Hello dear readers! I hope this little newsletter finds you happy, healthy, with sun on your face, and a positive mindset! It’s asparagus season, some days the sun feels warm, and it’s been a good month over here! I am looking forward to warmer months to come, cooking outside, and longer walks with Remi.
Food!
Here is a recipe that requires little pre-planning, comes together very fast, and is super adaptable: Garbage Stir Fry with Curried Cabbage. If you can get past the name, this is more of a clean out the fridge type recipe. I make this using Impossible grounds, any quick cooking veg will work, and you can use any seasoning blends you might have on hand or love! I usually do add more seasonings, make some brown rice in the instant pot and top my bowl with sriracha.
Made some Refried Beans and rolled up some freezer burritos! I used Rio Zape beans and they turned out delicious!!!
I made these Marinated Portobello Mushroom Burgers for dinner and I could not stop saying “wow this is so good!” We are going to eat these often through summer!! I made a sriracha mayo instead of the pesto sauce here, and topped them with shredded pepperjack, a thick slice of tomato, a good bit of arugula, and brioche buns. I will try the pesto mayo or something similar next time. Felt so fancy but it came together so fast and was very impressive, if I say so myself! If you come to my house for dinner anytime in the next 6 months, you might be served some version of this!!
Feeling in a bit of a cooking slump right now, do you have any magical recipes, time savers, or tips to share??
Books/TV/Movies!
https://bookshop.org/shop/michelleflook Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
All That You Leave Behind by Erin Lee Carr is the best book I consumed in March. The audiobook is read by the author. I was not familiar with David Carr or his work prior to diving into this memoir by his daughter, but I found myself wanting to look him up and read his memoir!
We have been watching The Last of Us on HBO, I wanted to wait until the end of the season to comment here. This show is based on a video game and we weren’t sure if we wanted to commit to watching this show, as the game is super violent and we already knew the ending of the first game, but we decided to give it a shot. This show is so well made, and infused the characters (even side characters) with a lot of humanity and I am very glad we watched it, even though almost every episode was so stressful. We knew what was coming in the end of the season finale, but it was still upsetting and hard to watch. Did you watch The Last of Us? Let me know your thoughts!!!
Shrinking on Apple TV+ is wonderful! If you like Ted Lasso, you will like this. Matthew and I both liked Shrinking MORE than Ted Lasso! I already can’t wait for Season 2.
Went to see Cocaine Bear in the theater and it was wonderful. So silly and funny and ridiculous and the perfect length.
Projects!
Making steady progress on my Star Pop Quilt. I took the time to trim each HST (half square triangle) to precise measurements before sewing, which I don’t normally do, which leads to imperfections that I generally don’t mind, but decided to take my time with this one and get it as perfect as I can.
blocks coming together!
Just realized looking at those blocks, that the one on the right is WRONG! Hello, seam ripper, my old frenemy! :(
Miscellaneous!
Had a very fun trip to Palm Springs adjacent Indio, California with a big group of fabulous ladies. This has become an annual tradition that I very much look forward to! We had a spa day, we had a private chef cook us dinner, we all wore wigs to this dinner and laughed a lot, we swam, we relaxed, we visited Robo Lights (which was extremely cool), we went to a drag brunch, many espresso martinis, gin & tonics, and wine was consumed, etc. Such a great time!
March 17 marks one year since I received my Breast Cancer diagnosis. Hard to believe a whole year has passed since that super scary phone call. Here’s a hair update: I got a haircut so it looks like a purposeful style choice and not just hair regrowth. My hair is growing in curly and it’s in a good phase at the moment!
At the very end of March I started a new job! I am still with Umpqua Bank but my new role is as the Compliance Program Officer. I am diving right in, learning a lot, and continuing to grow my skillset.
Remi!
Cutie pie loves bedtime!
Goodbye, until next month!
xoM