journals, planners, notecards and other writing goodies

When I last posted on Monday, I had mentioned I was getting sick. I've been down for the

count all week. When Brian got home from work on Wednesday, he took one look at me

 and said, "You're going to the doctor." I was running a temperature, was totally congested,

and had a very deep cough. Even though I could barely get out of bed, I managed to get up

and get my coat and shoes on, and off we went. Ends up I have bronchitis and a 

sinus  infection. I'm now on an antibiotic and today I finally feel semi-human. I'm still

 coughing, but not as badly. (I know bronchitis takes a long time to get over.) I can breathe a

 little bit now though I still can't taste anything, so food doesn't appeal to me. My mom

 brought over her homemade soup today and even though I don't have an appetite, I ate

 some anyway. I know I need some nourishment. Can't wait until I can actually taste it, 

especially the broth. Mom made bone broth ahead of time and then used it for the soup.

On to a more pleasant topic...

Maybe it's because I've always loved to write, but I've always had a thing for pretty journals,

notebooks, stationary, and notecards. This basket is on my desk and is filled with some

of the books and papers I use most often. 

I get my planners at Barnes and Noble right after the first of the year when they're

50% off. I loved the graphics on this one. Yes, I do judge books by their cover.

There's even beautiful art on the inside. (The bookweight holding the planner

open is from Levenger.)

I bought this journal years ago ~ again, it was the cover that got me. I use it for blog

planning, jotting notes, websites to look up, and lists.

I also bought a different kind of journal for this year. I've always been a fan of 

Jennifer Louden so thought I'd give her new book a try.

The only complaint I have about this journal is that it's hard to write in because

of the binding. It's hard to open the book to where it's flat, so I find myself trying to

hold it open with my other hand while writing. They really should of made this

 journal with a spiral binding.

I keep most of my notecards in a basket on a bookshelf. Keeps them accessible,

 and organized ~ plus they're pretty, to boot.

I couldn't talk about writing without discussing pens. I am very particular about writing

instruments. I don't like to write with pencils and never did. When I was in high school

and thought I could get away with it, I'd even do my math homework in pen. I still do

 crossword puzzles and word jumbles in pen. And once they invented gel pens, look out!

 I was in heaven. They write so smoothly. This is my new favorite pen, made by Tul. Brian's

 now hooked on these, too. He likes black ink and fine point; I like blue ink and medium point.

I'm off to make a hot toddy now in hopes that it'll help me sleep tonight. 

(The coughing fits keep me awake.) Have a fantastic weekend, my friends.

winter blues but weekend fun

I'm finally at the point where I'm so sick of winter that I'm practically climbing the walls.

We're still having the bitter cold here ~ it's -9F here this morning. I was looking at some

of my Instagram photos from last spring where the trees were budding, Brian was grilling

outside, and the patio furniture was uncovered and actually being used. I am so longing 

for that again. And yesterday, my throat started getting sore and scratchy and I knew

what was coming. I immediately started taking Allibiotic (natural herbal supplement for

 immune system strength) and drinking herbal tea with fresh lemon and raw honey. Frankly,

I'm peeved at my body for being sick again since I normally take good care of myself: I

eat very healthy, I exercise, practice yoga, and take herbal supplements. I also wash my

hands immediately when I get home from being out in public. So, what gives? I was joking

with my mom this morning and told her I was going to start eating Hostess Ho Hos and 

Doritoes again. (Totally kidding - I stay away from stuff like that.)

 

We did get a chance to escape for awhile on Saturday. Brian had the day off (a rarity on

a weekend) and we first headed to a library book sale. This stack of books and CDs

are all Brian's except for the Apartment Therapy book, which has wonderful design ideas

for small spaces (not just apartments). I've always been a fan of their website. I'll eventually

read the "Dearie" book as I'm a Julia Child fan and have several other books by her and

about her.

 This stack of novels is mine. Before I bought them, I quickly scanned them on my phone

on the amazon app to look up the ratings and reviews. If a book has anything less than

4-5 stars, I don't buy it. We got all these books (and thetwo CDs) for $22 ~ less than the

 price of one hardcover book these days!

 Our tummies were then signaling it was time for lunch and we found this small, quiet

Argentinian place nearby.

 I had a cheese and scallion stuffed empanada with tomato bisque soup and a

lovely mixed greens salad with a sweet balsamic vinaigrette. 

 Brian (the seafood lover) had a shrimp wrap, clam chowder soup, and salad.

The food was absolutely amazing. Everything at this place is homemade - even the

pasta. And so reasonably priced. Our lunch bill was less than what we would've paid

 at Panera! (And much tastier and not mass-manufactured food.)

After lunch, we went to Mariano's to pick up some groceries. It's definitely not one of those

grocery stores where you can run in and out. It has a cafe, a huge salad bar, impressive

wine and artisan cheese sections, and aisle upon aisle of every ethnic food you can think

of. This was a sampling of their olive oil selection. You can see all the different country's 

flags in the background. Maybe because I'm such a foodie, but I find it thrilling to walk up

and down all these aisles, looking at all the unfamiliar-to-me foods.

I'd never seen such a diverse selection of organic chocolates. How could you ever

choose? I'd like one of each, please.

I hope that your weekend was filled with some of the things that delight you, too. 

 

yucky way to start the new year

 There was no celebrating going on here on New Year's Eve. I'm sick. I finally went to the

doctor today to make sure I didn't have bronchitis or pneumonia, and the good thing is that

my lungs are clear. However, I do have the flu.

 I'm a hacking, congested, sneezing, tired, feverish mess. I haven't been this sick

in years and I know this too shall pass, but when you're in the thick of it, it stinks.

 So, just a little note to let you all know that if I'm not blogging for awhile, you

know why. Hope your 2015 is off to a better start than mine!

 

down for the count ~ but a few cheery things, too

 I am so sick. Can't remember being this sick in a long time.

I'm congested, headachy, coughing, body aches, and temperature.

I've been sleeping on and off all day. Just heated up some veggie broth

and put Israeli couscous and baby spinach in it. Managed to eat a few bites of that.

I was out in public every single day last week, so I guess I picked up someone's nasty germs.

One thing I did last week was be a chili cook-off judge at Trader Joes!

That was a blast. I saw the flyers in the store and applied to be a judge.

They called me a few days later and said they picked me to be one of the judges.

 There were eight of us and we got to taste-test ten different chilis and rate them. They were all

 made by TJ employees. Not only did I meet a lot of nice people, but we got a big bag of groceries 

for our time.

While I was in Trader Joes, I bought myself a bouquet of cheery flowers.

Can you believe they're only $3.99?

And how do you like the red and white coffee pot turned pitcher?

I found that beauty at Goodwill last week. It didn't have the lid, so I knew I'd use it as a vase.

  It's hard for me to resist pretty things in red and white or blue and white.

I'm a big fan of Lisa Leonard jewelry. She is now making gold pieces and was running a

special for Valentine's Day. When I saw this winged heart, I had to order it. It reminds me

of my beloved son, Phil who passed away a little over three years ago.

 

Back to bed for me. I hope the rest of you are staying well and healthy!

snowy day good for baking, tweaking ~ and nuturing a cold

 How appropriate that on the first day of winter, we got our first snow.

It wasn't much and most of it happened overnight, but the winds here have been fierce.

At times, it was hard to sleep last night because the gutters kept banging against

the house and the windows were rattling.

Guess it's time to hang up the decorative snowflakes!

I'm ready to display my snowmen too, but I've been waiting for hubby to hang

some shelving and frames on the kitchen wall.

I think I'll do a snowman theme on the shelves.

Ready to go...

This looong, blank wall will soon be filled...

 Even though I've been sick, I've been doing some baking. I get really bored when I'm sick.

I can only read so much or watch so much TV when I have to get up and do something.

This morning, I baked streuselkuchen. A classic crumb cake. So good with a cuppa tea!

This hasn't been a good week for me as far as injury and illness.

This past Monday afternoon - soon after I posted that I was looking forward to my yoga class -

I was carrying something out to my garage, and I fell down the three steps leading into my garage.

I'll be OK - I have a lot of nasty external bruises as well as a bruised tailbone, but it 

could've been a lot worse. I could've easily broken some bones, or hit my head,

or severely injured my back. I already have three herniated disks, so my tailbone is

really hurting. Actually feels better when I'm up and around. Yoga stretches help, too.

And then late Wednesday night, I could feel a cold coming on.

It's now full-blown head congestion, sinus pain, dripping nose, hacking cough.

I'm resting when needed, drinking lots of water and tea, and taking vitamin C and 

some herbal supplements.

 Hubby is home from work and I've got roasted potatoes in the oven.

I'm going to try a new recipe for pork tenderloin medallions and a corn casserole.

Even though I'm sick, I actually have an appetite. I guess that's a good thing. :-)