I’ve embraced smoothies and I feel better for it. Really. It’s not a hardship to sip on a delicious and nutritious breakfast while getting in my veggies and fruit first thing every day. I’ve never been a big breakfast eater, so adopting smoothies has fit in well with my lifestyle. Plus, they’re so convenient working from home or drinking in the car when commuting to work or running errands.
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This post celebrates my first year as a personal blogger. It’s been a learning experience and something I’ve dreamed of doing for more than a decade. While I’m still getting my feet wet, I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished so far in my first 40 posts marking my blog’s anniversary. It started with plotting out my goals in 2022 while self-quarantining from COVID-19. During my isolation period, I carefully set my goals in writing using my brand-new Commit30 planner. I jotted down “write more,” and there you here you have it. This was the impetus to bring Literally Laurie to life.
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St. Maarten/St. Martin is my happy place that checks off many of my happiness goals! In this post, I will be sharing some of my favorite places and things to do on this two-nation island for a family vacation. This Caribbean destination has a unique following of devout visitors who consider the island their home away from home, returning year after year. While renting a car may not be necessary depending on where you stay, to get the best experience especially for your first trip, plan to rent a car for at least a few days to freely explore the island.
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This is an easy, go-to sheet pan dinner I cook often during winter when the grill isn’t as accessible. Because the chicken sausage is precooked, I can get this meal on the table fast. I almost always have these ingredients on hand; and if I don’t, I can easily swap out the veggies with something else in my fridge.
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I’ve been making sheet pan dinners decades before this method became the rage on Pinterest. When we built our house, I insisted we needed two ovens and it was the best decision. Sheet pan dinners are my go-to during the week, especially during the winter, and there’s always something on hand that will make a tasty, quick meal. Plus, I don’t have to babysit the cooking process. I just need to check on the progress and give the sheet pan ingredients a quick stir a few times while it roasts.
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I’m long overdue for another room reveal and I’ve been saving the last room on my main floor for the holiday season. I love how festive it is especially when the room is filled with family and friends to celebrate happy occasions. When we did our full interior paint refresh, this was one room that remained in the same color family. It got a new fresh coat of color in a slightly different shade using Benjamin Moore’s Caliente. The color is described as “a charismatic, classic shade of red that is radiant and full of energy.” Sounds just about right for an engaging dining experience, right?!
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I’ve updated this post from last January after making two large batches of dry rub for holiday gifts. I’ve been making my original all-purpose dry rub for a few decades and added in a coffee barbecue recipe about four years ago. While I love cooking, most of the time I’m a quick cook; especially during the week, when I’m trying to get dinner out without too much muss and fuss. With that said, one of my timesavers is turning to my homemade rubs I use several times each week to season my suppers.
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The North End in Boston, MA is always a favorite destination to wander around and absorb all the Italian neighborhood has to offer. Fortunately for me, it’s only a 75-minute-drive away! I especially like to arrive in midafternoon and stay through evening to witness the sights, sounds and local flavors as daylight transforms Boston’s oldest residential community to darkness.
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When it comes to growing flowers, I wouldn’t say I have a green thumb because not everything I attempt to grow turns out as expected. Instead, I’d say I’m tenacious and patient. Determined to have color in my flower beds throughout the summer, I’m willing to try new plants, move them around and give them a chance if first they don’t succeed. In fact, I always use brown mulch as it helps hide the evidence of moving things around throughout the season.
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An easy, affordable and fun kids’ activity that will keep them engaged is planning a cupcake-decorating project. It’s great for a kids’ party or even family time. So, when the temps soared into the 90s at a family party we hosted, I knew the little ones would welcome a project and air conditioning break. My grandkids and I are no strangers to decorating cupcakes with me. I started making kits during the early days of the pandemic when socializing was limited to our family bubble. Our first one was an Independence Day theme; I still cherish those memories and photos.
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Getting away for summer weekends is always on top of my to-do list. Thanks to friends who shared their charming vacation condo in Killington, VT with us, we had the opportunity to unwind over the July 4th long weekend. It turned out even better than expected. Why? There was so much to do and relax and recharge with no hassle. No crowds, traffic or long waits.
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If you’ve been reading my blog, you know that I’m enamored in trying new smoothie variations. Lately, it’s all about the color. While my first smoothie post with a banana, blueberry and kale concoction was totally delish, it certainly wasn’t very pretty. However, anyone who experiments with smoothies knows that color is the eye of the beholder. Even funky-colored smoothies can be quite palatable! My second smoothie post featured a glorious and tasty red sipper, thanks to adding in a small fresh beet.
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How I wish we could bottle up this time of the year as we approach Memorial Day and the unofficial start of summer. As a New Englander, you have to admit it’s one of the best times of the year as we get ready for the warm-season groove. Why not? The days are longer and warmer as we march into summer solstice. And where I live in Massachusetts, all the trees are finally in full bloom. It seems like overnight the world turned lush and green. Memorial Day marks a date on my calendar where I strive to check outdoor work off my list. I wonder … Is this true for others? Is it your personal prerequisite to have certain pre-summer preparations underway before Memorial Day to start your summer off on the right foot?
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As a stepmother, I can say without hesitation that I feel blessed. I am happy, love my life and wouldn’t change anything with my relationships with my husband, stepchildren and grandkids.
But I have to say, I’ve learned to grow into this role and find my place. And I know as much as I had to figure this out, my stepdaughters did too. Especially in the early years. It’s not our fault. It’s just how it how goes. Through mutual respect, love and our commitment to each other, we’ve found our way, and it works.
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Vacations have a way to provide perspective about your life and how you spend your time. My recent getaway on the island of St. Maarten/St. Martin gave me the pleasure to check off to-dos under my 2022 goals. Most significantly, I consider myself fortunate to cross off items under the Pure Joy/Fun and Adventure/Travel categories in my Commit30 planner. Allow me to elaborate briefly on three goals in this pictorial post.
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