I have not been a very successful pinterest peep. In fact
I have only been on pinterest a couple of times. I found this through a friend and thought it was hilarious. If you feel like you need a laugh or a light moment to see that your are not alone when an attempt to something snazzy flops before your eyes, check this out. It is really funny. Honestly, I rarely find things funny and this to me is just that, probably because I can relate.
Category Archives: Life
And the reality is…
Today reached a gorgeous 25 degrees, which is spectacular and close enough to summer weather to me. The forecast declares sunny and warm all weekend, which translated to me is, “Family cabin here we come! Get your sandals, pails, and shovels!” I love salt water crisped hair, the fragrance of bon-fires, and warm bronzed skin. My nickname from my sister has been Powder for ages- remember that one hit wonder from the 90′s? Anyhow, though I don’t change color, especially a nice bronze color, it sure looks lovely on others. I honestly admire those who can tan.
I have been thinking how much the weather plays a significant role in my day to day life, especially as a mother. I felt like I should have received the mother of the year reward when I dropped 1 off at school wearing ballet flats, while the other kids in her class were all wearing gumboots. She also didn’t have a jacket. Where was my mind? Who knows? I dropped her off, got back into my vehicle…and sure enough, down came the rain.
I was once told that Canadians, are more likely than any other country folk, to check the weather continuously throughout the day. It is one of the things we base our days around. I am not sure how true that is, but I know for myself, looking at the weather forecast has become a daily task, especially after my school incident with child 1. Weather is huge for us. We like to know what is going on and how well we can be prepared it. Sad thing is, we are never 100% prepared for anything. It is the reality I have been endeavoring to come to terms with. It has been a reality in-which, as a young child I had no concept of, and perhaps didn’t begin to take notice of it until in my mid-twenties,when it came knocking at my door. I don’t regret opening the door to reality, but sometimes it seems as though it would be safer to hide from it, or tune it out. The truth about reality is, it is what we have been longing for, waiting, craving, desiring, obsessing over, and completely sacrificing all we know for it. It is a powerful uncertainty, an antidote to our deepest sufferings. It is a truth that beckons us forward to a safety in which makes little sense. It’s incomprehensible. This lack of understanding, however, is the very thing that keeps us moving forward, sleeping deep into the times of night, then waking, longing to taste once again, this wonder, this passion, this lover of our soul.
Living the life we choose
Because I am so awesome with keeping up with things…I was pleasantly surprised to come across this re-vitalizing salad I made the other month, which never made it to the cyber side of this life. It has been so busy. We all, in this day in age, are busy, I get that. Within the business of life, I am beginning to see how it could be so easy to choose a bag of potato chips, down a few tim-bits, pop a burrito in the microwave, or just order in, but I just can’t bring myself to do it. Please know I am not complaining, I am stating the obvious, I live the life I choose. So, yea, it might take a bit more time, more prep, more organization, less time watching the Bachelor (yay for PVR), and so forth, however in the long run, I rather this colorful concoction of beauty over a bag of potato chippers any day, come on, grains, seeds, beans, and leaves, it does the body good, in more ways than one!
Adzuki Bean & Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad
From Oh She Glows
Ingredients:
For the tabbouleh (makes 5.5-6 cups):
1/2 cup dry adzuki beans (or use 1.5 cups cooked beans)*
3/4 cup uncooked quinoa (makes 2.5 cups cooked)
1 cup packed fresh parsley, thick stems removed and minced
1/2 cup packed fresh Cilantro, thick stems removed and minced
2 small tomatoes, chopped (makes 1 & 1/4 cups)
3 large green onions, chopped
Herbamare or fine grain sea salt & black pepper, to taste
For the dressing (makes 2/3 cup):
1/3 cup + (1 tbsp, optional) red wine vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
Herbamare/fine grain sea salt & ground pepper, to taste
1 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional)
How To Play:
1. Adzuki beans: Soak the dry beans overnight in water. After soaking, drain and rinse the beans and then place back into the pot with new water, covering the beans with water by about 2-3 inches. Bring water to a boil and then reduce heat to low-medium, simmering for about 35-45 minutes. Watch closely and add more water if necessary. Alternatively, you can use canned beans for a time-saver.
2. Sweet potato: Meanwhile, preheat oven to 425F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice a sweet potato into 1cm rounds. Lay flat on baking sheet at bake for about 15 minutes each side, watching closely so it doesn’t burn.
3. Quinoa: Add 3/4 cup of dry quinoa and about 1 & 1/4 cups water in a medium-sized pot. Stir. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low and cover with lid, simmering for about 15-20 minutes and watching closely. Quinoa will be light and fluffy when ready and the water will be absorbed.
4. Dressing: Whisk together all dressing ingredients and season to taste. Or feel free to use a mini processor if you have one.
5. Tabbouleh: Combine the drained & cooked beans, quinoa, and chopped vegetables in a large bowl. Pour on the entire amount of dressing and stir well. Season to taste. Makes about 5.5-6 cups and should keep for at least a few days in the fridge.
6. To assemble the salad: Add 1 cup shredded kale onto a plate or large bowl. Spoon on 1.5 cups of tabbouleh on top. Garnish with goji berries, pepita and hemp seeds, and a handful of sprouts (all optional). Finally, add the grilled or baked sweet potato rounds on the side.
Enjoy.
You know where to find me
Old Photo.
This photo was take in 1981. It is of me and my three cousins. I was 2 years old. That was 31 years ago, is that even possible? The other day when I was running, “Today” was on the radio, by Smashing Pumpkins. It instantly reminded me of being 14, getting The Siamese Dream album for one of my Christmas presents and Germany encountering the worse flood, from the Rhein River, it had had in years.
I thought as I ran, wow, I can’t believe that was 9 years ago, and then ran a bit further to realize, no, Jamie, that was 19 years ago.
It is sentimental seeing my cousins like this, because this is how I remember them most. This was when we lived on the Island and as soon as we moved away, we didn’t see each other as much, and before long, my family moved to Europe and time just continued to slip further away. There is a connection between families that remains untouchable. Only the untouchable are able to feel it. It is ancestral history, carved in our DNA, a link, a bond, a graphing that can’t be escaped. I miss these early years of my childhood. It entailed many days on the beach, nights by bon-fire, and playing with our black wolf- dog, Yogi. My heart only knew what my eyes could see and invisible to my eyes, my naked heart remains challenged by time.
Well, I am feeling mighty fine…
It dawned on me as I began to wrap presents, not only am I surrounded by traditions set before me by my ancestors, grandparents, and my parents, but I am a product of my own traditions. I hadn’t realized this until just a few minutes ago, as I put on my Elvis Christmas Album. When I was little, about 6-ish, my mom would put on my Mini-Pops Christmas record as we decorated the Christmas tree with Joelle, my wee four year old sister, at the time. Shortly after, Elvis replaced the Mini-Pops. My love for Elvis began when I saw the television mini series- Elvis and Me, when I was 8. I became an instant fan. My parents smiled and were incredibly patient with me as I went through my Elvis shirt phase, my countless obsession of having to have every Elvis tape ever made phase, as well as having every poster, post card, framed photo, banner of Elvis posted to my bedroom walls, every where, until all the space was occupied by him. Needless to say, I was easy to shop for- for all occasions. However, 25 years later, I can see where Sean and I are in the process of developing a blue print for tradition with our family. I have a feeling Justin Bieber might be hitting our house this holiday season, as my mom gleamed with joy that she bought it for 1′s Christmas present along with a cd player, thanks mom…
Christmas is incredibly special for me and I am still in awe it has really arrived. We drove around tonight with our Starbucks drinks, and looked at all the pretty houses covered with a touch of Christmas Spirit. I am grateful for tradition and that tomorrow we will be celebrating Christmas Eve with my Grandma. Ever since I was little, we have been going to her house for Christmas Eve. It will be her 92nd one, sheesh, and she is making her famous roladen and Christmas goose. Well, I should continue on wrapping, but Merry Christmas, I leave you with my favorite Elvis Christmas song.
In search for a great love song
I asked Sean tonight what he thought to be the greatest love song. I like records and feel out of touch with a lot of modern music, plus I have been more inclined to sad, melancholic songs, not love songs. Oh boo. On the topic of boo, what has happened to the time? When did December happen? I was at Trader Joe’s yesterday looking for advent calendars, but hi, 9 days late, sorry kids! Sheesh. Ok, so back to love songs. Does anyone out there have any suggestions, besides Europe, Scorpion, or Bon Jovi? No offense to Sean, but really? If he wants to go that route, I might as well say November Rain or Patience, by Guns N Roses. Oh my. Well, please let me know if there is a song that moves you and impacts you in a romantic way. A song that makes you think of your love one with a heart of absolute surrender, absolute amazement, and abandonment. I am open to hear your suggestions, please let me know. Sean has been listening to Nolita Knights lately and this is a song that I think is pretty cool and want to share it with you.
Nolita Knights – Distance Kills from Brooks Reynolds on Vimeo.
Enjoy.
It’s an Eva Cassidy kind of day…
Mama in a half shell…
Ok, so many know that my first attempt to sew, were my Toms that were trashed. Well, second attempt, a Ninja Turtle costume. I am not a fan of Halloween, for more than one reason, but as I ventured out in the torrential rain fall with two kinder, come on, really? No costume’s at the most significant costume places in the world? Granted it is 2 days before the haunting event, but we are in the land of abundance! I decided on the way home that it might be better to make something. After picking 1 up from home and listening to her rationalize it is better to spend money on a costume than food or a toy, I decided after spin class, we are going to make it a family tradition to make costumes instead of buy. Our costumes…Raphael, the ninja turtle and Elizabeth, the Paper Bag Princess. Now that I am done with my handy work, it is time to eat my dinner, popcorn!! I can’t wait, it was the only thing I could think of when spinning!
Man’s Job…
Oh ok, don’t freak on me for saying this, yes it is rather a gender stereotype, but most who know me, know that I am a stereotype, we kind of all are, whether we care to admit it or not…Anyhow, I am a mom of three and to have to dilly-dally with car tires, is not my forte, but Sean-man is involved with a Pastor’s conference all week and this really needed to be done sooner than later. My mom was astonished at our back tires and told me we could be fined, eeks! I have to say, though, I was proud to get the job, the man job (in my opinion), done. I really appreciate the men at Kal Tire who wonderfully helped with all of this. It is a relief to know that my low tire pressure sign should not come on again, for awhile, right? Plus, the badly bald tires won’t skid about in a rain storm, which I am sure will be coming soon.
