A Few of My Favorite Things

It is very warm outside here in east San Diego.  I thought that I would take a little break from my chores, and cool off a little.  Today, I have been cleaning, but not too much.  I seem to have waken up with some severe sinus pressure and have been battling it all day.  I am feeling worse and worse as the day goes on, but I will survive.  I was behind on the spring cleaning, and for the past week I have been catching up.  This week was spent on the house.  Next week, well, that will be spent on the ranch and yard.  But first. tomorrow, while the husband is at a convention, I will be painting some touch up spots.  Shhh....don't tell him, but I am seriously thinking about painting our bedroom also while he is gone.  It will all depend on how I feel.

While we are getting to know each other, I thought that I would share some things about me.  I love to help people and animals out.  I am always willing, and have, given my shirt off my back to someone in need.  I love to work with children, seeing them excel in things makes me excited.  I have worked with some performing arts kids for the last 9 or 10 years, and I love it.  To see them work hard and try and get better, and win awards, makes my heart melt.  The life skills that performing arts kids learn, and the work habits that they build, are things that they will use the rest of their lives.  I wish now that I have seen three children grow up in performing arts, that I got more involved growing up.  For now, I just give my time and energy to help make it better for all the kids that I know going through it now.

Five of my favorite things...

1. GREEN TEA...Especially the Kirkland Green tea...I drink probably a gallon or more a day when I am home.  Here is the exact tea that I like, https://www.costco.com/Kirkland-Signature-Japanese-Green-Tea-100-ct.%2c-2-pack.product.100220250.html.  It is a staple for me.  Just some hot water, does not matter how hot it may be outside, some lemon and some honey.  That is all that it takes to make me a happy camper!  I miss my green tea when I am not home and drinking it. It is one of my vices.
2. COCA-COLA...I have to admit it, though not always healthy, but it is another one of my vices.  I love regular coke.  My family also loves it.  It is almost always in our "drink fridge".  If I am feeling lack of energy, it is my go to.  If I am feeling nauseated, it is my go to.  If I have no green tea available, it is my go to!
3. AMAZON.COM...it is another vice.  I have yet to meet someone who does not like it. I have met people without Amazon Prime, but they still use amazon.  I turn to amazon for EVERYTHING.  I wish that I could do all my errands and shopping with Amazon, but I have found that I can not.  I used to have problems with it, but I have learn self control and it is not as bad as it was.  I, unfortunately, have turned my husband to Amazon.  He has used it as much as I have this year.  I think that we are an AMAZON family!  My daughter uses it, and often times leaves things in our basket to order while she is off at college.
4. COOKING...I love to cook.  I am happiest in the kitchen cooking away.  I think that I received this passion from my grandmother.  She has passed, unfortunately, but she was the one that taught me how to cook.  She would often times make elaborate dinners for my family growing up, and my father and I were the only ones that enjoyed it.  I am a foodie, and my husband is a foodie.  Our children are somewhat picky, my children more than his, but are growing to love food more and more.  Especially the youngest.  I have found that cooking with fresh ingredients and meat, is the best way possible.  We grow most of our own meat, and this year, we have a garden going, that I can not wait until I am able to harvest more.
5. MY FAMILY...my husband and children are my life!  I am happiest either in the kitchen as mentioned above, or spending time with my family.  We try and have fun family days, but lately with all the kids growing up, it has been hard to make it happen with all of us.  That is okay, we were teenagers once ourselves.  We know who our family is, and we see each other all the time, so I will not stress about the children growing up.  I must admit, it is difficult letting the go find themselves, but it is a necessary thing as a parent.
6. A BONUS ITEM! MY INSTA-POT...I used to love my crock pot a lot, but I got turned on to the insta pot.  I am in love.  Often times I will look at a clock and say, WHERE DID THE TIME GO!?!?!  The insta pot saves the day!  I can make a wholesome meal very quickly in that thing.  I do not have the actual insta-pot, I was given one from Target for our wedding.  I have found that I would like an actual Insta-Pot and one of the big ones.  I am running out of room often in the one that I have.  You will see how much I use it while getting to get to know me.  In fact, I will be using it tonight!

Well, it is getting to be about dinner time.  I try and menu plan, but with busy schedules, it does not always work out.  Especially in the summer.  With the long days, we take advantage of them often times.  My husband is hard at work with his contracting business today.  Though, I can see him while he is working today, he is just at one of our neighbors.  It is nice though, he had a tooth extracted yesterday, and was in a lot of pain.  Seems as if that tooth did not want to come out, and they had to work extra hard at it.  He says that his jaw hurts today from all the pulling and grinding.  I have been watching him closely and trying to make sure he keeps up on his meds.

As I am typing this, I just finished my last swallow of green tea, so it is time to hit the kitchen, make more tea, and get some dinner started.  It will be a good and quiet one.  Only have November daughter and her boyfriend home tonight, so a quiet dinner.  We will be having some steak, salad (many items from the garden), artichokes (in the insta-pot), and Hasselback potatoes.  I have seen them on Pinterest for years now, and have always said I was going to try them.  Tonight is the lucky night!!!!  I will report to you how they turn out and what I would do to make them more like my style of cooking.

Speaking of cooking, I have some requests.  For those of you that are reading, I need some recipes.  My garden is exploding with yellow and green zuchini, cukes and tomatoes.  I am looking for some recipes to use them up.  I am also looking into canning some of these items.  That will be a huge first for me.  Suggestions on what to buy, and some recipes would be greatly appreciated!

Have an awesome weekend, no plans for us, just a weekend at home.  But, hopefully I will have some pictures to post of our lovely animals, I have not mentioned that I like to take pictures.  And will help you understand our crazy clan a little more each day.  Have fun, be good, and make yourself proud!