Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Travel Tuesday

Whew! I've been traveling a lot. A. Lot! It feels good to be home---for the next 3 weeks--anyway! 

The girls (Sandy, Stephanie, and Mindy) and I went to New York---our favorite city! We went to see the final preview of Like Water for Elephants, the opening of The Notebook and The Life and Slimes of Marc Sommers. They were ALL excellent. We just love the theater. 

The girls did all the planning on this trip. They never run out of new and fun things to do. We started with lunch at Tiffany's.
This was our first time eating there. I was embarrassed that I was wearing jeans. I didn't even think about the fact that we were having lunch here. There were many people there in jeans, but you could definitely tell the locals with their designer clothes, shoes and purses. It was fun to people watch. 

As it turns out, we were also there for the St. Patrick's Day parade. We didn't get anywhere close. Our plan was to leave at 8 am to find a good spot. But, considering the parade wasn't starting until 11 a.m. we just didn't want to stand that long. As a result, we couldn't even get close. Apparently there were 2 million people there for the parade. But, we lucked upon the next best thing. We happened to be on the street where the staging was happening. We got to see policemen in their dress uniform, bagpipers in kilts, EMT---so many groups with instruments and flags. And then, this happened:
We happened upon the Krispy Kreme truck handing out free green donuts. 

The pictures are kind of mixed up, but here goes. 

Due to the parade and then the marathon on Sunday, we had a problem getting around due to road closures. We were up and down in the subway so many times! Three of those, we found out was in nearly the same place on the wrong side of the street. Steph was in charge of navigation. When it happened for the third time, she quipped, "It's not like I'm Magellan and know which is the southeast corner of 42nd street!" I said it felt a little like "Whack a mole"--not knowing where we were going to pop up. 

As a result, we were late getting to the Museum of Broadway. It is so interesting and fun.
One of the photo ops from Hair. We had to cut our time a bit short in order to start all over with the up and down in the subway to get to Marseille for our brunch reservations. This is one of my favorite restaurants as it has tablecloths! And, unlimited mimosas & Bellinis for a price. It's not your normal tourist trap, but more in an area where people live. Love that.

Sandy found a bar for "happy hour" called "Back Pocket." They are known for their free popcorn and drinks served in gummy bear glasses---or so we thought. Sandy asked about it and the bartender said they don't do that anymore. Still, she managed to find some for us. 
One of the patrons at the bar asked the bartender why she never gave him one of those glasses since he comes in all the time--so she did. We were able to buy them to take with us. The girls acted like we shouldn't ask. I figure you have nothing to lose! Sometimes they give them to you for free. Not this time. It was a tiny, yet friendly place. We struck up a conversation with a couple guys who told us that the other guy that had just left was performing in Like Water for Elephants. Darn and we missed him! He told us that many actors stop in while waiting for their show.
Turns out it was a gay bar and we were the only females--until a couple came in a little later. They asked how we found out about the place and Sandy mentioned that it popped up in some sort of "hidden gems" search. This was my "peak" for the trip. We love finding the "out-of-the-way" places. It's on our list now.

This was the first time for the girls at Grand Central Station. We got some fancy cookies called Stoofwaffles. I had a bite of mine and never saw it again. It would up in Sandy and Mindy's room. I do hope they ate it!


Sandy found these fun glasses for us. We couldn't really wear them except for a photo as they were huge and wouldn't stay in place. 

All donning our green.

Sandy enjoying some green drink from Starbucks and her green donut. 

We really lucked out with the weather. It was mild---50's & 60's. We logged approximately 17-19 miles walking in 2 and a half days. 

Until next time New York...



Saturday, March 16, 2024

Scrapbook Saturday

Our word for March was "Snow." 

1.  I had so many fun pictures that came up. I decided to focus on my grandma & grandpa Zimmermann's house in the country. I didn't ever remember that I had this picture. Lots of skiing pictures came up. 
My journaling is under grandma's house picture and also under the ski picture with our grandkids.

While we were on our ski trip, I stitched the snowflakes on red cardstock. Gave me something fun to do while watching a documentary. I also stitched the grid lines this time.

2. This is Nancy's layout.
I like the 9 square pictures she used on the right side. She also stitched her grid lines. Putting her journaling on a tag is a great addition to her layout.

3. Susan's layout focused on many ski trips. 

4. Karolyn's also used quite a few ski pictures. 

5. This is Jeanne's layout. The picture isn't all that great because she sent to me "crooked."
You might notice the picture on the far right, lower corner. That's our Grandma Zimmermann's house. It's not surprising that we both might have the same photos pop up. I do like how she did the ruffle technique with the ribbon.





Thursday, March 14, 2024

Five Things Thursday

I' obsessed with books. Alway have been, always will be!

1. This looks like a great place to curl up with your book. I would need a tea tray to make it complete.

2. Great way to think about the sacrifice of a tree.


3. Clever yet true!

4. Books always take me away!

5. No explanation needed.


Wednesday, March 13, 2024

What I Buy Wednesday

I don't usually do food posts on "What I Buy Wednesday." But this time I have info I want to share. 

I have said before that I don't really like Trader Joe's. In truth, I've only been there twice. 
After the first time, I told myself that I would never go back. The parking lot is a zoo. Once you get in the store, it's laid out on a weird angle. It's hard to navigate. I am not familiar with their products and don't know what to buy. So all of that combined is why I said I wouldn't go back.

Then, I read an article about what things to buy if you are trying to eat healthy and low calorie. So, I went back. Of course I couldn't find half of the things on the list. But I did find some things that have turned out to be winners. 

This chicken is really good. 
There was another chicken that I liked, but forgot to take a picture of the packaging. It was mandarin orange chicken. 

I also bought 3 types of frozen fruit. One was a mixed berry, another was cherry and berries and the last were peaches. I used sweetener on all of the fruits. 

I was skeptical about trying meatless sausage patties. Seems like an oxymoron to me.
As it turned out, it was delicious. 

Finally, I used these in the burrito bowls I made on Sunday night.
I used ground turkey. After browning and draining the grease, I added a package of taco seasoning and 3/4 cup water. Then you make your bowl by adding the corn, riced cauliflower (warning--it's really spicy, but as part of the bowl, it mixes in and isn't too hot), black beans, low-fat shredded Mexican cheese, fat free sour cream, avocado and crumbled tortilla chips on top for added crunch.

I had planned to add salsa, but as it turned out, what I had was mango salsa. I didn't think that would go well with it. The burrito bowls were delicious without salsa!

Now that I know exactly what to get, I'll go back. Let me know if you have an TJ favorites to add to my list.




Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Travel Tuesday

I've mentioned before that Butch and I have very opposite travel patterns. For example, I prefer to sit in the back, he prefers the front (we compromise by sitting in the middle). I like the window--he likes the aisle. That means that if it's a full flight, we have a stranger sitting in the middle. I don't want the middle and neither does he. Although, I don't mind sitting in the middle if it's family on both sides. Well, I don't like it, but I'll do it. 

Our differences actually start before we ever leave for the airport. He starts packing the day or two before the trip. Me---I might pack the night before if it's a really early flight. If not, I'll pack as I'm getting ready. I only need about 15 minutes to pack. It's pretty easy, I compile a complete outfit down to shoes, accessories and jewelry. Sometimes I'll pick one color scheme which makes it even easier. 

Of late, we have been taking Ubers. I'm always a bit skeptical as to whether we'll get a ride so early in the morning. If it were up to me, I'd call for the car extra early so as not to take any chances. After Butch orders the car via the app, he starts watching it. He'll say, "He just got on I-65 and will be here in 10 minutes." He gives me a minute by minute update. I tell him to just let me know when he's pulling in to the neighborhood! He says that it bugs him that I am not fully ready. I remind him that I am NEVER late. 

On our ski trip, he took these pictures to prove his point:
It bothers him that I am using every spare second of time. it bothers him because he doesn't think I am ready. But, I am.

Here is his proof:
So, yes, I do have to pack up. But I'm telling you, it takes me about 2 minutes to do it! I have everything gathered. It's just a matter of loading my carry-ons. I do it in a very specific way. My computer goes in first--which I still happen to be using. 

Like I said, I'm never late. But if it makes. him feel better, I won't cut it down to the wire the next time. 






Monday, March 11, 2024

Me on Monday

So, my friends and I were talking the other day. Connie was saying that all of a sudden her haircut (including wash and blow dry) was $71.00 BEFORE the tip. Now this is a regular salon and stylist she's gone to for quite awhile.
As you can see, her hair is very short! She inquired as to why it was so much. They told her that the stylist she was going to now has enough experience to command more money. What??? I thought that was only for the cosmetology schools. A few of our other friends have had the same experience. I had never heard of that before, until Elizabeth!

She's finishing up at The Paul Mitchell School in Atlanta. She was telling me that she has now reached the status where she has her own station and it costs more if you want to go to her. Also, the teacher has been having her fix "mess-ups" that the other girls have made for quite a while now. 

That leads to this. She took a special course and has gotten another certification. I think she is some sort of color specialist now. All of the extra things she can do look good on a resume.  

Here are some of her first pictures. 
This is when she got her first "kit." She's gotten a couple more since this--and more mannequin heads and hands. 

She is living her best life---loving every minute of school. She was meant for this. We are so happy that she has followed the path that she always wanted to take. It won't be long before she's in one of those high-class salons commanding $71.00 for a haircut.

I don't really know how much my haircut costs because I have joined the $175.00 club! Not by choice. I have a cut, color, lowlights, wash and blow dry every time I go--usually about 6 or 7 weeks. I guess it all adds up. But, if my hair was as short as Connie's and there was no color involved, I think I might just take my chances at Great Clips or one of those chain places. Butch says his hair cuts are around 15 bucks---if you go on Wednesday when it's "senior" day. I think it would be worth a shot. Maybe Elizabeth has a different opinion. I'll have to ask her.