AuburnChick's Adventures

Happy Monday, y’all.

How was your weekend? Did you do anything fun?

It was very laid back around here.

Friday night, the hubby and I started watching Season 2 of The Terminal List. It is actually a prequel of the first season.

I called it an early night because I was still fighting a cold.

The next morning, I woke up around 7, prepared a cup of tea, started laundry, and watched ESPN’s Gameday.

Then, it was time for a whole bunch of football games.

The ESPN app allowed for four games of their choosing to be on the screen at once. I was all about it!

I also prepared a couple of snacks for the day.

I made another Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball.

I’m addicted to this.

Then, I made Vegan Buffalo Chicken Dip. The artichokes really made this! It was divine!

I took it easy the rest of the day and kept one eye on the TV and another on my book, which I finished that evening.

If you haven’t read this, run to your library or your Libby app and get it ASAP.

It was amazing!!!! I laughed, and I teared up. It has given me pause to think about older people, their loneliness, and so many other things.

I rated it with ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. That’s rare for me.

Sunday morning, we attended church.

Our sermon was about how Jesus grew and how He is both God and human.

I did a bit of closet organizing when we got home, pulled my outfits for the week, and then got to the business of meal prepping.

This week, I’ll be eating this delicious Leek and Potato Soup.

I’ve made this before, so I knew it would be good. Oh boy, was it!

My left shoulder bothered me a lot this weekend, so I decided to lay low the rest of the day. I’ll mention it to my physical therapist on Wednesday. It’s the rotator cuff – a little angry from either last week’s PT or maybe wrong sleeping positions. Who knows.

Sunday evening, while the Mr. watched football, I headed into another room to watch a couple episodes of Survivor. It also happened to be raining, which was the perfect backdrop for a quiet TV night.

You might recall that I once mentioned that I wanted to rewatch the precious 48 seasons in preparation for Season 50, which will air in the spring.

I started my walk through memory lane this summer while I was home recuperating from shoulder surgery. There’s nothing like an episode of people doing things you cannot, physically, while you’re laid up in a recliner unable to sleep at 2 in the morning. Ha!

I’ve been making steady progress and am almost finished with Season 5.

It’s been a lot of fun reacquainting myself with past contestants.

There’s no way I’m going to finish all of the seasons before 50 starts, but I’m okay with that. I’ll plod along as best as I can.

So, what’s on tap for your week? How can I pray for you?

Have a wonderful week, y’all.

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Howdy, friends!

I hope the week is treating you well. How is it October? Sheesh. September flew by!! It still feels like summer around here. I keep waiting for the temperature and humidity to dip, but they haven’t, so I continue to sweat it out as I saunter in to work each morning and back to my car each afternoon.

Here are my answers to the questions Joyce prepared for us.

Y’all have a good day!

1. What’s your favorite fall scent? Would we find this in or around your home right now? 

My favorite fall scent is cinnamon. I used to buy the cinnamon-infused straw brooms sold by Publix, but I don’t anymore more, so my house doesn’t smell much like anything at the moment. 

2. October is Country Music Month…are you a fan of country music? Do you have a favorite country artist? Ever been to Nashville? In terms of lifestyle are you more country mouse or city mouse? 

I went through my country-loving phase back in the 90’s. Shania Twain was a favorite in my home; we had her CDs (remember those?) playing constantly.

I don’t listen to much music nowadays.  If I do, I’m tuned into Christian music or a 60’s/70’s/80’s station. 

We did a family trip to Nashville May 2024.  We rented a five bedroom house that had a lot of room for us, our grown up kiddos, and their babies. 

Nashville offered up a lot to do. We visited a few family-friendly venues, including the zoo, the state museum, the replica of the Parthenon.  

I’d characterize myself as more of a country mouse. I grew up in a tiny town in Alabama before I got married and lived in a few bigger cities. We even spent a short stint in Miami. Talk about a culture shock! They don’t say “y’all” in South Florida. Ha!

I prefer a slower pace of life that includes light traffic, country roads, and sunsets unmarred by city pollution.

One of my favorite streets in Auburn feels like an old country road with lots of curves and trees. It’s a pain to drive home on this road after the time change because it’s only two lanes and not very well lit.

3. How about ‘country cooking’? (loosely defined as rich flavors, familiar foods, large portions, often fried, and often associated with the southern region of the US of A)? 

chicken and dumplings-fried chicken-shrimp and grits-biscuits and gravy-mac and cheese-fried green tomatoes-cornbread-collard or turnip greens-deviled eggs-‘barbecue’-gumbo-banana pudding 

Which of the foods listed is your favorite? Any on the list you haven’t tried or would say a firm no thank you to if offered? 

As I mentioned above, I grew up in the Deep South. Back then, I wasn’t a vegan. My favorite southern dish was chicken and dumplings. I also liked collard and turnip greens, deviled eggs, and banana pudding. 

Nowadays, I’ll gladly eat vegan versions of all of the above if I can find decent copycat recipes for them (or someone was willing to make them for me).

4. What’s something that always has a positive impact on your mood? 

Hearing the ring of my FaceTime app always puts me in a good mood. It signals that a grandchild is on the other end.

5. As we say so long to September share a noun, a verb, and an adjective that tells us something about how that month looked for you. 

Progress

I injured both of my shoulders last September. I had surgery on my left shoulder in December and surgery on my right shoulder in June.  In fact, tomorrow marks 16 weeks since my second surgery!

I’ve been in physical therapy since December 23rd.  It’s been a difficult year, but this month, I’m finally seeing tangible progress in both shoulders. 

I still have weekly physical therapy appointments because I’ve got a ways to go with my right shoulder until it’s functioning normally again, but the pain in both shoulders continues to decrease while the number of hours I’m sleeping each night increases. All glory to God for His healing touch. 

6. My Random Thought

Gambit got himself a bath last week. My vet’s office is the best. They know him well thanks to the two brushes with cancer he’s had. 

He came home sporting an adorable Halloween bandana. 

He’s almost 15 years old, and he is the sweetest boy.  I’m so thankful for each season we have with him.

Filed under: This-n-That | 5 Comments »