Wow! It’s Tuesday already! This week went by quick!
Welcome Friends!
We have more then one full week done in 2022! I spent it putting away Christmas. But I needed to still feel the ambiance …so I left the candles and twinkling lights up. It’s so cozy in the morning waiting for the sunrise or in the evening watching the sunset!
So Relaxing!
Speaking of Relaxing
How Do You Relax?
With Thanksgiving travels, Christmas festivities, New Years Fun and then packing it all up and putting it all away… when do we relax? Lately, I’m feeling the need to relax more. Sitting down here at my iPad and writing a blog post helps me to relax. Blogging/sharing pictures/sharing a little bit of ourselves is calming to me. I also enjoy reading other blogs! It’s not only inspirational but I enjoy the dialogue back and forth. Our friendships here in this beautiful community are enjoyable. (I hear Blogging is starting to make a comeback… I’ll leave that for another post!)
Blogging is just one way of relaxing for me, but I do enjoy a soak in the Hot Tub, sitting outside in our backyard oasis with sweet man, a great book can let me escape, and gardening is my therapy. Another way to unwind for me is to take a walk. I enjoy the nature all around me while I pray, think and just “be!” When I come back from my walk… I’m refreshed! As of late… I have needed to set time away to take care of me and make sure I get refreshed. To calm my mind from all the “To Do Lists!” I’m curious as to what you do?
Trying New Recipes
Cooking is another way for me to “Stay Calm and Carry On!” 🙂 This past week for my Book Club Meeting, that I hosted, I made the cutest little appetizers! And they are somewhat healthy as well… as they are small. 🙂
Taco Bites
I didn’t follow a recipe… there are hundreds of different ways to use Phyllo Tart Shells as you can see on Pinterest. And these Taco Bites are Easy with a capital E! I filled each with Taco Meat (use your recipe,) shredded lettuce, some with diced tomatoes, and some with cheese. (Some of my guests do not enjoy tomatoes or cheese.) I topped each one with Sour Cream or Ranch Dressing as soon as it was time to eat. Easy! And darling! Your guests will love them! And they are so darn cute!
When in Arizona
A good ride in the desert makes us both happy campers! Exploring these Wide Open Spaces brings a smile to our faces.
Like I said we love to explore… we want to see what’s back there in those hills, mountains and off road trails. On our last ride we saw a Wildlife Water Catchment Platform. It was quite large. It basically catches rain water and directs it to a trough that then goes into a holding tank that’s open to the animals.
How cool is this! The desert animals are quite thankful for this! ❤️
How Do You Relax?
Once again, thanks so much for stopping by. It’s always so good to hear from you. And please… share your relaxation techniques with me! 🙂
It looks so beautifully warm there (vs. freezing here). I like to relax by spending time out in nature.
Thank you Chris for telling me. Nature it is!
I do a lot of the same things you do – read, walk, garden, and blog. The blogging community is wonderful, and I value the exchanges we have and the things I learn. I also sew which is kind of creative for me because I normally don’t follow a pattern so that can provide its own challenges. 🙂 I love the little black clock on your mantle. It calls out to me, and I smile. 🙂
We are two peas in a pod. 😊
I did not mention when I create it also relaxes me.
I too like that clock as it always tells me the correct time. Some of our clocks do not.
Thank you for sharing!
Enjoy your week!
You do know how to unwind, Nance. Happy mid-January Tuesday to you!
Thank you Mr. Mark!
Taking time to just be is so important. It seems I get up with my mind in a whirl. I am so glad you are taking time to do that.
The taco bites look delicious and such a cute appetizer. I always enjoy your photos of the desert. Obviously, our terrain is totally different. I am glad blogging is making a come back, can’t wait to read your post on the subject. Happy Tuesday, my friend!
Hello Pam… aren’t those Taco Bites too cute? My guests really liked them.
I tend to wake up with a To Do List going on in my head as well. I have I idea why I do that… I’m retired!
Have a beautiful week my friend!
Beautiful photos of desert, decor and the results of new recipes.
Taco Bites and Spanish chocolate fo hand in hand!
Thank you for your kind words. Enjoy your week my friend!
Love those taco bite ideas. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on ‘blogging coming back’. I know in the RVing community, everyone was jumping into YouTube … which I tried (and failed), and found it just isn’t the same genuine engagement that occurs here in the blogosphere.😊
I have only watched a few You Tube Vlogs. And I have to be honest… they were yours and one other. I’m just not fond of them. The only time I use You Tube is to learn how to do something or fix something. I agree with you and feel they are impersonal.
It’s been said… many are getting fed up with Instagram…including me.
Many are getting tired of playing the game. And are returning back to their blog.
Hope you try the Taco Bites… so fun and tasty!
Enjoy your week my friend!
Happy Tuesday, Nancy! Your taco appetizers look delicious! I need to take more time to relax but find it so very difficult to do. I like your idea of taking a walk in nature. I think I may try more of that. I’m just going to have to make myself do it! I love to cook as well and find that calming. Also, in the spring and summer, I enjoy gardening. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead, dear friend!
Hi Shannon… we find ourselves getting so busy. Walking helps calm my mind from all the to do lists. It has been proven that walking releases endorphins that causes relaxation and helps our mood!
I hope you try these Taco Bites … they are tasty and cute!
Have a great week my friend!
I do miss the desert ♥
Early morning yoga is my way to relax into the day. I also like to unwind at night with a good book and a warm drink.
Hello Julie…
Excellent suggestions! I do unwind at night with a good book.
Thank you for sharing!
Have a great week!
Like you, I’m leaving some lights up. (Actually, I don’t have all of Christmas down yet but I’m working on it every day!)
Oh, relaxing. What a wonderful topic! Like you, blogging and cooking are two big relaxers for me. So is reading and watercolor work. On nice days, long walks and on occasion, jigsaw puzzles (till they no longer relax me and make me crazy!). Petting my purr-girl is the ultimate relaxer! And a good Brit TV show will do it too! (I might have to make your taco bites the next time I have a little gathering — which probably won’t be for months with this darned virus!) or need to take an appetizer somewhere. They look wonderful!
Hi Jeanie, I sure hope you give these Taco Bites a try.
And petting your purr-girl would relax me as well!
Thank you for stopping by… Happy Week to You!
Just wanted to let you know… I tried commenting on your recent blog. It seems blogger is not cooperating with me at the moment. Just wanted to let you know.
Relaxing by the fire is a wonderful way to relax, especially curled up with a good book or a glass of wine. Your taco bites are a great snack, and what a good idea to make them according to your friends likes and dislikes. My favorite way to relax is to do a crossword puzzle or a jigsaw puzzle on my laptop. I love to read, and play in my sketch book too…The water platform is so interesting and what a great thing for the wildlife! I always love traveling along with you on your desert adventures! Have a great week,
Jenna
Oh Jenna… we always love having you come along on our adventures. You never know what we will see.
Your relaxation techniques are fabulous! Thank you for sharing!
Happy Week to You!
Great post….great pics!! I found my self relaxing just looking at the pictures! Makes me want to also go exploring in the desert!! Thanks for sharing Nancy!!
I didn’t know about the little phyllo dough cups–how cute! One of my ways to relax is take the dogs on a walk in our neighborhood. I noticed today that although almost all Christmas decorations have come down, some people have left up white lights, others have added some snow/winter decor, and two have transformed their trees into Valentine trees and have Valentine wreaths up. On the relaxing front, we went out to eat tonight at an Irish pub. We haven’t gone out much lately so that was a fun “date.” It was fun to hear about the ways you relax.
Thank you!
And taking your pup for a walk is relaxing. And date nights are even better.
Thanks so much for stopping by. Enjoy your week!
Your pictures here, Nancy, make me want to go to another trip to AZ. 🙂
It’s a beautiful place! It’s why we live here. The weather today is superb… an added bonus to this beauty.
Thank you for enjoying.
May you and Mary have a lovely week.
Thanks, and have a great week, too.
WE have so many similar loves in our life. I, too left my lights up inside, it adds a nice ambiance to the winter.
With life challenges, a morning walk and a late morning visit with bloggers is a great place to land.
WE are heading out in a day to enjoy the desert the best we know how…in it! Have a good week.
Yes… we do have lots of the same loves. I’m always glad to see what you are up to next.
I see that you are Overloading. Have So Much Fun! Enjoy this beautiful area.
Happy Weekend!
Blogging is my relaxation also, Nancy, but I have to say, it’s not ‘my time’ because there’s too many interruptions 😊 My ‘my time’ is the time I make every day to go for a walk. What started as a 30 minute ‘you must’ that I forced myself to do has become a 60+ minute ‘you love to’ daily routine and if I have to get out of bed before the Sun does just to fit it into a busy day – I will. I have changed so much since doing this. My body is stronger, and a little smaller – woohoo! My mind is stronger too thanx to the informative Podcasts I listen to while I walk. And I feel amazing within myself. Even better, all that walking has be sleeping like a babe every night 🥰
BTW – I also left a string of lights up this year. I think they’ll stay where they are as a permanent fixture. Christmas Cheer All Year I say.
Clare I’d know walking is so good for us. And I commend you for walking and hour or so each day. I am not as good as you… yet! I tend to put my household tasks ahead of my walks. Perhaps that will change soon when my Spring Cleaning is all done.
Happy Weekend to you dear Clare!
Happy weekend to you too, Nancy
All I can say is “Can I live there with you?” Lol
Good Morning Diane! The southwest is a beautiful place! I hope you can visit one day.
Happy weekend to you!