Thursday, July 11, 2013

A LITTLE GARDENING AND RAMBLING ON


And...yes, I am still following my quest to eat more healthy, whole foods as I told you about a few posts ago.  It's been over two weeks of eating fresh, healthy foods without additives and preservatives.  I cleaned out my cabinets of all the processed food I had, as well as the fridge.  Abby became very interested in joining me in this healthy way of eating and so we hit the grocery store and filled our cart  with fresh produce, pure 100% juice (Odwalla is a great brand), brown rice, whole wheat pasta, etc.  And everything has gone smoothly.  With all the fiber I'm getting, I feel full after meals and snack less.  When I do, it's fruit, frozen yogurt, almonds.  I have on occasion had a piece of pie or coffee cake, but I truly believe your taste buds can change and it just becomes more natural to eat food the way it's supposed to be.

Okay, I've rattled on long enough!  I have to say I'm rather enjoying my time home alone.  The house stays neat and clean, I can stick to a routine without interruption and it's just...well, peaceful!  But I do miss The Husband and want him home again.

I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend.  Hopefully next week I will have more interesting things to chatter on about! :)

XO,
Jane

52 comments:

Vel Criste said...

I love driving on lakeshore drive!Used to live in Morton Grove, our first home, and we still visit Chicago a lot, love that city, despite the yes, I agree with you, horrible traffic. Glad your hubby's surgery went well, he's in good hands over at NW (that's where my husband did his neurology residency so I'm a bit biased -hehehe)! Love your HG find, I think your off to a good start those great fish decor, enjoy Jane!

Terra said...

I hope your hubby heals quickly and can go home soon. I would not like driving in those conditions either. Hey, those decorative fish are cute.

Elaine said...

Oh I hate driving in the city too and believe me, Boston is no picnic.

I hope your husband is improving every day and will be home with you soon.

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hope the hubby improves so you can have him home, I'm sure the commute wasn't any fun at all. Down town K.C. is the same way. Enjoy your quiet time. fondly ~lynne~

Melanie said...

I hate driving in downtown Chicago too, Jane. Whenever we go there (which isn't often), Brian always drives. Wouldn't do any good if he were in a hospital down there though, would it? I'm like your hubby, I hate dried rosemary. A little bit of fresh is "OK", not my favorite herb. It's too strong and pine-y tasting too me. Love your new topiary piece.

Glad to hear you're still eating healthy! You will definitely feel better eating this way. :-) xoxo

20 North Ora said...

Jane, hope hubby gets along well. It's no fun when they are not well.

Congratulations on your article in Romantic Homes. You truly deserve it! Happy for you!

Judy

Kathy@ Gone North said...

Fun Post... & I also hate driving in Chicago. We were there a few weeks ago... awful, awful traffic.
Your fish are fabulous! Would love them at our lake house. I'll have to keep my eyes open for them.
Hope your husband is up & around soon & you are able to get to the lake to recover...
Have a good weekend!!

Laura said...

you have been busy Jane! wow, I really love rosemary also, for cooking and the little tiny flowers are gorgeous too! love the fish!! so rustic!
have a great weekend!

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

Speedy recover to your husband!.. and those fish are a great find.. I love Homegoods.

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Oh Jane,
Give Al a big hug for Dan and me.
I so hope he can go home today.
And I so hope he's feeling all better very soon.
I love those fish you found!
And your tomato plants are looking awesome!
Dan and I drove through downtown Chicago on our way back from Michigan. He wanted to avoid the tolls. It was a Sunday, so not too bad but still fairly busy.
I enjoyed just seeing all the huge buildings. Sometime we will just go visit you there. I need a trip to a big city too.
Hugs to you,
Send Al our love.
Cindy

Primitive Stars said...

Hi Jane, well wishes for Hubby........., Love your rustic fish, they look great, Happy Weekend, Francine.

Deborah said...

It's always so fun to visit with you Jane!
hope your sweetie feels better and recovers quickly. Sounds like you are busy with your summer and your plants. I think that's a great idea about throwing the seeds in that crack..we have one in our walkway too...but I never considered some little flowers in it. Great idea!
Have a good weekend hun and enjoy your quiet time.
Hugs!

All my heart,
Deborah xxoxoxo

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Glad the hubby is doing well, Jane! I always felt that way whenever I had to drive through "the city" from Long Island. The lanes seemed to narrow down and people seemed to be all over the place. When we would go on driving trips, I used to tell my husband "Just get us through the city and then I'll drive".

Unknown said...

Around here, we hate driving in Atlanta!! So congested, and talk about crazy drivers!! Hate it!

Hope your hubby recovers quickly.

Love the fish too!
Have a great weekend!

Julie Marie said...

Hi Jane... so happy that hubby's surgery went well, and I do hope he can come home today (and eat!)... I never drive the freeways... I hate them too (sorry Mrs. Frankenthal, but I do HATE them!)... I usually just stay out here in the country, in my little rural towns and avoid going into Salt Lake City... your tomatoes look great!... and so does your Rosemary plant... those fish for the lakehouse are adorable!...I can just see them on a wall... perfect!... hope you can get some good rest and peace of mind now... all of your meals sound delish... I am never giving up my goodies either, but have found I don't crave them as much as I once did... my coffee is my treat for the day usually... much love, xoxo Julie Marie

Beth said...

I haven't been to Chicago for over 20 years. Just the thought of driving downtown frightens me, :-)

I hope your husband is doing well and gets to come home soon.

Unknown said...

Hope your husband is doing well and is able to come home today! I understand how you feel about driving downtown.....I stresses me out as well. Have a wonderful day and weekend!~~Angela

Tricia said...

The setting in that first photo looks wonderful...I love the sight of all those sailboats. I would be stressed with the downtown driving too. That's how I feel if I have to go into Minneapolis. Hope your husband is doing well and recovers quickly. xo

Ricki Treleaven said...

I'm getting ready to do the same thing....clean out the pantry! I know you're feeling better.

How much longer do you think your hubbie will be in the hospital? I hate driving downtown, too, and I used to have to do it daily when my oldest daughter went to HS downtown.

Ricki Treleaven said...

Oh....BTW....make yourself a fried green tomato BLT on whole wheat bread. YUM!

Helen said...

Popping in for a quick hello! Good to know hub's health is coming along nicely, continue relishing in the summer weather!

Leslie Harris said...

I'm so glad your husband is improving each day. Surgery is always stressful, I'm so happy you have your garden and your morning hours to putter around.

Terri Steffes said...

Always wonderful to hear that surgery went well! I love Lake Shore Drive, too, and I don't mind driving on it but I am sure the people around me wish I wasn't!! I do far too much gawking! Love seeing your garden. We got two tomatoes off of our plant. Two.

Stacey said...

Jane, I sure hope your husband is well and out of the hospital soon. Driving in Chicago looks nightmarish to me. Walking is the way to go...when you are tourist that is. :)

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

It's good to hear your hubby's surgery went well. I'm right there with ya on driving in traffic. I hate it! I get stressed when I have to drive on the freeway. :) I loved it when you said your hubby associates rosemary with eating "slivers of wood!" So funny, but kinda true. :) Enjoy the weekend!

Traci said...

I hope your hubs is doing better & gets to come home soon. The sailboat picture is beautiful. I can only imagine how pretty it is in person.

Sue said...

Since driving is "not my thing", the thought of driving Lake Shore Drive gives me chills! I love to be the passenger, but I leave the driving to someone else. I was hoping to see that your husband had been released...hopefully soon and your back and forth can stop. You know I'm thinking of you both...hang in there!

Judi said...

I don't like big city driving myself Jane ~ palms sweating, white knuckles on the wheel LOL ~ Hoping your love is on the mend quickly and will be eating and home soon! Changing your eating habits is never easy and we all can have a little piece of cake now and then ... some day I will venture to Homegoods, I've never been and I don't know why it took so LONG to feature you in any magazine LOL :) xxoo Judi

Connie said...

What an intriguing blog :) I grew up just 34 miles away from Chicago (by water that is) in Michigan City IN. Do you know it? I use to take the South Shore into the city for a day of shopping and museums.
I am so happy to have found you.
Please accept my invitation to take my little studio tour and to get in on my Give-A-Way.
Your newest follwer, Connie :)

Balisha said...

Good to hear about your husband. I hope that he continues his progress as he comes home.

I have heard that if you can drive in Rockford you can drive in Chicago...but I don't know about that.Chicago seems so much busier.

I covet your rosemary plant.It is so pretty. Let me know what you do to take care of it in the months in the house this winter. I had a beautiful one last year and left it out as it was marked for zone 5...it didn't make it through the winter :(

Have a nice weekend. Take care of your hubby...Balisha

myletterstoemily said...

wow! you really meant business about
changing your diet. well done!

NanaDiana said...

I am so glad the surgery went well and I know you are glad it is over and done with. You know I am praying for a quick healing for him and for your serenity while that takes place.

Your view along the way to the hospital is gorgeous. I hope you get to take hubby home soon and that he feels well enough to enjoy the view with you.

Good for you for eating healthy-it is not an easy journey but it is one you can do...and easier now than it will be in 10 years- trust me on this!

Blessings, Jane- xo Diana

Tammy said...

Sending well wishes to your husband and good thoughts your way for continued healthy eating. I can certainly attest to the fact that your taste buds definitely will much prefer whole foods once you begin to feed your body that way. I changed my eating 8 years ago and started thinking of eating as nourishment rather than shoving something in my mouth. Our health is so very important! Best wishes, Tammy

bj said...

I am so glad the surgery went well and that it's behind him. Hope he comes home soon 'cause that will mean he is doing better ea day.

I love those fish...how cute to add to your lake house.

and, about that drive to the hospital. I got in a situation like that fast cars, exits all over the place and was scared to death....but, then, I am such a sissy girl...when I was younger, traffic didn't bother me at all...now however, it really does...especially when they all are going 90 miles an hour and I wanna go 60.....hahha...
Hope your day is good.
xoxo

Stephanie said...

I hope your husband is doing well and was able to go home - praying for a quick recovery. The fish are so cute and the rose is just lovely :) Enjoy your weekend!

Hugs to you!

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

Beautiful shot of your rose! WE are trying to eat healthier also. Couldn't believe it the other day when I looked up almonds...how many calories and fat are in just a little helping of them...sheesh! They say it is good "fat"...I find it a bit trying to eat healthy. Glad all is going well for you so far...
Blessings,
Cindy

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

Hi Jane, hope your hubby is up & about soon! I feel the same way about driving in Boston . . . & I just volunteered to take my younger sister to MGH for tests . . . Ugh!

Theresa said...

Oh girly, I will be praying for the HUBBY! I know that he will be on the mend soon! Love the fish and yes, you had to buy those:) Have a blessed Sunday dear Jane, HUGS!

Unknown said...

I am glad that your husband's surgery went well. I have never been to Chicago, but it's on my list.

Congratulations on your article. You must be so excited. I'll look for the issue.

Have a beautiful day, and safe drive to visit your husband.

Karen

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Jane dear, you are ALWAYS interesting..always. I like the fish and think the lake house would be a perfect place for them.
I am very happy to hear that your sweet husband is through his surgery and on his way to recovery.
Good for him.
Your new way of eating is going to benefit both of you. PH and I need to do the same. You are inspiring me! :)
Love,
Mona

RURAL said...

Sending your husband good wishes for a speedy recovery, and hoping that he comes home quickly.

Hey, congrats on being in RH, it's your fav mag too isn't it?

Jen

Doreen@foxdenrd said...

I know exactly how you feel about alone time. As I type this we have the grandkids at the cabin, and while we love having them, sometimes I miss the peace and quietness of being alone, not to mention the neatness ;).

Keeping you and your hubs in my thoughts!

Maria Elena said...

So glad to hear your husband's surgery went well. We were in Chicago three years ago visiting our son at Great Lakes and had no idea how bad the traffic is there. I wish somebody would of prepared us for it, it was NO fun to miss our flight back home due to being completely stop on bumper to bumper traffic on the freeway for four hours on our way to the airport! LOL

Tammy @ A Walk in the Countryside said...

I'm glad your husband is on the mend! I love the rosemary plant and I also LOVE the fish!

Our Neck of the Woods said...

I'm so glad your husband's surgery went well! I hope he recovers quickly. Your garden is looking really great! And I totally get what you mean about driving in Chicago. I've never actually driven there myself, but I know my husband was going crazy the last time we were there in traffic!

must love junk said...

I can't imagine driving in downtown Chicago-yikes! Sure hope your hubby is home and feeling his best soon! :)
Susan

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

All the best for your hubby. Those fish are cute. I'm sure you have the perfect place for them.

chateau chic said...

Even though driving in the city can be crazy, Chicago is beautiful, especially along the water. Sure hope your hubby is on the road to recovery!
Mary Alice

Kelly said...

So glad that your husband did well through the surgery and now that part is behind him. Hopefully, y'all are all back home together by now. Love those cute fish you found for the lake house too. They will be perfect there. You just reminded me that I need to go pick some ripe tomatoes off our garden before the birds eat them! We've had so much rain that our garden has suffered. Gotta grab what we can now!

Geneva said...

Jane, your chatter is always interesting. Hopefully, your husband is on his way to recovery and you can both enjoy being at home.
Always love reading your posts!
Blessings!!!
Geneva

Evi said...

Jane, I enjoyed your post and what you call rambling. I am happy to hear that your hubby is doing better.
Hospital stays are scary for the patient and the family.
Well, soon you will be cleaning up after him again, and glad to be able to do it.
I also had fun catching up on the missed posts.
I wish you all the best with the new diet. Not an easy thing to do.....I know!
And congrats on being in Romantic Homes! Jane, it's hard to impress kids today, ha ha.
Mine could not have cared less about our magazine shoot.
Oh, just one of mom's thingies....
Have a wonderful Sunday at the lake and your beautiful home.
Evi

Stan and Jody Gabara said...

I hope your husband is doing well from the surgery. Sending good wishes to both of you! Happy Weekend!

Hugs,
Jody