{Friendship Friday} Weekly Acts

I've missed some days, haven't I?! The days have been busy and uh-oh..the sick bug crept up as well. Now we are playing catch-up and juuust about back on track, but not fully. Ah well, it'll come.

 
Thinking back on the last couple weeks, a few acts of kindness (both given & received) helped us get through the process. Here's a quick thankful look back:
 

• Flowers by mail from my partner on Valentine's Day.
• Helping the neighbors find/save their young dog.
• A four-year old's color drawing for my wall.
• Dinner out provided by a generous gift giver.
• Best friend helping prune the pear trees. {hugs}
• Encouraging conversation from neighbors about work.
• Friend bringing Sprite and Otter pops when sick.
• Understanding and teamwork from coworkers.

"Life is made up of small pleasures. Happiness is made up of those tiny successes. The big ones come too infrequently. And if you don't collect all these tiny successes, the big ones don't really mean anything." Norman Lear

Spread Love

Happy Valentine's Day!

Treat SOMEONE with a little love today.

 

 These were yummy chocolates from my neighbor. :)

{Muster Monday} The Dining Table

I grew up with 4 other siblings in the house and in the same town/area as both sets of grandparents. We sat at the table to eat...not always all of us, or not always at the same time....but the table was to sit and eat. It just was. It wasn't a requirement for every meal....actually, it was preferred we didn't when we had good ole watermelon :). Outside was best for that! Then you could have a contest to see who could spit seeds farther. lol And then you laughed so hard when someone messed up and the seed just trickled down their chin. Baaahaa.

Some good memories of mine to share with you:

• Weekly supper meals when I was young with bountiful veggie options from my Dad's garden. I ate the crap outta those brussell sprouts!
• My Mom's best darn breakfast...biscuits (almost always a staple people), gravy & bacon & eggs...oh man! This was mainly on the weekends, as cereal was the choice for school days :).
• Sunday dinners at Grandmother's house. Then watching old cartoon movies afterwards like Felix the Cat. Fun!
• Family gatherings at Mamaw's...ok stop, listen...my FAVorites from that lady was her Homemade Hot Rolls #1, her Bread Pudding, Banana Pudding...well, all her desserts, she rocked in that department!

I digress. The dining table...I've realized...after ALL those years and time of sitting at one to eat and the good memories associated with it...I don't use mine. At all. Seriously. I don't remember the last time (even if it is just me who does) that I've sat there to eat. It's wasted space in my house it seems. Sitting there cleaned off, even has a lovely centerpiece, not used, not piled high with other stuff. Sad.

I wonder why? I might try it for a week. Might develop the habit again...I think it's a good, positive habit I could live with hehe. :)

Do you use your table to eat?

{Friendship Friday} Girlfriends

Girlfriends are so special. Today, one of mine is celebrating a birthday.

She doesn't like to make a big deal out of her day; unlike me who likes to celebrate ALL birthday month hehe.

I think she's worth writing about though...:) (she'll secretly scold me):

She's beautiful...inside and out. Her soul overflows with caring and giving. She's one of the hardiest working people I know; my old man even said one time that he'd just as soon have her than another man helping him. She's a loyal friend...honest and straightforward if you can get her to talk to you :). She rarely takes time for herself so I have to sometimes connive for the joy of her company ;). She likes the simple things in life, but gladly will make room for some bling if provided.

I could ramble on about the goodness of my friend, but I'm just going to simply say:

Happy Birthday, Girl! and thank you for your friendship.

(clipart found at mycutegraphics.com)

{Wasp Wednesday} Happy Birthday E

Today is my daughter's 23rd birthday.

I love her. Nuff said.

 

{Muster Monday} Yummy Vegetable Chips

Vegetables. Can you get enough?! um, yes. I can...too much of a good thing, they say.... ;)

So, I needed to shake it up a little. It was getting boring...although my body was saying "YES, YES...oh god, YES!"...my mental state was screaming "please help me."

Along comes an impulse buy for chips and thankfully I was in the 'good' aisle at Fred Meyer.

Voilá!---Terra® chips...specifically the sweet potato chips for me but they all look good!

Do you make your own? I've tried a couple recipes but most of them are the "better eaten immediately" kind & I'm the only one who eats them. I want to keep them on hand for smaller portions at a time so I'm glad to find the above chips.

If you want to try for yourself, try this recipe for Sweet Potato Chips {in the microwave!} from rachel cooks and let me know how it worked. Happy Munching!

{Friendship Friday} Organic Facial

 

I have a new friend, a Licensed Esthetician. :)

I enjoyed an organic facial yesterday at Organic Skin Care by Janette. Janette has over 10 years of experience in the industry and utilizes a holistic approach to skin care.

Her products and techniques at my previous waxing appointment was well received. Believe it or not, I can't wait for the next session! I know right?! (ok...maybe a little over-enthusiastic but definitely will go back) Janette was gentle and the experience did not leave my skin in pain and with little redness (I have super sensitive skin.)

Janette strives to provide quality, organic, vegan products for skin care. I appreciate this as I have been slowly incorporating these changes into different areas of my life/household. She carries a range of products as well for your shopping desire by Eminence Organic Skin Care by Hungary, 100% Pure Cosmetics and Skin Care, Mineral Fusion Cosmetics, and Neal's Yard Remedies in which she as a webpage here.

Check out her website to see all the services she offers.

{Wasp Wednesday} Pin-spiration

Pin-spiration from Pinterest.  (pinterest)

Here are a few original items/pics of things that I have accomplished this last year.

 

Simple Bow Tie Top by Sweet Verbena

Pattern: Crocheted Baskets by the Crochet Diaries via Maize Hutton

 

 

No-Bake Energy Bites by smashed peas and carrots

 

Other links:

Tutorial: Rice Bag Feet Warmer by V & Co. via Skip to my Lou. Made for each of my coworkers for Christmas.

How to Make a Skirt: Easy Project by Art by Angeli. Tutorial; made for my daughter.
Natural Room Scents by The Yummy Life. Using sources from your kitchen in jars.

{Muster Monday} Lentil Salad

I've been following a metabolic detoxification menu plan by Metagenics™ for the past month upon the suggestion of my Naturopathic doctor. In the plan, recipes for suggested menu items were made available...some were yummy! I've done quite well on the plan, which includes their UltraClear RENEW™ powder formula, and I will continue to refer back to it after completion. Especially for some of the recipes like the following!

Instead of cooking the lentils, I substituted Melissa's steamed lentils that I found at Costco and made quickness of my time. I also left out the bell peppers, only because they seemed to be giving me some trouble lately. :)

Lentil Salad

3-4 servings

2 cups lentils, picked over and rinsed

3 ½ cups water

2-3 TB red wine or balsamic vinegar

1/3 cup olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp dried basil

1 tsp fine sea salt

¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

½ cup black olives, chopped

½ cup carrots, shredded

2 med tomatoes, cut into ½-inch pieces, or 1 cup cherry tomatoes

1 med red bell pepper, seeded and cut into ½-inch pieces

1 small red onion, finely chopped

1 cup fresh parsley, coarsely chopped

Simmer lentils, covered in water, until tender—30 to 45 minutes. Drain and cool. Combine vinegar, olive oil, garlic, basil, salt, and pepper in a jar; mix well. Combine remaining ingredients with lentils and toss with the dressing. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.

 

{Friendship Friday} An Acrostic Poem

I like to go "where everybody knows your name" sometimes (yep, you are so humming it in your head aren't you? hehe.) That somewhere for me is Primrose & Tumbleweeds --a local Wine, Beverage & Food Bar. On Friday & Saturday nights, they have live music; however, during these Winter months they've suspended that schedule and implemented other social activities until the music resumes.

Recently, they had an Open Mic Poetry & Poem reading night. I'm not a writer. I suck at taking notes, I'm not a journal-er (which is why this blog has been difficult for me to launch and is so bare lol), and my scrapbooking...well, let's just say the books are there and all the goodies too but sooo not put together. But I appreciate all those things....so I gave writing a poem a try....amateur at work here, beware. :) For my friends at P&T.

Hint: An acrostic poem is a cryptographic form in which the initial letter of each line spells out a word, often the subject of the poem or the name of the person to whom the poem is dedicated.

Ode to Grape-ness

Winter, Summer, Spring or Fall;
In times of need or for no reason at all.
No other place supplies such bounty;
Erupting from the earth sweet pearls of the county.

Ah...the complexity echoing from the spill--
To cure, soothe, or mask like a pain pill.

Prepare your full-bodied senses!
Refuse not what dispenses!
Imbibe of varieties red, white and rose'...
Merlot, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet.
Raise your glass (and by all means your nose)
Oenophiles (or neophites, we can't ALL be pros).
Selections await, from door to door are rows & rows;
Empty your glass then ask for more..._______.

{Friendship Friday} Grandmother

My first post on a Connection chain for you. For myself, I have created these stipulations: 1) must include at least one web link to something, and 2) must include a real human being. That's it on rules for now! lol Maybe I will get more creative on future Friday posts.

* I was looking for a unique container to use for an auction donation to the Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp Speakeasy Gala in a second hand store. (Rare for me btw...not my usual M.O.)

+Link over+

* Although I did not find one...I became distracted by the book section and discovered an ideals magazine. Anyone know about these? Here's a brief description:

Ideals Magazine has ceased publication. Ideals enriched life with inspiring stories, beautiful poetry, and touching reader contributions. Each issue of Ideals Magazine offered page after page of spectacular full-color photographs, wonderful drawings and paintings, as well as heartwarming scenes of seasonal celebration. Ideals is published in 6 seasonal issues: Easter, Mother's Day, Country, Friendship, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Did you notice in the "seasons" that there is a Friendship one? That's one I found. :)

+Link over+

* I bought it! Why? Sentimental I suppose...my Grandmother (paternal) had a subscription to these. When visiting her, I loved looking at the pictures and reading the poetry, etc. Just simple and heartwarming as the description says, even reading as a young child.

Although Grandmother is no longer here, the Connection with her is not broken. :) 

{WASP Wednesday} 40 Baton

Someone is turning 40! (at work and I won't name names...ahem... Kaleen)

I whipped up a little "baton" to pass since I was first runner. It is a cardboard tube covered with scrapbook paper using tape. I left some paper over the ends and tucked in.side for a more finished look.

I added some goodies to make it through the year. "Take one & call me in the morning!" I will tell her :).

I simply tied the chocolate in tulle and pushed them in the tube. (NO candy was harmed, trust me hehe.) I left the ends a little long so they would look frilly out each end.

Super fun and super easy!

Linked up on homework blog. Go check out the other goodies!

{Muster Mondays} Dairy Free

Well, this is good timing for my New Blogging adventure--I must go "dairy-free" as well as avoid wheat, gluten, and eggs.
Hmm....sounds very similar to Vegan. But I will add a splash of meat so don't get too excited there ;).

My dilemma will be those "grab something quick" or "I don't feel like cooking" modes. You know, t-i-m-e. And I've had 40 years to hone my OtHeR way of thinking, ack ack.

So I'm heading it off at the pass! (yeah, we'll see)
I've made a semi-menu list for Monday - Wednesday (work outside-of-home) days.

Breakfast Smoothies sound like a doable part of the plan - like this one I found on my Whole Foods app.

Get Over It Green Protein Shake

2 cups organic chopped fresh greens such as spinach or kale, thick stems removed
1 mango, peeled and cubed
1 cup original or unsweetened ricemilk
1 banana
3 tablespoons WF Organic Vanilla Soy Protein Powder

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

I'll use this as a guide for my mornings. Had my first one this morning, SPINACH and all...it was delicious!

Well that's it for now....If you have a fave dairy-free "smoothie" that you want to share with me, please do! (in the comment section you know :) ).

[Back to Blogging]

Hi there! I'm gonna try this blogging again.  :)

I've had some time to think about it...ok, LOTS of time obviously since my last post was last summer. But I want to share things with you...

I chose the following guidelines based on my general activities...maybe it will be easier, hm.

So this is what I'm proposing for myself:

{Muster Mondays} - this is where I may share a recipe, a meal plan, a food comment...OR, an organizational action/thought, or a preparedness action. Whatever it has taken me to "muster" for the week.

{WASP Wednesdays} - What?! you may ask...well, these posts will be rAnDoM. Maybe you'll see crafting..maybe about gardening...maybe about politics (NO..just kidding bout that)...Humor will probably fall on this post day. :)

{Friendship Fridays} - these posts are not about friends, but about relationships. The F's just worked good together...:). You might see thoughts on my people relationships or recommendation of a "link" in my life. Literally, probably a recommendation through a link. A connection.

SO, with that said, let's set a deadline to start...maybe like MONDAY, MARCH 19. Fingers crossed! I can do it! eek.

[food]: raspberries

Every summer we get fresh raspberries (among others) from the neighbors who operate a berry stand. As it is very nice to have connections sometimes, it has also become a creative challenge.

I will admit--I waste more berries than eat. And I have a problem. :)

I think I still have gallon bags of frozen berries from two+ years ago. That's not right! So this year I am looking for ideas--easy ideas--to use this fresh flat of berries before they go bad.

So far...I have made a batch of muffins, a small batch of scones, and added them to a Betty Crocker lemon cake mix. That didn't put much of a dent in it! I will also take some to work and SHARE! I'm loving that idea!

Anyone else want to lend an idea hand? Please feel free! Thanks for the comments.

[photo test]

Testing 1, 2



I May have figured it out!! Yay.

Photo again in a different way. link Yeehaw. LOL.

[endurance] : results

In an earlier post, I introduced you to Yassine Diboun - a long distance runner.

He has crossed the finish line of the 100-MILE endurance run in San Diego, in support of Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp.

Guess what!? See this craziness--> HE TOOK SECOND PLACE! (together with another runner, you gotta go read about it HERE!)I'm. in. awe.

Such a giving person. He surpassed his goal and raised over $3000 for the Camp.

THANK YOU YASSINE!

Vote4camp.com

Check out Jackie W., one of the "expert" campers! She did a great job in this interview!

And like she said...VOTE FOR MY CAMP!

KPTV.com Vote for Mt Hood Kiwanis Camp Video


Voting ends 9pm pst, Wednesday, May 25 (Tomorrow folks)...so hurry and join in.

What a great way to support an exceptional organization!

[endurance]

...I wish I had more of it when working in my craft room! You know...like a long-distance runner.

 Or better yet!...like Yassine Diboun, an Ultra Marathon runner, participating in the 100 MILE San Diego Endurance Run on June 11, 2011! Check out this short video where he shares about the organization he is raising money for and about how he trains:

Or, go to his blog, http://www.runforcamp.blogspot.com/ to follow his progress to June 11th, to donate, or to see other videos!

Good words and encouragement!...I need to "channel" some of that right into my craft room.

[earth day]

a poem by Mary Oliver

Where Does the Dance Begin, Where Does It End?

Don't call this world adorable, or useful, that's not it.
It's frisky, and a theater for more than fair winds.
The eyelash of lightning is neither good nor evil.
The struck tree burns like a pillar of gold.

But the blue rain sinks, straight to the white
feet of the trees
whose mouths open.
Doesn't the wind, turning in circles, invent the dance?
Haven't the flowers moved, slowly, across Asia, then Europe,
until at last, now, they shine
in your own yard?

Don't call this world an explanation, or even an education.

When the Sufi poet whirled, was he looking
outward, to the mountains so solidly there
in a white-capped ring, or was he looking

to the center of everything: the seed, the egg, the idea
that was also there,
beautiful as a thumb
curved and touching the finger, tenderly,
little love-ring,

as he whirled,
oh jug of breath,
in the garden of dust?
-from Why I Wake Early (2004)