Rainy Day Projects

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The weather here turned rainy, windy, cold, and nasty.   It’s been rainy pretty hard for almost a day.  Pretty soon I’ll need another new roof.

I didn’t even want to go out in it so this is a shot from my 4th story balcony.

View from balcony showing clouds and buildings in background

I forgot about this fireplace on this balcony.  I need to sit outside and use it once the rain clears up but before it gets too hot out to take advantage of it.

Balcony Fireplace

Note to self:  Bring something from Here

Various alcohols in refrigerator

…Out to Here

Close up of fireplace on balcony

What’s a good rainy day project?

Getting your tax paperwork organized and ready to mail to the accountant.

Opened mail on table

And what’s a good thing to eat when it’s rainy and miserable out?

Warm and hearty food…

Caribbean Coconut Rice with Garbanzos & Veggies

Caribbean Coconut Rice with Garbanzos & Veggies

Or Savory Pumpkin, Potato, & Carrot Soup

Savory Pumpkin, Potato, & Carrot Soup
Close up of Savory Pumpkin, Potato, & Carrot Soup in white bowl

Or warm and comforting breads or cakes…

Vegan GF Peanut Butter Banana Bread

Close up of Vegan GF Peanut Butter Banana Bread in loaf pan
Hand holding slice of Vegan GF Peanut Butter Banana Bread

Or a warm Microwave Blueberry Banana Oat Cake

Microwave Blueberry Banana Oat Cake on plate with fork

Ready in 5 minutes

Microwave Blueberry Banana Oat Cake showing inside

Slice missing out of Microwave Blueberry Banana Oat Cake with fork on plate

From my earlier Challenge Post about Zodiac signs and if you think your sign fits you, and how much stock you do or don’t put into them, it was fun to read your perspectives on astrology, horoscopes, your sign, and also whether you believe in things like Full Moon phenomenon.   Thanks for the fun comments.

Questions:

1. Best thing you’ve ate or done so far this weekend?

Being done with another day of work is definitely a good thing.  I’ve been working so much lately.  Just checking each day off my list as being another day being “done” with work is a good feeling.  Item #2 has been in full force which has been facilitating Item #1.

2. Have you gotten started on your taxes yet? Do you expect that you’ll have to pay in? Get a refund? Or pretty much even?

I have structured things so that I hope I am even.  But one never quite knows until all the numbers are ran.  Fingers crossed I don’t have to pay in!

I don’t even care (or want) a big refund.  Some people count on having a big refund which is great for them, but I’d rather have access to my money all year, rather than the government holding it, and then giving me my money back in the form of a refund each spring.

However, for some people, it’s a sort of forced “savings” plan.  The IRS holds your money, then gives it back to you in one lump sum, and it feels like you just hit the lottery.  Which hey, whatever works.

I have had years where I’ve had to pay in a ridiculous sum.   To the point that I literally didn’t know what I was going to do and was pawning and ebay’ing my life away.  Thankfully, this hopefully shouldn’t be one of those years.

3. What do you like to do on rainy days?

Right along with going to the gynecologist, going to the dentist, and getting my tax paperwork in order, I’d like to watch paint dry or listen to nails on a chalkboard on rainy days.  Kidding.

Not really much changes for me, I still actually squeezed in a 20 minute run during a break in the rain.

I worked, got housework done…

…and made sure this little one had plenty of paper and crayons and indoor things to do.

Young girl in purple shirt clapping

Enjoy your weekend!  What are you up to?

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Comments

  1. Thank heavens the Australia tax time isn’t for a little while longer yet! *shudder* I reckon I’ll need to bake about five of your peanut butter breads to get through it this year ;)

    Best thing I’ve eaten this week? The vegan mango snack balls I’ve yet to post about :)

  2. On rainy days, I try to do a little bit of productive stuff…and a little bit of relaxing stuff.
    I did my taxes a couple weeks ago—and I paid out bigtime. Like $11K….but I expected it, and had it set aside (collecting interest). I did a lot of contract work last year, and I knew it was coming, so it sounds awful, but like you, I’d rather hang on to my own money and earn interest than let the government have it early.
    We’re in the middle of a blizzard…so I haven’t done much this weekend except work. Totally ok with that, just lookin’ forward to spring!

  3. I like to sleep on rainy days. :) Clouds = natural curtains for daytime sleeping, lol.

    “I don’t even care (or want) a big refund. Some people count on having a big refund which is great for them, but I’d rather have access to my money all year, rather than the government holding it, and then giving me my money back in the form of a refund each spring.”

    SO TRUE! Interest-free refund at that. :evil:

    I want a flat tax. :D

  4. Hope the weather gets better for you! I love rainy days when I get to spend them inside being lazy and relaxing.

  5. Ok, so all of these recipes look amazing!! Especially that caribbean coconut rice-YUM! I can’t wait to try it:) I Love love LOVE your blog btw! Can’t wait to read more:) XOXO

  6. rainy day = carbs galorrrreeee

    Then again I kind of do that every day ;) haha.
    My food hasn’t been super creative thus far as I’m staying at a family friend’s house… I’ve actually been demolishing their fruit salads and carrot bags. Delicious, but not entirely weather appropriate ;)

    that banana bread looks bommmmbb though!

  7. Random note: I was in San Diego yesterday morning for a couple hours for my connecting flight back home from San Fran. I mentally said “HELLO!” to you :P

  8. I haven’t done my taxes yet, just waiting on a couple papers from the University. I should be getting a refund because of school.

  9. I dont mind the rain when its warm out the sound is soothing, I would love to sit by that fire sip on some baileys and read a good book or cookbook :)

  10. Sigh–I’m needing to get on to taxes today too. Need the information so that I can apply for financial aid for my masters. Rainy days are great for reading, researching stuff online that I don’t otherwise get to, curling up with my love and trading massages…

    That fireplace on your outdoor roof/balcony is awesome. I hope you do take a bottle up there and enjoy. Seems like you have a lovely view even on a gray day.
    love
    Ela

  11. A fireplace on the balcony? Now I’ve seen everything!

    I haven’t done my taxes yet because things are still due to arrive in the mail. Getting an appointment with someone to do my taxes is easy and not very expensive because I’m a student. I know I could do them on my own but I’d rather they were done right, especially since I have so many different things to juggle!

  12. That coconut rice looks like the perfect cure to the rainy day blues! Yum!

    I really need to get to work on getting all my tax stuff in order. I usually always get something back so hopefully this year won’t be any different.

    Best thing/only thing I’ve eaten so far today was a nice cool bowl of Peachy Overnight Oats topped with Justin’s Maple AB and crushed gingersnaps! Ahhh, a party in my mouth…makes me want to have breakfast for every meal of the day!

    On rainy days, I love to stay in and read, catch up on some Netflix movies, or bake.

    So jealous of your outdoor fireplace! I could definitely see myself lounging beside that with a nice glass of red wine!

  13. I’ll take drying apint anytime over taxes or the gyno, for sure… I am not slow person and I had my share of maths, but I have given up on grasping taxes. So honestly, I just cross my fingers, hope for the best, and fear the day when I have something to actually file…fornow, my finacial situation is pretty basic, but I know that’ll change someday, ugh. Of course I payd the price for my ignorance one year when I had to pay back a ton of money – that hurts. I know the letter with this years verdict will be in the mail shortly – deep breath :-)

    Good thing you kept your little girl happy in the rain – I know that’s not always an easy deal! Hope you’re enjoying the w-e. :-)

  14. Hey darlin!! omg I feel ya on the rain. It was a massive downpour last night. even our power was out. yuck! But all is well again=) I so have to get started on the taxes too. Not exciting. But has to be done! I think I would feel better about it if I were eating some of that awesome looking carribean coconut rice and sipping some wine on that great balcony of yours! =) With an awesome fireplace too! Looks so cozy! The banana oat cake looks so good and so does the banana bread! I just cant decide what to make first. Yum!!! I hope you have a great day!! (and I hope that rain clears up!)

  15. That fire place on your balcony is awesome!! I could definitely see myself sippin’ on some wine next to a fire with a view like that! :)