Saturday, July 30, 2011

The House that Built Me

I have mentioned my Gram & Gramp and their home, and the place they have, front & center, in the my personal history, many times. Over the last few weeks, as I have browsed through some old photos, and again as I composed "Where I'm From," a seed of an idea was planted & taking root.

I was blessed to have two homes as I grew up. I lived with my Dad & brother in the same house where my Gramp was born, but I believe I spent at least the same amount of time in my grandparents' home. It was the place where Dad dropped us off before work, when I hadn't already spent the night. It was where we gathered in the evening, after work & school. It was the site of holidays & weekly Sunday dinners. I spent my Summers running wild through the three & a half acres of grass & trees and riding my bike up & down the quiet street.

So many of my memories find their home here. I can close my eyes and see it all, even now, to the minute detail. The sights, tastes & smells. The way it sounded & felt. Each creak as the house settled. Each hiss of a radiator. The view from every window. But if there is one thing I have learned in my three and a half decades on this earth, it is that memories cannot be taken for granted. They can slip away silently, leaving sadness when the power the recall loses its vitality...or worse, when a memory is so thoroughly lost, we aren't even aware it ever existed.

And so, bit by bit, week by week, I believe it is time to capture & record it. I want to recollect, wander quietly down memory lane & let the images surface, where I can grab them & turn them into more pieces of my recorded history. All of these fragments that make up The House that Built Me.

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Friday, July 29, 2011

I Sing in the Car: July 29, 2011

Today's playlist:

1. As She's Walking Away - Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson
2. Sparks Fly - Taylor Swift
3. A Little Bit Stronger - Sara Evans
4. Here - Rascal Flatts
5. Crazy Town - Jason Aldean
6. I Run to You - Lady Antebellum
7. Whatever It Is - Zac Brown Band
8. Back to December - Taylor Swift
9. Stand - Rascal Flatts

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Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Where I'm From.

I am from clotheslines hung with freshly washed laundry blowing in the breeze, from half-gallons of Hood ice cream and Chevrolets.

I am from the white house on "The Hill," from the blue-and-yellow kitchen filled with sunshine and the scent of apple pie, from Sunday dinner after church and chocolate milk in the mornings and the scratchy red living room carpet and the yellow bedroom looking down over the backyard.

I am from the Mountain Laurel and the White Oak, the lilacs and the snowbells in Spring, the black-eyed Susans and the clover-studded fields of Summer, the generations-old apple trees and the fiery foliage of a New England Autumn, and the spruces and the evergreens with their Winter ermine wraps.

I am from annual road trips to Cooperstown and Christmas Eves at Aunt El's and two previous generations of Red Sox fans, from Steven and Mary and Mildred and Walter. From those who gave me life and those who taught me how to live it.

I am from the stubborn and the hard-working and the close-knit and the belief that homemade is always best.

From you'll crack your head open and come inside before the jackyls get you and if you take care of your things, they will last longer and say your prayers.

I am from the Lutheran Church. From confirmation classes and Christmas Eve Candelight services at midnight and Good Friday Tenebrae with the slamming of the Bible in a pitch-black sanctuary. From The Lord's Prayer and the twenty-third Psalm and the Apostles' Creed. From stern looks for whispering in church and sitting in the balcony with Heather M, feeling grown up.

I'm from the Old Country with roots so ambiguous they seem untraceable, from kielbasa and sauerkraut, from a country corner of the Northeast United States and a cellar full of home-canned jams, jellies, relishes and pickles.

From the Halloween when Dad made us laugh by wearing a fuzzy orange tail as he escorted us from door to door, the time Josh gave me chicken pox and he had only a few spots over a long weekend but I was covered from head to toe and missed two weeks of school, and the way we would pester Gram starting on December first until she dug the boxes full of Christmas decorations from deep in a closet.

I am from photos nearly a hundred years old now, cracked and faded and peeling, handed down to me with their shaky script on the backsides. From family stories that should have been recorded when the opportunity still existed. From comfortable traditions and a large extended family and real honest-to-God love. I am from their past and my past and memories that are priceless treasures.

I have seen this prompt circulating for years. I've always been drawn to it, but was too afraid to try one of my own, telling myself it would never measure up to those I read in the words of others. But then I realized that this is *my* story and one I cherish, one worth remembering and capturing and sharing. I think I could compose this post a thousand times, and each time it would be different. And each time it would be beautiful. It is where I am from.

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Monday, July 25, 2011

Sigh.

A friend went in to have her baby today. I know these things take time but I'm anxious to hear that everything went well. It will weigh on my mind until I do.

sigh

A couple of other friends are going through what I will graciously call "rough patches." My heart hurts so much for them. And there's nothing I can do.

sigh

The last couple of weeks have been a roller coaster of emotion. The highs are as exhausting as the lows.

sigh

Today has felt like an eternally long day.

sigh

It's a very helpless feeling to watch someone you love hurting.

sigh

Seems as though nothing went quite right today. Nothing was horribly wrong or even a little wrong. It just wasn't...right.

sigh

I messed up the rotation in my co-managed fantasy baseball team. I really hate when I do that. Tim Hudson will probably throw a perfect game tonight as a result. You're welcome, Braves fans.

sigh

My head is full.

sigh

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Menu Plan Monday: July 25, 2011



Monday: Roast chicken, mashed potatoes & gravy and some steam cauliflower.
Tuesday: Cheeseburgers on the grill and Creamy Cucumbers.
Wednesday: Tuna noodle casserole and a salad.
Thursday: (new recipe!) Honey Mustard Chicken and a salad.
Friday: Tortellini Florentine Soup.
Saturday: Leftovers.
Sunday: Leftovers?

Notes from last week's menu: We stuck to the menu. Leftovers were consumed so we had grilled ham, cheese & tomato sandwiches with tomato soup for Sunday's dinner.

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Sunday, July 24, 2011

Right Now: July 24, 2011

Outside my window... it's dark & quiet. It's going to be dark & quiet inside my window soon too.

I am thinking... the month of July has been a wild ride of ups & downs.

I am thankful for... a job, even if it wears me down some weeks.

From the kitchen... comes the scent of an Ocean Blossom Yankee Candle.

I am wearing... yellow capri-length pj pants & a green tank top.

I am creating... a stiff neck sitting this way.

I am going... to bed very soon.

I am reading... Atlas Shrugged still but that is no indication that the book is bad! It's long & sometimes I need to stop & reflect on what I've read.

I am hoping... things go smoothly for a friend whose baby will be arriving tomorrow.

I am hearing... ESPN. Sunday Night Baseball just ended & they are doing some MLB highlights.

Around the house... it's homey & comfortable. I need to stop & appreciate that more.

One of my favorite things... is when Tim Wakefield gets a win. Today? Number 199.

I don't understand... why people are so inconsiderate. It's not cool to use all the washers in the laundry room. I try to use no more than three at a time, even if that means doing laundry in multiple batches.

I wish... I had a long weekend. This past week at work kicked my tail.

A few plans for the rest of the week... watching the Sox (duh) and getting some new foam filling for the couch cushions--you may be thinking "big deal" but trust me, it is.

A picture to share... of a common view around here.

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Monday, July 18, 2011

Menu Plan Monday: July 18, 2011



Monday: BBQ chicken on the grill, corn, a noodle side dish and a salad.
Tuesday: Tilapia Parmesan Saute, wild rice and a salad.
Wednesday: Goulash, garlic bread and a salad.
Thursday: Brown Sugar Glazed Pork, rice and Summer squash.
Friday: Kielbasa, sauerkraut and pierogies.
Saturday: Leftover.
Sunday: Leftovers? Grilled ham & cheese sandwiches?

Notes from last week's menu: We ended up skipping the Stuffed Pepper recipe & went with some Hamburger Helper instead.

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Monday, July 11, 2011

I Want Wednesday: July 13, 2011

**I Want a Microplane Grater-Zester. The grater I have now is kind of awkward.


**And I Want this Microplane Paddle Grater too. Just because.


**I guess we're on something of a theme with the rough surfaces this week? I am intrigued by these files & I Want a set.

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Menu Plan Monday: July 11, 2011



Monday: Chicken and Dumplings.
Tuesday: Homemade calzones.
Wednesday: (new recipe!) Stuffed Peppers.
Thursday: Fettuccine Alfredo, salad and garlic bread.
Friday: Baseball game.
Saturday: Baseball game.
Sunday: Meeting friends for dinner before heading to the baseball game.

Notes from last week's menu: The Slow-Cooker Stuffed Cabbage was excellent. Not too difficult to assemble & very tasty.

The logo at the top will link you to more menu plans!

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Friday, July 8, 2011

I sparkle.

Everyone keeps asking me if I saw it coming. I guess it's fair to say that I did, in a very general sense. But was I specifically *expecting* it? No. I think I had conditioned myself not to anticipate such events any longer. Nothing good had ever come from it in the past.

So on this sultry Florida morning, when the humidity already hung heavy in the air at 9am, when he mentioned stopping at a bench overlooking the lake where we were taking our usual weekend walk, I thought he was ready for a break, in the shade. (We've never needed a rest before--it's only three miles around--but as I said, it was a rather oppressive morning.) And then, I thought he had dropped something on the ground, though I couldn't imagine what. I was wrong.

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Monday, July 4, 2011

Menu Plan Monday: July 4, 2011



Monday: Macaroni Grill. We got a coupon for the holiday weekend that was just too good to pass up.
Tuesday: Crab Cakes.
Wednesday: Ham steaks, green beans and boiled potatoes.
Thursday: Spaghetti & meatballs, garlic bread and a salad.
Friday: Oven-baked chicken tenders, corn and a salad.
Saturday: Leftovers.
Sunday: (new recipe!) Slow-Cooker Stuffed Cabbage.

The logo at the top will link you to more menu plans!

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Friday, July 1, 2011

Snapshot From Along the Broken Road: June 2011

A photo of me:


1) Candle scents this month:
Drift Away. Blueberry Scone. Morning Mist. Eucalyptus. Honeydew Melon. Juicy Peach. Pink Sands.

2) What I am reading this month:
Still on Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand). It's long but excellent. Look forward to more most nights before settling in to sleep. When I need something a little, shall we say, lighter, I grab a magazine.

3) Top three songs I was drawn to:
"Far Away," by Nickelback. "I Never Told You," by Colbie Caillat. "The Promise," by Tracy Chapman.

4) Movies I saw:
That would be none.

5) Favorite tv moments of the month:
I did some catching up on the dusty collection residing on the DVR. I sholud have made some notes because I'll be darned if I can remember anything now.

6) Something yummy I made:
I made quite a few things that were delicious, if I do say so myself, but I think the Sweet Corn Quesadillas stand out the most. They tasted just like Summer.

7) Restaurants where I ate:
Ling's.

8) Five things I am loving this month:
PrimeTime OnDemand. Words With Friends. FireFox 5. Lightly Salted Lay's Potato Chips. Adrian Gonzalez & his picture-perfect swing.

9) A goal I had for this month:
Get all the old magazines recycled. Mission accomplished. The only magazines left are less than a year old. Not counting cooking magazines, but those are more like cookbooks & therefore useful. They are neatly filed away.

10) This month I looked forward to:
Some random days off from work.

11) Something I want to remember about this month:
I don't very much like myself when I get "internally off-balance."

12) A photo I took this month:

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Thursday, June 30, 2011

Have you ever?

G says it's my turn to bold the things I've done. I do what I'm told. Also, my brain doesn't want to turn jumbled thought into coherent sentences. I'll make it up to you by tossing in some of my own commentary (that's the part in red).

1. Started your own blog - Fairly obvious, no?

2. Slept under the stars - I am so NOT an outdoorsy sort of girl. I like my bed. And my creature comforts. And a lack of bugs.

3. Played in a band - I was in band from fourth grade til I graduated high school. Does that count?

4. Visited Hawaii - I would *love* to. It's on my Bucket List.

5. Watched a meteor shower - I have but the visibility wasn't the best. I'd love to see one on a clear night in an open area.

6. Given more than you can afford to charity - I try not to do anything "more than I can afford." Makes me anxious.

7. Been to Disney World - The question isn't have I been to Disney World. It's how many times? (I've lost count.)

8. Climbed a mountain - I'm not really compelled to even consider this.

9. Held a praying mantis - I have observed a praying mantis. I was not so much inclined to touch him, though. We regarded each other with curiosity from a respectable distance.

10. Sang a solo - Not. A. Chance.

11. Bungee jumped - Even less of a chance than me singing a solo.

12. Visited Paris - There are so many other places I would rather see.

13. Watched a lightning storm - Many many times. They are practically a daily occurrence here in the Summer. And when they take out your electricity, there aren't many other options. Especially at night.

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch - I don't think I have...

15. Adopted a child - I have not. I think it's an amazing thing to do though.

16. Had food poisoning - Indeed. I probably don't need to elaborate.

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty - I've seen it from a distance, years ago. I don't think they let you climb to the top anymore, though.

18. Grown your own vegetables - More like I helped my Gramp grow vegetables, back in the day. I'd like to attempt it on my own.

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France - Nope. Sometimes I think true appreciation of that type of art is lost on me.

20. Slept on an overnight train - The only trains I have ever been on are the ones found in Disney parks. Or the subway type found in big cities.

21. Had a pillow fight - One may or may not have taken place on the eve of Alison's wedding. I'll never tell.

22. Hitch hiked - There is NO way.

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill - I have, on rare occasion. I try not to very often, because I feel like it tempts fate & I really don't like to not feel well.

24. Built a snow fort - It left a lot to be desired (some are mighty impressive!) but I think all kids from New England build snow forts & snowmen at some point.

25. Held a lamb - At Camp Koinonia in the fifth or sixth grade! His name was Myogi. I don't recall if he was all that thrilled about it.

26. Gone skinny dipping - I am not that girl.

27. Run a Marathon - I'm not this girl either.

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice - The only times I've been out of the country, I went to Canada.

29. Seen a total eclipse - I can't bold this one because while I have seen eclipses, I don't know if they were *total* eclipses.

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset - Both. Many times. One of my very favorite things.

31. Hit a home run - I have watched many of them. I have a better shot at buying a winning lottery ticket than hitting one myself. I am probably the least athletic human being alive.

32. Been on a cruise - I go back & forth on this one. Wanting to, I mean. I would be a wreck if we hit rough waters (my stomach does not agree with that kind of choppy activity--plus, have you not seen the video coverage on the news or YouTube?? terrifying!) & every time I think I might consider it one day, some cruise ship breaks down out at sea, leaving the passengers with no running water or electricity for several days while awaiting rescue, or there is some massive gastrointestinal plague that hits the entire ship... I am so ambivalent.

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
- From the Canadian side. (See Number 28.)

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors - Only the ancestors I actually knew. Which I am thinking is probably not what this means.

35. Seen an Amish community - Not in person.

36. Taught yourself a new language - Taught myself?? No.

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - Financial satisfaction is a state of mind, I think. I can live comfortably within the means I have. For me, that equates to being "truly satisfied." The rest is bonus.

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person - Not unless it can be found in the top two-thirds of North America. ;-)

39. Gone rock climbing - No thanks.

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David - Now *this* I could appreciate.

41. Sung karaoke - The only places I sing are a) alone in my car, b) in church and c) when I'm being goofy at home (lucky Troy).

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt - No but I wouldn't mind at some point, if the opportunity arose.

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - Not a meal. I did pay for the two people behind me in a Dunkin Donuts a few times though.

44. Visited Africa - This is just so totally NOT my scene. Unless you mean at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight - Walked on a beach. Walked by moonlight. But never on a beach by moonlight.

46. Been transported in an ambulance - I am thankful there has never been a reason to be.

47. Had your portrait painted - Chalked. Drawn with marker. Not actually *painted* though.

48. Gone deep sea fishing - Nah. Not interested.

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris - I refer you back to Number 12.

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling - I am more of a walk-on-the-beach girl.

52. Kissed in the rain - Not like in the movies or anything.

53. Played in the mud - Ew. Why would I want to do that?

54. Gone to a drive-in theater - Can you believe I've *never* been to one??

55. Been in a movie - Uh, no.

56. Visited the Great Wall of China - Only in the movie in the China pavilion at Epcot.

57. Started a business - I wouldn't even know where to begin!

58. Taken a martial arts class - Too much physical contact for me. Also? I am a baby about pain.

59. Visited Russia - I really think I am more of a "visit through the photos of others" type girl. I feel like I should *want* to say "ohmigosh, I WISH!!" but I really just... ::shrug::

60. Served at a soup kitchen - I have donated goods many times.

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies - I *purchase* Girl Scout Cookies. Yum.

62. Gone whale watching - Once. We never saw any. I've never had the desire to go again.

63. Got flowers for no reason - Yes, on rare enough occasion that it makes receiving them truly special.

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma - Only to my doctors when they demand it. ;-)

65. Gone sky diving - This is on par with Number 11.

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp - Oh...um...no.

67. Bounced a check - Completely on my own, not since I was a much younger girl. Lesson was learned. In a joint account over which I had, at most, fifty percent control? I'd rather not go into detail. We will say with certainty, barring some extreme circumstances, I do not ever expect that to happen again.

68. Flown in a helicopter - Plenty of (large) planes. No helicopters.

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy - Yes. I have a Cabbage Patch Kid tucked safely away in a box.

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial - I was too young to appreciate it. I want to go back. Very badly.

71. Eaten Caviar - Not a fan. A bit too salty for my palette & the texture was...weird.

72. Pieced a quilt - I would love to learn!

73. Stood in Times Square - More than once. I guess I wasn't all that impressed?

74. Toured the Everglades - There are bugs & gators & enormous snakes in there! ::shudder::

75. Been fired from a job - Yes. By a crazy boss. Even the guy who followed up on my unemployment claim thought so.

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London - No. But I've seen the changing of the guard at Arlington. Another thing I would like to witness again, this time through the eyes of an adult.

77. Broken a bone - I don't believe so. I think they were all just bad strains or sprains.

78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle - Motorcycles frighten me.

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person - Only from an airplane. It was covered in snow & so unbelievably beautiful. Maybe one day from the ground.

80. Published a book - So many seem to have this dream. I will leave the publishing to my brother and sister-in-law.

81. Visited the Vatican - Boy, this thing keeps insisting I may have left North America at some point.

82. Bought a brand new car - Bought once. Leased once. The current one is a purchased pre-owned.

83. Walked in Jerusalem - I honestly think I would be too worried about my safety to fully take it all in.

84. Had your picture in the newspaper - Taken with my Gramp when I was maybe 7 or 8, helping him at the farmers market.

85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve - I don't even want a stranger to get too far into my personal space. Interpret that as you will.

86. Visited the White House - We only saw it from the outside.

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - I am a big fan of eating meat. I am not a big fan of actually seeing where it came from or how it arrived on my plate.

88. Had chickenpox - I was in the eighth grade. I had a terrible case. I have the scars to prove it. Incidentally, my brother gave it to me. I think he had a half dozen pox over a long weekend. I missed two weeks of school. Brat.

89. Saved someone’s life - Not that I am aware of.

90. Sat on a jury - I have. It was an intriguing, humbling experience I think everyone should have.

91. Met someone famous - I talked to an honest-to-God primetime television actor on the phone once, and not only was I unimpressed, I totally thought he was making it up. (He wasn't.)

92. Joined a book club - I don't read well under pressure. The second I "have" to read something, I lose interest.

93. Got a tattoo - I'll pass. (Remember what I said about pain & being a baby?)

94. Had a baby - Perhaps one day...

95. Seen the Alamo in person - No! But I would love to!

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake - To give you an idea: I just curled my lip at the thought of it.

97. Been involved in a law suit - Thankfully, no.

98. Owned a cell phone - I've owned several.

99. Been stung by a bee - Not just once, but twice! On the same foot! I was standing at the edge of the garden, talking to Gramp. It was Summer. I was barefoot. There was clover all over the place on my grandparents' property. Honey bees *love* clover. I stepped out of the dirt & into the grass...and onto a bee, who promptly stung me. (I can't blame him.) I jumped off him. I landed on another. (He wasn't any more pleased than the first one.) I also was bitten on the elbow once by a wasp. I didn't even do anything to him. I was eating my dinner at the dining room table & minding my own business. He crawled right up & stung me. Meanie.

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Monday, June 27, 2011

Menu Plan Monday: June 27, 2011



Monday: Cheeseburgers & Zesty Potato Salad.
Tuesday: Ravioli with sausage, garlic bread & a salad.
Wednesday: Something with fish (I'm still deciding), some bay scallops and a veggie to be determined.
Thursday: Brats on the grill--probably with chips & a pickle. Because sometimes, that's how we roll.
Friday: Stuffed chicken breasts from the freezer and a side dish.
Saturday: BBQ chicken in the CrockPot and some sort of side dish. (Wow. We were lazy in the planning efforts this week.)
Sunday: Leftovers? Grilled ham & cheese sandwiches?

Notes from last week's menu: We stuck pretty close to the plan until the weekend. "Out to dinner" became "subs from the Publix deli" which are always yummy. And there didn't seem to be much in the way of leftovers, so Sunday we made a quick "Chicken Voila" meal from the freezer. The Cheesy Potatoes recipe needs just a minor adjustment or two and then it can be shared, but it will definitely be a keeper!

The logo at the top will link you to more menu plans!

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Sunday, June 26, 2011

Message received.

I keep thinking about something that was said in church: how what comes out of your mouth is a direct reflection of the condition of your heart. If the words you speak are hateful, angry, bitter, designed to hurt, then it's time to look inward & open your eyes to the fact that you need to do some work on a very diseased & damaged heart. A heart that is whole & happy, at peace, is the only way words of compassion, gentleness, kindness & love can be spoken.

Like anyone of us, I am human. I fail. I have days when the words I speak are not...the ones I should be speaking. They are meant to tear down, to "put someone in their place," or simply to spew out the nastiness that builds up from my inescapable human nature. They give the illusion, at the time, of making me feel better, but if I am honest with myself, eventually, I feel badly for them. I don't like that version of myself. I want the people I love to hear words that build them up, that make them feel loved & appreciated. I don't want people I have casual contact with to walk away, shaking their heads, wondering what made me so cruel or jaded, when I have the opportunity to be pleasant or polite, or at the very least say nothing at all when the words that have built up are nothing of the "nice" variety.

If the condition of my heart will be obvious through the words I say, no matter how I try to sugarcoat it or deceive myself otherwise, then I need to be conscious of the shadows that lurk, waiting for just the smallest chance to creep in & begin cluttering that space with all things dark & vengeful. Human nature is ugly. When I am reminded of that, forced to see myself in the mirror, I know that I can be quick to justify that ugliness or to pretend it was anything other than what it was. But when I acknowledge how full my life is, how richly I have been blessed, I am shamed when my words reflect a heart that is anything but filled with joy & gratitude. There are many reasons I can point to when my heart becomes hard & dark, but ultimately, it is up to me to choose the tools I have been afforded that restore my heart to peace. I can always do better.

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Monday, June 20, 2011

Menu Plan Monday: June 20, 2011



Monday: Pork loin in the CrockPot and Asparagus Parmesan Au Gratin.
Tuesday: Grilled chicken sandwich.
Wednesday: Meatloaf Patties & (new recipe!) Cheesy Potatoes.
Thursday: BLTs.
Friday: Linguine with Clam Sauce, salad & garlic bread.
Saturday: Out to dinner?
Sunday: Leftovers?

Notes from last week's menu: The Cheesy Zucchini Enchiladas were really yummy & relatively easy, once you finished with the shredding of the squash. I do believe that the Sausage, Spinach & Cheese Stuffed Shells have earned a spot in the rotation, alongside their cousin, my original Stuffed Shells recipe; the flavors were a nice change of pace & I ended up using up some fresh spinach I had on hand. I liked the Tuscan Pesto Chicken Simmer, although I prefer my tomatoes slightly more cooked than the recipe called for, so I will adjust for that going forward. The Crab Cake Mac N Cheese was good, but that recipe needs a little tweaking before it gets shared. Also? It made a *lot*. Yikes.

The logo at the top will link you to more menu plans!

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Monday, June 13, 2011

Menu Plan Monday: June 13, 2011



Monday: Baked potato.
Tuesday: (new recipe!) Cheesy Zucchini Enchiladas.
Wednesday: (new recipe!) Sausage & Spinach Stuffed Shells.
Thursday: (new recipe!) Tuscan Pesto Chicken Simmer and some steamed zucchini.
Friday: Hot dogs, chips & a pickle.
Saturday: Out to dinner.
Sunday: (new recipe!) Crab Cake Mac & Cheese.

Notes from last week's menu: Could you tell I was on my own last week & it was hotter that Hades? The Sweet Corn Quesadillas were very tasty--light & Summer-y, good flavor & would totally stand up to adding a little shredded chicken, if you wanted a little more "weight" to the dish. I ended up swapping Saturday & Sunday, because I had a fair amount of leftovers hanging around, so I made the Chicken Florentine Pesto Pasta Sunday; definitely a keeper, though the recipe didn't call for nearly enough spinach, so I adjusted the amount for the future.

The logo at the top will link you to more menu plans!

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Wednesday, June 8, 2011

I Want Wednesday: June 8, 2011

**There is an Etsy shope called re-studio that makes some very cool word art. I Want the one of Fenway Park. (Of course!)


**I don't have any actual use for it but this Daisy Chip and Dip Set is cute & I Want it.


**The mat currently outside the front door is very "Autumn-y" & I do really like it, but because I have this need to create the illusion of four seasons for myself, I Want this mat for Spring. (Yes, I know. We're two weeks away from Summer now. That doesn't mean it couldn't be used for *next* Spring!)


**I'm not sure I want to give up any valuable kitchen drawer real estate for it, but I Want to play with this cupcake plunger because it looks like fun.


**I have no space for this whatsoever, but I Want a tv console with features like this one. I love the glass front cabinets to keep things like the DVR & DVD player as minimally dusty as possible and four wonderful deep drawers for housing the ever-growing collection of favorite movies & television shows that currently live in precarious & somewhat difficult to access stacks on the open shelves of the tv console that fits in my living room right now.


**I Want an oven with an interior light & a window in the door.

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Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Top Ten Tuesday: June 7, 2011

Top Ten Best Things About Living in Florida

1. Disney World in my back yard.
2. The weather from November through March.
3. Orange blossoms.
4. Never having to shovel my car out of a snow bank.
5. Being able to attend the Food & Wine Festival at Epcot almost every weekend the whole time the festival runs.
6. The chance you might see dolphins when you're crossing a bridge over the Bay.
7. So many beautiful bright tropical flowers everywhere.
8. Amazing sunsets.
9. Biergarten (at Epcot) is a (relatively) spur-of-the moment dining option.
10. The more laid back pace of life.

(and a bonus because I haven't done one of these posts in so long)

Top Ten Worst Things About Living in Florida

1. The way tourists drive.
2. Love bugs, fire ants & cockroaches bigger than my thumb. ::shudder::
3. The weather from April through October.
4. The local sports media.
5. The insurance options.
6. No real New-England-style Autumn.
7. Very little chance of a white Christmas.
8. No really good local-grown farmers markets.
9. I miss the style of home architecture from up north that just doesn't exist here.
10. So many of my favorite people live far away.

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Monday, June 6, 2011

Menu Plan Monday: June 6, 2011



Monday: Grilled cheese & tomato sandwich.
Tuesday: Pizza.
Wednesday: Pasta salad.
Thursday: Something at WDW.
Friday: (new recipe!) Sweet Corn Quesadillas.
Saturday: (new recipe!) Chicken Florentine Pesto Pasta.
Sunday: Leftovers.

Notes from last week's menu: The Cheesy Bacon Chicken casserole was good (I have to record the recipe still; can't link to it) but more of an "occasional" meal than one that will become a staple, I think. Thursdays steaks ended up having some grape tomatoes added to the plate; there were just a few left in the container & rather than allow them to go to waste, we skewered them & stuck them right on the grill. They were super sweet& so tasty! Saturday's dinner wasn't leftovers after all; I ate at the baby shower I attended. And by Sunday's dinner, I was over all the leftovers, so I made a Chilled Tomato Basil Soup. It was perfect because it's been so hot here & it was nice & refreshing. However, I didn't like it as much icy cold, straight from the refrigerator, so I popped it in the microwave for about 25 seconds, which was just enough to take the chill off but it was still definitely cooler than room temperature. The flavors were really nice & I could taste them so much better when the soup wasn't really cold.

The logo at the top will link you to more menu plans!

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