Hi friends, welcome to What’s Up Wednesday! It’s that time again to share a few highlights from August. Thanks so much for stopping by—I always appreciate you being here.
WHAT WE’RE EATING THIS WEEK
Monday – Chilli con carne with rice. To jazz things up a bit, I added some turmeric to the rice to make it yellow. It doesn’t change the flavour, but it makes the dish more colourful
Tuesday – We went to Allawah Pub for dinner with friends. I had the chicken schnitzel with chips, salad and gravy, but after seeing my friend’s chicken and leek pie, I knew I should have ordered that instead. I had major pie envy!
Wednesday – Roast chicken with mash and vegetables
Thursday – Spaghetti bolognese.
Friday – Roast beef
Saturday – leftovers
My husband convinced me to let him cook today (and for the rest of the week!). I’m not sure why I’ve never taken him up on his offer — he’s really helpful around the house and actually enjoys being in the kitchen. Part of me loves zoning out while I cook, but another part of me is starting to think… why not let him take over more often?
He’s cut back on his work hours and could even look at retiring, but after watching the Netflix documentary The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner, we both decided we’d like to keep working. I’m happy doing full-time, and he’s happy to scale back, and it’s working really well. We get to spend more time together.
That said, it has definitely shaken up my little evening routine, where I used to be home alone with my own schedule that included cooking. I’m enjoying having him around more, but it’s a change — and even good change takes me a little while to get used to. Do you get what I mean?
Anyway, my weekly meal planning turned into a bit of a therapy session — thanks for letting me get that off my chest! 😅 In a nutshell… I think I might have a few control issues — yikes!
WHAT I’M REMINISCING ABOUT
To be honest… I can’t think of anything.
WHAT I’M LOVING
I’ve spotted some flowers blooming in my garden and in other people’s gardens on my walks to and from work. After what feels like an eternal winter, I’m so happy to see evidence of spring starting to peek through!
WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO
The highlights in August have been Cousin Connect.
We celebrated Steve’s birthday with a lunch at home, just the four of us.
Then, on his actual birthday, we had breakfast at The Boat Shed and walked around exploring La Perouse–such a lovely spot!
We had lunch at The Opera Bar last weekend.
Those were the fun moments, and then for the rest of the month, it was just the usual work routine.
WHAT I’M DREADING
Tomorrow I’m leading an evacuation drill at work. This time, it’s a bigger scenario, and we have to evacuate to the local park. Hmph, just thinking about it stresses me out! First of all, this group of children are very lively, so rounding them up will be ‘fun.’ Then it’s roll call, grabbing all the necessary things (medication, etc.), getting them onto the walking rope, we’ll be using the walking rope with loop handles (sometimes called doughnut rings) and crossing a busy road.
We practised a drill on Tuesday that was led by another educator, and I made the mistake of directing one of the boys to “hold on to the doughnut.” So he started chewing on it: “But Miss Ruth, you said it was a doughnut!” Lord, give me strength!
WHAT I’M WATCHING
The Gilded Age– it’s so good and reminds me a little of Downton Abbey, which I loved so much. I also finished watching Friends Like Her, a series from New Zealand. I’d never watched a show from New Zealand before, and I enjoyed it so much — lots of drama, but not the stressful kind I can’t handle at the moment, just entertaining drama.
Then on Sunday night, we started watching Hostage. We’ve only got two episodes left, and I’m wondering if it’s a limited series or not. We’re really into it and can’t wait to see how it ends!
WHAT I’M LISTENING TO
This is part of my Music & Movement Spotify playlist.
Most of these songs are new to me (except A Ram Sam Sam), and I’ve been practising the actions so I can get them right before introducing them to the preschool kids.
WHAT I’M WEARING
Still in winter clothes, BUT the good news is I’m down one layer this week. Spring is coming!
WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND
Coffee and Portuguese tarts on Saturday morning. Then I’m catching up with some friends I haven’t seen in ages in the afternoon. Sunday looks like it’ll be a stay-at-home day.
WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH
Spring! Hooray for spring!
And that’s a wrap on August! I can’t believe how fast time is flying by. I have to admit, my favourite months are coming, and I’m so excited! From September onwards, it’s spring, the fun festivities are on the way, and everything just feels brighter and more upbeat. I hope you all had a great August, and here’s hoping September is good to all of us!
Linking up with Shay
Hope the evacuation drill goes ok, it does sound stressful! I will think of you when I’m working at preschool today – first day back after the summer for me!
You may have inspired me to pick up some Portuguese tarts this weekend! I love them and there are lots of legit places to get them in Toronto.
I know how you feel about the kitchen. Many mornings I am in the kitchen by myself and I think ‘wouldn’t it be nice if others were up to keep me company’ and then when they are there, I’m like ‘get out of my way!!”. Haha.
That kid munching on the rope! Sounds like my son, so literal!
Weirdly I don’t remember doing evacuation/fire drills with the daycare but I definitely remember having many of them as an elementary school teacher. The worst were the days I was a substitute and had no idea where I was “leading” the kids or what to grab on my way out the door. Luckily the kids always seemed to know and they helped me take attendance once we got outside too– reminding me who was off getting extra reading or math help when my numbers seemed like they were off.
One time I was teaching preschool at our local elementary school and we started smelling this awful burning rubber smell. The rooms above ours started complaining too so, since it was winter, it was announced and decided that we were going to evacuate the whole building (the elementary/middle/ high schools were all in one so grades prek through 12) and everyone needed winter coats and hats since they had no idea how long we were going to be outside. We were eventually shuttled onto school buses and then into the high school gym once it was declare safe for them to return to class. Long story short it was the fridge in the room I was subbing in that was the problem so everyone else go to go back to class. They put us in an “extra” room for the day— here I am subbing in preschool with only the toys/supplies the co-teacher and I could grab and carry for a whole afternoon. Ah… the memories! LOL.
I added turmeric to some rice last week and my family were questioning me, thinking it was something totally different. lol Yum to the roast beef and chicken! Enjoy your time off from cooking! That is great he’s cut back on his hours, I am sure you’ll get used to having him around more soon.
I hope the evacuation drill at work went well. It sounds like it could be chaotic!
I watched Hostage over 2 days. lol It was so good!! It is just the 5 episodes.
I hope that the evacuation drill goes well!
I’m happy for you that you’re getting spring, & while I’m super excited that we’re getting fall, I’m dreading the impending winter ha.