Hello blog friends.
I can't believe that it's already the beginning of September. Summer is one of my favorite seasons because of the warm sunny days. I will miss summer but I'm still going to enjoy it until fall arrives in another two weeks.
My daughter who is on the left started her first day of senior year at college on August 30, 2021. I'm amazed at how fast time has gone by and we look forward to visiting her on campus this year.
I'm amazed that I managed to read two books for the month of August. I usually read a book a month since I'm a slow reader.
I enjoyed reading Beach Read by Emily Henry. My daughter recommended this book to me after she read it and I'm glad I did.
August Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance. When she pens a Happily Ever After, he kills off his entire cast. They're polar opposites. In fact, the only thing they have in common is that for the next three months they're living in neighboring beach houses, broke and bogged down with writer's block. Then one hazy evening, one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. She'll take him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he'll take her to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult (obviously). Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really.
I just finished reading The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. This is another book that was recommended to me by my daughter. This book is a totally different book from what I usually read but I still liked it.
Achilles, "the best of all the Greeks," son of the cruel sea goddess Thetis and the legendary king Peleus, is strong, swift, and beautiful-irresistible to all who meet him. Patroclus is an awkward young prince, exiled from his homeland after an act of shocking violence. Brought together by chance, they forge an inseparable bond, despite risking the gods' wrath.
They are trained by the centaur Chiron in the arts of war and medicine, but when word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, all the heroes of Greece are called upon to lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of a glorious destiny, Achilles joins in their cause, and torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus follows. Little do they know that the cruel Fates will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice.
My husband and I watched this series The Kominsky Method on Netflix together. We had a lot of laughs and enjoyed Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin. Acting coach Sandy Kominsky and best friend Norman Newlander keep each other laughing as they navigate the ups and downs of getting older.
Kim's Convenience - This is another Netflix series my husband and I enjoyed watching together. While running a convenience store in Toronto, members of a Korean-Canadian family that deal with customers, each other, and an evolving world around them.
The White Lotus - This is another series on HBO Max that my husband and I watched together and liked. The White Lotus is a sharp social satire following the exploits of the employees and guests at an exclusive Hawaiian resort over a span of one week.
My husband and I decided to dine at a local Italian restaurant that we haven't been to in a long time.
We both enjoyed our Peroni Italian beer and Italian bread with hummus.
We enjoyed sharing baked clams for an appetizer.
I had braised short ribs with mashed potatoes and carrots.
My husband liked his steak, roasted potatoes, and broccoli rabe. We both look forward to eating there again in the future.
I enjoyed walking around the neighborhood taking photos of the water and pretty flowers.
On Labor Day we decided to go to the beach at Coney Island. Coney Island is a city beach located in Brooklyn, New York. The weather was beautiful and we got to the beach early in the morning. This beach attracts a lot of people and when we left in the afternoon the beach was very crowded.
It's a tradition that we like to go to Nathan's for their hotdogs. We enjoyed our hotdogs and shared the french fries while sitting on the beach.
Poor Bosco had a urine infection when I took him for his check-up a few weeks ago. He had to be on antibiotics for three weeks and he is now feeling better. He spent most of the summer laying on the couch or in his dog bed.
We sat outside in the yard one evening last weekend. I found some stale bread that the birds must have dropped in the yard and Bosco is seen trying to get at it. Bosco looked so funny trying to go under the small table and the plant stand. When I shared these photos with my daughter, she said that he looked old and depressed in these photos! Bosco will be turning 14 in October.
Tomorrow marks the 20th Anniversary of 9/11. I will never forget what I was doing on that day...
Our thoughts and prayers are with those families who lost loved ones.
Julie
Hello blog friends.
I wanted to share with you an easy recipe for Pesto Sauce before the summer ends.
I love to grow fresh herbs each spring. I planted two basil plants this year and the plants grew so big.
I picked basil and rinsed off the leaves with water.
PESTO SAUCE
What You'll Need:
basil
grated cheese
olive oil
garlic cloves
salt & pepper
I added all of the ingredients to the Nutri Bullet.
I pulsed the Nutri Bullet a few times.
PESTO SAUCE
Serving size: 1 cup
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
1/2 cup olive oil
3 medium garlic cloves, minced
salt & pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS:
Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender and pulse a few times. Stop and scrape down the sides with a plastic spatula.
* Serve over cooked pasta.
NOTES: I made a large batch of pesto sauce and doubled the recipe.
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| Yummy Pesto Sauce! |
Hello blog friends.
We did a Costco run last week. The refrigerator was so bare you could see tumbleweeds blowing in there. Lol! 😉 I'd love to share with you some of my finds.
I found these Danskin leggings that are just perfect for exercising and working out. I have them in the camo color and they feel so comfortable.
I saw this black sweatshirt that will be just perfect to wear for fall with my jeans and leggings.
I was so excited when I saw these Adidas sneakers for only $29.99. I think they will be just perfect with jeans and leggings.
We have been buying my daughter's glasses in the eyeglass department for years. They have a huge selection of designer frames at a great price.
I love this hibiscus tea and I was so excited to try it out. I made a pitcher of iced hibiscus tea and it's delicious tasting.
I love adding feta cheese to my salads and in an omelette.
We love the unsweetened almond vanilla milk and the oat milk. It comes in cartons that don't need to be refrigerated until you open them up.
I have been pretty good about snacking but I couldn't resist these PopCorners in the white cheddar flavor.
We like the Tonkotsu ramen bowls. When I make it I usually take out the spice packet, and I like to use half a packet of the pork flavoring. This ramen is perfect for a quick lunch.
I've bought the stuffed peppers numerous times and it's a favorite of ours.
We always buy the Ceasar salad and we're able to have it at least two times for lunch or dinner.
Have you bought anything from Costco lately?
Hello blog friends.
I can't believe it's been six weeks since my last blog post. I'm back from my blogging break with a yummy iced coffee recipe.
We love making Starbucks drinks at home. You might remember this Starbucks Copycat Red Eye Drink I shared a few years ago.
Well, making this Starbucks Iced Shaken Espresso has been our favorite drink this summer.
It's so easy to make and tastes delicious. This drink, a Grande Iced Shaken Espresso costs about $4 at Starbucks. You can have this drink made in minutes at home.
My Iced Shaken Espresso Drink!
I used oat milk for my drink but you can use any kind of milk that you like. I added ice cubes to a large cup with a lid.
I made the espresso using one capsule in our Nespresso espresso machine.
I added the espresso to the cup.
Next, I added the oat milk to the cup.
Next, you shake it up.
The drink is done and so simple to make.
INGREDIENTS:
- ice cubes
- espresso - made with 1 capsule in Nespresso espresso machine
- milk of choice - I used oat milk
- sugar of choice - I did not use any sugar
DIRECTIONS:
Take a cocktail shaker or jar with a tight lid and add ice cubes. Next, pour the espresso over the ice cubes. Add your milk of choice and sugar, then shake it all together. Next, pour the shaken espresso into a large glass.
NOTES: For my Iced Shaken Espresso drink, I like to use oat milk and no sugar.
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| YUMMY ICED SHAKEN ESPRESSO! |
I hope you enjoy making your own Iced Shaken Espresso. 😋
Click HERE to see the blog parties I will be linking up to.
Julie
Hello blogging friends.
I hope you're having a great summer!
I just wanted to let you all know that I am fine.
I AM ENJOYING SUMMER!
I'm taking some much need time off from blogging.
I WILL BE BACK SOON....
Julie xo
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