Yowza! When I’m not getting here regularly it means one of two things.
One. Things really aren’t going well and I don’t know how to put it into words and share.
Two. Life is going surprisingly well and unfortunately the blog falls to the bottom of the priority list.
It’s Two. Praise the Lord. It’s Two. Life is full and good and I’m doing all I can to make each day feel as normal as possible. Now, that’s not to say I haven’t lost my sh*t a few times over the last couple of weeks with people I disagree with. All of the emotions swirling around right now with people, including myself, can bring out a nasty side. This uncertainty in what our future looks like with the virus, race relations, our countries leader, can be super stressful for all of us. It ain’t easy, I know. I have to keep reminding myself that I need to chill out a bit and decide what conversations will be productive and what conversations will lead no where. The meditation part of the WW App has come in really handy as well as long walks with the tunes cranked up!
That being said, I hope life is going well for all of you and your’e doing your best to hang in there!
Since my last post, we had an awesome weekend at the lake with our friends. We recently had our 10 year old grand daughter spend a weekend with us here at the house. Kate has been struggling with an unexpected side effect of her surgery and was FINALLY able to get some answers this week and is doing MUCH better! I’ve been booking camping trips through September and October like crazy because camp sites are filling up fast due to Covid and folks are trying to find safe ways to get away and have some fun. I am SO excited for Fall Camping! I’ve been playing with a few things in the kitchen. Work feels a little bit more normal as I now go to the Studio’s on Wednesdays and Thursdays. I wasn’t crazy about it really at first, but I’m getting a little more comfortable with it. Mike is still working on the garage doing finishing touches on cabinets and doing some rewiring so he can have the lighting that he’s been wanting. My walking streak got a little messed up but I’m back at it and I’m doing strength training three days a week.
Okay, you’re all caught up. I think.
Lake Weekend
The lake was so nice. It’s an easy three hour drive to their house at Grand Lake in Oklahoma. My favorite part is always the boat ride.
It’s always fun to find a spot to “cove out” for a while. Float, chit chat, giggle, enjoy the day.
My selfie skills need a little work but I really love these two!
We were there two mornings and I only got out one morning to walk. It was hard to leave everyone sitting around sipping on the their coffee ya know, but dang, this view!
We played a lot of darts and a few card games. Always a good time at the lake.
One night at the lake I made the WW Sheet Pan Fajita’s and these Watermelon Mules!
- 4 C Cubed Watermelon, frozen
- 1 C Ginger Beer
- 1/2 C Vodka
- 1/4 C Lime Juice
- Ice for blending
- Lime slices and Mint leaves for garnish
- Serves 4
I’d like to go back ASAP
Weekend with Amiyah
We had the best Girl’s Weekend! Lots and lots of food and a few other things too.
I picked up my 10 year old grand daughter, Amiyah, one Friday afternoon to spend the weekend with us. Not being able to hang with friends has been tough for her. I was really looking forward to spending the weekend together doing so many of the things we enjoy doing together.
We started off with a 3 mile walk. I may have not mentioned it would be 3 miles before we got started but she was a trooper! She has a new Penny Board (similar to a skateboard) that she took along and my route has some great Penny Board hills!
After a hot 3 miles, we made a yummy smoothie and split it. I poured it into these fun Wine glasses that are stored in the freezer.
- 1 scoop WW Vanilla Protein Booster
- 1 C unsweetened Almond Milk
- 1/2 C frozen strawberries
- Garnish, cuz you know…..girl’s weekend.
Pizza for Friday night dinner! I finally gave the Two Ingredient Dough a try! That’s right. Two Ingredients. You probably already know what it is as I’m lame and late to the game.
Equal parts of Non Fat Greek Yogurt and Self Rising Flour. That’s it. I don’t know why I thought it sounded like so much work to make, kneed and roll out. Nope. Especially not with this recipe. This is out of the “Done in One WW Cookbook” that I shared a couple of weeks ago. Highly recommend this Bubble Up Pepperoni Pizza!
It also may have tasted 10X’s better because I didn’t make it. Amiyah did. That’s right. She’s awesome. I tell her I feel like I’m hanging with my 30 year old girlfriend and she tells me she feels like I’m 25, so we get along really well. Ha!
She did everything! No need to roll the dough out for this particular recipe. Just drop dough balls into the cast iron skillet and they all end up coming together while baking for an awesome crust!
While waiting on the pizza to bake, we enjoyed Happy Hour on the deck. She’s 30 ya’ll.
We grilled Burgers Saturday night, BBQ Chicken Sunday night and enjoyed some Avocado Toast for breakfast one morning, which she had never had and loved! We had a “build your own” breakfast bar that included home grown tomatoes and those are simply the best!
We also made some yummy and refreshing Raspberry-Yogurt Pops over the weekend! We used Blueberries because that’s what we had. We loved these!
I could only find three of my ancient/vintage Tupperware Popsicle holders. We improvised for the others using my little Boulevard Beer tasting glasses. Hey, whatever works, right?
We put a piece of paper over the small glasses and stuck a popsicle stick through the hole. This actually worked great! Who has these from Tupperware? Anyone?? They may be older than me!
Amiyah really does have a variety of interest and is pretty much up for anything I suggest. We played with some watercolors and paints one afternoon while Papa Mike continued his garage project. After this we watched Ride Like a Girl on Netflix, based on a true story, and I always love those.
After a full yet relaxing weekend, Mike and I took her home in the convertible. We decided to just let the hair blow!
Just as we pulled out of our neighborhood. So pretty.
We got to have cake with Malik in celebration of his 14th birthday! How did THAT happen? He is the oldest of our 9 grand children. He’s awesome as well. A true gentlemen. Mom and Dad are doing a great job.
We were also super excited to get to see Kapri. We’ve only seen her three times and she is already over 3 months old!
I know!!
Donut?
Have you ever made the Mud Hustler Donuts? These are super easy and only ONE Smartpoint each. Click on the link and go check out his donut page. The original recipe calls for a particular protein powder and protein pancake mix, but I use whatever brand I have in the pantry and it works just fine. You may like the taste better if you use the exact recipe.
I topped this blueberry donut with Almond Butter cuz you know I like my nut butters!
A teaspoon of pure maple syrup on the side doesn’t hurt either.
Sweet Cravings
As a WW Ambassador, WW often sends new products for us to try and I’m loving this new flavor! I added 1/2 Scoop of this WW Strawberry Protein Booster to my Two Good Vanilla Yogurt and mixed with a wire whisk. It made a nice thick dip! If I’d only had a banana that day. The apple took longer to eat though and with the protein from the protein powder and from the yogurt this was super filling!
The Garage
This is how our Saturday night ended last night. I went out in the garage to kinda just say “hi” and he gave me a job. It was hot!
It’s looking good in the garage! Feeling like a shop. A nice space for projects we might want to work on. We have a few in mind. I keep thinking about my word for 2020 and how through all the crazy, it is still unbelievably relevant. “CREATE”. Creating spaces was one of the things at the top of the list.
Just not that long ago…..
Effie
Effie and I are headed out to a Vintage Trailer Rally Thursday and I’m a little ecstatic! I’m not sure how many other Vintage trailers will be there, but I’m really looking forward to it! I’ve been spending a little time in her making sure she’s super clean, cozy and ready to go!
That’s all for now. I hope you are all doing well, staying positive and taking care of yourselves.
Hugs to each and every one of you! Try your best not to lose your own sh*t.
You. Don’t forget to do your monthly self breast exam!
“love the life you live, live the life you love”
OMG! Julia you have such amazing grand kids and Amiyah is just the best-est grandkid one can ask for. You are her best-est grandma too I guess. The lake, the food, the drinks I am just drooling here. And baby Kapri is just so cute. Soon she will be joining you on your adventures I am sure. Stay blessed and enjoy the lovely times.
Hi Pam! I’m so sorry for the late reply! The sunglasses are from Target and I lose ANY and ALL sunglasses regularly. lol
My other glasses are progressive lenses that I purchased from firmoo.com and they are the second pair that I’ve bought from that site. Great price for prescription glasses!
Thanks for the sweet comment and for following along! I hope you’re having a great day!
Julie
Maybe you have mentioned this in previous posts, but I have been admiring your glasses. What brand are these in this post – both your glasses & sunglasses. I so enjoy reading your posts. They are always so uplifting and make me smile.
We are definitely lucky in the grandkid department! That is crazy that you know Grand lake! It’s gorgeous there.💙 yikes about the storm and the trees down! Sounds like no one was hurt so that’s good. Hope to see you the following week in the workshop! It’s always good to have you in there. Have a great day Diane!😘
Such a great catch up and newsy post! Busy, busy girl! You are the coolest grandmother ever. If I ever have the privilege of having grandkids, you will be my role model. Looks like such a fun time with Amiyah! She did a great job with that pizza! And Kapri … adorable! As usual, your food photos make me wanna have some fun in the kitchen. I tried the donuts, but didn’t get the mix right so I need to give them another shot. Yours obviously puffed up more than mine did. And Grand Lake! Growing up in Tulsa, we often hung out there during the summers. Small world! Meant to pop in to visit your meeting Friday but we had trees down that morning after a storm – one fell on the street and the neighbors couldn’t get to work. I know – excuses, excuses … Have a great week, Julie, and have a blast on your camping trip!
😂😂😂
I keep thinking of the commercial–Try it, you’ll like it Mikey! Lol
At least he likes trips to the lake.
Hi Nancy! Great to hear from you! I think that he wants to want to camp but I don’t think he actually wants to camp.😂😂😂
I always enjoy reading your stories about time with your grandkids.
I’m glad you have your AC in your camper now, for all the adventure you have planned.
Mike’s garage is really coming together nicely.
Do you think you’ll get him out in the camper?