Thursday, April 3, 2025

March Week 4 Meal Plan Review and April Meal Plan Week 1

Smoked Sausage Stir Fry


Here's what the March Week 4 meal plan looked like:

Brunches/Lunches: 

Peanut butter on toast (or bread)✔
Waffles/Pancakes
Tuna salad sandwiches
Salads
Leftovers from dinners✔ 
Ramen noodles

Dinners:
Leftover meatball curry with rice, cashew curry, and green beans, cucumber salad
Smoked sausage and vegetables stir fry with rice✔
Boxed mac & cheese with tuna/tuna "casserole", broccoli (on the 2nd day)
Sauteed chicken with potato wedges and broccoli boxed pasta and sauteed green beans
Leftovers✔
Pork chops, baked sweet potatoes, green peas, leftover broccoli

Snacks: Fresh fruit, granola bars, cereal, crackers, etc.

And here's how that turned out:

Monday:
Brunch:  Peanut butter toast
Dinner:  Leftover rice, meatball curry, cashew curry, cucumber salad

Tuesday:
Brunch:  Peanut butter toast, again
Dinner:  Boxed macaroni and cheese with tuna; an apple for dessert

Wednesday:
Brunch: Scrambled eggs, hashed browns, bacon 
Dinner:  Leftover mac and cheese with tuna and broccoli; ice cream for dessert

Thursday:
Brunch:  Ramen noodles
Dinner:  Smoked sausage stir fry over rice

Friday:
Brunch: Plain toast (me); leftover stir fry (daughter)
Dinner: Pork chops, baked sweet potato, green peas, leftover broccoli 

Saturday:
Brunch:  Frozen pizza from the grocery store
Dinner:  Pork fried rice

Sunday:
Brunch: Leftover pizza
Dinner: Sauteed chicken thighs, boxed herbed angel hair pasta, sauteed green beans


Pork Fried Rice

And that is how the March Week 4 meal plan worked out.

I'm late posting a meal plan for this current week, which I am calling April Week 1.

But, here's how the first half of the week turned out:

Monday:
Brunch: Waffles with bacon and blueberry compote (made with homegrown frozen blueberries)
Dinner: Hamburgers and fries from a fast food place

Tuesday (April 1):
Brunch: Milkrice, seeni sambol, lunu minis, jaggery
Dinner: Leftover pasta, chicken, sauteed green beans; bananas for dessert

Wednesday:
Brunch: Leftover waffles with canned mackerel curry
Dinner: Rice, chicken curry, cucumber salad, beetroots boiled and sliced; mango for dessert

Thursday - Sunday:

Brunches: Leftover waffles, Vietnamese banh mi sandwich, tuna salad sandwiches, etc.

Dinners: Leftover rice and curries, waffles and curries, turkey and vegetable soup, "breakfast for dinner", or something else!  

As always, I am grateful for having a variety of food to eat and plenty of it.  

Did you do a meal plan this week?

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Starting April

The Neptune Rose 

Happy April, everyone!  I opened the drapes this morning to be greeted by the sight of my Neptune rose in bloom!  On March 31, it was still a bud and just a day later, it was in bloom!  It does look more mauve than pink, now!  It has a very light spicy fragrance, but, my sense of smell isn't the best; I wouldn't be surprised if the fragrance is stronger than I can detect.  This rose plant was a gift from my gardener friend M to me for my birthday, last year. 

March ended on a very happy note for me as I was able to pay a visit to the temple with my daughter.  I had called the monks, earlier in the afternoon, to ask if the monks would be available if we visited around 6:00 p.m. and was assured that they would be.  We were the only ones at the temple and the monks held a small service for us and chanted blessings.  Afterwards, they tied the blessed thread that was made from the different colored threads we had donated, last year.  I took the opportunity to donate a book on Buddhism that my mother had bought for me to the temple as it is an English translation of an important Buddhist text and I thought it might be useful for the monks.  I also made a monetary donation in memory of my late father, whose birthday was at the end of March.  It has been a while since I last went to the temple, so, I felt very happy that I was able to do so.

Today, April 1, I made my usual milkrice for brunch and picked fresh flowers from the garden to offer at the altar.  Then, I brought in a package that had arrived for my friend R, brought in the emptied trash cans, and, replied to blog comments. 

In the afternoon, I took my daughter to her appointment with the physical therapist.  We almost met with an accident as I made the left turn into the parking lot!  I had to cross three lanes of traffic to turn into the parking lot, mid-block, and here was a lot of traffic waiting for the light to change.  Two lanes of cars gave me space to turn, but, another vehicle came up at a speed on the third lane and didn't slow down.  It would have crashed into my car had I not been extremely cautious when crossing that third lane.  I was just starting to go into the third lane and was able to brake very quickly!  This is why I always say a prayer when I get into the car to drive anywhere! 

Daughter's appointment went very well.  The PT is pleased with her progress and has given her advanced exercises to do.  Daughter had taken some time off from work to attend the PT appointment and after we got back, she went back to work.  

Later, we had a cup of tea and watched the news and a video.  

Today, on the first day of April, I am grateful for:

- The start of a new month; it always feels like a new beginning to me
- A lovely, sunny day after several cloudy, overcast days
- The Neptune rose flowering for the first time
- Daughter's PT appointment went well and her foot is improving
- We had a safe drive to the clinic and back

Today's joyful activities included admiring the new rose, chatting on the phone with friend R, and spending time with my daughter.

Plans for tomorrow include tending to the garden with M.  I sent him a picture of the rose, but, he'll be able to see it in person tomorrow. 

How was your first day of April?  Did you do an April Fool's Day prank on anyone?

The Back Garden in March

 

The Back Garden in March

The back garden at the end of March is showing some changes as we start Spring.  

The Sparaxis or Harlequin flowers are coming to the end of their flowering season:

The Sparaxis flowers are coming to an end

But, the citrus trees are coming into flower:


Orange Flower Buds

Lemon Flowers

Some of the other fruit trees are flowering, too:

Plum Tree

Nectarine Tree


Asian Pear Tree

Meanwhile, the apple seedling (grown from an apple seed) has not flowered, yet, but, it is starting to leaf out:

Apple Seedling

I've no idea if it will ever flower and bear fruit, but, I am letting it grow to see what happens.


Other plants that are flowering include:


Crocosmia


One of the Succulents

Close Up of the Succulent Flowers

Which went from looking like this in early March :

In Early March (March 2)

To this by the end of March:

Close Up of the Succulent Flowers (3/31)

California Poppies

In case you are thinking I've a lot of orange colored flowers in the garden, we have:


Neptune Rose Bud

The flower is supposed to be mauve when it fully opens, but the bud looks like dark pink to me!

And there are the yellow flowers on the Early Girl Tomato plant:

Early Girl Tomato Plant

Currently, the Early Girl tomato plant is the only vegetable I've planted in the garden, this year.  The self-sown Berkeley Tie Dye tomato plant is still alive, too, and has some flowers, but, I didn't photograph it.


Here is the curry leaf tree that I had M prune all the way back, in January:


Curry Leaf Tree

It doesn't look very promising, does it?  But, if you look very closely at one of the branches, you might see the very beginnings of new growth:

New Growth on the Curry Leaf Tree

The peach tree has finished flowering and has set fruit:

The Peach Tree in March

M has already thinned out at least one third of the baby peaches:

Baby Peaches

The blueberry bushes have also finished flowering and have started to develop berries:

Blueberry Bushes


And finally, the "rockery" which seems to be changing from week to week:


The Rockery - View 1


The Rockery - View 2

The nasturtium plant's leaves have all withered, but, it is still flowering!  The round basin-like planter has a chive plant growing in it.  The rooted cabbage stem has produced two cabbages (although they haven't actually formed a head of cabbage).  Obviously, I have not harvested them, partly because I think they make very attractive plants.  There are sparaxis flowers growing here, too, and this little white flowered plant:

White Flowered Plant

It's a bulb that M planted, but, he doesn't know the name of the plant.  The flowers remind me of miniature agapanthus (Lily of the Nile) but, the leaves of the plant aren't as broad as agapanthus leaves.  I wonder if it is a type of scilla, but, I don't know.  Whatever it is, I really like the little white flowers.

Next to the white flowers and one of the sparaxis/Harlequin flowers, we have the pink flowers of the kangaroo paws (Anigozanthos) plant:


Pink Kangaroo Paws (Anigozanthos) Plant

I hope you enjoyed your visit to the back garden in March.  I love strolling around the garden, almost daily, and checking on the plants and seeing what is growing and observing the small changes.  

As always, I am grateful for:
- Having a garden
- M's help with the garden
- Water for the garden
- Being able to garden year round
- Pollinators

What are your spring gardening plans?

Sunday, March 30, 2025

Thriving in March

California Poppy


I am continuing with my new way of seeing how I thrived in my life for March, too.


Spiritual:
As usual, I started off March with milkrice for breakfast on the first of the month and making an offering at the altar.  I am reading a book on spiritual wisdom gathered from five world religions and I have just finished a chapter where the author discusses the differences between religion and spirituality.  I found that to be very interesting.  I'm including my reading of this book as part of my spiritual enrichment.  In addition, I spoke with the monks at the temple and, throughout the month, I kept my spiritual side thriving with daily prayers, meditation, and doing my best to live my life according to the teachings of my religion.  

Daughter:
My daughter was home with me all of March, too.  We celebrated her birthday at the beginning of the month with a lovely meal and some very delicious desserts; I feel blessed that I have been able to watch her grow to be the young woman she has become.  Her foot is improving and now, she is able to walk for several minutes at a time, wearing an ankle brace instead of her walking boot.  We have been going for short walks up and down the driveway, together.  I am happy to say that our relationship is thriving.  

Health & Well Being:
As always, there is much room for improvement in this area of my life.  I had some problems with getting authorization for the referral to a specialist that I am still waiting to be resolved and there was another issue with billing for my mammogram from last year, but, I am hoping that the issues with insurance will be resolved in the next few weeks.  In the meantime, I am focusing on the positives and doing what I can to thrive, including taking my medications, keeping hydrated, getting enough sleep, some exercise, better diet, etc.  I did lose a little weight in March, so, I am pleased about that. 

Family, Friends, & Community:
I kept in touch with family and friends by phone (mostly), emails, texts, etc.  The month started off with a visit from K (late neighbor T's daughter) who brought me a copy of the order of service from T's Celebration of Life, along with flowers and some candy.  Before she left, she asked me to keep in touch, so, I made it a point to call her later in the month and we had a long chat.  There were several family birthdays, besides daughter's, this month, so there were several phone calls with family members as well as with friends and neighbors.  And I participated in the blogging community.  I'm pleased with the amount of interaction with my family, friends, and community, in March.  I am aware that this area of my life could do with more in person social interaction, but, for now,  feel that this area of my life is thriving.

Finances:
Financial management in March included filing my taxes and doing some transactions with my credit union.  Bills were paid as usual and I allowed myself to splurge a bit when it came to celebrating daughter's birthday and buying some craft supplies and fabric.  I was able to stay within my grocery budget in March, which was very nice.  On reviewing my March grocery spending, however, I realized that I was able to keep to the budget I had set only because I went over budget in January and February when I stocked up on meat.  I will definitely have to rethink my grocery budget in the future.  For the most part, however, I feel that I have done well managing my finances in March.  

Time Management:
Yet another area in my life with room for improvement!  I do tend to procrastinate doing various things!  But, important things such as filing taxes, paying bills, keeping appointments, etc., were done on time.

Leisure/Hobbies/Crafting:
This month's leisure/hobbies/crafting activities included reading (I've borrowed two books from the library), knitting a pair of socks for myself (and mending several others), sewing (including the skirt I sewed for my daughter), gardening, water color painting and making a birthday card, watching numeral videos online, and fabric shopping.  I feel that I thrived in this area of my life. 

House:
I am committed to making my home a place where my daughter and I can thrive.  I meant to focus on spring cleaning in March, but, I am afraid I might have procrastinated doing that!  However, I am thankful to have a home that is comfortable and pleasant.  Deep cleaning will be something to look forward to in April!  

Garden:
The garden has done well in March and is definitely showing signs that spring has arrived.  The first rose and the first California poppy have flowered, the fruit trees are flowering, too, and I've planted the first tomato plant.  I bought a few packets of seeds, too, for the garden, but, we are waiting until it warms up a little more to plant them.  

All in all, the month of March has been good and conducive to thriving.  Everything is not quite how I would like it to be, but, I am focused on the positives, making the best of things, and thriving to the extent that I can.

There's another day left in this month, but, I am going to go ahead and post this today as I want to do the back garden post, tomorrow. 

How was your March?   Were you able to attain some of the goals you had made for the month?

Saturday, March 29, 2025

March Grocery Shopping Part 5

Today (Saturday), I ordered and picked up groceries; the last grocery shopping trip for March. 

I didn't take a picture of the items I bought, but, here's the receipt:


Order Summary

Original Item Total$45.04
Item Coupons/Sales-$11.24
Fulfillment Fee+$0.00
Sales Tax$0.00
Order Total$33.80

Item Details

17 Items

Freschetta Pepperoni Naturally Rising Crust Frozen Pizza, 27.35 oz$3.99
1 x $3.99 $7.99 each
Item Coupon/Sale: -$3.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00
Fresh Banana - Single, 1 ea (4 bananas)$0.78
1.13 lbs x $0.69 each (approx.)
Fresh Large Bartlett Pear - Each, large/ 1 count (2 pears)$3.38
1.13 lbs x $2.99 each (approx.)
Jimmy Dean Hickory Smoked Premium Bacon, 12 oz$3.99
1 x $3.99 $7.99 each
Item Coupon/Sale: -$3.00
Item Coupon/Sale: -$1.00
Kroger® Half & Half, 1 pt$2.69
1 x $2.69 each
Kroger® Traditional Favorites Frozen Peas Green, 12 oz$1.50
1 x $1.50 each
Kroger® White Sandwich Bread, 20 oz$1.99
1 x $1.99 each
Kroger® Wild Caught Chunk Light Tuna in Water, 5 oz$6.00
6 x $1.00 $1.29 each
Large Mangos, 1 ct$3.00
2 x $1.50 $2.00 each
Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.50
Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.50
Nesquik® Chocolate Powder Drink Mix Canister, 14.1 oz$3.49
1 x $3.49 $3.99 each
Item Coupon/Sale: -$0.50
Ralphs® Vitamin D Whole Milk Half Gallon, 1/2 gal$2.99
1 x $2.99 each

My total came to $33.80

I had $42.34 left in my March grocery budget and I made sure that I spent under that amount when ordering today's groceries because I didn't want to go over budget this month!

March Grocery budget = $200

Spent to date =  $51.70 + $47.92 + $31.71 + $18.34 + $7.99 + $33.80 = $191.46

Balance left in the March Grocery Budget = $200 - $191.46 = $8.54

I don't see myself buying anymore groceries in the next couple of days, so that $8.54 will be carried over to April.  I am feeling pleased with myself for staying under budget, this month.

I baked the pizza after I came home and we had that for a late lunch, followed by one of the mangos.  

How are you coming along with your grocery spending this month?  Were you able to stay within budget?  

Friday, March 28, 2025

The Front Garden in March

 

The Front Garden in March

There is still a lot of bare ground where there used to be grass, but, the front garden is showing some signs of life after the rain.

Lantana



Euryops



Azure Bush Germander



Osteospermum



The Succulents Border



Bulbine



The Stumpery

One of the logs I had placed on the side seems to have partially decomposed.  I might rearrange one of the other logs over it.

And last, but, not least:

The First Rose of Spring

Thank you for visiting the front garden in March.  I hope you enjoyed your visit.  What's growing in your garden so far this spring?


Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Mid-Week Update

 

"You wash your left paw first"

I kept Dancer's new pad on the sofa to see if he'll give it his seal of approval and he did so in his own inimitable way:

"You wash your right paw next"

The washing of the paws is a required preliminary step to the ultimate seal of approval - the plop down!

"Then you plop yourself down on your brand new pad and
that's what it's all about!"

Obviously, the new pad has received Dancer's seal of approval!  

We had a day of summer on Monday when the temperature reached a high of 91F!  I took daughter to her follow-up appointment with the podiatrist and he prescribed a supportive ankle brace for her to wear with her walking shoes as he thinks she's ready to stop wearing the walking boot.  So, we went to the Orthopedics department where she was fitted with the brace.  After we came home, I watered the garden, both front and back, as it was so hot.  Later, there were the usual Monday routines of taking the trash cans to the curb, etc.  Brunch was peanut butter toast, dinner was leftover rice, meatball curry, cashew curry, and cucumber salad with ice cream for dessert.

Spring returned on Tuesday, with a daytime high of 76F.  I sewed the cover for Dancer's new pad, brought the emptied trash cans back, picked more lemons from the garden, and made some phone calls to set up medical appointments pending authorization by medical provider and insurance.  Brunch was peanut butter toast, again.  Dinner was boxed macaroni and cheese with tuna and broccoli.

Winter returned on Wednesday with morning drizzle, overcast, cloudy skies the rest of the day, and a daytime high that barely reached 60F.  M was able to tend to the garden around noon, weeding, thinning out the peaches, and fertilizing some of the fruit trees.  In the evening, I made several phone calls and spoke with my sister, with aunt C, with friend R, and with K (former neighbor T's daughter).  We had scrambled eggs, bacon, and hash browns for brunch and leftover macaroni and cheese for dinner.

This week's gratitudes have included:
- A lovely warm day bringing a foretaste of the summer days to come
- Daughter's appointment with the podiatrist went well and her foot continues to heal
- Water and rain for the garden
- The fabric stash
- Being able to mend and reuse worn out items
- M helping with the garden
- Phone calls with family and friends
- Being able to borrow books from the library

Joyful activities have included sewing, reading, making a birthday card, taking a stroll with my daughter (just up and down the driveway, but, it was good to feel the sunshine on our faces and be together), and chatting with family and friends.

Plans for Thursday include doing some housework, laundry, and more reading.

What are your plans for Thursday?