Kim Kasch Blogsite - A Writer's Blog

Have a Green Valentine's Day

2012-01-27T00:01:00.000-08:00

Instead of being part of the consumption era by sending cards that will be thrown into the trash the very next day, think of doing something different this year.

Here are a few ideas to help you celebrate your love and protect the planet at the same time.

1) Give your loved one a membership in the Nature Conservancy
2) Read a poem that expresses your love
3) Write a love letter

Or...even better send a Valentine-A-Gram and support Loaves and Fishes

Feed senior citizens and give a gift to your loved one too. This is a program sponsored by Loaves and Fishes.

But whatever you do, I hope you have a great one . . . you know it's only a little more than two weeks away...

Sharing the Love

2012-01-26T00:01:00.000-08:00

I have a couple of old swimsuits that I don't wear any more. I don't want to just throw them out so I'm thinking "how can I repurpose at least a portion of these things?"

I'm thinking Valentine's Day is just around the corner...so, I'm making plans to cut the swimsuit up and use some of the lycra-like fabric to make cards.

I'll work on this project this weekend. But...if you have any better ideas. Let me know.

What Not to Wear

2012-01-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

Like most things in life, there's a trick to running and it doesn't have anything to do with athleticism or even stamina. No kidding.

It has everything to do with preparation. And, I'm not talking about the training, which, believe me, is important.

And, maybe at 50 I'm a little old and a little too fat to be training for my very first marathon. But, like I always tell my kids when I'm quoting George Eliot the English novelist (1819 - 1880), "It's never too late to become what you might have been", I'm taking the Nike motto to heart. I'm "just do(ing) it". And it's a serious challenge.

So, telling someone What Not to Wear is easy, at least when it comes to running.

What Not to Wear:

1) Combat boots;
2) High heels;
3) Soccer cleats;
4) An evening gown (who even has these...maybe movie stars);
5) Heavy clothes;
6) or even jeans

(See, EZ-smeazy)

But explaining what someone should wear is something else entirely.

Of course anyone starting a new exercise program should just wear what's comfortable. Because starting is the hardest part of the workout.

But, how do you know what's comfortable unless someone gives you a little guidance. And, that someone should be someone who's been doing the sport for a while.

Anyway, when I first started running, I wore whatever I had. There's no need to run out and buy new gear until you've been doing it for a while. But, equipment can make a difference or, at least, it can make the sport easier.

But, I'm not trying to talk people into wasting a lot of money. If you're working out and you're happy with what you've got, then great...no need to read on. But, if you're like me and you're trying to work up to a marathon, you might want to listen because running that 26.2 mile challenge is a good excuse to gear-up and, believe me, I need all the help I can get.

So, here are a few tips that I use and I'm hoping this might help you too.

Here's what I wear when I go for a run.

First, like most women, I have to wear some support (and this is serious)

Then I wear a tank top that breathes (it's a special material that wicks away sweat. It's called Climalite) because who wants to be sticky and sweaty and cold when they run? Not me.

Next I wear ear warmers. Not a hat. A hat is too hot for me. But, when I start out I'm cold so ear warmers are just enough.

Of course I have to wear running pants

These ones are my favorite because they have a little pocket where I can stash my house key and a debit card. These are important, especially if I'm going for a long run.

And one of the most important things for me is my running shoes. Being as old as I am and as heavy as I am, I need a lot of support so I don't wear out my joints or damage my knees.

And of course it's winter right now so I have to wear gloves. These are special running gloves that let the air flow through but keep my hands warm and toasty too

And, the reason I did this post, is I read another friend's post (JenontheEdge) and she said she wears wool socks when she runs. I know this sounds like foo-foo overkill, but I wear special running socks. When my sister first told me about them I thought it was silly but now that I've worn them, I swear by them. They are compression socks that won't slip or slide so no more blisters.

And just in case you can't tell which is which, they're labeled for ease of dressing (honestly - I'm really not that stupid, but I think it's funny) ;)

And, I almost never run without micoach.

It has a heartrate monitor so you never go too high into the danger zone

And, it has a stride sensor which I clip on my tanktop

I wear headphones so micoach can tell me how far I've run, what pace I'm running at, how many calories I've burnt and the time I've been running. This is the best accessory for any runner in training I can recommend.

Next I wear a lightweight running jacket and my sunglasses then I'm set - well as soon as I leash up Sasha. Then the two of us are on our way

I hope this helps all you wannabe runners out there. Happy trails to you!

A Coverup

2012-01-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

These are some handy coverups.

Or fingerless gloves that are great for gals and guys.

My MIL made these ones and I've been telling her she should create an Etsy...

Whadaya think?

Movie Review Monday - WAR HORSE

2012-01-23T00:01:00.001-08:00

War Horse is an emotional, tear-jerking drama. Of course, with a name like War Horse, you don't expect a comedy. But for an animal lover it is a hard show to watch.

My daughter and I used to have our own horses (a paint and a quarter horse) so this was more difficult than I expected because Joey looked a lot like our paint. But, I tried to remind myself that a lot of this story would be absolutely impossible.

If he had been a quarter horse, maybe... this War Horse might have been able to pull a plow through rocky terrain but a thoroughbred...? I doubt it. They're built for speed not strength.

Of course, I believe animals are very smart. And, I wasn't at all surprised that Joey would remember Colin. That seemed very real to me. But, talk about being born under a dark cloud...this seemed like a horrific example of tragedy after tragedy.

All-in-all, I would definitely recommend this show. At it's core, it's a story about a boy and his first love (it could have been a dog - but in this case it was a horse). And, I love that he wasn't a cowboy. This relationship was built on more than driving cattle. It was a bond that started from birth.

Some of the cinematography reminded me of Gone With the Wind. It was epic.

I really enjoyed War Horse and I hope you do too. If you see it, let me know what you think, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

A Blast

2012-01-20T00:01:00.000-08:00

Jacques Cousteau...a blast from the past. I didn't even realize he was a forgotten icon.

I was telling my kids that their father was listening to a lecture by Alexandra Cousteau, Jacques Cousteau's granddaughter.

"Who is Jacques Cousteau?" They asked.

"You don't know who Jacques Cousteau is...was?" I was shocked.

"No," they shrugged.

I guess that's what a public school education gets you.

No...I just couldn't believe it. I'd grown up with Jacques Cousteau and Lloyd Bridges and Sea Hunt and The Under Water World of Jacques Cousteau. But...that was years ago.

Still, "Don't you know who invented the S.c.u.b.a. gear?" (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus)

Captain Cousteau was a pioneer in protecting the planet and preserving the oceans.

"If we go on the way we have, the fault is our greed and if we are not willing to change, we will disappear from the face of the globe, to be replaced by the insect."
Jacques Yves Cousteau

Late . . .

2012-01-19T00:01:00.000-08:00

I didn't finish a couple projects in time for regular holiday gift giving but I finally finished them.

This first one is a short scarf I made for my daughter. It only took one skein of yarn. Then I bought a cute wooden button so she could clip it around her neck to keep out the cold breeze.

Then I made another scarf for someone special. I'm hoping to get it to her tomorrow night.

I'm thinking better late than never. Or. . . better warm than freezing :)

How 'bout you - any projects you're still working on...?

Word for Wednesday

2012-01-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

WORD: Mompetition

What does it mean?

Do you know?

Take a guess, then scroll down to see the answer

Further

Further

Here's the answer, according to the Urban Dictionary:

The one-up rivalry that moms play making their child seem better, smarter, and/ or more advanced than yours. May involve two or more moms and any number of children, even full-grown.

She engaged me in mompetition insisting her son walked at 6 months and implying my son was slow for his age.

Failure

2012-01-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

Not everything in life turns out. It's like fiction...and writing.

I was trying to make a bracelet out of my old Starbucks cards. I thought they were plastic. . . right? So, I could shrink them into perfect bracelet charms (do any of you remember shrinky-dinks?)

Well, I tried.

I took my cards and laid them out on wax paper

I punched a hole out so I could string them on a braclet
Then I baked them at 350.

Unfortunately, it didn't work.

But, just because that idea was a complete and utter failure doesn't mean I won't try another project.

It's kind of like writing. Just because one story is rejected doesn't mean I'll give up on writing. Why would one failure have to reflect on another?

I'm not going to give up. I'll keep trying to put my words into stories and my ideas into crafts.

DAVS DAG 2012

2012-01-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

I know it's MLK weekend but there was another celebration going on here in town too. It was DAVS DAG

DAVS Dag is a Danish cultural celebration here in Portland. It's a time when Danes get together and speak in their native tongue and eat their customary foods--which means a lot of open-faced sandwiches and Schnaps...and beer and REAL Danish pastry - not the American abomination called "a Danish". A true Danish pastry is very similar to French pastries, they are light and flaky and oh so yummy.

Schnapps is a traditional drink that Danes drink. They celebrate by raising their little glasses and saying "SKOL", which is similar to when we call out "Cheers!"

"Schnaps" is a strong distilled alcoholic beverage. The English word schnapps comes from the German word "Schnaps". It can mean any strong alcoholic drink but usually refers to those containing at least 64 proof.

And, let me tell you, it may be served cold in a brick of ice, but it definitely warms you as it travels down your throat.

DAVS means Danish Ancestry Vintage Society. And DAG is translated to Day so it was the Danish Ancestry Vintage Society Day.

And no Danish celebration would be complete without food and lots of it.

Here are a few photos from our Saturday celebration.

This was my plate of food (not quite on my Weight Watchers meal plan but . . . I'll just have to run)
Here was my husband's plate:

Here is the Krangle (pronounced Clang-ah) I had as my dessert. It is an almond paste (marzipan) pastry

We toasted the Queen--Queen Margrethe II of Denmark, the New Year, and sang songs . . . of course in Danish.

All-in-all it was a delicious way to spend a day.

How 'bout you, any celebrations for you?

Martin Luther King Day

2012-01-15T14:17:00.000-08:00

Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by volunteering in your community.

This holiday celebration is meant to mark the birthday of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. King is famous for speaking out against violence and calming people in a time of riotous rebellion. He became the spokesperson for nonviolent activism during a time filled with anger, riots and violence and helped bring peace in an aggressive time.

The call for a federal holiday in King's honor began after his assassination in 1968. It was Ronald Regan who signed the law making the celebration a holiday in 1983. It was first observed on January 20, 1986.

If you believe in his philosophy and want to have an impact, in MLK’s honor, try volunteering in your community. Here are a few options to volunteer in Portland:

• On Monday, Jan. 16, volunteers will converge on Earl Boyles Elementary School, 10822 S.E. Bush St., to clean, weed and remove plants in the courtyard. For more information, call 503-200-3355.

• The Clark Center, 1437 S.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., is looking for volunteers to help make a meal for residents on Monday, from 4:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at its 90-bed transitional housing shelter for men. For details, call 503-200-3355.

• On Monday, Jan. 16, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., volunteers will plant 160 trees along the I-205 Multi-Use Path near the Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center, 9481 N.E. Sandy. Details: AndyM@FriendsofTrees.org or JennyB@FriendsofTrees.org.

• Volunteers will gather at 10 a.m. Friday at The ReBuilding Center of Our United Villages, 3625 N. Mississippi Ave. to kickoff the Martin Luther King, Jr. Weekend of Service.

• Celebrate the birth, life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. with a reading from his works, jazz gospel music and more. 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15. Augustana Lutheran Church, 2710 N.E. 14th Ave.; free

Picture This

2012-01-13T19:49:00.001-08:00

One of my best cyber gfriends, Jen On the Edge, posted a holiday challenge to take some photos of ourselves and post them on our blogs. Now, if you look around you'll see I have no problem with posting pictures of . . .pretty much anything from food, to clothing to even shoes and I never feel shy about being behind a camera. But...for some reason I hardly took any photos this holiday season with me in them.

However, my son's gfriend did a painting of me and my hubby (which I love) because it looks way better than I do. So I have no problem sharing it

But while I was browsing for a photo, I found this one that we took with some friends who were in town for the holidays and I love it because it's so many of my college buds that I always have to smile when I see it.

Run for FUN

2012-01-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

Okay it might not sound like fun to you. But . . . I've been running to work this week and I'm really enjoying it. . .well, parts of it. The truth is it's very hard to get out of my warm cozy bed when I've been cuddled up to my hubby to brave the freezing cold breezes and the plummeting temperatures of Portland's wintery weather with nothing more than my running gear.

But, once I get going. . .

I'm in a different world. This must be what it means to "get in the zone". I can run and run and the world seems to become a better place... for a few minutes. Running clears my head and helps me get energized for work.

I'm sitting most of the day in a comfortable temperature controlled office environment so challenging myself to meet the environment head-on is invigorating.

Now, I've got to admit that I live on a mountain...a small one inside the city limits. But, when I run to work, I'm running downhill most of the way...they are a few inclines (and those are challenging) but most of the run is on a downward slope. So that's easier than what some people would have to face. Plus, it's only about 4 and 1/2 miles from my front door to my office. Another, not so bad fact.

I've only been running to work this week but I feel good about doing it. Not only is it healthier for me, I save money on gas, and I'm helping Protect the Planet by living Green.

And, if you're not ready to run, you might want to try biking to work, at least then you can coast on the downhill slopes :)

Shrimp Skewers

2012-01-12T00:01:00.000-08:00

I was having a friend over for lunch and wanted to make something yummy but healthy at the same time. This is what I came up with:

Shrimp kabobs with soup and salad.

It was a healthy option.

How 'bout you, any ideas for healthy and yummy meals?

Word for Wednesday

2012-01-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

Word for Wednesday
I was reading Scientific American the other day - yeah, I know, it sounds so surprising but I read that magazine. It makes science easy and that's the way I like it.

Anyway, like I said, I was reading and came across a word I was accustomed to but not familiar with. I've heard it all my life - but usually in another form. With this abbreviated version of what I was used to, I had to look up the meaning.

So, now it's time to show how smart you are - or aren't ;)

Guess what the word means in the comments section. No googling - that's cheating.

Word for Wednesday: Agonist

Do you know?

Now, after you've put your guess in the comments section - if you want to play, scroll down to find the answer...

Further.....

Further.....

Agonist:

1) A person engaged in a contest, conflict, struggle, etc., especially the protagonist in a literary work.
2. A person who is torn by inner conflict.
3. Physiology . a contracting muscle whose action is opposed by another muscle. Compare antagonist ( def. 3 ) .
4. Pharmacology . a chemical substance capable of activating a receptor to induce a full or partial pharmacological response. Compare antagonist.

ANTAGONIST is a blocking substance - sort of like in a book. The antagonist creates the conflict by blocking the action or reaction.

So, did you learn something? Or were you a brainiac and already knew all of this? :)

Shark Tank Candidate...

2012-01-10T00:01:00.001-08:00

My husband is always inventing gadgets and gizmos galore. He should be a candidate for the Shark Tank.

So, I shouldn't have been surprised when we had to take down the Christmas lights and he said, "I've got an idea!" He didn't want to have to pull out the ladder and keep moving it over every time he needed to reach another light. So, he put together another new contraption to take the lights down from the ground. That made me feel a lot better than seeing him up on the tip-top of a tall ladder. And he had those lights down in the flash of an eyelash.

Here's how he did it.

He taped together a tree trimming tool with some conduit piping then he taped on a bracket and bent it so it could easily lift off the lights.

He didn't have to move the ladder, he just stepped over to get the next bit of lights down.

So, what do you think-is this a good Shark Tank idea?

Bag of Bones - the Book

2012-01-09T00:01:00.001-08:00

I just finished Stephen King's 529 pages known as Bag of Bones. "A Haunted Love Story".

Of course SK is the King, at least in my mind, when it comes to horror, writing and leaving memories in my mind of the stories I've read.

My all time favorite book is Salem's Lot, which I read as a kid and it's the reason I became a fanpire.

But this book "Bag of Bones", started out slow, in my opinion. It could be that I was just too busy over the holidays to get sucked into the story but, like I said, it took me quite a while to get into it. But once I was hooked, I had to find out the story behind the story.

It was fun to get to know Mr. Noonan who was, like a lot of characters in SK's books, a writer. And I especially loved the refrigerator people. But the best part of all was the ending. It became a real page-turner that kept me up late into the night reading the fast-paced climax. And I loved how it didn't come out all wine and roses.

Now, I've just got to see the movie and compare the two.

POP - or Progress on the Project

2012-01-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

I was hoping to have the project done for the holidays but nope it's not. Of course I knew I was having unrealistic expectations but that's me. I'm always thinking we can get all sorts of things done in a day when it isn't really humanly possible. If only I wasn't human ;)

Anyway here are a few photos of the progress we've been making (now remember, we've had a lot of holidays, family and friends to work into the equation) plus, we've been battling colds this season so...there are my excuses for not making more headway.

Anyway, we did get one new window in - we still have the French doors, and another two windows to get hung.

And, we've put up new supports all around the room. I guess the old ones that have been in the house since 1890 or 122 years just weren't good enough, or that's what I keep asking my husband. "Are you sure we need to add more support?" His answer is always, "Yes." And, how can I argue that more might not be (like Martha would say) a good thing?

Anyway, I know it doesn't look like much progress but you have to remember this is a DIY project that we work into the weekends and evenings after work - so slow and steady is the theme. Now, I'm readjusting my time frame to completion. I'm hoping by Easter. . . we'll see.

A real Turkey

2012-01-05T00:01:00.000-08:00

Okay, so if you read my blog, you'll know that I made a Crown Roast for Christmas. And although it had a very pretty presentation my kids and husband said, "I'd prefer turkey or ham for the next holiday." I guess we all are traditionalists. Anyway, for New Year's Day I wanted to make another holiday feast so turkey was the choice and here it is.

I really DO like my skin a little burnt. I enjoy the crunch. Maybe because Mom was always cooking for at least twelve people and she usually burnt as least one thing - so, it's the kind of home cooking I'm accustomed to. But whatever the reason, I like a little char so this was intentional.

I add a little sugar and butter to get that effect at the last minute. I pour a cup of the melted mixture over the top of the bird. I also use Dr. Pepper or Coke, if I have it on hand. It's quick and easy and gives me the effect I'm going for - a little overcooked skin while the bird stays tender and juicy on the inside.

Plus, we started the meal with King Crab legs and butter. Not quite on my diet plan but a person has to celebrate. Right?

Anyway, I hope you all had a fantastic holiday weekend and I wish you all a Healthy and Happy New Year!

Custom Vans

2012-01-03T19:35:00.000-08:00

My son's girlfriend was painting a pair of shoes for a present. Here are a few photos of her working on them. Here's her art site: http://tasukisflame.deviantart.com/

What to Do with that Leftover Turkey

2012-01-03T00:01:00.001-08:00

MAKE SOUP!

Here's how to do it.

First you have to take the turkey off the bone, being careful to select the best pieces for soup and leaving the larger slices of meat - those are best for sandwiches (which will make a wonderful lunch).

When you've picked out the best pieces, you set them aside

Okay, then you need the broth. You can use the leftover gravy and a couple cans of chicken broth. Or, you can boil the bones of the turkey for a couple of hours and strain out the juice for your stock. Then you need to chop up the ingredients. Here's what I used:

1) three cloves of garlic
2) two stocks of celery, plus the heart of the celery with the leaves (that's the most tender part)
3) two pounds of chopped carrots
4) 1/4 minced sweet onion

Then, I made some homemade egg noodles using the following ingredients:

1) 4 eggs
2) 3 and 1/2 cups of flour
3) 2 teaspoons of olive oil

You will need to beat the eggs and then slowly add in the flour and olive oil. Knead until it forms a ball and then roll out until it is as thin as you like (if you have a pasta machine - it's even easier). Then I roll it back up like a yule log and slice the pasta into strips.

I added the noodles and then boiled for about 20-30 minutes. Before serving I salt and peppered and WAH-LAH! Homemade turkey noodle soup.

New Year's Resolutions

2012-01-02T11:17:00.000-08:00

Another year has come and gone and it's time to assess and reassess what we've been doing with the time we have.

I've been thinking about resolutions, which are something I'm not good at making because I don't want to set myself up for failure but this year I'm thinking of GOALS not resolutions.

Here are a few of my GOALS for 2012:

1) To sign up for a class - maybe photoshop - maybe a new language...
2) To run my first marathon;
3) To be more consistent in my training for the marathon;
4) To have more patience - at things I try to do (like knitting)
5) To spend more time with friends (I usually spend most all my time with family - neglecting friends)

How 'bout you? Do you have any GOALS for 2012?

BOOKS you read in 2011

2011-12-30T00:01:00.000-08:00

Or Should Have Read

This book does more than just tell people not to breed or buy wolfdogs. Part Wild will touch the hearts of everyone not just owners of exotic pets because it is a story about love and loss.

I read PART WILD by Ceiridwen Terrill.

It's "One Woman's Journey with a Creature Caught Between the Worlds of Wolves and Dogs".

I would definitely recommend this story to anyone who loves animals, has dogs or is even interested in wolves and/or dogs. It's a good story and well-written, with moments of humor and heartfelt sadness. Plus, I thoroughly enjoyed the scientific explanations of the differences in dogs and wolves (call me a nerd, it doesn't bother me--in fact I'll take it as a compliment ;)

And, I could totally sympathize with Ceiridwen's frustrations at having an "escape artist" hybrid. Believe me! And, if you don't think I can relate, read about Sasha my Siberian Husky who has escaped my totally fenced-in yard on too many occasions.

So, you might think that (since I have a notorious escape artist) I'd totally sympathize with Ceiridwen. And, although I think she tried to make a good home for Inyo, I couldn't feel as sympathetic as some other people might. One reason is that I find it difficult to understand why anyone would want to have three VERY large dogs, especially someone renting a tiny place.

My backyard has a fence that is over six feet high, all the way around. And my dog can leap like a deer. Luckily she can't scale our backyard fence but that doesn't mean she won't dig. We keep an eye on the tunnels and fill them in with bricks (and my yard used to be so pretty:(

I would think any renter would have serious trouble renting a home, apartment or trailer with a Wolf hybrid then add in a Cathoula leopard dog-pit bull cross and a German Shepherd/Doberman mix and I would think it would be nearly impossible to find a home with those three large dogs as pets.

I have one mid-sized dog in a house that is fully fenced and it can still be a humongous challenge keeping her contained (and I make sure she gets plenty of exercise. I take her with me on my marathon training runs).

So, one thought that kept running through my mind as I turned the pages of Part Wild was, "What were you thinking?"

It also bothered me to read how often Ceiridwen chained Inyo up. I've read that animals who are kept chained up get terribly frustrated and sometimes turn that frustration into anger, which can manifest itself in harmful and dangerous ways. So, I kept thinking, this is a recipe for disaster.

Plus, Ceiridwen had other challenges facing her. She and her husband were dealing with issues like obsessive compulsive disorder and bipolar disorder - then top that with the stresses of serious financial woes and studying for an advanced degree and it wouldn't have taken a wolf-hybrid to send me over the edge.

What I took away from the story was that love can't fix everything no matter how much we wish it.

I'm not saying that Ceiridwen had many options available to her in the end, which is what makes the story so horribly sad but I also think, in other circumstances, Inyo might have done much better.

But...I'm not recommending that anyone get a wolf/dog hybrid. I have a husky and I wouldn't recommend that breed to anyone who isn't training to run a marathon (and willing to take their dog with them on training runs), and has a fenced yard with someone home during the day to keep an eye on those Houdini hounds.

Still, I think this is a good book and I would recommend it to anyone who loves animals.

Did you read any books in 2011 that you WOULD recommend? Please share them in the comments section, as I'm always looking for another good book to read :)

Scarves

2011-12-29T00:01:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite presents was a scarf I got from my MIL. It is one piece of fabric shaped into a circle. It is stretchy and I just throw it over my head and wah-lah I'm so much warmer. I just love it.

How 'bout you...any favorite gifts that you got?

Have You Ever Forgotten . . . ?

2011-12-28T00:01:00.000-08:00

Huskies may not be the most difficult breed but they are definitely up there in rank when it comes to challenging pets. And, I should know, because I have one.

Sasha, my dog, is a very loving dog but she is also a notorious escape artist. She has eaten our back fence . . . twice. My husband rebuilt the fence twice and finally he had to reinforce the wood with metal rebar. But, she still knows how to open gates...if we forget to put the carabiner back through the latch.

Luckily she doesn't have an opposable thumb. Just the other day, my husband took out the garbage and forgot to put the carabiner back on the latch. He went grocery shopping and Sasha saw the opportunity to go for a fun run. She snuck out by lifting the latch and going for a multiple mile run all by herself.

Luckily, when my hubby came back home, Sasha had jumped the fence and was sitting on the front porch waiting for him :)

But that's only one of the problems we've encountered raising Sasha. Another cause for concern has always been her LOVE of food. She will eat just about anything...including my couch. She actually ate one of our couches but she also eats metal, plastic and glass...yes, glass. Last year she ate the Christmas ornaments right off the tree and a few of the packages that were stacked below.

So...this year, I was afraid to put any presents beneath the tree. Instead I hung the packages from the branches--just to be safe. When she left those presents alone, I started piling the packages down beneath the tree.

And, maybe it's because Sasha is three now, and has finally passed out of the terrible twos but this year she left the tree completely alone.

So, the humorous point to this story is all about presents. I forgot about four of them. They were stashed inside the branches as a test to Sasha. Luckily she left them alone. But, then I forgot all about them.

I found one of my son's presents and gave it to him last night then I saw another present tucked safely inside the tree. My brother stopped by today to pick up his present.

Now, all I have to do is get one present to my sister and another one to my b.i.l.

So, tell me, have you ever forgotten to give a present that you already had wrapped and ready?

If so, please share the reason you think you forgot.

Christmas Presents

2011-12-27T00:01:00.000-08:00

I love homemade gifts and this year we got a lot of them. It makes the gifts so much more special...at least to me.

Here are a few of the homemade gifts we got this year:

This was a portrait that Kathryn painted of me and my hubby. Of course I think she should become a royal portrait painter. She sure knows how to make people look better than they do in "real" life. In the olden days, when a portrait painter painted a King or Queen, they had to make sure the royal was happy with the portrayal--else they'd end up on the short end of a noose.

Then I got this dress that Jovan designed and sewed just for me.

Jovan also made homemade soap and candles

And then Bo gave us some homemade jam from his own berry field in his backyard

I also got some knitted gifts but I'll save those for another blog.

How 'bout you...did you get or gift any homemade presents? If you did, please share what they were in the comments section.

Crown Roast

2011-12-26T00:01:00.000-08:00

I wanted to make something different for Christmas dinner this year. I'd been watching The Next Iron Chef and in the finale I saw a crown roast. That was my inspiration. So this is what I made:

I had to start out with a good cut of meat. And this was about the smallest size they'd let us order. The butcher said if it was any smaller it would be a Tiara Roast not a Crown Roast. So, we'll be eating a bit more roast for part of the coming week.

then I had to stuff it with some almonds, dates, apricots, almonds, pears, cranberries, celery and onions.
We set the crown roast on a wire rack then we set it down in the roaster pan. We had loads of sacrificial vegetables in the chicken broth down beneath the meat. The sacrificial vegetables helped flavor the broth and then with the roast drippings dropping down in the pan yummilicious gravy makings were bubbling away beneath the meat in that pan. The aroma was amazing and the taste even better.

I poured a cup of Dr. Pepper over the top of the roast to create a sugary glaze on the skin. Then into the oven it went.

We baked the roast at 450 for fifteen minutes underneath a foil tent

Then we turned the oven down to 250 for two hours to finish it off

I added a salad made from lettuce, pickled beets, cucumbers and tomatoes

I added some candied potatoes, homemade cranberry sauce and stuffing.
It was a wonderful way to spend a day dining :)

I hope you all had a wonderful day and holiday dinner too.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T09:30:00.000-08:00

I wanted to wish all my friends and family a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Plus, I'll share a few photos from our Christmas Eve Celebrations. We have a tradition in our family of Dancing around the Christmas Tree on Christmas Eve and Singing Christmas Carols . . . in English and Danish.

Here's the tree we danced around this year.
We pulled it out away from the walls so we could all hold hands (kinda like the Whos Down in Whosville;) and dance around the evergreen

Actually, the family has gotten so big we barely walk around the tree any more. But it's a fun tradition.

Then we have to remember the Danish Dinner we had. Smorgasbord Open Faced Sandwiches. No turkey or ham in this family. It's old traditions this year.

Then we all sit down and enjoy the feast.

Then it was opening presents (a lot of them were homemade-which I think makes them even better)

And back home to celebrate my brother and sister's birthday

My sister asked for a Weight Watcher's Birthday Cake so this one was homemade in a hurry.

We lit the candles and had them make a wish

Then the two of them (because if you hadn't noticed they're getting old) worked together to blow out the few little flames.

And poor little Sasha was a little overwhelmed by all the activity so she curled up in a corner, underneath the tree, with her best buddy Tigger

Then we all went for a walk down Peacock Lane

And, now, it's time to celebrate Christmas!!! So Merry Christmas to All and God Bless Us Everyone :) and if you're looking for more gifts, pop over to my cyber friend's site: Christian Farley's Blogspot to enter a book giveaway here's the link: http://www.christinafarley.blogspot.com/2011/12/9-book-giveaway.html then you just might have more presents coming after Christmas

Walking In a Winter Wonderland

2011-12-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

Wednesday I went for a Winter Solstice Walk with my sister and a couple of girlfriends. It wasn't quite as peaceful and scenic as I'd pictured.

Maybe the reason was because it was only about 27 degrees outside. But, I’m not complaining…much. After all, it wasn’t raining and that’s one thing Portland is known for. Here in Portland it’s said we don’t tan, we mold and we try to think of rain as liquid sunshine—at least that’s what we call it. We try to keep a positive perspective otherwise we all might go completely crazy because lots of us suffer from SAD. Yes, that is a real syndrome here in the Pacific Northwest: Seasonal Affective Disorder. And we don’t simply suffer in the winter. It’s prevalent in every season here. Why do you think they filmed the Twilight series here? There’s a reason vampiric movies are set in this location: it’s called darkness.

Anyway, we girls met at a local little pub (Goose Hollow Inn) to grab a quick bit and a hot beverage before we headed out for our hiking adventure. We were going to “Learn the "reasons for the seasons" and celebrate the return of the sun!”

Plus we planned on stopping to “listen for owls, coyotes, and other creatures as we hike. We will also be using our night vision and learn how nocturnal animals adapt to low light.”

I had no idea that “using our night vision” meant hiking through the trails without any flashlights . . . at all. We wandered around in the black of night through the trails that were completely draped in darkness (also known as tree-cover).

My sister grabbed the back of my hood and held on for dear life. She said, “Why did you wear black? I can’t even see you and you’re right in front of me.”

The guide said, “Not to worry. Your eyes will adjust in about ten minutes and you’ll be able to see like a nocturnal animal…almost.”

And he was right. After about ten minutes it didn’t feel like I was wandering around in a cave with a blindfold on. And, when we stepped out from beneath the tree cover, we could actually see the stars. It was beautiful.

Our guide sent out a few owl calls into the night sky. We all stood around hoping to hear an answer to his calls. Unfortunately, the only answer we got was when my cell phone went off. I forgot to turn it on silent. It was sooooo embarrassing. I quickly pulled the phone out of my pocket and tried to silence it. Unfortunately, these radical hikers weren’t so happy about the interruption. The guide called out,
“You’re ruining our night vision.”

And it was true. I felt like a mole who popped out of my hole: The light was blinding.

Then hoping to sooth the wild beasts (in our group) after that unpleasant technological faux pas, the guide pulled out some Wintergreen Mints for us all to chew. I was thinking, “The way to a woMan’s heart is through his stomach” but there was more to it than that. It was a science lesson rolled up into that little bitty sugary ring of goodness.

When we bit down on the little ring, it sent out an explosion of light inside our mouths. So, we all took turns chewing and watching.

Later, after I got home, I looked it up to see what the reason was for the sparks flying around inside our mouths and found out that “The light was produced by the wintergreen flavoring. Methyl salicylate, or oil of wintergreen, is fluorescent, meaning it absorbs light of a shorter wavelength and then emits it as light of a longer wavelength. Ultraviolet light has a shorter wavelength than visible light. So when a Wint-O-Green Life Saver is crushed between your teeth, the methyl salicylate molecules absorb the ultraviolet, shorter wavelength light produced by the excited nitrogen, and re-emit it as light of the visible spectrum, specifically as blue light -- thus the blue sparks that jump out of your mouth when you crunch on a Wint-O-Green Life Saver.”

At one point, I heard one of the hikers calling “Phil, Phil…” I turned to see if she was okay and she looked fine so I went on my way.

Later, Phil started calling to his wife. I told him she had been calling him a bit back. He looked concerned. He pulled out his phone and called her. Then, he told us she was fine. She’d just gone off on her own.

Who wanders off in the dark, on pitch black trails at night. . . by themselves?

Obviously some people are more daring than me. I never would have left the group to wander the trails alone. She must have been a little more than mad. . . at her husband.

Anyway, it was a wonderful way to spend a winter night.

At the solstice hike, I learned a little, walked a lot and shared an interesting adventure with my sister and a couple of friends. And, now the days will be getting longer and the nights will become shorter. That is definitely something worth celebrating—especially here in Portland where the planet seems to linger in the darkness a little more than most places.

Sasha and her Best Buddy Tigger

2011-12-22T00:01:00.000-08:00

Decorating for Christmas

2011-12-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

I have to add a little bling and decorate my potted plants for the holidays. Otherwise, they're all in hybernation for the winter
I had to put hats on my chairs - really they are seatcovers - but aren't they cute...looking like little Santa seats?

And, our tree was a present from my hubby's brother's tree farm. What fun to get the tree from a family farm.

Setting the Table

2011-12-20T00:01:00.000-08:00

We had a celebration dinner on Saturday and I wanted the table to look pretty. I wanted to have a solid color for the table. Unfortunately, the tablecloth didn't quite fit. So I had to put a tablecloth underneath the tablecloth to cover the table. A little peek-a-boo of floral was peeking out. But, I thought it looked okay anyway.

And, it was a nice day filled with food, family and friends.

Graduation Day

2011-12-19T00:01:00.000-08:00

Kara (the one in the middle) graduated! The last of my three kids to complete their degree...!

Advent

2011-12-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

There's a Danish tradition at Christmas that my family always keeps. We hang Advent Calendars for everyone in the family. Usually my husband and I don't have much hanging on the hooks. Instead we put a few candy canes on each others calendars and maybe a present or two but not the 24 presents of Christmas.

The kids' calendars are usually loaded with goodies. After all, these are great times for "kids" even if they are adults now.

Anyway, my husband and I went away for one long weekend and when we came home, the kids are loaded our calendars with tons of presents. In fact some of the presents were so heavy they had to hang them off to the side and keep the weight off the poor little hanging hooks. It was a fun surprise.

Maybe my husband and I should go away more often. I'm thinking "absence makes the heart grow fonder" or perhaps it "helps the kids appreciate us more". I don't know but I'm not complaining.

Wrapped in the Warmth of the Season

2011-12-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

I love to make things - especially gifts for people. It makes it feel more like something special... at least to me.

My recipients might prefer a "store bought" present. But, I always think that's the easy way out. And, I almost never give gift cards. Those don't even feel like presents to me. I think I might as well stash a little cash inside a card and give it away. Now, my kids probably wouldn't complain if I did but, if I do give gift cards, I always add some little something that I've made to the package.

Here's one gift I whipped up in an evening. It's a blanket for a baby shower gift.

Sandwich Baggie Wrapper Wreath

2011-12-15T00:01:00.000-08:00

This wreath was made from baggies. My daughter and her gfriend made it for me. Isn't it pretty? If you want to read how to make it, check out ECOwomen.net

Explosions with WoMANS Best Friend

2011-12-14T00:01:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share some photos (or explosions of color) my husband took one weekend when we went for a run.

Victorian Winery

2011-12-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

I thought this one was so pretty, I just had to stop and take a photo.

I have a soft spot for Victorian Homes.

How 'bout you?

The Petrified Forest

2011-12-12T00:01:00.000-08:00

We stopped to see the largest Petrified Forest in the World.

Here are a few photos:

One spot even looked like a tunnel of trees

Little Old Faithful

2011-12-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

It was fun watching it spouting and spraying and a lot of the scenery was very beautiful.

But, more interesting were the animals. They looked a bit like mutants. There were goats with four horns, three horns and even a Unigoat.

I don't know why. I just know it was weird.

Whirlwind Weekend

2011-12-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

Robert Louis Stevenson lived here in St. Helena for a couple of months after his wedding. He was ill and needed to recover. He stayed here and perhaps that's why they still honor him today.

His wife was divorced - which was a difficult thing to do in those days. She usually said she was widowed to avoid the conflict.

Stevenson was best known for his stories of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Treasure Island--at least in my mind.

So, we stopped to visit his museum and even is tree.

Robert Louis Stevenson Tree

Coming Home

2011-12-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

The Santa Rosa Airport is a tribute to Charles Schultz and I couldn't resist getting my picture taken with Charlie and Lucy. I was feeling it was such a great beginning to another Charlie Brown Christmas :)

The Wineries of Calistoga and St. Helena

2011-12-08T00:01:00.000-08:00

Sterling Winery was fun because we took a tram up to the top of the mountain and then we went on our tour, which included many little glasses of wine along the way.

Here my husband is waiting for the tram ride to begin
Here's a view from the tram as we begin to move up the mountain
Here's another view from the tram

There are plenty of wineries to visit. But, check with your hotel first. A lot of them give discount tickets or brochures that you can turn in for $5.00 off per ticket. My husband and I turned in one brochure for $10.00 off. That was a good deal.

Here's another beautiful winery we visited. It's called Castello di Amorosa
It looks like an American castle:

Running the Golden Gate Bridge

2011-12-07T00:01:00.000-08:00

So most people might not think it's a great highlight of a vacation to run over ten miles. But, I did.

My husband rented a bicycle at Blazing Saddles (he didn't feel like running) he said he'd rather cruise. Then together we took off for the Golden Gate.

We took off and ran and biked a little bit. It wasn't long before we made it to the dock
It was a wonderful run/ride along the water front.

We got closer and it was the prettier the further we ran/rode.

Finally, we made it And, then we made our way (wonderful might not be the word) up to the center of the G.G. Bridge. We stopped to take a few photos. And, then we turned around and went back the way we came.

I would have loved to have run all the way over the bridge into Sausilito but we were running (he-he) out of time. We had to get going. If we had run into Sausilito, we could have caught a ferry back to the Wharf of San Francisco but the ferries only "run" at certain times and it didn't work with our schedule. So, we could only make the run/ride half of the way (or to the center of the bridge). But it was still a beautiful ride/run and a lot of fun.

Lighted Tractor Parade

2011-12-06T00:01:00.000-08:00

Calistoga is a tiny town mostly known for its wineries. So you might think the people might be snobby or snotty but that wasn't what we found at all. They were talkative and helpful and we had a funtastic time.

In fact, even though we visited some wineries and tasted some yummy fruity flavors, one of the highlights of our stay in Calistoga was spending an evening watching a lighted Tractor Parade.

The entire town came out to herald in the holidays and here are some photos from the night. They even had the Hot Air Balloon machine there.

Whine Country

2011-12-05T00:01:00.000-08:00

I just got back from a beautiful five days in the Napa Valley. Lucky me...well, not completely.

I know, what could I possibly have to whine about...?

It's hard to admit I'm such a weenie but it's true...I'm a horrible traveler. I get sea sick when I travel - even on an air plane. I know, it makes no sense. But, it's true. I even have to take motion sickness pills not to lose my lunch - literally.

So, when we got into Sacramento I was feeling groggy and disoriented. It's because I'm a bit of a purist. I don't (even though we were going to the Napa Valley) drink alcohol very often. I don't even take Ibuprofen. So, drugs - even over the counter drugs - hit me hard.

Anyway, my hubby had a meeting. So, he dropped me off at the local Barnes and Nobel. Unfortunately for me, I had trouble staying awake. I was nodding in the little nook where I was sitting. I tried to read - which I love - but my head was bobbing and weaving like a prize fighter. The clerks must have thought I was a homeless person who came in off the street to get warm or take a nap. I know that's the way it looked. But I couldn't help it. And I barely remember anything about that day or night. The next day we moved into San Francisco.

Anyway, here are a few pictures from my first few days.

I hope you like the journey.

Here we are coming over the Bay Bridge into San Francisco

Here's the view from the bridge of the city

Here are the streets of San Francisco

We had to go eat at Fisherman's Wharf and it was wonderful.

Then we moved on to Calistoga. I'll have more tales of the trip tomorrow. I hope you'll join me on my journey.

Thursday Turkey Tip

2011-12-01T00:01:00.000-08:00

I fixed a turkey dinner for Thanksgiving, like most Americans. And, we'll probably have another turkey for Christmas dinner. So, I was thinking you might be fixing another turkey soon too. And, I have a trick I use to make an amazing glaze and it's super simple so I thought I'd share it with you.

I pour about a cup of Dr. Pepper over the bird when it's getting close to being done. The sugar crisps right up on the top of the bird and it adds a tender tastiness to the meal and even the gravy.

I forgot to take a picture of the dinner - I was too busy seeing that the family got fed to think about photo opportunities this time. But the bird was a beauty. You'll just have to believe me.

If you try this tip, let me know. I'd love to hear what you think.

Word of Wednesday

2011-11-30T00:01:00.000-08:00

Word: Wanweird

I know it sounds like a made-up word. But it isn't. It really has a meaning. Do you know what it is?

If you do, and even if you don't, place your guess in the comments section.

No prizes but you'll win bragging rights :)

So, play along.

Then scroll down and see if you were "write" or wrong. ;)

Scroll down further.

Further...

Further........

Wanweird means misfortune or ill or unhappy fate.

Jovan's Dress

2011-11-29T00:01:00.000-08:00

Jovan made this dress from scratch. She even used an old bed sheet as the lining. She explained it to me by saying, "sheets are meant to be up against your skin for 8 hours a day. They're soft and always easy to wash."

It all makes sense to me now. I'm going to be looking at sheets in a totally different way from now on.

And, how sustainable...? I thought this was a fantastic idea I wanted to share.

Plus, she goes to Scrap to get fabric and patterns.

Here are a few more projects she's been working on.

Plus, it never hurts to have a puppy in the picture ;)

And, it's super sustainable to make your own clothes - especially if you can figure out a way to use old sheets.

Breaking Dawn - Movie Review Monday

2011-11-28T00:01:00.000-08:00

It was a holiday weekend - so one of our family traditions held out - we went to see a movie: Breaking Dawn.

I'd read the book(s) and that helped understand some of the scenes. Such as
Rosalie wanting to help with the baby - I don't think that was developed fully in the movie. In the book, she resented the fact that Bella would willingly give up her life and the chance to become a mother (things Rosalie never wanted to miss) to become a blood thirsty monster.

Breaking Dawn had some good moments. BUT, and that's a big but, it was super slow. I felt they drew out the wedding scene and the honeymoon waaaaaaay too long. It could have been done in a couple of minutes and then they could have moved on to some action. There was only one scene with some real action in it.

Things I really didn't like:

1) The sloooooooooooooooooooooowness of the movie

2) The vampires being out in the daylight!!! No disintegrating, no sparkling, no nothing. Explain that one to me. They could have gotten married at night. It would have made so much more sense. Vampires can't go out in the sunlight - even in the earlier books: Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse, the Cullen's didn't venture out into the daylight in front of humans. So I have no idea how they just skipped right over that fact...or fiction.

I don't usually like stories that play havoc with lore - and vampire lore is pretty well settled. But, I overlooked some "havoc" in the books; however, that doesn't explain how Edward and the Cullens managed to have a daylight wedding with no one noticing the sparkling or anything out of the ordinary at all.

3) How thin Edward and Bella were from the very beginning of this film. It looked like they had lost 20 pounds each since the last movie (maybe more). I thought they looked unhealthy even before Bella was starving from the pregnancy.

Things I liked:

1) Jacob. I think he looked much more like the character in the book in this film than the others. He worked hard to "become" Jacob and I think he did a great job.

2) Seeing the softer side of Edward. He didn't have a continually pained look on his face.

3) Bella looked beautiful at the wedding.

Overall: I wouldn't recommend the movie UNLESS you've already seen the other movies and if you'd read the books. I do think the second half of Breaking Dawn will be better and you should see the first half of the story if you want to see the second half.

But, at least on this one part of the story, I prefer a little more action in my movies.

Turkey Trot 2011

2011-11-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

It was only a 4 mile run but. . . it was uphill a lot of the way and I mean straight uphill through Washington Park. It's a tough run but it was also a lot of fun.

What better way to burn off that pie and turkey than starting out your Thanksgiving morning with a challenging run? That's what my hubby and I did. We met my sister at the Zoo and took off together for the run. And, it wasn't even raining!!!

A wonderful way to start a day...plus I didn't feel guilty eating that second slice of pie :)

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Hope y'all will have a fantastic day filled with family, friends, and good food ;)

ThanksGIVING

2011-11-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

With Thanksgiving on our doorstep, I wanted to remind everyone that while we're feasting with family and friends others aren't always so lucky. At any time of year, but especially during the holidays, we should take a minute to think about Giving...

Every community has organizations that can help stretch your donations. Here in Portland one great organization is the Oregon Food Bank (OFB) – it is at the center of a statewide network of 915 hunger-relief agencies.

OFB serves all of Oregon and Clark County in Washington. Oregon Food Bank recovers food from farmers, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, individuals, and government sources. OFB then distributes the food to 20 regional food banks across Oregon. And there are plenty of ways to donate: 1) give canned goods; 2) give dollars; 3) donate time.

These are ways to really celebrate the season.

Sasha Suit

2011-11-22T00:01:00.000-08:00

Check out Sasha's home-made hoody

My Run

2011-11-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

We were running through the forest.

In Forest Park. Portland's Forest Park is the largest wooded city park in the United States. With a 40-mile loop, there's a trail for every level: from walkers to runners. And there's something for everyone to see.

It wasn't a fast run but maybe if I show you a few photos, you might understand.

When you're running with a crew, you have to take a little more time and just enjoy the journey.

Not all the girls run at the same pace but it was a beautiful trail - although it had leaves all over the path, which made us slow down even more (slippery - so we had a good excuse).

Still, it was a beautiful morning on the Leif Eriksen trail.

It's Starting to Look a Lot like Christmas

2011-11-18T00:01:00.000-08:00

I'm starting to think of ways to decorate on a budget for Christmas. I'm pulling out old nick-nacks and repurposing them.

I bought some Christmas Tree balls at Ross for $3.99 and put them inside the Hurricane I had sitting around the house.

It turned out pretty for a very paltry bit of money.

How 'bout you? Have you been thinking of ways to decorate without spending a load of money?

Checkerboard Cake

2011-11-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

I wanted to make a fun cake for a birthday. Here's how I did it. I made a banana chocolate checkerboard cake.

First I baked one layer with chocolate in the center and the outside rim and yellow cake in between the two chocolate areas.

Then I baked a layer with yellow in the center and the outside rim with chocolate in between the two. And then I baked another layer just like the first.

I stacked them with the two chocolate layers on the top and bottom and the yellow double rim layer in the middle, using cream cheese raspberry filling to glue them all together.

It created a checkerboard effect. My theory is Food should be Fun :)

Plus, I used the extra batter to make cupcakes - Mom always used to say, "never let anything go to waste" - now if I could only learn how to never let anything go to my waist - that would be a real trick

Money Cake

2011-11-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

I wanted to make a cake to celebrate a friend's promotion. Here's how I did it:

I made a template out of construction paper and then I cut out the cake.

Then I made a ganache glaze. Here's how I did it.

Ingredients:

2 cups of heavy cream,
12 ozs (or one package) of chocolate chips
1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt.

Heat the cream over medium-high heat until it comes to a boil, pour over chocolate chips and add salt. Let it sit for 10 minutes (do NOT stir or it will come out grainy) After the ten minutes, stir and pour over the cake while the ganache is still warm.

I'm a total NUTcase

2011-11-15T00:01:00.000-08:00

Even though these nuts might look like alien seed pods

Pistachios are a Holiday Harbinger, at least in my house:

Every year, as fall rolls around, I pull out the nut bowl and fill it full...over and over again. I love to see pistachios hanging around the house (especially during the holidays) for a couple of reasons:

1) The FDA claims that if you eat pistachios you'll probably have a healthier heart. Here's their official statement:

"Scientific evidence suggests but does not prove that eating 1.5 ounces per day of most nuts, such as pistachios, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease..."

2) Pistachios contain something called phytosterols which fight cholesterol.

3) Pistachios have almost 90% unsaturated fat, or "the good stuff". So, next time you're craving a fat-filled snack (like potato chips or french fries) choose nuts instead--especially if they are pistachios.

4) Pistachios are packed full of different antioxidants, which support your heart and body.

5) Pistachios are a delicious way to eat dietary fiber and they're a naturally nutritious snack.

6) Researchers at Loma Linda University performed studies that found that, despite the fact that nuts contain fat, they didn't cause an increase in body weight.

So go a little nuts these holidays - maybe you'll end up a lot healthier.

And please share a little bit of your own holiday spirit by telling me what food can be found around your house at the holidays. I'm hoping it will give me a little "new" foodilicious inspiration.

Portrait of Portland

2011-11-14T00:01:00.001-08:00

People talk about leaf hunting in Vermont and New England but, believe me, Portland is just as pretty. Just in case you don't believe me, I did a little digital leaf hunting.

Take a look at my pictorial portrait of Portland in the fall.

11.11.11 - Veteran's Day

2011-11-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

A time to pause...

and remember . . .

all the men and women who have served

Thanks! to all the Veterans out there today.

Midnight Seduction

2011-11-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

I usually read horror. My favorite writer is Stephen King. I also like Koontz, Saul and of course Poe. So when I won an Ebook called Midnight Seduction, I knew it probably wouldn't be my typical type of read. And, when I opened the book on my kindle, I laughed out loud because the cover was so...seductive. I thought, "Maybe this isn't my typical type of book but with covers like this, it just might become my favorite new genre."

So, I opened the story and started to read. And...an odd coincidence...the characters' names are Jakob and Kara. Now, Jacob might be a normal enough name - in fact, it's my oldest son's name. But, Kara...I thought I made that name up when I named my daughter. Okay, I realized I wasn't the first to name a kid Kara. But, my husband had wanted to name her Sarah and I took my initial from "K"im and changed Sarah to Kara.

Anyway, I've only read 3% (because the house remodel has been taking a lot of my time) but I've been hit by a few strange coincidences already...like the characters having my kids' names. Next, Jakob is a shifter, so this isn't just a romance novel...it might even be considered a thriller or a horror, I'll know more when I read a bit more. But isn't that odd? It has elements of my favorite genre in it and it has my kids' names in it. It seems like it was destiny for me to win this Ebook and, I'll let you know more, when I've read a little bit more.

How 'bout you, have you ever read a book that made you think...hum...a lot of coincidences here?

Walls and Roof - YIPEE

2011-11-09T00:01:00.000-08:00

It's been a Looooooooooooooong week without windows, walls or a roof but thanks to Luke and Lars, we have them all back in place. There's still a lot of work to do. We want to replace these old windows with new ones - but that's going to have to wait a couple of weeks. We need a weekend to get that project done.

Plus, we're a little pooped from coming home from work to work on the house. Luckily, we've got the walls, windows and roof all back in place (before the real rains hit).

And, believe me, it's very stressful seeing my boys outside hanging over the house on a scaffold that weebbled and wobbled but it didn't fall down, whenever they stepped out on it.

Thank goodness that's over for now. And the house should feel a little warmer. . . until the next stage of this remodeling project.

Decorating for Thanksgiving

2011-11-08T00:01:00.000-08:00

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I wanted to start decorating for the holiday. So, first, I had to take down the Halloween decorations...well, most of them. I left up the orange Chinese lanterns and the fall colored decorations. Then I changed out the table linens and added some copper colored candles.

Here's a close up of one table topper I put together using peacock feathers and other foliage.

Let me know what you think of it.

Progress on the remodeling Project

2011-11-07T00:01:00.000-08:00

This is turning out to be a bigger project than I'd planned on. Heck, I never planned any of it...really. And notice the section of the roof that's missing.

Oh well, we're lucky, my husband's brother came over to help out.
Here are a few photos of the progress they've been making this weekend.And, it doesn't hurt that he's a contractor with 30 years experience. With his help, the roof is back on over the room.

There's still a lot to do, including putting the walls back on and, since it's November, I hope it happens quickly. And, with my hubby working late into the night, I can't complain...too much. And, notice...he has a harness on - just in case.

Tis the Season - Almost

2011-11-04T00:01:00.001-07:00

It's coming

Indivisible

2011-11-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

For a little cash you can help a good cause - it's a way to create jobs for other Americans

I bought my band at Starbucks.

Remodel - Making Progress

2011-11-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

Luke's bedroom had a super low ceiling. It seemed okay when he was younger...and shorter...but now that he's about 6'5" tall, he could sure use a little more height - at least in his room.

So, the boys pulled out their flat edges (small crowbars) and ripped out the lathe and plaster then they pulled down the boards, which was tongue and groove wood (which is usually used for flooring but here it was all over the walls and ceiling - hidden behind the plaster).

Now that they've got the room destroyed, it's almost time to start rebuilding...at least I'm hoping, after all, this isn't much of a room, now is it?

Romance Mavens

2011-11-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Most of the time I feel like a bit of a loser - but not today! When I came home from work, look what I found in the mail.

For one day, thanks to the Romance Mavens, I was a WINNER!!!

And with a mug for my coffee and some chocolates, what could be better?

Happy Halloween with Creep Cakes

2011-10-31T00:01:00.000-07:00

A cross between a Cyclops and a creep = creepcakes

I did a little baking this weekend and thought I'd share the creepcakes I made with you

I used green sugar sheets and white fondant then I used twizzlers for the mouth and jelly belly beans for the yetllow eyes

I hope you all have a Happy Halloween that's yummilicious

Rin Tin Tin

2011-10-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

I went to the Hollywood Theater (Portland's Historic Nonprofit Theater) on Thursday night to listen to Susan Orlean speak about the Life and Legend of the Heroic Dog Rin Tin Tin.

I didn't remember much about him but I found out things that made me respect this animal actor even more than I did before. He was an amazing dog. No wonder Dogs are woMans best friend. Rin Tin Tin was found in France right after WWI in a bombed out dog kennel. An American solider was clearing the area when he found Rin Tin Tin in a pile with his mom and brothers and sisters. The soldier, Lee Duncan, adopted RTT and one of his sisters. He parceled out the other puppies to his soldier buddies and his captain.

I haven't read the book yet but I'll be working on that this weekend. After I finish, I'll do another post about my impressions.

If you're a dog lover or an animal activist, this might be just the book for you. It talks about the love and loyalty of animals and the legend of this one awe....mazing animal.

Halloween Cupcake Ideas

2011-10-28T18:48:00.000-07:00

Here are some fun ideas just in case you want to do some baking this weekend to have a wickedly fun Halloween.

Movie Review - The Ides of March

2011-10-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

The Ides of March was the movie of my weekend. I went with a gfriend and was hoping for a little bit of political humor or something caustically witty. This wasn't.

It was a very cynical (perhaps true to life) portrayal of the political arena and the people caught up in the game. I was left feeling . . . disappointed. I prefer to look for the good in people and this movie shatters that hope--at least while you're sitting in the theater watching everyone behave badly.

I don't mind horror - just not true-to-life horror stories.

Unfortunately, I've seen George Clooney in three movies I wish I'd never watched: From Dusk Until Dawn, Up in the Air, and now...The Ides of March.

This might be a perfect Halloween horror story, if you want to walk away depressed. I'd prefer to watch the New Underworld movie when it comes out, at least in that movie I expect people to suck.

A Ride in the Columbia River Gorge

2011-10-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

Remodel Has begun

2011-10-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

The boys wanted to raise the roof - literally so they started ripping the old one down and Lars nearly lost his head over the project ;)

This is going to be a big project and it's going to take a couple weeks - at least - I know, I'm being hopeful. So, I'm sure you'll be seeing some blogs, photos and videos about this project. I hope you enjoy watching the boys work together.

Luke told me to go away or come and help - so I went away ;)

Then I came back to take a quick picture...the camera was on moviemaker setting - so it wasn't so quick as my husband stood and waited for me to snap the photo (he's such a good sport) - this project could take quite a while at this rate.

Run Like Hell

2011-10-25T00:01:00.001-07:00

My lil sis and I ran in the Run Like Hell fundraiser to help fight ALS . It was a lot of zombified fun and it helped raise money for a good cause while helping us get heart healthy - what better way than to spend the Halloween season?

It must have been running with all those scary zombies that made me Run Like Hell. I don't know . . . but I do know my time was better and there were no downhill portions in this race. I cut my time from my last run, which was the Pints to Pasta run in August. I shaved 31 seconds off each mile.

31 seconds...I know it doesn't sound like much, but I'm working to get my time down and my endurance up - not an easy task for an old lady who runs in her "spare" time-like there is such a thing.

Anyway, I was happy bettering my personal best. And at my age, that's all I'm hoping for :)

Happy Halloween

2011-10-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

Turn the sound down and listen ...

ZOMBIES ARE THE HOTTEST

2011-10-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

Zombies are hot right now. So for a green Halloween, why not go as a zombie? It's super simple to gear up for the apocalyptic aftermath and Halloween is the perfect time to get ready.

So, how do you zombify yourself?

Just add a couple spiders to your clothes, hair, and head. Use a little white face makeup and some black eyeliner for dark shadows (okay anyone who's as old as me knows about Dark Shadows and Barnabus Collins--I guess BC was my first fanpire love ;) but I digress)... So, some black eyeliner, white pancake makeup and some spiders.

How much simpler could a costume be? Plus, it will be a Green Theme Halloween costume ;)

I'll post some zombie photos this weekend to hell...p inspire you to new zombie heights, after I Run Like Hell - as a zombified old lady in the 10k Halloween Themed run here in Portland, Oregon.

Thursday Humor

2011-10-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

Cupcake Wars

2011-10-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

I love Cupcake Wars maybe because I love sugary treats so much. At least that's one of the reasons why I'm making my own cupcakes and challenging myself -- I want to be bake and make them better.

This edible glitter is such a treat. It's so pretty and of course it's tasty too. Of course these little devilish morsels aren't so good for my diet because I'm weak when it comes to holidays and homey food. I'm just going to have a run a little bit more or maybe a lot more.

These ones were banana cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and I used some sugar sheets and fondant to make my decorations...well, that and the edible glitter.

Writer's Retreat Weekend

2011-10-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

I love retreats but they're expensive. So, the girls in my critique group decided to make our own. We all went to Roz's house early in the morning. We spent hours writing, eating and chatting. And it was all free.

Of course we didn't have any guest speakers so you might call it more of a workshop than a retreat. But when Mom's get away for a few hours and don't have to cook or clean or . . . do anything they don't want to do, I'd call that a retreat. How 'bout you?

Beautiful Food

2011-10-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

We went to Sinju in the Pearl of Portland for dinner on Saturday night and it was yummy but more than that, it was beautiful.

Check out this artwork where food is just the medium. It was great Shashimi.

Birthday Season

2011-10-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

We've been having one party after another. First it was Kara and Jacob's birthday then it was my and my husband's birthday, this weekend it was my mil's and bil's bday and then it was Fatina's bday.

One right after the other.

So, I've been eating a bit too much. Time to get back on track.

Cupcakes Galore

2011-10-13T00:01:00.001-07:00

It's time for caramel corn, candy apples and. . .cupcakes

Golden Ghosts
Wise Old Owls
Cats

And even Spiders

YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Making Up Words

2011-10-12T00:01:00.000-07:00

Do you ever make up words? I do and I have since I was a little kid. I think I learned it from my brother--Todd.

Todd was the best storyteller ever. He could make up stories on the fly. Always trying to get out of one scrap after another. And, he didn't just make up the stories, he made up the words to go along with it. He was a true Brofessional.

So, if you don't know what Brofessional is, I didn't even make that one up, check it out here if you don't believe me.

But I can tell you, according to Urban Dictionary it means "This is a person who excels in party related activity with a professional style. They are good at all things party: i.e. drinking, smoking, dancing, talking to the opposite sex, getting out of situations, etc."

Halloween House - it's BOOtiful

2011-10-11T00:01:00.001-07:00

I love holidays - all of them. In fact, if I could think of a good way to decorate for Ground Hog's Day, I probably would. And, I still decorate for the holidays even though the kids have long since lost their interest in coming home to ghosts hanging around the house--but I've still got witches dangling on a string and mice running amok.

Wreaths are easy to make - just twine some old branches together with some wire and glue on some silk flowers and ornamental fruit, you can buy super cheap at any craft store, then add a ribbon and it's a festive decoration

It's easy to put out some flowers, hang up some masks and add a couple of creepy critters to the tables and stairs and the kids will think it's cool.

I throw some plastic bugs on the tables, some paper mice and put out a lot of orange candles and flowers.

And hang up giant spiders on the porch

Or, if you don't want to have scarey things hanging around just use colored corn and squash with some homemade potpourri.

Here are a few of my tricks for easy inexpensive decorations.
I put some hats out and add some fun fabric to tables and WAH-LAH creepy Halloween House

With paper mice peeking around, and a pumpkin sitting on top of the table - the house can look really bootiful!

How 'bout you? Any decorations hangingaround?

Mad Hattress

2011-10-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

I love parties. And, any reason will do. So, I decided to throw a Mad Hattress Party!

We got together to make our own hats. With Halloween just around the corner some of us worked on hats suitable for the occasion.
Others weren't so into the season. Not everyone wanted to make hats so some made special scarfs (almost magical since it was a gryffindor scarf)

and others worked on needlework.
But we had tea and scones and a great time.

WWW...What a Wonderful Weekend

2011-10-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd share a couple pictures from my wonderful weekend away

FINALLY FINISHED

2011-10-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

My first pair of hand-knitted fingerless gloves!
In the past I've had good intentions. I've started a few pairs before. . . but I never finished them.

I think the problem of starting and stopping stems from my childhood...but then, don't all our problems stem from our childhood? ;)

See, when I was a kid, I used to crochet all my own doll clothes. Mom and Dad never had the money to buy fancy toys or clothes for those toys - heck, they couldn't even buy us kids fancy clothes. I grew up in hand-me-downs and my dolls usually went naked--or I wrapped them up in old worn out towels. I'd cut those worn out rags into dresses and hand-stitch them into what I thought were pretty clothes.

That's how I started sewing and crocheting. Anyway, I made most of my Barbie doll's clothes by crocheting leftover strands of my grandma's yarn. She always had scraps lying around from finished afghans she had made. So, she showed me how to crochet but never took the time to teach me to read patterns. I made up the designs as I went, weaving in one new strand/scrap after another until I was finished. But, I never learned how to read a pattern.

Those gloves I started (and never finished) were all started from patterns. Over the years, I've learned how to read the patterns but for one reason or another, I never finished those gloves I started from someone else's patterns.

So, this weekend when my sis and I went away for a girls' getaway, I started knitting and I just made up the pattern as I went and WAH-LAH!!! my first pair of fingerless gloves.

So, maybe I have a problem following rules, or maybe I feel locked in by patterns and trapped when I try to follow someone else's design. I don't know. But I've finally figured out a way to finish those fingerless babies!!! It's like the Nike motto says "Just do it." Just knit and go...fingerless.

So, how 'bout you? Is there anything holding you back? Any projects you've started but never finished? Could it be the rules/expectations/patterns that are holding you back?

I don't know but maybe all you have to do is just do it. Don't worry about staying inside the lines. Color outside the box. Maybe you'll be wearing your first pair of fingerless gloves too.

Gummy Bears

2011-10-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

Candy is candy...right?

Not always. Both Germany and the U.S. make Gummy Bear candy.

However, Germany has been doing it for a lot longer.
I was biased and thought the U.S. candy would be best but after tasting the two, I'd have to say that the German candy was the best. It's softer and more full of flavor.

Thing 1 and Thing 2

2011-10-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

My sister and I went to the Sylvia Beach Hotel - a hotel for writers and readers. Every room has a writer's theme.

I asked my sis if she wanted to stay in the J. K. Rowling room.

No.

I asked my sis if she wanted to stay in the Jane Austen room.

No.

I asked my sis about the Shakespeare room.

Not a chance.

She said we HAD to stay in the Dr. Seuss room because it suits our reading level.

And one of the really cool things is the real fish swimming in the toilet bowl tank - I know, weird, but cool too.

Well then I had to make us a couple of shirts to wear on our weekend.

Shellac

2011-10-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

I've heard of shellac on wood, floors and furniture. I'd never heard of it for fingernails. But now that I've had my nails shellaced, I don't ever want to go back to regular polish. This polish has lasted over two weeks and most polish only lasts a day or two for me.

Homemade Candles

2011-09-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

You can reuse leftover wax at the bottom of a candle by simply melting it down, adding some store bought wax and dye for coloring.

This is an easy way to save a little money. Try it and let me know what you think.

Brand New Grand Puppy

2011-09-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

Word for Wednesday - Game for Writers

2011-09-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

Word: Eviscerate

Guess what it means...

Scroll down to find the answer

Further

Further

The word eviscerate means....

to disembowel

Such a nice word

if you're writing horror. :)

If you want to read more about it, check it out here.

ALS "Lou Gehrig's Disease"

2011-09-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

This weekend in Portland, Oregon there was a walk to help raise awareness for the disease and my husband and I participated.

It was a dreary day in Portland, Oregon. Dark gray clouds rolled in early in the morning and then, without much warning, they burst open. Like an angry child throwing a fit, the clouds dumped their anger out on us, in one huge down pour. We were caught - without umbrellas or hats or even rain jackets. . . but then it was over. The sun peeked out and warmed us. We dried out.

It was just too bad the rain couldn't wait until after our walk for ALS. But that didn't put too much of a damper on the occasion. Portlanders are people who can deal with a little--or even a lot--of rain.

They came out dressed as the Flintstones, trees and even octopus creatures.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, is a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement. It's also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with ALS and every ninety minutes someone dies from ALS.

So, helping raise a little money for research was a nice way to spend a rainy day.

Movie Review Monday - The Help

2011-09-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

The Help by Kathryn Stockett is a fantastic movie. It's definitely not my usual thing. No vampires, zombies or werewolfs at all. And, when my husband and I talked about going to a weekend movie, I'd suggested Contagion , Bridesmaids or The Help. I'd heard about the book from friends and had planned on reading it but never got around to it so I thought why not? And my husband didn't want to go to another zombie wanna-be movie so Contagion was nixed from the start.

He also said he didn't want to go to some predictable comedy. He voted for The Help and we were off to the movies.

I don't know what I expected but this was a very sad movie in so many ways. It was also the story of friendship and adversity and how the first helps you get through the second plus it taught a few lessons about what really matters in life.

I thought the acting was great.

The story tugged some tears and gave a few giggles too. It was filled with emotion and drama.

I only wish it would have shown a few more "good" people in the movie. It seemed that so many depictions were of evil people. My hope is always that there are a lot more good people than bad.

This is a definite "RECOMMENDED BY KIM" movie. If you see/saw it, let me know what you thought.

Earth-Friendly Friday

2011-09-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

I've never been big on fashion. I grew up a Tomboy wearing my Dad's old jackets, ties and sweaters - before anything like that was in style. Dad said I dressed like a clown. And, for the times, I did. But even I know you don't have to be a fashionista to find wonderful clothing you can wear and feel good about.

Just look at this coat. It's made out of recycled materials. So you can look good, be comfortable and protect the planet all at the same time.

Hope you all have a warm wonderful weekend.

Dogs Can Laugh too

2011-09-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

He's laughing at us...

I know he is

Just Horsin' Around

2011-09-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

I've always loved to ride. My brother and sister had horses when I was growing up. And then we went to the Grand Canyon one summer, I wanted my kids to learn how to ride before we rode the mules down the steep pathways. But once my daughter took lessons, she was hooked.

Finally, we got two horses of our own. Mine was Robin and hers was Lesa. We spent many hours riding together out on the trails.

She enjoyed it so much she wanted to do a couple horse shows. So, she did.

But we couldn't afford the fancy show clothes or silver for our horse gear. So we did the best we could. We color coordinated her clothes. She wore a baseball cap and a bright yellow vest and boots.
People loved to go riding with her and she even taught a couple of her friends to ride.

Even her little cousin learned to ride on Robin

Then Kara went to high school and varsity basketball took over her life for the next eight years. We couldn't go riding every other day and the horses were lonely. So, we tried to find them both a good home.

Sometimes I really missing riding out in the woods and feeling the wind blow through my hair. Those were the "good old days".