Fall decor and crockpot dinners

 Happy Monday!

Another weekend has passed by so quickly that there was barely any time for enjoyment. My parents came over and while my mom and I got manicures and pedicures, dad and husband worked on the condo. Ha, so fair of me :)
I've been waiting for the day that I could get grey polish -- apparently it's just not appropriate for summer ;) So I was happy to get a beautiful grey on my nails. It just screams "fall" to me!

This is going to be a busy week (as always) with celebrating Rosh Hashanah on Wednesday, and finding some time to paint the bathroom, clean all of the windows, buy a smaller desk chair, put up and steam all of the new curtains, move the last items out that are cluttering things up and make it all cozy and minimalist at the same time ;) Not sure yet how that will pan out. I've finished the dining room (aside from the pile of boxes) and the second bedroom. I am in love. Wish I'd done this while I could enjoy it more, but it will be how our new home looks for sure. Husband has finally seen how delightful fall décor makes the home ... maybe I can buy more while it's still on sale (haha, he'd kill me for that one!)
Here are the dining room back table and the second bedroom photos (terrible lighting -- it was dusk).

 

Gosh that lighting ... but check our my gorgeous curtain work with the sheer in the middle!

 

My favourite part of the room. Fall, antique furniture and pumpkins!

 

Pumpkin spice and everything nice! I also added a little pumpkin beside the sign later that day

 

 

For the bouquet on the dining thing, it will go on the table. It's just waiting there for now. I couldn't find anything at Michaels that I liked (and that my picky husband thought was acceptable), so I decided to make my own bouquet. The guy in the floral department was kind enough to cut the flowers down for me, so it was all ready to go once I made my choices. I feel like these colours can be acceptable for any season, even though they have that rustic fall feel to them.

 

 

Pretty pretty flowers

 

Before I go, super proud of myself today. I set up the crockpot last night, and just whipped it out of the fridge this morning and it's ready to go! I'm not sure how it will turn out, but here's hoping! I had potatoes that were seasoned with the big Italian 3 (basil, parsley and oregano) and mixed them up with some evoo and minced garlic, then on top I put chicken with the big 3 plus onion powder and garlic powder which had been seared for a couple minutes on each side. When I get home I will add some kale for the last 30 minutes or so. I haven't used the crock pot in ages, so I'm a little worried but the convenience is huge so I hope this works and can become a regular thing!

Have a great start to the week! Happy Monday, friends!

Need more hours in the day

 

Time has not been on my side lately! Work has been crazy busy, as has life! We *may* actually be able to list next week. This weekend should finish everything off and then we wanted to have a cleaner in to do a deep scrubbing before the photos and everything.
Yesterday I had a volunteer meeting in the evening and very little time in between work and getting there. I had also had a fairly sedentary day with back to back meetings and was not even close to my needed steps for the day. So I made the decision to run a short run instead of no run at all. It was great because not only did I hit my steps, but I also felt better getting out there! My sinuses are still kind of blocked up and I still have a cough, but otherwise I'm definitely on the road to recovery, and getting back to the fitness is a good way to get there. Also, new running shoes always make things more exciting!
I'm heading to the gym tonight. Not sure yet what I plan to do, but I'll have a plan before I get there.
This step bet is really keeping me on track. It's much harder than I thought it would be. We have already lost 35 participants and it's only the second week (and last week, as the warm up, didn't count).

Tomorrow is our very last CSA delivery (as I mentioned in Monday's post). Go figure this is the week they remember to send out the info as to what's in the order. No surprise veggies this time! Thankfully, we aren't getting carrots. Still have 2.5 bags left. Sigh.

Tonight I am making Bruschetta Spaghetta from Daily Dose of Pepper's website. It looks and sounds delicious, so I'm pretty excited! I will try to remember to take a picture and post it tomorrow. I (of course) failed to take a picture of our dinner on Monday when I made the Autumn skillet (link in Mondays post), but I will say that it was delicious, incredibly easy and definitely is something I'll make again. I also made a Cajun spice sauce to go with it (because I need sauce for everything) and that just took it over the top. My husband did a snapchat of it, so I'll post his silly photo here. Ignore the text. Also, it's blurry because it was a video. Ah well.
I realize it isn't actually very pretty, so you'll just have to make it and believe me that it's worth it. I used sausage, potato, carrots, yellow squash, green squash, mushrooms and Cajun spice. I sautéed the sausage first in a bit of olive oil, then added the veggies, another good drizzle of olive oil and covered it up and just let it cook for about 30 mins. Easy peasy. Also smelled so good! These recipe websites are keeping me motivated

 

 

Oh and in VERY exciting news, I FINALLY found a set of curtains that works in our second bedroom (still with the sheer for added bulk in the middle). It only took 4 (5?) different sets, lots of swearing and dropping curtains rods, some marks on the wall that will need to be painted over and too many trips to BB&B than I'd care to admit. Now, our building has a very strict rule that curtains have to have a white backing ... these do not. I do not care. Fingers crossed no one notices before we move. I'll take my blue-backed DKNY curtains with me if I have to, but they're staying up for now. No photo. Maybe tomorrow.
Yes, curtains are incredibly exciting to me right now.

Happy Thursday. Tomorrow I will be back for Friday favourites - lots to share this week!

Friday Favourites!

My first ever Friday Favourites!
I'm linking up with some of my favourite blogs to take part in a post I've loved to read every week!


#1 Mix and Match Mama's Honey Pecan Chicken recipe
I had this last night for dinner for the second time and I just can't get over it. It is SO fast, so easy and so gluten free. I went with Shay's use of both white and dark meat and it was fantastic! I removed the thighs after 25 minutes and cooked the chicken breasts for another 15. It all came out wonderfully. This is definitely a favourite from our dinners this week! I'm not posting my own picture (because I forgot to take one), but I'll leave you to click the link. Her picture is amazing anyways :)

#2 My Lululemon Glide and Stride shirt
This shirt is so comfortable, so cute and I just can't get enough of it. I was able to get it for $39 from the sale instead of its original $74, which just adds to my enjoyment. I love that it comes with a built in bra, and I can't get over the sides. Sometimes I need to take a minute to just flit around in front of a mirror and look at it's adorable-ness. Hmm, that might be weird.
I also found it was true to size, and bought it in my usual 6. I wear a 6 in bottoms and tops religiously and have only deviated when I've read enough reviews to know I need to size up or down. Love those reviews.

 Images from here

#3 CSA Produce Day
I signed our home up for a CSA produce package that we pick up weekly from a home nearby. Unfortunately we don't live in one of the cities with delivery, but it's not much of a hassle to pick it up. It's actually on my way home from work. Each week we get a selection of local veggies and fruits, plus I added a $10 fruit basket. It's all organic and sooo fresh and delicious. It also forces me to think outside of the box for my meals, because I need to use up the produce! So far we have really cut down on grocery shopping. I still buy berries, watermelon and peaches/nectarines/plums, but I never really buy veggies anymore. It's been awesome! We have had some items that we aren't so inclined to use, luckily I can give those away to willing co-workers and friends who are only too happy to accept :) Case in point - those limes went to my co-worker today (he got them last time too!)
If you have a local CSA, I would highly recommend signing up. It is so worth it!

 

 

#4 teapigs Tea
This stuff is like the holy grail of tea to me. The chai masala and morning glory are my favourite flavours and I cannot get enough. I've seen them pop up here every now and then, but they never stick around in stores. They actually had it at picklebarrel the last time I went, but the morning glory was called English breakfast and didn't taste the same.

The tea temples have full tea leaves in them and are full of flavour like you wouldn't believe. My friend sent me some from the UK once, and now includes them every time she sends me a package, because she's just the best! If you ever see this tea - buy it. You won't regret it!! I am literally enjoying a cup of morning glory as I type this.

Images from here

 

Well, that's it for today. I'm sure that there is more I have loved this week, but these are the top 4!

Happy Friday!

What? Two days in a row?!

This must be a miracle. I'm actually blogging two days in a row. I told you this time I was going to make it work. I'm going to aim for day three!

 

So last night I accomplished three things that made me happy. I got my steps in (8300). That damn carrot app. I was so close that I literally danced around my bedroom to hit my goal before bed.

I made a new (healthy) meal. I made Cajun haddock with rice and green beans.

I went to spin class and despite reallllllly not wanting to go, I dragged my butt there and sweated up a storm. I love the Tuesday coach - he's the kind of coach you see on youtube. He screams and yells and sings along with the music. He actually makes you want to push harder and work till you can't pedal anymore. If there's any class I can drag myself to, it's his.

I'm nervous about my triathlon this weekend. While I've focused heavily on swimming - my weakest sport, I haven't done nearly as much running as I should have. I know the bike will be fine - I really enjoy cycling and I'm pretty decent at it, but running has been sorely neglected this past year. Ever since I injured my knee I don't see running the same as I used to. It also doesn't help that the pain is random -- sometimes it hurts at 3k, sometimes 6k ... I even went up to 8k without pain. Without knowing, it's hard to set out on a route where I might need to stop halfway through and then be forced to walk home.

The trials and tribulations of a wannabe tri-athlete :)

There's also the fact that by the time I get to the run, I'm going to be exhausted. It's going to be a very long 5k. I have wanted to do this triathlon for ages though, so I am excited to have the opportunity.  The medal is HUGE.
Yes ... I do races just for the medal. I have a 10k in September that I am running simply because the medal has a panda bear on it. It will be so brutal.

No clue what's on the schedule for dinner tonight -- THIS is why meal planning is so crucial. I really need to make use of the crock pot. Eventually I will start posting pictures to go with these posts so they aren't so boring :)

Wow, I think my last post from January just proved how bad I am at keeping up with blogging. Here we will try again.

It's been on my mind for a long while to attempt to do this blog thing regularly, if only as a way to document for myself what's been going on in my life. I've also been inspired by seeing bloggers who are hitting these spectacular anniversaries and have managed to blog regularly despite their busy lives.

So here we go - again.

What do I have to offer to readers? That's a tough question. Who says my life is more interesting than anyone elses. So for now, nothing. Ha, how's that for motivation?

I want to work on a few things in life right now, which kind of goes off of my initial list from January:

1. To lose weight. I may have never gained the freshman 15, but I did gain the marriage 15 and I'm not happy with it. Dessert every night is not realistic.

2. To establish and maintain a fitness schedule. So far the only thing I done weekly without fail is my open water swimming lesson on Saturdays. I do workout at least 3 other days in the week, but it's random and sporadic and what achievements can I expect without dedication. I've learned that I need to be held accountable (thanks mom -- I think I got this from you), so here's me being accountable.

4. To meal plan. Soooo much easier said than done. Sometimes my husband and I end up either eating at 10pm or eating breakfast for dinner. Time to work on that.

5. To find balance and minimize clutter. As we are in the process of preparing our condo to sell, we are decluttering (urmm ... packing stuff to put in my parent's basement is decluttering right?). We plan to have a garage sale once we move and actually have a garage, but we are determined to declutter our lives. A two bedroom condo is small and difficult for two people who knew they'd be in a house eventually but that's still not a reason for me to collect piles of vintage furniture. I have a problem and it's name begins with antique.

On the plus side, I have been trying new recipes, and I have managed to keep up with my gratitude journal every night. So I'm getting there :)

So that's where I hope to go and where I hope to be!

 

Adios.

 

New Beginnings

Hello blog world!

I can't say this is the first time I've attempted to start a blog - but we will see if this one can actually persist!
Since it's January, I figured I would list my resolutions. I never used to believe in resolutions, but they are actually a useful way to encourage yourself to do things you otherwise might just keep assuming you'll do later. Like start a blog. So here goes:

1. Start a blog - duh - and actually update it - hmm...

• Starting a blog - Well, starting it is easy enough. It's the updating part I worry about

2. Fill up my gratitude journal each day with five things I'm grateful for

• I already love my gratitude journal so that seems like it will be easy enough to continue with 

3. Train for irongirl (mostly this means get my ass in the pool)

• Training for Irongirl will be interesting. This will be my first time tri-training solo. I've already found a cycling group I'm going to attempt to join. Apparently registering is as difficult as getting concert tickets. Fingers crossed! I've also found a running group, though their 7am start time on Sunday is fairly disconcerting. The swim part will be hard. I have a possible sometimes swimming mate, though she is far more accomplished than I am (on the way to her third ironman). I really really don't like swimming - especially in open water, but I've done it before for longer distances, so I know I can do it again. 

4. Try one new recipe every two weeks (husband  isn't bold enough for weekly - I tried)

• My Mr. recently lamented my large amount of cookbooks (what a party pooper), so here is my attempt to show him that I do in fact use them. Mind, this wouldn't need to be a resolution if I actually used them. Hmm.

Four resolutions shouldn't be challenging right? Only one way to find out!