Beginning exercising

 One of the things I have been working on this summer is to take better care of myself physically.  I have given up all nicotine, over 5 weeks now so I am very happy about that.  And the week I quit that, I began exercising like gangbusters.  At least it was for me.  I think I may have over done it some because my body is simply not used to that.  I have toned it back some so that I can build myself up better.

I try to walk every day.  It does not always happen, but I do try to do at least 5 days per week.  And I feel that is a good base for me, a good foundation.  My terrible cardio performance is actually what got this all started.  There are so many things I want to be able to do in life and if I don't have good lung capacity, those things are not likely to happen. 

On top of the walking, I have been doing aerobics, tai chi, free weights and boxing. I'm trying to be well rounded in my exercising.  There is a lot for me to learn but I am determined to live a better life and feel better through exercise. If I can give up nicotine, which I was not sure I would be able to do, then I can do this as well!  This is only the beginning!!

Ways I like to relax

 Sometimes I just have to stop whatever I'm doing, especially when I'm anxious or stressed, and find something relaxing to do.  Relaxing is not something I have done a lot of in the past, but I am definitely increasing my opportunities for relaxation in my life right now.  I find that it makes me feel better, it helps me to focus.  Here are a few ways that I like to relax:

1. Take a long hot bath 

2. Light a candle

3. Listen to music

4. Take a walk

5. Read a book

What are some of the things that you do to help you relax?  I'm always looking for new ideas!

Quote of the Week

 

This pretty much sums up the way I try to live my life right now.  

One china cabinet down!

 

Well, I have made it through one china cabinet so far LOL While it wasn't as productive as I thought it would be because I only took a few things out, I'm still happy with the work I did.  I realized that most of the things in this particular cabinet are special to me because they are family pieces that I don't use that often but I most definitely still want to keep.  So, in that sense, I am quite pleased.  And the three things I did take out (yes, it was only three but hey, I'm ok with that!) I will see if any of my friends want.  And if not, I'll figure out the next step.  Stay tuned!

Today's Moment of Mindfulness

"Mindful eating is a way to rediscover something that we usually take for granted.  Eat something small like a peach or an apple, savoring every mouthful.  The smell, taste and overall sensation of food can be a revelation when we eat slowly."

I really like this one, today.  For one, working on my health, when I take time while I am eating, savoring each bite, it makes a difference in not only how much I enjoy my meal but in how much I actually eat. When I take my time and enjoy myself, I tend to eat less.  Score one!  I also like this message, in general, of taking our time in life to savor everything it has to offer.  Something for me to take into consideration every day!

Recipe of the Week - Pickled Mushrooms and Onions

 

I made this dish a few weeks ago when I was looking for some sides for barbecued chicken thighs I was having for dinner.  I try to use a new recipe from a different cookbook every week.  It does not always happen, but I do try!  And that particular week I was looking through a cookbook that June gave me.  It's all about mushrooms.  I have grown to love mushrooms the older that I get.  This recipe was in the appetizer section of the book.  I think it works well as both an appetizer and a side.  Hope you enjoy!

Pickled Mushrooms and Onions

2/3 cup red wine vinegar

2/3 cup salad oil

1 onion, thinly sliced, separated into rings*

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp minced parsley

1/2 Tbsp Dijon mustard

2 Tbsp brown sugar

1 lb. medium-sized mushrooms, whole or sliced**

Combine all ingredients, except for mushrooms, in a saucepan and bring to a boil.  Add mushrooms and simmer 5 minutes.  Pour into a bowl, cover and chill several hours or overnight, stirring occasionally.  If having as an appetizer, serve with cocktail picks.

*if you have a mandolin, use it for the onions

**If it is going to be a side, I prefer the slices, but it's up to you!

The China Cabinets

 My next "one drawer at a time" project is going to be my china cabinets.  If you know me, you know that this one is going to be tough.  I do love my stuff, my dishes.  And I use them as much as I possibly can!  But it is time for me to take a good hard look at them, shelf by shelf.  I need to really see which pieces I want to keep and which I can let go of.  If I don't find anything to let go of, I'm not going to beat myself up for it.  But chances are, I will find some good things and I would love to rehome them to friends that would enjoy them.  We shall see.  First up is the curio cabinet.  I'll let you know what I find!

Let me know if you see anything that interests you!  LOL

Today's Moment of Mindfulness

 "When your mind is quiet you are likely to perceive the world with a deeper clarity."

This is so true for me.  I know that when my mind is going a thousand different directions, it is extremely hard for me to focus on anything, and I often make less than good decisions. It happens a lot at night when sometimes I just cannot get my brain to shut down.  So, I treasure the moments of silence when I can really sort things out and take my time.  It relaxes me and relieves me of stress.  This is an area where getting into some kind of meditation will be good for me.  Getting that kind of clarity, especially if I practice in the morning, to start my day with is going to work wonders for me, overall.

Recipe of the Week - Pickled Shrimp

 I made this dish for myself on New Year's Day this year.  It was a good appetizer to start my year off with!  I really enjoyed this one and look forward to making it again!  Now that summer is here, this would be perfect for a cookout or picnic!

Pickled Shrimp

2 lbs shrimp, cooked, shelled and deveined

3 medium sweet onions, sliced in rings

1 cup salad oil

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

1/2 cup ketchup

4 bay leaves

2 Tbsp Worcestershire

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp dry mustard

Dash of red pepper

Place shrimp and onions in a glass container/bowl.  Mix together all other ingredients in another bowl and pour mixture over shrimp and onions.  Cover container tightly and place in refrigerator at least 24 hours before serving.  Turn several times during refrigeration process.  Pour entire contents into a serving bowl.  Remove bay leaves.  Serve with crackers, if desired.  Serves 10-12

Daily Challenge for July

 

Well, now that July is almost over, we're past the halfway point now, I didn't really have a specific daily challenge for July.  Well, I did but I didn't.  I stopped all nicotine last month.  Today marks my one month anniversary so far and I am very proud of myself for that.  In addition to that, I have been incorporating more exercise into my life.  While I do not get to it every day, I try to do it at least 5 times per week.  So far it has been successful.

I have also been using my Facebook page to put good thoughts out there.  That helps not only me but I am hoping that it gives other people pleasure as well.  I don't know, obviously, how others feel but I do think it has made a difference to some other people and that makes me smile.  But either way, I'm doing it for myself mainly.  I am loving this new lifestyle that I am working on.  I feel better physically, mentally and emotionally.  These little things that I am doing each day are adding to that.  

To be continued!

International Travel Bucket List

 I have never travelled internationally.  It's been on my bucket list for years.  One of the things that keeps me from it, to be honest, is I do not enjoy flying.  But I am going to have to get over that if I want to check some of these places off.  Whether or not it will ever happen, it is still nice to dream and have goals.  

I watch travel programs all the time.  Rick Steve's Europe is one I really enjoy.  Anthony Bourdain's food travel shows are great too.  And I watch programs on world hotels a lot too.  Of course, those are always posh places I could never afford but still fun to watch. Mom went to England once and it really was the trip of her lifetime.  I would love to have some kind of experience like that!  Here are, in no particular order, 10 places I would love to go.  

1. Greece

2. Germany

3. Brazil

4. India

5. The Caribbean

6. Japan

7. Canada

8. Mexico

9. Italy

10. England

Now, where would you like to go?  Any place I haven't mentioned?  Let me know!

Quote of the Week

 

I was actually looking for a funny quote to start the day off with, but I came across this one and it just struck a chord with me.  A good thought for my day and hopefully yours, too!

Thinking of positive ways to start my day

 One of the things that I am hoping to achieve while rebuilding my life is to be in a better place, overall, mentally.  Mental health is so important and in the crazy world that we are living in, having good mental health is going to be key to my survival. One of the things that my degrees have taught me is the importance of self-care.  That includes what is going on in my brain and what emotions I am experiencing and how I am handling them. For me, these are three huge components of mental health.

What I would like to start doing is to begin each day by focusing on good mental health.  Like many people, I get up and one of the first things I do is to hop on the computer.  And let's face it, there is never any good news there anymore. And that is definitely coloring how my day goes moving forward.  I want to start in a place that is calmer and more focused on positivity.  That way I will be able to face the problems of the world from a better place.

Do you have any suggestions?  I have started a few days with moments of mindfulness, and I have enjoyed that.  I read a passage from a mindfulness book and sit with calming music playing and think about what the passage means to me. I am also thinking of doing some tai chi. I find that very calming and grounding.  A friend of mine meditates each morning and finds great success with that.  So those are three options.  And I do not necessarily want to do the same thing every day.  As much as I do love routine, I need to keep variety in my life.

Anyway, this is just about wanting to start my day from a better, more grounded and positive place.  We shall see what I come up with.  It will be most helpful in all aspects of my life!

Ceramic Candy Dish

 I had been on the hunt for a candy dish like this for years.  Aunt Sara had one like this that sat on her coffee table in her den.  I don't know who ended up with it, but it was our family.  I remember, as a child, being allowed to take a piece of candy out of the dish when we would visit.  There was always something exciting about taking the lid off and seeing what sweet treasures were inside.

I searched ebay for years and finally started finding some good results.  I bid on this one.  It actually was not located too far from me.  I loved the colors of it.  Well, I won the auction and have had this beautiful piece ever since. Being a ceramic piece, the name stamped into the bottom of it is actually the same name as a former resident of mine at work.  Now, whether it's the same person, I really don't know since she has passed away.  But, I like to think that it was meant to be.

I love the shape of the piece.  There's just something magical about it to me.  Maybe it's the feelings it brings up.  I don't know.  It's just pretty and I enjoy it and that's enough for me!

One Drawer at a Time - Living and Dining Room

 I have now come to the last room in the house for my one drawer at a time project.  This will be the hardest room for me because there's a lot of stuff in here.  And you all know how much I love my stuff!  But I am looking forward to this challenge because letting go of things will be good for me.  It's not like I have to give everything away, but I can let go of things that I will never use and have little emotional connection too.  

And who knows what all I will find?  I actually started in this room yesterday and was cleaning out a drawer in the buffet and found several Christmas dishes I thought I'd lost.  Oops LOL  Now I know where they are and hopefully will remember come December.  We shall see. Anyway, I anticipate that this room, while being the hardest for me, will also be the most fun.  We shall see how it goes!

Recipe of the Week - Mediterranean Eggplant Salad

 Eggplant is not something that I cook with a whole lot, but when I do use it I always like it.  For so many years, eggplant parmesan was about all I knew of eggplant dishes so I have been trying to expand my eggplant recipes.  I came across this one in a healthy coastal recipes cookbook. While I have only made this once, I did like it a lot and plan on doing it again.  It's a nice summer salad and I hope you enjoy!

Mediterranean Eggplant Salad

1 eggplant

8 calamata olives, pitted and cut into fourths

3 large, ripe tomatoes, seeded and chopped

2 Tbsp chopped red onion

1 Tbsp fresh chopped parsley

2 Tbsp Olive Oil

2 Tbsp Lemon Juice

1/2 tsp dried oregano

Salt and pepper to taste

Trim the stem off the eggplant and cut it into 3/4 inch cubes.  Cook in boiling, salted water approximately 10 minutes or until eggplant is tender. Don't overcook.  Drain and let cool completely. Refrigerate for at least one hour.

When cooked eggplant is cold, place in a large salad bowl.  Add olives, tomatoes, red onion and parsley. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.  Sprinkle with oregano and salt and pepper.  

Serves 4.

Today's Moment of Mindfulness

 "Cradle a mug of your favorite hot drink and savor everything about it"

There's no doubt that coffee is my favorite hot drink.  For me, it is the best way to get my day started but today I took my time and focused on what the coffee does for me. I love the smell of coffee brewing, the warmth of it when I'm holding the mug, the flavor of it (I normally drink mine black), and the feelings it brings.  I have many wonderful memories that accompany coffee.  Memories of Mom and Grandmother who drank coffee all of the time.  Memories of wonderful conversations that have been had over a cup of coffee.  It starts my day with promise and I am grateful for that.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

 Today on Facebook, I asked my friends and myself to lift up others.  I wanted to find a Bible verse that fit in with that sentiment and I came across this one.  1 Thessalonians 5:11. It fits perfectly!

Some ideas about my career path

 

A few things have been crossing my mind when I think of my career path. As I am a year from graduation....finally LOL...I am excited about the possibilities that this degree could bring me. I need to stop worrying about what occurred with my undergraduate degree and stay positive that this degree will be beneficial to me.  There are so many opportunities out there and I intend to find the right one for me.  Having said that, I am going to start looking at different kinds of jobs out there in the world of gerontology.  I want to see what some of these jobs require.  When it's some kind of experience that I don't have, I want to figure out how to get some of that experience between now and then.  I may not be able to do that, but if I don't at least try I will never know.  And trying is better than nothing!

I am also going to expand my job search beyond Greensboro.  Don't get me wrong, I love Greensboro.  It has been good to me for the last 30 years, but I am starting to think that maybe this is not where I am supposed to be for the rest of my life.  Maybe God has plans for me somewhere else.  Maybe there's another community that will benefit from having me be a part of it.  I don't know yet, but I know now that I am open to the possibility.  I am ready to plant my roots somewhere.  Now you'd think that after being here for 30 years that I would have roots.  I really don't.  I thought I did and at several points during my life, I could say that I did, but that is no longer the case.  There's nothing keeping me here if I feel the need to explore something new.  Not that I'm going to leave, but it's nice to have that option in my emotional bank.

Ah, well.  Just a few things that I am thinking about while seeing what is out there while I rebuild my life. I'm getting a good foundation set, so it's time to start layering onto that!

How Many Tears = Maria Friedman

 You all know that I love a good ballad, especially in musical theatre.  Today, while I was doing some housework, I was listening to "Hey, Mr. Producer".  This was a concert celebrating Cameron MacIntosh, the British producer of Phantom, Cats, Les Miz, Miss Saigon, etc.  Well, this gem is from a musical called Martin Guerre.  I know nothing of this show besides the two numbers that were performed in this concert. Maria Friedman blows it out of the water here, giving one of the most powerful performances of the entire evening.  I hope you enjoy!

The Flower Vase

 This vase belonged to my Great Grandmother Bivens. It is from sometime around the early 1900s. It used to sit on the mantle in the den of the old home place.  When it was divided up, Grandmother got it and it went onto a shelf in her den.  Then it came to me and I put it in various places. 

It is stamped Bavaria on the bottom. Of course, it has yellow roses on it, so I love it. I love the pale yellow and brown background colors, very earth tones. I have often wondered about vases shaped like this.  I have often wondered about vases shaped this way. I can see it being a decorative piece but not necessarily a useful vase.  With such a small opening in the neck, it looks like you can only put a few flowers in at a time or the flowers must have incredibly small stems.  I should buy some flowers and play around with it and see what works. Still, it's a lovely decorative piece and I enjoy having it!

Romantic Movies

 Have you ever noticed then when your life is lacking something that you are often drawn to things that represent it?  I don't really have much romance going on in my life right now.  Some days it's a good thing, some days not.  I'm not actively seeking but not turning anything away really, just going with the flow.  Anyway, having said that, I have been drawn to watching movies that have some kind of element of romance in them.  I've always had a soft spot for that kind of story and I really do enjoy watching it on the screen.  Here are 10 of my favorites, in no particular order:

1. Sleepless in Seattle

This one gets me every time.  If it's on, I will sit and watch it until the end with the same anticipation of the first time I saw it.  A wonderful cast all throughout.  Definitely a wonderful movie to cuddle up on the couch with someone and watch. 

2. Dirty Dancing

This one is just really fun!  And while it does take on a few adult subject matters, they are handled tastefully and are well done.  The soundtrack is awesome, and the dancing is great. Grey and Swayze have great on-screen chemistry even if they did not care for each other off screen. 

3. Now, Voyager

A classic Bette Davis film.  Her transformation from a spinster into a world traveler is wonderful.  The accompanying love story between her and Paul Henreid was captivating and produced the sexiest cigarette lighting scene ever on film!

4. Sense & Sensibility

Romance through and through! I always love a period piece, and this checks all the boxes for me. Emma Thompson's climactic scene did not invoke the reaction I had expected it would and she is flawless!

5. Gone With the Wind

All politics and the glamorization of history aside, the love story between Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler still makes for an incredible film watching experience!

6. The Notebook

I know that a lot of people do not like The Notebook, but I am not one of them. I am not normally a fan of Nicholas Sparks's novels or their film adaptations, but this is an exception. An amazing cast from beginning to end.  Well worth the time to watch this one. 

7. Pretty Woman

This was a big movie during my teenage years and I saw it several times in the theater.  There's nothing quite like a prostitute with a heart of gold.  Fine performances from the leads and a stellar supporting cast.  There are some great scenes in here, one of my favorites is the shopping sequence.  The only thing I do not like about this movie is the last line.  I find it to be such a letdown.  Oh well LOL

8. My Big Fat Greek Wedding

I loved this movie from the first time I saw it at the movies.  Nia Vardalos wrote a funny and touching romantic comedy that deals with family and tradition.  An amazing supporting cast.  I haven't seen the sequels yet but they're on my list!

9. Dangerous Beauty

A little seen 1998 film starring Catherine McCormack as a courtesan in Venice and her love affair with a married man.  Wonderful period piece that I highly recommend!

10. Remains of the Day

This is one of those romantic movies that is just frustrating.  Hopkins plays the head butler and Thompson is the housekeeper of an English Country Manor. Their love for each other is so obvious to everyone around them.  Some achingly painful love scenes well played without actually saying the words. 

Quote of the Week

 

I chose this quote because it rings true to me and how I have dealt with things in the past and how I intend to deal with them in the present and future.  I spent decades, literally, keeping anger inside and that is not healthy for me.  I am finding that if I let it out, I will process it, let it go and move on.  And, dammit, that feels very good, and I can focus my energies elsewhere.  It's the acknowledgement that is key for me. 

Ice Cream Flavors

Being that summer is upon us, I am in the mood for ice cream!  I love ice cream and it's been a staple in my life since I was born.  Whether homemade, store bought or from an ice cream parlor, I love it!  Here, in no particular order, are my ten favorite flavors of ice cream!

1. Lime Sherbet

2. Butter Pecan

3. Strawberry

4. Heavenly Hash

5. Mint Chocolate Chip

6. Vanilla

7. Cookies and Cream

8. Chocolate

9. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

10. Peach

The flavors don't really need explanation, so I just used pictures this time.  I have not had heavenly hash or chocolate chip cookie dough in a long time so I may seek those out on my next grocery trip!  What's your favorite flavor?