Five Fun Things
Lest we become too serious
Several posts into this venture of mine and I’ve been extremely serious. It feels as though I need to lighten up, at least for one post here and there. Therefore I propose a once in a while fun post featuring five things I have enjoyed reading or doing recently. It seems like the kind of thing to follow a long weekend in which I mostly slept late and played in the garden.
1. 10 Tips for Living the French Way
I admit to frequently being a little short on joie de vivre, but I do admire the French people’s commitment to finding joy in everyday life. This article, which is promoting a book I might look into, has some simple ideas to reclaim a little joie in our everyday lives.
2. The Maggie Hope Book Series
My daughter Katie convinced me to give this book series a try. There is no quicker way to get me to not want to read something than to insist that I read something. Katie persevered and I caved. Written by Susan Elia MacNeal, it is a fun, light read that has some serious moments. If you like historic fiction set during World War II you will probably enjoy this. I am four books in to the ten book series and I have not yet lost interest. Four is usually my max for a series before I find them dull. This is not dull. The first book is Mr. Churchill's Secretary. MacNeal seems to have some other series going as well so I might indulge there soon.
3. My Favorite Workout
I am not a huge fan of exercise as an activity. I prefer walking, hiking, gardening, things like that to keep me mobile and active. Once the big M began and the weight went nuts I realized the need for more of a structured program. Pahla B has a You Tube channel that just works for me. You have scroll back to 2022 for the workout videos, and there are about ten years of them, but I stick with 2022. Her videos this year are her podcast, which is pretty good but I am mostly there for the workouts. They are eminently doable for a lady of a certain age who may not be as agile as she once was. The focus is on doing the right amount of exercise for your body and none of the exercises are going to put you in pain the next day. Working out with her videos has increased my stamina, balance and core strength and I actually like them. I do them 4-5 times a week and I’ve stuck with it for about 18 months, miraculous if you know me.
4.This scarf
I love a pashmina. I use them all year, in winter as a scarf, shawl and yes even around my head ala Grace Kelly when my head is cold and no hat is available. In the summer, when air conditioning is turned up to frigid I always have one with me. Planes too, which are freezing and you could possibly be sitting next to a stomach virus in disguise, so wrapped around the neck positioned to cover the mouth and nose they can help you protect yourself from germs or your seatmate’s different standard of personal hygiene. They are handy for wrapping a chilly baby or toddler, folding as a pillow for a car nap, or as a superhero cape when your resident hero needs a cool accessory. This camel one went into the cart simply because I don’t have one in that color and my goal is to have all the colors.
5.Strawberries are starting to pop
Strawberry season is upon us here on the island and this salad is an annual favorite of mine. I don’t toast the nuts in the oven though, why heat up the kitchen? I use the cast iron skillet, heat it up and toss the nuts in moving them around constantly until they smell toasty.
This Strawberry Granita recipe is very refreshing and simple to make. For an adult version, add a shot of tequila or vodka to the blender last thing.
