Okay, it’s Sunday morning and I’m having a lazy one – as evidenced by brekky in bed. My husband makes the best omelettes.
I do, however, have all good intentions of spending at least some of today out in the sun getting my garden ready for spring…and yes, I realise it’s still the middle of winter, but it doesn’t feel like it. Anyways, without further ado, here’s the round-up.
One Tree
I’ve been linking up with Becky this month for her tree squares challenge where we post photos of trees, any trees, in square format.
While I’ve missed a couple of days, here are some of the trees so far. If you’re interested, you’ll find the posts here.
One thing I’ve done for my health
Moved more – and differently.
Regular readers know I begin every work day with 5kms at 5am on the beach path at Mooloolaba. Most days I take @adventurespaniel out for a stroll at lunchtime, but my after work walks have dropped off a tad and my step count has gone down as a result.
This week, thanks to my friend Sammie (https://www.theannoyedthyroid.comThe Annoyed Thyroid’s) recent quarantino chronicles ie Instagram stories, I found Get Fit With Rick on YouTube. And now I’m addicted. And my step count has gone up as a result.
I’ve also begun working out with a couple of friends via Zoom – as in “start” I mean I’ve done it once. It’s been such a long time since I did anything other than walk that I felt it the next day – but in a good way.
I also whipped up a batch of this Thai Red Curry Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Soup. No recipe – it all goes into the pot (with some onion and garlic and water) and is blitzed once the veg is soft. Super healthy and super spicy. That’s weekday lunches sorted for next week.
One book
In bookclub we’ve finished Jane Eyre so have moved onto the next in our Bronte adventures – The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. And because the cover has trees on it and this pic is in square format, it’s today’s entry into Becky’s #treesquare July challenge.
Before moving on though, we had one final bookclub meeting for Jane Eyre – our virtual baking class. At the end of each novel we get back together and bake something inspired by the novel – or the time and region in which it’s set. This time we chose fat rascals – a Yorkshire sweet bun that’s a cross between a rock cake and a scone. You can read all about it here.
One TV show
Midsomer Murders is back for season 22 on ABCTV and I couldn’t be more excited. Regular readers would know that one of the loftier of my life ambitions is to be an extra on the show. Aiming high indeed. #sadbuttrue
One thing I baked
Last week wasn’t great on the day job front for either of us and by Wednesday I’d hit a bit of a wall. It was, however, Bastille Day so I decided that some sort of celebration was in order and created a French dinner for us – albeit a relatively quick and easy one to prepare.
To start we had a savoury loaf that we first enjoyed when road-tripping through Champagne a couple of years ago. It’s pretty much a leftovers dish and one I’ll blog on BKD in a couple of weeks for #onmyplate. The best part of this one is the leftovers – which I had with some salad for lunch.
To follow we had mustard chicken – a dish we cooked in Dijon at a cooking class. Although in that class we used rabbit…
Anyways, it’s one of those dishes where you start it off on the stove and then the oven does the rest of the heavy lifting.
Despite being midweek and spur of the moment, our little impromptu celebration did help – although I’m not sure whether it was the food or the reminiscing that did the trick.
Okay, that was my week…how was yours?
And Anyways... 
Looks like you have done good. #weekendendcoffeeshare.
I love your entry for Becky’s Trees Squared challenge. Very creative!!
I was super excited to see that you will blog the recipe for your savoury loaf on #Whatsonyourplatebloggingchallenge. I’m impressed by this advanced planning!
I love everything about this post Jo especially the clever take on trees with our next bookclub cover!! I’m also enjoying my quick stepping sessions with Rick, thanks for sharing, takes me back a few years to aerobic classes!
The tree square photos are lovely. It sound like you’ve had a great week. Thank you for the coffee!
Thanks for dropping by Maria. Have a great week.
Thank you!
I really loved your book club idea. So fun! #Lifethisweek
It really is fun.
YouTube has some good workouts with certified fitness instructors. I’ve been using them throughout this pandemic. The blue colour in your first photo and all the tree photos are beautiful. Thank you for linking with #weekendcoffeeshare
Thanks Natalie. Have a great week.
Loved your week Jo and good for you being spoiled with brekky in bed on Sunday. I’ve not been able to keep up with you and Deb with your ‘tree challenge’ posts but your images are beautiful. I’m looking forward to reading our next book and the Fat Rascals were eaten before the weekend ended!!! Have a great week. xx #lifethisweek
Yeah, I reckon I’ll keep him…
I love making food that reminds me of a fabulous trip we had somewhere! Sounds like a delicious pick me up.
It’s lovely that it prompts the reminiscing.
What a great week! Lots of yummy food, walks, sunrises, books, and I love your one tree square photos! I’ll have to check out that ‘Get fit with Rick’ too!
Thanks Min & yes, check out Rick’s videos – it will take you back to 80s low impact aerobics
Another great week Jo (well except for the job hassels) – loved the Adventure Spaniel photobombing the book pic – our cat does that whenever she can – I have so many photos with her little brown body strolling through the background!
OMG how good are fat rascals? I became quite obsessed with them after I’d been to Betty’s Tea Room and later blogged the recipe. Now I feel like I need to bake a batch – you’re such an enabler! Talking of enabling, I’m pleased I was able to get you and Rick together. His workouts are such fun, aren’t they?! Truth be told, I haven’t done any of his workouts since I was released, a) because I’m lazy and b) because my real home isn’t nearly as spacious as my quarantine digs but you’ve inspired me! Your soup looks delish – I will have to give it a go 🙂
Happy to enable you – especially seeing you introduced me to Rick.
Your tree photos are really great Jo. Tgatcsavoury loaf looks yum so I’m be watching for the recipe . I’m off to check out Rick in YouTube.
It’s such an easy leftovers one…I’ll post it in a couple of weeks.
Get Fit With Rick sounds interesting. Is it walking or other exercise? (I should just look at it shouldn’t I?)
And I love that you celebrated Bastille Day here.
You really should…:)
Some nice-looking food in this post, Joanne! The omelet looks lovely. And your soup! Nom nom!
I’m still confused that it’s winter over there. Here it’s full summer, and a nice one too.
I’m also a big fan of Midsomer murders! Haven’t seen it in a long time now though. I’m always wondering if there are any people left in that village! 😂
Your (square) photographs are very nice! My favourite is that of a tree against the green grass and a bleak sky.
Thanks for dropping by Susanne. It probably does feel weird to you that our seasons are opposite. Have a lovely week.
Well done you on wellness routines too. I cannot imagine getting up as early as you do but I know it’s for the best reasons..fitting life in before “real life”. Lovely images and good on Grant for the breakky in bed. Sorry you had a bit of a crook time mid week. Life can be challenging.
Thanks so much for linking up this week for #LifeThisWeek. Your blog posts are welcome contributions when you share. I appreciate that a great deal. Next week is #ShareYourSnaps. It’s an optional prompt of course. Hope to see you then. Denyse
Some mornings it’s hard but once you’re awake, well… Also, no matter how bad the day becomes, there’s that first tick in the box.