Calm Optimism

Old to New!

2011-03-29T18:03:00.000-05:00

I'm loving this new style I've been drawn to. The vintage chic kinda look.(thanks Lori for the ideas) I live in a rental so there's not much that I can do as far as taking down walls and such so why not just dis-assemble some of the extras, right. I took off doors and put to use some things I had around the house and in the garage. Walla, a new look!

Then I was in the chalkboard paint mood so I turned and old outdoor Welcome sign into a chalkboard for the kitchen.

This chair I picked up at Sisters Garden and Bloom turned out to be just what I was hoping it would be for this photo session. Now I have to get back to look some more.

I'm about ready for a trip out to see the American Pickers and while I'm up that way stop off at The Junk Asylum. If they don't mind a gal and a camera, pictures will be posted soon. I hope you are as excited as I am!!

Now it's time to get in my yard and sew some hollyhock seeds and figure out how to keep the squirrels out of my "squirrel proof" bird feeder. Any ideas about how to do that?

Paradise!

2011-02-25T16:43:00.001-06:00

No, I didn't go on vacation but it was almost as good! My sister and I went antiquing at Sisters' ( no pun intended) Garden & Bloom, just outside of Kalona. It was like hitting the jackpot for this here photographer!At the end of all these wonfderful images you will see my treasures! For now, enjoy the window shopping! Check Sisters' Garden & Bloom out by clicking here

Mary Ann get ready to do some shopping when you get here in May!!

Bonnie - we were digging in the screen door pile for a pantry door. You need to get to this place!

I'm not going home empty handed!!

I ♥ this soap!

If I would've had a truck and just won the lottery, I would have really came home with a full load! Instead here are a couple things I purchased.

Fascinator hat - Posh Princess by Amazing Grace

SCORE! hat box, head accessories, oh so cutie baby dress and bonnet.

Love, love, love this yellow old/new chair! My newborns are going to look so good laying in this!

Purchased at Bernies Salvage - for $15.00 - SCORE!

Now back to some window shopping! Or should I say here's ya some eye candy! Yummo!

Lori and I are going to try and make some of these!

I think I'm going to go back and get this next week!

Bonnies potential door!

LOVE these signs and look they have lay-away!!!

Brrrr cold!

2011-02-09T10:02:00.000-06:00

I wish I could figure out how to sell snow cause I would be one rich lady!

It's very frigid here in SE Iowa. We just had a blizzard that dumped 15" of snow on us. Now this will probably still be here in March as our temperatures haven't been out of the single digits for weeks! I need to check into what it takes to be a snowbird ♥, I think I could get really used to that. Some eye candy for you.

This drift was about 3' deep.

The town of Wayland, snow covered!

Darren in the fierce Durango hauling me around :)

The Durango in action.

This is what I woke up to. Careful now!

Mom and Ron have never seen this much snow fall that fast!

Church in Swedesburg.

Drifting snow on the banks.

and this is how we get rid of it :)

There are some pretty things come out of the snow. And there's also a lot of work to be done to get people out of their garage! :)

This is my" I'm ready for Spring" look!

I'm Still Kickin'

2011-01-15T08:15:00.001-06:00

WOW! First off I need to say, man, was that a vacation from blogging! :) I have got to get my tail in gear and keep it going., I have so much to tell that it would take all day, heck it would take all month!

To start off with I want to say welcome to 2011 and to new beginnings. What was your New Years resolution? Well, mine was a big step! Quit smoking! I didn't get started until last Monday because of being scared. I didn't want to set myself up for failure. So, after my dentist appointment and a deep cleaning, I thought no better time than now. So that's pretty much it. I'm using the patches and it seems to be helping. The biggest challenge in this is to keep yourself busy to occupy your habit. Instead of a smoke, I jump on the treadmill or grab a bottle of water with a straw. May sound funny but it is working! Now the hard thing is drinking my coffee in the early morning hours while walking on the treadmill, listening to some tunes on my iPod. HA! I must remember that coffee is HOT!
Usually people are scared of failure when trying to kick a habit or as in this case, weight gain. Yep, my two fears too so the treadmill is helping with that as well is the water. Plus some friends have been wanting me to do the Dam to Dam run with them in early June, so since I will definitely be an ex~smoker by then, I should be able to do it. Until then I have a few 5K's to look forward to.

Whew, I sure am rattling ain't I? Well, what else do you expect from me, right! ( wink)

My camera has been busy! I've done a beautiful wedding, A visit with Santa session and several family sessions lately. Not to mention that I have found some new dilapidated houses and tons of eagles lately. It's Eagle time in Iowa for sure! Here are a couple pictures of the bird that captures my heart. Enjoy! Check back next weekend and read my latest! ( I will not let you down!!)

Pool Party at the CAN~tina

2010-06-27T09:09:00.000-05:00

The beverage deck.

Friends and fun times! That's exactly what was going on at the CAN~tina this weekend.

Cheers!

Chil-axin'

We even had a cabana boy for a while!

Some serious conversation going on here. HA!

Citrusy tequila chicken- YUMMY!

Ingredients

1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup tequila
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon McCormick Smokehouse pepper
6 large skinless bone-in chicken thighs
3 tablespoons leftover marinade

Directions
1. Chicken: Place orange juice, lime juice, tequila, canola oil, salt and pepper in a large resealable plastic bag. Add chicken and seal. Marinate in refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight.
2. Heat gas grill to medium-high or prep charcoal grill with medium-hot coals and set up one side for indirect grilling. Lightly coat grill rack with oil or nonstick cooking spray.
3. Remove chicken from plastic bag and pour marinade into a small saucepan. Boil for 1 minute and reserve. Place chicken on direct heat and grill for 5 minutes per side. Remove to indirect heat and grill for 20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Baste every 5 minutes with the reserved marinade.

Toni didn't make it to long. The heat got to her.

Road trippin' afterwards with a DD!

♥'n the look

2010-06-27T08:41:00.000-05:00

Time for a little decorating! I had these end tables made for my tiny living room to add to the "rustic " look. It's amazing what some pine wood, a little paint and some crackle can do. Then I had to have a somewhat matching coffee table. SO I took an old door I had , cut it, added these cool legs ( candles holders from Hobby Lobby's 80% off isle) and I have a semi-matching coffee table. When mom came over to see all my living room she defined it as "shabby- chic". I ♥ the new look.

Now moving on to the bedroom. I picked up this screen door at a junk sale and turned it into a headboard. I had the vinyl lettering so I added a little spray paint and some greenery and walla, a new look. Next for the bedroom is to strip down the dresser and chest of drawers. Pictures on that project to come soon.

It's fun getting back into my decorating style and much fun to see what I can come up with!

I had friends over for dinner last weekend. We grilled out and sat in the CAN~tina for some adult beverages and catching up. What fun!

Feast your eyes on this spread! Grilled beef and onion kabobs, fresh salad, right from Deb;s garden, mixed veggies that were to die for and garlic buttered rice, can you hear me saying yum, yum!

Thanks again Deb and Kara for a very fun night.

Now if the rain will just stop I can go on a float trip in the river instead of the back yard!

S-T-R-E-T-C-H

2010-06-12T10:02:00.000-05:00

Yes this looks a little different. I'm working on editing the HTML on here so please bear with me.
I will be posting some new and interesting stuff later today. Here's a sneak peek of what's to come.....

Now by making these modifications you should be able to see my pictures a little bigger. Now I just have to get a background image on here. ( I say this with the thoughts of picking up my camera and heading out the door) See you later, photography calls!

Tennessee Vacation

2010-05-30T10:03:00.001-05:00

Well I got my Southern fix in last week. Went to Tennessee to see my family and friends, I miss them so much. I did make it around to see almost everyone so that was exciting and thanks to mama Kathy, I got to hang out with all my besties! While I was visiting I learned a lot of what's going on now with many of them. It amazes me how things and people change over the years. Here are a few pictures of my trip.

TENNESSEE!

First day of vacay was spent getting a wheel bearing!

Got to hang out with Ashley one day.

Dad making my CAN~tina sign

My sister, her kids and I at Smithtown Mill

CHEESE!

Me and dad

My Besties!

My adopted mom & dad ☺

Me and Norman

Mom and her siblings

Helping Kassidi float

Ah, the Tennessee beauty!

Juanitas cabin in the mountains

Me and dad playing in the water!

This was almost supper. The silly thing ran out in front of me going down the highway!

Now for my yard! The pool is up and almost full now. Can't wait to see that water bill. 7900 gal.=$$.

I have it almost ready for the first CAN~tina get together.

CAN~tina, damn skippy!

They are suppose to be straightening out wrinkles not swimming!

Pool set up helpers!

Colorful sitting area

Now with these temps, the pool should be warm in a couple days!

Now to keep the bugs away with paradise
in my backyard!

Now the only thing missing is the grill and as soon as Gina gets it assembled for me, I'm set for the summer!
Have a Safe Memorial Day holiday!

Happy Birthday

2010-05-04T21:54:00.001-05:00

Recipe included

Another year has came and gone. As we grow ~~older~~ wiser we learn that some things are better than we ever thought. I had a great birthday with tons of phone calls and birthday wishes from friends and family.
I celebrated with a night out of dancing and karaoke again with family and friends.

It was a fun time. Thanks everyone for making the night entertaining! I ended my birthday weekend with dinner with a great friend at the Mexican restaurant. Now who ever said turning 29 was a bad thing ☺!

Now it's time to get back to the grind stone. I'm trying to get the yard all done so I can take off on vacation in a couple weeks. Man, I better get busy. No time for pondering. Speaking of pondering here's a good email I got that will make you think. I myself have always wondered about # 19!

Something to Ponder

1. DON'T SWEAT THE PETTY THINGS AND DON'T PET THE SWEATY THINGS.
2. ONE TEQUILA, TWO TEQUILA, THREE TEQUILA, FLOOR.
3. ATHEISM IS A NON-PROPHET ORGANIZATION.
4. IF MAN EVOLVED FROM MONKEYS AND APES, WHY DO WE STILL HAVE MONKEYS AND APES?
5. THE MAIN REASON THAT SANTA IS SO JOLLY IS BECAUSE HE KNOWS WHERE ALL
THE BAD GIRLS LIVE.
6. I WENT TO A BOOKSTORE AND ASKED THE SALESWOMAN, "WHERE'S THE SELF- HELP
SECTION?" SHE SAID IF SHE TOLD ME, IT WOULD DEFEAT THE PURPOSE.
7. WHAT IF THERE WERE NO HYPOTHETICAL QUESTIONS?
8. IF A DEAF CHILD SIGNS SWEAR WORDS, DOES HIS MOTHER WASH HIS HANDS WITH
SOAP?
9. IF SOMEONE WITH MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES THREATENS TO KILL HIMSELF, IS
IT CONSIDERED A HOSTAGE SITUATION?
10. IS THERE ANOTHER WORD FOR SYNONYM?
11. WHERE DO FOREST RANGERS GO TO "GET AWAY FROM IT ALL?"
12. WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU SEE AN ENDANGERED ANIMAL EATING AN ENDANGERED PLANT?
13. IF A PARSLEY FARMER IS SUED, CAN THEY GARNISH HIS WAGES?
14. WOULD A FLY WITHOUT WINGS BE CALLED A WALK?
15. WHY DO THEY LOCK GAS STATION BATHROOMS? ARE THEY AFRAID SOMEONE WILL CLEAN THEM?
16. IF A TURTLE DOESN'T HAVE A SHELL, IS HE HOMELESS OR NAKED?
17. CAN VEGETARIANS EAT ANIMAL CRACKERS?
18. IF THE POLICE ARREST A MIME, DO THEY TELL HIM HE HAS THE RIGHT TO
REMAIN SILENT?
19. WHY DO THEY PUT BRAILLE ON THE DRIVE-THROUGH BANK MACHINES?
20. HOW DO THEY GET DEER TO CROSS THE ROAD ONLY AT THOSE YELLOW ROAD SIGNS?
21. WHAT WAS THE BEST THING BEFORE SLICED BREAD?
22. ONE NICE THING ABOUT EGOTISTS: THEY DON'T TALK ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE.
23. DOES THE LITTLE MERMAID WEAR AN ALGEBRA?
24. DO INFANTS ENJOY INFANCY AS MUCH AS ADULTS ENJOY ADULTERY?
25. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE A CIVIL WAR?
26. IF ONE SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMER DROWNS, DO THE REST DROWN TOO?
27. IF YOU ATE BOTH PASTA AND ANTIPASTO, WOULD YOU STILL BE HUNGRY?
28. IF YOU TRY TO FAIL, AND SUCCEED, WHICH HAVE YOU DONE?
29. WHOSE CRUEL IDEA WAS IT FOR THE WORD 'LISP' TO HAVE 'S' IN IT?
30. WHY ARE HEMORRHOIDS CALLED "HEMORRHOIDS" INSTEAD OF "ASSTEROIDS"?
31. WHY IS IT CALLED TOURIST SEASON IF WE CAN'T SHOOT AT THEM?
32. WHY IS THERE AN EXPIRATION DATE ON SOUR CREAM?
33. IF YOU SPIN AN ORIENTAL PERSON IN A CIRCLE THREE TIMES, DO THEY BECOME
DISORIENTED?

This weekend is already booked up! I'm running a 5K for breast cancer Saturday morning then going to a send off party for my nephew that's headed over seas . on Sunday it's a birthday party for my great nephew and then I hope to get a boat ride in and soak up some sun!

Remember to ALWAYS make it a great day!

Bobby's Caramel Cake ( from the Paula Deen show)
Ingredients

For the cake:

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature

2 cups granulated sugar

4 eggs

3 cups sifted self-rising flour

1 cup milk

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the filling:

1 cup (2 sticks) butter

2 cups packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup milk

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the frosting:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1 cup packed dark brown sugar

1/3 cup heavy cream, or more if needed

1 (16-ounce) box confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup chopped nuts, optional

Directions

For the cake:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 3 (9-inch) cake pans.

Using an electric mixer, cream butter until fluffy. Add granulated sugar and continue to cream well for 6 to 8 minutes. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour and milk alternately to creamed mixture, beginning and ending with flour. Add vanilla and continue to beat until just mixed. Divide batter equally among prepared pans. Level batter in each pan by holding pan 3 or 4-inches above counter dropping it flat onto counter. Do this several times to release air bubbles and assure you of a more level cake. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

For the filling:

While cake is baking, in a saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, and milk. Cook and stir over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

Remove cake layers from oven and allow cake to remain in pans as you prepare to stack and fill. Remove first layer and invert onto cake plate. Pierce cake layer with a toothpick over entire surface. Spread 1/3 of filling mixture on cake layer. Top with second layer, repeat process. Top with last layer and repeat process again.

*Cook's Note: As I stack layers together, I stick them with toothpicks to prevent cake from shifting.

For the frosting:

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat and stir in brown sugar and cream. Bring to a boil, and transfer to a mixing bowl. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Beat with a handheld electric mixer until it reaches a spreading consistency. At this time it may be necessary to add a tablespoon of heavy cream, or more, if frosting gets too thick. Just be sure to add cream is small amounts because you can always "add to", but you can't take away. Frost cake and sprinkle top with chopped nuts, if desired.

Back Yard gatherings

2010-04-26T20:51:00.000-05:00

My move started in December and I'm finally getting everything in place. My house was done until I went to my sisters and seen how "springy" her home looked. When I got home I decided to lighten things up here. Down came the dark, dreary winter curtains, out came the spray paint for flower pots, new curtains and throw pillows and a couple refreshing pictures. And not to forget fresh cut lilacs! Ah, much better now!

As you know I've been working hard to get my yard ready for summer. Well, I'm almost there. The gazebo is up,

flowers are planted, gradings done for the pool,

sand has been delivered and call before you dig has marked the yard. Now it's time to level sand, put up the fence and set the pool. It won't be long now.

I thought it would be fun to name my little retreat. Jess has helped me out with something a little catchy.

I hyphenated it due to the fact that I can do what I set out to do. So if you're in the neighborhood drop in for a visit and a tasty cocktail.

Next weekend I will be celebrating my 29th birthday.....OK so it's really my 45th birthday but who's counting, right? To me it's another year that I have had accomplishments to be grateful for. My saying is - "If you wake up with air in your lungs and your feet hit the floor, life is good!" Let's live people!

Jess, see you when you get here if I don't make it to the sunshine state first!!

I'm back!!

2010-04-07T20:41:00.003-05:00

Dear Blog,
I'm sorry I have let you down and not wrote on you in a while. Wow, it's been over a month now since I seen you. You are still as important as always (wink,wink) Let me fill you in on what's been going on!

I'm still kicking! Well, at least for now. That is if my niece don't over do it with me on this marathon training. We clocked ourselves the other day at 95 minutes for walking 6.4 miles. Now, that may not seem all that great but, we were fighting the wind the entire time. This is Iowa you know and the wind here in April is terrible! Gina was on hand to snap a couple pictures as we were getting ready.

Speaking of pictures! A friend of mine has just opened her studio in Burlington so it was time to get some new pictures of me. New, who am I kidding, I have only had professional pictures taken once in the last 8 years. I needed some to show off some of my progress on this weight loss/training that I'm into. It's such a big thing for me at this point in my life to get into a healthier living mode. So here it is peeps- ME!

Kidding!

That's a good friend of mine and he is only dressed that way because of a Queen contest at the bar in Salem that him and his wife own.

Now no more kidding.Here was my sneak peek at her expertise!

Once again GREAT job Amy ! I ♥ the pictures and had a blast working with you!

OK blog, back to some updates. I have now officially lost 59 lbs. and have dropped 5, that's right 5 jean sizes. I didn't start out measuring inches but let me tell you they are falling off! The training has paid off. I want to send out a big thanks to Amanda for inspiring me to DO IT! ( and a couple other gals from work - Jodi and Toni) now we just have to get through the Dam to Dam in Des Moines in June. Room is booked and registration will be complete tomorrow, here I come! The Racing For The Cure and Susan Komen Race For The Cure that I'm doing in April and May are going to be a piece of cake compared to Des Moines. Come on Megan keep pushing while we walk/run.

For some cardio and strengthening, I still have the faithful hula hoop that I use every morning, it seems to get me going at 5am! At night it's the stability ball and a few resistance band workouts. Whew, anyone up for a boxing match? I'm telling you I have muscles now. My calves and arms have pumped up a bit. Enough of that now on for some home updates.

I bet you are also wondering about my house and yard, huh Jess. Well, I will post some pictures soon. I have started planting flowers and will be putting up my pool and a gazebo soon. ( thanks Deb) My yard is going to be great! Now I just have to get that grill!

I got to see a good friend last week. Michelle dropped by work to say hi. I miss you so much girl and you look fantastic! I will have to get to Oklahoma for a visit sometime this summer!

last week was also busy for a photo shoot that I had at the Art Walk in Fairfield. Here's a couple that I took of a girl I work with and her partner doing their fire dancing. Amazing talent!!!

Again amazing talent!!!

Now dearest blog, do you see why I haven't taken the time to visit. I promise to do better. ☺

Here's something that I have came accustomed to lately - achievement, after all that's what it's all about!

Sometimes achievement lies in the honest endeavor to do best under all circumstances, knowing that on any given day, intense personal effort may be the only thing that separates you from your competition.

Sping Is In The Air!!

2010-03-14T17:29:00.000-05:00

Spring is right around the corner and I am ready!

This past week has started turning warmer. It's time for me to get off the treadmill and hit the road! After being very ill last weekend, I have not been working out like I should. Today, I hit it again but with a little moderation. I walked the streets of town and enjoyed the Robins singing in the trees. Ah, the joyous sounds all around us once the winter blues start melting away.

I have started "springing" up my house and soon will be planting flowers. It's time to make it a yard like I've came accustomed to, flowers galore! Hopefully next weekend it will be a little drier and I can go get some of my flowers in the ground. Then soon after that it's pool time! WOO-HOO! Pool party in Wayland! I think I will turn the backyard into a little summer retreat. Chairs, swimming pool, table with an umbrella, tiki torches, grill and friends! Ohhh, wouldn't this be nice! My pool is an above ground but you get the idea ☺

I've sat here listening to the motorcycles buzzing by today. I can't wait to take a ride, soon, it's coming!

Eagles

2010-02-27T06:24:00.005-06:00

This was not such a good weekend for a healthy lifestyle. I started off Saturday with my 3 mile walk followed by lunch on Saturday at Hu-Hot in Cedar Rapids. ( if you haven't tried it, you should) then on to supper at The Hawkeye with some friends, followed by a Luau party with Pina Coladas and an after hours biscuit and gravy. Hmmm, I see a lot of calories there and the mall walking and dancing just didn't burn them all! Now it's time to get back to the real world.

I did spot some the motherload of Eagles early in the morning on Saturday. They were feeding near a hog farm.

Update on the Hula-Hoop from the last post. I'm getting the hang of it a little better. If you remember from my video, I told you that it was painful and I was going to look like a beaten person. Well, I do and here's what I'm talking about.......

Day 2 Day 3
No pain, no gain....right?

"Don't wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles and less than perfect conditions. So what. Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident and more and more successful." -Mark Victor Hansen

Hula-Hoop anyone?

2010-02-25T19:04:00.002-06:00

So with the marathon training there's one night a week that I have to do cross training. I decided that the body ball and resistance bands weren't enough so I bought a weighted hula-hoop. So with the marathon training there's one night a week that I have to do cross training. I decided that the body ball and resistance bands weren't enough so I bought a weighted hula-hoop.
Now hula- hooping sounds like fun huh? Trust me, get a 4# one and then talk to me. Last night was my first time. I could only keep it going for a little less than a minute. I already have bruises. This, I was warned about. So today I had a bright idea to put a waist trimmer band on and give it another go. Not a good idea. You see the hula hoop is designed to grip your mid section as it goes around. With the band....it falls to the ground. Off with the band and suck it up! Here I go -

Caution to Sports Hoop users:
Due to the strong impact direct to abdominal and body muscles.
Some new users will feel hurt to their muscle in the first two weeks.
* Use 1-3 minutes only per day in the first week
* Use 3-5 minutes daily in the second week
* Use 5-10 minutes after two weeks, once or twice a day only.
New users over exercise may get bruises in the first two weeks.

Now me, I got bruises after the first time. But my abs are loving the attention they are getting right now.

Next week I will be posting some Body Ball exercises that you can do at home.
For more information on the Acu Hoop please check out this link.

http://www.sports-hoop.com/

Happiness

2010-02-24T05:54:00.000-06:00

Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking." ~ Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

With Marcus Aurelius Antoninus' quote in mind, I invite you to explore these 15 Simple Ways to create
happiness!

1. Be your own BFF (best friend forever). Enjoy your own company. Embrace everything about you! Without a doubt, it's the most important step towards being a happy person.

2. Smile, giggle, snicker, or chuckle! Smiling releases serotonin in the brain, which instantaneously gives your mood a lift.

3. Dream big in every area of life. Set your life in motion and manifest your heart's desire.

4. Shut the doors and the windows tight! And then put on your favorite song and sing out loud. Let it rip!

5. Cook a healthy, delicious meal. Serve it up pretty and savor the flavor, one bite at a time.

6. Expect a miracle. Believe that something wonderful will happen for you today. The universe is waiting to shower happy blessings on you.

7. Meditate, pray and chant. Research shows that people who are spiritual tend to be happier and healthier than those who are not.

8. Pull up your best pair of warm socks. Wiggle your toes and enjoy a cozy kind of bliss.

9. Sleep baby sleep. Seven or eight hours each night should increase your energy and decrease your moodiness.

10. Count your blessings daily. Gratitude, the emotion of thankfulness, is one of the key ingredients for living a happy life. Make gratitude a habit and happiness will be yours.

11. Wake up early! Start the day off on a happy foot, with a happy thought. The morning hours are full of spiritual energy and prana (life force).

12. Let the sun shine in. 20 minutes of sunlight per day improves mood and wards of Seasonal Affection Disorder (SAD).

13. Take a hot bath. Feel the tension melt away as you sink into a pool of happiness.

14. Say "Good Job!" Give yourself permission to pat yourself on the back. Recognize your accomplishments and positive qualities.

15. Happiness is contagious! Surround yourself with happy, positive people who share your values, your goals and dreams.

FREE

2010-02-18T06:48:00.000-06:00

Now that I have your attention ..........in Iowa the weather is pretty crappy for a Southern gal in the winter! I'm offering free, yes FREE snow to anyone who has a good shovel. Any takers?

I did make it down to see the Eagles last weekend. There weren't many around but I did catch this one at supper time. He was looking a little angry at me while I was snapping away.

I also ventured out onto an unplowed county road in search of this dilapidated home. These great finds are such despair to see. Imagine the life that was once lived in the place.

Short post today, running behind and I promised Bonnie I would post last night so here it is! Speaking of Bonnie, check out these fine boots!!

More to come over the weekend including marathon updates and a great playlist I got for training!
COME ON SPRING!!

Today's Special - stuffed portabellas

2010-02-08T20:17:00.006-06:00

Superbowl weekend was filled with friends and good times! Jeff and Deanna invited me over to watch the game and enjoy some of "Jeff the Chef's " fine cooking
Talk about munchies, we had some tasty treats that included~ grilled chicken, stuffed portabellas ( recipe below) , guacamole dip, mango salsa, cheese dip and a great wine cocktail to top it off. Yummy!! Now that just means I have to step it up a notch on the training this week. I didn’t over do it but I need to keep focused. Now, I did over do it on Saturday with Pizza hut, but I figured since I was going out dancing, that just about wiped out the extra calories, right? ☺
The training is getting a little tougher now. I’m up to 70 minutes! I have got to get some more tunes on my iPod before the “big day. “ Does anyone have any suggestions for good walking/running music? Please leave a comment if you do. I’m running out of good ones.

With an action packed weekend, I ended up a little busier than I had expected so I didn’t make it to take Eagle pictures. I did however hike through a snow covered corn field to get a picture of an old schoolhouse.
I found out very little history about this place It was called Penn #8 because it was in the Penn Township of Jefferson County, Iowa. Believe it or not 1-12 grades where held here with a total of about 10 children. It was taught by Myra Peck. A friend of mine, Larry Hook attended this school until was in the 3rd grade then it was closed.
The snow is falling again in Iowa. Stay warm!

Stuffed Portabellas

1 lb. large portabella mushrooms

1/4 c. celery finely chopped

2 TBSP. onions finely chopped

2TBSP. red bell pepper finely chopped

1/2 lb. crab claw meat

2 cups oyster crackers crushed

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. Old Bay seasoning

1/4 tsp. salt & pepper

1 egg beaten

1/2 cup water

6 white cheddar cheese slices

Preheat oven to 400. Cut stems from mushrooms and set aside. Saute celery, onion, bell pepper in butter and cool in refrigerator. Chop mushroom stems fine and combine into sauteed veggies. Add remaining ingredients except the cheese slices. Spoon into mushrooms, cover with cheese slices and bake for 12-15 minutes.

Busy Days

2010-02-01T18:52:00.003-06:00

So between the training for the half-marathon, work and living a life I have been extremely busy lately.
The training is going great, haven't missed a day and I'm into week 4. Only 16 more to go until the big day. Some of my friends and I are going to do a 5K in May, this will be baby steps in preparing for the "big one. " The half-marathon is 13.1 miles and the 5K is only 3.1.... do the math ☺ So off to walking I go!!
With all the training I feel great and the weight is coming off quick. I have already been shopping twice for new clothes and it looks like I'm headed out again this weekend for even more, gotta love it.
My life is going great, actually I don't think I've actually been this happy in a while. I'm liking it! I have a ton of picture catching up to do and plan on taking care of that this weekend. I will be headed to Illinois for some Eagle pictures so stay tuned. I will post more next weekend.

"Anybody can do just about anything with himself that he really wants to and makes his mind to do. We are capable of greater than we realize."
- Norman Vincent Peale, author

Just gotta try it !

2010-01-25T05:42:00.006-06:00

Here's a recipe that you should really try. It's not only healthy, it's deeee-licious!

Whole Wheat Spinach Penne
1-13 oz. package whole wheat penne
2 garlic cloves
1/2 c. low fat mozzarella cheese
1 oz. fat free cream cheese
1/2 tsp. black pepper
3/4 tsp. salt
6 oz. fresh baby spinach
2 TBSP. fresh grated Parmesan
portebella mushrooms (optional)
cooked shrimp ( optional)

Cook pasta, reserve 1 cup of cooking liquid. Mince garlic in food processor. Add mozz. cheese, cream cheese, spinach leaves and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. In large pot over medium heat, combine cheese mixture with pasta and add enough liquid until moist. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

I added portabella mushrooms and shrimp. Chicken is another good addition to this recipe.

1 cup serving = 250 calories
4.5 g. fat
42 g carbs
6 g fiber
ENJOY !

To keep your food warm remember to check out http://www.diningstones.com/

Motivation Has Kicked In!

2010-01-17T19:39:00.008-06:00

Wow, after last weeks lunch of a scrumptious pot of chicken and dumplings I decided it was time to kick it up a bit. I've decided to sign up for a half-marathon! I started my 20 week training this week and I must say, the legs are a little sore. I'm not going to be running this marathon but will be giving it a very fast walking pace. Now, I have to ask myself why do I take on a half-marathon for my first, dunno! After losing all this weight, I just thought it was time to keep up the good work so why the heck not. Some of my friends from work are doing it and to be honest, I already feel so much better. The martahon is in June so by then, it should be a breeze, it's only 13.1 miles.

Tour de' towns - that's what a friend and I did over the weekend. After re-connecting with someone from my past, I wanted to show what some of the differences of Tennessee living vs. Iowa living was.

So here we go - we headed to A.J.'s in Mt. Sterling, Iowa for one of their famous jumbo tenderloins. What do you think? Jumbo?

( yeah, I know, not a good choice for my training, but trust me, I only ate 1/4)

After lunch we rode around some looking for anything that caught my eye as an only in Iowa, picture but you know in all honesty, it's all about the same. Well, except for the flat lands and no mountains. We did find some dilapidated houses, that I just love to ohh and ahh over with camera in hand!

Now on to Eldon ,Iowa, home of the American Gothic House.
A little story behind this -

In 1930, Grant Wood, an American painter with European training, noticed a small white house built in the Carpenter Gothic architectural style in Eldon, Iowa. Wood decided to paint the house along with "the kind of people I fancied should live in that house. He recruited his sister Nan (1900–1990) to model the woman, dressing her in a colonial print apron mimicking 19th century Americana. The man is modeled on Wood's dentist, Dr. Byron McKeeby (1867–1950) from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The three-pronged hay fork is echoed in the stitching of the man's overalls, the Gothic window of the house and the structure of the man's face. Each element was painted separately; the models sat separately and never stood in front of the house.

Now once we arrived I was sad that we didn't bring a pitch for for a picture but guess what, they have all the attire, pitchfork included in the visitor center and it was open!! Yeahhh!

The sun glasses kind of add a little Blues Brothers look to the scene. ☺

Well, after a complete day on the road and lots of laughs it was time to head home and wrap it up.

Next weeks blog will feature yet another recipe but this time something a little healthier than a pot of chicken and dumplings.

Welcome, hope you're hungry!

2010-01-10T18:46:00.001-06:00

Here we go! Starting over with a new blog packed full of goodies! You will be able to find all kinds of informative topics here starting now. I will be posting once a week, sometimes more if I'm able. Posts will include every day lifestyles, crafting, recipes, quotes, a few funny things that I see or do and of course photographs that I take throughout the days. Please feel free to pass my blog on to your family and friends, the more readers and interest, the better the posts will get. Make sure you follow my blog. It's easy, all you need is click the follow button , set up an account (free) and wallah, you can easily come back to view my blog. I want to get tons of followers, that is goal one on my new and improved blog!
For my first post, it's going to be a of a good Southern recipe for "chicken & dumpling" made from scratch. Now it wouldn't be Southern if it came from a box would it. I'm having friends over tonight for lunch and this was their request. Must mean I do a pretty darn good job at this choice.
Now first off, I had to really take the time to get this recipe in writing, my thing is a little of this and a lot of that- I don't use recipes! I remember watching my Granny make these and all I did is change it just a bit. Here goes!

Seasoned Chicken Ingredients:

whole chicken
2 TBSP. of each - salt, pepper, garlic powder, Weber zesty lemon seasoning,Weber kick'n chicken
2 chicken bouillon cubes

Place the chicken in the crockpot, add enough water to cover, seasonings and let cook overnight. Looking good huh?

The next day, pull meat off, discard skin and bones and place pulled apart chicken in a bowl to add later. Save the broth!

Add one 26 oz. can of cream of chicken soup and 2 cups of water to the broth. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
Time to start your dumplings- get ready for a little bit of a mess.

Dumping Ingredients:

4 1/2 cups Self rising flour
2 1/4 cups buttermilk
1/2 cup Crisco shortening

Add shortening to flour and cut in, pour buttermilk in slowly while mixing with spoon or hands.

Pour out some flour on the counter and dump your bowl of dough. Knead it lightly and roll or pat out to about 1/4" thick. Flour the top and take a knife to cut into strips.

Once broth is at a rolling boil pick up strip pf dough and begin adding by pinching off about 1-2" sections. Drop into broth, after about 2 strips stir, continue to do this until all of your dough is in the broth. Boil for 10-15 minutes then add chicken. I always do a taste test, and add more salt and pepper.

Get a huge bowl from the cabinet and serve it up !

For a little demo here's a video that might make it a little easier to follow.

Enjoy.

Had a great visit with some friends and a very tasty lunch!