Plans and Dreams

I've come to the realization that some of my dreams are just that, dreams -- they might never be reality.  Basically, I've been having a pity party for a while now, poor me.

Last night, or early this morning, during one of my frequent bouts of insomnia, while I wasn't sleeping, I realized that things might not be exactly what I want but I can make the way things are, be what I want.  Does that make sense? It's like "if you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with".  The same concept.

I've always thought that I would love to live by the sea

To travel the world alone and live more simply
I have no idea what's happened to that dream
'cause there's really nothing left here to stop me
It's just a thought, only a thought

So, in response to this epiphany, I'm going to try to stop worrying about my dreams and focus on what I can do. 

Today, I purchased an herb garden indoor garden kit.  Just one of the things I've wanted to do.  So I'll start my herb garden before we move home.  I'll be able to take it with me.

I'm also going to check in with a friend to find out if I can still plant in August when we move back to our house .. or if I have to wait until next spring.  I'm also going to ask another friend about which plants she has had the most success with and what she would recommend I add to my tomatoes, which I'll wait to do next year. 

I am also going to sign up for a photography course (obviously on line).  I've been wanting to do this but have been putting it off, for no good reason.

If I never have my house in Eagle Harbor, I can still vacation there and enjoy it.  It's okay.  I can live with that.

I haven't been doing any sewing, but I will ramp that up as soon as we move home.  I have two quilts to make and can't wait to get started on those.  I have the main fabric for one of the quilts and I should go ahead and get the other fabrics ...

Birthdays ..

I somehow missed blogging about my grandsons' birthdays .. May, June, and July.

So, happy birthday to Cooper ..

to Andrew ... and to Mikey ...

and here's Nate for good measure.

We spent a week in Arizon and saw them just about every day.  We normally stay with them, but this time we rented an Airbnb with a pool in the back yard.  It worked out really well and it was great to see them. 

I worked four of the days we were there - learning how much harder it is to focus when I'm not in my element.

Funnel Cake

So we were driving to Sycamore Grove Park in Livermore for a walk and my husband and I were talking about things we hadn't had in a while .. I mentioned that I hadn't had a good doughnut.  He said that he and my SIL were talking about funnel cakes.  So, I looked up how to make funnel cakes and found that we had all the ingredients.  When we got home, I made some. 

I usually just go with the first recipe I find, but after reading one comment that trashed the first one I read I went with this one - County Fair Funnel Cakes - Love Bakes Good Cakes blog.

All the ingredients ready to go ...

the oil heating up ...

help with mixing the batter

ready to go

putting it in the oil

not very appetizing in the pan ..

Cheesy Bread Re-do

So, we're on vacation - sort of - in Arizona this week.  We rented an Airbnb, with a pool in the back yard, in the same town as my YS and his family.  We drove down last Saturday and have been hanging out at the house all week long.  The kids have been over every day. 

The "sort of" vacation was because I worked all week (Monday thru Thursday).  It was okay; would have been great except that I screwed up on something which tends to get me down.  It's weird, since I'm working remotely, I can work just about anywhere.  It was harder here because of the extra family around.

Anyway, we decided to make the Jalapeno Cheddar Bread again.  Recipe from tasty.com.

The great thing about making bread in Arizona in the summer is that to get the bread to rise, all you have to do is put it outside .. no warmed up oven.  Crazy! It worked even better than I would have expected.