I've gotten in the habit of turning on food tv when I get home from work, if I'm home in time for my favorites. Today there were a couple recipes on that I'm going to try.
The first was for some awesome sounding bruschetta.
Slice ciabetta bread and drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 10 minutes at 350.
Spread apricot jam on the bread
Layer with one slice fontinella cheese, one slice of a baked chicken breast and some prosciutto.
Drizzle with more olive oil if desired.
It sounded a little strange at first, but Giada mentioned how sometimes sweet and savory complement each other (turkey and cranberry sauce...yeah, one of my favorite sandwiches). And since I LOVE LOVE LOVE prosciutto... mmmm sounds yummy.
The second recipe I will make for Chelsea's graduation party since it includes one of her favorite flavors..
On a brownie, spread Nutella and sprinkle chopped toasted hazelnuts and mini chocolate chips. Put in the oven for a few minutes to melt the chocolate a little and then cool in refrigerator until hard.
Chelsea loves Nutella.. so this will be a good surprise for her!
I'll let you know how things go--
Monday, April 28, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Getting to Know Me
I'm reading a book that has inspired lots of thought. It's called The Success Principles written by Jack Canfield (the Chicken Soup for the Soul guy) and I came to it by way of another book, The Secret, brought to me by Oprah. I'm early in the book and already thinking so seriously about the things he has to say, that it is hard to imagine what has filled the remaining pages.
Anyway, the latest task from the book is to make a list of 101 goals you want to achieve before you die. And like all well written goals, they need to be measurable. THAT is a challenge. It's easy to say I want to retire with plenty of money to live a comfortable life. But how do you measure that? And when you are looking at 101 things, I've found that you can get pretty down into detail. So prepare yourselves... I am going to be working toward those goals ( I don't have 101 yet, but I'm still working on it, and I have started working on them...). Some of them involve you who read this blog, so you'll be learning more as time goes on.
In the meantime, Chris, will you teach me how to make spaghetti sauce?
Anyway, the latest task from the book is to make a list of 101 goals you want to achieve before you die. And like all well written goals, they need to be measurable. THAT is a challenge. It's easy to say I want to retire with plenty of money to live a comfortable life. But how do you measure that? And when you are looking at 101 things, I've found that you can get pretty down into detail. So prepare yourselves... I am going to be working toward those goals ( I don't have 101 yet, but I'm still working on it, and I have started working on them...). Some of them involve you who read this blog, so you'll be learning more as time goes on.
In the meantime, Chris, will you teach me how to make spaghetti sauce?
Sunday, April 20, 2008
See you someday...
I wrote this blog almost a week ago now. It is the first time I didn't just write and post, but had to come back to it later... Sometimes it's good to just shoot straight from the hip and let it go. Sometimes it's better to just make sure.
There are all kinds of ways to explore feelings. This has become one of mine. So.... warning warning warning... this may be a post to steer clear of, especially if you are melanie...
It's been an eventful week and I haven't written anything because there were already enough emotions around and I couldn't hug mellie and I didnt want to add to anyone's pain. But now, well, I hope that if wounds are still raw, you will wait and come back after there's been a little healing and toughening.
When Mel told me that she was spotting and then that the baby had no heartbeat, I felt a series of things. Fear first and for a couple days until Monday when she had the first ultrasound. I knew then, I guess we all did, but I can't imagine any way other than waiting and making sure in a couple days. But how difficult those days had to have been for mel because i know how difficult they were for me. Funny how you don't lose the desire...the need to protect your baby..even when your baby is an adult woman trying to protect her baby. I felt it just like I did when she would cry because her friends said they didnt like her any more (the 3-friends-are-one-too-many syndrome). I would reassure her and tell her they were being silly and that they would be back looking for her to play in no time. I might tickle her face or just hug her. I knew that I couldn't make it better but I wanted to protect my baby against the injustices in the world...but I couldn't and it passed and life went on.
When Melanie was 1, she had a tumor on her foot just below and between her big toe and the next toe. The dr. said it would be no big deal to remove it, but that it should be removed because it could get bigger and cause her pain. So it was removed and she was fine. Four years later, it grew back and it hurt her. Again, the prescribed treatment was surgery and I was ok, knowing it had been no big deal the first time. Then, the day before the surgery, her surgeon called me and very bluntly told me that it might not be so easy this time. He said there was at least an even chance that it would be malignant and that we should prepare for that possibility. And even if it was not malignant, the surgery would be difficult because the tumor seemed to have grown between and around the bones in her foot. I was scared. More than scared tho, I remember thinking that I would gladly take a tumor the size of an automobile if I could protect her from the next few days, and maybe more than just a few. I remember the feeling being fierce..I would do anything to protect her. If I could. But I couldn't. The only thing I could do was pray and even in those days of not being really sure who I was praying to, even then I could pray.
So now we move on to last week. That feeling again.. fierce and protective... But this time it was on two fronts. Melanie. How I wanted to protect her and how I marveled at the strength she showed (even when i knew that my daughter's feelings run deep and she was not feeling nearly as strong as she acted). And the baby. I don't know how anyone can have experienced this sort of a loss and not believe..not KNOW that this was not a 'fetus' or the totally clinical 'product of conception'. This was a baby. A real human being with all the potential in life that I have or Mellie has ...or for that matter, that Cam or Kaela have. I just kept thinking how I was going to miss this little one. And how very glad I am knowing that this little baby is hanging out with Gram and Grampie in a heaven of perfect love and sunshine. I miss you little angel. Keep an eye out for all of us..we'll get to meet you someday.
There are all kinds of ways to explore feelings. This has become one of mine. So.... warning warning warning... this may be a post to steer clear of, especially if you are melanie...
It's been an eventful week and I haven't written anything because there were already enough emotions around and I couldn't hug mellie and I didnt want to add to anyone's pain. But now, well, I hope that if wounds are still raw, you will wait and come back after there's been a little healing and toughening.
When Mel told me that she was spotting and then that the baby had no heartbeat, I felt a series of things. Fear first and for a couple days until Monday when she had the first ultrasound. I knew then, I guess we all did, but I can't imagine any way other than waiting and making sure in a couple days. But how difficult those days had to have been for mel because i know how difficult they were for me. Funny how you don't lose the desire...the need to protect your baby..even when your baby is an adult woman trying to protect her baby. I felt it just like I did when she would cry because her friends said they didnt like her any more (the 3-friends-are-one-too-many syndrome). I would reassure her and tell her they were being silly and that they would be back looking for her to play in no time. I might tickle her face or just hug her. I knew that I couldn't make it better but I wanted to protect my baby against the injustices in the world...but I couldn't and it passed and life went on.
When Melanie was 1, she had a tumor on her foot just below and between her big toe and the next toe. The dr. said it would be no big deal to remove it, but that it should be removed because it could get bigger and cause her pain. So it was removed and she was fine. Four years later, it grew back and it hurt her. Again, the prescribed treatment was surgery and I was ok, knowing it had been no big deal the first time. Then, the day before the surgery, her surgeon called me and very bluntly told me that it might not be so easy this time. He said there was at least an even chance that it would be malignant and that we should prepare for that possibility. And even if it was not malignant, the surgery would be difficult because the tumor seemed to have grown between and around the bones in her foot. I was scared. More than scared tho, I remember thinking that I would gladly take a tumor the size of an automobile if I could protect her from the next few days, and maybe more than just a few. I remember the feeling being fierce..I would do anything to protect her. If I could. But I couldn't. The only thing I could do was pray and even in those days of not being really sure who I was praying to, even then I could pray.
So now we move on to last week. That feeling again.. fierce and protective... But this time it was on two fronts. Melanie. How I wanted to protect her and how I marveled at the strength she showed (even when i knew that my daughter's feelings run deep and she was not feeling nearly as strong as she acted). And the baby. I don't know how anyone can have experienced this sort of a loss and not believe..not KNOW that this was not a 'fetus' or the totally clinical 'product of conception'. This was a baby. A real human being with all the potential in life that I have or Mellie has ...or for that matter, that Cam or Kaela have. I just kept thinking how I was going to miss this little one. And how very glad I am knowing that this little baby is hanging out with Gram and Grampie in a heaven of perfect love and sunshine. I miss you little angel. Keep an eye out for all of us..we'll get to meet you someday.
Monday, April 7, 2008
The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference
Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken
When you are at a decision point in your life, what do you do? There are small decision points (should I take the highway or the country road home from work?) and there are huge decision points (should I get married and move to a small town in south central PA or should I stay single in the city?)
Small decisions... decide on a whim.."I'm in the right lane, I guess I'll take the highway"..It's a warm sunny day, "I think I'll take the country road and open the sun roof"
And big decisions..well that particular one didn't take much decision... I just knew.
But it's the ones between that are tough. I had a decision to make about my job. There were two opportunities available, both equally challenging, both at the same salary, both with the same company I work for now. But both very different. The path would go in quite different directions. So how do you make that kind of a decision?
I was drawn, by my feelings, to both. One seemed safer, one seemed more interesting. I made a list and wrote pros and cons... One got many more +'s than -'s. But somehow it still felt even. I prayed. Felt a draw toward one, but tried to reason through. Sometimes you can't reason. Sometimes lists aren't the answer. Sometimes you have to go where you feel led. And will that make all the difference? I'll let you know how it goes.
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference
Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken
When you are at a decision point in your life, what do you do? There are small decision points (should I take the highway or the country road home from work?) and there are huge decision points (should I get married and move to a small town in south central PA or should I stay single in the city?)
Small decisions... decide on a whim.."I'm in the right lane, I guess I'll take the highway"..It's a warm sunny day, "I think I'll take the country road and open the sun roof"
And big decisions..well that particular one didn't take much decision... I just knew.
But it's the ones between that are tough. I had a decision to make about my job. There were two opportunities available, both equally challenging, both at the same salary, both with the same company I work for now. But both very different. The path would go in quite different directions. So how do you make that kind of a decision?
I was drawn, by my feelings, to both. One seemed safer, one seemed more interesting. I made a list and wrote pros and cons... One got many more +'s than -'s. But somehow it still felt even. I prayed. Felt a draw toward one, but tried to reason through. Sometimes you can't reason. Sometimes lists aren't the answer. Sometimes you have to go where you feel led. And will that make all the difference? I'll let you know how it goes.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
To Do...or is it a Wish List??
We've been talking a lot about home improvements. We have a goal to get out of debt, and that goal (except the house...) is in sight, so now we are talking about what we need to do around here, both for our comfort and for potential resale in the next couple or few years. So, being a list person, I have trouble 'getting my arms around' (as the consultants say) what 'it' is until I turn it into a list. So here goes, in order of thought... including the wish part:
Fix the garage door: we are on to this one. We actually have the name of someone who was recommended by a friend and who will do it. ...Just haven't called him yet.
New closet doors. I HATE our sliding doors. So much that I took them off the closet in the guest room/office. I couldn't see my clothes... I'll move mountains when I am frustrated.
Bathrooms. definitely bathrooms. We need a new tub/tile in the main bathroom. And a new shower in the master bath. And a paint job. And new floors. Did I mention the cabinetry? mmhmm..
Deck: By next year, no choice or we will be falling thru to the ground. For this year...paint. Oh yeah...and the hot tub..(in case you couldn't tell, that is the wish part)
Sliding door to deck: either that or time to lift weights to build up the muscles it takes to open it.
Interior doors: It will be hard to let the cheap hollow doors go, but if we get to this one, I'll force myself. Oh..and I think we'll need to do something about the wood trim too.
Carpet / hardwood floors: The kitchen floor is good to keep... that's about it, full rehaul in order
So here is my newest idea. Don't know if it's possible, but I really think another 1/2 bath would be huge for resale. Not to mention just having a main floor bath. So we are trying to figure out if we could put a little bitty 1/2 bath in where our coat closet currently is. I actually got in the closet today to see if it seemed reasonable. I don't think it does. But that doesn't stop me...what is that on the other side of that wall??? Something tells me we'll find out sometime soon.
So let's go back to the debt free thing. Yes, we are committed. Co-chairs of the Dave Ramsey fan club!! We'll be saving up and paying cash for each and every one of these. And we'll be done by... well... ummmm....
Fix the garage door: we are on to this one. We actually have the name of someone who was recommended by a friend and who will do it. ...Just haven't called him yet.
New closet doors. I HATE our sliding doors. So much that I took them off the closet in the guest room/office. I couldn't see my clothes... I'll move mountains when I am frustrated.
Bathrooms. definitely bathrooms. We need a new tub/tile in the main bathroom. And a new shower in the master bath. And a paint job. And new floors. Did I mention the cabinetry? mmhmm..
Deck: By next year, no choice or we will be falling thru to the ground. For this year...paint. Oh yeah...and the hot tub..(in case you couldn't tell, that is the wish part)
Sliding door to deck: either that or time to lift weights to build up the muscles it takes to open it.
Interior doors: It will be hard to let the cheap hollow doors go, but if we get to this one, I'll force myself. Oh..and I think we'll need to do something about the wood trim too.
Carpet / hardwood floors: The kitchen floor is good to keep... that's about it, full rehaul in order
So here is my newest idea. Don't know if it's possible, but I really think another 1/2 bath would be huge for resale. Not to mention just having a main floor bath. So we are trying to figure out if we could put a little bitty 1/2 bath in where our coat closet currently is. I actually got in the closet today to see if it seemed reasonable. I don't think it does. But that doesn't stop me...what is that on the other side of that wall??? Something tells me we'll find out sometime soon.
So let's go back to the debt free thing. Yes, we are committed. Co-chairs of the Dave Ramsey fan club!! We'll be saving up and paying cash for each and every one of these. And we'll be done by... well... ummmm....
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