Whirlwind of Change
January 27th, 2012
I feel lately as though I’m caught up in some type of whirlwind. I know that must sound odd to you- because it sounds odd to me as well, but it’s the only way that I really know how to describe it. I’ve had a lot of really great things happening and I have so much to talk about- but when I sit down to do it- the words don’t seem to come. Even now- as I type this- I find myself pausing and staring into space- Maybe it’s change- Maybe that’s the whirlwind feeling that I’m having. There is much of that happening in my life- in almost every aspect.
Relationships- I’ve had to sever a few and put boundries on others. It’s one of those things that I struggle with, because I tend to want to give people a second, third and even fifth chance. At the same time- I’ve realized that in spite of my hopes- that some things (and people) aren’t going to change, so rather than find myself absorbed in a pool of toxicity, I’ve had to let go. Some are easier than others- and some will become harder when I’m home, but I’ve made a decision- and I know without a doubt they were the right decisions- yet me wanting to hold on to hope and belief that others can change- definitely made it hard for me to get to this point. As much as it may hurt- some people aren’t put into our lives to be here forever.
Business- I’m still working on promoting and really trying to get the business name out there- and while I know Rome wasn’t built in a day, I still find myself highly impatient at times. The great thing is- I’ve had really positive responses in regards to my goodies, so that alone makes me happy. My brain is constantly thinking though- what I can do next and how to best market and get my name out there.
Home- We are great- only I find myself wanting to completely revamp our home. It isn’t in disarray- but I have been feeling lately like downsizing everything. I find myself wanting to de-clutter and our home isn’t cluttered. I see plenty we don’t need though, and rather than holding on to the ‘stuff’- maybe it’s time to let go of what we no longer need.
Maybe it is about the change- There’s so much of it happening- all of it good- but the more I think about it- the more I understand why I’m feeling like I’m caught in a whirlwind.
January 16- 22 (Photo 365)
January 25th, 2012
January 16-
I started walking again- and really getting back on track with spending time working out and taking care of myself and of my body. It isn’t that I was being horrible to myself before- but I definitely wasn’t getting the exercise I need, so it has been great to get back in the swing of things.
I have asked myself how I ever allowed myself to get out of the habit- since I feel so great when I do work out. Between exercise and changing my eating habits back to what they should have been all along- I find that I have much more energy and I’m loving it.
January 17-
The afternoon sun was shining through the window and it was shining directly on this cross that I have hanging on the wall- There are actually two there- but the other was shadowed where this one was not. I thought it would make a cool picture and so I decided to grab a shot with my iPhone- then ran it through Camera +, pretty much like I’ve done with most of the pictures in this weeks series.
January 18-
This photo isn’t even remotely good but I wanted to share what I made last Wednesday, that instantly become a ‘favorite’ in this household and amongst my friends who had the pleasure of trying it.
Very simple- I bought three ripe (not over ripe) bananas and cut them into chunks- then I spread about a 1/2 teaspoon peanut butter (unsweetened) on top of each chunk. Put them on a parchment lined cookie sheet and then tossed them in the fridge- I let them cool while I melted some dark chocolate- and then dipped them one by one and put them back on the parchment lined cookie sheet and let them harden in the fridge. They were- to-die-for. Marcel, who doesn’t like banana’s or peanut butter loved them. They didn’t last long.. and I can’t wait to make them again.
January 19-
My favorite (and only) guy was late coming home from work on Thursdsay. Generally when he’s late he’ll pick up the phone to call and let me know- but this time he didn’t. He was due to be home at 2, but at 2:15 (and just when I was ready to pick up the phone to call him) he walked in the door carrying these beautiful orange roses. This photo doesn’t do them justice- but they are gorgeous.. Here I am- adding this entry almost a week later and they are still gorgeous- That’s what I call a wonderful surprise.
January 20-
This is actually a shot that I took of my iPad after logging my food and exercise for the day on Friday- I’ve been using My Fitness Pal for a couple of weeks now- and I have to say that I love it more than Spark People- and that’s saying a lot. I’ve always been a huge Spark People fan- and still am, but this is - just better in my eyes.
I love how it snycs everything across the board from my phone- my iPad or even the computer. It’s made keeping up with my food diary and exercise much easier.
January 21-
Carmex has to be one of my favorite things ever! It also happens to be one of my mom’s as well- and I’d even go as far as saying she loves it more than I do. I had just put some on my lips and I tossed it onto the coffee table where it landed on the back of a magazine- I saw the lips and decided to reposition it for the shot- which I think turned out pretty cool.
January 22-
I was gone most of the day on Sunday and the picture that I did take I wasn’t thrilled with, so I ended up choosing one that I’d taken earlier in the week. We had some amazing sunny days and even though it was chilly- it was perfect outside with all the sunshine. I guess since we’ve had so little lately- that when we do get it- I realize just how grateful I am. It was short lived- but it was wonderful while it lasted.
The colors in the sky were breathtaking- It amazes me that after seeing things like this- that people actually believe there is no God. That’s something I’ll never comprehend.
January 9-15 (Photo 365)
January 23rd, 2012
January 9-
This is an odd looking picture- I know. It’s the contents of a bowl that I have on my coffee table- and the center piece is- cinnamon.
When I first bought it- it smelled really great- but now if you want to have the cinnamon scent you have to scratch it- somewhat like a scratch-n-sniff.
January 10-
Last year sometime I saw someone talking on Twitter about making Kale chips and I thought then that I’d really like to try them.
I forgot about it for a while until recently and I went on a quest to find a whole stalk of kale so that I could make an effort to try the chips. I absolutely love kale and cook it quite often in salted water and then drizzle it with hot sauce to eat- It’s loaded with vitamins and minerals but what I usually buy is already chopped- but too finely to work for the chips.
I finally found a stalk at a farm and since I wasn’t going to make them until the following day- I poked the bottom of the thick stalk with a knife and then put it outside in some water so it wouldn’t wilt.. This is the result of the kale chips that I made the following day and they are VERY good.. Huge hit- and surprisingly even Marcel loved them.
January 11-
This week I was in the mood to whip up things in the kitchen and on this particular day I made some roasted red pepper hummus. I didn’t exactly have everything I needed- (I was out of tahini), so I just tossed in a little peanutbutter instead. I have to say it turned out really great- not to mention I added some hot sauce, cayenne and even some left over taco sauce. It was a huge hit- well at least with me, since I’m the only one who eats it. Add a little to a Wasa cracker and YUM!
January 12-
This is one of my favorite coffee cups ever- I fell in love with this about a year or so ago (maybe even a little longer) at a cafe and I asked them if I could buy one. They told me no- but I was determined.. (Yes, I admit- I even thought about stealing one for a moment.. It was only a moment though- since I’m not a theif.) Several months later- wouldn’t you know- the store was selling them and I rushed (and I do mean rushed) to the store that day to get one. They had them in black and red and I got the red (as you can see). I also picked up one for mom, who I’m pretty convinced probably has it on a shelf in her China cabinet and has never used it. haha!
January 13-
Gingerbread cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream that I made as a combination thank you- going away gift for a doctor who was retiring.
They seem to be a favorite amongst everyone who has tried them, so I decided it would be a nice parting gift- and I hope she enjoyed.
January 14-
My favorite feline- The amazing Mister Mistoffelees. I must say that I love seeing him in pictures anyway, but now that we have the new sofa and chair- I love it even more.. It just seems to ‘blend’ better with his fur.. haha I know- that’s silly- but I think because the sofa is a solid color that it looks so much better. We are definitely loving the way it feels when we sit on it..
January 15-
This month’s “O” magazine and probably one of my biggest guilty pleasures. I know- it may not seem like much- but it’s one of my favorite things to curl up on the sofa with a cup of coffee or tea and crack open my favorite magazine.
SO far- I haven’t had the chance to read this one, but you can be certain it will be happening soon.
The Beat of the Drum
January 23rd, 2012
I remember when I was in school (oh so long ago), I played the clarinet. Granted- I probably couldn’t play two notes now- but it has been a very long time- 35+ years long. My brother- he also played, only not the clarinet- he played the drums and I must say- I enjoyed banging on that snare drum so much that I often wished I’d learned how to play drums.
Now, some of my friends’ children are old enough that they are showing interest in joining band at school and I love that you can now find used musical instruments online, a luxury we didn’t have when I was growing up. I keep hoping my nephew will also take up playing an instrument- a drum perhaps? I have a feeling that my brother would love that as much as my nephew.
Baking Bread
January 21st, 2012
I took a day off from working out so that I could let my body rest, so I decided to spend some time doing various things around the house. What I wasn’t planning to do was bake bread, but my friend Caroline shared a recipe, and a gorgeous loaf she made this morning (In Her Crock-Pot of all things) and I couldn’t help but want to see how it would turn out for me. Granted, I didn’t have all the ingredients, so I improvised, which is what I do a lot of times, because let’s fact it- that’s how I roll.
I didn’t want to get out to go to the store, and I didn’t want to wait until Monday- so it’s baking. It has probably 15 minutes and then I guess I’ll find out exactly how it turned out. I’m definitely curious.
I had an unexpected visitor, but I didn’t mind, but now I’m just waiting- and crossing my fingers (and toes) that it turns out great, so I can surprise Marcel with bread skills.. ha.. I’ll share the end result- good, bad or ugly.
*End Result- See Photo to your left*
I’m SUPER thrilled with how easy this bread was and how great it tastes. The original recipe called for rolled oats and I didn’t have any in house- only steel-cut and I decided to toss in some amaranth instead, not having a clue how it would turn out. It really is good- delicious even with all the modifications that I made- and that list was long. Marcel is going to love it- The amaranth gave it a nutty- earthy flavor that I think was fantastic. Of course, seeing how versatile this bread is- gives me other ideas.
January 2-8 (Photo 365)
January 21st, 2012
January 2-
As you can see from the dark skies- we had a horrible storm roll through with winds close to hurricane strength (about 65 MPH). I took this from inside- as I couldn’t hardly push the door open and when I did – rain blew inside. Needless to say- I’m glad I don’t see those kind of days very often.
January 3-
I saw this sign in a parking lot that indicated for people to use that particular area for walking. Something about it caught my eye and I decided to go over and take a quick picture of it. Something about it makes me smile.. I’m not sure what.
January 4-
I love this doggie head that seems to be coming out of the wall. It is at one of our favorite cafe/restaurant’s that is near the forest. It’s an old farm house turned restaurant and in the summer especially there are many dogs on the terrace as people sit out and enjoy something to drink after a walk in the woods. Under this dog is a huge bowl and a faucet, so there is always fresh water for the pups.
January 5-
One of my favorite places to walk and bike- Several miles off into the woods is a small farm and a cafe. You have the feel of being in the ‘middle of nowhere’ when you go there. In fact- we haven’t been in a long time- Maybe it’s about time we did.
January 6-
I came across this old fence and decided to grab a quick shot of it. I didn’t really care for the way it looked in color, so I decided to turn it into black and white. It seems much more fitting for the time of year- and the overall feel to the photo.
January 7-
My favorite Starbucks blend of coffee is back! Need I say more?
January 8-
This has been on my ‘to see’ list for a very long time. “Wicked” the musical. I am a huge Wizard of Oz fan, and finally after booking the tickets months ago- I had my chance. I read the book Wicked years ago, so I had an idea of what to expect, which turned out to be much more than what I expected. I was literally blown away. A-Maz-Ing! If you haven’t seen it- you should. That was my first- but definitely won’t be my last time. NYC and London are on my list of locations to see it.
Technology and Headaches
January 19th, 2012
I wrote a post earlier- but lost it because where was a problem with my site that had it inching along at a snails pace. I absolutely adore technology as long as it does what it’s supposed to, but the minute it doesn’t, I must know why. Since I had NO idea what was going on- I contacted the hosting company- who for the first time ever wasn’t a lot of help- They told me what was going on, but said it was up to me to find out why. They gave me ‘reasons’ but those reasons couldn’t have applied to me- but I won’t be beaten by technology. Call it OCD, call it stubbornness or whatever- I just kept on and kept on until things finally ironed themselves out.
What did I do you may ask? I have no idea, but whatever it was- it worked.
Once Upon a Kitty-
January 19th, 2012
I found this picture tucked away in private entries that I never published- It’s from almost a year ago and I’m certain that I meant to share it and probably thought I did but didn’t realize I never changed it from ‘private’ to ‘public’. So- I’m going to change the date so it can take center stage for today.
The quilt under Mister M. is one that my Great Aunt Lois made for me- It’s absolutely amazing and an heirloom that I’ll cherish always.
Getting Motivated
January 19th, 2012
I’m really excited about getting back in the fitness game and feeling in control of that aspect of my life. This year has started off much better and I’m expecting big things, and so far big things have started happening. I’m excited.
One thing is for sure- that after spending 40 minutes on the elliptical today- I thought I’d need hospital carts to get me to the sofa. I was BEAT! I’m so glad that I pushed myself to get my workout in- even though it took me a while to get motivated today.
Guilt-less Treats
January 17th, 2012
I have some friends coming over tomorrow for lunch and I really wanted to make something yummy but also guilt free. I’m trying to make the right choices food wise and put into my body things that will benefit it health wise- and avoid the stuff that won’t as much as possible. I wanted it to be something easy- but also tasty, so this is what I ended up doing:
I bought a couple ripe banana’s and sliced them in chunks. I added a tiny bit of peanut butter to the top of each one and put them on parchment paper on a cookie sheet in the fridge.. Then I melted some really good quality (Callebaut) dark chocolate and proceeded to dip them all in the chocolate before returning to the pan and back to the fridge.
That’s where they are now- so the chocolate will set up.
I’m not sure how many calories each one would be- but it certainly won’t be much. I added no sugar to the peanut butter (and there’s none in the ingredients) so the only sugar is from the dark chocolate and the natural sweetness from the banana. I can’t wait to try them, but I think I’ll wait til tomorrow and try them when everyone else does.
I’ll share a photo when I pull them out tomorrow.
