Inspiration

I have received some inspiration from a blogging friend (I hope I can call her that).  Karen, over at Life is Good, takes daily walks and posts pictures of her walks.  I always love looking thru the pics, as though I am right there with her, walking along.

Yesterday I decided to go on a walk.  There really isn't much to look at out here where Stephen lives.  He lives in a housing development right outside of a small Oklahoma town, very near Oklahoma City.  In fact, on a very clear day, I can see the buildings in downtown OKC from his yard.

I started off on my walk thru the neighborhood.  We are towards the back of the development, so it was a half mile walk to the main road.  I didn't feel like taking pictures of his neighbors' houses.  They may have called the po-po on me if I did.  lol...

Once I got to the main road, I took a few pics.  Not much to look at.

Here is an old shed.  Looks abandoned.  There is a stream off toward the back, where the first line of trees are.

These beautiful yellow fields are abundant here in Oklahoma.  It's canola!  I would have never guessed it.  The flowers are very vibrant, especially up close.

The best part about where Stephen lives is what is near his back yard.

Hello there horsey!  Would you like an organic carrot?

This is Stephen feeding the horse.  I wasn't quite that brave.

As soon as I gave the carrot to the horse, it snapped it right in half as I was trying to take a picture.  I quickly moved my hand so it wouldn't get devoured and got this great shot of the carrot snapping in half out of the horse's mouth.  Ha!

So much thanks to Karen for giving me some inspiration in getting out yesterday and walking around the countryside.  I walked a little over 2 miles.

No walking today.  I just got back from grocery shopping for Stephen so he has plenty to last him the next 3-4 days. I won't be back until Friday night.

I have all of the laundry done and am packed and ready to go tomorrow morning back to the ICT.  I have a hair appointment at 10 so I will be leaving here around 7:30.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Laters.

Foodie

I love food.  Everything about it.  Where it comes from, how it can be prepared, what it tastes like, what food pairs well with other food.  My foodie love covers a wide variety of areas.  My first love is cheese.  Oh, how I love the fromage!  Comte, Crottin, Brie, Camembert... and the list goes on an on.   I don't think there is a cheese I don't like.  The horrible thing about this foodie love is that I believe I am becoming lactose intolerant.  The horror!

I also love fresh fruits and vegetables.  I have tried all kinds of them.  Finding local fruits and vegetables has become a hobby and new love of mine.  Whenever I am buying local, I know my food is fresh.  It is also helping my fellow neighbors and keeping our money close to home.

As for preparing food, I like to keep things really simple.  I don't add a lot of "stuff" to food.  A little olive oil, salt and pepper is usually all that is needed.  Cooking brings out different flavors of food.  Sautéing food and grilling gives food different flavors.  I love the spring/summer months because we use the grill more.  There is nothing better than roasted Brussels sprouts!

Here are a few pics from last night's supper.

These beautiful Brussels sprouts came from the farmer's market.  These were cleaned, halved and rolled around in ESP (Extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper).  I put these in a foil packet and Stephen put them on the grill.

We also grilled some yummy butter baby yellow potatoes.  These were thrown into a grilling basket with ESP.  Super tasty!

Next up were the portabella mushrooms and onions.  I didn't add anything to these as we love the smoky flavor they give on their own.  The onions get super sweet!

Here is the nice filet of sockeye salmon we got at Sprouts.  I try to buy fish that are wild caught.  Make sure to take the bones out with some needle nose pliers.  This salmon lasts us two days.  Again, it has ESP on it.

 

 

And lastly, here is my famous everything salad.  It has a mix of three different salad mixes.  We used Organic Girl baby spring mix, buttery mache mix and the romaine hearts.  I added grape tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, mini sweet peppers, all of which are organic.  Not shown are the strawberries  and avocado I added to Stephen's bowl and the pear and avocado I added to mine.

 

We also grilled fresh corn, but Stephen threw it on the grill before I could get a good picture.  It was a hearty meal full of vegetables and some fish.  We have plenty of leftovers for today, which we will enjoy for lunch.

 

As mentioned earlier in the post, my love for all things foodie is something I dearly enjoy.  The pictures are totally amateur, but it's not about that.  I just wanted to show you a glimpse of foods I love to eat and prepare.

 

Hope you all have a good day.  I have to go back to work on Saturday.  Boo!  lol...

 

Laters.



Rain Showers

We had a nice rain shower early this morning in the wee hours.  I just checked on our tomato plants and they are doing just fine.  The strawberry plants are on the back porch, so I didn't worry about those.  It looks like we got several gallons of rain water in our tub.  I know it sounds so weird being excited about something like that, but using the rain water will really cut down on how much water we use from the house.  Oklahoma is in a major drought right now.

I made breakfast this morning along with my tasty decaf Gevalia coffee.  We had pancakes and scrambled eggs.  It was delicious!  Stephen is making his "juice" right now.  We both have the Omega 8005 and he likes to have a large cup of organic juice every day.  It makes him feel good.  I guess I should start doing that as well, but I really like my morning cup of coffee.

I don't think we have much planned for today.  We may venture out and look for more sustainable rain catching devices and go for a walk later.  I will try and get some pictures today.  I love posting pics of what I am doing or cooking.  Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Laters.

Art Festival and the Grill

Today we went to the Oklahoma Festival of the Arts.  It was a lot of fun!  Stephen and I both got something.  I will have to post a pic later for you.

We also went to the farmer's market and bought some plants.  I got two cherry tomato plants, a Best Boy and a Beefsteak tomato plant.  We also got 6 strawberry plants.  We came home and repotted everything into big pots.  We are trying container gardening this summer to see how well it will do.  Stephen wants to make a raised garden box by the back porch.  We also have a way to capture rain water so we won't have to use so much of the house water.

After we finished planting and watering, I came in to get dinner started.  We decided to grill again.   We had blueberry sausages on the grill along with a wide variety of vegetables.  We had corn, onions, portabella mushrooms, zucchini, yellow squash, Brussels sprouts and baby yellow butter potatoes.  I also made a kick ass salad!  Dinner was super yummy!  I had seconds of the salad, corn and Brussels sprouts.  The sausage was very good.

We grilled yesterday too.  Last night was sockeye salmon, sweet potatoes, zucchini, onions, Brussels sprouts and salad.  Roasted Brussels sprouts are the absolute best.  I could eat this at every meal.

I am halfway caught up on blogs.  I should be fully caught up by tonight.  No big plans for tomorrow.  Hope you are all enjoying your week.

Laters.

Forever And A Day

It feels like it has been forever and a day since I was last here.  I have been so busy.  Last week I covered another store while a store manager was on vacation.  It was a lot of fun.  That store now has a store manager opening as the current store manager is transferring to another small town store.  There is another store opening about 45 minutes from where I live.  I have applied for both locations.  Hope I here something positive, but if I don't get it, I love where I am at now.

I worked yesterday and have Monday thru Friday off for vacation.  I am in OKC and plan on doing some fun stuff with Stephen while I am here.  I believe we may go to a museum today and sometime this week we are heading to the arts festival downtown.  I would also like to get some planting done.  I brought down some flower pots, so maybe I can get a few strawberry plants and herbs going.

I know there are a bunch of blogs I need to catch up on, so I better get to it.  I sure missed being here!

Laters.

T-Time Is Done!

My taxes are done!  Yay!  I should have a refund by next week, if not sooner.  I also did the Kid's.  We are both getting back Federal, but I had to pay State this year.  Oh well.  I still came out ahead.

Today was a great day.  I got to cover another store while their manager is on vacation.  It was kind of boring, but the day went by pretty fast.  I kept busy.

I came home and we had leftovers for supper.  The Kid cleaned up the kitchen and did his own laundry today.  He also got his English Comp paper completed and is now working on Trig homework.  Looks like he should be able to get a B in trig.  We were so worried about that class.

Speaking of the Kid, did I tell you he wants to major in Fire Science and then Engineering?  Yep.  Kind of different.  He has to do a series of "ride-a-longs" starting Friday.  There will be three of them.  He decided to do this before he actually starts taking fire science courses to make sure this is what he really wants to do.  According to the fire captain who shops in my store, these ride-a-longs will give him a good idea of what the firefighters go thru.  The Kid will work three different shifts at different fire houses.  I think it will be good for him and I am glad he decided to do it.

Well, I am off to read some blogs and then I am heading to bed.  Weather will be a bit cooler tomorrow.  I have to get up early since I have a longer drive.  Hope you all survived Monday!

Laters.

Sleepy

Well, so much for dinner with the Kid. He went out with his friends. Looks like I get leftovers!

I'm going to bed early. I have a 35 minute drive to work this week since I am managing another store for the manager who is on vacation. It's in a smaller town right outside of the ICT.

Hope you all had a fantabulous weekend!!

Laters.

Fast Day

Today has gone by fast.  Opposite of yesterday.  And no sandwich today.  I know you are heartbroken.  hehehe....

We are having fish for dinner, along with some jasmine rice.  It's quick, easy and healthy.  I will be cooking dinner all week since I will be home and will be off by 6 every day.  The Kid is super happy about that.  I also told him I would pack a lunch for him to take on campus with him when he has class.  He's still my kid, even tho he's 20 now.

Anyway, just wanted to check in and see how everyone's Sunday is going.  I'll be back later this evening.

Laters.

And Chew

I am seriously trying to do this post while eating a bologna sandwich with roasted red peppers on toasted 15 grain bread.  It's kinda hard... one moment while I take a bite.

And chew.

Today was seriously like the longest day ever at work.  I worked 12-10 and it just dragged by so slow.  Even my lunch break was long (those usually fly by).  Another bite.

And chew.

I feel like I have been MIA this past week.  I have tomorrow off, but I am going in for a quick meeting with one of my departments.  It should prove to be interesting.  Another bite.

And chew.

Anyway, I will finally finish my taxes tomorrow and probably get some work done around the house.  The kitchen needs a good cleaning again.  Another bite.

And chew.

I guess I better get off of here so I can finish my sandwich.  I am super late catching up on blogs, so I can't wait to see how you are all doing!  Another bite.

And chew.

Laters.

Lots Done Today

I actually got some things done today.  Several loads of laundry, made supper, got my tax information together to file, took a nap, visited the store I am covering next week and now enjoying an ice cream sundae.

You read that correctly... got my tax information together so I can file.  I always wait until the last week to file.  I always get money back every year and I like to file in the last week.  It's fun getting your tax money back when everyone else has already spent theirs.  Lol...

Anyway, I have to be at work super early tomorrow.  I am working until 3 and then doing some grocery shopping with the Kid.  On Sunday I am heading over to see my nieces.  The younger one is cleaning out my car since I bought her track shoes this year.  We made a deal that if I bought her new track shoes, she would detail my car twice for me.

Well, Stephen will be calling soon so I better get going.  I feel like I have been going thru the motions this week.  Hope you are all having a good week.

Laters.

Totally Bored, Hobbies Needed

I was bored today.  So bored, I actually did some chores around Stephen's house.  I cleaned the kitchen, dusted, washed sheets, cleaned the bathroom and now I am waiting for him to get home.  I don't think I could ever be a stay-at-home anything.  It's super boring.  I would definitely have to have lots of hobbies and one immaculate clean house!  Lol...

Right now, my hobbies include blogging, trying new recipes, reading and going on walks (when I can).  I would love to do more.  I have even thought about going back to school to finish my degree.  I know I won't be saying this later in the week when I am back at work.

What kind of hobbies do you have?

Laters.

Blahzay Blue

That is how I feel at this time.  I don't have anything to do, I've been sitting here staring at the television.  Looks like Oklahoma will be getting some inclement weather this week.  Baseball size hail!  What the heck!

Stephen really loves the Oreo cookie commercial.  His eyes light up like Christmas.  Too funny.

Well, I guess I better get around here so we can go grocery shopping.  Chat ya this afternoon.

Laters.

Quiet Evening

We just got back from having a late dinner at BJ's Brewhouse.  It was pretty good.  We are just chilling out and will probably watch something on Netflix.  I trust everyone had a great weekend.  I will check back in tomorrow with my hot coffee and the morning sunshine.

Laters.

Easter Sunday

I woke up around 6:30 this morning (in OKC) and laid in bed.  I must have fallen back asleep because I didn't wake back up until after 10.  Lol....  It's ok.  I don't have to be back at work until Wednesday.

Stephen and I had brunch at a place called Beverly's Pancake House.  It was better the first time we went.  The food wasn't that great today and they messed up our food.  After brunch, we got gas and then headed downtown to Urban Agrarian.  I love it there.  Today we took advantage of their Sunday specials and got 2 dozen pullet eggs for just $5.  We also bought a loaf of wheat berry bread which I plan to make some lovely Panini sandwiches and bread pudding with.  I bought some maple sausages with blueberries and took advantage of the membership card that we can discounts with in the future (only $10).

After visiting the food store, we headed across the alley to Pam's Plants and Produce.  We have decided to plant a few fruit trees out back.  Stephen's house is on two acres, so there is plenty of room for a few more fruit trees.  We have a plum tree and two peach trees on the edge of the property.  We would love to get a Fuji apple tree and a pomegranate tree.  Both trees can grow in Oklahoma, so that's awesome!

We will also get some starter strawberry plants, as well as some tomato plants going in about a week.  I really like the cherry tomato hanging baskets we saw today.  As for the strawberries, I will plant them in garden boxes and put them on the back porch.  Don't need any pesky rabbits or small animals eating up our wonderful sweet berries.

What do you plant in your gardens?  We are starting off small this year.  One day I would love to have the type of garden my grandfather had.

I am heading off to read some blogs now.  I have been absent a couple of days and need to get caught back up.  Hope you all had a great Easter weekend!

Laters.

Long Day

It's been a long day and it looks like I am working a few hours for my boss tomorrow.  Chat ya all in the morning.  Happy Belated April Fools Day!

Laters.

Sky

The skies have opened up tonight and it's raining now.  The lightning is bright and the thunder claps loudly.  As I was heading to the Asian food store for my mother this evening, I captured a few pics of the thunderheads from my car.  No worries, I was at a stop when I took all of these photos.  These were all taken with my iPhone and I did not use a filter.  My favorite shot is with the cows and the moon.

Oklahoma has some beautiful skies.  The clouds are fluffy, lustrous, free.  I couldn't keep my eyes off of them.

Well, it's back to the ICT tomorrow and back to the daily grind.  I have a few days off coming up.  I will be back in OKC Saturday night and staying until Wednesday morning.  I am spending Easter here.  Stephen and I don't celebrate the actual religious holiday.  We will probably just go over to his mom's house for dinner or just spend time at home.

Chat ya tomorrow!

Laters.