itsnotthedestination...

What I Love About the COVID-19 Era

2020-04-13T06:37:00.002-07:00

I know, I know... what’s to love about a world pandemic that sweeps through our new decade, interrupting normalcy, shattering lives, and leaving a path of destruction and uncertainties? Please stay with me for a moment in your thoughts and ideas...

While each person may be affected in different ways, essential workers, non-essential workers, the young and fit vs. the vulnerable to health challenges, each of us has had to face something that was unthinkable only a few weeks ago. We cannot “go back” - we are told. We start to realize our culture, our habits; our very being has been changed forever. Never before has this pivotal time been realized with such significance to the population of the present era.

Here is what I love, despite the tragedies, frustrations, and random loss of human life.

I love that sheltering in place brought a new sense of “home” to so many that rarely took the time to just “be”... “at home”.

I love to see children riding bikes and playing in driveways - a scene that rarely appeared for past decades as so many families would rush around to meet the many schedule demands. Kids get to have days that are fluid and they are learning to entertain themselves, some for the first time ever.Theirs mealtimes have evolved from the former grab and go, take out menus.

I love the artwork! The creativity, sidewalk chalk drawings and painted rocks through the neighborhoods.

The baking, the bread making, new recipes!

Photojournalism is more creative than ever, from the professional videos to the television commercials, to the homemade social media “stories”. The messages and how they reach our minds – so clever!

Waving to the passerby has never before had such meaning - such enthusiasm behind this simple greeting. Like a reassurance from one human to another saying,"yes, I’m ok".

Parents are learning to appreciate what teachers do for their students.

Kids and families are receiving the gift of time together. Home cooked meals. Dinner table conversations.

I love that he millennial generation is breaking their steadfast "text-only" commitments to pick up the phone and have ”real” conversations with loved ones.

The walkers! Taking walks! For many, taking a walk is new thought. It is the simplest practice and now a known privilege.

Some of us have more time to reflect during this quarantine.Time to really think things through! With much of the addictive distractions of our culture abruptly removed, we are shifting, and realizing that there IS choice in what the future holds. There always was, but now many of us are motivated to use “choice” in new ways, as our freedoms will become reinstated over time.

It is amazing to think of the things we once took for granted... the appreciation for the most simple and ordinary freedoms we once had. We now have time to decide which things we really want to keep - once there is another side to this pandemic threat.

Each of us can expand on this list and it will, in all likely hood be a different list from person to person. In spite of these differences, this era demands we all reach deeper, hold on tighter, search and seek gratitude in ways we never before thought possible. These “gifts” will serve us for many years to come.

My hope? That this will be a time of new ideas to expand on, and that we find what is truest to our souls. Individually... and collectively.

Christmas Cards

2019-12-18T05:57:00.001-08:00

Dear Ones,

Thank you so much for the Christmas card!

I opened it with excitement to hear from you… the wish received for a wonderful Holiday was received, and made us both smile. If you hand wrote a little note, even more special.

Receiving greetings, notes, pictures and updates, we never tire of… ever! Please know that truth - in spite of the absence of a return greeting in your mailbox.

The minute I opened and read yours, I mentally wrote you back a long letter full of memories and updates from our family. I also wish you peace, joy, and the gifts beyond material things for you this Christmas. My wishes extend to your loved ones as well. The key word here --- mentally. Alas, my thoughts never transcribed to the pen and paper... Sadly, the thought to reciprocate by sending you a New Years card never quite made it either. However, it was a great idea when I thought of it! In January, as I put away the box of Christmas cards and stamps I bought, I have learned to bless my intent and forgive myself for not following through…

The detailed updates are always fun to read. There was a day when, I too took time for this tradition, adding photos, updates, and sentiments. Life changes over time - and crazy/amazing family situations occurr, and it gets complicated… A milestone was reached for our family as adult kids left home and it seemed an appropriate time to hang up the tradition in favor of simplification. It is difficult to start new traditions if one cannot let go some of the former… But, it is not for lack of love of the tradition itself, or for the desire to connect with you at this special time of year!

So keep them coming as you will, and yes, let's connect in the New Year.

This new decade is a perfect time for that!

Merry Christmas!

With much love,

Cheri

The Devil in the Fire

2018-11-13T10:03:00.002-08:00

The devil in the fire...

This photo, taken in November 1, 2002 shows the salon I worked in burning to the ground. A speeding vehicle had plunged into the building as the driver swerved to pass a car on the highway and completely missed the mark. By the time I arrived at the scene, the last flames were being extinguished and the realization that we had no building to work in, no tools to work with and suddenly, no income, were slowly sinking in. We did not even know which clients were on the books for the coming week. The appointment books, the contact numbers, everything went up in smoke. Gratefully the one stylist that was supposed to be working that night, her client had cancelled, so the building was empty. The driver found himself in the middle of the salon, got out of the car and escaped without injury before the series of explosions occurred from the igniting hair product chemicals and hairspray cans.

Linden Salon Fire - 2002

If you look very closely at the picture, you will see an image present in the flames. There is an old Fire House phenomenon that when Fire Crews come upon a fire, there is often an image of the devil within the flames. This photograph was the second of a series of three photos taken that night in 2002, and seeing it gave us the chills….

Realizations of loss took days - and even weeks to process - as we quickly sprang into action finding a salon in a neighboring town to take us in, gathering basic hair equipment, doing what we could to secure licensing…. Having proper paperwork in order was impossible, we did the best we could and just kept going, knowing the loss could have been worse if it was our homes or if anyone had been working in the building when the fire occurred.

I will not even pretend this experience compares to the current situation of then Camp Fire Victims in California – or any other fire victim that lost homes, their home town, or loved ones. The purpose of me finally recording these events – 16 years later - is to share some of the “take always” that it took years for me to process.

It. Changes. You.

Surviving any tragedy resulting from any level of fire destruction is a traumatic event. It is a major marker on your Life Calendar, you will refer to things that happen over time by referencing, “before the fire,”, or “after the fire”. As you journey through the following days, weeks, months, you will become more tolerant of change and more compassionate of those around you. The support of community, the sharing of your experience is helpful throughout. You value things differently. You value LIFE differently… It changes you forever.

Recovery Processes

Once that devil of the fire is finally put out, there is a long road ahead for the processes to evolve. I pluralize "process" because there are many factors to pay attention to, and you cannot possible take them all on immediately. There are many side stories to my own ordeal, and there will be many for so many California fire victims.

Protecting your health is your number one priority, you cannot possibly be of help and support to so many suffering around you if you become sick and needy yourself, this goes for anyone working on relief efforts as well. To do this, it is essential to prioritize establishing a routine, taking your medications, get your eating and sleeping under control, protecting yourself from smoke exposure, etc... Please address any trauma issues you might be experiencing., Seek out Crisis Counseling services, talk about it, write about it, cut yourself slack for forgetfulness as you take in the overwhelming amount of information that comes your way.

No Short Cuts

For the relatively short time a fire burns, there is no short cut to getting back on your feet. Expect to take time with this entire process. The tedious job of identifying and valuing each little item that you lost is painful and overwhelming. Most of us want to stick out heads in the sand, and be done with the tragic experience. We want to magically feel normal again, put the whole memory behind us. There are many reports from fire victims that it takes 18 months to 2 years to reach a recovered state, materially and emotionally. It is especially difficult to live through this time period with so much uncertainty about the final outcome.

Filling out forms, securing temporary housing, searching out resources and all the while protecting your health from the lack of routine, sleep issues, stress trauma, is so important though daunting. Take baby steps as you can. Try not to think about everything at once, easier said than done. As you chip away at each recovery task at hand, be clear on prioritizing which things to attend to first. This is especially important when it comes to financial assistance and working the insurance claims.

Insurance Adjusters are Humans

We heard a lot of awful “insurance adjuster” stories when our salon burned down, but also acquired some awesome support and knowledge from our clients as we moved through the process of an insurance settlement. This took many months and I am clear that every situation can be very different. Gratefully, I saw that a retired Insurance Agent recently came forward in one of the Facebook Groups for Camp Fire Victims offering this same advice. You can read his words here.

It is so important to remember that the professionals you are dealing with, (even as they try to devalue Aunt Mable’s precious wedding ring that you lost in the fire) are human beings with a job to do. Be kind, courteous, and business like. Try not to let your emotions rule. However, do argue the value of each and every possession as it is warranted for your case. Do NOT be in a hurry to “settle” quickly for you will be remembering forgotten items for many months to come. Be fair and honest but do allow for the fact that, most likely, you are not able to list full value on everything you own.

To wrestle “the devil in the fire” takes time on every level, emotionally, physically, and - from a business perspective. This is your new job now... resolve to do it well. Your future financial security, AND your general well being count on your willingness to be alert and find the ability to chip away at the many tasks you will be facing.

There will be little blessings along the way… acknowledge them, look for them, expect them. Once you find yourself on a better side of this whole process, and surrounded by your shiny, new possessions, take the time to love the level of gratitude you have learned through the entire experience. You so deserve every level of comfort that awaits you!

Mommies are Magic

2018-05-11T16:52:00.000-07:00

Celebrating Motherhood

"Mommies are Magic"

I always wondered how my Mom found out so many things that we thought she could not possibly have known. Always amazed that her knowing nod would reveal her understanding or observation about the smallest things, or what we thought were secrets.

“Mommies are Magic”, my cousins would say, as if that explained everything. It became apparent that the “Magic” extended to Aunts and Grandmothers alike, and really, Sisters, Teachers, or any woman you looked up to for guidance or advice.

Motherhood is sacred and is not limited to the traditional type of Mother, the diversity of Motherhood is celebrated year after year, from Country to Country. There are no borders or boundies if your heart sings of this nurturing relationship.

Happy Mothers Day and may we celebrate the diversity of Motherhood… and the Magic!

It's A New Year

2017-12-31T14:56:00.002-08:00

2017 – a year containing the gift of time – good times and fun surprises as well as challenges and unexpected disappointments…. and a few things that I have not quite figured out by year’s end.

New Year - 2018

My takeaways this year?

The days go by fast. However, quality over quantity means that easing into the day is a sacred rite, and a chance to start on a positive note. What we think and say during these waking moments drives the direction of the day.

Big decisions need time - sleep on it, then decide.

Focus more attention on what the world needs more of - every day! This is a personal decision.

Complaining zaps good energy away and does not solve problems. I try to sidestep this tendency - there are so many better ways to spend my time!

Frozen Blueberries do not work in the pancake batter unless they are patiently thawed first. While on this subject – (note to self) - put a rubber band on the container of fresh blueberries when you take them camping!

Keep looking up! Stay positive - but when that warning light keeps going off, pay attention. Intuition is at work!

Time spent outside makes problems seem smaller - this goes double at the beach!

Feeling judged is usually a sign of judging others too much.

Owning the moment means being present no matter the circumstances. Each experience is a stepping-stone on the path, skipping too many “steps” may cause one to stumble.

Strive for contentment, but most of all, notice it.

Put forth intent, on purpose and deliberately! This is a huge and important step towards achieving what is most important to us!

Every year brings new discoveries, and chances to learn even more. This IS the “abundance” in a life lived fully.

When the tides change, you can swim against the current, or get out of the water and walk along the shore.

Expect Miracles! (Look for them).

Direction matters more then the speed at which one travels.

Finally, and I learn and re-learn this every year, but it bears worth repeating - The best parts of Life are usually not about reaching the destination…

May we know Peace, Love, and Joy in 2018!

Camping Pancakes

2017-08-06T13:44:00.000-07:00

I know most campers believe that pancake mix is a no brainer when it comes to packing up the family for a camping trip - but I will share with you my recipe for "pancakes from scratch" because I have found a way to bring what I call "real pancakes" to the picnic table at your favorite campground.

This practice is not new, it's the way I was raised. I never really understood pancake mixes - pancakes have relatively few ingredients and you have to dirty the bowl either way! Though many of the mixes are good, when you assemble your own ingredients, I think you will find your pancakes to come up a notch or two in quality. It really is hard to go wrong here.

So I have a tried and true "recipe" for a pancake mix that travels easily. We always take eggs and oil with us, so to add these and water to my mix is really not a problem or a bother. I like to use Grapeseed Oil for baking and cooking.

Fresh Strawberries & Pure Maple Syrup on Camping Pancakes

Camping Pancake Mix

1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup powdered milk
(I omit the 3/4 teaspoon of salt that most recipes would call for, but you can add that if you want to.)

I do have a secret ingredient that gives the pancakes the best flavor! I sometimes add 1/4 teaspoon of Penzey's Baking Spice or a dash of Cardamom. It gives it a little bit of a Swedish pastry flavor.

You can put these dry ingredients in a jar or a quart storage bag and add a label with directions:

Add 2 eggs, 1 1/4 cups water, & 3 Tablespoons oil.

You can opt to replace one of the eggs with 1/2 cup shredded apple (delicious!)
Add some Cinnamon too!

That's it!

Wisk the ingredients up and pre-heat the griddle or fry pan to medium-low heat, you are on your way to bake some pancakes to remember.

Tip: when the bubbles stay indented on the first side, the pancake is ready to flip.
Enjoy!

"Hill Station" Chai Tea

2017-01-22T13:02:00.001-08:00

How I learned to make Chai Tea

Spiced Chai Tea - shown with the "Reed Straw"

Tea time is my age-old friend. To share a cup of tea is love and friendship. To savor a cup of tea is a chance to pause.... and breath.

I first tried the Chai Tea Latte at the coffee house on the advice of a friend, and was instantly hooked! From then on I tried different "Chai Tea" products and tea bags - all to have them disappoint me. I am not sure if what I tried had a different balance of spices? Or the quality of the tea leaves?

I ran across a Facebook post that showed how to make Chai Tea and was intrigued. Before I even tried the method and recipe in the post, it spurred a conversation with a man that frequents India! This was good luck for me, and now, out of that conversation, I have developed my own method to make Chai Tea.

First, the spice "brew" needs to be made separately for the Tea. Long ago, I read up on the art of tea making. It is a big deal not to steep those tea leaves too long. My rule, 5 minutes, black tea, and 3 minutes, green tea.

Now, back to the spices - the conversation went like this:
"My chai blend is gleaned from a restaurant in India: Black Tea Cinnamon, Ginger, Cloves, Sesame Seeds, Black Pepper, Red Pepper, Cardamom, Fennel Seed, Vanilla Bean, and Nutmeg
If you try it yourself, know that it takes awhile for the Sesame Seeds and Cinnamon Bark to suffuse. And don't over do the Black and Red Pepper."

We agreed that a Crockpot is one good way to make this brew. And that the brew can be used over a period of a couple of days if you "refresh" it periodically with another slice of fresh Ginger. The tea is added to the cup of spice brew so as not to steep the tea leaves too long. You can use tea bags or an infuser.

So into my pot of water go the cinnamon sticks and the sesame seeds first, giving that the most time to steep before adding the additional spices:

2 cinnamon sticks
1 t. of sesame seeds
then add:
1 slice of fresh ginger
2 whole cloves
2 whole cardamom pods - crushed
1 T. of Fennel Seed - crushed
1 small piece of whole nutmeg (or a grating)
1/2 of a vanilla bean (split)

Let this brew steep for a couple of hours. You can use a warming plate or the warming tray of your coffee maker, as well as a crockpot for this.
Pour the spiced brew into a cup.
Add quality tea leaves in an infuser or tea bags to the cup. Use the recommended steeping time guidelines for tea. Remove the tea leaves (or bag).

To serve: You can add cream and sugar but I love it without!

My Facebook friend added to the conversation:
"If your experiments lead to something that needs a name I think 'Hill Station Chai' would be appropriate. In the days of the Raj, Hill Stations were where you could get away from the heat and dust of the dry season. Not everyone could afford it, but not everyone was able to afford the selection of spices in the more elaborate chais, either."

Now to sip my tea while my mind drifts to visions of life in India.....

Press Release - December 2016

2016-12-16T14:53:00.001-08:00

StrawSleeves - The Next Step in Sustainable Living

Linden, CA - December 16, 2016 - 500 MILLION single use, plastic straws are used and discarded in the USA every day! Reusable straws provide a solution to this environmental problem as straw users learn the importance to refuse plastic and opt for sustainable straw choices. StrawSleeves provides a practical way to carry reusable straws while traveling, shopping, or eating out.

Bring Your Own Straw - Packing your reusable water bottles, coffee cups, and utensils promotes the practice of "reuse" over accepting single use plastics in our daily routine. Straw users can choose from the many types of reusable straws on the market and now have a way to pack and carry their personal straw easily in the cloth sleeves. The sleeves are designed to keep the straw clean and protected from contact with other items in their tote-bag, glove-box, pocketbook, backpack, or picnic basket.

Hemp and Reclaimed Fabrics - Materials used in the making of the sleeves are sustainable, plastic free choices. 100% Hemp Fabric from Romania is offered in four colors. Hemp is a sustainable resource, not requiring pesticides, and has natural anti-bacteria and anti-fungal properties that benefit food utensil storage. Triple washed reclaimed denim and denim weight fabrics are used for making the sleeves as an additional choice and are offered in earth-tone colors. All straw sleeves are self-lined, triple stitched and have an "invisible inner cuff" that prevents the straw from sliding out of the pocket, requiring no ties or fasteners, a convenient choice to transport and access your straw. The fabrics and sleeves are designed to withstand frequent laundering by hand or machine and are ideal for many types of reusable straws including stainless steel, titanium, copper, bamboo, sterling silver, and glass.

New Multi-Utensil Packs – Cloth carriers with four sections are now available as an additional StrawSleeves line. These packs hold a number of straws, chopsticks, utensils, and cleaning brushes as well as other items such as art supplies or makeup brushes. Fabrics used are 100% cotton or reclaimed materials.

Sleeves Bearing Store Brands - Current StrawSleeves sales are mostly business-to-business with several straw manufacturers and eco stores branding the sleeves with their own business logo. Wholesale and Distributor pricing is based on the quantity of each order. Selecting the highest standing businesses that promote plastic free solutions is the object of the StrawSleeves Company in the effort to promote solutions to the environmental issues of plastic waste.

Social Media Love - To learn more about StrawSleeves and see photos and videos, please go to the StrawSleeves Instagram page where you will find @StrawSleeves and the StrawSleeves community engaging in discussions and ideas that encourage us all to take that next step toward a sustainable lifestyle.

Plastic Free Donations - StrawSleeves considers requests to donate sleeves for worthy plastic free causes. Please email inquiries to strawsleeves@gmail.com for consideration.
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StrawSleeves on Etsy - Individual retail StrawSleeves sales are active on Etsy. http://etsy.com/shop/StrawSleeves

B2B Sales inquiries and Sample requests: Please contact Cheri Newcomb directly.

Press Contact
Name: Cheri Newcomb
Email: strawsleeves@gmail.com
Website: http://strawsleeves.com
Instagram: @StrawSleeves Facebook: @StrawSleeves

Multi-Utensil Pack for straws, chopsticks, utensils, cleaning brushes, etc...

StrawSleeves - to bring your own reusable straw!

Olive - Walnut Bread

2016-10-30T12:57:00.000-07:00

Olive-Walnut Bread Recipe

Olive -Walnut Bread made with Graber Olive products

This recipe is adapted from some traditional Olive Bread Recipes and produces a rustic, savory loaf of bread. This recipe involves no kneading, unlike most yeast bread recipes. I made this bread using Graber Olive Products found at the Graber Olive House.

Feel free to up the herb proportions, I did not want to overpower the taste of the walnuts.

This bread is perfect to serve any time of year, but especially wonderful to serve this in the late Autumn months gathered around a warm fire. For some ideas on table settings and place setting etiquette, check out this blog.

Enjoy! Please do share any adaption you decide to make to this recipe in comments!

Ingredients:
      3 cups Bread Flour, plus more for work surface
      1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt (the olives & cheese have added salt content)
      1 teaspoon instant or active-dry Yeast
      1/2 teaspoon dried, ground Rosemary
      1/2 teaspoon dried, ground Green Onion (or Onion Powder)
      1/2 cups of finely chopped Walnut meats
      1 1/2 cups coarsely grated Asiago Cheese
      1 can (seeded & cut in thick slices & pieces) Graber Olives
      1 1/2 cups cool water (55 to 65 degrees), plus more as needed
      2 teaspoons of Graber Olive Oil

Directions:
In a medium bowl, stir together flour, salt, and yeast; stir in cheese and olives. Add water and, using a wooden spoon or your hand, mix until a wet, sticky dough forms, about 30 seconds, adding additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time, if needed. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature until dough has doubled in size and surface becomes dotted with bubbles, 12 to 18 hours. It works well to plan this timing the night before. Generously flour work surface; scrape dough onto work surface. Lightly flour hands, a bowl scraper, or a spatula and lift edges of dough toward the center. Nudge and tuck edges of dough to make round.

Place a piece of parchment paper on work surface and generously dust with flour. Gently place dough on parchment. If dough is tacky, lightly dust top with flour. Cover dough loosely with parchment paper and two clean kitchen towels. Let dough stand in a warm, draft-free spot until almost doubled in size, 1 to 2 hours.
Gently poke dough with your finger; dough should hold the impression. If it springs back, let rise 15 minutes more.

Ten minutes before dough has finished rising, use olive oil to coat the inside of a large, Pyrex bowl. Preheat oven to 425 degrees (convection oven preferred.) Place a Pizza stone in the center of the oven rack and a Pyrex bowl in the center of the stone.

Using pot holders, carefully remove preheated Pyrex Bowl from oven and uncover. Uncover bread and loosen bottom with a large spatula. With the aid of the parchment paper, invert bread dough into preheated bowl. Cover bowl with a well fitted, oven heat safe Pyrex lid and transfer to oven; bake for 30 minutes.

Uncover and continue baking until bread is dark brown but not burnt, 15 to 30 minutes more. At this point you can carefully transfer the bread from the bowl, right onto the pizza stone and turn up the over to 450 degrees. The timing will depend on your oven and my nose (smell wafting through the house) usually tells me the exact moment it is done. You want the bread crust dark brown but not burnt. Transfer to a bread board to cool.
Serve with Graber Olive Oil - Balsamic Vinegar in a dipping bowl with added dried herbs of your choice.

Olive - Walnut Bread

Straws, the next plastic bag...

2016-09-11T06:53:00.000-07:00

September seems to be straw awareness month, as the online buzz brings an awareness factor of how we are not thinking about the consequences of using and discarding plastic straws day after day. The statistics are repeated post after post, not just how many straws are used each day, (500,000,000 per day in the USA alone) but also how long it takes for the plastic to degrade. Well, it actually does not - plastic straws are made to last - get this - HUNDREDS of years! Not so good for something you use for a few minutes and then toss it.

Plastic straws are accumulating at an alarming rate, and just like the plastic bag that faces bans in most areas, straw use is being scrutinized!

My work in the reusable straw industry for the past 9 years has introduced me to many amazing warriors on the straw front. But let's be serious here, it's not just straws. It's the idea of single use consumerism in a "throw away" society. The consequences of our habits, if we do not pay attention and try to change some of our once accepted behaviors, will be problematic for many generations to come.

Leading the way are a number of organizations and projects to help us understand the idea of how we might change our thinking and choose differently.

StrawSleeves on Instagram follows numerous beach cleanup operations, some highly organized, some just a lone soul or small family that go out every day and pick up trash in parks, on beaches, and on city streets. Photos posted of what we all leave behind, collectively speaking, are graphic, disgusting, and the photographers are true heroes that care enough to make a small dent in an atrocious problem.

Celebrities like Ed Begley Jr., Jack Johnson, and Adrian Grenier bring awareness out into the public eye by their examples and convictions that the public has a responsibility toward the care of our planet. This is one thing that we all share regardless of fame, the fact that we all live here on planet Earth.

Graphic credit UKonserve.com

UKonserve posted on their blog that they estimate their own reusable straw sales have saved 74,000,000 plastic straws from the waste stream! Impressive number! They even tell where to buy cloth cases made for all types of reusable straws and include a link to a tutorial showing how you can make your own carrying case, After all, it's hard to refuse the plastic straw if you do not have your reusable straw along for the ride.

The Last PlasticStraw and One Less Straw are busy offering ideas and incentives to participants in their campaigns. The Surfrider Foundation provides guidelines and information to businesses through the Ocean Friendly Restaurants website that is quickly signing up Hotels and Restaurants to stop supplying plastic straws to customers and to implement "straws on request" policies. Milo Cress of Be Straw Free founded this idea when he was just 9 years old. Now, if children can figure this stuff out, we should all be able to come up with some collective solutions on a grander scale!

What is Starbucks doing to reduce its impact on the environment? #starbucks #starbuckscoffee #starbucksrecycle #starbuckstrash

A photo posted by JayDGardner (@jay_d_gardner) on Apr 19, 2016 at 3:04pm PDT

StrawSleeves reposted a Starbucks video and questioned the news story that they were sticking to green plastic straws due to children harming themselves on the stainless steel straws they were providing as a retail option. Some of the commenters wondered about the quality of the stainless steel straws (most have rounded edges) and the "safety" of a rigid plastic reusable straw in the case of a child falling with the straw in their mouth.
Starbucks, we know you can do better!

STRAWSfilm is currently in final stages of film production. This important documentary will be made available to educational institutions, lobbyists, and government forums for the better understanding of the impact of our accumulative straw use. The film includes interviews with the biology team that extracted a plastic straw from the nostril of a sea turtle last year. The video went viral on a global scale!

With so many choices of reusable straws, there are still many who cannot get past the desire to stay with single use straws. The good news here is that there are paper straws, while somewhat wasteful, they do eliminate many of the harms of the plastic factor in toxicity and how long they last. One company is manufacturing straws inspired by the history of the "first straw", made of - straw! Rye grain is farmed and harvested, and the remaining straw is specially cut and cured to create a truly renewable single use straw!

Whether you refuse, reuse, or just start to reconsider, change is in the winds and the wonder age of the "Tupperware Age" conveniences have been found to be not so convenient after all.

Perfect Pizza

2016-06-20T15:55:00.000-07:00

Finally! The Perfect Pizza!

Raising 4 kids, 3 of which worked in pizza restaurants (back in the day) brought some great pizzas into our home! Not to mention the pizza making techniques that were shared through time. We even started having a "make our own" pizza night on Christmas Eve! That is when I was informed that I was doing it all wrong!

Throw in the fact that, due to health reasons, low sodium meals are a must at our house. We keep the salt shaker out for guests and advise that all of the meals are cooked without salt. That is the easy part. Reading labels and picking and choosing ingredients that are not salt laden is the hard part. I have had many years of practice!

The word perfect is just my "for now" word. If this recipe were truly perfect, then you would make, and can your own pizza sauce from the bounty of your vegetable garden! And you would use homemade Mozzarella cheese!

But here is how I do it NOW!

For the dough:
4 cups unbleached flour (bread flour works best)
1 3/4 cups warm water (divided)
3 tablespoons olive oil (more to coat the proofing bowl)
2 1/2 teaspoons dry yeast (in the jar or 1 packet will be fine)
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
Method:
Turn oven on to 175 degrees.
Measure 3/4 cup of warm water (you will add the other cup of warm water later) and add the yeast and the sugar - dissolve, let sit 5 minutes until if foams. Now turn off the oven. assemble all the other ingredients in a bowl, then add the foamy yeast stuff and stir it all with a spoon.

Now if you decide to just dump everything together and skip dissolving the yeast first, it still will turn out fine - I am telling you the way I learned to get the dough just perfect!

I use a dough hook on a mixer for about 3 or 4 minutes for the kneading, then I take half of the dough and place it in an oiled storage bag, it goes in the fridge for another pizza in about 5 days or so. I place the other half in a large oiled bowl, turn to coat the entire ball of dough, and place in that preheated but previously turned off oven for no more than 45 minutes. (Do NOT over proof the dough, or you will not know how perfect it could have been!) You now have enough time to get the rest of the ingredients prepared......

As I said, I do not can my own pizza sauce, and there brands lower sodium then Trader Joe's brand, but they just do not taste that good, so this is what I use. About 1/3 jar is what you need for one pizza. It's 350 mg. of sodium per 1/4 cup - this (and the cheese) is where I choose to budget the sodium content.

Thinly slice:
Red Onion, Green Onion, (or both)
Colored Bell Peppers (your choice)
Black Olives
Fresh Mushrooms

Put the slices on a dinner plate, each ingredient should take up the space of about 1/4 of the plate. Too much of the toppings can make the pizza soggy, you don't want that!

Grate 1/2 lb. of Mozzarella Cheese - a little more is ok, we are trying to watch the sodium at our house. We tried substituting for a lower sodium cheese, like Swiss, but it tasted like a combination quiche-pizza! A different animal. Got to have the Mozzarella!

I find a cheese at Costco that we use as a Parmesan replacement, I use a fine grate to process it and I only add a tiny bit to this pizza. It is called Lake Country Asiago Cheese and bears the Kirkland Brand.

OK, now on with it - take out the dough and a rolling pin and a floured bread board.
Preheat your oven - I use "convect roast" at 425 degrees, but you might have to use 450 degrees if you do not have convect options on your oven.

Roll out the dough, place on a pizza stone (important) and heap up the edges of dough a little, spoon on and spread the sauce, sprinkle all but a handful of Mozzarella Cheese, decorate with your veggie slices, sprinkle remainder of cheese and a light sprinkle of the finely grated Asiago cheese at the end - THEN a light sprinkle (about a teaspoon) of crushed red pepper flakes (optional) before it goes it goes into that hot oven!

25 minutes!
(But check in 15 or 20, you might get a different time depending on the performance of your oven.)

Let me know if you make a perfect pizza! Enjoy!

footnote: You can find some truly unique and delicious cooking ideas by following my daughter's blog: McMillen Kitchen. You are welcome! ;)

Selling The House

2016-01-05T09:15:00.000-08:00

Selling the House

by Cheryl Newcomb
http://itsnotthedestination.blogspot.com

The old familiar sight of "For Sale" signs are popping up all over the neighborhood showing increased activity on the housing market, a good thing after a long and depressed market for years. The rises and declines of home sales will often the timing for those who are motivated to make this change for any reason, steering the seller through the pending chapter change. First, the staging must take place to get that sale, however long it might take.

Hearing the chatter of friends and family sharing their experiences with their own process of "showing" the house has my attentions as I remember my own efforts in this arena, many years ago. Some things we just do not forget! The frustrations, fears, and tireless efforts to entice a buyer so they can move on with their own life's plans can quickly become drudgery in routine. Re-sweeping an almost clean floor, polishing a doorknob as you quickly exit - late for work again! I remind those who share these experiences with me, using those magic words in response, the same words that pulled me through the same process so many years ago - It Only Takes One Buyer! Once that happens, the whole process is behind you and your new adventures wait.

To look back at this intense but fleeting moment (depending on how often you sell and buy homes in your lifetime) can bring a perspective of defining moments to life's circumstances. It is much like the year you graduated from High School, a reference point - Just like your graduating year, you will recite the year you moved from one house to another. You find yourself using the address of where you lived to define the era. Selling a house for any reason is one of the big page-turners, a means big change!

Digging through old folders of paperwork produced the email that I sent to my family once the offer was accepted on my last house. While "methods" of fresh baking bread and vases of flowers are widely used techniques for enticing a buyer for sale of a house, it was a magic moment for me to think back on the events that surrounded the sale of the house where my children had grown up.

Sent: May 14, 2001

Subject: Strawberries

Our house was on the market for 60 days. We would get about one showing per week, which is typical of our area. Showing a house with three teenagers and the busy schedules that go along with that is a pain to lay the least! The kids were real good about it, picking up every morning, making beds, etc....

We got a call on Saturday night that there would be a showing on Sunday at 4:00PM. The kids had a picnic to go to that day and I had to go to town to get groceries because my car was going into the shop the next day. I came home with a car loaded with groceries and a "feeling" about this particular showing. Barely was there time to put the groceries away and spit shine everything to make the proper impressions. I packed the fridge, got out the dust rag and mop and hurried through the tiresome routine, but had forgotten to put away the flat of freshly picked strawberries that I had bought at the fruit stand.

They were as big as red apples, and the reddest I had ever seen! As I checked the clock, I realized there was no time to pare up the berries and no room in the fridge to slip the whole flat in so I got out a huge white bowl and just dumped them in and placed it on the kitchen table nest to a crystal vase and a basket of napkins... The sun was streaming in the kitchen windows and the strawberries sparkled! It gave the perfect "Country" effect.

The call came in at about 10:00PM that night. We had an offer! Cassie heard me on the phone and was having one of her typical restless nights so she came in to ask me about the offer, she knew I was excited! She lay down beside me in my bed and after a while she whispered, "Mom, I know what sold the house." "It was the strawberries!" I told her that I thought she was right and sent her to bed.

A week later I was becoming anxious about the motor home not being sold through I had been aggressively advertising and showing the RV to potential buyers for months. With inflated gas prices as front-page news, the chances of a reasonable sale were dwindling and I feared not being able to get out of the loan. I was waiting on a possible offer of the only interested party I had lined up so far. Cassie suggested a bowl of strawberries might do the trick. So I shrugged as I took out the bowl of fruit and the offer come in the very next day!

It looks like the page turning is finally taking place! We are packed and ready to move into our new home and you bet I will put a big bowl of fresh strawberries on the kitchen table!

To Remember Nam

2015-05-20T09:09:00.001-07:00

The picture speaks a thousand words... and so many more. My cousin posted this photo on Facebook and the comment thread it produced is full of memories that tug at hearts. Little truths leach out from those who were there. The unspoken... remaining so because there are no words. The occupation of Viet Nam, a war that continued for decades.... that sent so many young boys overseas. An era that is never lost or forgotten as many may think.

Viet Nam ~ 1970

I was around 11 - 13ish years old during this 60's - early 70's era. My own age group of peers really do not know the "feeling" that goes with this time. Only those that had close family members serve in

Viet Nam

would know what I came to understand. Though there were many who served, many shared little of what they experienced upon their return. The painful truths were stuffed away as young men tried to come back and be the way they were when they left for their tour of duty. Only to find that coming home was painful as well.

It was a time of confusion, conflict, the quest for peace was demonstrated amidst a time when support for our troops was needed most. Loyalties were tested, sons were lost to war, protests, marches, political unrest, and violence erupted even as people tried their hardest to escape the mounting tensions and seek their own calm within the turbulence.

Five of my cousins served in Nam, with two of them returning home by way of my family's West Coast residence. I was excited each time there was news of a "visit" from one of my cousins, only to learn that these visits would hold a significance of this era in my heart that would last a lifetime. I quickly figured out this was not the same as when relatives vacationed and stayed at our house in California. This was more of a passage, so to speak. An important one.

My memories that are connected to these events are of packaging homemade cookies, using plain popped popcorn to absorb the shock of the long trip and rough handling as they were transported half way around the world. This project was spearheaded in our home by my sister, 7 years my senior. It was her classmates and the cousins that were her age that disappeared as one by one so many were drafted into service. As more boys left for Viet Nam, more girls packed care packages.... this went on for years.

Upon one cousin's return from his tour in Viet Nam, I remember my Mom putting his uniform in the washing machine over and over again, as he protested. She was determined to get the smell of the jungle out of it, he told her he would just dispose of it, there was no use. The washer chugged and the whole house smelled of it! I can still smell that strong, dank, putrid smell of the jungle that followed each of them home. It does not wash away.

As another cousin came through via San Francisco, we had to go get him at the hospital; he was recovering from a virus that affected his lungs. I always looked up to these cousins; they were older than I, and wiser. I longed to be their age and know more about the world. I was still learning.

I first saw my cousin in a hospital bed. He looked different from the boy that gave us rides on his brother's motorcycle in Wyoming. I saw his expression, clearly glad to be "home". In contrast, I will never forget what was shared or the struggle in his eyes to understand. His need for normalcy came first, then the long road ahead of many decades to try to make sense of the times. And heal. His lungs healed quickly, his soul, not so much.

I now realize, that they were just young boys with little roots of identity just starting to form in there hearts...

I had a conversation with my parents in the 90s. I brought up the 60s era and describing it as a pivotal time and how I saw it as a catalyst for some of the diversity that I see as beneficial to our society. They disagreed! They remembered this time as extremely painful with emotions scattered. Fear and tragedy were so prevalent as the headlines showed unrest and there were disagreements about almost everything. I could see that these memories are difficult for them, even so many years later. Here was a generation that had witnessed WW11 and the Great Depression. They had rebuilt their continuance only to have the rug pulled out from under them once again - this time with little direction as so many energies were divided. It was like the puzzle pieces were just thrown up into the air and no one knew how they would scatter or where they would land, or how to put the puzzle back together again.

The recent posting of this photograph on Facebook brought modern day comments that I will share. My admiration goes out to those who speak of these events that they have spent a lifetime coping with. A part of their being lives these milestones day after day.

Out of 20 grandchildren of my grandparents, five cousins served in Viet Nam - there were 20 of us!

Terry was there in 1970-71
Ron was there in 1968-1969
Al was there March 1968 to December 1968.

Al: "The Army lost my records for a year so I didn't have much time left when I went over. If you had to be lost, San Antonio was a better place to be than

Vietnam

. I got a full-time job as a pharmacist and moonlighted at being in the Army. Can you be AWOL if you don't officially exist? I was an E-2, the second lowest rank, but I had an apartment where my next door neighbor was a Lieutenant Colonel."

Al: "Allen was there in 1964. He went on a troop ship. It took about a month to get there. When they got there they had to climb down cargo nets to get off. They had few creature comforts at that time."

Al: " Gary was there during the time I was. We talked on the phone about getting together when he came to Vung Tau but it didn't work out."

The conversations continued:

(Speaking of the photograph)

Terry: I showed this photo to a friend, Rod, yesterday. Now I cant stop thinking about these guys. Thought I would share it with you again.

Al: As many times as you want to share it, Terry is OK with me. I wear a "Vietnam Veteran" cap about 99% of the time. Guys come up to me all the time and after we talk a little they say, "I've never told anybody this before but...." When they finish I tell them that my story is a little different. I was a pharmacist in Vung Tau an in- country R&R center. My weapon of choice was a syringe of penicillin. I never shot at a VC but I killed a lot of VD. They laugh and go on their way. I feel like they got something out in the open for the first time and I made them laugh to let them know that everything can be OK. Maybe it is not OK yet but it can be.

Terry: Al, Vung Tau was a life saver for us grunts. Went there 4 or 5 times. Yeah it doesn't matter what we did in

Nam

we all understand each other. And we are there for each other.

Al: On the rare occasion when someone wants to give me a hard time I tell them that I have talked to hundreds, if not thousands of Vietnamese and not one of them has ever said that America should not have done what we did. We paid a high price but the Vietnamese paid an even higher price especially after the Americans left. When I tell older Vietnamese that I was in Vung Tau they almost always respond with "That is where I made my escape." Then they pour out their story, too. I rarely try to make them laugh. The usually end by grasping my hand and bowing their head and saying thank you.

And this photo, gently inserted as a comment by Jan:

And, of course there was the reference to the beer.....

Richard: Good old Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. Ahhhhhhh

Terry: PBR'S at 100 degrees. Almost burn your lips.

Richard: 88 cases on a pallet.

Richard: Up on the DMZ we got mostly Ballantine beer. It sucked.

Al: Did you have to pay for it? In Vung Tau it was 10 cents per can.

Terry: Not on the fire base cuz we were the guys that were crazy and cried guns. Beer was free.

Al: in Vung Tau there was a screw-up platoon. They guarded the supply depots. About once a month a pallet of beer disappeared. The top brands were always available in the Mi mi bar. It was the Miami bar but the a fell off.

...............

The sharing of this photo says so many different things, some of which I have not heard as it speaks to so many! I see the camaraderie and the paradox of loneliness. A group of soldiers, longing to go home but keeping each other strong. No doubt, the connections are visible here. Connections that stood the test of time, some transcending death itself - and the messages will carry forth, for generations to come.

As the quest for Peace shows that Love reigns, even when there is no peace...

Mocktail Mary - New Recipe

2015-03-26T06:56:00.001-07:00

So many smoothies that are featured every day on Instagram inspire me to try my own recipe. There are some that use methods that have some awesome health benefits. I decided to make up this savory smoothie, and - oh baby, I nailed it! I call it the Mocktail Mary because it tastes like a Bloody Mary, but has absolutely no alcohol in it which makes it a great morning brunch drink or before dinner appetizer, even if you are avoiding the typical cocktail hour ritual. This recipe is a great way to squeeze more vegetables into your diet and does not have the sweet fruit that so many smoothie recipes call for.

Ok, here goes:

I rough chop my veggies and put them on a pie plate. I put the plate in the freezer for about an hour. This quick freeze helps the chopped veggies liquefy easily in the blender and the concoction will become frosty and thick like a smoothie.

1/2 a peeled Cucumber

Two ribs of Celery

1/2 a Red Bell Pepper (Yellow is good too)

1 thin slice Jalapeño Pepper

Three slices of Red Cabbage

Two small Tomatoes

Freeze, then put them in the blender and let them thaw for a few minutes.

Add:
Juice of two Fresh Limes

2 Tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar (Use the real stuff, it's good for you!)

A dash of Balsamic vinegar (the vinegars are what makes it taste boozy.)

2 teaspoons of Tabasco Sauce (adjust to taste)

1 Cup of Trader Joe's brand Low Sodium Garden Patch Juice.

Salt and Pepper to taste.

Blend it up and spoon it into two 8-ounce glasses.

Garnish with Baby Beet Leaves, Baby Kale Leaves, Lime Slices, and Chervil.

(Or whatever edibles you have growing in the garden, like Parsley or Thyme).

Add a glass straw by GlassDharma!

sidenote:

GlassDharma gives away free glass straws every year for Earth Day and you can get one just by participating in the project. You view a video and answer a few simple questions to get a coupon code. Checkout the project here.

Joyfull New Year

2014-12-29T08:23:00.000-08:00

New Year 2015

One of the biggest days of the year is New Years! Not because everything changes in just one day... some of the things in the New Year will be a continuance of the year before, it is just another day, after all. But, the event of the New Year as a marker in time has it's opportunities. It is like cleaning out the refrigerator. You clean up what is still good and put it back, you throw out what is spoiled from being there too long, and you get to start fresh.

My desire to *live mindfully* this year is my resolution. Not the kind of "mindful" that keeps me from sleeping at night as I excessively try to solve every issue that pops into my head, whether it's my own or someone else's circumstance. Not the kind of mindful that Just. Will. Not. Let. Go. of a topic - even though it has been hammered to death! The kind of "mindful" I refer to is more about living in the present moment, taking note of what is actually happening, and paying attention to the tasks at hand.

Multitasking has its place, but there comes a time when multitasking becomes a habit that is - distracting. Thoughts race ahead to what I will do or say next, or memories and replays take up so much mind-space that I am not sure how I got from one place to another in my travels. Mindful attention will keep me from wondering what that person was trying to tell me - or wishing I had noticed more landmarks as I try to find direction to a destination for the second time. My intent to be more mind-full will encourage me to pay attention to the trees I walk by everyday and hear the bird songs as they change with the season. It will help me to really listen to what others are saying.

Joyful! - I am adding "joyful" to my "mindful" resolution. Sometimes it takes an effort to live knowing true joy in a day. This is not to say that each moment will be deliriously happy or that we have to await a windfall of joy to come our way.. Rather I will learn to claim the joy in the generic circumstances of a day, joy that I know is there for the taking. The idea that we can change things for ourselves prompts me to look for the joy in the ordinary as I gravitate towards people and places that lay a foundation for my resolution. I will seek experiences that make my soul sing! ... Or even just hum a little. These little, ordinary joys will not go un-noticed because of other distractions that seem to pop up and try to overtake my emotions, leaning them toward worry and regret. I will choose JOY - even more than I do now - in 2015!

My four adult children all love to cook. This brings me great joy to see how they inspire the people they spend their time with to have fun with meal preparation. It becomes infectious to those who look on, not wanting to be left out of the happiness factor they notice, as the careful decisions are made during the chopping and blending of ingredients. Three of them worked in food services (one still does) and the one that did not has recently started a food blog. I see this "talent" as a true gift of choice - to take something as simple as preparing a meal and turn it into a ritual of joy. I am sure this was handed down through generations but as I look around at our culture, I know this is certainly not the norm amongst most of their peers.

The point I am making is that joy can spread and grow! It multiplies - everyone wants more joy! How would that be if the whole world became a little more joyful? Maybe that starts with me...

I will mindfully and joyfully choose more time outdoors! Noticing the rhythm of nature sets up a canvas for living in the moment and choosing joy. It is difficult to see the shooting stars or a flower blooming if one stays indoors most of the time. All Seasons have their glory so even in Winter I will bundle up and venture out into surroundings that have so much more to show me than the confines of my own creature comforts, within the walls of my home. The ritual to open the front door to greet the day or throw open the shutters to let sunshine stream into the kitchen are touch stones to this idea. But taking that a little further means dressing for the weather conditions and stepping into the elements. If the weather conditions are so severe that I have to put this off, I will long for the time to get back outside knowing storms pass quickly and the sun will shine again. It will make my whole year better to spend more time outside, I know it will!

2015 is almost here and I vow to "work on" my choice to be MINDFULLY present and to seek JOY as it happens!

I am wishing for those who find themselves reading this blog post a Joyful year full of opportunities for whatever makes your heart sing!

Happy New Year!

Cutting the Pomegranates

2014-10-23T19:46:00.004-07:00

Growing up in California, we were no stranger to the cutting of the pomegranate! My Dad would meticulously cut an X into the top and bottom of the fruit, then score the skin connecting each corner of the X.

We shared a pomegranate last night. He is 87 now. He was happy to have me cut it and seed it so he could eat it out of a bowl with a spoon!

I recently learned that scoring it around the middle, avoiding the top and bottom where the flesh is thick and harder to split, would result in an easy way to crack it open. Then to patiently peel away the interior layers of the flesh to break out the juicy red seeds...... Patience, still!

This method looks kinda messy - I have not tried it!

On Facebook, I ran across this posted video - now this totally makes sense! So how many ways are there to peel a pomegranate?!

Post by haberinbizden.com.

Now here is a combination of all of the ways I have learned that you cut a pomegranate!

White Pines Picnic

2014-06-01T17:01:00.001-07:00

Bike Ride in the Woods

"Time for a bike ride and picnic", I told my husband. "Let's venture out and find a new trail."

Single Track Bike Trail

In the early days of acquiring mountain bikes, we scoured the internet for bike trails and read the reviews and ratings, looking for trails rated "easy" and knowing not to attempt trails that are considered "difficult". Something happens along the way of adventures in general where the tendency to throw caution to the wind in the spirit of excitement makes you forget your own rules.

There are very thin lines between the different elements of wanting to have some fun. There is the reach for something new as well as finding an unknown while surprise and risk play into the equation as well. Adrenaline and how it feels is a big contributing component. Safety issues remain in any sport, so being mindful of how much risk to take is important as one weighs all the factors of how to proceed.

"The big pencil"

We re-read the directions, veer left at the town of Arnold, go past the elementary school and turn right at the big pencil. We looked at each other in amusement. The big pencil! The directions were spot on as we pulled into the parking lot at the Sierra Logging Museum with the gate to the trailhead right in front of us. We were in the woods! It was the perfect weather this last day of May.

Paved Road

The paved trail started to climb - here is where we start to get our bearings, it has been a while since we had the bikes out. Once the asphalt gave way to a dirt single track I really got excited to think we were traveling deeper into the woods. The trail got steeper both up and down and my tires, not treaded heavily enough for this terrain started slipping all over the place in the dusty, powdery pine needles. Though we have taken mountain paths through thick woods and ridden on the pine needle covered forest floors during other rides, this slippery carpet seemed to be a combination of fine dust and pine pollen. We found ourselves walking the bikes a third of the time, anxious to get up to "the rim" where surely the trail would level out.

Hairpin turns and steeper climbs made it less possible to ride the trail and there was no sign of reaching an area that would suffice for the kind of riding we like to do, so we finally turned around, knowing we had to navigate through each difficulty over again in order to get back to the car.

We made it with one spill, a bent wheel, a cracked reflector and the resolve to get my tires replaced with a deeper tread, ASAP!

I found this video of the trail, but it seems like there are a lot of uphill parts cut out! By the way, I do not jump logs with my mountain bike like the rider featured in this video does! The video does show how gorgeous it is along this trail!

Arnold Rim Trail from South County Ciclista on Vimeo.

White Pines Lake Picnic

Bikes back on the rack, we drove out of the parking lot (at the big pencil) and down to the White Pines Lake Picnic area to find the most charming little kayaking lake with recreational percs everywhere. Playgrounds, Horseshoe pits, a little league field, a Disc Golf Court, a sand beach and swimming hole, and trails all around the lake. For all the people present, it is a quiet area with lots of fishing and Kayaking, no motor boats allowed.

We will be back to this lake for sure, but next time we will try a different entrance to the Rim Trail rather than start at the top of the mountain trailhead. It might be time to go and read the reviews again before choosing the next new trail.

White Pines Lake

Twelve Months In A Year

2014-01-08T19:38:00.001-08:00

Time to.......

The Holiday decorations are finally put away, and with the same feeling of satisfaction that putting them up produces in early December. "Let's get on with it" is the calling that beckons. The year is stretched before us now and I feel myself perching on the marker of last year's transition into this.

2013 will go in my own history book as one of the most eventful years in my entire life. The lineup was evident this time last year as the calendar filled up, barely leaving gaps for all the other important stuff that happened that could not be foreseen. The timeline of occurrences is one that most certainly will be remembered when I am older and all the memories just start running together like colors of paint spilled out of cans. I can see myself saying, "Remember in 2013....", "I will never forget that in 2013..." It was all somewhat crazy in a happy way. Memorable for sure!

This year there are only a few markers on the calendar and the contrast between the two years has me wondering... There is more room for surprise this year! Though this idea excites me, I find myself wishing to keep the calendar clean and uncluttered.

We all have the same twelve months in a year, the same 24 hours in a day. How we spend them has a lot to do with obligation, life's circumstance, our motivation factor, and choice. I look back on the many unfinished things that I have started: the scarf on the knitting needles, the flowerpots to be transplanted, and the room that still needs painting. It is only a mere setback, I say to myself. Prioritizing is part of living life, after all. The unfinished things will be there when I get back to them, knowing that the interruptions in life are a sacred opportunity to live in the moment and embrace the unknown.

Yes, we all have the same twelve months in a year....

It's time for me to start to write that book now.....

The Gift of Christmas and Wishes

2013-11-17T14:23:00.000-08:00

A Christmas tree for Connie's Fall from Autumn

by Cherie Colombo

I remember an Autumn, a September's warm and sunny day in Santa Clara, California, 45 years ago. Anxiously awaiting for my kindergarten son of five to make his "big man walk alone" home from school. I watched the clock calculating my little five year old's couple of blocks' strategy. "That's it!" I thought, "taking too long!" As I was about to bolt out the door for rescue, the phone rang. A smiling voice on the other end saying, "don't worry, he's here, he gave my daughter a rose." I arrived at this nice lady's home. The door opened and I walked into Connie's life and a friendship that would last for decades.

............

Connie K. Garcia Hoy. Our lives shared the trials and tribulations that a relationship of blessed longevity brings. She was married and had two sons and a daughter. I was married and raising my only son. Young mothers, young wives, and young lives had a lot to share in common. The swift passing years brought multiple changes. Changes in marriage, change in career. A change in location with a major move to Idaho, cultural shock in our 30's. The teen years of raising those kids, and then the death of my son in my 40's, the divorces, serious life threatening diseases, medical procedures, ageing parents, dying parents, care giving to parents, loss, and death adjustment, and us aging..... It all plays out like a fast forward movie in your mind. But, we were solid lifelines, encouraging, laughing, crying, and talking and talking our way through it all.

............

Connie K. Garcia Hoy, we called each other best friends, but after knowing each other for forty-five years, we merged as family somewhere along the line and I will forever see her this way. "Happy Birthday", I had said to her on September 13, 2013. We laughed that she didn't feel anything different at all! I sent her a card with sentiments relating to how much we had experienced together and that we now were in the Autumn of our years, not knowing when our winter would come.... but still looking forward to all we would share with new beginnings.

Connie had recently lost her husband Ray to Alzheimer. An intense few years of care-giving had left her recouping and searching for a new direction in life. She died four days later after her 72 birthday. An unexpected massive heart attack. Connie literally did fall on September 17, 2013, but not without a last wish to be realized. Truly, my heart and mind will miss her for the rest of my days. You just keep looking for those subtle messages that make you go, hmmmm.
............

Connie treaded lightly on this earth. Her love for nature and philosophy galore! Not to be confused that she wouldn't stand up for a cause if needed be, but, intelligently weighed her convictions of justice with grace of wisdom as she saw it. Her thrust was for fairness in truths revealed and although I argued she could take some things too seriously, her analytical mind remained restless. Thank God for a wonderful sense of humor and good nature that would eventually maintain her balance of goodwill, and, realize her wish in the outcome....

............

Her life was relatively quiet and content in her marriage to Ray Hoy. They settled in Nampa, ID. And Connie's love for gardening, exotic plants, and rare heirloom seeds grew. For a few years she made a business of servicing restaurant's chefs with her beautiful edible herbs and flowers. My interest in gardening was not as extensive as hers, but I learned a lot from her that shows in my own gardening skills of today.

Later in years, Ray retired and his health began to slip away. Connie still kept gardening but the grounds once maintained with both of their efforts were now out of control and overgrown. Her time, now devoted to Ray when the devastating disease of Alzheimer slowly took its toll. Her strength of handling the situation is to be revered.

............

Spruce Tree

After the passing of Ray, Connie's determination of putting things back in order became her ominous mission. We had hour long conversations of what needed to be done for restoration. And then, a real focus occurred. The front of her home had been obscured from view for some time due to a monster huge Spruce tree. " I am going to remove it," she said with conviction. "Oh, really? How's that going to happen?" I said with much apprehension. I could tell she had given this much thought, after all, the tree was part of the family! Being the wonderful researcher she had become, she told me she had found an interested connection for the tree and it would be donated in Ray's name as a beautiful "City Christmas Tree"! What a tribute to Ray, what a honor, I was so excited for her. The anticipation of this event would truly be soul healing and gratification..... who knew what was to be? Was her wish gone with her own demise?

............

Tree Transportation
for the City of Caldwell
Christmas Tree Lighting

Connie was blessed in many ways through this life. The best being she had three beautiful children who grew into amazing adults! Rina, Frank and Steven. She referred to them as the jewels in her crown and I admired how she knew how to love each of them equally with all the differences of individually they presented. They all lived in distance in the pursuit of their lives.

The devastating news would bring these three together in the most challenging ways they have ever known. I share the grief with them, but they were the ones that had to deal with the physical closure and all that must be addressed physically and mentally when these kind of life events presents itself in our lives..... I know somewhere, my dear special friend smiles and is proud. It is perfect completion of a life cycle. Her children have met all her wishes, and then some. The three came together as an awesome team! Accomplishing things together and establishing a new bond between each other that will last forever. Big Smile Here! AND, the last wish of my friend, the tree? It was removed by the fine City of Caldwell, ID. and stands tall and proudly waits for the Christmas lighting ceremony November 22, 2013 in the name of Ray and Connie Hoy.

Connie and Raymond Hoy's tree has reached its final destination.
Placed in The City of Caldwell and is now ready to be decorated!
For the Christmas Tree lighting on November 22, 2013.

MERRY CHRISTMAS my friend and to all, wishes do come true.... and new beginnings.....

This guest post contribution is written by my friend and mentor of many years. Though 1000 miles separate us, my inspiration to write was generated by many beautiful and descriptive hand-written letters sent to me from Cherie. The three children in this story.... I was their babysitter when I was 13 ~ a fact non related (seemingly) to my friendship with the author. ~ It's not the destination..... it's the journey ~

Angels

2013-11-04T17:48:00.000-08:00

Angels In My Life

My Angel Stamp

A golden Angel sits at the top of our Christmas tree. She smiles down at us as we gather below in celebration of the Christmas season. The old traditional icicle ornamental tree topper from many years before no longer carries the sentiment it once did. The Angel is our family’s new tradition, a symbol of protection and God’s Love.

I ordered an Angel stamp and gold ink to use on our Christmas cards. Two weeks later, there was a funeral in our small town for a fifteen-year-old girl who died in a tragic accident. During the service, her mother read a poem she had written. It was about an Angel. I returned home after the service feeling very emotional, trying to make sense of it all. The mail carrier left a package on my doorstep, the angel stamp had arrived. I opened the package and found myself thinking about Angels.

…………...

I first knew of the physical presence of an angel when I was about eight years old. My family was traveling across the desert by night during a violent rainstorm. I was sitting with my head on my mother's lap as lightning bolts lit up the sky. My father lost control of the car and we started skidding sideways into a ditch and directly toward a telephone pole! My mom told my dad to let go of the steering wheel and let the car go its own way. I saw the huge telephone pole that was getting closer and closer when suddenly the car miraculously changed direction by 90 degrees, rolling in reverse, and narrowly missing what could have been a fatal crash into that pole!

The six of us were badly shaken but unharmed. The wheels of the station wagon were embedded in mud. While waiting for help to arrive we had time to recount what had happened. I remember my other saying that a Guardian Angel was standing at the pole and had kept us from crashing into it.

The idea of God sending an Angel to protect our family seemed very reasonable to me. However, this was my first realization that I was the recipient of Divine Intervention by an Angel. Ever since that night, I am aware that Angels are present and most certain they play an important part in my life and the lives of others.

....................

My mother took my little sister and I to visit her sister for the summer. Our little cousins were the same ages as the two of us and we considered them our "twin cousins". Muffy Sue, my own "twin" cousin was suffering from Leukemia. Though I did not know the severity of her illness until I was much older, I knew she was very sick. We had to take her to the hospital for lots of tests and she took medicine, constantly. However, when she had good days we got to play in my Grandma's sprawling gardens and go on outings to the parks, the circus, and the zoo! The four of us played all summer long and became very close.

One day we went to the petting zoo and the lambs and goats got into a scuffle and frightened Muffy. She was terrified of lambs and goats from that day on and would cry every time she saw one.

During my Kindergarten year, my Mother woke me up in the night to tell me that Muffy had gone to heaven. I could not understand why God had not kept her from dying, because in all of my 5 year little life I had never prayed for anyone as much as I prayed for her.

Years later, I learned that just before Muffy died, she told her mommy that she could see all the little lambs and could she go and play with them? Her mother told her that yes, she could go play with the lambs.

I know that Muffy is among Angels, but often wish that she were here. I wonder what she would be like today and how she and I would influence each other's lives. I think of her when I see lambs... and when I think of Angels.

.................

My doctor shook his head in amazement that I was still pregnant at 34 weeks gestation. I was carrying triplets and the pregnancy was challenged by many factors including preterm labor symptoms. He suggested a scheduled Cesarean Section the next day but I convinced him that I could make it one more week to give the babies more time to develop. I wanted my babies to have the heath advantage of being five weeks premature rather than six weeks.

Two days later my husband was called out of state. His father had just suffered a heart attack and slipped into a coma before his son could make the 2000 mile trip to go see him. His parents were scheduled to come out and help once the babies were born. I was afraid they might be born while their daddy was away.

The triplets waited until their father's return to be welcomed into the world. We celebrated their birth and felt determined that no matter what challenges our family faced, these precious lives would remain safe. Their arrival gave us all hope at a most difficult time. There was a lot of praying going on.

Though our babies had only routine health complications due to their premature birth, their Grandpa remained comatose. We spent every possible moment in the Neonatal Intensive Care Ward with our three babies in incubators; two of them were on ventilators. Two thousand miles away, our extended family took vigil in the Cardiac Intensive Care Ward with Grandpa. We longed to be with them and they, with us.

The two weeks we spent in the NICU taught us extraordinary lessons about life and death. Each day held moments of joy and sadness, love and fear. Tragedy and miracles are regular occurrences in such an environment. We rejoiced with families when a baby was sent home. We cried and held our babies close when a family was sent away with empty arms, never to hold their own baby again. I am convinced that the staff of doctors and nurses who work for such great causes know they work amongst Angels.

................

As our babies grew, I was determined to continue my independence as much as possible. The idea of being responsible for four small children was terrifying! The oldest had just turned five and his three siblings were lively five month olds. Knowing I was faced with the many challenges of raising a large family, I took a deep breath and decided to continue onward. It was time to see what I could manage on my own so I packed the children into our new van, buckling the babies into their car seats.

We started out on our new venture to my parent's house, 100 miles away. I was mentally prepared for a lot of stops and delays as I would need to tend to the children's needs. I was not completely comfortable with driving after a bed-ridden pregnancy followed by a life that kept me housebound, and new car that I was just getting used to operating. My mind was whirling with thoughts of how I would manage the next couple of days as I made stops at each of the stop signs along the country highway. Some of the intersections had two-way stops and some had four-way stops.

The next thing I knew there was a loud BANG! I opened my eyes form what I thought was a split second blink to see no front end on the van and smoke curling up from where the engine once was. There were people running toward us. With no time to spare, I unbuckled my seat belt. The next moment found me unbuckling babies from their car seats and handing them one by one to total strangers that came to help. I felt like I was in a dream and had no idea of what had just happened.

A women and her daughter had been passing through and they were the first to come to our aid. Her first words were that no one was hurt, which was all that mattered. She invited me to bring my children to her car while we waiting for the police to arrive. She helped me hold and calm the babies. Realizations started sinking in of what had just happened. Though I had stopped at the stop sign, I had continued as a semi was approaching from the left. The impact of the collision had caused my van to spin 180 degrees across the intersection. Miraculously, everyone was unharmed including the driver of the semi.

Through my humiliation came intense anger. Most of my family had almost been wiped out in a moment. My error had been no different from the mistakes many of us make in any given day. A lapse in judgment, a wrong reflex... Why was the fragility our mortality being thrown in our faces once again? After all we had been through with the loss of my father-in-law and the fight to keep our babies alive?!

Instead o feeling gratitude that we were all alive, I felt angry and afraid. I would not talk to anyone about the accident. I lost faith that tragedies can have purpose even when we do not understand what that purpose might be at the moment. I felt I would never trust myself again. I would not acknowledge my Angel.

..............

A few years later, my recently widowed Mother-in-law had a near fatal accident. She was just starting to settle into a routine of leaning to live on her own without the companionship of her beloved husband. After recovering form her injuries, she and I shared our feelings and thoughts about each of our accidents. We had gone through similar experiences and we shared a special closeness as we shared with one another.

I had finally realized that I was wasting precious energy trying to figure out what purposes these incidences have. It was at this pint in my life that tI stopped searching for reasons and learned to accept all that has happened. I was finally ready to acknowledge my Angel. It seems that when we think we are in control of our lives, circumstances humble us and make us realize that something much greater than us is at work. I believe the Angels are sent to us to guide us through these times. They help to protect us and keep the presence of God alive in our hearts and souls.

No longer am I surprised at the presence of Angels. I have learned to expect them and welcome them. Whether they take the form of the woman who let me wait in her car with my children, or of the halting of a child's intense fear, or the words that surprisingly pour from one's lips as they find just the right thing to say to comfort someone, these Angels are all around us.

Angel topping the Christmas Tree

.............

On a well-traveled country highway, about two miles east of Stockton, California, there is a white cross that marks the place where a life was lost. Just west of that marker is a house where a wheelchair bound man lives. He often sits outside on the side of the highway with his big black dog, waving at people as they whiz by in their vehicles. Many of them wave back.

Seeing him has caused me to wonder of his condition... and his story. I have admired how he chooses to spend his time; making contact with the folks that are probably strangers to him. Does he have any idea of the impact he has on so many of us that notice him? Does he realize that his presence interrupts our fast-paced thoughts long enough to cause another look at the speedometer or to cause a new awareness of our surroundings? How many lives might he have changed in one brief moment? Or even saved?

He must have an Angel close be to keep him from harm. Or is he the Angel?

...................

This story was written on a typewriter in 1995. In 2005, my daughter came home from school with her writing assignment. It is about her Angel. I have chosen to include it as the sequel to my story.

My Angel

Driving along a busy highway on a sweet, sunny day, I observed the familiar scenery of orchards and shrubs and the occasional house peeking through tiny holes of soaring oak trees. Wisps of wind coming from the open window tickled my face as I inhaled the fragrant aroma of the fresh spring morning. I turned my head to peer out the adjacent window. A movement caught by the corner of my eye lured my curiosity toward the front, where I noticed a man perched near the side of the road outside of a cozy, pastel-colored house. As we approached, his appearance became more obvious to my vision. The man was in a wheelchair…and he was waving.

I had a whirlwind of questions about this peculiar sight. Who was this mysterious man waving at? What was his name? Why was he in a wheelchair? Of course, these questions had to remain in my mind for the remainder of the afternoon, because the car had stopped and my mother, rushing us out of her old, blue mini-van and wishing us a wonderful day at school, interrupted my thoughts. Throughout classes, during lunch, and until the last bell rang I thought about this man.

I awoke the next morning to the smell of fresh apple pancakes and coffee. I went through my ordinary routine, forgetting about the man from the day before. At 7:40, my siblings and I raced out the door and scrambled into the van for another school day. It was not until my brother curiously asked about the “waving man,” as he called him, that I remembered. We all decided to look for him as we approached closer to the site where we first saw him.

Sure enough, the waving man was sitting in his timeworn wheelchair waving vigorously at passing cars. I was able to get a much better look, and what a sight he was! Upon long, dark, straggly hair rested a unique, black leather cap. His skin appeared tanned and rough, and his eyes drooped under heavy eyebrows. He wore a tattered, soft-brown leather jacket with leather fringes dangling from the arms. His jeans were a faded blue, and a beautiful black Labrador dog sat at his side. The only thing new about him that I happened to notice were his bright blue and white sneakers. I waved at him as we drove by, and I thought I saw the corner of his mouth turn up into a smile.

For the next two years, no matter how extreme the weather, we drove by the waving man each day, wondering many things about the events of his life. He transformed what was a boring drive to school into an exciting and entertaining twenty minutes. Regardless of where the waving man was from, we were grateful we had the opportunity to share our morning drive with a stranger who gradually became less of a stranger with each “wave” we exchanged.

Many years have passed since I last witnessed the warm presence of the waving man. He vanished as quickly and mysteriously as he appeared. To this day, I am in awe at his exceptional desire to be a part of our world, despite the challenges of everyday life. I saw in him never-ending courage and deep compassion for the world and the different people who lived in it. This man taught me a valuable lesson about cherishing life, and I now know what it means to truly live. His disappearance doesn't bother me, because I know he was my "angel," and has gone to shine brightly on other young, eager souls as he did on me.

Fall for the Sip

2013-10-01T20:10:00.000-07:00

This is a re-blog from the GlassDharma Blog "Sip The World".

The recipes are my own, so I just had to share the with you - too often we think of Autumn salivating for gravies, soups, stews and baked goods. Today lets think nutritious beverages!

Featured glass straw: "Smoothie"
Beautiful Bends (12mm)

Waldorf Smoothie

1 small Apple 1 small Pear
(core, diced, previously frozen)
1 oz. Apple Juice
4 oz. Almond Milk
(unsweetened)
1 - 2 ribs fresh Celery (sliced)
1/4 Cup broken Walnut-meats

Instructions: blend all ingredients & serve immediately.
(We used the NutriBullet for this recipe.

Serves 1 - 2

Almond - Pear Smoothie with Raisins

2 diced Pears (peeled and previously frozen)
4 Dates (seeded and soaked in water)

Featured glass straw: "Smoothie"
Beautiful Bends (12mm)4 Dates (sliced and soaked)

1/4 cup Raisins (soaked)
1/4 cup Almonds (chopped)
1 t. Baking spice*
3/4 cup Almond Milk

Instructions: blend all ingredients and serve immediately.

* Baking Spice suggestion - Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves and Cardamom.

TIP: Soak the raisins and dates together for at least 10 minutes (hot water) or overnight. Some of the soaking water can be used to improve the consistency and desired sweetness of this recipe.

Note: This recipe has no sugar added.

Serves 2 - 3

Featured glass straw: clear Decorative Dots
"Sipper" (7mm)

Cherry Pepper-tini

2 t. Cherry Pepper Jelly
1 oz. Pomegranate Juice
2 oz. Vodka
Splash of Vermouth (extra dry)

Mix over ice in a cocktail shaker and strain,
serve with a slice of Bell Pepper

Mocktail Version (non-alcohol)
2 t. Cherry Pepper Jelly
1 oz. Pomegranate Juice
1 oz. Apple Juice
1 oz. Seltzer water

Mix over ice in a cocktail shaker and strain,
serve with a slice of Bell Pepper

Serves 1

Add a Glass Straw!

Wow ~ My Cousin Makes Dandelion Jelly

2013-09-02T19:00:00.000-07:00

Making and Preserving Jelly from Flowers

Summer months are behind us now and there is a push to get as much of the bounty "put up" as possible.
Home Canning is an age old practice that is once again gaining popularity with recent findings of plastic lined cans leaching toxins into our diets. Home canning in glass jars assures us of our own food safety and control over what we consume and choose serve our families.

My cousin, Renee Brakemeyer makes Jelly from Flowers! ~ seriously!

Here is her recipe for "Dandelion Jelly" (She combined 2 different recipes for this tried an true version).

Photo by Renee Brakemeyer

DANDELION JELLY

200 Dandelions
4 cups Water
5.5 cups Sugar
1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
2 packages Pectin

Instructions:
Discard stems and remove petals from flower.
Add petals to water and boil for about 4 minutes.
Strain petals through several layers of cheesecloth and reserve 3 cups of the liquid.
Add to the liquid: sugar and lemon juice into a large saucepan.
Heat and add 2 packages liquid Certo Pectin and boil for 2 minutes. Hard boil for 1 minute.
Remove from heat and ladle into jars and process according to canning instructions.
Tip: (This foams a lot even if you add a tablespoon of butter so use a large pot so it doesn't splash over.)

QUEEN ANNE'S LACE JELLY

Photo by Renee Brakemeyer

Word of caution:
First make sure they are Queen Anne's flowers, "Hemlock" looks similar - but it is poisonous!

(check out some photos of both here.)

Boil 4 cups water and add 2 cups packed flowers
Remove from heat and let steep for 2 hours
Mix 3 cups of the infusion with 1/4 cup lemon juice and 3 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar.
Bring to a full boil.
Add 2 packages liquid Certo Pectin and boil for 2 minutes.
Fill jars and process according to canning instructions.

So many instructions and ideas are available on Pinterest and YouTube to help with tips and techniques. Make sure you properly research your methods if you are new to canning. First time canning? I recommend you can with an experienced and practiced partner - and take notes!

Update June 8, 2014

She is at it again! More jellies so I am sharing her pictures. Such talent!

Mint Jelly

Honeysuckle Jelly

Turning the Page...

2013-07-21T07:41:00.000-07:00

It has been more than 40 years since my 16-year-old self walked into Westgate Beauty College knowing little of what to expect. I was hoping that, just maybe, a Cosmetology License would be the means I needed to support myself as a soon-to-be-adult. I was ready to venture on my own at age 18! Sixteen hundred hours was the course requirement for completion. My plan was to finish high school as well.

Age 17, I was a High School graduate in January and had obtained my Cosmetology license in May, same year. I moved out of my parent's home in September, the month of my 18th birthday.

How could I know then, that the industry would serve me well for over 40 years?

Standing at a new gateway of life, changes are in the air. Excitement fills my heart and a new chapter begins. I will no longer stand behind the hairdressers chair and look at my clients in the mirror, a role that has become comfortable for me. No longer will clients come through the front door bringing with them their own life's circumstances and observations to be discussed, explained or just silently understood. The days ahead will be different for me, no doubt. I will no longer be included in salon community discussions of the news headlines or the latest gossip of some noteworthy celebrity. Small town events will not be reported to me on a daily basis. I will miss it all... the sharing of thoughts, emotions and especially the laughter!

My years as a hairdresser taught me skills that spurred me to begin a new career five years ago. The professional intimacy that I discovered in the field of hairstyling has given me glimpses of wisdom beyond my own years and experiences. I learned sometime back, that if a client was 80 plus in age, it was cause to notice and listen in a different way than I listen to everyone else. After all, we all hope to make it there someday... It is with the courage that I learned from these very wise and wonderful clients that I tackle new career challenges. I have learned from them, "it's never too late".

The days of years gone by in the Salon held surprise no matter how well laid out the appointment book predicted. Even on the days when appointments did not change, what took place in a day was not even predictable! I loved that! I was never bored!

As I helped each of my clients look into the mirror and discover their own images, I helped them learn to see the positive, and I know they have helped me with the same. I still cannot figure out why we tend to be so hard on ourselves, or why we need someone else to point out the beauty within ourselves... I will die trying to understand that one!

I learned so much through these years in the hairstyling industry. The client/professional relationship melted into touching friendships. We saw each other through happy celebrations and tearful sharing of tragedies. One thing I learned, whenever I judge a circumstance or person's action, there is usually a piece of the story I did not know. The meaning of this? My judgments may certainly be inaccurate!

Now it is time for me to turn the page, embrace the change and purposely rock my own comfort zone! Will I miss the days, routines, creative outlets and the relationships? You betcha! Nevertheless, I will also, thankfully take all of these encounters and experiences with me as I test the waters of my own uncharted territories. It is the path behind that lays a solid foundation for the road ahead. I have many to thank for that!

My confidence is high and I thank co-workers and clients of many years for the part you have played in where I am today. My heart is full and my wishes for us all to carry on, living life to the fullest and knowing just how wonderful and beneficial the days were that we leave behind us now.

Thank you to those who stepped in and showed me the ways of choices, dreams and loves ~ life's treasures for sure!

I say goodbye to these days, as we know them and fearlessly look for new moments to take place, as they will. Trusting that these changes will bring about the best of circumstances is Hope, but trusting the outcome as it will be is Faith.

To my Clients and Salon Business Associates: I bid you farewell with my heart full of gratitude for every facet of every encounter that has led us to this place in time. I hope to see you in the days ahead.

My prayer will always be for your continuance wrapped in the Very Finest Moments Life can Offer. ~ Cheri

Bike Riding

2013-06-30T16:29:00.001-07:00

I love my bike!

You might have read what I wrote about riding my bike in this blog post titled "Second Chances". Add trail riding to everything that I said before! The mountain trails are exhilarating and so scenic!

We just got back from trying portions of 3 trails in Northern California. I can use a lot of words and descriptions in this post about why this is so fun for me - but, better, c'mon and see this video.

(The most fun rides do require two hands on the handlebars and paying close attention to every rock and bump on the trail, so the video cannot show this with my current camera setup.)

Pancakes

2013-06-19T20:33:00.002-07:00

Of all the little luxuries that await us in life, many are but an ordinary substance - yet it will transform the mundane moment into something special. I am talking about pancakes here, a breakfast regular, a staple, an expectation on every breakfast menu. Serving "pancakes" is about something special. A treat saved for when company comes, or an indulgence if fixed for one person.

I was invited to join a Pinterest Board called "Culling Frugal Luxuries" I contemplated that title for some time. Pancakes! Making pancakes is "culling frugal luxuries"! I remember as children, we used to beg visitors to stay overnight because we knew our Mom would make pancakes in the morning if they did! While visiting a dear friend we immediately started planning what we will do together upon my arrival... lunch out, shopping. ... And in the morning... we will make PANCAKES! And, oh the smell of pancakes on a camp out in the woods! The butter, the syrup, it's an experience to savor!

Pancake mixes seem a little silly to me, a few simple ingredients is all one needs to make them for scratch. Eggs, milk, flour, leavening, oil and a bit of sugar or honey. Healthy diets can be adhered to by using whole grains and egg whites. Substitutions of bananas for the eggs, and almond milk for cow's milk can take the pancake totally non-diary.

Yeast pancakes, blueberry pancakes, whole wheat and oatmeal pancakes - I never get bored of the variations and recipes! (I have learned to eat just one.) The rest I bake up, put wax paper in-between each once they have cooled, then freeze in a storage bag. They are ready to take out one by one and stick into the toaster on a moents notice.

Yep, you can be "special" everyday!

My recipes vary as I take on the creation of just the right texture and flavors. Here is my latest creation -

1c. all-purpose flour

1c. white whole wheat four

1c. old fashioned Oats

2t. Baking Powder

1t. Baking Soda

3T. pure Maple Syrup (or sugar)

3T. butter melted (subs. Coconut Oil)

2c. Buttermilk (or Almond Milk + 2T. Lemon Juice)

2 eggs (or 3 mashed bananas)

1/3c. water

1/4 t. Cardamom

1t. grated Orange Zest

Add a cup of fresh or frozen Blueberries to the batter (optional)

Just mix it all up with a wire wisk and pour dripping ladles full onto a prepared and preheated griddle. Flip.

You know the rest!