Long overdue blog update. I have given up on posting a weekly bird project and a weekly recipe for the time being. Way too busy right now and doing the nightly haiku is all I can muster the extra time (and energy) for these days. I did make a new lemon cake last week, which I will probably post sometime in the future, but for now I just have to post these haikus so I feel like I have accomplished something in the past month or so!

#69
Tapas and music
A Madeleine Peyreoux show
In our living room

#70
We took a joy ride
An old-fashioned Sunday drive
up on the parkway

#71
Overwhelmed by stuff
I have to do while on break
So, is this a break?

#72
Breakfast with Jimmy
at Early Girl Eatery
So very yummy!

#73
Sequins and sparkles
The costumes shimmer and shine
They dance in my mind!

#74
My night spent alone
All quiet and confusing
Filled with bad T.V.

#75
I delight in the
pink blossoms of cherry trees
falling like raindrops

#76
Good Irish blessings
with corned beef, cabbage, and beer
and good friends so dear.

#77
Family returns
There's time to enjoy the yard
Full of spring beauty

#78
Chickadees sing sweet
songs of springtime
flitting through the trees

#79
The sky turned purple
mountains majesty aglow
with each lightning flash

#80
The bees swarm around
the pink cherry tree blossoms
buzzing a spring song

#81
The chicken coop is
coming right along, so long
not much more waiting

#82
A trip to Charlotte
for shopping at Ikea
Swedish smorgasbord

#83
I begin the test
answering essay questions
that rattle my brain

#84
The test is over
A few hours left for me
for wine and T.V.

#85
Venus and Jupiter
and the moon shine bright tonight
such a lovely sight

#86
Girl's night at Connie's
Up too late on a school night
Much laughter and wine

#87
Almost ready for
laying hens and farm fresh eggs
to fill my new coop

#88
Another birthday
42 and still counting
in my blessed life

#89
A birthday party
I celebrate with good friends
I am so lucky

#90
Three sweet little hens
Came to live with us today
Please be happy here!

#91
"Cluck! I laid an egg"
said the big black hen proudly
and then came two more...

#92
I can't help but feel
This place is not right for me
So what is my place?

#93
They say all is well
that ends well, I hope that's true
When truth is hurtful

#94
Enjoying the breeze
By the weeping cherry tree
Troubles far away

#95
Dark clouds hunker down
Buckets full of rain falling
The earth runs away

#96
A morning for birds
Chickadees, finches, titmouse
A woodpecker, too

#97
Special time with Tripp
in Asheville at CityMac
and the music store

#98
April 8th, Easter
Hunting for candy-filled eggs
in the flower beds

#99
My hands are filthy
From working in the garden
Such satisfaction

#100
Meeting followed by
meeting a long day at work
Still time for dessert

#101
Off to Gatlinburg
for a spring break getaway
smokey mountains call

#102
A big turkey struts
A young black bear looks for food
Spring in Tennessee

#103
On this day I hide
pretending to be away
not answering life

#104
A birthday party
for Ellen with lemon cake
we celebrate life

#105
Four small bird eggs wait
for mother bird to find them
nest tossed in the wind

#106
Spring break is over
counting down to summertime
five, four, three, two, one

#107
A glass of red wine
as I watch my chickens dine
Life at its finest!

#108
The steady drizzle
Cool rain on a gray day
makes my head cloudy

#109
The week flew by but
not today, such a long day
Ready for Friday

#110
Wise words Dr. Suess
The Lorax movie tells all
Listen to the trees

#111
Sweet discovery
The chickadee eggs are safe
Mama bird found them!

Week 9/10 update

Another two weeks since my last post....although I have been faithful to my goals, I have not been faithful to my posting. As of yesterday, I am officially on Spring Break, so hopefully I will get back on track with weekly postings. At any rate, here goes my chronicle from the last two weeks.

Haiku #56
Sunday, sweet Sunday
Some time away from the books
Time away from life


#57
I am on the way
To a better place inside
There's no need to hide

#58
When the eye twitches
You must see that stress abounds
And send it away

#59
An extra day to
celebrate in 20-12
leap year

#60
Thursday, happy day
The weekend is on the way
Almost time to play!

#61
A cold, gloomy day
After yesterday's sunshine
Makes me want to hide

#62
A birthday dinner
for Cathey in Saluda
at Purple Onion

#63
Chicken noodle soup
the ultimate comfort food
when you're feeling down

#64
Monday, oh Monday
After a weekend off
Decidedly Off!

#65
Meeting and dinner
Happy Birthday dear Dianne
Never Blue loves you!

#66
A very, long day
Kids and teachers are ready
for Spring Break next week...

#67
No music playing
I miss my boy, Tripp, guitar
No noise, no life, no!

#68
The wind whipped-it's March!
Roaring in like a lion
But how will it end?


Recipe from last week was Chicken Noodle soup, a Weight Watcher's version, mind you, that was really awesome and I ate it all week!

Here goes:
Week 9-



Here are my projects from week 9 and week 10...



week 10

Week 10-recipe is an oldie but goodie, Kima:


I made this tonight using sweet potatoes and frozen peas instead of green beans. I have actually never made it with green beans. You can also substitute ground turkey or soy crumbles if you would rather not use ground beef. I however, prefer organic lean ground beef as opposed to ground turkey (ick!) and so does my family. I always serve it over rice pilaf. It is a delicious Middle Eastern dish.
We had a wonderful evening listening to Madeleine Peyreoux and cooking together-kids and all...

Week 7 and 8 Update

It's been two weeks since I've posted, although I know that no one really noticed. LOL! I did do the recipes, the creative challenges, and all the haikus, but I haven't had any free time to post. It has been a horrible week...nothing happened to me or my family personally, but close associates of mine had some horrible, scandalous stuff happen which has essentially left me feeling quite betrayed and in a state of despair. Thankfully, it was an easy weekend for school work which allowed me time to go out to lunch and a movie with my family. A much needed weekend day off from the chaos and such that is my beautiful life.

Haiku Update:

#43
The winds have died down
But the temperature is
Bitter and spiteful

#44
I need to slow down
Life is rushing past too fast
Make the moments count

#45
Chocolates, flowers
Feelings of love in the air
Happy Valentine's!

#46
Reprieve from winter
Warm sunshine, gentle breezes
A hint of springtime

#47
I worry for her
Secret now told for all ears
I hope I can help

#48
Friday night party
Dinner with friends at the Chets
Blowing off some steam

#49
Reading and writing
Testing and posting about
Poetry, that's life.

#50
The rain falls and falls
My brain refuses to write
This essay kills me

#51
Oh, a day off work
Such a gift to the weary
Time to get caught up

#52
Tender and juicy
Between two slices of rye
Delicious Reuben

#53
You must be kidding
So many lives are ruined
So how can this end?

#54
Unbelievable!
Sadness and despair fill me
How to get through it?

#55
We walk like zombies
Our reality turned
upside down, we're lost

#56
Cannot understand
It couldn't ever make sense
So, was it worth it?

Last week's recipe was black beans and brown rice...delish! This is where I got it from!
And week 7 craft, was a graphic I downloaded from the Graphic's Fairy website and played with using glitter.

This week's recipe is "Cabbage Soup". I used the allrecipes.com version as a base, but added in celery, mushrooms, and red, yellow, and orange peppers, too. I am really in need of getting back on my Weight Watchers plan come Monday (I've been overeating due to stress) and I thought this soup would help me along.

Also, as a tribute to the spiritual nature of crows, that are often thought of as harbingers of death and doom, I used this beautiful photo from this website and added a quote I found about them here....
The quote says, "Even in the midst of darkness, we have the power to touch the light." That is going to guide me through this next week!

Week 6 Update

Consistency...that is the key to success. Making things habitual, or should I say, making good things habitual. Even when I have nothing left to give, I have managed to eek out a little more time to try the new recipe and to create a little something. Cooking and creating are two things that bring me such joy and help me to feel like I am doing something just for me. I even took a wonderful bubble bath tonight and oh, did that do wonders for my aching bum and back. Sitting in a chair in front of a computer all day is not my cup of tea!
At any rate, here is my haiku chronicle for week 6.

Haiku #36
Superbowl Sunday
Patriots versus Giants
I don't care who wins


#37
Stretched out on the couch
With a cat lying on me
I've no choice but sleep

#38
Target shopping trip
Spaghetti dinner with wine
Good movie, good night


#39
Waiting patiently
For the snow that just won't fall
I NEED a snow day


#40
Oh, I love Thursday
I'm almost to free day
My get to play day

#41
I am up too late
Thanks to friends who wouldn't go

Such a fun problem

#42
The wind huffed and puffed
The snowflakes flew round about
With no place to go


Recipe of the week was a bit of a hodge-podge method of making Chicken and Pastry, the ultimate in comfort food for a blustery Saturday.

I browned 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs in a bit of olive oil and then removed to a plate.

Next, I sauteed about a cup each of diced yellow onion, celery, and carrots and a clove or so of garlic in the juices of the chicken and oil. I also added a sprinkling of thyme and turmeric. When the veggies had softened, I added 6 cups of low-sodium, fat free chicken broth and put the chicken back in the pot to boil for about 20 minutes. After that had cooked, I whisked in Wondra flour to thicken the broth up a bit. I rolled flat and then sliced refrigerator biscuit dough into strips and then placed the strips on top of the broth. Last, I covered the stew and cooked it for an additional 15 minutes. Final step was to let it sit covered for about 10 more minutes. I am not sure my family loved it as much as I did, but I thought it was divine. Next time I plan to make my own pastry with whole wheat dough.

and finally, my little Valentine themed bird art

Week 5 Update

Whew! Another hard week at work and with school...took a 16 hour long exam this weekend, so I am wiped. I did, however, manage to try a new recipe this week, (although my hubby kindly cooked it for me) and did a very quick sketch for my "creativity" project. As long as I am consistent, I won't beat myself up for it not being a very involved process.



Haiku #29

Treasure family
Life is too short for regrets
So take time to play


Haiku #30

Monday means order
Another chance to start fresh
Reclaim your purpose


Haiku #31

January has
Come and gone, setting us on
A shiny, new path


Haiku #32

Music and dancing
The sounds of laughter and fun
Joy for everyone



Haiku #33

On this winter's day
in 1976
I lost my father


Haiku #35

Falling Star Malbec
Beet salad and fish tacos
The place-Never Blue


Haiku #36

Hours and hours
My work is not yet finished
Must rest and renew


Recipe of the week was "Shrimp and Cabbage Lo-mein"
from the March 2008 Everyday Food magazine.


and here is my very basic creativity project for week of 2012

Week 4 Update

Haiku #22
All I need is time
Tick-tock added to the clock
Then what I could do

Haiku #23
A Chinese New Year
We celebrate with udon
For longevity

Haiku #24
A bright, sunny day
Such reprieve after the rain
Makes my spirit soar

Haiku #25
Polaris reaches
For the sickle blade crescent
Of the waxing moon

Haiku #26
The fog envelops
Shrouding the woods from my view
Cloaked in mystery

Haiku #27
A great piece of art
Opens the mind and the soul to
Possibility

Haiku #28
To work all day long
Only to discover more
To do tomorrow...

Recipe of the week was from the January/February Weight Watchers magazine. It was called Lemony Linguine with Sausage. I liked the flavor, but didn't care for the sausage (as I don't each much meat and ground turkey just grosses me out!). I will make the dish again with some other form of protein.
Since I could not seem to access the recipe from the Weight Watchers website, I'll post it for you:

Lemony Linguine with Sausage
1 9 oz. package linguine ( I used whole wheat organic)
1/2 lb. Sweet Italian style turkey sausage (removed from casing) ICK!
1 sliced shallot
2 tsp. of EVOO
1 9 oz. bag of baby spinach
1 lemon
Boil pasta until al dente, drain, and reserving 1/3 c of the cooking water
While pasta is cooking brown ground turkey, approx. 5 minutes, then remove and drain
Add shallots to oil-you may need to add a touch more, and cook for 2 minutes, then add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. Add back in the sausage and mix in the pasta, 1/3 c of the cooking water, and the juice of one lemon. Allow to cook together for an additional 3-5 minutes. Serve with lemon zest.

Last but not least, my bird creativity project for the week is here:

This was created by making a collage paper and then cutting the bird and it's wing from a template that I found here.

Almost a full month of posting and actually living up to my resolutions! Yay! With my crazy school work schedule on top of my regular work schedule cooking and crafting are a bright spot for me and I am so glad I am "making" myself do them because I feel so alive when I do!

Week 3 Update

Haiku #15
A good brew, a nap

The simple pleasures of a
Sunday afternoon

Haiku #16
A lone crow flies by
Screeching to the world below
"Look at me, so free!"

Haiku #17
The trees bend and sway
To the music of the wind
Nature's song and dance

Haiku #18
Logs crackle and pop
A blazing fire warms hearts
As we gather 'round

Haiku #19
Such uncertainty
Life throw punches like Ali
Mohammad, that is

Haiku #20
A good and true friend
One of life's most precious gifts
Treasure it always

Haiku #21
Read and study hard
Then put the books and papers
Away and go play!



My bird creativity challenge of the week:
I was inspired by these pretty little birds on wire wall hangings from World Market.

My recipe of the week was, once again, out of the pages of the January/February Everyday Food magazine. I made Spaghetti Squash Gratin. I will be honest and say that I didn't get to make it yesterday as planned because we had unexpected company come by (and bring dinner), so it ended up being a fun friend get-together. I did make the recipe this morning and just ate it for brunch. I don't think I'll make it again, but it did give me some good ideas on how to make pasta based casseroles with spaghetti squash. Also, I used a piece of leftover cornbread mixed in with the bread for the crumb topping. I have never purchased anchovies before, although I do like them, so this was good for trying something different at home.