Crafty Ideas

I've been combating my stress with paper, glue, wire and fabric. For more information, check out Living with Scissors.

My Food History

I love food and am a big believer that what we eat directly influences our health. A Little glimpse of my food history, I grew up on the East Coast eating rich, calorie laden foods and lots of junk food. Vegetables were mainly corn, carrots, baked potatoes, and cole slaw. The food tasted great, but perhaps was not the best for me.

I moved to Seattle in my twenties and became a vegetarian (sometimes Vegan). It was easy to eat healthy in Seattle and even though I was still overweight, a vegetarian diet and daily 3 mile walks left me in some of the best health I have experienced.

Fast forward to grad school in Michigan, my vegetarian diet is comprised mainly of Captain Crunch cereal and chick peas. My hair falls out, I look sick all the time and I feel terrible. I eventually start eating meat, but only manage to make myself sick.

Back in Seattle and many years later, I eat pretty well, fresh vegetables, lots of organics, meat, fish and tofu. I cook often and love to experiment with food. I am not at the optimum health place I was at in my twenties, but I have some good ideas of how I can get there.

And finally to my point, I sometimes wonder where I would be if I learned to eat healthy from day one. That is why I am so excited to see that Michelle Obama is such an advocate for healthy eating. From the New York Times: Michelle Obama's Agenda Includes Healthful Eating

Mon Petit Chou

One of my goals is to learn to speak French. I love the French, I love France and I love French. You could say anything in French and it sounds just lovely. For instance, votre chien a uriné sur le tapis sounds so nice when in fact it means your dog has urinated on the carpet. I am so happy to have found the French Word of a Day widget.

Spring is Late...

Today is generally the last frost date for the Seattle area, however, today it snowed. I am guessing frost is still a definite possibility. The picture below is our backyard two years ago during the same week. When Spring finally does come, it better be %(@#$&% spectacular...

Hope in a Jar..

I wish they sold hope in a jar, like peanut butter or face cream. I would spread it on bread or slather it on my face whenever life seemed grim. I don’t need a case, just one jar…To be honest; all I really need is a spoonful now and then when my natural reserves are depleted.

You know you need spring to come when...

Today at lunch, sun spread across the cafeteria table and I had to physically fight the urge to crawl on top of the table and stretch out on the warm sunny spot, like a cat.

99 Things

Saw this here and thought I'd play along....

Here are the rules: Bold the things you’ve done and post on your blog!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii - attended two quarters of college there
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea.
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France 20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling - snorkeling in Hawaii
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Got a tattoo
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Amazing Video, Beautiful Song

Check it out here.

Portland in Pictures

Still refreshed from my mini break, spent Friday and Saturday in Portland, Or. Stayed at the Nines, attended the Yard and Patio Show, Saturday Craft Market and Walked the Pearl...