Happy Valentines Day?

I'm not all that big on Valentine's day; never have been.  I am, however, a romantic.  Not in the sense that most would think.  You know, the mushy love stuff.  Ha! There's nothing wrong with that.  I just don't have to have it to have romantic notions.  I can romanticize just about anything.  I enjoy life's simple pleasures, whether with Pete, my children, or by myself.  Of course, it's always nice to be on the receiving end of their affection, and I am so glad they shower me just because!  So to them...Happy Valentine's Day! 

 

 Isn't this camellia beautiful?  Look at how delicate the petals appear and yet they withstand the rigors of growth, weather, the elements, and being handled by those who want to enjoy their beauty in a vase.  Youth and beauty is usually compared to that of a flower.  I get it.  Take nothing for granted.  Enjoy all the things the days will bring.

 

 It would be such a pity to cut into this cake, but how else could you enjoy just how delicious it is?  It wasn't made to just be pretty.  It was made to be enjoyed by all of your senses.  Our lives are no different.  What a pity it would be to have the ability to decide what kind of day we're going to have, who we're going to spend our time with, and what we're going to do, only to choose to do nothing at all.  Wow!  Really?

 

 I love the length and color of this belted skirt paired, with the classic white button down.  So feminine with a casual easiness.  It always makes me smile to see women who are comfortable in their skin, because no matter what they are wearing, they are wearing it; it's not wearing them.  What you're wearing doesn't matter as much as how you're wearing it.

 

 

As a nineth grader in Etoyle Mouser's English Literature class, I loved all of the writings of Elizabeth Barret Browning.  Did I understand all that she had written?  Of course not.  Did it matter that I didn't?  I don't think so.  It was more about how her poems made me feel than about my understanding.  I am a very analytical person.  I've been criticized by a few for being so much so.  I am also a very feeling person, in that it matters more to me the experience of the moments than it does the moments themselves.  Simply put, if I want the experience of enjoying a cup of coffee, I'm probably going to drive pass five Starbucks to get to that one Illy coffee shop where I can have a nice porcelain cup with a pastry on a nice porcelain plate.  Now don't get me wrong, I too enjoy Starbucks, but there are times when it means more to me to have the "experience" than the coffee itself.

 

No matter what this day finds you doing, whether with the love of your life or in the company of yourself, enjoy the moments of being.  Being able to wake up this morning and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you.  It does surround you, you just have to open your eyes to see it.

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

 

*Images via my Pinterest boards



Read More

Organizing a Stress Free Party by Preparing Easy To Cook Recipes from Your Food Storage

 

Image

It is common for most of us to create a grocery list of items to buy when we are planning a party at home. Most of our pantries simply do not have all the ingredients needed to make a couple of dishes that could feed all of the guests. However, if you must organize a party using the food you have from your food storage, here are a few tips on how to pull it off.

Image

Choose Simple Recipes

There are hundreds of simple holiday and party recipes you can whip up using preserved or canned ingredients. From canned beans to frozen turkey, you can create an easy Christmas dinner from supplies you have on hand. Your creativity may be tested if your ingredients do not match the recipe requirements perfectly, but you can easily find substitutes among the ingredients you already have in storage. Recipes with 4 to 5 ingredients are always best, and choose those that can work with canned or preserved ingredients.
 

Image

Choosing What to Include in Food Storage

An important element when it comes to have all you need for a party even if you are drawing from stored food reserves are the choice of food that you have in store. Plenty of canned ingredients, as well as frozen meats are always first options. You can get your fill of sugars by canning overripe fruits using sugar or natural honey. Sugar and honey are natural preservatives, and the principles of making fruit jams are very basic and very easy to learn. Packaged pie crusts, taco shells, and dumpling wraps which can be frozen are readily available as well, and will be perfect compliments to a holiday dinner with friends and family.

Image

Advantages of Having the Right Food Storage Plans

Having the right storage plans for your food is very important if you have to have ample supply within easy access at home. This even makes party planning even more easier since you have eliminated the need to go shopping. However, food spoils easily, so make sure to use food containers are designed for long-term storage. Choose reusable plastic containers marked with 'PP' or 'LDPE', which means that the plastic will not leach chemicals into the food. Check for adequate sealing around the rim for plastic and glass containers to ensure that the container is airtight, especially if you are planning to store food for months. Also, avoid heating the food directly on the plastic container since this could leach more chemicals into the food as well.

Make it AMAZING!
Rhonda

About the Guest Author

Agnes Jimenez is a professional blogger and writer. She writes for many online establishments and supports those ones that offer practical lifestyles to consumers.  As a frugal living and emergency preparedness advocate, she recommends FoodInsurance.com for budget conscious individuals who are looking for easy food storage plan ideas.  You may connect with Food Insurance in Facebook.



Read More

Comfort and Joy with a Couple of Stories To Boot!

So I'm watching Million Dollar Decorator's last night, (I DVR'd the series), and it's about Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Mary McDonald, and Kathryn Ireland's participation in the Greystone Mansion Show House featured in Luxe Magazine.  Everyone who really knows me, knows that I totally get a kick out of Mary McDonald!  She is a hoot!  During the first season, after the episode aired where she designed a zig zag floor for her client Jill, Jill requests that Mary pay an immediate visit to her home to see the floor.  Mary walks in and exclaims, "I love it"!  Jill dryly said, "I don't".  Well, Gillian and I would go back and forth with this exchange and also threw in when Mary said, in reference to another client, "Clients don't know what they want.  I know what they want"!  I sent Mary a message on Facebook telling her how Gillian, six years old at the time, and I would imitate her and had a blast doing it; she replied by telling me, "I'm not so sure a six year old should be watching me"!  She went on to say a few other things that were totally hilarious, and I loved it!  Sadly, she was kinda right! LOL!!!

 

Anyhoo, I was blown over when I saw that she was doing the grand hallway in the mansion!  Needless to say I was glued to this episode to see if what they were going through was reflective of what I am going through now...and yes!  Thank goodness it's not just me feeling a wee bit stressed by this whole process!  At the end of the episode when Mary warns not to do a hallway, hmmm...you're a bit too late with that piece of advice Mare!

 

 

The holidays can be pretty stressful.  When my kids were younger; yes, I know they are only twelve and seven, but when they were much younger, I would almost obsess over making a perfect holiday season for them, beginning with Thanksgiving.  I would do many of the things that my parents would do with my brother and I while growing up.  Those memories are some I will treasure for the rest of my life!  A friend of mine and I were talking about how we would wake Christmas morning and already have certain toys already put together and ready for us to enjoy!  I'll never forget when my brother got a train set and my dad spent the night mounting it to a big piece of plywood and placed it on casters to make it easy for him to roll under his bed when he was done playing with it.  That same Christmas, I was for some reason, into wanting to be a secretary or something?  Hmmm, doesn't sound quite like me but let's just go with; I had an L-shaped corner desk already set up with a typewriter, Bugs Bunny pencil sharpener, and Bugs Bunny task lamp styled nicely for my enjoyment!  So, this is what Pete and I did for Noah and Gillian.  They're older now, not to mention times have totally changed and we don't get to do this anymore... 

 

Image

 

The wonderful thing now is they love being together as a family and doing things!  I'm so glad Noah is still very much a family guy.  I hope he stays this way.  Gillian, well she's a bit dramatic, but this kid loves to give.  I have not taken them shopping yet; yes, I know time is ticking!  I actually love the energy of last minute shopping.  I know, sounds a little crazy, but what can I say!  I digress, Gillian has written everyone in the family letters and placed them under the Christmas tree.  I have to share this!  In her letter to Santa, she immediately begins it by apologizing for being bad and explaining to him that she just can't help it!  She also ends it with what she wants for Christmas!  She wasn't gonna let that slip by!  Afterall, the whole confession part of the letter was calculated, don't you think?  My mom asked her if she'd been good, and she told her quite simply, no!  Hey, at least my kid is honest!

 

Tiramisu Bread Pudding

 

I actually like to prepare holiday meals!  These are pretty much the only meals I get excited about cooking.  Don't get me wrong, I cook and sometimes actually enjoy it depending on the day, mostly my mood, or the occassion!  I'm not much of a baker, though.  I wish I were.  Maybe one day when I grow up!  Maybe, just maybe (far away, longing look in my eyes).  Until then I'll just enjoy the goodies that my friends bake for me, as well as the ones I can pop into shops and bakeries and purchase!

 

Cranberry-Pineapple Cooler

 

I'm sure many of you can relate to needing a nice little something, something at the end of the day; hmmm, or maybe during the day to assist in bringing you down a couple of notches and helping you shake off the dust of the day!  I don't think there is anything wrong with that!  My fav thing to do though, is to curl up on a cold day in front of the fireplace with a cup of hot chocolate, some scrumptuous pastry, and my faux fur throw!  This time of year, I love to go into the room where the Christmas tree is and just sit there and admire the beauty of the lights and the sparkly refection of the ornaments.  For some reason, it calms me, centers me, and reminds me that my life truly is amazing and I am more than blessed to have the family, friends, colleagues, aquaintances, etc., etc.  Everyone that crosses my path has a reason for doing so, and I am very humbled and grateful for them.

 

Quote

 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda



Read More

Prepare for Holiday Cooking With a Plan

 

 

With the holidays approaching, many people are thinking about all the preparations that need to be made for upcoming parties and gatherings. For many people, these preparations include planning menus and special treats for parties, house guests and even for gifts. However, with the high cost of food and so many people struggling financially, making smart decisions regarding food choices is extremely important. Fortunately, great meals and treats can be prepared for much less than you might think.

 

Careful planning is an essential part of saving money. For many people, this means keeping a well-stocked pantry. Whether you are preparing for an emergency or simply purchasing food at today's prices in order to offset rising costs, a well-stocked pantry can be an excellent way to save on food costs. As you think about menu plans, be sure to consider both the nutritional value as well as the overall cost. It can be easy to get wrapped up in a particular menu only to find that the cost of ingredients is prohibitive.

 

 

If you have an idea of the type of menu you would like to prepare, start researching recipes. Be sure to read through the recipe and write down the ingredients you will need. In addition to reading the list of ingredients and the directions, be sure to read reviews from other cooks. People who have tried the recipe often have helpful information to share. This might include steps to make the process easier, clarification regarding ingredients or even substitutions that reduce costs. Never underestimate the value of these comments; after all, these are the people who have actually tried the recipe and have important feedback to help you get the best results.

 

 

 

If you have been working on acquiring a well-stocked pantry, you probably have most of the ingredients you need already in your pantry; however, if there are items you need, be sure to make a list. If the thought of heading to the store and fighting the crowds does not seem appealing, you can certainly find a great alternative at places such as Foodinsurance.com - emergency food supply. Purchasing from a company that specializes in emergency food supplies often means that you can save money, especially when you need larger quantities of certain items.

 

 

 

 

Anyone who has ever made a fruit cake has probably come across the common problem of locating the necessary ingredients. Fortunately, there are lots of stores that offer dried or freeze dried fruits online, you can get all of the dried fruit variations and nuts you need. Whether you want to make one or two fruit cakes or several dozen to give away as gifts, getting everything you need a click of the mouse away can be a huge convenience. When it comes to holiday baking and cooking, convenience and savings are important factors to keep in mind.

 Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

*Images via Google

 

About the Guest Author

Agnes Jimenez is a professional blogger and writer. She writes for many online establishments and supports those ones that offer alternative lifestyles to consumers.  As a frugal living and self-sufficiency advocate, she recommends FoodInsurance.com for those budget conscious individuals who want to get big savings in shopping for food storage.  You may connect with Food Insurancein Facebook.



Read More

Staring Out My Window, Daydreaming...

It's beautiful days like today, when staring out my window induces visions of lazy days spent lakeside, either out on the boat drifting along, or canoeing down the Buffalo river (Arkansas), lounging under the trees (in my parents backyard), feeling the tingly cool breeze on my face and skin, eating, drinking, laughing, and talking with family and friends.  But alas, work has to be done!  My time will come! 

Make it AMAZING!

Rhonda

*Images Outdoor Living; Delicious; Words of Inspiration and Humor

via my Pinterest boards

Read More