tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76098514142805430852024-03-21T23:39:49.499-05:00something to face the world withjacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930853070226450123noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609851414280543085.post-4082876977664501532012-06-27T12:46:00.001-05:002012-06-27T12:53:06.819-05:00my space. (not to be confused with myspace.)<div style="text-align: center;">
i'll admit it. </div>
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i'm an introvert. </div>
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wholly & completely. </div>
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i can spend hours, days (& likely weeks) alone.</div>
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i need some time to just. be. to think. to piddle around the apartment with no agenda. </div>
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i need to feel un-rushed & un-pressured. </div>
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why i chose a career that requires non-stop interaction with people is beyond me. </div>
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if you have ever lived with me, you have experienced the crazy-eyed, frustrated version of me when life has been hectic & i haven't made time to recharge. </div>
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for most of my life though, i have been my own worst enemy- always filling every slot of free time with an activity or a to-do. </div>
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people who love me are always telling me to slow down, stop "doing" & take a break. </div>
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(i'm also ridiculously stubborn.)</div>
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i'm finally taking their loving advice to heart.</div>
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so i've carved out a little space in our apartment where i can camp out each day to do my favorite things: create, read, write, reminisce, listen. </div>
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(and make lists of things to-do. later, of course.) </div>
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the reason i'm sharing it with you? </div>
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because you're there too. </div>
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a written letter from ms. porter that encourages me to be the best me i can. </div>
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a pocket cyclopedia of medicine & surgery written in 1913 from one of my favorite mentors. </div>
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an amulet from my dear friend, mr. robison. (unfortunately, you can't see it in the light.) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUugDsVCJTxH_rZgmMPRNfZ06qmhpIJomSm5NGrTNLICnbLSh1TkMxVmB5YYp7EQJb-dbAF3vvzEDTwpxjnDQ9265KHZ-INFpPfbI4gPV0KbPtv25mqTGfeyLrIWQXsc_AZ-4_FFt-WGs/s1600/IMG_1989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUugDsVCJTxH_rZgmMPRNfZ06qmhpIJomSm5NGrTNLICnbLSh1TkMxVmB5YYp7EQJb-dbAF3vvzEDTwpxjnDQ9265KHZ-INFpPfbI4gPV0KbPtv25mqTGfeyLrIWQXsc_AZ-4_FFt-WGs/s320/IMG_1989.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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a journal from ms. cavnar. </div>
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stationary from miss mcfadden. </div>
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a book solely dedicated to my favorite music from mr. rocke. </div>
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a picture of my great-grandmother, a lovely reminder of the strong women in my lineage. </div>
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a picture frame from ms. brooks, a gift when i embarked on my journey to chicago. </div>
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a thumbs-up dinosaur egg my pops gave me after a rough year many years ago. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKeo5mCSXCll4gCLrD7Clao_A8TFE1D7PNX4aMIldVIPxhIzcv37vdKobjQMNdC6D02zXAPuCRZLxfMFJBYl1sBifBTHUwpXZ6XlOnPqmCSs_E3UCdb6Ng-eF-Wr0ECbB7aICNTo39rFo/s1600/IMG_1988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKeo5mCSXCll4gCLrD7Clao_A8TFE1D7PNX4aMIldVIPxhIzcv37vdKobjQMNdC6D02zXAPuCRZLxfMFJBYl1sBifBTHUwpXZ6XlOnPqmCSs_E3UCdb6Ng-eF-Wr0ECbB7aICNTo39rFo/s320/IMG_1988.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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so though i'm far, far away...</div>
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know you're with me. </div>
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always. </div>
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<br /></div>jacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930853070226450123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609851414280543085.post-78430828290946812242012-06-22T12:03:00.000-05:002012-06-22T12:05:26.415-05:00(there were too many nut puns out there to choose just one. insert your own inappropriate title here.)the title of this recipe from the <a href="http://www.windycitycrossfit.com/wccf_recipes/2011/10/102011.html">source</a>: <b>Best Roasted Nuts Ever. </b><br />
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simple, but true.<br />
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i made my first batch this week & every person i've shared them with has asked for the recipe.<br />
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(that rarely happens to me, so i revel in the glory!)<br />
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as a bonus, they are super healthy!<br />
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(unless you eat 3/4 of the batch in TWO days. not that i would do something like that. i'm just saying.)<br />
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2 cups of RAW mixed nuts (no salt. no oil. nada. just NUTS.)<br />
1 TBS coconut oil<br />
1 tsp sea salt (i used kosher)<br />
1 tsp cinnamon<br />
1/2 tsp chili powder<br />
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper<br />
zest of 1 lime<br />
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preheat oven to 350 degrees.<br />
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place the nuts on a cookie sheet & bake for about 5 minutes. then shake them up/flip them over (i.e. spill nuts all over your kitchen floor) & bake for 5 more minutes.<br />
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**the original recipe says 10 min & then 5 more. i have lost MANY recipes of roasted nuts because they burn before the time is up. i have learned my lesson. test it out for yourself in your own oven.**<br />
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pour the nuts into a bowl & mix with coconut oil until the nuts are all coated. stir in the seasoning & lime zest. then spread them back onto the baking sheet to cool.<br />
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I WOULD HAVE INSERTED A FANCY PHOTO HERE </div>
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IF I HAD NOT ALREADY EATEN ALL THE DAMN NUTS. </div>
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how about a koala bear instead? </div>
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happy friday! </div>
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<br />jacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930853070226450123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609851414280543085.post-66063874972507981302012-06-21T17:22:00.000-05:002012-06-21T17:22:20.398-05:00thunderup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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we may be down, but we're not out. </div>
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here's to one more shot at making history. </div>jacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930853070226450123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609851414280543085.post-21157322881912323772012-06-19T11:42:00.001-05:002012-06-19T11:43:13.159-05:00walt grace's submarine test, january 1967<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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here's to keeping things afloat & learning to turn in the tide....</div>
<br />jacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930853070226450123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609851414280543085.post-23559654970040850092012-06-15T18:33:00.002-05:002012-06-15T18:33:45.008-05:00you're still young, that's your fault.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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a classic tune to welcome the weekend. </div>
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i haven't been blogging much. </div>
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my thoughts have been scattered & half-formed, like leftover cobbler after a summer picnic. <br />
my guts have felt so raw lately. i am feeling everything to the Nth degree. </div>
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when i'm happy, i'm euphoric and when i'm sad, it's feels like i am mourning. </div>
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it's hard to make sense of what is and what was and what is becoming.</div>
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i've never had so much time in my adult life to just. be. and yet still live. </div>
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i'm walking more & rushing less. i've been less enticed by fancy restaurants and more obsessed with long strolls in the trees. i want beauty to crash down from waterfalls. i want words etched into my bones. </div>
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i bought an Indian chime that sounds like peace and wind rushing over mountaintops and my grandparents' house. i long to fall asleep listening to that bell clang.</div>
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</div>jacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930853070226450123noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.419415537.6745235 -122.577344 37.8753355 -122.261487tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609851414280543085.post-28201570441049663392011-12-01T16:54:00.001-06:002011-12-01T17:13:08.303-06:00a musical advent calendar: day 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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my first memories of going to church are learning this song for a </div>
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christmas program when i was probably 5 or 6. </div>
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even then, i had an unnatural love for all things music. </div>
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this song always, always, always reminds me of that </div>
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little church in kingfisher, oklahoma, with its 'live' nativity scene. </div>
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i often give thanks for those women who so patiently taught us these lines. </div>
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<br /></div>jacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930853070226450123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609851414280543085.post-31788867929364460862011-11-28T23:14:00.001-06:002011-11-28T23:19:53.942-06:00Inhale. Exhale.<div style="text-align: center;">
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sometimes my yoga mat feels like a life boat.</div>
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sometimes it feels like a magic carpet.</div>
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that spongy rectangle is a sacred space, a sanctuary for my soul. </div>
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"When you inhale, you are taking the strength from God. </div>
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When you exhale, it represents the service you are giving to the world." - B.K.S. Iyengar</div>jacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930853070226450123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609851414280543085.post-28200370612798494982011-11-23T21:45:00.001-06:002011-11-23T21:53:27.976-06:00my favorite little mexican.<div style="text-align: center;">
happy 8th birthday to the studliest chihuahua of all time!! </div>
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(that may sound like an oxymoron. i assure you, he's the chuck norris of chichis.) </div>
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i love my little nook! </div>
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<br />jacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930853070226450123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609851414280543085.post-71029674640191213002011-09-21T21:59:00.000-05:002011-09-21T21:59:12.446-05:00vegetarian tacos with spinach, corn & goat cheese<div style="text-align: center;">
this is a busy week sandwiched between visits from </div>
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my family last weekend & dustin's family this coming weekend. </div>
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my dad spoke truth during his visit here when he said that people in this city have to live with intention; meaning the menial things need to be planned well so</div>
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that 'real' life can be truly enjoyed. </div>
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he was oh-so right. </div>
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(more on their visit to come...)</div>
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as city dwellers, dustin and i try to plan our meals each week </div>
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in an effort to maximize our time. </div>
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(as i'm sure most of you do!) </div>
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this little recipe from Real Simple has been a staple for </div>
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the past few months so i thought i would share. </div>
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<br /></div>
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it's easy, it's healthy, and it's inexpensive! </div>
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<br /></div>
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1 TB olive oil</div>
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1 14 oz package extra firm tofu- drained, patted dry & crumbled </div>
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OR </div>
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1 can of black beans- drained & rinsed </div>
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(i can not like tofu.)</div>
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1 1/2 tsp chili powder</div>
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kosher salt (i omit this since my beans have salt.) </div>
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black pepper</div>
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1 10 oz pkg frozen corn</div>
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1 5 oz pkg baby spinach</div>
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8 small flour tortillas</div>
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crumbled goat cheese</div>
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salsa</div>
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<br /></div>
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heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. add the protein of your choice, chili powder, 1/2 tsp salt (again, optional) and 1/4 tsp pepper. </div>
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cook, tossing occasionally, 4-5 minutes. </div>
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cook the corn as directed on the package in the meantime. </div>
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add the corn to the tofu or bean mix. </div>
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add the spinach and 1/4 tsp salt and pepper. toss until wilted. </div>
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fill the tortillas with the protein mix, goat cheese & salsa.</div>
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<br /></div>
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this serves 4 and only takes about 20 minutes total! </div>
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<br /></div>
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enjoy! </div>
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jacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930853070226450123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609851414280543085.post-49481620356349975182011-09-19T21:49:00.000-05:002011-09-19T21:49:35.871-05:00color my life with the chaos of trouble.<div>tonight's dance party is brought to you by belle & sebastian: </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><iframe width="459" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EUCZNufUiIQ?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>jacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930853070226450123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609851414280543085.post-34879988668815371692011-09-11T21:08:00.000-05:002011-09-11T21:08:22.076-05:00for emily & dylan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
“Strangers are just friends I haven't met yet.” - Will Rogers</div>
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in just 72 hours, d & i will be hosting my family for a tour of my city life!! </div>
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my mom & dad are bringing my teenage </div>
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brother and sister to chicago for their first 'big city' experience. </div>
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<br /></div>
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dylan & emily have grown up in the same little town that raised me. a small agricultural community in western oklahoma. a one stoplight town. an everyone-knows-you-&-your-business town. </div>
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when i was around 13 years old, my parents took me on a trip to dallas, (which is BIG city to a country girl!) i can't say that i had ever given much thought about where i would live as an adult prior to that trip. that desolate oklahoma town was my home. i am not sure i had yet considered a life outside of it. but city life mesmerized me...the life, the energy, the constant movement & sound & experience & diversity. </div>
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i apologized to my parents then & there because i knew that city life was my gig. </div>
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i knew i was movin' out of sayre as soon as i possibly could. </div>
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<br /></div>
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so this blog is for emily & dylan. </div>
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here's some big-sister advice for two kids who will be </div>
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standing where i stood all those years ago: </div>
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<i>dearest siblings, </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>i am so stoked to squeeze your necks in just 3 days!! we have lots of fun things planned for your trip!</i></div>
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<i>i hope that we can make this adventure memorable for you....an experience you'll always remember. </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>before you arrive, i want you to dwell on a few ideas....</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCC7nrS_sc4m0AeuuVfMPBDpGN2-Ah7DL8LGsYDy6NC5ACq2QVhHlE76ifYW_0NbOJ-XrzBlfoKK-DTVYmjrh4gP1nPiBJKiZbbsbUnu97C3La3XVifesw71UphgffhRqLIUCvEjHtHmS/s1600/open_your_mind_chalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCC7nrS_sc4m0AeuuVfMPBDpGN2-Ah7DL8LGsYDy6NC5ACq2QVhHlE76ifYW_0NbOJ-XrzBlfoKK-DTVYmjrh4gP1nPiBJKiZbbsbUnu97C3La3XVifesw71UphgffhRqLIUCvEjHtHmS/s320/open_your_mind_chalk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>the true beauty of traveling is the intense & sudden awareness that life does not, in fact, </i></div>
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<i>revolve around you....that there are customs & cultures & fashion & sexuality & languages & religions that have molded people into an entirely different breed than the ones you are accustomed to experiencing. i promise promise promise you that if you keep your mind open to the beauty of this diversity, you will certainly fall head over heels in love with the tapestry of humanity that dwells within this city. </i></div>
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<i>l</i><i>isten intently to the languages, the music you hear. </i></div>
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<i>taste the magnificent variety of ethnic foods. </i></div>
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<i>consider the possibility that you may learn something fascinating from </i></div>
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<i>someone who is not white, not protestant and who is not heterosexual. </i><i> </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>i know that in your lives god is very real to you. you hear about him at home, at church and at school. </i></div>
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<i>what you may not understand fully is that the god you worship looks different to other people. </i></div>
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<i>(though many will argue that point.)</i></div>
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<i>but for this week, carry this idea with you:</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZgWeMsVRhJiCA1-8ulTgBcUWtF9QcXj06YaU06L0JqdktD4YMDJO9iJTl1wFDS5xKE5LMzUXSLMBU9Y6gMW_FcNM70Flz41C5-II99VBdSeEW2PewQvME7SzTIQWxYSy1XADfhf2g7nf/s1600/god-god-is-love-lord-love-the-greatest-love-of-all-Favim.com-85563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZgWeMsVRhJiCA1-8ulTgBcUWtF9QcXj06YaU06L0JqdktD4YMDJO9iJTl1wFDS5xKE5LMzUXSLMBU9Y6gMW_FcNM70Flz41C5-II99VBdSeEW2PewQvME7SzTIQWxYSy1XADfhf2g7nf/s320/god-god-is-love-lord-love-the-greatest-love-of-all-Favim.com-85563.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>so try to see god in every face you see.</i></span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>remember that jesus loved the freaks & geeks & weirdos & outcasts. </i></span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>avoid casting any preconceived notions about what you </i></span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>believe to be "normal" on the people you encounter. </i></span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>be kind. be polite. </i></span></i></div>
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<i>savor the differences as well as the sameness. </i></div>
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<i>also....</i></div>
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<i>take lots of pictures. </i></div>
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<i>look BOTH ways before you cross the street! </i></div>
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<i>e</i><i>veryone is in a huge hurry to get somewhere. they will run you over! </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>don't wave your phones around. especially on the trains. they are a hot commodity for thieves. </i></div>
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<i>make sure you use your phone wisely & keep it charged. if you get lost, you'll need it. </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>pack lightly. </i></div>
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<i>try new things. </i></div>
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<i>be adventurous. </i><i> </i></div>
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<i>go with the flow. </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>ask questions. </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>be patient. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>despite the fact that everyone is rushing around like a chicken without a head, it takes longer to get places & lines can be long & walks can seem like miles. enjoy the scenery. </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>be nice to one another. </i></div>
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<i>or you're sleeping on the porch. </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>i love you both more than you could know. </i></div>
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<i>see you soon! </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>sissy. </i></div>
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jacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930853070226450123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609851414280543085.post-38971531416920779882011-09-05T19:55:00.002-05:002011-09-05T20:09:22.054-05:00summer sipper<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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dustin & i had a few of our fabulous friends over this weekend to celebrate the end of summer. </div>
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(can you believe it's almost over?!!?) </div>
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i thought i'd share the recipe for this lovely watermelon concoction: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>watermelon margaritas</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 tsp sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 lime wedge</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3 1/2 cubs cubed watermelon</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/2 c tequila</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2 tb sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3 tb fresh lime juice</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 tb triple sec </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
lime wedges & watermelon balls (optional)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1. place 2 tsp sugar in a saucer. rub the rims of 6 glasses with 1 lime wedge; spin rim of each glass in sugar to coat. set prepared glasses aside. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2. combine watermelon & next 4 ingredients in blender; process until smooth. fill each prepared glass with 1/2 c crushed ice. add 1/2 c margarita to each glass. garnish with lime wedges or melon balls. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
serves 6. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
105 calories per serving. </div>
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jacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930853070226450123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609851414280543085.post-37085268413976877242011-09-03T16:18:00.000-05:002011-09-03T16:18:24.074-05:00what i know today.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">I believe in love. I believe in wonder. I believe in silence. I believe in beauty. I believe in hand-written letters. I believe in sweat. I believe in stretching your limits and pushing boundaries. I believe in respect for creatures great & small and the habitat in which they dwell. I believe in laughter. I believe in adventure. I believe in apologies. I believe in conviction. I believe in passion. I believe in loyalty. I believe in second chances. I believe in six second hugs. I believe in giving. I believe in gratitude. I believe love = love whether it is between a man & a woman or man & man or woman & woman. I believe in freedom. I believe in taking risks. I believe in prayer. I believe in stillness. I believe in chaos. I believe in holding hands. I believe in listening intently. I believe in balance. I believe in standing up for yourself and others. I believe in books with worn edges that you can touch & smell & savor. I believe in stories. I believe in the sanctity of nature. I believe in travel. I believe in God. I believe in simplicity. I believe in truth. I believe in quiet walks through the woods. I believe in change. I believe in transparency. I believe a meal shared with friends is a treasured gift. I believe in diversity. I believe in learning. I believe in a nice glass of wine. I believe you can see God in every face. I believe togetherness and loneliness are essential components of a well-balanced life. I believe in the power of music. I believe every end is a new beginning. I believe in hard work. I believe in the grace and the mystery that accompanies each sunrise. I believe in the unexplainable. I believe in the force of nature. I believe you should not believe everything you have been taught. I believe in changing your mind & starting, stopping or starting over. I believe in teachers. I believe in being who you want to be. I believe the great outdoors is the best classroom imaginable. I believe in mothers & fathers & those that step in to raise a child the best way they know how. I believe in forgiveness. I believe in service. I believe you should question everything that does not feel right to your soul. I believe in being kind, not only to others, but to yourself. I believe in peace. I believe the universe is unfolding as it should. I believe in synchronicity. I believe in the power of your breath. I believe in instinct. I believe that we are not bodies with a soul, but a soul with a body. I believe in individuality. I believe in character. I believe dreams can come true. I believe you should follow your bliss. I believe there is great freedom when you learn when to say yes and no based on what is in the best interest of your heart. I believe in letting go. I believe in boldness. I believe in spontaneity. I believe that not all that wander are lost. I believe in earnest effort. I believe in hustle & perseverance. I believe it is wisdom to believe the heart. </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">I believe today is the youngest we will ever be again; </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">let’s live like it. </span></i></span></div>jacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930853070226450123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609851414280543085.post-78549538401335590432011-09-02T17:01:00.000-05:002011-09-02T17:01:19.671-05:00breaking the seal.<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWhlyzy4K4DnTarUj_eAm9Tty_gjpjtxFS3VnlJW5uIZeta1KCWFAA-6CKfxp2LhZ6F9a6Vs7bQPyOWwD2jDzm86YynJGsdXGHTadxtbqQy_Duj8sbkvi0f5YabV14Xbpn5nqXhHMg_qN/s1600/IMG_1106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWhlyzy4K4DnTarUj_eAm9Tty_gjpjtxFS3VnlJW5uIZeta1KCWFAA-6CKfxp2LhZ6F9a6Vs7bQPyOWwD2jDzm86YynJGsdXGHTadxtbqQy_Duj8sbkvi0f5YabV14Xbpn5nqXhHMg_qN/s320/IMG_1106.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
crikey!! it's been ages since i've been able to sit down & write!<br />
<br />
after several weeks, one new apartment, one mini-michigan vacation<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">& an entire month sans internet, i'm back to the blogosphere. </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
in the meantime, i have been doing a lot of reading.<br />
blogs & books & magazines.<br />
i've been learning about life & careers <br />
& spirituality<br />
& yoga<br />
& food<br />
& medicine<br />
& music<br />
& traveling.<br />
i've been happy & sad & back again.<br />
dozens of things i've wanted to share, </div><div style="text-align: center;">but for one reason or another, it hasn't happened.<br />
<br />
maybe i needed the break. time to reassess, to be inspired.<br />
to share deeply & fully.<br />
to become more aware of who i am becoming.<br />
to grow more bold.<br />
to listen more intently.<br />
to look back & plan ahead.<br />
and to let go.<br />
<br />
this little blog was meant to be about my life, my evolution, my journey.<br />
and so it continues....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>jacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930853070226450123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609851414280543085.post-48198443139357700032011-07-19T21:55:00.000-05:002011-07-19T21:55:38.493-05:00Let it always be known that I was who I am.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/JvwWzcLfH-k?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>jacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930853070226450123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609851414280543085.post-31273748916580931492011-07-04T02:15:00.000-05:002011-07-04T02:15:27.278-05:00the cool, grey city of love<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> “I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.” – Mark Twain</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...sigh...</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">our first real vacation together officially ended today. </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">i came home to two sleepy doggies, a lonely bed & a mostly empty refrigerator. </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my OCD-self wants to unpack the bags & start the laundry. </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">my body wants dinner & a glass of wine & a good night's sleep. </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but my brain is still on pacific time... </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a beautiful montage of memories spins behind my eyes every time i try to close them. </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">we. had. a. magical. time. </span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQitX2PDAkFMyvtktDo431xfTSAJdiE41vjM7CuRY0o_15IUl4LWUfSt0qCe8-5_eidHsE8E9kLywMWRdBP_NxVsttmF0rNNlTwitDfd22pZqSABy0DiKsjHB6Awa4f8dQu-Gjg7ueYEX/s1600/269150_1824181809894_1400717804_31573234_653446_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQitX2PDAkFMyvtktDo431xfTSAJdiE41vjM7CuRY0o_15IUl4LWUfSt0qCe8-5_eidHsE8E9kLywMWRdBP_NxVsttmF0rNNlTwitDfd22pZqSABy0DiKsjHB6Awa4f8dQu-Gjg7ueYEX/s320/269150_1824181809894_1400717804_31573234_653446_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></i></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></i></div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Big Caslon'; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>this great adventure was full of love & adventure & spontaneity....</i></span></div></span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4rZncdWGYpUssBfi4F78t7M7EYUBFurWT0Hl7TDwUi6Lqqul95N43y1SobRgjm7qPSN9oVzXMJeeUU7663xocjmUnDscDUYgPew7BJfKKAnIfZYPr2LP1qtuEc5oj1BhO3SUE2WFav2O/s1600/IMG_1134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp4rZncdWGYpUssBfi4F78t7M7EYUBFurWT0Hl7TDwUi6Lqqul95N43y1SobRgjm7qPSN9oVzXMJeeUU7663xocjmUnDscDUYgPew7BJfKKAnIfZYPr2LP1qtuEc5oj1BhO3SUE2WFav2O/s320/IMG_1134.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></i></span></i></div><i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Big Caslon'; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>weddings & wine tasting & long walks & beaches & dear friends...</i></span></div></span></i></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2p2UHgRfUHlqwZq6unQTIC3IwyYbFKVrxzdNDAM_jsHVf6fwsEUFu0qpbMSOTd9RslFfGj44xhG4t-3nYOQ8TZxupaQd6dspRAtu2WTvCcuVFLhHp5EpXzyHnXykKweDXTVkHMQeprLKS/s1600/IMG_1209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2p2UHgRfUHlqwZq6unQTIC3IwyYbFKVrxzdNDAM_jsHVf6fwsEUFu0qpbMSOTd9RslFfGj44xhG4t-3nYOQ8TZxupaQd6dspRAtu2WTvCcuVFLhHp5EpXzyHnXykKweDXTVkHMQeprLKS/s320/IMG_1209.JPG" width="245" /></span></i></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>delicious food & scenery & bicycles & tattoos... </i></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91LNpucU8_HhyZ5PmoGUIY3eZtM5n5w3UY8VgjAzXnzKsOla0qWlQurBoZRISwRoWUZyfirRw2KhO-tYjCUiO3knS8SqRcjNInZVG99DqaNFdtbLikz0qDUhHatvToTL6twBVf3j2HDby/s1600/IMG_1204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91LNpucU8_HhyZ5PmoGUIY3eZtM5n5w3UY8VgjAzXnzKsOla0qWlQurBoZRISwRoWUZyfirRw2KhO-tYjCUiO3knS8SqRcjNInZVG99DqaNFdtbLikz0qDUhHatvToTL6twBVf3j2HDby/s320/IMG_1204.JPG" width="320" /></span></i></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>sun & rain & sand & hiking & surf...</i></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2LlXpR3cXcOJoSaepgETFz5NGDFkzw5kTMw8g0awSqd7ZE21tjpF9M7kpUkR6M1O97LZzXf9mj1cWscOknKUclVIBM_V8eBI2-iIUUNMxOCBtPh7rlY_xvunxJJdmFiszqQJDe8rbjIe/s1600/IMG_1203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2LlXpR3cXcOJoSaepgETFz5NGDFkzw5kTMw8g0awSqd7ZE21tjpF9M7kpUkR6M1O97LZzXf9mj1cWscOknKUclVIBM_V8eBI2-iIUUNMxOCBtPh7rlY_xvunxJJdmFiszqQJDe8rbjIe/s320/IMG_1203.JPG" width="242" /></a></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>holding hands & naps & umbrellas & band aids....</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>...sigh...</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>i'd do it all over again if i weren't terrified it wouldn't be as perfect as the first time. </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>so i'll just document all i can in word & photo....</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>and in the decades that come, dustin & i will look back & fall in love with those days </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>& with one another all over again. </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
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</div>jacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930853070226450123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609851414280543085.post-17146838696573919472011-06-21T21:11:00.000-05:002011-06-21T21:11:03.883-05:00whirrrrrrrrlwind.<div style="text-align: center;">the past month has been a doozy. dustin and i have had some sort of event nearly every single day. literally.</div><div style="text-align: center;">we've made some beautiful memories these past few weeks. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> here's hoping pictures are worth a thousand words: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">we saw BOTH airborne toxic event shows at the Metro...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgul-TEvGAE06VDnJ_7XZcdLli-uehZ1jMDQSykesPV0l2DcGB2Ux0eUjbZQUQlKIwiHWyLabw8KynVaLAk7X04OLnmoR1kZ48rGd4RapVwkSIl55YEDJ-MT1mmji7rzQiVhsBfJaB2AfeN/s1600/IMG_1024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgul-TEvGAE06VDnJ_7XZcdLli-uehZ1jMDQSykesPV0l2DcGB2Ux0eUjbZQUQlKIwiHWyLabw8KynVaLAk7X04OLnmoR1kZ48rGd4RapVwkSIl55YEDJ-MT1mmji7rzQiVhsBfJaB2AfeN/s320/IMG_1024.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">we witnessed two dear friends get married in Milwaukee...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">we traveled to Sarasota to celebrate dustin's grandfather's birthday...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">we saw the Tree of Life & Peter Pan. </div><div style="text-align: center;">we saw Iron & Wine...and Brandi Carlile & Ray Lamontagne...and Dispatch. </div><div style="text-align: center;">all in one week. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFVitiDPO-5uq34PLv0rDuDUVzUtkSZk_utcT4eOVw1hafaqyztFX8RhYgK7Gi5yR1nGBesQ7je4Ohj71hm273SMrV2T5Y5RxGZSlejMf8D9UI0S_4z5-DH1crMGkUqKPkxZraYPqnjll/s1600/IMG_1056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFVitiDPO-5uq34PLv0rDuDUVzUtkSZk_utcT4eOVw1hafaqyztFX8RhYgK7Gi5yR1nGBesQ7je4Ohj71hm273SMrV2T5Y5RxGZSlejMf8D9UI0S_4z5-DH1crMGkUqKPkxZraYPqnjll/s320/IMG_1056.JPG" width="271" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">we witnessed two more precious friends tie the knot...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">we saw Paul Thorn at SPACE to celebrate a friend's birthday. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">we spent an adventurous weekend with some of my lovely besties. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">and tomorrow we return to SPACE to see Matt Duke. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">whew. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>jacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930853070226450123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609851414280543085.post-58966893252240317952011-06-19T11:20:00.000-05:002011-06-19T11:20:39.777-05:00if you'll be my bodyguard....<div style="text-align: center;">to my dad. happy father's day, pops. i love you. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/dMwzaa6sdxM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>jacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930853070226450123noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609851414280543085.post-73202078607576084072011-05-23T21:50:00.000-05:002011-05-23T21:50:33.055-05:00kale-afornia<div style="text-align: center;">i go through strange phases when it comes to food. i'll often go months at a time eating the very same thing for breakfast every day....and then suddenly switch to something else for no apparent reason other than i just feel the need to move on. (please avoid psychoanalyzing that statement.) </div><div style="text-align: center;">when i was an M.A. at Children's, i took 2 eggs, 2 tiny tortillas and two soy sausage patties for breakfast every. single. day. then i went through a snickers marathon bar kick. (and that got $$.) there was also a long-standing oatmeal, nut & fruit phase. </div><div style="text-align: center;">of course, peanut butter & banana sandwiches are on a frequent rotation. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">lately, my most favorite breakfast AND lunch has included this lovely new-to-me green, kale. </div><div style="text-align: center;">for breakfast, it's a kale apple smoothie and for lunch, it's a kale salad. (not necessarily on the same day!) yummmmmmm. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRosK1SXZFbPWSg1O8XDyUcijlWW5TWHWf0lNzC1PByJeoRHdPhniWv647Py3YS39NtuUQEjjVomERYbOaO9XpoFmC65tlqz2OnCb7t5C2M1zU9iBwpvQQi0buxih4qXnZaeBrLJr8uu9/s1600/IMG_1023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRosK1SXZFbPWSg1O8XDyUcijlWW5TWHWf0lNzC1PByJeoRHdPhniWv647Py3YS39NtuUQEjjVomERYbOaO9XpoFmC65tlqz2OnCb7t5C2M1zU9iBwpvQQi0buxih4qXnZaeBrLJr8uu9/s320/IMG_1023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">this smoothie reminds me of the chunky green drink Rene Russo drinks in The Thomas Crown Affair. (one of the sexiest movies EVER.) it's oh-so-delicious. i must share. for one smoothie: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">combine 3/4 cup (or so) chopped kale with the ribs & thick stems removed</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 small stalk of chopped celery</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/2 banana</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/2 c apple juice (i'm usually anti-juice as D knows...but 1/2 c seems ok!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/2 c ice</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 TB fresh lemon juice</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">add some sort of protein on the side...and voila! breakfast on the go! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">the salad is uber simple as well. i copied it from a salad i frequently get at Whole Foods. you simply toss chopped kale, chopped tomatoes, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, a dash of kosher or sea salt and some almonds or pine nuts. (the whole foods version has dried cranberries, but i usually omit them.)</div><div style="text-align: center;">i have a serving of smoked salmon with a little spreadable cheese on the side. it's scrum-diddly-umptious, i tell ya! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2MV5nTAPQPpAAa0y1X4sTC-fbXANe1bvw_fyvpE5cWpnNc8kkWZy05t1YlQ6SjWBH3uQqETegvIvXHjviYSiTbVGf7Yh0rbfcSFbvgyAcrEJmO7TaDcEZfdvejs71OoB7DA_WBbQ86ig/s1600/IMG_1010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi2MV5nTAPQPpAAa0y1X4sTC-fbXANe1bvw_fyvpE5cWpnNc8kkWZy05t1YlQ6SjWBH3uQqETegvIvXHjviYSiTbVGf7Yh0rbfcSFbvgyAcrEJmO7TaDcEZfdvejs71OoB7DA_WBbQ86ig/s320/IMG_1010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">on a sidenote, we have only four weeks & 3 days until our california adventure. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(but who is counting?!?!) </div><div style="text-align: center;">in honor of sun & fun....and for your aural pleasure, here's a happy song: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/kLTEPzKRa-k?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>jacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930853070226450123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609851414280543085.post-23629489040442811962011-05-11T22:06:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:37:40.839-05:00There is one thing more exasperating than a wife who can cook and won't, and that's a wife who can't cook and will. ~Robert Frost<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQy09kVaQX5t-hmpU6mZ1K6C2VPINKhjhzQqHX5fMFFKJjby_-QbCvvzCuu8SAmIaWoV3oG98ErZDuO1GvlXcBvrBEvttLPEzOKCWEFWBHbf6upm274Eh4CSvrz5ZCMPUeScZn2J-zmY5f/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQy09kVaQX5t-hmpU6mZ1K6C2VPINKhjhzQqHX5fMFFKJjby_-QbCvvzCuu8SAmIaWoV3oG98ErZDuO1GvlXcBvrBEvttLPEzOKCWEFWBHbf6upm274Eh4CSvrz5ZCMPUeScZn2J-zmY5f/s320/cover.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">i bought a new <a href="http://goop.com/newsletter/126/en/">book</a> this weekend. i found it as dustin and i were running errands around the city. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">d was kind enough to drive as i focused all my attention on this new lovely hardback. i had at least half of it read before we made our way home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">anyone who has known me for several years understands how remarkably strange this excitement is. when i graduated from college, i knew how to make 2 things- ramen noodles and baked potatoes. that's it. about three years ago, the universe shifted, the planets realigned....and i decided to teach myself how to cook. i had just moved to sayre to start my first year practicing as a PA. i suddenly had </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">every. single. night. with. nothing. to. do. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">i had spent the previous 4 years devoting my free time wholly to studying. i had absolutely no interest in cooking. quite frankly, i couldn't understand why people would want to spend so much time on creating something that would (hopefully) quickly disappear. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">then in my first spring back in Western Oklahoma, my book club chose <a href="http://www.animalvegetablemiracle.com/">Animal, Vegetable, Miracle </a> for our selection. not to sound trite, but it changed my perception about food & cooking. i slowly started to experiment with recipes. i started making meals FROM SCRATCH. what a foreign concept! i laugh now at how little i knew about cooking in those first few months. with my parents only 2 blocks up the street, bless their hearts, i shared my bounty....good and bad. (boy, were there some atrocious ones!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">now i'm far from a chef, but i feel much more comfortable in the kitchen. to my own shock, i actually find pleasure in creating a meal from a long list of ingredients. i have a food processor now. and a very sharp knife. i rarely used pre-packaged foods these days. although, i still crave ramen noodles from time to time. i can easily spend hours hovering over cookbooks & sorting through recipes. now i know the difference between sage & tarragon. i grow my own basil. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and i learned the hard way that soup should always be cooled before you put in in the blender....unless you'd like to paint your entire kitchen with butternut squash. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">now that i live in chicago, life is infinitely more hectic. evening routines are stuffed with exercise, commutes, dog-walks & social schedules. however, we try our best to be thrifty & eat at home most nights despite the crazy schedules. mr. rocke is a trooper & he will spend as much time in the kitchen as it takes to finish cooking....but it is admittedly not his favorite hobby. so one of our most cherished meals is a very simple one....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">it's a smorgasbord of flavors, a cornucopia of deliciousness, a hodge podge of morsels. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the line-up changes frequently, but idea is the same...eat whatever you like. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">cleaning your plate is never required to leave the table.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the tradition started a couple of years ago when we were dating long distance. dustin and i would stop by the market for cheese & wine & fruit & crackers and call it 'staying in.' we'd be more than satisfied with this picnic menu. this custom has continued through our first year of cohabitation. for d's birthday, we threw in some banana bread, granola bites & chocolate covered cherries. last weekend, we nixed the wine for a beer. just this week, it was cheese & kale chips & deviled eggs & hummus with pita with a big glass of milk. it's always interesting to see what kind of concoctions we come up with. it's nice to nibble & chat & share a bottle of wine unhurriedly. plus, the clean-up is always minimal. bonus. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #330000; font-family: georgia, 'bookman old style', 'palatino linotype', 'book antiqua', palatino, 'trebuchet ms', helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, 'avante garde', 'century gothic', 'comic sans ms', times, 'times new roman', serif;"></span><br />
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</div></span>jacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930853070226450123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609851414280543085.post-23132194354085266232011-05-08T20:41:00.000-05:002011-05-08T20:41:40.114-05:00word to your mother.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9hgIIxdH1XFkr0aniFRnt8kfPd2t8u5ke7wuEnaC0e7Ir6kybLVaAv8yL0_Muh5Z5uZ_xOXX2PXdHRqKv-zW0L9STz9fvSlnmEltf9vLXIgAAS9x2GP4s2mey4MuixGHYaaYnPeGh-_M/s1600/IMG_1005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9hgIIxdH1XFkr0aniFRnt8kfPd2t8u5ke7wuEnaC0e7Ir6kybLVaAv8yL0_Muh5Z5uZ_xOXX2PXdHRqKv-zW0L9STz9fvSlnmEltf9vLXIgAAS9x2GP4s2mey4MuixGHYaaYnPeGh-_M/s320/IMG_1005.JPG" width="257" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">the following is based on a true story. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">thirty-two years ago candace e. howard celebrated her first mother's day with a 3 month old baby girl. she was a very young woman...a girl really. this brave woman had trudged through a tremendously difficult pregnancy, a vast majority of the time on crutches with a broken femur. and yet still worked. she had nearly lost her own life in labor, giving her own for mine. </div><div style="text-align: center;">over the next 3 decades, she overcame circumstances that most would crumble beneath. my mother stood tall...and persevered...and dedicated her life to this baby girl when she was a child herself. raising me was far from easy. she made unimaginable sacrifices to give me this life, but i do not remember seeing my mother feel sorry herself ever. </div><div style="text-align: center;">never. ever. </div><div style="text-align: center;">so when it came time to purchase my mother's day card this year, every single one seemed remarkably inadequate. there's no card about gardening or baking or shopping that encompasses ms. howard. </div><div style="text-align: center;">she's a gem. </div><div style="text-align: center;">a hero. </div><div style="text-align: center;">a thoughtful & tender soul. </div><div style="text-align: center;">an open mind, constantly devouring books & stories. </div><div style="text-align: center;">she is a quietly but fiercely competitive. </div><div style="text-align: center;">a loyal advocate. a renown listener. </div><div style="text-align: center;">an always-there-for-you-even-when-you-are-wrong-kind-of-friend. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">so here's my hug from 974 miles away, mom. </div><div style="text-align: center;">i love you dearly. </div><div style="text-align: center;">thank you. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>jacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930853070226450123noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609851414280543085.post-76945193497629759282011-05-04T21:21:00.000-05:002011-05-04T21:21:57.850-05:00some people say i've done all right for a girl.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">i have been all over the place lately. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">believe it or not, i've spent at least two hours attempting to write a blog over the past two days....and i've scrapped them all. after i wait for several weeks between updates, i tend to lose my stride. i feel rusty & tongue tied. so we'll keep this simple today. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and random. very, very random: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> despite dustin's embarrassment, i've really been considering buying me some new wheels. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozMWCqAAXPrTTB7NQIZJpepEeNmG9d7nbM3zw5zTGR7ldSLaCeaI0GpRQqC4rvV-PdYqN93pzdPW_O1Ksqb7Y8-xhyphenhyphen9kqjkLzpp80tvuoGRjiaag3G0ssu5qBLjEonsMaBKinbm-tbqwz/s1600/skates.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozMWCqAAXPrTTB7NQIZJpepEeNmG9d7nbM3zw5zTGR7ldSLaCeaI0GpRQqC4rvV-PdYqN93pzdPW_O1Ksqb7Y8-xhyphenhyphen9kqjkLzpp80tvuoGRjiaag3G0ssu5qBLjEonsMaBKinbm-tbqwz/s320/skates.png" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">aren't these purty?!?! i'm fairly convinced i could rock these down the lake trail this summer! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and no! i'm not kidding. i used to love skating. i read something recently that mentioned how you played as a kid can often be how you 'play' as an adult. i actually taught myself to skate inside my house as a child. i came across my mom's wheels & would skate from room to room on the carpet. i finally got brave enough to venture outside after a while. then i eventually begged my mom to take me to a real skating rink. i would spend hours & hours skating in circles in a tiny metal building in a nearby town. (god bless my mom for taking me! she must have been bored out of her mind!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">so in honor of this newfound idea, i've got a little song for you: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>jacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930853070226450123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609851414280543085.post-63370534516328255002011-04-17T23:30:00.000-05:002011-04-17T23:30:23.848-05:00a twist on a prayer.<div style="color: #374454; font: 16.0px Georgia; line-height: 24.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">i have been witness to so many beautiful gifts the past few days...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">this is for all those i love who have been abundantly blessed </div><div style="text-align: center;">by love & babies & healing...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>May your eyes be wide and seeing</i></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>May you learn from the view where you’re kneeling</i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Know the fear of the world that you’re feeling </i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Is the fear of a slave</i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>May you know how the fight was started </i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>And want as much from the snake as the garden</i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Wear them both like a glove that you can wave</i></span></div></i> <div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>May your mouth betray your wisdom</i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>May you get what they failed to mention</i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>May your love be your only religion</i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Preach it to us all</i></span></div></i> <div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>May you lose what you offer gladly </i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>May you worship the time and it’s passing</i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Stars won't ever wait for you to watch them fall</i></span></div></i> <div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>We’re the smoke on a burned horizon </i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>We’re the boat on a tide that’s rising</i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Both the post and the pig you’re untying </i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Put your gun for the blade</i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Someday we may all be happy</i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Someday all make a face worth slapping </i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Someday we may be shocked to be laughing </i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>At the way we behave</i></span></div></i></span><br />
<div style="color: #374454; font: 16.0px Georgia; line-height: 24.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>May your tongue be something wicked</i></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Know your part in the calf and the killing </i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>See straight through the captain you’re kissing</i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Helm loose in his hand</i></span></div></i> <div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>May your words be well worth stealing</i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Put your hand on your heart when singing</i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>The choir’s sick of the song but they’ve still got to stand. </i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Little children, the wind is whipping </i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Short hands on a clock still ticking </i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Both the egg and the red fox grinning </i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>His belly full for the day</i></span></div></i> <div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Someday we may all want nothing</i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>And all forget that we’ll get what’s coming</i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Someday I’ll say the world was something </i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>That we just couldn’t change</i></span></div></i></span><br />
<div style="color: #374454; font: 16.0px Georgia; line-height: 24.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 12.0px 0.0px;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>May your hands be strong and willing</i></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>May you know when to speak and to listen </i></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>May you find every friend that you’re missing</i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>There’s no check in the mail</i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>May you end there bruised and purple</i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Know that peace is the shape of a circle</i></span></div></i> <i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i>Around and around you go, biting your tail</i></span></div></i></span>jacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930853070226450123noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7609851414280543085.post-55793921485386390712011-04-17T23:23:00.000-05:002011-04-17T23:23:11.191-05:00awakenings.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #334455; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaL_PIdgDswN86lmgopdGZ09qlGFfVUTB8xn5vO4VUxChLPRg34BLUT7PhC9gHnMreM0zBhLlA3TBcqVW446jsdLfAnww7W_YYDBLmiBAhtltDDRX-efEwyL67B_I6sY0TsYY5P7Ytbkt-/s1600/insomniacbear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaL_PIdgDswN86lmgopdGZ09qlGFfVUTB8xn5vO4VUxChLPRg34BLUT7PhC9gHnMreM0zBhLlA3TBcqVW446jsdLfAnww7W_YYDBLmiBAhtltDDRX-efEwyL67B_I6sY0TsYY5P7Ytbkt-/s320/insomniacbear.jpg" width="320" /></b></span></a></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>i've been in a fragile state lately. </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>d has been worried about me. </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>i almost cried yesterday when it snowed. </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>literally.</b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>i have 'joked' about burning my winter coat in the fireplace.</b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>he tried to hide the weather forecast from me this morning because there was a chance it may snow tonight. </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>he's a wise man. </b></span></div><br />
<div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>it has been a </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>loooooooonnnnnnnnnng </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>winter. </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>but the sun is coming. </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>i can feel it. my body senses it. </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>my body & mind & soul </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>feel like they are finally waking from an </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>expansive hibernation period. </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>i've been spring cleaning...</b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>and craving fresh berries </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>& wandering through the gardening stores in our neighborhood...</b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>and dreaming of the farmer's market.</b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>i went to yoga today for the first time in a few months. i tried to imagine myself as a sleepy brown bear, </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>stumbling & fumbling </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>to make my limbs move like they used to.</b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>it only took one downward dog...and my mat felt like home again. </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>my teacher said something in class that nudged my soul...she reminded us to not only embrace each pose, but to savor even the transition between. </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>hmmm......yes. yes! </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>i have been so focused </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>(some would say obsessed) </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>with how NOT warm it is </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>that i have neglected</b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b> to be thankful for how NOT cold it is! </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>heck, i wore flip flops to the grocery store tonight! </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>with NO coat! </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>we saw buds on the trees on our walk this morning!</b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>we drove with the windows down this afternoon! </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>so while i may remain ghostly white...</b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>and my sundresses may stay stored away...</b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>i am going to settle into thankfulness. </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>i will be grateful that even though it is </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>april and 30 degrees...</b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>that it is not january and -30 degrees. </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>i will search & delight in the new life blossoming around us. </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>and i'll trade that blasted down coat for a </b></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>new</b></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b> rain coat. </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b>don't mind if i do! </b></span></div><div style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"><b><br />
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</div>jacehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17930853070226450123noreply@blogger.com0