Because…

It’s my birthday!!!

I’m a huge fan of my birthday. No matter how old I get I’ll always think of it as a day to celebrate….and do nothing but have fun and be happy.

Even though….

Lol.

I hope everyone had a happy and healthy New Year. I’m off to enjoy being ME!

I haven’t had much time to blog…or bake, but a friend just asked me what I do with persimmons so I figured I’d blast from the past you and share re-post a delicious recipe for Persimmon cookies that I made this time last year.

Actually, I’m realizing as I write this that I was planning on baking tonight. Just a simple pumpkin bread from the box that I picked up at Trader Joes. Not as good as the real thing (which I should be making because I do have a sweet pumpkin just waiting to be used) but my guests will have to settle for a less-than-from-scratch version instead.

What guests?

My beautiful sister Theresa and her boyfriend Justin are coming to visit! I’m very excited. Not super thrilled to have to drive to San Jose tonight to pick them up, but they are worth it! A fun-filled weekend is in store!!

Aren’t they cute?

xox

Several months ago a sad and tragic thing happened…

My crock-pot broke. (tear)

And being the procrastinating and frugal person that I am, I never went to buy a new one. But lately with my work schedule, I haven’t had the time or energy to make a nutritious meal each night and that’s really been weighing on me. So today I bit the bullet and went to Target.

BTW – Target is fabulous for finds but terrible for my sanity. I’ll stop myself before I get started on all the bizarre things that went on during my trip there. The important part of the story is that I bought a new crock-pot!!

It’s smaller than my last one. 4.5 quarts I think. Not an ideal size. They were sold out of the one I wanted (-3 in stock actually) but it was on sale so I can’t complain. I’m excited to start setting and forgetting once again!

Here’s a few of my favorite crock pot recipes from the past!

No Hurry Vegetable Curry

Chicken and Cauliflower Curry

Sweet and Spicy Lentil Chili

Look what the post man brought me today!!!

It’s a laptop sleeve!

But not just any laptop sleeve. A Coach laptop sleeve! And I won it from the beautiful Li at Her Deep Thoughts who loves her Deep Thinkers so much that she decided to give away this fabulous Coach sleeve for her blog’s three year anniversary. How cool is she?!

Things are really starting to look up for me lately and I’m feeling good about life. How appropriate since these are exactly the thoughts that Li hopes to inspire on her blog! She believes in finding our bliss and living our lives best!

My favorite topic is “LushLunes.”

Love it!

Check her out!

Thanks Li!!!

Sometimes I wonder if I made the right decision doing what I do. I get tired or scared or slightly fed up with life. I worry that I won’t be able to do it for long or that I’m not good enough. I guess that’s natural. But then life reminds me that I love what I do and that I was led down this path and chose to follow it…not because I had to, but because I want to, and I’m good at it.  Everyday I help other people feel better. I listen to their problems. I smile and laugh with them. I look into their eyes and sympathize with their pain and celebrate their triumphs. It’s the most gratifying practice I’ve ever encountered. It still works me to the bone. I’m exhausted right now. But it’s a good feeling. I love what I do!

My mom had surgery yesterday.  I’m happy to report that everything went well, the doctors were pleased, and she’s  now at home recovering. I spoke to her this morning and she said she feels good. No pain and only minor discomfort. She’s a trooper, for sure. We joked about what she’ll do with all the pain meds the doctors gave her.  She doesn’t care much for medication.  In fact, the doctors complimented her good health.  Go Mom! Must be from all that cheering during Notre Dame games. It courses the qi and gets the blood movin!

It was difficult being so far away from her during this time leading up to her surgery. I mean, it always is but not being able to hug her before she went under the knife hit a lot deeper cord. We talked often, but it’s not the same.

I spent a lot of time this weekend with my friend and her eighteen month old. Watching mother and daughter together made me think of my own mom even more. She was once a young mother, excited and unsure. And we were once babies, looking to her for protection and love. Now her children are grown and living their own lives. But she’s still our mom. She loves us and cares for us just the same as she did when we were only two and we still love her and ask for her guidance.

Only now I can look to my mom for friendship as well as safety.  She’s easy to talk to, understanding, and kind.  She never judges or points blame.  She simply loves unconditionally and accepts me for who I am.  I’m one of the lucky ones.  She’s really a great lady!

So here’s to you, Mom. I’m so relieved that everything with your surgery well went. I hope for you a speedy recovery. Enjoy your quiet time at home and know that no matter how far away I am I always love you and think of you! xoxo

Llyod Bridges in Airplane

Coffee, that is.

It isn’t that I’m not a morning person.  I actually am.  I love the morning.  Especially the early morning. There is something so sobering and quiet about it.  I always feel like it’s going to be a good day.  Some people are even nicer during this time.  I walk to same route to work everyday at different times but today at 7:30am, folks said good morning! Usually they just walk on by.  And I felt friendlier too!

But it was still 7:30am which is not my usual time to be out of bed, nevermind out of the apartment. And it’s been that way all week.  I definitely hit snooze a couple of times this morning, which then didn’t allow me time to have breakfast,  which means I am now hungry.  But not sleepy so that’s good.  Maybe just every so slightly foggy. (Much like the East Bay in the am).  But a cup of coffee isn’t going to suddenly make me want to get out of bed, so what’s the difference.

So, I’m definitely not dying because I haven’t had that morning cup. I’m not having withdrawal. I’m not being cranky. But I am missing it a bit.  Not the buzz, I don’t really like that. Maybe just the warmth and comfort.  So today I’m drinking tea.  It’s not quite the same.  The flavors are different but I’m enjoying it in other ways.  It’s for certain healthier for me.  Perhaps I don’t have to quit drinking after all. 

Another gift from The All-Star