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It's only natural that children are selfish. We come into this world expecting our demands to be met, and for the most part, they are. But as we become responsible adults, that selfishness quickly diminishes simply because there are other demands to be met besides our own.
Now, I know what you're thinking. We're all acquainted with those exceptions who never seem to grow up, and will be selfish until the day they die. This isn't about them. It's about the people like you and me who seem to always be doing something for someone else. And while that is honorable, it doesn't allow us the time of taking a break from it all.
This time last year, like most Christmas seasons, I was wearing myself out. My resistance was falling because of lack of sleep and I was headed down the predictable path of getting sick with a cold. But this year, I'm turning it around. Just for the few weeks before Christmas, I'm saying "no" to a few things. Before thinking you've stumbled upon the female version of Scrooge, let me explain.
Last Christmas my decorating was outlandish. Everything had to be perfect because we were having not one, but several parties in our home. This year, I've cut the decorating in half, leaving a large part of the decorations boxed up. And this year, with the exception of having our family in on Christmas day, there are no parties on the calendar.
Last year I was going nonstop with baking cookies to be sweetly decorated by our grandchildren and gifts from the kitchen to be enjoyed by all. Not this year. The cookies weren't baked, but purchased from the grocer deli, and those kitchen gifts will perhaps be a kitchen gadget so someone else can enjoy getting in there and whipping something up.
My point is, be kinder to yourself. You don't have to carry it to the extreme and spend the day floating in a tub full of bubbles, or order all your food for entertaining from a caterer, but when it comes to pushing yourself too far, take a moment and think about it. Does it really matter if one more plate of sweets are on the table? Do you really have to spice the cider just so, or really, even have cider? And if the star on top of your tree is crooked, which mine is, what's it going to matter in six months? Actually, right now my mindset is that crooked star is rather endearing.
So, my gift to you is a gift to yourself this season. Smile, take more deep breaths, and leave your credit card in your wallet when passing by the tempting item which will be that "just one more thing to make it perfect". Find your stopping point and stick with it. Not only will you feel better about your budget at the start of a new year, you'll feel better about yourself. And that, is the greatest gift you can receive from you.
God bless you and yours.
Always~
Cha
Now, I'm not one much for scheduled anything, especially task. But I have to say, this thing works! Well, at least that's what everyone in the club says.
I had it up and ready last year around this time. However, when Christmas was over, I didn't even want to see a decorated cookie! So, I tucked it back in bookmarks w/the intention of pulling it out in January and getting started. Didn't happen. A friend of mine and myself were going to plan our church Advent Fair by following the 'Organized Christmas' part of The Rudolph Club. We have finally decided our personalities are way too much alike to do that. In other words, if it weren't for the last minute, neither of us would get a thing done!
That's the good thing about resolutions and new beginnings. We get to start all over again and get up off our good intentions one more time with gusto. This year I've made The Rudolph Club my browser's homepage. That way, every time I open it, ol' Rudolph pops up and I just can't help but read all the good ideas they have.
Each month they give you ways to organize for Christmas next time it rolls around. For instance, in January they tell you how to get rid of "The Ghost of Christmas Past". Most of us have put away all decorations, but some stragglers like napkins and mugs still seem to haunt the kitchen area simply because you want to use up everything. Box it up. Next year you'll be glad you did.
When it's time to organize your holiday recipes, they even give you a free printable recipe planner. (click on link)
Some of it seems a little overwhelming to a gal like me whose low on the totem pole of organizers. But I'm willing to give this one part of my life a chance. If I make it fun, maybe it'll work. And if you're interested, you can find it here at The Rudolph Club. (click on link)
Hope to see you there!
Always~
Cha
You may have heard of these before, but I haven't. Somewhere in my surfing I found the recipe for Creole Fried Bow-Ties. Copeland's in New Orleans serves these and as I hear, they're a hit! So, I decided to give it a try.
The recipe I found is probably as close to Copeland's as any, but I found them to be rather bland. I'm not one to leave a good recipe by the wayside, so I decided to improvise. To the cornmeal mixture I added garlic powder and onion powder. Then, after the bow ties had fried I drained them and then sprinkled with more cajun seasoning, light salt, and Parmesan cheese. My hubby, who is my favorite taste tester, said they were "addictive". So much so, he set aside the Chex mix to indulge! Now that's saying something!
Here's the recipe:
Creole Fried Bow Ties
8 ounces bow-tie pasta
1/3 cup yellow cornmeal
3 tablespoons spicy Creole seasoning
Oil for frying
1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain well, and blot pasta dry with paper towels.
2. Combine cornmeal and Creole seasoning in a large bowl. Toss pasta, a handful at a time, in cornmeal mixture to coat; shake off excess.
3. Pour oil to a depth of 2" in a Dutch oven; heat over medium-high heat to 375°. Fry pasta, in batches, 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Store pasta snacks up to a week in an airtight container.
Special note to Southerners!....The only way these babies will stay crunchy is to make sure they stay in that airtight container. Otherwise, our humidity will make them tough as leather!
Always~
Cha
Tradition is a wonderful thing. Especially when you can look back on your own childhood and know where some of the favorite ones started.
At first it was a joke that my father and us kids would lug a huge turkey home from the grocery store to bake for the special day. "What did you do?", Mother would say, "find the biggest turkey in Meridian!?" We'd all laugh as she'd try to lift the huge bird, fussing because more stuffing would be needed for it's size. Tradition begins. Every year from then on we'd go from store to store to find the biggest turkey out there. If memory serves me right, the largest one we ever found was close to forty pounds.
Mother soon learned to make doubled amounts of cornbread and bread for an extra- large amount of stuffing. I should explain, the cornmeal was to make cornbread for the 'Southern stuffing' at one end of the turkey, and the bread was for 'Yankee stuffing' which was stuffed at the other end. The breaking up and seasoning of the breads was done the day before Thanksgiving because Mother's plan was always to get the turkey in the oven before bedtime. Being it was so large,
she allowed it to cook all night getting up each hour to baste the bird and make sure it was 'just so'. There isn't a time I smell a turkey baking that I don't reminisce over that wonderful aroma which permeated the entire house as we awoke on Thanksgiving morn.
After breakfast we'd start chopping, slicing, dicing, and getting things going for the noon feast. All the while my father would be glued to the TV in the next room telling us to come quickly so as not to miss a most glorious float in one of many Thanksgiving Day parades. Mother would fuss while we'd all run to see it, after awhile realizing just how long we were away from our cooking. Those parades were as much a part of our Thanksgiving day as that giant bird gracing our table.
Being my father was a Yankee, and my mother a Southern Belle, our household usually consisted of both cultures. As ingrained as some of the Yankee culture was to us kids, the ol' Southern charm won out when it came to that cornbread stuffing w/ freshly made cranberry sauce. I remember the sound of those cranberries popping, announcing the sauce was ready to chill alongside those wonderful pickled peaches and midget sweet pickles.
Then there was the Ambrosia. And I don't mean Ambrosia purchased from the deli as in nowadays. Mother made sure to get the freshest of oranges to peel and chop along with coconuts to 'smash', separate, and grate. No need for sugar. It was sweet enough on it's own. Once prepared, the Ambrosia was chilled and placed in our special but mismatched crystal cups our Nana sent us from New York. Added to the traditional menu was the wonderful Fruit Salad which had oranges, apples, bananas, maraschino cherries, and marshmallows we cut up w/scissors before the minis were around. All that mixed w/chopped
pecans from our own backyard. A touch of mayonnaise tinted with the cherry juice gave it a delightful pink color. This fruited dish truly was "nectar for the gods".
The rest of the meal consisted of fresh mashed potatoes thick with butter and gravy poured over, baked Butternut Squash sweet with brown sugar, and a steaming big bowl of broccoli on the side. Finally, the dessert of either a slice of four layer coconut cake mounded high with sweet meringue, hot pumpkin pie topped with ice cream or a small piece of mincemeat pie.
My father always said the mincemeat was way too rich to have a bigger piece for us kids, but I suspect that was because he wanted to make certain there was enough for him to come back and get more later.
After we had stuffed ourselves silly, we headed to Highland Park with paper grocery bags and my father's famous wooden plank with the rope attached. Back then, the park was loaded with pecan trees and the pecans would fall like rain on a windy day. Daddy would tell us all to "back up!" as he'd swing that plank toward heaven. It would attach itself to the limbs he aimed for and the annual shaking of the branches would begin.
All of the pecans that were barely hanging on would fall and we'd squeal with laughter to get out of their way. Then, we'd run back in to collect all those plump nuts ready to crack while Daddy tried to figure out how to maneuver the plank out of the limbs. Tree after tree would be shaken until Mother would finally say, "Enough!". After all, she would be the self-delegated one to crack all those pecans and pick the meat out. Even though we'd want to help, she'd feel like our impatience would miss the best parts. I so love thinking about those days that we'd stay in the park all afternoon without thought of going home.
By the time we did get home, we were hungry again and ready for more feasting. I'm not sure what's better, the Thanksgiving meal first presented or tearing into those wonderful leftovers. Afterwards, the cold would be setting in for the November evening and we'd start winding down from a very busy and full day. Thanksgiving was a wonderful time of togetherness we as children will always remember, and hopefully pass on to our own families. I hope you too have memories close to those
I've shared with you. If not, perhaps it's time to start your own so that one day, your children can reminisce of how a family tradition was begun and enjoyed by all.
Happy Thanksgiving and God bless.
Always~
Cha
I have to admit, I didn't plan for this to happen. Nor did I plan on it turning into an obsession. It was supposed to be a summer fling like so many others before. But this time, it was different. And while it lasted, I was completely overcome with the pleasure it brought me.
Before I go any further, let me put your mind at rest and tell you.....I'm talking about my garden. My thirty by fifty foot garden that my wonderful husband lovingly tilled several times over so that I would have soil finely sifted just so. He even made beautiful rows to surprise me. Now, how could I ever cheat on a man like that? He also had the patience all summer to know that when I disappeared, I would likely be hidden away for, at the very least, a couple of hours.
This was the first time I'd started seeds indoors. My plan was not only to save money, but have a winter project that would hopefully be fruitful in the months to come. Perhaps that's why it meant so much to me. When you pack those little seeds into their spagnum moss mounds, water and cover them to create a little world of their own, and then see sprouts in a few days, you just can't help but grin from ear to ear knowing there's hope in your plan.
And so it went. The rows were beautifully spaced and the plants were in their new homes for the summer. That's when the 'love affair' really started. The rest had just been flirting around with the idea that something might actually happen. When each plant started responding to my every touch, I knew there was a connection. Silly, you say? Maybe so. But I have a feeling it was very close to the feeling God had when He touched creation and it responded to His command. So often I would think of Dorothy Frances Gurney's poem, 'God's Garden' as a verse reads:
The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,
One is nearer God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth.
Some people admit to talking to their plants occasionally. I must confess, I did that on a daily basis. Walking down into that little piece of heaven and loudly proclaiming, "Good morning, Garden. You look gorgeous today!", I'd venture to say I quickly became our neighbors annoying substitute for an alarm clock. As the blossoms started appearing and the bees starting buzzing with excitement, it was evident I had started something that had begun to have life. Even the wasp knew they were welcomed companions along with the lady bugs. When you grow an organic garden, you learn very quickly what to respect and leave alone to do their job, and what advesaries to get rid of. In other words, the difference between 'the good guys' and 'the bad guys'.
The summer months passed as the harvest was gathered daily. My bones were weary and my skin was tanned, but my heart was as proud as proud could be. I've minced, diced, sliced, canned, and frozen every piece of produce that grew and I've loved every minute of it. I knew I had done my best and was being rewarded for it. The fact it was pesticide-free was not only beneficial to my family, but to the environment as a whole. And for that, I am very pleased.
There is still some gatherings from those unrelenting vines which will hang on until frost. But for the most part, it's time to put an end to this summer love affair. At least until January. I hope my husband understands when I tell him how much I'd love for it to be an extra six feet on each end. He'll give a dramatic sigh, but then smile. I think he likes the results.
Always~
Cha
I'll never forget that sound. A sound like the footsteps of a giant beast trudging through the near distance. Standing in the distance watching the storm blow the rain sideways I knew as I listened that Meridian was losing pieces of history one by one.
The gigantic oaks and elms that lined Poplar Springs Drive were falling like toothpicks in the midst of Katrina's fury. The trees that had watched us grow up and walk to school under the
cool shade of their limbs were now gone. Each one hitting the ground with a sickening "thud".
Then there were those we heard hit homes in the area while they splintered themselves over cars and telephone/cable lines. The sound of the storm seemed to go on for hours. Watching
the sky opening where trees had been and were still falling is something I'll never forget.
We were, of course, without power after that. The curfew kept us from going out to investigate too far but we walked around the corner to see what damage had been done. Fortunetly for us
our home wasn't effected. As we neared half a block we stopped in horror. Where we were standing we could see six huge trees down with their roots standing up like the grotesque limbs of fallen mastadons. Our hearts were sick with the knowledge there must be worse out there.
The power outage lasted a week for us so we moved everything to the shade of our front porch and camped out. We had always spoken to our neighbors and knew them on a 'friendly' basis
but now we had a common ground. We all faced the same dilemma of needing the basics. We had been prepared but not for something lke this. Quickly the men grouped together and
ventured out to get supplies for those who needed it the most. Ice was essential and was first handed out to those with small children and the elderly. When you have this kind of neighbor,
you know everything will be alright.
More days passed. By that time restlessness had set in. We had been listening to WMOX radio day and night as they tirelessly brought us each and every update. It was said the Red Cross needed help. Driving the short distance we decided by the confused state of affairs that maybe we could lend a hand. They put us to work immediately and we fell into place like we had always been there. It was amazing how everyone worked together to get the job done. This wasn't a time for complaining about not being comfortable or doing something 'not suitable' for your taste. Everyone knew there was purpose of task along with many needs to be met. I'll always be proud to have been a part of something that mattered so much.
For the most part things returned to normal. After the week of neighborhood power outage everyone was pulling their lives back inside where they could once again find the solitude of
familiarity. Neighbors smiling and waving with new meaning and a closeness that wasn't there before the storm. I often wish we could go back to that time for a day and feel the comradery
that pulled us all together.
Walks down Poplar Springs Drive are different now. It's lost a lot of it's shade and history. Sometimes feeling a bit melancholy I reflect on those days that the friendly giants were there as
I had known them most of my life. They have been replaced however with something valuable. A feeling of having 'gone through the storm' together will be with this generation for a very long time.
Always~
Cha
In life, we've all observed others as their time comes to experience profound joy or devastating grief. We find ourselves in the midst of celebrating with them or bringing comfort to their sorrow. But, unless we have experienced it for ourselves, unless we've walked through that door and into that chamber, do we really know how they feel? I think not.
I remember when each of my children were born. Both of them held their own key to place in the keyhole of each door. Inside was beauty, newness of life, love I had never experienced before, and most of all, a wonderful miracle. With each child, I knew I'd never be the same, nor did I ever want to leave the peacefulness only a mother knows of a child in her arms. The doors remained opened throughout their childhoods until it came time for them to have that certain look in their eyes. The one that tells you the door will soon be pushed to. Not closed. Not locked. Just gently pushed to. And somehow you know, that's ok.
Then there was the heavy, cold key I was handed the day my father died. I knew I didn't want to, but I had to unlock that door and step over the threshold. The darkness was overwhelming as I stood in front of it not wanting to accept the fact my father was gone from us. It seemed I stood there forever resisting what had to be. We all imagine how it will feel when this day comes, but nothing prepares one for the moment. Finally, through the strength of God, I opened the door and stepped inside. It remained black with darkness, but the longer I stood there, a warmth seemed to comfort me. I felt myself walking over to a corner of that chamber, only to sit and curl up in the darkness. Nothing could have felt worse as I waited for the healing to begin. The room remains dark, black even, but I've left it. I know it will always be as is and slightly opened, but that too, is ok.
So now, there are new chambers to discover. Five of them to be exact. There is absolutely nothing on this earth like the key you are given when you have a grandchild. The two babies that each handed me their own key have now born these beautiful little beings who hold their very own key. And I truly do think they are the most valuable keys of all. They represent the journey you've taken through life and give you yet another chance to see the miracle all over again. Only this time, through eyes which are older and far more appreciative of what life holds, one can cherish each moment from an entirely different perspective.
As I see it, life is holding keys for all of us. It's just a matter of time before we are given yet another one. I hope and pray whatever your next door is, you will be able to celebrate to the fullest or face the darkness. There is healing in these chambers of the heart if only we allow it. And if we do, that too, will be ok.
Always~
Cha
It's been awhile since I actually sat down and wrote a blog entry. Some of that reason is due to the fact I'm a solitary writer. Meaning, my husband recently retired and has been home mulling around here and there. Now, I don't mind interruptions, especially from him, but they do cause me to lose the 'flow' of writing and when put aside, it's hard for me to pick it back up. When you've read any former entries of mine, you know they were done on a continual "solitary" thought process where I just keep going until I find that closing sentence or phrase.
Since there's been a few 'adjustments' in our new way of life, and now that my little world is beginning to bore my dear husband and he's found a long term project, I've set my mind on getting to the point of actually publishing a blog entry. I must add, I do so appreciate my friends who always throw me a 'not so subtle hint' that I need to get back on the bandwagon of writing. You've encouraged the thoughts I've kept on the edge of my mind enough to get back in the groove. Like riding a bike, one never really forgets how to do something they enjoy. So, once again, the writing continues.
As you Facebook friends know, I'm completely in love with my garden this year. This was really the first time I can say I was successful with indoor seed cultivating. All the other times my efforts failed simply because I just didn't see it all the way through. But this year, I stuck with it. That, to me, is a major milestone. I'm one to put something down 75% of the way through and not pick it up again. If I can be successful once, surely I can do it with other facets of my life. Like housework.
There is a saying by an unknown author, "God made rainy days so gardeners could get the housework done". What a shame someone didn't take credit for that! In fact, it could very well have been the 11th Commandment! 'Thou shalt only do housework on days when it rains'. That's justifiable procrastination at it's best! But with little rain in the forecast, I guess I'll continue doing it in snippets all the while promising myself when winter arrives and we're hunkered down, I'll tackle this house till it's spit shined! Until then, on rainy days, I guess you know where I'll be.
Always~
Cha
Being a lefty has always made me wonder if the right handed world ever stops to consider the dilemma of doing things 'backwards'. I know our two right handed kids did.
See, for them, growing up in a home where both Mom and Pop were lefties wasn't exactly easy. Come to think of it, I suppose it wasn't any harder than what lefties go through all their life. They they able to get a good taste of how 10% of society views the rest of the world. Especially when our son started playing baseball and turned up on the field with a left handed glove! We didn't think about it. We just took him to get a glove and that was the assumed hand to try it on. You laugh? Trust me, it's done every day by right handed people to lefties. It's an assumption. And you know what that means without me going into detail.
If you've read this far, then you're actually interested in my right minded ramble. Yes, I did say right minded because as you know, the right side of our brain is dominant just as a righty's left side of the brain is dominant. Strange, I know. And to amuse you further, allow me to list a few adventures of the left handed world.
I don't do metric and I'm too old to learn! So, every time I want to measure something, that means I need to turn a measuring cup around, set it on the counter or hang it in midair and hope I get the measurement correct. Which, I'm thinking, has lead me to to be a 'toss it in to taste' kind of cook. Most of the dishes come out better that way in the long run anyway, just don't ask me for the recipe! Then to top it off, the spout on that measuring cup is always on the left to accommodate the right hand! It's comical in it's own right.
Watches! All watches are made to be worn on the left arm, but we as southpaws wear our watch on the right. Try putting your watch on the right arm, and then try to push the buttons or turn the little knob. Impossible!
How about that computer mouse. The frustration of a right handed mouse can only be measured by a left handed mouse to a righty. Thank goodness for the person who had sense enough to realize that the minority needed help in this area. Hence, primary function in the control panel to change sides.
Try driving a manual if you're left handed. Not impossible, but a feat within itself. At least here in America, we have the advantage of sitting on the left side of the car as the driver. I can't imagine ever trying to drive sitting on the right side and driving in the left lane. That would be far more than my southpaw mind could comprehend.
Playing cards. I don't even want to talk about this. I've tried to explain it to my son and daughter-in-law while we're playing cards about having to turn them upside down. They just stare at me like I'm totally senile. Why not just put the number in all four corners and be done with it?
Then there's scissors, spatulas, rulers, spiral notebooks, barrettes, pencil sharpeners, and tons of other little obstacles of life we lefties encounter.
Now that you've looked into the mirror image of a lefty, it's time to go back into the right handed world. Just remember a quote from 'The World's Greatest Left-Handers', “Left-handers are wired into the artistic half of the brain, which makes them imaginative, creative, surprising, ambiguous, exasperating, stubborn, emotional, witty, obsessive, infuriating, delightful, original, but never, never, dull.”
Always~
Cha
Case scenario. You've turned over a new leaf to fix your child healthy lunches to take to school rather than them shoveling in whatever is handed out in the cafeteria. Here they come, bounding down the stairs in anticipation, or not, of their first day. You're standing there with a big smile, handing out their lunches, and ready to load them up for the big drop off. Suddenly you hear it................
"Ewwwww, what's that?!" "Yuchhhh...MOM!" Words that can take a parent down to ground zero and make them feel that your loving endeavor is in vain. So much for the rest of the school year of you envisioning them licking their little chops with delight at the thought of your culinary efforts. At this point many parents give in to the televised demands that lure our children into thinking a certain brand of potato chips is just way too cool not to have.
So now what do you do? You dig your heels in and realize you're the one in authority here. Not the manufacture of the junk foods or your children, but you the parent. If not, then we will continue on our downhill slope to unhealthy children in this country. Anyone would have to be living under a rock not to realize that obesity and apathy run rampart among our American children, and we, the ones who buy the food, are the only ones who can do anything about it.
These days, there is no excuse for not eating healthy. That isn't to say one needs to be extreme and run out to the health food stores to do their grocery shopping. But little things such as changing from white bread to wheat makes a valuable difference in not only your child's health, but in teaching them what to choose as an adult. Children who grow up on white bread always seem to stick with that throughout their adult lives. I've observed this time and time again, and it's a very hard thing to get them to change this unhealthy habit. Taking just a bit of effort to shop at more than the 'everything under one roof' store can benefit you greatly. All types of wheat breads can be found at the local bread stores for quite a bit of savings rather than the high prices at the food market chains. Buy several loafs and freeze them to have on hand when making lunch for your child. A little hint to remember when buying bread. Don't fall for the 'wheat bread' label which only contains brown coloring to fool the consumer into thinking they're getting a whole wheat product. Take a few moments to read the product wrapper and make sure it says "100% whole wheat" or "whole grain". You need to be assured that you're getting the best product for your child and your money.
When my kid's were growing up, their lunches were always an adventure to friends sitting with them. No one was quite sure what they'd pull out of their lunchboxes, but more times than not, there was a trade involved. Now, on my children's part, I wasn't always pleased with this trading, however it did tell me something. While my children were at times willing to give up what they were accustomed to eating in trade for a novelty item, what was in their bag was appealing to others. So, the wrinkled noses of disapproval in the morning wasn't always the case when they saw that their friends liked it. I think it's just in a child's makeup to give us parents a hard time about eating healthy. But if you stick to your guns, it pays off in so many valuable ways.
Fun items, such as sandwiches cut out in odd shapes with homemade cheese fillings seemed to be a favorite trade when they were little. G.O.R.P. (good old raisins and peanuts) was another. While making the GORP, I was sure to toss in a tad of something unexpected. Like M&M's or Gummy Bears. I learned with kids, if you lighten up and do the unexpected with the little things, you keep their attention far longer in the big things. Another favorite was peanut butter sandwiched in cinnamon graham crackers. Not only is it a protein, but it makes it even more complete with the 6 gram of protein graham cracker. Again, shop around for the best product at the best value. Big Lots is a great place to pick up these items for decent prices.
Then there is the colder weather lunches like soups or spaghetti in a thermos. These two dishes are ideal to 'hide' what your children don't necessarily like, but you know is good for them. For instance, half whole wheat and half regular pasta in the spaghetti is very well hidden by the tomato sauce, and brown rice in the soup rather than white will taste even better, and they don't even know they're eating it! A few bread sticks or their favorite crackers, along with a container of cut up fruit and a surprise cookie makes a filling lunch. And you know you're providing them with something nutritional that will carry them through the afternoon's school work.
By the time they get home, our hooked-on-tech kids are hungry all over again with no real plan to work off the snacks they are about to devour. And chances are, they'll be heading to the pantry hoping for chips, soda, and empty calorie snacks which destroy all the good you did in that great packed lunch . Logic says don't let these 'junk snacks' be in the house, and you won't have to worry about your kids eating them. Sounds simple enough, but I know how easy is it to fall prey to these cheap 'fillers' at the grocery store when money and ideas are running out. There seems to be endless amounts of obstacle course displays making parents give in to their temptations. All those healthy and adorable smiles hanging on their product must mean they're good for us. After all, the FDA has approved them and made sure these foods are nutritional and free of anything that could harm our children. Hogwash! If you believe that, well you know about the ocean front property in Arizona.
In writing this, I do realize there are many parents who are working and absolutely worn out by the time they get everything done at the end of the day, and getting up in the mornings to be inventive with their child's lunch is the last thing they feel like doing. Bless your hearts. You simply feel like you don't have a choice in allowing your child to eat the cafeteria foods. It takes all you have just to get by with your time and money. My advice to you is to stay on your own level. Don't try to do something you cannot. Stay within your means and do what you can. If that means only making your child a lunch one or two days a week, then so be it. Better to do what you can, than to feel inadequate. Just make sure that lunch is the best you can do. Make it as natural and pure as your money allows. Then you'll know you've done the right thing within your capabilities. But there's more you can do that doesn't take much time or money. Pick up the phone and talk to your school Superintendent, the principle of the school your child attends, and other parents. Tell them you are concerned about what is being served locally in the school cafeterias to our children every day. Eric Schlosser's 'Fast Food Nation', explains how our government manages to serve a school lunch for less than a dollar per child. A dollar per child! This is a travesty that again, only the parents can demand a change in. And if enough get involved, it could be a major national movement on the part of parents rather than waiting for government funding.
So, in conclusion, and until your child's school redesigns their menus to include healthier foods, here's a few suggested lunch box and after school treats. Just remember, keep it simple and don't get radical in your changes. Sometimes just the presentation being different will make them smile, but stick to variations of foods you know your kids already like.
Sandwich Kabob
* bread
* cheese
* lunch meat (If you're a non-meat eater like me, sub seasonal fruit. It's unexpected and the kids love it!)
* grape tomatoes
* lettuce
* pickles
* olives (black or green)
Choose from the list above and cut in cubes. Slide the cubes onto a skewer with any other foods your child likes.
Wrap in foil (no more plastic!) and set out a side of mayo, salad dressing, or mustard for dipping.
Chickpea Nuggets
(Anyone who was appalled at Jamie Oliver's episode where he put chicken carcass into a blender and shaped it into chicken nuggets will welcome this recipe.)
* 1 can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained
* 1/2 onion
* Parsley (fresh is best, but if not, dried will do)
* 1 clove garlic
* 1 egg
* 1 tsp cumin (optional)
* 1 tsp salt
* 1 dash pepper
* 1 tsp lemon juice
* 1 tsp baking powder
* 1 TBL olive oil
Mash drained beans into bowl using a pastry blender or fork. Place onion, parsley, and garlic in a food processor. Transfer to bowl with beans and blend. In a separate bowl combine remaining ingredients. Mix with bean dip, and slowly pour in 1 cup bread crumbs, mixing enough bread crumbs until your dough just loses the 'stickiness'. Shape into 'chicken' nuggets and either bake or fry. Don't use too much oil in frying them, but enough to make them crunchy. My own preference is to place them in a cast iron pan with a small amount of olive oil. Dip in Sweet/Sour sauce, ketchup, or their favorite salad dressing.
Have a wonderful school year!
Always~
Cha
I don't know about you, but I've known people in my life who simply do not know how to give a compliment. Matter of fact, I can think of several I know right now who not only don't give any, they stand there like a knot on a log when someone compliments another standing right next to them. All the while, their expression is saying, "you gave them a compliment, now what about me?". I have to admit, that's hard for me to take. It's a pretty self centered person who does that, and one I personally need to allow a few years of growing up before they hear a compliment from me.
Southerners seem to be notorious in giving compliments. It's as easy as slappin' butter on grits for us. But are the compliments always taken as sincere? And if we have to be truthful about ourselves, are they always given in complete sincerity? Who hasn't witnessed a group of ladies gabbing as another female approaches the circle. Suddenly the flock is a flitter with giggles and smiles as the compliments fly. I take those with a grain of salt because I know Southern women just have to compare notes after the poor soul has walked away. Bless our hearts.
Those are more of a surface compliment, but I'm talking about taking the time to notice someone who really needs one. Catching someone unaware is the best time, in my opinion, to do just that. When their head is down and they're thinking about how hard life is, that's the time they need encouragement. In that given moment is the opportunity to brighten someone's day.
Since being back at the gym for a couple of years, I've seen men and women both drift in who have decided to do something about their weight and overall health. Now those are some people who can use some encouragement. So I watch, and give them a few weeks. Then, while they're walking around the track and inconspicuously trying to look at themselves in the mega mirrors which are everywhere you turn, I lay a compliment on them. Not just one that's off the wall, but one that says I've noticed the effort they're making. And I have to say, I really do mean it, simply because I know what an effort it is just to get down there! Plus, when someone is trying, they stand taller, their stride is better, and they have a determination that cannot be faulted. It doesn't matter if they've lost two pounds or twenty, it's the effort that counts. Once they realize someone has just given them a compliment, their face brightens and they receive it graciously because they know themselves how hard they're trying. It's just nice that someone else has noticed.
So, from now on, let's try to see the people around us who need a compliment. Really, we never know the kind of day a person is having. By speaking encouragement into their lives, we may be helping them far more than we realize. If each of us committed to giving at least one compliment a day to a loved one, acquaintance, or even a stranger, think how much kinder this old world could be. Taking our eyes off of self for just a bit and giving wholeheartedly to another will do us all good. And guess what? It's still one of the few things that's free!
Always~
Cha
Since I have bared my soul to the world with the confession that I'm a reforming clutter bug, I feel it's only right that you be excited with me as I move toward perfection. That is, perfection in others eyes. Actually, I'm satisfied with the way I am, but those whom I hold close feel I will benefit greatly if only I would get organized. They simply don't understand the fact that I know where everything is 90% of the time. Ok, 80% now that I've gotten older. But that's only because someone rocked the boat and moved an item from where I laid it down to where they think it should go.
My latest victory involves going deeper into the confession of 'clutter bugging'. And if I was a betting woman, I'd lay money down that I'm not the only one who does this. One of my bad habits is opening a new container before the last little bit of the old one is gone. Not so much in the kitchen, but in the bath. I have loads of lotion bottles and body spritzers which lay claim to my intolerable habit. My seemingly lifelong intention has been to put the entire content of each of those bottles into one larger container. Well, guess what. I finally began my mission. I have to say, I'm thoroughly enjoying this. It's almost like a mini-perfumery as the different aromas mingle together. Bath and Body, Victoria's Secret, Dollar Store, Estee' Lauder, Basics, Mary Kay, Suave, you name it. Each fragrance trying to outdo the other in a most non-subtle way. I'm not one for heavy scents. In fact, I don't even wear a perfume, so I may have to purchase some unscented lotion to dilute the blend just so the scents aren't so heady.
I'm on day three of my slowly dripping container to container mission. And thus far, I have a total of two 18 ounce bottles that are completely full. My bathroom closet is looking rather sparse at the moment, but to a reforming clutter bug, how exhilarating is that? The large baskets which held all these lotions are now empty and the containers are washed out and in the recycle bin. That recycle truck should be smelling pretty good for at least a week! The poor driver is bound to get ribbed by his fellow workers.
But, I'm excited. This is going to inspire me on to a new level where anything is possible. At least in my little world to reform and get rid of things I no longer use. Wait till my family sees this!
Daughter...be proud. Son....be amazed. Husband........has fainted!
Since we have made an agreed effort to cut back on frivolousness before we actually need to, our cable now offers only twelve channels. And because a third of them are prime time, they leave a lot to be desired. So, we have found ourselves watching, if only in part, shows we would not otherwise view. Shows which have been tagged as "Reality".
This past Monday night, while my husband had found a 'guy movie' on CW, and having finished the novel I was reading, I decided to check in to see who Ali, the latest Bachlorette, had done away with. In the process of eliminating all but four, she was sitting down with a parent of one of the remaining contestants. The father asked Ali, "what are your dreams, your life goals?".
Now, this man seemed to put his family first and reaped a beautiful relationship with all of them because of it. So, I'm thinking he anticipated Ali to want the same for his son and herself. I watched his face slowly fall as she excitedly told him, "Well, my job is my dream! I want to have my own business and be at the very top of my field!". "But Ali", the father continued, "my son wants the very same thing. What are you willing to sacrifice from your dream in order for the two of you to raise children together and have a happy marriage?". Ali winced and said, "I just feel if we both are able to fulfill our own dreams, everything will work out and everyone will be happy!" She avoided the question altogether, and I dare say, by the father's question, the son would most likely do the same.
Reality? Au contraire! As my husband said, "They need to rename those shows 'Unreality'!" How true! I've not watched all of these Bachelor/Bachelorette shows, but the ones I've seen appear to have a 'winner takes all' mentality. What does that have to do with a commitment to marriage?
If I'm correct, all but one couple have gone their separate ways after the flame of televised romance dies out. And when the music comes to a halt, center stage is no longer there, and the outlandish accommodations of world-wide trips are gone, what's left? Reality. A real person and all their baggage standing before one another with the the same questions looking back at them. Gone are the unrealistic settings which make a young heart feel it will be that way forever. What enters is one more attempt at a successful relationship based on entertaining the public. Unless one has a very determined heart, and willing to set aside a part of their individual desires, I don't see much future in such a setting.
It would be nice to imagine the final episode containing a beautiful young couple with equal dreams for a successful marriage, and a willingness to work together to achieve their goals. But there is a part of me which suspects we'll be seeing the latest couple on the cover of one of those magazines that our eyes catch while waiting in the grocery line. All the blame and reasons they just couldn't make it as a couple revealed for, once again, the entertainment of the public. I hope it's worth it to them. This big chunk of themselves they've allowed to be opened for all to see.
Of course I hope it works for them. After all, many a young girl's heart is just waiting for the same fairy tale to happen to them as they watch this 'unrealistic courtship' take place. But maybe it's a good thing they see that televised romance doesn't work. If nothing else, it's a tool for a very wise parent to step in with all the reasons not to expect the same.
So, we shall see what the conclusion is in the next couple of weeks. Be aware of the stars which will be in the eyes of the young followers as they innocently build their expectations off of Ali's choice. Then again, at least it's not as unrealistic as falling in love with a vampire! But that's another story.
Always~
Cha
Whenever my husband and I go to New Orleans, we've always stayed in the Garden District, but never in a 'room with a view'. That is to say, a balcony room overlooking the Quarter. Well this time, we made a special point to do just that, and I can't wait!
Built around 1833, the Hotel Villa Convento is rumored to be the 'House of the Rising Sun', and is supposedly haunted. It was also known at one time as a rooming house called 'The Old Town Villa' where artist such as Jimmy Buffet spent his early life in New Orleans. Sounds interesting, but what I'm looking forward to more than that is the fact it sits right across the street from a French bakery! I know, not so grand of a fact, but can you imagine leisurely waking up to the smell of freshly baked pastry knowing all you have to do is walk a few steps to enjoy it? That, and a couple o' cups of Creole java for breakfast on the balcony should keep us going until we find a hidden cafe' to enjoy a cool lunch. We aren't the type to find the fanciest place to dine, but would so much rather find somewhere unique and obscure. One of those 'you'll know it when you see it' kind of places. Then, when we're out, we'll pick up some cheeses from the corner market with some olives, crusty bread, and a special bottle of wine to take back for a candlelit evening on the balcony.
I'm also looking forward to strolling down to the French Market to find the perfect set of wind chimes to add to my collection. There is a certain plum tree right off our patio where I hang them all. Even when a slight breeze blows through the trees, it sounds like an orchestrated symphony perfectly synchronized. And on a cold winter day when everything is quiet, their chimes bring the warmth of a summer day to mind. I'm not sure when my love for wind chimes started, but it seems they've been in my life forever.
It may not seem like much of a vacation to most, and it's sure not as far from home as some are traveling, but to the two of us, it's a mini getaway that we are very much looking forward to. And isn't that all one needs to come home refreshed and ready to dig in again? Laissez les bons temps rouler!
Always~
Cha
For the past week my siblings and I have been doing a final clean up of our parents 'old homestead'. We made a pact not to dwell on anything we come across that might cause us to detain the job at hand. It's so easy to pick up something and stand poised while the memories flood the room. Like the brightly colored metal tray Mother used to keep pecans in that she'd gathered from the back yard. The nut cracker was always there with them so she would have it handy to open a few pecans to throw into a dish she was making. Or the small tool my father kept handy to fix absolutely anything. It didn't matter what it was, when it broke or didn't work, he magically put it back together, fixing it better than it's original state.
Few things remain now. What to do with Mother's Pfaff sewing machine which has turned into a beautiful antique? So many frilly dresses she made on it for my sister and I when we were little. It's drawers still hold small spools of thread that spun through metal parts as they pieced together the frocks she was so proud of. As I walk out of the room still deeply in thought about it, my brother comes around the corner with our father's Air Force hat in hand. "Do either of you want this?", he quietly says. In unison, my sister and I say, "No, that's something a son should have.". The three of us quickly turn and go in opposite directions so as not to allow each other to see the tear. Remembering our pact, we assure one another that the little house Mother now lives in is what matters, and Daddy surely is smiling down on us as we continue our duty.
The next day draws us outside as we stand and try to decide what to do with the huge Azalea bushes. Once the pride of the neighborhood, they are choked with vines and an unidentifiable tree which has made a home in the middle of them. It's branches have taken over and robbed the Azaleas of life. About the time we decide it's going to take us all day to clean it out, my husband drives up and, seeing our perplexed looks, says, "I'll be right back!". Knowing full well where he's going, we stand there for a moment and then break out in laughter. The invasive tree is about to meet the wrath of his chain saw. And with it, we know that everything else in his path will also be leveled. Those Azaleas are about to receive a 'hair cut' like never before! The next hour consists of us dragging branches to the curb while the neighbors have pulled up chairs on their porches to watch the commotion. Their eyes bugged out at this crazy man with his chain saw who, at the moment, looks as if he'd chase anyone down who told him to stop. As nature would have it in the South, we know in a couple of months, the green branches of the Azaleas will have grown to the point of bearing next Spring's blooms. Hopefully to the enjoyment of a new owner whose family will fill the house with their own memories.
So, there we have it. Another chapter in our lives almost closed. Albeit the house held a very large portion of our young lives, we must move on. Our own families deserve our time now, and one day they will face the same decisions we just made. Time has a way of doing that. Forcing us to decide what to leave behind and what to make a part of the present so that others can enjoy touching what only hands from the past can tell them. We hold close that which remains in our hearts until the time to share it with our children who we have all three raised to cherish what they feel is worthy. As much as human nature doesn't want to admit the fact, it will not be our decision any longer, but those who replace us. And if we teach them to value family history, we know our memories are in very good hands.
Always~
Cha
Recently my friend, Joe, passed along the link to a live webcam of the Eagles of Hornby Island. I've enjoyed it so much as one of the eggs has hatched and the baby is growing. Hopefully the other will hatch soon. Eagle mates share the duties of feeding and guarding their young as they overlook the ridge their huge nest is built on. If the nest were to be forced down by winds or a fallen tree, the two of them would gather it back together and rebuild the structure. Instinct is absolutely fascinating.
But what really strikes me is the commitment of these mates. Like many species, once they reach the age of maturity, they start looking for the mate they'll keep until death. They both make sure their babies are taken care of as they share the duties of parenthood. There is no question of them staying together. It is simply in their nature. So unlike humans. I can't help but compare. We seem so quick to toss away the precious things life has given us. I have to wonder why our Creator didn't place within us this instinct of commitment. The strong urge to unite as one and stay that way until death do us part. I don't believe it has much to do with a committed faith towards Him. Sadly, we are all aware of many Christians who have left their mate for another or simply because they've grown tired of the battles that come with marriage. Often times we don't fight these battles together, but feel we are being attacked individually and therefore go our separate ways. If a committed instinct were there, it would keep us together no matter what. We would work together to raise our young and survive whatever enemy trying to destroy our unity. And as a nation we could also learn from our American symbol. Strength in unity and commitment seems to no longer prevail.
It is now dawn on Hornsby Island. As the female surveys the overlook, she is calling for needed relief. Soon, the male will come with his usual sprig of a conifer branch. Why he does this isn't known. It could be to shade the eaglets or to deodorize the nest. But they have their reasons for everything they do. Survival in the wild is instinctive. It must be done to live. Survival in civilization is not instinctive and rarely a matter of life or death. It is a choice. One we must make on so many levels to obtain whatever degree of lifestyle we desire.
Therefore, there will always be a difference between the wild and the civilized. That's the way it is intended. But as I view these eagles and watch their total dedication and commitment, I can't help but ponder humanity and it's lacking of this particular instinct. How much better off we would be if just a small amount of it were contained within us. Think of the possibilities.
If you would like to enjoy watching the Eagles of Hornby Island along with me, you can find them at http://www.hornbyeagles.com/webcam.htm. And by the way, in the short time it has taken for me to write this, the male has come to relieve the female. After a bit of communication between the two of them, and his settling the branches so he's comfortable, she spreads her cramped wings and soars off. How absolutely beautiful.
Always~
Cha
I haven't posted any vegetarian recipes as I said I would, so here's a sample to get things started. One of my favorite outings is the Farmer's Market and roadside markets in the area. Especially during my 'off year' when I'm not growing a garden. I only do it every other year so as not to get burned out, and also give me a chance to catch up on summertime projects. These recipes include some of the wonderful produce which can be found at the markets, but use any you so desire. And if you are carnivorous, go ahead and toss in a tad of meat if you want. They're still good recipes any way you bite!
Roasted Veggie Tacos
Olive oil flavored cooking spray
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 onion, cut into wedges
1 medium bell pepper, cut lengthwise into eighths
1 zucchini, cut into thin slices
tad of salt
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
12 taco shells
3/4 cup salsa,
chopped fresh cilantro
Heat oven to 425F. Spray jelly roll pan with cooking spray. Place vegetables in single layer. Spray with cooking spray. Sprinkle with salt and red pepper. Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes, turning once until tender.
Sprinkle cheese into taco shells. Top with vegetables and salsa. Sprinkle with cilantro, if desired.
Layered Mexicali Salad
1 1/2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper
2 cups black bean salsa
3/4 cup frozen (thawed) or can whole kernel corn
1 medium avocado, sliced
In medium bowl, layer lettuce, bell pepper, 1 1/4 cup of the salsa, and corn. Top with the remaining 3/4 cup salsa and the avocado. Serve with the lime vinaigrette.
Lime Vinaigrette
3/4 tsp grated lime peel
3 Tbs lime juice
2 Tbs chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 tsp salt
1 clove garlic, crushed
3/4 cup olive or canola oil
In food processor or blender, process all vinaigrette ingredients except oil until mixed. Gradually pour in oil, processing until thick. Serve and enjoy.
Note: This can also be served on individual plates with a cruet of Vinaigrette placed on the table. To complete the meal, make your favorite recipe of Spanish Rice using a blend of brown and white rice.
Always~
Cha
As we're driving around Meridian and enjoying the beautiful Spring flowers and the laboriously planted ones which are gracing landscapes, there's music in the air with every whiff. Bees are buzzing, birds are chirping...*record scratch!*...there they are. The ever present onslaught of ....................GARAGE SALE SIGNS!!
Now, I love a good yard sale whether I'm the one contributing to it, or passing by to see a piece of furniture that could fall victim to my paint brush. It's not the sales themselves that gripe me, Lord knows we could all use an extra buck these days. It's the signs still up after the sale is over. Not a few days after...nor a week...not even several weeks, but months after until it's a trashy piece of nothing hanging on by one staple!
Personally, I can't understand why this doesn't fall under one of the many ordinances we have. It's not like we don't know whose it is with their address written on the paper, right? Would this not be considered a form of littering?
C'mon people, we can do better than this. When you have a yard sale, keep up with where you posted the signs and after wards, be responsible enough to go and gather them. Let me add, this is all over Meridian and the county. The sales can be from any home, so let's not assume I'm talking to any one group of people here. This is a simple thing we can do in our community to make it as it should be. CLEAN!
Now that I've gotten my "Boni fide beef" out of the way, I hope you all have a very lovely weekend. And you who are having garage sales, I hope you sell every stitch of everything you have, just remember to take down that sign. Thank you.
Always~
Cha
If you've read my 'About Me' on Facebook, you know that I'm a 'reforming clutterbug'. Not necessarily a fact I'm proud of, but nonetheless, true. It seems I've been trying to reform most of my life, or at least maintain a semblance of 'surface order'. In other words, everything looks great on the surface, just don't open my closets and drawers!
In the past couple of years I've been working a bit harder towards total victory. Now, I'm a realist enough to know I'll never acquire what I so admire in those who are totally organized. But I've come to recognize my 'red flags' such as "I'll put this here for now", or "If I put these boxes in the other closet, this one will have more room". In other words, I've not cleaned out as much as merely shifted places! And in a large house, that's a very easy thing to do.
When we first moved back to Meridian 20+ years ago, we found one of the older homes in the Poplar Springs area. I fell in love with everything about it. My husband, not so much. He recognized it for what it was worth, "a money pit!". Which by the way is his all time favorite movie. I wonder why that is. Anyway, the problem at that time was how to fill the big rooms. Everything we had seemed so sparse. But in due time, and after much 'shabby chic' decorating, our home was filled with more than enough.
So now, after the kids have long ago moved out and it's just the two of us, it's time to get serious about this 'decluttering'. I seemed to have taken on a new perspective of it all and can't fill boxes quickly enough. Fortunately, my daughter will soon be having her once a year rummage sale for their summer mad money, and guess where my stuff is going! What a great feeling this is! But after I get rid of it all, I might just have to take a drive out to that flea market I've heard so much about on Hwy 45. hmmmm.....
Always~
Cha
Ok, my carnivorous friends. We're going to be talking 'non-meat' here for a moment, so either close your eyes or walk away. Wait...come back! You're the very ones who need to hear this!
I know you're aware of the garden variety of non-meat items that have been made conveniently available. Then again, maybe you aren't due to the fact they seem to be discreetly hidden at the end of the freezer section in our area grocery stores. Not only that, the selections available can be described as no less than 'puny'! I have to say, when we who are labeled as "vegetarians" get the urge to bite into a burger, it's a tad more work than scurrying to the meat market and grabbing a chub of ground beef. Locally, we actually have to 'hunt' for ours! (pun intended).
I won't go into a lot of detail on the comparisons of ground beef vs Boca burger, but here's a quick rundown. A 99g patty consisting of 80% lean cooked ground beef holds 13g of fat. A Boca of the same weight is 1g of fat. Cholesterol: 65mg for the beef, 0mg for the Boca. Protein: the beef burger has 25g and the Boca comes close with 19g. I guess I better not show the injected hormone count on the beef, but for the Boca, it's 0g.
Don't be too quick to shrug this off thinking I'm trying to change you into a rabbit. All I'm saying is every once in awhile, replace the meat for a healthier choice. America needs to cut back on so many items in our diet which adds to the obesity in this country. And this is a small way to do it. Besides the original vegan variety, there's also a chicken burger. How nice to serve the kids something that isn't ground up bone and fat which is exactly what the favorite chicken nuggets consist of! Anyone watch Jamie Oliver's first show?
Now that you know the inside scoop on a healthy tip, allow me to take you a step further into a great prep method that I always use. Place the burger in a skillet which a tablespoon of olive oil has been added. DON'T previously heat the oil. Doing so burns off all the beneficial Omega3 from the oil. What a waste that would be! Allow the burger to soak up the olive oil while coming to a medium heat. I cover mine because the burger is frozen and this allows it to cook through quickly. Cook for about 3 min. Uncover and douse with Teriaki or Soy sauce. Flip it and let it cook uncovered for about 5 min more, turning occasionally. You can use any sauce you want, but this is my favorite. Place on a bun and dress as you would any other burger.
One more thing, Sam's sells a box for around $10 of 16 Boca Burgers, and these babies are big! The smaller boxes consisting of 4 smaller burgers found (if you're lucky) in the local grocers sells anywhere from $2.50 to $4. That's fine if you want to try it out before investing in the larger ones, but the large box is the better value.
So, if you read this far, that means there's a possibility you just might try a Boca. It's easy, healthy, good for the budget, and I can guarantee the benefits will far outweigh that of your usual choice. Make it the one new thing you'll try this year for the better. Your heart will thank you!
Always~
Cha
