Fabulous Friday

Happy Friday evening everyone!

How is everyone doing on the incredible Fabulous Friday evening. Did you have a good day? I hope so. Shoot me a text or drop me a comment, I always love hearing from all my friends.

Today was a good day for me. I stayed home nearly all day. Same routine. Got up around 7, had a nice cup of coffee, made John and I some oatmeal, then I remembered something I promised him yesterday. Banana bread.

John was so cute yesterday. I was laying on the couch, and he brought over a couple of bananas and asked me, “do you think these are still good to eat?” I told him they looked pretty ripe to me. I wouldn’t eat them because I don’t like overly ripe bananas. Then John said in the sweetest tone, “they’d make some really yummy banana bread, don’t you think?”

I asked him if he’d like me to bake him some banana bread. His eyes lit up and he got all smiley and giddy, “yes please.”

Well, I didn’t get to make it last night. I just couldn’t function enough to make it, so, after our oatmeal this morning, I dove right into making my John his banana bread. Guess what, I didn’t just make banana bread, I made cinnamon swirl banana bread.

Guys, let me tell you, it felt amazing to be working in my kitchen, my very own kitchen. Thanks to my nieces who put my kitchen together for me, I knew exactly where everything was. I even used my Kitchen Aid. Gosh I sure have missed using my Kitchen Aid and baking.

I had the best time making bread. It’s super easy when you mix everything together in one bowl.

Below are a few photos of the amazing banana bread I made. I used my mini loaf pan, so I was able to make 4 loafs.

Fresh out of the oven with a couple dabs of butter. Sliced up and ready for John to sink his teeth into. According to John, the bread was delicious.

I think my favorite part of baking this morning was, my entire home smelled like a bakery.

Of course, baking bread, though the entire process was quite simple, it did wear me out, so all cuddled up in my Cuddle Duds, I took to the balcony and there I sat for a long while. I did take a loaf to a friend of mine. She’s a fellow Jeep-er, so I was excited to show off my new Jeep to her and her amazing honey. My Jeep is Jan approved.

Tonight, I threw together some pasta alfredo. Of course I bought the Bertolli 4 cheese alfredo sauce, but I wanted to spice it up, or should I say, jazz it up. So, I melted a little butter, added some minced garlic and boy oh boy, did my kitchen smell like an Italian restaurant. I added the jar of sauce to my sautéed garlic. I added a couple teaspoons of red pepper flakes, a little black pepper and let is simmer for about 15 minutes. Once the noodles were done, we had a quick and easy yet filling hot dinner. From start to finish, I think the entire meal took me all of 20 minutes. We added a little bit of cheddar cheese on top and there you have it, a hot meal, something we could only accomplish by way of an Insta Pot.

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love my Insta Pot, but it does get a little old when that’s the only way you can cook.

Every day when I come downstairs to my new, amazing kitchen, I thank God for this blessing. I tell Him, please help me always feel this appreciation for having a kitchen, because for so long I didn’t have one. I feel so blessed when I’m in my kitchen, when I’m in my home. I never thought I’d own a home again and here we are, homeowners and boy does it feel like the biggest blessing.

I don’t think a day has gone by since we closed escrow back on 12-30-2025 that John hasn’t gotten up and thanked God for our home. Not a day’s gone by that John hasn’t said multiple times throughout the day, “I love our home.”

I think one of the greatest things for me is seeing how giddy and happy John is here in our home. At the end of his workday, he’ll go out onto our balcony and just sit in his chair and stare out at the mountains and lake. I can’t imagine that view will ever get old in John’s eyes. Mine either. I believe with my whole heart this is our forever home. It’s plenty big for us.

I do have dreams of adding my all-seasons room, but if we never do, that’s okay too, our home is simply wonderful. I love that we haven’t hung a single thing on any wall in our home. Sitting in each room allows me to feel what might look good. I’m so happy John and I took the advice of family and friends regarding holding off on making any big changes to the house and not putting anything up on walls until we’ve lived in the house for at least 6 months. Of course, there may be an exception or two, but John and I both agree, it sure is nice taking things nice and slow. Perhaps that’s why my recovery from surgery is taking longer than what I’m used to.

My surgery and recovery is allowing me time to rest, at least more than I’m accustomed to and that’s okay. Like John, Jan and other loved ones tell me, “Everything will be there waiting for you to finish once you’re up and around and feeling like your old self. Your health is the most important thing right now.” Yup, it’s gonna take some time, however, in the meantime, I’ll enjoy my daydreams and visions.

Our move alone has allowed me to dream, and it’s brought back my desire to be creative. I mean can you imagine how incredible my backyard will be if I can pull off my Jungle Book/Wizard of Oz backyard. My yellow brick road, monkeys in the trees (fake ones), a couple of giraffes’ and perhaps an elephant or two. The vision is never ending for what I hope to create and I’m sure I’ll change my mind again and again as each day brings about a new idea for what our forever home might end up looking like.

I hope all of you enjoy the daydreams as much as I do. Never give up on your dreams.

Keep dreaming my friends, never stop. I hope as you lay your heads on your pillows, I hope and pray that you drift off into a slumber where you are dancing in the rain. Where you are laughing and making memories with family and friends. I hope you wake up rested and ready to tackle a superlative Saturday.

My sleeping meds are kicking in now. Pain is fading and I’m ready to say goodnight. Thank you everyone for stopping by and taking time to read the blog.

Please don’t forget, Love Life++ Hugs.