Sunday Mornings at Home
Happy Sunday morning, everyone! Welcome to Sunday Mornings at Home.
This is my weekly lifestyle post which covers a little of this and a little of that on a bright Sunday morning.
Today, Sunday mornings at home talks spring, flowers, food, decorations, and clothing…what could be more fun than that?
So, grab a morning beverage and a cozy spot and let’s sit down together for Sunday Mornings at Home.
SUNDAY MORNINGS AT HOME: TOUCHES OF SPRING
I have three bougainvilleas…one of my favorite flowers…and they are very happy this spring.
I hope I can keep them happy throughout the summer.
Mr. B and I are actually doing some planting this morning in our backyard.
I want to look out the windows and see more flowers…I just love them and do not believe we have enough.
We are also planting more herbs for my cooking ventures.
The first picture is a lovely mint plant that I have inside.
I told him I needed way more basil and rosemary, because I use those two herbs so often.
The grocery and local nurseries are budding out all over.
It makes running errands such happy occasions when you see the flowers everywhere.
Spring is also lovely in the home of one of our readers.
Lucinda sent us her precious bunny decoration, and with the butterfly on his nose, it just makes me smile.
Remember, I love for you to send home decorations, recipes, outfits…whatever you like to my email over50feeling40@gmail.com and I will share it with this amazing blog community.
SUNDAY MORNINGS AT HOME: SHARPENING MY SKILLS
I have already confessed that during my surgery recovery I became addicted to the Food Network.
I have never watched it before…right now it is a go-to…particularly anything with Bobby Flay.
As I watched him cook, I was drawn to his spices and flavor profiles.
My desire has been to sharpen my skills to a point where we are mostly eating at home, and with as few processed foods at possible…you know, eating clean.
Which means I needed to learn how to make my own salad dressings & vinagrettes; create more of my own fresh spices, and learn a simpler way of eating that packs a flavor punch…and convinces Mr. B to look forward to the meals.
When I found Bobby Flay’s cookbook, Bobby Flay Fit, I was thrilled because I can actually cook these recipes and understood the instructions…especially after watching him make many of these on television.
So, I am well underway to sharpening my skills and learning new ways of doing things.
The first thing I did was order a spice grinder. I did not want to use the same one I use for coffee beans.
I cleaned out the spice cabinet checking labels and dates, and ordered some whole seed spices.
Then I tackled a vinaigrette for this weekend’s salad; pickled onions; and a dressing for Mr. B’s turkey sandwiches which he loves to eat a couple of times a week.
The onions are in 1 1/2 cups of fresh limes which took me a whole bag of limes to achieve.
The only thing I added to this was a sliced fresh jalapeno. Bobby Flay does cook with heat…and Mr. B loves spicy foods.
My first Bobby Flay meal was yesterday, and I made the Sauteed Shrimp in Spanish Bread Sauce, with a salad…(all ingredients were Flay recommendations (like butter lettuce and heirloom tomatoes).
Mr. B loved it…he did not CHOP me.
I ground the fresh coriander, salt and pepper.
I always seem to add my own touch, but I believed Mr. B would like it better over rice…and that was a good call.
Look out…there is a new chef in this kitchen!
SUNDAY MORNINGS AT HOME: NOTES FROM EASTER
Easter included a casual dinner at our oldest son’s house.
I wore this outfit…the wide leg crops were chosen for comfort…I do prefer this ruana with a full length slim pant.
I am wearing the Chico’s Embroidered Knit Ruana, which does run big because I am wearing the Small/Medium. I like the colors.
The pants are also Chico’s Trapunto Wide Leg Cropped Pants and mine are in the color Smokey Taupe…they come in seven colors.
These gold flats have been with me for a long time and they are by Sofft.
My son’s children are blessed to have two grandmothers…Eileen and me.
My daughter’s children have me…I so wish they could’ve joined us.
Eileen brought this cute bunny cake which was a big hit.
I brought my well-known beans, queso, and…..
A coconut pie with vanilla bean whipped cream.
A good time was enjoyed by all.
April is starting off as a fun month for me…I will share the first event with you tomorrow.
Please don’t judge me too harshly, but I am just not in to the eclipse as so many around here are.
We are in one of the full eclipse zones and the area is packed with tourists from San Antonio well into the hill country.
I hear that thousands of dollars have been spent by people to be here…it even costs $1000 just to rent a car for the weekend.
San Antonio was warned to fill up the car and grocery shop before Monday…I thought…Really?
After all this, there is a forecast of clouds for tomorrow…so I really do hope the clouds clear and all of the people headed here will have a wonderful time.
I did not even purchase the glasses and do not plan to look up. Mr. B wants to be running at his park during that time and is very excited about it.
SUNDAY MORNINGS AT HOME: REMEMBER TO STAY STRONG
There is so much going on around us that every day I am so glad my focus for 2024 is STRENGTH, in all areas of our lives.
Remember the source of our strength and tap into it when needed.
Thank you for joining me today for Sunday mornings at home…leave any thoughts you have and when I get out of the backyard, I will respond!
STAY STRONG & KEEP SMILING!
By Pamela Lutrell
Please remember to shop with my Shopping Links found at the top of the page. Thank you so much to those who shop this way.
Also, remember…….
Remember, that on Wednesday I am joining in with Brian for a free Zoom Workshop about a Spring Skincare Refresh…I always learn so much from Brian.
I wrote about this in the Friday post…and you can CLICK HERE TO REGISTER...it is completely free with no purchase necessary. Hope to see some of you there.
This Chicos outfit is stunning on you!
So much here :). I loved your pics of your Easter dinner. We were invited to Easter dinner at the in-laws, after first joining them for services at their church. It was a great time, though I’m still trying to work off the pound I gained that weekend, as we also stayed with our son’s family and played with our grandson (I would have to have a slice of your yummy-looking coconut pie for sure … it’s one of my fave desserts). As for the eclipse, we are in the path of totality here, and our local libraries gave out free glasses. Every hotel is booked, and out of town, farmers are renting their fields for parking and viewing. Schools are closed for the day. Unlike the usually sunny areas of the country, we are supposed to be almost cloud free, with perfect viewing (very unusual for our misty, lake-effect springs). We will watch from the pool area/yard of our condo complex.
I really look forward to your Sundays at home posts. Always entertains and informs. Am excited to see how your new plantings come along. I’m being brave and trying to start seeds for my herbs, wish me luck as my green thumb is a bit murky😁.
Loved the entire outfit that you wore, especially the accessories. Like you,I’m not really into the eclipse, I’ll stay inside with my dogs, and maybe watch it on tv. I’m sure weather permitting or not, it will be a busy day for those living in the path.
You look lovely in that ruana. Smart to be sizing down as it fits you beautifully. Wish they made one small enough for 5’3″ me. I do find smaller ruanas sometimes at independent boutiques. I love them for Church in the summer. Thanks for sharing your family Easter with us. My Mother used to make a bunny cake each year for Easter too. I hadn’t thought about it for years. Thanks for the memory. I’m not really into the eclipse either. We are in the partial zone, close to the full zone but don’t plan to watch. We watched one 7 years ago and it wasn’t all that exciting. But I do hope for good viewing for all who have traveled to see it. Happy Sunday.
Thank you Mary Ann!
They are forecasting clouds with hope of clearing by eclipse time. Our neighborhood is just on the edge, but it has brought great excitement to Texas!
I just took a brief break from planting. We are about half way done and the weather is perfect. Cool dry air this morning. Let us know how your seeds do, Rhoda!
My grandchildren were so excited about the bunny cake! It was a hit! I also wish for clearing for those who really want to see it.
Love your laid back lux Easter outfit. I have yet to find a ruana to tick my boxes. It has been on my mental list for years. I had forgotten all about the bunny cake! I used to make it with my mom. I will make one next time my kiddos come to visit. It doesn’t have to be Easter. Overall lovely post!
Wonderful post, Pam. Your flowers and plants are beautiful. I, too, like to have cooking adventures, and I look forward to seeing more of yours. Is your spice grinder working well? Would you be able to share what kind you have? I used to bake that bunny cake, but haven’t for years. It was fun to see my old friend again.
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Love your flowers!!!
My husband and daughter are doing the glasses. I plan to not look up. I guess that means I’ll be walking the dog – LOL.
Happy Sunday! Pretty outfit, and your granddaughter was cute in her Easter dress and pony-braid. I grow herbs every year and love tucking them in with flowers as well. The past several years I have used mine to make tasty infused waters like they do at the spa. Orange slices + thyme, lemon + rosemary, cucumber + cilantro.
Thanks Deborah…this is not what I wore to church on Easter. This was for a very casual dinner at my son’s home. Just wanted to clarify that I did dress up a little more for the morning sunrise service.
Hi Marcia…it does work well. If you click the link in my post where it says spice grinder you can read all about it. Spice and Coffee Bean grinders are often the same…now I have one for coffee and one for spices. I ordered the spices to grind on Amazon as well.
I will confess, Maeve, that there is a part of me that doesn’t trust the glasses and I do not want to take a chance with my eyes. I know that might sound silly to some, but working as I do, I put strain on my eyes already…which are not getting any younger!
I am actually doing the infused water and I love it! I found a wonderful bottle at Marshalls a couple of months ago and I am really enjoying the water…especially with oranges and spices. So refreshing.
Thanks Connie
Great ideas in your post today.
I liked the mini lights Lucinda added to the bunny decoration. Those lights really add to decorations any time of the year.
So glad Mr. B liked the Bobby Flay inspiration meal
Blessings always
Thanks Audrey! I like the mini lights as well!
Loved Luncinda’s bunny with the butterfly and all your Easter picks. A caution about planting mint, spearmint in the yard. It is very invasive. Better to keep it in a pot. Unless, of course, you don’t care where it goes in which case, it smells great. Guess how I know about this? One little mint plant years ago.
The Bobby Flay cookbook looks interesting. Hmmm.
Right now my mint is inside in the window. It is the first picture today. I am glad you warned me about taking it outside! Thanks Mary.
So many good things for us here today! I love your Easter dinner outfit, and like so many others, was taken back to my childhood with the Easter bunny cake. I used to make those when my girls were little. But your pie is the desert I would’ve wanted to dive headfirst into. I’m so glad you posted about growing your own herbs. Last year I decided I wanted to try growing my own dill because I enjoy it so much in cooking. Unfortunately, by the time I made that decision, all the plants in my area were gone. I’m going to look for one tomorrow, thanks to your timely post. I have spent a great deal of this weekend trying to whip my yard and flowerbeds into shape. I love seeing everything you are planting, and your flowers look so nice. Do you grow camellias? I had never seen them growing until I visited New Orleans in January and I fell in love with them. Apparently our climate in North Texas would not be conducive for them. But I got to see a redheaded woodpecker in my backyard earlier this afternoon, which is very rare. Here in the Fort Worth area we are right on the edge of totality for tomorrow’s eclipse. Like you, we are being warned to fill up with gas, and buy necessities. I know that many of our smaller towns that are located right on the centerline of totality to the southeast of me are overrun with people, but I’m sure that will be an economic boon to those smaller communities , even if it does temporarily drain their resources and tax their infrastructure. I do plan to see it, but I have glasses obtained through scientists at the University where are used to work, so I trust them. The ones people are getting for free at Sonic and local grocery stores – not so much. To me, the eclipse is just another reminder that our Creator has a amazing and wonderful plan for everything in our world and our sky. Since a total eclipse won’t happen in my area again for almost 400 years, I’m excited to see it and hope that the predicted clouds in our area won’t sit in until after it ends. I can only imagine how weary those who are not particularly interested in it must be from all the hype leading up to it. It will be so ironic if the weather doesn’t allow them to see it, especially the folks that have spent so much time and money traveling to areas of totality. Prayers for everyone’s safety and well-being!
I join you in those prayers, Lori! You should be able to find dill..,I saw it in our nursery on Friday. My favorite blooming flowers are Hibiscus and we planted seven large plants today. I cleared some dead plumbego…it usually returns nicely. We got a good start but I hope to do more next weekend. Thanks!
You looked lovely in your Easter dinner outfit. It sounds like you had a lovely time with your family. Here in southern front range Rocky Mountains it is very windy , sunny but chilly today. Tomorrow we expect rain. The only way we can see the eclipse is on TV. I’m not really into it either. My husband may tune in to watch. I wish I could still garden. It is hard to grow anything here in this windy dry climate, cold in winter and very hot in summer, but that west wind doesn’t stop!
It seems we all have our weather challenges. The heat did them in last summer, but I am
More determined to see them live this year. I will report how I did. Stay warm Sydney!