Showing posts with label journal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label journal. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Happy Birthday Charlie


Charlie Chaplin would have been 124 years old today.

Did you know he wrote music????

listen to this, sung by Nat King Cole, music by Charlie:

Smile


Thursday, March 21, 2013

Happy Spring!

A moment of hope
equal days to equal nights
a hope for equal
throughout our lives.
Shining bright
like the morning sun
nature takes a breathe
the winter is done
If only
if only
we'd listen.
In our house
let's tell our children!
Let's do the same!
tell the men and the women!
tell the town, and the city streets!
Equal equal
are our heart beats!
equal are the eyes that see
each other for what we ought be.
loving caring
accepting giving
living together
no hate- just winning!
tell the county!
tell the state!
run and shout !
equality Makes
a better life
for every one!
run run! tell all you can
judge not a single woman or man!
take lessons while you can
 and make a change!
If only
If only
 we'd listen.
-Janey McKeever 2013


Friday, March 15, 2013

King Edward

Eddie I am. 
I am Eddie. 
I am King of this house.
King I am.



I do not answer
 to beck and call.
 Answer them?
 I will not at all!

I do not sleep where you say I will.
I Find my bed as I should.
Where I want, and where I say.
Be it box or hamper I lay.

I do not play when you say I must.
I find my play where I trust.
 Be it sheets or laundry fill
 I choose the toy as I will!
 
I give you love when it is best.
be it your lap or the computer desk.
I do it because I want it now
I'll even be so kind as to show you how.


 For I am King and I chose you!     So respect, and do see that you do!
For I am the King,
King Edward the Cat!
- you will just have to deal with that.
I am too adorable to ignore, after all. :P

Sunday, March 10, 2013

a spin in the right direction

life has a funny funny way
of getting in the way 
of all the dreams 
you spin around 
in your head
the dreams that keep you
from being dead 
in your spirit 
in your soul
they are not the truth be told 
but they take hold 
and spin you round-

life has a funny funny way
 of getting in the way
 of the dreams spinnin round
 in your head
till you stop the bed
 and take a step off motion
step in the direction
 of the off normal
 off beat 
and routine
and start to dream
a bit of reality
a fragment of a clarity
that spins the tale round
the other way
and you can smile and say
this is mine
what a day
take a hold and spin it
round.

-janey      3/2013

Friday, March 8, 2013

More kitty fun

Been raining a lot, and the weather turned colder again, so not much is happening.
but  I have helpers to get through the day:



 Laundry help




 dishes help

just making a mess help.
Happy Friday!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

One of our favorite real food meals ever!

Have you ever tried the Real Food Challenge? **
 In a step to eat healthier I took the real food challenge which has the best rules I have ever tried for changing the way I eat. Basically - in my words- For one week-you cook and eat using: No fast food. No convenience food. No boxes. Just cook. It really was not as hard as I thought. It was this challenge taken that inspired me to get the yogurt maker and start making my own homemade. Also the same challenge that inspired a canning set, and making apple butter!
The toughest step for me was, and has been, cereals in the morning for the kids, and sliced cheese for the sandwiches I send in lunches. But we are doing great!

Everyone voted here and the meal my family felt was their favorite during this week was:
Chicken breast sauteed in coconut oil with Garlic and pepper, served with a mix of vegies, and Au gratin Potatoes

 My Recipe for Au gratin Potatoes
6-8 potatoes, peeled and sliced thinly,
 layered into buttered (or cooking oil sprayed) baking pan 13x9x2.
heat oven to 400 F
then
in med sauce pan combine:
 1/2 c water
 1/2 cube real butter
1/2 cup homemade plain yogurt
1 brick cream cheese *8 oz
2 c milk
1-2 tbs parsley & chopped chives
 garlic salt
pepper
heat in sauce pan stirring constantly, over med heat until cream cheese completely melts,(does not have to boil)  immediately pour over potato slices . leave uncovered and bake on center rack 45 min.
Let cool 3-5 min before serving. 

Now, in this meal I wasn't perfect according to the rules of Real Food Challenge- I did use a frozen vegie mix and I easily could have replaced this with fresh broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, or whatever! But the challenge is realistic, and allows for goofs -which is what I love for this! The fact of the matter is you are allowed to use up what is still in the fridge- the main idea being you are making better choices, and eliminating the fake foods, preservatives and unnecessary junk food. Which we have done. And my family voted on this one meal as the best. So I am posting it- mistakes and all. In my defense I can say I used fresh frozen, not canned, and not frozen with tons of "butter sauce" or something else that is so frequently offered now a days. LOL
Anyway, I want to thank the people who designed this challenge and say it has changed the way I look at food! Awesome!!!!!

**Disclaimer
The Real Food Challenge is not mine, it belongs to Roxanne at: http://theholisticmama.com/real-food-challenge/ .
I simply participated in the challenge and am blogging my opinion and results there of. I take no responsibility for it, except in saying that it is the best challenge I have ever participated in in all my 44 years! And so grateful to the Holistic Mama for sharing it!!   (*** I have posted with her permission. And Have been notified by Roxanne that there will be another Real Food Challenge available to anyone who's interested in April! Go check it out!)

Friday, March 1, 2013

kitty update

Laser!!!!!!!! Laser toy ! Laser laser laserrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, meow. NOW!!!!!!!! 


Sophie has figured out the source of the infamous "red dot" and is currently guarding it. And randomly mewwing a demand for it- she hasn't moved for over 20 minutes..... laser-laser-laser addict!!


..................................... Eddie on the other hand could give a crap. (Thhhhhhhbbbbbbbbttttttt)
Ha!!!!                  Happy Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday, February 22, 2013

Friday Walk and Talk-

This week has been a whirl wind, a tailspin, and a frazzled frizzled mess.  I won't list all the reasons, but this happens sometimes. Some weeks- some days even- just come together and others do not. What do you do?
 I am understanding more and more, as I get older, that days like that can really define the kind of person you are.  What do you do? If you focus on the stumbles, the problems, and or the stresses- so much so they are all you see- they can define you! Even to the point where you can develop a certain "victim" attitude. (I am not talking of tragedy, or horrific catastrophic events either- I fully separate those right off  as different and not part of this conversation)... I am talking daily struggles, like your kid comes down with the flu, paychecks fall short, car breaks down, bills are due, neighbors dog chewed a hole in the fence,  the heater broke- stuff that could occur on any given day regularly to throw off the norm and cause stress in the day, or bring down your momentum.
Does that make sense?
Some people focus so much on them that their life becomes a rolling diary of stress, almost as if they are just poised and ready for the next negative event so they can have something to talk about. They develop a soap opera mentality about it and it does eventually define them. it's unfortunate, but very true. Often if they wait for a negative and one doesn't come, they create one just to use! How self defeating is that! But they do!
So how do you handle it? What do you do?
I used to do that- I used to be that -and OMG was it exhausting! Every time I'd repeat a stressor I'd feel a sense of the initial stress over again and it kept my whole being in a constant state of fight or flight- and that's just flat out-...well? exhausting! ...Whew! Take a deep breathe and hummm for a second... time out! What!?!  Why would anyone do that consistently is beyond me...it hurts! It's draining! It's self defeating! It's physically paining! depressing! and above all- DEFINING!
 Is that what you want to be?
 Is that what I want to be?
 NO!
As I am growing older, I am finding that it is easier to focus on retelling my random day by repeating only the amazing- rather than the stress... by saying the positives to others, I am not pulling attention to the daily typical stress- I'm bringing attention to the good -and not just allowing what has happened to be more than it is- a problem that has a solution and goes away as soon as I figure it out. Simple- when looked at it that way- not quite so...DEFINING. Is it?

Remember, focus on what is good. 
If you think, speak, and act positive, you will attract positive.
Harm none.
 And Love...                                         
                                                          kitty kisses in the morning! Yay!

Friday, February 15, 2013

Homemade Yogurt YUMMMMMMMMMMMM!

I was a bit apprehensive- then I asked myself, why are you doing this? Isn't spending a couple of dollars at the store for the pre-made yogurt more convenient? The answer is yes, Simply, YES!...except, lately I haven't been happy with the store bought. Too much sugar. Too runny, and tooo little effect on my gut.  More and more, I am becoming aware of labels, and quality, and basic ingredients and WHY having the live bacteria in a yogurt culture viable is so important for gut health.
I'm not old, but I'm not in the best shape- I notice if things are not working! The more I learn about eating real food, and eliminating the preservatives, and the fake of fast convenience foods- the more I know this is better for me- better for my family, and fun! So I had my answer, and motivation to stop being lazy and give something new a try! Amazing! results! I am so happy with my first batch! I just know...This is going to be a hit!
I got a Euro Cuisine Yogurt Maker, and a Cultures for Health Traditional FlavorYogurt Starter to use. My initial cost is going to pay off in just 1 or 2 batches!
This first batch I used 2% milk, and I am impressed! I am going to bump it up next batch to whole milk. (I wish I had a goat- I have read goats milk is fantastic!) Any way from this one batch I can make up to 7 more! And I still have 7 more culture packets beyond that- we are looking at 49 batches before I need to re-buy cultures...

 I tilted one of the 7 jars to show you how thick it was- tilted, and  still didn't pour after I grabbed camera! 2 jars are a tiny bit thinner- so I poured them in a coffee filter to strain and the result comes out super thick! I am impressed! by the time I finish using just this first 7 batches I will almost have my money back in savings, no artificial ingredients, additives or preservatives- and viable probiotic cultures growing for everyone's gut health.... Took me a half hour yesterday morning to sterilize the jars and heat the milk, after that the yogurt maker does the rest- set it aside and wait 8-10 hours, cap the jars and put them in the fridge! Soooooo simple!
Add honey, add fruit. Add granola, oats, nuts, seeds- whatever! Be happy! Yay!!!!
I am having success. Hope this helps! :) Come summer I think this will be great for frozen yogurt bars! And the more I learn! The better it will be! There is a whole host of things plain yogurt is good for! Yayyyyy!!!  LOL :)

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Happy Valentine's Day

Hi! Happy Valentine's Day! Hope it was great for everyone- Spent the morning making my very first batch ever of homemade Yogurt! Got that all ready, and set into my yogurt maker, then I started on a batch of homemade cookies to give out- enjoyed the morning!

Then I got a wonderful surprise! My hubby came home early and told me to get his coat from the back seat (please) as he grabbed his stuff from work, and wow there was the most beautiful plant filling the whole back seat and a giant box of chocolates! surprise! he knows me too well- no flowers baby- but more for the garden! yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


 We spent the afternoon enjoying the beautiful day! Gorgeous weather! played handball with my son, and darts with Dad, and later enjoyed just Dad! (Ha!  ;P LOL) and all around fantastic day! Yayyyyyyyyy!!!!!!

Thursday, February 7, 2013

call me crazy

Ever sit and look through a wish book?  circling, earmarking, highlighting-  or labeling "FAVORITE!" ooooooooooogling, ahhhhhhhhhhing, flat out drooling! and imagining what holding this, or wearing that, or using this-would be like? Most women do it with clothes, know several who oooogle shoes. I have found myself doing it at jewelry a lot too! (ooooooh silver fairy at silver enchantments is awesome....ooohhhhh....)
I've done it all my life- especially when I was a kid and catalogs were the big thing..." Hey girlfriend! Look at this dress! Wow!" or later- "Hey, honey- check this out, baby! Sassy!" .....

but now the catalogs are on the internet, super easy to go through and drool and wishlist away!  and none get me more excited and "wishlisting" than going through Superior tattoo's site.... ahhhhh man! It is so true- once you start ink, you always ink....  it gets under your skin... literally! Bwahahahaha!
This process of learning how to Tattoo has been, and still is, a slow one- I have years to go before I reach status of decent - as far as pro's are concerned. But man, oh man, do I love it! Nothing like seeing my work later after the swelling is gone down, it's healed up, and it looks absolutely delicious! Oh... I mean gorgeous!
See - I'm different than most- my canvases so far beyond the practice pig skins and the initial starter oranges  :D - LOL - has been myself and my hubby. A very unique relationship- 'cause not only do I get to learn to do it.. I get to enjoy viewing my work anytime I want- and I do usually want.;P Ha! It has been so awesome! Don't know anyone else personally that can say it. Taking years to do- but we have fun! We got nothing but time! Yeeeaaaaahhhhh buddy! There is something so sexy about seeing one bad ass tattoo on the muscles of my man! Half pride, half lust and a whole lotta fun in the end!
But today is fun cause I got to purchase my "wishlist" at the tatt supplier and my new ink gun is on the way! Plus reloads of my basic needs like green soap tincture and more ink... bam! Booooyah Baby! It's on!  It's  A nice nice nice one I have been sooooo waiting for! Yay! Look out valentine's Day! New Raven tattoo is in the works! Yay!
 like I titled it- call me crazy, but that's me!



Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Happy Wednesday! 2/6

So after a longggggggg weekend, of which we BBQ'd for Imbolc and thoroughly enjoyed some absolutely beautiful weather here! Yay!!!!!
I am back at the basics- and trying to find the house- what is it about weekends that is so absolutely messy?
LOL
All is well though, and I am hoping all who come across this we blessed with a loving, bright and happy weekend!

I am drying my curls as I write, and I noticed a lot of ads for Valentine's Day coming up. I had forgotten about it. Not being surrounded by girls, or little ones anymore- and not being a huge TV watcher -LOL- I just tend to forget that one. Ack!  Maybe it's bad. Maybe that's good.... I often get very tired of the hype surrounding some holidays. Valentine's Day is one of the worst. It has become so commercialized that people do not realize it should just be about loving and caring for others.  Recognizing a person and acknowledging their qualities and showing you care should be the best gift given at anytime, but the media pushes value to diamonds, and flowers, and chocolates like that is all it's about. And if you don't get jewelry or sweets you have been cheated! Oh my! .... but to me- Nice as they are- most regular folk are just barely recovering from the budget blowers of xmas- much less have money for diamonds. (Eye rolls here!) It just further perpetuates the problem.
Also I went through a period of years working as a florist where I HATED Valentine (mother's day is not much better). As purchaser and orderer of the bulk flowers available for Valentine's day rush- The quality coming out of the warehouses and greenhouses and shipments are crap! The rush to provide for the media pushed hype causes suppliers to cut early and store longer- meaning even the best of florists get old flowers delivered to them that are supposed to be fresh! -They are not. Trust me- after nearly 10 years dealing with rush day of over thousand orders each time- trust me people- the WORST time to buy flowers is valentines day. Wait 2 weeks-3 would be better!- surprise her when she really least expects it- but not on Valentine's day.... not if you want quality flowers that last extra long. 
But that's just me. I'll probably get bashed for my opinion, but oh well. What do I recommend instead? It depends on the girl, but heartfelt cards, lots a lovin!, nice food, and extra huggin' ;P can go a long way!
On another note, after time taken this weekend to specifically attune with Mother Nature I just wanted to share - because many people focus just on Moon, and do not realize how the sun can daily affect our lives. Father Sun is a powerful being and he has been so active lately! This year is incredible for solar activity! Solar flares really affect us all! Moods change, things feel off-odd and some people are more sensitive than others! It affects the magnetic field of the whole mother earth each time a solar flare projects our way! Been feeling particularly odd? Can't quite focus? Thoughts just are not as organized? Check for flares! It may have a lot more to do with it than you realize! The perfect site to find out about it- ion a scientific level, is .spaceweather.com- a treasure trove of information! Starts to help make sense scientifically of what the traditional pagan cultures and belief systems have tried to tell us all along! Check it out! 
-BB! Janey

Monday, January 28, 2013

Monday morning thoughts and knots

Eeeeet'sa Monday! ( I say it with my great aunts' Sicilian accent)
Good morning! This weekend was the absolutely beautiful Wolf Moon! Bella Luna!!!! And Ahhhh was she gorgeous! Did you get a chance to see her? Did ya howl at the moon?We had rain rain rain all weekend- but the clouds parted long enough to get to see her in her full glory, tie a ribbon around her and draw down the peace and power- she was a beauty!
Wonderful!
This early early morning, as hubby went to work, I got one last peak at her before the sunrise took away the glory- the setting moon... brought a smile first thing and great start to the morning!

So! The rain kept us from working in the yard much but oh boy did we knock out some serious time organizing the garage an finally getting some shelves up, a couple of my paintings hanging and some awesome work space!! Love it!!!!! felt wonderful! Was an awesome and productive weekend- along with several rounds of darts under the porch- my son beat our butts! But we all had a blast! Great family time!
I got all our feathered friends supplied with wild bird seed, and the hummingbird feeder is  hanging! - the Mr. especially liked that. Can't let them go without as the months will soon be turning colder!
Had a visit Saturday lunchtime from a Redish colored Hawk- in our yard! My son and I saw him, will have to look up that meaning this am. And Saturday night as we enjoyed our moon, a barn owl graced my hubby and I 's presence! Was truly awesome!
Yay!
Today is all house hold catch up - the weekend does make a mess- but moods are high and smiles are abundant!
bright blessings! 


Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Wednesday Walk in the Tiptoe time

This morning- 6:30 am we discovered a cloud cover that caused the sunrise to look bizarre! Just a bright red line on the horizon. I tried to take a pic of it- but my camera sucks- and I didn't wait for he tripod to steady it- still blurry you can get the idea of the red! the huge amount of grey is nothing but clouds that are still there! needless to say- it makes for a day that's hard to wake up!




Despite the grey! I have caught up on the house and had helpers! The kitties are their usual hyper when weather changes- mine get super weirdo - and they decided mom changing the sheets was way too fun to ignore! It's playtime!!!!!!
Needless to say I rewashed the sheet- LOL -but we had a ton of fun! So what I have noticed today was a need for  distant relationships- to spend time with those not always super close. Not worried about hubby or kids- they're fine- but multiple calls and texts and chat messages  from cousins, helping out with family tree  advice with distant cousin & editing a bit on my own book for one side of the family tree,  looking up herbal remedies for Fibromyalgia with another, and then suddenly my kitties crave attention- so attention I give! Brought  huge smile to my face and completed a day that oddly felt successful -yet I had nothing more accomplished on my to do list than when I started! LOL I guess some days are just like that.