Recipe of the Week - Bloomin' Onion Dip

 This is a recipe that Jason showed to me online at the beginning of the year.  And I had everything I needed to make it already, so I tried it. Absolutely delicious!! I will definitely keep this one in my appetizer rotation and can't wait to make it again!  Hope you enjoy it.

Bloomin' Onion Dip

1 Medium onion, finely chopped

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

1 cup grated parmesan

1 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp cayenne

1.5 Tbsps Worcestershire

1 cup friend onions - for topping only

Mix all ingredients except for onions until smooth.  Fold in onions.  Top with fried onions.  Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes. 

The pottery milk jug

 

This little milk jug belonged to Aunt Sara.  Mom got it from the estate years ago.  She always said that this pitcher was a staple of the breakfast table whenever she visited overnight at the family home.  I don't know the maker of it as it's not marked on the bottom.  I have seen this style of pitcher at many antiques stores but never remember to look for any information on it.  Oh well.  It sat in our kitchen for years in the house in Monroe.  Mom kept it on top of the pie safe in the kitchen. Now it is part of my home.  Actually, right now it's in a box LOL  But I will find it soon enough and give it a good spot in my house.  If only I drank milk, then I would use it just like my family did.  Maybe one day!

Daily Challenge Update

 

I have not been in the garage every day this week mainly because of the +100 degree temperatures that we have been having.  Still, I did get out there a few times and got some things done.  Now that Michael has most of his stuff out of there, I now have an entire wall of shelves that I can fill up.  And don't worry, I'm not going out and buying things to fill these shelves.  I have plenty.

So, I am getting boxes that I know are full and that I know I have already gone through and I am putting them up on the shelves.  Now I am able to see more of the floor.  It's the little things, people!!  Also, on the shelf underneath the worktable in the back I found a lot of pictures. They were stacked on the shelf and it looks like at some point, some squirrels were making nests there on the pictures. Oh well.  I have had to get rid of a few frames but was able to save the artwork in the frame.  I am cleaning them up, one by one, and finding places inside to hang them.

So, things are coming along very well out there.  I am hoping to get out there some this weekend and get some more done.  We shall see! 

Getting back to the job search

 It's time to throw my hat back into the job-hunting arena.  Let me first get this out of the way.  Searching for jobs has nothing to do with my current job.  I love my job.  I love the people I work with and the residents and their families that I serve.  And I'm pretty confident in saying that they love me as well. So, I am not looking for a new job because of any kind of dissatisfaction with my current position.

I gave myself a year after finishing my master's degree to just relax.  I very much enjoyed getting my degree and I really like being a student.  But it was a lot of work and so I decided that I deserved some time to myself.  Not that I have done anything extraordinary with that time, but it has been very nice.  But now it is time to get back to it.  

During the year, I did apply and interview for several jobs.  The interviews went well but neither of them panned out.  It was still very good experience for me.  I am going to start looking for things in the gerontological world that sound interesting.  Things that I may be good at.  Even if I don't have the experience someone may want, I am hoping someone will see my passion and my drive and take a chance.  That is all I can hope for.

First, I need to update my resume.   That shouldn't take too long haha!  Then, I need to start networking.  Many things happen because of who you know.  I will keep you updated on this progress because I am quite excited for the possibilities that are ahead.  It will all be good experience nonetheless.

Quote of the Week

 

This week I have started working on enjoying my own company.  I have gotten myself out of the house on my own and done things by myself just for fun.  And I have really enjoyed it.  It's not like I would not love to do things with people, but I need to be able to enjoy life with only myself as well. 

Starting to budget more

I will be the first to admit that I have never been good at budgeting my money.  There are many reasons for this, but I am not going to talk about them right now.  Those reasons are all in the past and I cannot go back and change any of them so why dwell on them?  All I can do is move forward and so that is what I intend on doing.

Beginning with this paycheck, I am going to work on budgeting my funds.  I have already started to work on saving more and I know that sticking to a budget will help me increase my savings.  I am such a list person that I don't know why adhering to a budget is so hard for me.  And yes, I know I have my eBay and antiques and thrift store habits, but I am hoping to keep those under control with the use of a budget. 

First, I need to look at where my money goes and prioritize.  Rent, bills, food, etc.  Lay out all of the categories where my money is spent and look at the numbers.  I need to think about my financial goals, short, medium and long term. Sadly, retirement is not one of those goals.  Ah, well.  It is a lot for me to process but I think I can do it.  I know that most people budget by the month but right now I am going to start with budgeting by the paycheck.  I think I will be more successful to start out with that way.

I don't know how this is going to go yet but at least I am trying.  I will keep you updated!

Today's Moment of Mindfulness

Appreciate the abundance of wonderful things in your life and give them your attention.  Keep a little notebook especially for jotting down memories worth saving, surprises and things you are thankful for.