I sit in front of this computer way too much. I know what you're thinking. "Why don't you post more often then?!?" I know, I know... But my point is that I need to spend LESS time in front of this box. So I was going to start setting my kitchen timer for 15 minutes at a time to remind me to get up and do stuff. We have THREE kitchen timers. Two of them are really nifty...they have magnets so they'll stick to the fridge, and little stands in the back so that you can stand them up and watch the time, and all kinds of nifty features. Do you think either one of these were ON the fridge? Nope. Neither was the regular kitchen timer on the shelf, where it belongs. I know, nice, right? Ugh!
But I'm determined to set some kind of alarm. I hate using the timer on the stove (I don't know why), the one on my phone is annoying and my hearing isn't good enough to use the one in my bedroom. So, I decided to look online to see if I could find some kind of alarm. Viola! Here it is, an online alarm clock! It even has different ringers. I personally prefer the guitar. :-D
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Delicious Black Bean Stew
I threw this stew together the other night, and I'm in love. Remember Steup? Well, this is kind of the same concept, but a bit heartier, and with lots of different flavors. It's going to seem like there are a LOT of ingredients in this stew, but there are really only a few main ingredients...the rest was just a bunch of stuff I had hanging around (which was how I came up with this stew in the first place, just trying to use up the perishable food I knew would go bad if I didn't do something fast). The main ingredients are black beans, tomato, taco seasoning, and some type of grain. Once you have those ingredients, just throw in what you have available.
I made this stew twice (once for dinner, and once to freeze and eat later), and I had different ingredients each time, so I'll tell you about both versions. One thing's for sure...this is not a recipe for those who have to stick to a recipe! Be creative and have fun with it!
Black Bean Stew
Black beans - 1 pound for a medium crock pot, 2 pounds for a large crock pot - soaked overnight
"Grandma's Grain" or barley, or whatever you have on hand
Tomatoes - I used at least 10 tomatoes in each batch. You can probably use canned stewed tomatoes or whatever you have available.
Taco Seasoning - 1 packet for a medium crock pot, 2 packets for a large crock pot
Additional stuff:
Dried veggie soup mix
Carrots
Onions
Bouillon cubes (about 5 - if you want a vegetarian soup, use veggie bouillon)
Parsley
Garlic (in one batch, I used whole cloves of garlic, and in the other batch, granulated garlic)
Bell Peppers (I didn't have these for the first batch)
For my next batch, I plan to use pumpkin. I wish I had a big get-together planned sometime soon, because I have a great big pumpkin that I could use to serve my black bean soup in! Here's what I really want to do:
Disclaimer: This isn't my soup. I stole this picture from a friend who served this soup at a pumpkin carving party the other day.
And here's how I put it together (this is the second batch I made):
I gathered up all my veggies
Soaked the beans overnight, then rinsed and drained them
Gathered my spices
Dumped in about a half a jar of my Grandma's Grains
Cut up my veggies - bell peppers
tomatoes
carrots
aaaand onions.
And then I mixed it all together, and added water just to the point where you could tell I added water:
(Isn't it gorgeous?) And then cooked it all day, and here's the result:
Delicious!
I made this stew twice (once for dinner, and once to freeze and eat later), and I had different ingredients each time, so I'll tell you about both versions. One thing's for sure...this is not a recipe for those who have to stick to a recipe! Be creative and have fun with it!
Black Bean Stew
Black beans - 1 pound for a medium crock pot, 2 pounds for a large crock pot - soaked overnight
"Grandma's Grain" or barley, or whatever you have on hand
Tomatoes - I used at least 10 tomatoes in each batch. You can probably use canned stewed tomatoes or whatever you have available.
Taco Seasoning - 1 packet for a medium crock pot, 2 packets for a large crock pot
Additional stuff:
Dried veggie soup mix
Carrots
Onions
Bouillon cubes (about 5 - if you want a vegetarian soup, use veggie bouillon)
Parsley
Garlic (in one batch, I used whole cloves of garlic, and in the other batch, granulated garlic)
Bell Peppers (I didn't have these for the first batch)
For my next batch, I plan to use pumpkin. I wish I had a big get-together planned sometime soon, because I have a great big pumpkin that I could use to serve my black bean soup in! Here's what I really want to do:
Disclaimer: This isn't my soup. I stole this picture from a friend who served this soup at a pumpkin carving party the other day.
And here's how I put it together (this is the second batch I made):
I gathered up all my veggies
Soaked the beans overnight, then rinsed and drained them
Gathered my spices
Dumped in about a half a jar of my Grandma's Grains
Cut up my veggies - bell peppers
tomatoes
carrots
aaaand onions.
And then I mixed it all together, and added water just to the point where you could tell I added water:
(Isn't it gorgeous?) And then cooked it all day, and here's the result:
Delicious!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Super Quick Crochet Curtain Holders
Oh my, two blogs in one day! Nobody have a heart attack, ok? You'd think that blogging would KEEP me from doing stuff, but it's exactly the opposite. When I'm working and getting things done, I want to share! The thought of blogging about all the fun stuff I'm doing actually gets me excited to do more. I'm going to have to remember that for future reference.
Anyway, so about these curtain holders (I haven't a clue if that's what they're called, but they hold the curtains, so that's good enough for me). I decided the other day to put my plants in my bedroom. Until now, they've had two very bad options...either getting torn up by excited dogs in the living room, or getting very little sun in the dining room. So, I got furniture moved around, cleaned off my dresser, and laid down this nifty runner I got from my friend Jenna (thanks, Jenna!). Then I realized that I have no way to keep the curtains back. It won't do me much good to bring the plants into my room if they get no sun. I've been crocheting a lot lately (maybe I'll do a couple more posts to show my other projects over the last few days), so I knew exactly what I wanted to do! I'm not even going to attempt to write this like a crochet pattern, I'm just going to explain what I did.
I used an N hook, because I wanted these to be done quick (and it worked...it's going to take me longer to write the blog than it took to make these). I grabbed some scrap yarn (there's a lot of green in my room, so I grabbed green yarn...it looks nice!) For the first one, I just made a chain until I figured it was about the right length (I don't even know how many stitches I did, I didn't bother to count). For the second one, I chained until I had about the same length (minus the end loops):
Then, I added another 5 chains. I turned, skipped those five chains to make a loop:
...and single crocheted back to the other end. Uh oh, I think I'm missing some pictures. Oh well. When I got to the other end, I chained five again, and single crocheted down the other side (the bottom of the original chain). I doubt it would matter if you crocheted across the top, it would just be a little crooked (when you lay them out, one loop will be higher than the other). But heck, it's not like anyone's ever going to inspect them, right? (Well, unless you have a mom like mine who has to criticize everything you're proud of...in that case, just don't tell her! LOL)
Now, the first one I did, I didn't slip stitch the last stitch to the loop on the end. It left a little "pimple" thing sticking out, so with the second one I made sure to slip stitch, and it looks much better. Again, no one's ever going to inspect these things, so I'm leaving it.
All told, these curtain holders took me maybe 10 minutes. Rock on! I got my plants moved in, and I am a happy girl!
Perfect Iced Coffee
I love iced coffee in the summer. It's super easy to put together, and yummy. I have a lot of fun with it. This is how I make my iced coffee.
Now, y'all know I'm not a photographer, but even with my lacking skill, this picture is just sad. Please ignore my messy desk. I just want to share the coffee love. ;-)
Make a pot of coffee twice as strong as you normally like it.
Grab a pitcher or sun tea dispenser (I use a pitcher...I make my coffee in a french press, so it's the perfect size for my pitcher. If you use a coffee pot, a sun tea dispenser would probably work better). Put all your "goodies" into the pitcher. I use creamer, cocoa, coffee syrups, and/or extracts(my favorite is coconut).
Pour the hot coffee in and stir.
Then add a couple trays of ice and stir. Let this sit while you get glasses ready with more ice (or if you've got a bucket of ice for guests, just keep stirring the coffee until it's chilled). Pour your coffee, embellish with mint sprigs, or whatever you like (I use my crazy straws...heehee! I like to let out my inner child often).
Keep the extra coffee in the fridge. I don't usually share mine (it's a "cleaning day" treat for me), so the pitcher lasts all day.
Enjoy!
Now, y'all know I'm not a photographer, but even with my lacking skill, this picture is just sad. Please ignore my messy desk. I just want to share the coffee love. ;-)Make a pot of coffee twice as strong as you normally like it.
Grab a pitcher or sun tea dispenser (I use a pitcher...I make my coffee in a french press, so it's the perfect size for my pitcher. If you use a coffee pot, a sun tea dispenser would probably work better). Put all your "goodies" into the pitcher. I use creamer, cocoa, coffee syrups, and/or extracts(my favorite is coconut).
Pour the hot coffee in and stir.
Then add a couple trays of ice and stir. Let this sit while you get glasses ready with more ice (or if you've got a bucket of ice for guests, just keep stirring the coffee until it's chilled). Pour your coffee, embellish with mint sprigs, or whatever you like (I use my crazy straws...heehee! I like to let out my inner child often).
Keep the extra coffee in the fridge. I don't usually share mine (it's a "cleaning day" treat for me), so the pitcher lasts all day.
Enjoy!
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Adoptee Rights Video
I know I've been slacking on my blog, and especially on talking about adoptee rights (totally missed the 50 day letter writing campaign, and didn't write a single post during the protest). My apologies. BUT, I thought it would be awesome to share this video with you - created by a 13 year old, the daughter of an adoptee. Enjoy!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
30 Things Overheard at 12 Step Meetings:
1. Treat your mind like a bad neighborhood- Don't go there alone!
2. Ten out of ten people die, so don't take life too seriously.
3. Be profound, funny or quiet.
4. After you talk in a meeting, listen to hear if you said anything.
5. I don't need your help today... Love, God
6. Our sickness is between our ears.
7. Want to hear God laugh? Tell Him your plans.
8. Don't expect to learn about people from books; a person can't fit in a bookcase.
9. Now I can wake and say, "Good morning, God!" rather than "Good God, it's morning!"
10. When I turned myself over to God, I took my life out of the hands of an idiot.
11. When the world comes to an end, it will do so without my permission.
12. If you pray for a Cadillac and God sends you a jackass, ride it.
13. There's no one too dumb for this program, but it's possible to be too smart.
14. All I wanted was to control you, myself, and everything else!
15. My disease is an elephant. As long as I remember it's there, I won't get stepped on.
16. Try praying. Nothing pleases God more than to hear a strange voice.
17. Reality can be hell when you're only visiting.
18. God save me from myself.
19. Keep it simple!
20. We're all here, because we're not all here.
21. Constructive Criticism: I tell you what is wrong with you. Destructive Criticism: You tell me what is wrong with me.
22. My mind is out to get me!
23. I need to get the cotton out of my ears and put it in my mouth.
24. Come to 90 meetings in 90 days. If you're not satisfied, we'll refund your misery.
25. Things I turn over to God most easily are those things already fixed.
26. E.G.O. "Easing God Out"
27. God has never been a problem in my life, but I have been a problem to God all my life.
28. I know that I'm not yet the person I can be, but I thank God I'm not the person I used to be.
29. If you think you're happy, you are. If you think you're wise, you're not.
30. When I don't have expectations of others, anything positive they do is a pleasant surprise!
2. Ten out of ten people die, so don't take life too seriously.
3. Be profound, funny or quiet.
4. After you talk in a meeting, listen to hear if you said anything.
5. I don't need your help today... Love, God
6. Our sickness is between our ears.
7. Want to hear God laugh? Tell Him your plans.
8. Don't expect to learn about people from books; a person can't fit in a bookcase.
9. Now I can wake and say, "Good morning, God!" rather than "Good God, it's morning!"
10. When I turned myself over to God, I took my life out of the hands of an idiot.
11. When the world comes to an end, it will do so without my permission.
12. If you pray for a Cadillac and God sends you a jackass, ride it.
13. There's no one too dumb for this program, but it's possible to be too smart.
14. All I wanted was to control you, myself, and everything else!
15. My disease is an elephant. As long as I remember it's there, I won't get stepped on.
16. Try praying. Nothing pleases God more than to hear a strange voice.
17. Reality can be hell when you're only visiting.
18. God save me from myself.
19. Keep it simple!
20. We're all here, because we're not all here.
21. Constructive Criticism: I tell you what is wrong with you. Destructive Criticism: You tell me what is wrong with me.
22. My mind is out to get me!
23. I need to get the cotton out of my ears and put it in my mouth.
24. Come to 90 meetings in 90 days. If you're not satisfied, we'll refund your misery.
25. Things I turn over to God most easily are those things already fixed.
26. E.G.O. "Easing God Out"
27. God has never been a problem in my life, but I have been a problem to God all my life.
28. I know that I'm not yet the person I can be, but I thank God I'm not the person I used to be.
29. If you think you're happy, you are. If you think you're wise, you're not.
30. When I don't have expectations of others, anything positive they do is a pleasant surprise!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
New Beginnings
So, I've got big news. I'm going to be moving! I've mentioned a few times that my husband and I are separated...but we're still in the same house, and we were working on things. We've decided to call it quits, for good, and will be going our separate ways. Jason had a big decision to make about what he wanted to do with the house (I left the decision up to him, because the one thing that would benefit both of us was the one thing he didn't want to do...and either of the other options would have sucked equally). He told me this morning, he's going to stay here and get roommates, and I'm going to be moving out as soon as I can afford to.
This will mean that I'm going to be crazy-busy for awhile. That doesn't mean I won't be blogging...I'll try. But I make no promises! I'll be around when I can, and I'll post whenever I'm able to.
As sad as I am to be losing my husband, and all the trappings of marriage, I'm really excited about this next step. I'm ready to move on, and I'm looking forward to new opportunities. If anyone who reads this lives up in the Portland/Vancouver area and happens to know of any jobs, let me know. I'm hoping for something that's mostly sitting (due to back problems), but otherwise, I'm wide open. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
WHAT kind of petting zoo???
Why Does It Also Say "No Fat Chicks?"
Wife, reading advertisement: What is an erotic petting zoo?
Husband: A what?
Wife, louder: An erotic petting zoo!
Husband, looking: That says "exotic" petting zoo.
Wife: Oh, well...that makes more sense.
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
**Copied from my Overheard In The Office weekly email.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
When it rains, it pours...
OMG...obviously I'm taking a little hiatus from this blogging thing. I have so many posts I want to write! We had this awesome thunder storm, I have pictures of my first rose of the year, the Adoptee Rights Demonstration is growing ever closer...oh so many wondrous things to write about.
But I'm overwhelmed, and it's all I can do to just keep spinning my wheels right now. I'll be back when I can.
Take care, all.
But I'm overwhelmed, and it's all I can do to just keep spinning my wheels right now. I'll be back when I can.
Take care, all.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Scrubs
I love this show. But this clip, I have never seen. I LOVE Men Without Hats!!! This clip had me laughing the whole way through. Enjoy!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
"You Don't Have To Do Any More Work To Be A Good Person..."
I just heard this quote, and it floored me.
"You don't have to do any more work to be a good person, ok? You can take the rest of your life off." ~Eve Ensler
From this film (the link takes you to the netflix page where you can watch this film online).
"You don't have to do any more work to be a good person, ok? You can take the rest of your life off." ~Eve Ensler
From this film (the link takes you to the netflix page where you can watch this film online).
Saturday, May 16, 2009
The Kitty Girl
We have a new family member, who we met in October. I have to admit, we have not been good furbaby parents to her. It has been a difficult adjustment period for her, and the adjustment is far from over. She needs far more attention than we have been giving her. I think we've finally gotten into a decent routine over the last month or so, where she is getting maybe a tad less attention than she needs, but enough that she is making some progress, and feeling more comfortable here. Today was a great day for her.
A little history here...Kaluah Kitty came from my friend, Nancy. Nancy was moving into an apartment, and couldn't afford the pet deposit. She left her kitty at the old house with her ex husband for awhile, but kitty was getting no love, beings that no one was really staying at the old house except a couple times a week. Kitty needed a family. So, she came here. Now, before she joined our family, Kaluah was a huntress. She came and went as she pleased, and she brought her Other Mommy wondrous gifts on a regular basis. Unfortunately, Kaluah Kitty has been afraid to go outside since she has been here. I opened the door one day awhile back when the weather was nice, and she promptly jumped off my lap and ran. I was sad for kitty.
Well, today I decided to try it again. The last thing I want is to frighten her, but I do want to keep giving her small challenges so that she can slowly feel more like family here. So, after a lovely nap, I picked her up, and cuddled and cooed while I slowly walked out to the dining room. I had already opened the back door. I stopped in the dining room so that she could see that I had opened the door. She was curious, but not freaked out. So, I slowly stepped over the threshhold and sat down on the stoop. I held her and talked to her for a good 5 minutes before she slowly and tentatively made her first steps.
I was so proud of her! She went exploring for the first time! She was very timid, and when I tried to sneak inside to get my camera, she ran. But she slowly came back out again when I sat on the stoop. I was able to get some good pictures of her first foray into The Outdoors. Enjoy!
This is the kitty running back in the house when I got my camera.
Exploring.
If you look really closely, you might be able to just see the outline of the Kitty in the jungle that is our yard.
And here she is reminiscing after her travels.
A little history here...Kaluah Kitty came from my friend, Nancy. Nancy was moving into an apartment, and couldn't afford the pet deposit. She left her kitty at the old house with her ex husband for awhile, but kitty was getting no love, beings that no one was really staying at the old house except a couple times a week. Kitty needed a family. So, she came here. Now, before she joined our family, Kaluah was a huntress. She came and went as she pleased, and she brought her Other Mommy wondrous gifts on a regular basis. Unfortunately, Kaluah Kitty has been afraid to go outside since she has been here. I opened the door one day awhile back when the weather was nice, and she promptly jumped off my lap and ran. I was sad for kitty.
Well, today I decided to try it again. The last thing I want is to frighten her, but I do want to keep giving her small challenges so that she can slowly feel more like family here. So, after a lovely nap, I picked her up, and cuddled and cooed while I slowly walked out to the dining room. I had already opened the back door. I stopped in the dining room so that she could see that I had opened the door. She was curious, but not freaked out. So, I slowly stepped over the threshhold and sat down on the stoop. I held her and talked to her for a good 5 minutes before she slowly and tentatively made her first steps.
I was so proud of her! She went exploring for the first time! She was very timid, and when I tried to sneak inside to get my camera, she ran. But she slowly came back out again when I sat on the stoop. I was able to get some good pictures of her first foray into The Outdoors. Enjoy!
This is the kitty running back in the house when I got my camera.
Exploring.
If you look really closely, you might be able to just see the outline of the Kitty in the jungle that is our yard.
And here she is reminiscing after her travels.
ARD Twitter!
The picture above is a link to the Adoptee Rights Demonstration's new twitter page! I was so excited when I saw this, I had to share it with you all. For more information on how to help end discrimination against adoptees, please click the same picture over there at the top right of this page, and it will take you to the ARD's main web site.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Sam Kinison
Apparently I've spent just about enough time crying lately. I've been in the mood to laugh (as you can tell by my last two posts). I decided tonight it's been entirely too long since I've heard Sam Kinison's voice. And of course, I've got to share this with you all, too. May he rest in peace.
And a quote from Sam's official web site:
"That's when you know you're pretty f---ed up, when it makes sense to fall asleep... I was driving between Needles and Barstow... It's about 120 miles of desert... It's four in the morning, man... Hey, this is a pretty good time to go to sleep ... (SCREAMS HYSTERICALLY) So I totaled this f---in' car out, man!... I f---in' totaled it! And it made SENSE at the time!"
-Sam Kinison
And a quote from Sam's official web site:
"That's when you know you're pretty f---ed up, when it makes sense to fall asleep... I was driving between Needles and Barstow... It's about 120 miles of desert... It's four in the morning, man... Hey, this is a pretty good time to go to sleep ... (SCREAMS HYSTERICALLY) So I totaled this f---in' car out, man!... I f---in' totaled it! And it made SENSE at the time!"
-Sam Kinison
Free Samples
I'm finding all sorts of stuff to giggle about these days. I found this link to a free sample of something called "Drinking Mate" on shop4freebies today. I almost laughed out loud, but Jason needs to sleep before work tonight...so I giggled quietly. This is definitely going to be someone's holiday gift this year. *snicker*
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Random Giggles
In case you can't tell by the picture, this is a bulk bin. The contents of the bin is "coffee creamer". Do you see that label, in big capital letters, across the lid? Yeah, the one that says, "PLEASE - NO SAMPLING"? Is that really necessary? How many people mozy into Winco with a hot, fresh cup of joe so that they can sneak back to the bulk section and "sample" the bulk coffee creamer?
This made me giggle. I mean...really? Seriously?
It made me wish I had a cup of coffee, just so I could turn around to the bulk department employee who was filling the bins and say, "I'm sampling! I'm sampling! Neener neener!"
Monday, May 11, 2009
Next To The Last Song
I just had to go and watch it again. And when I did, I took a page from Selma's book...I couldn't finish the movie. Selma (the main character in Dancer In The Dark) hates the end of musicals. She would leave the theater after the next to the last song so that she would miss the ending. After pretty well dehydrating myself two nights in a row, I decided to spare myself the very end this time. I stopped it half a verse before the end of the last song.
I don't know if many of you have heard Bjork sing, but sometimes the words aren't completely clear. I didn't know what all the words to this song were, so I looked them up. For all the tears I cried reading the words to the song, I may as well have watched the very end anyway. Man, this is an emotional film.
Fitting way to spend Mother's Day.
Next To The Last Song
Dear Gene, of course you are here
And now it's nothing to fear
Oooh, I should have known
Oooh, I was never alone
This isn't the last song
There is no violin
The choir is so quiet
And no one takes a spin
This is the next to last song
And that's all, all
Remember what I have said
Remember, wrap up the bread
Do this, do that, make your bed
This isn't the last song
There is no violin
The choir is quiet
And no one takes a spin
This is the next to last song
And that's all ...
I don't know if many of you have heard Bjork sing, but sometimes the words aren't completely clear. I didn't know what all the words to this song were, so I looked them up. For all the tears I cried reading the words to the song, I may as well have watched the very end anyway. Man, this is an emotional film.
Fitting way to spend Mother's Day.
Next To The Last Song
Dear Gene, of course you are here
And now it's nothing to fear
Oooh, I should have known
Oooh, I was never alone
This isn't the last song
There is no violin
The choir is so quiet
And no one takes a spin
This is the next to last song
And that's all, all
Remember what I have said
Remember, wrap up the bread
Do this, do that, make your bed
This isn't the last song
There is no violin
The choir is quiet
And no one takes a spin
This is the next to last song
And that's all ...
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Dancer In The Dark
Dancer In The Dark is absolutely my favorite movie, and is where I got the title for my blog. I have to be in a certain mood to watch it, though. If I haven't mentioned this before, I'm a cryer. There are a few movies that make me cry every time I watch them. This one, however, is different. I spend the last half hour of the movie bawling, sobbing, grieving for this young mother in an impossible situation. Every single time I watch it.
This independent film has an exceptional cast. I'm trying to come up with more to say about this amazing film, but having just watched it (and still pretty teary), I think I'd better just link you to the wikipedia article. The link at the top of this post will take you to the netflix page where you can watch the film online if you have a netflix subscription.
This independent film has an exceptional cast. I'm trying to come up with more to say about this amazing film, but having just watched it (and still pretty teary), I think I'd better just link you to the wikipedia article. The link at the top of this post will take you to the netflix page where you can watch the film online if you have a netflix subscription.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Shel Silverstein
I just got a new Shel Silverstein book in the mail today, so I had to share.
I remember reading a lot of Shel Silverstein's poems in elementary school, but I didn't know who he was until I was in my 20's. At that point, I started collecting his books. They've come to some use when reading to nieces and nephews (and when I'm just having a down day...you can't frown while reading "Backwards Bill"). But lately, my Shel Silverstein books have been gathering a lot of dust.
*whimper* I want kids.
Enough with that. This book was a lot of fun. It reads a lot like a Dr. Suess book. Very cute.
I remember reading a lot of Shel Silverstein's poems in elementary school, but I didn't know who he was until I was in my 20's. At that point, I started collecting his books. They've come to some use when reading to nieces and nephews (and when I'm just having a down day...you can't frown while reading "Backwards Bill"). But lately, my Shel Silverstein books have been gathering a lot of dust.
*whimper* I want kids.
Enough with that. This book was a lot of fun. It reads a lot like a Dr. Suess book. Very cute.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Hazelden
Another post straight from my inbox. This one is just so cool because I've been in a major funk for a few weeks. I haven't been in a depression like this in years. It's one of those deep depressions where I feel like I'm walking in a fog. The good news is, I know this is only temporary. I have a hard time sitting with my "negative" phases, and I have this overwhelming desire to change it. But this time, I think I'm just going to stop resisting...it's ok to struggle sometimes, it's ok to walk in a fog for awhile, it's ok to not be ok all the time. Without further ado:
Today's thought for Hazelden is:
"Depressions are transition times for me," an older fellow stated. "I look at my lows as a preparation period, an inner time to grow and change even though I'm not consciously aware of what's going on inside me. But I didn't always think this way.
"I used to get terrified when I got into one of those low periods. Every time I did, I questioned everything I ever believed in. I doubted myself and my abilities, my opinions and values, my friends and my boss. Nothing escaped my painful questioning. I thought for sure I was going insane. The pain was so unbearable I wanted to drink, work harder, anything, to distract me from my anguish.
"Now when I get low, I take it more in stride. I think of my depression as part of a natural cycle. Just as nature has its fall, winter, and spring, I, too, have a period of shedding old growth for new growth. I just endure my grey days knowing the sun will shine again just as the trees will bloom after winter. As part of the natural world around me, I, too, have my seasons of joy and sorrow."
Today I will remember that my lows are as natural as my highs. I will not become overwhelmed and exaggerate the significance of my depressions. I will endure patiently, knowing that whatever faces me will pass in time.
You are reading from the book:
The Reflecting Pond by Liane Cordes
You can get these daily reflections here.
Today's thought for Hazelden is:
"Depressions are transition times for me," an older fellow stated. "I look at my lows as a preparation period, an inner time to grow and change even though I'm not consciously aware of what's going on inside me. But I didn't always think this way.
"I used to get terrified when I got into one of those low periods. Every time I did, I questioned everything I ever believed in. I doubted myself and my abilities, my opinions and values, my friends and my boss. Nothing escaped my painful questioning. I thought for sure I was going insane. The pain was so unbearable I wanted to drink, work harder, anything, to distract me from my anguish.
"Now when I get low, I take it more in stride. I think of my depression as part of a natural cycle. Just as nature has its fall, winter, and spring, I, too, have a period of shedding old growth for new growth. I just endure my grey days knowing the sun will shine again just as the trees will bloom after winter. As part of the natural world around me, I, too, have my seasons of joy and sorrow."
Today I will remember that my lows are as natural as my highs. I will not become overwhelmed and exaggerate the significance of my depressions. I will endure patiently, knowing that whatever faces me will pass in time.
You are reading from the book:
The Reflecting Pond by Liane Cordes
You can get these daily reflections here.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Letting Go of Fear
From The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie ©1990, Hazelden Foundation.
Fear is at the core of codependency. It can motivate us to control situations or neglect ourselves.
Many of us have been afraid for so long that we don't label our feelings fear. We're used to feeling upset and anxious. It feels normal.
Peace and serenity may be uncomfortable.
At one time, fear may have been appropriate and useful. We may have relied on fear to protect ourselves, much the way soldiers in a war rely on fear to help them survive. But now, in recovery, we're living life differently.
It's time to thank our old fears for helping us survive, then wave good-bye to them. Welcome peace, trust, acceptance, and safety. We don't need that much fear anymore. We can listen to our healthy fears, and let go of the rest.
We can create a feeling of safety for ourselves, now. We are safe, now. We've made a commitment to take care of ourselves. We can trust and love ourselves.
God, help me let go of my need to be afraid. Replace it with a need to be at peace. Help me listen to my healthy fears and relinquish the rest.
Fear is at the core of codependency. It can motivate us to control situations or neglect ourselves.
Many of us have been afraid for so long that we don't label our feelings fear. We're used to feeling upset and anxious. It feels normal.
Peace and serenity may be uncomfortable.
At one time, fear may have been appropriate and useful. We may have relied on fear to protect ourselves, much the way soldiers in a war rely on fear to help them survive. But now, in recovery, we're living life differently.
It's time to thank our old fears for helping us survive, then wave good-bye to them. Welcome peace, trust, acceptance, and safety. We don't need that much fear anymore. We can listen to our healthy fears, and let go of the rest.
We can create a feeling of safety for ourselves, now. We are safe, now. We've made a commitment to take care of ourselves. We can trust and love ourselves.
God, help me let go of my need to be afraid. Replace it with a need to be at peace. Help me listen to my healthy fears and relinquish the rest.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Rasputina
I just discovered a new Rasputina song (ok, it's probably far from new, but still), and I thought I'd share it with you all. And maybe one or two others while I'm at it. ;-)
Rasputina's cover of Led Zepplin's Rock and Roll
Rasputina's cover of Led Zepplin's Rock and Roll
Monday, May 4, 2009
Biscuits!
So, I came home tonight and decided to do some actual cooking. As in, not the quickie stuff I've been doing lately. I had the opportunity to try the baking mix from this post. At first, I tried the baking mix using whole wheat flour...but it just didn't work out. So, I took the leftover baking mix, and mixed it with a new batch of baking mix that I made with white flour. So, without further ado...
BISCUITS
Spoon 2 cups of the baking mix into a bowl.
Make a well; add 1/2 c. cold milk, all at once. Working quickly, stir vigorously with a fork just until dough follows fork around the bowl - this should take 30-40 seconds. Turn dough onto a lightly floured board and knead gently for another half minute (about 10 folds) to remove stickiness.
Roll or pat dough out to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Dip a 2-inch cutter or an inverted glass tumbler in flour; cut dough straight down - no twisting - to form biscuits.
(I decided to be a dork and use a cookie cutter to cut the biscuits...Jason picked a pumpkin shaped cookie cutter.)
For soft biscuits, place dough rounds close together in a shallow, ungreased baking pan; for crusty biscuits, place the rounds 3/4 inch apart on a cookie sheet. Prick biscuit tops with a fork. If you wish, brush tops with milk or melted butter. Bake in an oven preheated to 450F for 10-15 minutes. Makes about 12 biscuits.
Yep, the half white, half wheat flour combo is very yummy.
BISCUITS
Spoon 2 cups of the baking mix into a bowl.
Make a well; add 1/2 c. cold milk, all at once. Working quickly, stir vigorously with a fork just until dough follows fork around the bowl - this should take 30-40 seconds. Turn dough onto a lightly floured board and knead gently for another half minute (about 10 folds) to remove stickiness.
Roll or pat dough out to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Dip a 2-inch cutter or an inverted glass tumbler in flour; cut dough straight down - no twisting - to form biscuits.
(I decided to be a dork and use a cookie cutter to cut the biscuits...Jason picked a pumpkin shaped cookie cutter.)
For soft biscuits, place dough rounds close together in a shallow, ungreased baking pan; for crusty biscuits, place the rounds 3/4 inch apart on a cookie sheet. Prick biscuit tops with a fork. If you wish, brush tops with milk or melted butter. Bake in an oven preheated to 450F for 10-15 minutes. Makes about 12 biscuits.
Yep, the half white, half wheat flour combo is very yummy.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
The Office
I've turned into a complete couch potato this weekend. I rarely watch tv, but I have wanted to do pretty much nothing else the last few days. I've been watching episodes of The Office on the computer, pretty much back to back, the whole weekend. It's been a good weekend.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Chair
I don't know if any of you has seen this, but I've been following the "chair" themed posts over at It's Lovely! I'll Take It!
There was a new one today. Let me see if I can track down the whole story line for you. It's pretty hilarious.
Here is the original chair post.
And here is the link to the rest of them.
Here's Chair catching some rays.
I especially like this picture because, at first, I thought it may have been taken at the same place as my title picture. After careful inspection (the deck is different), I've determined it wasn't the same place...but still a very nice, relaxing view.
There was a new one today. Let me see if I can track down the whole story line for you. It's pretty hilarious.
Here is the original chair post.
And here is the link to the rest of them.
Here's Chair catching some rays.
I especially like this picture because, at first, I thought it may have been taken at the same place as my title picture. After careful inspection (the deck is different), I've determined it wasn't the same place...but still a very nice, relaxing view.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Beltaine
This is my favorite of the holidays. Directly opposite of Samhain (Halloween), Beltaine is the day when the veil between the world of the faeries and our world is the thinnest. (I'm sure most know that Samhain is when the veil between our world and the world of the dead is the thinnest...but I'll save that for a Samhain post.)
In honor of our tiny guests, I'd like to pay tribute to some of the finest faerie artists of our time. Beginning with two who I have met in person.
Brian Froud
Toby Froud (the son of Brian and Wendy Froud...and the baby Toby from Labyrinth)
Amy Brown
Jessica Galbreth
Tricky Pixie
Tricky Pixie is a music group, and you can have a listen here.
Amira Mudfaery
And NO tribute to faeries is complete without the...
BASTARD FAIRIES!
In honor of our tiny guests, I'd like to pay tribute to some of the finest faerie artists of our time. Beginning with two who I have met in person.
Brian Froud
Toby Froud (the son of Brian and Wendy Froud...and the baby Toby from Labyrinth)
Amy Brown
Jessica Galbreth
Tricky Pixie
Tricky Pixie is a music group, and you can have a listen here.
Amira Mudfaery
And NO tribute to faeries is complete without the...
BASTARD FAIRIES!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Free Books
These are probably not the only books I've gotten for free this month, but I don't feel like hunting down all the past transactions on the different websites and such. So, we'll just say that I've gotten at least 5 free books just this month. I don't normally order this many books in one month, but I did this time because I had a lot of people recommending various books. Four of the five pictured books are self help books (mainly related to family issues). And the one in the middle (this is just a tad ironic) is a book on American Indian legends. I'm a Heinz 57, but more Native American than anything else, closely followed by German (what a combo, eh?).
I've mentioned this before, but it's been awhile. I get most of my books from paperbackswap, but this time around bookmooch had a lot more of the ones I was looking for. Both sites have their own interesting systems (very different from each other), but they're both really cool. Paperbackswap gets more traffic, but bookmooch is international. It's so fun to see which one will have the book I want...or which one will have it first (I have most of my wishlisted books on both sites).
I love free stuff, and being such an avid reader, these sites are two of my very favorites. Of course, it's not entirely free...when someone wants a book from you, you do have to pay shipping. But that's usually no more than a couple bucks. Oh, and on paperbackswap, they have a really nifty box-o-books option where you can swap more than one book at a time. You look at someone else's list of books, pick out a few you like, and make a straight trade, book for book. That option costs a few bucks a year, but it is SO worth it. I made a lot of good trades that way. It's a very nice way to get whole series so that you don't have to use up your credits to get individual books.
Happy reading!
I've mentioned this before, but it's been awhile. I get most of my books from paperbackswap, but this time around bookmooch had a lot more of the ones I was looking for. Both sites have their own interesting systems (very different from each other), but they're both really cool. Paperbackswap gets more traffic, but bookmooch is international. It's so fun to see which one will have the book I want...or which one will have it first (I have most of my wishlisted books on both sites).
I love free stuff, and being such an avid reader, these sites are two of my very favorites. Of course, it's not entirely free...when someone wants a book from you, you do have to pay shipping. But that's usually no more than a couple bucks. Oh, and on paperbackswap, they have a really nifty box-o-books option where you can swap more than one book at a time. You look at someone else's list of books, pick out a few you like, and make a straight trade, book for book. That option costs a few bucks a year, but it is SO worth it. I made a lot of good trades that way. It's a very nice way to get whole series so that you don't have to use up your credits to get individual books.
Happy reading!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Outdoor Altar
This post was inspired by Dani over at Magickal Mommy. I really enjoyed her post about her outdoor altar, and it reminded me of one of my favorite places to gather for ritual. I have a friend who lives nearby, and we used to get together every now and then for ritual. She has the most beautiful altar in her back yard. I have a few very fuzzy pictures of her altar all decked out for Beltaine in 2005...this is the best one I could find.
Her altar is made out of a log holding up a wooden pedestal, which displays an enormous crystal. During this ritual, we used this as the main altar, and placed all the ritual items around the huge crystal.
I don't have an outdoor altar. The #1 reason being that whenever it's warm enough for me to be doing rituals outside, my back yard is invariably infested with thousands of spiders...and I'm extremely arachnophobic. I do, however, have a lot of little outdoor things here and there that honor the Gods in various ways. I have a couple little stone plaques. One says, "Goddess Dwells Here", and is displayed right outside the front door. Another says, "Blessed Be The Trees", and this one is stationed below the twisted willow tree.
If there were a place where I felt comfortable communing with the Earth in my back yard (without being accosted by creepy crawlies, which would send me screaming across the yard), it would be below this tree. *sigh* Maybe the next home I live in, I will make sure to have a back yard that I can actually enjoy.
Her altar is made out of a log holding up a wooden pedestal, which displays an enormous crystal. During this ritual, we used this as the main altar, and placed all the ritual items around the huge crystal.
I don't have an outdoor altar. The #1 reason being that whenever it's warm enough for me to be doing rituals outside, my back yard is invariably infested with thousands of spiders...and I'm extremely arachnophobic. I do, however, have a lot of little outdoor things here and there that honor the Gods in various ways. I have a couple little stone plaques. One says, "Goddess Dwells Here", and is displayed right outside the front door. Another says, "Blessed Be The Trees", and this one is stationed below the twisted willow tree.
If there were a place where I felt comfortable communing with the Earth in my back yard (without being accosted by creepy crawlies, which would send me screaming across the yard), it would be below this tree. *sigh* Maybe the next home I live in, I will make sure to have a back yard that I can actually enjoy.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Why Parents Drink
A Mother passing by her son's bedroom was astonished to see that his bed was nicely made and everything was picked up. Then she saw an envelope, propped up prominently on the pillow that was addressed to 'Mom'. With the worst premonition she opened the envelope with trembling hands and read the letter.
Dear Mom,
It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you. I had to elope with my new girlfriend because I wanted to avoid a scene with Dad and you.. I have been finding real passion with Stacy and she is so nice. But I knew you would not approve of her because of all her piercings, tattoos, tight motorcycle clothes and the fact that she is much older than I am.
But it's not only the passion.......Mom she's pregnant.
Stacy said that we will be very happy. She owns a trailer in the woods and has a stack of firewood for the whole winter. We share a dream of having many more children.
Stacy has opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana doesn't really hurt anyone. We'll be growing it for ourselves and trading it with the other people that live nearby for cocaine and ecstasy. In the meantime we will pray that science will find a cure for AIDS so Stacy can get better. She deserves it. Don't worry Mom. I'm 15 and I know how to take care of myself. Someday I'm sure that we will be back to visit so that you can get to know your grandchildren.
Love,
Your Son, Paul
P.S. Mom, none of the above is true. I'm over at Dustin's house. I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than the report card that's in my center desk drawer. I love you - call me when it's safe to come home!
Dear Mom,
It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you. I had to elope with my new girlfriend because I wanted to avoid a scene with Dad and you.. I have been finding real passion with Stacy and she is so nice. But I knew you would not approve of her because of all her piercings, tattoos, tight motorcycle clothes and the fact that she is much older than I am.
But it's not only the passion.......Mom she's pregnant.
Stacy said that we will be very happy. She owns a trailer in the woods and has a stack of firewood for the whole winter. We share a dream of having many more children.
Stacy has opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana doesn't really hurt anyone. We'll be growing it for ourselves and trading it with the other people that live nearby for cocaine and ecstasy. In the meantime we will pray that science will find a cure for AIDS so Stacy can get better. She deserves it. Don't worry Mom. I'm 15 and I know how to take care of myself. Someday I'm sure that we will be back to visit so that you can get to know your grandchildren.
Love,
Your Son, Paul
P.S. Mom, none of the above is true. I'm over at Dustin's house. I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than the report card that's in my center desk drawer. I love you - call me when it's safe to come home!
Monday, April 27, 2009
Who is this Goddess?
Anyone know? She was in my email. At first, I thought she was Kali.
ETA: I think she's Lakshmi.
Mysterious Skin, and Enchanted
I completely forgot to check in today (well...now it's yesterday). This is going to be another of those quickies. I spent the day doing fun coupon stuff. Went to Albertson's and saved about $40...that was nifty. While I was looking through the paper and clipping coupons, I watched two movies on the computer.
The second movie I watched, Mysterious Skin, I had already watched yesterday. I popped it in the dvd player after the first movie just to have something to watch...and besides, I usually like watching movies more than once. I catch a lot more the second time around.
I first heard about it on a support forum for sexual assault survivors when someone asked what films were healing to watch. This movie was very tough to watch and extremely triggering. But on the other hand, it had some really good acting. I was pleasantly surprised by Elisabeth Shue's performance. I like her as an actress normally, but I always have a bit of an issue with little tics or personal habits (having a hard time describing this one). In all the movies I've seen before with Elisabeth Shue, her speech was always very breathy...every time she said something, she'd empty her lungs before she started talking again. It just struck me as weird*. At any rate, she didn't do that even once in this film. She was very "real", and it was a great role for her. Not the goody-goody she usually plays, but a very likeable character nevertheless.
Ugh, I'm rambling. Anyway, this film probably would appeal to a rather narrow audience. It's very graphic, with numerous sex scenes, some of them violent; the language used is pretty off-the-charts vulgar; and it could be offensive in many other ways. If you're sensitive about pretty much anything, don't watch it. But if you have an open mind, and if you can be emotionally safe while watching, I'd highly recommend it.
The other movie I watched today was much, much more family friendly. I've been wanting to see Enchanted for awhile now because it looked so cute. It certainly lived up to what I expected. I don't really have much else to say about it...I got a few good belly laughs out of it, which was much needed after seeing Mysterious Skin the day before.**
So yeah, it was a good day full of good movies. Oh, I completely forgot, I watched most of The Matrix with Jason while we ate dinner, too. It was a very movie-ful day.
*I think the reason I have an issue with habits like this is that when I'm watching an actor who has the same habit in every movie, it's a constant reminder that this is (for example) Elisabeth Shue, not the character she's playing. Neve Campbell has a similar "breathy" thing she does in all her roles, and I can never get completely into a film she's in. Is anyone else like this?
**Of course, it didn't help much that I went and watched it again right after watching Enchanted, lol.
Am I the only one who isn't able to choose a font size anymore? And if not, is anyone else annoyed by this? I liked getting to choose a font size.
The second movie I watched, Mysterious Skin, I had already watched yesterday. I popped it in the dvd player after the first movie just to have something to watch...and besides, I usually like watching movies more than once. I catch a lot more the second time around.
I first heard about it on a support forum for sexual assault survivors when someone asked what films were healing to watch. This movie was very tough to watch and extremely triggering. But on the other hand, it had some really good acting. I was pleasantly surprised by Elisabeth Shue's performance. I like her as an actress normally, but I always have a bit of an issue with little tics or personal habits (having a hard time describing this one). In all the movies I've seen before with Elisabeth Shue, her speech was always very breathy...every time she said something, she'd empty her lungs before she started talking again. It just struck me as weird*. At any rate, she didn't do that even once in this film. She was very "real", and it was a great role for her. Not the goody-goody she usually plays, but a very likeable character nevertheless.
Ugh, I'm rambling. Anyway, this film probably would appeal to a rather narrow audience. It's very graphic, with numerous sex scenes, some of them violent; the language used is pretty off-the-charts vulgar; and it could be offensive in many other ways. If you're sensitive about pretty much anything, don't watch it. But if you have an open mind, and if you can be emotionally safe while watching, I'd highly recommend it.
The other movie I watched today was much, much more family friendly. I've been wanting to see Enchanted for awhile now because it looked so cute. It certainly lived up to what I expected. I don't really have much else to say about it...I got a few good belly laughs out of it, which was much needed after seeing Mysterious Skin the day before.**
So yeah, it was a good day full of good movies. Oh, I completely forgot, I watched most of The Matrix with Jason while we ate dinner, too. It was a very movie-ful day.
*I think the reason I have an issue with habits like this is that when I'm watching an actor who has the same habit in every movie, it's a constant reminder that this is (for example) Elisabeth Shue, not the character she's playing. Neve Campbell has a similar "breathy" thing she does in all her roles, and I can never get completely into a film she's in. Is anyone else like this?
**Of course, it didn't help much that I went and watched it again right after watching Enchanted, lol.
Am I the only one who isn't able to choose a font size anymore? And if not, is anyone else annoyed by this? I liked getting to choose a font size.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Red Meat
Having experienced a lot of death and gore in my life (I'll explain that in a minute, don't be alarmed), I developed a pretty sick sense of humor. It's pretty common when you work in the fields I have worked in to use dark humor to get through the day. For about seven years, I worked with the elderly and disabled, and for 4 years of that, I also worked with battered women and their children. It can be exceptionally difficult to hear a close friend talk about their impending death, or to walk in on a once vibrant man who can no longer stand on his own and has cracked his head open. I'm going to cry if I keep thinking about it (I miss those guys so much), so I'll just move along.
One of my favorite sources of dark humor is Red Meat comics. My friend, Gloria, introduced me to them when she came out to Oregon for a visit. She brought a few of these comic books with her. If you don't enjoy dark, sometimes demented humor, you're not going to want to click that link above. But if you're like me...you'll get a few good laughs out of it. Click on the dude who looks like Steve Buscemi, and you'll be transported into a whole new world, full of "humor that snaps your funny bone". Enjoy!
One of my favorite sources of dark humor is Red Meat comics. My friend, Gloria, introduced me to them when she came out to Oregon for a visit. She brought a few of these comic books with her. If you don't enjoy dark, sometimes demented humor, you're not going to want to click that link above. But if you're like me...you'll get a few good laughs out of it. Click on the dude who looks like Steve Buscemi, and you'll be transported into a whole new world, full of "humor that snaps your funny bone". Enjoy!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Homemade Baking Mixes
I borrowed this book from my co-worker awhile back...I forget what it was called, but she's had this book for 25 years, and it is absolutely the most awesome book I've ever seen (ok, there are others just as awesome, but maybe this is the most awesome cook-type-book). It's a huge book full of recipes for making your own groceries at home. I'll probably post various things from it from time to time, but for today, I decided to post the baking mixes section (wish I had the stupid power cord for my scanner, I'd just scan the pages and post the picture...oh well).
BISCUIT AND BAKING MIX (like Bisquick)
8 3/4 cups flour (I used wheat flour, but wouldn't recommend it...maybe half white and half wheat, but don't use all wheat, k? Just not good...)
1/3 cup baking powder
1/4 cup sugar
1 tbsp. salt
2 cups vegetable shortening
In a very large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Use a pastry blender, or two knives, or your fingertips to cut in the shortening, 1 cup at a time, until the mix looks like coarse meal. Put in a covered container or plastic bag. Store at room temperature for about 3 months. For longer storage, place in freezer. To measure mix for use, lightly spoon it into a measuring cup; do not pack; level with a spatula.
BISCUITS
Spoon 2 cups of the above mix into a bowl. Make a well; add 1/2 c. cold milk, all at once. Working quickly, stir vigorously with a fork just until dough follows fork around the bowl - this should take 30-40 seconds. Turn dough onto a lightly floured board and knead gently for another half minute (about 10 folds) to remove stickiness. Roll or pat dough out to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Dip a 2-inch cutter or an inverted glass tumbler in flour; cut dough straight down - no twisting - to form biscuits.
For soft biscuits, place dough rounds close together in a shallow, ungreased baking pan; for crusty biscuits, place the rounds 3/4 inch apart on a cookie sheet. Prick biscuit tops with a fork. If you wish, brush tops with milk or melted butter. Bake in an oven preheated to 450F for 10-15 minutes. Makes about 12 biscuits.
DROP BISCUITS
Increase milk to 2/3 cup. Do not knead. Drop dough from a teaspoon onto a well-greased cookie sheet. Bake as directed.
CHEESE BISCUITS
Add 1/3 cup grated cheese, any flavor, to dough.
ONION BISCUITS
Add 1/4 cup chopped, sauteed onions to dough.
HAM-BACON BISCUITS
Add 1/3 cup crisp bacon bits or 1/4 cup very finely chopped cooked ham to dough.
PANCAKES
In a mixing bowl, combine 1 1/3 cups milk and 1 egg. Add 2 cups of lightly spooned baking mix; beat smooth with an egg beater. If you wish, fold in 1/2 cup blueberries or 3/4 cup sliced apples. Drop mixture in 1/4 cup measurements onto a hot, lightly greased griddle. Makes 10 4-inch pancakes.
SHORTCAKES
Use a fork to lightly beat 1 egg in a mixing bowl; add 1/2 cup milk, 3 tablespoons sugar, and 3 cups of lightly spooned baking mix. Stir quickly with a fork to moisten, about 30 strokes. Turn onto a floured surface and knead well, 8 times. Roll out dough 1/2 inch thick. Using a floured cutter or inverted glass tumbler, cut dough into an equal amount of 2 1/2- and 3-inch rounds. Brush a larger round with melted butter and place a smaller one on top of it. Repeat until you have 5 or 6 double shortcakes. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, gently prick tops with a fork; butter them if you wish. Bake in a preheated 425F oven for 12-15 minutes.
QUICK MEAT OR CHICKEN PIE
Pour 4 servings of canned or homemade beef or chicken stew into a buttered casserole dish; bake at 425F for about 10 minutes. Spoon 1 cup of baking mix into a bowl, make a well, and, all at once, pour in 1/3 cup of milk. Stir vigorously with a fork until moistened. Drop by teaspoonfuls on top of the heated stew. Bake 20-25 minutes more, then serve.
BISCUIT AND BAKING MIX (like Bisquick)
8 3/4 cups flour (I used wheat flour, but wouldn't recommend it...maybe half white and half wheat, but don't use all wheat, k? Just not good...)
1/3 cup baking powder
1/4 cup sugar
1 tbsp. salt
2 cups vegetable shortening
In a very large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Use a pastry blender, or two knives, or your fingertips to cut in the shortening, 1 cup at a time, until the mix looks like coarse meal. Put in a covered container or plastic bag. Store at room temperature for about 3 months. For longer storage, place in freezer. To measure mix for use, lightly spoon it into a measuring cup; do not pack; level with a spatula.
BISCUITS
Spoon 2 cups of the above mix into a bowl. Make a well; add 1/2 c. cold milk, all at once. Working quickly, stir vigorously with a fork just until dough follows fork around the bowl - this should take 30-40 seconds. Turn dough onto a lightly floured board and knead gently for another half minute (about 10 folds) to remove stickiness. Roll or pat dough out to 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Dip a 2-inch cutter or an inverted glass tumbler in flour; cut dough straight down - no twisting - to form biscuits.
For soft biscuits, place dough rounds close together in a shallow, ungreased baking pan; for crusty biscuits, place the rounds 3/4 inch apart on a cookie sheet. Prick biscuit tops with a fork. If you wish, brush tops with milk or melted butter. Bake in an oven preheated to 450F for 10-15 minutes. Makes about 12 biscuits.
DROP BISCUITS
Increase milk to 2/3 cup. Do not knead. Drop dough from a teaspoon onto a well-greased cookie sheet. Bake as directed.
CHEESE BISCUITS
Add 1/3 cup grated cheese, any flavor, to dough.
ONION BISCUITS
Add 1/4 cup chopped, sauteed onions to dough.
HAM-BACON BISCUITS
Add 1/3 cup crisp bacon bits or 1/4 cup very finely chopped cooked ham to dough.
PANCAKES
In a mixing bowl, combine 1 1/3 cups milk and 1 egg. Add 2 cups of lightly spooned baking mix; beat smooth with an egg beater. If you wish, fold in 1/2 cup blueberries or 3/4 cup sliced apples. Drop mixture in 1/4 cup measurements onto a hot, lightly greased griddle. Makes 10 4-inch pancakes.
SHORTCAKES
Use a fork to lightly beat 1 egg in a mixing bowl; add 1/2 cup milk, 3 tablespoons sugar, and 3 cups of lightly spooned baking mix. Stir quickly with a fork to moisten, about 30 strokes. Turn onto a floured surface and knead well, 8 times. Roll out dough 1/2 inch thick. Using a floured cutter or inverted glass tumbler, cut dough into an equal amount of 2 1/2- and 3-inch rounds. Brush a larger round with melted butter and place a smaller one on top of it. Repeat until you have 5 or 6 double shortcakes. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, gently prick tops with a fork; butter them if you wish. Bake in a preheated 425F oven for 12-15 minutes.
QUICK MEAT OR CHICKEN PIE
Pour 4 servings of canned or homemade beef or chicken stew into a buttered casserole dish; bake at 425F for about 10 minutes. Spoon 1 cup of baking mix into a bowl, make a well, and, all at once, pour in 1/3 cup of milk. Stir vigorously with a fork until moistened. Drop by teaspoonfuls on top of the heated stew. Bake 20-25 minutes more, then serve.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Unfavorite Things: Mother's Day
First, let me say that I don't dislike Mother's Day by itself. Second, before I get into what makes Mother's Day one of my Unfavorite Things, I should warn you, this is probably going to get a bit emotional. I'm just going to lay it all out here.
I was just kind of happily moseying along, minding my own business, not thinking about my estranged mother, when all of a sudden, everyone and their...well...mother...started talking about Mother's Day all at once. I've been doing so well in this mother-less state of mind...it was rude to jolt me out of it. Not that I can fault anyone...mothers do deserve their own day to be honored, cherished, pampered...I desperately wish I could do these things for my own mother. And it's not that she doesn't deserve it. By virtue of the fact that she willingly shared her body with me for nine whole months, went through the ordeal of labor (which I've seen twice, and I know it doesn't exactly tickle), and the fact that I survived my childhood (barely), well those are all the requirements for motherhood, and therefore, she deserves to be honored, cherished, and pampered.
I was going to explain why I can't honor my mother this year on Mother's Day...but those whose mothers are Narcissistic will "get it" without explanation, and those whose mothers aren't...just won't. No matter what I say, the response would be, "well, did you try _____? I'm sure she loves you. She couldn't have meant it that way." Yeah, she did. Trust me. I grew up with this woman, I know what she did when she had me alone, when she knew no one would ever find out. I don't have to explain it. Besides...I'm just not in the mood to revisit all my childhood trauma right now. Just a little chunk is all I can handle today.
This will be the first Mother's Day in my entire life that I will not at least make some sort of attempt to acknowledge my mother's motherhood. At this point in my life, my lack of communication with my family is necessary. I'd like to think that I will one day be able to have some sort of relationship with them, and still be able to keep myself safe...I just haven't figured out how to do that yet, and right now, I don't have the emotional energy to deal with unsafe relationships. So, as much as it pains me, I'm going to have to skip right over this Mother's Day without so much as a howdy do to my own mother.
This must seem very confusing. I want so much to talk to my mom, to love her, to hold her, to be in her presence...and yet, I'm fuming angry with her, can't stand her, don't want anything to do with her, and cringe at the thought of my phone ringing and seeing her number pop up. I would love nothing in the world so much as if I could give my mom a Mother's Day card and mean every word of it from the bottom of my heart...but I also know that no matter what I say, it will be used against me. (I gave my mom a card once because she was really down on herself, and I was trying to make her feel better...she turned every word around until it was so twisted and deformed that my original message was unrecognizable...and she convinced my dad that I had given her the card just to tell her what a horrible person she is. I still don't even know what to do with that information...how do you react to something like that? This was years ago, and I'm still at a loss about it.)
So, if this seems confusing...well, it is. During the holidays, I was angry that my mom didn't even bother TRYING to call me. However, if she had tried, I wouldn't have answered, and I would have been angry that she had violated my boundaries after I specifically asked for no contact. Nothing makes sense anymore when it comes to my family. Not that it ever did...but at least the dysfunctional, abusive, narcissistic, crazy patterns of my youth were consistent (well, they were inconsistent, but I could count on the inconsistency, as much as I could count on the dysfunctionality, and everything else).
My point to all this is that this Mother's Day is weighing heavily on me. Just thinking about this upcoming holiday is difficult. I wish I could just move to some foreign country where they don't celebrate Mother's Day...just until it's over. I'm glad everyone else is honoring their mothers this year...I just can't handle being reminded every day for the next few weeks that I'm not honoring mine.
I was just kind of happily moseying along, minding my own business, not thinking about my estranged mother, when all of a sudden, everyone and their...well...mother...started talking about Mother's Day all at once. I've been doing so well in this mother-less state of mind...it was rude to jolt me out of it. Not that I can fault anyone...mothers do deserve their own day to be honored, cherished, pampered...I desperately wish I could do these things for my own mother. And it's not that she doesn't deserve it. By virtue of the fact that she willingly shared her body with me for nine whole months, went through the ordeal of labor (which I've seen twice, and I know it doesn't exactly tickle), and the fact that I survived my childhood (barely), well those are all the requirements for motherhood, and therefore, she deserves to be honored, cherished, and pampered.
I was going to explain why I can't honor my mother this year on Mother's Day...but those whose mothers are Narcissistic will "get it" without explanation, and those whose mothers aren't...just won't. No matter what I say, the response would be, "well, did you try _____? I'm sure she loves you. She couldn't have meant it that way." Yeah, she did. Trust me. I grew up with this woman, I know what she did when she had me alone, when she knew no one would ever find out. I don't have to explain it. Besides...I'm just not in the mood to revisit all my childhood trauma right now. Just a little chunk is all I can handle today.
This will be the first Mother's Day in my entire life that I will not at least make some sort of attempt to acknowledge my mother's motherhood. At this point in my life, my lack of communication with my family is necessary. I'd like to think that I will one day be able to have some sort of relationship with them, and still be able to keep myself safe...I just haven't figured out how to do that yet, and right now, I don't have the emotional energy to deal with unsafe relationships. So, as much as it pains me, I'm going to have to skip right over this Mother's Day without so much as a howdy do to my own mother.
This must seem very confusing. I want so much to talk to my mom, to love her, to hold her, to be in her presence...and yet, I'm fuming angry with her, can't stand her, don't want anything to do with her, and cringe at the thought of my phone ringing and seeing her number pop up. I would love nothing in the world so much as if I could give my mom a Mother's Day card and mean every word of it from the bottom of my heart...but I also know that no matter what I say, it will be used against me. (I gave my mom a card once because she was really down on herself, and I was trying to make her feel better...she turned every word around until it was so twisted and deformed that my original message was unrecognizable...and she convinced my dad that I had given her the card just to tell her what a horrible person she is. I still don't even know what to do with that information...how do you react to something like that? This was years ago, and I'm still at a loss about it.)
So, if this seems confusing...well, it is. During the holidays, I was angry that my mom didn't even bother TRYING to call me. However, if she had tried, I wouldn't have answered, and I would have been angry that she had violated my boundaries after I specifically asked for no contact. Nothing makes sense anymore when it comes to my family. Not that it ever did...but at least the dysfunctional, abusive, narcissistic, crazy patterns of my youth were consistent (well, they were inconsistent, but I could count on the inconsistency, as much as I could count on the dysfunctionality, and everything else).
My point to all this is that this Mother's Day is weighing heavily on me. Just thinking about this upcoming holiday is difficult. I wish I could just move to some foreign country where they don't celebrate Mother's Day...just until it's over. I'm glad everyone else is honoring their mothers this year...I just can't handle being reminded every day for the next few weeks that I'm not honoring mine.
Productivity
These days, productivity is rare for me. I've had some fairly major back pain issues for the last few years. I refuse to take medication for it unless I absolutely need it because when my pain is dulled, I can't tell how bad it is, and I continue to put more and more strain on my back, which just makes it worse.
Also, I've had some minor depression issues all my life, and I've been in "that" mode for a few months (maybe the winter weather affected me more than I thought it did). So, it has been increasingly difficult to have those productive days.
I have often sat and wistfully dreamed of the days when I could clean my whole house in one day...now I can't mop the floors. Or the days when I could make it to the top of Pilot Butte...I couldn't even make it from the parking lot to the foot of the Butte these days. I dream of the day (some distant, foggy day far in the future) when I might be able to do these things again.
Yes...I dream of mopping and hiking...two things I loathe, to be truthful, but I'd like to have the OPTION to do those things.
So, yesterday was a bit of a shock to me. I spent almost the entire day being productive. What changed, you ask? Well, my back has been hurting non-stop for days. It didn't matter if I was sitting, standing, bending, scrubbing...it just HURT. So I thought, well, if it's going to hurt no matter what I do, I may as well just suck it up and get moving. I felt like I had been run over by a tank by the time I fell into bed last night, but I was proud of myself in a way that I haven't been in over a year. This list may look puny to those of you who lead less sedentary lives, but allow me my pride...here's what I got done yesterday:
I rode on my "new" exercise bike...granted it was only a few minutes, but a few minutes is better than zero minutes.
I cleaned the entire kitchen, aside from the floor. It needed it, too. The sink is empty of the 4 days of dishes that had built up, the faucet and porcelain have been shined, counters cleaned (except a few spots), stove scrubbed. I cleaned and cured all my frying pans, AND my teapot (can anyone tell me how on Earth that thing gets so filthy every week? It's covered in grime an inch thick, and all I use it for is water! I think I need to store it on the other side of the kitchen...it picks up too much grease from cooking).
Oh yeah, and I actually cleaned the kitchen three times. Once for the big mess, and twice more after cooking and making a mess. It had better stay clean, I tell ya! (Had a little chat with hubs, and myself, to say that dishes are to be washed and promptly put in the dishwasher, not built up over days, and if you're going to cook for yourself, you're going to wash up your own dishes and clean up after yourself...I'm worse at this than he is, so I gave myself a much sterner talking to...heehee.)
I did all the laundry, which is huge. In the last few weeks, I've been getting most of the laundry done on Wednesday...to the point where I just have one last load in the dryer, and I just have to fold that and put everything away...and then I peter out. Well, last night, I didn't peter out (or, more accurately, I was already petered out by the time I woke up yesterday, so I just sucked it up and did it anyway). I even washed my blankets, since they were getting too heavy and warm. Hopefully that wasn't a mistake, since the weather is now cooled off again.
I cleaned the bathroom...counter, litter box, toilet (easy peasy, since I do the "swish" part of Flylady's swish and swipe at least every other day, so it wasn't that dirty to begin with), and the floor.
Organized cupboards, fridge, freezer, and a bunch of other stuff
Made bread
Made fudge
Wrote two blog posts...one about previously mentioned fudge, and one about cleaning supplies (which had to be edited about 15 times because I kept messing up...jeez).
Seems like there's more, but if I think of anything, I'll come back and add. I think that's enough bragging for now anyway. ;-)
Know what the best part is, though? That doesn't leave me a lot to do this weekend. Might have to find something fun to do with my spare time...
Also, I've had some minor depression issues all my life, and I've been in "that" mode for a few months (maybe the winter weather affected me more than I thought it did). So, it has been increasingly difficult to have those productive days.
I have often sat and wistfully dreamed of the days when I could clean my whole house in one day...now I can't mop the floors. Or the days when I could make it to the top of Pilot Butte...I couldn't even make it from the parking lot to the foot of the Butte these days. I dream of the day (some distant, foggy day far in the future) when I might be able to do these things again.
Yes...I dream of mopping and hiking...two things I loathe, to be truthful, but I'd like to have the OPTION to do those things.
So, yesterday was a bit of a shock to me. I spent almost the entire day being productive. What changed, you ask? Well, my back has been hurting non-stop for days. It didn't matter if I was sitting, standing, bending, scrubbing...it just HURT. So I thought, well, if it's going to hurt no matter what I do, I may as well just suck it up and get moving. I felt like I had been run over by a tank by the time I fell into bed last night, but I was proud of myself in a way that I haven't been in over a year. This list may look puny to those of you who lead less sedentary lives, but allow me my pride...here's what I got done yesterday:
I rode on my "new" exercise bike...granted it was only a few minutes, but a few minutes is better than zero minutes.
I cleaned the entire kitchen, aside from the floor. It needed it, too. The sink is empty of the 4 days of dishes that had built up, the faucet and porcelain have been shined, counters cleaned (except a few spots), stove scrubbed. I cleaned and cured all my frying pans, AND my teapot (can anyone tell me how on Earth that thing gets so filthy every week? It's covered in grime an inch thick, and all I use it for is water! I think I need to store it on the other side of the kitchen...it picks up too much grease from cooking).
Oh yeah, and I actually cleaned the kitchen three times. Once for the big mess, and twice more after cooking and making a mess. It had better stay clean, I tell ya! (Had a little chat with hubs, and myself, to say that dishes are to be washed and promptly put in the dishwasher, not built up over days, and if you're going to cook for yourself, you're going to wash up your own dishes and clean up after yourself...I'm worse at this than he is, so I gave myself a much sterner talking to...heehee.)
I did all the laundry, which is huge. In the last few weeks, I've been getting most of the laundry done on Wednesday...to the point where I just have one last load in the dryer, and I just have to fold that and put everything away...and then I peter out. Well, last night, I didn't peter out (or, more accurately, I was already petered out by the time I woke up yesterday, so I just sucked it up and did it anyway). I even washed my blankets, since they were getting too heavy and warm. Hopefully that wasn't a mistake, since the weather is now cooled off again.
I cleaned the bathroom...counter, litter box, toilet (easy peasy, since I do the "swish" part of Flylady's swish and swipe at least every other day, so it wasn't that dirty to begin with), and the floor.
Organized cupboards, fridge, freezer, and a bunch of other stuff
Made bread
Made fudge
Wrote two blog posts...one about previously mentioned fudge, and one about cleaning supplies (which had to be edited about 15 times because I kept messing up...jeez).
Seems like there's more, but if I think of anything, I'll come back and add. I think that's enough bragging for now anyway. ;-)
Know what the best part is, though? That doesn't leave me a lot to do this weekend. Might have to find something fun to do with my spare time...
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Easiest Fudge In The World
I have my mother in law to thank for this recipe. It's awesome. All you need is a bag of chocolate chips, a can of sweetened condensed milk, a double boiler or something similar, and a pan to put the finished fudge in.
Now, being domestic doesn't come easily to me. I've always had to work at it. Not that I don't love my domesticity...I'm just not a natural. So, just in case someone like me runs across this blog, I'm going to show every single step...even how to use a double boiler. Besides, this post would be so short if I didn't explain every step. This recipe is insanely easy.
So, step 1, fill the pot 1/2 to 3/4 full of water.
Then, put the double boiler (or another pan, whatever you've got handy) in the first pan, making sure the double boiler is sitting in the water, but the water isn't spilling out of the pan.
Dump in the chocolate and the milk.
Turn on the heat, and in a couple minutes, your chocolate will start to melt.
Give it a good stir every minute or so. It takes maybe 10 minutes to melt it all together.
When it's all melted, pour it into a pan to cool.
Put it in the fridge, and you'll have some delicious fudge in a half hour or so. I like to embellish it when I have stuff...add nuts, marshmallows, butterscotch chips, whatever tickles your fancy. This time, we're just having plan ol' fudge. Enjoy!
Now, being domestic doesn't come easily to me. I've always had to work at it. Not that I don't love my domesticity...I'm just not a natural. So, just in case someone like me runs across this blog, I'm going to show every single step...even how to use a double boiler. Besides, this post would be so short if I didn't explain every step. This recipe is insanely easy.
So, step 1, fill the pot 1/2 to 3/4 full of water.
Then, put the double boiler (or another pan, whatever you've got handy) in the first pan, making sure the double boiler is sitting in the water, but the water isn't spilling out of the pan.
Dump in the chocolate and the milk.
Turn on the heat, and in a couple minutes, your chocolate will start to melt.
Give it a good stir every minute or so. It takes maybe 10 minutes to melt it all together.
When it's all melted, pour it into a pan to cool.
Put it in the fridge, and you'll have some delicious fudge in a half hour or so. I like to embellish it when I have stuff...add nuts, marshmallows, butterscotch chips, whatever tickles your fancy. This time, we're just having plan ol' fudge. Enjoy!
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