Saturday Morning Peek

Do you make to do lists? 

I do.

Mostly my to do lists are made in my black leather journal or electronically though Outlook for my smartphone records. 

A few Friday nights ago I sat down to write out my to do list for the weekend on a scrap of paper that followed me around all weekend.   

Because of the snow and ice, Pamela packed her gym bag in her daughter's Princess backpack as this was what she had with her this fine Saturday, January 21st.   

My thoughts are to embrace it.  Each one of us is a princess. Girly and sparkly fit her personality too.  In case you are wondering, she totally rocked it.     

Naturally my gym bag is gender neutral versus being representative of a princess. I assure you from the inside out, it holds princess, girly items.  

Really.  It does. 

Yup, there's Lucky checking it out. 

She's inquistive like that. 

You would think she is all about the snacks laying on top of the bag but nope, she is all about the swimsuit and boy shorts in the bag.  She has a thing for chlorine and salt water. 

When I say thing, I mean THING.  Like let me devour you thing.  If I don't hide the swimsuit she is bound to get a hold of it and suckle it until I wash it.  She will also attack me if I have not showered the smell away upon my return from the pool.  

Crazy kitteh.

As some of you may want to know what snacks are on top of the bag, here's a closer view.

I ate the apple and the cinnamon crunch bar.  I introduced Kari to the veggie straws.   

Sadly, I have not booked my brow appointment.  I might need to really get on that soon before the strays take over. 

Peace, Love, Laughter.  xOxO, Mo

Butternut . . . Butter Your Nut

I was planning on making a batch of butternut squash soup to warm my tummy on the freezing cold, snowy night known as January 19th. 

As soon as I knew my friend Pamela, her husband and kids were trekking over on foot, giving new meaning to 1.9 miles in the dark, snow, uphill, through the woods and to Mo's house we go, I knew a big batch was needed versus just enough for me for the next few days. 

Sadly, I didn't have the right kind of apples on hand, used chicken stock versus veggie broth, chopped up a red onion versus a vidalia, didn't add more butternut squash to compensate for the honey crisp sweetness, and topped it with cinnamon versus nutmeg. 

Hey, it was a winter storm - use what I have on hand soup - versus follow the recipe to a T.  It was comforting and filling nonetheless. 

Look at the goodness simmering on the stove. 

Looks like mush at this stage of the game.

Have I recently declared my love for this kitchen gadget?   

I love, love, LOVE it. 

I use it for my fiber in the AM, for smoothies, to puree, etc..

I use it once a day, if not more. I used to have the magic bullet but when it bit the dust on me a few years ago, I switched to this version.

Well worth the $29.99 plus tax in my opinion.

Scrum! 

 

The recipe, should you desire to make it yourself, is Weight Watchers friendly.  1 point friendly!

 

Ingredients

4 cups vegetable broth

12 oz uncooked butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1 to 1 1/2 inch cubes (or use frozen, cubed squash)

1/2 large uncooked vidalia onion, cut into 2 inch cubes

1/2 small fresh apple, peeled and cut into 2 inch cubes

1/4 tsp table salt, or to taste

1/2 tsp black pepper, or to taste

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg, or to taste

 

Instructions

In a large stock pot, combine broth, squash, onion and apple. 

Cover pot and bring to a boil over high heat. 

Uncover pot and reduce heat to low. 

Gently simmer until squash is very tender, about 10 minutes.

 

Puree soup in pot using an immersion blender or puree in a regular blender in batches. 

 

Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

 

Serve. 

 

Yields about 1/2 cup per serving. 

 

Scrum!

 

Peace, Love, and Laughter.  xOxO, Mo

SnOMG

Now that all the hoopla has passed about snowmaggedon, I'll share pictures from the days in which western Washington was pounded with snow, which then turned into freezing rain/sleet, which then made everything slick like an ice rink, followed by trees snapping from the weight of the snow and ice, which took us straight into a wind storm which led to power outages, which led to an impromptu party of sorts at my house. 

It's all connected people!

 

Above is a view from my office/craft window on day 2. 

All the pictures are from day 2 and 3. 

Below are from my balcony patio off of the living room. 

Luckily none of my trees snapped from the elements nor did I lose power.  We did have a period of time in which the sewage system was thought to be frozen however.

Minor snow and ice buildup compared to other areas in the hood. 

More snow fell than this when all was said and done. 

Hello ice rink day 3.  Every surface was coated with ice.

This is a color shot.  I know it may be hard to believe but 'tis true.  That was the color of our sky for a days on end. 

This tree doesn't lean this way on a normal day. 

Living in a winter wonderland. 

Peace, Love, Laughter.  xOxo, Mo

Desk Abstract

My constant desk/office companions have grown.

On top, Brown Betty.  It really appeals to my "green" side and rolling documentation needs by having the insert be refillable versus hardbound.  I use it for work related conversations, voice mails, to do, outgoing calls, etc.. It's pretty much a catch all for me and even in the technological age in which we live, I can't imagine my life without Brown Betty by my side.  I heart it so much I have a black one for personal use. 

Next is my latest best friend, which is a 947 page book on all things Office 2010.  I also have a 1114 page book just for Excel 2010.  I know you are envious. 

Below this is a padded clipboard with a legal pad of paper.  It's called a fashion clipboard in the stores.  You wouldn't expect anything less from me would you?  I didn't think so.  When analysis and documentation call for old school pencil and paper from time to time, why not  have a pretty clipboard, especially when you are able to find it on sale like I did for less than $2.00?

Rounding out the bottom is a leather covered notebook in which there are contact lists, geographical map information, a calendar -- you know some of the essentials you might need to in a jiffy -- encased in moveable plastic folder pocket dividers.  It also has paper to write on and the coolest part of this customizable system by arc is you can move the sheets around in the binder without the bulkiness of a 3 ring binder.

That's just what's on top of the desk.  Let's not even get started for what I carry in my briefcase when I'm on the road. 

Ok, ok.  Maybe I will do that one day but not today. 

Peace, Love, Laughter. xOxO, Mo   

Living in a Winter Wonderland

Current weather conditions in my neck of the woods is
28 degrees

Feels like 25 degrees

High is forecasted to be 31

Low is forecasted to be 28

The winds are 11 mph NNE

Dewpoint is 27°

Sunrise was at 7:50 AM

Humidity is 93%

Sunset is at 4:49 PM

Visibility is 1 mile

UV index 0

In the last hour, 0.06 precipitation was measured

A nice, fluffy powder type of snow is falling right this minute. 

It sure is pretty to look at outside my window, with a cup of coffee in hand and slipper socks on my feet. 

Telecommunting was an obvious choice today. 

Back in the day I would be hankering to hit the slopes but my bum knee tells me otherwise these days. 2 surgeries is one too many. 

Peace, Love, Laughter.  xOxO, Mo

On the Menu

It's my turn to host one of my book club meeting of the minds. I belong to two book clubs.  Both are great with different selections and wonderful ladies I enjoy sharing life with.   

I chose The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  The book intrigues me and I figured for the new year, why not see if anything resonates with us. 

It's supposed to be cold with the chance of snow on Sunday in these parts.  Duh.  It is January after all. 

When I sat down to menu plan I wanted to select healthy comfort food that would stick to your ribs and warm you from the inside out. 

I hope what I've selected appeals to the group. 

On the menu
Lots of fruits and veggies for nibbling
Mini lean turkey meatloaf
Beef in a bucket - you choose how you want to nom on the tri tip goodness
Fresh lime and black bean soup
Polenta style corn casserole
Bell pepper nachos

One friend is bringing a delicious dipping sauce for the veggies and another a hearty chili. 

Should make for a great Sunday afternoon with the girls! 

Peace, Love, Laughter.  xOxo, Mo

13 on the 13th

Starting something new. 

On the 13th of each month I will post random facts about me, things I am grateful for, ponderings . . . whatever thought comes to mind first when I sit down at the computer. 

Bringing the tag line of the "Welcome to Me" to life for all to see. 

1.  Thankful for the nourishment the bowl of oatmeal just provided.  Even though it was somewhat of a let down taste wise, at least I am blessed to wake from my bed, walk to my kitchen, and have food in the pantry.  None of that should be taken for granted since many in the world don't have the same.

2.  Treadmill, yoga, or weights today.  Maybe a combo of two but moving is on the agenda for sure.

3.  This vacation day is full of personal to dos - shopping, cleaning, visit to the DMV, filing, maybe cleaning out of a closet.  I wonder how much I can squeeze into a day full of promise. 

4. Found out from a friend, who was gracious enough to take the time to snap a picture and text it to me, all Paper Zones are closing.  Everything is on sale.  Do I dip into the crafty budget and stock up or be a good girl and resist the urge?

5.  Speaking of paper, I need to make time to bust out a few Happy 2012 cards and design this years' V Day love in the mail cards.

6.  It's cold but oh so pretty outside right now.  The world is screaming come out and play in me.

7.   I want to go out and play but I have tons to do.  An unorganized home makes me less happy inside and efficient. 

8.  My cat . . .she's awesome. I'm glad she picked me. 

9.  "Everything Counts" by Depeche Mode just came on random play.  I heart that song and the memories associated with it. 

10.  They say scent is the strongest recall.  I agree with this and also think music is right up there as being the strongest recall.  I hear a song and boom, I'm transported back in time. 

11.  Speaking of back in time, I was struck with the thought of live life forward last night.  You know the voice inside of you that whispers, then talks, and lastly beats you upside the head until you hear AND listen to what it is saying to you?  Well you may not have a voice like that but I do.  I heard it speak loud and clear last night.  Live.  Life.  Forward.   

12.  I am currently reading more non fiction books than fiction.  Inspiration and learnings abound. 

13.  Time to get this day started! 

Peace, Love, Laughter.  xOXo, Mo