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Reflections & Lifestyle

Summertime Reflections

Embrace the Sun: A Guide to Thriving as Women in the Summer

School is done, summer is here. It is time to slow down and enjoy what this season has to offer. It is the perfect time to experience adventures and relax and recuperate. There are several suggestions I have to make the most of this time; before it runs out… because let’s face it… September will be here before we know it.

1. Celebrate Your Skin

I think it is important to ditch the make-up; we slather it on everyday in our work life. Summer is the opportunity to go back to our natural state. All you need is sunscreen and refreshing moisturizers! It’s also a perfect time to schedule that “treat yourself” spa pampering.

2. Fashion with Flair

Gone are the business casual outfit and replacing them are comfortable lightweight dresses, shorts and comfortable sandals. Summer is also a season of COLOUR and playfulness in terms of clothing.

3. Indulge in Seasonal Delights

Summer is my favourite “food season.” The number of fruits and refreshing drinks that are in season are staggering. What better way to enjoy them, is by having a picnic with your besties.

4. Nurture Your Mind and Body

The way I relax is to reset and go back to the intentional routines I had set earlier in the year but unfortunately abandoned, with the excuse of “I’m just too busy.” Summer is not only the season of laid back fashion and incredible food it is also the season of self-care. Reading, yoga and gardening are the top three ways that I nuture my mind and soul.

5. Explore the Great Outdoors

Summer gives me more of a chance to get outside; winters are long and rough here; and the winter blues can be severe. Summer allows me to go for walks and go fishing and camping with loved ones. It also allows me greater flexibility to see friends and go on adventures in the city or go on quick day trips.

6. Connect and Celebrate Sisterhood

Summer is the season of get-togethers. True, meaningful connection is crucial in our overly technologically connected world. Chances to participate in BBQs, potlucks, picnic and spending time on the many patios of hip restaurants abound. it is important to renew your friendships and share laughs.

7. Reflect and Renew

We often reflect at New Years, but we should and can do this more often. It is shocking how little we check in with ourselves (and others). Summer presents a really good opportunity to check in with ourselves; you can do this at the start, at the end or both. You can reflect on how your year has been to this point, what you want your summer to look like, how your summer has been and how you want to move forward into fall.

In conclusion, make the most of summer in a way that meets your needs; but make sure to stop and smell the roses.

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Writing Prompt Wednesdays

July Journal #2

Describe your first kiss.

It was a really, really, really long time ago! I can’t even remember how old I was but I was really young; in elementary school. My best friend and next door neighbor Ryan kissed me. It wasn’t anything romantic or anything like that. Neither of us really understood its significance. I am not sure if that technically counts. If it doesn’t then I guess my first real kiss from an actual boyfriend was when I was 14 years old. I thought he was “the one!” Oh how silly I was. We did a lot of making out because I refused to do anything else with him. He was a good kisser but not the greatest person. I think our first kiss was on my doorstep at the end of our first date.

What about you? Comment below!

Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts

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Food & Drink

Back to the Vault: Amazing Apricots

Today, we are taking a look at some truly delicious apricot recipes to enjoy this summer!

Amazing Apricots

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Writing Prompt Wednesdays

July Journal #1

What is your favorite dessert?

I haven’t found a dessert yet that I didn’t enjoy. The Sawmill makes an amazing fudgy brownie covered in a chocolate dome which then has warm, gooey chocolate sauce poured on top and then the dome melts away to reveal the dessert. It’s pretty epic. However, my favorite desserts are the ones I have enjoyed on my travels.

For example…

-Mille-feuille/Napoleon in France
-Tiramisu in Italy 
-Sticky toffee pudding in  England.

I have a really bad sweet tooth. I never turned down dessert. 

What about you? Comment below!

Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts

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Uncategorized

Programming Note

As much as I love writing and maintaining this blog; even if readership is low –I will be making the transition to 2 posts a week rather than 3.

I will be adopting a Monday & Friday posting schedule.

My “Writing Prompt Wednesday” will be moved to Fridays.

Take care and happy summer, everyone!

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Entertainment

June Book Club

Another hectic June as a teacher is in the books; I am looking forward to devouring many more books over the summer. I managed to read three excellent books this month.

  1. Murder at Mallowan Hall by Colleen Cambridge

    The first of the Phyllida Bright series; and I can’t wait to read more. However, in this particular novel, the housekeeper at Agatha Christie’s home must solve two murders which take place at a house party; a la Hercule Poirot.
  2. Murder at the Dinner Party by C.J. Archer

    In the latest (and eighth) installment; Cleo must investigate the death of a butler whose unusual behaviour indicate that foul play may have been involved. Joining her on the case is Harry Armitage; they uncover that the case of the butler is linked to a murder from decades ago.
  3. The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by Claudia Grey

This is the third book in the Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mystery series. You may remember that Lady Catherine is the autocratic aunt of Mr. Darcy (Pride & Prejudice); a series of unfortunate events brings Jonathan and Juliet on to the scene to sort things out and prevent her murder.

What did you read this month?

Categories
Writing Prompt Wednesdays

June Journal #4

If you had a pet parrot, what would you teach it to say?

I would teach it every swear word under the sun! No, I’m just kidding. It would be funny and cute for a bit but overall I think it would be annoying in the long term.  I would teach my parrot as many words and phrases as I could so that it would be able to converse with me. Definitely, “I love you,” would be one of the phrases. I would also teach it reminders like, “Did you unplug the toaster?” “Don’t forget to bring you lunch!” Reminders would be super helpful. Even though I love birds and had two budgies (Joey & Pepsi) growing up, I am not keen on having one in the house. 
What about you? Comment below!

Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts

Categories
Food & Drink

International Pineapple Day

Although an upside-down one; may have a “naughty” meaning these days –this day celebrates the delicious, tropical fruit in the “innocent” sense.

close up photo of pineapple with party hat and a black sunglasses
Photo by Pineapple Supply Co. on Pexels.com

Not going to lie, I fell down the rabbit whole when researching the pineapple in preparation for celebrations on June 27 and this is what I discovered…

1. It was first documented by Columbus (Guadaloupe, 1463)
2. Hawaii is the biggest producer of pineapples (1/3 of the world’s pineapples in fact)
3. Other major pineapple producing countries include: Mexico, Thailand, Costa Rica, Honduras & China
4. It takes 2 years for a tree to produce fruit.”
5. The fruit and the tree look very similar
6. One stalk can produce HUNDREDS of pineapples
7. Pineapples are a low cal source of vitamin C, magnesium, iron & even protein
8. They improve digestion and have benefits for the immune system
9. To get your pineapple to ripen faster; store it upside-down
10. They are actually a member of the berry family

To commemorate the occasion; I’ll be sipping on my favourite drink (the Pinapple Mojito Mocktail) and eating my favorite dessert: the traditional Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Categories
Food & Drink

Sausage & Peppers: The Perfect Picnic Entree

Hello June! This month is all about celebrating the end of the school year and welcoming summer. Summer is the season of picnics, barbecues and getting together with friends. Burgers and hot dogs are great; they are classics. But, I wanted to try something different for our latest party….

Ingredients

1 Tbsp margarine
1 red bell pepper (sliced)
1 yellow bell pepper (sliced)
1 orange bell pepper (sliced)
1 onion (halved and then sliced)
1 pack of mild Italian sausage (sliced into rounds)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
1 can Alymer diced tomatoes
1 pack hot dog buns

Directions

  1. In a large pan, melt the margarine and sauté bell peppers and onions together until soft
  2. Add in minced garlic and continue to cook until the mixture is lightly caramelized
  3. In a separate pan sauté sausage until lightly caramelized; drain if necessary
  4. Add the sausage to the peppers & onions
  5. Add can tomatoes and seasoning; heat until bubbling
  6. Slice the buns; (toasting is optional) and spoon mixture into buns (should be heaping)
  7. Enjoy!
Categories
Writing Prompt Wednesdays

June Journal #3

Name three things in your bathroom right now.

I have a lot of stuff in my bathroom; even in our guest bathrooms to be honest.

  1. Robe
  2. Towels
  3. Endless supply of soaps, shampoos, conditioners & skin care items
  4. My nail kit so I can give myself a shellac manicure
  5. A travel bag with toiletries, ready for a trip at any moment
  6. A basin to soak my tired teacher feet
  7. Toothbrush and toothpaste

It’s a good thing that we have lots of storage so that I can hide all my stuff. My husband also has a shocking amount of stuff in our bathroom. Perhaps I should do some de-cluttering….What about you? Comment below!

Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts