Weekly re-cap and intention

February 27, 2023creelight3720 Leave a comment

As I reflect on my intentions from last week, I can see I did accomplish a lot. I even wrote two journal entries on what I was able to accomplish on those days. I exercised for 6 days, meditated 5, ate mostly healthy plant-based meals, prayed daily, fasted as planned one day, and crossed many tasks off my to-do lists. Because we had a short work week due to President’s day, the remainder of the week was hectic.

Thankfully, Friday ended with a celebration for my daughter, Elise, at the African-American Heritage ceremony. Bryan and I attended her event as proud parents and we went to dinner afterward for some family time. Her brother, Caleb, had to work.

Bryan, Elise, and I on 2/24/2023 at the AISD Performimg Arts Center after the ceremony.

What I struggled with was not taking things so seriously. I had a couple of tense meetings which impacted my stress levels and mood. I did remain confident and calm in the moment. I was so glad when my therapist called to check-in and schedule our next meeting. Her call was at the right time. Her soothing and reassuring voice is what I needed at that moment.

Saturday after monthly brunch with some friends. I was tired from the lack of sleep the night before, but I wasn’t going to miss this. The food was decadent, but the company was even better.

I spent the weekend taking care of me and my home (to a lesser degree than normal). I also had more bonding time with my family at church on Sunday and afterward for some breakfast and shopping.

This is the last week in February already. I strive to be my best self every day so my intentions for this week will build off the last and target some of where I perceived I fell short. And don’t get me wrong, I’m not aiming for perfection.

Intention for the week ahead (building from last week): May I spend more time in the moment rather than in the past or future. May I find a reason to laugh every single day. May I slow down and take deep nourishing breaths often. May I remember to smile more than frown. May I spoil my body with the gift of rest and sleep every night. And lastly from my therapist, may I focus and hold closely to the most important things/people in my life.

What are your intentions for the week?

Intention for the week ahead

February 21, 2023creelight3720 Leave a comment

Technically the week has already begun though yesterday was a work holiday for me. I’m up early for several reasons, including the urge to go to the restroom, my body feeling a little warm, and Bryan’s restlessness. He naturally went back to sleep, but alas, here I am. I decided to brew a cup of citrus chamomile tea and start my bible reading and meditation earlier than usual. I want to share an exercise I’m using to be more intentional and set the tone for my week. Even when you feel you have no control, you have some control.

Intention for the week ahead: I will be the 3 C's: cool, calm, and confident in the face of any obstacles that come my way. I will breathe deeply and not take life so seriously. I will love fiercely and pray fervently. I will effortlessly cross things off my list even if it needs to be carried onto the next day and even the next. I will be kind. I will be self-compassionate.

What intentions do you have for this week?

Me enjoying a moment on Travaasa spa grounds in 2017. It was a beautiful weekend of pampering.

Food chronicles: Sandwiches

February 11, 2023creelight3720 Leave a comment

Growing up on the south side of Chicago, we didn’t have much. The sandwich was an inexpensive and quick meal, usually made for lunch or a snack. Oscar Meyer had several options: salami, ham, and bologna….in order of my preference. A few slices fried made it special. White bread was cheap and readily available. Melted American or “government” cheese made it complete. And mayonnaise and mustard were the icing.

For variety, there was the peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I always enjoyed more peanut butter than jelly. Some people think there is a science to the ratio. It’s really about your preference. I recall when I was younger, an older cousin pitted my same-age cousin and me in a battle of who could make the best PB&J. She took a bite out of each of our sandwiches. My cousin won. It hurt my feelings that I didn’t win.

I had so many sandwiches growing up, cold and hot, that I could NOT stand them anymore in adulthood. At some point, well after we moved to Texas, someone from work recommended a submarine sandwich shop, native to Austin and I quickly became hooked.

Although we lived in South Austin, I worked on the Northwest side for several years. I would go there on my lunch breaks a couple of times a week, trying different sandwiches, but I had my favorites.

As I had my own kids, I experimented with different meals and made sandwiches on occasion. By this time, I had expanded my repertoire of sandwich combinations and learned it was all in the type of bread and accoutrements (condiments and toppings).

The sandwich thing didn’t take off with my kids. Their taste buds were constantly changing. Also, my son, Caleb, was allergic to many foods including peanuts, so PB&J’s were not for him. There was that one Christmas when preteen Caleb asked for a panini press and a panini press is what he got. He was obsessed for a while, but then the obsession faded. I still have the panini press in a cabinet. I’ll give it to him when he moves out.

The next few photos I took are of decadent sandwiches I’ve made and enjoyed over the last few months. I share my food to inspire healthy and nutritious meals, not necessarily to share recipes (although sometimes I do).

I hope you enjoy my creations.

Smoked salmon sandwich on a brioche roll with pesto, gouda, and tomatoes.

Another smoked salmon sandwich but this time on wheat bread loaded with veggies and pickles.

Chicken sausage breakfast sandwich and scrambled eggs with spinach and parsley, and tomato on my favorite bread: sourdough.

A little bacon sandwich on wheat with some veggies and avocado.

Leftover Christmas smoked turkey breast with avocado and tomatoes on sourdough bread. Looks like there is a piece of bacon on there too but I don’t remember 🤔.

This was fun to eat and delicious: tuna egg salad on Wassa crackers. I played with the presentation – some with the tuna on the bottom, touching the cracker and lettuce and tomato on top and some with veggies touching the cracker and tuna salad on top with more tomatoes. Either way, they were delicious sprinkled with onion seasoning and pepper on top.

What sandwiches do you love to make?

Flourish Part I

February 4, 2023creelight3720 3 Comments

I’ve become quite a plant enthusiast. I’ve loved tending to plants and flowers for years and since we’ve been in our new home, my love has amplified as evidenced by my more than 70+ plants inside and outside the home. I’ve lost count of how many, especially after I started propagating (starting new plants from existing plants).

My one Spider Queen has become so luscious since I brought her home and potted her in the cobalt blue ceramic pot. Buying plants can be an expensive habit until I learned I can produce more of my own. I’m weening over 20 spider baby plants from her.

More spider babies and one spider grandbaby. All of my outdoor plants took a beating from the heat in 2022.

Spider 🕷 babies in my office window for the winter.

I enjoy surrounding myself with beauty. My birth sign is a Taurus after all, which is an earth sign and we tend to love beautiful, grounded, and natural surroundings and luxuries. I call myself a Plant Mom (also the Plant Lady) because truly caring for plants entails regularly watering, feeding, pruning, potting and repotting, learning their temperaments, and adjusting based on their preferences. I don’t mind moving my plants around to ensure they’re getting what they need: bright light, low light, humidity, outdoor air, less draft, etc.

This same Monstera from the previous photos is so happy. She loves to show me how happy she is. I had to move her siblings elsewhere because she demanded all the space.

Tending to my plants and witnessing their growth is so rewarding. It’s also a meditative practice that calms me down during my day. It is a practice of patience, nurture, and care.

My lucky bamboo is magnificent. She has a new pot and home away from the window.

Every room in our home has plants except for my kids’ rooms. They don’t care much about plants, surprise surprise! Plants not only improve air quality, but they also bring a sense of peace and calmness to our home.

Gorgeous orchids in my bathroom. These new blooms will last for 6-8 weeks once fully bloomed. Cannoli caught taking a sip of my bath water. My baths are always luxurious.

I’ve brought plants back to life from the brink of death.

After 2021/2022’s winter, this plant baby was down to one leaf. I didn’t bring her in from the cold soon enough. I almost lost hope, but I was patient. She does better in a shaded area outside in the warmer months. As soon as it got warmer in spring 2022, I let her out and look at how beautiful she is. Now she is in a sunny window indoors until it gets warmer again.

Despite whatever is going on in the world, I want to flourish in 2023 just like my beautiful plants. Tending to them is tending to myself- nurturing, pruning, and loving. 🪴

Here’s to doing and being surrounded by more of what I love in 2023! I hope the same for you.

Progress not perfection

February 1, 2023creelight3720 Leave a comment

Just like that, January is over, and here we are in February. I want to recount the positive things in real time as much as possible because time is flying. As I reflect on my vision board, I indicated that I would “write away” and I did just that by participating in January’s Bloganuary challenge….31 days of blog posts, each day a different topic.

A snapsot of my vision board. For more, check out my post What I want to achieve this year?

It was my first year participating, and I learned I enjoy blogging first thing in the morning after my spiritual meditation practice. I’ve wanted to post daily, but I haven’t been able to keep up with it. Well, I’ve read it takes 21 days to develop a habit and it worked for me. I missed about 3 or 4 days, but this is by far the most I’ve blogged in a month. I probably haven’t blogged 30 times in some years, so I’m off to a great start.

What I enjoyed about the Bloganuary experience were the different blogging prompts, which seemed random, at least to me. It challenged me to blog about topics I previously would not have. I even wrote a short (very short) story. It allowed me to reminisce about pleasant experiences. It reminded me of books and authors that have inspired me to read and write. Finally, I enjoyed the comradery with fellow bloggers.

Other notable January milestones are that I’ve been in remission from breast cancer for 6 WHOLE YEARS. It’s also been one year since my full hysterectomy. I truly believe health is wealth. I strive to keep my physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, and financial health in check every day, although sometimes it’s difficult.

I love starting my year off with a challenge because it boosts my sense of accomplishment. February reminds me of love, so I plan to focus on the people I love this month, including myself. My son turns 22 this year, so we will be celebrating. I’m also considering participating in a vegan challenge. I’ll keep you posted.

Cheers to February!🥂

What are you looking forward to this month?

Bloganuary Day 31: Best place near me to watch the sunset?

February 1, 2023creelight3720 Leave a comment

I’m going to pick South Padre Island, Texas as the best place to watch the sunset even though I didn’t get any pictures of the actual sunset when I was there AND it’s not near me (relatively speaking). I love this post because this gem of a place was the first that came to mind when I read the prompt. Twenty-five years in Texas, and we made our first trip to South Padre Island in July 2022.

Me, one evening on the beach, as the sun was beginning to set.

We went on a whim. I had a stressful year up until that point. We also wanted to spend some family time together to end the 2022 summer. My husband, Bryan, and I agreed to make the almost 6 hour drive. Unfortunately, my son, Caleb, couldn’t get off work in time. Bryan, our daughter, Elise, and I spent 4 days and 3 nights in a hotel right off the beach. It was a splendid experience.

We spent every evening at the beach. We did other things too, but we were clear on the assignment – BEACH TIME. Enjoy the photos.