The Olive Garden

 We like to eat at The Olive Garden, usually twice per month.

We each always get the Chicken Scampi and it is insanely delicious.

The portion is huge, we each eat half of ours and then bring the other half home.

We spent $ 75.00 dollars...

this is what we brought home/

They have a 6 dollar take home menu if you dine in the restaurant...they offer three choices.

We have had them all and we love the spaghetti with Meat Sauce.

We got 4, 6 dollars each.

Our dine in meals came with all you can eat soup or salad.

We didn't finish our soup and we each brought home a good amount.

Our server brought us a huge salad by mistake and said he could not bring it back to the kitchen.

So he boxed it so we could bring it home.

This is the other half of each of our Chicken Scampi's, enough for another meal for each of us.

I keep breadsticks in the freezer that are just as good as Olive Garden's.

I make us 2 to go with this.

One spaghetti feeds both of us one dinner with a salad, that equates to 3 dollars per person.

This food that we brought home will feed us at least 5 meals...what a bargain.

This is why we try to go twice each month, the food is delicious and we always come home with all this food, minus the one salad.

We always tip in cash!

What's In A Book

 The other day, I shared a picture of the journals I keep.

As I said, they all have a theme, keep safe the little things I want to remember....

but most importantly, they are fun.

In this journal book, I keep inspirational quips and quotes I want to remember.

Some I cut from magazines, some I write in, some are fun...all mean a lot to me.

This purple book is my favorite.

This journal holds "little snippets" I want to save.

Ticket stubs, cards, penciled drawings, maps and brochures, score cards from golf, notes, room keys...

the list is endless.

I press those pennies in the tourist machines.

I am a saver of all things that remind me of joy!

My Family History

In this book I have recorded my family history.

This has the family tree, important family memories, relationships and important dates, births and deaths.

I purchased this leather book the first time I went to The Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Fiber Festival.

In this journal I keep little notes and pictures the hubs leaves for me when he goes to work.

We primarily work from home but if he has maintenance to do at any of the properties, 

he often does it himself.

For some reason, these little notes are all written on napkins

This little book has no real theme.

It has all of my passwords written in it, I couldn't photograph and share those now could I?

I probably could...blog peeps are the best!

In addition to that...a few things to make it pretty, so it is not so boring.

I hope you enjoyed this little peek into my world...maybe it will inspire you to buy a new journal and record the fun thing you don't want to forget!

In The Kitchen

 We enjoy eating out for dinner but I also enjoy cooking.

I guess what I really enjoy is an even blend of both.

When the boys were little, I cooked every night and it became a chore.

I think I enjoy cooking more now as I am not limited to "what will they eat"?

The hubs eats and loves everything and is always so complimentary of anything I make.

I watch Allrecipes on YouTube and the girl made this, she did not give measurements,

except the one cup of pasta, that she did clarify.

She did a squeeze of this, a little of that and a whole lot of spices, s & p, and italian seasonings.

I added seasonings as I went, it felt liberating not to measure.

- the ingredient lineup -

Brown one pound of good ground beef...

add one diced sweet onion.

Maybe 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and 2 tablespoons of ketchup, something like that.

Add about 2 cups of beef broth...and 1 cup of uncooked elbow noodles...

the noodles will cook in the broth.

Once they are Al-Dente, add some heavy cream, a splash...I think I added about 1/4 cup.

It will look creamy like this...

then add 2 big handfuls of cheddar cheese, forget to take a picture, and dinner is done.

It will look pretty like this.

It would be great with a salad but I did not have the ingredients for a salad.

We had it with French Bread and it was delicious.

A little reminiscent of Hamburger Helper but so much better.

Things To Do To Fill Up Your Cup

 "Filling Your Cup"

by definition means to practice self care by engaging in activities that replenish your energy,

joy and mental well being.

- Being Outdoors -

One of the most important things I do to fill my cup is being outdoors, in nature and gardening.

Much more difficult during the winter but if you can go for a walk, do it,

fresh air is exhilarating! 

- Having Fresh Flowers in the House -

Cut from the garden, 

purchased at the florist or grocery store, flowers always make a space feel warm and cozy.

- Pursuing Hobbies -
 I have many, but perhaps knitting is my favorite.

Watercolor Painting

Needle Punching

- Journaling -

I have many...all with different themes.

- Watch a Favorite Movie -

The Notebook - The Family Stone...2 of my favorites.

"ps...I Love You" is another favorite movie, it gets me everytime.

- Focusing On Your Physical Health - 

Eating Well...Spaghetti and Homemade Banana Bread

Getting Enough Sleep

- Music -

Whatever's saved in your iTunes or that you listen to on Spotify.

- Nurturing Relationships -

 Finding Peace 

Mindfullness

Meditation

These things fill my cup...tell me in the comments what fills yours?