The last week and a half have been an absolute whirlwind. Today felt like the first “normal” day since getting back to Canada, and I have been craving “normal”!
We went to church. We stopped by the store for a rotisserie chicken. We had a simple, easy lunch (chicken and veggie wraps). We caught the end of the Formula 1 race, which was a bit of a gong show but still fun. I finally tackled the stack of mail from our time away and, aside from a few things that still need to be filed, it is DONE. Hooray and hallelujah.
I preemptively spent time on corporate books; it went smoothly and things are up to date.
We’re mostly on top of laundry.
The weed situation on our flagstone walkways continues to be the absolute bane of my existence, but I think it’s a lost cause and I’m trying to just ignore the situation, knowing it will not be going away. Sigh.
Yesterday I took a little nap, and then spent an hour in our backyard hammock finishing a book on my Kobo (Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth; it was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it!). John and I also needed to do some work on our investment portfolio and we got that done. Another big relief!
The Canada World Cup game was heartbreaking, but such is life.
Overall, I’m cautiously optimistic about the next week.
Tomorrow could be a bit hairy. I need to get Indy to multiple places, and we’re coordinating another tow for our vehicle. Fingers crossed everything goes smoothly.
So many summer plans still feel up in the air, but this week has some structure, including lots of fun for both kids. Indy has sports camp in the mornings and a one-hour tennis lesson in the afternoon. Belle has a mix of babysitting and social things with friends, but she’s at the stage where she mostly coordinates those plans herself, which is both wonderful and slightly surreal.
I also have a loose meal plan, despite currently feeling zero desire to ever cook again in my life. Unfortunately, the pint-sized people who live with me continue to expect food.
On the list:
- Meatballs (made and in the fridge) and rice with steamed broccoli
- Homemade potato salad (already made and in the fridge!) with grilled ham and cheese sandwiches
- Greek salad, hummus, and naan bread
- Chicken, veggie, and noodle soup (currently making a stock!)
- Baked beans (from a can; no baking required!) and hot dogs, because we’re fancy like that
Blergh. I love eating, but really don’t like cooking. I’m predicting takeout sushi for an at-home date-night with John next week?
There’s also always boxed Kraft Dinner. The kids never complain about that!
I also unexpectedly came into possession of a big bag of frozen ripe bananas, so I really should prioritize making banana bread/muffins at some point.
I have a few boxes and bags ready for consignment/donations. Our furnace/storage room is still a bit of a disaster zone, but once those things are out of the house, I’ll give it another go.
My Need To Do list is long, but in two weeks we have a solo week while both kids are at camp. EXCITING!!!
LITTLE TWEAKS
- Running the dishwasher every night. I haven’t always ended up using this rhythm, but I really appreciate it when I do. The dishes are dry and cool in the morning.
- Second: outsourcing the dishwasher-emptying to whichever child happens to be nearby. For years the dishwasher has technically been Belle’s job, but lately I’ve been roping in whichever kiddo is available.
- Third: I signed up for curbside pickup at Sobeys, my go-to grocery store. I did this a handful of times during COVID (at Superstore), but at the time it felt like more of a nuisance than a help. I’m going to try again because I think it could be very handy, especially during the summer season.
COFFEE MAKER
I want to buy a coffee maker!!!
Nothing huge and nothing fancy—or, as my father would say, nothing with too many bells and whistles. I’m thinking something that makes four to six cups? It would be nice if I could set it on a timer, but that’s not critical. Mostly I want simple, reliable, and relatively small.
Any recommendations?
MORE MISCELLANY/TO-DOs
- THE ANT SITUATION IS DIRE. There are so many little ants. We always have a few this time of year, but things have really ratcheted up. I went back to my old faithful recipe of Borax and icing sugar, but it doesn’t seem to be working this time.
- I need to schedule my annual PRK (laser eye-surgery) follow-up. This really should have happened in May or June, but I was out of the country, so it slipped down the list. I’ve been able to see without glasses for three years now. Wow… time flies!
- I also need to get my wedding band and engagement ring inspected at the jewelry store. I have a warranty on both rings, but for that to stay valid, they need to be inspected every six months. They let me stretch it to July since I was away, but now July is here and Future Me has become Current Me.
- And then there is food. As mentioned, I have no desire to cook, but I had a delicious poke bowl while we were in Cardiff and would love to recreate something similar at home. Do you have any great poke/taco/burrito bowl recipes you follow, even loosely? What are your go-to ingredients? Favourite sauces?
- I also need to pull my Instant Pot back out. Before we left, I was in a good rhythm of using it regularly, but now it feels oddly daunting to start again, even though I know it is so easy once I get going.
Okay. That’s more than enough blathering from me. I’ll be back tomorrow with another trip recap.
Your turn.
- What’s on your To Do list for the upcoming week?
- Does anyone have a simple coffee maker recommendation?
- Send me your best Instant Pot or bowl recipes!
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I know you were happy to get back to your church. Due to my health, I’m unable to go but I watch the livestream. I miss my church family and I’m praying I will improve enough to attend again. I have instacart to deliver my groceries and I love it! I am glad I don’t have to depend on my son and daughter for that. I’ve enjoyed your Travel blog very much. Thank you for sharing.
One of the “good” things to come out of COVID was livestream options for things like church services.
I do my first grocery pickup tomorrow and I’m excited!
Baked beans and hot dogs sounds mighty fine right now. So does a sushi date;-)
It’s not exactly a taco bowl, but I’ve really been enjoying roasted sweet potatoes with taco toppings. Ground beef, cheese, salsa, and guac, and of course a side of tortilla chips to scoop up leftovers.
Yes to getting a coffee maker! I do pour over when I travel and a coffee maker at home. I absolutely cannot tell the difference, and of course it’s not hard to do pour over but it’s so much easier to just push a button. There’s no reason to get anything fancier than a small Mr. Coffee, at least IMO. The only suggestion that I would make if you wanted an extra treat would be to get one with a programmable start time so that the first person up can have their coffee waiting for them.
We had chicken noodle soup tonight, so at least one meal has happened. And, it used up the rest of the carrots and spinach in my fridge. Woo-hoo.
I’ve heard good things about Mr. Coffee and do like the price point!!
Not much on my to-do list since we’re still going to be very hot and humid here next week. I have read two of Sally Hepworth’s books, The Good Sister and The Younger Wife and enjoyed both! You are doing great, Elisabeth!
I have added a few more of her books to my TBR!
The problem with ants- if you see them, it’s too late! I put out ant traps before the little stinkers arrive in June, so the first scouts bring the bait back to the colony. I leave outside ants alone- once they come into my house, no mercy. Put the little Raid ants traps along the paths they’re walking, up against the wall or cupboard. ( I use at least 8 in and around the kitchen, sometimes the bathroom). It will take about a week or so to see a real difference. ( I tried cinnamon, baking soda, all sorts of natural deterrents, but nothing worked well, and they were messy.)
I have a small 5 cup Mr Coffee pot that’s small, easy to use, and stores away easily when not needed. It wasn’t expensive. Though my cat knocked the pot off the counter ( he snuck up and was licking the edge- he loves coffee!?!) So I have a sturdy ceramic cup instead to catch the brew.
I never use a recipe for instapot- it’s usually broth, meat and maybe some carrots, and served over rice or potatoes. ( I’m a very boring cook.) You’ll get your cooking rhythm again. Also, turn one or two nights over to the kids. They can suggest ir do the cooking for you. ( take advantage of their useful ages!)
My to-do list: mammogram fun time. Then we travel up to see my granddaughter, my daughter, and her husband. My arms are just aching to rock this little sweetheart!
Good luck finding normal!
Argh. Yes, they were everywhere when we got home (the people staying in our house mentioned it and I said not to worry, it always happens and they go away pretty quickly). Well… this year they haven’t gone away quickly. Womp, womp.
I am so excited to hear all about the experience of meeting and holding your grandbaby. What a delight <3
Coffee Makers: I am very frugal and grumbled about spending so much money on it in 2017. I LOVE it. Quick. Thermal carafe keeps it warm. 💯 worth it.
https://www.amazon.ca/Bonavita-BV1500TS-One-Touch-Stainless-Dishwasher/dp/B0DK5B7L6V/ref=sr_1_1?crid=22UX5TG8R6M88&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TBka32UhHW9Domz8ctAuh_daj-D8TsyCxaF2eA2grqICXELWebViEMx_NaaXtb__YGAav8qN6PMOSlU7hWBFQcNzS7sVMx40O0II_zx_vw7Zni1B34VNzBlgOW21kq1nhAdx7q6_cpdbgVGkgWMLcaGcl2fzKd1Pao_GGjSTFBG4-f-M1UOXyZrCkqc2WKwz2DsS2b1s95IvDAIW80wzDdIulnH2oU6T6_1lIXKgokQ.8mSec24SKMXwPBUas5fusJYdvg-Lbdh10hYqVZmk1dE&dib_tag=se&keywords=Bonavita&qid=1783306420&s=kitchen&sprefix=bonavita%2Ckitchen%2C163&sr=1-1
Thanks for the rec!!
Yay for getting back a bit to routine! I was also going to suggest getting the kids to help out. Even if they’re not cooking the dinner, they can suggest a menu and write down the ingredients that are needed. We also have a list of 20ish dishes on the fridge to help jog our memory on what to easily cook.
Bowl recipes: I usually add a fruit (mango /apple/watermelon etc) and the seaweed salad. Carrots julienne, as provided by the supermarket, hah. Edamame beans, avocado, and check what else is in the fridge that needs to go. And either raw salmon, tuna salad or chicken. Sesame seeds, chili flakes, sesame oil, soy sauce, and nori to top 😊
Yum! I’m hungry just reading about this bowl recipe of yours.
That stack of mail! It must feel so satisfying to work through it and finally get rid of all the paperwork. Did Joy keep an eye on your mail while you were away?
We’ve managed to reduce our physical mail to almost nothing. In South Africa there’s no postal system, so there’s no mail to deal with in the first place. And here in Zurich, over the last four months, we’ve received three charity appeals and an invitation for a colonoscopy! 😂
Thankfully our neighbour has a key to both our flat and our letterbox. If anything official-looking turns up, she sends us a photo and asks what we’d like her to do. Most of the time we ask her to open it and send us a scan. She’s an absolute angel!
The people staying in our house picked it up for us. Very convenient. They would send pictures of what had come in and I had them open a few time-sensitive items and send pictures of those. Overall, though, most really important stuff comes digitally now.
You’re getting lots done, and those sound like some nice dinners planned. Nice progress. We had a dire any problem that home solutions didn’t fix last year. Finally paid for pest control to do a treatment. Instant fix. A year later still no ants. Worth every penny!
I’ve never had pest control and I’m not quite sure it’s warranted yet… but I’m keeping ALL my options open. Glad you’re still ant-free!
I have a Braun 12 cup coffee maker, after a STRING of Cuisinarts died on me. My MIL also had a couple of Cuisinarts die on her, and you would think we would learn after one coffee maker demise, but no. Well, I’m passing this valuable info on to you. German engineering for the win. I believe Braun makes smaller versions, if 12 cup is too big for you.
Ants: I hate to say it but it might be time to bring out the big guns to get things under control (Raid). Spray them directly and spray where they are coming in/ their path. Sometimes the Borax isn’t enough. I speak from experience!
12 cups is DEFINITELY too big for me, but I will be looking at Braun in my coffee pot hunt. Hooray for German engineering (for just about everything).
I think I might have Raid buried somewhere in the back of a top shelf in the linen closet. Thanks for the reminder. Spraying some of that at their entry points to the house would be a good place to start.
Sadly, I also have no desire to cook ever again so I have no suggestions for you. What, you may ask, have we been eating? My mind is a blank.
ANTS. We have a serious ant problem here. Like mbmom says, once you see them it’s too late. Ot at least it will take a while to get rid of them. As she said, I don’t try to get rid of outside ants- that’s their territory- but we just can’t have them in the house or they’ll take over. We use Hotshot ant traps- I’ve learned that ant colonies have different diets, so some ant traps don’t work for us but these do. We just saw some ants a few days ago and slapped the ant traps down right away.
I’m glad you’re feeling back to normal! And… keep your eye on that kid-free week coming up. It’ll be your reward for all the hard work you’ve done!
Oooh. Interesting to know that certain traps are more effective for different ants!
Jenny, I am COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS to the couples week. Such a highlight of my year.
I have a Cuisinart that I love, but I see Nicole’s note above about them failing on her! I think I’ve had mine for 15+ years? It’s been a workhorse for me for sure. But clearly your mileage may vary!
I’m glad you are getting back to some sort of sense of normalcy. It’s such a process, I’m sure, after being gone for so long!
This week we are getting back to a sense of normalcy after having the kids up at my parents last week. Their bedtimes slipped while they were up there, plus they stayed up late on Saturday to watch fireworks. So I am focused on getting them back on their normal schedules this week. Paul handled the schedule disruption fine, Will DID NOT. Sigh.
I will not be using it heavily; 4-5 times a week? So I hope whatever I buy lasts a good long time!
Bedtime routines are so important and can be so fraught, especially at Will’s age. I hope everyone settles back into their rhythm of being home and I’m so glad it was such a fun time away at the lake.
Cooking? Sigh, my people also want to be fed on the daily. My cooking inspiration has been so low. I have had six or seven what seem to be gallbladder attacks since late March and gallstones have been ruled out so it’s likely “lazy gallbladder” so I was told to learn to manage it with diet. Except I wasn’t told much about how to do that so I’ve been slowly reintroducing foods and hoping for the best/hoping that this is just a weird hormonal postpartum thing that ultimately just goes away. So coupled with feeling like my kids love something one day and refer to it as the worst thing ever the next time they are served it, my cooking motivation is LOW.
Have you gotten an answer on what’s wrong with the car yet? Hoping it’s something cheap and easy! Car problems can be so stressful as they are inconvenient and can be super expensive
Oh my days, Maria! Your health issues sound horrible. And I know gallbladder attacks can be dehabilitating. I hope you get clarity on what’s causing the issues and you’re able to find a diet that works.
Food is so exhausting. The prep. Managing expectations. And the constant need for more of it.
Not sure about the car yet, but it’s at the dealer now so we should get official answers soon. I am certain it will NOT be cheap, but we do have an after market warranty (we purchased it 2nd hand), and so I’m really hoping the fix is covered under warranty!! We shall see.
I think I have finally conquered my fruit fly infestation, so I am sending ALL OF THE GOOD THOUGHTS that your ant problem resolves itself without too much hassle. It’s the worst, isn’t it? Argh.
For years, I used a Mr. Coffee coffeepot that worked JUST FINE. I don’t think it had a setting to brew on its own (if you want something like that; I can’t remember if that was part of your list and I’m being too lazy about scrolling up to find out, lol), but there might be some other types of Mr. Coffee pots that have that option.
FRUIT FLIES ARE THE WORST. SO HARD TO GET RID OF. Sorry for the all caps, but I just loathe dealing with fruit flies. And it’s so hard to get rid of them once they invade.
I think Mr. Coffee sounds like the right price point for me. I found an inexpensive one online that has a timer… haven’t pulled the trigger yet, but am feeling like it’s a good place to start.
I actually love meal planning, but I don’t always love making the meals I plan – feeding everyone is just so. much. work. And during the summer the kids are often home for lunch now too, so that’s another meal I have to organize.
I don’t drink coffee, but my Husband is such a coffee snob – he has a Moccamaster, which is a Dutch coffee maker – I think I actually bought it for him for Christmas a few years back, but based on his very specific directions.
Not specifically a poke bowl, but we’ve made this salmon bowl with miso rice and I really like it. I would also add some nori, avocado, and maybe edamame.
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1021142-roasted-salmon-with-miso-rice-and-ginger-scallion-vinaigrette?unlocked_article_code=1.v1A.Aok6.e8dVyJCHpMnS&smid=share-url
Oh, I could get to enjoy meal planning to, if I didn’t have to execute on the ideas. Sigh. I just don’t get into a “flow” state when cooking and it always feels like work. Maybe I need to change something about my approach. But, for now, I put in relatively minimal effort and everyone eats multiple times a day, so I call it a win.
That bowl sounds DELISH.
Not sure what a poke bowl is, but we do what I call burrito bowls about weekly. It’s rice with either beans, beef, chicken or even chicken peas. Then whatever other toppings I have: salsa, sour cream, cheese, veggies.
Poke bowls tend to have fish (often raw, though that’s not really my proverbial cup of tea). I also want to do burrito bowls!!
Re: Ants… We occasionally get the big ants (usually in the kitchen, sugar motivated) and the tiny tiny ones. This spring / early summer I noticed there were so many of the tiny ones and nowhere near the kitchen. I couldn’t for the life of me find the source. My husband found a nest in a potted plant under a shell while watering. Ant plague! Luckily we took the plant outside and they moved on / we re-potted. But I wonder if you can track them to a unusual nest spot? It may not just be food / the kitchen. What fun! 🙂
I need to spend a bit more time hunting down their trail! Good idea <3
Yay for time in the hammock, and being able to take a little bit of time for yourself. I can only imagine how much has been coming down on you since your return.
I’d gladly come and take over the cooking. Most of the time, I don’t mind it (although like any normal human being, I have days where I don’t want to do it and just be served! LOL)
Jon and I are currently into Stir Frys and I have a great, quick recipe, but it’s not technically a bowl. Are you still interested?
Unfortunately, I don’t have a great coffeemaker recommendation. I currently use a BRAUN coffeemaker which I love, but it’s not super-simple and can be a little finacky sometimes, so not something I’d recommend if you want something small and simple.
I went in the hammock again yesterday. AREN’T THEY THE BEST, SAN??????
Please, come over and take charge of my kitchen any day. Free room and board and I’ll buy all the ingredients, too 🙂
I like stir frys but the kids tend to hate them. But I’ll still take the recipe!!!
THE BEST… and DEAL! 🙂
I hope the car towing thing went smoothly. I can only imagine ALL the things one would have to catch up on after a whirlwind away in another country!
I was only home for a week before I’m getting ready to head out again—I’m forever behind in everything~
It did! What a relief. The SUV is fixed and back in my driveway.