1. I dreamed about my dad last night. We were playing checkers.
2. I really enjoyed our marketing meeting this morning.
3. Delicious green smoothie for breakfast--I bought a quart of that coconut milk that comes in a milk carton--the kind that is mostly defatted and only contains coconut. It's great in a smoothie with spinach and banana.
4. Rene and I walked RR and the sunset was beautiful. Then we went out for Thai food which was great. Well, mine was great... I wish hers had been too. Anyway, it was fun to catch up even if it was brief.
5. Rain!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Five things I am grateful for today
1. Today Regina and I had lunch to celebrate our birthdays and to catch up. It was a great time--she took me to lunch at the B-Line and we shared a spinach salad with pears, candied pecans and blue cheese (on the side) and a roasted veggie sandwich with pesto. For dessert I had a chocolate cookie sort of thing with a pool of chocolate goodness in the middle and crunchy hazelnut crumbliness around it. And we both had hibiscus tea. Oh deliciousness. It was really fun catching up with her--we haven't hung out since October! I hope to see her again a.s.a.p. She is such an inspiration with all of her craftiness and health consciousness and everything.
2. This painting:
Regina gave it to me for my birthday along with a couple of other homemade gifts. A portrait of my little Pickley dog--oh my gosh, I love it so much that I want to bring it with me into every room so I can admire it wherever I am! Isn't it lovely?
3. Good walk at sunset with RooRaa Pickley Pickley.
4. Speaking of RR he is making really sweet tiny snores on the couch next to me. Mmm, adorable creature.
5. The realization that while I don't have time to do everything I want to do now that I am working full time, I can enjoy whatever it is I am doing in the moment. Of course this is obvious, but it's one thing to say it and another thing to think, "I am choosing to slow down and deeply enjoy THIS and take my time to do it well." At first, two weeks ago I wanted to keep doing everything but that's just impossible. So I am trying to simplify things as much as I can--choose fewer activities, go fewer places, see fewer people. I miss my friends, and all the time to play--but this is good too in a different way. And hopefully as I settle in to the job I will have more energy during my free time. It's hard having limited time to do crafts and play with my friends. But like I said, at least it feels good to be focused and to try to relax.
Today would be my dad's 78th birthday if he were alive.
Happy Birthday Sire. I bet your mom and dad were so happy when you were born. I bet you were a great kid. I wish I could meet you when you were eight, all skinny with red hair, playing your trumpet and helping your mom pick food at those farms you talked about, and helping your dad at his shoe store. I am grateful for you and your stories and everything you left behind. I laugh at your jokes all the time. I miss you terribly and love you so much. Love, A
2. This painting:
Regina gave it to me for my birthday along with a couple of other homemade gifts. A portrait of my little Pickley dog--oh my gosh, I love it so much that I want to bring it with me into every room so I can admire it wherever I am! Isn't it lovely?
3. Good walk at sunset with RooRaa Pickley Pickley.
4. Speaking of RR he is making really sweet tiny snores on the couch next to me. Mmm, adorable creature.
5. The realization that while I don't have time to do everything I want to do now that I am working full time, I can enjoy whatever it is I am doing in the moment. Of course this is obvious, but it's one thing to say it and another thing to think, "I am choosing to slow down and deeply enjoy THIS and take my time to do it well." At first, two weeks ago I wanted to keep doing everything but that's just impossible. So I am trying to simplify things as much as I can--choose fewer activities, go fewer places, see fewer people. I miss my friends, and all the time to play--but this is good too in a different way. And hopefully as I settle in to the job I will have more energy during my free time. It's hard having limited time to do crafts and play with my friends. But like I said, at least it feels good to be focused and to try to relax.
Today would be my dad's 78th birthday if he were alive.
Happy Birthday Sire. I bet your mom and dad were so happy when you were born. I bet you were a great kid. I wish I could meet you when you were eight, all skinny with red hair, playing your trumpet and helping your mom pick food at those farms you talked about, and helping your dad at his shoe store. I am grateful for you and your stories and everything you left behind. I laugh at your jokes all the time. I miss you terribly and love you so much. Love, A
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Five things I am grateful for today
1. Yesterday I spent the day with one of the women who works in the spiritual care department at my work. We went out to visit patients and it was the neatest experience. I am so happy to finally get to work in a holistic environment.
2. I visited the San Xavier Mission for the first time.
3. My first paycheck!
4. It's the weekend.
5. E and I went out to celebrate two years of being together. I am very grateful for him and his love.
2. I visited the San Xavier Mission for the first time.
3. My first paycheck!
4. It's the weekend.
5. E and I went out to celebrate two years of being together. I am very grateful for him and his love.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Five things I am grateful for today
1. I really think I am going to be happy with this job. I really do.
2. Nice walk with Pickleypickley
3. Turned in my collages to Bohemia for the silent auction on Saturday
4. Worked from home this afternoon
5. Slight shifts towards making peace with a 40 hour work week--it's been awhile after all!
Looking forward to homemade tacos with my lovebird in a few minutes.
2. Nice walk with Pickleypickley
3. Turned in my collages to Bohemia for the silent auction on Saturday
4. Worked from home this afternoon
5. Slight shifts towards making peace with a 40 hour work week--it's been awhile after all!
Looking forward to homemade tacos with my lovebird in a few minutes.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Four things I am grateful for today
1. Yesterday was the one year anniversary of my dad's death and there is just something sacred to that. I am grateful for the sacredness--and for everything that we shared.
2. Mead came over to hang around with me to be a supportive friend. We ate bean tacos and hung around in my studio. It was so good to be with her.
3. My friends and family calling to check on me. I am feeling loved.
4. A good walk with RR after work.
2. Mead came over to hang around with me to be a supportive friend. We ate bean tacos and hung around in my studio. It was so good to be with her.
3. My friends and family calling to check on me. I am feeling loved.
4. A good walk with RR after work.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Five things I am grateful for today
1. Another good day at work of being treated with respect and being valued for my contribution.
2. Salad for lunch at Chopped...now Choice Greens
3. My NVC community
4. Mead showing up when I need her most without having to ask
5. At work today one of the spiritual counselors said, "you seem like the artsy creative type, I can imagine you being crafty." Funny and sweet, huh?
Dear Dad, in case you read my blog from wherever you are: I miss you. Thank you for 31 really great years. I couldn't feel more loved or nurtured by you. I couldn't be luckier to be your kid. I love you. ---A
2. Salad for lunch at Chopped...now Choice Greens
3. My NVC community
4. Mead showing up when I need her most without having to ask
5. At work today one of the spiritual counselors said, "you seem like the artsy creative type, I can imagine you being crafty." Funny and sweet, huh?
Dear Dad, in case you read my blog from wherever you are: I miss you. Thank you for 31 really great years. I couldn't feel more loved or nurtured by you. I couldn't be luckier to be your kid. I love you. ---A
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Five plus three things I am grateful for today
1. Warm sunshine
2. My mom
3. Eric
4. My friends
5. A quesadilla with spinach, tomatoes and red onions for dinner. And some asparagus.
6. A nice walk at sunset with Roofrauff and Sande
7. Much forward movement with my crafts even though I haven't felt like I had nearly enough time with them this weekend.
8. Eight cubic feet of dirt and compost
If anybody out there is working full time and has any thoughts or ideas about balancing social time, creative time, eating healthy and exercise--I am ALL EARS!
2. My mom
3. Eric
4. My friends
5. A quesadilla with spinach, tomatoes and red onions for dinner. And some asparagus.
6. A nice walk at sunset with Roofrauff and Sande
7. Much forward movement with my crafts even though I haven't felt like I had nearly enough time with them this weekend.
8. Eight cubic feet of dirt and compost
If anybody out there is working full time and has any thoughts or ideas about balancing social time, creative time, eating healthy and exercise--I am ALL EARS!
Good morning Seeds
Here are the tiny seeds for mesclun greens, so sweet and dormant.
Welcome to my messy studio/seed planting fort!
Here they are for a photo op with their future friends. For now they are living indoors until they sprout, then I will put them outside during the day and bring them in at night, at least for a while.
We are planting three of those plastic trays like the one pictured here. Two are done, one is left for Eric to plant. I left him some of his favorite veggies to plant. Peppers, summer squashes and green onions. We also still need to do peas, walla walla sweet onions and shallots. In the trays so far we have salad greens, 4 kinds of tomatoes, cilantro, two kinds of basil, and collard greens. YIPPEE!
Welcome to my messy studio/seed planting fort!
Here they are for a photo op with their future friends. For now they are living indoors until they sprout, then I will put them outside during the day and bring them in at night, at least for a while.
We are planting three of those plastic trays like the one pictured here. Two are done, one is left for Eric to plant. I left him some of his favorite veggies to plant. Peppers, summer squashes and green onions. We also still need to do peas, walla walla sweet onions and shallots. In the trays so far we have salad greens, 4 kinds of tomatoes, cilantro, two kinds of basil, and collard greens. YIPPEE!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Five more things
1. Delicious Korean food with Meadz and her boyfriend Phoenix.
2. A sweet little curled up pup on the couch next to me. I could not love him more.
3. Closeness with my mom
4. Eric is selling the washer and dryer that currently live in the carport. This means I will soon be parking my car in the carport. Rad. (And when E gets a new car we will share the carport, of course!)
5. A good night's sleep--I am grateful in advance. I love sleeping at night. Mmm, it feels SO good. After working night shift since March it sure is a change to switch back to night sleeping. I love the early morning light. I love not missing any daylight. I love breakfast. Off to brush and floss my teeth. Goodnight Worldy.
2. A sweet little curled up pup on the couch next to me. I could not love him more.
3. Closeness with my mom
4. Eric is selling the washer and dryer that currently live in the carport. This means I will soon be parking my car in the carport. Rad. (And when E gets a new car we will share the carport, of course!)
5. A good night's sleep--I am grateful in advance. I love sleeping at night. Mmm, it feels SO good. After working night shift since March it sure is a change to switch back to night sleeping. I love the early morning light. I love not missing any daylight. I love breakfast. Off to brush and floss my teeth. Goodnight Worldy.
Art for A Piece of Peace
(This is post 2 of 2.)
As I mentioned before, Bohemia and Borealis Galleries are doing a silent auction (each at their respective gallery) on January 29th from 3-8pm. I am contributing somewhere around five pieces. Here are some of the ones I am considering for the auction. I can only post five pictures per post, so this will be spread over two posts. Also they are available for sale for twenty dollars each, if you see one you want for yourself or to give as a gift just leave it as a comment or email me directly and I will get back to you. It has been so therapeutic making these pieces, just to sit down with my wonderful materials, good intentions and a lot of quiet; it gave me a really nurturing place to spend time for the past couple weeks.
For the bottom three pictures I haven't put the backing onto the frames yet so they have a shadow between the frame and the collage. That will not be there when the pieces are "finished".
As I mentioned before, Bohemia and Borealis Galleries are doing a silent auction (each at their respective gallery) on January 29th from 3-8pm. I am contributing somewhere around five pieces. Here are some of the ones I am considering for the auction. I can only post five pictures per post, so this will be spread over two posts. Also they are available for sale for twenty dollars each, if you see one you want for yourself or to give as a gift just leave it as a comment or email me directly and I will get back to you. It has been so therapeutic making these pieces, just to sit down with my wonderful materials, good intentions and a lot of quiet; it gave me a really nurturing place to spend time for the past couple weeks.
For the bottom three pictures I haven't put the backing onto the frames yet so they have a shadow between the frame and the collage. That will not be there when the pieces are "finished".
Art for A Piece of Peace
As I mentioned before, Bohemia and Borealis Galleries are doing a silent auction (each at their respective gallery) on January 29th from 3-8pm. I am contributing somewhere around five pieces. Here are some of the ones I am considering for the auction. I can only post five pictures per post, so this will be spread over two posts. Also they are available for sale for twenty dollars each, if you see one you want for yourself or to give as a gift just leave it as a comment or email me directly and I will get back to you. It has been so therapeutic making these pieces, just to sit down with my wonderful materials, good intentions and a lot of quiet; it gave me a really nurturing place to spend time for the past couple weeks.
Garden and Chicken Coop
This is the before picture of the garden and chicken coop. Of course the garden is started with a few herbs, a few lettuces and a couple of kinds of spinach. But just you wait!
Five or so things I am grateful for today
It's awful when I go this long between posts because there are just too many things to list. Suffice to say it has been a very busy week. I had a great first week working at my new hospice job. The people there seem kind hearted and very professional. It's fun not wearing scrubs and being awake during the day is a very welcome change. I hope to post more consistently as I settle into a routine.
1. Today we bought seeds for our garden. And some dirt, but not nearly enough. And baby strawberry plants. And bulbs for shallots and walla walla onions. In a few minutes I am going to put dirt into 216 tiny cups and then later, when E is around, we'll plant the seeds! Also I need to label the little tabs I bought so I know what's what. ('Bout time I figured that out!)
2. We also went out for lunch to the Dry River Cafe, it was delicious. We had pizza with thin potato slices, rosemary, caramelized onions, gran padano and fontina on it. We also had a turkey sandwich with hatch green chiles. And a caesar salad with homemade croutons.
3. Hopeful that my new job will be less stressful, and more meaningful, fulfilling and enjoyable.
4. The Hanah Silk ribbon I ordered came today.
5. A lunch invitation from Regina. How lovely! I can't wait.
6. The weekend
7. A massage this morning
8. So many people respond to tragedy by being kinder to each other.
9. Love <3
1. Today we bought seeds for our garden. And some dirt, but not nearly enough. And baby strawberry plants. And bulbs for shallots and walla walla onions. In a few minutes I am going to put dirt into 216 tiny cups and then later, when E is around, we'll plant the seeds! Also I need to label the little tabs I bought so I know what's what. ('Bout time I figured that out!)
2. We also went out for lunch to the Dry River Cafe, it was delicious. We had pizza with thin potato slices, rosemary, caramelized onions, gran padano and fontina on it. We also had a turkey sandwich with hatch green chiles. And a caesar salad with homemade croutons.
3. Hopeful that my new job will be less stressful, and more meaningful, fulfilling and enjoyable.
4. The Hanah Silk ribbon I ordered came today.
5. A lunch invitation from Regina. How lovely! I can't wait.
6. The weekend
7. A massage this morning
8. So many people respond to tragedy by being kinder to each other.
9. Love <3
Sunday, January 16, 2011
just make a darn list already
Okay, nevermind--if I don't catch up a little now it will get ugly!
1. An amazing birthday--Eric and I did everything I wanted to do--had an awesome breakfast at home (corncakes again), hiked, got massages, ate frozen yogurt with berries and things, went out to dinner and watched a movie. The sweetie behind the desk at the massage school gave me my massage for free. <3
2. Then yesterday Mead came over and we spent the whole day celebrating! First we went out to breakfast, then we went to the feed store and looked at baby chicks and shopped for water troughs to be my raised beds in the garden, then we came home and had a picnic in the backyard, then we shopped for shoes (no luck), then we ate portobello burgers at the Create Cafe, then we did crafts til 1am. It was a fabulous day.
3. Remember that chicken coop awhile back that I thought I might be able to buy from a family that lives along my daily walk? Well, today they sold it to us! Yippee! We have a chicken coop in the backyard now!
4. Our neighbor across the street is giving us her old composter.
5. Spending time with Eric has been extra wonderful lately.
6. A nice walk today Roofrauff, Gabrielle and Rico.
7. Some really sweet birthday presents. Mmm, thank you Loved Ones!
8. A full refrigerator and I am full of inspiration to cook tomorrow to prepare for my first week of full time work (yikes!)
9. A nice chat with my cousin, Tiffy. I love her.
10. I am making great progress with my current art project.
Obviously there are a ton of things that need pictures to better describe them. Pictures coming soon, I promise!
1. An amazing birthday--Eric and I did everything I wanted to do--had an awesome breakfast at home (corncakes again), hiked, got massages, ate frozen yogurt with berries and things, went out to dinner and watched a movie. The sweetie behind the desk at the massage school gave me my massage for free. <3
2. Then yesterday Mead came over and we spent the whole day celebrating! First we went out to breakfast, then we went to the feed store and looked at baby chicks and shopped for water troughs to be my raised beds in the garden, then we came home and had a picnic in the backyard, then we shopped for shoes (no luck), then we ate portobello burgers at the Create Cafe, then we did crafts til 1am. It was a fabulous day.
3. Remember that chicken coop awhile back that I thought I might be able to buy from a family that lives along my daily walk? Well, today they sold it to us! Yippee! We have a chicken coop in the backyard now!
4. Our neighbor across the street is giving us her old composter.
5. Spending time with Eric has been extra wonderful lately.
6. A nice walk today Roofrauff, Gabrielle and Rico.
7. Some really sweet birthday presents. Mmm, thank you Loved Ones!
8. A full refrigerator and I am full of inspiration to cook tomorrow to prepare for my first week of full time work (yikes!)
9. A nice chat with my cousin, Tiffy. I love her.
10. I am making great progress with my current art project.
Obviously there are a ton of things that need pictures to better describe them. Pictures coming soon, I promise!
mmm hmm
I am grateful for so much I don't even know where to start. Then I think, "I'll just wait until I have a few minutes later today and then I'll post", and more good things keep happening! Now I am under a heap of things too overwhelming to list. Pictures and details coming soon.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
A good day
These are the last days of having a flexible schedule for awhile so I am living it up! Today RR and I went hiking in Ventana Canyon for a little over an hour. It was in the mid 60's. We saw a bunny, a ton of cactus, winter desert, a cholla with tiny yellow flowers, and heard a bunch of birds and rustling in the bushes. At one point right before I turned around I stopped and realized it was completely silent. I couldn't hear any cars, people, animals, wind--there was nothing to hear. I savored it, petted my RR friend and headed back down the canyon.
Sweet PickleyPickley hiking with me in Ventana Canyon this afternoon
Heart shaped leafy, poor picture quality thanks to the shadiness of the canyon mixed with my camera phone
After hiking I got pretty hungry and decided to remake breakfast with a couple of the leftover corncakes. Wow, when you put them in the toaster to reheat them they get perfectly crisp! Here's a picture. Though this time I put a tablespoon of light sour cream on top. YUM! Oh and that cilantro is homegrown!
So good news Bohemia, the gallery/shop that sells my cards and things, is having a silent auction to benefit the victims (and their families) of Saturday's shooting. Today Bohemia's owner, Tana sent out an email calling for art to be donated. The theme is peace, and peace is no stranger to my studio. As President Obama spoke to Tucson, I listened on my little radio and started cutting some paper (while weeping, yes.) Now it's about 6 hours later and I have nine pieces completed. I am only supposed to donate one I think, but I found my heart felt so much lighter once I really got into my quiet groove, making art about peace. I am really happy with this work so far. I will photograph it soon and post the pictures.
Sweet PickleyPickley hiking with me in Ventana Canyon this afternoon
Heart shaped leafy, poor picture quality thanks to the shadiness of the canyon mixed with my camera phone
After hiking I got pretty hungry and decided to remake breakfast with a couple of the leftover corncakes. Wow, when you put them in the toaster to reheat them they get perfectly crisp! Here's a picture. Though this time I put a tablespoon of light sour cream on top. YUM! Oh and that cilantro is homegrown!
So good news Bohemia, the gallery/shop that sells my cards and things, is having a silent auction to benefit the victims (and their families) of Saturday's shooting. Today Bohemia's owner, Tana sent out an email calling for art to be donated. The theme is peace, and peace is no stranger to my studio. As President Obama spoke to Tucson, I listened on my little radio and started cutting some paper (while weeping, yes.) Now it's about 6 hours later and I have nine pieces completed. I am only supposed to donate one I think, but I found my heart felt so much lighter once I really got into my quiet groove, making art about peace. I am really happy with this work so far. I will photograph it soon and post the pictures.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Green chile cheddar corncakes with over medium eggs
For New Year's I made Mama Leone's chicken soup with cornsticks and was left with buttermilk in my fridge. Last night E came home from work with a glass container full of one of his coworker's mama's homemade salsa. I woke up with these details on my mind and decided to make savory pancakes served with over medium eggs on top with salsa and avocado slices on top of that. It was heavenly. They were sort of crispy on the outside and soft on the inside soaking up the egg yolks and the salsa. Also they were beautiful but I forgot to take a picture!
Corncakes (enough for around four or five people)
1 1/2 cups cornmeal
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tbs baking powder
1/4 cup sugar
some salt
1/2 cup grated extra sharp Tillamook cheddar
1/2 can green chiles
3 shallots sliced fine
I think these would rock even more with a handful or two of thawed frozen corn added to the batter.
So stir all that stuff up and cook them like pancakes. I kept them warm in the oven as I made them. Then, if you want to, cook your over medium eggs, put them on top of the corncakes, put the salsa and avocado slices on top of the pile and salt and pepper over that.
I am now scheming to make some of the leftover corncakes into a bottom crust for a beany, chickeny, green chile, enchilada-y sort of casserole. If that happens I'll keep you posted.
One thing I love about living in Tucson is that amazing Mexican food is always close by. Regularly E comes home from work with tortillas that were made fresh that afternoon in South Tucson. Also it seems like everybody's mama or abuela is sharing their homemade salsa, tamales, beans, tacos, or whatever. And then comes late summer when the grocery stores have fresh roasted green chiles. Those chiles make everything taste even better. Despite Saturday's tragedy I am still very grateful to live here, for so many reasons.
Corncakes (enough for around four or five people)
1 1/2 cups cornmeal
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tbs baking powder
1/4 cup sugar
some salt
1/2 cup grated extra sharp Tillamook cheddar
1/2 can green chiles
3 shallots sliced fine
I think these would rock even more with a handful or two of thawed frozen corn added to the batter.
So stir all that stuff up and cook them like pancakes. I kept them warm in the oven as I made them. Then, if you want to, cook your over medium eggs, put them on top of the corncakes, put the salsa and avocado slices on top of the pile and salt and pepper over that.
I am now scheming to make some of the leftover corncakes into a bottom crust for a beany, chickeny, green chile, enchilada-y sort of casserole. If that happens I'll keep you posted.
One thing I love about living in Tucson is that amazing Mexican food is always close by. Regularly E comes home from work with tortillas that were made fresh that afternoon in South Tucson. Also it seems like everybody's mama or abuela is sharing their homemade salsa, tamales, beans, tacos, or whatever. And then comes late summer when the grocery stores have fresh roasted green chiles. Those chiles make everything taste even better. Despite Saturday's tragedy I am still very grateful to live here, for so many reasons.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Some things I am grateful for today
1. Seeing Wendy's comment on my second to last post, that she had actually used the recipe I put up. Yeah, that makes my day. (I just realized as I eat the leftovers that I forgot to mention the shallots I put in. Oops.
2. I got this text a couple of hours ago: "Bug, I sure am lucky in love."
3. A nighttime walk with Meadz
4. A decent gym workout
5. Okay, it's time to admit this...I have a new obsession, thanks to my mom. When I was in Oregon the time before last she took me to a self serve frozen yogurt place and ever since then I am totally addicted. I LOVE IT. I love the tart plain kind--I put in about 4-5 tablespoons of it and then bury it in berries, kiwi and pomegranate seeds. Today I went to one of these places and they had a taro flavor--it was divine. E and I are going again on my birthday.
6. A crunchy spicy tuna roll.
7. Birthday scheming
2. I got this text a couple of hours ago: "Bug, I sure am lucky in love."
3. A nighttime walk with Meadz
4. A decent gym workout
5. Okay, it's time to admit this...I have a new obsession, thanks to my mom. When I was in Oregon the time before last she took me to a self serve frozen yogurt place and ever since then I am totally addicted. I LOVE IT. I love the tart plain kind--I put in about 4-5 tablespoons of it and then bury it in berries, kiwi and pomegranate seeds. Today I went to one of these places and they had a taro flavor--it was divine. E and I are going again on my birthday.
6. A crunchy spicy tuna roll.
7. Birthday scheming
Monday, January 10, 2011
Five things I am grateful for today
Tonight my Compassionate Communication trainer held a special "despair circle" for anyone who wanted to come. We spent two hours deal with our grief over Saturday's tragedy. It's easy to hole-up when scary, horrible things happen. It is my tendency to just lurk around the house and mope. So it felt really good to connect with others, hear their feelings and realize exactly how alone and separate we are not.
Lunch date with a very cute guy. I accidentally slept until noon and he was just hanging around, patiently waiting for me to wake up, not wanting to disturb me.
I am thinking about volunteering here for a weekend in September. I am so glad that things like this exist. My friend Monica is the director and posted about it on Facebook and it seemed like a good fit. One thing I hope for in 2011 (and the rest of my life) is to give more freely. Give time, give energy, empathy, love, and other resources. Something about inpatient nursing has left me feeling really depleted--like I didn't have one more ounce to share. No extra anything. So even though I have had tons of free time, I didn't have anything left over to share with anyone besides my friends and family, and sometimes not even them. I have a lot of hope that this is going to change--before I became a nurse I had abundant energy to share--I volunteered all the time and was more than willing to spend time, energy, money, whatever on things/people that mattered. What's weird is back then I worked two jobs, went to school full time, had all of my family and friends around me, and still made time to volunteer. I want that back.
Blueberries at Trader Joe's--- I know, it's not their season! But 24 ounces of fresh blueberries? REALLY? Who can resist that? Definitely not me.
Reuben sandwiches. Oh how I love the sauerkraut and Russian dressing and swiss cheese all grilled together. Oh deliciousness.
Lunch date with a very cute guy. I accidentally slept until noon and he was just hanging around, patiently waiting for me to wake up, not wanting to disturb me.
I am thinking about volunteering here for a weekend in September. I am so glad that things like this exist. My friend Monica is the director and posted about it on Facebook and it seemed like a good fit. One thing I hope for in 2011 (and the rest of my life) is to give more freely. Give time, give energy, empathy, love, and other resources. Something about inpatient nursing has left me feeling really depleted--like I didn't have one more ounce to share. No extra anything. So even though I have had tons of free time, I didn't have anything left over to share with anyone besides my friends and family, and sometimes not even them. I have a lot of hope that this is going to change--before I became a nurse I had abundant energy to share--I volunteered all the time and was more than willing to spend time, energy, money, whatever on things/people that mattered. What's weird is back then I worked two jobs, went to school full time, had all of my family and friends around me, and still made time to volunteer. I want that back.
Blueberries at Trader Joe's--- I know, it's not their season! But 24 ounces of fresh blueberries? REALLY? Who can resist that? Definitely not me.
Reuben sandwiches. Oh how I love the sauerkraut and Russian dressing and swiss cheese all grilled together. Oh deliciousness.
broccoli casserole
Yum, so dinner was delish and I wanted to share the recipe with you:
Broccoli Casseroli (I have spent all day alone, therefore my dorkiness has gone unchecked.)
about 4 cups frozen broccoli florets (thaw and squish the water out of 'em)
1 cup cottage cheese
2 eggs beaten
1/2 cup Tillamook cheddar (I used extra sharp)
1/2 tsp worcestershire sauce
2 shallots, very thinly sliced
salt and pepper
Crust:
more cheddar for sprinkling on top and about 1/2 cup crushed whole grain goldfish or whatever cheesy or non-cheesy crackers you have
Directions: mix cottage cheese, beaten eggs, cheese, worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper thoroughly. Add broccoli. Put all this in a casserole dish. Mix cheese and cracker crumbs in a separate bowl and sprinkle over the top. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or so.
Broccoli Casseroli (I have spent all day alone, therefore my dorkiness has gone unchecked.)
about 4 cups frozen broccoli florets (thaw and squish the water out of 'em)
1 cup cottage cheese
2 eggs beaten
1/2 cup Tillamook cheddar (I used extra sharp)
1/2 tsp worcestershire sauce
2 shallots, very thinly sliced
salt and pepper
Crust:
more cheddar for sprinkling on top and about 1/2 cup crushed whole grain goldfish or whatever cheesy or non-cheesy crackers you have
Directions: mix cottage cheese, beaten eggs, cheese, worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper thoroughly. Add broccoli. Put all this in a casserole dish. Mix cheese and cracker crumbs in a separate bowl and sprinkle over the top. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or so.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Five or so things I am grateful for today
1. Relative safety
2. Goodness living in the human heart
3. A beautiful sunset today
4. Our house feeling more like a home
5. Broccoli casserole, harvest grain pilaf with home grown herbs, sauteed artichoke hearts and mango chicken sausages
6. Sitting with my neighbor Kathleen for awhile
Sending good thoughts and love to Gabrielle Giffords, the other victims of yesterday's violence, their loved ones, and all beings who suffer.
2. Goodness living in the human heart
3. A beautiful sunset today
4. Our house feeling more like a home
5. Broccoli casserole, harvest grain pilaf with home grown herbs, sauteed artichoke hearts and mango chicken sausages
6. Sitting with my neighbor Kathleen for awhile
Sending good thoughts and love to Gabrielle Giffords, the other victims of yesterday's violence, their loved ones, and all beings who suffer.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Five-ish things I am grateful for today
1. My new job! I start January 18th at Valor HospiceCare! Yippee! My title is Admissions Nurse. I am really hopeful that this will be a gentle, respectful environment to work in, where my strengths will fit the position well. Fingers crossed!
2. Next to me on the couch is a warm puppy making tiny snore sounds and a sleeping Eric. Sweet boys,
3. I got my 2011 calendar today! It has an owl on a pogo stick on it. Usually I pick plain simple planners, but not this year! I couldn't pass up this cuteness! And there is a little owl on a pogo stick on every page! Hee hee hee. Feeling organized is so imperative for my well being. It feels so good to have my plans on paper, all in a little book.
4. Last night I worked an overtime shift. One of my last at the hospital--I am grateful for the extra pay.
5. A week and a half to catch up on everything I can before starting full time work.
6. That Eric likes my cooking
7. A bunch of neat books from the library. I really enjoyed Food Rules by Michael Pollan. It was short, simple and full of nice reminders. And sometimes it's just nice to hear your own views verbalized.
8. Last night I worked with a tech named Annie who totally had my back. It was so nice to have unconditional support and respect. Plus we even had a few laughs in the midst of utter chaos.
2. Next to me on the couch is a warm puppy making tiny snore sounds and a sleeping Eric. Sweet boys,
3. I got my 2011 calendar today! It has an owl on a pogo stick on it. Usually I pick plain simple planners, but not this year! I couldn't pass up this cuteness! And there is a little owl on a pogo stick on every page! Hee hee hee. Feeling organized is so imperative for my well being. It feels so good to have my plans on paper, all in a little book.
4. Last night I worked an overtime shift. One of my last at the hospital--I am grateful for the extra pay.
5. A week and a half to catch up on everything I can before starting full time work.
6. That Eric likes my cooking
7. A bunch of neat books from the library. I really enjoyed Food Rules by Michael Pollan. It was short, simple and full of nice reminders. And sometimes it's just nice to hear your own views verbalized.
8. Last night I worked with a tech named Annie who totally had my back. It was so nice to have unconditional support and respect. Plus we even had a few laughs in the midst of utter chaos.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)