GREENACRES

Just A Country Girl Living A City Life

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Good Things :)

Weekend trips - This year has been the year of long weekends and weekend trips. You don’t have to drive far, so you can maximum the fun in a small amount of time.

Spa days - Sometimes there is nothing more relaxing than spending an hour or two at the spa with your bestie.

Holiday shopping - The annual holiday market was back this year! It was not crowded, we found some awesome gifts and we had a lot of fun!

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Single Girl Cooking

Sometimes ordering in comfort food is the only way to go. Wednesday was a shit show. We had a Covid positive result in our quaranteam which through everything into a bit of chaos. So many unknowns. But one constant is how amazing chicken tikka masala is every single time.

[greenacres]

Good Things :)

Shopping - I used to be a huge shopper. I loved going to the mall just to pass the time and to window shop. You know, very Cher from Clueless if she was on a budget. As I’ve gotten older I enjoy shopping with a purpose so much better. Basically I’m the gal that needs a list at this point. LOL. But this past weekend I grabbed my momma and hit up the stores. We shopped, we drank Starbucks and we were still home by 3pm every day.

Getting creative with food - Last week my momma had a dental procedure that requires her to eat somewhat soft, easier to chew foods. This wouldn’t be too hard if she actually felt bad. But the area has healed perfectly and she feels great but she can’t eat completely normal food. But we got creative!! The winner of the weekend was tater tot nachos!! Super soft but but with so much spice! Yum!!

Reading a good book - Sunday morning I curled up in bed with coffee and a new book. Y’all. This book hooked me right away. I almost didn’t get out of bed. LOL. I legit finished the book in one day. It was so good.

Negative test results - For the first time since Covid I had to get an actual PCR test. My nostril does not thank me for doing this but my anxiety certainly does.

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Halloween

Legit - I think this is my favorite holiday. I mean I love Christmas and I go all out the entire month but there is nothing like Halloween. I love dressing up. I love handing out candy. I love oohing and aahing over the adorable little kids. I also enjoy a good scary movie. Not too scary (I can’t do It or The Nun) but I’m 100% here for Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer and Urban Legends. Can you tell I was a high schooler in the 1990s? This year Halloween was a little on the fly. We got tickets to see Fortune Feimster on Saturday night (the 30th) which is when we assumed trick or treat would be. NOPE! They actually did trick or treat on the 31st. So weird but also fun. So that meant I needed a costume ASAP. Enter Bernie Sanders.

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Single Girl Cooking: Meal Prep Edition

I am working super hard to meal prep every week so that I’m (1) eating healthy, (2) saving some money and (3) trying new things. This week we hit the trifecta. This meal is super healthy because it’s filled with veggies and lean ground beef. It saved me money because I had half the ingredients in my pantry. And it is a new to me recipe by Skinnyish Dish. I can’t wait to have it for lunch this week. Yum yum yum!

[greenacres]

Good Things :)

Unexpected Visits - Last Sunday I tearfully said good bye to a friend who I wouldn’t see for six months. But then on Thursday, he surprised me on his way home and we were able to have a celebratory/good bye dinner. And man did I cook one heck of a meal. Like a full on meat, potato and green veggie kind of meal.

Laughing - Fortune Feimster finally came back to Cincinnati!! It only took her 5+ years. LOL. She was hilarious as always.

Halloween - By far my favorite holiday. It’s just a fun one, ya know. No seriousness. You dress up like anyone you want to be and just enjoy yourself. This year I went as Bernie Sanders (from the Biden Inauguration). It was easy and I didn’t have to buy a thing. Winning!

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Scarefest was a success! I had never been but it was a lot of fun. And the people watching - WOW. Good Ole Frank here quickly became my boyfriend. LOL

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Fall Bucket List

Go to a Pumpkin Patch

As always we went to Blooms & Berries this year for a pumpkin. The selection was even better than normal! We also got a slice of the best apple pie I have ever had. OMG so good!!

[greenacres]

Good Things :)

Saying Good Bye for Now - I know this seems counter intuitive but sometimes you have to say good bye to appreciate someone. I have gotten really used to seeing a friend weekly for the last five months. But now he’ll be moving to the South for work and won’t be back this direction for at least six months or more. It was really sad and I cried but I know that I’ll be super excited to see him again next year.

Halloween Movies - I love Halloween. Always have even though I don’t like to be scared. LOL. But Halloween movies are my faves. Especially Ghostbusters and Scream and, of course, Halloween.

Texas Roadhouse’s Cinnamon Butter - Nuff said.

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Sometimes it’s so nice out you just have to grab your book and head to the park.

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Single Girl Cooking

Sometimes all you want is a good sandwich, some chips and your favorite show. Sandwiches are my favorite indulgence. You can pile on the ingredients, slather it with a good Mayo and not feel guilty at all the calories.

[greenacres]

Good Things :)

Taco Week - I love that Cincinnati does special food weeks. We have burger week; pizza week; and TACO week! Clearly my favorite. LOL.

Prepping for Halloween - I had last Monday off so momma and I spent the day buying Halloween candy and bagging up treats for the kiddos. It was hard work but fun!

Binge watching with Momma - My mom spent Friday night with me so we could switch out my summer/fall clothes. We were done earlier than expected so we curled up to get her caught up on my fave show “Only Murders In The Building”. We laughed and screamed in surprise. It was a fun night!

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Fall Bucket List

Stock up on a new Fall candle

I love getting seasonal candles. This year I went to the Candle Lab OTR to pick up a Toasted Marshmallow candle. Smells amazing.

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Nights Out with Friends

The pandemic has been hard on social lives, am I right? Even though I’m vaccinated, I still try to take precautions when I can. I’m still not doing big group events. But I love meeting up with a friend for dinner when I can. There is nothing that can replace a real face to face. As much as I love texting and sending funny gifs via Instagram, sitting across from someone and sharing a meal is priceless. And let’s be honest, it’s important to that friendship. You have to make time for those who mean something to you. Show them that you will give up your time for them and tell them how much they mean to you.

Over the past two weeks I have met up with two very dear friends to chat, laugh and share a good meal. Those nights lifted my soul. And the food was amazing. Pear margarita and tacos from Condado were so surprisingly good that I cannot wait to go back. Cheeseburgers and waffle fries from Bebo’s has become a regular for me. Yum-o!

[greenacres]

Good Things :)

Watching Kids Laugh and Play

Quality Time with my Cousins

Road Trips with my Momma

Cooking with my Bestie

Spur of the Moment Breakfast Dates

Yummy Margaritas

Homemade Pepperoni Rolls

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Fall Bucket List

Try a healthy new fall recipe

In my mind Fall equals comfort food. And there is nothing more comforting than a casserole. They are normally warm and rich and either cheesy or creamy. We tried Dward Cooks new Chicken Enchilada Casserole and it was a hit! All the goodness of enchiladas without the hassle of rolling them up. Next go round I will add some jalapeños and a little dollop of sour cream just to shake it up a bit. But honestly it was delicious just out of the oven.

[greenacres]

Single Girl Cooking

It’s that time of year when I crave chili. This recipe is from Dessert for Two and it is the perfect small batch. If you like big helpings, you get two - if you like a little less, you can stretch this to three servings.