (EVER)
5. Head And Heart On Fire (Leon)
6. loyal (Jasmine Thompson)
7. You Say –Piano/Vocal (Lauren Daigle)
8. A Thousand Years (Christina Perri)
9. Write It Down –Acoustic (Hamzaa)
10. Sense of Home (Harrison Storm)
11. Growing Brightly (Florist)
12. Homesick (Dua Lipa)
13. Breakers Roar (Sturgill Simpson)
14. Give You Up (Dido)
15. Across the Sea (The Sweeplings)
16.Gentle Punches –Acoustic (Jack in the Water)
17. Tidal Wave –Acoustic (Old Sea Brigade)
18. Bridges –Acoustic (Aisha Badru)
19. I Wish I Wish (Sam Amidon)
20. Middle Names (Devendra Banhart)
21. The Lonely 1 (Wilco)
22. Steady (The Staves)
23. Symmetry –Dark Version (SYML)
A warm lasagna on a chilly fall day is very yummy! This version adds a bit of Tex Mex kick!
Ingredients
1 can Campbell’s Cream of Chicken Soup Low Sodium
1 can Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup Fat Free
1 14 oz can of Aylmer Accents Chili Seasoning Diced Stewed Tomatoes
1 pinch of salt
1.5 cups of Campbell’s Chicken Broth No Salt Added
1 box of Catelli Express Lasagne Oven Ready Noodles
1 rotisserie chicken
2 bell peppers
1 onion
1 Tbsp Old El Paso Jalapenos
3 cups Cracker Barrel Tex Mex Cheese Shreds, divided into thirds
Directions
1. Mix the cream soups and diced tomatoes together in a large bowl
2. To the mixture add the salt and chicken broth and stir
3. Grease a 9 X 13 baking dish with margarine and line with lasagna noodles
4. Shred the rotisserie chicken
5. Dice the bell peppers, onion and jalapenos and mix them together in a bowl
6. On top of the noodles, layer approximately half the chicken and half of the onion, bell peppers and jalapeno mixture
7. Sprinkle 1 cup of the cheese on top
8. Pour half of the soup/diced tomato mixture on top
9. Place another layer of noodles
10. Place another layer of chicken
11. Place another layer of the peppers/onions/jalapeno mixture
12. Place another layer of cheese (1 cup)
13. Pour the remainder of the soup/tomato mixture over it
14. Top with the last of the cheese (1 cup)
15. Cover with foil and back for 40 minutes at 350
16. Uncover and continue to bake at 350 for another 10-15 minutes (until the cheese is bubbling and lightly browning)
I was gifted this awesome journal for Christmas this year; Picadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts. I thought it would be fun to spend a few moments each Wednesday working through this journal and then sharing them with you.
What about you?
I spent the morning putting in a grocery order for my husband to pick up for me since I am still laid up from my accident and surgery. As I perused the aisles via my keyboard, I noticed I was adding a lot of “boxed” items to my cart and from that mundane experience comes this post… the first in my series of: the best boxed items.
Best Boxed Healthy Cereals
First Place
Great Grains Crunchy Pecan (Post)
Second Place
Love Crunch (Nature’s Path)
Third Place
Gluten Free Honey Vanilla Crunch (Cascadian Farm)
Fourth Place
7 Whole Grain Puffs (Kashi)
Fifth Place
Cheerios (General Mills)
*Based on flavour, texture, healthiness, & cost
*Consult labels for nutrition information and dietary concerns
Raise your hand if you are a bonafide bookworm!
I spent the last month and a half checking out a new author, Wilbur Smith. My husband is a longtime fan and has been ‘suggesting’ that I read the books. And, I should have known that he was going to be right… I LOVED them!
Smith has several series: The Courtney Series, The Ballantyne Series and the The Ancient Egypt Series.
I started with The Courteney Series; there are a couple ways to read these novels. They can be read in order of publishing date or in terms of the historical eras. I chose the historical era route; which is broken down into THREE parts. The order of the parts is as follows: Part 3, Part 1 and Part 2.
Part 3 (1660s-WW1)
1. Birds of Prey
This novel follows Francis Courtney, his son Hal and their crew during the Anglo-Dutch War. After capturing a Dutch ship they are double crossed and arrested, tried, found guilty and sentenced to endure horrible fates. Following Francis’ execution, Hal and the crew escape from their lot as slave labour and commit their lives to righting the wrongs that befell them. Hal fulfills Francis’ vision for him by becoming a Knight of the Order of St. George and The Holy Grail and finds himself serving Prester John in Ethiopia.
2. Monsoon
Hal fathers four sons: William, twins Tom and Guy, and Dorian. William remains at the estate while Hal and the youngest three set sail to save English ships in the Indian Ocean. Unfortunately, trouble brews between the twins over Caroline which causes Guy to disembark. During an intense battle, young Dorian is captured by the enemy and sold to the Omani prince. During his captivity Dorian falls in love and must escape with Yasmini. Hal and Tom spend many years trying to find Dorian and free him from his captors. Sadly, Hal doesn’t live long enough for that to happen. But, Tom and Dorian do find each other and set up a successful trading company in Africa.
3. Blue Horizon
This novel focuses on the next generation of Courtney’s; Jim and Mansur, the sons of Tom and Dorian. After absconding with a woman imprisoned by the powerful Dutch East India Company; Jim must leave EVERYTHING behind and head deep into the interior of Africa. Sinister Dutch officers follow them with abandon! Tom and Dorian face punishment for Jim’s actions and must also leave everything behind and move away from Good Hope. Enemies of Dorian and Yasmini hook up with the enemies of Jim. Dorian and Jim get double crossed and Yasmini is murdered. Dorian journeys to the middle east to avenge her death and save his adopted country men from the oppression of the Caliph.
4. Triumph of the Sun
The Madhi is on the verge of attacking Khartom due to the unrest in Egypt; everyone, including the many British subjects residing there fear for their lives. After what seems as initial unwillingness to get involved, the hands of the British are forced into action. Trader, Ryder Courtney is forced by General Gordon to remain in the city and to surrender his supplies at a loss as part of the ‘war effort.’ Frustrated with the situation, Ryder teams up with Captain Penrod Ballantyne and David Benbrook, the British Consul. Ryder and Penrod are quite taken with the Benbrook women: Rebecca, Saffron and Amber; who make the ultimate sacrifices and fiercely fight to save those they love.
5. Assegai
This novel follows Leon Courtney, a disillusioned soldier and big game hunting guide in Africa. Little does he know, one of his clients, a German industrialist is using his hunting trip as a way to spy on the situation in Africa, inspire rebellion against the British by the Boers and test out horrifying battle technology. Leon falls in love with his client’s mistress, who is actually a spy employed by Penrod Ballantyne. Against all odds and with the help of his Massai family and friends, Leon must foil the German’s plan and save Eva.
Next up, Part 1…
Stay tuned!