Life Last Week (1-7 September 2025)

 

Still somewhat warm here in the Pacific Northwest but we've had some cool mornings.  Come on, autumn, let's see those temperatures come down!

The weather for the week ahead:::

On my reading pile:::

 Still working on The Last Dress from Paris by Jade Beer from my bookshelves, and I have The Resistance Daughter by Joanne Kormylo on my Kindle.

On my TV:::

We've been all over the place this week.  Some Netflix, some Hallmark+, some STARZ.

(Netflix) Would love to have seen news about this show continuing on but it looks like this was it.

(Netflix) I could never do this for a living, nor could I be married to anyone who did it.  You'll see.

Checking out the Fall into Love offerings on Hallmark+.

We also watched Episode 6 of Blood of my Blood, the prequel to Outlander.

Checked off the list:::

• Lunch Bunch was enjoyable although the service at Olive Garden was less than stellar.  Also, sad news that one of our members is entering hospice so I hope we can stop by sometime if she feels up to a couple of us visiting.
• Took at trip up to Sophia and the boyfriend's to scope out the gate job that Vic offered to work on.  He's drawing up the plans for HOA approval and then will forward a materials list so that everything is ready.  We'll head up for a weekend in October to get the job done.
• Eye appointment revealed a slight change to my prescriptions so I'll have to head to Costco for new glasses.
• Video call with Jodie went on for two hours and I'm sure we could have talked longer!  How I wish she lived closer.
• Successfully navigated the Wimbledon Public Ballot - tickets are made available via a lottery so fingers crossed my lucky number comes up.  It's open until September 16 so click on the link if you're interested.  You'll need a myWimbledon account once you get through so set that up ahead.

• Manicure/pedicure - check.
• My photo printer died and it's out of warranty so I ordered a new one - Epson PictureMate PM-400.  I'm not surprised it died, I work it to death.

• A couple of days of Whole 30 - we're on our own 5-2 plan, 5 days of Whole 30, 2 days of not-Whole 30.  We tried a new pizza place on Friday night, could have passed on that as it wasn't that good.  Lunch Bunch meant soup, salad, and breadsticks, but we had a Whole 30 dinner, and then Sunday morning was an avocado toast bagel which we split because one with all the avocado and tomato and greens is really too much for one person.  And, of course, no photos of anything.  Must.get.better.at.taking.photos.  

Crafts roundup:::

No change here since I'm photo printer-less so on hold for a few more days - Still keeping current on my memory planning.  Working on December Daily 2021 because when I went to file away 2022, I realized that I had never completed 2021.  Fifteen stories told, ten to go.

 

And in other news:::

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is this week - so excited - and I'm whisking Vic away for a birthday weekend, so you'll hear all about it next week...with photos, I promise.

Week Two is Question Week with the cleaning emphasis on the living room.  I'll leave the links up here if you're interested.

Holiday Grand Planners - Get Organized Community | Facebook 

Organized Christmas? Try a Holiday Plan | Organized Home

Life Last Week (25-31 August 2025)

I know autumn doesn't actually start until September 22 but in this house, it starts September 1.  It's time for pumpkin spice lattes, fall decorations, and it is sweater weather (although the weather forecast hasn't quite got the message yet!).

The weather for the week ahead:::

On my reading pile:::

 The Book of Last Letters by Kerry Barrett was a good read - it was on my Kindle, so I read it whenever I had a few minutes.  I pulled The Last Dress from Paris by Jade Beer from my bookshelves, and I have that one going too.

On my TV:::

Another week of this and that.  I've been on a Renaissance kick and worked my way through the three seasons of Medici (Season 1 was titled Medici: Masters of Florence while Seasons 2 and 3 were titled Medici: The Magnificent) and then moved on to The Borgias.  Historical accuracy was loose but both series were entertaining, with the music from the Medici seasons being really good and the gowns from The Borgias are exquisite.

A couple of others on our list this week were the map that leads to you on Amazon Prime and Double Scoop on Hallmark+, both very enjoyable.

We also watched the new episode of Blood of my Blood, the prequel to Outlander.

We also watched The Thursday Murder Club on Netflix but tune in tomorrow for more on that.

Checked off the list:::

• The December Daily order selection period began on Tuesday, and several items sold out in the first few minutes!  I didn't really like the style this year, so I decided to shop my stash and use what I already have.  I did purchase the classes as they are helpful no matter what supplies you use.
• I had a lovely lunch with two of my former co-workers on Thursday and caught up with all the workplace news.  
• Vic had an appointment at the VA on Friday - it's no small feat as it involves a ferry ride to get there, a drive that passes the on-ramps to both I-5 north and south so there is always a back-up and then the process in reverse to get home.  His care there has been great so far so we'll keep going especially since we can usually squeeze in a stop at our favorite French bakery (not this trip though since his appointments were in the afternoon).
• Haircut for me on Saturday and I would have posted a picture, but my part was a bit severe and consequently, my bangs moved to each side so that I ended up looking like Alfalfa!

OK, maybe it wasn't quite that bad, and it will settle down as soon as I shampoo and dry it for the first time!

Crafts roundup:::

No change here - Still keeping current on my memory planning.  Working on December Daily 2021 because when I went to file away 2022, I realized that I had never completed 2021.  Fifteen stories told, ten to go.

 

And in other news:::

Did you stop by for a Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks last week?  The autumn cups on display were so beautiful.  I love the squat mug with swirls of orange and burgundy.  I picked up a PSL, but I resisted the temptation to bring home a cup!

Do you participate in a countdown to Christmas plan?  There have been several - Countdown to Christmas and House & Holidays Plan - but the Holiday Grand Plan is the one I've always used.  There is a Facebook group full of inspiration - Holiday Grand Planners - Get Organized Community | Facebook - and the website Organized Christmas - Organized Christmas? Try a Holiday Plan | Organized Home - although no longer current, still has a lot of great information.  The plan started August 31 and the first week is List Week with the cleaning emphasis being the front porch.  Happy holiday planning!

Life Last Week (18-24 August 2025)

 

It's the last week for the summer photo - next week it's autumn.  I know it doesn't actually start until September 22 but in this house, it starts September 1.

Google was giving me fits and starts on Friday, so I wasn't able to comment on many of the blogs I read regularly.  I'm going to go back and give it another try today.

It's a double post day as it's the 25th of the month and that means Rudolph Day.

The weather for the week ahead:::

On my reading pile:::

I finally finished Madame Fourcade's Secret War - good grief, it took me three months to get through it!  I've moved on to The Book of Last Letters by Kerry Barrett on my Kindle and I've also got Jackie and Maria:  A Novel of Jackie Kennedy and Maria Callas by Gill Paul on Audible.

On my TV:::

We've watched all sorts on TV this week.  Vic usually picks out our evening viewing so it could be anything from a rough 'em up Arnold Schwarzenegger-type movie to something from Hallmark.  I think I need to do one of those "Watching and Listening" posts.

Checked off the list:::

• Honor Roll, the senior luncheon at church was a fun outing with a delicious chicken salad and a great talk by two of our church members who sold their house here in Washington, hit the road in their camper for nine months, and then ended up in Arizona where they bought their retirement home.
• Vic finished the installation of the hanging garage organizer rack from Lowe's and got it stocked.

• He also purchased the instructions to build this workbench from VanIsleStudioStore on Etsy.

• I watched the Instagram Live Reveals of the December Daily products and chatted to my friend Jodie about what we liked and what we didn't like.  December Daily is a craft project we do together (with the help of frequent video calls since we several states apart) in the month of December.
  

Crafts roundup:::

Still keeping current on my memory planning.  Working on December Daily 2021 because when I went to file away 2022, I realized that I had never completed 2021.  Fifteen stories told, ten to go.

 

And in other news:::

Scored early access tickets for Downton Abbey 3!

Lunch on Sunday at Jollibee - we had a good laugh when Vic said he applied for a job there (in the Philippines) when he was in college but wasn't successful.  He said he guessed he didn't have the "pleasing personality" called for in the job opening announcement!  Shame on them, he has a very pleasing personality!

Life Last Week (11-17 August 2025)

 

It's time to get back to blogging!  I so want to put up an autumn graphic - the BER months are just around the corner - but I'll give summer just a little bit more time.

The weather for the week ahead:::

On my reading pile:::

Madame Fourcade's Secret War

It's a LONG read - almost 400 pages including a four-page Selected Cast of Characters.  It's taken me three renewals at the library and another checkout, so I hope to get through it this week.

On my TV:::

With VE Day and VJ Day this year, we rewatched Band of Brothers and The Pacific on HBO, both excellent series.

On a lighter note, Our Little Secret on Netflix was cute.

Checked off the list:::

• Dropped off the latest box going to FOREVER for digitization and finished labeling and sorting the 1250 photos that came in the last box.
• Lunch Bunch for August was fun since one of our former members (now living in Florida) was here to visit her daughter and grands and was able to join us.
• Ran all those pesky errands - post office, bank, Costco, Lowe's pick-up (new hanging garage organizer), and Vic's VA appointment.

Crafts roundup:::

Caught up on my memory planner and designating Monday as the day to work on the week before so I can stay current.

 

And in other news:::

A trip to Seattle for Vic's VA appointment meant a trip to Le Panier, our favorite French bakery.  So much goodness.

Lunch for Vic - Spinach Puff Pastry Tart

Lunch for me - Jambon Beurre Baguette - there's nothing like French butter

Roulé Cannelle - Croissant swirled with cinnamon and sugar

Chouquettes - little airy choux pastry puffs

Espresso Eclairs

It's a good thing we only stop here once every couple of months!

Almost top on my list for last week was the announcement that December Daily is coming and the publication of the timeline for the next two weeks, as well as special dates for October and November.  This is my favorite craft project each year, a story a day during the month of December.

This, however, was top on the list for the week - Sophia got a full-time job for the next school year.  She'll be working in a private arts-integrated program that offers play-based learning for preschool and Pre-K students, focusing on self-expression and confidence through various art disciplines such as visual arts, music, and theatre.  The program is designed to support cognitive, social, and emotional development, providing a creative environment for children to explore their interests and talents.  Camp programs are also offered during school breaks, allowing children to engage in week-long themed camps that explore painting, sculpture, drama, and more.  She's been working as a relief teacher and also during the camp programs, so they are happy to have her on staff full-time.

Last week was a great week, friends.

Life Last Week

 

Finally getting back to a regular blogging routine now that the sickness than ran through our house is gone.

The weather:::

A break from the rain until Friday but it's oh so cold out there!

On my reading pile:::

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

On my TV:::

Our January Rudolph Day movie was Once Upon a Christmas Miracle, inspired by a true story.

And also inspired by true events, The Last Rifleman starring Pierce Brosnan.  Have your tissues ready for the ending.

Checked off the list:::

• All the Christmas decor is finally put away!
• Vic is back at work full-time and no overtime right now, so he's been able to devote the weekends to the deck.
• I sorted through Vic's uniforms and got them ready to donate to the costume library at the local school district office.
• Not on the list but a new discovery - I joined the I Love My Aga! Facebook group.  Oh, my goodness, how to be dissatisfied with your range/stove set-up.  I grew up with an Aga, but we'd have to reinforce the kitchen floor and take out a second mortgage to put one in this house.  For now, I'll have to be content admiring the beautiful photos in the group.

And perhaps I'll pick up one of these.

Crafts roundup:::

The Christmas 2024 and Hallmark Cruise album came to a halt when I ran out of 8 1/2 x 11-page protectors - I use them to save family newsletters and other letter-size items I want to include.  They should be here tomorrow.  All of my photos are off of my phone and ready for me to sort, label, and print.

And in other news:::

Finally made it to IKEA to pick up a Raskog cart to organize my December Daily supplies.  I have been ruthless and just kept what fits in the cart.

Another failed tea - I had such high hopes for this one but no, too many faults.  I think I should be a tearoom judge!

Mismatched cups and saucers.  I guess it's supposed to be eclectic but there are so many places to pick up matching cups and saucers.

Another teapot fail - we drank the first pot and asked for a second whereupon the server just poured more hot water into the pot.  The result was tea that resembled dishwater.

Always a fail for me - afternoon tea that starts out with salad and/or soup - nice enough for a lunch but not for afternoon tea.

Sandwich tier - tomato ricotta tart, coronation chicken with crackers, ciabatta roll with prosciutto, open-face cucumber sandwich.  Tart was lukewarm; why oh why didn't they put the chicken between two slices of bread, cut the crusts off and serve it that way; prosciutto on ciabatta was awful, hard, stale, so bulky; cucumber sandwich was just ok.

Scones were the wrong texture with zero flavor.

They tried with the dessert tier, creme brulee was delicious, neither one of us cares for peppermint so we didn't eat the tarts, macarons were tasty but look at the ginger cookies.  How hard would it have been to cut them, so they were not so misshapen?  I know, picky, picky, picky.

$52 per person and a score of 4/10 from us.  Even Vic was more disappointed with this one.

On a happier note, this weekend brings Sophia's birthday, and I have been asked NOT to include her age on her birthday card!  I think she's at the stage where she is 29+ forever.

From this:

To this:

Finally, anyone else feel this way this month?