A few weeks of miscellaneous shit

So good to get an impromptu visit from Frank and Amanda last week!

Dad and Carol were here for a quick visit this week and they changed out the contact paper on the island for me. The befores are with the teal wooden stools - they show the old floors too. Now I want new kitchen counters and MFD was like no.

We're nearing the end of dogs on the regular beach season and we are not okay. Look at this unbridled joy.

It's been beautiful.

Pets pets pets. 

I think this is gorgeous. 

Button from Aubrey and coaster from my mom are both very me

Two trips to my office from the shore in the three plus weeks I've been down here made me extra happy for Old City office - ease of getting into the city from the Ben and the ability to park on the street

I saw this in a public bathroom and wondered if I was getting invited to the Matrix. First of all, I fucking hate the Matrix movies and secondly MFD says the red pill represents the alt-right and I certainly am not accepting an invitation to that missile ride to hell.

Some books I've added to my to read list recently:

I'm very thankful to John and Gisele Fetterman for talking openly about depression and mental health. No matter who you are or where you fall on the political spectrum, please recognize how this helps all of us talk about something that is still so stigmatized. It has been a topic in our house forever, one that was not always as openly spoken about as it is now - one that was self medicated for a long time, and brushed off as melancholic episodes like Fetterman's depression was when he was younger. It is so important for us to recognize the need in others to take a step back and address their mental health. Depression is not a weakness or a character defect. It is a matter of health to be talked about and dealt with like you'd deal with any physical health issue: with care, and with an eye on both how you feel now and how you want to feel in the future. 

I'm not getting into the abortion pill debacle, the people who have been shot doing regular mistake things like going to the wrong door or turning around in a driveway, the erasure of trans people, the rise in anti-Semitism, how anti-american and anti-democracy and morally bankrupt the christofascists are, the white supremacist war on democracy in the Tennessee state house, the absolute pittance Dominion settled for with Fox News in lieu of going through a public trial, or any of the other depravity happening across this country. It is exhausting out there right now. Hold tight to yourselves, stand up for each other and anyone in communities under attack, and find joy every day. Otherwise what is the point.

Happy birthday to Gail yesterday and Evil Stephanie #1 today!

I've got a personal and professional to do list that's a mile long like everyone else right now so I'm going to skedaddle. Peace in the east.

snippets of the weekend 4.17.2023

Friday was a Henry Hill errand day back and forth from the laundromat and ACME. IYKYN. After work I did a beach walk and set up my fitbit and then spend a few hours poring over traveler forums.

Saturday I headed painted my nails, headed over the bridge to pick up some wine, got a Here Comes the Sun bowl from Bungalow Bowls, and brushed Billy. Gross. 

Marla (you may know her as lupus and patient advocate extraordinaire of Luck Fupus blog) arrived for a visit. We sat on the porch, then hit the boards for a walk and a few slices of Manco pizza before heading back to the house for more porch sitting followed by wine, ordering in from Randazzo's, The Office in the background and chair assembly that is being returned. Whomp.

Sunday morning coffee on the porch, a very foggy beach walk, and a stroll down Asbury for lunch at Asbury Kitchen, which I've been wanting to try.

I'm glad Marla could make it down and spend some time with me and the animals - they were all vying for a seat with her. After she left I booked airfare for our Europe trip using the points I have been socking away for a year, finished a book, and walked to the bay for the sunset. 

weekending reels on Instagram 

 

snippets of the weekend 4.10.23

Thursday I borrowed some afternoon hours from the evening and we all hit the beach. It was sunny and warm then at the flip of a switch cold and windy. Standard Easter weekend weather fare, basically. Standard Easter nails also. My brother got a crazy foot sunburn and Rich got hit on the arms. That April sun is a devil for winter skin.

Friday I worked until about 2 including two major deadline items and we took a beach walk around lunch. 

Kate, Rich, Aubrey, Stephen and I went to Cape May Brewery around 4. One more? Turned into four more. We had a great time laughing and carrying on much to the chagrin of a late arriving very serious beer taster man. Thanks to Aubrey our driver we did a singing loop around the neighborhood on the way home and Stephen's feet got a footbath of gross sunburn remedies like vinegar and tea.

Saturday we did a bit of boardwalking and Asbury Avenue shopping in hideous wind. Some did the arcade as well. Mom made sliders for dinner, Kate and the kids headed home, and we hung out at night for the egg dying. I also made my brother pose with his car that got absolutely literally shitbombed on Friday.

Easter Sunday I made devilled eggs and we hauled out all the items for picking. We took a beach walk and a board walk and I had my first ice cream of the season. 

Mom and Rich headed out after the boardwalk and the rest of us sat around with our teeth in our mouth. I was tired and laying down to read before 9 pm.

weekending reels on Instagram 

Another great family Easter weekend!

 

ways to make at-home cooking more exciting

For those that want to find a love for cooking at home due to a lack of inspiration or excitement in their meals, you have come to the right place.

It can be common to lose your love for cooking due to cooking the same meals on repeat or not having kitchen company. Either way, there are ways around regaining your love for cooking at home. 

Use this guide to figure out how to make your at-home cooking exciting again.

Woman In Blue Dress Holding a Yellow Bowl · Free Stock Photo (pexels.com)

Twist your recipes 

Sometimes, you do not need to create a new meal altogether. Instead, twisting your usual recipes and adding new flavors could be all you need to make your at-home meals exciting again. 

For example, you could put a spin on your usual soup recipe and make a homemade chicken tortilla soup with fresh ingredients. If you often make chicken soup with root vegetables, twisting the recipe with Mexican flavors is a great way to enjoy your favorite ingredients yet try something new. 

A soup is something the entire family will enjoy, especially one with fun flavors and delicious tortilla wraps. Hence, don’t be afraid to try different flavors in your typical meals so that your meal menu doesn’t get boring. 

Cook surprises

You might have lost your love and passion for cooking at home due to the lack of excitement on people’s faces when you serve the same meal on repeat. 

Although they might enjoy the meal, they might not show much excitement anymore, which can knock your own excitement for the chore. 

Therefore, it can be a good idea to cook surprises for everyone. Instead of telling your partner or children what is on the menu for dinner, you can surprise them and see how they react. The look of excitement on people’s faces might be what you need to rekindle your love for cooking. 

Kitchen company

You can easily make at-home cooking more exciting if you have company. Whether that be your partner, children, or music, having something to accompany you when you are cooking in the kitchen will make the situation more relaxing. 

Having a chat with your partner can be a great distraction if you find cooking tiresome and boring. The chat will help to pass the time and you can ask them to help you. 

Or, cooking with your children means you can teach them cooking skills while attaining an extra set of hands to chop vegetables and put things in the kitchen bin. 

Dancing and singing away to your favorite music is also a great mood-booster and time-passer if you prefer to be alone in the kitchen, yet want company. 

Try new recipes

To make cooking fun at home, it can be a great idea to try new recipes. Although you might enjoy cooking similar things, it might be the reason you are finding cooking boring. 

You can source new recipes online, in cookbooks, or by asking friends. Seeking inspiration and cooking different things can make cooking fun again and help you fall in love with new flavors and ingredient combinations that you haven’t tried before.

Learn new cooking skills

You might find cooking at home boring due to a lack of knowledge and skill. It can be a great idea to learn new skills to bring to the kitchen to feel like more of a professional chef and inspire you to cook new things. 

For example, you might be keen to learn how to cook Asian food. Taking an Asian cooking class means that you can pick up the desired skills to bring home with you so you can enjoy more professional Asian cuisine at home. 

If you do not wish to take cooking classes, you can use online video tutorials or ask a friend that you know has impressive cooking skills and knowledge. 

Invite people over and ask for ideas

You might find cooking more fun if you cook for new people. Making it a family affair and inviting new friends over means you can cook new recipes or have new company. 

You could ask them what they like to eat and if the meals are something you haven’t cooked before, it will be a great way to test your cooking skills. 

Using these tips, you should be able to regain your love for cooking at home and find it exciting again. It can be as simple as twisting your favorite recipes or inviting people over to host. 

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This post was written with the Life According to Steph readers in mind

how to find a love for cooking at home

Cooking at home is not something we all enjoy. If we lack experience or knowledge of how to cook, it might hinder our confidence in experimenting with home cooking. Or, you might lack the time to spend hours creating new dishes each night. Either way, there is a way to find a love for cooking to pursue it more. 

Cooking at home can help you save money and ensure you are eating a healthy balanced diet. 

Using these tips, you can best understand how to rekindle your love for cooking so that you can enjoy more home-cooked meals. 

Photo by Vanessa Loring: https://www.pexels.com/photo/food-ingredients-on-the-table-5971874/

Source new recipes

You might lack a love for cooking at home due to cooking the same meals on repeat. If you cook the same food all the time, the experience will lack excitement. Hence, you will lose your motivation to continue cooking. 

The best thing you can do to rekindle your love for cooking and find enjoyment in making food at home is to source new recipes. It is a good idea to try new things as well as search for recipes within your comfort zone so that you achieve good results. 

For instance, you might love Asian flavors and want to experiment with different meats, as you always cook with chicken or fish. Hence, finding a steak teriyaki recipe you’ll love will help you create new meals and attain the utmost fulfillment as it involves flavors you adore. 

It can be as simple as searching for similar recipes that you already make but changing the protein. Or, finding new dishes depending on your favorite cuisine. Searching the internet or looking through cookbooks for new recipes will help you seek inspiration and cook new meals that maximize your cooking and eating experience at home.

Equip your kitchen

Equipping your kitchen with everything you need will make the cooking experience much more enjoyable. Instead of having to go to the shops halfway through prepping your meal because you haven’t got a few ingredients, you can have everything you need to cook at home. 

It is a good idea to equip your kitchen each week in preparation for the meals you plan to have. 

For example, stocking your pantry with many yummy and preferable ingredients will inspire you to utilize them and cook more. If you have empty cupboards, you won’t only lack the motivation to cook but you will lack the resources. 

Hence, fully equipping your kitchen with the right tools and ingredients will encourage you to cook and make the experience seamless. If you have everything at your disposal, you will feel more relaxed and prepared to cook at home.

Meal plan

Furthermore, meal planning is a great way to encourage you to cook more. When you meal plan, you will need to purchase the ingredients. Having the ingredients in your home in preparation for cooking each day makes life more convenient. 

Plus, if you have a plan for what to eat each night, it makes your life much easier. You won’t need to sit and think about what you want. Instead, you can know what to expect and get on with cooking once your workday is over.

Batch cook

If you lack the time for cooking at home yet still want to enjoy the experience, it can be a great idea to batch cook. 

For example, you might lack time in the evenings to cook after work due to having children and other commitments. Hence, cooking a few meals on the weekend means you can enjoy them from the microwave when getting home. You can enjoy a balanced and cost-effective meal without needing to spend hours in the oven after a long day.

Find company

To motivate yourself to cook, it can help to find company. This could be your favorite music playing on the radio or your children that can help with the preparation.

You might get bored cooking alone. Therefore, enhancing the atmosphere by adapting the experience can make it more relaxing and enjoyable. 

Asking someone to keep you company and assist with the cooking might further encourage you to enjoy the experience. You might find the preparation, cooking, and cleaning too much work. Hence, having someone to help can lighten the load and make the experience easier. 

Although you might lack the love for at-home cooking now, you will soon rekindle it using these tips. Having company, sourcing new recipes, and stocking your kitchen with the essentials are simple yet effective ways to help you seek motivation for cooking at home. 

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This post was written with the Life According to Steph readers in mind