Tag: empty nest

Ramblings

Our Fun Fall Getaway!

by pearlsandpantsuits4 Comments on Our Fun Fall Getaway!
Our Fun Fall Getaway!

It’s been unseasonably warm here. Well not warm. Hot. It’s been hot. I think we had one quick minute where the temperature felt cool enough to wear actual closed toe shoes and jeans and flannel. But it IS the south, and we live in flip-flops here pretty much year-round. My brother moved to New Hampshire not long ago, and we jumped at the chance to visit him, in the hopes we would also be able to experience fall in the northeast, as well as tour historical sites we had only read about. And maybe wear shoes other than flip flops. Continue reading “Our Fun Fall Getaway!” →

Ramblings, Resilience

Life Happens When You’re Busy Making Other Plans…And What Can Happen in Just Five Years

by pearlsandpantsuits9 Comments on Life Happens When You’re Busy Making Other Plans…And What Can Happen in Just Five Years
Life Happens When You’re Busy Making Other Plans…And What Can Happen in Just Five Years

As you get older you start to realize that time passes much more quickly than when you were younger. You remember events as happening just a couple of years ago, and when you think back, you realize that it was actually five, ten or even more years ago. It still blows my mind that 1997 was actually 20 years ago, and not 10 years ago! But what’s really startling is when you take inventory and think about changes that have happened in your life. Sometimes these life events just snowball, and that carefully planned route on the roadmap of life causes you to take a detour. Sometimes they occur slowly, and you don’t realize how much your life has changed until you take notice and take inventory.  Continue reading “Life Happens When You’re Busy Making Other Plans…And What Can Happen in Just Five Years” →

Food

Cast Iron Seared Steak with Mushrooms and Onions

by pearlsandpantsuits7 Comments on Cast Iron Seared Steak with Mushrooms and Onions

You’re probably starting to notice that the recipes I post here are cooked by my husband. I told y’all I hardly ever cook! And why should I, since he CLEARLY enjoys it so much! We actually enjoy hanging out in the kitchen prepping together, but after that it’s all him! This is one of his favorite recipes. We prepare this recipe about once a month, and it’s always a special treat. We merged several versions of this recipe together, from you tube videos and various blogs. It’s a departure from the usual grilled steak, since it’s prepared in a cast iron skillet. It’s also known as the “constant flip method” since you flip the steak about every 30 seconds or so. We added the mushrooms and onions, because it was a shame to waste all those delicious pan juices! Hint: spend the money on a butcher quality ribeye or tenderloin. The thicker the better. Continue reading “Cast Iron Seared Steak with Mushrooms and Onions” →

Ramblings

What to Expect When You’re (not) Expecting… Menopause

by pearlsandpantsuits10 Comments on What to Expect When You’re (not) Expecting… Menopause
What to Expect When You’re (not) Expecting… Menopause

Remember that book we all read, back in the day, when we were expecting our first babies? Well here’s my blog version of that helpful little book, but it’s about the other fun thing that happens to us women. Hello. My name is Andy, and I survived menopause. And so did my husband. I remember when my Mom went through “the change of life” as we whispered about it, back in the day. She wore loose fitting mumus to try and stay cool, fanning furiously for no apparent reason. And of course I totally get what she was going through now! Sorry Mom! Most of my friends are still fanning themselves, and throwing off the bedsheets at night, and I’m over here on the other side of menopause waving and laughing! So let me offer a few words of encouragement to my ladies who are still cha-cha-cha-changing (and a few things to expect along the journey)! Continue reading “What to Expect When You’re (not) Expecting… Menopause” →