Life

"Life is like playing a violin solo in public and learning the instrument as one goes on."

-Samuel Butler (1835-1902)

How very true.... we do sort of figure things out as we go along. Don't we?

Monday- Pumpkin

Pumpkin Stuffed with Everything Good

- Dorie Greenspan

Around my French Table

I had just picked up my new cookbook Around my French Table, and found a recipe that I had to try on Sunday evening. Pumpkin Stuffed with Everything Good! What better thing to cook when you have a couple of hours on a cold rainy, windy afternoon in Seattle?

This receipe is sooooo gooood!!! This pumpkin is stuffed with all sorts of goodness, bread, gruyere cheese, cream and lots more!

We may need to fix it again before Thanksgiving.

Unraveling Week #4 Memories

This week in our Unraveling group we are looking at memories.

"Photographs are like signposts that show us the way back into the past; they give our memories colour and help us remember the faces of the people we love, the places we’ve been and the stages of our life as it unfolds. This next layer of unravelling is about seeing ourselves as we were, whether in happy moments or sad times, as recorded by the camera." - Susannah Conway

As the week progressed we were to be looking at photographs from all stages of our lives and journaling what type of feelings are evoked from looking at that photo. I love photos and have too many so the job was overwhelming. As always I left the writing assignments to Sunday so today I need to catch up.

The photo above was taken on a cruise that my son and I took while my daughter was traveling elsewhere. When I look at it I remember the special time we had together and how proud I was of him all dressed up for the formal evening. I think he looks proud too. Don't you think?

French Friday's with Dorie

Well, it's fall and time to try something new! I've signed up for the French Friday's with Dorie Greenspan. You may have heard of Dorie as she's authored several cookbooks, has a web site and blog. Here is more information regarding Dorie

She has a new cookbook, Around my french table and each week those that have signed up to follow along with be cooking one recipe out of the book. There is a website and after you've joined the group a special spot to discuss the recipes, triumphs and challenges!

The first recipe I will try is for October 29, 2010 - Marie-Helene’s Apple Cake

I figure this will be a good step in doing more french cooking and the recipes sound delicious!

You are welcome to join! Please check it out here

Prayer

"You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might also pray in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance."

-Kahlil Gibran

Run for Congo Women

We had a picture perfect fall weekend here in Seattle. It was sunny and warm in the afternoon and cold in the morning! My daughter and I had the opportunity to do the Run for Congo Women around Greenlake on Saturday morning. There were 600 people registered and we got around the lake in under an hour. ( official times not posted yet! ) This is a global organization who hosts walks and runs all over the country. You can check here to see if there is an event coming to your community. The link provides a nice video regarding the organization and what is happening in the Congo today.

Unraveling Week # 3 Favorite Things

This week in my Unraveling group has been difficult. We are having to take photos and post to the group Flicker account pictures of our favorite things. This took me a couple of days to think about and then act upon.

In the last couple of years I've done a lot of weeding out of things and getting rid of stuff! My motto is ... "if I got the chance to move to Italy tomorrow would I take it with me?" If the answer was no it went to the Goodwill. Lots of stuff.

So when I got this assignment it was really hard to think of things that were my favorite. However I did come up with a couple:

1. Shells , Rocks and Sea Glass that I collect on various trips. I display them in various small containers. My daughter when to Costa Rica and couldn't think what to bring me back. She brought me back some shells from beach. That was a special gift.

2. Photo albums that I make of our special family vacations. We love looking back over them. They are filled with all sorts of mementos from the trips.

What are some of your favorite things?

Nature

"Nature is ever at work building and pulling down, creating and destroying, keeping everything whirling and flowing, allowing no rest but in rhythmical motion, chasing everything in endless song out of one beautiful form into another."

-John Muir (1838-1914)

I love the above photo of the wildflowers. Received from www.nationalgeographic.com

Missing in Action

I have been missing in action because I've been looking for a crock pot recipe that I've been wanting to share with you .... one of my favorites and I can't find it! As organized as my recipes are in a binder... they can't be that organized if its missing in action!

It's that time of year. In the evenings it's hurry to get get dinner on the table during the week and at least two evenings a week I make sure we have a crock pot meal. It's so easy and ready for the kids when I walk thru the door.

Since I can't find the favorite, I decided to share my next best favorite!

Slow Cooker Mexican Pork

1 lb Boneless Pork Lion

2 1/4 C. Old El Paso Thick and Chunky Salsa. ( 24 oz jar )

1 can 4.5 oz green chilies chopped drained.

1 can 15 oz. black beans drained.

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack Cheese

Put the pork, chilies and salsa in crock pot and cock for 6-8 hours. Then stir in beans, cover and cook on low for five minutes or until beans are hot. Sprinkle with cheese.

This is very good and the pork very tender!

Besides looking for the recipe I've managed to clean the pantry, linen closet, kids games and finish our scrapbook from our spring break 2009 trip!

Trying to get some things done before the holidays set in and then we are really busy!

If you have a favorite crock pot recipe I'd love to hear. Please share!

Unraveling Week # 2 Reflections

This week in our Unraveling group we are focusing on reflections and where we see ourselves in the world. It's interesting because up until this week I never really focused or noticed my reflection except in the mirror.

It's been fun to go around with my camera and snap pictures everywhere you see your reflection. It's also nice when you take a moment and smile at yourself!

Take some time today and notice your reflection everywhere you go... and don't forget to smile!

It's that time of year

It's that time of year! The salmon are swimming up Bear Creek and we went to catch a glimpse.

Right around the corner from our home is Bear Creek and we have an amazing show of salmon swimming up stream each year. This year we took our camera hoping for some good photos. Hard to take pictures of salmon in the water. But it is a fun show! They work so hard, rest and then jet further up stream then drift back down. It really is fun that we don't need to go but five minutes down the road to see something so amazing!

Weekend work

Over the weekend I snuck in some moments where I could go out do some yard clean up. Not alot but some. My yard is so big that it takes me a month to get everything put to bed for winter. I had two big bags of hydrangea flowers that I cut to toss. I don't keep these to make wreaths anymore. They were so pretty that I thought I'd take a photo but the picture doesn't do them justice!

Uraveling Week #1

I have finished up.. well almost my first week of Unraveling, Ways of seeing myself. It was a bit of getting used to where to go to find my assignments, find the group and where to post my pictures but I think I have it now! Today I just need to finish up my writing assignments! Of course I leave that until the last day! I'll do that while my son does his homework.

This week we focused on our feet which keeps us grounded. How many different surfaces do you stand on each week? What about those shoes? Lots of pairs? Or a minimalist?

I found that I basically have four pairs of shoes... I know sad but my job prevents me from dressing up too much. My work boots, tennis shoes, slippers and sandals. Not very exciting.

Above is a picture of my feet in the garden planting a new hydrangea.

We were challenged to take pictures of our feet this week. What was really fun was seeing all the different pictures from members posted on flicker. On to my writing assignments!

You can find out more about Susannah Conway and her classes here

Body Talk Access Class with Pat Sullivan

My friend Pat Sullivan will be holding her final (for general public) BodyTalk Access class of the year on October 23rd. Get yourself ready to for the holidays with an integrated brain. Give yourself the gift of your own healthcare package. You'll be able to address your, or your family members' colds, flu's, stress levels, sports injuries, bites, bee stings, food poisoning and much more. This is a wonderful self care package to have out camping or in the widerness or traveling anywhere.

Please register if you are intending to join us. The early bird price is good until Friday, October 15th.

The class offers nursing, acupuncture, social work and massage CEU’s (6.5) through the AHNA, NCCAOM, NASW and NCBTMB. I am also a Washington State STARS trainer. Any daycare staff that attends this class will receive 6 STARS credits toward their yearly requirement.

Health Empowerment in 10 Minutes!
5 Techniques + 10 minutes = Total Body Balancing

Discover the most exciting new approach to health care!
Is for laypersons and healthcare professionals.
Parents: Can use Access to help their children improve their learning disorders and everyday challenges.

The next BodyTalk Access Workshop:

Saturday, October 23rd, 2010
Everest College
2111 N. Northgate Way Seattle, WA 98133
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.
Cost - $150 ($135 by October 15th)
Link to register: http://www.bodytalksystem.com/seminars/details.cfm?id=14162

Fall Football

Happy Friday !

Friday's mean football in our home now!


( yes, that's my son carrying the football! )

Have a great weekend!