Monday Musings, June 15
Good Morning, my friends.
If I’m completely honest, I’ve been feeling a little bluer lately. The combination of rising COVID rates in my state combined with our national strife has really gotten to me. While I try to be an optimist, sometimes it is just hard! How about you?
It is times like this when I remind myself to put one foot in front of the other and just plow on, but I am plowing on with a heavy heart.
I know that I am not alone, and to that end, I am making an extra effort to smile, and to be kind, and thankful to everyone I come in contact with, from the cashiers in the grocery store to the customer service rep on the phone. While wearing a mask may prevent the smile on my lips from being seen, I know that eyes can show smiles too.
In fact, during a time when one feels so powerless and helpless, a simple smile is really powerful! Did you know:
- Smiling is contagious. The benefits of smiling are really circular in nature with the positive effects bouncing off you to the person receiving your smile and then being returned to you two-fold.
- Smiling not only offers a mood boost but helps our bodies release cortisol and endorphins that provide numerous health benefits, including reduced pain, stress and blood pressure, increased endurance, and strengthened immune systems.
- Smiling will take a few years off! The muscles we use to smile also lift the face, making a person appear younger.
- Smiles boost self-esteem
- Smiling helps you stay positive.
I wish that erasing the hurt in our country and our world was as easy as a big smile; I know it is going to take more. But I also know that it surely can’t hurt and if we each made a point of being kind…Wow…just imagine.
I posted this several years ago as a way to ‘Be The Good’ and it is surely topical now.
Do you know what those blue flowers are in the image at the top of the page? I took this picture years ago and have never been able to figure out what they are?
In my continued quest to use what I have in the kitchen and reduce food waste, I’ve been making dog treats for Flora. Here’s a recipe for Pumpkin Dog Treats plus a list of flours you can use and how to keep your homemade dog treats from getting moldy.
In case you need a reminder, here are 40+ tips to reduce food waste.
Substituting what you have in the kitchen as opposed to making a trip to the grocery store is one of the ways to reduce food waste. To that end, I will be making these Cheese Puffs, but substituting a package of frozen sharp cheddar cheese for the Gruyere.
Along the same lines, if you have scraps of fabric you need to use up, consider these darling sachets. Make a bunch for your gift stash.
For those of you in the US, you may want to sit down for this one. The Fourth of July is in less than 3 weeks! ? Mom just told me that the 4th may be her ‘coming out party’ after 3 months of quarantine, which puts a whole new spin on ‘Independence Day!’ We will surely keep it simple, if mom feels comfortable joining us, it will just be the 5 of us. But, it will also be the last time we are together before Kate leaves for Medical School, so a small, family celebration will be in order. I haven’t nailed down our menu fully yet, but I do know we will grill Hamburgers (with this seasoning) and make these Red, White, and Blue Popsicles.
“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” – Amelia Earhart
Be kind my friends, to yourself and everyone around you. Together, we will get though this.
Hugs,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I’m an RN working with all types of patients. I pray that somehow I can be a shining light to them and my peers. It’s tough right now. We must hold to hope and kindness. Debi
Oh Debi, I imagine that you are a light just knowing that it is in the forefront in your mind. Nurses like you are in the midst of this and are so important. Thank you for the important role you serve and for trying to be an important light. You are right…we must hold to hope and kindness…if we lose that we are lost.
Hugs,
Lynn
Well said my friend, well said! And kindness really can go a very long way if we apply it to all aspects of our lives!
So true! If only we all did…what a different world we would live in.
Yes and amen. A simple smile. A simple “thank you for being here” to everyone who serves you in some way. These are simple yet effective keys to reconciliation. My pastor in Florida always says that honor is the bridge when agreement breaks down. Honor with or without disagreement, builds a bridge across many divides. Matthew 7:12 is a good place to start: Treat others as you want them to treat you. Hugs & blessings on your week.
Debie
The Golden Rule is key! If we all did that, imagine the world we would live in!
The flowers look like blue jasmine.
Hi Annie, I’ll take a look at the Blue JAsmine. I saw the plant in Upstate NY in a container garden and I’ve been trying to figure out what it is. It is the most lovely shade of blue.
Thanks for chiming in,
Hugs,
Lynn
Hi Lynn,
I had no idea there was such a thing as Worcestershire Powder. I’ll be looking for it because your burger seasoning sounds yummy.
What is the blue flower in the picture at the top of the page?
Thanks,
Sheila
Hi Sheila,
Worchestershire Powder is a great thing to have on hand! Enjoy your burgers. I just bought a mixture of shortribs and ground beef yesterday for our 4th of July burgers! I’m already drooling.
I don’t know what the blue flower is! I’m trying to figure it out. Once I know I will post it! It is the most lovely shad of blue.
Hugs,
Lynn
Lynn, I know exactly how you feel. Sometimes, it all seems so overwhelming and my soul feels heavy. I feel fearful for our country’s future. Other times, I feel like it’s my husband and I against the world. And, I take a deep breath and remind myself of the things I have to be grateful for, try to smile and go on with life. But, we can’t simply live our lives as normal.
I think your blue flower is what’s called the Eastern Bluestar. From what I know about them, they are native to the central US, including North Carolina.
We will get through this difficult time. It’s all the uncertainty that makes us feel so off-balance, I think. I made a framed chalkboard that hangs in our dining room right at the beginning of our “stay home” orders. I wrote “This too shall pass” as a reminder. I find myself glancing at it all the time. It is a constant reminder that we will get through this!
Hi Pam,
You are very wise to remind yourself that ‘this too shall pass.’ It is a good quote to help get though tough times, which we all have. And ever more important to take stock of our blessings. In fact, despite all that my mom is going through, we just chatted this morning reminding ourselves that there is always someone who has it worse and we need to be thankful.
Eastern Bluestar! I will check it out. I actually saw it in Upstate NY in a planter and it was the most unusual shade of blue.
Take care, my friend. We all need to give ourselves, and those around us, extra grace right now.
Many hugs,
Lynn
Hi Lynn,
Yes our country is in a world of hurt right now. I sometimes wonder if we will ever get back to what was “normal”. This quarantine sometimes gets me down, but I’m pretty much a homebody, so work in my yard and trying to reduce some clutter in the house. But with a retired husband, my cleaning seems to be endless. Bless his heart!
So you will have a doctor in the house? Lucky you as with the shortage nowadays that will be very helpful. Good luck to your daughter in her studies.
I did get a blanket knitted, and a simple throw. I’m just getting back into knitting and crocheting so it’s a slow process but keeps me busy.
Have a great week.
Love,
Juanita
Good Morning Juanita.
Like you, I consider myself a homebody and was very happy with staying at home, but I do think it is beginning to wear on everyone. I guess I just want to see the light at the end of the tunnel and some days I am not sure that I do.
Good for you for trying to declutter…I’ve pretty much thrown my hands up with both of my kids home right now. When they, and all their stuff, leave, my house will surely be several thousand pounds lighter. But for now, I am embracing the clutter and chaos, this will most likely be the last time I have all of us under the same roof for any extended time!
Glad you are knocking out some knitting. I’ve been busy too with a blanket for Kate…I’ll post that pattern soon.
Take care, my friend.
Hugs,
Lynn
I love this and it is very much needed today. So sick of staying in, no privacy and the world state of chaos and darkness. Today I will be conscious of smiling. I will look for the light, be aware of all I have to be grateful for and choose to smile. Thanks, Lynn! I feel better already, lol. 😊
Aw, thanks my sweet friend. You of all people are my ray of sunshine! It is tough right now, but all the more necessary that we try to be that light. Miss you!!!! Maybe we could go for a socially distanced walk?
Hugs,
Lynn
Hi, I’m so happy to see the recipe for dog treats and especially for how to keep them from molding. My first try with a recipe a few months back molded and I was embarrassed as I was making them for a friend’s dog. I had to call her and tell her to pitch them! My neighbor’s dogs were my test cases and the biscuits were a hit!
Hi Sheryl! I am so glad you found this helpful! The key is to remove all the moisture, making them very crisp. I’ve not had any problem with moldy dog treats as long as I am very conscious of getting them fully dried.
Happy goodie baking!
Hugs,
Lynn
Hi Lynne,
I have an app on my phone that is called Picture This. I took a picture of the blue flower on your post and the answer my app comes up with is Eastern Bluestar or Willow Amsonia. They are beautiful, I love blue flowers and it’s not always easy to find them. One of my favorite is the Blue Lobelia and it is pretty easy to find in nurseries around my parts here on the Eastern Shore of MD. But being mid July they are all sold out unfortunately.
Cristie
Hi Cristie, what a great app! I need to look into it. And thanks for the input…in looking at it the color looks right but I remember the plant being less upright, more trailing. So hard to tell, but I will continue my quest.
I love the Eastern Shore! What a great part of the country. I spent part of my youth in Virginia Beach and we would make the trek over to the Eastern Shore from time to time.
Enjoy the day, my friend.
Hugs,
Lynn
Yes, I do love the Eastern Shore. Great place to retire!