Favorite Dish Soap

I grew up using Palmolive dish soap. I loved it because it would get really soapy, making it feel like it was really cleaning your dishes. When I started being more picky about using green products, I started using Seventh Heaven dish soap. I like that too. I have tried some that don't have any foam soap at all. I just don't like to wash dishes without foamy soap. Over the Holidays, I purchased two seasonal dish soaps. I absolutely love them. They both smell fantastic. I really like the Spiced Chestnut one a lot though.

Blue Apron Box

I have been wanting to try one of the food delivery services for a while now. I decided to try Blue Apron this week. It was delivered today. I made Chicken Supreme and Broccolini tonight. It was really good. We weren't quite sure about the sauce though. We could have done without that. I look forward to making two more meals this week. Next week I am going to try Plated. I may then continue this once every month or two, as a special treat.

Journals

I have kept a journal since I was a teenager. I have tried to pass on my love of journals to the boys. They write something everyday in their daily journal. It is usually just one thought. Then, they also keep art journals. I love to look at what they do and have done.

Carrom Board

When I was growing up, we had a Carrom Board. I loved that game. We played it a lot. I don't know what ever happened to that game, but I wish we still had it. I would love for the boys to play it.

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Lunch with mom

Over a year ago, the boys and I started going out to lunch with my mom about once a month. We started doing this because we had left the church they went to, and we no longer saw her. The lunches were our way of connecting every month. This past September was the last time that we went to lunch because of my dad being sick. Today we went out again for the first time since my dad got sick. We decided to go to Red Robin this time. The boys split a burger, fries, and a shake, and Mom and I got half a salad. It was yummy!

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Dry Skin

I have dry skin. In the winter months, my skin really gets dry. I have to keep lotion on my face and hands at all times. Two of my favorites are Julep's Pink Grapefruit Body Frosting and Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil. I use the grapefruit body frosting on my hands and body, and I use the Seaberry face oil on my face at night before bed.

Steak, Potatoes, and Fondue

Thankfully the Chef was in the house last night. We had one of our favorite meals...steak, potatoes, and fondue. It was delicious. Michael got this recipe from a good friend of ours, when he went to his wedding in Texas 21 years ago.

Organization

Yesterday was spent helping Mom clean out Dad's clothing, clean out and organize the study, and clean out and organize Barry's room. It was a lot of work. But, we really got a lot done.

The day started out with "dumpster diving" (actually we were just getting boxes to use at Mom's house).

We then headed to Mom's house to get busy. It took me about 4 hours to complete everything. I was really happy with what we got accomplished.

Here is a photo of Mom's new fireplace. I think it really looks good in the space.