Monday, December 31, 2012

cheers!

Looking for a cocktail
to close the old
and ring in the new?
Apricot Stone Sour
So simple to make
equal parts
apricot brandy
orange juice
sweet and sour mix
Whip together in a blender
 Pour over ice
Garnish with a slice of orange
Drop in a maraschino cherry
Get on with the fun...
Happy New Year!


Thursday, December 27, 2012

a crafter's heart

Two scenarios.
On second thought...
three.
One.
You caught the bug
You've knitted
 baked
sewn
to create
and now your hands
feel idle and listless
mld103915_0109_streamers.jpg
Keep those hands moving
with this crafty
use of the leftover
foil wrap
Christmas cards
bottle tops
...
to add shine to your
New Year's Festivities
Two.
You wanted to make things
for Christmas
but time wouldn't
allow it.
Now's the time!
Trade out
the pine garland
center/mantel piece
for time pieces
gathered and grouped together
in one place
set to chime at...
midnight!
A party wouldn't be a party
without a fun hat.
My sister Mary would
make hers from
newspapers...
reusing before it was
hip...
then she would make
confetti
again from newspaper
to throw
at the countdown's
destination  to
Happy New Year!
(mom would find little pieces
of newspaper on bookshelves
and plants in August!)
Three.
You really don't enjoy crafting.
You know you should
if you believe the
press.
But. You. Don't.
Leave everything as is.
Tree twinkling red and green?
Pretty.
Store bought wreaths on the door?
Homey.
Fuzzy red stockings with glitter names?
Fill 'em up!
Works on two levels!
Sit back.
Relax.
Enjoy a game that really
gets 'em fighting...
Battle of the Sexes works well
each time.
Let others around you
get their Martha on
while you sip and smile
and get rosy
all over!
:)


Monday, December 24, 2012

last lines

Merry Christmas
 to All
and to All
a Good Night!
God Bless Us...
Everyone!
We Wish You a
Merry Christmas and a
Happy New Year!
Sleep in Heavenly Peace...
sleep in heavenly peace.
And heaven...
and heaven
and nature
sing!
Look, the virgin shall conceive
and bear a son
and they shall name him
Emmanuel.
God is with us.
Glory to God
in the highest heaven
and on earth
peace
 goodwill
to men.
amen.

Friday, December 21, 2012

give a rub


There's
still time
to make an edible for
gift giving

All-Purpose Spice Rub



Once again we turn to
Martha
for a stocking stuffer idea
catered to the older set
or any chef on
your list

I discovered the rub
back when I was
experimenting with
All Recipes
website

Recently
I passed some along
to Josh and Sara who love
fish
since then
they've been back twice for refills
each time saying
we need to make it
together
someday

I will confess
I'm not too good with
someday...
it's best to nail me down
with an exact day and time
in ink on the
calender
right from the start

Otherwise
someday
may never come

OR...
  
Blackened Tilapia with Secret Hobo Spices Recipe

Make a batch
to give as a gift!

One that I know they'll enjoy.

My pick...

Blackened Tilapia
With Secret Hobo Spices

from allrecipes.com

The how...
Go to Martha's site
for the packaging labels
then take a detour
to all recipes
assemble
put in a pretty recycled
jar
(a small canning jar works)
slap a Martha Label on it
and you're
good to give!

Now I ask you...
Who wouldn't like a little rub
for Christmas?

(double entendre
intended)

;)

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

still time

Whether you're
listening to the radio
watching a Hallmark Movie
visiting your laptop
watching your child tear a green
link from his chain
glancing at a calender
 December Countdown
is nearing its final days
No need to panic
no need to rush about for
those last minutes
(you'll regret them anyway)
no need to begin your
next year I'm going to do things
differently
soliloquy


Christmas Tree Place Cards

Martha's
got your back
with simple
I swear you can make them
bake them
knit or crochet them
ideas

Candy-Cane Marshmallows

Gifts from the kitchen
with packaging
how-to's
and label print-ables
on site

Holiday cheer
in the form of
Peppermint Swirled
Marshmallows
with hot cocoa mix
Baily's Irish Creme
and a candy cane

I really do
Love It!




Get the kids in
on the action (and fun!) with
tons
of craft ideas using
supplies from around the house
like skating
Frosty

Make today
 Make It Day
because
there's
still time.

:)


Wednesday, December 12, 2012

sorry...but

I don't know about you
but I'd like
about ten copies
one for each room
in case those who enter
missed it on their way in
Oh I can fool you
on the blog
with
close-up
just right
angles
of a family room
mantle
with stockings
hung with care
lights glittering
on an heirloom tree
cleverly 
side-stepping 
the surrounding view
of a leg-flex machine on
the coffee table
a husband snoring on his
temporary bed
 a recliner in a previous life
piles of important hospital
papers and rehab exercises
on every flat
surface
Ah heck...
who am I foolin'
those posters are needed
even when there
isn't a man
sleeping
on my couch
Now
if only I can
tap into my inner
Roseanne
and be at peace with it
After all
I find I am most
comfortable
when I visit others
with real-life
used like
crazy
paper piled high
kids stuff cluttered
we
live
here
 homes.
Aren't you?


Tuesday, December 11, 2012

lists

wake up
compose a list
cross off wake up
autumn decor down
Christmas decor up
make breakfast for two
eat together
dispense meds
wake boys
sing Let it Snow
rehab at home
laundry
dust
nap
sweep
(in that order)
walk Dog
read
prepare lunch
give meds
shop
misc. errands
rehab again
rest awhile
have a spot of tea
make spaghetti and salad
eat
meds again
watch tv
pop some popcorn
doze off
find fun
 laugh often
sip on bedtime tea
go to bed
cross off
compose a list

such are the days of convalescing
at home


Friday, December 7, 2012

~this moment~
 
 
ahhh...
exhaling with joy.
 
 
celebrating Rudy's second knee
replacement...
the patient is doing wonderfully!
Yes...
we have a few challenging
weeks ahead...
but we are keeping our eye on
the long term...
hiking
biking
dancing...
enjoying life! 
 
Thank you
Lord.
 
amen.
 


Wednesday, December 5, 2012

cut and paste

 
We learned it in
kindergarten

Along with...
yes
the glue smells yummy
but trust me don't eat it.

I had to
challenge that one... 
Organic Body Care Recipes: 175 Homeade Herbal Formulas for Glowing Skin & a Vibrant Self

but alas...
tis true
it gave me a bellyache.

School had that effect on me
in general.

And now I
school at home...
connection?

I wonder.

My favorite way to
learn is at home...
with You-Tube tutorials...
a friend or sister stopping by
to share their knowledge...
or with a good old fashioned book.

I am sharing this find with
you
right in time for the holidays!

Organic Body Care Recipes
175 Homemade Herbal
Formulas for
Glowing Skin and a Vibrant Self
by
Stephanie Tourles



You'll be concocting

Salt of the Earth Body Scrub
Bubblicious Herbal Bath Foam
Tropical Creamy Body Oil
Feelin' Fresh Foot Powder
Strawberry Tooth Brightener
Ruby Red Romantic Aphrodisiac Herb Tea
Luscious Lip Balm
Herbal Decongesting Steam
Minty Soap Lover's Face and Body Wash

All while learning herbal
properties and uses...
with confidence.

Stephanie removes the mystery
and opens the door to
the world of
natural beauty.

She has even included
gift-giving ideas.

What's stopping you?

Go to the library and check it out!

As for cut and paste...
well
you can't keep a
good woman down.
Plus!
No storage required.

(read previous posts
if you're feeling lost)

Thanks for visiting.

Now I have some
elving to do!

:)



Tuesday, December 4, 2012

today's trouble

 
where blogging is concerned...
still no answer to my
picture uploading
ability
or
lack there of...
 
thank you
for hanging in there with me
 
as for other areas...
well
I tried to get out
of bed this morning and my
low back instantly
retaliated
 
I had a twinge occur
over the weekend
and babied it for a while
but then as it subsided
I went about my days as usual
 
today I must be
very intentional about each
and every
move.
In fact
I must accompany each said move
with an inhale 
in anticipation
and an exhale
with the effort.
 
What's that about?
 
Could it be that exercise has
become a foreign
concept?
 
Hmmmm...
 
I could say I don't have time...
funny
I seem to have plenty
of time to watch
television
each and every
night.
 
I have time to peruse my
favorite
sites on the computer.
 
Just no time for me?!
 
(a brief *pause* while
I prepare my back for
a sneeze...)
 
"excuse me"
 
Where was I...
oh yeah
telling the tale of how
I can't find time for
me...
yada-yada-yada.
 
And so my back hurts...
A string of lights went out on the tree...
My throat feels scratchy...
Rudy is having his second
knee replacement on Thursday...
 
But Wait!
 
That's not today.
 
I will listen to what Matthew
has to say about that...
 
"...do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will bring worries of its own.
Today's trouble is enough
for today."

amen?
 
To which Charles Spurgeon
would add...
"Anxiety does not empty tomorrow
of its sorrow but only
empties today of its
strength."
 
Strength.
I'm feeling a New Year's
resolution
coming on.
 


Friday, November 30, 2012

~this moment~

A Friday ritual. 
A simple...
extraordinary moment
from my week.
A moment I want to pause...savor...
remember forever.
 
No photo...
just words.
 
Sharing my special moment.

See her reclined
at her desk...
feet propped on a nearby
chair that has been
drawn close to
accommodate the posture
A coffee rests beside her
*half full*
still warm
begging to be drunk
a soft light illuminates
from the computer sitting
on her lap
busy at work...
diligent
focused.
To the keen observer we see
a control at her hip
with a red button glowing
on the display panel to
*full back*
no wonder she has such a
serene expression
She is
multitasking
a bad word in her world
since she has been unable to
 accomplish such a feat...
and so she finishes
the work on
her laptop
and proceeds to the
task at hand

a shiatsu massage
awaits.

Happy Weekending, All!

(Apparently,
she has yet to work out
that glitch!)





Tuesday, November 27, 2012

technical difficulty

 
So...
 you may have been wondering...
or not
I am thankful for those
who were...
 
Yes...
I had a lovely
Thanksgiving...
rich with food and family
and a
grateful heart.
 
Yes...
I watched the MICHIGAN
ohio state
game
all by myself
because
my boys were out shopping...
and no,
I am not kidding.
 
Maybe they were
in tune with the dreaded
outcome and
therefore
opted out.
 
Yes...
James was confirmed on
Sunday and I had
a small gathering of family
to share in his
accomplishment.
 
He looked so handsome
in his black attire
and bold red
tie.
 
Unfortunately
I do not have any pictures
to prove my stories
because apparently I have used
all my storage and
am unable to upload
(for free that is)
 
So...
cheap me will find
a way around that little glitch...
I will consult with my
learned sister
(Rosebud, expect a call)
and the proof
will once again
be in the
pic.
 
Until then...
lonely words on a blank
screen.
So very sorry.
 
Now...
I've been wondering...
 
How was your
holiday weekend?
 
 


Monday, November 19, 2012

this child


As I held his hand
and looked into those sparkly eyes
I started saying the only thing that
came to mind...
 
Now I lay me
down to sleep,
I pray the Lord
my soul to keep,
If I should die
before I wake,
I pray the Lord
my soul to take,
In Jesus name
Amen.
 
Joey and James were with me
and out of habit we began
to sing a little
lullaby
I wrote and sang each
night with them...
 
When the sun shines bright it washes
all my fears and tears away,
When the moon beams through my window
I know what it's trying to say
Sleep tight my little bundle
Sweet dreams will come your way
And an angel will watch over you
Until the dawn of day
 
 
I put a cross on his forehead and
kissed him goodnight.
 
goodbye.
 
Knowing he found his way home
I again turned to a
prayer that my mom said each
morning before we
boarded the bus
for school.
 
Help him Lord
this day to be...
Guide thy child
to follow thee...
Help and save him by the hand...
Until he reaches
 heavenly land.
In Jesus name...
 
Pawlak Funeral Home
 
amen.
 
My father-in-law...
"Big Rudy"
a man I was
proud and grateful
to call
Dad.

 
 
 
 


Saturday, November 17, 2012

november soup

 
a cold november morn
frost on the ground
sun peeking over the
horizon

 
the perfect time
or so i'm told
to forage
 
with a mug to warm
my hands
i begin my
journey

 
where i will
stop to
enjoy one of the
last specimens in my yard
with
vibrant
leaves

 
continue on the path
to this very spot

 
my winter garden
 
all that remains
lavender sprigs
that when touched still
produce a lingering
aroma of summer
 
chives
protected by fallen leaves
and used
when needed

 
and tender oregano
thriving at the base of
its mother plant
 
and the reason for my
visit

 
because this day
deems necessary
a bowl of satisfying
and hearty
warmth

 
pesto from the freezer
fresh-snipped
stand at the
 ready

 
as do my glasses
 
to read the
fine
 print

 
november and soup
two words that
somehow
belong together
 
maybe followed by
a game of
parcheesi...
 
o happy day!

Friday, November 16, 2012

 
~this moment~
 
 
"preparing for winter"
 
Happy Friday
 Friends.
 

Thursday, November 15, 2012

blog share :: fimby

 
subtitled:
women helping women
(and men!)
 
my thoughts have been taking
a bend toward community
and the art of
true sharing
 
i say art because
in my experience that is
exactly what
it is...
a well-honed skill
and what it takes...
a heart for giving 
to truly
share.
 
 
here's today's thought process...
 
after visiting
soulemama who gets
a three love rating
(love*love*love)
and today's post on making soap
i went down memory lane to
my very first
(successful)
attempt
at the craft
 
and yes, these are pics from that
very day...
i have made improvements in
photography!
 
digression...
 
soulemama...amanda soule
 has a link to the site
of a woman i've come to know
through a different
avenue
 
renee tougas
of fimby
(fun in my backyard)
 
i first met renee
when i took
the whole food's kitchen workshop
(heather :: beauty that moves :: sidebar)
and she was a guest contributor
her
cauliflower potato curry stew
remains my favorite recipe
from the course
just typing it makes me
drool just a bit.
 

 
back to soap making
(circa 2010)
there i am
making joey commemorate the event
with a pic
goggles on
rubber gloved-up
book that was read and re-read
turned to the recipe i had
all but memorized...
cuz lets face it
when you're playing with stuff like
lye
it makes one a bit
nervous
cautious
fearful
 
enter renee
who shares openly
each and every step
with calming
clear
words and
tutorials
(yes! for the visual learner in all of us)
she shares techniques
and recipes!
and in the process she
erases that fear
which could possibly
deter one from achieving
a beautiful
block
of
handmade
soap

 
now that would be a
shame
 
nothing like washing with
soap made by
your own two hands
:)
 and sharing it with
those you love
 
true sharing
involves a gracious and
giving spirit...
 
one that
shines through
in each lovely word
written by
renee
 
she is so much more than soap
and i will leave it in her
very capable hands to
explain her approach to
living creatively
 
at
FIMBY
(soap and body care
at her sidebar
if interested)
 
while visiting
please read her recent article
am i living it right? (is the wrong question)
where she challenges each of us to
live in freedom
 
her contribution
of freeing anyone
who would like to make soap
from the fear that may
surround it...
is a small step in getting there.
 
thank you, renee.
and thank you for visiting.
 
stop back soon for my next
installment
of
blog share :: women helping women
(and men)
 
what?! 
real men do make soap!
 
 
 

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

totally

restless
 
 
With that feeling
like I'm supposed to be doing
something...
just not sure what that
something
is.
 
antsy

 
With Thanksgiving
right around the corner
shouldn't I be
planning
ordering
cleaning
in preparation?
 
I throw a load in the wash
until the
feeling passes.
 
uneasy
 
A list is composing in my head
of what I
could be doing
rather than nothing...
finish that knitting
start creating
more cleaning (like I said)
complete that reading
decide on paint...begin painting
sweep
dust.
 
Nah...I don't wanna do any of that.
 
Swished the duster about
so I wouldn't feel like
a complete
loser.
 
 

 
Did I mention my boys
declared yesterday a holiday?
 
Didn't you know?
 
The newest Call of Duty
was released
at midnight...an annual event
that has them waiting in lines
at midnight (thanks cousin Jeff)
and playing until the wee
hours
only to resume play after a quick
nap.
 
Homeschool is forgiving
like that.
 
So with a day off you would
think I could be clever.
 
 
 the opposite
 
 

 
the boring television
the messy house
the upcoming (real) holiday
the abandoned craft room
 
all left me feeling
uninspired...
 
what to do, what to do...
 
oh...
how I wish I could embrace
this fidgety child
within.
 

 
Constantly sensing
I was forgetting something.
 
We did go visit
Grandpa...
so I have that going for me.
 
When I remember what
it was...
 
an appointment perhaps?
a bill due?
 
I will let you know.
Unfortunately
as of this posting
I have no idea what
it is.
 
I will say I finally found a bit of
comfort in the kitchen.

 
Where I sipped on some Roma
and made a most fabulous dinner.
 
Sauteed Mushrooms with Honey Miso
Baked Tofu
 
Pan Fried Brussel Sprouts
 
Olive Oil and Garlic Couscous
 
Warm Crusty Bread
 
Sangria
 
Sure the Roma was great
but the Sangria made
all
the difference.
 
 
Today is a new day.
I will rejoice and be glad in it.
 
:)
 
 

Monday, November 12, 2012

easy like...

taking her out 
first thing
 
 
what?!
 
don't judge me...
 
she needed a new
red
adorable
reversible
 coat
because she
gets so shivery outdoors.
 
now that
that
job is done...
move on to the
important stuff.

 
vanilla soy latte
swirled
with
love

 
leftover last night's dessert
apple and mixed berry
crumble
mmm...
i've discovered a
perfect pairing.
 
settle in together
as we start our day
 

 
begin surfing...
 
fibber!
 
well...
 actually
i went right to
channel 49
 
the list is long
but
a hallmark countdown to Christmas
movie has me in its grasp...
a Christmas visitor...
gotta watch it.

 
really.
look for it
on your local listing
and tell me how
many tissues you go through.
(5...
 or 10 if we are counting
rudy :)

 
snuggle close...
watch a good movie early
(feels almost sinful)
take it nice and easy.
 
you have the rest of the day
to make things
complicated.
 
Happiest of Mondays!
 

Friday, November 9, 2012

~this moment~
 
 
"a boy and his dog(s)"
 
 
Happy Friday!
 

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

staying the course

 
Right about now you
might be asking yourself...
Is she really going to go
there?
 
 
Quite simply...
no.
I will say however...
this is a great country we live in...
where each person has a voice
that is heard.
The people have spoken
and now is the time
to rally together
and support the President of
the United States.
 
Do I hear...
amen?!
 
Switching gears
to the true purpose of this post...

 
Our October read
carried over into November...
as we began Frankenstein
we all had mixed reviews.
 
Now I am a firm believer in
putting a book aside
after giving it a good
solid start...
but there were aspects of Shelley's work
that made me want to
stick it out.
 
Foremost...
we have all heard or seen
so many inaccurate
interpretations of this novel
that I had a true desire
to know the original
version.
 
Secondly...
written in the early 1800's
we encountered language not
used regularly in today's world.
(loved the dictionary feature
on Kindle:)
Score one for vocab!
 
Finally...
when a story guides
you naturally through serious
issues of
exploring the unknown
following your dreams
personal responsibility
feelings of rejection
the importance of love
balancing intellect and emotion
heart and mind.
Well...
one must
stay the course.
 
It may not have been the gripping
page-turner I was hoping for
but it was thought provoking
and a wonderful
means for open discussion.
 
Getting your teens to
open-up...
well worth the effort
put forth!

 
Leaving me eager
to devour the classics...
one by one
in an attempt to learn
more about
ourselves
and our
world.
 
Any suggestions to our stack above?
We are planning on
The Gift of The Magi
for our December read
but welcome your
input.
 
Good day to you!
 
Now go read a good book!