Showing posts with label Drinks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Drinks. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Christmas Wrap Up 2022

 

WE DID IT!!!


We pulled off a Christmas!

Still not able to gather etc…

Last year we didn’t even put up a tree…

The results were dire

A depressed and empty existential crisis 

That I was determined to avoid the repeat of!



Look! Even the cat had fun…
Doesn’t take much, but y’know what I’m saying…


Lil felty folk 
Snagged the very second they were on sale late in summer.


This wee one holding a star has been here for two years…
Waiting to be in its glory…
He looks so happy.


Luna moth because they hang out here in our woods…


Scarab, because they are witchy and beautiful…


Squirrel, because we didn’t have one yet…
Husband surprised me with this lil beauty.


7 pointed star
Because if you know…


Lil mouse, so cute with glasses and bouquet.


This bee with its jewels 
Love it!
It’s been waiting for over a year as well, just watching through the glass of our kitchen hutch… 


Happy black cat is ready for the holiday party 
With pie in hand 
Hopefully for sharing 
And they have a lil antler headband on 
Precious.


Planning ahead for next year…
Before Christmas eve 
Stuff was on sale!
We snagged this for even cheaper than that $79 label!
$45!
We were struggling 
to get all of our ornaments 
onto this pencil style tree…
I had only brought up a select amount of baubles.

We have a couple of other faux trees…
But they are table top types… 
Still not able 
To hold 
All that we have collected 
Over the years…

Fingers crossed 
that the problem is solved with this new tree…


We loved changing up the lights, sometimes every night…


We finally tried the Empress Gin
And the way it changes color when 
Mixed with tonic!
Very yummy with the lime tonic… 
Perfect sipping moments were had! 


We made a favorite meal!
Baked pasta!
We made it together as well, which made it so much quicker 
And easier! 
We assembled two of these…
And I’m about to go get the other one out of the freezer to thaw
For the new years cozy times!
Planning…
Who would have thought 
It would set us up so well… 


And Mr Kit has his first sweater.
Like most cats, 
wearing clothes doesn’t come automatically…
But 
he did appreciate the warmth 
while he napped.
Then 
he just slinked his way out 
as he got up 
to go about his business… 
lol

All in all 
We planned ahead 
Built our lists of must haves 
     for our idea of a fun Christmas…
I began saving up some cash 
way back 
in prep…
And we both made some wishlists
So there wasn’t a lot of shopping 
Or wondering 
What 
or how much 
the other person was buying etc…
We put a couple of big things 
A couple of medium things 
And
A bunch of small stuff 
As well as stocking stuffers in the list
And 
For approximately $200 each
We had a really successful 
and fun time 
Waiting till Christmas morning 
In our pjs
Looking at the lil pile of gifts…


It’s almost enough to distract me 
from noticing the laundry basket in the background 
Lol
And I’m definitely glad 
that I spent a lot of time 
collecting 
wrapping paper…
Every time I stood in line at tj maxx…
Always gravitating toward 
The black and white 
With bits of metallic…
Well played past self…
Well played…

And even though this holiday was not as originally planned.
Missing our lovely Charli Girl
So much
And our hearts 
felt already bruised 
by the passing of Mr Mars 
Back in August…

It was more important 
than ever 
to have plans.
Something to look forward to 
And curate for ourselves. 
To make sure we had a solid bridge 
To carry us 
From one event in life 
to the next chapter 
Or challenge…
Whatever may come.

Odd how a few lights 
And 
Knick knacks
On a tree
Drinks and snacks 
Can rejuvenate.

We feel renewed.

Now 
we watch the weather 
And 
The birds 
And enjoy 
as the sun starts to fill the sky 
With light 
     Longer and longer…

And start planning plans for next year. 

Happy and healthy times to you all!

x~J 





Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Stealing Moments: Finding Opportunities For Self Care



Self Care Bitches!

Its not just for Gurus anymore!

Sure you do the Yoga/Meditation/Vitamins/Therapy of ALL kinds, etc...

There's still a Layer Underneath....

And you don't need a ton of $$$ to achieve it!

#StealYourMoments 

Once you start, you'll find you can't stop.

Like a Practical Gratitude List...

You will start spotting the opportunities for moments to relish in & encouraging them to happen!

A great jumping off point: FOOD!

(its cookout season! salmon burgers, turkey burgers, regular burgers, pineapple/bacon chicken sausage - throw some sesame/ginger dressing or dill Havarti cheese on 'em that was a first for me! *instagram*)

You were going to eat anyway, right...

Don't hold back, even if you're not a Gourmet...

Get over to Pinterest, find a few Ideas, copy 'em or steal from them!

If they don't look as pretty, who cares! They'll still taste AWESOME!!!

Try one new thing, even if its not too big of a shift from what you usually do...

Try one & more will follow!  

(of course I should be inside finishing up the office project x-p... but its so nice out! we really need some rain so I will have to stay indoors, make another red wine spritzer & put one of my stories on the ipad lol... hunker down & finish up ;-)


You have a break or its the end of a long day, a cocktail or mocktail will be just the ticket!
(when you don't/can't/won't have booze, a mocktail still feels special! for real)

You've had all the hydrating water you need in a day during your work hours, treat yourself with the perfect punctuation to all of your efforts! 

RECOGNIZE!

Take those couple of minutes to conjure up an Iced Tea, or Juice/Seltzer mix, throw in some Fresh Fruit... maybe some Wine, or a hint of something stronger (if you require extra help to mellow out).

Find a comfy place to sit & DECOMPRESS!

Leave work at work, get back to you & yours.

Nurture it! Steal That Moment!

BECAUSE IT BELONGS TO YOU! 


The Kitteh & Doggeh know how to just be. Watch n Learn...

(gypsy tent pics from my instagram)

This is one of my Faves!

Enjoy a meal somewhere pretty!

I didn't always have such a nice view, there were times, at certain jobs, where stealing a moment was really hard. I would sometimes take my lunch out to the car, just to escape for a few.  I would try to park so that my view was nice, or I would purposely keep my car super clean, inviting, or even put something on the dash or have an air freshener (sometimes a box of incense can make your car smell lovely & you never need to open it! ;-) to remind me of something relaxing...


Rock Salt Tea-lite Holder & Incense, I need these in every room, its the power of suggestion for some, its more for others... MAKE YOURSELF FEEL PAMPERED!!!! Do it! 

Keep that busy sched! Forget makin time to go to the spa! 

Bitch, Make It Yourself! xoxo


Don't Forget the Sunshine!

Even if you think you don't need to have Direct Sun Exposure, think again!
(read the article in the link it will give you whats up with the good & the bad ;-)

10-15 mins of sun on your skin 3-5 days a week, there are so many ways that this helps physically, mentally, & you feel ridiculously indulgent while you do it!

This is the Stolen Moment that I get the most "Must Be Nice" comments from ppl.

& Yes, it is Nice!

The Self Care Benefits are EVEN NICER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Take your Break outside, walk round, sit in the grass/stoop/steps/curb, or just lean against a wall for 10.

The vit D absorbed thru the tissues of your eyes alone has a huge bene to it so don't deprive yourself!

Yeah, I said it, your not taking advantage of something that's friggin for free!

No Brainer, Why the heck not!


LEARN SOMETHING NEW!!!!!!!

I've not had much luck in the past with plants, besides helping them die :-(

In this past year, getting my true creative pants on one leg at a time, I fig'd I think I can do this!

Finding my own balance with Self Care has helped me balance out the care for other things...

There's no more panic of too much water, not enough water, when did I water it last!?

I'm less self absorbed, because I know I have me covered, so I have the patience to learn how to nurture other things with out thinking about being OVERWHELMED.

Do Not Forget, Compassion is a Perfect Circle! You are in there too!

Have Compassion for Yourself, You will have Compassion for Others :-D


Watermelon snack! Its not a picnic or bbq with friends, but the nights are warm & the fruit is there, so yeah, it is happening!

Stolen Moment ;-)


These Moonshine Cherries are amazing!

I can't stand them & I love them at the same time!

If you've never had Moonshine, its like drinking rubbing alcohol but with a much nicer flavor...?

lol

And I don't recommend filling a glass with these, unless you have a huge tolerance for imbibing!


I put a few in a Mocktail (fruit juice & seltzer) and it looks special,
& knowing that I will have to basically Dare myself to chew one & love/hate it the whole time its happening...
X-D

I'm such a lightweight!!!

To Sum Up:

Make a point to find lil special moments to steal for your own as often as possible,
(its not about all or nothing, its about often enough ;-)

Make note when you've started to do it unconsciously,

MAKE SOMETHING!!!

XOXO
~JM


I'll add more posts about Self Care later, K. I gotta go steal some moments!

Find more inspo on the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram!!!!!!!!!!!!!

luv ya!

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

New Year New Order: A Recap of a Super Busy Year & The Dirty Side of Cutting Clutter

Last year was a really busy busy year!


Bitch Make Your Own Wedding: Table Tops & The Dress


We got Married...



Cousins Sweet 16!


Getting good at Dressing Up!


Brother-in-law got Married...


Festivals & BBQs...


STARTED THE BLOG! Finally ;-)


We Clean Up Good :-D


Dad got Married...


Said Goodbye to THE Meanest Kitteh EVA... <3


Lots of Hosting!


Lots & Lots of Hosting... :-) Everybody Happy!!!


Pumpkin Fest & Halloween...


Thanksgiving... 16 ppl at one table ✔️


Xmas was our Finish Line! 

So many Holidays...


New Years Hosted by Friends! Thank You! 

With ALL of that going on....

We did NOT have time to take care of the little purges that I like to do throughout the year...


Tons of CLUTTER!!!


A few bins & things from Target to help...


You have to go through it and/or find a place for it all....

Like the GARBAGE! Or the CURB!

So sick of all this Crap! When did we get so much crap!!!???!!!

Its a Start Anyway...


And of course I've got a lot of other projects that I'd love to be getting to...

And Obsessions:

First Things First!

Starting on the office... 

De-Cluttering & Making a New Desk Situation for Me... A Project that has been in the works for a while...


A piece of chocolate cake and a glass of wine definitely help...


SERENITY NOW!

Don't forget to be nice to yourself... More Meditation & Yoga are on the List of Musts for this Year!

You are NOT Alone...

We've ALL got Clutter...

Some of us just hide it better.... ;-)

Eat healthier... Or at least healthier versions of what we're craving...


Whole Wheat Stromboli...


Pot Roast...




Lemon water to keep us hydrated...

It's winter...  cold and dry...

Anyway...

So far 2015 is off to a Great Start for us!


Our Intentions are Positive...

And Ready to Help MAKE Everything We Want to Accomplish Come Into Being!

Call 'em Goals...

Call 'em Resolutions...

Regardless...

MAKE SOMETHING!!!

XOXO
~JM

P.S.

Stay Tuned for more Bitch Make Your Own Wedding Posts! Including the Scoop on our DIY Wedding Invites, Flowers, & an Overall Wrap Up...

And don't forget to Like us on Facebook for Daily Inspo/Updates, etc...

CHEERS!