Thursday, September 29, 2011

"Ok I Admit It, I'm Delighting Way Too Much In My Visits to Pinterest"

More often than not, for me anyway, pictures speak louder than words...
In fact, very often, there are just some things where there are no words, but a few..

Like these things..

I finally found my dream house...now I just need to figure out where in the heck it is...


And in my dream house, it will definitely have these...oh I Swoon!!!


And behind this door, into this secret perfect place, you will find my "Art Place"...and in this "Art Place" you will find this, which stores some of my most precious supplies...in just this perfect color... and above it would hang, just like this, the photography works of my Mr. and my beautiful daughter...


Of course inside this room you will find me, painting away, journaling away and  my red hair will look just like this...hey now, I can dream!! In fact I can set a goal..I am good at goals!


And of course I will be wearing one of these, any of these!!!
I'm thinking the green one would be wonderful with my new long hair :-)


And even though I am busy painting and journaling I will be eating this..a new version I found of my favorite "Monte Cristo" sandwich..this one has turkey and cranberries.  Oh for the love of yummy deliciousness in my mouth!!!


And even though I love my new house, bookshelves, "Art Place", storage dresser, new hair, new dress and new sandwich...
I will be dreaming of finding this place to just "Sit A Spell"..


May you find your dreams!
Me

"Thank You Holley"





I love this girl..
Love her heart, love her words..
Love her love of God..
Meaningful, giving, inspiring words always..


Posted: 27 Sep 2011 07:00 AM PDT


A friend of mine and I recently talked about how we both felt guilty for not being more like each other. I lamented to her, “I wish I could cook like you and make my house cozy like yours!” She also saw qualities and skills in me she’d like to have.
Next time we chatted we both laughed and shook our heads at our silly comparison game. But it reminded us that it’s easy to lose sight of God’s heart and unique purpose for each of us.
As women, it seems we often compare ourselves to each other. If someone is gifted in different ways than we are, we feel inadequate and wish we could change. Perhaps some of that perspective is encouraged by our individualistic society. We believe that one person could (and should) do it all.
But God has a completely different plan. Rather than making us self-sufficient He places us within the body of Christ with a specific role to fulfill. “If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?” (1 Corinthians 12:17). 
In The Cure for the Common Life Max Lucado says, “With God, every day matters, every person counts. And that includes you. You do something no one else does, in a manner no one else does it. And when your uniqueness meets God’s purpose, both of you will rejoice.” 
Those around you will rejoice too. The body of Christ needs you, just as you are, and no one can take your place.
The world only gets one you.
You with your gifts.
You with your smile.
You with those things you do.
So take your place,
take your chances,
take this moment to know...
You’ve got something to offer.
Something good and right and true.
Something God-given,
Heart-of-Heaven created. 
And the rest of us need it, need you.
Oh, you think it’s no big deal.
Anyone could be that way.
Anyone could do it.
Nope.
Not true.
There’s just one irreplaceable you.

Blessings to all..Celebrate the You that You are!
Val

Sunday, September 25, 2011

"Working To Get Into The Swing Of Things-Slowly"

This last month has been one heck-of-a blur..
Fast and Furious "All Girl Trip" from Washington to Southern California...
Driving, Driving, Driving, which admittedly was very fun..but honestly can be hard on this ole bod of mine..
Journaling, reading, knitting, singing along to Lady Gaga.."Poker Face..sang many times at the top of our lungs!
Stops along the way, enjoyable, pleasurable, perfect!
So much packed into 5 days, exhausting but in a good way..ending with a delightful day in Disneyland and Newport Beach...such a beautiful beach and where my son in-law proposed to my daughter..
Back home to my guys, house as I left it-amazing!
Back to work, very busy days..
What weird weather we're having in this here part of the states..
91 one day, 78 the next, 88 the next 68 the next..
Dressing in layers has taken on a whole new meaning..and dare I mention what these weather changes do to an ole gal with arthritis..
Whoa..not good..but I, as is my nature, whine a bit and then soldier on, ya know one foot in front of the other and all that!


So here I am working to get back in the groove beginning with some favorite "Fall Things" for me this week..


To start:




Definitely need to begin with this..








Totally want to do this..








I think these would be beautiful additions to my quilted potholders..hmmmm








A perfect idea..need this big time..made with toilet paper tubes..








Random..but I miss these "Golden Girls"








Can I go here? Like right now and just stand for a day or two and stare..a real place in Denmark!!!








I think I need this or is this just a want thing!!!! So adorable and my perfect color!








Cracked me up so bad..happens quite often when I am talking to my 19 year old son...big surprise! :-)








My winter shopping list..pretty much all I need, well not ALL I need, maybe a couple more sweaters like these maybe..








But in my size please...


Love this..

this


and this for sure..


love, love, love these..


Ok enough already with the clothes and hey I can dream!!..






all my absolutely favoritist colors in the whole wide world..
did I mention I am a redhead..so go figure...






My mouth is watering like Niagara Falls, gotta make this  soon!!
From http://www.skinnytaste.com



 

Slow cooked shredded chicken with corn, tomatoes and black beans. Prepare the night before and turn your crock pot on in the morning for an easy weeknight meal. Low fat and low in points. Serve over rice with chopped scallions, fresh cilantro, fat free sour cream and reduced fat cheddar.

Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken 
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 8 servings  Size: 1 cup • Old Points: 3 pts  Points+: 4 pts
Calories: 190 • Fat: 1.5 g • Fiber: 5.6 g • Carbs: 23.1 g • Protein: 21 g 

  • 24 oz (1 1/2) lbs chicken breast
  • 14.4 oz can diced tomatoes with mild green chilies
  • 15 oz can black beans
  • 8 oz frozen corn
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 14.4 oz can fat free chicken broth
  • 3 scallions, chopped
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper (to taste)
  • salt to taste
Combine chicken broth, beans, corn, tomatoes, cilantro, scallions, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cayenne pepper and salt in the crock potSeason chicken breast with salt and lay on top. Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shredReturn chicken to slow cooker and stir in. Adjust salt and seasoning. Serve over rice (extra pts).
Print Friendly and PDF


Off to get apples cuz I want to not only lick that spoon, but drink the whole bloody jar..




Only one thing left to say..


Many Fall Blessing to all...

Me

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

"Whew Had A Snaffoo in my Blog"

Ran into some problems with my blog recently and I just now had the time to work with blogger and get it fixed..
So all taken care of and I'm up and running again!!!
WEIRD...!! But I learned that there are even people and things out there that have nothing better to do than try to mess with other peoples things...and I say to you..


Back later, off to work!

Val

Sunday, September 4, 2011

"Ok Ok I'm getting off my Bottom"

In a recent post and not so recent post I talked about 2 projects I was embarking on..
Well...as life goes in my house...you know what they say about the best laid plans..
But not today...
I really am going to get off my bottom and get my organization and creative thoughts out of my head and into action...

First this unfinished project that has been patiently waiting for me to come back and finish the job!!!


In the beginning..


Sometime in between then and now...
Poor thing, my summer laziness beckoned to throw a quilt over the progress, which was none...


Oh yeah..its under there...I have loved displaying this quilt and having it adorn my table, but enough is enough...
Onward and Upward...as soon as I finish writing this I am honestly...really...going to go outside
 (its a perfect day for it)
remove my quilt friend and get to work on the table top, which if I stay the course will end up like this...


Ok 1st project goal for today...

Now there is the DAUNTING ONE!!!

THIS...OMG WHERE DO I BEGIN...I actually walked in there last night, stood pivoting around and then walked back out...BAD...but today is a new day and I am ready to face it!!!




Off I go...Wish Me Luck...
I hopefully will be able to post updated pictures tonight...that is if life doesn't have other ideas...

Happy Sunday!
Me

Friday, September 2, 2011

"Book, Book and Book"


Book I just read....and I love a good crime drama!!!




Book I am reading now..sweet and charming, a nice change of pace from the previous..







And the book I am about to read...my daughter keeps telling me to quit reading about Paris and just go there already...!!!


And if she's treatin, I'm goin..

What are you reading???
Care to Share?




"My Friday 5"




Several of the blogs I love to read have weekly posts that detail out the writer's 5 most favorite things for that week..
I have enjoyed those posts so much...found numerous new online sites, great books, adorable clothes, new delicious recipes and many, many other interesting and inviting places to visit and sights to see..
Well, as inspiration generally goes, those postings have inspired me to come up with

"My Friday 5"

My favorite people, places and things for the week..
Hope you enjoy my favorites as much as I have enjoyed others.


1.  Re-discovering camping and the peace-fullness of getting away from 
it all..spending some time with the people you love and the thoughts you think..
So having said that, I aim to put my re-discovery to work in my life..but before I do we will definitely need a few things like this..

We did have a tent and it was a nice one, but as lending goes, our son borrowed it to go camping with his buddies and the tent came back, torn and with none of the stuff you need to put it up...
I really like this one and I especially love the little flaps in the front that protect the door area for the elements...

Next I will need one of these for darn sure...


Because we are old people and we need to sleep and get up in the morning not half dead...

Have to have one of these...


And it has to be a 2 person sleeping bag because after sleeping away from my hubby for 4 years I am never going to do it again!!!



Oh and lastly one of these..


Because I have to read before I sleep..no question about that..


2. This show...


I love this show!!!
Something about seeing hard working people doing what they love!
And I actually like this guy too...he cracks me up..

3.  Now I admit this is kind of weird..but let me explain..
I like things to be tidy and I especially like to have my dishes be sparkly clean..I know, I know..lame huh?  But honestly I appreciate my dishwasher, but there is something about doing dishes by hand in soft, bubbly water...standing there thinking about things and looking out the windows over my sink at my beautiful flower garden..
So here is the weird part...
I love this dish soap...


It brings back memories honestly...I remember having dish duty when I was a young girl at home and using this same soap.

4.  The weather has started to change from the mid 90's at the first of the week which just about killed me...to the very pleasant fallish low to mid 70's..
Having said this...done are the nights of sleeping with just the sheets or nothing at all..to having my snuggly, cuddly comforter..


This isn't my bed, but this is my down comforter and I love, love, love it...!!

and lastly.....

5. A big pot of yummy homemade soup...


Sausage, Kale and Lentil Soup


Courtesy of the lovely Rachel Ray


Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 pound hot sausage, bulk or casing removed
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 ribs celery, chopped, leafy tops reserved
  • 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
  • 1 large Idaho (russet) potato, peeled and chopped into small dice
  • 1 Fresno or Holland chile pepper, thinly sliced or finely chopped
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves picked and finely chopped
  • 2 large cloves garlic, chopped or sliced
  • 1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 bundle Tuscan, black, or dinosaur kale, stemmed and very thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1 cup white wine
  • Freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1 3/4 cups lentils
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 2 cups water

Directions

In a soup pot or large Dutch oven, heat 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil. Add the sausage, breaking it into pieces, and cook until lightly brown. Add the onions, celery, carrots, potato, chile pepper, rosemary, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper, and cook to soften, 8 to10 minutes.
Wilt in the kale, and season the kale leaves with a little freshly grated nutmeg. Stir in the tomato pastefor 30 seconds, then add white wine. Cook to reduce by 1/2 and stir in the lentils, stock, and water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer the soup until the lentils are tender, about 35 minutes. Serve immediately or cool, store, and reheat. Serve with chopped celery greens, to garnish..

Yummmmmmmmm...

So there you go...my 5 most favoritist things for this week..
Off to watch this show and listen to my husband laugh his butt off...to dah loo!!



Me