Five Simple Things (December 15)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. These plates.

We found these two plates at our local co-op this week. They are part of the Chad Barrett collection.

2. This lighting.

We finished the lighting of the Menorah this week and ended Hanukkah. We love being able to share this little light of mine with everyone that sees the Menorah in our window.

3. This daytrip.

We took a daytrip to Green Peter Dam. The dam was built in 1967 and generates hydroelectricity, as well as helps regulate water to prevent flooding. The Santiam River that it regulates has been rising due to all of the rain that's been falling lately, so seeing it firsthand it was no surprise how muddy the waters were.

4. This building.

I love walking through the Oregon State University campus and exploring all of the history and historic buildings. This one pictured is one of my favorites and it has such a rich history and OSU has taken great care of her. It was build in 1902 and designed by architect Charles Burggraf, who passed away in 1942. A lot of his building designs are registered on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. This building is named after Joyce Collin Furman who was an education advocate.

5. This park.

 

Hardy is getting older, but still has his puppy spunk. We took him to one of the local dog parks to get out some of his pent-up energy. Skylar ran around with him and did some tricks. A lot of times I don't like to take my phone out and just enjoy the moment. Hardy had a great time and he ended up sleeping on the way home. Him's a good boy!☺

One last thing:

Oh, my!

Positive affirmations this week:

Several years ago I was called, "a shitty person" by someone that wasn't even related to me, but was currently dating a member of the family. At the time it was said to me I mulled it over for days wondering why she would have said that. But at the time, I didn't realize that what she said wasn't even about me at all. It came from her own insecurities and misguided images of herself. After years of therapy over other mental health issues, I can now say that I feel sorry for her. I've had other things said to me that have hurt and each time I think, how sad of them to feel that way about themselves enough to say things like that. Of course, as we grow up we all say things that we shouldn't, but as we become adults, sadly a lot of people never grow as people and come out of that mental place. A lot of people speak ill of others out of their own hurt. I feel things have gotten worse for these people mentally because they can't seem to find a happy balance with their own pain, hurt, or trauma. And unfortunately, they are miserable. The next time someone says something that hurts, remember, it's coming from a place of hurt within them and is projection. Although, I don't see this person that called me "a shitty person," as one herself, but I do see why it was easy for her to say such hurtful things to someone else. I do wish her the best, because living a life where you are always chasing your own happiness in others, has to be a hard life to live. Remember this the next time someone projects their own pain onto you through words. You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Five Simple Things (December 8)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. These Danishes.

I experimented this week with making homemade cheese Danishes. I used ready-made croissant dough and worked with cream cheese and powdered sugar to our taste and baked them from the time on the dough packaging. The top drizzle I used a simple white icing recipe of powdered sugar and milk. They were good and definitely will be something I repeat again soon.

2. This light.

We lit the first candle for Hanukkah this week (December 7). We always let Skylar light the candles and spend the first night celebrating as a family without screens, or phones.

3. This bus.

No Rain the Bus goals!

4. This growth.

After the 2020 wildfires here in the Willamette Valley I was worried about a lot of my plants not making it. We lost some longtime plants and trees that we are still upset about to this day. One being our beloved Crabapple Tree that we tried to move during the fires and one of the main roots got damaged and it ultimately died. That one still hurts, because the spring before it bloomed beautiful pink and white blooms and was showing us all its colors. I will mourn that tree until the end of my days. But, our ornamental grasses have slowly been making a comeback. This one already has shown it's green and white blades and I was so happy to see it this week making a slow, but strong comeback. This is 'Cabaret' Miscanthus, for the curious.

5. This lighting..

The second candle lighting happened on December 8 this week.

One last thing:

Would you pass or fail the shopping cart test. I will always pass this test no matter where or what store I'm at. It's a habit to always do the right things, even when no one is watching. What you do when no one is around to see you, is a taste of your own character. I have seen even family members fail this test. Having and taking pride in yourself is the most important step in being a good person. Kindness and humility are free, you just have to want to change and be a good person.

Positive affirmations this week:

Foods that help with the "blues."

•Berries (frozen): polyphenols, fiber; Improves digestion and gut health, boosts mental health, reduced inflammation.

•Fermented Foods: high in probiotics and beneficial bacteria; Immune support, improvement of gut microbiota.

•Dark, Leafy Greens (kale, collards, etc.): fiber, vitamin K1, calcium; Cognitive health, immune support, reduced risk of osteoporosis, and heart disease.

•Fatty Cold-Water Fish (salmon, sardines, herring, etc.): healthy fats (EFA), protein, vitamin D; Immune support.

•Pumpkin Seeds, Dark Chocolate, Avocados: magnesium, healthy fats; Nervous system regulation, could improve sleep.

•Vitamin D-fortified foods, UV-treated Mushrooms: vitamin D; Improved calcium absorption, immune support.

Have a nice weekend.

End of November 2023

 

Five Simple Things (December 1)

 Hello.

Here are five things this week.

1. This sunset.

The sunset this week has been such a pretty sight to see. I love the skies the most here living on the west coast.

2. This progress.

Getting a little stronger. Hoping to continue this progress. And that's just it, it's about progress not perfection.

3. These items.

We went to a small country fair this week and these handmade "weed" keychains were being sold by a vendor. They are handmade and the man that created them was so happy to talk about them. We didn't buy one, but we did stand there and listen to how he build his business from the ground up and it was really inspiring. We wish him all the luck with his small business goals.

4. This drink.

Homemade root beer experiments coming along.

5. This car.

We saw this Betty White window cling and wiper image in the parking lot of a store. The lady came out while we were taking a picture of it and turned it on for us to see it "wave." Betty White was one of a kind and it's nice to see things like this to remind us of the good people that we once shared this planet with.

One last thing:

We have raccoons that live in the tree behind our house and Eleven likes to sit and stalk them. We saw this week that there were babies with them mama and Eleven watched every step they took, but left them along. It was cute to watch their wide eyes wondering what Eleven was and they seemed like they were as curious of her and she was of them.

Positive affirmations this week:

It takes everyone to reduce the stigma, and never ever be discouraged to talk about what you're dealing with or going through. You are enough! And, you shouldn't ever be afraid, ashamed, or even unworthy to reach out. You can do this!🌈

Have a nice weekend.

Thanksgiving (2023)

For the last two years I have been cooking and baking everything from scratch on Thanksgiving. I hate cooking, and only enjoy baking a little throughout the year. On Thanksgiving, though, I enjoy prepping and cooking from Monday until Thursday. It's the only day of the year I actually enjoy it.

Cranberries are always an easy one and I like to get those done on Monday.

Mashed potatoes with paprika on top. All of these get covered and put in our wine refrigerator.

 

Pumpkin pies, and Belvoir Elderflower Lemonade I found at Whole Foods. It was delicious! I will definitely be looking for this each time I go into Whole Foods.

Skylar helped me a lot this year. Last year he was working, but since he has been getting ready for college, he has been home to help me with a lot of the "heavy lifting." He helped me with the mashed potatoes and the sweet potatoes. And of course, Hardy is always right there where the food is.☺

Costco had a large bag of onions and it was a better deal for the amount of stuffing I make. Plus, the leftover onions we always like to sauté onions and have them with lunch or dinner.

Nothing is better than homemade apple pie. Be sure to use Granny Smith apples with cinnamon. It always makes the pie taste so much better. The apple peeler I use I've had for years, but I wouldn't use any other one. It peels and cores it all with the crank of a handle. It also works great for potatoes, too.

Homemade biscuits. These have yeast in them, but I am not afraid of using yeast. I have been interesting in sourdough, but I haven't played around with it yet. Maybe one of these days I will get brave and give it a shot.

I also made spiral ham, brown gravy, roasted carrots, deviled eggs, stuffed celery, black olives, baby dill pickles, baked green beans with bacon bits, corn. We always cook and bake with organic ingredients. It was a full spread that we ate on all day and again for three days. Thanksgiving in our house is always a good time to rest, reflect, and give thanks for all the wonderful things we had come our way throughout the year. We always take the time to say the things we are thankful for and also use this time to reflect on things we can make better.

Happy Thanksgiving, from our house to yours!