Monday Musings, May 3

Welcome to a new week, my friends. I hope your Monday is off to a great start!

I am sitting in our favorite Airbnb in Manayunk, PA this morning. We drove to Charlotte on Saturday to visit our son and then made the trek to Philly yesterday to spend a wee time with our daughter. I am a fan of Airbnbs! Not only are they typically located in neighborhoods, so we can enjoy the ‘local flavor’, but I love having a stocked kitchen. I prepped some meals last week so that we can casually enjoy our time up here without having to eat out every night.

It does seem that we average (during non-pandemic times 🤨) at least one trip a month somewhere and, therefore have become quite proficient at packing and traveling. I keep travel versions of my face wash, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, a razor, and a shower cap in a little, waterproof bag which makes it easy to grab and go. When I return home, I fill the bottles up so I don’t have to worry about it when I am packing. You can see other travel tips, as well as access Printable Packing Checklists, over on my Organized Travel Tips post.

One of the meals I prepped for this week was a batch of Ina Garten’s Arrabbiata Sauce. This deliciously rich and fragrant sauce contains 3 heads of garlic…don’t let that deter you though. Not only does it cook down to mellow the garlic, but if you blanche the garlic for 1 minute in boiling water, then quickly transfer it to ice water, the skins come off very easily.

I know that my family loves this Smoky, Spicy Tomato Jam, but my smile gets especially wide when I read comments like this

Absolutely Awesome, Have made it 3 times for sale in my florist shop and sold out every time. Love the idea of pairing it with a cutting board and spreader. THANKS. I have women giving this as party favors for showers and parties. They love it.

Cinco de Mayo is Wednesday, go ahead and buy a bag of limes so that you can make my dad’s incredibly fresh and delicious and very popular Margarita recipe. And these Short-Rib Tacos are melt-in-your-mouth OUTSTANDING!

Kitchen Organization and Tips to make the time you spend in your kitchen more efficient and effective.

Last-minute Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

My mom requested this Knit Purse for Mother’s Day last year.

These Lemon Icebox Cookies, topped with pansies, would be a delightful dessert to finish your Mother’s Day meal.

This French Knot Monogram Pillow was a fun little project.

Have a fantastic day and an even more fantastic week!

Hugs,

Thanks for making my day by SHARING!!