Feel Good Friday 81
I would love to tell you we’re settling into a summer routine, but the truth is this week was insane and I am feeling overwhelmed. Every time it feels like things might be calming down, Chris gets called away and the time I have to finally relax or take care of things I keep putting off gets taken away. So I’m just over here breathing deeply and surviving. I just haven’t had as much time for anything outside of work and kids, but don’t worry – I’ve still got a few fun things to share with ya today and I did manage to finish a book!
This blog uses affiliate links. I am an Amazon Associate and earn a small commission on purchases made through qualifying links.
A fun online shop
I’ve heard of ban.do but had never ordered anything before. That is, until I saw the above shirt and had a visceral reaction to it. It jumped right into my online cart. (And pairs well with this skirt I have!) And, well, I ended up with a couple of other items, too.
I purchased this Feelings shirt as well as this adorable dress. Because chickens!!! I will say, the dress sleeves are made rather small. If my arms were any wider, they would not fit through the holes in the size S that I bought. The rest of the dress is perfect and I love the length. Note: Before I purchased anything, I did try to research to the best of my abilities and it appears that this company upholds ethical practices, which is always important to me when I try a new place.
Delicious Salmon . . . Again
Yeah, what can I say? We love salmon. As a pescatarian, it’s one of the easiest and healthiest ways for me to get protein and healthy fats, too. Last weekend, I went to the farmers market and picked up some cherry tomatoes. My neighbor gave me some basil. And we had salmon in the freezer. Armed with those ingredients, I googled a recipe and came across this one from Martha Steward for slow-baked salmon and cherry tomatoes. I’d also picked up carrots at the market and my neighbor had given me parsley, so I added the carrots with parsley instead of basil to one end of my pan. Everything was absolutely delicious and one of the easiest meals I’ve made lately.
Workout Equipment I Love
YEARS and years ago, when the Bosu was invented, I was a personal trainer and bought one. It’s traveled with me from house to house and, most recently, was relegated to our crawl space. A couple of weeks ago I added a designated work-out area to our home and pulled it back out. I’ve been using it ever since and, lemme tell you, it works. I used it Monday for a lower body workout and, as of the time I am writing this, Thursday, I am still sore and grimacing when I have to sit down or walk down stairs. It’s been a long time since I’ve been sore like that. To be honest, it’s a good feeling.
Beach Read
I found this book in my neighborhood’s free little library and it looked like a great summer read. The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand centers around one couple, Tess & Greg MacAvoy, who are found dead after what appears to be a boating accident. Their 6 friends (3 other couples) tell the story of their friendships, relationships, and what they think happened through their own eyes. This book started a little slow and confusing for me with the story of 8 people, which is kind of a lot of major characters in a book – especially for a tired mom who was just looking for an escape read. However, once I got about midway through, my interested piqued and I ended up enjoying the book overall. I will say there was so much infidelity in this book, physically and emotionally, and it just seemed a little too much. Or maybe I just don’t hang out with people who have tendencies to cheat? The ending was bittersweet and had me in tears, but that doesn’t take much. I’d give it 3 stars out of 5. I know it’s been well-received, highly praised and was even a bestseller, so maybe I just hit it at the wrong time for me.
A Good Laugh
If you want a good laugh, read this humorous letter to Bill & Melinda Gates. My favorite part: “A little about me. I’m self-employed as a freelance poet. I love the indoors. At night, when I close my eyes, I sometimes think, Are there bees on my face? But there aren’t.”
A Thoughtful Piece
Not so laugh-worthy, but very think-worthy is this piece about our once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to re-enter the world in a better way. We’ve never before been able to have a true reset, and this time in history is our chance.
The Middle Part
Remember a few months ago when we were all upset because the young’ens were telling us that skinny jeans and side parts were over? My friends and I were shocked, lost, and didn’t know where to turn. Ok, maybe that’s a little dramatic. Maybe it’s a midlife crisis, but I got a hair cut last week and am now styling it with the middle part to show off the little streak of gray I have. And this came one week after I bought mom jeans. I don’t even know who I am any more. The above photo was right after I had styled my hair for a wedding Chris and I went to last weekend. Of course, as soon as I stepped outside, it blew up and lost the waves, but I enjoyed it for 15 minutes in my-air conditioned house. Here we are, just after stepping outside!
Also, this dress was ay more low-cut than I ever wear. Someone call for help. It’s got to be a mid-life crisis or maybe I just DGAF anymore?
Fireflies
One of my all-time favorite summer activities is catching fireflies. Ever since I was a child, they’ve felt so enchanting and mystical. Now that Wilder is three, he enjoys their magic and I love watching his wonder. Last Friday night, he and I played outside in the evening he had a blast pointing them all out for me to catch and hand to him.
Local YouTuber
Through my job, this week I was able to connect with a local restaurant review YouTuber, Luan Ko Do. He is such a gem! We met at a local downtown restaurant and reviewed food together and I got to see what goes on behind the scenes. The above photo is Luan with his smoked salmon open-faced sandwich from Chez Genese.
Time with Friends
Sunday evening I had plans to meet friends. Earlier that morning, I was utterly exhausted and looking forward to taking time to rest when Chris got called into work. To be honest, I was so mad. I’d had it and this has been happening often lately. I almost cancelled on my friends, feeling like I would be bad company. I pulled myself together and went since Wilder was asleep at the time we were meeting (4 p.m.) and Sawyer and Emmy were home. Chris said he’d be home at 5:30 and I knew Wilder would nap until then, so I didn’t feel too guilty.
Erienne, Lindsay, me, Christi, Susel
We hit up Lewis & Elm, a new wine-bar that just opened ,and enjoyed small plates, delicious wine, and fabulous conversation. By the end of the evening, I was feeling so much happier. Good friends will do that for you without even trying . . . it’s just because they care and they listen.
Now let me tell you about Lews & Elm. Holy heck, I am a new fan! The food was delicious, the atmosphere incredible and the wine was like velvet. We started with small plates, which is really all they offer. I had the kale salad shown below.
Because we were such enthusiastic customers, they brought us desserts to sample: raspberry cheesecake, blackberry crostata (pictured above) and chocolate torte all supplied by a local Italian bakery. Everything was perfectly baked and creamy. The cheesecake was my personal favorite, but I love anything with raspberries.
I’m already planning my next slice of cheesecake visit.
Life’s Funny Moment
Last week I mentioned that Emmy was graduating from middle school. She came out dressed for her walk-through graduation in jeans, chucks and a thrifted and oversized Captain America shirt. I looked at her and said, “Look, I know I already told you you could wear those jeans, but do you think you could at least put on a cuter shirt?” She roller her eyes, went to her room and emerged a few moments later with this thrifted Bob Ross shirt. She looked at me and said, “What?” I laughed and said, “You’re right. I got nothing. I can’t argue with Bob Ross.” And that’s how she went to her graduation, with her best friend in an adorable red dress. You do you, boo, and you continue doing you. It may not be the outfit I’d have picked, but I love that she was 100 percent herself.
And that’s a wrap. Maybe this weekend I will get some rest. Here’s hoping!
