mint watermelon iced tea

May 29, 2018

Don’t you love the new item section at Trader Joe’s? It is always so fun to see the latest products offered for sale and there are always some great ones! (How about that cauliflower gnocchi?!)

One of the newest products I picked up on a recent visit was the mint watermelon tea. I planned to make up some iced tea for Memorial Day weekend and was immediately drawn to the ‘watermelon’ part of the tea description – even though the ‘mint’ part was mentioned first.

When I made up a batch of the tea, I found the mint flavor was definitely way more pronounced than the watermelon flavor. But, after a little adjustment, I got the subtle watermelon flavor I was after!

I brewed up 2 ½ quarts of tea, using 10 tea sachets. After steeping and cooling the tea, I added some watermelon puree to it before pouring it into a pitcher. To make the puree, I just cut up some fresh, seedless watermelon and liquified it in the blender. (I cut the watermelon into small cubes and used 3 cups worth in the blender.)

If you love mint, you will probably like this tea without the adjustment. I don’t use sweetener in my tea, but you may want to add some if you like some sweetness to your tea.

I hope you enjoyed a wonderful holiday weekend! Here’s to a short work week!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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let’s not be so hard on ourselves!

May 25, 2018

I feel like the sun knew my work schedule this week and only made an appearance when I was required to be indoors!

Don’t worry, I’m not going take you to any of my places of work for today’s Friday field trip!

Actually, I am just leaving you with something to think about. I read an article a couple days ago in the New York Times titled: Why You Should Stop Being So Hard on Yourself by Charlotte Lieberman.

It talked about how self-criticism can take a toll on our minds and bodies and have measurably destructive effects. It struck a nerve with me as I bet it did with a lot of women. I think most of us are just so darn hard on ourselves!

Pull up the article if you’d like to read more about how we got that way, but I was more interested in what the article had to say about how we can correct it!

The answer is self-compassion – the practice of being kind and understanding to ourselves when confronted with a personal flaw or failure.

At the suggestion of the article, I am making a conscious effort to take a breath after making a mistake, rather than berating myself over it.

And, most importantly, trying really hard to practice what it feels like to treat myself as I would treat a friend.

Have a fabulous holiday weekend!

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Lieberman, C. (2018, May 22). Why you should stop being so hard on yourself. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com

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garden mulch alternative

May 22, 2018

Usually my gardens are in order by Mother’s Day. And, Mother’s Day has always been my goal date to finish planting annuals and have all the mulch down. This year, the crazy weather caused me to be way behind on my garden schedule. My only little scraps of time to do yard work were during heavy rains or tornado conditions! (Yes, tornadoes! Area schools have been out for 4 days due to the damage caused by tornado touchdowns in Connecticut!) This year, I actually visited the nursery and purchased my annuals in the powering rain, holding an umbrella!

The smallest little garden in my yard is located by my back door. Because I see it every time I enter or leave the house, I have always tried to do something a little different in that one patch. In many past years, I have used cocoa hull mulch in that back door garden, because I loved the chocolate smell every time I passed! Now, it is impossible to find the cocoa mulch – garden centers tell me they stopped carrying it because it attracted animals. I thought about using beach stones as an alternate mulch. I am already using beach stones in other gardens and I thought it might add a nice continuity – maybe adding some beach grasses to that garden to give it an added coastal vibe.

So, when I saw oyster shells used as mulch at this year’s flower show in Philadelphia, I thought it might be just the interesting substitute for cocoa mulch that I was looking for! Besides the fact that people don’t collect oyster shells, we also have a city nearby that boasts 12,000 acres of oyster farms – getting the shells won’t be a problem!

What do you think? Good idea? I love the irregular shape and interesting texture!

Note: Because oyster shells break down faster than a sturdier shell, like a clam, they may need to be replaced frequently. So, if you are considering using oyster shells in your own garden, be sure to consider this.

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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olympic training center, colorado

May 18, 2018

Do you know what one thing in Colorado Springs exists in only three places in the United States? The United States Olympic Training Center (OTC)!

(The other two campuses are in Lake Placid, New York and Chula Vista, California.)

I was thrilled to have the opportunity to tour the Colorado Springs campus with a fun group of people while in Colorado – the first of the three to be built and also the home of the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Some athletes preparing for the Olympics, Paralympics, and Pan American Games live at the OTCs for a period of months or years, while others visit periodically with their respective national teams for training camps, coaching, or physical testing. (Although foreign national teams are occasionally granted use of the US OTCs, they are used mainly by athletes from the United States.)

The best part of the tour? It was given by athletes! Our group was treated to conversation with paralympic gold medalist, 2-time world champion in the paratriathlon, Allysa Seely and U.S. skeleton athlete, Stephen Garbett.

Since Colorado Springs is situated near the base of Pikes Peak (at the eastern edge of the southern Rocky Mountains), the view of one of the most famous American mountains is visible from most parts of the OTC.

The high elevation of the OTC (located on the former Ent Air Force Base) is thought to improve training effectiveness. Its facilities include a swimming pool, an indoor shooting range, the Olympic Training Center Velodrome, two sports centers housing numerous gymnasiums and weight room, and a sport science laboratory, in addition to an athlete center and dining hall, several dormitories, a visitors’ center, and the offices of both the USCO and U.S. Paralympics.

Even when Pikes Peak is not in view, there are awesome mountain views from most angles. I was particularly impressed by the magnificent mountain view from the 2^nd floor indoor track in one of the sport center buildings – what a view to enjoy while running!

I highly recommend an Olympic Training Center tour if you ever find yourself near one of the locations – it is an inspiring experience, for sure!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a fabulous weekend!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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beauty in simplicity

May 15, 2018

A big garden isn’t needed to enjoy the outdoors in your home.

Pick a single flower or a single leaf or grab a sprig from shrub clippings. Even the bad boys in the yard (enter dandelions in seed), can evoke a positive mood – creating the sense of fulfilled wishes or dreams yet to be – when displayed as a single bloom in a container!

If you don’t have a yard, just take a walk through the woods or a public park…heck, you can find a beautiful wildflower on the side of the throughway!

Then, display your little piece of the outdoors in a container. No fancy or expensive vase is needed! Just look in your recycling bin or in your cupboards for some great ideas! Any small vessel will do! Examples include: a tiny espresso cup, a teacup, a small milk pitcher, or a glass liquor ‘nip’ bottle or other small discarded bottle.

Just display this little piece of beauty in any room – in any little scrap of space where you will glance over at it and smile!

The beauty and simplicity of a single flower or leaf is an instant mood lifter and is a great way to display the awesomeness of nature in your home.

I hope I have inspired you to display little pieces of nature in your home!

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

The containers in the order they appear: sea urchin vase from Christmas Tree Shop ($1.99), discarded coconut vodka ‘nip’ bottle, 5 bud vase from Marshall’s ($2.99 in clearance aisle), teacup (a gift), discarded coconut vodka ‘nip’ bottle, found glass bottle, my creamer, sea urchin vase from Christmas Tree Shop.

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rockin’ garden of the gods

May 11, 2018

A public park located in Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods was my favorite visited spot on my first trip to Colorado.

Not only was I able to enjoy a morning hike with a great group of people, but I was able to enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty of this park.

Visitors are not limited to hiking through the park – horseback riding is also an option.

And, for the most adventurous, Garden of the Gods can be viewed from a higher vantage point – while rock climbing!

During most of my hike, the snow-capped Pikes Peak was visible in the distance.

My favorite view was when its beauty was framed perfectly through a rock formation.

Four-hundred eighty acres making up the park was gifted to the city of Colorado Springs back in 1909 and was designated to “remain free to the public, where no intoxicating liquors shall be manufactured, sold, or dispensed, where no building or structure shall be erected except those necessary to properly care for, protect, and maintain the area as a public park.”

Are you wondering how all this beauty was created? The Garden of the Gods’ red rock formations were created during a geological upheaval along a natural fault line millions of years ago.

I hope you enjoyed your visit to Garden of the Gods! Have a fabulous weekend!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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spring at the broadmoor, colorado springs

May 8, 2018

On a recent trip (my first!) to Colorado, I had the opportunity to visit an iconic Colorado Springs resort. The Broadmoor offers guests an incredible way to experience the unique beauty of the American West.

Many admire the ornate, European décor in this historic hotel (currently celebrating its centennial) as its standout feature, but, for me; the beauty of the hotel is truly in its surroundings. Today I am sharing the views through the trees – a few of my favorite spring views on the property surrounding the hotel. (You know I always find some kind of theme when appreciating a hotel stay!)

This unique hotel, located on 3,000 acres of property at the base of Cheyenne Mountain, is just 5 miles from downtown Colorado Springs and offers an amazing selection of accommodations, activities, and experiences.

The Broadmoor has remained one of the most recognizable and celebrated hotels in the world. Its distinctive blend of history, luxury and genuine hospitality has made The Broadmoor the longest-running consecutive winner of both the AAA Five-Diamond and Forbes Five-Star awards.

The Broadmoor is a wonderful hotel for people that enjoy keeping active! There is so much to do on the property! In addition, The Olympic Training Center, Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, and the Air Force Academy are just a few of the cool places to visit nearby.

If you have any interest in visiting Colorado, this is the place to stay! Especially this year – The Broadmoor is celebrating its Centennial and the year is filled with activities, specials and events.

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope you are having a fabulous start to your week! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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warmer days at terrain

May 4, 2018

Here in Connecticut, temperatures have skyrocketed and thoughts of snow are finally behind us! A flurry of garden related thoughts is running through my head! I can’t wait till Mother’s Day – my official planting day – to get some annuals into the ground!

For today’s Friday field trip, I thought I would share a little garden inspiration from my favorite garden store. Here are just a few captures from my last visit to Terrain in Westport.

Enjoy! Hopefully, while enjoying a good cup of coffee and sitting on an outdoor terrace or deck in the early morning light!

Have a fabulous weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

P.S. If you live close enough to the Westport store for a visit, there are some excited new things happening to check out!

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may book giveaway!

May 1, 2018

It’s May! I hope the weather gods got the memo on this because, here in Connecticut, we are in desperate need of some spring-like days! A new month means a new giveaway!

For May, the giveaway book is Pretty Happy: Healthy Ways to Love Your Body by Kate Hudson.

I am not a big fan of celebrity books, but this book just spoke to me! I think Kate has an amazing energy and self-confidence and these attributes are reflected in the pages of her book. A great mantra for health and happiness, Pretty Happy outlines the four pillars of health Kate has created to help guide her through an authentic life.

Reading about the way Kate honors her relationship with herself is sure to inspire and provide you with a few takeaways on how you can create your own authentic self.

Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of this book! The winner will be chosen at random at the end of the month. Good luck! :)

Congratulations to Ginny. She is the winner of the April giveaway, Honey by Angelo Proseperi-Porta. Thanks for the email Ginny! (Click here to read more on this title.)

Instagram users, please read on! For May, let’s share photos of flowers! I am so jazzed about starting flower garden preparation and I can’t wait for new blooms this month! Use hashtag #pleasuregram to share some favorite flower photos!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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