My Happy List: Calendars, Painting & a New Recipe

I am really enjoying the month of June but it is flying by so fast! In previous summers, I would scurry around trying to get the house in shape before August 1st when I had to report back to work. But I don't have to do that now since I have retired. I am taking my time, doing what I want to do. 

I love these calendars Meeha Meeha offers on her blog each month. I wanted to see how my Silhouette Cameo would cut this one out. It decides on its own what it wants to do. Thank you Meeha Meeha for the beautiful artwork calendars each month. I use them in my journal.

Ashleigh and I painted more furniture. Actually, Ash painted and I assisted. I am so glad Ash appreciates our hand me downs. She painted two of these nightstands in an afternoon with 3 coats of homemade chalk paint. 

After awhile, I took a break from being Ashleigh's painting assistant to cook dinner. Don't you love it when you cook something new and your family raves about it for the rest of the evening? Better Homes and Gardens sent me this recipe that included chicken, asparagus, shredded carrots and tomatoes. It also has Italian dressing, balsam vinegar, honey and crushed red pepper for flavor. It's such a healthy dish! Ash taught me how to snap the bottoms off the asparagus - I didn't know that I needed to do that. She watches those cooking shows. It's interesting when your daughter teaches you how to cook! The dish is called Balsamic Chicken and Vegetables and the recipe can be found here.

I found a new special place in my community to hang out. I have lived in my community almost 7 years now and never took the time to explore this place before. It has a merry-go-round and the sound of the music of the carousel and the childrens' delight make me happy. The first time I went there, I drove hauling my bike on the back of the car. The second time, I got brave and rode my bike from my home. I only had 2 major intersections to cross and fortunately there were sidewalks all the way. I brought my crunchy peanut butter sandwich, water and my book Eat Pray Love for a treat for when I got to the park. Eat Pray Love is a perfect read for me right now as it is about a woman starting a new chapter of her life. As I was on the homestretch, I stood up on the pedals and felt like a kid while the bike propelled itself. 

I came across this picture while drafting this post.

source

On my bike ride home I saw this cool cobalt blue bottle tree. I think it would be fun to make one with the green wedding wine bottles I saved from Danny and Natasha's wedding.

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