Looking Back Last Month and Beyond

I revisited this blog after many months of abandonment. Somebody had to check it. It is still here. I had been occupied with work, family, and volunteer nursing activities. In my little free time, I admit, I tried and did escape to the tropics. I am thankful for that that because back home in beautiful Colorado, the red rocks had been covered with snow. It has been a cold, white winter. There is beauty in it, somehow. Cold, simple, and pure.

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My stevia plant died after I have not watered it enough for many days too often. I have the backup, no-care-needed sweetener in a herb-like container. It does the job to sweeten my drink.

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I had been drinking more hot drinks lately. More, I mean twice a day. This cappuccino from home is as good as some famous coffee shops. Paul and I invested in a small frother and cappuccino for home.

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I have been cooking more at home, as both my husband's and my blood pressure were higher than we want. We are lessening our sodium intake. Here I added some kale to our breakfast. It is delicious--husband approved. I was trying to stretch our last few eggs here :).

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I added some meat and vegetable from a simple, ready-to-cook (heat-up) dinner. The kit has enough sauce and flavor in it that the whole dish is still very flavorful. Another quick, easy, and somewhat healthy meal I was able to cook after a long day of hospital work. The cooked chicken added is a real-time saver too.

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To celebrate Chinese New Year, I thought we should have something red. The husband suggested lobster. It is a special occasion so we splurged a little. I added some corn. 

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Here he is enjoying our dinner. 

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Farmstand from Lettuce Grow

This hydroponic planter does not disappoint. It gives me greens all year long for almost three years now. 

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I changed the template, fonts, color, and some images of this blog. Most links from previous years are still here. Come to think of it, I still use many of the same things and recommend them. 

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I reviewed the about page. It reminded me of why I started this blog. This is a therapy blog for me. I hope I can inspire others, and in a few ways, teach others what not to do, maybe :). 

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Do not be lazy, Carin. 
Make time for journaling, blogging, or writing.
Let yourself be surrounded by positive people.

 

January Gratitude 2023

It is the beginning of the year that I got a chance to get away to the tropics, kinda close to my home country where I was born. I found comfort in laying on the sand as I watched a few people passing by. Most of them were taking group pictures. I can almost tell, they were on vacation just like me.

I walked to the community garden and picked star fruit and a small grapefruit from the trees. I thought I would take a picture with the bird of paradise flower for a good mix of colors.

One morning, I rose from bed early enough to capture the sunrise. I was in the northern part of the island so it was tricky to get a good enough shot of the sun as it appear from the east. I captured a little of it, anyway. How could simple things like sunrise be so beautiful?

On a hike, I found this message on a post. It translates to, "Peace on earth."

 

Along the hike, there is a swimming hole I did not dare to jump into. I assume it is cold. I heard locals like swimming here. It scares me, however cute.

Back in Colorado, it is cold. I took time this morning to make a cappuccino with frothed milk. Simply comforting. 

I am grateful for many things.