So…what is the Monday Poll?
Excellent question! It isn’t, contrary to its name, an actual poll, like with little clicky buttons. It’s just a list of five more or less random questions I’ve been posting on this blog every Monday morning for the past quadrillion years (since 2007). I love reading your answers, and it helps me get my week off to a good start. ?
1. Pick one — furry boots or sequined vest?
Sequined vest! — presumably because it would be easier to clean?!
Maybe?
Maybe I’m wrong, but I can see furry boots being magnets for leaves, mud and whatnot. A big pain in the butt to keep tidy.
2. Are your holiday decorations still up?
Nah, everything’s been stored away. I like to put the decorations away shortly after New Years, because I know from experience that if I don’t do it then…we’ll still have our Christmas lights up in March. ?
3. Weirdest spice or condiment in your kitchen?
Banana ketchup. It’s a Filipino thing!
4. Yellow or orange?
Orange.
5. Something healthy that you can do for yourself this week?
Refrain from using my phone for at least an hour before bed, which I want to do because that thing is just too stimulating.
6. High-tops or high heels?
High-tops, because I can sprint at a moment’s notice in them if need be. Plus, I’m terribly out of practice wearing heels. I’d take a step and probably just fall over, LOL!
7. Do you have any original art on your walls?
If Connor’s drawings count, then yes. Otherwise, no. But I would love to have some original paintings on my walls someday.
8. Something you’re looking forward to in the spring?
Seeing my favorite tree in bloom once again. ? It always takes my breath away.
9. Your most-used hair accessory?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Here are the questions to copy/paste with your answers in a comment. Talk to ya soon.
1. Pick one — furry boots or sequined vest?
2. Are your holiday decorations still up?
3. Weirdest spice or condiment in your kitchen?
4. Yellow or orange?
5. Something healthy that you can do for yourself this week?
6. High-tops or high heels?
7. Do you have any original art on your walls?
8. Something you’re looking forward to in the spring?
9. Your most-used hair accessory?
P.P.S. Good morning and happy Monday! Just a quick reminder in case you need it — you’re focused, you’re strong, and you’re getting better every day. Let’s do this! ?
1 – Furry boots or sequined vest? – Well probably neither, I’m definitely not a sequin person, and I live in South Florida, so the boots are not a thing for sure!
2 – Are your holiday decorations still up? No.
3 – Weirdest spice or condiment in your kitchen? Uh turmeric?
4 – Yellow or orange? I love orange.
5 – Something healthy you can do for yourself this week? I try to exercise 5 days a week and I have been missing a day – so this week, I am going to do all 5 days.
6 – High tops or high heels? High tops – I haven’t worn high heels for 45 years!
7 – Do you have any original art on your walls? Absolutely tons – my husband and I collect art.
8 – Something you are looking forward to in the Spring? My son and daughter-in-law are having their first baby this spring!
9 – Your most used hair accessory? – I wear a head band when I exercise to keep my hair out of my face.
1. Pick one — furry boots or sequined vest? Sequins! That’s one of my 2021 goals, to wear more sequins!
2. Are your holiday decorations still up? No, everything came down. I loved my tree this year. But it was time for it to come down.
3. Weirdest spice or condiment in your kitchen? I don’t have anything weird, but I have a shockingly large amount of hot sauces, Mexican and Asian.
4. Yellow or orange? Yellow, it’s my favorite color!
5. Something healthy that you can do for yourself this week? Walk my dogs daily.
6. High-tops or high heels? High tops. Heels hurt.
7. Do you have any original art on your walls? All of the art on my walls is original. And most of it is from friends. I don’t like fast art.
8. Something you’re looking forward to in the spring? Easter candy!
9. Your most-used hair accessory? Scrunchies!
1. Pick one — furry boots or sequined vest?
furry boots
2. Are your holiday decorations still up?
my wreath -yes . i only did that and i am leaving it up.
3. Weirdest spice or condiment in your kitchen?
i dont know abode light
4. Yellow or orange?
yellow
5. Something healthy that you can do for yourself this week?
use my exercise bike
6. High-tops or high heels?
high tops
7. Do you have any original art on your walls?
yes, my nephew at 3 colored in diego and i swear to beans its the cutest
8. Something you’re looking forward to in the spring?
my sorority sisters birthday
9. Your most-used hair accessory?
my bonnet
1. Pick one — furry boots or sequined vest?
Furry boots. I’m wearing Uggs-style boots right now!
2. Are your holiday decorations still up?
I didn’t put any up.
3. Weirdest spice or condiment in your kitchen?
Nothing too weird. I’d say anchovy paste, which is a must-have in my kitchen.
4. Yellow or orange?
Yellow.
5. Something healthy that you can do for yourself this week?
Remember to eat earlier in the day.
6. High-tops or high heels?
High-tops. (Regular tennis shoes, actually; I’ve never liked high-tops.)
7. Do you have any original art on your walls?
No, although there are a few good local artists I really wish I had paintings by.
8. Something you’re looking forward to in the spring?
Planting my container garden.
9. Your most-used hair accessory?
Mini scrunchies, for sure.
1. Pick one — furry boots or sequined vest? Furry boots- I own a pair of furry Sorel boots with glitter. They’re awesome.
2. Are your holiday decorations still up? No- tree went down last week. Lights came off after X-mas
3. Weirdest spice or condiment in your kitchen? Nothing weird, just a lot of the little ketchup packets and mustards.
4. Yellow or orange? Neither, but yellow if I have to pick one.
5. Something healthy that you can do for yourself this week? I need to work out, definitely. Stop snacking, but that’s probably not going to happen. (I’m eating peanut M&M’s as I type this…)
6. High-tops or high heels? High-tops
7. Do you have any original art on your walls? My 6-year-old nephew’s drawings are front and center on the fridge.
8. Something you’re looking forward to in the spring? Warmer weather
9. Your most-used hair accessory? Hair ties (nylon bands), claw clips when I straighten my hair.
I look forward to these each Monday! Thank you for putting them together. <3 It's nice to take a moment to pause and have a little fun answering and reading everyone else's comments!
1. Sequined vest!
2. Nope, finally put everything away on Jan 7. Feels good to have that done!
3. Banana ketchup! Now that is a new one for me! I guess I'll go with the spices I collected when I was recently in New Orleans. I picked up a bunch that I can't get here in TN.
4. Hmmmm. I just used a yellow map pencil to draw the sun, moon and stars so I'll go with yellow!
5. I just started weight lifting again. I don't know how far it will take me this time, so we'll see. I quit my gym membership this fall because of covid and have been working on building my home gym. I now have 315# in olympic weights. Today is the first day I did a lifting workout since mid-November! I'm excited to start my lifting journey again.
6. Def high tops!
7. I do! I have some pieces from my cousin who is an artist and also a wall of what I call my "rescued art collection." I bought original art I found in thrift stores.
8. Being outside more in general! And the ability to see more friends safely while outdoors. And hiking! And camping!
9. Hairbands. I found a really cute puffy one that makes me feel like I'm wearing a crown. I love it! And i think it looks really good. <3
Happy Monday!
Jaclyn, I gotta ask you, where did you find the olympic weights? I’ve been looking everywhere and I’ve only managed to scrounge up 170# in bumper plates. Still looking for more. And I can’t find any change plates to save my life. Unless I want to pay over $200 for them.
I got suuuuuper lucky. I checked “weights” on FB Marketplace nearly every day and one day I happened upon a guy giving away a bar and a bunch of weights at less than $1 a lb. The post was only a couple hours old so I was the first to get them. Another guy was selling an assortment of standard and Olympic weights so I snagged his Olympic ones, too. I still check marketplace about once a week to see what is for sale. But yeah, everything is still really expensive, even 2nd hand!
Thanks! I never thought to look at FB Marketplace.
1. Pick one — furry boots or sequined vest? Sequins, but not a vest. Maybe a jean jacket?
2. Are your holiday decorations still up? Partially. Dear Husband got up on the ladder and took down the outside lights because one section went out and couldn’t be fixed. But the tree and indoor lights are still up. It’s been such a crummy year and the lights make me so happy, so we’re leaving them up. We usually leave them up until Epiphany, so I’m not that late in taking them down.
3. Weirdest spice or condiment in your kitchen? Hmm, maybe Kewpie mayo, just because of the name. Fish sauce, shrimp paste, amchur powder, asafoetida powder? None of them seem particularly weird to me.
4. Yellow or orange? Neither.
5. Something healthy that you can do for yourself this week? My trainer is back from Hawaii, so I’m working my way back into the weight lifting.
6. High-tops or high heels? I miss getting dressed up and going out, so I’m gonna go with high heels.
7. Do you have any original art on your walls? Yes. I try to look for artwork or prints when ever we travel.
8. Something you’re looking forward to in the spring? California poppies! There will probably be a lot less this year because of the serious lack of rain in this area.
9. Your most-used hair accessory? Elastic ties to keep it out of my face when I work out.
1. Pick one — furry boots or sequined vest? (Faux) furry boots, how about purple ones?
2. Are your holiday decorations still up? Only the lights in the living room, it’s a nice mood for tv watching.
3. Weirdest spice or condiment in your kitchen? Nutritional yeast? Love that stuff.
4. Yellow or orange? Mustard yellow today.
5. Something healthy that you can do for yourself this week? Successfully complete week 2 of my Meg Squats beginner lifting program.
6. High-tops or high heels? High tops please, no Velcro tho.
7. Do you have any original art on your walls? Some Marq Spusta Frankensteins.
8. Something you’re looking forward to in the spring? Longer hair.
9. Your most-used hair accessory? My brush, I share it with my cat Blixy, she loves it too.
I’m happy to read others are weight lifting too! Yeah girls! And I’m super interested in banana ketchup, gotta find some to try! Karen do you know The Happy Animals Club in the Philippines? They are a favorite rescue of mine fur sure!! Ken for President!
1. Pick one — furry boots or sequined vest?
Furry boots – they sound very comfy. 🙂
2. Are your holiday decorations still up?
Just the colored lights I put up on the curtain rod in our front window. The tree and stockings and everything else came down this past weekend.
3. Weirdest spice or condiment in your kitchen?
Hmm. Hot Honey? Probably that.
4. Yellow or orange?
Yellow, but a dark yellow.
5. Something healthy that you can do for yourself this week?
Yoga as many days as I can. And less coffee…
6. High-tops or high heels?
High tops, my back will thank me.
7. Do you have any original art on your walls?
Yes! Our aunt was friends with a few artists and has passed on some pieces to us.
8. Something you’re looking forward to in the spring?
Warm weather to hang with my BFF and her new dog in a park!
9. Your most-used hair accessory?
My super-strength invisibobbles…they’re they only things that hold my super long, thick, and wavy locks up.
Thanks for these Monday polls, Karen! It is neat to read how others answer.
1. Both! I refuse to choose.?
I own a sequined hoodie and lots of furry footwear, including boots, from the Canadian brand Manitobah Mukluks. They are all so warm and soft!
2. We do not decorate a tree in the castle, as we are surrounded by them here in the gorgeous PNW. I did bring in some fallen boughs for Winter Solstice, and we are keeping all of our indoor lights sparkling until we grow tired of them.?
3. Furikake, with sesame seeds and dried seaweed. I found a tasty version from Japan with absolutely no MSG.
Not weird to me, but probably unusual to someone!
4. Red-Orange
5. I have added pull-ups to my daily breathwork, yoga, and Pilates- so I will keep working to improve them.
6.High heels- high-tops irritate my achilles tendon.
7. Almost all of our art is comprised of original works- we are collectors of beauty!
8. The possibility of socializing with others, and without masks.
9. My skinny barrette from France Luxe- it magically holds all of my long hair!
1. Furry boots
2. A few things are still up . Will
Be putting up valentines very soon
3. I have to say all kinds of basil like lemon my favorite
4. Yellow
5. High tops
6. Weights
7. I preserved a snow man my daughter painted
8. No masks ? not on the distant future
9. A hair band I’ve had forever
1. Pick one — furry boots or sequined vest?
Furry boots. They stay clean and warm in snow!
2. Are your holiday decorations still up?
Finally got the tree out. Needle fest! Cards and a few misc gilded things are still around and about
3. Weirdest spice or condiment in your kitchen?
Fig balsamic vinegar
4. Yellow or orange?
Yellow, but orange is a close second! My house is painted Ben Moore Hawthorne Yellow. My bedroom had yellow trellis wallpaper when I was a girl. I always loved it
5. Something healthy that you can do for yourself this week?
Hmm. Get to sleep on time!
6. High-tops or high heels?
Neither.
7. Do you have any original art on your walls?
Tons. In fact only original art I would guess. I’ve hardly purchased any but have been gifted a lot from artist friends and family. And have purchased some pieces from friends.
8. Something you’re looking forward to in the spring?
Warmth! Spring scents! Bunnies and birds in the hedgerow
9. Your most-used hair accessory?
Until quite recently, a certain type of barrette. But that all changes after a haircut. So none now, but now a few hair products I haven’t used in ages.
1. Pick one — furry boots or sequined vest? Furry boots but furry on the inside. I just got a pair of shearling lined leather boots. So warm!
2. Are your holiday decorations still up? Down – still in the extra bedroom but will all be in the garage by the weekend
3. Weirdest spice or condiment in your kitchen? Black lava sea salt mostly since I brought it home from Iceland
4. Yellow or orange? Orange
5. Something healthy that you can do for yourself this week? Get back to the gym. Ours reopened this month after being shut down between thanksgiving and New Years due to this hot pandemic mess!
6. High-tops or high heels? Probably high tops since I’m on my feet all day
7. Do you have any original art on your walls? Yes – a painting we bought in Rome in Piazza Navona
8. Something you’re looking forward to in the spring? Getting to run regularly again
9. Your most-used hair accessory? Fancy bobby-pins when my bangs get too long
Forgot about my grandfather’s portrait. His brother painted it (it’s amazing) and I got it when my mother passed away. My grandfather said he wanted me to have it and he would build me a shelf to go under so I could light candles to him (a shrine!!! ?). He was awesome & I still miss him after 23 years
1. Pick one — furry boots or sequined vest?
Absolutely neither!
2. Are your holiday decorations still up?
Didn’t put up any this year, but finally took down Halloween.
3. Weirdest spice or condiment in your kitchen?
I don’t think I have anything particularly odd!
4. Yellow or orange?
Yellow, preferably a nice warm mustardy yellow.
5. Something healthy that you can do for yourself this week?
Go on a hike, continue my lower back stretches.
6. High-tops or high heels?
I would love to say heels, but let’s be realistic…where would I wear them?! High tops it is!
7. Do you have any original art on your walls?
Yes, quite a bit actually.
8. Something you’re looking forward to in the spring?
Warmth, plants thriving, birds returning.
9. Your most-used hair accessory?
Claw clip for holding my hair back when I shower.
1. Pick one — furry boots or sequined vest? Back in the late 60’s I had a pair of furry aprés ski boots. They were quite the thing at that time.
2. Are your holiday decorations still up? They were put away a couple weeks ago.
3. Weirdest spice or condiment in your kitchen? I don’t think piment d’espelette is weird, but it is not very well known or common in the U.S. It’s imported from France.
4. Yellow or orange? I love a slightly red leaning orange.
5. Something healthy that you can do for yourself this week? Eat more fiber. Although I enjoy all the holiday goodies, my digestion does get a bit sluggish. Time to eat “clean”.
6. High-tops or high heels? Since I’m not going out the way I did before Covid-19, I don’t have any opportunity to wear heels so I’ll go with the high tops.
7. Do you have any original art on your walls? Yes. I have some beautiful water colors that are over 150 years old. They were painted by an ancestor.
8. Something you’re looking forward to in the spring? I love watching all the flowers, shrubs, and trees coming to life.
9. Your most-used hair accessory? Scrunchies
I had to google that spice! Thanks for introducing me something new, Eileen.
It’s got a bit of heat and some fruitiness to it. It has a lovely fragrance. You can’t cook Basque or Provençal cuisine without it ? but it’s good in so many dishes—chicken and rice, sautéed veggies, etc. I love to toss veggies in a bit of olive oil and piment d’espelette and then roast them. If you want to try it, you can purchase it from Amazon. I like the Biperduna brand (jar with green label).
I’ve had Basque food before (at restaurants) but have never cooked any recipes, so that’s good to know. Would you say it’s comparable to paprika?
Like paprika? No, not really. I love paprikas of all sorts and am particularly partial to Spanish smoked sweet and smoked hot paprikas. I also love a good Hungarian sweet paprika. They’re delicious in their own right, but nothing like piment d’espelette. It has its own special flavor reminiscent of sweet, ripe bell peppers but with heat. I love the stuff and think it’s wonderful in all kinds of dishes. Some people will substitute cayenne or aleppo, but those really aren’t the same either. They certainly provide the heat, but lack the flavor. A little bit of piment d’espelette goes a long way and the jar lasts a long time if stored properly so plunking down $16-$17 for it is no big deal. If I had to substitute something, I’d use a Spanish hot paprika.
1. Pick one — furry boots or sequined vest?
Furry boots, and make them extra floofy!
2. Are your holiday decorations still up?
Nope. Took them down last week.
3. Weirdest spice or condiment in your kitchen?
Blueberry-champagne vinegar.
4. Yellow or orange?
Yellow today, orange tomorrow. Red might happen the day after.
5. Something healthy that you can do for yourself this week?
Drink more water!
6. High-tops or high heels?
High-tops.
7. Do you have any original art on your walls?
Yes. There’s a framed charcoal nude in my bedroom. I bought it after my divorce.
8. Something you’re looking forward to in the spring?
The flowers that bloom in the spring, tra-la.
9. Your most-used hair accessory?
Scrunchies all day, every day.
Blueberry champagne vinegar sounds delicious, Susan! YUM!
WE BE BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK. It’s been a while and I am so exhausted it ain’t funny.
1. Pick one — furry boots or sequined vest?
Furry boots. It’s so cold here. I want to stay warm! (Any other season, I’d pick the sequin vest.)
2. Are your holiday decorations still up?
Nope. We took them down yesterday, much to the dismay of my nephew.
3. Weirdest spice or condiment in your kitchen?
Turmeric. I still am experimenting on how to use it without gagging.
4. Yellow or orange?
Lordy, how both colors irritate me so, but I’m going to go wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiith a very pastel yellow. At least that’s not irritating to my eyes.
5. Something healthy that you can do for yourself this week?
Attempt to get dressed?
6. High-tops or high heels?
High tops. High heels are a recipe for disaster.
7. Do you have any original art on your walls?
Yes. I have a ballerina in my my office and a reclaimed wooden abstract piece, but the others are prints or stamps (or a puzzle I put together.)
8. Something you’re looking forward to in the spring?
HEAT. (I’m cold, okay.) And maybe getting my COVID-19 shot. If we people with immunocompromised systems ever get on the list (here in Wisconsin they are putting inmates before the immunocompromised people. I could say something about this, but I won’t.)
9. Your most-used hair accessory?
Either my hair sticks or the trusty pony tail/hair holder.
Nice to see you, Kate! I hope your year is off to a good start.
1. Pick one — furry boots or sequined vest? Vest. I’ve seen a Bearpaw furry boot being advertised lately that would make most people look like Clydesdales. It would definitely be ruined in most climates.
2. Are your holiday decorations still up? No.
3. Weirdest spice or condiment in your kitchen? Probably a meat preparation product called a “rub” that is mostly MSG. It was a gift.
4. Yellow or orange? Yellow.
5. Something healthy that you can do for yourself this week? Sleep, maybe, if I can get over the stress of living in this day and time.
6. High-tops or high heels? Neither.
7. Do you have any original art on your walls? I have hand-painted works, but they are not really originals.
8. Something you’re looking forward to in the spring? Daffodil blooms, if they indeed bloom this year. When winters are not cold enough for long enough in this part of the country, they don’t really bloom. I also appreciate redbud tree blooms.
9. Your most-used hair accessory? A plastic comb to keep hair off my forehead.