How often do you try something new?
Tonight I tried grilled teriyaki squid and even though it looked intimidating and weird, it was chewy and delicious!
We enjoyed a potluck at our pool club with friends and noticed that the weather is beginning to cool down. Fall feels like it might be coming early.
Have a great weekend!
here I am, happily taking the back seat.
With her dad in the front seat by her side, I was definitely the back seat driver and had a hard time keeping my mouth shut.
Today was another new moment and I could see my baby girl growing up and doing things her way.
While we were out teaching her to drive, Charie cooked dinner for us after I started the rice in the rice cooker. We came home and all enjoyed a delicious dinner out on the patio togetherZ
When I forget whether I enjoyed this summer Staycation at the end of summer, remind me of this moment, and the time and space we shared slowing down and enjoying whatever came our way.
Life is good.
xo
Jeff took Juliana out to practice her driving tonight, which made me happy. I love that she had time alone with her daddy and I know she appreciates his attention. I love when my family is content and together.
I sat down for a few minutes this evening, as I’m super tired today. As soon as I sat down to relax, my little partner came up and forced his way between my hands and my eyes, as I was looking at my phone, of course, catching up on social media. He wanted my attention.
Do you see his paw? That’s where it usually is. And if I stop petting him, he nuzzles a little closer. He makes me smile and helps me to relax.
But I can never sit for very long. I soon got up to tidy up, as having a clean kitchen always makes me happy. As I loaded the dishwasher and swiped down the counters, I looked up to find my buddies watching me again.
Maybe they were telling me something, like they wanted some food? Or maybe they wanted me to go relax again. I chose both options.
I’m thankful for my furry friends today. But Juliana is now asking for a dog…uh oh.
How was your summer day? What made you smile?
xo stay loved
If a picture could be a receipt, this picture would be my receipt for another happy summer Staycation day. It captures a moment in time and I can see my babies growing up and still loving and admiring one another. Charlie adores his sister and loved that she was the lifeguard on duty at the pool today. I loved that he was happy swimming alone in the deep end, having her undivided attention.
When we arrived at the pool, Juliana was on a break because there weren’t any kids in the pool. She didn’t mind at all to put her book down and to come watch her brother. They make a great team and watching them made my heart content.
My BFF and her daughter came to join us and we enjoyed the afternoon hours together, catching up and relaxing and sharing stories
Life is good. I’m loving this staycation thing! Happy 1st day of August. I hope you’re off to a good, new beginning, whatever that may be.
xo
Today is July 31st and on the 31st of every month this year, Baskin Robbins is offering scoops of ice cream for $1.31 each.
Juliana wanted to go there tonight and I resisted. I had been gone all day and had decided (today) that I’m going to start being good with what I choose to eat beginning tomorrow and I was practicing today already. She reminded me that we hadn’t been together all day and we’re trying to make the most of our Staycation and that we really should go!! She’s very convincing even though my arguments were very convincing too. In the end, I decided I’d rather play and have fun and share the experience than not.
We all loaded in the car to go and once we got there, the line was out the door with a party of 17 in front of us with more people joining from the parking lot. Luckily the family decided we should go with plan B and chose Thrifty’s ice cream from Rite Aid, which is my favorite.
Thrifty’s ice cream was only $1.99 for one scoop and $2.69 for two scoops and we didn’t have to wait in line! Since there wasn’t anywhere to sit, we wandered around the store and played a game. We each walked around and looked for the strangest thing we could find and took a picture of it to share with the group. This made “shopping” fun. We all laughed at our treasure hunt finds.
Who knew an ice cream shop could be so fun? Thanks Juliana for inspiring me to go out and play!
Happy Sunday! Have a great week.
xo
Today was much better than yesterday. And it’s day 50 of my summer staycation. I still woke up very early, and Charlie was up early too, so I just snuggled with him on the couch while the morning was still and everyone else was still asleep. It was nice to do “nothing” together.
After having coffee and reading the paper, I prepped the ingredients to make fresh spring rolls for this evening, which took more than 2 hours. After straightening up the house and decluttering, including washing all the dishes, I squeezed in a quick workout before showering and preparing for my lunch date.
Juliana invited her friend and her mom over for a double date with us. We served fresh fruit and baby carrots, and made grilled paninis, while they brought cookies and chips to share. Afterwards, we went to get luxurious pedicures together that felt so good! I loved the girl time together.
We got home in time to relax for a bit. Actually, Charlie asked Juliana to bake him a strawberry cake and she was busy making the frosting while I relaxed. There is a perk to having big kids! I loved that she did this for him.
Soon after we progressed on to the first stop of our progressive dinner. We enjoyed potstickers and sushi, shrimp chips, fruit and rice balls.
It felt really strange to show up empty handed. Everything was amazing!
After an hour we progressed to the next house, where we enjoyed an Hawaiian theme, with pulled pork sandwiches, mango coleslaw, and pineapple. Everything was so good and I was having such a great time, that I forgot to take a picture before we progressed to our house for the 3rd stop.
We made fresh spring rolls with dipping sauces. By the time we got to our house, we were all so full and we still had to save room for homemade strawberry birthday cake.
I was happy being organized and prepared early this morning, getting all my work done, to be able to enjoy the entire rest of the day and night. I guess that’s a bonus to waking up early. It was another fun day to be on a staycation.
I hope you’re enjoying your end of the week.
hugs
Tonight I am thankful for my BFF who always has good ideas and inspires me and picks me up and makes life great.
I am happy even when we are just in the same room, sitting on the beach or shopping on Santana Row. It doesn’t matter what we do, I just love her energy.
Everyone needs a good friend like her! I am thankful for my sunshine!
Be well, my friends. And be a good friend!!
nAMaste
4 years ago today we moved to Amsterdam,with fear and excitement in our hearts. This was what prompted me to begin blogging and I have been enjoying sharing my days here for more than 4 years now.
Today we drove back from Southern California to our home in Northern California. It’s always bittersweet to say goodbye. We had a great vacation with family and wish we lived closer to each other.
Do you live close to your family? Would you choose to live close to your family if you could? I would, even though I am happy where I am.
nAMaste
I am happy that we got to celebrate Charlie’s birthday today with family, doing what he loves and feeling his joy of being an almost teenager.
We enjoyed donuts for breakfast, bowled in the afternoon, made pizzas for dinner and ate red velvet cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes for dessert.
Life is sweet! Today was good. Sending blessings of peace to you and your family, and especially to those in Munich today.
Happy Birthday, Charlie. You are loved! xo
I didn’t take any pictures today, although there were some beautiful sites along our journey.
Today I am thankful for my sisters who welcomed us home and made us a wonderful dinner with literally an hour’s notice of our arrival. Jeff just returned from Europe and is jet lagged and I’ve been a a working, solo parent for the past week plus. We were both too exhausted to think and they did the thinking, planning, shopping, prepping and cooking dinner for us and this gift was priceless and much enjoyed.
It’s great to be loved! Thanks, sisters!!
How was your day? Did anyone spoil you? Did you spoil anyone?
Life is good.
xo
here i am 