STRESS

I am "the glass is half full kinda girl"(mantra for the day).
This was sent to me and I think it is worthy of my blog! Enjoy!

A lecturer when explaining stress management to an audience,Raised a glass of water and asked;'How heavy is this glass of water?'Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g. The lecturer replied, 'The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.
He continued,'And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on. ''As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden.
''So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can. So, my friend, Put down anything that may be a burden to you right now. Don't pick it up again until after you've rested a while.

Here are some great ways of dealing with the burdens of life:
* Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.
* Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
* Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be"Recalled" by their maker.
* If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
* If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
* It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to be kind to others.
* Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
* Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.
* When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.
* Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.
* We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.
*A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery
on a detour.

So many well wishers!!

I had a great response on all fronts from terrific people. Today was a better day for her and I appreciate all of wonderful advise! It is so good to know when I toss up my hands, there is someone to throw me a life vest or at least some little orange floaties!

Mantra:

I am proud to be an American!

Freedom of speech allows us to do so much! The pen truly is mightier than the sword!

Also watch for some changes in the next week. I have a pro working with me on the Blog! I will be at the rodeo so it might be a night or two before I resume in the blogishpere!

Bullying, Pumpkin Butter & That beast of a machine!

Ok really quick. I have pumpkin butter on the stove right now! The aroma in this house is awesome! Pretty much the same as the apple butter. I bought 2 small Pie pumpkins from a 'lil "punkin" at the farmer's market and I pretty much made it the same way but watched it closer. It does like to stick.

Our girl came home today totally devastated. Some jerky boys at school decided to single this beautiful girl out and say some very unpleasant things. What should I do? Input please!

Mantra:

People Suck!!

Oh, and the sewing machine? I figured out the issue... it is possessed!!

Please send someone to exercise it!

Foreheads!!

I had a friend bring it to my attention that the pic here at the left is somewhat, well, makes my poor hubby's forehead appear tiny. I laughed out loud. Out loud I tell ya! I will have to change it, he does complain about this pic.

Thanks to my friend I began to think of my own forehead and being over 40, thought perhaps I should hide mine. So I am thinking bangs? Any input? I have a round face, so maybe not a bad idea.

Here is today's dose of "B.S.", 2 words:

Kanye West

Was he just upset he did not get enough face time on the show? Whatever the reasons he had, no one has the right to do that to another! Beyonce was such an awesome woman to let Taylor finish. That's what real class looks like! Real class!!

Ok, another recipe, and yes it does involve apple butter. It is so simple!

Apple Butter Tart

Simply make a crust, like you would for lemon bars in a greased 13x9 pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Take a 12 oz. jar of apple butter and spread on the hot crust, pop back into the oven 'til bubbly. Let cool. Serve with vanilla ice cream. WHOA!

One last thing, I will be adding pics all over the place once i figure out how!

Mantra:

Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

And so it begins...

I started this blog a while back and then went on hiatus. I am back.

Facebook is nice but I just can't really get all of the feeling out. Just little blurbs are not enough. I got a stuff to say and I hope you will throw back your opinions as well. This site will grow and and become something useful and exciting as long as you add your input. I have opinions as do all of you, so let's hear 'em people!!

Here we go:

I will let you in on a bit of a secret. I collect mantras. You know... the things we all say to ourselves when we are stressed out or need to take a moment just to breathe. You know what I'm talking about. A chant, a sentence to soothe A MANTRA! Oh and not just mantras but clever on liners or any philosophical dialogue. Love it!

One of my favs are "What doesn't kill me makes me stronger!" Yeah, that's a good one. Sometimes I feel like the universe is picking on me. I will stop for just a moment and think "What the Hell?" Yes, another mantra I suppose and forgive the strong word, but I do feel that intense burst of anger at times. There are strange things ahappenin', I suppose we must be tested otherwise how will we ever know how strong we truly are.

Here's to another week make it a good one and make a difference!

What am I gonna do with all of this dagum apple butter?

Our gigantic apple tree out back has blessed us with a bounty of apples! I have made and imagined many recipes for all of these apple. I do not know what kind of apples they are. They are crimson red and green. Very tart and firm. Just wonderful! I thought I would share the art and wonder of the best apple butter you will ever taste. The crock pot one is easy but if you want something really grand you gotta work for it baby! So go for the old fashioned one. In this recipe you may think I missed a critical step. To peel and core the apples. Well I didn't and I don't. That's right! Everyone into the pool! Also I try to thin out the apples a bit early in the season, when they are small and all green, like at least a month before they are really ready to be picked. These are awesome for apple butter and I wont be feeling that nagging guilt by just chucking them straight to the compost bin. Enjoy!

Melody Apple Butter 2 ways

In the crock pot:

INGREDIENTS
5 1/2 pounds apples - peeled, cored and finely chopped
4 C sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ Teaspoons Nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS
Place apples in a slow cooker. Combine sugar, cinnamon, cloves and salt; pour over apples and mix well. Cover and cook on high for 1 hour. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook for 9-11 hours or until thickened and dark brown, stirring occasionally (stir more frequently as it thickens to prevent sticking). Uncover and cook on low 1 hour longer. If desired, stir with a wire whisk until smooth. Spoon into freezer containers, leaving 1/2-in. headspace. Cover and refrigerate or freeze.

On the stove, my favorite!

INGREDIENTS
· Enough tart apples to fill a 20 quart Heavy stock pot at least half full
· Enough apple cider or apple juice to cover the apples
· 1 ½ C. Lemon Juice
· 10 – 12 C Sugar, depending how sweet you like it. Up to 1/3 can be brown sugar
· ½ -3/4 C Cinnamon
· 1 Tablespoon Cloves
· 1 Tablespoon Allspice
· 1 Tablespoon Nutmeg
· 1 tsp. Salt

DIRECTIONS

Wash apples and then quarter them. Cover with juice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 2 hours. Strain and force apples through a strainer (like one used for pasta) then force through mesh sieve. Now place apples and juices back into the pot. Add lemon juice and all sugar and spices. Bring to a slow boil then reduce heat to low. Let it cook on the stove for up to 3 hours, stirring occasionally to reduce and get a wonderful thick butter. Can pour into sterile jars and process for 25 minutes.

... now I have found new and much more improved hope. It lets me dare to think and dottle in wonderful places I have never been before.

I decided to stop sitting and waiting for things to get better. It made me so tired. So empty. I think I will take an adventure. Nothing too amazing but something definitely needed. Not like taking a holiday. No, that implies a temporary state. Something much more long term with a beginning and no end. I am happy in this new place I have found. I plan on staying indefinitely. I believe the rent is a very good deal. Only limited to my creativity.

I cannot wait to see what happens next!

Happy Halloween to all!

Park City

A Beautiful day out with the family. We got to spend time with our girl, Vanessa, and take some much needed family photos.

Yummy Sticky Popcorn

Here is a great treat! Melt a half stick of butter, yes the real stuff (you know... BUTTA!!), and a half bag of large marshmallows together. Pour over 2-3 bags of light microwave popcorn and toss in a half bag of M & M's. REALLY GOOD!! Got this from a "sweet" friend.

Have ya'all figured out I've got a thing for trailers?

Call this a rant or call it just anxiety.

Can anyone believe how unstable our economy has become in the last 6 months? How about the last 6 weeks? I am more than a little nervous. Anyone else? Anyone?

What are you doing for you and yours? If you are like us, you are feeling the crunch. What are you doing about it? Do you have any tips or savvy shopping tricks that you can share?

I do not fully agree with this particular talk show host, but he and I see eye to eye on some things. I will not give his name because I want you to read this transcript blurb and follow your own gut on this. Here is a hint, he has one of the top three radio talk shows in America. Read on, then see my comments that follow.

"I told you that values are what we have to reconnect with, time tested, time honored values, the things that weren't fashionable before. I thought a lot about my grandma's fruit cellar yesterday. People make fun of me for saying, oh, you're storing food? Why are you storing food? You're just one of those crazy people. Really? My grandma had a fruit cellar. Was she crazy? No, she could go to the store. You know, I grew up in a time when there were stores. Grandma still canned soup and fruit and food. She had different values and she knew what value was.

Does anybody else remember their mom going shopping and getting stuff in bigger sizes? Do you remember hearing the phrase, "You'll grow into it." As much as I hated it, our parents and our grandparents knew that life was about life.

Over the last year and a half people have made fun of me, and you can continue to. I mean, there's lots of reasons to make fun of me. Really, seriously. My family, you think you could be worse than my family? Please. You should hear my kids. People have said I'm a doomsday guy, Mr. Gloomy, you name it, "Oh, you're crazy." One of my highlights of the year is when I gave one of the most honest pieces of "Here's what you can do as a family." The most honest piece of advice I think I could give you and, oh, was it a joke. Still is. In the office, you should hear. Just last week, "Oh, really? Should I go buy some shoes?" I'm going to give the advice again because maybe this time it will carry a little bit more weight. If you have children, just remember your grandparents, remember your mom. If you have children and you know that they are going to grow out of their clothes and there are going to be sales, make you this promise. I can't promise you that we're going to have 1929 style Depression but I also can't promise you that our country will resemble what it is today ever again. I know you won't change. But I can promise you this. Your dollar is at its highest value because they are inflating the money. Inflation is coming. When people are putting their money into treasuries and they're saying I'll take zero gain in the next ten years, I'll take 3% gain over the next three years, when inflation that they report is running at 5%. Inflation probably now is 10%. People will lose anywhere from 2 to 7% on their money just to make sure it's safe. When that kind of stuff happens, you know you're in real, real trouble. You may not have any money to invest. You don't have to. Your investments won't return as much as inflation. So go to the store. You want to invest? Go to the store today. You see a sale? Today, tomorrow, this week, coming sales, you see a sale, you don't just buy it for this year. Buy it for next year. You know your kids are going to use shoes. Buy them for next year. It is an investment. Because inflation is coming. And if you think you can beat inflation, that's great. I don't think you can." (end quote)

So, how does that make you feel? It made me feel, well, not as prepared as I should be. I tried to make a mental list of things I do to try to prepare my family, things like stocking up on canned and dry goods while it is really on sale. By that I mean not the ordinary Wal-Mart special when everything"appears to be on sale". No, I'm talking about the cold hard sales, like case - lot sales, or bulk item sales. Last week I bought 2, 25lb. bags of sugar at the local ordinary store because the price was too good to pass up.

This is my point, I have to go to the store like everyone else except when I go I plan on buying extra whenever it is possible. I have a pantry like most folks and we have storage space in a guest room, so I store it all over. But the point is I store it! If the trucks stopped shipping tomorrow and you were trying to fight it out over the last can of soup at your local store, what then? How much do you have at home right now? How long could you live on what you have in your cupboards right this very minute? Does it give you a little knot in your gut? GOOD, go with that feeling! Start today. Buy a little extra every time you go. Be realistic too. Buy only what your family will eat, really eat. Canned food has a long shelf life as well as dry goods when stored properly.

What about water? I store it too, but I'm not as good at it as I should be. We drink soda and juice but I buy it in the sturdy 2 liter bottles, rinse them out and fill them with water. I put a as many as I could fit in my freezers. This helps the freezer not work as hard and saves electricity. The rest I store in the guest closet. Our local university did a testing on water stored in a 2 liter for various time periods. The only one that had a slight trace of bacteria is the one that was stored longer than 5 years! Can you believe that?

What about ordinary consumable needs, like toilet paper, shampoo, laundry soap, hand soap and sanitizer? Store bleach and Hydrogen peroxide for sanitizing purposes and it is cheap!! Cheap I tell you. Google the many uses of bleach or peroxide. Then there are "women's needs" and various needs a baby has that should be thought about. Baby shampoo can be used as a body cleanser for adults as well as children, it is gentle and needs very little water. Got pets? What about their food? Are their shots up to date? Are your shots up to date??

Anyway, back to the food. I found one nifty web site that is not affiliated with any particular entity. They have some great knowledge and be sure to check out the three month supply spread sheet. It is really helpful. A good place to start. Start with a good solid week's worth of food, then add to it until you have three months. What about emergency preparedness? The Red Cross and many State and Local Governments have their own web sites as to how to be prepared. Have you looked at them?

I felt the overwhelming need to write this and send it to everyone I know. Most of you know about food storage and basic needs. Many of you do not. My hope is to plant a seed here. Get you thinking. Get you and yours prepared! What kind of friend would I be, how could I not share this vital info. The thing is that there is a lot of info, and you could feel overwhelmed. Just do a little at a time. Several cans of soup here, an extra bag of flour there. Buying bigger clothes for your kids. Whatever your needs, you can do this.

Please e-mail me with any tips that work for you so that I can pass it on.

You can take the girl out of the trailer, but you can't take the trailer out of the girl.

Go ahead and laugh. If the economy stays this course, we will all be living in one of these. At least I'll be comfortable!!

Die Hard Vikes Fan

He loves 'em...
He hates 'em!

Minnesota Slide Show

First Snow

The colors were brilliant. We just had our first snowfall in the mountains.

Autumn is here.

Fall is my favorite time of year. The colors and the smell of the crisp air can give a person cause to stop for a moment and just, well... just be. It is a nice calm. 

I get too busy with the "everyday" requirements that I don't stop enough and just take a breath. It's a nice peaceful feeling.

We decided to go for a drive today to see what we could see. Peter was very patient to indulge me in taking photos.

White Castle Heaven

Our last day there we had to have a gourmet lunch at White Castle. Jacob ate 8!