1. When I was up at my parents lake home, my mom showed me some papers she found when she was cleaning out a desk. One thing she found was a collection of questions that must have been for a Mother's Day project. There wasn't a date on it, but I am going to guess I did this around 4th or 5th grade. This answer about gift giving really struck me!
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Those who know me well know that gifts are NOT my thing (gifts is the dead last love language for both Phil and me). I guess I was a little surprised to read that gifts were not my love language/something I was super interested in from a young age. Don't get me wrong - I loved receiving gifts as a child! Christmas was such an exciting time with the piles of presents under the tree and I have great memories of my dad going to work later on the morning of my birthday so he could be there with my mom in the morning to greet me, sing happy birthday, and give me my gifts. But clearly from a young age I favored non-material gifts. I wonder how Paul will turn out? I'm guessing as he gets older, gifts won't be his thing either since both parents aren't big into gifts.
2. My garden has been growing like crazy lately thanks to the heat we've had! I planted fewer vegetables this year but what I planted has done very well. This was my garden haul from Tuesday. Sooo many cucumbers!
I used 4 of the cucumbers to make "creamy cucumbers" which is a dish my mom made lots when I was growing up. The dressing is made from mayo, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. Phil and Paul won't eat this so I will work through this over the next several days! I know it doesn't look super appetizing but trust me, it's so good and screams summer to me!
3. How funny is this picture of Paul sleeping from Monday night? He looks like he's practicing for a future role as Joseph in the Christmas story. Ha. I tried to take it off his head because he looked pretty hot but he was so wrapped up in it that I figured I would wake him if I tried to get it off so I just ave up and let him be. Every night before I go to bed, I go in and check on him and about half the time I end up taking a picture of him. There is just nothing sweeter than a sleeping child. Paul's at a stage where he can really, really try our patience as he's in the boundary-testing phase of toddlerhood. But then I go in and look at him sleeping and think, "he's such a little angel!"
What are 3 thoughts on your mind today?
I totally have cucumber envy! I have tried growing them a few times and I always get a few but they are definitely not as big as yours are! I covet them! I am curious about your creamy cucumbers; is it like cole slaw? I can't tell how you have sliced them. My mother used to always put sliced cucumber in (apple cider?) vinegar and we would have that as a side to our dinner in the summer.
ReplyDeleteI wonder why Paul would wrap the blanket on his head. Or maybe he just twisted around a lot? That seems a weird place for a blanket to be! Kids are funny; one time we could not find my friends kid and everyone was freaking out and we finally ended up finding him fast asleep in the crevice between the headboard of the bed and the wall! WHY/HOW did he get there? I don't know. And how could he sleep like that?
Three things on my mind are mostly weather related -- The fires: the smoke seems to be getting less powerful, which is good news but the fires are still so devastating! The hurricane: I can't believe after all of this COVID, we are now dealing with natural disasters. Chalk this year up as one for the books, eh? The coming month: I am planning a road trip / camping in the woods trip and am looking forward to it. It's definitely not Europe or Nepal (my vacations this year) but it will be fun to spend some time in my local mountains (weather permitting!)
I do NOT like cucumbers!!! Or mayo or vinegar! Hahahaha! So I would firmly side with Phil and Paul on this one. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm just trying to catch up on life here (and blog reading!). And, um, work too. ;) I think my tomatoes in my garden are finally here- I planted later than you- so I need to get out there this afternoon and pick a bunch of stuff! I watered it quick last night but after being gone for over a week, I have quite the harvest waiting! (my SIL watered it for us, but I forgot to tell her to help herself to some treats!)
My three things are working, packing, and moving! How in the world did I luck out and end up moving during a hot spell. I am praying that the storm coming this evening bring with it cool weather. The movers come tomorrow to move me into my first house and I don't want to die of heat tomorrow in the process.
ReplyDeleteI will have to side to Phil and Paul on the cucumber dish too because the only way I eat cucumbers is as pickles!
Hope you have an incredible weekend!
I love a good cucumber salad! Actually I just love cucumbers in general, so I'm salivating over your haul. Good job with the garden!
ReplyDeleteI grew up eating cucumber salad but my mom always made the vinegar based one and thats how i prefer it but I do like the creamy one too! I have to agree with you--it screams summer!!!
ReplyDeleteMy 3 thoughts:
1. How is fall nearly here?!
2. My baby starts (online) K next week.
3. What is even happening with the RNC
Okay, I am so intrigued by this creamy cucumber dressing. I *love* cucumbers. How do you use the dressing? Do you eat it as-is or as a base for veggies, salad, etc? I am curious!
ReplyDeleteI love the paper your mom found from your childhood! You are not gifts-motivated in the LEAST, hahaha. It's crazy to me that you felt that way from such a young age, too! My nephews are soooo gifts-motivated (and so were my brother and I as children) but maybe it was the environment we grew up in? I wonder how Paul will feel about gifts! But since you guys don't place a huge emphasis on them, I feel like he will grow up not as concerned about them, too.
We make "creamy cucumber salad" at my house, too... my Mom's dressing recipe is with oil, vinegar, cream (or half and half), pepper, salt and dill. It sounds pretty similar to what you're making.
ReplyDeleteI love your early giving comment to your mom. You were a sweet kid then, too!
ReplyDeleteAnd oh, I remember my gran making creamy cucumbers. They were a favorite.
The three things on my mind today are: When and where will Rick reroute his bike trip (probably tomorrow is the when); why did Lizzie hiss at me today when I was just holding her and I actually had fun painting something from life today and usually it stresses me out!
I have the same trait as you in not being a gift giver. The topic of gifts after creates stress in me, especially when there are people in our life that are HUGE gift-givers. Ryan's sister constantly sends us gifts for everything and instead of feeling appreciative, my initial reaction is actually stressing b/c I'm never a person who does that? And It doesn't mean I don't care about a person - I am just not into buying stuff. I don't hardly buy things for us, so it would be very rare for me to buy for others!
ReplyDeleteThat's a really sweet little except Mom found.
Your cucumbers look amazing. We didn't get any this year b/c it was just too hot :( They do not do well in 110-degree heat. I love that cucumber salad! I also have one where you take sesame oil, soy sauce, lime, and it's an Asian cucumber salad. So refreshing.
That sleeping photo of Paul is adorble.
Your cucumbers did well! We got 1 big one, and 1 baby one and that's it. I totally remember eating creamy cucumbers as a kid - yummm! I like making raita with cucumbers, but I forgot about creamy cucumbers.
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