Friday Favourites

 

Happy Friday!

You're getting some delayed Friday Favourites because I wasn't able to get my post up last Friday.  I was between work computers and I've been having issues uploading photos to my blog on Apple devices. 

This was the very start of the cherry blossoms at High Park last Tuesday (the 28th), with peak bloom happening on May 1. I went for a quick bike ride after dinner on this day to return a library book and thought I'd swing through the park to see the trees. There were a few less people there, which was nice.

Q had his first regular season game last Thursday and was all ready to go when I got home. 

The fans.

Catching, with his friend V up to bat.

And he got to pitch.

Last week was also my last day of work - my co-workers got me some bottles of Negroni, oranges, and a big ice cube tray. I poured a drink after I got home last Thursday.

They also took our 9 life saving rules and adapted them for the 9 steps for a good Negroni, very clever and thoughtful.

A welcome sight - both E and Q came home with friend after school this week on their bikes. E and his friends had a game of Axis and Allies going in the basement, and Q and his friends played with the whiffle balls at the park.

I started my new job on Monday and it has been a great week of learning. As much as I learned in my 7 years working for a mining contractor, there is a lot more to learn now that I work for the gold company itself. I will be working from home most of the time but will meet a few people in person next week. 

The rest of my free time was spent freezing at ball parks. It has been so chilly this week that I had my winter mittens and long underwear out from winter storage. 

E and Q have been watching Star Wars in honour of May the 4th and is playing some Star Wars video game that usually gets popular around this time of year.

A fun weekend ahead - Blue Jays game tonight, Ladies' Opening Day at the golf course on Saturday, and baseball and more golf on Mother's Day (and hopefully meals I don't have to make :))

Linking up with Andrea and Erika.

Gratitude Journal Prompts

 13. What does gratitude mean to you?

Being appreciative for those individual moments throughout the day. Maybe it's at the time when you can pause and feel the goodness of the moment, or maybe it's at the end of the day when you think about all of the things and people that you are thankful for. Without gratitude you end up missing out on a lot and it's important to reflect on what has brought joy to your life throughout the day. Obviously there are better days than others but even on those bad days there are still things to be grateful for. 

14. Write one good thing that happened today in the world for which you are grateful.

(Writing this on Tuesday so "today" was really yesterday.) Two things - the appointment of Former Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour as our next Governor General and the Toronto Maple Leafs winning the NHL draft lottery. There aren't a lot of good news stories around lately but these ones both represent hope for the future. Mary Simon, our current GG, has been very good, but to be followed by another strong woman is even better! And for us long suffering Leafs fans, we will take any opportunity we can get!

15. Write about one person in your workplace you are grateful for.

I just switched jobs and although I am slowly getting to know my new co-workers, I haven't developed any serious feelings of gratitude for any one person yet, so I must look back to my old job. I was very grateful for my "work sibling". We have a lot in common and worked well together. 

Weekend Recap

Phew, we had a chilly weekend and we were outside for a lot of it!

I didn't have to work on Friday so I went to Costco and then got my haircut. Dave got out for his first golf round of the year.  E and I went to hit balls at the range for a little bit, and we ordered pizza for dinner and I tried to watch all of the sports - Blue Jays, Canadiens, Sabres, and Raptors. 

On Saturday morning we were headed out early to High Park for Little League Opening Day. It was cold and a few flurries even fell while everything was getting set up.

The Knights ready for the parade.

We biked home and warmed up but then went back for Q's game at 3:00. Since we were early for warm up, I walked over to the cherry blossoms which were at peak bloom. I took a few photos but mostly was fascinated with the people out and about. 

On Sunday Dave golfed, I went to church, Q had a baseball tryout, and E golfed in Junior Opening Day. 

Settling in to watch the F1 Race when everyone got home.

And we made our inaugural pizza in the new pizza oven.

Looks good!

Some learning still to do with the pizza oven, but they all turned out pretty well. 

Monthly Musings

 

1. Favourite spring flower?

Any flowering tree gets my appreciation - lilacs, magnolia, cherry blossoms. They are all so pleasant to look at.

2. Do you have flowers planted at your house?

No, but I will buy some planters to place at the front of the house.

3. Any gardening tips?

Get an automatic watering system. That way you don't have to actively remember to water the plants and if you're away, things still get watered. 

4. What is your go-to spring outfit?

I like the white pants I got last year from Aritzia, paired with a light sweater or linen top, or my green dress with a blazer or sweater.

5. What spring fashion trends are you loving right now?

I'm want to get the same linen top pictured above in light blue, and the same dress but in a different colour. I have a gift card to Aritzia so I'll be doing a little shopping soon. 

6. Best wardrobe tip for when the weather can't make up its mind?

The answer is obviously layers. The temperature can change within minutes when the sun goes down or you go into the shade.

7. What beverage do you love in spring?

Aperol Spritz. Yes, I'm basic, but it says spring/summer to me. 

8. The spring can be super busy, share your easiest spring meals.

Yes, with baseball games and practices starting at 6:00 and tee times often scheduled for late afternoon, we need these easy meals. My best tip is to make things the day before if you can so it just needs to be warmed up, but if you're making it the night of, we like quesadillas hot dogs/sausages, peanut butter and jam sandwiches, tortellini.

Linking up with Patty.

What's Up Wednesday

 

Linking up with Shay for this monthly catch up.

What we're eating this week...

Sunday - Sausages, mac and cheese, salad

Monday - French Toast and sausages (and I had quinoa/lentil salad)

Tuesday - Sloppy Joes

Wednesday - Baked Beans on Toast

Thursday - Hot Dogs/Sausages and waffle fries

Friday and Saturday - not planned yet

What I'm reminiscing about...

I am starting a new job next week so this week I am reminiscing about when I started with the job I'm finishing up now. It was 2019 and I had no experience in mining but I learned quickly and became a valued member of the team. We dealt with COVID, when fortunately mining was an essential service, but it meant a lot of different considerations to keep operating. It's always bittersweet to move on to something new, but I am looking forward to my new position.

What I'm loving...

I keep running into neighbours and other moms I know, at the nail place, the grocery store, the ball field. It seems that we are all coming out of hibernation and it's been great to catch up.

What I'm dreading...

I have had some left elbow pain lately. There is no event that caused this injury, but I think irritation from weightlifting and from the way I sleep. I've been icing it, wearing a brace, and taking Advil when it's acting up, and it seems to be getting better, but I am worried about how it will feel as I start golfing. 

What we've been up to...

Clearing out different places in the house - the shed, the coat closet, the kids' closets, our clothes (although I still need to do the official change over to summer wardrobe), the kitchen drawers, and the downstairs bathroom closet. I've been able to put a few things on the curb and people always pick up whatever is out there. 

What I'm working on...

As usual, working on getting my workouts in and trying to make good eating choices. If the weather can warm up a bit, I will try to get outside more for some runs and walks.

What I'm excited about...

I am excited to get my hair cut and coloured on Friday. I don't get my hair cut as much as I should and I haven't had colour for awhile, but I thought I would treat myself. 

What I'm watching/reading...

I'm watching the Blue Jays, Raptors playoff basketball, and Season 2 of Landman. 

I posted about my March and April books on Monday, and right now I'm reading another book by one of the same authors I read last month. 

What I'm listening to...

As much as I like some easy listening country or light pop in the mornings, I want some good dance jams in the afternoon and evenings - recently added songs to my "Dance Party" playlist - The Days (NOTION remix) by Chrystal, Bring Em Out by T.I, Memories by David Guetta with Kid Cudi.

What I'm wearing...

Now that it's spring and I don't have to wear nylons with my skirts and dresses, I am back to wearing shorts from Thigh Society underneath. They make walking around all day very comfortable. I have them in black and pink and would definitely recommend them.

What I'm doing this weekend...

High Park Little League Opening Day, Q's first regular season game, church, and maybe some golf?

What I'm looking forward to this month...

We have a lot on the calendar for May - new job for me, golf, Blue Jays games, Q's baseball, Mother's Day, a trip to Whistler, our anniversary, and more!

What else is new...

This cool necklace that we Dave and E 3D printed. I would not let Q get this at the game, but now that we printed our own, I think it's pretty cool. 

Weekend Recap

My colleague and I hit up The Frederick for lunch on Friday. We both had the Harbord Room burger and it was delicious, and so was the fried chicken appetizer we shared.

Saturday was supposed to be a day of baseball for Q - game in the morning and rep team tryout in the afternoon. Instead it was raining all day so I went to the golf club for the ladies' welcome breakfast. It was a pleasant way to spend the morning.

Then I did a bit of nothing.  E took this  photo...

...and this, as I tried getting my phone back.

We also made some cupcakes. Thumbs up from E.

I love a rainbow sprinkle.

I convinced the boys to play a game so they chose Axis and Allies. Not really my game but they were fine playing with each other and I was nearby for moral support (while folding laundry and watching the Blue Jays game.

Dave had some tunes going after supper and Q was showing up his dance moves. 

Sunday had much better weather. I went to church and Dave took the boys to the golf club to hit some balls in the practice area. The rep tryout was rescheduled to Sunday afternoon so we biked there. I got to hang out with some moms and had a nice time.