I forced myself beyond my comfort level and entered the State Cookie Contest sponsored by Better Homes and Gardens. I figured, since I was asked, I need to at least try. Here are a few pics of the creative process:
I've never done anything like this. Me?Cookie contest?! My girls and I had so much fun. I'm glad I got over my nerves and took part in this contest. (crossing fingers!)
If you choose to vote for the Oregon Chocolate Chunk Hazelnut Cookie I would be most appreciative. And if you spread the word to your friends I just may have to bake you a batch!
I was asked if I would like to participate in a cookie baking contest. Me? Me. Yes, I was contacted by a real person who wanted to know if I could come up with a cookie that would best represent my state - Oregon.
Before I hit 'delete' I thought about the fact that my girls are on their 2nd week of Summer Vacation and I have already had my fill of "I'm bored". So I asked my girls, 'If you were to make a cookie with food items from Oregon, what would you put in it? What shaped would it be?'. Ah ha! A project!
So today we begin to create our entry for the contest. Pictures soon to follow.
As the shenanigan's of the neighbor kids (see last post) weighs on some parents, with our lengthy phone calls compairing notes on "what did they do in your neck of the woods last night?", I'm going to take a break from the drama and have fun with my blog pals at our Virtual Girls Night Out!
*The VGNO blog-hop is for those who want to party "virtually" with other bloggers. Add your blog link to the link-up below, get on your fuzzy slippers, make yourself a cocktail, visit those that have left their blog link and have fun! Happy VGNO!*
Time For Some Tunes!
Katy Perry "Last Friday Night T.G.I.F."
I absolutely love this video. "What's Uncle Kenny doing on the couch?!?"
Time For A Cocktail!
Blue Lagoon Ingredients:
1.5 Oz Vodka
1.5 Oz Blue curacao, Premium brand like Bols or De Kuyper
Lemonade, Prefer white lemonade Directions:
Glass: Highball, Collins
Step 1: Fill glass with ice
Step 2: Pour the vodka and blue curacao
Step 3: Stir well
Garnish: A lime wedge and orange peel
I remember when HBO started programming 24 hours a day and The Blue Lagoon played over, and over and over and...
The Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project!
This "little gem", found on the Oregon Coast, is being mailed around the globe! Bloggers receiving the rock take pictures of it when it reaches them and post those pictures on their blog. After your "T.H.S.R.P." picture-post, you mail the heart-shaped rock to the next blogger on the list. On and on it goes. Want to be on the list? There are 21 stops so far. Send an email to me at annharrison@comcast.net and I'll send you all the information. First stop Connecticut!
Have fun at our Virtual Girls Night Out! If you like, leave your blog link and we'll visit your blog and say, "Happy VGNO!"
As the grass grows waist high at the vacant home across the street, the neighborhood keeps an eye out for anyone that might take advantage of this scenario. So imagine my surprise when I see 2 familiar looking boys lurking around one of its doors, fiddling with the security lock.
I called to my 13 yrs. old daughter to come check out the kids, to see if they were who I thought they were, and she confirmed they were her classmates. Let the mischief of Summer 2011 begin!
I yelled at them to come over to me and they did. (Thank goodness they still have some minute fear of adults instead of swearing at me and running away.) When they were standing in front of me all I could say was, 'What are you thinking?!' I received the classic, "Wha' ? Wha' ?" along with their puppy dog eyes.
One of the boys has a history of being in trouble in school. And, unfortunately, the other boy has been friends with my daughter for years, however this past year he's had trouble at home and seems to be heading down a very negative path. He's been to our home recently just to have a place to be. My husband and I have told him over and over that we are available if he needs to talk. We're trying to keep him from doing things like, oh I don't know, breaking into houses!
I told the boys that what they were doing is serious and that they need to make better choices. When my speech was over they started walking down the street. I noticed my daughters friend had a handful of Sharpies. I called him back and asked what they were for and didn't get a straight answer. I took the boys face in my hands and said, 'I'm going to trust you with these. But if I find anything marked in any way in our neighborhood I'll know it was you and that would mean trouble for you. Don't disappoint me. It would break my heart. Please make good choices.'
He was very sweet, I believed him when he said he wasn't going to mark anything. He wanted to shake on it. Cute. I shook his hand. And off he went with his little friend the delinquent.
When I went back in the house I told my girls about the handful of Sharpie's and that I was worried they might graffiti the neighborhood. My oldest said, "No. They aren't going to mark anything. They're probably going to sniff them. I've seen them do it."
Since having my children home during the day isn't the norm, summertime can lend itself to being a bit stressful. Arguments over the computer and the t.v. Can we go here, there and everywhere? "I'm bored!" (My girls have told me they don't need to hear me say 'Only boring people are boring' one more time. I, of course, say 'Then stop telling me you're bored'. Round and round it goes.)
I've found these five methods from Chicago Healers Practitioner Dr. Helen Lee very helpful in getting me through my days. I hope they can help you too.
Breathe – It may feel silly to remind oneself to breathe, but it is so important. There are two types of breathing: shallow and deep. Taking shallow chest breaths causes the body to operate in “fight or flight” mode, which is highly stressful. Less oxygen goes to the brain and the body continues to operate on high alert. It is important to take deep abdominal breaths, which stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. This optimizes digestion, relaxation and detoxification while keeping hormones balanced.
Gratitude – Remembering things to be grateful for throughout the day really does wonders for personal state of mind and for the body. Positive thinking releases chemicals that help with digestion, euphoria, relaxation and overall well-being.
Laughter – Laughter is the best medicine as the saying goes, and this is often the case. Laughing for 10 minutes a day will do amazing things. It changes the physiology of the entire body—increases circulation, releases different “happy” chemicals in the body, reduces stress, keeps everyone in a lighter frame of mind, helps the heart and can even burn calories! It’s contagious, too!
Sit in Silence – Taking 10-30 minutes to quiet the mind and clear thoughts can be so beneficial. If meditating is not preferable, spend the time visualizing goals for the day. This will put focus on personal needs, which will be relaxing later when the day starts to get stressful.
Take a 15-20 Minute Walk Outside – Sometimes all that’s needed is fresh air and sunlight. Taking a step away from the computer, the phone, the office, etc. can really help clear thoughts and be very calming.
I think the exercise industry and the pain reliever industry are in cahoots*. You really can't have one without the other. (And those of you doing 20 minutes of leg lifts know what I'm talking about!)
At some point in the workout I wonder, 'Are my legs supposed to feel like this?' and 'How the hell do these women instructors keep smiling AND talking?!?'
I am so grateful there isn't a camera on me... you wouldn't want to see, trust me.
But I know this is the right thing to do, it's good for me and all that. Right? It's good for me. Oh wait, maybe that's what the last Aleve commercial was telling me.
Cahoots* I tell ya'!
(*Cahoots = Old time cowboy talk for "partnership")
Just booked a little vacation that will require the wearing of a bathing suit.
Ugh.
I was so motivated last year. I was so consistent with my exercise last year. But something happened around February and I lost my motivation. I don't know what happened.
Well, here's hoping that that whole "muscle memory" thing I've heard about is true and it won't be too difficult to get back into the swing of things.
Who am I kidding. I'm in my mid-forties and you have to work twice as hard to get half the results. Oh well, maybe I can wear a sarong at the water park.
Here we are, school is out for the year and it's supposed to be "summer" but the weather in Portland, OR is anything but shiny and frolicky (it's a word, right?). I'm going to do a little Mind Over Matter and create my own sunshine at this weeks Virtual Girls Night Out. Join Me!
*The VGNO blog-hop is for those who want to party "virtually" with other bloggers. Add your blog link to the link-up below, get on your fuzzy slippers, make yourself a cocktail, visit those that have left their blog link and have fun! Happy VGNO!*
Time For Some Tunes!
The weather is just NOT cooperating in Portland, OR this season. It's raining and cold today. Ugh. Time for a little encouragement through music.
8 Lemons (Juice Only)
24 ounces Club Soda
4 Rosemary Sprigs
4 tablespoons Sugar
4 ounces Sauza® Blanco Tequila Directions
Combine lemons, club soda, sugar and tequila in pitcher. Mix well. Refrigerate until cold. Place 1 rosemary sprig in each of the 4 serving cups. Pour margarita and drink cold or iced.
Delicious! All I need to do is get a sun lamp, play some ocean sounds, and lounge on a chaise. Ahhhh
Time For A Giveaway!
I have a Summertime Family Movie 5-DVD Set giveaway happening at my review site Ann Again... and again Reviews. It's a great collection for those nights when you want to relax with a big bowl of popcorn and laugh with your kids. The collection includes Mary Poppins, The Parent Trap, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Annie and Ramona and Beezus. Visit Ann Again... and again Reviews and enter to win!
Time For The Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project!
This "little gem" is being mailed around the globe, bloggers receiving the rock take pictures of it when it reaches them and post those pictures on their blog. After your "T.H.S.R.P." picture post you mail it to the next person on the list. On and on it goes. Want to be on the list? Send an email to me at annharrison@comcast.net and I'll send you all the information. First stop Connecticut!
Alright my lovely blog friends, we have the Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project back on track! If you haven't signed up yet please e-mail me( annharrison@comcast.net ) and get on the list. 20 stops so far!
Have fun at our Virtual Girls Night Out! If you like, leave your blog link and we'll visit your blog and say, "Happy VGNO!"
When looking through your child's end-of-school-year papers and yearbooks you wouldn't be surprised to find that her contribution to the "Poetry Jam" project was titled "The End". Ah... so poetic, so romantic, so 13 years old. Then you read the poem and it involves black smoke... and a knife... and blood.
Um.
You double check that the name on the paper is indeed your child's and not the brooding boy that talks of bombs and death on every field trip. Yes. It's your child's name.
This was so-o-o-o not on my radar. Where's the poem about missing her teachers and growing up, passing on to the next grade? Where's the poem regarding the pain and devastation of not being able to see her secret crush every day through peek-holes in her binder?
The Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project is back on track! The first stop is Connecticut. Would you like to take part? What we are doing is mailing this "little gem" around the globe, having bloggers take pictures of it when it reaches them and posting those pictures on their blog. After your "T.H.S.R.P." picture post you mail it to the next person on the list. On and on it goes. Want to be on the list? Send an email to me at annharrison@comcast.net and I'll send you all the information. Time to get on with our Virtual Girls Night Out!
*The VGNO blog-hop is for those who want to party "virtually" with other bloggers. Add your blog link to the link-up below, get on your fuzzy slippers, make yourself a cocktail, visit those that have left their blog link and have fun! Happy VGNO!*
Time For Some Tunes!
(Am I the last person to know that Ricky Gervais was in an '80's New Wave band?!?)
Seona Dancing "Bitter Heart"
Wow. He's pretty darn cute!! I'm remembering Patrick Nagel prints and John Hughes movies.
8 ounces cranberry juice
4 ounces orange juice
4 ounces berry-flavored vodka
2 ounces Campari
Crushed ice
1 squeeze lemon juice Directions:
Mix cranberry juice, orange juice, vodka, and Campari in a cocktail shaker with ice. Squeeze in lemon juice and strain into 4 glasses filled with ice.
Alright my lovely blog friends, we have the Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project back on track! If you haven't signed up yet please e-mail me( annharrison@comcast.net ) and get on the list. 20 stops so far!
Have fun at our Virtual Girls Night Out! If you like, leave your blog link and we'll visit your blog and say, "Happy VGNO!"
I've been to school's in my lifetime where I knew we had a Principal, I just never saw them. Or, I saw our Principal and just wasn't that impressed. The Principal of my daughter's school is leaving... and I'm incredibly sad.
Mr. Walden has been the Principal of Astor Elementary School, Portland, OR for 13 years. He is involved, he presence is seen and felt, he is the kids biggest supporter and cheerleader, and a wonderful listener when you come to him with your concerns. I know that there have been some bumps in the road with communication and understanding, but things are never 100% when you are dealing with the education and emotions of parents and their children.
I know I won't be able to stand and tell my "Mr. Walden Story" at the gathering this evening, I'd cry the whole time - how annoying. So, I thought I would write it out, get it out here in my own little blog world.
****
Into the 3rd week of my daughters second grade year I drove to the school to meet her on the sidewalk outside the classroom doors like I had been doing for years. When I arrived at the school the bell had run and children were running to their parents/guardians, school buses, what have you. I waited a while and my daughter didn't show up. I walked into the classroom and her teacher told me that she had left the classroom along with everyone else. O.K.
I went back to the sidewalk and looked around. Walked back into the classroom and told her teacher I couldn't find her. Together we walked around the outside of the school building while her former kindergarten and 1st grade teachers checked the bathrooms and hall ways.
I was doing my best to stay calm but inside I was panicking. While walking back to the front of the school I saw the prinicipal, Mr. Walden, and he asked what was going on. I told him that I couldn't find Katie and he stayed calm. (Which kind of pissed me off because I was panicking, but I knew deep down that he was handling this the correct way.)
He asks me, "Who are her friends? Would she have walked home with anyone?" My answer is, 'I know of one girl. But No. We haven't had any playdates yet. I'm not ready for that.' (breathing, breathing) He asks, "Is there anyone she's talked about?" Then I remember that she has been wanting to go to a classmates house but I don't know this girls parents, where she lives, anything other than her first name. I give Mr. Walden the girls first name and he and her teacher walk to the office.
Within minutes Mr. Walden is walking out of the school with his car keys. He told me, "I'm going to the girls house. I'll be right back." I am scared. So, so scared. I would never wish this feeling upon any parent.
10 ve-e-e-e-ery lo-o-o-o-ong minutes later Mr. Walden is pulling up to the school with my daughter in the back seat. He opens the door for her to get out, walks her over to me, then he returns to the schools office. I'm blubbering. Beyond relieved. Katie was determined to go to her friends house to play, and since I was all of 2 minutes late in meeting her on the sidewalk she decided to walk home with her friend. (At 13 years of age she continues to go after what she wants. God help us all.)
I thanked Mr. Walden with a hand-made card and our sincerest gratitude. It's never felt like enough.
He proved to me that day that we were in good hands, that we were being watched and cared for. That's what you want when you allow your children to be under someone else's guidance. Thank you for taking such wonderful care of us all these years, Mr. Walden. We'll miss you.
I had this plate. It was part of the collection Rob and I received when we were married. We've had these plates going on 18 years now. This particular salad plate became chipped along the rim where the design was so it was very noticable, to me anyway. I didn't like it.
Over the years we've added different styles of plates to our collection. We have about 4 different colors and designs happening now. I dream of having things match however, I can't imagine having everything look the same. I make no sense.
This plate, this chipped plate, had been bothering me for weeks, for months. Probably years! I don't know any more. I don't know why I was hanging on to this "defective" plate when we had a dozen others to use. I would even take this particular plate and put in on the bottom of the pile in the cabinet. I didn't want to serve food on it for concern the receiver would assume I think less of them by giving them food on a imperfect plate. (Do you really want to know how my brain works? Probably not.)
So I did something. I placed that "broken" plate in the recycling bin. I got rid of it. Done, gone. Bye bye. I'm surprised by the relief I feel when I reach for dishes now.
The thing is, this chipped plate might be a metaphor for something else in my life. It might be, I don't know. All I know is, I got rid of something that bugged me.
Do you have something that nags at you? Do you have a handle that jiggles? Or a light bulb that's been out for far too long? Fix it.
When it's Monday, and Rob and the girls leave the house for work and school, Benny gets emotional. He needs some consoling, something comforting. This is how I found him this morning:
I know that some of you have kids that are out of school for the summer already. My kids still have 2 weeks to go. That's fine with me, I'm not ready to be "Julie, The Cruise Director/Party Planner" yet. So let's get our Virtual Girls Night Out going! (And guess what??? Notice the bottom of this post to see that the Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project is back!)
*The VGNO blog-hop is for those who want to party "virtually" with other bloggers. Add your blog link to the link-up below, get on your fuzzy slippers, make yourself a cocktail, visit those that have left their blog link and have fun! Happy VGNO!*
Time For Some Tunes!
Kim Richey "Jack and Jill"
"She wore that dress like it was a Saturday..."
Time For A Cocktail!
A Saturday Afternoon Ingredients:1 oz banana liqueur
2 oz Malibu® coconut rum
1 oz gold rum
1 splash grenadine syrup
3 oz orange juice
4 - 6 oz ginger ale
1 slice orange Directions:
Add all ingredients except the ginger ale and stir. Fill with ginger ale. Garnish with orange slice.
Sounds like a wonderful drink for a June afternoon. Cheers! :->
Time For The Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project - Part 3!
Can you believe the Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project was started 2 years ago? Wow. I can't. We've had two of our "little gems" lost along the way. (Probably the same place matching socks in the dryer vanish to, I don't know.) Since blog pal interest is still strong, I'm going to start the blog project, "Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project" yet again! There are 24 stops so far :-> For those that don't know what it's all about (or for those that are on the list but need a refresher) here's the idea:
While on the Oregon Coast I found this "little gem" and decided I didn't want its journey to end. 'Why not' I thought 'share this symbol with my blog pals?' So, here we are! Want to take part in this blog-hopping photo project? Here's what you do:
*E-mail your name & address to annharrison@comcast.net. I will add your destination to the list. Once you receive the little heart-shaped gem...
*Take a picture of it with something that represents you; it could be an object, a place, whatever you like.
*Then... post the picture on your blog; let your readers know you are participating in The Traveling Heart-Shaped Rock Project.
*Let me know when you receive our little gem; I'll send you the name & address of the next blogger to mail the rock to.
*At the end of it's journey I'll create a slideshow of your pics.
I know that some bloggers plan on sending the "gem" on it's way along with a little trinket/souvenir for the next blogger. I love it! Do what feels right, just have fun. And, don't forget, take pics and post 'em. I'll be sharing your pics on my blog as well. You will be the T.H.S.R.P. Spotlight Blogger! At the end of its journey I'll create a slideshow of our pics reminiscing about its travels (and wishing it had been me :-> ). On and on it goes! (I hope :-> ).
Alright blog pals, have fun at our Virtual Girls Night Out! If you like, leave your blog link if you like and we'll visit your blog and say, "Happy VGNO!"
In honor of National Doughnut Day I'm re-posting this from April of 2010
There's a wild and wacky doughnut shop in Portland called VooDoo Doughnut. They create doughnuts that are rolled in Capt'n Crunch and doughnuts sprinkled with Kool-Aid. They have your classic maple bar only theirs is topped with a slice of bacon. (Think about it, it's a great combo.) They once concocted a doughnut that had a NyQuil center, however they discovered the FDA didn't really approve of that confection.
On a sunny Saturday, while hanging out downtown, we asked our girls if they wanted to get a treat and they opted for VooDoo. On ward!
When we pulled in the parking lot we noticed it was a bit more crowded than usual. At the door we are told a wedding was about to begin, however we could come in and observe. Sure, why not. Well,... this crowd was a bit different than what our daughters are used to and the look on their faces was worth all the calories of all the doughnuts in the land. We were "guests" at a Goth Wedding.
Not only does VooDoo make great doughnuts, the co-owner is an ordained Minister and will preside over your wedding ceremony. The event was held with honor and humor. It was an amazing thing to watch. Yes, there was more black lipstick and leather worn here than at your "normal" wedding. However, the attire didn't hide the love that this couple had for each other or the support and deep affection their friends had for this new union.
At first we weren't sure if we should have our girls be involved with this party. (Is it going to freak them out?!) But I'm so glad we did. It takes all kinds of people to make this World work. I'm glad we were welcomed in despite our, by comparison, bland appearance. I'm glad none of us judged with our eyes but with our spirit.
*June 3rd is National Doughnut Day. Indulge a little !*
With 13 y/o and 10 y/o daughters the topic of bodies and their ever-changing state seem to be daily discussions. I don't mind. I grew up with a fantastic mom who let me ask anything and honest answers were given. (It was really up to my comfort level in what I wanted to ask.)
I'm doing my best with my answers (thank you American Girl "The Care & Keeping Of You" !) but sometimes it helps to bring a little silliness into the mix.
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