Blue LaReve

Weekending

2012-03-04T14:52:00.002-05:00

We had a busy weekend, with a lot of down time, too.

Pretty good.

Thrifting to find:

~a new shirt in my favorite shade of blue with white folk embroidery

~ small glass jars for storing dried herbs

~ vintage stoneware mugs

I had intentions of offering both in the shop, but I

fell in love with the one on the left

(plum, indigo, olive, and beige - love these colors!!)

so it belongs to me now :)

Indoor farmers markets to bring home:

~ German rye bread and the best soft pretzels I've ever had

~ three kinds of jam

ginger pear, currant raspberry, peach mango

~ pickles

~ two kinds of cookies

chocolate pistachio & cream cheese chocolate chip

~ big bag of mixed spring salad greens

~ red potatoes, garlic and onions

that are roasting in the oven as I type for tonight's dinner

Joining in with Amanda.

What did you do this weekend?

Homemade Whipped Body Lotion

2012-02-29T18:22:00.000-05:00

Over the past two years (maybe three, I've lost track), I've been on a quest

to get rid of all the chemicals in my house. Commercial products

are filled with chemicals and preservatives that

are not only harmful to the environment, but are toxic to our bodies as well.

I make my own cleaners, medicines, herbal shampoos, laundry detergent,

deodorant, and lotions. I REALLY want to learn to make soap, but the lye makes me

nervous with three kids. So for now I buy that. But, with saving money on the rest

of the products, it enables me to splurge on homemade, chemical-free soap.

I had to replenish the lotion supply, so I thought I'd share my recipe.

Whipped Body Lotion

1/2 cup coconut oil, melted

1/2 cup shea butter, heated to 175' for 20 minutes in a double boiler

(this helps to prevent it from getting gritty)

1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil

your choice of essential oils, if desired

Place coconut oil, shea butter, and Vitamin E in a bowl.

Using and electric mixer with the whisk attachment,

beat for 5 to 10 minutes. Place bowl in freezer for 5 minutes.

Beat for 5 - 10 minutes. Freeze for 5 minutes.

Keep going with this pattern until it reaches the consistency

of whipped butter. (I usually only have to put in freezer 3 times.)

Add desired essential oils, if using, and beat for 2 - 3 minutes to incorporate.

Place into sterilized jars.

I usually use 5 - 10 drops lavender, 5 drops patchouli, and 5 drops of chamomile.

They all have healing properties for skin and are excellent for eczema, which my

middle child suffers from, especially in the winter months. But use whichever

oils you like, based on scent or healing preferences. You don't have to use oils,

if you want an unscented lotion.

Enjoy!

Soda Bread

2012-02-28T18:07:00.000-05:00

We're almost into March, which means St. Patrick's Day celebrations.

aka - lots of beer, corned beef and cabbage, and soda bread.

The only one I partake in is the soda bread.

But, since I'm ~~cheap~~ frugal, I refuse to spend $5.00 for a loaf when I can make it at home.

Bonus: it's still warm from the oven, and tastes soooo much better.

And, I can enjoy it whenever I want, which is several times throughout the

year, instead of waiting for it be available at the grocer's.

Soda Bread

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

3 tablespoons butter, softened

2/3 cups buttermilk

2 tablespoon sugar

1 egg

3/4 cup raisins

2 teaspoons caraway seeds (optional)

Preheat oven to 350'. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and coat with

vegetable cooking spray. In a bowl, stir together flour, salt, soda, sugar, baking powder,

raisins, and caraway. In a separate bowl beat together butter, buttermilk, and egg.

Stir wet ingredients into dry just until moist. Do not over-mix. Put dough onto

a light floured board and gently knead 3 or 4 times. Place onto prepared baking sheet.

Shape into a 6 inch round loaf. Cut a large X into the top of the loaf with a sharp knife.

Bake for 40 - 45 minutes. Cool slightly. Eat the entire loaf.

(What? Isn't that what everyone does?)

I wonder.....

Do the Irish in Ireland celebrate St. Patrick's Day,

or is it the US that has commercialized the day for profits?

Happy Friday...

2012-02-24T14:35:00.000-05:00

Some photos from my trip to town this morning.

Thank you all for your comments and encouragement from yesterday's post.

Love to you all!

Happy Friday!

Bound For Home

2012-02-22T20:47:00.000-05:00

Some of you may have know I have an little shop on Etsy.
I neglected it for a long time. The last couple of years have been
somewhat of a transformation for me. Discovering and living life according
to who I am, instead of living for everyone else and what their expectations
are of me. During that process, I realized that my shop wasn't what a
true representation of who I am. So, I've made some changes.
I even changed the name.

The last couple of weeks I've been revamping the shop.
Removing the listings that I no longer felt were a right fit. Taking lots of
new photos. Lots of sewing. I have a lot of plans. A few goals. More listings to add.
One day at a time.

If you care to look, you can see the shop here.

I've also started a blog for updates and things related to the shop.

I'm keeping this blog as my personal blog. I thought it would be best

to keep my personal bits and shop info separate.

So, if i go absent for a bit it's probably because I'm doing something

shop related. But, I'll always come back. :)

Ray

2012-02-21T22:43:00.000-05:00

I'll be back soon.

Until then, enjoy some Ray.

He's been playing on repeat lately.

I love him.

I LOVE him! :)

Absence

2012-02-16T18:59:00.000-05:00

I've been a bit absent lately.

Lots of projects going on. Thoughts regarding blog posts and

comments have been quiet. So, I've sort of unplugged from the blog world.

Part of me feels this isn't an obligation and I don't owe any explanations.

But, I would apologize for being distant from friends.

And I consider many of you friends, even if it is only through blogging.

So, I just thought I would give a quick "hello!".

Hope you are all well. :)

The Weekend

2012-02-05T22:00:00.000-05:00

To say I'm was excited for the weekend is quite an understatement!

Saturday I went with my mom to the Beacon Theatre

in NYC to see David Garrett.

An absolutely amazing performance!!!

Hope you all had a fantastic weekend, too. :)

Chalk Drawing

2012-02-03T07:31:00.000-05:00

When my dad was a little boy, his dad made him a chalkboard.

When I was a little girl and visited my grandparents, I would spend

hours drawing on the chalkboard. Now, that same chalkboard lives in

my home, where my own kids spend hours drawing.

I couldn't resist reliving my childhood for a bit.

Hope you all have an amazing weekend!!

A New and Different Sun

2012-02-01T20:47:00.000-05:00

So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative

to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity,

and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing

is more dangerous to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic care of a man's living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters

with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy to have an endlessly changing horizon, for

each day to have a new and different sun.

Christopher McCandless

Hard Sun by Eddie Vedder on Grooveshark

All is a Miracle

2012-01-31T10:46:00.000-05:00

People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle.

But, I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air,

but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don't even recognize:

a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black curious eyes of a child,

our own two eyes. All is a miracle.

Thich Nhat Hanh

First Aid Kit

2012-01-25T08:22:00.000-05:00

I love putting a random word into the search bar on Pinterest

to see what comes up. Ya know...cause having three kids means

I have so much extra time on my hands to do silly stuff. ;)

Anywho - I put in "folk" and found this.

I love finding new music.
This sister duo from Sweden has been giving me goosebumps.

Enjoy!

Journal Pages ~ 1

2012-01-23T22:28:00.000-05:00

I never kept a diary when I was a little girl.

I still don't write in a journal. It's just not my thing.

I love the written word. I absorb myself in them.

But I'm quiet when it comes to me doing the writing.

(I'm quiet when it comes to the spoken word, too.)

Even on my blog I think some posts are rather abrupt.

I have a lot of thoughts, though. I just tend to talk to myself in my own head.

Don't worry, I don't talk back. Yet.

A few months ago I read a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

"Make your own bible. Select and collect all the words and sentences that in

all your readings have been to you like the blast of a trumpet."

I don't follow the Bible, or any other religious text.

Nature doesn't write one.

But, sometimes it would be nice to have a book to look through.

A book to help inspire. Help heal.

I thought it would be a little fun to share some of the things
I have jotted down in my "bible". Things that have inspired me.
That have spoken to me. Give you a little glimpse into what speaks
to my heart. They come from all over - different faiths, books, websites,
some even come from your blog posts. :)


"Holiday" lights stay on the mantle all year. :)

Some are mindful, spiritual, empowering.
Some are light-hearted or humorous.

"Be yourself. No base imitator of another, but your best self.
There is something which you can do better than another.
Listen to the inward voice and bravely obey that.
Do the things at which you are great, not what you were never made for."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson -

A bit about my writing utensils.
I only write in marker. Fine point. Black.

It's Snowing!

2012-01-21T09:59:00.000-05:00

It seems winter arrived in the middle of the night,

and it's expected to keep snowing throughout the morning.

Figures....the one day I had plans.

To drive 45 minutes to go to the art supply store.

Oh, well.

At least the birds found their feeders in time. :)

It's early, yet.

Maybe the roads will clear up in time for me to go this afternoon.

If not we'll have a day of kids sledding with mama sitting next to the fire

with hot cocoa waiting to warm their tummies.

Flurries and Frost

2012-01-19T12:50:00.000-05:00

I don't ever remember a winter like this.
We usually have at least 12 inches of snow by now.
The little bit of snow we have had has all been gone within a day or two.

The past couple of weeks has been bitter cold with strong winds.
The reason the flurries are going sideways instead of down.

A lot of frost every morning.
It looks like a million diamonds glistening across the lawn in the morning sun.

I'm so thankful for my cozy home,
a toasty kitchen warmed from all the baking,
and the piles of blankets to snuggle under at night.

xo

Hibernating

2012-01-17T21:15:00.000-05:00

I feel as if with the arrival of winter, I've followed the instinct of the forest

critters and went into hibernation. My voice has been quiet, my thoughts less hectic.

My mood has been mellow and relaxed.

This song is pretty much how

I've been feeling as I stay curled up in my favorite chair,

under my favorite quilts, with a cup of chai.

And for those that are interested....here's the new do.

Sorry, no "before" photo. And no photo of the blue. It's there - in the front on
the other side. But, the color didn't turn out like it I imagined it would. That's okay.
The girls wanted me to dye their hair blue, too. My oldest has hair like me,
so it didn't turn out too well for her either. But my little blonde....oh boy. :)
For the record, I only did a little chunk in the front. I didn't want them going to school
and get a phone call from their teacher about their hair being a distraction in class!

Abandoned

2012-01-16T23:13:00.000-05:00

I always feel a touch of sadness when I see abandoned homes.
Windows boarded up, peeling paint, broken windows with curtains still hanging, unkempt lawns.
Forgotten.

I always think about the families that once called these beautiful buildings home.
The children that ran through the halls, their laughter echoing throughout the rooms.
The mother's who lovingly prepared meals and kept her family comforted.
The father's who had such pride in his home.
I think of the memories that were made, and the stories that would be told if walls could talk.
These homes once kept families safe and warm.

I photograph them so their beauty will always be remembered.
Their stories never forgotten.
Even if I don't know what those stories are.

These homes need to know they are still loved.

Destined For Her Soul

2012-01-11T14:08:00.000-05:00

What is divinity if it can come

Only in silent shadows and in dreams?

Shall she not find in comforts of the sun,

In pungent fruit and bright, green wings, or else

In any balm or beauty of the earth,

Things to be cherished like the thought of heaven?

Divinity must live within herself.

Passions of rain, or moods in falling snow:

grievings in loneliness, or unsubdued

Elations when the forest blooms, gusty

Emotions on wet roads on autumn nights:

all pleasures and all pains, remembering

The bough of summer and the winter branch,

These are the measures destined for her soul.

Excerpt from Sunday Morning, written by Wallace Stevens, 1915

The Weekend

2012-01-07T21:21:00.000-05:00

A recap of the weekend:

~ took a trip to The Herb Shoppe to restock
my raw honey and eucalyptus oil.
Man, I LOVE that place!!

~ made Cinnamon Swirl Banana Bread.

Yummy!

We didn't wait for it to cool, and had it gone in one sitting.

~ snacked on banana smoothies.
Frozen bananas, peanut butter, almond butter,
toasted wheat germ, and rice milk.
(obviously I had some bananas to use up!)

~ made an appointment to get my hair cut.

Since my teen years I've had a cycle of

grow long...cut short...grow long....cut short.

It's now long, so it's time to go short.

Although I can't decide just how short I want to go.

I have until Friday to decide.

~ ordered blue hair dye to go with my new cut. :)

Not my entire head, just a nice chunk in the front like this.

I'm in a fun and funky mood. Recalling the punk days of my younger years,

just a little more refined and grown-up. Can blue hair and grown-up

go together? Oh, wait...I make my own rules. I say "YES", damn it. ;)

~ made pinecone bird feeders with the kids

Other than that, it was a pretty laid back weekend.

Rob had the weekend off. That hasn't happened in a while.

So, we pretty much hung out being a pile of lazy bones.

Hope you all had a fantastic weekend!

Awareness

2012-01-02T08:55:00.000-05:00

What a much-needed blog break.

While it was a busy break, with working, the holidays, and houseguests
for a week and a half, it was also much time for awareness.
With only checking on emails, the time away from the computer
left me with a lot of time to reflect and think about the direction
I want to take in 2012.

2012 is going to be the year to be aware.

Aware that I have choices.

Aware of my needs, wants, and desires.
Aware that it's ok, and sometimes necessary, to go after them.

Aware of the people who fill my personal space
with their love, laughter, and security.

Aware of my inner-strength.

Aware of what isn't needed, so I can rid the clutter in my life.
The clutter that is holding me back and taking up valuable space.

I haven't come back to the blog world completely.
I've been reading my favorite blogs, but haven't been commenting.
I'm still lurking.....

Wishing you all a wonderful new year
filled with light, love, laughter, and peace.

Release

2011-12-22T00:46:00.002-05:00

I know, I said I was taking a bit of a break, but today
is just too important and special to not share.

To celebrate the Winter Solstice, I had a little releasing ceremony

(thank you Pixie Campbell!).

I was up late baking cookies. Rob was working, the kids were all asleep.
The house was quiet. I thought it was a good time for my ceremony.
No distractions. I could really focus on my thoughts and making sure the
ceremony was special to me. So, at 1:00 am I released...

~ the guilt of my past

My mistakes do not define me.

~ anger

Because the only thing it breeds is a darkness that suffocates

the light, the good, the happy. I ~~want~~ deserve to be happy.

~ the fear of judgment

I will no longer decide between following what others deem to

be the responsible, correct choice and what my heart desires.

My responsibility is to my heart, not to others preferences.

~ perfectionism

I am not perfect, and neither is anyone else.

It is damaging for me to seek perfectionism in others and in my relationships.

It sets myself up to be let down, because no one can achieve that status.

~ expectations

I am responsible for myself. Only I can make myself happy.

~ worry/anxiety
I cannot change the past, and I don't know the future.
Worrying about them steals the joy of living in the moment.

I didn't make a fire in the fireplace. I usually struggle with that task, often
crumpling every page of a newspaper to get it going. It was the middle of the night,
so I thought I would just light my bundle in the ash of the last fire.
An amazing thing happened. The burning of the bundle lit fire to the wood that remained.
It burned for over 15 minutes, without the need for papers to keep the fire going.
The magic of the Solstice!

The year ahead is going to be fantastic!
A year of healing, a year of growth.

Wishing you all a blessed Solstice!

Back to my break! See you next week. :)

See You Next Week...

2011-12-18T15:21:00.000-05:00

I rarely buy myself anything just because I like it.

But, when I went into work and saw this cute glass owl ornament,

I couldn't help myself and bought it for me....just because I liked it. :)

Anyway, I'm taking a vacation from blogosphere until next week.

I found out yesterday that my sister-in-law is flying in from Florida for the

holidays, and thanks to the annul in-law family drama, there's

been a change of plans and she's now staying with us.

But, my spare room is a sewing/art room with projects all over the place.

So, between preparing the room for her, working at the florist,

stringing beads and wire onto the salt-dough ornaments that

are finishing baking in the oven,

celebrating the Solstice, spending Christmas with family,

and all the other daily necessities that occur around here,

I need a break from something or nothing will get done. :)

So, whatever and however you celebrate the next couple of weeks,

I hope you all have a very happy time making cherished memories

with friends, family, and all your loved ones.

See you soon!

Lately....

2011-12-14T23:32:00.000-05:00

So ... this is where I've been spending my days.

The florist, with a sweet gift shop and three greenhouses.

It's been so much fun to be back and be creative.

Refreshing to be back with the women who appreciate my bluntness

and match my sense-of-humor. ;) The jokes, the laughs, the WTF's.

I love being a SAHM, but these few hours a day have been a much

needed break allowing me to breathe a little, and be Amanda, again.

Weekend Photos

2011-12-09T19:37:00.001-05:00

This weekend was time for searching for the perfect Christmas/Yule tree.
I tossed ideas back and forth - real or fake, what is better for the environment.
It's been a tradition since I was a little girl to cut down our own tree.
Rob and I continued the tradition when we had kids.

Reading this link helped me feel a lot better about my choice

of continuing our tradition.

Exploring on a Frosty Morning

2011-12-03T13:18:00.001-05:00

This little spot is a couple miles down the road from my house.

It's one of my favorites. Every time I go to town, I always say to myself

"Some day I'm going to stop the car to photograph it."

When I woke up this morning, a clear, crisp morning lightly sprinkled with

frost, I got in the car and drove to my favorite spot and finally took

some of the photos I've been wanting for so long.

This barn is across the road from my house. I wanted to explore farther, as there is a

beautiful spot a little farther behind the barn that overlooks the beautiful lake

from this post. But, it's hunting season here. There was a hunter's

truck parked close by. I didn't want to be mistaken for an animal and not make

it out of the woods. So, just a couple of quick photos. Someday I'll go back when

I know it's safe, from humans anyway.

Hope you're all enjoying your weekend!

Back To Work

2011-11-30T13:19:00.001-05:00

Before I became a mom, I worked as a floral designer for over 5 years.

As of this Friday, I'll be one again!

I'm going back to work!!

Not full time. For now it will be when my little one is in preschool, and on

days when Rob doesn't have to work the night before.

(He sleeps days, therefore no one to watch Little Man.)

I became a stay-at-home-mom because I don't like the thought of daycare.

Right for some, and that's okay, just not right for me. So it won't be a full time job. Not yet.

And it's seasonal and holiday work, or when they need an extra set of hands.

But, I'm so excited to be going back.

I can't wait to take photos and show you how beautiful this place is.

And the scent in that place!!! The roses, lilies, all the pine for the season.

Don't even get me started on the smell of the dirt from the greenhouses.

Yes, I love the smell of dirt. So rich and earthy.

It's all the same women that I worked with over 8 years ago.

I've really missed them. We were a family.

It'll be good to go back. :)

(Photo and flower design by Amy Merrick. I love, love, love her work.

You can also check out her blog, An Apple a Day.)

I Love ...

2011-11-25T15:16:00.001-05:00

I love...

wild rose hips that will soon be decorating my home,

along with pine boughs and pine cones.

My rooster, Marsala, greeting me every morning.

Walks down dirt roads

that lead to the kids' favorite milk weed field.

Their excitement at finding some still had their "fairy hair".

Reminders that the mountain laurel was once covered in delicate blooms,

and knowing that they'll bloom again.

Rocks covered in moss.

Long-forgotten stone walls, now covered in vines and fallen trees.

And, coming home to the smell of clementine peels simmering on the

stove with cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and anise.

Hope your weekend was filled with all the things you love.

Cranberry Donuts

2011-11-25T08:39:00.001-05:00

I will admit, I'm not a fan of the cooler months.

But, instead of dwelling on all the things I don't like about the season,

I'm going to focus on what I do enjoy.

One of my favorites being the abundance of fresh cranberries.

And, now, with the holiday season upon us, they're usually on sale

in the grocery stores, so I'm stocking up.

I made cranberry donuts for a mid-morning treat.

As soon as I put a batch on the plate, they were gone with

sugar-coated mouths eagerly waiting for the next batch to be done.

They went together really quickly and easily,

I think they may have to be a Christmas morning treat.

Cranberry Donuts

1 egg

1/2 cup sugar

1 tablespoon butter, melted

1 1/2 cup flour

2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup chopped fresh cranberries

oil for frying

additional sugar

Beat egg. Add sugar and butter. Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon,

nutmeg, and salt. Add to sugar mixture, alternating with the milk. Fold in cranberries.

Heat oil to 375'. Drop batter by tablespoonfuls into oil. Fry 2 minutes per side.

Drain on plate lined with paper towels. Roll in sugar while still warm.

Makes about one and a half dozen donuts.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Red Pepper Bread

2011-11-18T15:21:00.001-05:00

I love homemade bread, and now that we have cold temperatures,

I'll be making a lot of it.

I also enjoy eating roasted red peppers.

Combine the two - I'm a drooling fool.

I've been making boule bread from Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day

for a couple of years. I can't find the original blog I found the recipe

from, but this is the same recipe that I use.

Just take a piece of dough about the same size you would use for

a boule bread, stretch it into a ball, and let it sit just as you would for the bread.

While letting the dough rest, roast 2 large red peppers. Let them sit, covered in a bowl,

for about 15 minutes, and peel the skin off.

Dust a large baking sheet with flour. Stretch the dough into a large rectangle.

Place roasted peppers down the center of the dough.

Sprinkle with coarse salt, freshly ground black pepper, and dried thyme.

Fold each side of the dough over the peppers.

This is a rustic loaf. Don't worry about it being perfect and pretty.

(That's my lazy excuse, in case you're wondering.)

Cut three slits in the dough, and sprinkle with more salt, pepper, and thyme,

Let sit for 30 minutes. Bake in a preheated 450' F oven until golden brown.

I forgot to check how long I let it bake, maybe 30 minutes. I guess you'll just have

to keep an eye on it while baking. ;)

We eat it as a snack. Or, serve with a salad for a light lunch,

or soup for a light dinner.

(This isn't my recipe. I can't find the original source.

I've been making this for so long that I don't use the recipe I found.

If you know the source, please let me know and I will happily give credit.)

Rooms of Green

2011-11-17T07:06:00.001-05:00

I am so envious of rooms like these.

I love house plants, especially in the colder months when all the trees are

brown and gray and bare, the green grass can no longer be seen because it's covered in snow.

Having house plants brings life and color.

And they are so beneficial to the air, removing up to 87% of toxins in 24 hours,

can fight fatigue and colds by increasing humidity and reducing dust,

and, well, they just make you happy looking at them!

1 / 2

(Tumblr = unknown - grrr. No luck with reverse image search.)

Unfortunately, I cannot keep house plants alive.

I keep trying, but have yet to be successful.

I'm not giving up, though.

One of these days I'll figure it out, and have a room like these.

A Glimpse ...

2011-11-15T12:04:00.001-05:00

The firewood has been stacked ... almost ... sort of ... not really.

Dried beans are soaking and cooking to use throughout the week.

Laundry is in the washing machine.

Son is fed.

Time to sit down for a bit with some books I picked up for 25 cents at the library book sale.

Sipping a hot cup of spiced chai.

Nibbling on orange cranberry bread, still warm from the oven.

The rain has stopped. I'll probably take the dog for a walk through the woods.

Sew for a bit.

Boring for some. Perfect for me.

Hope you're enjoying your day, however you spend it.

The Day In Photos

2011-11-13T17:16:00.001-05:00

Considering it's the middle of November, the weather over the weekend was

pretty mild. Saturday was enjoyed at the park, and Sunday was spent hiking along the lake.

We spent as much time outdoors as we could. It won't be long and this will all be ice and snow.

See the little cabin on the left? I want to live there.

Lentil Minestrone

2011-11-10T08:40:00.001-05:00

I've been a vegetarian for 3 years.

There are many reason I chose a vegetarian lifestyle (I don't like

the term "diet" - too many negative reactions to the word.).

The main reason is because eating meat became too emotional for me.

What nutritional benefits there are to eating meat is not worth
the toll it takes on my emotions. I realized it doesn't have to be that way.

So, one day Rob (Hubs) came home and I told him I was now a vegetarian.

That was that, end of story.

I do a lot of research into making nutritious, balanced meals.

When you have three growing children, it's a necessity whether you eat

meat or not. One of the hardest things I had to work through

was the concept of the dinner plate. Through school health classes,

books, magazines, the news on television - they all present a balanced

dinner plate as a large serving of meat, a side of vegetable, and a side of potato.

Once I got past that, the rest flowed easily.

It does take more time to put together menus. And I do spend a bit

more time preparing meals. I use as little prepared/processed

food as possible. I love fresh, whole foods.
I want to know that the food I feed

my children is benefiting them and their health.
Not setting them up be sick.

A dear friend, Cory, has encouraged me to share some of my favorite recipes.

My favorite soup.
Lentil Minestrone from the cookbook Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone.

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
4 cloves garlic, chopped
3 carrots, diced
1 cup diced celery or celery root
salt and freshly ground pepper
1 cup French green lentils, sorted and rinsed
Aromatics : 2 bay leaves, 8 parsley branches, 6 thyme sprigs
9 cups water or vegetable stock
mushroom soy sauce to taste
1 bunch greens - mustard, broccoli rabe, chard, or spinach
2 cups cooked small pasta
thin shavings of Parmesan
(I omit this to keep it vegan. Parmesan isn't even vegetarian.)

Heat oil in a wide soup pot with the onion. Saute over high heat, stirring frequently, until
lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add the tomato paste, parsley, garlic, vegetables, salt to taste,
and cook 3 minutes more. Add the lentils, aromatics, and water. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat
and simmer, partially covered for 30 minutes. Taste for salt and season with pepper. If it
needs more depth, add mushroom soy sauce to taste, starting with 1 tablespoon. The soup
may seem bland, but the flavors will come together when the soup is finished. Remove the aromatics.

Boil the greens in salted water until they're tender and bright green, then chop coarsely.*
Just before serving, add the greens and pasta to the soup and heat through.
Serve with extra virgin olive oil drizzled into each bowl, a generous grind of pepper
and Parmesan shavings, if desired.

Serves 4 - 6.

* I usually use chard or spinach. I never boil first. Just coarsely chop, then add to soup
with the pasta. They wilt perfectly while stirring into the soup.

They Make My Heart Happy

2011-11-07T18:06:00.000-05:00

dazey chic

Recently, I was nominated for the Liebster Award by two of my

favorite bloggers.

Paraphernalia and In My Wild Eden

Both women are so very kind, thoughtful, talented, and creative.

I love reading their words and looking at their photographs.

A visit to their blog is sure to put a smile on my heart.

I hope they both forgive me for not playing along.

I'm terrible at choosing other blogs to pass along awards to.

And, I've never been one to follow the rules. ;)

But, I wanted them to know how very grateful I am that

they thought of me. It reaffirms my belief that blogging is

a most magical experience.

A Change In Direction

2011-11-06T21:39:00.000-05:00

I'm changing directions.

I had been busy sewing, getting new things made for the shop.

I started to add new listings, some vintage, some handmade.

But, as I looked at the things I made, it didn't feel right.

When I looked at the shop, it seemed like things were added just for

the sake of filling up the shop.

About a week ago I went thrifting shopping

and brought home a large stack of men's button-down shirts.

All in like-new condition. And, they were ~~free~~ really inexpensive.

There were a few more.

I think Rob raided my stash for his own personal wardrobe.

Anyway, I brought them home with intentions of cutting them up for

scrap quilts. But, while I was folding them after laundering, I
was struck with an idea of what to do with the shirts.

I realized what it was that I need to

do to have the type of shop I envisioned in my head.

So I deleted the listings in my shop, for the handmade stuff, anyway.

Now, I need to go thrifting, again, for denim and military canvas.
And start sewing again.

Then, perhaps, the shop will be how I dream it to be.

A shop devoted to recycling/repurposing/refashioning

to make something new out of something old.

Do what I can to help Mother Earth.

I still intend on making scrap quilts with the sleeves.

But, the body of the shirt will serve a different purpose.

Can't tell you that part, yet.

Natural Beauty

2011-11-04T16:22:00.001-04:00

A flock of starlings put on a stunning display
of avian acrobatics over the River Shannon in Ireland.

It's so beautiful, I had to share.
Have a peaceful weekend.

Random Bits

2011-10-30T18:07:00.000-04:00

This morning, I awoke to 10 inches of snow.

I realize October is almost over, but it's still October none the less.

I know some will say I need to see the positive, see the beauty.

But, I hate snow. There isn't one thing I enjoy about it.

And to have it so soon is not putting me in a good mood.

My positive is it's supposed to warm up through the week.

Hopefully enough to melt the snow away.

When I was 19 I moved to Florida, to live on the warm beaches

of the Atlantic Ocean. Why did I move back?!?!

Oh, yeah ... to be near this lady

My mom.

She and I marched with my kids in the local Halloween Parade.

Last week I mentioned how important trains are in my family.

My grandfather, Papa, worked on the historic Erie Railroad, along with

his brother and father before him. I mentioned there is a photo of him

in a book written on the Erie. Here it is!

My Papa was the conductor. That's him on the steps.

The blue lantern was one he used while working. He brought home two of them

for my Gram. You may not be able to tell from the photo, but the glass is a dark red.

My Gram thought the red was pretty, so one day she lit the lanterns and put them

in the kitchen window. Being a lady, she didn't realize back then that a red

light in the window meant the woman inside offered men "pleasurable" services.

When my Papa was walking home from work that night, you can imagine

his surprise to see his window glowing red!

Needless to say, the lanterns were removed immediately.

Now they're in my home!

5 Senses Tour

2011-10-25T10:13:00.000-04:00

I'm joining in with Monica at Bohemian Twilight for her

5 Senses Tour.

Songs

This weekend was spent thrift shopping with my mom.

Maroon 5's song, Moves Like Jagger, came on the radio.

She didn't know who the singer was, which prompted an

"Oh my God, MOM!!!!"

So I sent her this link.

Her response:

"I thought I was looking at a porn site! Damn! He's freaking hot!"

I love my mom. ;)

Film

source

The Rum Diary, Johnny Depp's new movie, is being released this Friday!!

A New York journalist travels to Puerto Rico to write for the local paper.

He's soon faced with the choice of writing to benefit the corrupt businessmen

who want use the island to serve the wealthy, or use his words to take them down.

See the movie trailer here.

Art

I'm a bit obsessed with tattoo designs by Thomas Hooper.

A painter and tattoo artist from London, now living in NYC.

You can view his work on his webpage.

Good luck getting a tattoo by him, though.

He's in such demand he is no longer taking new clients until he

finishes projects he's already started. I'll have to settle for a t-shirt.

I probably couldn't afford him anyway! ;)

Foods

Chocolate Mug Cake

For when you need a chocolate fix right NOW!

Mix ingredients in the mug and cook in microwave for one and a half minutes.

The recipe is gluten free, dairy free, and sugar free.

Photography

My own photo, taken last week when I took my son to see the trains ... again.

Trains are a big deal in my family.

My Papa was a conductor on the Erie line. There's even a photo of him

in a historical book written about the Erie. He's very proud about his

work on the trains, and he's very excited that my son has developed a bit

of an obsession with the trains.

Stars

2011-10-20T16:57:00.000-04:00

I have a fascination with the stars.

I look at them with awe. I see their beauty, their mystery, their magic.

For almost as long as humans have been on this Earth, they

have looked to the stars. The stars have been part of religious practices

and used for celestial navigation. The ancient people created animals

and people in the sky, giving each its own story.

Stars provide the light and energy that fuels our solar system.

They create the heavy elements that are necessary to form life.

Think about it - we are essentially created from the stars!

Without stars, there would be no life.

It doesn't get more magical than that.

I would love to have bedroom walls painted like this!

All images are on my Pinterest boards.

Stop by Everyday Dreamer for more awesome pins. :)

Autumn Colors

2011-10-19T06:54:00.000-04:00

Bella at 52 Photos Project gave us the prompt
to "capture and share the colors that surround you right now".

My white hydrangea that have turned burgundy.

Pumpkins sitting on the deck.

The pumpkin on the right, the one that's a bit flattened.
It no longer sits on my deck. It's now pumpkin pie! YUM!

Did you know that canned pumpkin isn't really pumpkin?
Nope! It's not. It's really a variety of butternut squash.
So the popular brand that has a big "100% Pure Pumpkin" written
across the top is a big liar.

Enjoy your bit of information as pumpkin baking season starts! ;)

Women Who Rock ~ 5 Senses Tour

2011-10-18T09:31:00.000-04:00

Women with attitude and confidence.

Women who don't take any shit.

Women who know the power of being a woman.

source

Grace Slick

source

Patti Smith

source

Adele

Janis Joplin

source

Tori Amos

Joining in with Monica's 5 Senses Tour at Bohemian Twilight.

Birds Without Wings

2011-10-17T06:30:00.001-04:00

Wishing that something would happen. A change in this place.

'Cos I'm tearing off the fancy wrapping, find an empty package.

Take for a while, your trumpet from your lip. Loosen your hold, loosen your grip.

On your old ways that have fallen out of step in a changing time.

Hoist a new flag. Hoist a new flag.

Angry sun burn down. Judging us all.

Guilty of neglect and disrespect and thinking small.

Death by boredom. Death by greed.

If we can't stop taking more than we need.

Well, across the fractured landscape. I see the same things.

Tired ideas. Birds without wings.

These are just thoughts on lack-luster times. I have no interest
in excuses you can find. Like you've had a hard day, now you're
too tired to care. Now you're too tired to care, you've had a hard day.

Well, across the fractured landscape, I see the same things.
Tired ideas, broken values, many with the notion that to share is to lose.
A hollow people, bound by a lack of imagination and too much looking back.
Without the courage to give a new thing a chance, grounded by this ignorance.
And the cat comes, and we're just birds without wings.

Birds without wings.

Written by David Gray, this has been one of my favorite

songs for the past 10 years. Lately it's been on repeat.

(I couldn't find the original source for any of the photos. Apologies.)

In Need of Cozy

2011-10-13T09:13:00.000-04:00

Maybe it's because October is almost half over already.

Perhaps it's because the leaves are all changing, falling, and leaving

the trees bare. Or because there is a chill in the air.

I think it's because my mind has been racing,

going in a million different directions all at once.

Whatever it is, I need to recoup, take a moment to breath and recharge my energy.

I need cozy.

I need a space that's relaxed and carefree.

A space that's intimate, and warmed from the heat of a

woodstove reaching every corner.

A space where I can curl up to read a book while

the scent of soup simmering on the stove and homemade

bread baking in the oven permeates.

Thick, chunky knit socks to warm my toes,

and a mug of hot cocoa to warm my hands.

Extra whipped cream, of course.

Linking up to Everyday Dreamer for LB's Pinney Party.

All pins can be found on my Pin Boards.

Scenes from Occupy Wall Street ~ Part 1

2011-10-12T14:46:00.000-04:00

Hubs had to go into NYC for work yesterday, making sure

to stop by Zuccotti Park to show his support for Occupy Wall Street.

You may have noticed this post is "Part 1".
I am determined to go down myself.
Soon.

Photos From The Weekend

2011-10-10T19:22:00.000-04:00

The weather over the weekend was absolutely fantastic!

Bright sun, blue skies, and warm. So warm!

Hubs had Saturday off from school, so we did something we

haven't been able to do in a really long time ...

Get in the car and drive. With absolutely no plan,

no direction, just get in and see where the roads take us.

We decided to go north, through the country roads scattered with

farmhouses, barns, cattle, and lots of trees in between.

The leaves are starting to change, and living in the mountains

you have really phenomenal views of mountain ridges and valleys

as far as the eye can see.

One turn we made was a bit scary, I admit.

When I say there are rural areas, I mean rural backwoods hillbillies.

We were driving down a road that became narrower and narrower.

Eventually it turned into a single lane, the houses looked abandoned, but

they weren't. It turned into something that looked like a scene from

the movie Deliverance. Only time for a quick photo before we
hightailed it out of there for fear someone would soon come out of the door with a shotgun.

No drive would be complete without driving through Bethel for some

more photos of the Woodstock days.

If you've been following this blog, you know of my love for Bethel,

the site of the 1969 Woodstock festival. I have no problem

bragging that this is only 20 minutes from my home. While the town

fought the hippies in 1969, the residents have embraced their mark on

the map. There are rainbows and peace signs everywhere.

Hi Jimi! Do you see him?

The original sign sitting outside of Hector's Inn, the bar of Woodstock.

We finished the day by stopping at a farm stand to let the kids pick out pumpkins.
Sunday was hiking and playtime at the park.

Couldn't have been a better weekend.

The 99 Percent

2011-10-08T09:56:00.000-04:00

With the Occupy Wall Street protests going on here in the States,

and globally, I've noticed a lot of people slamming and attacking

the protesters as people who are lazy, spoiled rich kids following a liberal

agenda. People complaining because some of the protesters are talking on

their new iPhones and taking pictures with their "$1200" cameras.

They ask how can they be struggling if they can afford all these toys.
Along with a bunch of other ignorant nonsense.

Let me ask you this.

Did the thought ever occur to you that people from all walks of

life are protesting to support their fellow man?

Maybe there are some rich kids there.

Maybe there are some people there who haven't gone

through the struggles that started this movement.

But they are there to give their support.

Because that is what you do when you have a heart and soul.

That is what you do when you have compassion for someone

other than yourself. You support each other. You stand up for each other.

You fight for each other.

If you think the movement is solely based on the recent "spoiled-rich-kid" college graduates

who have no chance of finding a job, I urge you to go to

We Are The 99 Percent.

Look at the faces and read their stories.

Be a human being.

You don't see the people who are working 2 or 3 jobs just to put food on the table.
With so many people looking for jobs, everyone is replaceable.
No one dares to ask for one day off to protest their anger
against the corporate and government greed.
That one day off will cost them their jobs.

When our business slowed we could no longer afford the $1200/month
it cost for health insurance. A month after our policy was canceled
my husband developed an infection in his arm. He was hospitalized for 5
days while they tried to fight the infection so they didn't have to
amputate his arm to prevent it from spreading to the rest of his body.
I've never had the courage to add up every medical bill, but I know
they're almost, if not more than, $10,000. They add up quick when our health care system
is so corrupt the hospital charges you $10 for a fucking band aid.

I am the 99 percent.

Josh Garrels

2011-10-07T00:25:00.001-04:00

I was recently introduced to the music of Josh Garrels by
my free-spirited friend, Cam, and I haven't been able to stop
listening. I love music, I connect with a lot of songs, but it's
been a long time since a songwriter and musician has moved me to tears.

A musician from Portland, Oregon, he
"draws upon the universal themes of love, conflict, and the space that separates us."

source

Thank you, Cam!

Applesauce & Pound Cake

2011-10-02T18:50:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was spent picking apples in the back yard,

followed by making applesauce and pound cake!

The skins may not be pretty to look at, but they're perfect for cooking with.

The trees are really old and have never been treated - which is a good thing, imo.

Sorry, I don't have a recipe for applesauce.

I just quarter them, simmer them - skins, seeds, and all - in a pot of

water until they're soft. Process them in a food mill.
(This removes the skins and seeds.)

Add a little fresh lemon juice (so it doesn't brown), some sugar (if desired) to taste,

and some strained water from the cooking pot until you get

the desired consistency. Add some cinnamon if desired.

I do, however, have a recipe for pound cake!

3 eggs, room temperature

3 tablespoons milk, room temperature

1 and a half teaspoons vanilla extract

1 and a half cups (150 grams) sifted cake flour*

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated white sugar

13 tablespoons (185 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (177 C). Butter a 9x5x3 inch (23x13x8 cm).

Line the bottom with parchment paper and butter paper.** Whisk together eggs,

milk and vanilla. Place dry ingredients in a large bowl and beat with an

electric mixer for 30 seconds. Add butter and half of egg mixture. Beat on low

until dry ingredients are moist. Increase mixer speed to medium. Beat for

1 minute to aerate, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Gradually add remaining

egg mix, in two additions, beating for about 30 seconds after each addition.

Scrape batter into prepared pan and smooth the top with a spoon.

Bake 55-65 minutes or until golden brown and passes the toothpick test.

Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely.***

* I never have cake flour. I've always used all-purpose flour

and it comes out fine.

** I don't bother to line the pan with parchment paper, and it comes out fine.

*** I never let it cool completely before stuffing my face,

and it comes out fine. :)

Warm pound cake with warm applesauce.

Sorry about the crappy photo.

I care more about eating the stuff than I do photographing it.

And it tastes goooooood!

Autumn Appearances

2011-10-01T09:34:00.000-04:00

No words.

Just photos of some things I've seen.

Apparently, even deer can be food snobs,

preferring the apples still on the tree instead of

subjecting his ego to eating ones on the ground.

Hope you're all enjoying the weekend!

I Have A Dog, And I Know How To Use Her!

2011-09-29T17:55:00.001-04:00

I thought I should follow up from the previous post,

and show you, and any possible creepers, that I really do have a dog!

After warning the creepers, it made me think of the cheesy thriller movies

where the frightened girl says "I have a gun, and I know how to use it."

(Apparently this lady really did!)

Anyway, I wasn't just threatening with a dog. She really does exist.

Miss Amelia the Boxer

The black spot on her neck? I think she rolled in shit. :/ Probably chicken.

Cuddling with her sister Sasha the Boxer (yes, I love Boxers!).

These two were inseparable. I wish I could say they're a double-threat, but

we lost Sasha a year-and-a-half ago to cancer.

See, she loves me!

Damn! My nostrils look huge! And my greys are showing up in photos? WTF!

And, just in case you think I'm joking about not liking strangers....

I told you it's been raining!

Notice the two broken panes on the inside of the glass?

That's from her lunging at the door whenever a stranger comes knocking.

Just a warning for you pervs. :)

2011-09-29T08:29:00.000-04:00

I need some rainbows!!

It's been raining here again.

Rain and flooding expected the rest of the week.

source

I had a goal of opening my etsy shop by the end of the month,

but it looks like it may be delayed by a couple of weeks.

Hubs took on a night job, so he's been sleeping during the day

making it a little difficult to use the sewing machine.

My sewing room is right next to our bedroom,

and my sewing machine isn't a top-of-the-line that purrs.

More like clang bang grinding. :)

So, I've been staying up to sew after the kids go to bed.

I'm freakin' tired!!

source

So, with all this gloom and doom, I need something to lift my spirits.

But, Mother Nature doesn't seem to be taking her happy pills.

So I set off to find my own rainbows.

source

Maybe these will bring me a little bit of luck! ;)

source

And, if any of you readers are some kind of creep who just got excited

at the realization that I'm home alone at night, I'll warn you ...

I have a 70 pound Boxer who is very protective of my kids and me.

While she is very sweet and gentle around us, she hates strangers.

And, well, I can't control her when Hubs isn't here. ;)

And she hates men.

Fences ~ 52 Photos Project

2011-09-28T14:02:00.000-04:00

I had to dig in the archives for this prompt.

I had intentions of taking some photos with the pretty

Autumn colors as a backdrop.

But, it's raining .... again.

I adore wrought iron fences, picket fences with white chippy paint.

But, we don't have a need for those in the country.

Around here we have split rail fences gracing abandoned farms

and stone fences that once marked property lines.

Linking up with Bella at 52 Photos Project.

A Thank You & A Realization

2011-09-26T06:45:00.000-04:00

I wanted to thank everyone who read this post

and left honest, and humorous, comments. After some talking

to my cousin (the same one in the post), I've come to some realizations.

The meaning behind the writing. Yes, my manner in my posts, in comparison

to how I am in my real life, was in question. But, I think I was

seeking something deeper. It wasn't so much about my use

of profanity, what kind of mother I am, or what kind

of music I listen to. It's about being fake in order

to meet the expectations of others.

The past year and a half have consisted of many life changes for me.

Many of them emotionally and spiritually. After living my entire

life to meet the expectations that others put on me, I realized that

I didn't even know who the "real" me was.

I embarked on a path to discover who I really am.
What is important to me to live an authentic life.

It's still a work in progress, but I've come a long way.

Then I realized that, when I write on my blog,

I'm writing in a way that I think will please others. I've been restrained,

keeping parts of myself hidden, so that others will be

read my blog and be satisfied. But I've neglected to satisfy myself.

Forgetting the path that I decided to travel down to discover

who I really am.

So, where does that leave this blog?

I honestly don't know.

There are some days when I'm bubbly and full of excitement.

Others, my thoughts are deep and contemplative.

Sometimes I'm in a don't-fuck-with-me mood.

I enjoy interior design, music, movies and books.

I enjoy art and photography. I'm inspired by poetry.

Sometimes I write my own. It may be total shit, but

it's my truth and comes from my heart.

I love bloggers that want to inspire others to a peaceful world.

I want to do the same, sometimes.

But life isn't always a blissful place to live.

Sometimes, regardless of all the positive thinking, life just plain sucks.

I think showing how a challenge was met and an

obstacle was overcome can be just as inspiring.

To know that you're not alone in your struggles
can be a huge relief. The aha moment of
"Oh shit, I'm not alone!".

I guess this blog will consist of the great hodgepodge

of things I love and want to share with you.

There's no theme, no order. Some days it may be a post for fun.

Other days may be something that I was inspired by and want

to share, maybe inspiring you, too.

In other words,this blog will be me.

Cobwebs

2011-09-25T10:43:00.004-04:00

Cobwebs

Gossamer threads,

the most delicate lace,

jeweled in the morning dew,

it's own collection of diamonds.

So thin,

it teases me to believe in myself,

to believe I have the power to escape.

But, the more I try,

the more tangled in the web I become.

An Autumn Sunset

2011-09-24T23:53:00.000-04:00

Clouds come floating into my life,
no longer to carry rain or usher storm,
but to add color to my sunset sky.

~ Rabindranath Tagore

Conversation With My Mother

2011-09-22T18:30:00.002-04:00

My mom just called me with a bit of news.

The conversation went like this:

Mom: Guess what I just did?

Me: Uh oh - what?

Mom: Got us tickets to see David Garrett!

source

Me: Oh my god!! You're awesome!

Mom: I know.

Me: Now I need to get something to wear.

(I normally wear tees, jeans, and Cons)

Mom: Why?

Me: Isn't the audience always dressed nice?

Mom: I'm a little too busy looking at him to care what the audience is wearing!

So, in February I'll be going into New York City to see David Garrett.

My mom rocks!

Autumn

2011-09-22T08:10:00.000-04:00

Celebrating Autumn with LB for her Pinney Party!

Sorry, no source was found.

There's a lot that I love about Autumn.

The cooler days, the warmer colors.

The sunsets seem more golden.

A time when I bake like crazy to make up for

the lack of it during the summer when it's too hot to turn the oven on.

All the apples!

No source found for this either.

All the leaves in their golden and burgundy colors!

imgfave.com - what is imgfave?

I love pumpkins!

My mom makes awesome pumpkin pancakes!

We only eat them during the fall.

That way it's always a special treat.

Pumpkin pancakes with warm maple syrup!

I think I need to stop by mom's this weekend. ;)

source

Jeans, sweaters, boots, scarves .... all the cozy layers!

source

While I do really enjoy Autumn, I won't lie ....

I loathe what is coming next.

Amanda + Winter = one grumpy chick. :)

Hope you'll stop by Everyday Dreamer and see all the awesome pinneys!

Dual Personalities

2011-09-21T14:51:00.000-04:00

Just a thought I've been having ...

Is everyone really as "sweet" as they appear in their posts and comments?

Some people that know me rather well have asked me why
I sound sweet and mellow on my blog.

I admit that, when I write a post, I'm not always my true self.

I write in a manner that I feel will appeal to everyone, and offend no one.

I cherish everyone who reads my blog, and appreciate every single comment.

I don't want to write something that someone else may find offensive.

But, it's not always a true reflection of me.

And as for when I comment, well, I can't tell you how many times

I've written something just to delete and re-write so I didn't piss

somebody off. Please don't misunderstand - I truly mean what I write

in my comments. It's just the manner in which they are written isn't

always genuine.

I have a trucker mouth, the mouth of a sailor, whatever you want to call it.

I use foul language. Say the taboo four-letter-words, drop the F-bomb.

When I get angry, it feels really good to say "f**k you".

And if you're too far away to hear me, I'm happy to flip you the bird.


From my all-time favorite Johnny Depp movie, Blow.

Sometimes I flip both of them.

I do try to watch what I say around the kids. But, sometimes things slip.

The other night when my cousin was visiting, my mom, cousin, and I

took my kids for ice cream. As we sat down at the table, my 5-year-old

noticed a juke box and asked "What the hell is that?".

My mom and my cousin got quite a chuckle out of it, I just ignored it.

(The moment was later forgotten about when my 3-year-old asked if we could

put more money in the "juice" box. Phew!)

Hey, I never claimed to be winning any mother-of-the-year awards.

I have a raunchy sense of humor. I'm not one for prim and proper.
It's not like I'm dining with the Queen. I just like to be relaxed, open-mined,
laugh a lot, and not take things too seriously.

I listen to a lot of rock music - grunge, classic, alternative, indie, punk,
prog, all of it. I listen a lot and I listen to it loud. Yes, sometimes
my kids are in the car (driving a dorky minivan does not mean
I need to stop listening to good music!). I get a kick out of when
I look in my rearview mirror and see three heads bobbing
up and down to the beat and they're playing air guitar.
Like I said, no mother-of-the-year awards.

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with sweet, mild, and innocent.
They just aren't terms that I would use to describe me.

I guess I was just wondering if I was the only one writing with

dual personalities? I'm a bit afraid to hit "publish", which kind of

puzzles me - this is my blog!

5 Senses Tour

2011-09-20T17:19:00.001-04:00

I'm joining in with Monica's 5 Senses Tour at Bohemian Twilight.

The idea?

To share 5 beautiful and interesting things!

Music

I'm really excited that Jane's Addiction has reunited

and will be releasing a new album next month.

I can't stop listening to this song.

Perry Farrell

The video is pretty sweet if you care to check it out!

Movies

"From Hell"

with Johnny Depp and Heather Graham.

A movie about opium-addicted Inspector Abberline (Depp)

investigating the Jack the Ripper murders.

While I enjoyed the plot, and it was a good
way to pass the time of a late night while hubs was working,
it's not on my list of movies I would watch again.

(I know, I posted this pic before. Are you complaining?
I didn't think so! ;) )

Photography

I'm really loving The New Gypsies by photographer Iain McKell.
A series of photographs that give us a glimpse into the lives of modern nomads.

Books

source

The Secret Language of Birthdays

A personality guide according to your date of birth.
I love when astrology is spot on!

Food

source

Now that the weather is turning a bit cooler, I'll be making soup.
A lot of soup!!!

Hope you're all having a beautiful start to the week!

The Dark Room

2011-09-18T11:59:00.000-04:00

I love both light and dark, in all aspects of life.

But, when I look around my home, all I see is light.

Light walls, light window treatments, light wood floors,

most of my furniture is light.

Lately, I've been imagining a dark room.

I picture it with midnight blue, almost black, walls.

Lots of old, antique, and distressed mirrors to reflect light.

Gauzy, lacey curtains on the windows to allow the light in from
outside, but still be soft and filtered.

My dark, victorian furniture.

Lots of silver and plum, evergreen and indigo, with
pops of turquoise and red
(it all blends nicely in my mind).

Probably for my bedroom, my personal space where I can

enjoy the dark and mysterious

Abigail Ahern

source

Abigail Ahern

I'm off to do some more sewing and photographing
to (hopefully!) get the shop up by the end of the month.

Just taking a bit of a break to share thoughts running through my mind.
Hope you're all having a lovely weekend!

Luna

2011-09-15T06:31:00.000-04:00

As a Cancerian, the Moon is very influential in my daily life,

having a very strong connection to my internal emotions.

image source

My moods are often determined by the cycle of the Moon.

I didn't always understand this, which has caused many conflicts in my past.

Now that I know what emotions to expect at certain times of the moon cycle,
I'm better able to help the positive

ones flourish, and keep the negative ones in check.


image source

I often sit on my back deck, or look out the window, and talk to her

(in my mind, of course, not out loud) when I need her guidance and comfort.

The Moon ~ Henry David Thoreau

The full-orbed moon with unchanged ray
Mounts up the eastern sky,
Not doomed to these short nights for aye,
But shining steadily.

She does not wane, but my fortune,
Which her rays do not bless,
My wayward path declineth soon,
But she shines not the less.

And if she faintly glimmers here,
And paled is her light,
Yet always in her proper sphere
She's mistress of the night.

image source

How awesome would it be to see a moon like this once in a while?

Playing along with LB's Pinney Party at Everyday Dreamer.
Hope you'll join in!

In honor of the Harvest Moon that we celebrated this week.

If I found the image source, I provided the link. Some I can't
trace the original source. All can be found on my Pinterest page.

Quilted

2011-09-13T09:01:00.000-04:00

I love quilts!

I enjoy making quilts.

But, I'm not one for patterns. Don't get me wrong, I love

the ones with designs. I just prefer scrappy, patchwork quilts.

Quilts that are pieced together with old clothes and linens

so nothing goes to waste. Ones that are so worn, used and loved

they've become threadbare and are covered with patches.

Stacks of quilts in a family room - perfect for cuddling under while

watching movies, or curling up with a book for an afternoon of reading.

Draped over the foot of a bed to ease the chill of cooler nights.

found on Pinterest

I may be a bit absent the next couple of weeks. I've been doing a lot of sewing

and making jewelry to get my Etsy shop up and running again. My goal is to have

it running by the end of September. So if I don't post as frequently, or comment on

your blog as regularly, it's because I'm working hard creating and photographing.

I'm even hoping to have some quilts in the shop!

Scrappy, of course. :)

Just in time for the soon-to-be-here cooler weather.

10 Years

2011-09-11T06:46:00.000-04:00

September 11, 2001 ~ September 11, 2011

It's hard to believe 10 years have already gone by.
I won't watch the footage.
For me, it's like being a perverted gawker.
Seeing the planes hit the towers and knowing hundreds
of people just lost their lives. The fear they must have had.
Or when the towers fell, realizing thousands of people
will never return home, to their families.
I don't need to watch the videos.
They're etched in my brain.

From my personal photos. Taken in the beginning of 1996 from

the top of the Empire State Building.

Statue of Liberty from the Staten Island Ferry.

Manhattan skyline from the Long Island Sound.

Remembering all those that were lost 10 years ago today.

Shadows

2011-09-08T07:28:00.002-04:00

"All that we are is a result of what we have thought. If a man

speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him. If a man speaks

or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a

shadow that never leaves him."

~ Buddha

1 / 2 / 3 / 4

Linking up with Everyday Dreamer for her Pinney Party!
Hope you'll stop by! If you're addicted to Pinterest, too, perhaps you'll join in the fun!

Change of Plans

2011-09-05T16:11:00.002-04:00

First, I had a bit of panic when I went to my blog page just to get a message

that my blog had been removed! What?!?!

Apparently there was suspicious activity reported, and I had to receive

a verification code and change my password.

Hopefully that will be the only issue.

Second, I know on Friday's post I said I would have a new

"Repurposed Decor" post, but ... I changed my mind. :)

I've decided to share a recipe instead.

The last few days the apples on one of my trees have gotten really red.

Since today is the last day before the kids go off to school,

I picked some of the apples to make them a sweet treat.

Apple Fritters!

They're really simple and quick to make.

And, they taste really yummy, too.

1 cup sifted all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1/4 cup milk

1 teaspoon vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Mix all together just until blended.

(I like vanilla, so I add a bit more. Also, I like spice, so I usually

add a pinch of cinnamon and/or ground nutmeg.)

Peel and dice 4-5 apples. Mix into the batter.

Heat a little bit of oil in a frying pan. Drop batter by the tablespoon into the pan.

Cook for a couple of minutes on both sides, until lightly brown.

Remove to plate lined with paper towels.

Add more oil to the pan as needed. I don't like to add a lot at a time,

helping to keep the fritters light instead of oily.

When slightly cool, dust with powdered sugar.

Autumn is definitely on her way!

The "Repurposed Decor" post is in draft. I'll post it soon!

Joy Pockets

2011-09-02T06:57:00.000-04:00

Finding moments of joy amidst the chaos of life.

~ "Mom, you make the best pancakes."

~ my daughter's portrait of me when I was a little girl
apparently I liked to do ballet while eating mac-n-cheese

~ Hubs excitement at building his first cigar box guitar

~ sorting through old boxes and finding two sets of watercolor
pencils that I had forgotten about

~ saying "yes" to the kids more often

Stop by Bohemian Twilight and share your own moments of joy!

I realized that I haven't done a "Repurposed Decor" post in a while.
I think it's time for another one.
I'll have one on Monday - this one for books. :)

I'm staying away from the computer all weekend to take the kids to the
Land of Make Believe
for some fun before they go back to school next week.
And to, hopefully, work on some sewing for new projects I've been thinking of.

Happy Friday! See you on Monday!

Summer

2011-09-01T07:18:00.001-04:00

Summer has gone by way too fast for my liking.

It's already the first of September. Next week all the kids go back to school.

I don't know how to dress anymore.

Sweaters in the morning, tank tops in the afternoon, back to sweaters in the evening.

Let's celebrate Summer one last time with a

Pinney Party at Everyday Dreamer.

My idea of summer is ...

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day
listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky,
is hardly a waste of time. " ~ John Lubbock

What's your idea of summer?

In The Garden ~ Part Two

2011-08-31T09:24:00.000-04:00

I'm not sure where my head is floating around.

I thought today was Tuesday, not Wednesday. Wherever my head is,

I hope it's having a grand time. :)

We lost quite a bit of apples from the wind during the hurricane.

Fortunately it was a very good year, and there are still a lot

left on the trees. Next month I'll be busy making applesauce, and (hopefully) apple butter.

One of my favorite treats in the winter is homemade poundcake, still warm, topped with

homemade applesauce. YUM!!

I guess the positive of losing so many apples is the chickens and deer are

having a blast with so many treats on the ground.

My PeeGee hydrangeas are beginning to sense the arrival of Autumn.

Right now they're blushing pink. In a few weeks they'll be the

prettiest shade of burgundy.

Linking up with 52 Photos Project.

7 Things About Me

2011-08-30T15:34:00.000-04:00

I know .... I changed the blog design again.

Can't help it. ;) It's too much fun.

I've been a follower of the blog if ... made with love written

by Ines from Portugal. She's so kind, a beautiful photographer, and has

passed on The Versatile Blogger award to me.

So sweet! Thank you!

First I must write 7 things about me.

1. I'm my own yin and yang. I'm attracted to the light, sweet, and innocent

as well as the dark, mysterious, and forbidden. I often portray both sides, which

can be confusing to those around me.

2. I have a very eclectic taste in music. I do have my favorites, but I enjoy

listening to almost anything ... except country. I hope I don't offend

anyone who enjoys that type of music, but I cannot listen to it.

3. Even though I'm 34, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. ;)

I do know I won't be happy unless I'm doing something creative.

I tried the 9-5 office job. I hated it, and as soon as I had the opportunity

to go back to creative work, I took it.

4. I have a very good memory, and can remember conversations,
word for word, from 20 years ago, some longer. Hubs doesn't like that one too much. ;)

5. I love doing art projects with the kids, reading them stories, and I'm

always happy to say "yes" to cuddle time. But to actually get on the floor

and play dolls or trucks - I pass. I hang my head in shame as I admit I

will find any excuse to get out of playing tag and hide-n-go seek.

6. My favorite snack is avocados drizzled with balsamic vinegar.

It was a craving during all three pregnancies, and is still something

I eat at least twice a week.

7. I love Bluebird roses and LaReve lilies. Hence the name of the blog. :)

I need to pass this on to 15 other bloggers. Yikes! That one is a bit
difficult. I need to get back to you on that one.

After the Storm

2011-08-29T09:05:00.000-04:00

When I started off on this blog journey, I really didn't know what to

expect. I didn't know that so many wonderful connections would be

made with beautiful people from all over the world. This is truly a magical experience!

I wanted to thank all of you for your thoughts, prayers, and positive energy the last couple of days.

We were very lucky and made it through Hurricane Irene just fine.

While the winds were strong, we didn't have anything damaged.

We did have a lot of water in the yard. Some poured into the cellar, the rest

washed some of my driveway away. But we're already starting to dry out.

I'm very grateful and won't complain one bit.

Family friends fared a lot worse. Some have their homes flooded.

Another can no longer get to her home due to the only bridge giving her

access has been washed away from the flooding.

My family down in town may have to wait days before their

electricity is restored. With the exception of a couple of flickers,

I never even lost power.

I awoke this morning to a light breeze, blue skies, and a bright sun.

Thank you, again! Hope everyone else fared well during the storm!

Stevie Nicks ...

2011-08-28T04:51:00.002-04:00

I thought I would get a quick post in before we possibly lose power

from the storm to let you know that ...

STEVIE NICKS WAS AWESOME!!!!!!!!

The rain held off until the very last song, the wind picked up just a bit.

But watching her on stage with the wind slightly blowing her shawls

and scarves made the whole performance more magical, if that's possible.

She sounded, and looked, absolutely fabulous.

I've never been to a concert where the performer interacts with

the fans as much as she did. If you ever have the opportunity

to go to her concert, I highly recommend it.

For my fellow hippies, another shot of the Woodstock site for you. The center of the photo

is where the stage was. The lake in the background ... that's where they all went skinny dipping. ;)

Momma and me! I learned recently that she reads my blog from time to time, so she's probably

going to flip out when she sees I put a pic of her up on the internet. We didn't really dressy ourselves

up since we were supposed to get wind and rain.

Sorry, I don't take good photos at night.
One of these days I'll figure out how to adjust the settings for low/no light.

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

The rain is really coming down, and the wind is howling and whipping around
the house and through the trees, but so far so good.

Thank you for all of your well wishes!
I appreciated them all!

How I Prepare

2011-08-27T09:34:00.002-04:00

I went out to make sure all the toys were cleaned up in the yard, so if we get

strong wind from Hurricane Irene they won't get smashed into the house.

Instead, the first thing I did was cut some hydrangeas.

I looked at them and thought if the wind gets strong, my bushes will

probably be ruined and then I won't get to enjoy them until next summer.

Bummer!

I've never been able to cut the blooms. I always say "next year" with the

idea of letting them get bigger. I started thinking - what if I don't have next year?

What if we don't stay in the house? What if by some freak chance the bushes

are ruined and they don't bloom next year? Live in the moment, Amanda!!

Enjoy what you have now.

So I cut blooms from my hydrangeas for the first time.

At least if I'm stuck in the house tomorrow from the wind and rain,

possibly no electricity, I'll have something pretty to look at.

So far the Stevie Nicks show is still a go!!

I'm sure I'll get wet - but who cares.

Joy Pockets

2011-08-26T07:42:00.000-04:00

Finding moments of joy amidst the chaos of life.

~ cooler nights & sleeping with the windows wide open

creating a need to bring out the quilts

~ falafels

~ Hubs enrolling in school again to further his nursing career

~ a friend finding her courage

~ making a new totebag
(now that all the kids are out of diapers, I can finally have a normal bag!)

~ breakfast for dinner

~ gazing at the stars with the kids and seeing their
excitement at witnessing a shooting star

I hope you'll stop by Bohemian Twilight and share your own joy pockets!

Bracing for a busy, stormy weekend!
Tomorrow night is the Stevie Nicks concert with my mom.
Hopefully the rain and wind will hold off.
Hurricane Irene is expected to arrive in our area sometime early Sunday morning.
We're already under a state of emergency.
Hubs is pretty laid-back with an "it is what it is" attitude, but he's pretty worried.
Keeping my fingers crossed it turns out to be a big-ole nothing.
I don't normally keep candles in the house, but with the
impending doom, I may just break out the wicks and soy wax
and turn that bucket of glass into some candles today.

In the past month we've had a tornado, tremors from an earthquake, and now a hurricane.

This is New York - wtf!

Smile

2011-08-25T08:22:00.002-04:00

I'm so excited!

A special lady, LB at Everyday Dreamer, had started her own meme!

For us Pinterest freaks.

This weeks theme:

SMILE

"A smile costs nothing but gives much. It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give. It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None is so rich or mighty that he cannot get along without it and none is so poor that he cannot be made rich by it. Yet a smile cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give"

~ Author Unknown

"The robbed that smiles steals something from the thief."

~William Shakespeare, Othello

"Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been."

~ Mark Twain

Vedder and Depp ... together!

Two of my favorite ~~sexy beasts~~ people.

Guaranteed to put a smile on my face. ;)

All images are on my Pinterest boards.

I do hope you'll stop by Everyday Dreamer and share your pins!

Left vs. Right

2011-08-24T08:51:00.001-04:00

source

Left brain:

I am the left brain. I am a scientist. A mathematician. I love the familiar. I categorize. I am accurate. Linear. Analytical. Strategic. I am practical. Always in control. A master of words and language. Realistic. I calculate equations and play with numbers. I am order. I am logic. I know exactly who I am.

Right brain:

I am the right brain. I am creativity. A free spirit. I am passion. Yearning. Sensuality. I am the sound of roaring laughter. I am taste. The feeling of sand beneath bare feet. I am movement. Vivid colors. I am the urge to paint on an empty canvas. I am boundless imagination. Art. Poetry. I sense. I feel. I am everything I wanted to be.

I have this image of the left side of my brain looking like a shriveled up

prune from not being used very often.

Not that there is anything wrong with the left,

but the right side looks so much prettier.

Pinning Party

2011-08-22T13:17:00.000-04:00

If you follow me on Pinterest, it's no secret that I've got a bit of an

addiction. Now I can put my addiction to use by joining in with

Down That Little Lane for a pinterest party.

Thank you, LB, for giving me a way to fuel my addiction!

(You're such an enabler. ;) )

All photos can be found on my Pinterest page.

Joy Pockets

2011-08-19T08:53:00.001-04:00

Sharing my Joy Pockets for the week.

~ my middle child turns 5 today!

~ the smell of chocolate cake baking in the oven as I type this

~ a quiet week

~ the sound of rushing water

~ spending time with my mom and leaving with a bag of books

~ being inspired

I hope you'll stop by Bohemian Twilight and share your own joy pockets!

Have a beautiful weekend!

A Poisonous Mushroom

2011-08-18T10:40:00.000-04:00

"Love is like a poisonous mushroom - you don't know if it is the

real thing until it is too late"

author unknown

Black and White

2011-08-17T07:30:00.001-04:00

( I know, it's more sepia than B&W - oh, well )

Linking up with 52 Photos Project.

The Father of Art Nouveau

2011-08-16T11:15:00.000-04:00

I adore the art of Alphonse Mucha,

but I think I may be equally in love with his photography.

Happy Anniversary Woodstock!

2011-08-15T09:46:00.001-04:00

42 years ago today, people gathered at Max Yasgur's farm in

Bethel, NY for 3-days of peace and music.

Over 500,000 people attended the greatest music festival of all time.

Woodstock

Woodstock in 1969

Woodstock site today. The gravel area to the left was the location of the stage.

You can see more photos of Yasgur's Farm here.

Hope you're having a great Monday!

Isn't She Beautiful

2011-08-13T09:00:00.000-04:00

When putting my son to bed last night, he looked out his window and said

"Mom, there's the moon! She's my friend. Isn't she beautiful?"

She sure is.

Joy Pockets

2011-08-12T10:53:00.000-04:00

Finding moments of joy amidst the chaos of life.

~ the shade of the apple trees

~ How To Talk To Little Girls

~ authentic, New York City pizza
(I love when Hubs has to go into the city!)

~ my 9th wedding anniversary

~ realizing that most of the songs I listened to in high school
are now played on the classic rock radio station,
making me realize that I'm not in my teens any more,
not even in my 20's, but 34 - and I love it!!

~ creating, creating, creating

~ grown-up nephews who still come to their aunt for advice

~ homemade pies
(yes, that's plural)

Join in with Monica at Bohemian Twilight and share your own pockets of joy!

Happy Friday!

Be Yourself

2011-08-10T07:40:00.000-04:00

"Be yourself; no base imitator of another, but your best self. There is something which

you can do better than another. Listen to the inward voice and bravely obey that.

Do the things at which you are great, not what you were never made for."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

The August Break

London Calling

2011-08-09T12:02:00.000-04:00

source

I'll never understand why people think violent acts will get

them the respect they are seeking.

I hope the riots ends soon and no more innocent people will

be harmed, no more buildings destroyed and burned.

To those of you living in this beautiful city in a country that

stole my heart, I wish for you to stay safe.

The Beginning of the End

2011-08-08T11:51:00.000-04:00

The hydrangeas are fading, the perfect time to cut them for drying,

but I can never bring myself to cut one bloom off the delicate bush.

Twilight is creeping in earlier every day,

the Moon making her appearance sooner in the night sky.

The tomatoes, zucchini, green beans, are bursting,

putting me in a mad dash to pick, clean, and freeze for the winter.

The weeds have taken over. After the first two weedings,

I give up and say "f**k it!" and let the weeds have a kick-ass party.

And they're partying hard!

The apples are turning red, getting ready for picking.

The nights are cooler, allowing for sleeping with

open windows, letting in the evening breeze and sounds of katydids.

Let's not leave out the "end-of-summer" clearance sales.

We're only entering the second week of August, but the signs

are everywhere.

The beginning of the end of Summer.

I don't usually admit this - but I think I'm getting excited about Autumn.

Joy Pockets

2011-08-05T08:34:00.000-04:00

Finding moments of joy amidst the chaos of life.

~ daydreaming of visiting this beautiful place, the ultimate bohemia

Prague

~ hearing my 4-year-old proclaim

"it's my imagination - it can do whatever it wants"

~ my 3-year-old using a piece of cardboard and his imagination

to go snowboarding on the beach

~ my 8-year-old deciding she's going to be an artist when she grows up

~ Hubs being offered his first job as a nurse!

~ my mom surprising me with Stevie Nicks

concert tickets for a mother/daughter night
(my mom rocks!!)

~ waking up to the brightest sun in the bluest sky
and the smiles of my kids

~ making a long-overdue decision and finding peace with it

Join in with Monica at Bohemian Twilight and share your own Joy Pockets!

Happy Friday!

The Old and Forgotten

2011-08-03T08:12:00.000-04:00

Her door was left open, as if waiting for the farmer to return,
herding in his cattle for the evening.

Only he never returned.

She's still waiting with open arms.

Photo submission for 52 Photos Project

Grounded

2011-08-02T07:15:00.000-04:00

For a more grounded life, choose

not to get caught up in

the fast-paced world around you.

From: DailyOM

(thank you, LB)

The August Break

Shine {August Break}

2011-08-01T02:39:00.001-04:00

Linking up with The Creative Exchange.

Music Monday

Joy Pockets

2011-07-29T08:20:00.000-04:00

Finding moments of joy amidst the chaos of life.

~ the overwhelming love, support, and encouragement from blogging friends

~ emails from a beautiful soul

~ living in the country where there are no city lights to
obstruct the view of the night sky

~ after 8 years and 3 kids, my home is finally a diaper-free zone

~ writing in a new journal

~ going to the vegetable garden to gather the ingredients for dinner

~ opening the medicine cabinet and being greeted by the scent
of essential oils and herbs

~ rainbows over the house three days in a row

A double rainbow! Admittedly, it's a bit hard to see. But, it's there!

~ Embracing Otherness

(it's a bit long, but so worth watching!)

Join in with Monica at Bohemian Twilight and
share your own pockets of joy!

Happy Friday!

5 Songs

2011-07-27T15:55:00.005-04:00

Music is such a big part of who I am.

I can listen to certain songs and I'm flooded with memories

of certain times in my life.

When I'm struggling through emotions or life

challenges, I often turn to music to help be better

understand my feelings, and how to get through them.

I have a quite eclectic taste in music.
These are the 5 top songs/bands I'm listening to at the moment.
It changes frequently.

Breathe by David Gray

source

Given to Fly by Pearl Jam

source

I've been in love with Pearl Jam ever since the release of their first album Ten.

Jose Gonzalez's cover of Teardrop

source

Warflower by The Mayan Factor

source

Sadly, the music world lost a beautiful soul a few months ago when the
singer, Ray, the man who wrote the hauntingly beautiful lyrics, passed away.

Mountains by Biffy Clyro

source

For no other reason except Simon Neil is a freakin' god!

And his Scottish accent makes me weak in the knees.

I didn't do any write ups for the songs. I think music is a
very personal experience and can be interpreted in
so many ways. A song could mean one thing to one person, and something
completely different to someone else. You can have two different experiences,
but you can both connect to the same song in your own way.

Chocolate

2011-07-27T11:40:00.000-04:00

Chocolate and peanut butter - one of my favorite sweet combinations.

One night, a couple of months ago, I was craving a peanut butter cup.

But, there was none in the house.

When you live 20 minutes from town, it's not an option to make a

quick trip to the corner store for a treat.

But, I did have peanut butter and chocolate chips.

So, I made some cookies!

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies

Yummy!

They're now a favorite in the house.

Share your "Chocolate" photo over at 52 Photos Project.

The American Nightmare

2011-07-26T08:56:00.002-04:00

Up until a few years ago, Hubs and I were living the American Dream.

Neither of us have a college degree (I did attend for a year, but the environment

was too much to handle when you have anxiety.), but we did very well for ourselves.

We both worked hard, and when I just turned 23, we bought our house. We got

married two years later, and within 9 months our first child was born.

I became a stay-at-home-mom a month before my 26th birthday.

We struggled a bit financially, but Hubs eventually started his own custom cabinet/furniture

shop (he's a very talented wood craftsman!). We live within 2 hours of New York City, and

most of his work came from people living in the City and the well-to-do suburbs.

This was during the time when everyone was building huge McMansions and trying

to out-do their neighbors, so while we weren't rich by any means, we were comfortable.

We had two more children, and things seemed to be going well in our lives.

Then, the economy crumbled.

At first, Hubs was still getting jobs, they just weren't as large as they once were.

Then, the jobs were getting scattered.

Eventually, they almost stopped.

People stopped building and remodeling their homes. No one was in the market

for high-end cabinets and furniture. The paychecks became scarce. The financial

burden it put on our marriage was stressful. We battled for a couple of years. A

little over a year ago, things came crashing down and I didn't think we were going to make

it as a couple. Our family was torn apart. We went from living the American

Dream to living the American Nightmare. I couldn't even get a job to help.

Without a college degree, the only jobs I could get (if one was even available since

no one was hiring) were the minimum-wage jobs. The cost to have three small children

in daycare was too much. It would have cost me money to go to work. We went from

a two-car family to one car. We had to make decisions of whether we fed our

children or paid the mortgage. We chose to feed our kids. So we are now

behind on our mortgage. We're trying to save our home, but we're not sure

what the outcome will be.

We've worked really hard to save our marriage and our family.

(I met Hubs when I was 17. We've been together since just after my 18th

birthday. There is too much love and history to give up.)

Hubs went to nursing school to hopefully have a career with a steady

paycheck, benefits, and give him a chance at a retirement. He graduated

from nursing school, and just yesterday found out he passed his state board exam.

So, he is officially a licensed nurse. While we are trying to save our home, we've

realized that if we can't, it won't be the end of the world. These four walls aren't what

makes this a home, it's the family that is in it. Our home can be anywhere.

I'm not telling my story to seek sympathy.

I'm telling it so that if one person who reads is going through the same thing,

they will realize they are not alone.

Even though millions of people every year have lost their homes since the economy

crashed, it is a very lonely experience.

Your pride is trampled on. It's tremendously embarrassing.

But the worst part - you begin to question your ability as a parent.

I have three children who are depending on me, and when you can't

give them everything they deserve, it tears at your heart.

While the past few years have been painful, I'm thankful for them.

My experiences have taught me many lessons that I wouldn't have

learned otherwise. I truly believe I'm a better person for having gone through this.

Ancestry ~ In Photos

2011-07-24T13:16:00.000-04:00

We had a bit of rain this morning.

While we were waiting for it to clear up, Brianna asked me

if she had great great grandparents.

(I'm not sure what prompted the question - I guess it's just

the mind of an 8-year-old, maybe?)

So I got out my old family photos to show her.

She was quite amazed at how different appearances were in

the early 1900's.

My Italian great grandparents wedding photo - 1925.

I'm in love with the Flapper dress, headband, and arm band of the Maid of Honor.

When I called my gram to find out what year her parents married in, we started

talking about family history. I found out that my great uncle has done reasearch

for years on our ancestry, and wrote a book for the family.

I also found out that one of my female ancestors were murdered for

practicing witchcraft! Wow!

I can't wait to get my hands on the book!

Come on, Papa - hurry up and read!!

Taking a Break ... Sort Of

2011-07-23T11:16:00.000-04:00

I've recently discovered The August Break

(thank you, Monica)

For me, the summer is going by too fast, and I haven't crossed

off nearly enough things I wanted to do on my list of activities.

But, I don't want to take a complete break from blogging.

I love reading other blogs, making connections with some

amazing women, and just being inspired by the beautiful images.

This sounds like the perfect way to still blog and be inspired

without the pressure, and time, of creating posts.

The best part - there are no rules!

So, I'll still be here. I just won't be putting the pressure on myself

to create posts. Maybe it will just be a photo, or maybe I'll feel like writing.

Who knows?

This fall, all of my children will be in school.

The oldest goes into 3rd, the middle is entering kindergarten, and the youngest

will begin preschool. I really want to live this summer with the kids.

Because, before I know it, my kids will be off to school and I'll be by myself

(even if it is for just in the morning during preschool hours)

for the first time in 8 years.

I'm off to enjoy the remainder of the summer!

Joy Pockets

2011-07-22T06:21:00.001-04:00

Finding moments of joy amidst the chaos of life.

~ yarn bombing

~ free music concerts in the park

~ kids dancing in public with no inhibitions

~ Play Me, I'm Yours

~ spending the entire week with my niece and nephews

~ realizing my niece is no longer a child but a young lady

~ spending the day in our bathing suits

~ cannonballs on unsuspecting nephews

~ finally getting the courage to stop on the side of the road to
photograph the barn I've been admiring for 11 years

Join in with Monica at Bohemian Twilight and share
your own Joy Pockets of the week!

Happy Friday!

A Cool Drink

2011-07-20T07:11:00.000-04:00

The next few days we're supposed to have 95F temps (35C).

Yahoo!!

I love it. I welcome the heat.

I hate the cold of winter and no matter how many layers I wear, I can never get warm.

I often have a permanent seat on the hearth of the fireplace.

So, when the warm weather of Summer comes, I embrace it.

I try to drink as much water as I can, and it always has lemon.

(Plain water - no thanks.)

But, sometimes I like to have something a little different, with yummy flavors.

A few delicious ideas:

Strawberry and Peach Sangria

Blueberry and Lime Soda

One of my favorite Summer drinks:
Southern Sweet Tea

Summer just isn't complete until you have a tall glass of lemonade.
I prefer mine pink.

If you're experiencing the high temps
I hope you find ways to stay cool and refreshed!