IN HIM WE LIVE AND MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING

Watch out, Michael Jordan!

noreply@blogger.com (NC Sue) — Fri, 17 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

You can click off the stupid ad within 5 seconds, and then watch this kid - he's something else with a basketball!!

Smile!

noreply@blogger.com (NC Sue) — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:55:00 +0000

Hurry on over to try this recipe!

noreply@blogger.com (NC Sue) — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Carrian at Oh Sweet Basil came up with a humdinger of a recipe - and a beautiful presentation, as you can see from the picture below. Just click on the link to head on over to her place and check out the recipe for yourself - you'll be glad you did! After the preceding post on my site, we all deserve a tasty treat!

U.N. Advises Novel Weapon Against World Hunger

noreply@blogger.com (NC Sue) — Wed, 15 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

In my case, it would be far more effective as a weight loss aid... all I'd need to do is look at this picture and read the article it came from.

Edible insects for sale in Thailand.

I've lost 40 pounds since logging on to SparkPeople, but I'm thinking I could have darn near doubled that if forced to subsist on a diet of those things. I confess - I'm WAY too squeamish to contemplate sitting down to a meal of that!

More wordless beauty

noreply@blogger.com (NC Sue) — Tue, 14 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

More orchid photos taken last week at Orchid Trail. Hope you're not bored with the photos - personally, I'm drunk on 'em!!!

Won't you join me in this?

noreply@blogger.com (NC Sue) — Sun, 12 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

I found a wonderful website through Pintrest the other day that I wanted to share with you. The website is that of an organization in England called Post Pals. Through information on their site, you can forward letters, postcards, emails, or small gifts to children with serious, sometimes life-threatening illnesses.

I'd love to know if there's a similar organization in the U.S. This seems to be such a simple idea; perhaps you'd like to organize something like it yourself! {{Hint, Hint}}

But if you don't find yourself called to organize a Yankee version of Post Pals, I hope you'll find the time to send a smile to one of these kids. For the cost of an international stamp and a little bit of your time, you may just make someone's day!

My my. How presidential.

noreply@blogger.com (NC Sue) — Fri, 10 May 2013 02:22:00 +0000

I hope folks from other countries didn't catch this news clip. It frankly makes me cringe to see our Commander in Chief lose control of himself.

PS - A commenter indicated that this was a Jay Leno spoof. If so, I'm glad to hear it - I would definitely hate to imagine that a sitting U.S. president could lose his cool like that, especially with cameras running. It sure looks all too real to me.

How 'bout a tasty, low-cal cucumber salad?

noreply@blogger.com (NC Sue) — Wed, 08 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Quick, easy, & good - what more could one ask for??

Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
1 large cucumber
1 tsp coarse sea salt
1 Tbsp light sour cream
1 tsp finely chopped onion
1 tsp fresh dill, chopped
1 tsp vinegar
1 tsp sugar

Directions
Peel your cucumber - or you can leave the peel on if you want - slice cucumber into fairly thin slices. Place into a colander and sprinkle with coarse sea salt. Set on something to catch the water that drains off, and set aside.
Mix together sour cream, onion, dill, vinegar, and sugar. Cover and place in fridge.
Let cucumbers drain and dressing chill for at least an hour, up to 2 hours.
Before serving, rinse cucumbers under running water briefly. Pat dry with paper towel.
Toss dressing with cucumbers and serve.

Nutritional information per serving:
Calories - 50
Fat - 1.7
Carbs - 7.9
Protein - 1

Wordless beauty

noreply@blogger.com (NC Sue) — Tue, 07 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

This past Sunday, we headed on over to Orchid Trail in Morrisville NC. All I can say is beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. If you get the opportunity to visit there, take it!! Tell Paul the lady with the camera who fell in love with bulbophyllum sent ya!

;)

As a Durham Bulls fan...

noreply@blogger.com (NC Sue) — Mon, 06 May 2013 14:42:00 +0000

... I'm still lovin' this footage from our last home stand:

Your browser does not support iframes. GO BULLS

22 Things Happy People Do Differently

noreply@blogger.com (NC Sue) — Mon, 06 May 2013 01:30:00 +0000

I ran across this article on the web the other day; in it, the author lists "22 things that happy people do differently". As I read this list, I found myself nodding in agreement with many of the items. But I also started thinking: what would I have included on this list that the author did not? And what things on this list might I have omitted? And should I, therefore, reconsider those items and see if they don't represent omissions in the list I would have made?

I hope you'll take time to consider those questions and, perhaps, to share your own thoughts in the comments below!

22 Things Happy People Do Differently

By Chiara Fucarino

Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. – Dalai Lama

There are two types of people in the world: those who choose to be happy, and those who choose to be unhappy. Contrary to popular belief, happiness doesn’t come from fame, fortune, other people, or material possessions. Rather, it comes from within. The richest person in the world could be miserable while a homeless person could be right outside, walking around with a spring in every step. Happy people are happy because they make themselves happy. They maintain a positive outlook on life and remain at peace with themselves.

The question is: how do they do that?

It’s quite simple. Happy people have good habits that enhance their lives. They do things differently. Ask any happy person, and they will tell you that they …

Don’t hold grudges. Happy people understand that it’s better to forgive and forget than to let their negative feelings crowd out their positive feelings. Holding a grudge has a lot of detrimental effects on your wellbeing, including increased depression, anxiety, and stress. Why let anyone who has wronged you have power over you? If you let go of all your grudges, you’ll gain a clear conscience and enough energy to enjoy the good things in life.
Treat everyone with kindness. Did you know that it has been scientifically proven that being kind makes you happier? Every time you perform a selfless act, your brain produces serotonin, a hormone that eases tension and lifts your spirits. Not only that, but treating people with love, dignity, and respect also allows you to build stronger relationships.
See problems as challenges. The word “problem” is never part of a happy person’s vocabulary. A problem is viewed as a drawback, a struggle, or an unstable situation while a challenge is viewed as something positive like an opportunity, a task, or a dare. Whenever you face an obstacle, try looking at it as a challenge.
Express gratitude for what they already have. There’s a popular saying that goes something like this: “The happiest people don’t have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.” You will have a deeper sense of contentment if you count your blessings instead of yearning for what you don’t have.
Dream big. People who get into the habit of dreaming big are more likely to accomplish their goals than those who don’t. If you dare to dream big, your mind will put itself in a focused and positive state.
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Happy people ask themselves, “Will this problem matter a year from now?” They understand that life’s too short to get worked up over trivial situations. Letting things roll off your back will definitely put you at ease to enjoy the more important things in life.
Speak well of others. Being nice feels better than being mean. As fun as gossiping is, it usually leaves you feeling guilty and resentful. Saying nice things about other people encourages you to think positive, non-judgmental thoughts.
Never make excuses. Benjamin Franklin once said, “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” Happy people don’t make excuses or blame others for their own failures in life. Instead, they own up to their mistakes and, by doing so, they proactively try to change for the better.
Get absorbed into the present. Happy people don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. They savor the present. They let themselves get immersed in whatever they’re doing at the moment. Stop and smell the roses.
Wake up at the same time every morning. Have you noticed that a lot of successful people tend to be early risers? Waking up at the same time every morning stabilizes your circadian rhythm, increases productivity, and puts you in a calm and centered state.
Avoid social comparison. Everyone works at his own pace, so why compare yourself to others? If you think you’re better than someone else, you gain an unhealthy sense of superiority. If you think someone else is better than you, you end up feeling bad about yourself. You’ll be happier if you focus on your own progress and praise others on theirs.
Choose friends wisely. Misery loves company. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with optimistic people who will encourage you to achieve your goals. The more positive energy you have around you, the better you will feel about yourself.
Never seek approval from others. Happy people don’t care what others think of them. They follow their own hearts without letting naysayers discourage them. They understand that it’s impossible to please everyone. Listen to what people have to say, but never seek anyone’s approval but your own.
Take the time to listen. Talk less; listen more. Listening keeps your mind open to others’ wisdoms and outlooks on the world. The more intensely you listen, the quieter your mind gets, and the more content you feel.
Nurture social relationships. A lonely person is a miserable person. Happy people understand how important it is to have strong, healthy relationships. Always take the time to see and talk to your family, friends, or significant other.
Meditate. Meditating silences your mind and helps you find inner peace. You don’t have to be a zen master to pull it off. Happy people know how to silence their minds anywhere and anytime they need to calm their nerves.
Eat well. Junk food makes you sluggish, and it’s difficult to be happy when you’re in that kind of state. Everything you eat directly affects your body’s ability to produce hormones, which will dictate your moods, energy, and mental focus. Be sure to eat foods that will keep your mind and body in good shape.
Exercise. Studies have shown that exercise raises happiness levels just as much as Zoloft does. Exercising also boosts your self-esteem and gives you a higher sense of self-accomplishment.
Live minimally. Happy people rarely keep clutter around the house because they know that extra belongings weigh them down and make them feel overwhelmed and stressed out. Some studies have concluded that Europeans are a lot happier than Americans are, which is interesting because they live in smaller homes, drive simpler cars, and own fewer items.
Tell the truth. Lying stresses you out, corrodes your self-esteem, and makes you unlikeable. The truth will set you free. Being honest improves your mental health and builds others’ trust in you. Always be truthful, and never apologize for it.
Establish personal control. Happy people have the ability to choose their own destinies. They don’t let others tell them how they should live their lives. Being in complete control of one’s own life brings positive feelings and a great sense of self-worth.
Accept what cannot be changed. Once you accept the fact that life is not fair, you’ll be more at peace with yourself. Instead of obsessing over how unfair life is, just focus on what you can control and change it for the better.

Jacke Evancho: a little lady with a large and lovely voice.

noreply@blogger.com (NC Sue) — Fri, 03 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

A few websites you might enjoy:

noreply@blogger.com (NC Sue) — Wed, 01 May 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Here are a few websites you may find helpful or enjoyable from time to time. Some are geeky, some are just fun - but check 'em out!

Calorie Count - Plug in the amounts of each ingredient, and find out how many calories are in each serving.
e.ggtimer.com - Here's a handy timer (or count-down timer) on the web.
Follow Up Then - Send yourself email reminders.
My Fridge Food - Enter the foods you have on hand, and this site will come up with a recipe for you.
Norton Safe Web - Not sure if this site is safe? Before you download something from it, enter the url into the field and let Norton check it out for you.
Printable Paper - Over 800 paper templates for download... anything from regular lined paper to yahtzee score sheet to music paper.
PrintFree.com - Free printable calendars,
USA.gov - Contact your elected officials.
What Should I Read Next? - Type in your (current) favorite book or author, and get a list of recommendations that should suit your fancy.
Wordle.net - Just for kicks... this site will create a "word cloud" from the word you enter.

Have you got other websites to add to this list? Share them in the comments below!

After the rain... with linky

noreply@blogger.com (NC Sue) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000


Welcome to our North Carolina home after a spring rain!

The heuchera has responded well to rain & warmer temperatures.

And so has the rhododendron!!

Lemon - Rosemary Chicken Thighs - YUM!

noreply@blogger.com (NC Sue) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 02:57:00 +0000

I found this recipe when I was out trolling the 'net the other day,

and it was mmmmm-good... so I had to share!

Lemon-Rosemary Chicken Thighs

Ingredients
6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 lb.), excess fat trimmed
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary (or 2 tsp. dried)
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt and pepper

Directions
Preheat broiler. Rinse chicken thighs and pat dry. Arrange thighs, skin side down, on a broiler pan. In a small bowl, combine lemon juice, olive oil, rosemary and garlic. Brush a third of mixture over chicken and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil 4 to 6 inches from heat until lightly browned, about 7 minutes.

Flip chicken thighs skin side up. Brush a third of lemon-juice mixture over skin and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Broil until thighs are browned, about 7 minutes.

Turn off broiler and set oven to 450°F. Brush final a third of lemon-juice mixture over chicken (discard any leftover lemon-juice mixture) and return pan to oven. Bake until juices run clear when pricked with a fork and meat is no longer pink at the bone, about 10 minutes.

Serves 4.

A prayer for the intercession of Mary, undoer of knots

noreply@blogger.com (NC Sue) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

As a convert to Catholicism, some of the misconceptions I had to address were "worshiping Mary" and "praying to Mary " (and other saints). In truth, we do neither.

We worship only God - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; we honor Mary and the saints for their special virtues, and representations such as icons or statues or medals are simply representations or reminders, not idols in any sense of the word.

We pray only to God. But we do believe in the "communion of saints", and as such, we believe that we can address the saints, who are in the presence of God, and ask for their intercession or their prayers, just as we ask our friends and family to pray for us when we have a special concern. For reasons that are often unclear to me, some saints have become associated with certain special concerns or specific professions... for example, St. Anthony is the saint to ask for intercession when you've lost something.

Mary has many special titles and is known for interceding for many special concerns. I've been struggling with one myself recently, and found a prayer for her intercession that has touched me. Perhaps if you, too, are wrestling with a difficult situation, you will find it helpful as well.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Virgin Mary, Mother of fair love, Mother who never refuses to come to the aid of a child in need, Mother whose hands never cease to serve your beloved children because they are moved by the divine love and immense mercy that exists in your heart, cast your compassionate eyes upon me and see the snarl of knots that exist in my life. You know very well how desperate I am, my pain, and how I am bound by these knots.

Mary, Mother to whom God entrusted the undoing of the knots in the lives of his children, I entrust into your hands the ribbon of my life. No one, not even the Evil One himself, can take it away from your precious care. In your hands there is no knot that cannot be undone. Powerful Mother, by your grace and intercessory power with Your Son and My Liberator, Jesus, take into your hands today this knot.

[Mention your request here]

I beg you to undo it for the glory of God, once for all. You are my hope. O my Lady, you are the only consolation God gives me, the fortification of my feeble strength, the enrichment of my destitution, and, with Christ, the freedom from my chains. Hear my plea. Keep me, guide me, protect me, o safe refuge!

Mary, Undoer of Knots, pray for us.

Happy PAY IT FORWARD DAY!

noreply@blogger.com (NC Sue) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

The big day is here - Pay It Forward Day!

The day started in 2007 as the brainchild of an Aussie named Blake Beattie, and it has grown each year until, by 2012, people from 52 countries participated.

So today, I'm asking you to participate. Head to the Pay It Forward Day website, download and print a page of 3 Pay It Forward cards (which you can find on the left sidebar), perform 3 good deeds, give the beneficiary one of the cards, and ask them to Pay It Forward.

In last week's "countdown" post I mentioned a family who used their blog to "pay it forward"? It's the McBailey's, who've picked up on the Pay It Forward in 2013 challenge that, apparently, a number of bloggers have picked up on. You can check out the McBailey's post by clicking the button to the right of this paragraph. The original challenge promises that the first 5 people to comment on the post will be sent something by the blogger at some point in the year... some surprise. However...

I'm going modify their method just a bit. I will make a donation to the charity of your choice if you are one of the first 5 people to comment to this post. Be sure to leave a way for me to contact you as well as the name and address of the charity you have in mind. I only have one request:

Please "repay" three other people, and ask them to do the same!

Kansas Woman Meets Tiger In Bathroom

noreply@blogger.com (NC Sue) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

That headline in our local online news sorta caught my eye. The local article referred readers to an online Salina Journal article that describes the incident in more detail

It turns out that Jenna Krehbiel, the woman in question, had taken her 3-year-old daughter to the circus. It was their first circus outing and, as it turns out, it will likely be an unforgettable one. A 250-plus-pound tiger had taken an unauthorized absence from the show, and someone had trapped it in the ladies' bathroom by closing the door behind it when the tiger when in to use the facilities (or whatever tigers do there).

Unfortunately, only one bathroom door had been closed. When Ms. Kreibiel and her daughter entered through the other door, the tiger - who was "at most 2 feet away" at the time - began walking toward them. To quote Ms. Kreibiel, "It was the closest I have ever been to a tiger not in a cage," Krehbiel said. "You don't expect to go in a bathroom door, have it shut behind you and see a tiger walking toward you."

The author of the Salina Journal article must be credited with restraint in the paragraphs that follow, which I quote:

Krehbiel said her husband talked with a person from the circus who told him the animals are well trained and there was no risk. She said he told them the tiger is a wild animal... [Really? And that means "no risk?" HUH????]

Krehbiel said she has been asked why she didn't scream or run. She attributed that to her training as a social worker. "I'm always on alert, and it was easy to walk out; that's how I am trained," Krehbiel said. "Looking back, it was a scary ordeal. At the time, I was thinking I just needed to get out."

Krehbiel said her 3-year-old had a different view of the event. "My daughter wanted to know if it had washed its hands," Krehbiel said. "That was her only concern..."

As for myself, I generally stay cool and collected, but I think I would have been able to give some indication as to the origin of the phrase "it scared the crap out of me".

Bloomin' linky

noreply@blogger.com (NC Sue) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 04:29:00 +0000

Start outside with a few azalea blossoms, then snap a few pix of dead nettle, and head on in the house for a few photos of orchids... what a great way to welcome spring!

Quinoa for breakfast, anyone?

noreply@blogger.com (NC Sue) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:28:00 +0000

First of all, some of you may be wondering what quinoa is. Quinoa is a grain-like crop which is grown primarily for its edible seed. Quinoa - pronounced "KEE-no-ah" is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with essential amino acids, calcium, phosphorus, and iron.

Not all that long ago, you had to go to a health food store or a market with people dressed like veterans of Woodstock. (I'm not making fun of them. I'm from that era and wish I'd been there...) Today, you can find quinoa at most any grocery store, although you may need to ask a clerk where to find it. Usually I find it located with the rice.

By the way, I just learned a bit of trivia that you can delight your friends with: the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations has declared that 2013 is the International Year of the Quinoa. So to celebrate, try this recipe for Quinoa Breakfast Cereal with me!

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups skim milk
1/2 cup rinsed quinoa
2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
Pinch of ground cinnamon
1/2 cup fruit of choice

Directions
Bring the milk and quinoa to a boil in a small saucepan. Simmer, covered, until most of the milk is absorbed, about 14 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in maple syrup, cinnamon, and fruit.

Note from the blogger - This dish is VERY filling. In theory it serves one, but don't you believe it.

So tell me. How'd he do it?

noreply@blogger.com (NC Sue) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Countdown!!! T minus One week

noreply@blogger.com (NC Sue) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

April 25th is Pay It Forward Day, when participants are encouraged to do a good deed for 3 people and ask them to "repay" it by performing a kindness for 3 more people... and so on. As the illustration shows, the hope would be that these thoughtful acts would continue to spread out.

Folks come up with all sorts of ideas about kind deeds to do. In each instance, the beneficiary is given a "pay it forward day" card to explain the concept. Here are some of the ideas I've seen:

Pay the toll for the car behind you.
Donate books to the library or the local shelter. Perhaps attaching a "pay it forward" card on the inside covers would lead to countless acts of kindness!
Leave a gift card on the table when you leave the restaurant. Put it somewhere strange - under the napkin dispenser, stuck in the drink menu or between the salt and pepper. Say a little prayer that God will lead the right person to find it.
Strategically place dollar bills in the dollar store.
This blogging family had an interesting approach: check their link to see how they used their blog to "pay it forward". Someone followed their lead, and I'm planning on following their example soon as well.
If it's a rainy day, buy a few umbrellas, attach a "pay it forward" card, and give them to someone who's getting wet.
Bake some special treats and take them to the police station or fire station along with cards of gratitude for their service to the community.

Let me share a time when my husband and I were the recipients of a kindness that I try to continue to "pay forward" in one way or another. It probably happened 20 years ago. I've never forgotten it, and it still touches my heart to remember it.

Times were tough for us then. My husband was laid off, and I was feeling overwhelmed with anxiety about the future. A couple from our church gave us a check for enough money to help us catch up on bills. We stared at the check in wonderment, and they explained that although they tithed, they gave only half of their tithe to the church; the remainder they gave to someone they knew to be in need.

Some time later, a woman a worked with - a woman I didn't get along with at all - became quite ill. Her husband was already on disability, and I knew that she would be out of work for some time. I thought she would be offended at receiving "charity" from me, so I purchased a money order and sent it to her anonymously. To the best of my knowledge, she never knew its source, but it changed my heart and, ultimately, our relationship. We ultimately came to like and respect each other. And I credit all of this to the actions of the couple that reached when out to my husband and I with an act of kindness and generosity.

So... Pay It Forward Day takes place one week from now. If you want to learn more about it, check the official website here. I hope you'll join in: the world could sure use a little more kindness!

Trying to eat healthier foods?

noreply@blogger.com (NC Sue) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

I ran across this and found it interesting. Fortunately, I like over 90% of the items listed here.

I've been scratching my head trying to think of recipes that incorporate several of them. Here's one - can you think of others? Care to share?

Blueberry Lemon Quinoa
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup quinoa
2 cups nonfat milk
1 pinch salt
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 lemon, zested
1 cup blueberries
2 teaspoons flax seed

DIRECTIONS
1. Rinse quinoa in a fine strainer with cold water to remove bitterness until water runs clear and is no longer frothy.
2. Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat until warm, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir quinoa and salt into the milk; simmer over medium-low heat until much of the liquid has been absorbed, about 20 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat. Stir maple syrup and lemon zest into the quinoa mixture. Gently fold blueberries into the mixture.
3. Divide quinoa mixture between 2 bowls; top each with 1 teaspoon flax seed to serve.

Wordless wonderment: SPRING!

noreply@blogger.com (NC Sue) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

Blue skies and spring trees blooming - what more can one ask for?

You choose.

noreply@blogger.com (NC Sue) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 04:00:00 +0000

I'm a nurse and, years ago, I had a patient in his early 40's who'd lost both legs, most of his fingers, his kidney function, much of his vision, and his marriage to diabetes. (His wife had left him when times got tough.)

He was always a remarkably positive person despite these losses. He laboriously wrote out his story using the stumps left on his hands and asked me to type it up for him to submit; he hoped that it would one day be published. His dream was never realized, and he died within a few years of our knowing each other. But I've never forgotten him, or one of the words of wisdom that stood out from what I typed for him:

"It's a 50% chance of rain,
also a 50% chance of sunshine.

You choose."