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Monday, November 29, 2010

Simple Gifts of Love & Gratitude

Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving.

Kahlil Gibran

This morning as  I piled the kids in the car we saw the most amazing sunrise. I ran back in the house to grab my camera and snapped a few photos of nature's brilliance.

I returned home and pulled the Jeep up to the house as my husband was leaving for work and told him to take it since it was nice and warmed up with a full tank of gas. Three minutes later he called me and told me to go outside and look at the sunrise. I smiled and told him I had already seen it and taken photos.

This was a gift to me this morning. It made me happy to think that we both took time to give simple gifts of love to each other - a warm car, the beauty of a winter sunrise, a phone call. For this I am most grateful.

In the hustle and bustle of this holiday season, let's make sure to remember what's most important, making others feel loved and appreciated.
I challenge you to do something everyday until Christmas to make someone's day better. Let me know what you did and what happened.
Shine your light,
kathy

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Grilled Turkey, Cranberry & Brie

I'm already into the cranberries! After dashing around all morning getting the groceries for Thanksgiving here at the ranch, I came home so hungry. At Trader Joe's I bought a tub of cranberry/orange relish that I was going to add to a pot of fresh cranberries I will soon make. I also bought a wedge of creamy French Brie as part of a cheese plate to start things with on Thursday.

I just couldn't resist. I have a thing for turkey and cranberry sandwiches. My T & C recipe post from last year is here. Today I wanted something warm and melty. This is what was created. It was just what I hoped for and worth another trip to the store.

Grilled Turkey, Cranberry, & Brie:
Good Bread, buttered
Pulled Turkey (chicken works too)
Brie Cheese
Cranberry Relish - I used Trader Joe's
Crunchy Iceberg Lettuce or Watercress

On a warm buttered griddle, panini maker, or pan place buttered bread. Add cheese on both pieces. Top with turkey, cranberry relish, and crisp greens. After bread is toasty put two pieces together and toast until cheese is gooey.
Slice and enjoy!
Happy Thanksgiving!

Monday, November 15, 2010

My new yoga project

When we are motivated by goals that have deep meaning, by dreams that need completion, by pure love that needs expressing, then we truly live." - Greg Anderson

This week I was asked to lead a yoga session at a downtown business conference with a theme of *Revive*Reinvent*Renergize!

They needed a Bio of me and a website. This made me get my creative juices flowing and this is what I created.

I am excited to share my passion for yoga and develop more ways to communicate my enthusiasm. Saying "yes" to this conference was really stepping outside my comfort zone. I will report how it goes on Wednesday.
Namaste,
kathy

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Ear Piercing Extravaganza

Mimi & Girls at The Piercing Pagoda
My daughter has been asking to get her hears pierced for a long time. She turned seven this week so I decided it was time.
I was nine and thought I had to wait too long. I remember that day like it was yesterday. It was 1979 and my mom drove me in the cherry red & wood paneled station wagon to a store called Ayr-Way (now Target). It was a thrilling experience to sit in the special chair and feeling the sting of the staple-gun contraption piercing the gold balls in my ears.  My little sister watched in awe as well.

Fast forward to 2010. My daughter and I drive an hour to a fancy mega-mall to meet my mom, my sister and her seven year old daughter. Our daughters are so very close and love to experience life together.

My mom arrived first to scout out our options. We were thinking Claire's Boutique was the place but it was crowded with only one teenage girl working. In front of Claire's, my mom discovered The Piercing Pagoda where you buy the earrings and get piercing for free. It was clean, quiet and a sweet woman was working there. The girls picked out sparkling flowers with gold posts.

My daughter "Phoebe Fireball" went first. My mom, sister, and I hovered like mother hens making sure the dots were in the center of her lobes. I held one hand and "Sweet Lee-Lee" held the other. "Click" went the piercing gun and Phoebe's eyes got wide with shock and pain as she fought back tears to be brave and strong. We cheered. Click went the other sparkling purple flower. It was done. She was thrilled and gazed proudly at her red lobes that sparkled.

Lee-Lee went next. Same mother/grandmother/aunt hovering. Her lobes were smaller so we had to have the nice lady re-do the dots a few times. Lib and Phoebe held her hands. Click! Lee-Lee felt the pain and the tears rolled down her cheeks. We cheered her on. Click again as the final pink flower pierced her ear. Done. Hooray!




They stood together looking at each other proudly and then gazed into the mirror. A special time they will always remember. They did it together.

After all the energy it took out of us we decided to end the excitement with lunch at the food court. A fun girls day for all!
Lee-Lee & Phoebe with sparkling earrings!