Hiatus Terminated

I've been busy.

A wee bit overwhelmed.

But in a good way.

I have a new job.

I am two weeks in.

Trying to fit everything

Into each week

Like a strategically packed suitcase

The new early mornings.

The learning and the planning

The meals and the laundry

The love and the laughter.

The singing and the Practice

The board meetings and swimming lessons

The Dancing in the Rain

Summer Solstice Commitments to Practice

Happy Summer Solstice to all!!
Wednesday seems to be my blogging day now, thanks to Jamie Ridler. 

I may yet again reach a day when my posts consist of more than simply answering Jamie's Wishcasting Wednesday query. 

But for now, this is it.  I have many ideas brewing, it just seems to be pinning down the time to tackle them!

Today, the question is, "What do you wish for this summer?"

Although I will be working part-time throughout the summer, there are many things I wish to accomplish.

Mainly because the end of this summer marks the end of much of my free time.
I will be starting a full-time job in September!!  I am very excited about this new opportunity.
I am also trying not to panic at said loss of free time.

So, I believe the most important thing for me to do is to become more efficient with my time and I plan on doing this over the summer by creating some schedules, menu plans and routines to ease the transition for myself and my family.

I also have two weekdays off each week this summer and so I plan to make the most of those by spending precious time with my little girl, doing the things that she wants to be doing. 

This I know, will consist of much time
~swimming in the river
~a trip to Canada's Wonderland
~the Toronto Science Centre
~and the ROM 

Fortunately, these are things that I am totally into doing as well.
Especially the many days we will spend at the river :-)

Blogger friend Christine Reed who writes Girl On Fire and Monkey Brains  prompted me today as well, with this question:

"We are in the new moon (June's moon is the Strawberry moon) AND at the Summer Solstice. Seems like an auspicious time to commit to a new practice of growth and exploration. ♥ ♥ ♥ What practice do you need in your life?"

The answer to this question is simple, although not new.

Music.

Again and again and again.
I keep needing to pull myself back to what I love.


Blogger friend Pauline at journal illustrations reminded me today that:

"Habit is about baby steps"
And she is right.  That's why I'm starting small.  I'm committing to starting out with:

10 minutes each morning of guitar/singing practice
(Why do I forget again and again how joyful this makes me?)

Also, reconnecting with my morning pages practice as that always encourages me to practice my passions.  However, I'm going to be an "Artist's Way" Rebel and only do 10 minutes (gasp!)

And one more habit is to move this body, through 10 minutes of walking or yoga which provides me with the energy necessary to fulfill my main practice of growth and exploration.  Which of course is:

finding Joy through Music!

Time to renew my vows to "Commit".  It is still, afterall, my word of the year!  Oh how quickly I forget!!

What do you wish for this summer?

Belongings I Wish For

Thank goodness for Jamie Ridler!  If it were not for her Wishcasting Wednesday Challenges, I might not be blogging at all!

Today she asks "What belongings do you wish for? (remember when you were a kid and you allowed yourself to wish for things?  Let yourself do that today!)

Well, I just happen to love lists and usually have many on handy regarding any number of things, including, yes you may have guessed, belongings that I wish for!!

In fact, on my fridge, as part of a vision board exercise, I have three mini posters.
They are titled "Do", "Be", and "Have".  The "Have" poster consists of belongings and other "things" I'd like to have that are not actually belongings such as a neat and tidy home, a tribe of supportive friends and well manicured fingernails!!

So I decided to adapt my "Have" list into a "Belongings I Wish For" list.
Then I took a picture of it.



It's kinda hard to read here so here is the list:

• Bookshelves (so books can live there instead of in boxes!)
• New Pillows
• The perfect Hall Tree (to cut down clutter in the hallway)
• Bee's Wax Candles aplenty! (love the smell of these)
• A radio for my kitchen (instead of streaming from my laptop which is using up precious bandwidth)
• Wall hooks (for sweaters, jackets, bags and purses)
• A Ukelele, just because
• More Artwork (to decorate our walls)
• New Lamps for the bedroom
• a Lamp above the island in the kitchen
• Futon Frame for our Spare Oom (so guests will have a place to sleep)
• Fluffy New Bath Sheets (you know, really big bath towels!)
• Fine Wines!!
• Shelving for all my teaching supplies (for ease of orginization) 

Just a few things that I wish for.

In visiting other participating blogs,
I tried to see if there was any common thread in our wishes.
The result?
Many people are wishing for new beds or mattresses or pillows
Here's to a good night's sleep!

What belongings do you wish for?

Grow, Grow,Grow Little Seed

It is Wednesday and while I haven't participated in Jamie Ridler's Wishcasting Wednesday in some time, her question today has prompted me to write.  Today Jamie asks;

"How do you wish to grow?"

I wish to grow in confidence

to disregard the naysayers

(many of whom reside in my own head!)

and do what I was born to do

be who I was born to be.

I wish to grow in self discipline

 not allowing trivial activities steal time

from soulful activities

which are most essential

to my living my dreams

(ah, see my previous post,

Less screen time = More guitar time!)

And to make those essential activities a priority.

that means significant daily time and attention

paid to my stories and songwriting, singing and guitar.

I would also like to grow some salad greens.

And how is truly the question. 

I kinda have a brown thumb.

Any suggestions?

This question/post also prompts me to share a video of my friend Andrew Queen which features some of my favourite foods and friends!!  My family loves his cd and it has made a great gift to others as well.   Andrew Queen:Just Down the Road



How do you wish to grow?

My Screen Free Observations

During the week of April 30- May 6, I took the Screen-Free Week Challenge put out by the Committee For a Commercial Free Childhood. It was a very worthwhile endeavour and I do intend to write more about it.  For now, here are a few of the things that struck me and of which I will elaborate on in the coming weeks.

15 Screen-Free Week Observations

1. I need to do more to prepare for it next year.
2. I wanted to use this week as an experiment for myself in self control.
3. I was surprised that my husband joined in. I thought he would resist more.
4. It amazed me how many people told me they cannot live without t.v., even for one week.
5. I did however talk to more people who thought it was a great idea.
6. I spent more time talking with my daughter.
7. I danced with my daughter.
8. I helped her plan an "Art Party" for her friends at the culmination of Scree-Free Week. And it was a total blast!! More about that later.
9. I read The Hunger Games and started reading Catching Fire
10. I practiced more yoga.
11. I listened to more music.
12. I did not however, practice my music... Big Hmmmm.
13. I didn't really miss facebook except for my morning chats with my cousin and nearly daily communication with a couple other friends.
14. I realised that I definitely wish to spend less time "online" on a regular basis.
15. I notice that this is easier said than done so I need a plan!

"Matsu"  or Pine Tree Cut Watermelon, prepared by my daughter for her Art Party

Supplies ready for Plasticine art at the Art Party

Any thoughts on being "less plugged-in"?

Please share!

A Few of My Favourite Things

Just a wee short post today with a Few of My Favourite Things....

Lovely Colourful Easter Eggs 

Surprise tea and treats in bed for my daughter

A few of my favourite tops!

Not really great photograhpy, I know.

But it gives a bit of an idea.

What are a Few of Your Favourite Things?

Do tell!!

Some Yummy Dinners

It's not that I didn't do any menu planning in the past month, it was just a bit sporadic.

In fact I planned and cooked some pretty amazing meals.

Including:

Garlic Shrimp Caesar Salad wGarlic Bread

Chicken Fajhitas w/ Corn chips, Guacamole and Kale Chips!!

Beef Kabobs, Basmati Rice and Sesame Green Beans

All were very yummy indeed!

Menu Plan for April 30-May 6 and Welcome to Screen-Free Week Challenge

When I fell off the blogging train a month ago, I also fell off my oh so successful Menu Planning Train!
And I was doing so well! (in fact, I believe that is what one of my last posts was all about. Guess I spoke too soon!) 
Oh well, I'm getting back on track now!!

Here is my plan for this week:

Monday: BBQ Pork Ribs, Basmati Veggie Rice, Asparagus

Tuesday: Shepherds Pie, Spinach-Strawberry-Pecan Salad

Wednesday: Huevos Rancheros, w/Roasted Potatoes and Beet/Lentil Salad

Thursday: Butter Chicken w/Naan Bread, Green Beans & Carrots

Friday: Leftovers and Soup (not sure what kind yet)

Saturday: Mediterranean Vegetable Pie, Greek Salad

Sunday: Garlic Shrimp Linguine With Spinach

So, it is now Screen-Free Week. 
I have been working up to this for a month now. 
Even though I haven't been blogging, I have still spent a lot of time online. 
Still reading some blogs.
And still plenty of facebook, and e-mail, and youtube, and googling whatever.
Well, not this week.
I am completely offline (except at work).
All leisure time will be unplugged.

I have been promoting this with my daughter's school, her Girl Guide unit, our local library 
and at my place of work. 
I have been doing this out of an interest I have in becoming less "plugged in". 
The promotion of literacy, learning, physical and creative activities also combines nicely with my job as  I work at a child and family resource centre.

We do not have a tv in our house and haven't watched actual tv for seven and a half years now.
I like it that way :-)


This post was scheduled.
As are the rest of this week's posts.
I will be fully back next week!

I'm Back!!

Well, I have one little job interview with three days to prepare for, then two weeks of waiting to find out if I got the job...

And my whole blogging life just falls away. 
Sigh.
And just when I seemed to have a steady rhythm going.
C'est la vie! I'm back now. 
With a backlog of things to write about!

Including, how I am going to continue to blog in September when I start my full-time job!!

Yes, it's true. I will be going back to work full-time in September. 

I am at the same time, excited and apprehensive.

More about that later.

Also, the timing of deciding to return to blogging from a month off, comes at a bad time as I plan to be participating in the Screen-Free Week Challenge this week

(April 30-May 6).

Fortunately, blogger is equipped with that lovely feature of pre-scheduling your blog posts to appear on the day and time you want them to!

So, while there will be posts from me this week, I will not actually be using my computer. Which means that I will not be checking my comments until next week. So if you happen to be reading my blog this week and want to leave me a comment, please do, I will respond next week!!

Have a great week!!

Previous Post Update #3

Word for 2012, Commit.  This is my progress on:

Healthy Eating/Menu Planning:

Now here is an area that I have been focusing on. 

If you've been reading, you will see that I have posted menus for the past 4 weeks and I have been trying to make healthier choices while doing so.  

I made a delicious Grilled Chicken Salad, a Ginger-Beef Stir Fry, Grilled Steelhead Trout , Vegetarian Chilli Cheese Nachos.  

I have also been making an effort to cut down on the potato chips and chocolate snacking!

AND

Strengthening and Maintaining Relationships:

This is a tough one for me. 

We moved to a new town in September of 2011.

We are about 1 ½ hours away from our old town and return there frequently to check on the house that we still own there. 

I have, on a couple of occasions met a friend for tea or lunch, but finding the time to spare and matching up schedules is a challenge. 

However, I have managed to send a few cards, letters and valentines , in my efforts to stay in touch. 

I am also encouraging and assisting my daughter to do the same. 

I moved and changed schools in grade 5 just like her and I know how important it can be to maintain those friendships that she has established since kindergarten.   I didn't and wish that I had.

The internet sure makes this an easier thing to do these days!

How goes your progress on accomplishing things you've commited to or on living your Word for 2012?

Previous Post Update #2

I've been making some claims and promises here to accomplish a few things. Time to honour accountability.

For my word for 2012, I chose Commit.

Go here for a list of the things I wanted to commit to.

And this is my progress on:  Practice.

I must say that I have been more dedicated to practising my guitar than ever before. Perhaps it's due to the fact that I received as a Christmas gift from my fabulous Fishguy, a beautiful new guitar.

That and well, I've actually been following through on my decision to Commit to Practice!

I am singing just about as much as always (in the shower, doing dishes, while practising guitar, in the car, hanging the laundry when I am at work...) and would like to take more voice lessons or join a singing ensemble.

However, my financial situation is preventing me from doing any such thing that costs money. I need to look into some alternatives. Or get a full-time job (sigh!).

Yoga, well, I just haven't been putting very much effort into this commitment, I must admit.

I mean I have been doing some yoga, here and there. 

I even taught a couple of workshops for kids in Feb and March. 

And sometimes in the evening when I'm puttering about the house, I just drop into a pose when the urge strikes me, depending on what feels tight and needs stretching.

But as far as a regular “practice” goes,

I think perhaps I need to try to start small, just 5-10 minutes in the morning.

Previous Post Updates #1

I've been making some claims and promises here to accomplish a few things.  Time to honour accountability.

For my word for 2012,  I chose Commit.

Go here for a list of the things I wanted to commit to.

And this is my progress on:  Happiness.

So, here we are nearing the end of March and I can definitely say that overall, I have been a happier person .

I find January and February to be such challenging months, both in maintaining emotional balance and functioning energy levels. However, with the practice of Julie Cameron's morning pages in January (issued as a challenge for the month by Jamie Ridler), I feel I gained a leg up on beating the winter blahs this year.

Of course, I still experience the odd "down days", just noticeably fewer of them!

Menu, March 26-April 1

I'm really getting into a groove now!  This is my fifth week of menu planning!

Monday~ Shrimp Caesar Salad with Garlic Bread and Kale Chips

Tuesday~Beef, Red Pepper and Onion Kabobs, Green Beans, Basmati Rice

Wednesay~Broccoli Cheddar Quiche, Coconut Curry Dahl

Thursday~Chicken Fajitas, Guacamole & Pita Chips

Friday~Help Yourself and Eat Up the Leftovers

Saturday~Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Oven Fries and Baked Zucchini Sticks

Sunday~Honey-GingerTofu with Quinoa & Kale Pilaf

The tofu recipe is one I found in this month's Chatelaine and I'm looking forward to trying it out.

Menu for March 19 -25.

Gah! It's Friday and I neglected to post my menu for this week. Well, I can tell you that last week's menu was followed, more or less, with just a little bumping and substitution here and there.
My girl had a friend over on Thursday night, so we picked up pizza for dinner.
I knew this was going down so opted to have the beef stir fry the day before, instead of going out for dinner.

Sunday's dinner was one of my very favourites to have during the summer months.

It's only March, but the weather has been so wonderfully warm, it felt like a little celebration was in order and so we had the Grilled Chicken Salad pictured here.

It was alright, but nothing like in the summer when all of the vegetables are in season and local! (Well, maybe except for the avocado).

This Week's Menu:

Monday~ Burgers and Fries (we didn't end up eating out last week, so Fish Guy brought home Whimpy's!)

Tuesday~ Black Bean, TVP and Rice Burritos; Sweet Potato Fries

Wednesday~ South-West Baked Bean Soup, Chicken and Pork Fried Rice, Lemon Parmesan Brussels Sprouts

Thursday~ Shepherds Pie with a Greek Salad

Friday~ Creamy Garlic Chicken Spaghetti with Broccoli and Parsnips, Large Caesar Salad

Saturday~ BBQ Ribs, Brown Rice with Kale and Grilled Veggie Kabobs (peppers, mush, onion and zucchini)

Sunday~ I still don't know yet!!

The South-West Baked Bean soup is a recipe I picked up at work.  It's super easy and fast, but kinda bland and boring as is. I sauteed onions and celery to begin with before adding all the other ingredients and I also added some Frank's Red Hot Pepper sauce in place of the cayenne. It was prety good!

Now I have to start thinking about the menu for the coming week. 

Can hardly wait for the local asparagus to be available.  The way the weather has been, I have a feelng I won't have to wait too long!

These Are A Few of My Favourite Things, #2

This past week has been so wonderful. The beautiful springy, unseasonable warm weather; my birthday, the March break. 
Time again, to showcase a Few of My Favourite Things.

I love hanging my clothes on the line to dry.

Since we do not use a dryer (except very occasionally, part of my eco-living commitment) I hang my clothes to dry, year round.

During the winter, there are some days when hanging outside is possible, but for the most part I use drying racks within the house. So when the weather is as warm and sunny as it has been this week, I feel a bit of extra joy about being able to hang my clothes outside again... in March!

My darling Fishguy brought me beautiful tulips on my birthday last week!! 

I was able to display them in my lovely Aalto vase from Finland,

which was a gift from a very generous friend, while I was living there (95-96).

My sweet little Sugar-Plum had a friend overnight during the March break,

and THEY made themselves pancakes for breakfast. 

Pancakes with chocolate chips. Served with real, local maple syrup!

They also made me some tea :-) 

Chocolate Spearmint Organic Tea from my friend's Porcupine Creek Farm.

In my favourite cute little teapot that I bought for $2 at a thrift shop

got in my stocking for Christmas.

And one of my favourite little mugs which was a gift from my mother-in-law.

The art on the mug is by Maud Lewis.

I love how the tulips made their way into three out of four photos!

Hope you enjoyed this weeks edition of These Are a Few of my Favourite Things!

Black Bean Soup Recipe

Last weekend, I made a black bean and tomato soup. 
I had been craving one for some time and when I want to make something like that, when I haven't ever made it before, I will often google search for recipes and then look at about four or five recipes that look good. 
Then I just pick and choose a little from this recipe and a little from that till I get what I think will be what I am looking for.
I found some good basic steps and ingredients here, here, and here.
This is what I came up with for my own version of this soup.

Ingredients:

2 cans black beans, rinsed
1 ½ -2 cups vegetable broth
6-8 Roma tomatoes
1 onion
1 celery stalk
2-4 cloves of garlic, chopped
½ -1 tsp cumin
½ -1 tsp chili powder
½ -1 tsp oregano or mixed Italian seasoning
salt
pepper

Juice from one lime
chopped green onions
half an avocado, diced

Okay so the biggest step is roasting the tomatoes.Slice them into quarters lengthwise. Also cut up onion and celery (I cut into large chunks so they wouldn't burn when roasting) Toss, in 2 tbsp of olive oil a sprinkle of salt and the oregano/Italian seasoning. Roast for about 30 minutes @ 350, then add the garlic in and roast for another 20-25 minutes.

Once roasted, add vegetable stock to the pan to scrape up all the roasty bits. Then, transfer it all to a large soup pot. Here I used my handy dandy Cuisinart stainless steel hand blender, using just a few pulses to blend things up a bit.

Then I added the rinsed cans of beans. I've cooked kidney beans and navy beans from dry, but I have yet to try black beans. Comes down to saving time really, when I use the canned variety.

Add in the spices and mash about half of the beans (or use the blender).

Bring to a boil and then lower to simmering for about 20-30 minutes, adjusting salt, spice and thickness (by adding more water or veg stock) as needed.

Serve in bowls.
I offered the lime juice, green onions and avocado on the side to add as desired.  I also think it would be nice with the bacon, but was serving a vegetarian guest.  Sour cream and cilantro would be nice additions to top it off with as well.  Perhaps I'll try that next time.

Yummy! I loved this soup and will make it again soon!

22 Things

Lists!
Oh,  I do love to make a list.  
And I just found another great opportunity to make one!!

Angie, over at Write Me Happy has issued a creative challenge called 22 Things, which is a means to accomplish BIG things through small steps.

So, here is my list.

The one that came right off the top of my head with out any editing or shuffling of order of importance or anything like that.

1. Move a little bit more each day (stretch, walk, dance)
2. Listen to music more often
3. Practice my guitar, daily
4. Drink more water
5. Do my vocal training exercises more often
6. Sign up for voice lessons
7. Organize my songs into folders (computer)/binders (hard copy)
8. Finish putting together another copy of a children's book I wrote into 12x12 scrapbook
9. Mail a minimum of 3 cards per week
10. Make cards weekly, set aside an hour or two on Sundays
11. Take better care of my fingernails
12. Book an appointment for a pedicure (use christmas gift certificate!)
13. Make one date per week with a friend for lunch or tea
14. Start blogging more about music
15. Start blogging some recipes
16. Work on making a scrapbook again.
17. Start recording songs and story readings for a gift for a special little girl
18. Have more family outings (weekly)
19. Be more physically active as a family
20. Join a choir
21. Find a songwriters group to join
22. Play with clay (plasticine)
23. Get a new journal
    I added that last one in because, I was making the list in my journal and had reached the last page!

Afterwards, I got looking at my list and I started judging it.
Wanting to tweak it. 
Change it. 
Make it more appealing.
(Why is spending time with my family so low on the list? How could I neglect 'practicing with my brother for our planned open mic night?' I didn't include any steps to finding a new full time job, which should be a priority for me right now in order to pay the bills).

And then, I went blog surfing. I went to visit Pauline at journal illustrations and musings and read this lovely post.

I could see a similarity in her description of resisting the urge to change what she didn't like about her painting and just let it be and become what it will.
I then decided to leave my list alone.
It is what it is.
It came to me in that order for whatever reason and I'm not going to judge it, or change it, or add to it right now.
I think sometimes I just try to do to much at once.
So I'll stick with this list a while and see where it takes me.

Thanks Pauline!

Oh, and then, I ate some chocolate!

A Friend, Food and Fun-Filled Weekend, Also, Menu for March 12-18

Lunch on Saturday

Last week's menu was another success. I did make a couple changes however.
I made a black bean and roasted tomato soup to go with the quiche on Friday.

And instead of sun brown rice and roasted veggies with the trout on Saturday, my wonderful husband made a veggie stir fry with Asian eggplant, zucchini, onions, beet greens, celery and peppers (red, green and yellow!) and served that over bean noodles, yummy!

He also made a little saucy side dish of okra with tomatoes!

I might mention that my husband was a chef in a previous life for about a dozen years.
I might also mention that we had an old friend visiting us this weekend and this is a friend who appreciates good food and also enjoys cooking.

I might also mention that this friend came bearing abundant gifts of fine wine, cheese, bread, tea and chocolate!!! (Now that's a good friend indeed!)

We enjoyed a lovely lunch on Saturday (see photo above) of seafood salad, bread, cheese, strawberries and champagne! We ate this while geeking out on our computers. It was a trial; we decided to play a game of scrabble via facebook, while in the same room. It was fun!

Sunday, it was just me and hubby for dinner as our little Sugar-Plum is still visiting at Grandma's with her cousin. We ate leftovers of everything! Which leaves the Beef Ginger Stir-Fry available for this week's menu.

I expect this week to be a bit crazy as it is the March Break and our days are in a bit of flux, trying to solidify plans with friends for playdates and get-togethers and outings.

And, it's also my birthday on Wednesday.

So as always, the menu is open and subject to change.

Monday~ still finishing up left overs, Bean Soup, Trout and Noodles.
Tuesday~ Turkey Gumbo with Crusty Rolls
Wednesday~Birthday dinner out
Thursday~Ginger-Beef Stir fry over sun brown Rice (vegg incl: onions, peppers, celery, carrots, asian eggplant, zucchini, garlic, ginger)
Friday~Beet and Lentil Salad, Roasted Potatoes, Carrots and Parsnips
Saturday~ Dinner out again (more birthday celebration!)
Sunday~ Large Caesar Salad w/ BBQ Chicken and Pasta

Movement Practice in March

I am participating in Jamie's Movement Practice in March over at Jamie Ridler Studios

If anyone is interested in joining in, feel free!
Today I went for a 20 minute walk!

http://jamieridlerstudios.ca/develop-a-movement-practice

Menu for Week of March 5

Here is a photo of last Thursday's meal of vegetarian chili-cheese nachos

with spinach, strawberry, pecan salad.

Last week's menu plan went over well, and so I am encouraged to do it again!
And a piece of good news as well. My sister-in-law's partner gave me an

external keyboard, so typing up my posts is so much easier to do now!

This week we will dine on:
Monday~Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Carrots and Parsnips, Green Beans
Tuesday~Macaroni and Cheese with Broccoli and Tomatoes, Baked Beans
Wednesday~Pepperoni Pizza, Caesar Salad
Thursday~Vegetarian (TVP) Tacos
Friday~Potato-Leek Soup, Broccoli-Cheddar Quiche
Saturday~Grilled Steelhead Trout, Sun Brown Rice, Roasted Veggies (peppers, sweet potato, onions, zuccini, mushrooms)
Sunday~Ginger-Beef Stirfry with lots of Veggies over Rice Noodles

I also found a couple of recipes through some other blogs that I'd like to start incorporating into my menu plans and I also do plan to begin including some of the recipes for some of these options you are now seeing in my menu plans. One step at a time!

Beet and Lentil Salad

Crispy Baked Onion Rings

Tomato & Pesto Soup

Please feel free to share or link to your favourite menu plans or recipes. I'd love to read them!

These Are a Few of My Favourite Things

Our darling pussy-cat, Domino. So adorable!


Now there's that handsome face!

A few of my current favourites to listen to.

Adele was a Christmas gift and the others are friends and relatives.

who also happen to be awesome local musicians.

The Express & Co

Melissa Payne

The Stone Sparrows

My living room where I was hanging out on Friday night,

listening to those recordings via my laptop

as well as journaling and playing my beautiful new guitar.

Watch now for weekly updates of,

"These Are a Few of My Favourite Things".

Please, also feel free to share a few of YOUR favourite things

or post a link to your display of them.

Menu For This Week

I did it!!! Finally, I wrote out my menu plan for the whole week!

This is what we've had and will be having this week.

Monday~ Dahl appetizer, Vegetarian Chili, crusty rolls

Tuesday~BBQ Ribs, Roasted Rosemary Potatoes, Curried Butternut Squash, Steamed Broccoli

Wednesday~Spaghetti and Meatballs, Broiled Goat Cheese, Tomato and Basil Egglplant

Thursday~ Vegetarian Chili Cheese Nachos with Spinach, Strawberry, Pecan Salad

Friday~ Roasted Chicken with Brown Rice, Green Beans and Carrots

Saturday~ Dinner @ my sister-in-laws (Grilled Salmon, Potato Soup, Ceasar Salad

Sunday~ Whatever, eat up leftovers, make yourself a sandwich.

My goal is to ideally post my menu for the week on Monday. That is what I WILL post this coming Monday.

(Anti-)Procrastination Proclaimation

On Family Day, my daughter and I spent some time together painting, one of our favourite things to do together. I only managed to produce some half-hearted (ha ha) doodles. This is nonetheless, my contribution to this week's Creative Every Day challenge.

And the rest of this post which I had already written, more or less fits as my answer to Jamie's question of "How do you wish to spend your time?" in today's Wishcasting share. Although, most specifically, I wish to spend my time singing and making music while in the company of loving family and musical community!

OK, about this blog thing. I guess I need to develop some sort of routine, some frequency, some rhyme and reason to these posts.

I want to, I do.
I am just a tiny bit of a procrastinator.
In fact, I am writing this post not only because it is truly something that I want to do, but I also have several other things that I *could be doing instead and am avoiding those (dinner dishes, hanging laundry, preparing for work tomorrow...).
*proactive use of could avoids 'shoulding' on oneself.

Anyway, I have decided that there are roughly four main categories of topics that I will be endeavouring to write about/within on a regular basis. One of these topics just happens to be procrastination or rather the antithesis of it. I will write about (and seek encouragement and support for) Staying On Task.

See, I have this great number of Really Great Ideas and Fabulous Projects kicking around and I have the greatest intentions of getting them done, hell, of getting them started even. Which can often be, after all, half the battle.

One of my favourite quotes disputably attributed to Goethe:
Whatever you can do or dream you can do, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.

And so, anyone who wishes to join me in the "Staying On Task" or "Getting It Done" Club, by all means, please do!

Here is a short list of projects that have been hanging over my head lately. I figure if I publicly declare these items, it will somehow make me more accountable to getting them done!!

Here goes: (in no particular order)
~type up and print all the completed songs I've written and organize them into a binder

~record my daughter and myself singing and reading some of our favourite songs and stories to send as a gift to the two year old daughter of dear friends.

~organize my guitar songs binder by making an index to make it easier to find the songs I want to practice

~MENU PLAN!!!

~increase my consumption of local goods, foods and services and lessen my eco-footprint.

There. Step One complete. There are many more items on my ever growing list and I'll attempt to tackle a few more of them each week as well as report on my progress for the articles mentioned above.
I invite anyone reading this to share their own procrastination lists and you will certainly have my encouragement and support in their achievement!!

By the way, those other categories I intend to write within? You'll just have to come on back as I will be revealing them gradually (hint: some are contained within the contents of that list up there!)