Before my sister and her family visited, we finally ordered armchairs for the living room. The photo below is horrible and dark but you can kind of see them in our space. They are comfortable and were affordable through Overstock. I know that they definitely won’t be everyone’s style but they work for us!
This is a simple summer side dish that I grew up eating. It would be a stretch to call this a recipe, but I did take the time to measure things today when I made this. I add dill to my version, but my mom and her family usually leave it plain. It’s refreshing and lovely on a hot day! You can use any kind of cucumber, I just usually have the mini ones on hand.
Serves 2 or 3
You can serve immediately or refrigerate for a bit to let the flavors mingle. If you do this, I’d get them cucumbers out a bit before dinner so they aren’t so bitingly cold. Also, they’re best if eaten within a day which is why small batches work well here.
Outside my window…….it’s sunny but damp. The streets are pretty quiet right now, although they were busy a little bit ago with everyone heading out to work.
I am thinking…….about what I’d like to get done today and this week.
I am thankful for……good coffee, good friends, good food and plenty of sleep!
From the kitchen…..I’ll be making up a batch of salad base today, and perhaps I will also make some granola. Later this afternoon I plan to make pizza for dinner.
I am wearing…..a sort-of tie-dyed maxi skirt & a white 3/4 length sleeved shirt.
I am creating…..nothing right now.
I am going…….nowhere today, except maybe on a walk.
I am reading……..Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (this was for book club, but I didn’t quite finish it); The Better Angels of Our Nature by Stephen Pinker (audio book in my car), & Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray (audible book I listen to while doing chores).
I am hoping……for good sleep this week.
I am hearing…..birds chirping outside, the occasional cat making mischief.
Around the house…….I need to do some laundry and go through the papers I shoved in the spare room prior to book club, in addition to my regular Monday chores.
One of my favorite things……a tidy house — I rarely accomplish this, but it is so much more inviting to see a cleared off table, a neat living room and a made bed than the opposite. We’re reaping the benefits of having had company over, so for the most part the house is tidy right now.
A few plans for the rest of the week…..I have a few work projects to complete and submit, a long paper and presentation to prepare for Thursday’s class and some work related to my volunteering as well. Kind of low-key, really, so I think I’m going to convince Michael that we should try out this new coffee and game shop near us.
Here is a picture I am sharing…….of the sunset at from my mom and dad’s place. We’re headed there later this summer and I am very much looking forward to being back in Pennsylvania!
Above are a few of the things we ate last week; I didn’t remember to photograph everything. But it was a good week for cooking and eating. From left to right:
I also made a large batch of oven fajitas for Book Club, which I served w/rice and black beans, plus assorted toppings. There were fruit and vegetable trays as well and I made salted caramel brownies for dessert — amazing!
Looking ahead, I’ve got a number of items in the fridge that I need to be diligent about using up this week, so my meal plan reflects that, as well as my desire to stay out of the grocery store as much as possible.
Meal Plan:
For lunches we will have leftover oven fajitas, big ass salads, and other leftovers as they arise during the week.
