Sunday Reflections
Happy Sunday, friends! Welcome to my weekly lifestyle post called Sunday Reflections.
Sunday Reflections is different every week because it features what I have been doing the past week and what I see in the week going forward.
I reflect often…keeps my mind active…and I enjoy reflecting about this blog community and my family and new life in a new town.
Let’s begin with my wardrobe reflections as we enter a new time…and warmer weather and longer days are finally in view.
Get a cozy spot and a warm beverage and enjoy Sunday Reflections with me.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: GENTLE WARDROBE TRANSITIONS
I completely realize that it is not Spring on the calendar just yet…however I do begin a few gentle wardrobe transitions at the beginning of March.
Most of my outfits lately have been for winter temps, but when I wore this one to the science fair, I began to wear lighter tops underneath (lighter than sweaters).
I move most of my heavier winter items to another closet at this time, and wear the ones with more color.
Purposeful layering during this time of year in Texas is very important. I think about what my look would be if I took off the topper and ditched it during the warmer times of day.
We often begin cold…warm up…and then cool down after sunset.
I am sitting here looking at beautiful sunshine and listening to the birds, but must resist temptation to go too far with a spring outfit and end up out of place or cold.
Since, I love color, gentle transition for me means bringing more color into my outfits. Get ready to see me in alot of green!
Everything you are looking at right now has been in my wardrobe for awhile and I cannot link to them.
But I can encourage you to begin to think about wearing your best colors now that March is underway.
Spring may not be official, but you can begin to wear those styles!
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: ESTATE SALES
Jess and I attended an estate sale this week….I actually tried to get her to buy this apron for a Holiday White Elephant Gift Party!
I am so thankful that I can make estate sales now…it was tricky when I lived in a larger city and there are huge crowds to fight.
But, I have made a new friend who runs an estate sale shop and she gave us an invite to the preview night which was for a smaller audience…and it was so much fun.
I was thrilled to take home POTS! I think I purchased six that were quite the bargain.
Most of the nicer ones I purchased were for inside the house….and these ran from $6 to $10 dollars each.
Since this house gets lots of light, I am going to plant herbs in the majority of the pots.
Jess discovered a lovely painting from 1920 of a cathedral in England…it is small and authenticated and beautiful.
But, she thought too long on a pair of Italian sconces…when we went back the next day, they were gone.
We had fun though and will be doing this more often.
I so want to buy plants but believe there Is at least one more significant freeze to come, so I am trying to hold off for now.
But inside, I can have fun and plan to go to the nursery for herbs this week.
I also purchased this book at the estate sale.
Does anyone else frequent estate sales?
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: FEELING LIKE ME
I am so excited to finally be feeling like me and going strong on the path to improved health.
It has take too long after the two foot surgeries and toe removal to begin to feel like me.
But, a combination of OsteoStrong workouts, moving more and improved diet are working! Finally!
I am pointing to the wall at OsteoStrong where you get posted for reaching certain benchmarks…and I made the wall!
Please, no judgement on my appearance…this was after the workout.
This is the machine that strengthens bone health in our spines and it has been the biggest challenge for me.
But this week, I beat my best and showed improvement.
In my last bone scan, this is the area that needed the most help and I am on the right track to Improvement.
If anyone is new here, please catch up with my OSTEOSTRONG POST.
I continue to do the red light therapy at OsteoStrong on my foot…since it was suggested this will help the scar tissue that has affected the mobility of my foot.
I have been encouraged to be patient…faithful to do the treatment once a week for four minutes…and to have hope it will help.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: PASTA REVIEW
Last week in Sunday Reflections, I told you I had purchased this CACIO e PEPE PASTA MEAL KIT.
Mr. B loves pasta and black pepper and likes to eat pasta for carb loading before a big race.
So, I prepared this for him on Friday…and he loved it.
If you also have someone who likes pasta and black pepper, then I highly recommend….and the pepper infused olive oil in the kit is delicious and will be used for other meals.
Something else that is new in this household, is that I am making all of the fresh vinaigrettes for our salads and no longer purchase any salad dressings.
So, far he likes it and I can mix it up every time depending on the ingredients I have on hand.
Once I get those fresh herbs growing here, I can do more in with the vinaigrettes.
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS: LESSONS FROM THE BIRDS
Mr. B says we are officially “old” now because we both love watching the birds and feeding them daily.
Here are some in our trees waiting for him to fill the bird feeder.
We finally saw some of the smaller, more colorful ones this week.
When I looked at them, I remembered one of my favorite verses in Scripture and thought it would be a perfect focus for this week….
When I have a Scripture focus for the week, I read it daily during my morning prayer time.
I encourage you to do the same.
Thank you for joining me today for Sunday Reflections…let me know any thoughts you may have…and I hope to see you tomorrow….
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS & KEEP SMILING!
By Pamela Lutrell
Whether shopping new arrivals or clearance sales, please shop with the links on my SHOPPING PAGE…thank you, thank you to all who shop this way.
Pamela, the first thing I noticed in your after workout photo was your smile. It is the sign of a strong woman who has faced some obstacles and is coming back stronger than ever. We all cheer you on. And I think blue is such a good colour on you!
I agree with Irene! You look happy and healthy!! You go girl😃
Thank you, Irene! I finally see things turning around!
How fun to go to estate sales. My late husband and I used to love doing that. I haven’t gone to one since I moved here but I should. Are you planning to grow herbs indoors and outdoors too? My house does not get a lot of light but my deck does and I grown lots of herbs. I usually start the tender ones in May. I see my chives are already up. Congratulations on making the achievement wall at OsteoStrong. My orientation session is on Tuesday. Do I need to wear workout clothes or will I be OK in jeans & sneakers? We also love to feed and watch the birds. We are seeing more color on the male finches. We have a heated bird bath and 5 feeders on the deck; the hummingbird feeder will go up in a month. Helene broke the feeder poles and scattered the feeders so one of the first things I did was to crawl through the tree wreckage and find the feeders. A couple were OK and Bob was able to fix another. We figured the birds were probably as shook up as everyone else and would be looking for their familiar feeding place. Enjoy your Sunday!
Thanks Deborah! I hope to encourage others going through recovery after foot surgeries…it can get better again!
Your care for the birds is so sweet, Kathie! I just read your comment to Mr. B who was touched by it. You should go back to estate sales…it’s fun.
I enjoyed your musings reflections, what you are up to etc. You looked cute in your work out clothes green.
Yesterday Me and my husband went to Pasadena next to Houston to go to a thrift store called the Alamo, the best one ever.
My husband needed dress shirts. He got 4 nice ones. I found exactly what I wanted! A pink polkadot blouse gonna wear to church today!! Take care!
Congratulations on making the wall!! What an accomplishment, and you look super cute in the picture. I love growing herbs and can’t wait to start. But it’s 27 degrees this morning. so it’s going to be a while, haha. We have a specialty store in town with flavored vinegar and oils. My favorite is pomegranate vinegar and olive oil over a salad. And soon we can add fresh chopped herbs. So much healthier and better than bottled dressing. Happy March!
I love successful thrift shopping! Thanks for sharing, Debra.
I think the homemade dressings are fun to create. I would go crazy in a store like the one you have, Marcia. How much fun!
I don’t go to estate sales, but I see from friends that they have many bargains in home decor, kitchen gear, tools, etc. I’ve gone at times in my life when furnishing a house for myself or family. I loved your pots! That someone would criticize you in workout gear boggles the mind, especially as I wear it around the house half the time. So I guess I should be criticized too :). I’m looking forward to a progress update on the scarring, as I have quite a bit of scarring in my ankle as a result of a surgery redo. I make a lot of homemade dressings. My fave is half a cup of vinaigrette, then add a tablespoon of Dijon mustard and a tablespoon of maple syrup (I use sugar free, but I’m sure the regular would be even better). This makes a smoky sort of mustard dressing that’s good with any stronger greens, and super on my fave salad: romaine, onions, sliced apples, dried cherries, pecans and blue cheese sprinkled in top. This is a common salad in northern Michigan and we call it Up North salad in our house.
I think I will make some Up North Salad Down South! Thanks for sharing Linda!
I’m so pleased for you, both with your progress in regaining physical strength, and hearing how you and your sweet daughter are sharing time together. I used to go to an occasional estate sale when I lived in Portland, favoring vintage homes where I was likely to share an affinity for older objects. I have, as a consequence, a gorgeous set of 7 emerald green and clear glass dessert goblets (should have been 8, and one has a minor chip – so that’s always at my place setting, ☺️). Several other treasured items, as well. Then a couple years ago, I also went to a preview day, since my friend had extended the early invite to see her dear aunt’s household. I ended up buying her beautiful 1950’s dining set, complete with side table and gorgeous china hutch. It has a medium finish, and the chair backs echo the arches of my leaded fronts in my corner built-ins. Had to scramble to sell my set to a resale shop, but it was worth the effort because this set really looks made for my cottage, and makes my friend happy remembering her aunt.
Thanks for sharing, Connie. Love the story about the dining set!
Thank you for the Bible verse. I really needed that this week.
I’m glad your workouts are helping you.
Also could you share some vinaigrette recipes. I am searching for new ideas.
Good morning, Pamela and Mr. B,
I’m so proud of you, Pamela, for your mounting strength in your body. I think the Osteo location that you are going to will help immensely!
I have been feeding the birds since moving to the Big Island (I used to feed the squirrels in Oregon, but Hawaii doesn’t have squirrels). Now the flock of zebra doves, and yellow finches has risen to over 100, and they visit in the morning and at dusk! I think every bird on this side of the Island is here! We have even had two roosters visit. We are enjoying all of the birds, however expensive feeding them may become expensive!! Have a beautiful Sunday.
Yes, Paula. I have been making up my own recipes…let figure out measurements and write them down for you. I will say a really tasty EVOO and fresh herbs will help.
Your wildlife sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing.
My son Scott lives in a lovely small town in Georgia and he loves to go to estate sales there. It is rare to see them here. I’m not sure what people are doing. We have had four glorious sunny days in the 60s but today may be the last as we are expecting snow tomorrow night and Tuesday. March can be our largest snow month. I watch our wild birds every morning. Congratulations on your hard work on health! I’m still in my pajamas when I do my little workout and wear jeans and tees and jacket for our dog walks. You look terrific! Keep up the good work.
Congratulations on the progress at OsteoStrong! I certainly wish I lived near one as I know I have osteoporosis and osteopenia in my spine and hip area. This is why I regularly go to yoga as well as my daily cemetery walks. Speaking of pasta, are you aware of the pasta made from chickpeas called Banza? It comes in a variety of shapes and has much more protein and fiber, than regular pasta as well as more dense carbs that take longer to be digested. I started using it for my diabetic Mr. B, but now that I’m trying to increase my protein intake daily, it helps me too. I like to walk near sunset time daily, and I’m seeing literally thousands of birds flying over the open spaces looking for trees to roost for the night. The trees are alive with these flocking birds at this time of year especially.
I love estate sales so much that last year I started a part-time job working with an estate sale company. I help clean out closets, empty boxes and help display and price items. Working the sales are so much fun. Watching people find treasures is so much fun. It’s a lot of work going up and down steps and being on my feet all day but it’s a fun way for me to make a little pocket money.
Thanks Sydney…stay warm and enjoy more cozy!
I will try the pasta…I think I would love it but I do cook for a man who is very picky about his pasta and often does not do well with substitutes. But it is worth a try!
Thanks for sharing that, Pam. It sounds like a lot of fun to me!
What a treat to sit down and read your post today! I’ve been missing them during this hectic week of moving, but last night I made it a point to figure out where my laptop was and get it set up so I could read over lunch today. It feels more like home to have the small piece of my regular routine restored.
So many great thoughts in today’s post and the comments, as always. I smiled out loud at the image of Kathie picking through the wreckage to find her bird feeders, and she reminded me that I need to get mine moved to the new house while the weather is good this week. I did fill them on moving day so the birds wouldn’t be abandoned. I don’t yet have a place to sit in my new back yard, but will once my outdoor items are delivered. I loved seeing the items you found at the estate sale, especially that apron which would absolutely be the perfect white elephant gift! Congrats on your progress at OsteoStrong! You are setting such a good example for all of us as you strive to return to the highest possible level of strength and activity, especially after foot surgery. I’ve let mine be an excuse for much too long, and you’ve inspired me to finally do something about it! Most of all, I appreciated today’s scripture, which really spoke to me as I struggled to decide between bringing more kitchen items or more clothes to the new house. I won’t be hungry if I don’t relocate my entire kitchen and I won’t be naked if I don’t relocate my entire wardrobe this first weekend; such good reminders at a very stressful time. I look forward to catching up on all the posts I missed this past week, which will be a treat I save for rest breaks. Happy Texas Independence Day to Pamela and any of my fellow Texans in this community!
Those pots are fabulous. How lucky you are to have natural light. Abilene has great estate sales. It’s not so where I live now. And you have the best store to purchase flavored oils and vinegars for vinegrettes. I hope you have checked it out by now. You give me so many great memories!
Congratulations on making the wall.
I do not shop at estate sales anymore, in the past I really found some great items.
Thanks for the scripture verse today.
Blessings always
I cannot believe you commented in the midst of a move, but I am so glad to hear from you and know it is progressing well. New memories are beginning now! Happy Texas Independence Day!!
Jeanine! Thank you for reminding me of Cordell’s! I also want to check into their cooking classes!
Blessings to you as well, Audrey!
I don’t get the opportunity to shop at estate sales. Many in this area are done privately or online. Your pots were a great find. Since I change my decor with the seasons, I tend to use meteorological spring, summer & fall for my starting date especially spring & fall as I am usually tired of the summer & winter items by then. March is usually a month of temperature ups & downs for the central Midwest, so incorporating lighter weight items is a must. Today was cold, so I wore a heavy lavender colored sweater to church. I wanted to look springy even if it was twenty-five degrees!
Making a nod toward spring with a lavender sweater is a perfect way to go! Good choice, Becky!