I'm back!  I recently retired from teaching and I must say I am loving it!  I have to budget my time so that I do something worthwhile as it is amazing how fast the days go by.  I have a schedule I try to follow each day.  I have also decided to devote time each day to my blog and Pinterest as well.  While reading my many magazines, I came across an interesting idea.  It is called Meatless Monday.  Since I am vegetarian wannabe, I thought this would be a good place to start.  That got me thinking about the other days of the week and how I could make each day have a focus.  Following Meatless Monday where I can't eat any meat (obviously) is Tuesday.  What can I do to make Tuesday special?  I have 3 dogs, one of which is overweight.  I usually try to walk each day though I must say I have gotten lazy as the weather has gotten colder.  Anyway I decided to make Tuesday Two walk Tuesday.  I will walk myself and also walk my dog or dogs at another time each Tuesday.  Ok, now for Wednesday.  I never drink enough water since I am a Dr. Pepper addict, so I deemed Wednesday to be Water Wednesday.  It is my goal to drink at least 2 bottles of water on this day each week.  Thursday was easy.  Thankful Thursday just makes sense.  It should be easy to think of one thing each week that I am thankful for and write it down.  Another one of my issues is complete lack of fiber.  Fiber Friday means that I must eat a minimum of 25 grams of fiber on this day.  Sounds easy but trust me, it is not.  As I have already said, Dr. Pepper is my downfall.  That is why Saturday is Single Soda Saturday.  I have to say this is really hard for me and I have yet to meet this goal on the past two Saturdays.  But that is what it is, a goal.  Sunday is the only day I actually cook.  So for now, it is Souper Sunday.  I will make soup for dinner each week.  I hope my family is on board with this.  Winter is coming on and everybody loves soup, right?  So far, I have made potato soup and taco soup.  This will be an easy one to do.  I love trying new recipes.
I would love to hear if anyone else has ideas of how to give each day a special focus as these may wear thin after awhile. 

Bonjour!

I leave for Paris in 2 weeks!  I have accrued numerous lists of what to take, things I need to do before I leave, and what NOT to wear.  If you find yourself planning a trip abroad, here is some of what I have learned thus far.


 I have read a few books to get me inspired.  Entre" Nous:  A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl by Debra Ollivier.  This book is packed with pointers on how to develop a certain je ne sais quoi. It also has lots of suggestions for French movies and books to look for.  I just finished The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery.  It is an interesting read about a concierge in a bourgeois apartment building in France and the personalities of the various tenants who reside there.  My book club selection this month was  Sarah's Key by Tatania de Rosnay.  It provides a haunting look into the Holocaust and is intricately woven into a modern day story that parallels the life of Sarah in 1942 Paris.  Finally, on my list to read next (perhaps on the trip) is The Paris Wife by Paula McLain.  It is an intimate look at Ernest Hemingway's first love.  I believe it is written as a work of fiction but based on actual events.

 I have also been watching some films about Paris as well.  One which was recommended to me is "Amelie".  It is a story of a quirky French girl. ( English subtitles)  "Before Sunrise" is the story of a chance encounter on a train in Europe by an American man (Ethan Hawke) and a French girl (Julie Delpy).  They spend one night together in Vienna that sets a course for the rest of their lives.  They meet by chance again in Paris nine years later in the sequel "Before Sunset".  Fun and romantic!  I want to see the next one!

What to pack for Paris?
  1. Travel kit for the flight...ear plugs, eye mask, socks, instant toothbrush, travel pillow, music on ipod and good reading material for a long flight.
2.  Travel size umbrella
3.  European adapter for electronic devices
4.  Detailed map of Paris
5.  Extra bag to bring home purchases/souvenirs
6.  Stain remover pen for accidents
7.  Copies of passport and driver's license, in case they are lost or stolen
8.  Camera
9.  Jacket
10.  Journal for detailed description of your adventure.
11.  Most importantly, good walking shoes

Do not bring:  Hair dryer (hotels have them), fanny pack (not cool and easily stolen), and leave expensive jewelry at home.

Before you leave home:  call your bank so they know you will be out of the country and you can use your ATM card in France, notify credit card company if you will be using it, call your cell phone provider so you can make international calls or pick up an international phone, list of prescriptions you take daily and their generic names, and learn how to dial +1 on your phone for international calls.

What to bring back as souvenirs?
1.  Mini Eiffel Towers-nothing symbolizes Paris more
2.  Patterned silk scarves and pashimas
3.  Chocolates
4.  Drawings-Paris is filled with artists drawing inspiration from the sublime beauty of their surroundings
5.  Perfume and cosmetics
6.  Your own photos-set your camera to "black and white" to capture the mood of Paris.
7.  Vinegars and liquors in unique glass bottles
8.  Paris "cafe-ware"

What to do while in Paris: (our itinerary)
 Day 1  Flight to Paris
Day 2 arrive 8:15 am, Notre Dame, Ile de la Cite, Il-St.-Louis, Pont Neuf
Day 3 Auvers-sur-Oise, Luxembourg Gardens, Pantheon
Day 4 Eiffel Tower, Cruise, Arc de Triomphe
Day 5  Giverny
Day 6 Louvre, Orsay, Tuileries
Day 7 Versailles
Day 8 Free Day or Opera and Sacre
Day 9  Flight home

*Note:  No museums on Monday, Louvre closed on Tuesday, Giverny busy on Tuesday, Versailles crowded on Sundays.

My knowledgeable travel companion and friend has planned everything down to the last detail.  I feel very fortunate to be traveling with someone who not only speaks the language, but has been there before, and has painstakingly researched the sights so this will be a fantastic trip.  Au revoir!

May 31, 2011

Just barely made it under the wire for May.  I have been AWOL from my magazines for awhile, but I will be back in full force now that the school year has ended.  I have compiled a list of recent things on my radar:

• I am not a yogurt fan, though I know it's good for me.  Here is one I plan to check out...sip, sip, hooray!  Siggi's Yogurt Drinks, $5 for 4 at Whole Foods
• Anti-frizz product called Alterna Bamboo Smooth Anti-Frizz Shampoo, $20
• Orly Primetime Chip Preventing Primer, $10
• Beyonce Heat Gold Sparkling Body Lotion, $24
• Pearly Wipes for teeth, $7/20   ilovepearlywhites.com
• Loreal Paris Sublime Bronze Clear Self Tan Gel, $10'
• Vitafusion--assorted gummy vitamins, available at Walgreens

My updated list of movies for summer viewing:

• New Year's Eve
• Safe House
• Friends with Kids
• I Don't Know How She Does It
• The Help
• Larry Crowne
• Crazy Stupid Love
• One Day
• Midnight in Paris

Books to try this summer:

• The Paris Wife by Paula McLain--a look into the life and first love of Ernest Hemingway 
• Faith by Jennifer Haigh--- a haunting meditation on loyalty and family, doubt and belief
• Fifth Witness by Michael Connelly-- a sequel to Lincoln Lawyer, now a motion picture

Tribute to Daddy

     On March 13, 2011, I lost my dad.  He was 84 years old and would be 85 April 30.  It seems I have been  very fortunate in my 54 years not to have lost anyone very close to me.  As my friends around me began losing parents, mostly to old age by now, I have lived in dread of this day and how I would handle it.
     Daddy was a hard worker all his life.  He worked as a welder at his own salvage yard for over 50 years.  He loved his work and I never heard him complain a day in his life abut having to go to work, or about anything, really.  I guess growing up in a farm family of 8 children taught him to be strong, agreeable (with 8 siblings you would have to learn to get along) , and appreciative of what you have.
     He was sick and hospitalized for over eight weeks at the end.  I saw him waste away and slowly lose the will to carry on.  Through those long weeks with doctors trying to figure out what was wrong, I had time to prepare myself for what was to come.  I know God was watching over all of us and that He had a plan.  In the early hours of March 13, as my mom, my sisters, and I held his hands and whispered our love to him, daddy slipped away.  I felt an amazing sense of peace and comfort knowing his struggle had ended and he was finally at peace.  I am so thankful he had a chance to live 84 long and happy years, 63 of those married to my mom.  A friend gave me a card just the other day with a wonderful sentiment.  It goes like this: 

It's never easy to say good-bye, but now and then you'll feel your father's presence in a familiar, comforting way...and you'll feel as if he knows you're thinking of him.  In time, those moments will bring you comfort, and you'll know that his love is never far away.

I love you daddy

Amazing Grace

Taste of Home

Let me start by confessing that I am not a cook!  I eat out 5 or 6 times each week and only cook one meal a week---Sunday dinner.  With that said, I love reading recipes, but don't actually get around to trying many.  Maybe after I retire I will cook 2 times a week? My husband, who rarely complains about what I fix, has hinted that since we only get one home cooked meal a week, he would like to be guaranteed that it will be edible.  Right now, it is about 50-50 when I try a new recipe.

So anyway, the other day while waiting for my sister at the doctor's office, I was looking at a Taste of Home magazine...I think it was July 2010.  I found so many interesting recipes I could not write all of the down in the waiting room, so I jotted down the website, tasteofhome.com in hopes of finding the recipes on line.  Luckily, I was able to do so.  I wanted to copy a couple that sounded particularly enticing.

Zucchini Relish Recipe

Photo by: Taste of Home

100% would make again

Read reviews (2)

Rate recipe

“Mom likes to make this crisp and colorful relish when zucchini is in season and Dad’s little patch has produced to excess.” —Nancy Kreiser, Lebanon, Pennsylvania

This recipe is:

Member Exclusive

Ingredients

• 4 cups diced zucchini
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 2 celery ribs, sliced
• 2 medium carrots, sliced
• 1 medium sweet red pepper, sliced
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
• Dash onion salt
• Dash ground turmeric

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine the vegetables; sprinkle with salt and cover with cold water. Let stand for 3 hours; rinse and drain.
• In a large saucepan, bring the remaining ingredients to a boil. Stir in zucchini mixture and return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl; cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 days. Yield: 4 cups.

Nutrition Facts: 1/4 cup equals 26 calories, trace fat (trace saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 279 mg sodium, 6 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 1 g protein.

Zucchini Relish published in Taste of Home June/July 2010, p77 

Potato-Sausage Foil Packs Recipe

Photo by: Taste of Home

100% would make again

Read reviews (3)

Rate recipe

“We had these satisfying campfire bundles at a friend’s house for dinner and loved the simplicity of this great summer meal.” —Alissa Keith, Lynchburg, Virginia

• 4 Servings
• Prep: 20 min. Grill: 30 min.

Ingredients

• 1 package (14 ounces) smoked turkey kielbasa, sliced
• 2 large potatoes, cut into wedges
• 1 each medium green, sweet red and yellow peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 teaspoons lemon juice
• 4 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

• Divide the kielbasa, potatoes, peppers and onion among four double thicknesses of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. x 12 in.). Drizzle with lemon juice and oil; sprinkle with garlic powder, pepper and salt.
• Fold foil around kielbasa mixture and seal tightly. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 30-35 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Open foil carefully to allow steam to escape. Yield: 4 servings.

Cooking for 2: Potato-Sausage Foil Packs for Two

Nutrition Facts: 1 foil packet equals 349 calories, 10 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 62 mg cholesterol, 1,137 mg sodium, 44 g carbohydrate, 5 g fiber, 21 g protein.

Potato-Sausage Foil Packs published in Taste of Home June/July 2010, p61

And for dessert:

Cake Roll with Berries Recipe

Photo by: Taste of Home

75% would make again

Read reviews (6)

Rate recipe

“Mom always had fresh-baked desserts like this one for us every week. We all love this cake’s cream filling and fresh strawberries.” —Nancy Kreiser, Lebanon, Pennsylvania

This recipe is:

Member Exclusive

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Confectioners' sugar
• 
  FILLING:
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 
  BERRIES:
• 3 cups sliced fresh strawberries
• 1/4 cup sugar

Directions

• Line a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan with waxed paper and grease the paper; set aside.
• In a large bowl, beat eggs on high speed for 3 minutes. Gradually add sugar, beating until mixture becomes thick and lemon-colored. Beat in water and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; fold into egg mixture. Spread batter into prepared pan.
• Bake at 375° for 12-15 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool for 5 minutes. Invert onto a kitchen towel dusted with confectioners’ sugar. Gently peel off waxed paper. Roll up cake in the towel jelly-roll style, starting with a short side. Cool completely on a wire rack.
• Meanwhile, for filling, combine flour and milk in a small saucepan until smooth. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer (mixture will be very thick). Transfer to a bowl; press waxed paper onto surface of mixture. Cool completely.
• In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla and salt. Gradually beat in milk mixture; beat for 5 minutes or until filling is light and fluffy.
• Unroll cake; spread filling over cake to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up again. Place seam side down on a serving platter. Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar. Combine strawberries and sugar; refrigerate cake and berries for 1 hour before serving. Yield: 10 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1 slice with about 1/4 cup strawberries equals 453 calories, 21 g fat (9 g saturated fat), 90 mg cholesterol, 254 mg sodium, 62 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 5 g protein.

Cake Roll with Berries published in Taste of Home June/July 2010, p77 

If you have never seen a Taste of  Home magazine, go out and grab one or check out the link I have provided.  Here's to happy eating!

February 26, 2011

Straight from the pages of the March InStyle magazine:

 The Top 10 Looks for Spring:

1.  jumpsuit  (don't have one but would like to try it!)            

2.  sporty jacket

3.  top handle bag (not a shoulder bag), especially those with chain handles

4.  tunic top

5.  trouser jeans

6.  crochet sweater

7.  longer hemline in skirts

8.  shirtwaist dress

9.  suit (apparently a matching suit is back in style)

10.  short shorts!  (love 'em even if I am getting old)

Hair news:

2 ways to get your hair to shine

1) The day before a special event, soak your hair in  warm water, apply deep condition mask, then wrap hair in foil for 30 minutes.

2) Rinse hair in 1 cup distilled vinegar, 1 cup chilled water, and a few drops of lavender oil to counteract vinegar smell.

Miscellaneous:

Did you know brushing your body has benefits?  Using a body brush ($6 at Target) next time you shower, squirt body wash on the bristles and work your way from head to toe, brushing toward your heart.  This exfoliates,  increases blood flow and leaves your skin glowing as well.

Crows Over the Wheatfield

I just read a book called Crows Over the Wheatfield by Adam Braver.  This book intrigued me for a couple of reasons.

It begins as Claire, a professor of art history, tragically hits and kills a young boy while driving home from work one October evening.  Claire has spent her career studying the life and death of Vincent Van Gogh.  The story then parallels Claire's life, as it begins to spiral out of control with the often troubled life of the artist.  Claire, in fact, flees to France to work on her book about Van Gogh and escape the chaos set in motion by the accident.

One reason I was so captivated by the story is that it accentuates the fragility of life---how quickly things can change at a moment's notice.  It often forces the reader to look deeply within themselves at their own values, relationships, and life in general.

The other reason it captured my attention was the reference to Van Gogh.  It left me wanting to read more about his life.  Especially since the place where he painted "Crows Over the Wheatfield" and later took his own life was in Auvers, France-- only a short train ride from Paris.  It so happens that a friend/coworker and I hope to be visiting Paris soon courtesy of a teaching grant.  If we are lucky enough to get this tremendous opportunity, I hope to add a trip to Auvers-sur-Oise to our itinerary.

As I was later searching for more information on Van Gogh, I came across the video Starry, Starry Night by Don McLean.  I have always loved the song, but watching this video of Van Gogh's works while listening to this song is hauntingly beautiful.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dipFMJckZOM