Here’s a borrowed idea for free graphic art that I’m sharing today, the inexpensive luxury of having battery operated candles (timed to come on each night), an amazing fish dinner recipe from my friend, Mercedes and more.
It’s Five Fave time with Annie and Cindy!
1. Free Graphic Art For Your Gallery Wall
When I was at Juxtaposition recently, I notice some art that said “classic” (below). It seemed like a nice idea for Classic Casual Home’s international headquarters 🙂
I printed classic and casual using the fonts on Canvas with the shadow effect. I have the paid version of Canva since I use it so much. But you could try out the free version and these fonts are actually free.
2. Dry-Eye Relief
It’s an age related thing…dry eyes. It was affecting my vision until my eye doctor said to use eye drops four to five times a day. I was using Lumify which works astonishingly well to get the red out…but it doesn’t help much with moisture.
Did you know that you blink your eyes less when reading a computer screen and it makes your eyes drier? Go ahead and blink!
After using Refresh drops for three weeks, when I went back for another test and my vision results were slightly better! Now I keep the drops bottle on my desk and in my purse.
For all of you who bought the above cargo jacket, I hope you like it as much as I do!
I am going back for a consultation to remove minor cataracts. Have you had that surgery? Any advice would be great.
3. Rechargeable Batteries For Candles
A representative from EBL”Energizing Bright Lives“ asked if I would like to collaborate with them about their rechargeable batteries. We were already using them so I agreed. The smaller batteries need replacing often so it’s more economical when they can be recharged. These batteries can be found on Amazon (An affiliate link…thank you) or on the EBL website.
I keep some always ready to go! These are the flicker candles from Pottery Barn. They are on a timer and so nice to come home to after dark.
4. Mercedes’ White Fish In Garlic Parsley Sauce Recipe
This was one of the best dishes I’ve had in a long time. It came from Mercedes’ father who gave her the recipe in 1982!
I watched Mercedes cook it. She lightly browned the fish on one side (usually snapper but this time she had fresh sheep’s head fish) and also added 1/4 cup of chopped shallots to this recipe. Instead of potatoes, Mercedes served it with rice.
Here’s a Mercedes tip: If you don’t have seafood broth, use clam juice.
We served ourselves and she told me to “get more of the sauce.” It was amazing!
5. What To Watch: Netflix Documentary On The Making Of “We Are The World”
This is so good with behind the scenes like when Stevie Wonder helps Bob Dylan with how he should sing his part (Stevie even mimics Dylan’s voice). And how all these stars are in awe of each other.
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Let’s see what Annie and Cindy’s Five Faves are this week:
Nancy says
Maryann, I so thank you for this post and asking the question to your readers about cataract surgery. I know that I need the surgery, but have been putting off calling my doctor because I’m so fearful about having surgery on my eyes! Your readers have been so reassuring. I do not suffer from dry eyes though.
I think I’ll be making that call. Cataract surgery is so common. Good luck to you if you go forward. I’ll be interested to hear how you do.
Mary Ann Pickett says
I think I will do it, Nancy…just not sure about the lens. People have said that they never knew they had so much dust or wrinkles 🙂
Juliet says
Hey MA! And suddenly I’m noticing when I blink … or don’t! I haven’t had that surgery, but Jim’s doctor suggested it may be time for him. I’m really looking forward to the We Are the World documentary … maybe tonight! xo
Mary Ann Pickett says
It’s a good documentary, Juliet!
Pat Hubet says
Hi Mary Ann- After my cataract surgery my eye doctor told me I had the vision of a 5 year old! I highly recommend it. I love the recipe. Thank you and Mercedes. We enjoyed the movie too. Wasn’t it fun to hear those very different and beautiful voices side by side? A celebration of the gift of human creativity and what they did with it.
Mary Ann Pickett says
That is a great recipe, Pat!
Katherine says
Hi Mary Ann,
I have lots to share because I have just had cataract surgery on my left eye last Tuesday and my right one is coming up on March 5th. I’ve been suffering and trying to deal with my chronic dry eye since 2018 I believe. I had laser assisted cataract extraction with implant. The implant is the intraocular lens. The vision test I was given on my left eye the next day was 20 20. I’m not sure this is totally true but that is what the eye doctor said. I was in a mellow state with some mild sedation, but I was awake I was told I would be. Then lots of drops to follow to ward off infection and inflammation. I also wear a clear with small holes a patch over that eye put on with paper tape. It does not hurt your skin.
I’m an expert on dry eye. Warm compresses with a very warm wash cloth and I also use a product I purchase through Amazon called Bruder, moist heat, warm up in micro wave for about 20 seconds. Leave on for a good 5 minutes. Lasts longer than a wash cloth. It’s important to purchase preservative-free. I buy on Amazon Refresh Optive Mega-3 in the PF Lubricant Eye Drops. Also I’ve been on Restasis ( VERY EXPENSIVE) 2 drops a day, I’m just now tapering to 1 a day. Also I have plugs in the lower tear ducks and dissolvable plugs in the upper’s in both eyes. Also if you are still using Lumify on the occasion you probably have been told it will make your dry eye worse. Cataract surgery can make dry eye worse too. Also since my dry eye started I’m very sensitive to bright light. Dark sunglasses are your friend. Also you probably have special glasses for the computer. Keep blinking and move away from the screen every hour.
Mary Ann Pickett says
I cannot thank you enough for this!!!
Diana M says
Fish recipe looks wonderful! Thanks for including. I too have dry eyes, and my eye doctor recommended Oasis Plus Tears. They’re really helping, and I like the small tubes I can toss in my purse.
Mary Ann Pickett says
The drops are really helping me too!
Francesca B says
Lovely fish recipe thank you Mary Ann. I know l will have to have cataract surgery too one day but my mother in law had it done and she was fine.
Happy week !
Mary Ann Pickett says
My sister had it too and she is fine also.
Annie Diamond says
Mary Ann! I absolutely love how you took an idea that inspired you from juxtaposition and shared it! I love your gallery wall with the graphics CLASSIC & CASUAL! Brilliant!
Love those battery operated candles, that jacket and the advice on eye drops! I use Lumify, which I love but a good Reminder to use something like you recommend! And blink! I need to blink more! Haha
Mary Ann Cunningham Pickett says
I need to blink more too, Annie!!
Barbara says
Currently recovering from surgery on first eye and eagerly awaiting second surgery. My dad did laser surgery (not covered by insurance) and loved it. Much speedier and an easier recovery. I had the traditional surgery and am doing well. 20/20 the morning after surgery!
Two things I wish I had known ahead of time are 1)Make sure you have sunglasses with you when you leave after the procedure!!!
2)I’m not supposed to bend at waist for ten days. All my comfy clothes are in my bottom drawers. Wish I had moved them.
As I sit here with one eye with the cateract and the other one with the cataract removed, it is amazing to see the difference in clarity, color and brightness. Am excited for next one.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks so much for the advice!!!
Bonita Gillespie says
Good Morning Mary-Anne
I wanted to let you l know that I was severely near sited 1200/20. My eye dr suggested that I may have the start of cataracts and if so I could have surgery. I did so 14 months ago and I have been 20/20 vision since then. It was unbelievable! I am shocked at how well I can see now. ( and slight horrified to actually see all of my wrinkles I’d never seen before). I live in Canada but I’m sure your great surgeons in the USA will be able to give you 20/20 vision. The worse of it was all the eye drops I had to use for a few weeks pre and post surgery. I wish you all the best with it and please let me know how you make out.
Mary Ann Cunningham Pickett says
Thanks, Bonita!! That is so encouraging!
Barbara says
I am recovering from my first cataract procedure now and am eagerly awaiting the second one for my other eye. Your doctor will discuss best lens options for your situation. I opted to correct for distance and got toric correction for astigmatism. I will still need glasses for reading. My dad got it done through laser surgery (not covered by my insurance) and recovery was quicker. That being said, I had the traditional surgery and am doing well. Tested 20/20 the morning after surgery. If you do it, make sure you bring sunglasses to wear home afterwards. Also, I’m not supposed to bend at waist while recovering. I wish I had moved some things around in my house. My comfy pants, t-shirts and socks are all in bottom drawers and I have to ask my husband or son to get things for me. I am happy I did it. There’s such a difference in clarity, color and brightness.
Cheryl P says
To all your readers, I highly recommend the EBL battery charging station. I found mine on Amazon, and while small, it acomodates all the battery sizes. You can also buy rechargeable batteries on Amazon. They are an initial investment, but a money saver (not to mention planet-saver!) in the long run! Like MaryAnn, love the flickering candles on the timer, they add such a nice ambience to the room.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks Cheryl…that’s where I first bought my EBL rechargeable batteries on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3IeCfzG
Holly Beaver says
I am a loyal reader of your blog and especially like your outfit posts. Switching topics…..cataracts. Usually, a patient has 3 choices for lens replacements: regular, 1 close and 1 far lens and a multifocal lens. Even though I don’t wear contacts, my optometrist had me wear soft contacts for a week or so of each choice. When I went in for my cataract consultation, I had enough information to make an educated choice. Good luck!
Mary Ann Pickett says
Thanks, Holly for this informed comment! I wore contacts years ago before I had Lasik. Now I just wear reading glasses and have to take them off going down stairs. I could ask to try out a close contact lens to see if I like it. Good suggestion.