It has been a slow week! Never thought I would be saying that but yes, it has been slow. It was a week for packing up the house and wrapping our heads around leaving here in 10 days. There isn’t usually a lot to do or at least that is what I think every year but it always turns out that there is more to do than originally planned. As a matter of fact, we take this opportunity to do some major cleaning out of clutter. Our wonderful house sitter/tenant is so good that she doesn’t mind us leaving some of our belongings around but we feel that we should leave things as clean and tidy as possible. We met at the beginning of the week and planned out the transition. She will begin to move some things in next week which means any of our “stuff” that is in closets needs to be moved. John has taken a couple of big loads to the dump and I have the back of my car filled with donation items for the Franciscan Center. In addition, we have Restore coming to collect some recyclable items. This all takes time and organization.
The Last Ten Days
The last few meetings of the various boards that we sit on have been held or will be held this week. It is good to close out those things before we leave. Most of what I do is on the computer so I can continue to contribute even while I am up in Canada. John will have to make a trip back here for at least one of his meetings in May but otherwise we have wrapped things up.
When I say it has been quiet, it is so but only in that we spent a few nights at home watching movies, three that were very good and the first time we have watched any movies in months, and we ate out only a couple of times. We were saying goodbye to a friend who is moving away and we caught up with some others that we haven’t seen hardly at all. We have played golf. In fact we played three times and had a very good time out there. We both have decided that nine holes is perfect although we have played 18 a few times too. The fact that we were able to play and get all the other things done is a good sign.
We have good friends who live down the street from us here and they are moving to another street just a little bit farther away so I spent an afternoon helping them move. In addition, our friend had some outpatient surgery so we provided a meal for them when they got home. I actually had a great time helping them move some things that they don’t want the movers to move. Things like pictures and mirrors and glass tops for tables. It was quite a group of folks that turned out to help. We were very efficient, loading up cars, sending them off and then loading the next couple before the first ones returned. I arrived just in time for lunch which I did not expect at all but some of their other wonderful friends had provided sandwiches and cold drinks so who could say no.
Walking Has Been On Hold
For this week I put the training program on hold. It was a funny week and while we got out each day and walked the dogs I just didn’t feel up to doing any of the training. Not sure why but I listened to myself and said “let it go” and just focus on what is really on your mind for now. That may be the key. Trying to get so many things done but not over doing things. I’m pretty sure that managing stress is a top priority and I don’t want to stress myself out trying to get ready to head north and trying to get in some serious training walks/runs. Been there, done that! So when I say it has been put on hold that just means I haven’t done the extra walks that are part of the training program I have been doing for six weeks. Just recreational walking. You know what, it is ok.
We walked by this spot which as you can see is quite close to the walking path that goes around our pond. I actually have reported this to our grounds folks as it appears the pond is encroaching on the walkway and with a little serious rain it could be undermined to the point of becoming dangerous. We were happily walking by recently when we looked down into the pond and right there, next to the pond, was the head of a very large alligator. We have now made a decision that we will no longer walk on the path on that side of the pond but head out towards the road. We have both seen a gator, leap full body out of the water, to try and catch a Great Blue Heron so we know they can do it. We are not risking Bean becoming dinner (or ourselves either).
Recipe For You
An Appetizer from Blue Zones
INGREDIENTS
2 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered
1⁄4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted + chopped (optional)
1⁄4 cup fresh basil, chopped
1 tbsp dried oregano (if fresh, chop)
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil
Pinch each sea salt + black pepper
BREAD INGREDIENTS
1 white or wheat baguette, sliced into 3⁄4-inch slices (Ikarian-Style Sourdough would work for this recipe, as well)
1 tbsp olive oil, grape seed oil, or avocado oil
1 large clove garlic, halved
DIRECTIONS
Add cherry tomatoes, olives (optional), basil, oregano, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper to mixing bowl. Toss to coat. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt, basil, or balsamic vinegar as desired.
Serve with toasted baguette slices. Store leftovers separate from bread, covered in the refrigerator, for up to 2 days, though best when fresh.
BREAD DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet and brush with olive oil. Take garlic clove and rub on both sides of slices for extra flavor. Arrange in single layer on baking sheet.
Bake baguette until just slightly golden brown—about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
#8 Arrived Safe and Sound
My brother and his family welcomed their 8th grandchild Easter Weekend. The baby is the fourth sister and from the looks of the faces of the three older sisters, she is most welcome. We congratulate them and welcome this new addition into our extended family of nieces and nephews and cousins.
