Categories
Reflections & Lifestyle

The Best Things About Spring

Spring has almost sprung; and I have been so looking forward to it!! This is my top 10 list about the best things about spring.

  1. More daylight!
    *The “dark” months are really tough on me; so being able to wake up to the shining sun –there is nothing better!
  2. Snow is disappearing
    *Depending on how harsh winter was, there is usually some kicking around. Although the grass is still brown and dead, the fact that its visible and starting its process of rejuvenation is exciting!
  3. Easter
    *Spending time feasting with my family is awesome!
  4. Strawberries
    *They are in season, and so tasty!
  5. Carrots & Beets
    *They are in season –bring on the delicious salads!
  6. Tulips
  7. Spring Break
    *A week off of school to relax and reset so I can make it to summer break after toiling away on report cards!
  8. Moderate weather
    *Perfect for spending more time outdoors and resuming my walks!
  9. Turning the furnace off
    *Just another indication that we are getting closer to summer
  10. Animals
    *Of course, baby animals have to be on the list! Because, duh!

What do you love about spring?

Categories
Writing Prompt Wednesdays

February Journal #4

Are you making the world a better place?

I like to think so. Maybe that sounds conceited. I’m not doing anything large or on an international scale, but I love my students and I hope every day I make their day a little better. Things like making them breakfast, donating money or supplies to community events directly benefit them, planning fun activities and simply being there for them when they’re struggling. I just try to be on their side. I tried to model kindness and help them learn and get good marks so they can realize their dreams in the future and I love to cheer them on. I hope that if they feel cared for they may be more likely to care for others. I also do my duties as a citizen so hopefully I can say I make the world better not worse at least.

What about you?

Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts

Categories
Entertainment

Book Club: February

Last month, I read quiet a few books; however, I didn’t decrease my TBR pile very much.

  1. The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell

We meet the bold, Lucrezia di Cosimo de’Medici, who is forced to marry the Duke of Ferrara at age 15 after the death of her older sister (who had been the intended bride). After her marriage, her husband, Alfonso takes her to his court where she is subjected to totalitarian surveillance where she could potentially meet an unfortunate end.

2. Enola Holmes and the Mark of The Mongoose by Nancy Springer

Rudyard Kipling seeks to find his friend, an American book publisher who has gone missing in London. He initial goes to Enola’s office but upon discovering she is a woman; he wants to enlist Sherlock instead. Enola works the case regardless on the downlow.

3. Murder on the Christmas Express by Alexandra Benedict

In this modern take on Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, former police officer, Roz must solve the murder and prevent others from happening while the train remains derailed in the snow.

4. Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder by Catherine Lloyd

Caroline Morton finds herself back at the home of her Aunt as a guest at her cousin Mabel’s birthday ball. This go awry when a butler goes missing and a Great Aunt is found dead. She must solved the mystery plaguing the house and forge a future for herself.

What did you read this month?

Categories
Food & Drink

French Onion Soup: Slow Cooker Version

Ingredients

12 white Onion (thinly sliced)
1/2 cup butter
2 tsp Italian herb seasoning
Salt and pepper
100 ml red wine vinegar
3 garlic cloves (minced)
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp Worcestershire saue
1 bay leaf
1000 ml low sodium beef stock
2 cups mixture of Provolone, Swiss & Gruyere cheese
6 slices sourdough or French bread (toasted)

Directions

  1. Put all the ingredients (except for the into slow cooker except the beef broth, cheese and bread).
  2. Cook on high for 4 hours
  3. Remove the bay leaf
  4. Add beef broth; stir and simmer for about an hour
  5. Stir again
  6. Add bread and sprinkle with cheese; then cook on high for 8 minutes until the cheese is all melty
  7. Enjoy!
white onions
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Categories
Writing Prompt Wednesdays

February Journal #3

Should kids be allowed to have personal cell phones and tablets in school?

100% NO!! If you need to get a hold of your child, call the office and they will relay the message to them at the appropriate time. They are in class; learning and don’t need any interruptions, they have enough of them. Or better yet, call or text them on their break. Even if you expect them to wait and check their phones at break once they feel the buzz or see the notification they just can’t help but stop and check it. You think they may have control but they don’t. They are addicted to their devices and your flagrant floating of the rules makes it hard to enforce our cell phone policies. Kids do not need the extra screen time they have enough. One time a kid told me he is on his phone 18 hours a day.. WTF! Also, the amount of cyberbullying and privacy violations are insane! (This prompt definitely hit a nerve!!) It is sort of fitting that I am responding to this prompt now; considering that the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia have made moves to quash phones at school –we shall see how it all shakes out.

What about you?

Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts

Categories
Travel

Back to the Vault: Houston, TX

I thought it would be fun to travel back in time and check out what I was writing about last year. Back in 2023, I had just returned from Houston, TX and shared all my photos with you. In case you missed it, here is a blast from the past. Man, I need to go on a trip…getting a little restless. Where are you travelling this month?

Houston, TX: Photo Dump

Categories
Food & Drink

Sushi Bake Casserole

I have been craving sushi; my husband is NOT a fan of raw fish and we live a fair ways away from any decent sushi restaurant –and I’m sorry I am NOT eating gas station sushi. Which is why this Sushi Bake Casserole has been awesome for use; I get a take on sushi flavours and my husband doesn’t have to eat raw fish.

Ingredients
*quantities aren’t given so you can customize size and balance your preference of ingredients

Basmati Rice
Roasted Seaweed
Sweet Chili Sauce
Salmon (cubed)
Avocado (cubed)
Cucumber (diced)
Green Onion (diced)
Rice Wine Vinegar
Low Sodium Soy Sauce
Sriracha
Yum Yum Sauce
Everything Bagel Seasoning (toasted)

Directions

  1. Cook your desired quantity of rice according to the instructions on the package
  2. Place rice into the bottom of a casserole dish and flatten
  3. Layer nori sheets on top of the rice
  4. Mix salmon and chili sauce together in a bowl and then spread over the nori in the casserole dish
  5. Bake casserole for 15-20 minutes at 425F; depending on how done you want the salmon
  6. Add your toppings: avocado, cucumber & green onion
  7. Drizzle vinegar, soy sauce, sriracha, yum yum sauce over top
  8. Sprinkle seasoning on top
  9. Enjoy!
Categories
Writing Prompt Wednesdays

February Journal #2

Is there a mistake you keep making repeatedly in your daily life? Explain.

All human beings are so flawed. I make many mistakes all the time but I try and learn and I try to  be better. I have a few poor choices that I make often…

-Committing to an exercise or weight loss program which I fail at often; knowing full well they aren’t a good fit.
-Taking on too much and not asking for help.
-Holding onto negative feelings.
-Not following through on plans because I’m afraid to do them alone.
-Not saving more for retirement but telling myself I’ll fix it next year, this also applies to going to the doctor.

What about you?

Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts

Categories
Gifts

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

Valentine’s Day is on Wednesday; and I left it a little late to get my husband a gift –originally we weren’t going to exchange gifts but I think he is violating that agreement, so here I am. He loves fishing, so this gift guide is for the FISHERMAN!

Magnetic Nippers (Simms)

Bump Board (Frabill)

Rod Bunk Box (Flambeau)

Cooler (Igloo)

Wading Jacket (Simms)

Categories
Fashion

OOTD: Valentine’s Day

My husband and I are making more time for dates this year; it was one of our “INs” for 2024 and staying home was definitely on our list of “OUTs.” For Valentine’s Day, we are doing dinner and a movie and this is the outfit I picked from Ricki’s and The Show Company.

Top: Long Sleeve Ruffle Trim Blouse in pale mauve
Bottoms: Vaughn Trouser Pant in Luxe Tailored in black
Jacket: Faux Wool Long Line Jacket in grey
Jewelry: Trio Pack 14K Gold Pavé Hoop Earrings
Purse: Aldo Legoirii Satchel in dark beige
Shoes: Kelly & Katie Stefia Wedge Pump in black