POLKA DOTS

Polka dots are everywhere! Have you noticed?

I personally have a soft spot in my heart for those fun little circles symmetrically scattered on anything from clothing to toys to furniture to accessories to small household items.  They are big in the decorating world today.

When I was fourteen, you remember that tender age where your self esteem was in jeopardy and challenged on a daily basis, I owned a white pique dress with black polka dots .  It had a dropped waist and capped sleeves. I felt very chic and cosmopolitan when I wore that dress.  I think I might have worn it to church every Sunday or at least, every other Sunday.  Even though it was a hand-me-down from my sister, Sheila, I embraced that dress as if it were my own and just adored it.  It made me smile.  It was just the type of dress that perky little Gidget might have worn. (She was my idol, everything about her right down to her name.)

For the school picnic one year when I was in grade school, my Mom, who made a good deal of my clothes, had made a pair of red pedal pushers with a matching “angel blouse” that was white with red and navy blue rather large polka dots on it.  She creatively cut out a few of the dots and sewed them on the side of the pants at the hemline.  Wow, was I sharp!  (Remember that word describing how very stylish you dressed?)

Polka dots are just plain fun!  I think we are seeing a revival of them due to the gloomy economic atmosphere we have been plunged into over the past year.  They make us happy.  I read somewhere recently that when our economy is in a slump, the sale of lipstick increases dramatically.  Who knew?  Well, I can answer that.  Women know how and what to do to lift spirits and boost our sense of well being without spending an arm and a leg, against popular belief.  When we wear a new shade of lipstick or wear polka dots we put on our best smile, hold our heads high and laugh at the temporary slump our nation is experiencing.

So I challenge you women of all ages, purchase your new lipstick, buy something polka dotted in anticipation of Spring and better days ahead!

Saying Goodbye To Donna

Writing a eulogy is difficult, no doubt.  Delivering a eulogy at a funeral is beyond difficult, especially if it’s for a friend; a friend who was younger than you.

Today, I delivered my first eulogy which I had written for my friend, Donna who lost her battle with cancer this past week.  To say that she was a fighter is a huge understatement. I marveled at her tenacity against this horrid disease.  They say that terminally ill people hold out and wait to succumb to death for a certain date or the arrival of a loved one……Donna did just that.   She celebrated her birthday, Christmas, New Years Day and finally her 21st wedding anniversary in a span of three weeks, defying the doctors’ and hospice nurses’ predictions.  But that was Donna. Goal and task oriented.  She amazed us all.  Every time I visited and saw her frail and weak body, I thought,  ‘This will be the last time I see my dear friend, I better make this visit meaningful and say everything I need to say to her’.  It was good in that I actually got to say to her all that I had written for her eulogy.  The sad thing about  eulogies is that those being honored and memorialized never get to hear all the wonderful things being said about them.   Not so for Donna.  She heard it all. Not only from me, but from our small circle of friends who loved her.

She loved our visits as we lavished her with our support, love and praises for how she so graciously held her head high and stared this affliction in it’s evil eye and did not back down.

We learned so much from her.  Her unwavering faith stood front and center above everything else.  Her example of strength would’ve put Samson to shame.  We know the source of her strength and hope, our Lord and Savior.  She new the Lord, loved the Lord and walked with the Lord.  She truly walked by faith and not by sight, just as we are instructed to do by the Bible.  Her trust left us in awe.

Donna did not receive the physical healing that we prayed for along with the rest of our church, but she received the spiritual healing and eternal life promised to  all believers some day.

God’s mercy and loving kindness took her home, to her eternal home where there is peace, joy and abounding love.

HAPPY 2010 !

Another month, another year, another decade!

Time to get back to my routine of writing on my blog, exercising, reading , trying out new recipes, increasing spiritual disciplines….let’s see, have I missed anything? Let me be clear, these are not New Year resolutions.  They are part of my everyday life that have somehow fallen by the wayside.  If I want to spend a portion of each day doing any or all of these things, I’ll have to get up at 5 a.m.!!!!  That’s definitely not gonna happen!

Why is there never enough time in the day?  Is it just me?  I guess my first step would be to prioritize my time.  It’s not like I’ve never tried such a novel idea. I just don’t think I’m capable  of  it.  I mean, I think that everything I do is important until it’s a few hours later and I’m asking myself, “Now what did I just accomplish?”  I seem to get lost in thought, or a magazine or am wondering aimlessly in the grocery store, or in an idle conversation on the phone and time slips quickly by.  I need help!!!

That’s it.  Starting tomorrow, I will wake up, read the Bible, make a few lists, plan my Weight Watcher meals, take a brisk walk, write a quick post on my blog, or start that second book, do a good deed or two, read a few food blogs, buy the ingredients I don’t have for that new recipe, start dinner…..I’m tired already!  Doesn’t leave much time for watching T.V., or talking on the phone or leisurely paging through a magazine or book.  Well, I guess I just realized what I should try to avoid to allow time for the priority activities.  What would I do if I worked full time?  Which leads me to ask, HOW did I do  everything I needed to do when I worked part-time and raised three kids?  I think the answer to that question is …I was younger, much younger!!

I am determined to begin this coming week with a fresh start, a new beginning, a confidence that I know I can reach this new goal of mine.  OKAY, OKAY you win….these are New Year resolutions!!  Happy New Year!

Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

Here is a delicious snack and fantastic use of the pumpkin seeds that will be all over your newspaper-lined kitchen tables as you carve those Jack-O -Lanterns this weekend!

Enjoy them now while you can…….I guarantee you’ll be craving these nutty, crunchy morsels until next fall!

Remove the seeds from the pumpkin and let them soak in a large bowl filled with water. Wash them by rubbing them with your hands to remove the stringy bits from the seeds.  Dry them off with paper towels and spread them on clean newspaper to dry.

Heat a teaspoon of olive oil and a tablespoon of butter in a large heavy skillet until bubbly. Add the seeds and toast until brown and crisp, around 4 or 5 minutes. Season with a few shakes of garlic salt and a tablespoon of worchestershire sauce. 

You could also season the seeds FIRST, mixing them with the melted oil and butter  and spread them on a baking sheet and bake for 15 or 20 minutes.  Let them cool to room temp and munch away.  Your mouth will thank you!

Fall is for Figs

I’m so happy that it’s fall!   Love the crisp air, cool nights, football games, and, drum roll please……..FIGS!!!!

I just have to laugh when I ask someone if they like figs they hesitate, make a funny face and say, “Well, I like Fig Newtons”.  Ha!  They don’t know what they are missing  Fresh figs are so sweet and juicy and have a taste all of their own.These soft purple little ovals of pure,  creamy  sweetness are fantastic!!  It’s the mission figs I’m talking about. There in season now, and I say RUN, don’t walk to the nearest store that carries them (not too many do) and buy a bag full!   You’ll definitely find them down at the Strip District, much cheaper than the grocery stores.

Here is a simple quick appetizer to make in a flash utilizing these Fantastic Fall Figs:

Fig/ Gorgonzola/ Honey Bruschetta

Baguette bread, sliced in one inch diagonal slices

Four or five fresh figs, sliced

4 ounces gorgonzola cheese, crumbled

Honey for drizzling

Brush the bread slices with olive oil and place in moderate oven for five minutes till golden brown. Place several slices of the figs on the bread, sprinkle with the cheese and place back in the oven till cheese melts.  Drizzle some honey over the slices and serve immediately.  Yum ! Goes well with a glass of fruity Pinot  Noir

Growing Tired of Grilling

It’s now mid-August and I hate to say that I’m tired of firing up the grill and throwing everything from chicken to fish to burgers to veggies  on it for dinner.  I admit that I couldn’t wait back in April to begin the grilling season, but I guess I’ve exhausted my  outdoor grilling repertoire of recipes…hard to imagine, huh?  After eating my last hot dog on Sunday, I decided that I just had my fill of picnic food and was longing to make something more substantial, in my kitchen, ( which I miss; a post for another time!). I desperately needed to  following an honest to goodness recipe with ingredients other than those needed for pasta salad, hamburgers and baked beans!  So here is what I prepared and boy was my family thankful!! Hope you try it; it’s super easy!

CHICKEN PICCATA

4             boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/2 C     flour

1/2 t      salt

1/2 t      pepper

2 T         butter

1 T         olive oil

1 C         chicken broth OR white wine

2 T         lemon juice

2 T         capers, drained

1/2 C     chopped parsley

Pound chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap to 1/4 inch .  Salt and pepper the breasts then dredge in the flour.  Heat one tablespoon of butter and the olive all the olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat.  Add chicken and cook three minutes on each side till golden brown.  Add 3/4 cup broth or wine, lemon juice, and capers to pan and cook for two minutes.  Remove chicken, keep warm.  Stir remaining broth in pan and reduce to 1/2 cup (about five minutes).  Stir in remaining butter and parsley.  Serve sauce over chicken.

I served my chicken with sauteed veggies and garlic couscous.  Light and luscious!

Why Wouldn’t You?

While driving around today in my car, I spotted three different motorcyclists  without helmuts.  I know the summer weather we’ve been enjoying is probably very conducive to going helmutless…letting the warm breezes flow through your hair, but come on now!  What about safety?  Just because it isn’t required by law to wear that said helmut, why take such a huge risk? I just don’t get it.  I’m all for prevention, in medicine as well as living in general.  It’s just like those who refuse to wear sunscreen to protect against skin cancer.  Why wouldn’t you do such a minor thing to prevent such a major disaster?

I always remember that famous graduation speech given by someone I”ve forgotten now, entitled  “Don’t Forget to Wear Sunscreen”.  It listed a number of things to do as you graduate from college and the last bit of advise was to put on suncreen to prolong your life.  Well said! (He should have added, wear your helmut while biking!)

writers block…..

I’ve been working on my latest book, a cook book, because I thought there would be no need for creativity (minimal at best) in writing recipes, WRONG!!! I’ve decided to preface each recipe with a short story about where the recipe originated, a description of who gave it to me or a visual picture about the dish itself. Well, I still have to create that little script using the most descriptive and enticing words to make each entry mouth-watering and something you just want to stop what your doing and try! I’m in the midst of moving and that, need I say, is putting quite a damper on my writing. Thus writers’ block is a real and daunting limbo where I’ve seemed to have landed. Oh, I know I’ll eventually move on and finish this project (I’m so close, my deadline goal is July 1). I try to do small segments daily, that’s how I was able to finish my first book. I’m banking on the fact that when I have more to do, I do more. Make sense? that’s just how I’m wired. I’m more of a morning person, so for the next few weeks, I’ll be up at dawn, writing and then on to packing those umpteen boxes.

Attention Graduates!

Graduations are upon us, High School, College, Tech Schools and, yes, even Pre-Schoolers will don the white caps and gowns….. my grandson, Aiden is soooo excited about his graduation

I’ve heard many great graduation speeches. I remember the title of  the speech given at my High School graduation many years ago ( well not that many), it was, “The More Beautiful the Question, The More Beautiful the Answer.”  I really never gave it much thought over the years, but now it does seem pretty profound.

We will all continue to ask questions as we go through life’s journey, how else can we learn anything, but I think what the speaker ( and I can’t even remember who he was) had in mind was to prepare us  to “see” beauty in everything. If we visualize something as pleasant, doesn’t it change our prespective?  As a new graduate, everything is new, different , exciting…but when turmoil, problems, unexpected roadblocks trip us up, isn’t it better to think that a good outcome is available?  Trying to attain this outcome will take your insight, experience, attitude and vision..that’s right a beautiful vision.  I think the speaker also was encouraing  positivity rather than negativity.

The one thing I wish for new graduates is the realization to the fact that change is inevitable. Not only in life situations but in ourselves.  Here I am, 35 plus years post-graduate and still experiencing the evolution of myself.  No one ever told me that I would become a chameleon over the years!   Oh, I’m still me only a different version.  I like to believe I’m the new and improved person I started out to be right out of High School!  Change allows a variety of experiences which make way for growth; and you can’t expect growth unless you change. Growth and change go hand in hand. Look at the butterfly.  Don’t you think it is grateful when he emerges from the  cocoon? Sometimes the stretching process is painful.  But if we are forewarned and are ready for change, it can be a much more positive  and anticipated thing.

I was a girl scout back in the day (Ha!), and our motto was , “Always be prepared.” So preparation is the first goal in stepping out into the great big world of change.  Hopefully, schools and parents alike have done their best in preparing the new graduates for the next chapter of life, whether it be college, the military or the workforce. The second goal in launching from one phase to the next is to realize what your purpose  in life is.  The best way to do that is through prayer.  We all have a specific purpose given to us by our Lord. ( Rick Warren’s book, ” The Purpose Driven Life”  is the best graduation gift you can give to the graduate).  Once we discover what it is, it will only guide us to the best path we need to follow.

It’s okay to be a little nervous, but keeping a positive attitude and a beautiful vision before you is one way to lead a beautiful life!  My Dad’s simple advice to me was…always give someone a smile, it won’t cost you a thing; they are contagious and you just might get one back!

Facing Life

I received an e-mail from a friend with the opening sentence,”Life’s not the way it’s supposed to be.  It’s the way it is; it’s the way you cope with it that makes the difference.”

Lately, I’ve found myself saying to other people regarding different situations while trying to make sense of certain actions and consequences the cliche, “It is what it is.”  Now that has me wondering, is that just a cop out?  It does seem like it could be trivializing a predicament, an easy way to bow out of assisting in solving one’s plight.  How many times do we face life’s trials and wish things were different…easier…less complicated?  It’s so much easier to throw our hands up and  do nothing.  What is more difficult is making the decision to do whatever we can with whatever resources we may have.

I believe we have to first determine whether our challenges in life are  up to us to change or not. If we have no control, then it truly ‘is what it is’  but our next step ( and this is an important one), is to make a choice as to how we are going to handle the situation we must face.  This is where our coping skills come in and where our faith will move us forward.

We can chose to be a victim and complain, speak negatively and think that there is no hope, or we can trust that God is in control and draw from the unwavering source of strength found in His promises to us, His kids, who He is crazy about.

He never promised that our lives would be without problems, but he did and does continually provide us with enough grace to wade through the messy times and hardships.  His grace, He tells us, ‘is sufficient and His power is made perfect in our weakness’.   To me, that is all we need to know.  He will guide us, if we let Him.  His peace will guard our hearts.

Life doesn’t always fit our plans. There are detours that Our Lord stategically allows, and during these times is when he will sit back and watch us maneuver and all he wants to say is,” Well done, my child!”