Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Summer Bucket List 2023

As much as I try to enjoy it, summer continues to be my least favorite of the four seasons. The current triple-digit tempertures, along with high humidy and extreme drought conditions, certainly don't help. At this point, I am very much looking forward to fall! 

BUT...despite all of that...I'm still hoping for, and looking for the best in, the summer season. In looking over my calendar, I've come up with a list of things that I'd like to do and accomplish over the course of it. In reality, I probably won't get to all of them, but having a list will certainly help me to keep my focus and encourage me to keep pressing forward even on the hottest and sweatiest of summer days. 


Ladybug on Coneflower 

  • Write my summer bucket list
  • Plan my summer menus (these will be posted weekly in my 'Master List and Menu Plan Monday' posts)
  • Celebrate summer birthdays with the grandlittles (there are a bunch of them!) 
  • Celebrate Independence Day 
  • Eat watermelon 
  • Welcome a new granddaughter into the family 
  • Observe a full moon (July 3 - Buck Moon, August 1 - Sturgeon Moon, August 30 - Blue Moon) 
  • Catch lightening bugs
  • Enjoy the Perseid meteor shower 
  • Celebrate my 62nd birthday 
  • Find a cicada shell
  • Grill burgers on the grill 
  • Enjoy fresh produce and herbs from my garden 
  • Enjoy a banana split 
  • Cut fresh flowers from the garden and make a bouquet 
  • Work on some new photography ideas 
  • Paint, hide, and find rocks with the grands 
  • Take a day trip to northwest Arkansas
  • Complete the following programs at work...
    - Wild Cats of Missouri 
    - 'Little Moss, Big Tree' Library Program 
    - Civil War on the Border Day Camp   
    - Sunflowers a la Petite Prairie 
  • Attend a family reunion
  • Enjoy a Kansas City Royals game at 'The K' (Kauffman Stadium) 
  • Attend a baby shower for my first great-grandbaby 
  • Go camping
  • Enjoy time around a fire 
  • Finish cleaning out the shed on Pedro
That's what's on my summer bucket list thus far (I may add to it as the season moves along). What's on yours?

Until next time...
~Rebecca
(#43 in today's line up on Grammy's Grid Unlimited Link Party #120 today)

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Monday, July 10, 2023

Master To-Do List and Menu Plan Monday - July 10, 2023

It's Monday and, even though I got up early, and am not on a time schedule of any kind, I feel like I'm running behind. 

This Week's Zinnia Bouquet

How are you? How was your week and weekend? Did you have a nice Independence Day?






I had a nice one here! I was invited to Patrick and Amber's for lunch, then, went with them, along with Tony and Nicole and their family, to the big shabang at Rich Hill.



Rich Hill is famous (literally) for their annual, days-long 4th of July celebration! It's always fun and their fireworks display never disappoints!



I've been to fireworks displays all over the area and none of them have ever even come close to the grandure of the display that Rich Hill puts on each year! It's amazing!

(I love small town America!!!) 💓⭐💙

Other than that, the rest of the week pretty much revolved around work. Oh! And birthdays! I have a grandson and two granddaughters that celebrated birthdays this week! 🎂

Birthday Cheesecake

Today marks the two-year anniversary of my husband's death. 

My Darling J.K.!
Eterni il giorno...yours always...forever and a day!

I'm extremely thankful for the love, marriage, family, and wonderful memories that John and I shared over the course of a lifetime...33 years of marriage and 55 years of friendship...but I have come to the realization that I can no longer remain drowning in grief and sorrow. Mentally, emotionally, spiritually...it's not good for me...and I don't believe for one moment that that's the way John, nor God Himself, would want me to live. 

From this day forward, I choose to put grief and sorrow behind me and embrace this new season of life that God has me it. It's time to move forward, live the life that He's given me to live, and enjoy each new day as it comes! Life is too precious and too short to waste! It's time to start living it again! 



It's also time to get on with this post and get it posted before the day is over! Let's get started...shall we?

This week's master to-do list...

- Clean house
- Do laundry
- Work (includes presenting a library program on Tuesday and finishing up prepararations for Friday's "Civil War on the Border" daycamp)
- Enjoy a short visit with Amanda and Aaron and the girls

This week's menu plan...

...is going to be all about using up fresh vegetables from the garden. 

First Margarita Pizza of the Year

- Turkey burger with baked sweet potato, sauteed greens, and coleslaw
- Bacon and lettuce sandwich with potato wedges and coleslaw
- Turkey burger with cheesy sauteed vegetables and corn-on-the-cob
- Homemade margarita pizza (freezer)
- Turkey Italian sausage with fried cabbage, baked potato, and corn-on-the-cob
- Fish sandwich with sauteed vegetables and potato wedges
- Leftovers

Tallgrass Prairie Under Summer Sky

Well, that's it for today! I hope that your Monday is going well and that your week is off to a great start!

Until next time...
~Rebecca
(#116 in today's line-up over at Grammy's Grid - Unlimited Link Party #119)

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Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Happy Independece Day!!!

The American Flag at Work

It's Tuesday, July 4th, 2023 and I'm wishing you and yours the happiest Independence Day ever! How do you and your family celebrate? 💓⭐💙

At the Eagle Tree

I kind of got tickled yesterday because in my Monday post I stated that, since I had gone grocery shopping the day before, I wouldn't have to go to the store again for a long time. I had no more posted that when Amber called to invite me to go to Sam's with them in Joplin...which I did!

Amber was shopping for the holiday and an upcoming birthday; I didn't really need anything, but I rode along and had a great time! I hadn't been in a Sam's store in years! I picked up a few items that I run through pretty regularly , so saved quite a bit in the long run on those items and I, also, picked up a great big beautiful box of lucious, red, bing cherries. They are so good!

Big Cherries

Anyway, it was a fun outing and I greatly enjoyed it! (I obviously don't get out much! Can you tell?) 😉

The Grandlittles at Sam's

After I got home I got the turkey burger that I bought on Sunday divided, repackaged, and frozen, made turkey breakfast sausage, and got the red, white, and blue jello put together. This is something that I've done every year since my children were little.

Red, White, and Blue Jello

This morning I am enjoying the morning by listening to patriotic music and sermons on VCY America. Later I will join family for lunch and, most likely, will end up in Rich Hill tonight for their city fireworks display.

Have a great day and a Happy Fourth! 

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Monday, July 3, 2023

Master To-Do List and Menu Plan Monday - July 3, 2023

It's a beautiful morning here on the tallgrass prairie of southwest Missouri! It's a warm 78 degrees (with a high of 93 expected) and the sun is shining. Just a few days ago we were in triple-diget temperatures and under a heat advisory. I'm glad that it's cooled down a bit and I hope it stays that way!

The Wildflower Garden at Work

How was your week and weekend? My week here was good; my weekend fantastic! I worked every day but Thursday last week and had another great 'Wild Cat's of Missouri' program Tuesday evening. It was a lot of fun! 


I can't believe that we've already moved into the second half of 2023 and, ohmygoodness, tomorrow is Independence Day! It kind of snuck up on me this year!

Sunflowers

Speaking of that, I better get busy. I've got a lot to do today, as I'm sure you do, too! Let's get started...shall we?

Zinnias From My Garden
This Week's Bouquet

This week's master to-do list...

- Clean house
- Do laundry
- Go to the bank and post office
- Pay bills
- Make red, white, and blue jello
- Divide turkey burger into smaller packages and freeze
- Make turkey breakfast sausage, divide, package, and freeze
- Celebrate the 4th of July with family and friends
- Celebrate birthdays
- Work
- Answer correspondence and mail
- Work on my summer bucket list and get it posted
- Make good choices
- Be happy
- Smile 😁

Taken At the Eagle Tree This Week

This week's menu plan...

I finally made it to the store yesterday. Not only did I get the fresh items I needed, but I also stocked up on some meat and stuff for the freezer, laundry supplies, paper goods, and other items. I won't have to go to the store again for a long time and I like it that way! 

- Stuffed pepper casserole (freezer) with cheesy zucchini and corn-on-the-cob
- 4th of July food (burgers, hot dogs, chips, baked beans, potato salad...whatever is served)
- Tortellini with sauce, fresh veggies, and garlic toast
- Turkey burger with sauteed veggies and cheesy zucchini
- Homemade pizza
- Breakfast for supper
- Leftovers

From the Vegetable Garden This Week

Okay! That's it for today! You have a nice Monday, a great rest of the week, and a very Happy 4th of July! 💓⭐💙

Red, White, and Blue Sky Over Prairie Last Night

Until next time...
~Rebecca
(#102 on Grammy's Grid's Unlimited Link Party #118 this week)

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Thursday, June 29, 2023

Sunflowers Blooming in My Garden


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Monday, June 26, 2023

Master To-Do List and Menu Plan Monday - June 26, 2023

This morning I come to you from the wildflower garden at Prairie State Park. We're not open today, so I'm not 'working' working, but, I am here waiting on a representative from the phone company to come see if they can figure out what's wrong with our phone system. It's not been working for days and there was no one else available to be here today. 

Gray-Headed Coneflower Along Road's Edge

The wildflowers are lovely this morning! In the garden in front of the nature center, I see gray-headed coneflower, butterfly weed, wild parsley, wild lettuce, and a variety of other wildflowers blooming. The bee balm is just starting to bloom and gamagrass stands tall in big clumps.

Wildflower Garden in Front of the Nature Center

As the sun creeps higher, and the shadows retreat, this wildflower garden will become a veritable hub of activity as bees, butterflies, and a variety of other pollinators move in to share in the delights afforded to them here. It truly is a sight to behold!

A Regal Fritillary on Butterfly Weed

How was your week and weekend? My week was good here. I got a new tire mounted and put on the car, and finally got it listed on the market place for sale. I've had a few inquiries, but nothing solid yet.


I worked quite a few days last week and am scheduled to work even more this week. I had two programs Saturday, have a program tomorrow evening, and am working on the Civil War Day Camp that is coming up in July. My part in the program will include discussing medicinal plants and herbs used during the Civil War, while focusing on ones that commonly grow on the prairie today. I just hope the weather is a bit cooler that day than it has been! 

Granddaughter, Esther, had a birthday yesterday and granddaughter, Hannah, has one today. Happy Birthday, Esther and Hannah! Nana loves you both very much! 💗

Esther

Hannah

Today is also my youngest daughter and her husband's anniversary. Happy Anniversary, Amanda and Aaron! 💕

Amanda and Aaron
June 26, 2021

Today, also, marks the 18th anniversary of my mother's death (it's hard to believe that it's been that long) and, what would have been, my dear friend, Dorothy's, 62nd birthday. 

Dorothy and I @ Bass Pro

Dorothy and I @ Wonders of Wildlife

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Dorothy! I sure do love and miss you and Mom both, and I miss celebrating our birthdays together in the middle come July! No matter what...it's Cagney and Lacey all the way, Baby...forever and always! I miss you, Dorothy! 💔

Cagney and Lacey

Okay, I better get on with today's post, before I start spiraling! Let's get started, shall we?

The First Sunflower of the Season

This week's master to-do list...

- Straighten house
- Do laundry
- Wash bedding
- Wash and bleach livingroom curtains
- Clean vacuum and wash filters
- Wash air-conditioner filters
- Weed-eat 
- Dry herbs
- Cut flowers 
- Get another load of stuff out of the shed
- Work

Zinnias From My Garden

This week's menu plan...

- Bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich with chips
- Butter and garlic pasta with garlic toast
- Turkey Italian sausage with oven-roasted potatoes and green beans
- Chicken ranch salad with raw carrots
- Homemade pizza
- Out
- Leftovers

Well, that's it for today. I hope your Monday is off to a great start and that the week is a very blessed and beautiful one!

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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