Thankful Thursday | a fridge for Lisey
This week, I'm thankful:
that Lisey's friend gave her a fridge
not a permanent part of our living room decor
One of her friends just graduated from college, and she gave her dorm fridge to Lisey. This will be lovely to bring with her to the room she's renting.
You know, for those late-night times you want a cold drink or some berries.
(Lisey loves fruit, and I am probably going to have to adjust my fruit-buying habits when she moves out!)
that some cooler weather is on the way
I see some days in the low 80s coming up soon.
that I was able to get rid of some more clutter
Zoe's biology books from last year sold (eBay again), plus I gave away a table and some laminated school review sheets.
for air-conditioning
Hi. Still thankful for A/C.
I will never not be thankful for it.
for the shady parking spot at an appointment
It is way more pleasant to get into a car that's been in the shade rather than the sun for the past hour.
for all the book recommendations from readers
Whenever I do a social media post about one of my medical memoirs, you all come through with a whole slew of other recommendations for me.
So, I am very rich in interesting medical memoirs right now, mostly from the library.
Speaking of which, I'm thankful....
for the library
Free entertainment (and education) for the win!
I feel so wealthy when I have a stack of great books to read.
for interlibrary loans
A book Zoe wanted was unavailable at our library.
But I was able to get it for her by going through the library's process that allows you to borrow books from other library systems.
that Zoe found a dance class that's a good fit
It's a little nerve-wracking to join a new dance school after several years away from dance, but the class/teacher she tried this week felt good for her. Yay!
Zoe is really good at dancing, and I am thrilled she has a place to do that again.
that Zoe and Sonia get to go to my uncle's cabin
They're heading out tomorrow to spend a week at my uncle's cabin with some of their cousins. I'm so happy that they get to go!
that Mr. FG got up out of bed last night to take the trash cans around
We'd gotten settled into bed and then Mr. FG remembered the trash cans needed to go by the street for pickup.
And I felt grateful that he took care of it while I stayed in bed. Heh.
for oat milk
When I first started experimenting with dairy and nut-free milks for Sonia, I mostly used coconut milk.
While this works fine in some applications, Sonia hated it on cereal, and it also gave a weird texture to some breakfast foods (like pancakes or crepes).
But I am happy to say that overall, oat milk has been a huge improvement!
She can happily eat cereal again, and I can make Swedish pancakes that are very much like the kind with milk.
What are you thankful for this week?
P.S. The gardening bundle that includes the Orta seed starter pot is currently live for today and tomorrow only, so go snag yours if you wanted one.
Funny, but I discovered oat milk last week while visiting with a relative who is vegan. He said it would not spoil so fast as half and half--my tastebuds are hypersensitive, and I cannot drink it even when others can--and it does not contain the chemicals of artificial creamer. I found out I like it, too, unlike almond milk!
Since I am writing, I will mention that it seems so strange that your youngest kids are no longer wearing white on the beach, using goggles to avoid sprinkles in the eyes while baking cookies, and playing with Calico Critters. My own kids were grown when I started reading this favorite blog; now yours nearly are. Too fast, but beautiful to observe. I, too, took time to realize the wonder of my kids while they were growing--tired and worried at times, but so appreciative to have them.
Thanks for the blog which I will never stop reading, even if I become a GREAT-grandma!
Oh man, I know! Zoe, my baby, is going to be a junior in high school this year. And Sonia will be a senior.
I started blogging when Zoe was two, so she really has grown up alongside my blog!
@Gail, You sound like my husband, who at least once a week will pull out the milk carton and say, "Does this taste like it is going bad to you?" Virtually always I say, "Tastes fine to me" and he will taste it again and decide that I am wrong. I am not sure why he has me try it at all but it does make me laugh. Until I read your comment I didn't really think that there are people who are ultra-sensitive to turning dairy, I just figured he was convinced that since it is past the sell-by date, it is going bad.
@Kristen, It's so interesting to see how your kids have grown up and here I am, not all that much younger than you, with a kid going into Kindergarten!
I hope you like The Body book! Bill Bryson is such a great writer
Not to overwhelm you but maybe to put on your list for future reading- Lisa Genova is a neuroscientist and author. She is famous for the story Still Alice that became a movie- but i believe her best book Left Neglected in worth a read. She writes about neuro disorders but does it in a story telling way-- just great to read!
Oh, I read Still Alice but I hadn't heard about Left Neglected.
Off to put that on hold!
@Kristen, going to piggyback on the neuro book recommendation -- Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks. He's a neurologist who is also a musician and explores the way music affects our brains and how it can be used for treatment in some disorders. So fascinating, and his writing style is a pleasure to read. He has other better known titles, but I haven't read them yet.
@Kathleen Ready,
The Man Who Mistook his Wife for a Hat is an Oliver Sacks classic!!! I had to read it years ago for nursing school and loved it!
Thankful for clearing out annoying clutter in backyard and the town coming by to pick it up.
Thankful for the chance to celebrate a colleague's birthday outside by the river, beautiful weather and easy conversation--it felt normal to be around people again.
Thankful that le Creuset has a lifetime warranty for their oven wear. My 20 year old dutch oven had 2 chips on the inside so I simply contacted the company--they are sending out a brand new dutch oven marseille blue within a week's time--wow!
Thankful that my daughter has great roommates, navigating a move on their own to a new apartment. They use fb marketplace to buy and sell cheap furnishings, frugal win for these 2 young women, they are self sufficient, yay!
Coffee, as always.
Isn't it lovely to see your young adult making good money moves?
@Kristen, It sure is! Now I've got to nag her a bit to open her first Roth IRA, she's dragging her feet a bit, but I'm not going to let her drop the ball on it! The earlier the better. K
I am also thankful to have a husband who gets up out of bed to do things. Although in our case, "do things" includes letting the dogs out to chase off coyotes or killing a rattlesnake with a shovel.
For the sunflowers that grow all over the roadsides this time of year. And for that same husband, who scythed the tall weeds beside our house yesterday, but carefully avoided cutting down the sunflowers. For me. Must be why we've been married 18 years. 🙂
For the small window unit A/C my husband (there he is again . . .) insisted on putting in the window of our kitchen. I would never have asked him to put it in, because I actually really hate using A/C. But I also really hate being hot. I've used it maybe six times this summer, but those six times were very much appreciated.
For authors who write books I know I will always like. I'm reading "The Sugar Queen" by Sarah Addison Allen right now, and I've liked every book I've ever read by her. Given that I have to buy books to read them, it's nice to know I won't be wasting my money.
And speaking of books! I dislike medical things, but I do actually have a recommendation for you in that line: "Baby Catcher: Chronicles of a Modern Midwife," by Peggy Vincent. Well-written, often funny, and interesting.
Oh! That does sound like a book I'd like.
My supply of jars and lids has been like the loaves and fishes - every time I go to the cabinet for extra supplies there are just enough jars and lids for what I am canning that day. This is a great blessing when you are canning huge amounts of produce.
I am thankful this week that our 5 yr old son has finally made the transition to his big boy bed. I know that many people will roll their eyes at this but he had to have several surgeries when he was a baby which led to disrupted sleep patterns & with two parents working full time he wound up in our bed. I treasure all the extra snuggles we have had but am delighted to have the early mornings and evenings to ourselves again.
With regard to the above transition I am grateful that it has been one with minimal to no tears. Mom has had a lot of interrupted sleep but that is life when you are a Mom.
For the ability to stock our pantry with home canned goods and staples. I thought that we were done with this task and the Pandemic would be more controlled but it seems that may not be the case. I'm glad that we have lived and learned over the last 18 months so this is an easier task than it originally was.
I am thankful for an unexpected raise for my husband. For coffee. For AC. For vacation bible school for my son. For the seeds to plant a fall garden. For the food saver we were able to buy for $45 regularly priced at $200!
@Angie, Don't feel bad. Our nearly 6-year-old is still in her bed right next to ours. It is a rare morning she's not in my bed by morning. We just keep trying to figure out how to fit her into the girls' room. We have an idea, but we just haven't made time to implement it.
Oh! I'd forgotten the Bill Bryson book was out! I love his work - A Walk in the Woods is my favorite. I've now got a hold set up at my library - yay!
@Stacy, I agree! Bill Bryson is fantastic! A Walk in the Woods is my favorite, too. That book made me laugh out loud several times!
@Stacy and @BethB: If you haven't already read Bryson's personal memoir, The Life and Adventures of the Thunderbolt Kid, do so. Although it may not have the same effect on younger folks as it has on me (I'm within a few years of Bryson's age), I can't pick it up and read any two pages at a time without laughing so hard I squirt coffee out my nose.
@Beth B., Every time I see Little Debbie cakes in the store I am reminded of that book. He has retired from writing, according to a recent interview I read. I hope he changes his mind.
The library made my list this week, too. On Tuesday we got to go to a free program and see and touch some fun animals (like a chinchilla!) Yesterday was storytime. Next week they're offering that we can come have pet name tags made for free so they can test out their new 3D printer! How cool is that?!?
I'm thankful for the rain we got last night. I wanted to water the garden yesterday and didn't get around to it. God took care of it for me!
I'm thankful that my 3 kids enjoy playing together so much.
I'm thankful that summer break has been really, really fun! I was nervous about the change of dynamics but it's been amazing.
I'm thankful that my 7yo is loving to watch the Olympics with me. I love the Olympics a lot and it's fun to share it with her. We've also been able to have some good conversations surrounding some of the things going on or things she's seen, particularly Tuesday night.
I'm thankful for friends... One that I get to do mom-of-3-littles life with, one that made the time to stop and see us for half an hour yesterday even though she's exhausted these days, and those that love me as I am - imperfections and all.
First, that I get to homeschool my kids. I love it and it works so well to meet my kids' needs. Second, that we've found a rhythm that works well for them for our summer term (we year-round school, but want them to get the maximum play time with their public and private schooled neighborhood friends). Third, that I'm growing in my understanding of what works for homeschooling approaches and materials - this is huge. It's such a learning curve in the beginning. Four weeks into the third year has given me a new confidence in finding what works and adjusting and tweaking and modifying and supplementing to make it fit the best! Fifth, for those moments and days when life/natural consequences serves to disciple/teach my kids better than my own words can. Sixth, for so many fruits and vegetables being available to us. Summer fruits and vegetables are so wonderful. We love them. Seventh, that my kids love and eat so many fruits and vegetables! Eighth, that my husband has a wonderful job, that he serves his family so well, that he is a responsible and faithful worker, that he supports whatever I feel called to do in the home or outside of it. Whoops, over my five, guess I'm feeling particularly grateful today : )
You can totally do more than five. I usually do!
@Jen D., I'm with you on the homeschooling approaches/materials. I am 12 years into homeschooling with my youngest starting kindergarten this year. I am, yet again, adjusting what we do because I KNOW what I've been doing won't work for 7 students. But I feel more confident in my decisions for this year because I have learned more about my limits and my students' limits. The homeschool needs keep changing, but I'm learning better how to adapt to those changes.
@Jody S., That's the sweet spot. We'll never get it all figured out for each unique kid (or combination of kids) in every season for every subject. But feeling comfortable with the searching and adjusting process is huge!
@Kristen, so thankful that my problem is that I have way more than five rather than that I struggle to think of at least five, right?? Haha, that's nine ; P
I don’t have dietary issues nor am I vegan but I found I really like oat milk with cereal and in lattes. I’ve tried several brands and Chobani is by far the best, Trader Joe’s the worst.
Ooh, we have not tried Chobani yet. Sonia does like Planet Oat better than Oatly, though.
And I should probably try making my own!
@Kristen,
I've been plant based for a long time. Even before all the great options out there now. Probably my fave is Silk refrigerated organic unsweetened soy milk (not the shelf stable). But I've pretty much used/tried all of them and I like most of them except rice milk. Have you tried Ripple? They make a fantastic chocolate milk. Also, ones that are less known are Milkadamia and then various brands of hemp milk (Tempt is one). Milkadamia makes a fabulous coffee creamer for anyone out there looking for a delicious plant based coffee creamer. It's found in the refrigerated section. I also use a lot of the Nutpods brand of coffee creamer. It is really nice to have so many options.
I love, love, love medical memoir! I assume you have already read Five Days at Memorial, but it is one of my favorites (if you can call a tragic story a “favorite”). A Thousand Naked Strangers was a rare did-not-finish for me. I know that medics become hardened, but I personally found the descriptions downright disrespectful. Curious how you feel about it!
I know you mentioned a comment thread with a lot of medical memoir recommendations, but I can’t find it. Always looking for more! Newish reader who loves your blog!
The recommendations are not in a central place; they're on Facebook, Instagram, random blog comments, etc.
Maybe I should do a page that lists them as I go!
@Kristen, I’d love to see a compiled list!
@Jenny,
I loved Five Days at Memorial, too! It feels weird to say that, I know. It was so interesting.
The Green Bean Edition of Thankful Thursday
I'm thankful for:
*the bushels of green beans we're getting out of our garden.
*the 39 quarts of green beans we've finished.
*the willing-- albeit, not entirely enthusiastic-- bean-pickers.
*the husband who has spent so much time snapping and canning.
*the new variety of beans we tried (jade) which are growing so well and are not stringy.
*the exercise that picking multiple rows of green beans provides.
*Jane Austen movies to watch while snapping green beans.
*. . . and, in a nod to Kristen, the AC which makes snapping beans inside so much preferable to sitting on the hot porch like my grandmother did.
@Jody S., I so identify with your list! We are living the same days at my house with tomatoes, green beans, peaches, squash. A great harvest is a blessing but I now know what they mean when people refer to 'canning season' 🙂
As my time working exclusively at home is coming to an end (returning to office in about a month) I’m very grateful for the last 18 months or so of working at home (well there was a 7 month maternity leave in there too with no working). It’s allowed me to continue doing a job I love while also getting a lot more time with my kids and more time in my day in general without my commute. It’s led to a much more balanced life and much higher quality life.
I’m grateful to my neighbor, who gave me 3 high quality hand me down coats from her kids. Her son is 2 years older than mine and her daughter is 2 years older than mine so it works out perfectly as far as hand me down timing goes.
I’m grateful for having family nearby to babysit for us. We are going out to a nice dinner next weekend for the first time in a year and a half and grandma is watching the kids for us!
I'm thankful because:
1. My husband had his oral surgery today, and he did well! Granted, he was wheeled out to us all woozy and out of it, with a mouth full of bloody gauze, but everything went well.
2. His caregiver took him to our house and is caring for him, so I can go on to work and finish work that has a deadline. And, a family member met her at the house to lift my husband into his wheelchair and then into his chair or bed in the house. My husband will be a dead weight until he gets more alert.
3. I earned a $5 gift card from a survey, and used it at Lowe's to pick up three items. I also used my husband's veteran's discount. I walked out for $3 and some change.
4. It was touch and go, but I'm going to finish my library book in time.
5. The heat index is a steamy 106 deg. F today, but August starts next week, which puts us even a little closer to autumn, hooray!
@JD, I continue to keep you in my thoughts. I may be off the front line of caregiving now that DH is in the nursing home, but I've been there and think that you and all the other folks still on the front line ought to get a medal.
@A. Marie,
I second this. I have so much admiration and respect for caregivers. Bless you.
I've also been doing some decluttering via eBay. I have been selling off some nicer items my daughter outgrew such as her Converse sneakers that she didn't wear all that much. Sure it's making a little spending money but at the core it's more about getting rid of clutter.
Got the date on my home repairs moved up. Sure it's still not for a while but at least it will be done this year!
I got some fun plans for the weekend. I've been spending some time with my brother and father and it's really nice to get out of the house.
So glad to hear of your weekend plans. Have a wonderful time!
This week I am thankful for:
The Library--I found a fun annotated edition of Wind in the Willows with illustrations from many different copies. When I leave the library I think, "look at all my loot." The library is great for checking out cookbooks instead of buying a $30 only for one or two recipes.
Air Conditioning. This makes a huge difference in SoCal.
Humidity--I think the unusual humidity is helping my area have a safer fire season.
A camping trip without mosquitos! This was an unusual treat. I hate the stickiness of bug spray.
Seeing my sister for the first time in two years.
Thankful for:
1. several days of hard rain, meaning I did not have to water the garden.
2. peas! I love fresh peas and suddenly they are ripe and we are eating them twice a day. They looked mangy for weeks and I was afraid that part of the garden was going to be a loss.
3. raspberries! One meal I had consisted of just buttered peas and raspberries. I try to remember these things in early spring, when I am complaining about the work involved in setting up the garden.
4. My rose bush. Roses do not survive the winters here so I have them in giant containers that I drag (wheel) in for the winter and then out for the summer. This one has lasted for several years and this summer is producing so many roses that I can actually have vases full of roses. They are deep yellow and tipped with red and have a wonderful perfume.
5. a pile of old letters I found that my father had written to me the year I turned 14. I was in boarding school and we were not allowed to use the phone more than once a week (it was in the hallway and monitored) and he was alone and raising the other 5 kids (I was the oldest) and wrote long letters to me. He was 17 when I was born so he was about 31 when he wrote these letters. He sounded so vulnerable in those letters; it is weird to get that kind of window into your parents. (I am amazed that I kept the letters and dragged them all over the world with me when I moved from place to place, along with journals I have kept since I was 11.)
Thankful for my husband who took the day off work to finish getting our son moved out of his college house.
Thankful that we were able to cram part of our son's belongings into our formal living room and dining room after we filled up the storage unit. We way underestimated how much stuff he had so I'm glad we don't have to pay to rent a larger unit.
Thankful that our son finally won a bid on a house that is 5 minutes away from us and our daughter. The housing market here is insane and he lost many offers to cash bids for way over asking price.
Thankful that our son closes on the house in less than a month so he won't be living with us long. We enjoy being empty nesters!
Very thankful for air conditioning!
Thankful that....
* starting next week I won't be obligated to wear a face shield and get Covid tested weekly for work (health care worker) since I'm fully vaccinated. Try communicating through a mask AND a faceshield with seniors with dementia.... yeah.....
* Having a reliable car to take a 12 hours ride this weekend.
* That my husband takes care of all things gardening, otherwise we would not have all those wonderful organic vegetables at the moment
* To have friends at work with whom I can have lunch
* Library books!! Books in general actually.
Extra creamy oat milk has been a game changer for me!
Late to posting this week but feeling a great need to do my list.
1. For good neighbors.
2. For being able to sit at the bedside of a sick friend.
3. For my health, and my family’s health.
4. That my 15-year old daughter is excited to go back to school next month after remote learning for the past year and a half.
5. For photographs and the memories that go along with them.