Good morning! Can you even believe it’s Thursday already?! Has your week gone by quickly, or is it draaaaaaagging on?! Mine has absolutely flown by – I think it’s because I’ve been so busy!
This morning I could not cool down after my morning mom walk…that’s me politely saying – I can’t stop sweating 
It’s officially summer in Iowa!! I, however, I am so dedicated to my breakfast that I worked through the sweat and had Maple Almond Banana Nut Oatmeal!
In the mix:
- 1/2 cup old fashioned oate
- 1/2 cup each milk and water
- almond extract
- cinnamon
- toasted coconut and almonds
- sugar-free maple syrup
- dash of cinnamon sugar (I couldn’t resist!)
So it’s not too different than my regular bowl of oatmeal, but sometimes making up fancy names for your meals can be fun 
Almond extract has such an incredible flavor – you seriously only need like three drops and the smell hits you as soon as you drip it into the hot oatmeal. Dare I say I like it better than vanilla extract?!
Look at that oatmeal basking in the morning sun…wish I could bask in the sun all day!
For lunch today I packed a vegetarian version of last nights marinated and grilled chicken salad with pineapple pico de gallo – it had everything but the chicken. Sorry chicken, you just didn’t make the cut today. Not because I didn’t love you though…
This pico de gallo is seriously da-bomb! Would you guys like a recipe?
Yes, that’s an old butter dish (I recycle!) and it’s filled to the top with pico – I fully intend to eat it all. 
I also poured some Drunkin’ Priest Dippin’ Sauce in there for my dressing!
I also packed some fresh watermelon.
Look at that pink color – isn’t it beautiful?!
So last night I was still hungry about an hour after I ate dinner, so I whipped out a new flavor of CLIF Bar to try - White Chocolate Macadamia Nut! OMG – chalk this one right up there with the Chocolate Brownie flavor as some good eats people! The WCMN bar was perfectly sweet and chewy – and had big white chocolate chunks mixed in throughout the bar.
It was the absolute perfect way to end my night – I will definitely be buying more of this flavor!
Well my friends, it’s that time…three question Thursday time!! By the way, if you ever have a question that you are dying for the group to answer, email me! Today’s questions:
- What’s your favorite season?
- What was your favorite television show growing up?
- Where/how do you want to retire?
My answers:
- Yep, I’m going to go ahead and say it…Fall. I LOVE summer – but the sight of golden leaves, the smell of apple crisp and the feeling of warm sweaters really just warms my heart
- Saved by the Bell and Wonder Years…no doubt about it!
- I want to retire to a cruise ship and travel around the world until the end of my days. Ben’s only agreed to one year at this point I guess I’ve got about 40 years to work on him though!!
Let’s hear it friends – Happy Thursday!
week’s kinda in a mix for me.
I have to say that my favorite season is like late spring rollin’ into summer. It was summer until this year, then this year, I’l loving all the crazy flower blooms and the COLORS! it’s glorious, but i don’t think it’s quite hot enough for me yet. I LOVE the humidity, weird, I know.
saved by the bell, there ain’t no question about that. I also loved california dreamin’. anything musical, i loveddddd.
on an island, just chillin’ by the ocean. in a cute little beach house. who wouldn’t want that?
of course, i would love your pico de gallo recipe!
1. Summer is definitely my favorite. It gets scorching hot in Georgia, and I love it! I’m usually cold all the time, so
80 degree weather is perfect for me
2. I used to watch all the old school Nickelodeon shows: The Adventures of Pete and Pete, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Clarissa Explains It All, and Salute Your Shorts
3. I want to retire at a quiet beach with a big porch in the back facing the ocean where I can sit outside and drink coffee in the morning. The house would be big enough so I could have family come and visit all the time!
My week is dragging. And yes please to the recipe!.
1. My fav season is fall. I love the crisp air, the pretty leaves, and my bday (lol).
2. My favs were Full House and Saved By The Bell.
3. I don’t know. I love to write, so maybe retire somewhere where I have a beautiful view to look at while I write.
That pico de gallo looks amazing!
Here are my faves:
1) Summer!!
2) Saved by the Bell
3) Anywhere warm (I’m not a fan of snow) with lots of great outdoor activities
1. Have to agree with you without a doubt! Fall is my fave. The smells, the colors, the cool crispness of the air after a hot summer….the list goes on and on. I also have a fall birthday and have always loved having a birthday that beautiful time of year.
2. I have several. These will really date me. My Three Sons and The Andy Griffith Show rank right up there. When I was really young, before dating age, I also had this standing date with my dad to watch Gunsmoke on Saturday nights. Loved it. Not sure if it was the show or just spending time with my dad that I loved.
Mom watched it with us too but it was really something just for the two of us. We just let her horn in on our date.
3. I think I would like lake front property at the Lake of the Ozarks. We go there every summer for a week with my family and the Ozark mountains just do something for my soul.
Mmm that oatmeal looks delicious!
My favorite season is Fall, minus the going back to school bit. I just love the crisp cool air, and the crunchy leaves. And the tree leaves turn such beautiful colors. At least this is Fall in Michigan and not Arizona!
My favorite TV show growing up was either Arthur or Pokemon. Yep, I’m a 90′s kid!
I want to retire in HAWAII and do lots of fun cool active things, like snorkeling and running and biking and swimming. I’ll be a sweet old person
Hi and happy Thursday!
1. Early fall is my favorite too–when things are just starting to get cool, and you can wear shorts and t’s in the afternoon, but need sweaters for the evening.
2. Saved by the Bell, for sure; I also loved watching Party of Five!
3. I like your cruise idea, but my hubby would never agree. I’ll just have to settle for a condo in a warm city (or two!) down south!
Again. I should probably NOT visit your site when I’m a bit hungry. Seriously drooling over the wonderful snaps of food. Mmm watermelon!
Okay, so my week has totally flown by too, mainly because we had a Holiday here in Canada on Monday – Victoria Day!
I always thought that Fall was my favorite season, but I’m not really sure anymore. I love the days in the summer where it’s cool enough where you can either wear light pants OR shorts. I want a choice. I don’t like the humidity that comes with summer, but I sure do love the sun beaming down on a daily basis for a few months on end.
Oh, the Wonder Years. How I loved watching those old re-runs of that show. Winnie was so pretty. Sigh. Also, there was another TV show that I don’t remember the name, but it was when I was under the age of 5 when I watched it (TODAY’S SPECIAL!!! I remember!!).
Have a great day!
That oatmeal looks awesome! Now I’m hungry for lunch! And answers to your questions:
1. Summer wins hands down. The humidity can be a bit much in Iowa but I love the heat! It’s so nice to not be stuck inside for months on end like in winter.
2. Fave shows…hmmm…Full House and Family Matters and I religiously watched 90210 when I was in jr high/high school. I wonder if the new 90210 is any good?
3. Retirement plans will be Colorado in the summer (the weather is perfect there) and probably Florida in the winter. Anywhere warm really.
We have very similar answers
my fav. season is FALL! Sweatshirt and jeans weather…the the leaves are gorgeous.
Fav tv show.. saved by the bell..for sure and I loved wonder years also.- we must of grew up around the sasme time.
Retirement? I havn’t thought about..guess I need to travel around first to figure out where I’d REALLY like to be .
1. My favorite season would have to be Spring – but late Spring. After those random days of winter peek in every once in awhile.
2. I was way into Full House. It might be because my name is Michelle, but I did love that little girl. And Rugrats for some cartoon action!
3. I would love to retire (though a long way away I hope!) in a little European town that’s close and far away enough so I can have both serenity AND culture.
Mmm, you’re oats always look so beautiful!
Okay my 3 are…
1. Summer, definitely! (I love the heat and sun)
2. TGIF girl (family matters, full house oh and the brady bunch.
3. I would want to retire in CA.
Hope you have a great day!
Yes, pico recipe please!!
1. What’s your favorite season?
The FALL!! I absolutely LOVE it. The smells, sights, everything about it just excites me… in fact, I’m looking forward to it already!
2. What was your favorite television show growing up?
Full House (I still watch it!)
3. Where/how do you want to retire?
Anywhere that has a beach.. probably Florida!
1. I love fall. Actually, I love the start of every season. By the end, I’m tired of it.
2. Probably Full House and Avonlea (on Disney)
3. I don’t know if I want to retire in a particular place. I just want to travel a lot.