The Weekly Journal: Masks, Marinades, and Motivation

 

Masks as fashion accessories on Over 50 Feeling 40

Another week of working from home, and the days are not dull. This week I wanted to feature in my weekly journal entry… the evolution of mask-style; an easy, delish marinade, and a little motivation during a difficult time.

IT IS OFFICIALLY A FASHION STATEMENT

Masks on Over 50 Feeling 40

The first picture above is my youngest son and his girlfriend who occasionally stop by to stand at a distance in the front yard and visit. They were sporting very trending masks last week and I wanted to share them with you.  Masks are the new fashion accessory!  The more fun the print, the better.  Now that they are required by many cities to wear in public…it has evolved into quite a style statement.

Homemade Masks on Over 50 Feeling 40

I have to give a special shout out to reader Lynne from California (my new best friend!).  Lynne sent these fun, stylish handmade masks to me this week and even included one for Mr. B…she is his new best friend as well.  I love the touch of the suede “handmade” label on each mask.  These are super special to me because they came from the heart of someone who read’s this blog and I couldn’t be more grateful.  I am definitely going out this weekend in my new accessory…it will just be hard to decide which one!  Thank you so much, Lynne. 

I also have another super special one from my son’s girlfriend!  It was my first in the category of stylish-masks!  Love each and every one!

There are more stylish mask options here………

GOOD ON THE GRILL!

Chicken marinade on over 50 Feeling 40

Mr. B was willing to do some grilling over the weekend and set us up for extra food during the week.  Our “offices” are upstairs, so during the week we refer to the kitchen as the cafeteria.  It makes such a difference when the cafeteria has good food on the menu!

Grilled Chicken Salad Marinade Recipe on Over 50 Feeling 40

When we grill chicken, we marinade it the night before in soy sauce, Fiesta Fajita Seasonings, Italian dressing and pineapple juice.  Then we slap them on the grill…it is so good and tastes excellent no matter how you serve it.  We ate it once with guacamole and salad, and then next day in the salad pictured today.  I placed salad mix on the plate and put on a touch of ranch dressing.  Then spooned some black beans as the next layer; onions and peppers as the next layer; and chicken on top.  MM…GOOD!

FACING ADVERSITY WITH CLASS

 

 

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Recently I mentioned to you a friend of mine who has been a consignment retailer for several years.  Her name is Marilyn.  We became friends through the blog and her shop and connected over a love of fashion and local small business.  Over the years, she has always impressed and inspired me for her strength and perseverance.  There was a span of time when her shop was located by a major San Antonio freeway that underwent major construction, so it shut off easy access to many businesses for a while….but Marilyn hung in there.  Her shop was robbed…she hung in there.  She relocated, and that center lost businesses…she hung in there. in fact, she was confronted with obstacles often and hung in there.  I was impressed with her time and time again.  But, COVID-19 has been the stake in the heart of the local small businesses.

Her official email arrived this week, but true to Marilyn’s style, it began with motivation.  She started with a graphic sporting a large quote: “If you are brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward with another hello.”  I believe that for her.  She is a kind; hard working woman and I believe that will serve her well going forward.  Thank you, Marilyn for the lessons on courage and perseverance.

Her EBAY shop is successful and often has the best treasures hidden with it.  Make sure you pay her a visit and, then, join me in a Friday toast to Marilyn and to courage.  So many are having to show it right now.

ON A HAPPIER NOTE

Tie Dye Project on Over 50 Feeling 40

Like many moms, my daughter is new to homeschooling and trying to make it fun and interesting for three very active, young boys.  This week her art project was tie dye and here they are wearing the shirts.  So cute and fun!  I said on Instagram that my heart is clothed in tie-dye.

If you have anything you would like to share at the end of another week during this unusual time in our lives, please do.  Then join Jennifer and I with another WYWI tomorrow.  Of course, a fun Friday Fabulous Finds Slideshow below thinking about HOME.

Remember, in our social distancing world, your smile is the way you send hugs!   Smile even if you are in a mask because it shows in your eyes!

 

KEEP SMILING….and HUGGING!

 

 By Pamela Lutrell

12 Comments

  1. That salad looks delicious Pam! That’s kind of my go-to meal these days…getting creative with salads. I love guacamole or just plain avocado on anything, sounds delicious! It looks very healthy yet satisfying! Your grandkids are just the cutest! Those shirts…what a fun project! They turned out great, didn’t they! Cute masks too…I made a very pretty one and hope to never have to wear it (!!). We have very few cases where I live and while we see a few masks, it’s not like in the large metro areas. I will check out Marilyn’s Ebay shop…trying to support small businesses because they are the backbone of our economy and we don’t want them to go away. It sounds from what you say that she will be back stronger than ever when things open up again. She’s obviously determined! We do need to support businesses if we are able to!

  2. Would you be willing to share the amounts of the marinade ingredients? It sounds yummy!

  3. I can guess at it, but this a “no measure” homemade technique. We put about 5 pounds of chicken breast skinless strips in a container, poke it with a fork all over Sprinkle generously with the fajita seasoning in slideshow. Pour a bottle of favorite Italian Dressing over it, maybe 1/2 cup of Soy Sauce and 2 small cans or cups of Pineapple juice

  4. REALLY enjoyed today’s post, Pam; in it’s various interesting, touching & valuable things you’ve shared…GREAT idea to move beyond fashions. Thank you!!

  5. I love your friend’s comment about being brave enough to say goodbye, then being rewarded with new hello’s. I believe this with all my heart, and count on it each time I set out on a new adventure – whether it is planned, or sometimes by default.
    We have just one week left with our dear youngest son under the same roof, then he moves north to join our oldest as housemate and begin his more independent journey. I am blessed to see that he is ready to go; his health has been poor for years, so we didn’t know if this step forward would ever be possible. Still, this is always a difficult goodbye for a mother. Our home is under contract, my husband’s health is in check for the moment, and we should be back in our cottage in town by mid-June. So life is good, and full of blessings even when the path takes some twists and turns. I am grateful for it all. I hope your friend will continue to find her way forward and maintain her positive outlook.
    Have a very blessed day.

  6. Thank you for sharing, Connie. I know what you are feeling. The house (and me) was so sad when the youngest left. But I love my new hellos with all of my adult children! We have a wonderful relationship and talk often..you will love the new horizons that await you.

  7. Hi Pam! So glad that the masks for both you and your Mr. B arrived. I hope that you both get lots of use and enjoyment from wearing them during this most unusual time. How nice that you will have lots of choices when the opportunity for an outing arises. I wish you and your Mr. B continued health and safety.

  8. So fortunate to be grilling outdoors as we are more in a late Fall mode where I am. (Have a suspicion we will be foregoing Spring altogether and move right into Summer.) The marinade sounds delish, so shall keep it in mind. As for the masks; I am still making and distributing/donating them to those who express a desire for one using a pattern very similar to what Lynne was so kind to forward to you. (i.e.: The Olson mask but am including a wire for nose contour, filter pocket and adjustable ties.) Greatest challenge though is finding fabric (tightly woven cotton) as many websites are just not currently shipping to Canada and even have had to resort to dyeing some fabric for coordinated linings. All said; its a good past time since the weather is so terrible and since we older folks are being ordered not to venture too far from home unless it is an absolute essential.
    -Brenda-
    P.S.: Extending a toast to Marilyn and courage.

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