I’m joining Amy at Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa for this month’s “Currently” post. The idea is you fill in the blank of five participles with photos, if possible. I skip the photos unless I already have them in my library. Look at me! I’m on a roll with this one! I hope the weather in your part of the world is a little more stable than it is here in Central Indiana! Honestly, you never know what to expect. Last week, we had another rollercoaster of a week with highs in the 80s (27C) dropping to the 40s (4.4C), all in one day! On Sunday, my oldest son came over and helped me whip the yard into shape. I wanted the spirea trimmed down so he cut a little off. I grabbed the pruners…they have a real name, but I’m not sure what it is…when he wasn’t looking and gave them a real haircut. Now, they’re only about six inches high. I know, from experience, these bushes will be back with a vengeance this spring. It was really a good day, soaking in the Vitamin D and cleaning things up. But, here I am digressing once again!
Planting or hatching…
This made me laugh because, when I was teaching, this would have been the time of year we were hatching chickens in our classrooms. The kids loved it for the first couple of days. Then, the constant cleaning of the water and everything else just left them as tired of it as I was. It was still a neat unit…we started it out with serving them scrambled eggs. We ended with chicken nuggets! See, we were also teaching the life cycle! But, back to Amy’s participle! I am not really planting anything at the moment. I’m contemplating bare spots in my front garden spot. It needs something, but I’m not sure what. Two years ago, I planted an upright elephant ear there. I didn’t dig it up so I figured it died. It surprised me late last summer when it started sprouting up. I did plant another last summer in a planter and wheeled that into the garage for the winter. I am, however, hatching up an idea for one of the bedrooms. I think I’m going to turn it into a library in a year or so. Right now, we sleep in it because it has an adjustable bed. My plan is to get rid of the king size bed in the primary bedroom, move that bed in there, move Jack’s room to the back bedroom, and create a library in the front room (Jack’s current room). So, it’s like a stack (or is it a line) of dominoes! One has to fall before the rest can. Oh, and I’m going to replace the nasty carpet (I told Nigel, I really did) with a laminate floor I love. We used it in our last house. I am completely over the luxury vinyl plank stuff. We have that in the kitchen and the hall. It’s not the floor that’s so bad; it’s the installation. Those guys were just plain bad. Some of the planks are hooved up against each other while there’s an inch gap under the vanity in the guest bathroom. Even I can put down a vinyl plank flooring and have it turn out right.
Cleaning (spring)…
My mom used to do spring cleaning the old way. We would wash the walls down, move the heavy furniture to sweep under it, and wash all the curtains. One year, she accidentally washed fiberglass curtains with our clothes. We itched for weeks. These days, I seriously doubt they make fiberglass curtains. Anyway, I’m planning to clean out the kitchen cabinets and the pantry. When we moved in, it was a matter of finding a space that fit. Now, I need to clean out a few cabinets that Nigel loves to stick stupid stuff into…like a big package of batteries with one battery in it. Or, how about the box your iPhone 6 came in? Yep, those kinds of things are cluttering up one cabinet. And, I honestly have no idea what is in the cabinet over the refrigerator. It’s a skinny little thing (not unlike me…hahaha), and the refrigerator is a hefty one. So, it takes a bit to get in there. Plus, I have to move the stuff I have on top of the refrigerator.
Eating and drinking…
When Nigel was in the hospital, our oldest brought us some frozen meals from a place near his home. It’s called the Food Florist, and the food is really good. So, I have been ordering from there. The meals are frozen, and I just have to bake them. One of the things he had brought was absolutely delicious…blueberry French toast made from brioche bread. But, there’s very little, if any, protein in that. So, we decided to skip that and have it only every once in a while. And, each meal (for both of us) is less than one meal at a restaurant. I mean, have you been to McDonald’s lately or even Taco Bell? As y’all know, I hate to cook, but I have to admit I’m a little tired of just heating something up. I just wish I could come up with good menus. One would think I could make the time to do this. One would be right. I just don’t do it. And, like I said these meals are freshly made from organic ingredients and cost less than it would take for me to make them.
Reading and watching…
I just finished two of The Moffats books. Lisa recommended them, and I needed a light read. But, it’s time to move out of the middle grades and into a different genre. I did enjoy reading about Jane, Joey, Rufus, and Sylvie, but I now bid them a fond farewell. I’ve just started The Wedding People. Why? Basically, I picked it because it was available right now on my Libby app. I don’t especially like reading on my iPad, but I just haven’t made it to the library lately. We finished the first season of “The Traitors,” and I loved it! I just love Alan Cumming and seeing what he was wearing made me happy. Some of those women need to lay off the lip fillers, though, right? Nigel wasn’t keen on starting the next season so we’ve begun the current season of “Bridgerton.” I don’t know why, but I just don’t seem to love it as much as the first couple of seasons. I think the story lines are a little tired. What do I love? I love Queen Charlotte, her wigs, and her sassy attitude! I also love to see the fashions, but I am so glad I don’t have to wear all the underpinnings. I honestly don’t know how historically correct the clothing is though I could google it. I’m also watching “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” but I already found out who was eliminated last week. That really spoils it when you find out before you watch an episode. I’m sure that’s true for any reality show like this.
Loving…
Believe it or not, I’m loving this time of waiting with Nigel for his infection to end. It’s weird, I know. I should be a nervous wreck, worrying about the next steps. But, for now, I feel comforted with the knowledge of the miracles of antibiotics and implants with antibiotics inside them. I’m trying not to think about what is coming up. Will the next fluid aspiration show more of the bacteria? Will this hip replacement actually enable him to walk? See, those are the things I’m trying not to think about. I’m just living in the quiet moments of peace and quiet before the storm that’s surely coming. Unfortunately, that storm won’t be here until probably the middle of May. But, if it ends up the way I’m praying, hoping, and wishing for, it will all have been worth it.
Wrap It Up, Marsha!
I think I may have gone off on a tangent or two in answering these prompts. But, did you expect anything different from me? I think I could have and maybe should have gone a little more literal with some of these prompts. Maybe next month, right? So, can we talk? Do you do a deep Spring cleaning? How do you menu plan? Are you a fan of reality shows? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.
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I like your strays from the prompt path.
I don’t menu plan at all, never have, and I don’t watch reality shows at all. As a non-streamer, I’m always years behind everyone else, anyway 😉
Our weather is weird as well, but not quite as extreme as yours!
Thanks, Cat! I just can’t seem to stay on any paths! I think I would be content with a bowl of cereal most nights if it were just me. Mike insists on meals…I just can’t understand it…hahaha! We seem to stream everything, but I think you watch things that are much more interesting! We don’t usually have these huge extremes. I’m wondering if that’s just a sign of things to come.
I love that you clean and clear in spring. Just tag Emma’s post and she does the same. I clear out all year long😂I hate a mess. And frozen food! Marsha, it’s so simple. Just get some fresh vegetables you love, a bit of meat, fish or tofu, noodles or rice and some soy. Easyand healthy.
Thanks, Nancy! I wonder, though, if the market is much closer to you and filled with fresher vegetables. It’s about a half hour drive for me, and the vegetables sometimes leave a lot to be desired. I do need to get a wok and make stir fries again. We always loved those. Thanks for reminding me!
I’m doing a Spring clean now. I am on a mission to rid our house of all the stuff that came from a relative when we cleared her house. I can’t have her ‘living in my house’ any longer!
I am a menu planner and I cook and bake; brought up in that way and don’t plan to change.
I hardly ever watch TV, it’s books for me!
We are all different, it’s what makes the world go round.
Thanks, Rosie! It is good that we are all different. You know I was raised to cook and bake, too. The difference was my mom canned all our vegetables, but she never taught me how to do it. And, home canned veggies are so much better than store bought. I do enjoy baking and am good at it…even if it looks like the dog’s dinner (is that the right saying). I think Mike just wants to lessen the load on me right now. I am hoping we get back to a normal life soon. I just need to up the variety of vegetables we eat. Mike really doesn’t care and could eat green beans every day and not notice! I have had some difficulty in maintaining my attention while reading. I used to read five to six books all at the same time, but I can barely make it through one. We really only watch tv (together) for about 45 minutes a day. Mike has it on all day long for background noise.
I know, when our house has to be split up, the kids will have no problem getting rid of anything they don’t like or want. In fact, I would imagine they’ll just have a huge auction because they all have been in their own homes for several years. I wouldn’t want someone else “living in my house” any longer, either.
It’s always interesting to know how things are going with you, Marsha. I don’t do much in the way of cleaning these days – I have a cleaner which is bliss. But I do still cook fresh food every day, although we do have a great frozen food store called Cook, which is excellent and I use their frozen food for entertaining as it’s so good and would fool anyone as being home cooking – I love the surprise when I show them the container!
I am so glad Mike is improving and getting on with the antibiotics. If that was the case for me I don’t know what would happen as I am very very allergic to antibiotics. I haven’t completed a course of antibiotics for 20 years. Fingers crossed Marsha as I have an appointment for my hip – today!
I loved our recent Celebrity Traitors – that really worked and was so good – but don’t watch the ordinary Traitors. It’s OK re: weather but we kind of wobble around 15C which is 57F all the time. No highs but no lows. That sums the UK up quite well I think!
I’m so glad I’m interesting to you, Penny! Thank you for that! I have considered a cleaner, but I also know myself. I’d clean for the cleaner! I think of you and your rainbow of veg all the time. I really need to just email you and find out what you eat on a regular basis.
It is amazing to see the difference in his demeanor. I know he is truly hopeful this will be the end of this almost two year saga. I am allergic to many antibiotics, too. Luckily, I must not be allergic to the one he’s on because I have dripped it on my skin a couple of times. I feel quite “nurse-y” when I’m giving this to him. I’m just deathly afraid of passing this bacteria back to him as the Infectious Disease doctor told us it’s present on everyone’s skin all the time. Oh, I do hope you have good new about your hip…please let me know how it goes!
I wonder if I can get the UK version. Is Alan Cumming still the host? I am glad the era of lip fillers seems to be ending. I wonder if those women ever look at themselves and think, “What was I thinking?” Probably not. It was another damp and chilly day today. You would have felt right at home here in Indiana!
I don’t do deep cleaning like that during any particular season but do wash walls, baseboards, curtains, whenever I notice them looking dingy. I tend to menu plan for the month all at once so I don’t have to think about it very often and I make everyone contribute menu ideas so it’s not all on me. This time of year I start sprinkling in a lot more grilled meats and cold salads which makes it much easier on me since I can prepare the salads ahead of time and pass the grilling off to my husband.
Thanks, Joanne! I don’t believe I’ve washed walls down in years. I just paint them…hahaha!! I do constantly dust the baseboards (I think you’re the only other person besides me who calls them that). I really miss my white woodwork because that was just so cost-prohibitive when we built on top of taking an extra three weeks to cure. Menu planning for a month would be ideal. My problem is freezer space so I’d have to plan and shop several times. We will start grilling soon, too. We gave our humongous Blackstone to our youngest son last summer because I was afraid of it. I bought a small grill that is just the perfect size for us. I haven’t quite conquered the just right time to take burgers and such off of it without charring them, but I’m getting there. Here’s a weird one…all of a sudden, salads really hurt my stomach. I know it’s the lettuce because it can be on anything…like tacos…and, I’ll know it within an hour or so. I will be so glad when Mike is grilling again, though!
I love that you are living in the moment with Nigel’s infection – it’s hard to do but necessary for the long haul.
I think the food service sounds amazing! Fast food is so expensive and unhealthy, having those go to frozen meals is handy. I used to love to cook but now not so much, I am all for simple and convenient.
Fiberglass curtains! Bless your hearts, having itchy clothes for weeks – oh the memories!!
xo,
Kellyann
Thanks, Kellyann! It was strange to me, as I was writing this, to realize just how peaceful I feel about the whole thing. Is it stressful? Yes, because I really hate leaving him alone for any length of time. But, I have had to do it for an hour here and there. I think I’ve drummed into him how he just cannot take any risks and needs to stay put!
The food service really is so inexpensive. We had a delicious casserole with lots of chicken breast, wild rice, broccoli, and cheese. We will have six meals from it, and it cost less than $24! I just add another side, and we’re both more than satisfied.
Yes, fiberglass curtains! I cannot believe they actually made them. But, oh, my goodness! Our clothes were so itchy! But, Mom never made that mistake again!
I just made some chocolate protein pancakes.That turned out delicious and you could make a bunch and then freeze them.
Email me if you want the recipe.It was super easy.
( And delicious says rob)
Xoox
Jodie
Thanks, Jodie! If they don’t have bananas in them, I’d love the recipe. I just cannot eat bananas. I made myself sick on them when I was a kid, and the smell literally has me running for the bathroom! What do you put on the top of the pancakes? I’m not a big syrup person, but Mike definitely is.
Good luck, Marsha, with your redecorating and spring cleaning plans! To be honest, it makes me tired just thinking about it. Maybe that’s because we just finished painting the interior of our home up north and I’m just so glad to have that behind me. The frozen meals sound like a great option. And finally, wishing Nigel a quick and full recovery.
Thanks, Christie! I actually love to paint so that’s not a big deal. I don’t know if I’m going to repaint the new library room or not. A lot has to happen, honestly, before that even occurs. I am just not a fan of spring cleaning, and yet, I know this house needs it badly! The frozen meals really are good, but I now I kinda miss cooking…quite the contrarian, aren’t I? And, thank you for the good wishes for Nigel!
I was giggling and reminiscing as I read your memories of having baby chicks in your classroom, Marsha! We, too, had them and the kindergartners loved them (although they weren’t much help in the upkeep). Scrambled eggs and chicken tenders… too funny but definitely an accurate representation of the life cycle! I bet all your past students remember that unit!
Thanks, Laura! Oh, they loved having the chicks. We got them a few days before they “pipped.” The kids would be so excited to see them hatch only to have most of them hatch overnight! I was always afraid one of them would get sick from handling the poo, but no one ever did. I really hope they enjoyed that unit because we (my best friend and I) had a blast designing it and teaching it. It was a true collaboration.
Love hearing what is going on with you and Nigel. Can’t wait to start planting here. I do mostly flowering containers. I feel itchy after hearing about those fiberglass curtains. Lol!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thank you, Kathrine! Most of what I do these days is containers, too. I have three (or maybe four) huge clay pots that are my main focus. I make a list of the pots I’m going to fill and what I want to put in them. Then, I go shopping. I hope to go earlier this year because, last year, it was very picked over. I also love my Boston ferns though they are a pain! Oh, my gosh! Those fiberglass curtains and our clothes…we scratched and itched for ages!
So much to comment on! Good job on the yard!
I say stop fighting the cooking thing. Keep using the service and spend your time on things that you enjoy. Don’t forget you are a caregiver while Nigel continues healing and waiting. If you see a recipe that inspires you, do it, but don’t be so hard on yourself.
Happy Good Friday and hoping you get good news on the Nigel front!
Thanks, Amy! Well, if you say to stop fighting the cooking, I will! Actually, I need to just conquer that distaste and come up with a bunch of meals we really like and put them into a rotation. The thing is, with this Food Florist, I couldn’t make the meal for what I’m paying! And, it’s organic and delicious! I keep forgetting that caregiver word. It’s not something I ever anticipated. I mean…that’s only for old people, right? Hahaha! I am trying to take time out, but I hate to bother the kids too much. They have families, too. But, they are wonderful and happy to drop everything and come running when I need them. I hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend! And, thanks for hosting Currently!
Those meals sound really cool and delicious! And very handy! My parents are moving in 3 weeks, so it has been great for some real spring cleaning: technically decluttering and organizing not so much cleaning, lol! I love how you all started your units: you had me laughing. What did you do with the chicks that hatched?
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Thanks, Mireille! My best friend and I had so much fun writing that unit…we knew it was a little weird, but the kids loved it! We gave the chicks to the students after they brought in a signed permission slip from their parents. One of the girls in my class got a rooster that crowed every morning at 4:30! It lived for several years.
I have to tell you these meals are less expensive than if I made them myself. I am really impressed with the quality and the price. I just add a vegetable, and we are set! Oh, cleaning and decluttering are going to have to wait for a long time here. The furniture is pushed up against the walls and other furniture so Mike can get through easily with his wheelchair. I’m not worried. That dust will be there when I get to it. I hope your parents moving in goes well for you. You are amazing for doing this. I always wished I had done that with my mom because I think she would have fought harder to stay alive.
Food Florist is such a great idea. We have friends who had twins at Christmas and have a 2-year-old, too. They are really struggling as far as meals go. Planning to make them something they can just heat up but love the idea of the Food Florist service. And that French toast sounds delightful. Protein or not.
I am finishing up spring cleaning. Hallelujah. My kids dreaded it when I would start cleaning on their spring breaks. Never made the fiberglass mistake but only by the grace of God!!
Love your unit on hatching. I know you were one fantastic, life-changing teacher.
Thanks, Leslie! I need to catch up on your blog. I can’t figure out a way to subscribe, and I keep forgetting to check on it! Anyway, Food Florist has two options for a lot of the meals. One is for two, and the other is for six. We’ve found a couple we like so I order the larger pan and portion them out for three nights. It’s really been nice. I just need to add a vegetable, and we’re good! I think I may even cook some chicken breasts we have in the freezer to add in for extra protein. Yes, that French toast was so good, it didn’t even need syrup. Just scrumptious!
I haven’t even begun spring cleaning. Our house is in such disarray with the furniture all pushed back so Mike can more easily maneuver his wheelchair. I really need to get down on my knees and clean the floorboards…I really miss having white woodwork. I think the stained wood shows the dust so much easier!
Oh, my gosh! We had a blast teaching science which is funny because I never enjoyed science when I was a kid. We did an egg drop project to teach the scientific process and got some really creative containers. The kids had a rubric to work from so they knew exactly what was expected. I loved teaching…it truly is the absolute best job in the world.
I’m also really bad at menu planning, and occasionally toy with the idea of getting some kind of meal kits delivered.
I love that you are at peace and actually enjoying the time waiting for the infection to clear up, and I’m praying that it does very soon, and that Nigel is back to full health and able to walk again too!
Hope your April is off to a great start!