FIRST DAY OF SUMMER 2019!!!!!
I just can't contain my excitement on the first day of Summer! It IS my season! I was born in the summer and I come to bloom again each summer, just like a perennial plant... HELLO SUMMER (insert emoji with wide open hugging arms) It's me, It's me It's Vickie G and here I am to enjoy every glorious day of this season.
What is not to like about summer I ask? Sunshine, warm rain, thunder storms, fireworks, hotdogs, hamburgers, GRILLING, watermelon, flowers, swimming in pools/lakes/oceans/ponds, picnics, fireflies, suntan lotion, topless days and topless nights (talking about my convertible... but that one is free for imagination), cookouts, family/friend gatherings, boating, skiing, tubing, sand castle building (much preferred over snowman building), outdoor concerts... basically Summer feels like a 3 month long celebration of Sunshine.
Sunshine is ,and ALWAYS will be on the top of my list of MOST FAVORITE THINGS! I seek it like a sunflower follows its face to the sun. Sunshine smells good... it feels good... it just makes my soul smile. I have been known (as in actually being caught in the act) to just lie on the concrete driveway with my arms and legs splayed out like I am making a snowangel, just to soak up the warmth that is still held in the concrete at the end of the day. I might add that the driveway and porch where I would lie splayed out was when we lived in Hutchinson KS, on a cul-de-sac street, very wooded, and we were the only house on the street... it was a private location... however... cars would occasionally drive down the road looking at the available lots, and there I would be, caught like a deer in headlights, laying splayed out soaking up the sun. Usually though, I would hear the car approaching before it could view my sun soaking activity and I would just be sitting there sipping my ice tea and waving... the times I got caught were because I had fallen asleep while splayed out in my sun soaking... which falling asleep happens often when I lie in the sun.
This is my first summer that I have the opportunity to spend with all of my grandchildren. We recently moved from Portland OR to KY... or moved 'back home' is how we feel. Its been 9 years since we lived in this area. The week we found out about our relocation move is the same week we found out about our first 2 grandchildren pregnancies (the first 2 are only 3 weeks apart). It was hard moving away from my clan just as my clan was expanding and I would have a forever new role as Grandmother... or in my clan Gigi, I role I had waited 10 years for. The 9 years we were away I traveled every 6 weeks to spend time with my clan... those were tough years, but priceless reward for the closeness we all share, and worth every mile traveled. The eldest grands are 8 years old and ready to spend quality time with us. The youngest is 9 months old, so the youngest grands will never remember we ever lived away. Life is sooooo good and I am sooooo blessed to have this opportunity to be back in the nest of my precious clan. The summer time plans we have this year will be memorable for us all.
I am dancing a jig all day with excitement that TODAY is the longest day of 2019, and on this first day of summer 2019 the sun IS shining quite brightly and warmly!!!! May all of you who read this post also have sunshine to celebrate today!
Holding up my glass to yours in a Cheer/Toast to SUMMER 2019!!!!!!!!
Friday, June 21, 2019
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Hello Again!
Hello Readers!
It's been over 5 years since my last post... YIKES!!! What happened you ask? Where did I go? The answer is just this... life happened... I was busy moving and relocating, and gaining 6 more precious grandchildren along the way.
My husband and I have relocated 3 times (3 states Ohio, Oregon, Kentucky) since my last post... so as you can see... life really did happen and life was really busy to the point I had totally forgotten about this little blog of mine until this very moment when I was going through my laptop cleaning out old apps... and by gosh here was my little blog sitting here neglected all this time just waiting to be re-visited.
Lets see if I can give an uber condensed version of the past 5 years...
2014
In January I was a Guest Chef for Jillians Italian Grill in Hutchinson KS... I cooked a 4 course meal for 60 guests for a wine tasting dinner... all made in house in my home, transported to the restaurant, plated and served... I received a standing ovation... it was a STELLAR night! The menu was...
Appetizer - Classic Bruchetta
Salad- Bleu Provence
Entree- Ragu w/penne pasta (it took 3 days of slow cooking to make the rage)
Dessert - Deconstructed Queen of Sheba Mini Cakes.
What an awesome experience that was!
A tour of wine country in Napa Valley was a delightful trip we enjoyed in March. BEAUTIFUL!
In May our eldest daughter graduated with her Doctorate in Nursing Degree... we are quite proud parents for sure!
September brought us our 3rd grandchild (3rd grandson) Hamilton... the hair!!! Such a cutie.
Joe and I had a wonderful trip to Alaska in August.
2015
Grandchild/Grandson #4 arrived in March... George... another sweet nugget to snuggle and add to our clan!
In April we relocated from Hutchinson KS, to Columbus OH... 2 hours from the center of our clan nest of family instead of the 14 hour drive... we feel like we have come back home. This is our 2nd time to live in Columbus, we LOVE Columbus!
2016
My first time EVER to go to Disneyland or Disneyworld happened in February... OH HOW MAGICAL!!!!
April brought us our 5th Grandchild and our 1st Granddaughter!!! Ellie Ann... OH MY GOODNESS how sweet you are... we are delighted to also add our first redhead to the clan, as well as our 1st IVF baby. Ellie Ann arrived into MANY open arms waiting to hold her tiny self. She is just a blessing in sooo many ways and very long awaited for by her loving parents, who went through 3 years of everything to finally receive this precious gift from our LORD.
Joe and I celebrated our 38th Anniversary in New York City with our very dear and best friends, attending the Broadway Show 'Hamilton' in the Rodgers and Hammerstein Theater. There are simply not enough words, nor words eloquent enough to describe what a marvelous theater production this is. The BEST show I've seen, and I've seen many... looking forward to seeing it again.
I had broken my left big toe knuckle the day before we were to leave for NY... knowing there was nothing to be done about it, I just grabbed my 'shoeboot' from my past bunion surgery, strapped it on and clumped my way through that long weekend in NY City staying well dosed on Tylenol. Broken toe or not... still one of the best trips EVER! When I returned home I finally went to the orthopedic to have toe x-rayed... it was actually broken much worse than I thought, to the point the X-rays made the Doctor wince. But... I was correct about time being the only healer and continue wear of the 'shoeboot'. A little thing like a broken toe isn't going to keep this feisty girl down! : )
2017
April we move again, relocating to Portland Oregon!!! This southern country girl doesn't know anything about the Pacific Northwest... but I'm eager to discover it's charms. Joe and I grew up on, and our parents still reside in the rural country side of Kentucky, so urban living was a whole new world altogether for me. However, Joe and I LOVE our experience in Portland as empty nesters, living the city life comfortably. I am sooo very blessed to have this opportunity of living this experience in my life. Priceless!!!! We drove to wine country several times, drove the waterfall route, visited the International Rose Garden several times, drove to the Oregon Coast, visited Seattle many times, visited Mount Hood several times, and could see Mount Hood clearly from our patio balcony... we are on the top floor of a 16 floor high-rise. I shaved the left side of my head and had a pixie style on the other... wore my hair that way for 2 years and constantly got stopped on the street with compliments... it was cool and hip and very Portland, which I wanted to embrace 100%. I watched the 99.2% of the moon eclipse in this lovely park downtown Portland, making several new friends that awesome day.
October I had left shoulder rotator cuff and bicep repair surgery... FINALLY relief after 2 years of an arm that would not function and being in constant pain. Surgeon was PHENOMENAL!!! Healed like a champ. But also sadly a week post surgery my adorable Father in law passed away after several years of illness. His immediate family surrounded him in much love as he crossed from one world into the next. He is with us still.
November (the week before Thanksgiving) we find out that my daughter who is 21weeks pregnant is carrying a baby with a zero percent chance of viability. Babies in this circumstance usually terminate themselves by the 6th month... but our little Jonathan Angel beat his little heart to full term... delivered at 37 weeks, absolutely beautiful perfect baby boy... he was in this world a mere hour and 15 minutes... but the love he brought and the love he continues to send is with us every day. He is a blessing, meant to be our forever angel. Our daughter Jessica who was blessed to be chosen to carry an angel full term, knowing it wasn't hers to keep on earth, did so with such grace and beauty. She has been to the depths of the worst emotional, mental, and physical pain imagined, yet she did so with nothing but love in her heart... she continues to do so.
2018
February our sweet Jonathan Baden arrived to bless us with our 6th Grandchild/5th grandson. He was BEAUTIFUL... he continues to fill our hearts with love as he watches over us from heaven.
June we added our 7th Grandchild/6th grandson to our clan with Hamilton Otto... such a happy chillax baby. Our nest is growing fuller and fuller and we feel blessed and elated to have so many grand nuggets to love on.
July Joe and I celebrated our 40th Anniversary in Hawaii... on the main island with the volcano that had been erupting for 4 months and was still erupting... we took a helicopter ride over the volcanic eruption for an unbelievable experience.
In September I celebrated my 60th Birthday... WOW!!! I was surprised in Portland OR by my BESTIES Abby and Norma along with their hubbies for my birthday... and not only was it a HUGE surprise... but the first surprise birthday I have ever had... because I am always involved in some way for all social functions, it is just hard to surprise me. It was an EXCELLENT surprise!! I celebrated my birthday in KY with my family, who took me to dinner on a party bus... it was a wonderful night!
Our 8th Grandchild/2nd granddaughter (2nd IVF baby) Mia Abigail joined our clan in October... she is truly her mothers clone!!! Happy is the word we use to describe sweet Mia. Interesting fact... Ellie and Mia are actually fraternal twins born 2 years apart... we celebrate Mia for surviving the Ice Age as a frozen embryo... don't you just LOVE science!!!
2019
We have FINALLY returned Home!!!!! We are beyond thrilled to have been relocated again... and for the FINAL time... in April we moved back to our family nest in KY. It is just sooooooo good to be back home again.
This brings my story to current status... which in 2 weeks Joe and I are taking our 2 oldest grandsons (Henry and Liam) on a road trip across America as we fly to Portland OR to retrieve our RV and drive it back home to KY. Excited is pretty much the state of mind we exist in presently... there will be an entire blog about our adventure once we return home.
Thank you for stopping by to catch up... hopefully you will visit again. Until then... have a lovely day/evening.
It's been over 5 years since my last post... YIKES!!! What happened you ask? Where did I go? The answer is just this... life happened... I was busy moving and relocating, and gaining 6 more precious grandchildren along the way.
My husband and I have relocated 3 times (3 states Ohio, Oregon, Kentucky) since my last post... so as you can see... life really did happen and life was really busy to the point I had totally forgotten about this little blog of mine until this very moment when I was going through my laptop cleaning out old apps... and by gosh here was my little blog sitting here neglected all this time just waiting to be re-visited.
Lets see if I can give an uber condensed version of the past 5 years...
2014
In January I was a Guest Chef for Jillians Italian Grill in Hutchinson KS... I cooked a 4 course meal for 60 guests for a wine tasting dinner... all made in house in my home, transported to the restaurant, plated and served... I received a standing ovation... it was a STELLAR night! The menu was...
Appetizer - Classic Bruchetta
Salad- Bleu Provence
Entree- Ragu w/penne pasta (it took 3 days of slow cooking to make the rage)
Dessert - Deconstructed Queen of Sheba Mini Cakes.
What an awesome experience that was!
A tour of wine country in Napa Valley was a delightful trip we enjoyed in March. BEAUTIFUL!
In May our eldest daughter graduated with her Doctorate in Nursing Degree... we are quite proud parents for sure!
September brought us our 3rd grandchild (3rd grandson) Hamilton... the hair!!! Such a cutie.
Joe and I had a wonderful trip to Alaska in August.
2015
Grandchild/Grandson #4 arrived in March... George... another sweet nugget to snuggle and add to our clan!
In April we relocated from Hutchinson KS, to Columbus OH... 2 hours from the center of our clan nest of family instead of the 14 hour drive... we feel like we have come back home. This is our 2nd time to live in Columbus, we LOVE Columbus!
2016
My first time EVER to go to Disneyland or Disneyworld happened in February... OH HOW MAGICAL!!!!
April brought us our 5th Grandchild and our 1st Granddaughter!!! Ellie Ann... OH MY GOODNESS how sweet you are... we are delighted to also add our first redhead to the clan, as well as our 1st IVF baby. Ellie Ann arrived into MANY open arms waiting to hold her tiny self. She is just a blessing in sooo many ways and very long awaited for by her loving parents, who went through 3 years of everything to finally receive this precious gift from our LORD.
Joe and I celebrated our 38th Anniversary in New York City with our very dear and best friends, attending the Broadway Show 'Hamilton' in the Rodgers and Hammerstein Theater. There are simply not enough words, nor words eloquent enough to describe what a marvelous theater production this is. The BEST show I've seen, and I've seen many... looking forward to seeing it again.
I had broken my left big toe knuckle the day before we were to leave for NY... knowing there was nothing to be done about it, I just grabbed my 'shoeboot' from my past bunion surgery, strapped it on and clumped my way through that long weekend in NY City staying well dosed on Tylenol. Broken toe or not... still one of the best trips EVER! When I returned home I finally went to the orthopedic to have toe x-rayed... it was actually broken much worse than I thought, to the point the X-rays made the Doctor wince. But... I was correct about time being the only healer and continue wear of the 'shoeboot'. A little thing like a broken toe isn't going to keep this feisty girl down! : )
2017
April we move again, relocating to Portland Oregon!!! This southern country girl doesn't know anything about the Pacific Northwest... but I'm eager to discover it's charms. Joe and I grew up on, and our parents still reside in the rural country side of Kentucky, so urban living was a whole new world altogether for me. However, Joe and I LOVE our experience in Portland as empty nesters, living the city life comfortably. I am sooo very blessed to have this opportunity of living this experience in my life. Priceless!!!! We drove to wine country several times, drove the waterfall route, visited the International Rose Garden several times, drove to the Oregon Coast, visited Seattle many times, visited Mount Hood several times, and could see Mount Hood clearly from our patio balcony... we are on the top floor of a 16 floor high-rise. I shaved the left side of my head and had a pixie style on the other... wore my hair that way for 2 years and constantly got stopped on the street with compliments... it was cool and hip and very Portland, which I wanted to embrace 100%. I watched the 99.2% of the moon eclipse in this lovely park downtown Portland, making several new friends that awesome day.
October I had left shoulder rotator cuff and bicep repair surgery... FINALLY relief after 2 years of an arm that would not function and being in constant pain. Surgeon was PHENOMENAL!!! Healed like a champ. But also sadly a week post surgery my adorable Father in law passed away after several years of illness. His immediate family surrounded him in much love as he crossed from one world into the next. He is with us still.
November (the week before Thanksgiving) we find out that my daughter who is 21weeks pregnant is carrying a baby with a zero percent chance of viability. Babies in this circumstance usually terminate themselves by the 6th month... but our little Jonathan Angel beat his little heart to full term... delivered at 37 weeks, absolutely beautiful perfect baby boy... he was in this world a mere hour and 15 minutes... but the love he brought and the love he continues to send is with us every day. He is a blessing, meant to be our forever angel. Our daughter Jessica who was blessed to be chosen to carry an angel full term, knowing it wasn't hers to keep on earth, did so with such grace and beauty. She has been to the depths of the worst emotional, mental, and physical pain imagined, yet she did so with nothing but love in her heart... she continues to do so.
2018
February our sweet Jonathan Baden arrived to bless us with our 6th Grandchild/5th grandson. He was BEAUTIFUL... he continues to fill our hearts with love as he watches over us from heaven.
June we added our 7th Grandchild/6th grandson to our clan with Hamilton Otto... such a happy chillax baby. Our nest is growing fuller and fuller and we feel blessed and elated to have so many grand nuggets to love on.
July Joe and I celebrated our 40th Anniversary in Hawaii... on the main island with the volcano that had been erupting for 4 months and was still erupting... we took a helicopter ride over the volcanic eruption for an unbelievable experience.
In September I celebrated my 60th Birthday... WOW!!! I was surprised in Portland OR by my BESTIES Abby and Norma along with their hubbies for my birthday... and not only was it a HUGE surprise... but the first surprise birthday I have ever had... because I am always involved in some way for all social functions, it is just hard to surprise me. It was an EXCELLENT surprise!! I celebrated my birthday in KY with my family, who took me to dinner on a party bus... it was a wonderful night!
Our 8th Grandchild/2nd granddaughter (2nd IVF baby) Mia Abigail joined our clan in October... she is truly her mothers clone!!! Happy is the word we use to describe sweet Mia. Interesting fact... Ellie and Mia are actually fraternal twins born 2 years apart... we celebrate Mia for surviving the Ice Age as a frozen embryo... don't you just LOVE science!!!
2019
We have FINALLY returned Home!!!!! We are beyond thrilled to have been relocated again... and for the FINAL time... in April we moved back to our family nest in KY. It is just sooooooo good to be back home again.
This brings my story to current status... which in 2 weeks Joe and I are taking our 2 oldest grandsons (Henry and Liam) on a road trip across America as we fly to Portland OR to retrieve our RV and drive it back home to KY. Excited is pretty much the state of mind we exist in presently... there will be an entire blog about our adventure once we return home.
Thank you for stopping by to catch up... hopefully you will visit again. Until then... have a lovely day/evening.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
A Gift From Heaven
I am an avid reader, and in several novels I have read, the main character has received an unexpected gift from a loved one who had passed away. I always thought it would be so special to receive a gift like that myself. Well... I can finally say it did indeed happen to me. An unexpected gift arrived from my Dad who passed away just 2 months ago... and it arrived just when I was deeply feeling his loss, and really needing to feel his presence.
One of my all time favorite authors is Sue Grafton and her alphabet series... A is for Alibi, B is for Burglar, C is for Corpse... etc. I have read every single book in this series and anxiously await for the next novel to be written and hit the market. My Dad and I both shared a love for Sue Grafton and all her books.
When my Dad passed away a couple months ago, my brother and I had to go through his apartment and all his personal possessions to pack them up, give them away, and choose items we wanted to keep for ourselves. It was a tedious and emotional experience... we found ourselves feeling every invasive of his personal space... but it was a task that had to be done, and could only be done by my brother and I. While it does feel very invasive, it also serves as good closure and an end to completely knowing everything possible about one who has passed from your life.
While going through his personal items, we found totes and totes of books he had read, planned on reading, or was in the middle of reading. I get my love of reading from both my parents. I came across a couple of Sue Grafton's books that I had not yet read, so of course I took these items to read and to cherish. As I read these books over the next few weeks, I couldn't help but continually think of my Dad... remembering many happy moments of him sitting or lying in the window seat, reading on cold snowy and rainy days, or of the many books we would chat about after reading them, or the many cookbooks he would send to me for my Birthday and Christmas, and the many books I would send to him on his Birthday, Christmas, and Father's Day. It was good to enjoy reading Sue Grafton's books, as well as taking this walk down memory lane with my Dad.
The first year of firsts without a loved one is always tough... however, my first first was my Birthday, and my Birthday just happens to be one of those special days I ALWAYS knew I would get to chat with my Dad. I would receive a very special card with a hand written sweet message inside, and he would always send me a new cookbook. I had just finished reading the last of the Sue Grafton books I had gotten from his apartment, when my Birthday rolled around. The day of my Birthday made me really really miss my Dad.
Immediately after my Dad passed away, I was looking online for when Sue Graton's new book (W) would be released. While searching on Amazon.com for this book, a window popped up about entering a sweepstake to win her new book "W is for Wasted" and be one of the first to obtain a copy of this book before it actually hit the market. So... of course I entered this sweepstake... then I completely forgot about it and was patiently waiting for this new book to hit the market so I could purchase it and begin reading it.
It just so happens that I indeed won this book! Winner Winner Chicken Dinner! I was beyond excited to have actually won this new book of Sue Grafton's... but... in my heart I just KNEW that my Dad had had something to do with it. I'm convinced he sent this book to me from Heaven for my Birthday, and it arrived just when I was missing him the most. I am currently in the middle of reading and enjoying this new novel... and thinking of my Dad with each page I read, but... I also feel such peace and happiness inside knowing how much my Dad would have also enjoyed reading this new book.
Some may think that this is all just a coincidence... but I truly believe this was a gift from Heaven, sent to me by my Dad to let me know he too misses me, and was indeed thinking of me on my Birthday. Thank you Daddy for this AWESOME gift, I will cherish it forever, and you made my Birthday the most special of all Birthday's! I still miss you bunches, but now I KNOW you ARE still with me and will always be watching over me! LOVE and HUGS, Victoria!
One of my all time favorite authors is Sue Grafton and her alphabet series... A is for Alibi, B is for Burglar, C is for Corpse... etc. I have read every single book in this series and anxiously await for the next novel to be written and hit the market. My Dad and I both shared a love for Sue Grafton and all her books.
When my Dad passed away a couple months ago, my brother and I had to go through his apartment and all his personal possessions to pack them up, give them away, and choose items we wanted to keep for ourselves. It was a tedious and emotional experience... we found ourselves feeling every invasive of his personal space... but it was a task that had to be done, and could only be done by my brother and I. While it does feel very invasive, it also serves as good closure and an end to completely knowing everything possible about one who has passed from your life.
While going through his personal items, we found totes and totes of books he had read, planned on reading, or was in the middle of reading. I get my love of reading from both my parents. I came across a couple of Sue Grafton's books that I had not yet read, so of course I took these items to read and to cherish. As I read these books over the next few weeks, I couldn't help but continually think of my Dad... remembering many happy moments of him sitting or lying in the window seat, reading on cold snowy and rainy days, or of the many books we would chat about after reading them, or the many cookbooks he would send to me for my Birthday and Christmas, and the many books I would send to him on his Birthday, Christmas, and Father's Day. It was good to enjoy reading Sue Grafton's books, as well as taking this walk down memory lane with my Dad.
The first year of firsts without a loved one is always tough... however, my first first was my Birthday, and my Birthday just happens to be one of those special days I ALWAYS knew I would get to chat with my Dad. I would receive a very special card with a hand written sweet message inside, and he would always send me a new cookbook. I had just finished reading the last of the Sue Grafton books I had gotten from his apartment, when my Birthday rolled around. The day of my Birthday made me really really miss my Dad.
Immediately after my Dad passed away, I was looking online for when Sue Graton's new book (W) would be released. While searching on Amazon.com for this book, a window popped up about entering a sweepstake to win her new book "W is for Wasted" and be one of the first to obtain a copy of this book before it actually hit the market. So... of course I entered this sweepstake... then I completely forgot about it and was patiently waiting for this new book to hit the market so I could purchase it and begin reading it.
It just so happens that I indeed won this book! Winner Winner Chicken Dinner! I was beyond excited to have actually won this new book of Sue Grafton's... but... in my heart I just KNEW that my Dad had had something to do with it. I'm convinced he sent this book to me from Heaven for my Birthday, and it arrived just when I was missing him the most. I am currently in the middle of reading and enjoying this new novel... and thinking of my Dad with each page I read, but... I also feel such peace and happiness inside knowing how much my Dad would have also enjoyed reading this new book.
Some may think that this is all just a coincidence... but I truly believe this was a gift from Heaven, sent to me by my Dad to let me know he too misses me, and was indeed thinking of me on my Birthday. Thank you Daddy for this AWESOME gift, I will cherish it forever, and you made my Birthday the most special of all Birthday's! I still miss you bunches, but now I KNOW you ARE still with me and will always be watching over me! LOVE and HUGS, Victoria!
Monday, September 16, 2013
Feeling Fallish
Well here it is that time of year again, when Summer is waning and Autumn is falling. Some love this time of year, and some dread this time of year. I'm one of those who is already mourning and whining about the end of Summer. I am a heat and sun seeker, wanting to be outside from sun up til sun down. There are 5 days left until the "official" end of Summer and beginning of Fall... the question is.... where DID this Summer go?
I can feel Fall in the air, and am beginning to see signs of Fall in the trees. I really actually don't mind the Fall season... it's just that... Fall comes and goes so quickly, and then before you can say Happy Halloween, we are in the midst of Winter. Fall is definitely a very beautiful time of the year, with a the beautiful colors, crispiness in the air, and a very earthy scent filling the nostrils.
On my bucket list is taking a trip up to the North East for the "color tour"... however, this won't be the year for that because my schedule is already booked thru January, but I am sure it will get checked off my bucket list in the next couple of years.
I truly try to be a positive person... so in keeping with that... I will focus on the good things that the season of Fall brings with it. Such as... caramel apples, leggings/jeans worn with boots, sweaters and scarfs, Halloween and Trick or Treating. Thanksgiving and the feast that goes with, pumpkins, apple pie, football games and tailgating, apple cider and hot chocolate, lit fires in the fire place... the list goes on and on, and I'm sure you readers have your own special things to add to this list.
Once Winter has also arrived, it's not soooo bad... the snow is pretty and delightful, Winter brings Christmas, New Years, and Valentines Day. But Winter also brings... heavy coats and sweaters that are necessary, along with the need for car hinnie heaters and defrosting the windows. Once the fun holidays of Winter have come and gone, there is always the promise that Spring is just around the corner.
I do enjoy the change that the different seasons bring with them, but no season makes me happier than Summer... with the scent of suntan lotion, chlorine, and sunshine! Here's to a fun Fall, beef stew, caramel apples, cutie patootie children in their Halloween costumes, and to boots, sweaters, and scarfs!
I can feel Fall in the air, and am beginning to see signs of Fall in the trees. I really actually don't mind the Fall season... it's just that... Fall comes and goes so quickly, and then before you can say Happy Halloween, we are in the midst of Winter. Fall is definitely a very beautiful time of the year, with a the beautiful colors, crispiness in the air, and a very earthy scent filling the nostrils.
On my bucket list is taking a trip up to the North East for the "color tour"... however, this won't be the year for that because my schedule is already booked thru January, but I am sure it will get checked off my bucket list in the next couple of years.
I truly try to be a positive person... so in keeping with that... I will focus on the good things that the season of Fall brings with it. Such as... caramel apples, leggings/jeans worn with boots, sweaters and scarfs, Halloween and Trick or Treating. Thanksgiving and the feast that goes with, pumpkins, apple pie, football games and tailgating, apple cider and hot chocolate, lit fires in the fire place... the list goes on and on, and I'm sure you readers have your own special things to add to this list.
Once Winter has also arrived, it's not soooo bad... the snow is pretty and delightful, Winter brings Christmas, New Years, and Valentines Day. But Winter also brings... heavy coats and sweaters that are necessary, along with the need for car hinnie heaters and defrosting the windows. Once the fun holidays of Winter have come and gone, there is always the promise that Spring is just around the corner.
I do enjoy the change that the different seasons bring with them, but no season makes me happier than Summer... with the scent of suntan lotion, chlorine, and sunshine! Here's to a fun Fall, beef stew, caramel apples, cutie patootie children in their Halloween costumes, and to boots, sweaters, and scarfs!
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Birthday Reflections
Today is my 55th Birthday... yes... I turned double nickels today! The weirdest part of turning 55 is that I just don't feel like I am 55... I truly feel like I'm 35. Even though my body says... "OH YES YOU ARE 55".... my brain says differently. I have never been one who dreads my Birthday or the number of years I have reached... each one is a celebration, and each day in between is a blessing. I hope to celebrate Birthdays up into my 90's or even reach 100.... IF I'm still of sound mind and body. I proclaim my age happily without hesitation, and always will.
On the day of all my Birthdays, I reflect back on the past year, what I have experienced (good and bad), and then I reflect forward on what I want to do in the year ahead. This past year has had many good times and some of my deepest saddest times as well... and this is definitely my hardest Birthday yet, because my Dear Sweet Dad passed away just 6 weeks ago. I didn't get to see, visit, or talk to my Dad often... but when we did get to connect it was ALWAYS just so special. I could always count on him calling me on my Birthday, getting a card from him with a loving message inside, and usually getting a new cookbook as a gift from him. I can't help but just feel sad today knowing I won't get that phone call from him ever again, and not smiling at receiving the cookbook he had selected just for me. The year of firsts is always the hardest when a loved one passes from your life... but it's really hard when your first first is your Birthday. I sure do miss you Dad!!!!!
Moving on to happier times of this past year... my husband Joe and I purchased a new house in Florida. It is the first house in our 35 year marriage that we bought just because we wanted to live in a certain place. Our entire marriage has been us "having" to move here or there for his career... never knowing how long we will get to stay in each place, and never knowing where the next move will take us. We decided it was time to take advantage of the slow housing market, and the great interest rates to purchase a vacation/retirement home for our future. We absolutely LOVE our new home and have already spent several weeks enjoying time in it.
I had bunion surgery on my right foot 2 days after my Birthday last year, and then bunion surgery on my left foot in January this year... here I am a year later, getting my screws removed next week and pretty much back to 100% with my feet. It was a long year of recovery, but it felt like it went quickly and the pain was far less than I expected. It was surgery that needed to be done, the pain prior to the surgery was MUCH worse than any of the pain post surgery, and here I am... all done!
I received a GORGEOUS yellow diamond bracelet from my AWESOME husband this year for our 35th wedding Anniversary! 35 years with my soulmate and love of my life.... I'm just soooo very blessed!
I've met several new friends this year, who have become some of my 'Dearest Friends'. Other than my Father's passing a few weeks ago, (which I am soooo grateful, and feel so blessed that I made it to his bedside before he passed, and held his hand until he left this world for the next) this has been a really wonderful year, full of love, friendship, opportunities, and blessings. Sooo much to look forward to in the year ahead of me.
I am looking forward to being a Guest Chef in this year in front of me... a challenge and opportunity I never thought possible. I am excited about my menu for this Guest Chef appearance, and the evening spent with others who will enjoy my labors. I look forward to many more trips, and time spent in Florida enjoying our new home with family, friends, and loved ones. I look forward to being able to play golf again after my year recovery with my feet. I look forward to continue learning the two new languages I am in the process of learning (French and Spanish). I look forward to also being able to race my husband's porsche again after my year of recovery. And with the smell and feel of Fall in the air, I am looking forward already to next Summer... my FAVORITE time of the year!
Who knows what other opportunities and blessings lie ahead of me in my path as I live each day of my 55th year... but I am excited for each day ahead of me, for every loved one and friend who I will get to spend time with this year, and for all the new challenges I will get to engage in. Getting older is a wonderful thing. We can reflect back on all our good times, cherish all the times we were able to spend with loved ones, and hopefully change those things we need to change from the lessons and mistakes we have made in the past. It is only 10:00 am and I have already had a morning filled with loving Happy Birthday wishes from loved ones, family, and friends! I truly am VERY BLESSED! Here's to my year of double nickels!!!!
On the day of all my Birthdays, I reflect back on the past year, what I have experienced (good and bad), and then I reflect forward on what I want to do in the year ahead. This past year has had many good times and some of my deepest saddest times as well... and this is definitely my hardest Birthday yet, because my Dear Sweet Dad passed away just 6 weeks ago. I didn't get to see, visit, or talk to my Dad often... but when we did get to connect it was ALWAYS just so special. I could always count on him calling me on my Birthday, getting a card from him with a loving message inside, and usually getting a new cookbook as a gift from him. I can't help but just feel sad today knowing I won't get that phone call from him ever again, and not smiling at receiving the cookbook he had selected just for me. The year of firsts is always the hardest when a loved one passes from your life... but it's really hard when your first first is your Birthday. I sure do miss you Dad!!!!!
Moving on to happier times of this past year... my husband Joe and I purchased a new house in Florida. It is the first house in our 35 year marriage that we bought just because we wanted to live in a certain place. Our entire marriage has been us "having" to move here or there for his career... never knowing how long we will get to stay in each place, and never knowing where the next move will take us. We decided it was time to take advantage of the slow housing market, and the great interest rates to purchase a vacation/retirement home for our future. We absolutely LOVE our new home and have already spent several weeks enjoying time in it.
I had bunion surgery on my right foot 2 days after my Birthday last year, and then bunion surgery on my left foot in January this year... here I am a year later, getting my screws removed next week and pretty much back to 100% with my feet. It was a long year of recovery, but it felt like it went quickly and the pain was far less than I expected. It was surgery that needed to be done, the pain prior to the surgery was MUCH worse than any of the pain post surgery, and here I am... all done!
I received a GORGEOUS yellow diamond bracelet from my AWESOME husband this year for our 35th wedding Anniversary! 35 years with my soulmate and love of my life.... I'm just soooo very blessed!
I've met several new friends this year, who have become some of my 'Dearest Friends'. Other than my Father's passing a few weeks ago, (which I am soooo grateful, and feel so blessed that I made it to his bedside before he passed, and held his hand until he left this world for the next) this has been a really wonderful year, full of love, friendship, opportunities, and blessings. Sooo much to look forward to in the year ahead of me.
I am looking forward to being a Guest Chef in this year in front of me... a challenge and opportunity I never thought possible. I am excited about my menu for this Guest Chef appearance, and the evening spent with others who will enjoy my labors. I look forward to many more trips, and time spent in Florida enjoying our new home with family, friends, and loved ones. I look forward to being able to play golf again after my year recovery with my feet. I look forward to continue learning the two new languages I am in the process of learning (French and Spanish). I look forward to also being able to race my husband's porsche again after my year of recovery. And with the smell and feel of Fall in the air, I am looking forward already to next Summer... my FAVORITE time of the year!
Who knows what other opportunities and blessings lie ahead of me in my path as I live each day of my 55th year... but I am excited for each day ahead of me, for every loved one and friend who I will get to spend time with this year, and for all the new challenges I will get to engage in. Getting older is a wonderful thing. We can reflect back on all our good times, cherish all the times we were able to spend with loved ones, and hopefully change those things we need to change from the lessons and mistakes we have made in the past. It is only 10:00 am and I have already had a morning filled with loving Happy Birthday wishes from loved ones, family, and friends! I truly am VERY BLESSED! Here's to my year of double nickels!!!!
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Guest Chef
There are some things that can be accomplished while living in a small town, that just can't be done in a big town. Being a Guest Chef at our favorite Italian Bistro is one of these things. My husband Joe and I have lived in the tiny town of Hutchinson Kansas for 3+ years now. When we first arrived to this town and discovered our favorite restaurant that we frequent every Friday Night Date night (unless we are out of town), the owners learned that I was a certified Chef and have invited me several times over these past 3 years to be a guest Chef for them.
To tell the truth, I have declined this offer each time I was asked because I was just too intimidated to give it a try. Even though I am classically trained, have my diploma, and have been cooking since the age of 6, I have never worked in a public restaurant. I am Joe's personal Chef, and I enjoy cooking meals for others when they are ill, when we are entertaining guests in our home, or when I visit my children. My favorite place to be is in the kitchen cooking, but I haven't felt I was qualified or experienced enough to actually cook for the general public. Ever since earning my Chef certificate, I have been asked numerous times if I planned on opening a restaurant or working in a restaurant. My answer is always no, because I cook for the love and passion of cooking, not to earn a living at it. Too much stress!
After much reflection, and having been asked once again to be a guest Chef, I decided I should take on the challenge. I feel like I finally have a 4 course menu plan that I am comfortable with, dishes that have become signature dishes for me, and why not give it a whirl. The dinner I will be creating for this experience will be just for 40 local folks, and will be paired with a wine tasting during the meal. It will be a mediterranean menu, having both french and italian dishes.
I am excited about this opportunity and am confident it will be a success. I will be having a mock dinner tasting with the owners of the Bistro, their Chef/date, their Sommelier/date, and another couple who work for the owners. Joe will serve the wine for our mock dinner, but the dinner is mostly for the Sommelier to taste so she can decide what wines to pair with this meal when we do the real thing, and for the owners to get an idea of my menu.
My menu is:
Appetizer - Bruschetta
Salad - Bleu Provence (I have another blog dedicated to this salad)
Main Course - Ragu w/penne pasta and crusty bread (I also have a blog dedicated to this ragu recipe)
Desert - Deconstructed Queen of Sheba Cake - (I also have a blog dedicated to this Queen of Sheba cake)
For the Bruschetta I plan on pan sauteing thick slices of french bread in a mixture of olive oil and butter, placing a slice of fresh mozzarella cheese on top, with grape heirloom tomatoes on top of the cheese and drizzled with olive oil, and then sprinkled with sliced fresh basil . I will have dabs of balsamic syrup on the plate around the bruschetta.
The Bleu Provence Salad will be a mixture of baby spring greens, fresh finely chopped herbs sprinkled on top of the greens (chives, basil, parsley, tarragon), tiny diced watermelon, and a few grape tomatoes. The dressing will be my tarragon/shallot vinaigrette.
The Ragu main course is my now famous recipe of braised beef, veal, and pork in a rich tomato sauce, served over penne pasta, with shaved fresh parmesan cheese on top, and crusty bread for sopping up the sauce.
For the deconstructed Queen of Sheba cake, I plan on making the single layer cake and cutting out small circles with a cookie cutter. I will then place the mini cakes on top of a layer of chocolate ganache, drizzled with more chocolate ganache over top, sprinkled with a few sliced almonds, and served with 3 fresh raspberries on the side.
Because the ragu is a heavy dish, I decided to lighten up both the appetizer and salad, and while the Queen of Sheba cake is very rich, it is also a very delicate desert. In fact, Joe and I both refer to this cake as chocolate cotton candy! And because ragu is a heavy dish, my guest Chef debut will be in Jan. 2014.
I am looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zone and cooking for the general public. These dishes are ones I prepare on a regular basis, always getting grand reviews when I prepare them... so I can't say I'm nervous or anxious, just excited. Those who will be attending this dinner will be locals with gourmet palates... it should be a wonderful night spent doing the thing I love most.
To tell the truth, I have declined this offer each time I was asked because I was just too intimidated to give it a try. Even though I am classically trained, have my diploma, and have been cooking since the age of 6, I have never worked in a public restaurant. I am Joe's personal Chef, and I enjoy cooking meals for others when they are ill, when we are entertaining guests in our home, or when I visit my children. My favorite place to be is in the kitchen cooking, but I haven't felt I was qualified or experienced enough to actually cook for the general public. Ever since earning my Chef certificate, I have been asked numerous times if I planned on opening a restaurant or working in a restaurant. My answer is always no, because I cook for the love and passion of cooking, not to earn a living at it. Too much stress!
After much reflection, and having been asked once again to be a guest Chef, I decided I should take on the challenge. I feel like I finally have a 4 course menu plan that I am comfortable with, dishes that have become signature dishes for me, and why not give it a whirl. The dinner I will be creating for this experience will be just for 40 local folks, and will be paired with a wine tasting during the meal. It will be a mediterranean menu, having both french and italian dishes.
I am excited about this opportunity and am confident it will be a success. I will be having a mock dinner tasting with the owners of the Bistro, their Chef/date, their Sommelier/date, and another couple who work for the owners. Joe will serve the wine for our mock dinner, but the dinner is mostly for the Sommelier to taste so she can decide what wines to pair with this meal when we do the real thing, and for the owners to get an idea of my menu.
My menu is:
Appetizer - Bruschetta
Salad - Bleu Provence (I have another blog dedicated to this salad)
Main Course - Ragu w/penne pasta and crusty bread (I also have a blog dedicated to this ragu recipe)
Desert - Deconstructed Queen of Sheba Cake - (I also have a blog dedicated to this Queen of Sheba cake)
For the Bruschetta I plan on pan sauteing thick slices of french bread in a mixture of olive oil and butter, placing a slice of fresh mozzarella cheese on top, with grape heirloom tomatoes on top of the cheese and drizzled with olive oil, and then sprinkled with sliced fresh basil . I will have dabs of balsamic syrup on the plate around the bruschetta.
The Bleu Provence Salad will be a mixture of baby spring greens, fresh finely chopped herbs sprinkled on top of the greens (chives, basil, parsley, tarragon), tiny diced watermelon, and a few grape tomatoes. The dressing will be my tarragon/shallot vinaigrette.
The Ragu main course is my now famous recipe of braised beef, veal, and pork in a rich tomato sauce, served over penne pasta, with shaved fresh parmesan cheese on top, and crusty bread for sopping up the sauce.
For the deconstructed Queen of Sheba cake, I plan on making the single layer cake and cutting out small circles with a cookie cutter. I will then place the mini cakes on top of a layer of chocolate ganache, drizzled with more chocolate ganache over top, sprinkled with a few sliced almonds, and served with 3 fresh raspberries on the side.
Because the ragu is a heavy dish, I decided to lighten up both the appetizer and salad, and while the Queen of Sheba cake is very rich, it is also a very delicate desert. In fact, Joe and I both refer to this cake as chocolate cotton candy! And because ragu is a heavy dish, my guest Chef debut will be in Jan. 2014.
I am looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zone and cooking for the general public. These dishes are ones I prepare on a regular basis, always getting grand reviews when I prepare them... so I can't say I'm nervous or anxious, just excited. Those who will be attending this dinner will be locals with gourmet palates... it should be a wonderful night spent doing the thing I love most.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Bleu Provence Salad
I have created a new salad, so fresh on your tongue, that you spend the entire time eating it trying to figure out the complex, yet simple taste of it. My husband and I found this quaint French restaurant in Naples Florida called "The Bleu Provence", where I first encountered this delish salad, and have been trying to replicate ever since. I think I have finally created a version of my own that is similar, yet unique in my own way. I'm quite pleased with my final creation, and will be making it a lot in the future... totally owning the recipe as my own, but will continue to call it Bleu Provence Salad from it's inspiration from that restaurant.
I love re-creating dishes that I have enjoyed in other places... tweaking them with my own flavor profiles, but keeping the taste in general as close to the original, so as to get the same palate sensations when I eat them that takes me back to the place when I first discover the tasty delight.
This salad is quite simple, very fresh, and very palate teasing at the same time. I have inquired about it's ingredients each time I visit this restaurant, and it only took 5 visits to this restaurant to finally put the pieces together in order to give it a try myself. My family has always enjoyed eating salads with meals, and it is always nice to add a new variety to the menu. I will include my recipe at the bottom of this blog for you to try, or to tweak as you like with you own flavor profile.
The most interesting components of this salad is the small pieces of watermelon in it, as well as the fresh minced herbs tossed throughout, and the light vinaigrette dressing which is used quite sparingly.'
I begin with a blend of baby spring greens (a mixture of baby lettuces, that can be found prepackaged in most grocery stores), rinsed and spun dry. I arrange a handful or so of these greens in individual salad bowls. Then I take a mix of fresh herbs (thyme, basil, chives, parsley or cilantro) and chop them into a find mince and sprinkle a pinch over top of each individual salad. Next comes diced watermelon... (I prefer to use the personal seedless size watermelons because... A) the lack of seeds, and... B) the sweetness level is much better... but any watermelon will do). I dice the watermelon into a small dice, and scatter over top the sprinkled on herbs. I then place 3 grape tomatoes on top that have been sliced in half, and last but not least is the homemade salad dressing. I made this salad for dinner tonight... just to make sure I had measurements and taste correct for this blog... and WOWZERS... it is my new all time favorite salad ever.
Below is my salad and dressing recipe... this salad will only be as good as the ingredients you use. This is one of those times when you need to invest in a good quality olive oil, either white or red wine vinegar and a box of kosher salt (kosher salt is inexpensive and a box goes a long way... you should be using kosher salt in all your cooking instead of table salt). Fresh herbs are a must, DO NOT substitute dried herbs, or the entire flavor profile will be altered and the delicateness of this salad will be lost completely. You can substitute any fresh herbs with the ones I have listed to create your own flavor profile.
THYME VINAIGRETTE
1/4 cup - Wine Vinegar - (I have used both white wine and red wine vinegar... both are equally delish, and it is totally your preference which one you use)
1/2 cup - Olive Oil - (use a good quality olive oil since it is being consumed in it's raw state versus a cooked state, where a less expensive olive oil matters less)
1 small - shallot, finely chopped
1 stem - fresh thyme
pinch - kosher salt - (if all you have is table salt, omit salt from this recipe)
Place all ingredients in a shaker container of any kind... tupperware, mason jar w/lid, or in an open bowl and whisk it. Mix all ingredients well... set aside... right before dressing salad, this mixture may need to be re-shaken or mixed.
BLEU PROVENCE SALAD
Baby Greens Lettuce Mixture - a handful per salad, washed and dried
1 stem - Fresh Thyme
2-3 Leaves - Fresh Basil
1 stem - Fresh Italian Parsley
3-4 - Fresh Chives
3 - Grape Tomatoes per salad, sliced in half
2 Tbsp - Watermelon per salad, small dice
Finely chop all fresh herbs together. Place a handful of greens in individual bowls, for as many as needed. Sprinkle a pinch of fresh herb mixture over top of greens. Add tomatoes and watermelon on top of fresh herb mixture. Add thyme vinaigrette right before serving, or allow individuals to add their own amount of dressing to their salads.
Serve, eat and enjoy! : )
I love re-creating dishes that I have enjoyed in other places... tweaking them with my own flavor profiles, but keeping the taste in general as close to the original, so as to get the same palate sensations when I eat them that takes me back to the place when I first discover the tasty delight.
This salad is quite simple, very fresh, and very palate teasing at the same time. I have inquired about it's ingredients each time I visit this restaurant, and it only took 5 visits to this restaurant to finally put the pieces together in order to give it a try myself. My family has always enjoyed eating salads with meals, and it is always nice to add a new variety to the menu. I will include my recipe at the bottom of this blog for you to try, or to tweak as you like with you own flavor profile.
The most interesting components of this salad is the small pieces of watermelon in it, as well as the fresh minced herbs tossed throughout, and the light vinaigrette dressing which is used quite sparingly.'
I begin with a blend of baby spring greens (a mixture of baby lettuces, that can be found prepackaged in most grocery stores), rinsed and spun dry. I arrange a handful or so of these greens in individual salad bowls. Then I take a mix of fresh herbs (thyme, basil, chives, parsley or cilantro) and chop them into a find mince and sprinkle a pinch over top of each individual salad. Next comes diced watermelon... (I prefer to use the personal seedless size watermelons because... A) the lack of seeds, and... B) the sweetness level is much better... but any watermelon will do). I dice the watermelon into a small dice, and scatter over top the sprinkled on herbs. I then place 3 grape tomatoes on top that have been sliced in half, and last but not least is the homemade salad dressing. I made this salad for dinner tonight... just to make sure I had measurements and taste correct for this blog... and WOWZERS... it is my new all time favorite salad ever.
Below is my salad and dressing recipe... this salad will only be as good as the ingredients you use. This is one of those times when you need to invest in a good quality olive oil, either white or red wine vinegar and a box of kosher salt (kosher salt is inexpensive and a box goes a long way... you should be using kosher salt in all your cooking instead of table salt). Fresh herbs are a must, DO NOT substitute dried herbs, or the entire flavor profile will be altered and the delicateness of this salad will be lost completely. You can substitute any fresh herbs with the ones I have listed to create your own flavor profile.
THYME VINAIGRETTE
1/4 cup - Wine Vinegar - (I have used both white wine and red wine vinegar... both are equally delish, and it is totally your preference which one you use)
1/2 cup - Olive Oil - (use a good quality olive oil since it is being consumed in it's raw state versus a cooked state, where a less expensive olive oil matters less)
1 small - shallot, finely chopped
1 stem - fresh thyme
pinch - kosher salt - (if all you have is table salt, omit salt from this recipe)
Place all ingredients in a shaker container of any kind... tupperware, mason jar w/lid, or in an open bowl and whisk it. Mix all ingredients well... set aside... right before dressing salad, this mixture may need to be re-shaken or mixed.
BLEU PROVENCE SALAD
Baby Greens Lettuce Mixture - a handful per salad, washed and dried
1 stem - Fresh Thyme
2-3 Leaves - Fresh Basil
1 stem - Fresh Italian Parsley
3-4 - Fresh Chives
3 - Grape Tomatoes per salad, sliced in half
2 Tbsp - Watermelon per salad, small dice
Finely chop all fresh herbs together. Place a handful of greens in individual bowls, for as many as needed. Sprinkle a pinch of fresh herb mixture over top of greens. Add tomatoes and watermelon on top of fresh herb mixture. Add thyme vinaigrette right before serving, or allow individuals to add their own amount of dressing to their salads.
Serve, eat and enjoy! : )
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Grocery Snob
If you don't know me, let me explain myself... for the most part I am a simple, easy going, laid back kind of person. I enjoy shopping at inexpensive bargain type stores, as well as name brand stores, finding the most pleasure when I find items that cost little but look expensive! However... that being said... I am a classically trained Chef, and when it comes to grocery shopping, I must admit I am somewhat of a snob.
Back in the day when my husband and I were raising our 3 daughters, money was so tight we held our breath from payday to payday, hoping and praying nothing unexpected happened that would require any additional spending funds from our bank account. Our girls had a new pair of shoes at the beginning of each new school year, and had a pair of shoes for church... when they out grew their shoes before the alloted time for buying a new pair... they basically had to continue squeezing their feet into the shoes they had until their toes literally popped out of the end of their shoes. I say this because I do know how to stretch a dollar out of 10 cents, and have done so for most of my married life. We had what we needed, and occasionally were able to get something we wanted... but mostly, we just made do with what we had, and were happy as could be to have what we needed.
That was then, and this is now. Our daughters are all grown and doing quite well on their own. My husband and I have become empty nesters, and blessedly my husband has continued to be successful in his career path. So now we can pretty much afford what we want, when we want it, we are still very respectful on how, and where we spend our hard earned dollars.
I began my cooking passion as being just a plain ole "country"cook. I've been cooking since I was 6 years old. Whenever I was allowed to 'help' in the kitchen, I was in there, pestering my Mom, my Aunt, and/or my Grandmother to let me help stir, chop, cook, or whatever they allowed me to do... mostly being allowed to set the table and place the pickles in the crystal dish! But Grandma always let us help make the biscuits, letting us roll them out and place the biscuits on the baking sheet, and then playing with the leftover dough until she needed the counter space to continue her meal prepping.
Now that I'm an official classically trained Chef, and know the difference that quality ingredients make to any dish being prepared, I have indeed become the grocery snob! 95% of my groceries purchased that are used for cooking purposes are all fresh ingredients. I rarely use any frozen, prepackaged or anything pre-processed in any way. I make my own broth/stock, spaghetti sauces, baked goods, and even creamed soups needed for recipes (such as cream of mushroom, cream of celery, etc). Now that I know how, it is just as easy for me to make everything from scratch as it does to buy pre-packaged/processed ingredients.
I am that shopper in the fresh produce department that touch, smell, twack, and thump every item I purchase. I rarely use dried herbs, usually growing my own. The only dried spices I use now are those such as, nutmeg, cinnamon, chili powder, etc. I love going down to my herb garden and snipping off fresh stems for my dinner each night. The aroma alone is worth cutting your herbs fresh as you need them. In the wintertime when I am not able to grow my own fresh herbs, I still use fresh herbs that are now available in most grocery stores all times of the year. When I am selecting my meats, I examine the package from all sides, looking for fresh color, gristle and marbling... I have been known to do the sniff factor as well to check for freshness. This kind of shopping takes a lot of time, therefore I do a big main shopping once a month and do fresh pick ups as needed.
If I am in a grocery store that carry high end quality items, I enjoy the entire shopping experience. If I am shopping at a grocery where gourmet items are in low demand, I get quite frustrated and hate the entire experience. I live in a small town where the grocery shopping experience can be quite frustrating for the gourmet Chef, and I have to drive 45 minutes to the next town to a larger store that offer more items I need for my kind of cooking. However... I am DELIGHTED that our little town is opening up a new Market Place store that will satisfy all my gourmet needs. The Grand Opening is just next week, and the entire town is beyond excited for it's opening. My husband is in the grocery business... the new store opening is in fact one of his stores... and because of his association in the grocery business, I have mostly had wonderful stores in which to do my gourmet shopping. When we moved to this tiny town, getting used to the limited grocery selections was something I had to get used to... but somehow I find a way to make it work until I can make the 45 minute trip to the larger store.
So... to sum it up... I must confess, through my cooking/gourmet training, I have turned into a grocery snob... but... I CAN make a "purse out of a sow's ear", so to speak, out of whatever ingredients I have on hand. I am deeply grateful for my classical Chef training, and hope to continue taking more cooking classes in the future. It's just one of those things that, if you know the right way to do things, you just can't go back to how you did them before, and once you taste the difference between quality ingredients over bargain ingredients, you can't go back either, unless you find yourself in the position of necessity. Should I find myself in the position of having to hold my breath between paychecks again, I can, and will make it work. I know how to stretch a dollar, grow my own food, how to can/freeze my home grown foods, and enjoy doing so. I feel so very blessed to have the opportunity to continue to hone my cooking skills each and every day, and for as long as I am able, I will use the freshest of ingredients I am able to grow or purchase.
Back in the day when my husband and I were raising our 3 daughters, money was so tight we held our breath from payday to payday, hoping and praying nothing unexpected happened that would require any additional spending funds from our bank account. Our girls had a new pair of shoes at the beginning of each new school year, and had a pair of shoes for church... when they out grew their shoes before the alloted time for buying a new pair... they basically had to continue squeezing their feet into the shoes they had until their toes literally popped out of the end of their shoes. I say this because I do know how to stretch a dollar out of 10 cents, and have done so for most of my married life. We had what we needed, and occasionally were able to get something we wanted... but mostly, we just made do with what we had, and were happy as could be to have what we needed.
That was then, and this is now. Our daughters are all grown and doing quite well on their own. My husband and I have become empty nesters, and blessedly my husband has continued to be successful in his career path. So now we can pretty much afford what we want, when we want it, we are still very respectful on how, and where we spend our hard earned dollars.
I began my cooking passion as being just a plain ole "country"cook. I've been cooking since I was 6 years old. Whenever I was allowed to 'help' in the kitchen, I was in there, pestering my Mom, my Aunt, and/or my Grandmother to let me help stir, chop, cook, or whatever they allowed me to do... mostly being allowed to set the table and place the pickles in the crystal dish! But Grandma always let us help make the biscuits, letting us roll them out and place the biscuits on the baking sheet, and then playing with the leftover dough until she needed the counter space to continue her meal prepping.
Now that I'm an official classically trained Chef, and know the difference that quality ingredients make to any dish being prepared, I have indeed become the grocery snob! 95% of my groceries purchased that are used for cooking purposes are all fresh ingredients. I rarely use any frozen, prepackaged or anything pre-processed in any way. I make my own broth/stock, spaghetti sauces, baked goods, and even creamed soups needed for recipes (such as cream of mushroom, cream of celery, etc). Now that I know how, it is just as easy for me to make everything from scratch as it does to buy pre-packaged/processed ingredients.
I am that shopper in the fresh produce department that touch, smell, twack, and thump every item I purchase. I rarely use dried herbs, usually growing my own. The only dried spices I use now are those such as, nutmeg, cinnamon, chili powder, etc. I love going down to my herb garden and snipping off fresh stems for my dinner each night. The aroma alone is worth cutting your herbs fresh as you need them. In the wintertime when I am not able to grow my own fresh herbs, I still use fresh herbs that are now available in most grocery stores all times of the year. When I am selecting my meats, I examine the package from all sides, looking for fresh color, gristle and marbling... I have been known to do the sniff factor as well to check for freshness. This kind of shopping takes a lot of time, therefore I do a big main shopping once a month and do fresh pick ups as needed.
If I am in a grocery store that carry high end quality items, I enjoy the entire shopping experience. If I am shopping at a grocery where gourmet items are in low demand, I get quite frustrated and hate the entire experience. I live in a small town where the grocery shopping experience can be quite frustrating for the gourmet Chef, and I have to drive 45 minutes to the next town to a larger store that offer more items I need for my kind of cooking. However... I am DELIGHTED that our little town is opening up a new Market Place store that will satisfy all my gourmet needs. The Grand Opening is just next week, and the entire town is beyond excited for it's opening. My husband is in the grocery business... the new store opening is in fact one of his stores... and because of his association in the grocery business, I have mostly had wonderful stores in which to do my gourmet shopping. When we moved to this tiny town, getting used to the limited grocery selections was something I had to get used to... but somehow I find a way to make it work until I can make the 45 minute trip to the larger store.
So... to sum it up... I must confess, through my cooking/gourmet training, I have turned into a grocery snob... but... I CAN make a "purse out of a sow's ear", so to speak, out of whatever ingredients I have on hand. I am deeply grateful for my classical Chef training, and hope to continue taking more cooking classes in the future. It's just one of those things that, if you know the right way to do things, you just can't go back to how you did them before, and once you taste the difference between quality ingredients over bargain ingredients, you can't go back either, unless you find yourself in the position of necessity. Should I find myself in the position of having to hold my breath between paychecks again, I can, and will make it work. I know how to stretch a dollar, grow my own food, how to can/freeze my home grown foods, and enjoy doing so. I feel so very blessed to have the opportunity to continue to hone my cooking skills each and every day, and for as long as I am able, I will use the freshest of ingredients I am able to grow or purchase.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Tribute to Dad
I've had this blog written in my head since the day my Dad died on July 17th... but because I had to leave quickly to make it to his bedside before he passed, I had to leave my laptop behind and finally was able to retrieve it today. So this blog is in honor of my Wonderful Father who left this world much too soon and is already dearly missed. I might add... other than my cousin Nancy... he was, and always will be my biggest fan, who truly enjoyed each and every blog I've ever written. LOVE YOU DAD!!!
My Dad was a very unique character. He was a bastard child, raised in a family who never really accepted him as one of their own... he was just known as "Anna's boy". He basically raised himself living on the streets, with his only nurturing coming from his beloved Grandmother Ollie. However... out of his 3 sisters and 1 brother... he is the only one who made something of himself and was successful in life. So to say he had a hard knocked life from the beginning is putting it mildly. He walked away from his life and family at the age of 16 to join the Air Force National Guard... lying about his age to get in... til the day of his death his real age was always a question.
My father was an amazing political cartoon artist with a clever wit. His panels were published in several newspapers for over 50 years. He drew for the Louisville Courier Journal back in the 1960's, he drew for the Air National Guard paper from the 1950's - 1980's, and he drew for the Shepherdsville Pioneer News from 1984 - til his death last month, July 2013. I am blessed and privileged to not only have in my possession a copy of his Air National Guard "File-13" book of cartoons that was published in 1973, but it is also personalized and dedicated to me. Like most daughters are to their father's, I was his Princess, and he always made me feel very loved and special.
To say my Dad was quirky is putting it mildly, he was a loner, preferring his own company to most others, closer to animals than he was people, but he had a heart of gold and was well liked, and well respected. He was a creature of habit, never varying from his daily tasks, no matter how bad he felt. He and my mother divorced 35 years ago, and ever since he lived like a hermit, some thinking he was actually homeless... but he was happy with his mostly solitary life. He had lady friends... two whom he loved and had long term relationships with, but they, and he, never wanted to re-marry. Even tho the divorce was his fault, he loved my mother dearly til the day he died... carrying both her picture and his wedding band in his wallet the last 35 years. I now wear their wedding bands together and therefore keep them both close to my heart and thoughts every single moment, of every single day. I also have, and wear my Grandmother's wedding band for the same reason.
My Dad was sick for quite sometime, but my brother and I (there are only the two of us... our younger sister died in 1961 at 22 months old) had no idea just how sick he was until the last 8 weeks of his life. He adamantly refused to go to the doctor or receive any medical treatment of any kind. He didn't trust doctors... thinking they would poke and prod until they found some aliment wrong. He was a smoker from the age of 8 and was 77 when he passed away... smoking his entire life. He believed he had emphysema, OPD, or lung cancer... but he never wanted to be told he had any of those things. He self medicated himself for the last 2 years... how he lived in the amount of excruciating pain he had to have had is beyond all of us. But he was as stubborn as he was determined. He actually died of lung cancer that had spread throughout his entire body, was in his bones, his liver, his abdomen, and possibly his brain. My brother and I found all this out after he collapsed outside of his home and received a phone call from a policeman, who called an ambulance and took him to the hospital. Fortunately my brother arrived 2 minutes before the ambulance did and convinced Dad he HAD to go to the hospital, because up until that moment he was still refusing any medical treatment. His last 18 hours of his life he was medicated and pain free, dying quietly and peacefully hours before hospice could begin their services. I live out of state, and I am very blessed to have been able to make it to his bedside before he passed and held his hand the last 5 hours of his life. He was alway afraid he would die alone, but blessedly my brother, myself, my eldest daughter (a nurse) were with him as he passed from this world to the next to finally meet my sister in heaven, who has been waiting for him for a long time.
Dad was actually very funny. He loved anything 'clever', whether it be a joke, a pun, or an invention. He always presented himself as a 'sad sack' kind of character, living the "Murphy's Law" life believing... he only had bad luck if he had any luck at all, and anything that could, would go wrong. He wasn't a handy man of any sort... believing everything could and should be fixed with duct tape and spit. He loved junky cars... trading one junker for the next... usually trading down! I bet he has owned over 100 junk cars in his life time. He was an avid reader, preferring Mystery's, Crime/Detective Novel's and Westerns, and he loved solving logic problems.
My brother and I worked as of one brain throughout his funeral planning, dealing with his estate affairs, and cleaning out his apartment. If he thought it, I said it and vice versa. Our most important task was to honor Dad. He never wanted a fancy funeral and he would haunt us for sure if we would have had a public funeral viewing. He wanted a quiet, plain and simple military funeral. We accomplished his wishes perfectly. We had a private viewing for my brother, myself and our family. He had an Honor Guard Flag presentation, a Gun Salute and Taps played for him. It was absolutely BEAUTIFUL! We had a small gathering afterwards and I think he would be very proud of my brother and I. Then totally unexpectedly we happened to see a news feature about his 30 year political cartoonist career on the local news. To say the least, we were completely shocked and stunned!! WHO KNEW!!! He had made such an impact on the community from his political drawings published in the weekly newspaper that this news feature ran on the news for two days straight, in the morning, afternoon, and evening segments. WOW!!!! I am sooooooo very proud for him!
After we saw the news feature, my brother and I went to visit the newspaper where he submitted his panels. We were given a view of the archives of his drawings, including the very first panel he drew for them... as well as the complete story of how he started drawing for them. He walked in one day carrying a panel with him and telling them he had drawn for newspapers in the past and wanted to be in their paper. They hired him on the spot for $5 a panel... the publisher hung his head and said... "embarrassingly, we never gave him a raise" So for 30 years he drew for this newspaper making only $20 a month!!! To him, it was never about the money, it was the love of drawing that was important to him. I know Dad had no idea how much of an impact he made on this community and how badly he is missed, but... he would be sooo proud! While we were at the newspaper, they gave us that weeks edition that had just run that day.... his column was called "Coyle's Corner" and on the page of his column they left 1/4 of the page blank, with the caption over top reading... "In Honor of Paul Coyle".... beneath it they printed his story of 30 years with them. Again... my brother and I were shocked and stunned at the tribute given to this very quiet, humble, and private man. WOWZERS!!!
Just like George Bailey in "It's A Wonderful Life".... you just never know what kind of an impact you have on people. My Dad was a quiet, unassuming man, who made a big difference and never knew it. I hope he is looking down from heaven and seeing for himself what a great man he really was... because he really was a GREAT MAN! I loved him dearly every day of my life, and I will miss him dearly for the rest of my life... but I know he is, and always will be with me, in my heart and thoughts, and on my hand with his ring. I have great comfort knowing that he, my sister, and my Grandmother are angels in heaven always watching out for me, and those they loved. Rest In Peace Dad... you were loved and appreciated, and are now missed deeply! HUGS!!! Your Princess Victoria!
Sunday, July 7, 2013
A Perfect Summer Day
It's no secret that I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Summertime. I'm outside at every opportunity, and for as long as I can possibly stay... whether it is to sit and read, walk, golf, swim, putz in my herb garden, or just sitting on the front stoop watching nature. I just want to be outside from the moment I get up out of bed, til the moment I head back to bed at the end of the day.
Every Summer I have several of those days I like to call "A PERFECT Summer Day". You might wonder what I would consider a PERFECT Summer Day to be... and the answer is... it's just one of those AWESOME hot sunny days... not too hot, but hot enough to be outside in shorts, tank top, and flip flops from sun up til sun down.... when you are with family, or friends enjoying the day together, talking, giggling, cooking out, and soaking up every moment possible.
June 14, 2013 was my first PERFECT Summer Day of this year. I was visiting my family in Kentucky, and it all started when I woke up to both my 2 year old Grand boys - Henry and Liam - (two of my daughters Lauren - (Henry) and Jessica - (Liam) gave birth to these boys just 3 weeks apart... and since birth these boys have truly been BESTEST BUDDIES!) who came running into my bedroom to wake up Gigi (me)... and instantly I saw out the window what a BEAUTIFUL day it already was, with the bright sunshine and clear blue sky in view. After eating breakfast, the boys just wanted to go 'outside'... so clad in just their diapers, shoes, and Superman shirts with capes... we took them out front so they could watch the 'tractors', which were really Bobcats work on the construction of the new home/yard across the street. Both boys just love tractors and school buses.
They played outside in the mulch with their own tractors, just having a ball. Then... they discovered a mud pool left over from the rain the evening before. All covered in mud... our only recourse was to strip them down to their diapers and spray them off with the garden hose. This led to them just wanting to run through the water spray... which they continued to do for another 1/2 hour. We finally wrap them in towels and carry them inside for a little quiet time and a snack.
I did a quick run to the Kroger store while they were having some quiet time, to gather dinner fixing ingredients. While at Kroger's I just happened to find a $10 blowup baby pool... which of course I HAD to get for the boys. When I returned home with the groceries and pool, my son-in-law Kevin was home for lunch and blew the pool up with a compressor.... WAYYY better than me turning blue trying to blow it up by mouth! We could barely get the pool in it's place in the backyard before both boys climbed in and sat while we filled it with some water. We sat outside and laughed til we cried watching them enjoy this pool together.
After they played in the pool for an hour or so, we fixed them a sandwich and decided to have a mini picnic outside. But... the boys both grabbed their sandwiches (grilled cheese) and climbed back in the pool, sat down and enjoyed eating them there while they giggled and giggled at each other eating their sandwiches.
It is now nap time and these boys are exhausted. It was 8:00 am when they first ran outside to play, it is now 1:00 pm. While the boys were taking their 3 hour naps, Lauren and I enjoyed some quiet time sitting on the back porch just chatting. I live 14 hours away from my family, and these rare moments of just visiting with each other face to face, uninterrupted are truly precious!
When the boys woke from their naps and had another snack... again... they just wanted to go back outside to play. So while Lauren had the boys back outside in the pool, I began prepping for dinner. My other daughter and husband (Jessica and Winston parents of Liam) were coming over after work to have a cook out with us. When I am in town, Jessica and Winston let me have as much time with Liam as possible, which means he sleeps over the night before so I can have the entire day with both boys the next day. Soon the others begin to arrive... first Kevin, then Jessica, and finallly Winston. We all sat on the back porch enjoying a DELISH dinner while we talked, laughed, and enjoyed watching the boys play together.
All too soon it is time to clean up after dinner, Jessica and Winston have to head home with their very worn out, and exhausted little tyke Liam to put him to bed. But before they go, the boys enjoy one last spurt of being together by taking their night time bath together. I can't believe these two aren't complete prunes, and all wrinkled up from all the water play they have enjoyed today!
This particular day started early and went til after nightfall, with each moment of the entire day being just one huge smile and giggle for me! THAT is why I called this my 1st PERFECT Summer Day!
I have had several more PERFECT Summer Days since this day... but... this particular day is STILL the front runner for the BEST OF THE BEST of PERFECT Summer Days for Summer of 2014. However... I think the week of Aug 8-15 might bump June 14th, from it's spot when our entire family gather in FL for a week vacation poolside and beachside. I'm sure after that week, I will have plenty of blog material for an update!
However... there is one PERFECT Summer Day that will never be topped... and that is June 22, 1972... when according to my childhood diary I recently found... June 22, 1972 was not only a PERFECT Summer day... but turns out... it is, and will always be, my ULTIMATE PERFECT Summer day. That was the day I met my husband Joe at my cousin's house. I was 13, he was 14.... we have been together ever since, and here we are 41 years later... still best friends, still deeply in love, and both our friendship, and our love grow leaps and bounds every single day... STILL!!! Isn't that crazy!!!! Every night when I lay my head down on my pillow I think, how is it possible that I love this man more today than I did yesterday, because I thought yesterday my love cup was full... but no.... blessedly it continues to grow even still. July 29th 1978 is also an ULTIMATE SUMMER DAY because that is the day I Joe and I married!
Here's to many more PERFECT SUMMER DAYS for all of us!
Every Summer I have several of those days I like to call "A PERFECT Summer Day". You might wonder what I would consider a PERFECT Summer Day to be... and the answer is... it's just one of those AWESOME hot sunny days... not too hot, but hot enough to be outside in shorts, tank top, and flip flops from sun up til sun down.... when you are with family, or friends enjoying the day together, talking, giggling, cooking out, and soaking up every moment possible.
June 14, 2013 was my first PERFECT Summer Day of this year. I was visiting my family in Kentucky, and it all started when I woke up to both my 2 year old Grand boys - Henry and Liam - (two of my daughters Lauren - (Henry) and Jessica - (Liam) gave birth to these boys just 3 weeks apart... and since birth these boys have truly been BESTEST BUDDIES!) who came running into my bedroom to wake up Gigi (me)... and instantly I saw out the window what a BEAUTIFUL day it already was, with the bright sunshine and clear blue sky in view. After eating breakfast, the boys just wanted to go 'outside'... so clad in just their diapers, shoes, and Superman shirts with capes... we took them out front so they could watch the 'tractors', which were really Bobcats work on the construction of the new home/yard across the street. Both boys just love tractors and school buses.
They played outside in the mulch with their own tractors, just having a ball. Then... they discovered a mud pool left over from the rain the evening before. All covered in mud... our only recourse was to strip them down to their diapers and spray them off with the garden hose. This led to them just wanting to run through the water spray... which they continued to do for another 1/2 hour. We finally wrap them in towels and carry them inside for a little quiet time and a snack.
I did a quick run to the Kroger store while they were having some quiet time, to gather dinner fixing ingredients. While at Kroger's I just happened to find a $10 blowup baby pool... which of course I HAD to get for the boys. When I returned home with the groceries and pool, my son-in-law Kevin was home for lunch and blew the pool up with a compressor.... WAYYY better than me turning blue trying to blow it up by mouth! We could barely get the pool in it's place in the backyard before both boys climbed in and sat while we filled it with some water. We sat outside and laughed til we cried watching them enjoy this pool together.
After they played in the pool for an hour or so, we fixed them a sandwich and decided to have a mini picnic outside. But... the boys both grabbed their sandwiches (grilled cheese) and climbed back in the pool, sat down and enjoyed eating them there while they giggled and giggled at each other eating their sandwiches.
It is now nap time and these boys are exhausted. It was 8:00 am when they first ran outside to play, it is now 1:00 pm. While the boys were taking their 3 hour naps, Lauren and I enjoyed some quiet time sitting on the back porch just chatting. I live 14 hours away from my family, and these rare moments of just visiting with each other face to face, uninterrupted are truly precious!
When the boys woke from their naps and had another snack... again... they just wanted to go back outside to play. So while Lauren had the boys back outside in the pool, I began prepping for dinner. My other daughter and husband (Jessica and Winston parents of Liam) were coming over after work to have a cook out with us. When I am in town, Jessica and Winston let me have as much time with Liam as possible, which means he sleeps over the night before so I can have the entire day with both boys the next day. Soon the others begin to arrive... first Kevin, then Jessica, and finallly Winston. We all sat on the back porch enjoying a DELISH dinner while we talked, laughed, and enjoyed watching the boys play together.
All too soon it is time to clean up after dinner, Jessica and Winston have to head home with their very worn out, and exhausted little tyke Liam to put him to bed. But before they go, the boys enjoy one last spurt of being together by taking their night time bath together. I can't believe these two aren't complete prunes, and all wrinkled up from all the water play they have enjoyed today!
This particular day started early and went til after nightfall, with each moment of the entire day being just one huge smile and giggle for me! THAT is why I called this my 1st PERFECT Summer Day!
I have had several more PERFECT Summer Days since this day... but... this particular day is STILL the front runner for the BEST OF THE BEST of PERFECT Summer Days for Summer of 2014. However... I think the week of Aug 8-15 might bump June 14th, from it's spot when our entire family gather in FL for a week vacation poolside and beachside. I'm sure after that week, I will have plenty of blog material for an update!
However... there is one PERFECT Summer Day that will never be topped... and that is June 22, 1972... when according to my childhood diary I recently found... June 22, 1972 was not only a PERFECT Summer day... but turns out... it is, and will always be, my ULTIMATE PERFECT Summer day. That was the day I met my husband Joe at my cousin's house. I was 13, he was 14.... we have been together ever since, and here we are 41 years later... still best friends, still deeply in love, and both our friendship, and our love grow leaps and bounds every single day... STILL!!! Isn't that crazy!!!! Every night when I lay my head down on my pillow I think, how is it possible that I love this man more today than I did yesterday, because I thought yesterday my love cup was full... but no.... blessedly it continues to grow even still. July 29th 1978 is also an ULTIMATE SUMMER DAY because that is the day I Joe and I married!
Here's to many more PERFECT SUMMER DAYS for all of us!
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Bucket List = Life List
At some point in our lives, we all take time to reflect on our past accomplishments, and then set goals for the next thing to be accomplished. Some call it their Bucket Lists, some call it their Life Lists... they are actually both the same no matter what you call it. Some lists are just that... lists of things we would like to do, but really know are impossible to fulfill, other lists are things we actually plan on fulfilling. Either way... we all have lists of what to do next.
Now that I am in my Feisty Fifties, my Bucket List/Life List seems to be growing by the day. It's a shame that when we are young and full of zest, we can't afford most of the things we want to do, or we don't have enough life experience to know what we want, or know what we can possibly achieve... mostly when we are young... we are just too busy living life to think about the BIG future and really growing old.
I've decided to share my lists on this blog... this is where you can gracefully bail out of reading the rest of this post and not feel you have wasted any time... or... you can keep reading and get a peek inside of a feisty fifty plus year old woman's head.
Things I really want to accomplish in my life time...
1. Celebrate our 75th Wedding Anniversary... (we married young... as of this posting... we are close to 1/2 there... 35 years!)
2. Learn multiple languages... including sign language
3. Earn a pilot's license
4. Visit all 50 States
5. Visit to Disney World... No... Joe nor I have ever been!
6. Travel to Australia
7. Continue college education
8. Travel by train across the US
9. Attend the Olympics
10. Visit Asia
11. Learn to sail
12. Have a Starbucks drink named after me.... actually.... this one is in the process of being checked off... Here in teeny tiny Hutch, such things are possible... I'm actually campaigning for it, and have just begun to see results! If you are ever in Hutch just order a "Vickie" and you will get a "venti green tea/lemonade, 1/2 sweet, extra ice in a trenti cup. It's DELISH!!!
I have more on my bucket list.... and as I stated earlier... the list continues to grow. It's like the more life experiences I have, the more things I get interested in and want to pursue.
Things I've done that I never dreamed of doing...
1. Hosted a Late Night TV show live on air
2. Have lived in 7 states... granted a drivers license in 6 of these states... which means I had to pass that darn written test 8 times.... we lived in 2 states twice
3. Own and drive a convertible car... not being a car person, I could never care less... in fact I never liked convertibles... until I received my 50th B-day present from my husband... now I drive every single day possible with the top down... my hinnie heaters and heaters may be on, the windows rolled up... but the top is down!
4. Went to college and graduated with a 4.0 GPA... earning my Culinary Arts Chef Certificate... at age 50!!
5. Sat next to Tiger Woods at a Charity Dinner on my 27th Wedding Anniversary
6. Met, and was kissed by Jimmy Dean several times... sorry Jimmy Dean fans... but this experience was a bit gross!
7. Learned to play golf and I actually enjoy it
8. Learned to drive my husband's Porsche Carrera 911 on a real race track... I LOVE doing this!!
9. Have traveled around Europe the last 10 years of my life
10. Own two homes... one with palm trees... never thought I'd actually own a palm tree!
11. Have an autographed photo of my husband and myself with Muhammad Ali and wife Lonnie hanging in my current home
12. Sat next to, and have a personalized autographed name place card from Astronaut/Senator John Glenn... this experience is among my very favorites... I heard from his wife's (Annie) mouth their Love story... and I LOVE Love stories! At the time of our meeting, they had been married for 67 years, met each other at the age of 4, were next door neighbors and in love their entire lives!
I think boring you with 12 things is enough... this list too is growing by the day... and I have been blessed with many more pretty unique experiences... all thanks to my wonderful husband Joe!
But at the end of the day.... I just want to have done my best for that day and hope to be able to do my best for the upcoming day. The more I do, the more I'm inspired to do, and the more I realize just how quickly time is flying past, and how little time there is to accomplish my entire Bucket/Life List... but I"m sure gonna have fun trying to check off each and every box on my list!
Now that I am in my Feisty Fifties, my Bucket List/Life List seems to be growing by the day. It's a shame that when we are young and full of zest, we can't afford most of the things we want to do, or we don't have enough life experience to know what we want, or know what we can possibly achieve... mostly when we are young... we are just too busy living life to think about the BIG future and really growing old.
I've decided to share my lists on this blog... this is where you can gracefully bail out of reading the rest of this post and not feel you have wasted any time... or... you can keep reading and get a peek inside of a feisty fifty plus year old woman's head.
Things I really want to accomplish in my life time...
1. Celebrate our 75th Wedding Anniversary... (we married young... as of this posting... we are close to 1/2 there... 35 years!)
2. Learn multiple languages... including sign language
3. Earn a pilot's license
4. Visit all 50 States
5. Visit to Disney World... No... Joe nor I have ever been!
6. Travel to Australia
7. Continue college education
8. Travel by train across the US
9. Attend the Olympics
10. Visit Asia
11. Learn to sail
12. Have a Starbucks drink named after me.... actually.... this one is in the process of being checked off... Here in teeny tiny Hutch, such things are possible... I'm actually campaigning for it, and have just begun to see results! If you are ever in Hutch just order a "Vickie" and you will get a "venti green tea/lemonade, 1/2 sweet, extra ice in a trenti cup. It's DELISH!!!
I have more on my bucket list.... and as I stated earlier... the list continues to grow. It's like the more life experiences I have, the more things I get interested in and want to pursue.
Things I've done that I never dreamed of doing...
1. Hosted a Late Night TV show live on air
2. Have lived in 7 states... granted a drivers license in 6 of these states... which means I had to pass that darn written test 8 times.... we lived in 2 states twice
3. Own and drive a convertible car... not being a car person, I could never care less... in fact I never liked convertibles... until I received my 50th B-day present from my husband... now I drive every single day possible with the top down... my hinnie heaters and heaters may be on, the windows rolled up... but the top is down!
4. Went to college and graduated with a 4.0 GPA... earning my Culinary Arts Chef Certificate... at age 50!!
5. Sat next to Tiger Woods at a Charity Dinner on my 27th Wedding Anniversary
6. Met, and was kissed by Jimmy Dean several times... sorry Jimmy Dean fans... but this experience was a bit gross!
7. Learned to play golf and I actually enjoy it
8. Learned to drive my husband's Porsche Carrera 911 on a real race track... I LOVE doing this!!
9. Have traveled around Europe the last 10 years of my life
10. Own two homes... one with palm trees... never thought I'd actually own a palm tree!
11. Have an autographed photo of my husband and myself with Muhammad Ali and wife Lonnie hanging in my current home
12. Sat next to, and have a personalized autographed name place card from Astronaut/Senator John Glenn... this experience is among my very favorites... I heard from his wife's (Annie) mouth their Love story... and I LOVE Love stories! At the time of our meeting, they had been married for 67 years, met each other at the age of 4, were next door neighbors and in love their entire lives!
I think boring you with 12 things is enough... this list too is growing by the day... and I have been blessed with many more pretty unique experiences... all thanks to my wonderful husband Joe!
But at the end of the day.... I just want to have done my best for that day and hope to be able to do my best for the upcoming day. The more I do, the more I'm inspired to do, and the more I realize just how quickly time is flying past, and how little time there is to accomplish my entire Bucket/Life List... but I"m sure gonna have fun trying to check off each and every box on my list!
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Ebbs and Tides of Life
There are ebbs and tides... or in other words... ups and downs... in all our lives. Times in life when you are needed to help others, and times when you need help yourself.
The thing is... no one really likes to ask for, or take help when they need it. We all would rather be the needed help, than needing help. I've been among the needing help several times in my life time... and each time... family and friends came out of the woodwork to lend me a hand, and/or comfort me through tough times. I am one of those who would never ask for help or act like I need it... yet... my loved knows just knew I needed help and came just because the loved me. As of this week I myself am being released from 9 months of recovering from 2 foot surgeries (bunions)... and I am soooooo delighted that I am crossing back over from the 'needing help'... to... being able to 'help others'. I must say.... it's a really good feeling!
Just this week I felt called to make a road trip to check out a very dear loved one... who won't ask for, or take help... EVER! I know you are reading this blog, and you know who you are! : ) I am so sorry that my loved one is suffering from any pain... whether from a hanged nail or illness... but I was glad that I could go give and get hugs, make and deliver, my famous cure all chicken noodle soup... along with some of my special mac and cheese. My heart feels better that I was able to visit and spend time with my loved one... but my heart also aches because I live so far away and not able to visit on a more regular basis. I hope I get to return soon for more visits and take more home cooked treats.
But no matter if you are needed, or in need... those who you go to to aide, or those who come to your aid, invited or not... we/they are really just saying "I LOVE YOU"!!!... and "if all I can do for you is to let you know that... then I will do it every single day until you are better".
As someone who has needed aid, and reluctantly, but gratefully accepted, and deeply appreciated it... my heart sings knowing I'm so very blessed to have so many loved ones (family and friends) who care so much about me. My aid came from calls, cards, texts, emails, FB posts, personal visits and care taking visits, food deliveries, flowers.... love came from many people, from all over... all just to say... we are sorry you feel bad and we hope you feel better real soon! But if I myself am the care giver/tender, my heart also soars because I feel like I was able to do something to help another person in need, and hopefully make their crummy day have one less moment of pain or discomfort.
My husband Joe calls me "The Fixer".... I honestly just can't help it. I come from a family of AWESOME women who are also all "FIXERS", who have inspired, and taught me how to tend to and care for others. My Grandma is the first to come to mind because she ALWAYS had the exact thing you needed, just when you needed it... from aspirins and salves, to duct tape and wrenches. She had every single 'gadget' ever introduced to the public for sale... and it made her day complete if she was able to fuss over someone and make them feel better or special.
My grandma's daughters... my Mom and Aunt... not only learned these loving and nurturing talents from her, but continued to pass them on through myself and my cousins... who we continue to pass on through our daughters, and we will continue to pass on down through our granddaughters too. Every single one of us can, and will, be in your face and/or space when we feel you need aid. We will ask you a thousand questions... we will poke and prod... we will feel your head and take your temperature... we will smother you in hugs and kisses, and ooohs and ahhs... we will try our best to make you eat something... usually chicken soup (which we all know cures EVERYTHING!!... even heart aches and stressful days!!)... but all this is done in love because all we know is that, we HAVE to do something! And secretly... I kinda think those getting all this care and attention like it, and it does make them feel better... I say this only because of my personal experience of being on the receiving end and having been given such attention.
I'm sure we can be seen as annoying when you really just want to be left alone. But again... I think that these attentions make everything feel a bit better just because it takes your mind off your aches and pains for a bit. When your feel bad hurts... it hurts! No one wants to be messed with when they feel bad... but usually it's a necessary nuscence.
To that very special loved one in my life that this blog is specifically written for... I hear you and I respect all your wishes because I LOVE YOU that much! I'm here for you anytime you need me, and I'm always just a phone call away when you feel up to a chat. I will be back as soon as I can to come enjoy more chatting visits and bring you more home made goodies. I'm glad all my girls were able to come visit with you as well... they love and miss you bunches! Hope you feel better today, and always know you are in my thoughts and prayers every single day! Sending BIG HUGS from your Victoria!!!
PS... the purpose of this blog is because I just want you to know I am truly listening to what you want... and because you told me how much my blogs mean to you! MUAH!!!!!
The thing is... no one really likes to ask for, or take help when they need it. We all would rather be the needed help, than needing help. I've been among the needing help several times in my life time... and each time... family and friends came out of the woodwork to lend me a hand, and/or comfort me through tough times. I am one of those who would never ask for help or act like I need it... yet... my loved knows just knew I needed help and came just because the loved me. As of this week I myself am being released from 9 months of recovering from 2 foot surgeries (bunions)... and I am soooooo delighted that I am crossing back over from the 'needing help'... to... being able to 'help others'. I must say.... it's a really good feeling!
Just this week I felt called to make a road trip to check out a very dear loved one... who won't ask for, or take help... EVER! I know you are reading this blog, and you know who you are! : ) I am so sorry that my loved one is suffering from any pain... whether from a hanged nail or illness... but I was glad that I could go give and get hugs, make and deliver, my famous cure all chicken noodle soup... along with some of my special mac and cheese. My heart feels better that I was able to visit and spend time with my loved one... but my heart also aches because I live so far away and not able to visit on a more regular basis. I hope I get to return soon for more visits and take more home cooked treats.
But no matter if you are needed, or in need... those who you go to to aide, or those who come to your aid, invited or not... we/they are really just saying "I LOVE YOU"!!!... and "if all I can do for you is to let you know that... then I will do it every single day until you are better".
As someone who has needed aid, and reluctantly, but gratefully accepted, and deeply appreciated it... my heart sings knowing I'm so very blessed to have so many loved ones (family and friends) who care so much about me. My aid came from calls, cards, texts, emails, FB posts, personal visits and care taking visits, food deliveries, flowers.... love came from many people, from all over... all just to say... we are sorry you feel bad and we hope you feel better real soon! But if I myself am the care giver/tender, my heart also soars because I feel like I was able to do something to help another person in need, and hopefully make their crummy day have one less moment of pain or discomfort.
My husband Joe calls me "The Fixer".... I honestly just can't help it. I come from a family of AWESOME women who are also all "FIXERS", who have inspired, and taught me how to tend to and care for others. My Grandma is the first to come to mind because she ALWAYS had the exact thing you needed, just when you needed it... from aspirins and salves, to duct tape and wrenches. She had every single 'gadget' ever introduced to the public for sale... and it made her day complete if she was able to fuss over someone and make them feel better or special.
My grandma's daughters... my Mom and Aunt... not only learned these loving and nurturing talents from her, but continued to pass them on through myself and my cousins... who we continue to pass on through our daughters, and we will continue to pass on down through our granddaughters too. Every single one of us can, and will, be in your face and/or space when we feel you need aid. We will ask you a thousand questions... we will poke and prod... we will feel your head and take your temperature... we will smother you in hugs and kisses, and ooohs and ahhs... we will try our best to make you eat something... usually chicken soup (which we all know cures EVERYTHING!!... even heart aches and stressful days!!)... but all this is done in love because all we know is that, we HAVE to do something! And secretly... I kinda think those getting all this care and attention like it, and it does make them feel better... I say this only because of my personal experience of being on the receiving end and having been given such attention.
I'm sure we can be seen as annoying when you really just want to be left alone. But again... I think that these attentions make everything feel a bit better just because it takes your mind off your aches and pains for a bit. When your feel bad hurts... it hurts! No one wants to be messed with when they feel bad... but usually it's a necessary nuscence.
To that very special loved one in my life that this blog is specifically written for... I hear you and I respect all your wishes because I LOVE YOU that much! I'm here for you anytime you need me, and I'm always just a phone call away when you feel up to a chat. I will be back as soon as I can to come enjoy more chatting visits and bring you more home made goodies. I'm glad all my girls were able to come visit with you as well... they love and miss you bunches! Hope you feel better today, and always know you are in my thoughts and prayers every single day! Sending BIG HUGS from your Victoria!!!
PS... the purpose of this blog is because I just want you to know I am truly listening to what you want... and because you told me how much my blogs mean to you! MUAH!!!!!
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Frog Eyed Salad
Thats right... Frog Eyed Salad!!! Until last week I had never heard of such a thing... so when my husband called and asked if I had ever eaten it... and... would I make it for him... I thought... WHAT??!! But I googled it, and indeed found a recipe for Frog Eyed Salad. It's actually an italian pasta salad made with fruit juices, fruit, mini marshmallows and whipped cream.
Today I actually made a batch of Frog Eyed Salad... and I have to say... it is yummylious! It is more of a sweet treat/dessert kind of salad than a salad that would or should be served with dinner, but it is definitely worth the effort. This would be the perfect 'covered dish' to take to any kind of social gathering, especially a church social. I as always will include the recipe I used at the end of this blog for any of you who wish to give it a try yourselves.
My husband Joe is a true 'Foodie'. I am always saying... "He will eat anything that doesn't eat him first!!", which is a very true statement. If any of you are familiar with Anthony Bourdain or Andrew Zimmerman... then you would understand my above statement about my husband, because these men are on Joe's bucket list of men to meet and/or dine with as they introduce any new and/or exotic foods to his palate. Both of us enjoy watching cooking and food shows, and often end up preparing various recipes, and dishes we have seen on these shows. In fact... if you have read my "Love Through the Male Tummy" blog, the ragu recipe in that blog came from an Anthony Bourdain episode that Joe watched and described the recipe to me so I could prepare it for him... my ragu is now one of his all time favorite dishes I make for him.
I must admit that I am the complete opposite of Joe... known very well to my friends and family as "Picky Vickie"(In fact... the Meg Ryan/Sally Albright character in the movie "When Harry Met Sally" is exactly how I am)... but I must say that my palate has improved and grown because of Joe's influence and from my experience from culinary school. I am still quite picky, but I now enjoy tons of food I would have never gone near in the past. However, I will read a recipe and tweak it as I am making it to suit my personal tastes and preferred flavor profiles. As a child it was a rare moment when I would go near a vegetable, in fact as a child I have sat at the dinner table many a night for hours and hours after everyone else had eaten and been excused from the table because I refused to eat vegetables or other foods, and now I eat lots of fresh vegetables and foods. My Mother is amazed at some of the things I prepare and eat these days!
If you have read any of my blogs in the past... you will notice it has been since December that I last published anything on my blog. The reason is... I have been recovering from foot surgeries and haven't had the focus or inspiration to write anything... that is until this whole Frog Eyed Salad discovery. I'm assuming this salad gets it's name because the italian pasta used in this recipe must resemble the texture of frog eyes... which is completely gross... so I think it should be renamed... Yummylious Pasta Fruit Salad! Here below is the recipe... it takes less than 20 miniutes to prepare, but 8 hours to set in the refrigerator before serving.
FROG EYED SALAD
1/2 cup - Sugar
2 - egg yolks
1 heaping TBSP - flour
1 cup - pineapple juice
1- 1/2 tsp - lemon juice (Fresh... NOT imitation or bottled)
8 oz - acini di pepe pasta (italian pasta)
1 (20 oz) can pineapple bits or chunks (in pineapple juice... NOT syrup) - drained
1 (11 oz) can mandarin oranges - drained
1/3 cup - maraschino cherries, chopped
8 oz - miniature marshmallows
6 oz - whipped topping
1. In large saucepan over low heat, combine sugar, egg yolks, flour, pineapple juice, and lemon juice. Stir and cook until thickened... (it will be more like a thickened sauce vs a custard consistency). Remove from heat.
2. While sauce is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 - 10 minutes or until al dente (al dente has a slight soft crunch to it), drain and rinse with cold water.
3. In large bowl, combine cooked mixture with pasta and toss to coat thoroughly. Refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
4. Toss pasta with pineapple, mandarin oranges, maraschino cherries, marshmallows, and whipped topping. Refrigerate until serving.
Today I actually made a batch of Frog Eyed Salad... and I have to say... it is yummylious! It is more of a sweet treat/dessert kind of salad than a salad that would or should be served with dinner, but it is definitely worth the effort. This would be the perfect 'covered dish' to take to any kind of social gathering, especially a church social. I as always will include the recipe I used at the end of this blog for any of you who wish to give it a try yourselves.
My husband Joe is a true 'Foodie'. I am always saying... "He will eat anything that doesn't eat him first!!", which is a very true statement. If any of you are familiar with Anthony Bourdain or Andrew Zimmerman... then you would understand my above statement about my husband, because these men are on Joe's bucket list of men to meet and/or dine with as they introduce any new and/or exotic foods to his palate. Both of us enjoy watching cooking and food shows, and often end up preparing various recipes, and dishes we have seen on these shows. In fact... if you have read my "Love Through the Male Tummy" blog, the ragu recipe in that blog came from an Anthony Bourdain episode that Joe watched and described the recipe to me so I could prepare it for him... my ragu is now one of his all time favorite dishes I make for him.
I must admit that I am the complete opposite of Joe... known very well to my friends and family as "Picky Vickie"(In fact... the Meg Ryan/Sally Albright character in the movie "When Harry Met Sally" is exactly how I am)... but I must say that my palate has improved and grown because of Joe's influence and from my experience from culinary school. I am still quite picky, but I now enjoy tons of food I would have never gone near in the past. However, I will read a recipe and tweak it as I am making it to suit my personal tastes and preferred flavor profiles. As a child it was a rare moment when I would go near a vegetable, in fact as a child I have sat at the dinner table many a night for hours and hours after everyone else had eaten and been excused from the table because I refused to eat vegetables or other foods, and now I eat lots of fresh vegetables and foods. My Mother is amazed at some of the things I prepare and eat these days!
If you have read any of my blogs in the past... you will notice it has been since December that I last published anything on my blog. The reason is... I have been recovering from foot surgeries and haven't had the focus or inspiration to write anything... that is until this whole Frog Eyed Salad discovery. I'm assuming this salad gets it's name because the italian pasta used in this recipe must resemble the texture of frog eyes... which is completely gross... so I think it should be renamed... Yummylious Pasta Fruit Salad! Here below is the recipe... it takes less than 20 miniutes to prepare, but 8 hours to set in the refrigerator before serving.
FROG EYED SALAD
1/2 cup - Sugar
2 - egg yolks
1 heaping TBSP - flour
1 cup - pineapple juice
1- 1/2 tsp - lemon juice (Fresh... NOT imitation or bottled)
8 oz - acini di pepe pasta (italian pasta)
1 (20 oz) can pineapple bits or chunks (in pineapple juice... NOT syrup) - drained
1 (11 oz) can mandarin oranges - drained
1/3 cup - maraschino cherries, chopped
8 oz - miniature marshmallows
6 oz - whipped topping
1. In large saucepan over low heat, combine sugar, egg yolks, flour, pineapple juice, and lemon juice. Stir and cook until thickened... (it will be more like a thickened sauce vs a custard consistency). Remove from heat.
2. While sauce is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 - 10 minutes or until al dente (al dente has a slight soft crunch to it), drain and rinse with cold water.
3. In large bowl, combine cooked mixture with pasta and toss to coat thoroughly. Refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
4. Toss pasta with pineapple, mandarin oranges, maraschino cherries, marshmallows, and whipped topping. Refrigerate until serving.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
It's Advent Calendar time again (2012)
Oh My Goodness! I'm soooo excited! It's that time of year again to bring out all my advent calendars in preparation of the Christmas Season. They all begin on Dec. 1st... so if you like to participate in this wonderful Christmas activity... you only have 2 days left to dig them out of storage, or go purchase one to put out.
My dear friend visited me yesterday and spent the entire day decorating my house for Christmas. Katie has a wonderful eye for decorating and adding tweaking touches that takes decorations from "Oh that looks nice!" to "WOW that looks AWESOME". I have crafty talents, but I have never had that kind of decorating eye, so I am always beyond deep appreciation for her time and talents she shares with me. My job in the decorating process was to drag all the boxes out of storage and unload the items we wanted to use this year. As most of you readers... I'm sure you have more decorations stored away than you have room to use... this is certainly true in my case. But... OF COURSE... the first box unloaded was all of my advent calendars. If I only had the room to decorate sparsely... my Christmas Tree is a must and my advent calendars... I would miss all the other items, but would still feel Christmas complete if I only have a Christmas Tree to look at and my advent calendars to do everyday.
I am truly sitting here with a big smile on my face as I type this blog, in the anticipation of beginning my daily round each morning to do all my advent calendars. This year my count is up to 14... which include... 4 wooded ones, 4 starbucks puzzle ones, 2 snowmen w/artificial trees, 1 3D that revolves, 1 wire one, 1 that lights up, and 1 homemade felt/beaded and sequined one w/pockets (this one I made myself). All have meaning and memories behind them, and each one gives me much joy each year as I count down to Christmas.
Starting on Dec. 1st I begin my day by putting the kettle on to boil for my morning tea, then I light my fragrant scented (Mistletoe) Yankee candles, and then I begin my trek around the house to do each and every one of my advent calendars. Some of the calendars require adding an ornament to an artificial tree, or adding an ornament onto a peg from a drawer... some require me to flip the ornaments from the date to a printed design side... some I open a drawer to reveal a lit scene... some have drawers that contain a sweet treat inside and after retrieving said treat, I flip the drawer around to reveal a piece of a puzzle that will be completed on Dec. 24 (these are my starbucks ones)... one I move a stuffed candy cane from pocket to pocket each day... and one has me retrieve a magnet ornament from a drawer and place on the revolving tree.
Which one of these is my favorite? Hmmmm.... that is a good question, because... as I am doing each calendar I exclaim... "OH GOSH!!, this is my favorite"... that is until I get to the next one and repeat that phrase over and over and over. Some I like because they are just so unique and cool, some I like because the of the deep sentimental value they hold in my heart... and some are just kitchy and odd, how could I not love those?
I thought my 'collection' was complete and had no intention of adding any more.... due to, where do I put any more?... but... last year during a Christmas party I won another one (the lit one), then I found one on clearance after Christmas last year and it was sooooo huge and cool that I just couldn't pass it up... and then just recently while searching for a couple of starbucks advent calendars to give away as gifts to my dear friend's sons... I stumbled upon one I didn't know existed, but went with my starbucks collection, so again... how could I pass that up? So my collection grew by 3 in this past year, all totally accidently! I promise I wasn't even looking! My eye just can't help finding cool advent calendars randomly, and when it does, I just can't ignore such an opportunity. I'm sure one day my house will be over runneth with advent calendars... which I think it already is... but until I truly have not an inch of space to put them, I will continue to enjoy these delightful calendars every single Christmas Season.
I currently have 2 grandsons, and there may be more grandchildren who will arrive over the next several years... perhaps one of their sweet faces will implore me to share a particular favorite of theirs with them and I won't be able to resist, knowing my treasured advent calendar is moving on to be their treasure... and how could I say no to that? I would still enjoy the pleasures of any calendar I might give away to them because it would still be treasured in new eyes!
Last year when my grandsons were not quite a year old, I bought them their first wooden advent calendar to start their collection... knowing it would be a couple of years before they would be able to enjoy it, but also knowing they would never know a Christmas without having an advent calendar. Then this year I found two fabric panels of an advent calendar that my Mother-in-law had made for my oldest daughter back in 1982, it has long since been discontinued and very hard to find on ebay... but my persistence paid off and I scored two of them (one for each of my grandsons) back in Feb of this year. I just last week mailed these finished quilted advent calendars to them (made very lovingly for them by me... Gigi) along with the original one I revamped and mailed to my oldest daughter who has not had a child yet (but officially the original one was made for her)... so now all 3 of my daughters have a cherished childhood memory hanging on their walls this year to continue to enjoy and make new memories with their children... and seriously... how AWESOME is that??
Two days and I'm anxiously counting down for the advent season to begin! My hope is that you will be inspired to begin, renew, or experience this wonderful tradition along with me. I promise it will put a smile on your face and a giddy up in your step!
My dear friend visited me yesterday and spent the entire day decorating my house for Christmas. Katie has a wonderful eye for decorating and adding tweaking touches that takes decorations from "Oh that looks nice!" to "WOW that looks AWESOME". I have crafty talents, but I have never had that kind of decorating eye, so I am always beyond deep appreciation for her time and talents she shares with me. My job in the decorating process was to drag all the boxes out of storage and unload the items we wanted to use this year. As most of you readers... I'm sure you have more decorations stored away than you have room to use... this is certainly true in my case. But... OF COURSE... the first box unloaded was all of my advent calendars. If I only had the room to decorate sparsely... my Christmas Tree is a must and my advent calendars... I would miss all the other items, but would still feel Christmas complete if I only have a Christmas Tree to look at and my advent calendars to do everyday.
I am truly sitting here with a big smile on my face as I type this blog, in the anticipation of beginning my daily round each morning to do all my advent calendars. This year my count is up to 14... which include... 4 wooded ones, 4 starbucks puzzle ones, 2 snowmen w/artificial trees, 1 3D that revolves, 1 wire one, 1 that lights up, and 1 homemade felt/beaded and sequined one w/pockets (this one I made myself). All have meaning and memories behind them, and each one gives me much joy each year as I count down to Christmas.
Starting on Dec. 1st I begin my day by putting the kettle on to boil for my morning tea, then I light my fragrant scented (Mistletoe) Yankee candles, and then I begin my trek around the house to do each and every one of my advent calendars. Some of the calendars require adding an ornament to an artificial tree, or adding an ornament onto a peg from a drawer... some require me to flip the ornaments from the date to a printed design side... some I open a drawer to reveal a lit scene... some have drawers that contain a sweet treat inside and after retrieving said treat, I flip the drawer around to reveal a piece of a puzzle that will be completed on Dec. 24 (these are my starbucks ones)... one I move a stuffed candy cane from pocket to pocket each day... and one has me retrieve a magnet ornament from a drawer and place on the revolving tree.
Which one of these is my favorite? Hmmmm.... that is a good question, because... as I am doing each calendar I exclaim... "OH GOSH!!, this is my favorite"... that is until I get to the next one and repeat that phrase over and over and over. Some I like because they are just so unique and cool, some I like because the of the deep sentimental value they hold in my heart... and some are just kitchy and odd, how could I not love those?
I thought my 'collection' was complete and had no intention of adding any more.... due to, where do I put any more?... but... last year during a Christmas party I won another one (the lit one), then I found one on clearance after Christmas last year and it was sooooo huge and cool that I just couldn't pass it up... and then just recently while searching for a couple of starbucks advent calendars to give away as gifts to my dear friend's sons... I stumbled upon one I didn't know existed, but went with my starbucks collection, so again... how could I pass that up? So my collection grew by 3 in this past year, all totally accidently! I promise I wasn't even looking! My eye just can't help finding cool advent calendars randomly, and when it does, I just can't ignore such an opportunity. I'm sure one day my house will be over runneth with advent calendars... which I think it already is... but until I truly have not an inch of space to put them, I will continue to enjoy these delightful calendars every single Christmas Season.
I currently have 2 grandsons, and there may be more grandchildren who will arrive over the next several years... perhaps one of their sweet faces will implore me to share a particular favorite of theirs with them and I won't be able to resist, knowing my treasured advent calendar is moving on to be their treasure... and how could I say no to that? I would still enjoy the pleasures of any calendar I might give away to them because it would still be treasured in new eyes!
Last year when my grandsons were not quite a year old, I bought them their first wooden advent calendar to start their collection... knowing it would be a couple of years before they would be able to enjoy it, but also knowing they would never know a Christmas without having an advent calendar. Then this year I found two fabric panels of an advent calendar that my Mother-in-law had made for my oldest daughter back in 1982, it has long since been discontinued and very hard to find on ebay... but my persistence paid off and I scored two of them (one for each of my grandsons) back in Feb of this year. I just last week mailed these finished quilted advent calendars to them (made very lovingly for them by me... Gigi) along with the original one I revamped and mailed to my oldest daughter who has not had a child yet (but officially the original one was made for her)... so now all 3 of my daughters have a cherished childhood memory hanging on their walls this year to continue to enjoy and make new memories with their children... and seriously... how AWESOME is that??
Two days and I'm anxiously counting down for the advent season to begin! My hope is that you will be inspired to begin, renew, or experience this wonderful tradition along with me. I promise it will put a smile on your face and a giddy up in your step!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Thanksgiving 2012
Unbelievably it is that time of year again... Thanksgiving arrives tomorrow! WOW!!! Where did time go?? This year I participated in the "Month of November Thankfulness" on FB... where every day my status post is something I am Thankful for. So for this blog... I have decided to blog those posts for those who read my blog, but do not have accessibility to my FB page.
Nov. 1
I'm Grateful for having time to spend with my family... (at the time of this post, I had just been given an unexpected opportunity to fly to Kentucky for an 8 day visit with my family)
Nov. 2
I'm Grateful for the technology and devices that keep me connected to loved ones while I currently live 14 hours away from them all. (Back in the early days of our marriage when we moved far away from home, we did not have the technology or devices to keep in touch with our loved ones... we only had RARE long distance phone calls and snail mail... I'm sooo blessed keeping in touch is so much easier these days)
Nov. 3
I am Thankful, Grateful, and Appreciative for 40 years of Joe, and for my 2nd family that came with him. (I met my husband at the tender age of 13... we have been a couple ever since... and I am blessed that his Parents, Brothers/Sister, Grandparents, and Aunts/Uncles, have accepted me as one of their own... and think I am actually blood related!)
Nov. 4
I'm Blessed and Grateful for 54 years of being a daughter of the most AWESOME Mother... Happy Birthday Mom!!! I love you bunches, thank you for all you've done and all you continue to do for me and my family!!! (Nov. 4 is my Mom's actual birthday... she truly has been and always is just AWESOME!)
Nov. 5
I am very Thankful and Blessed to have enjoyed the wonders of Motherhood for 32 years with 3 lovely, smart, independent daughters who have grown into beautiful young women, and are all growing their own branches on our family tree. (As any proud parent... having my daughters has been one of the biggest blessings in my life... they continue to make me proud every day, as they reach out and enrich others with their gifts and talents, and continue to grow themselves through education, hard work, and involvement in their churches.)
Nov. 6
I am Thankful, Grateful, Appreciative, and Honored to be a citizen of the USA, where I have the freedom and liberty to worship, educate myself, speak my voice, and vote in the elections that choose our country's leaders. My deep THANKS of gratitude for all those who serve our country to keep it free! (Nov. 6th was Election Day here in the USA for our next President... women haven't always had the chance to vote, speak their minds, or educate themselves... I am Blessed to be of the generation who have always had these privileges!)
Nov. 7
I am Thankful and Grateful to all of those who came to my aid during my recovery time... THANK YOU soooo much to all my Caregivers and Drivers... THANK YOU to all of you who sent Get Well wishes via prayers, cards, texts, FB messages, phone calls, and with flowers. I could not have gotten thru this without you, and am VERY Blessed for each and every one of you. I am 90% healed, back on my two feet, will be driving in 2 more weeks, I'm almost there! (I had bunion surgery on my right foot on Sept. 5th... it was a painful and long 3 month recovery, but I was able to manage the pain nicely and push through the recovery easier than most... I had some AWESOME folks who flew, drove, and came to my aid during that time... THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!!!)
Nov. 8
Today I am Thankful and Grateful for all the simple pleasures and chores of life that make me feel independent again... making my bed, running the vacuum, getting my hair done, clipping the toenails on my recovering foot (FINALLY), washing the dishes... But mostly for being able to be a caregiver again instead of a care needer. (I am fiercely independent... I was born to nurture others... it truly is in my nature... and I have had AWESOME examples of women in my family who are nurturing and caregivers... so it makes it very hard for me to allow others to be my caregiver in times of need... but through life I have had the need several times, and I understand how good others feel when they can be there for me as much as I feel good being there for them... however... once my time of need is over, I am soooo grateful to do the simplest of chores that we take for granted and moan about everyday... it has been said... you always miss what you have most after it is gone!)
Nov. 9
I am Thankful and Grateful for the HUGE Blessing of being a Grandparent to two precious toddler boys and 2 fur babies, who make me smile every day. And I'm blessed and comforted knowing these babies all have AWESOME parents! (I've wanted to be a Grandparent for many years... now that I am, I completely understand what a wonderful gift it is! My daughters are wonderful parents and pet owners, who nourish their children and their pets with as much discipline as they do love.)
Nov. 10
I am Thankful and Grateful to have a new dear friend in my life, and who is now my neighbor as of this weekend! Welcome to Hutch Norma and Steve!! The giggles have just begun!!! (Several years ago I met Norma and Steve briefly for a couple of hours on a racing outing. This past Sept. Steve was promoted to the Hutchinson Division. When reintroduced to him and his wife, I instantly remembered that day several years ago and what pleasant folks they were. While Norma was in town house hunting, we had the opportunity to reconnect... all we did was giggle... she was in town for a week and we had a couple more days spent together as I was played Ambassador to the town of Hutch. This is a hard move for them, as they are, and have been very close to their families in Ohio and will be separated from their only Grandchild - a 7 yr old Granddaughter, whom they see everyday. They purchased a house 2 doors down from us and are now not only new dear friends, but neighbors... I'm soooo Blessed they are now part of our everyday lives!)
Nov. 11
I am Thankful that my first thought and action this morning was to spring up out of bed with pure joy in my heart knowing I'm about to attend services at my beloved church. I know my heart will be singing the rest of the day! Sooooo Blessed! (Before our move to Hutch, I had looked for 10 years to find a Church home... we had had several wonderful Church's we belonged to through all our moves... but when we moved to Columbus OH, and then to Northern KY, we just never found that perfect Church home we had known in the past. But... that all changed the first weekend I was in Hutch house hunting when I walked in to my all time favorite Church ever! You just know when a Church fits your spiritual needs. I attended this Church every Sunday I was available... until last Dec. when it all changed. We had gotten a new Pastor who was soooooo AWFUL, after 3 months of being in our Church, he had all but destroyed our Church and a boycott was actually in place. I have spent many an hour on my knees in prayer over this issue, because all I wanted was to be back attending services in my Beloved Church. As of Nov. 8 that all changed when he was given severance and left the Church. Since then the Church has come back together and is back to being the AWESOME Church home and family is was before the horrible Pastor... Nov. 11 was the first Sunday service after the Pastor left)
Nov. 12
I am Thankful for growing up in a military family who taught me "Love of Country", "Pride in the USA Flag", "Discipline", and "Appreciation" for all who have ever served, who continue to serve, and those who will serve in the future to keep our country free and strong. God Bless you all as we celebrate all of you! (Nov. 12 was Veteran's Day here in USA, where we honor and celebrate our military past, present, and future for serving our Country. My father was in the Air Force Reserves, and my Uncle was in the Army. I am Blessed for always knowing how important the military is to keeping the USA a free Country)
Nov. 13
I'm sooo Thankful for the soreness I feel from my pilates workout yesterday from the Abby-nator!!! I'm back in the groove and my last step (pun intended!!!) to feeling 100% normal!!! (I work hard on my health and fitness... my favorite fitness workout is pilates... I have an incredible pilates instructor who is also a dear friend... Nov. 12 was my first day in 3 months to return to working on my fitness after my foot surgery... it feels sooo good to feel sooo sore!)
Nov. 14
I am Thankful to find such pleasure in reading a good book... I find myself becoming so familiar with the characters, that upon finishing the book, I've actually met new friends! (I have had a love of reading since I was a child... which I give Thanks to both my parents for setting the example of reading as well as encouraging my love of reading.)
Nov. 15
I am Thankful for Plan B... Which is usually 'Mo Better' than Plan A!
Shopping excursion fails
Cookie Baking Prevails!
(Plan A was a shopping excursion to Kansas City - a 3 1/2 hour drive from Hutch - for Christmas shopping with my two Best Buddies Abby-Pilates instructor, and Norma-new girl in town... I had to cancel out because of not being able to be on my foot for an 'all day of shopping'... so... just because we wanted to spend the day together with some quality 'girls time', we ditched the shopping trip and decided to just gather together for cookie baking. 'Mo Better' is a term Abby uses frequently)
Nov. 16
I am sooo very Thankful to be living in the wonderful little town of Hutchinson (aka Hutch)... where time has stood still, no one is a stranger, people are genuine, and welcoming, and just want to be your friend. A stroll down Main street on any afternoon comes with Church bells and Chimes ringing, and not only is it like living in Mayberry, it reminds me so much of the hometown of my youth! Such a privilege to have been given the Blessing of the experience of Hutch! (We moved from Cincinnati OH, to a teeny tiny town in the middle of Kansas 2 1/2 years ago... Hutch truly is a treasure to be discovered and I will always be Grateful we have had the opportunity to be moved here for work purposes.)
Nov. 17
I am Thankful for the loving example set by my in-laws as they celebrated their 56th Wedding Anniversary today! HAPPY Anniversary Mom and Pop! (This post pretty much speaks for itself)
Nov. 18
I am Thankful for all the gifts and talents the LORD has Blessed me with, and for the gifts and talents others have taken time to teach and share with me... May I always 'Pay It Forward' every opportunity I have. (I come from a family who are artistic and/or crafty... who have created things from hand, from pure necessity to works of art.. and because I grew up surrounded with this, I learned how to problem solve and think outside of the box. My Grandmother allowed me to be 'under foot' while she cooked, and while she encouraged me with great patience my love of cooking... my Mom and Aunt continued to share their cooking knowledge with me after I married and needed recipes or 'how do you do this' questions. My Mom/Grandma/Aunt all work with their hands creating garments, quilts, and decorations from whatever they had at hand. I appreciate being taught 'the right way' to do things, and never wasting anything.
Nov. 19
I am Thankful for the Glorious Sunny weather we have had here in Hutchinson this past week, and that this week of Thanksgiving we will be enjoying temperatures in the 70's! No whining here! (I am a sun worshiper... I LOVE LOVE LOVE the sun! I want to be outside as much as possible... therefore I like the heat and begin to whine when temperatures dip below 75. The temperatures of Kansas is just one more reason why I love living here)
Nov. 20
I am Thankful for handmade gifts. As a giver and receiver of handmade gifts, I know the love and thought of the individual the gift is being made for that goes into each one... and the remembrance of the maker each time the gift is seen or used. Handmade gifts are my most precious treasures! (This post goes perfectly with the post of Nov. 18)
Nov. 21
I am Thankful for everyone who has come to visit us over the years no matter where we have lived. They have taken vacations, holidays, long weekends, and/or stopped by on their way to or from other destinations. We appreciate you for making us feel special, and our doors are always open, the welcome mat is always out! (Having moved away from my childhood home, all my friends, and relatives the day I married... I have lived far away from my loved ones most my life. We have met many new precious friends along our moves, and to all new or old friends, and family... we appreciate you thinking of us and coming to spend time with us!)
Nov. 22 - Tomorrow
Tomorrow has not yet come... and there are still 8 days left to post "Thankful Thoughts" in the month of November... I must stop here for my blog. But... for tomorrow and the rest of the month of November... I am Thankful for you my readers, I am Thankful for every thought, deed, and prayer on my behalf, I am Thankful for every privilege I've been given or will ever receive, I'm Thankful for everyday I wake up and everyday I crawl into bed at the end of the day, I'm Thankful for having GOD in my heart who keeps me trying to do the right thing to everyone everyday. I wish you many Blessings in your own lives and a Very Happy Thanksgiving 2012! May God Bless you all!
Nov. 1
I'm Grateful for having time to spend with my family... (at the time of this post, I had just been given an unexpected opportunity to fly to Kentucky for an 8 day visit with my family)
Nov. 2
I'm Grateful for the technology and devices that keep me connected to loved ones while I currently live 14 hours away from them all. (Back in the early days of our marriage when we moved far away from home, we did not have the technology or devices to keep in touch with our loved ones... we only had RARE long distance phone calls and snail mail... I'm sooo blessed keeping in touch is so much easier these days)
Nov. 3
I am Thankful, Grateful, and Appreciative for 40 years of Joe, and for my 2nd family that came with him. (I met my husband at the tender age of 13... we have been a couple ever since... and I am blessed that his Parents, Brothers/Sister, Grandparents, and Aunts/Uncles, have accepted me as one of their own... and think I am actually blood related!)
Nov. 4
I'm Blessed and Grateful for 54 years of being a daughter of the most AWESOME Mother... Happy Birthday Mom!!! I love you bunches, thank you for all you've done and all you continue to do for me and my family!!! (Nov. 4 is my Mom's actual birthday... she truly has been and always is just AWESOME!)
Nov. 5
I am very Thankful and Blessed to have enjoyed the wonders of Motherhood for 32 years with 3 lovely, smart, independent daughters who have grown into beautiful young women, and are all growing their own branches on our family tree. (As any proud parent... having my daughters has been one of the biggest blessings in my life... they continue to make me proud every day, as they reach out and enrich others with their gifts and talents, and continue to grow themselves through education, hard work, and involvement in their churches.)
Nov. 6
I am Thankful, Grateful, Appreciative, and Honored to be a citizen of the USA, where I have the freedom and liberty to worship, educate myself, speak my voice, and vote in the elections that choose our country's leaders. My deep THANKS of gratitude for all those who serve our country to keep it free! (Nov. 6th was Election Day here in the USA for our next President... women haven't always had the chance to vote, speak their minds, or educate themselves... I am Blessed to be of the generation who have always had these privileges!)
Nov. 7
I am Thankful and Grateful to all of those who came to my aid during my recovery time... THANK YOU soooo much to all my Caregivers and Drivers... THANK YOU to all of you who sent Get Well wishes via prayers, cards, texts, FB messages, phone calls, and with flowers. I could not have gotten thru this without you, and am VERY Blessed for each and every one of you. I am 90% healed, back on my two feet, will be driving in 2 more weeks, I'm almost there! (I had bunion surgery on my right foot on Sept. 5th... it was a painful and long 3 month recovery, but I was able to manage the pain nicely and push through the recovery easier than most... I had some AWESOME folks who flew, drove, and came to my aid during that time... THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!!!)
Nov. 8
Today I am Thankful and Grateful for all the simple pleasures and chores of life that make me feel independent again... making my bed, running the vacuum, getting my hair done, clipping the toenails on my recovering foot (FINALLY), washing the dishes... But mostly for being able to be a caregiver again instead of a care needer. (I am fiercely independent... I was born to nurture others... it truly is in my nature... and I have had AWESOME examples of women in my family who are nurturing and caregivers... so it makes it very hard for me to allow others to be my caregiver in times of need... but through life I have had the need several times, and I understand how good others feel when they can be there for me as much as I feel good being there for them... however... once my time of need is over, I am soooo grateful to do the simplest of chores that we take for granted and moan about everyday... it has been said... you always miss what you have most after it is gone!)
Nov. 9
I am Thankful and Grateful for the HUGE Blessing of being a Grandparent to two precious toddler boys and 2 fur babies, who make me smile every day. And I'm blessed and comforted knowing these babies all have AWESOME parents! (I've wanted to be a Grandparent for many years... now that I am, I completely understand what a wonderful gift it is! My daughters are wonderful parents and pet owners, who nourish their children and their pets with as much discipline as they do love.)
Nov. 10
I am Thankful and Grateful to have a new dear friend in my life, and who is now my neighbor as of this weekend! Welcome to Hutch Norma and Steve!! The giggles have just begun!!! (Several years ago I met Norma and Steve briefly for a couple of hours on a racing outing. This past Sept. Steve was promoted to the Hutchinson Division. When reintroduced to him and his wife, I instantly remembered that day several years ago and what pleasant folks they were. While Norma was in town house hunting, we had the opportunity to reconnect... all we did was giggle... she was in town for a week and we had a couple more days spent together as I was played Ambassador to the town of Hutch. This is a hard move for them, as they are, and have been very close to their families in Ohio and will be separated from their only Grandchild - a 7 yr old Granddaughter, whom they see everyday. They purchased a house 2 doors down from us and are now not only new dear friends, but neighbors... I'm soooo Blessed they are now part of our everyday lives!)
Nov. 11
I am Thankful that my first thought and action this morning was to spring up out of bed with pure joy in my heart knowing I'm about to attend services at my beloved church. I know my heart will be singing the rest of the day! Sooooo Blessed! (Before our move to Hutch, I had looked for 10 years to find a Church home... we had had several wonderful Church's we belonged to through all our moves... but when we moved to Columbus OH, and then to Northern KY, we just never found that perfect Church home we had known in the past. But... that all changed the first weekend I was in Hutch house hunting when I walked in to my all time favorite Church ever! You just know when a Church fits your spiritual needs. I attended this Church every Sunday I was available... until last Dec. when it all changed. We had gotten a new Pastor who was soooooo AWFUL, after 3 months of being in our Church, he had all but destroyed our Church and a boycott was actually in place. I have spent many an hour on my knees in prayer over this issue, because all I wanted was to be back attending services in my Beloved Church. As of Nov. 8 that all changed when he was given severance and left the Church. Since then the Church has come back together and is back to being the AWESOME Church home and family is was before the horrible Pastor... Nov. 11 was the first Sunday service after the Pastor left)
Nov. 12
I am Thankful for growing up in a military family who taught me "Love of Country", "Pride in the USA Flag", "Discipline", and "Appreciation" for all who have ever served, who continue to serve, and those who will serve in the future to keep our country free and strong. God Bless you all as we celebrate all of you! (Nov. 12 was Veteran's Day here in USA, where we honor and celebrate our military past, present, and future for serving our Country. My father was in the Air Force Reserves, and my Uncle was in the Army. I am Blessed for always knowing how important the military is to keeping the USA a free Country)
Nov. 13
I'm sooo Thankful for the soreness I feel from my pilates workout yesterday from the Abby-nator!!! I'm back in the groove and my last step (pun intended!!!) to feeling 100% normal!!! (I work hard on my health and fitness... my favorite fitness workout is pilates... I have an incredible pilates instructor who is also a dear friend... Nov. 12 was my first day in 3 months to return to working on my fitness after my foot surgery... it feels sooo good to feel sooo sore!)
Nov. 14
I am Thankful to find such pleasure in reading a good book... I find myself becoming so familiar with the characters, that upon finishing the book, I've actually met new friends! (I have had a love of reading since I was a child... which I give Thanks to both my parents for setting the example of reading as well as encouraging my love of reading.)
Nov. 15
I am Thankful for Plan B... Which is usually 'Mo Better' than Plan A!
Shopping excursion fails
Cookie Baking Prevails!
(Plan A was a shopping excursion to Kansas City - a 3 1/2 hour drive from Hutch - for Christmas shopping with my two Best Buddies Abby-Pilates instructor, and Norma-new girl in town... I had to cancel out because of not being able to be on my foot for an 'all day of shopping'... so... just because we wanted to spend the day together with some quality 'girls time', we ditched the shopping trip and decided to just gather together for cookie baking. 'Mo Better' is a term Abby uses frequently)
Nov. 16
I am sooo very Thankful to be living in the wonderful little town of Hutchinson (aka Hutch)... where time has stood still, no one is a stranger, people are genuine, and welcoming, and just want to be your friend. A stroll down Main street on any afternoon comes with Church bells and Chimes ringing, and not only is it like living in Mayberry, it reminds me so much of the hometown of my youth! Such a privilege to have been given the Blessing of the experience of Hutch! (We moved from Cincinnati OH, to a teeny tiny town in the middle of Kansas 2 1/2 years ago... Hutch truly is a treasure to be discovered and I will always be Grateful we have had the opportunity to be moved here for work purposes.)
Nov. 17
I am Thankful for the loving example set by my in-laws as they celebrated their 56th Wedding Anniversary today! HAPPY Anniversary Mom and Pop! (This post pretty much speaks for itself)
Nov. 18
I am Thankful for all the gifts and talents the LORD has Blessed me with, and for the gifts and talents others have taken time to teach and share with me... May I always 'Pay It Forward' every opportunity I have. (I come from a family who are artistic and/or crafty... who have created things from hand, from pure necessity to works of art.. and because I grew up surrounded with this, I learned how to problem solve and think outside of the box. My Grandmother allowed me to be 'under foot' while she cooked, and while she encouraged me with great patience my love of cooking... my Mom and Aunt continued to share their cooking knowledge with me after I married and needed recipes or 'how do you do this' questions. My Mom/Grandma/Aunt all work with their hands creating garments, quilts, and decorations from whatever they had at hand. I appreciate being taught 'the right way' to do things, and never wasting anything.
Nov. 19
I am Thankful for the Glorious Sunny weather we have had here in Hutchinson this past week, and that this week of Thanksgiving we will be enjoying temperatures in the 70's! No whining here! (I am a sun worshiper... I LOVE LOVE LOVE the sun! I want to be outside as much as possible... therefore I like the heat and begin to whine when temperatures dip below 75. The temperatures of Kansas is just one more reason why I love living here)
Nov. 20
I am Thankful for handmade gifts. As a giver and receiver of handmade gifts, I know the love and thought of the individual the gift is being made for that goes into each one... and the remembrance of the maker each time the gift is seen or used. Handmade gifts are my most precious treasures! (This post goes perfectly with the post of Nov. 18)
Nov. 21
I am Thankful for everyone who has come to visit us over the years no matter where we have lived. They have taken vacations, holidays, long weekends, and/or stopped by on their way to or from other destinations. We appreciate you for making us feel special, and our doors are always open, the welcome mat is always out! (Having moved away from my childhood home, all my friends, and relatives the day I married... I have lived far away from my loved ones most my life. We have met many new precious friends along our moves, and to all new or old friends, and family... we appreciate you thinking of us and coming to spend time with us!)
Nov. 22 - Tomorrow
Tomorrow has not yet come... and there are still 8 days left to post "Thankful Thoughts" in the month of November... I must stop here for my blog. But... for tomorrow and the rest of the month of November... I am Thankful for you my readers, I am Thankful for every thought, deed, and prayer on my behalf, I am Thankful for every privilege I've been given or will ever receive, I'm Thankful for everyday I wake up and everyday I crawl into bed at the end of the day, I'm Thankful for having GOD in my heart who keeps me trying to do the right thing to everyone everyday. I wish you many Blessings in your own lives and a Very Happy Thanksgiving 2012! May God Bless you all!
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Witnessing, Belief, Answers
This past month has been delightfully strange to say the least... this blog entry is 'my story' that I thought needed to be shared, because it is just that AWESOME... so to give fair warning... it may be a bit wordy and long... but... stories tend to be like that... so either grab a cuppa tea/coffee, prop your feet up for awhile and continue to read on... or... click off and go on your way... I totally understand if you bail here.
My story begins with my Orkin man coming to do my scheduled maintenance bug spraying. We have lived in this house two years now... and as always... whenever we move into a new home, one of the first things I do is to call Orkin to begin regular bug spraying to keep our home bug free... I've used them for 20 years and am very pleased with their service. Any hoo... I digress... my bug man "Stephen" is from Scotland, and has a very heavy brogue accent, making it difficult to understand him... therefore I have always been polite, but never encouraged conversation with him, only because I could not understand him, and didn't want to keep saying to him "I'm sorry I didn't quite get that".
On his first visit 2 years ago, we were discussing what had brought my husband Joe and I to this new home, and we chatted about our families. He shared with me on that first visit that he had recently lost a child, but he didn't elaborate on the cause of his son's death, and I didn't ask, I felt if he wanted me to know more he would have shared his story with me then. Fast forward to 4 weeks ago, when he came to do his regular spraying. I recently had foot surgery and have been laid up since September 5th (2012), Stephen stopped to chat with me and ask about my surgery when he was finished with his spraying. What made us begin this particular conversation... or rather "witnessing" session... I have no idea other than he asked about my surgery... which turned into an hour long conversation... that for the first time in 2 years, I totally understood every word he spoke in his Scottish brogue.
Our conversation turned into our personal faith and beliefs. His story is AMAZING... it would take another very long blog to tell it all in detail... which would be totally worth the read... but... to be concise... basically this man is just like Job in the bible. He has had misery after misery, he has lost everything, picked himself back up and restarted many times... all the while holding tight to his faith and a positive attitude. Personally, I truly believe God put this man in my path on that particular day for a reason. Stephen was not looking for pity... he was just sharing his story from questions I was asking him. I was laying on the couch with my foot propped on pillows, Stephen stood across the room, and for an hour (which seemed like only moments) he poured out his personal story, and the story of his son's death... which led me to share my own story of my families heartache, and loss of my sister when I was just a 3 year old child.
Stephen (like Joe and I) met his first wife at the tender age of 13, they married young, had children... a daughter and a son... and life was good. One day his wife decided she had married too young, had children too young, and had missed her youth. She told him she wanted a divorce so she could go find and enjoy her youth again. He was devastated and totally blindsided... he 'thought' they were a very happy family. His wife told him he could take the children as long as she was allowed to keep all government money alloted for them. She then became the town drunk and whore, while he began to rebuild his life. Years later he met his current wife and they moved to the United States to begin their lives together in the land of promise. They too had children... a daughter, and then girl/boy twins.
One night two years ago he received the phone call that his son had died in Scotland... he had drowned while taking a bath. At this point I asked how old his son was... 11 was his answer... so without thinking... I ask him if he had fallen in the bathtub... he replied No... Stephen was told the boy had been sick with a cold, had taken cold meds and must have become dizzy from the meds and drowned... however... the autopsy revealed the child had not been sick, and there were no signs of any medications in his system. The next day a blizzard hit Scotland... 4 feet of snow made it impossible for him to get back to Scotland for his son's funeral.
As Stephen continued to share and witness with me about his son, he told me his son was a very Godly boy, and had remained behind in Scotland with his mother to try and save her from her drunken and whorish ways. Stephen believes the boy committed suicide because he was unable to help his mother and could no longer tolerate, or be forced to live with her life style, as man after man came in and out of his home to bed his mother. At this point I was completely silent and in tears... Stephen spoke all of this to me in a very calm and steady voice... like a blanket of sorrow that he alone would bear. I shared my own story of my sister's death, and how much I wished I had known her... how I have always wondered if I had been a good big sister to her during her short life... would I have been a good big sister to her had she lived? I shared with him that I have ALWAYS known she is, and always has been with me, and to this day I KNOW she still watches over me. To digress a bit again... my Grandmother had a special gift of premonition, and spiritual awareness that she passed on to myself, my youngest daughter Lauren, and my cousin Nancy. While we appreciate her gift, at times it is hard to explain to others and understand. Either you believe or you don't believe us... we are ok with either... we don't ask, or expect everyone to understand or believe, we just share/witness to those who do. We have all had visions in such detail about things we could never possibly know about, that when shared with other loved ones, and then told them about the details... they know we could never have just made this up. To those who do believe, they find great comfort from what we share.
After Stephen left my house that day I started to get several prayer requests from loved ones, both friends and family, or I heard several things of concern that were on the hearts of my loved ones. I never mentioned this witnessing with Stephen to anyone, only because as life does, things got busy and I honestly forgot about it... but... I did find myself often in deep prayer that week of Stephen's visit.
Fast forward again to the week after Stephen's visit. Rarely do I ever include myself in my prayer requests.. but in times of great need of spiritual guidance I do ask for it, making sure to ask for clear answers that are so obvious I will know what God's plan is. When most of us pray... we already have what we think the 'perfect' solution is in our minds, and we want/expect for those solutions to happen. Each and every time I have found myself on my knees asking for answers, whatever they may be, I am always totally open to anything... believing that when I give it to God, I have to let it go... God ALWAYS gives me my answers and they have NEVER been anything I could have dreamt up in my wildest dreams... then I KNOW for sure that is what I am supposed to do, and it is amazing how perfect his answers are. I truly blindly trust when this happens and I have never regretted it.
My personal prayer request occurred when I least expected it. I had gone to the basement to fetch a soda out of the beverage refrigerator when I literally, and suddenly became overwhelmed with the need to get on my knees on the cold basement floor and just pray. I had been praying for my concern for awhile... but it was more like a daily prayer of guidance vs the deep gut releasing request that occurred in the basement that night. It was a Monday night at 10:30 p.m., Joe was out of town and I was all alone in the house. Joe and I had not been able to attend church here for the past 6 months due to a terrible split of our church over the new pastor... and I still can't believe one man could completely destroy a congregation like he did. At the time the split occurred, Joe and I were in the process of becoming members, and the split forced us to put our membership plans on hold. At no time during this 6 months did we entertain the thought of just going to another church... this church was worth waiting for the resolution. That night on my knees... all I was asking God was for guidance... were Joe and I doing the right thing... were we supposed to begin the search for a new church, or continue to just wait? What did God want us to do? After pouring my heart out to God, I continued on my knees to pray for some loved ones who are really going through a hard time, and how could I possibly help, or make a difference. Out of no where... completely unexpectedly, and without her being on my mind... my sister appeared to me, and I instantly knew God had my ear, everything would be Ok, and a peace I can never come close to explaining came over me.
After my prayer session that night in the basement... I forgot about my soda and just went up to bed... waking up the next morning, going about my business, and never mentioning my experience from the night before to anyone. And then... prayers began getting answered... in ways I could never have imagined. Since the prayers for others are personal and private, I can't and won't share those prayers or answers... and at first, even I didn't realize what was happening... until... my own prayer request was answered 3 days later on Thursday afternoon. Our church sends out a bulletin each Thursday before church on Sunday. For that past 6 months I have been so upset about the circumstances at our church, that as soon as the bulletin arrives in our mailbox, it goes instantly into the trash without me even glancing at it. On this particular Thursday Joe collected the mail (he never collects the mail, except for when I'm out of town)... as he went through the mail he handed me the bulletin not knowing I never read it anymore... and... as I was tossing it in the trash an insert fell out... as I picked up the insert to toss in the trash, something caught my eye causing me to actually read it. It was written by the new Interim Pastor!!!!! He was writing about how the problem Pastor had been given severance and was gone... and then he continued to write about how the church could now move forward, reunite, and heal. I instantly fell again to my knees in prayer of Thanksgiving... and it was like connecting the dots to all of the other answered prayers that week, and how each of those answered prayers were every single thing I was requesting of God that night on the basement floor.
For the next two weeks random, and amazing things continued to happen... each one with such clarity that I knew God truly had had my ear that night... and because I truly let go of each and every concern on my heart that night as I gave them to God, I also knew without any doubt what God's plan was for me to do for each of my prayer requests... and thus began my witnessing of these events to others... including the night in the basement that I had not spoken about to anyone. I did not plan, or set out to witness so much, or to so many people this past month... but each witnessing session (whether it was I doing the witnessing, or I was being witnessed to) was completely spontaneous, but so rewarding!
That Sunday I returned to church. Every single word the Interim Pastor spoke during his sermon, and every single lyric to every song we sang resonated in my heart as if those words, and lyrics were meant only, and specially for me. I quietly wept thru the entire service... which was an outdoor, by the lake service... the only outdoor/lakeside service our church holds each year, with a cookout after the service. It felt like a movie version of my prayers... with my head wanting to scream this doesn't really happen in real life, while my heart was loudly praising... yes it does, when you pray, believe, and trust in the LORD.
This story, and this journey all began the day Stephen witnessed his story with me, completely out of the blue, and completely trusting me with his faith. The purpose of this particular blog entry is continue my witnessing that I feel God wants me to do, to reach as many people as possible who have their own deep prayer requests, and to help them believe prayers ARE answered. When you experience the kind of AMAZING things I have witnessed this past month, it is impossible to keep it to yourself. I feel VERY Blessed to have been chosen to not only have this spiritual experience, but to feel compelled to share it. I continue to get prayer requests, and I continue to pray for them.... May God Bless you all!
My story begins with my Orkin man coming to do my scheduled maintenance bug spraying. We have lived in this house two years now... and as always... whenever we move into a new home, one of the first things I do is to call Orkin to begin regular bug spraying to keep our home bug free... I've used them for 20 years and am very pleased with their service. Any hoo... I digress... my bug man "Stephen" is from Scotland, and has a very heavy brogue accent, making it difficult to understand him... therefore I have always been polite, but never encouraged conversation with him, only because I could not understand him, and didn't want to keep saying to him "I'm sorry I didn't quite get that".
On his first visit 2 years ago, we were discussing what had brought my husband Joe and I to this new home, and we chatted about our families. He shared with me on that first visit that he had recently lost a child, but he didn't elaborate on the cause of his son's death, and I didn't ask, I felt if he wanted me to know more he would have shared his story with me then. Fast forward to 4 weeks ago, when he came to do his regular spraying. I recently had foot surgery and have been laid up since September 5th (2012), Stephen stopped to chat with me and ask about my surgery when he was finished with his spraying. What made us begin this particular conversation... or rather "witnessing" session... I have no idea other than he asked about my surgery... which turned into an hour long conversation... that for the first time in 2 years, I totally understood every word he spoke in his Scottish brogue.
Our conversation turned into our personal faith and beliefs. His story is AMAZING... it would take another very long blog to tell it all in detail... which would be totally worth the read... but... to be concise... basically this man is just like Job in the bible. He has had misery after misery, he has lost everything, picked himself back up and restarted many times... all the while holding tight to his faith and a positive attitude. Personally, I truly believe God put this man in my path on that particular day for a reason. Stephen was not looking for pity... he was just sharing his story from questions I was asking him. I was laying on the couch with my foot propped on pillows, Stephen stood across the room, and for an hour (which seemed like only moments) he poured out his personal story, and the story of his son's death... which led me to share my own story of my families heartache, and loss of my sister when I was just a 3 year old child.
Stephen (like Joe and I) met his first wife at the tender age of 13, they married young, had children... a daughter and a son... and life was good. One day his wife decided she had married too young, had children too young, and had missed her youth. She told him she wanted a divorce so she could go find and enjoy her youth again. He was devastated and totally blindsided... he 'thought' they were a very happy family. His wife told him he could take the children as long as she was allowed to keep all government money alloted for them. She then became the town drunk and whore, while he began to rebuild his life. Years later he met his current wife and they moved to the United States to begin their lives together in the land of promise. They too had children... a daughter, and then girl/boy twins.
One night two years ago he received the phone call that his son had died in Scotland... he had drowned while taking a bath. At this point I asked how old his son was... 11 was his answer... so without thinking... I ask him if he had fallen in the bathtub... he replied No... Stephen was told the boy had been sick with a cold, had taken cold meds and must have become dizzy from the meds and drowned... however... the autopsy revealed the child had not been sick, and there were no signs of any medications in his system. The next day a blizzard hit Scotland... 4 feet of snow made it impossible for him to get back to Scotland for his son's funeral.
As Stephen continued to share and witness with me about his son, he told me his son was a very Godly boy, and had remained behind in Scotland with his mother to try and save her from her drunken and whorish ways. Stephen believes the boy committed suicide because he was unable to help his mother and could no longer tolerate, or be forced to live with her life style, as man after man came in and out of his home to bed his mother. At this point I was completely silent and in tears... Stephen spoke all of this to me in a very calm and steady voice... like a blanket of sorrow that he alone would bear. I shared my own story of my sister's death, and how much I wished I had known her... how I have always wondered if I had been a good big sister to her during her short life... would I have been a good big sister to her had she lived? I shared with him that I have ALWAYS known she is, and always has been with me, and to this day I KNOW she still watches over me. To digress a bit again... my Grandmother had a special gift of premonition, and spiritual awareness that she passed on to myself, my youngest daughter Lauren, and my cousin Nancy. While we appreciate her gift, at times it is hard to explain to others and understand. Either you believe or you don't believe us... we are ok with either... we don't ask, or expect everyone to understand or believe, we just share/witness to those who do. We have all had visions in such detail about things we could never possibly know about, that when shared with other loved ones, and then told them about the details... they know we could never have just made this up. To those who do believe, they find great comfort from what we share.
After Stephen left my house that day I started to get several prayer requests from loved ones, both friends and family, or I heard several things of concern that were on the hearts of my loved ones. I never mentioned this witnessing with Stephen to anyone, only because as life does, things got busy and I honestly forgot about it... but... I did find myself often in deep prayer that week of Stephen's visit.
Fast forward again to the week after Stephen's visit. Rarely do I ever include myself in my prayer requests.. but in times of great need of spiritual guidance I do ask for it, making sure to ask for clear answers that are so obvious I will know what God's plan is. When most of us pray... we already have what we think the 'perfect' solution is in our minds, and we want/expect for those solutions to happen. Each and every time I have found myself on my knees asking for answers, whatever they may be, I am always totally open to anything... believing that when I give it to God, I have to let it go... God ALWAYS gives me my answers and they have NEVER been anything I could have dreamt up in my wildest dreams... then I KNOW for sure that is what I am supposed to do, and it is amazing how perfect his answers are. I truly blindly trust when this happens and I have never regretted it.
My personal prayer request occurred when I least expected it. I had gone to the basement to fetch a soda out of the beverage refrigerator when I literally, and suddenly became overwhelmed with the need to get on my knees on the cold basement floor and just pray. I had been praying for my concern for awhile... but it was more like a daily prayer of guidance vs the deep gut releasing request that occurred in the basement that night. It was a Monday night at 10:30 p.m., Joe was out of town and I was all alone in the house. Joe and I had not been able to attend church here for the past 6 months due to a terrible split of our church over the new pastor... and I still can't believe one man could completely destroy a congregation like he did. At the time the split occurred, Joe and I were in the process of becoming members, and the split forced us to put our membership plans on hold. At no time during this 6 months did we entertain the thought of just going to another church... this church was worth waiting for the resolution. That night on my knees... all I was asking God was for guidance... were Joe and I doing the right thing... were we supposed to begin the search for a new church, or continue to just wait? What did God want us to do? After pouring my heart out to God, I continued on my knees to pray for some loved ones who are really going through a hard time, and how could I possibly help, or make a difference. Out of no where... completely unexpectedly, and without her being on my mind... my sister appeared to me, and I instantly knew God had my ear, everything would be Ok, and a peace I can never come close to explaining came over me.
After my prayer session that night in the basement... I forgot about my soda and just went up to bed... waking up the next morning, going about my business, and never mentioning my experience from the night before to anyone. And then... prayers began getting answered... in ways I could never have imagined. Since the prayers for others are personal and private, I can't and won't share those prayers or answers... and at first, even I didn't realize what was happening... until... my own prayer request was answered 3 days later on Thursday afternoon. Our church sends out a bulletin each Thursday before church on Sunday. For that past 6 months I have been so upset about the circumstances at our church, that as soon as the bulletin arrives in our mailbox, it goes instantly into the trash without me even glancing at it. On this particular Thursday Joe collected the mail (he never collects the mail, except for when I'm out of town)... as he went through the mail he handed me the bulletin not knowing I never read it anymore... and... as I was tossing it in the trash an insert fell out... as I picked up the insert to toss in the trash, something caught my eye causing me to actually read it. It was written by the new Interim Pastor!!!!! He was writing about how the problem Pastor had been given severance and was gone... and then he continued to write about how the church could now move forward, reunite, and heal. I instantly fell again to my knees in prayer of Thanksgiving... and it was like connecting the dots to all of the other answered prayers that week, and how each of those answered prayers were every single thing I was requesting of God that night on the basement floor.
For the next two weeks random, and amazing things continued to happen... each one with such clarity that I knew God truly had had my ear that night... and because I truly let go of each and every concern on my heart that night as I gave them to God, I also knew without any doubt what God's plan was for me to do for each of my prayer requests... and thus began my witnessing of these events to others... including the night in the basement that I had not spoken about to anyone. I did not plan, or set out to witness so much, or to so many people this past month... but each witnessing session (whether it was I doing the witnessing, or I was being witnessed to) was completely spontaneous, but so rewarding!
That Sunday I returned to church. Every single word the Interim Pastor spoke during his sermon, and every single lyric to every song we sang resonated in my heart as if those words, and lyrics were meant only, and specially for me. I quietly wept thru the entire service... which was an outdoor, by the lake service... the only outdoor/lakeside service our church holds each year, with a cookout after the service. It felt like a movie version of my prayers... with my head wanting to scream this doesn't really happen in real life, while my heart was loudly praising... yes it does, when you pray, believe, and trust in the LORD.
This story, and this journey all began the day Stephen witnessed his story with me, completely out of the blue, and completely trusting me with his faith. The purpose of this particular blog entry is continue my witnessing that I feel God wants me to do, to reach as many people as possible who have their own deep prayer requests, and to help them believe prayers ARE answered. When you experience the kind of AMAZING things I have witnessed this past month, it is impossible to keep it to yourself. I feel VERY Blessed to have been chosen to not only have this spiritual experience, but to feel compelled to share it. I continue to get prayer requests, and I continue to pray for them.... May God Bless you all!
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About Me
- Vickie G
- I am a short little lady with a passion for cooking and pilates. I have been married for 31 years to my high school sweetheart (my soulmate and love of my life!!!) and we have 3 amazing daughters. I am 50 years old and love living life with as much zest as possible.