Sunday Mornings at Home
Happy Sunday, everyone! Welcome to my weekly lifestyle post called Sunday Mornings at Home.
For this Sunday Mornings at Home, I find myself once again on April 14 praying for my husband and staying out of his way.
Mr. B is a CPA who has tax clients on the side of his full time job…many are done for friends and family and with great care and attention…today is crunch time!
So, let’s begin with a few updates from last week’s Sunday mornings at home.
The first picture shows you one of the plants I was outside planting last Sunday morning.
We were blessed to get many in the ground and in pots right before a big rain storm hit…and now those flowers are smiling!
Few things make me happier than to look into the backyard from the kitchen sink and see flowers blooming this time of year.
By the way, I am a big fan of Miracle Grow Potting Soil. The few times I have been talked into something else, I regretted it. I highly recommend Miracle Grow.
Now, let’s get comfy and I will update you on a few other stories from last week ….join me for Sunday Mornings at Home.
SUNDAY MORNINGS AT HOME: UPDATE ON ECLIPSE
Tux joined me last week on our balcony for the eclipse.
We were in one of the areas for complete totality and I have to say watching life go from light to dark was pretty cool….even if just for three minutes.
I am glad I saw that part of it…the clouds were too thick to actually see the big event right over my head.
At one point, the light was perfect for pictures.
I was able to get this butterfly in a tree right next to our balcony.
So funny, as I typed this on Saturday, butterflies flew past my window!
SUNDAY MORNINGS AT HOME: UPDATE ON BOBBY FLAY COOKING
Last week, I shared plans to cook through Bobby Flay’s FIT cookbook for a healthy lifestyle.
After cooking the Flay-way for one weekend, my stomach said, “Hold on, what are you doing to me?”
I am not accustomed to eating exceptionally spicy foods, but Mr. B’s stomach had a celebration party! For him, the spicer the better.
Last Sunday evening, I was pretty miserable. However, not defeated.
My new plan is just to season our meals a little differently going forward…like I did yesterday as I made Bobby Flay Salmon.
We are really enjoying Flay-sandwich spread.
Mix a teaspoon of dijon mustard, a teaspoon of whole grain mustard, a teaspoon of mayo (I use olive oil mayo), and 1/8 tsp of Chili-Garlic paste ( 1/4 for Mr.B)…stir together for sandwiches or wraps.
We love this and now keep a jar in the refrigerator. I made a turkey/pepper cheese wrap for him last week with this spread and it is a new favorite.
I am still training to beat Bobby Flay…I just need to prepare my own stomach and gently move into this way of eating.
SUNDAY MORNINGS AT HOME: UPDATE ON WHAT I WORE AT THE LUNCHEON
I shared with you in last Monday’s POST, that I spoke at a luncheon and was dressed for the event with a jacket and pants from a local boutique.
Several people….including my own Mr. B…asked why I did not purchase the outfit.
It is a very fun jacket and well within my creative style adjective.
Yet, I wanted to show you that my CHICO’S JACKET, and my TALBOTS PANTS look so similar that I just could not justify purchasing the outfit.
Though very different, they are similar enough to me not to purchase the luncheon look…and I told you early this year, that I would be careful about the prints I added to my wardrobe.
I have already worn the Chico’s jacket more than I believe I would wear the other one.
The pants feel and look the same, except the boutique pants had grommets in the bottom of the legs…which is a fun detail, but was not different enough from the pants I already own.
I have written several times about how much I love the Talbots pants…I wear them often.
SUNDAY MORNINGS AT HOME: JOY OF SPRING
Whether baseball or football, we have grandchildren out enjoying spring sports.
And I must include my granddaughter who just made a swim team, and a grandson playing pretty high level soccer…both of these are huge commitments for the families.
I don’t see all of them play as often as I would like, but when I do, it is full of joy for me. Both of these guys are 5, and very dedicated to their respective sports. (Mine is the one holding the ball)
With all of the foot assistance from SAS and Easy Spirit, I can go enjoy as much of spring as possible.
You guys and your encouragement for me to wear sandals has meant the world.
I saw a little note on Instagram recently written by a six-year-old girl.
She answered the question, “What is Love?”
Her answer was: “Love is when you’re missing some of your teeth, but you’re not afraid to smile because you know your friends will still love you even though some of you is missing.”
That is how I feel about this wonderful blog community.
Thank you for giving me the courage and the joy to wear sandals…when some of me is missing!
I want to encourage those of you who are struggling with fear right now during a really fearful time…this devotion blessed me this week…I pray it will bless you as well.
Remember all of the savings codes I placed in the Saturday 2024 fashion trends post near the bottom of the post.
I am so honored that those retailers would want to give this audience savings codes to help you out!
Well, that is the Sunday Mornings at Home update…ask any questions you may have…I will be here tomorrow with a JJILL try-on session and hope to see you there….until then….
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.
I love your “eclipse butterfly!” We were in totality just east of Fort Worth, and although a few clouds came and went, I was able to witness the whole thing. I wasn’t initially caught up in all the excitement, but watching made me very mindful of how complex a solar system God created, and what a small part of it I am. I also loved the feeling of being connected to so many people of all different walks of life who paused for a short time to see a miracle unfolding. I’m enjoying photos of your flowers so much this spring, since I’m only going to have my few perennials this year. I’ve made the decision to hold off on planting any annuals because I plan to sell my house in the coming year. (A neighbor is already planning to buy it for their mom) so I don’t have to worry about curb appeal or invest a lot in landscaping. I do have to figure out how to safely uproot my heirloom daffodils to move to my new location, about 40 miles southeast. I’m also wondering if I can safely uproot the lantana plants my mama brought me for my first Easter in this house, in 2007. They are well-established and remind me daily of her, so I’d love to take them with me. If any readers have thoughts on that I’d love to hear them! Blessings to you and Mr. B as he survives another tax season. I have spent way too much time lately with both my CPA and my estate attorney as I continue to work through the business of settling my mother’s estate. I have the greatest respect for what the CPA has done for me, and wish I had found him sooner.
I hope you can take your flowers with you, Lori. It helps make a new place your own. Maybe some one here can offer you advice.
Once again, you have blown me away! I loved (and teared up a bit) at the little girl’s answer to “What is love?” Don’t we all have ‘missing parts’, sometimes not visible to others, so her answer is a blessing to us. The reasoning behind not bringing home the luncheon jacket and pants is ‘real’ and so sensible – if you wanted that word to describe you!!! My heart melts at the pictures of grandkids whose parents obviously invest time and care into their beings. Thank you for sharing the beauty around you and within you!
It’s finally feeling like Soring here and Im thinking “plant time” too. And YAY for Miracle Grow! It is the best, as you say!
So happy that you can wear sandals, safely. All healed! Nothing better when that heat rolls in.
Both outfits are winners! I’m a second Miracle Grow fan. I use the potting soil for my all my containers and use the time release pellets for my perennials. We have a water ban every year so using the pellets just twice a summer makes it easier. My perennials have been so successful that I have been able to plant two new gardens by splitting the original ones I bought about 6 years ago. I also have a son who is an accountant but for a company so he has 4 quarter ends which means Grandpa and Grandma get to spend more time getting the grandchildren to their activities. As they get older it is even more special.
We were very lucky in our part of Ohio in the path of eclipse totality because we had the most beautiful sunny day. We were able to sit on our daughter’s deck and view it from start to finish. It was quite an awe-inspiring spectacle.
Bless you, Lou. For your sweet words of encouragement!
Good morning, Pam. Thanks for another great post. Best wishes to your husband. Don’t talk to him, but bring him a beverage and a kiss every few hours. Mine is a CPA, too, so I understand. You look beautiful in your sandals. I can’t eat spicy food, so I enjoy flavoring with herbs and a few light spices. Happy Sunday! Blessings!
I agree, Paulette…and here’s to Miracle Grow.
That time is so precious…enjoy each moment, Linda.
It really was cool to experience it…glad you did as well, Mary Jo.
I dove into the heavy spices a little too quickly, but know now it is OK to make separate meals for us and up his spice. I have a special meal planned for him this afternoon to help him keep on keeping on today. Thanks Marcia.
To Lorri regarding her plants: my experience is from southern Oregon’s climate and rich soil, but hopefully it’ll work for you – wait until this daffodil season has ended, including allowing for your leaves to go dry (regenerating back to the bulb), then dig ’em up! Don’t worry about getting every last one, as it will be a lovely gift each spring for the new owner. 😊 I would pack your bulbs back into a shallow mix of soil, kept dark and just barely moist, until time to transplant at your new home. Hopefully, they don’t have too long to wait! I don’t know a thing about Lantana, probably a more southerly plant.🪴
I always enjoy your Sunday posts…they remind me of ‘random thoughts’ catching up with me. The ‘toothless wonder’ was so right. Children are perceptive. Happy yo see you in sandals. I ordered some Easy Spirit loafer type shoes last night. Thank you for the code. Fingers crossed! We are going to London in a few weeks and I am looking for comfy loafer type shoes. We will be revisiting favorite museums and basically just soaking up the culture. If anyone has any shopping advice, feel free to ask Pam for my email and advise!
Thanks for helping her, Connie. I love my lantana, but have never attempted to re-locate it.
Enjoy London, Deborah. I still love to wear my Easy Spirit sneakers and they do make walking very comfy. They have been easier on my knees than the Brooks shoes I purchased during PT.
The Flay sandwich spread sounds interesting. What brand of chili garlic paste do you use?
Hi Judy, the one I use is HUY Fong Chili Garlic Sauce….and it is spicy…so I just use a little bit.
I love they shoes you are wearing in this post. I had foot surgery in August 2021 and I continue to have a hard time finding comfortable shoes. I have a big foot (size 11) and usually need a wide width. I recently found a few pair of Bzees that came in a wide width. I ordered two pairs and kept one. I am still on the hunt for more.
Pam, I lost my great toe toenail on my left foot almost 30 years ago. I had to wear SAS sandals for a year because of complications in regrowth and finally the doctor just removed it. The scarring is pretty ugly. So I’m thinking of trying the Easy Spirit sling back shoes instead of sandals. Your feet look fine in sandals. I can’t even tell you are missing a toe! Who is looking close enough to count! We are having blue bird skies and 82 degrees today! April is a rollercoaster ride in Colorado. It could still snow next week.
I can’t eat spicy food at all and my husband doesn’t care for it so I’m lucky there. I love looking at your flowers. It is very difficult to grown annuals, even perennials here in the high mountain desert. It has been 9% humidity for days! And it is already heating up.
Charlene, you would love SAS. And your feet would love SAS…I am wearing one of their shoes in this post. Read this post: https://over50feeling40.com/2024/03/sas-footwear-for-spring-keeps-me-moving.html
Currently with the code SASPAM10, you can save $10 at checkout…they can feet your feet. Go to:https://www.sasshoes.com/home/
You will be glad that you did.
I have another SAS post coming out this week, Sydney. Come see the new style I am showing you…of course, I also wear Easy Spirit. My two go-to brands now.
Indianapolis was in the path of totality, also, so I watched from my patio. It was interesting to feel the temperature change & the reaction of the birds. There was almost four minutes of darkness here. I try to evaluate my new purchases as well. I do a lot of thinking about wants versus needs. I think your toes look lovely with their cheerful red polish.
Thanks so much, Becky!
I was in Frisco TX for the eclipse; it was so neat. I got eclipse glasses ar my eye doctor ‘s before heading to TX. We were there for HS ( soon to be OU) baseball. If you heard the chatter ( was all over X etc) about the HS kid who pitched a perfect game, that’s one of ours!
Congratulations!! That is so much fun. Glad you could be there!
Hi Pam, meant to tell you this morning that I’m thrilled you are wearing sandals and have a pedicure. Honestly I can’t see you have a missing toe. I would love to get a pedi but my time is not my own right now. Ten days ago we brought home a little sister puppy for my dog, Coffee. All is happy & good but as I said my time is not my own. I love your hibiscus and will search out one like that for my deck which will be planted in the yard in the fall. I also loved the jacket you modeled so thanks for telling us why you passed on it. The flowed Chico’s blazer is a great choice. Hope Mr. B gets a well deserved rest after tomorrow. I’ve never understood why people wait to the last minute. Happy Sunday afternoon.
Your Sunday post inspired me to make Bobby Flay’s sandwich spread for a breakfast BLT with avocado and basil – yum! Then trip to garden center for container herbs and color (vinca) for covered front entry. Springtime in Arizona is a motivator for simple chores and organizing the garage before summer temps. Enjoy today’s blessings, everyone.
Thank you! So glad you liked the sandwich spread!
I understand what it’s like to be married to a CPA. I have been staying out of my husband’s way for the last few months. Good to hear you are wearing sandals. They look very nice on you. They also look very comfortable.
They are, Paula! SAS sandals are new friends! Just one more day for this tax season, my friend.
Hi – Lantana is regarded as a weed in Australia it is so tough and grows all over the place. I think you will be able to dig it up , keep the roots moist, not wet (wrap it in newspaper with some soil, tie it up and regularly sprinkle the ‘parcel’ – easier to do if you keep it in a bucket or basin) – then plant it within a week and it will reward you. Give it a feed of liquid fertiliser to help it re-settle into its new soil. Good luck with your new garden. What a lovely challenge.
Thanks so much to Joyce and Connie for the plant tips! I appreciate this group so much. As I reread today’s post I had the thought “I want to be just like Pamela when I grow up.” She and I are both having milestone birthdays this summer, just five years apart. Hoping I can spread the same kind of joy and strength she models for us every week!
Pam – Just curious as to what is the typical discount we can get when using your shopping code? I attempted to click on one in your list and it took me to the site but I wasn’t sure of what my discount would be. Did I miss Easy Spirit? Many thanks!
They are all different: my code on Easy Spirit gets you 20% off your purchase…for SAS it gets you $10 off your purchase and for by Brian is 25% off. The only one that doesn’t have a deadline is Easy Spirit. All of this information is at the bottom of the Saturday post on 2024 Fashion trends