Life Lately

March 18, 2021


I recently went food shopping at Trader Joe's.  I was so excited when I saw these huge artichokes.  I made the artichokes in the Instant Pot using this recipe I have posted on the blog.  The only thing that I changed was adding to the stuffing a 1/2 cup of seasoned bread crumbs.  Adding the bread crumbs to the recipe made a big difference in the taste.  They came out great! 

I love cheese and fig jelly.  I recently snacked on whole wheat-crackers with brie cheese and fig jelly.  I bought the cheese and jelly on a recent shopping trip to Wegmans.

I love spring flowers!  On our recent trip to Wegmans, I saw these pretty spring flowers.  I treated myself to this bouquet with a shamrock in the arrangement.



I stopped into the bookstore Barnes & Noble recently and I enjoyed looking at the cookbooks.  I occasionally like to watch Ree Drummond's show The Pioneer Women on the Food Network.  I like her cookbooks and reading her magazine.

I'm currently reading the book The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.  I love this author and I enjoy reading historical fiction books.  Have you read this book yet and did you like it?

We recently visited the Strand Bookstore.  This bookstore will also take back gently used books.  On our last visit to the bookstore I brought in a large box of books and I was able to get $18 store credit.  I went back into the store and bought The Nightingale book for exactly $18.

Below is another box of books that I will be bringing back to the bookstore again for store credit.

I am making slow progress on the crochet Appa that I'm making for my daughter's friend.  This project has many small pieces to crochet and then sew onto the animal.

I'm happy about the sunshine and beautiful weather we've been having lately.  I've been enjoying my walks and soon the trees will be filled in with leaves.


What have you been up to lately?


Click HERE to see the blog parties I will be linking up to.

Julie

26 comments

  1. I like historical fiction too. I said I was going to take time out to read over spring break, but I haven't thus far, and as fast as it's going, and with the to-do list I still, have I probably won't. Bummer, but I really have to get caught up on things and this is the only week I have to do it. :) Your flowers are pretty. I am glad your asparagus recipe turned out so delicious.

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    1. Thanks Rosey for the blog visit. Yes, it's hard when you are on spring break and have a lot you want to get done. Hope you have a nice weekend.

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  2. You've inspired me to make stuffed artichokes! I have to go back and get some now. I loved The Nightingale. The flowers are so pretty and bright. I'm looking forward to more warm sunny days. This week has been yucky!

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  3. What a great idea for the bookstore to take used books and give you credit! Although, if this was the case here, I am not sure I would be able to part with any of the books I have at home. Haven't read the Nightingale. I am currently reading The Gift by Louise Jensen. Got it from my daughter for the Women's Day :)

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  4. I LOVED The Nightingale. I enjoy almost all of her books.

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    1. Me too Joanne I love the Nightingale and I'm half way done reading it. I can't wait to buy more of her books to read.

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  5. Love the flowers, those green and white roses are neat too! Work... work is all right now, co-worker's out for a while. It's been exhausting. Have a nice weekend:@)

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    1. The flowers do cheer up the room on a gloomy day Lynn. Thanks for the blog visit.

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  6. Yummy snacks - the crackers look tasty. I haven't tried fig jam - it sounds good. Two of my favorite things to do are buying flowers and going to book stores. I haven't read The Nightingale, but I've read other books by her. My sister always passes down her books to me and she loves Kristin Hannah. I have such a pile to read...Pretty photo of the bare trees. So glad it's almost spring!

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  7. I have never eaten an artichoke and I'm not really sure how to prepare them, I love fig jelly and used to make it many years ago you have just remined me. Spring flowers are the best those are lovely. have a great weekend. xx

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    1. You will have to try and artichoke sometime Linda. Hope you have a nice weekend.

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  8. I have read The great alone by the same author and it was an engaging one. Since last year March, I moved onto audio books and it has helped me do my crafting while listening and keeping up with my Goodreads reading challenges. I took scribd subscription for that. But yes, reading in print is always a good experience:)

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    1. It's awesome that you've read a lot of books Preeti. Thanks for the blog visit and enjoy the weekend.

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  9. Julie,
    Thanks so much for stopping by!! I hope to finally be able to get some reading in soon..After Easter, I consider that the end of my "holiday season" of decorating so I have more free time. I realized too that this is when i need to also do some crafting for next year's Holiday Season...Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  10. Artichokes are tasty and a favourite here at home. This year, however, we barely tasted them since the produce was low because of the harsh winter weather. I haven't read The Nithingale yet, I hope you like it. :-)

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    1. It's too bad about the artichokes Alhana. Thanks for the blog visit and enjoy the weekend.

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  11. Hi Julie,
    I have to admit I have never had artichokes like you make them. I have used artichoke hearts in a dip recipe but these sound pretty tasty that you made. I am lining of some summer reads and the Nightingale might be a good choice. Happy Friday. Have a wonderful weekend. xoxo

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  12. Hi Julie...love historical fiction. Really enjoyed the Nightingale and just finished The Four Winds - a real tear jerker! Your flowers look lovely. Those mixed bunches really last - I bought a bunch of tulips at Wegmans last week and they barely lasted 5 days, even with changing the water, pennies in the vase, etc. Have a fabulous weekend!

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    1. I can't wait to read more books by this author. I saw the tulips at Wegmans but decided on the flowers I bought. Thanks for the blog visit and I hope you have a nice weekend.

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  13. I have been hearing mix reviews about The Nightingale
    http://www.keldeniseblogs.com/

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    1. I am half way done reading the Nightingale and I like the book. Thanks for the blog visit Kelly.

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  14. I haven't read the Nightingale as of yet. I am currently stay away from war related books.
    Those artichokes look fabulous.

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  15. The flowers are lovely! :) I think it's nice you can take books in for store credit! I tend to just buy books at opshops and then donate them back - I'd definitely make use of a consignment store for books if we had them!

    Hope that you are having a nice weekend :) It's a busy one here!

    Away From The Blue

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  16. Looks like you've been enjoying good food and good views lately! Yesterday was so lovely, we walked to my sister's house and spent some time in the yard gathering sun. I really hope this weather continues and we don't get an April snowstorm! Enjoy Sunday!

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  17. I love artichokes and thank you for the reminder to buy some, Julie! I haven't read The Night-
    engale. Your flowers are so pretty. It's always nice to treat ourselves to something to cheer us up. Happy walking!

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  18. I've never tried artichokes cooked before..just those in a jar. May have to give this a try. We do enjoy cheese and jelly but I make jalapeno jelly from extra peppers from the garden. It's good with gouda or Monterey but I may have to look for some fig jelly and give that a go, too. I could spend a good afternoon in Barnes and Noble! Love perusing all of those books! Wishing you a wonderful spring! Zenda

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