staycation

Buddha says: "An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea."

I've been on staycation. Not away...here...but on vacation...but we stayed home. Get it? A staycation.

Anyway. Remember the porch. Well, that took any vacation money there might have been. But...we don't do vacations anyway. In 28 years, not counting the honeymoon, we've gone away three times. So we kind of invented staycations. Now they're popular because of gasoline prices. The Wall Street Journal even wrote about staycations.

So...how do you do a staycation. I don't know. You stay home. I'll tell you how we did it and then you can adapt accordingly ...or not.

My husband took six days off from work (with weekends) for a total of ten days off. He sent all of us a schedule before the staycation actually started so we could get ready. Daughters worked and lived a regular schedule. Maybe they'll go on a vacation or a staycation later in the summer.
In the morning we were to get up a little later. Well, I make breakfast for younger daughter so I decided to get up and continue that tradition. So husband slept later, but I got up regular time. I had some nice quiet time to work on the Times puzzle before husband came down for breakfast. After breakfast we had limited time for chores. Then we learned to play a two handed bridge game called Bridgette. We've had the game for years and husband thought now was a good time to learn. Keeps our old brains active! Then I make lunch and we have afternoon "spa" hours. Husband has been thoroughly enjoying reading the pile of books he assigned himself and watching opera. I've used the time, as I promised myself, to work on finishing my novel (that I started seven years ago!!!) Almost done (almost 400 pages!)! After it's done then I have to figure out what to do with it. How does one get published?

I've been making and eating my salads for lunch every day. And, with the summer heat, sometimes for dinner too. I have to say here, salad for lunch AND dinner is way too much lettuce for me. After a two salad day I have to cook a meal! Tonight is franks and beans. And I'll make a little salad...in days gone by I would have bread and applesauce. But franks and beans and salad will be okay. Especially because I have strawberries for dessert!

Yesterday we had an unscheduled shopping day. Husband wanted to use some gift cards he got for his birthday. Books, CDs, DVDs, and a pair of CROCS. He's just discovered he likes CROCS. Who knew?

Last night we had a salad with chicken on it for our protein...among other delicious things. Younger daughter came home with some salad greens a co-worker had grown. That was a nice treat. I rinsed them and tossed them with some red leaf lettuce for the base of our salad. Very nice.

I've planted lettuce in my flower boxes this year. And it's already come up!












And I've planted my herbs. I do every year. Tarragon, chives, rosemary, thyme, lemon thyme (delicious in tomato sauce!), basil, parsley, dill (looking poorly). I've also planted tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, zucchini, and cucumbers.

I love my farmer's market...but they're only open on Saturday...and there's nothing like a tomato eaten warm from the garden!

Staycation's almost over. Then one day at the beach (gasoline is too high) and afternoon's and evenings on the PORCH!











Buddha say: " When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky."