I tried a new recipe

yesterday. THIS frittata. I really liked it and will definitely make it again. I halved it.

We had it with bacon and finished it off with an orange.

I was really motivated yesterday, I guess. I tried another new recipe, THIS one. 

I wanted to make bread in the dutch oven. But also, I watched a video on enriched flour, granulated sugar, and plain iodized salt. That inspired me to make a few changes so I used organic unenriched bread flour, pure cane sugar, and not regular table salt.  Anyway, I saw a Le Creuset recipe that was similar, but they noted the amounts for a 7 1/4 dutch oven. I applied it to this recipe and it was a hit, and it is massive. We're almost to the middle and one slice could easily be cut in two for two regular slices of bread. For breakfast this morning, I cut a slice into thirds for toast to go with our bacon and eggs. I'm thinking about trying it in a sandwich loaf pan. Hmm...

Oh, and I didn't even get a picture of THESE pork chops I made the other day. They were also a hit.

I think that's all the new stuff from the kitchen.

As far as my other changes, my morning walk will be an afternoon walk today. It was 38 degrees when I woke up, now 46, and expected to be around 60 at noon.  I'll wait, thanks. I skipped the weekend but picked back up yesterday. I also bought mini Cokes so that I won't feel obligated to drink a whole 12oz can. Baby steps. Speaking of baby steps, I got sidetracked and piddled a little and now it's 56 degrees out. I think it might be time to lace up and get out.

This will be my

fourth consecutive morning walk... assuming I follow through. I will. I just know I will. I'm trying to get back into a routine. It's so easy for me to get sidetracked. I have tons to do around the house and I'll start thinking about that and then get overwhelmed. That won't happen today. I've been listening to an audiobook while I walk. I didn't plan on it. I'd gone to urgent care for an antibiotic the other day and the panic set in. I start to panic and cry. OMG. I'm just really putting my anxiety all out here. Anyway, I get the worries and then doom and gloom set in. So, I searched for a book on Spotify. Maybe it was something like "calm down", just something basic. This came up.

So I started listening. He started listing off things and it described me, straight down to the "not making time for that photography class you've been wanting to take". Also, this is me out on my walk...

Hey, it's no secret. Anyway, I'm listening and seeing if there's anything I can take away from the book. Actually, I think I already have. Back to that urgent care visit, my bp was a little high. Yes, I was totally worked up, but I've also always had low bp. Might some of that be because I'm a 53-year-old woman? Possibly. My point is, instead of doom and gloom, I paused for a second and realized that I can make changes. I know I'm always talking about doing better, but now is the time to stick to it. Follow through and do better. Make changes and see if it helps. Maybe I can prove to myself that I can make changes. Then, maybe that will be a little bit of evidence for my brain to stop doom and gloom. I don't know. All I can do is try. I'm starting small and only walking a little over a mile. I'll be honest again. I start thinking during my walk, going over my to-do list and everything that I also need to do right now. "I still haven't made the bed. I could've started another load of laundry before I left. Before anything, I need to unload the dishwasher. I feel like decluttering, what else can I get rid of?" See how it goes? I'm rambling now.

I've been keeping up with my walks, kind of. I start the app to track me, but then I usually forget to stop it. I didn't really walk 84 miles yesterday. We went to a movie in Houston and I was still being tracked. We saw the new Elvis movie.

It was good. I think the last movie I went to was also an Elvis concert. 

Okay, so before I get sidetracked, it's time for my morning walk.

I need to change the name

to Melanie's Accountability Blog. This is becoming a place for me to try to motivate and inspire myself with baby steps.

I went for a walk this morning and learned a few things:

1. I need to drink some water before I leave.

2. I need a bite to eat before I leave.

3. I need to have a snack waiting for me.

I was almost done and back home when I started feeling a little shaky. I got home and wanted a snack. I wanted fruit. I wanted cheese. I wanted nuts. I made myself a plate and came to sit outside.

I did share with Maggie.

I also took my Camp Snap on my walk.

I got back and snacked outside while I rested. I showered, made lunch, and now I'm sitting back here again on the computer with music playing and the sun poking through to the pool.  I'm ready for warmer weather. 

As for an update on my corner of the world,

I'd planned on getting plants going but still haven't started any seeds.

I keep looking online for day trips.

I did join an online photo group for motivation and inspiration in that department. So far, it hasn't worked. I've been preoccupied and haven't had a chance to log on. 

Have I mentioned how ready I am for warmer weather I am? It sure is nice out today. It's a little windy and I'm in a sweater, but that sun and this music... any stress is melting away and all those open tabs in my brain are closing. I'm ready for a pool day.

If I don't get up now, I won't get anything done today.