August 2008

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Way back in January, I participated in Superhero Journal’s Mondo Beyondo, a way to release 2007 and set some positive intentions for 2008.

I had completely forgotten about (or so I thought) until I saw Andrea’s post about it on August 18th.  I jotted down a little note to revisit my intentions.  When I finally got around to checking the file on my lap-top, I was both pleased and surprised, as this is what I wrote:

This is the year of the novel, positivity, radiant health, and well being!!

Without really thinking about it, I have done just that.  I finished my novel back in March, done several revisions, and have submitted it to two publishers.  One rejected me, the other, who knows?  It is too soon to tell.

Positivity – I am seeking it out in myself and others more and more often.  When a negative thought arises, I make a mental note and turn it around.  I also find myself seeing positive aspects in formerly negative situations.  It feels wonderful to have a new perspective.

Radiant health and well being – Though I was pretty fit in January, I have had several nagging health issues for the past eight years.  I took charge by commencing an anti-inflammation diet/cleanse three weeks ago.  I’ve got five more to go, and then plan on making only a few modifications.  This is a change for life.  It is challenging at times, but I know the benefits will outweigh any discomfort that I feel now.  Besides, this is about really being healthy and treating my body like a temple.  Why should eating food that makes me sick be more comfortable than true love and nourishment? 

To add on to that, I have also declared to exercise for at least forty minutes, six days a week.  This part has been so much fun (there’s the positivity again).  I had an injury that kept me from my usual yoga and rowing practices for a while, so I had to find some replacements.  I chose a Nia class at my local community center twice a week – oh my goodness, awesome – and, thanks to a tip from my friend Sarah, the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred.  Both have me moving in ways I don’t normally and seeing my body in a new light.  What’s more, I now have more variety in my exercise routine – Nia, yoga, rowing, Jillian, walking, biking, all GOOD!

I think of myself like the Clerodendrum above.  There are a few flowers open and smelling wonderfully fragrant.  The rest are patiently receiving nourishment from the sun and rain, waiting for the right moment before blossoming into their full glory.

Do you recall the heat I wrote about the other day?  It was, “Hot, damn hot!  Crotch-pot cookin’ hot!” weather.  Remember who said that and in what movie?  I’ll tell you at the end.  The heat literally gave me a fever, had me spread out on the sofa with a fan in front of me, bemoaning global warming, watching bad telelvsion, and the Richard Donner cut of Superman II.  I highly recommend it, as it is not just one of those, ooh we added a little speck of color over there in the corner, so it is a new and exciting cut.  The story is different, as in, they never go to Paris or the Eiffel Tower, among other things.  Watch it!

Anyway, rather than being crabby and unproductive the entire time, the hubby and I got smart and retreated to the cool of the basement and the nifty craft room he made for me.  Good golly, what would we do without this space?  It was bliss down there, me sewing, Gregory doing something very technical on his lap top (I rarely understand), all while listening to my favorite stitching soundtrack.

These slippers are what I made.  Aren’t they cute?  I used a felted wool blanket that I bought at the Goodwill last year.  You can also see that I took advantage of one of those fancy stitches on my machine, as well.  Too bad I’m not like Bernie Mac and don’t like people I don’t know touching my feet, cause those toes aren’t the prettiest sight.

Back to the slippers – The bias tape is a double fold iron on style that I bought at the Fabric Depot outdoor sale.  I used some pleather on the bottom, along with two layers of the felted blanket.    They are pretty floppy, so when I make some for Gregory, I think I’ll add some Timtex or something to firm them up.  Considering I had no pattern and had never made a slipper before, I’m pretty pleased.

It’s cool here now, so I can actually wear them without sweating up a storm.  As for the quotation, it is Robin Williams in Good Morning Vietnam. 

Have a wonderful day…

 

African Kelli asked what my favorite cookie is, and though I certainly do appreciate a gingersnap (her #1), particularly a spicy one, my current love has got to be my Triple Threat Peanut Butter cookies.  Man are they yummy!  My husband would prefer me replacing the peanut butter chips with chocolate ones, but then they wouldn’t be a triple threat, and a double threat cookie with chocolate doesn’t have that ring, you know?

I am posting this silly picture of me playing Guitar Hero (I am TERRIBLE!), along with my friends Jeff and Rena, rather than one of a mouth watering plate of cookies because I am on a cleanse/anti-inflammation diet, and, sadly, there are no cookies allowed and no peanuts either.  So, just know that this is the kind of smile produced while eating this yummy bit of goodness.

Enjoy!

3/4 butter, softened

1/2 cup natural peanut butter (unsweetened) – my all time favorite is Maranatha

1 cup sugar

1/2  t molasses

1 t baking powder

1/2 t baking soda

2 eggs

2 t vanilla

1 c flour

1/4 c whole wheat flour

2 c rolled oats

1/2 c chopped cocktail peanuts

1/2 c peanut butter chips (or chocolate if you don’t want a triple threat)

Mix butter and peanut butter on medium speed until combined.  Add sugar, molasses, baking powder, and baking soda.  Beat until combined.  Beat in eggs and vanilla until combined.  Mix in flour by hand.  Stir in oats, peanuts, and the chip of your choice.

Drop dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake at 375 for 8-12 minutes, until edges are lightly browned.  Carefully transfer to a wire rack (they fall apart easily when warm).

Eat up!

My dear friend Bridget came home yesterday, after a two week vacation in California.  As we are movie buddies, hitting the Academy Theater together about every other week, I was itching to go.  Luckily, there was something we wanted to see, after a very unfortunate dry spell of lack-luster summer movies.

Since her house is on the way to the theater, I always drive, and so, I began to follow my usual route.  It was an awfully hot day for Portlanders, 101 degrees, which I think changed the physics of the neighborhood somehow, or maybe it was just the music.   I was playing a beautiful Andrew Bird song called Yawny at the Apocalypse, and felt, well, different, dreamy.  Darkness was coming on quickly, yet the notes of the song seemed to prolong those last minutes of twilight, and I was acutely aware of all that was happening around me.

The handsome grey-haired man riding his bicycle, back light blinking to the beat of my heart.  The sound of the Mini passing the myriad parked cars.  The old man, back bent, eager to keep pace with his little dog.  More cyclists riding silently, almost floating down 52nd.  The world was slow and hot – the impending darkness bringing no relief from the fiery day.  I arrived at Bridget’s and realized that the strange light from the heat made everything appear slightly blurred and soft – beautiful.  It was idyllic and magical and lovely.  We drove on, enjoying each other’s company after our long absence, eager to sit in a cool theater and enter another world.

The world we entered, that of The Fall, was a perfect match for the evening.  It was an epic and surreal tale of how broken people become whole again – through story telling, friendship, and ultimately love.  The cinematography was exquisitely beautiful – vibrant colors and intimate camera angles, painting a portrait that will reside in me for a long, long time.  The cherry on top of a perfectly hot day.

 

Top Ten

The other day, I mentioned how cleaning bugs out of ceiling fixtures was not on my top ten list of things to do, which got me wondering what really is on that list.  Here, with very little fanfare, is the run down.  I have not put them into a numerical order because, fussy girl that I am, it really depends on the day. 

* Spending time with my dear, sweet husband.

* Reading – books, magazines, blogs, newspapers, the occasional cereal box.

* Writing – my book, this blog, a note to a loved one, I like that creative time in my head.

* Watching movies – though I am fussy, only liking Colleen-style good movies like Drugstore Cowboy, The Natural, Amelie, and more!

* Spending time with friends, family, and the kitty cats

* Exploring – my neighborhood, Portland, the glorious U.S.A., the world.  The picture is from last summer’s adventure at the Hameau le Roux in Lussan, France.

* Home keeping – I like it clean, tidy, and good looking!

* Cooking and Eating – sorry, a tie.  If I cook it, I want to eat it!  Me want food!

* Learning – I am curious as all get out and love, love, love to keep my brain energized.

* Exercising – Yoga, rowing, Nia, walking, biking, the eight minute variety…

What is on your list?

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