Today's Moment of Mindfulness

 

Observe the ordinary events that occur around you.  When you spend an extra moment looking, they can transform into rich treasures.  Thing back to your own childhood and recall that some of the most vivid and happy memories were made when you were doing the simplest of everyday things. 

Morning Prayer

 I did not sleep well last night.  I woke up at 3:00 a.m. from a nightmare.  I have not had a nightmare in decades so I'm not sure why I had one last night.  But it did scare me, so I'm glad I made it through the night and that I am up and about my business today.  Just saying thanks for that. 

Recipe of the Week - Sausage with peppers and onions

 Kielbasa is not something that I buy regularly.  But whenever it is on sale, I will snatch it up as do I enjoy it.  Normally I will use it in a pasta dish. I wanted to do something different and found this recipe online.  It's very easy and it is similar to what I've done on the stove top but only this is in the oven. I really liked how it turned out and how it easy it is.  I will definitely make this again! I was not always successful and not slicing all the way through the kielbasa but that will come with more practice!

Sausage with Peppers and Onions

1 16oz Kielbasa

1 red pepper, cut into 1" chunks

1 yellow pepper, cut into 1" chunks

1 onion, cut into chunks

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 cup vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 400.  Cut sausage into 1" chunks but don't cut all the way through. Put onto a lined baking sheet.  Toss all other ingredients together.  Place veggies around sausage.  Brush remaining oil on the sausage.  Bake for 20 minutes. 

Getting inspired for theatre

 Several weeks ago, I spent my Saturday afternoon reading a new play.  That is something that I have not done willingly since I was in college the first time.  It is not because I do not enjoy reading plays.  As a former theatre student, I loved it.  I just have not made the opportunity to actually sit down and read something new.  Sidenote, I did pick up a collection of Alejandro Sievking's plays last year at a thrift store and I did read the one I loved, The Praying Mantis, but that one was not new to me.  I have not read the other ones yet as I loaned that to a friend.

So, the play I read was The Book of Will by Laura Gunderson.  The premise of the play is two friends of Shakespeare's are trying to put together a portfolio of his works after his death.  They are trying to find the plays and piece them all back together with the help of different characters.  I found the play to be very interesting though I could never quite determine if it was a comedy or drama or a combination.  I could really see it going any of those ways. And that is one of the reasons that I think it's a very good play. The writing is excellent and yet it does not trap the actors or director into a preconceived notion of how to interpret the script.  It simply depends on how one approaches the work.

The Little Theatre of Winston will be doing this show soon and I must see it.  I have several friends in the cast.  I had thought about auditioning for this one, but circumstances did not allow it this time.  There was actually one part I was very interested in, and it wasn't either of the two leads LOL  But I know it's going to be a great show, and I am looking forward to it. But reading the play got me very inspired to have theatre be an active part of my life again.  Whether it be onstage, backstage or in the audience or even being an advocate for the arts, I now feel motivated to make my presence known in this world again.  And that is a good feeling.  

Theatre has always been such an important part of my life in many ways.  I had forgotten that and the excitement around theatre has been hibernating in my soul.  It's time to awaken the bear and be a part of this community again.

10 local restaurants I want to try

 We have had several good restaurants close over the past few weeks.  All locally owned.  So, I want to do my part in putting a little money back into the local economy.  I went online today to look up local restaurants that I have not tried yet.  There were way more than I really thought there would be.  And I was surprised at how many of them I have actually eaten at.  It reminded me that I liked the majority of them and need to revisit.  While there are many more local restaurants that I intend to try out, here are the ten that got my attention today.  

1. Nostra Pizza and Italian Restaurant

2. Creek Stone Bar & Grill

3. One Wok Chinese Grill

4. Coliseum Country Cafe

5. La Costenita

6. Strawberry's Breakfast House

7. Freeman's Grub & Pub

8. Zeeyum Kitchen

9. Bandito Bodega

10. Noor Kitchen & Cocktails 

Have any of you locals been to any of these places?  I would love some feedback.  Or are you interested in trying them out with me?  I would love some company!

Taking a vacation

 

I want to take a vacation this year.  I haven't had a real vacation in several years.  Definitely not since I've been single.  There just hasn't been much reason to take one.  So, I would love to take one this year. I started doing some preliminary research and it was very depressing.  Everything, and I mean everything, is so expensive.  Looking at hotels.  Looking at sites and attractions.  It adds up so quickly that part of me wants to give up even putting any more effort into it.  But I will regret that if I do. 

I looked back at my list from last year and there were several places on it I would love to take a vacation this year.  The mountains. The beach.  Savannah, Charleston, Colonial Williamsburg, Wilmington. I really need to do some more research on that and look for some package deals. I may even find other places I had not even thought of. 

I was talking with some friends of mine at work today about it.  They all have some amazing vacations planned.  Granted, they make a lot more than me.  But there's got to be something out there for my budget.  I am not comfortable asking anyone if I can crash at their place.  I'm just not good enough friends to do that with anyone.  I would not be opposed to having company on a vacation.  But who would I ask?  This will be one of those "learn how to enjoy being by yourself" experiences LOL

Still, I will keep doing some research and see what I come up with.  If you have any suggestions or would be interested in planning something together, just let me know!

Reading every day

 

We are now five days into the month and so far, my daily challenge is going well.  I have made time every day to read. As simple as that sounds, it's a big deal for me. I love to read.  Something that has increased with age, to be honest.  But these days, I love the escape that it gives me from everyday life.  I can go anywhere and do anything within the pages of a book. Having that time every day to transport myself into someone else's life, someone else's world, is very liberating for me. But I have not always made the time for it. This month, I am changing that. Every year I do the Good Reads reading challenge and set the bar high for myself.  I have never accomplished my goals in that challenge but this year, it is a definite possibility that I will succeed at it.  Go me!!

I love to read biographies and autobiographies.  Especially of actors because I know their work and reading about their lives only deepens my appreciating of the art that they have created. I wanted to start my February daily challenge with a biography.  For my birthday this year, Michael gave me a copy of Tim Curry's autobiography, Vagabond, A Memoir.  My first exposure to Tim Curry was in the movie Clue.  It is one of my favorite movies and I have seen it thousands of times.  It never gets old to me. Wadsworth, the butler, is my favorite character and Tim does it so well.  Since then, I have seen him in other films, and I always have enjoyed his work. So this was a perfect book for me to begin this challenge.  I am already almost halfway through the book which is pretty fast reading for me.  I am pleased with my progress and am really enjoying the book itself.  He has just finished up filming Rocky Horror, so I am very interested to see what lies ahead! I'll keep you updated!