The Best of the Holiday Season
As we celebrate the holiday season, I took the time to reflex on what has happened in the last decade. So much has changed. Kids have grown and moved out, and I have become a become a grandmother of two. One Granddaughter and a year and a half later I was blessed with a grandson. I couldn't have been more blessed if I begged.
Next on the hit parade is that we updated our dining room and made it our patriotic themed room. So many red, white, and blue items. A beautiful quilt on the wall, a table runner on the buffet and patriotic colored curtains. A room that totally is my cup of tea. As well as the dining room, I updated a few other rooms. My sewing room was painted, and my husband painted the stairwell, so it looks better than watered stained drywall. The furniture was rearranged, fabric gone through and organized as well as an area for painting Barn Quilt Blocks. A craft I have learned to love immensely. I have embraced this craft so much that I learned to make block for every season to decorate my house outside for some up cycled curb appeal. Below will be some photos of the curb appeal. So, I chose to learn all things fun, crafty, and yummy in the last decade.
The last 26 months have been dedicated to me being a healthier me. I needed to learn what to eat how much to eat, including the correct amount of protein to consume. I will admit I did go on a few programs. For the most part they did work. Remember not all of these programs are a one fits all society. I also sought the advice of a Doctor of Nutrition at Yale New Haven Medical Center. He taught me so much. I learned how to eat. All of these suggestions made me learn how to become a better version of me. I have to say after learning how to eat, and losing all the weight I did, I haven't felt this good in decades. Even though my Fibromyalgia is still classified as highly severe and my flares are more intense I still on those good days feel better than I have in a very long time. I will never go back to the person I was.
In this wild ride I have been on I chose to learn many new things that have given me pure peace. I started my own vegetable garden, learned more about canning my own food and preserving my own food so that what I consume is as natural as possible. Processed food is not an option any longer for me. The typical tossing food on a plate and shoveling it down is a thing of the past. Learning how to plate food to look appetizing and pretty. A friend of mine I went to school with taught me a few tricks of the trade since he owns a restaurant. I called it pretty plating for beginners.
I have learned to dry flowers and herbs to make my own tea. There are items I need to get started in order to make my own teas, but this too shall come when Santa arrives. Again, there is so much I want to learn. the world is my oyster so I will dive in and soak as much information as possible. I love tea but I also love to create meals that present well. The drama and negativity have been released. I started after years of being unhealthy decided to turn a corner and take the road to better health. both mentally and physically. I've embraced the new me. new hair and clothing to show off how much I have changed.
Today I saw my primary care doctor, he couldn't get over how much I have changed in the last 26 months. Not only did my Panniculectomy turn out well but along with the loss of all that weight I also now have been taken off blood pressure meds. A definite plus. The less chemicals in my body the better. It astounds me that the pharmaceutical companies have so much power. I know some medication is necessary. I know there are meds out there that are truly needed for certain diagnosis' that's valid. I respect modern day medicine. Let's face it I worked in healthcare for over two decades. I loved my job, I adored my patients, and of course there were ups and downs to the profession. However, this is a new chapter in my life, and I am going in with both feet. Hence why I chose to learn all things new and fun.
This past decade I also learned gardening, how to grow flowers and herbs and how to maintain a pool. Next spring I plan on expanding my garden. I want more vegetables, and flowers will take a Wack at growing blueberries, red raspberries, and blackberries. It should be comical as I have never attempted these fruits before, and I am going to have to learn how fight off the birds and the squirrels. Maybe I should set up a camera so we can have video proof of a comedy. Below is all the photos of what I have done. As well as the birthday and holiday party pictures. My newest recipe will be posted under recipes as well.
Garden Photos
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