C-Ya Next Year, Asheville

It was another good day, but my back is hanging by a thread. Dang.

Little Free Library install -- waiting on the concrete to cure. It's happening -- a quick 2.5 years and it's almost there :)

We did a Taco Friday by the river with the dogs.

Off the path to avoid some dogs.

Monti was cold!

We hung pictures. No luck finding something for over the bed (but managed another Chai from the tea house while I was looking). 

Left picture looks off
center, but it's not actually.
Both are pictures from
my grandmother's house.

My great-grandmother's
cookie recipe from her recipe box.

Some posters for the carriage house.
Cheap repurpose from my old office decor.

Crafting some cards.
I painted the frame and reused it.
In the laundry area of the basement.

If the LFL post is steady enough, hubby will attach the LFL before we leave. If not, it waits AGAIN, but no worries that it'll be delayed any further than the next joint visit.

I bought some pink Cava oranges to make more dried slices -- decor and cocktail garnish. That's on the agenda for tomorrow. I hope I can do a little better with the process.

Hope you are hanging in there too. Next to-do list is the final week until Christmas. Lots and lots happening for everyone. This was the last Asheville visit in 2023. It was a good year for Asheville visits. Next year is starting with an engagement -- happy times. Later gators.

Asheville Visit

It was a good first day in Asheville with a bit of a rocky start. Power out, furnace out. Both are up and running now. We powered through a bunch of house "chores" -- leaves, pictures and getting the LFL ready for installation today.

The picture wall isn't going to work for the bedroom. Hubby says I can go to the framing store and find something. It needs to be a specific size and the walls are plaster so we don't want to put too many holes. The frames I put together were a little too arts-n-craft for the space too.

But ... I did a little artsy frame job for my aunt's bear picture and it looks cute. I love decorating with things I love -- who cares what's "in" for home decor. I'm doing what I like these days.

I'm professionally framing some of my aunt's artwork for GA too.

Both pictures will go in
the same space.

Bold color for me.
Something different.

After the frame store, I went to the teahouse (of course). Bought a couple of used Christmas books at the local used bookstore. It'll be fun to read to my grandson someday. Finally, dinner out and we came home and watched the final of The Amazing Race. Date night was nice. I finished my book and went to bed. That's a wrap on my day.

The used books and vintage golf Santa
nesting dolls from Carefree, AZ.

Hoping for another productive and fun day today. Could THIS be the day that the LFL goes into business?!?!? Not celebrating yet since we need to make sure it's possible to get into the ground.

We head home first thing tomorrow. Asheville is almost always a deep breath for me. I needed it this week. I've also been doing a bit of FS planning with a couple of fun things. More on this next week. Feels good to remember to be me again. Funny how easy it is to forget.

Happy Friday. Later gators.

Jolly in My Holiday

Man, this December has been a rollercoaster. 

That family tension reared its head again yesterday -- 'cue a good old shower cry. I'm still upset and I'm letting myself be upset. Not hold a grudge, not "punishing" in any form ... but I'm not going to pretend it's fine until it is fine. I'm a punching bag for a stressed family member. Well, I'm also stressed and I'm not throwing verbal punches. It's not okay. I don't expect I'll get an apology, but I need time to work through my feelings.

Taking charge of me. 

I also declined a few plans next week. I'm prioritizing staying well for Christmas. I'm looking forward to our new Christmas schedule and I don't want to be sick. Of course, others might be (included hubby) and things might go array anyway, but I'll know I did my best.

I had a fun call with my cousin. We're hiking with her family on Christmas Eve. I love this connection.

Took Duke to the woods for a trail run. It was a little much on my back so I'm resting today, but we had a great time. The weather was picture perfect. And we "walked until the day became interesting."

Someone decorated a tree in the woods.

It even has a star on the top.

Unfortunately, the good mood was short lived since the family drama call came when I got home. I tried to hold onto the endorphins, but nope. That leads me to cookie dough. I did okay. I stopped myself after a few tastes and remembered I didn't want to eat feelings. Not perfect, but definite improvement.

I decided I'm taking this week and a half ahead of Christmas and taking charge of my time. I'm letting other people and circumstances dictate my days and that doesn't feel good. 

One thing I know is I can have a good time with myself. Waiting for everything else to line up isn't working. Me first at this moment. I'll put the jolly in my holiday lol. This starts with prioritizing what makes the holiday fun for me. I have a new craft project for next week. Might be a mixed result, but I'm giving it a try. Stay tuned ...

Heading to Asheville this morning. Teahouse for my usual and date night with hubby at a favorite restaurant. Both have a little risk but neither will be crowded and we'll be smart about it -- and it's just long enough before Christmas.

Hope you find some jolly too :) Later gators.

Keeping ME in This Season

Back to THIS again. I'm trying to keep what's important to me a part of all the things happening.

Best news is I'm ALMOST at the end of a big list. Christmas, baby shower, engagement weekend prep and then the pace slows down tremendously. This last drive is MOSTLY prepped and figured out so that's really good news too.

Breathe.

Yesterday was a mixed bag of emotions. The baby shower "drama" worked itself out -- phew. Another little drama reared its head and I got upset (I didn't react, but it felt ugly to me). I tabled "mother" issues until after my life settles down (I'm going to need some coaching on this after the holidays), but it's still lingering in the background.

I did somethings well and somethings not well. Guess what the "not well" was ... you guessed it, I ate junk food Monday night because I was stressed. I felt crappy Tuesday morning (probably contributing to my reaction to a family member's text). I am slowly learning. Just like with drinking. It doesn't serve me and it's becoming a less and less desirable option to eat my emotions.

What I did well yesterday was to spend time and effort to recreate the lunch I enjoyed in Beaufort, SC. Simple ingredients but a minute to prepare. Instead of adding more holiday baking, I added some savory meals that feel special. 

Recreation

Original

I spent time reading and doing a little 2024 year prep -- both things for me.

Fun book. Historical fiction with
focus on fiction. West Point murder
investigation with help from a 
Cadet, Edgar Allen Poe.

Of course, chores and holiday stuff too, but I prioritized what I wanted first. That seems to be the best way to ensure my things stay in the day -- do them first. Everyday looking for little ways to show up as my FS. It's why I kept the citrus decorations on my list. I love the look and planned earlier this year to try this during the holidays. It almost came off my list because "who has the time." Me, I have the time when I choose it. I little moment for what I like -- checks my boxes of creative, homemade and vintage-looking.

Drying worked by sticking tray in a hot oven, turning it off and letting it sit for hours. I strung them with fishing string and ta-da ... 

At night they look like stained glass. I really like them.

A new obsession is born. I wonder about lemons and limes too. I ended up tossing the mandarin slices. They never fully dried out (kind of goopy and sticky) -- way too much water content.

Today I'm making cookie dough. The 7 day chocolate chip cookies get made, dough balls formed and weighed and then they refrigerate for 6-7 days before baking. 

I'm debating taking Duke to the woods for a trail run/walk. My back isn't great, but it's hard to tell when to move or when to rest. I never regret going outside though. I only have cookie dough on my list since we were suppose to leave for Asheville so I have the time. It's a nice way to add a little ME today.

I'll see how the morning progresses. My back is usually stiffer first thing so I get an idea if it's rest or move as the day gets going. I don't want a repeat of last time in Asheville.

Christmas is getting closer -- hope it's going well. My goal today is NO EATING COOKIE DOUGH ... for so many reasons (including gluten). It's tough. Cookie dough is better than an actual cookie. 

Later gators.

Something New

I'm trying something new ... with limited success so far. Drying citrus for decorations. 

I couldn't find blood oranges so I used a naval orange, mandarin and a ruby grapefruit. 185 for 4 hours, flipping every hour. Nope. Turned oven up to 200 and STILL not dry after 5 hours. I left them in the oven overnight (turned the oven off) and they're almost there.

Mandarin oranges have WAY TOO MUCH moisture (2 slices in the center). Cute, but still wet. I started the oven again this morning and am leaving them in for the day (turned the oven off after they went in). 

I don't think this was worth the energy waste to dry them. If they're still this wet, they'll probably mold before the season is over. 

I love the look, but I need to find a better way to do this if I'm going to make them again. I read one article that said to blot them before going in the oven. That might help. I also think I could've sliced them a bit thinner. I'll dig a little deeper if I decide to try blood oranges which I think look the nicest dried.

Is it me or is citrus scare this December? None of the usual is out -- even at Whole Foods and it doesn't taste as sweet either. Probably all the wacky weather and the tough summer temperatures.

Hope you're managing the holiday rush. Later gators.

Getting There ...

I'm making progress. I have no doubt I'll get all the things finished, but I want to do it while having a little fun and enjoying some of the process AND keeping my back well. That's my challenge.

Fun yesterday was Peloton holiday rides. Today is a pedicure. My feet are a hot mess. For some reason, the polish is rubbing off my big toes. I'm taking my own color this time so I can fix any rub off. I've been lazy with lotion too and everything is dry and ugly. I'm glad for pretty toes today.

I have some holiday errands too. Stopping to order chicken pot pies for Christmas Eve and quiche for Christmas morning. This is the first year everything isn't homemade. I still am making plenty, including a fancy Christmas dinner though so I'm not sweating it. Stop at Whole Foods for the special chocolate chips (and my food/veggies). I'm only making one cookie - 7 day chocolate chip so I need to make the dough tomorrow. Kids are making their traditional holiday cookies -- brownie buckeyes. We'll have 2 desserts too -- one is GF and it's my favorite (Slush Cake).  

I started menu planning too. As always, lists relax me.

Tree is up and decorated. I put a few other things out too. I'll add some final touches before we leave for Asheville. Christmas shopping is nearing the final purchases. I have nothing wrapped, but that will wait until next week.

Slimmed down, but still pretty.

Asheville is going to be busy too. LFL is getting installed, picture wall worked on and hitting the framing store for some of my aunt's artwork. Oh, and cleaning because I couldn't last time. 

Hope you're set for a good week. I'm really, really, really happy to have vacations finished for this year. Two, week long trips over the holidays was too much (my bad). Being home on a Monday feels really good (even though we're going to Asheville this week). 

Later gators.

Holding Multitudes

I'm glad to be home.

The flight was interesting. I liked my seat mate - older man. We chatted books and lots of stories. I finished The Shell Seekers (so good). Just before landing a man was denied use of 1st class bathroom and he had an ongoing fit. Threatening, aggressive -- all at my seat behind 1st class. Security and police greeted the plane. It was a scene.

Picked up dogs and returned (very hungry) to a completely empty refrigerator. Poor planning on my part, but I don't know if I could've added one more thing to my plate before we left. So GF frozen pizza for dinner. Not great for sleep. Power went out overnight and set off all the emergency alarms and lights. I hoped for a better night back in my bed, but wasn't in the cards.

Today is decorating, grocery shopping, wash, etc. The pressures of Christmas and the baby shower (and now getting Asheville ready for an engagement weekend) are back in full swing. I had a nice time in AZ, but I don't feel refreshed. I'm tired and ready for a break. We leave for Asheville this week -- Wednesday or Thursday. 

Calgon take me away (!!)

Drama around the baby shower -- won't get into those details, but I totally could've had it at the teahouse. Lots of mother drama too -- out of control crap. I'm physically and emotionally spent.

I'll end here before I go too far down the pity party road. Multiple things are true ... I'm grateful and happy AND I'm overwhelmed and frustrated. 

I can't believe it's December 10 and I haven't decorated yet. I hope my back holds up. 

Later gators.