Simply Salt?

The purpose of salt


The simplicity of salt makes it one of the most misunderstood and taken for granted ingredient in the spice cupboard. Its complexity is over looked and it’s often misused. I am here to demystify and debunk the notion that salt is anything but ordinary.

Once upon a time, there was a time when nobles ruled and peasants were tolerated. In those days salt was considered a prize spice. Tables were arranged in order of hierarchy. Salt and pepper were placed at the “head” of the table where the nobles were allowed to use salt and pepper (once the single most expensive spice in the world). Peasants were not allowed to use salt; they had to rely on herbs to flavor their food.

Interestingly, if the same social class restrictions were in place today, it would more than likely be the exact opposite. Have you perused the spice and herb isle at the supermarkets lately? Salt is practically free while the cost of herbs makes them somewhat a precious commodity, even though you can grow them in abundance in your very own windowsill or garden. Ironic, isn’t it?

Simply put, salt is a flavor enhancer. Just try cooking without it. Your dishes, whether they be savory or sweet will turn out flat without it. That being said, I also think that salt is one of the most misused ingredients in the kitchen. I have had my share of dishes that either had too much, or too little salt. It has a very direct impact on the flavor (and sometimes the texture!) of the dish. Because people have varying opinions on how salty they like their foods, its best to season well so that people can add salt if they desire while leaving the dish palatable for those who do not like as much salt.

I believe it is best to use unsalted ingredients whenever possible so that you can control how much salt ends up in a dish. This is also why it’s important to taste your food throughout the cooking process; season in layers and taste as you go.

Let’s look a little closer at cooking with salt. Just walk down the spice isle and you may find yourself in awe at the many different choices you have when purchasing salt. Kosher salt, canning salt, rock salt, table salt, or the French Fleur De Sel, just to name a few. I am not a fan of table salt. The only use I see for it is in baking. Most baking recipes do not take into account the difference in size granules of other salts. Table salt has a bitterer flavor than other salts. In other words, not good eats. While Fleur De Sel is so expensive that I would only use it for a “finishing salt” (salt that is used after cooking, like a garnish you can’t see).

Salt should be added early on in the cooking process. Salt (and pepper) added late in a dish may take on too harsh of a flavor. Salt binds the flavors together; helps them meld and blend while enhancing their inherent flavors. This is also why it’s important to properly salt the water when making pasta and rice; it’s the only opportunity you have to season these particular foods. They will not absorb flavors as well once they are cooked and as I mentioned earlier, they will taste flat. Salt perks up depth and complexity of dishes and baked goods while balancing flavors both sweet and savory.

This is just the bare basic essentials of salt. I have not even begun to share how wonderful and amazing this spice truly is. I have not touched on how it preserves food, how it can tenderize food, and other food science behind cooking with it. It’s so much more than just an afterthought or simple ingredient.

I hope I have inspired you to really think about the ingredients you use in the kitchen. There are entire books written solely on salt. It really is amazing and its uses are endless. I hope you take the time to explore the more intricate uses of salt in your own cooking.

Play with your food!!

If the divine creator has taken pains to give us delicious and exquisite things to eat, the least we can do is prepare them well and serve them with ceremony.
~Fernand Point

Passion

Passion

The word generally elicits an emotional response, as it should. You cannot have passion without feeling. Upon hearing the word, most people’s initial thoughts probably wander to the lusty activities that happen between two people in the bedroom. However; it pertains to so much more than that, and I am not referring to a threesome. ;-)

What I am talking about is life passion. What stirs your thoughts and gives you butterflies in your belly? What is it that gets you excited, energized and enthused?

For me passion, food and cooking all go hand in hand. I love taking simple foods combining them with a little magic and a little science to create something wonderful. I enjoy this process even more when I have someone to share it with. There is nothing like watching someone take a bite, close their eyes and “Mmmmm….” . That means I did something right.

I just recently watched Julie and Julia with a dear friend of mine. I loved that movie. I am so envious that she thought of the idea first of writing a yearlong blog on Julia Child’s recipes. What an adventure that must have been!! What a treat to try so many different dishes, recipes, things you would otherwise not cook or eat. That would be a lifelong growing experience. Something you would never forget.

Unfortunately, she did think of it first. Not to mention I live alone and there is no way I would ever tackle something like that without having someone to help me eat all that food!! Perhaps someday…. Until then, it’s always nice to think about.

Family Traditions

I have always loved family traditions. I didn’t really appreciate their importance until this year, when I will be alone through the Holidays. We moved away from family when my oldest daughter was first born. I had always been surrounded by family during the Holiday season and since that wasn’t going to be an option, I went straight to work on finding little things I could do for my own family to create traditions that would make our Holiday Season special. I quickly found that others gravitated towards my home during the Holidays; people who also did not have family to share the Season with. Now that I am on the other side of that, I can better appreciate what they must have been feeling when they came into my home looking for warmth and celebration. Every year the crowd that would surround us for the Holiday’s grew. Everyone was always welcome with open arms…so long as they brought an empty stomach! They would come early and stay late, and everyone was always stuffed by the time that dinner was ready. We were never short on laughter or room for those who wished to join us. I am missing all that this year. I am missing making the Holidays special for others who don’t have family to celebrate with. I am missing the warmth, the laughter, and the traditions. I am truly hoping that one day I can do that again. All the little things that I took for granted seem to have a greater significance now that I am not able to share the Holiday Spirit. Now, I am the one alone for the Holidays. When the day comes and I can once again build traditions and open my home, you can bet that I will be even more aware of those who do not have family during this time of year, and I will do everything I can to allow them to be a part of mine.

Survival Guide for todays life-style

Survival Tips 101 (ok, make that 10)

These are the things you should absolutely NEVER leave home without.

1. Clean underwear, because you just never know…..
2. Common sense. Look at how many people are running around without it. Do you really want to be one of them?
3. A sense of humor. Refer back to item number 2. You’re going to need one.
4. Wit, it’s never a good idea to be unarmed.
5. Imagination. This is invaluable for those times when waiting is inevitable… like in traffic when you have to pee. It’s a great form of distraction; just don’t picture a lake….
6. A stick of gum. It can be a marvelous tool. You can use it to freshen your breath when you have consumed too much coffee trying to stay awake in yet another drawn out meeting with no point, you can use it to hold a piece of paper to your rear view mirror when you find your last post-it note has already been used and you need to remember an important memo (or directions! If you’re like me and you tend to get lost easy), and last but not least you can stick it to the seat of some poor unsuspecting fool from tip number 2! Another great diversion from the boredom of day to day living.
7. Post-it notes….it keeps you from having to scrape gum off your rear view mirror…
8. Sarcasm, cleverly disguised as interest. This works great when combined with the tip number 4.
9. Bottled water, aside from looking smart and keeping hydrated; if you fail to use your imagination as described in tip number 5 you can always say you spilled…..but that’s stretching it….
10. Clean underwear, because as you read tip number 9…..you just never know….

I hope you enjoyed this survival guide! If it gave you pause to smile for even just a moment then you are already fully armed with everything you need, because laughter truly is the best medicine!

Time to Say Goodbye...

The time has come for me to say goodbye to some old friendships that I have outgrown. I find it sad to let people go that I was once close to. My life has undergone many changes in the last year and as I start a new chapter, I am defining more and more what I want and don’t want in my life. That includes people. It’s not that they are bad people; they are just in a different place, a different state of being than I am now. If I wish to truly move forward, I have to let go of the past that no longer suits my desires and goals. I am evaluating and scrutinizing every relationship that I have. Some key observations will determine who I stay in touch with and allow to remain present in my life, and who I will let go. Honesty and integrity, compassion and a positive outlook on life are big factors in who stays and who goes. There are also friendships that I currently keep that only contact me when they have problems, they will also go. Those for me will probably be the hardest to let go, but friendship is a two way street and I am not a therapist. I don’t wish to hurt anyone by saying goodbye, but the time has come for me to look out for me. I spend a lot of time and energy being there for others, and some of those others have no interest in me except for how I can help them and what I can do for them. I know they don’t intend to be this way, but when things are going well for them, they have other people that they share that with. Misery loves company and there are enough miserable people out there that those who dwell there will never be alone. Me, on the other hand, I wish to surround myself with people who I genuinely care about who care for me in return. I do not require my friends to be happy and in a positive state of mind at all times. We all have challenges and challenges can affect our thoughts, perceptions and emotions. It’s life. The difference being on whether a person chooses to say in misery or make some changes. To those I am letting go, I sincerely wish you well and hope one day you find a way to be happy and enjoy your life.

Can Creativity Survive Academia?

I am wondering; can Academia and Creativity co-exist? It’s only my second week of college and my creative self feels like its suffocating. With all the logical and technical thought processes that I am trying to absorb, I do not feel like I have the time for creative outlets and I am feeling stifled. Is there a way to incorporate creativity into the learning process to be able to better grasp these concepts and to more fully be able to enjoy the learning experience I am being offered?
With my life experience I can fully appreciate that without an education I am seriously limited with my life choices. Obtaining and education is very important to me and I wish to do well. I am devoting hours a day on my studies. If I am not at work or attending to other life responsibilities, I am focusing on school. I do not feel like the high school education I received really prepared me for a higher education and I am struggling to understand the concepts that are being presented to me. I feel at the disadvantage, like I have to work twice as hard right now to catch up with the other students who have had more recent education.
I am a naturally curious person. I love learning and I want to know everything about everything. With that characteristic, I feel like I could really get into and enjoy the learning opportunity that I now have. I just have to overcome this feeling of inadequacy. I have to get to a point where I feel confident and caught up. I start every new week feeling like I am three steps behind everyone else. Everything is foreign to me right now, and I don’t like that. Does it get better? Will it get easier? I truly hope so.

On Writers Block

I’m over-tired. I’m a mess, my house is a mess…and here I sit, wondering why the hell I can’t write and where did all my creative energy go. Hmmm…

It would seem that the winds of change are a blowin’ and I am right smack dab in the middle of a hurricane; anxiously awaiting the eye of the storm for that brief moment of calm before it all starts comin’ down again.

So here I sit…again, hunched over my computer screen, waiting for the ideas to come… and all I get is a blank white page staring back at me.

There is absolutely nothing more intimidating to a writer, than a blank, white, page.

Actions VS Words

I wonder….do actions always speak louder than words? I have a friend whose Mamma used to say “People only do what’s important to them”. It’s become one of my favorite quotes. That with the ever popular saying that “Actions speak louder than words” has me wondering if this is completely accurate however. I think actions can also be misleading or misinterpreted. I believe then, that we also need words to clarify intent and feelings behind our actions. So, in my opinion, I would say that we need actions and behaviors as well as clarifying statements if we are to expect people to always accurately understand what our intentions are.

I also think that there are things better left NOT unsaid. We can behave in a way that demonstrates our intentions or desires, but if something were to happen tomorrow and we no longer had another day to say the things that were on our minds and in our hearts to those we care about most… would our actions be enough? Would we regret not having said the words to accompany those actions? Would our loved ones be left with the longing desire to hear those precious things from us, in spite of our actions?

I believe there is real power in actions. I also believe there is real power in words. I think the best use of these powers is when we combine the two and make ourselves open and vulnerable to those we cherish. There is little room for doubt when the two are combined. There is less chance for misunderstanding, and less need for assumptions by those who are left guessing as to what our thoughts and feelings are.

There is peace in knowing. Peace in knowing what those closest to us think and feel, and peace in knowing that those we love have that assurance of what’s in our hearts.

Nostalgia

We have all heard the theory on how attachment is bad. I can see how attachments to people and things could be unhealthy; nothing good ever came from codependency or hoarding. However, this is my question. Is it always unhealthy?

I am a sentimental person. I cherish memories and items that remind me of those memories. It’s not the item itself that I am attached to. It’s those moments in life that make me smile. Those moments make my life feel rich and meaningful. It’s the memories.

Stolen Minutes

I recently had the opportunity to “steal” a few more moments of summer. While fall is in full swing here in beautiful Washington State, the sun is still shinning in Las Vegas Nevada! It was so nice just to feel the hot air on my cheeks and to bask in the warm glow of sunshine. Of course, I came home to cold, clouds and rain…. This is Washington after all….

I grew up in the desert. There isn’t anything quite like the scent of sage and sand baking in the sunshine, or the vision of red rock jutting up from the earth against pale blue skies in all its quiet majestic glory. I never thought I would but I miss the desert, terribly. I thought for sure when I moved to Washington that I had found myself in heaven. I love the mountains, the endless pine trees, the thick, lush, green undergrowth and ferns. The weather is mild in both summers and winters and we don’t receive a lot of snow. There are ocean beaches to enjoy, mountains to explore and cities bursting with activity, hustle and bustle. I am finding that I miss the rhythm of the desert; it’s much slower than the high energy of Seattle. There is something about just walking through the sage brush, the smell of juniper, the heat from the sun kissing your skin.

The Art of Chaos

It’s been an interesting couple of weeks for me. I moved, I quit smoking, and I enrolled at a University. I have been busy from the time I wake up, until the minute I rest my head on the pillow….even though it’s not a guarantee that I will fall asleep as my mind continues to work, even though my body is DONE. Tonight is the first night I did not really have anything to do. Sure, I had things I COULD do… like laundry, cleaning, shopping, organizing and settling in from the “great big unpack”, but I found myself incredibly restless instead. I did not have the motivation to start yet another task. I have things that I want to do, like read a book or write something creative and wonderful, but even for those tasks I found I did not have the energy or presence of mind. I feel a little bit like a yoyo. I have been wound very tight, so tight now that my string won’t let loose for me to unwind. I feel it in my neck and shoulders; I feel it in the tension headaches. I have mentioned time and time again how I crave something simple, something routine. I thrive on structure. That’s not to say that spontaneity doesn’t have its place, but its routine in the routine that I desire. I want to have a set work schedule, I want to have a set schedule to study, I want to be able to sit and have a glass of wine or a cup of tea at the end of my day to relax and I want a friend to share it with. I feel like my days are running into each other with out a break in between. Even when I sleep, I don’t feel like I rest. I also feel like something is missing in my life, that there is a void. I don’t know what it is and so it’s hard to work towards filling it. I wonder if the chaos is a way for the subconscious to avoid facing something unpleasant or if the void is a direct result of the chaos and the unsettled feelings I have. I want the same things that every one wants. I want peace, contentment, happiness. I want to feel like my life fulfills a purpose. I want my life to be meaningful. I want to make a difference.

The Canvas of the Written Word

A picture may be worth a thousand words… but the words can tell a story that can never be seen in a picture. It can share with you the before and after, it can tell you about all the little details you see (or don’t see!) in a picture.

Who are the people, how did they get there, what are they doing? The answers to these questions can easily take you on a journey, a journey that’s all your own. No one shares your thoughts, your perceptions and your imagination. It’s all uniquely yours. Paint it with your own colors, thoughts, ideas and feelings. An imagination is a terrible thing to waste!

The Forest

A silken mist spread across the land, coating the quiet earth in its ethreal blanket. You could hear the soft beat of drums from a far away place and a far away time. The rhythmic beating so melodious it blended in harmony with nature. The faint hum of an old tune hung on wind as it whispered through the trees.

The moon cast its glow upon the water, creating an illuminated path to the purple mountain crest. The jagged peaks stood tall against the gray sky as if severing the earth from the atmosphere. The pines stood tall and proud; firmly rooted in the soft earth. A blanket of grass and moss sheltered the earth from the damp and the cold.

In this place, in this space, all time stood still. The future was the present and the present was the past. All of time intertwined to become one; past, present, future, now. Listen…. What’s it saying to you?

I am Student. I am Teacher.

I often kid with people that I have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. I want to know everything about everything. There is a distinct valid truth to this statement. I learn much from those and the world around me every day. We live in a magical place that is constantly evolving, shifting and changing on us. One minute we can be happy and secure on our journey through life, the next we can be living in fear facing our greatest challenge, unsure of which direction to take. It makes no difference what your age, experience or education. We all have something to learn from each other. Like wise, we have a responsibility to teach others what we have learned. What is the point of knowledge if it is not passed on? I know some people assume that if they keep all their knowledge to themselves that this in some ways gives them power or makes them feel superior to those around them. In the end, it just makes them selfish and greedy, ruled by ego.

We all have wisdom and knowledge that’s of value to those around us. Think of it this way. When researchers decide to test a theory, they do not only explore one option. Instead they call on the experts around them for every case scenario they can possibly come up with. They compile this knowledge and experience to either prove, or disprove their hypothesis. While your experience, or the experience of others, may not fit every situation it doesn’t make your sharing your experience or knowledge invaluable. Just like the research scientists, they don’t only publish the successes, but the failures and the results of those failures as well. We can learn much from what works for others, as well as what doesn’t.

I am Student. I am constantly learning and seeking knowledge. I am Teacher. I share the knowledge and experiences I have with others. I am comfortable in both roles.

The dawning of a new day

The last rays of sunshine spread upon the water casting its red and orange glow; turning the murky liquid into molten lava. Swirls of yellow and gold shimmered against the onset of night. It was dusk. The earth was still, and all was quiet as nightfall lent its magic to the air. In this very moment, a new energy was emerging. One by one the people fell into slumber and began to dream. In these dreams they faced their greatest fears, held on to their wildest hopes and let their true desires come out of hiding. Under the guise of sleep, they understood their journey, they knew their path and they found their way to a place of great happiness and peace. They challenged their biggest obstacles and eventually, were triumphant. With each dream, the energy grew. It began to swell as the dawning of a new day began to arrive. Each night it was the same, the death of a day grown tired as it waits for the rebirth of morning. Each morning blesses us with the opportunity to find that place in our dreams; a place of hope, courage and success with a renewed sense of ourselves. Each choice we make has a direct impact on our lives from the foods we eat, to the people we associate with, to the jobs we hold. We chose daily to face to same old tired lessons, day after day after day. Each night, the magic and this new energy give us the opportunity to stop the vicious cycle, to reach for the stars and to find the happiness and our place in life that is rightfully ours. Our dreams are a mystical place, full of messages from with in about where we are, who we are and what we want to become. If we can capture these moments, we can truly find a place where the stillness of night and the energy of morning merge and become one.

Who can you turn to?

Who do you turn to?
When your world comes crashing down
Who do you turn to?
When no one is around

Who can you count on?
When the tears begin to fall
Who will be there for you?
It feels like no ones there at all.

So, You think you know me?

Most people dont take the time or effort to really get to know me on a deep level. Even those who think they know me well tend to underestimate me and what I am capable of.

I am not perfect, thank goodness! How boring would that be! I do not define myself by my mistakes, but rather by my ability to learn from them. I am constantly evolving, learning, growing and changing. You have to pay attention to the details. I have a strong sense of self and will never surrender that to someone else.

I do not freely give my trust, respect, friendship or love. It must be earned. To be a part of my life, you have to earn that right. If you do, I promise to be loyal, honest and consistant. I will not intentionally let you down, and I will go to any distance for you. I will be a true and unwavering friend. I am worth the time and effort, and I promise to give the same to you in return.

Your Measure of "Success"

I would rather spend my days living my life than spend all my life making a living. My definition of success will never be measured by my financial status. If the dream you’re chasing is money, there is always more to be made and you will never be satisfied. If the dream you are chasing has depth, meaning and is bridled with compassion and service to others, you can bet you will have a greater sense of accomplishment when you reflect back on your life. Give me integrity and a strong sense of character; that is worth more than any number behind any dollar sign.

My riches are in the people I surround myself with. My friends, true friends, can’t be bought, and I am not for sale. You can’t put a price on a person. No matter how much money you make (or don’t) has no bearing on whether or not you impress me. I know what value I bring to the friendships I cultivate. I expect no less from the people who wish to be a part of my life. My friendship is NOT for everyone. I do not wish to waste my time or energy on those who do not deserve a place in my life. I reserve the right to be selective in the people who I surround myself with. After all, you are only as good as the company you keep and you can only reap what you sow.

Sooo...

Are you on pins and needles wondering what I am going to say next??

Me too.

While my blog is titled Random Thoughts of a Red Head, they really arent that random and they do have a point.... well, most of them anyway. So, until I have something worth saying I will just be quiet. Its not often I find myself with nothing to say, but here I am, sitting alone in the dark with no one to turn to and no one to listen or wipe away my tears.

Upon waking this morning....

I awoke this morning to find life staring me squarely in the face. I had a blog to write, laundry to fold and a world to conquer! So….what did I do you ask?? The answer is obvious my dear friends! I pulled the covers back over my head and promptly went back to sleep! After all….I was having a rather pleasant dream. ;-)

*GIGGLES*

Gifts

We receive gifts in many different forms. Some times they come in the form of blessings in which we can see the benefit of it right away and enjoy the gift we have received. Other times the gifts may come in the form of a challenge or a fear. When we receive these gifs, often times we have to face them head on to receive the reward at the end. I believe when we receive these gifts (the challenges or fear), once we get through the troubled times, the rewards are far greater than those blessings or gifts that are just handed to us outright for our enjoyment. Often times, it’s up to us if we face these challenges or not to be able to receive the reward at the end. I wonder how many blessings or gifts I have lost because I was unable to conquer or face my fear or felt the challenge was too great, so I changed my life direction to something that would be easier.

If Today Were Your Last Day

If Today Was Your Last Day
Songwriters: Chad Kroeger of Nickelback

My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day's a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had, if today was your last day?
What if, what if, if today was your last day?

Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the price is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try
So live like you're never living twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?

And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love if today was your last day?

If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are

So do whatever it takes'
Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life
Let nothing stand in your way'
Cause the hands of time are never on your side

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?

And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love if today was your last day?

Whats your purpose?

What’s your purpose? Mine used to be wife and mother. Now, I am part time mother on the weekends that my work permits and I don’t feel very needed these days. Its left me sort of lost. I work hard, and right now, I’m not entirely sure what for. I loved making a home. I loved cooking nutritious, healthy, yummy meals. I loved keeping and decorating a home. I loved the sounds of coming in and having people there who loved me and needed me. Now I come home to an empty apartment, I live on cereal when I eat at home and I don’t find the same enjoyment or satisfaction out of making a home for just one. There isn’t anyone to appreciate the effort or enjoy the time spent on these tasks anymore.

All work and no play makes me a dull girl! LOL

What do you love?

Someone recently posed the question to me, “What do you do for fun?” I have never actually taken the time to sit and ponder just what it is I enjoy doing. I drew a blank for a response to the question. There are a lot of things I enjoy doing. I love crafting, making soap from scratch, writing, cooking and creating recipes. I find myself happiest in the company of friends. I am social by nature and enjoy being around people. I love interior decorating and could spend hours staring at the pages of decorating magazines. I am a creative person and I think expressing my creativity is what I most enjoy, regardless of the activity. I love seeing new places and experiencing new things and seek out those opportunities. I need to get better at doing those things that make me feel fulfilled on a daily basis. I get stuck in the same rut as everyone else and spend so much time in the crux of responsibility that I forget to take time out for myself, to simply enjoy my life. I put conditions on myself. You would enjoy doing this more IF…. If I were more organized, if I had a bigger chunk of time at my disposal, if I took care of this or that first; while that may be true, it’s very limiting. Why do we restrict ourselves that way? Doing thing we love and enjoy is a very important part of our wellbeing. We should make those things a priority.

Off to play!!

The Mountains are Calling

I have a deep love for mountains. I was raised outdoors exploring all the wild wonders of nature. There is nothing like escaping to someplace as beautiful and tranquil as the mountains. I am craving the sense of wellbeing and peace that I find when I journey there. I love the sounds of the wind blowing against the leaves in the trees, the sound of a little bubbling brook, a raging river or the serene stillness of a hidden lake. I love the absence of city noise and prefer to go to less densely populated areas. I need to take the time to go really soon. I have not been able to enjoy trips to the mountains much in the last several years. When I go, I have a sense of going home. I find great comfort, healing and joy from the outdoors. I know that a lot of people seek out this same experience by going to the beach. While I love the ocean and I do enjoy it immensely, it’s the mountains that I crave. My yearning to spend time in the mountains continues to grow with each passing day. I look at them longingly on my way to work and on my way home. I love the look of the soft peaks as the sun rises above them in the early morning quiet hours, I love the way the sun sets behind them and sets them all aglow… but even more, I love being in them, enjoying the sounds, the smells and all the beauty that surrounds me.

Eyes

Look into my eyes
And tell me what you see
If you look deep enough
You’ll see me.

Behind the smile
Behind the face
I have a soul
That’s filled with grace

An inner strength
That will not break
But also a softness
You can’t mistake

(there I go with the poetry again! Maybe if I keep trying it, eventually I will be good at it! LOL)

Rain

After a few days of sunshine, we are back to rain here in the Pacific Northwest (Surprise! LOL). While I am a girl who definitely thrives and flourishes in the sunshine and the rain can definitely “play with my mood”, today I have the day off. All of my “have to’s” are finished and I can just sit back and enjoy the tranquility. I love the sound of the rain as it touches my rooftop. I love the smell of the damp earth and the scent of the pines. Today, instead of depressing, I am finding the rain to be enjoyable and soothing. Don’t get me wrong, I am looking forward to sun breaks again soon, but for today I will enjoy the weather just for what it is, rain. I will open my windows and let the smell permeate through my living space. I will light candles and chase away a little of the grey. I will put on some good “soul music” and let my body sway with the soft rhythms. I will let the softness of the weather nourish me and the gentle sounds fill me with peace.

Have you had your laugh today? LOL

Laughter…. As I have stated before, laughter (and a good nights sleep! Haha!) truly is the best medicine. I have had a couple of rough weeks. Life is full of seriousness and responsibilities. If you don’t find the humor or see the beauty or the good, it’s all too easy for life to get the better of you.

Tonight I had a great shift at work. We laughed, we joked, I danced with the girls and just let my hair down (figuratively speaking of course, my job requires my red mane to be in an “up-do”).

I am back to feeling like myself. I am thankful for that. I am an optimist at the core. I know myself well and I like who I am. I seem to have an inborn ability to set the tone. If I am sad, angry or frustrated it seems that those around me are sad, angry or frustrated. On the flip side, if I am having a great time, it seems that everyone around me lightens up and joins in the fun. I have great leadership abilities, even though I choose not to be a leader.

I enjoy the beauty around me in people and places. I love the scenery on the drive to work every day, even though I see it all the time. I enjoy watching all the changes as the seasons progress… the sun peaking out from the mountain tops, the snow line changes with fresh snow or melting snow, the green darkening on the leaves as summer approaches and the flowered blooms as they fall to the ground to make way for new growth. I can choose to be oblivious to all this great beauty or I can choose to breath it in, bask in it, savor it, and let it fill me with great peace and serenity.

Exercise and eating right are good for the body; laughter is good for the soul.

Addiction

Bring on the suffering!

I know, that sounds really bad; but in this instance it’s actually a good thing. It means I am winning. LOL

Ok… I will back it up and start at the beginning.

I am working on breaking an addiction. I do not wish for any thing, substance, or person to have control over me. My addiction does. When I first started to work on breaking my bad habit, I would sit and tell myself how miserable I was and how horrible this whole experience is. I had a realization. Yes, the withdrawals are painfully miserable; however, that suffering means I am not giving in to my addiction. I am taking back my power. My addiction is loosing its hold on me. With each agonizing moment, I am becoming a stronger, better person. Ohhhh it’s not easy. I have given in to the cravings more than once, but I have not given up. Progress is progress. I celebrate my successes and learn from my set backs.

BTW… for all the Nosey Nelly’s out there, I am quitting smoking. LOL ;-)

Ahhh the bliss of sweet, sweet dreams....

or so I WISH!!!! Sleep eludes me. It’s such a natural state of being, yet one I seem unable to accomplish these days. I, like every other living being on the planet, do actually require it to function. Argh!!

If you could see the future...

If you had a crystal ball, would you want to know your future? What would you ask? How much would you really want to know? Would you only ask about specific things? Would you want to only know the good, or would you want to know the bad too? Would knowing your future or about specific events take some of the wonder and excitement out of life by eliminating the surprise? Would you spend your time so wrapped up in the worry about a specific even that you would quit living for today? Would it alter your life course to the point that the predictions for you became invalid?

I would not want to know anything about my future if I were given the chance for prediction. I would perhaps want to know about paths I should follow or signs to look for, but nothing specific. There are times that not knowing what will happen, or what to expect is frustrating and frightening. There are times when I think I want to know the future regarding a specific part of my life that I may be struggling with or unsure about, but in the end, I think its best to just not know. I think knowing too much about what is going to happen in the future would make it nearly impossible to live in the Now. The Now is a very valuable part of our life; it is what we are currently experiencing and where we currently live. There are lessons to be learned in the Now to prepare us for what will happen in our future. I think we could become so focused on the future that we would miss much of the present. We may not be able to fully enjoy people, or places or events that are currently ours to enjoy if we knew the outcome in the end.

I may have an insatiable curiosity about many things. I may think I want to know it all, but in the end, I only want to know what is mine to know for the time being. I want to live in the Now and not try and live out the future. The future will be here soon enough, and then it will be the present and I will take that day just like I took today….one day at a time. I have my own goals, dreams and desires for my future and I do hope that some of them are realized for me, but I will take the anticipation of not knowing for now what is going to happen next.

Life...

I recently had the unfortunate opportunity to be reminded of how frail life can really be. While the loss is very difficult for my family, it also reminds me that life is precious. We should embrace it and live each moment as though it’s our last, because you never know when it just might be…

I believe we should laugh at least once a day. Not a little giggle, but a deep belly laugh that feels good all the way down to your toes. I believe there is a lot of healing in laughter.

I believe we should give gratitude to our Higher Power each and every day. Every day we encounter and receive countless blessings. We are usually just so wrapped up in the mundane day to day tasks that we often overlook them or take them for granted.

I also believe we should acknowledge and give thanks to those around us who are there for us on many levels. Whether if be family, friends or coworkers, there are people who do things just for us on a daily basis. I try very hard not to take those around me and those I care about for granted. When you are no longer able to see them for the blessing that they are, they begin to feel unwanted, unneeded and unappreciated. That to me is a very sad thing, yet it’s such an easy rut to fall into with out even realizing it.

I believe we should love, passionately and deeply with out fear. Not a co-dependant love. I am not suggesting that everyone find someone to “complete them”, I believe we need to complete ourselves. I also don’t think you should love someone to feel good about yourself or to fill your own needs. This is the type of selfish love that gives love a bad name. I am talking about LOVING someone, just for who they are.

I believe we should also love and embrace ourselves. We are truly unique in our own way and each of us holds a different set of life experiences that sets us apart from every other soul on the planet. That’s pretty mind boggling if you sit and think about that. We are each given gifts, talents and challenges. We all have our own contribution to make in our time here on earth, and that time is short when you really start to look at it.

We need to make a conscious effort to embrace each moment, to savor the time we are given. We need to stop and reflect on all the beautiful gifts we encounter each day instead of getting so trapped in the challenges that we face. Its so easy to get stuck in the negative and forget to see the positives and the beauty and gifts we are each given.

My children are a gift. I was medically told I would probably be unable to have children, but here I am, mother of three. They defied medicine and I am truly grateful for them. I receive much joy in watching them learn and grow as they develop into the people they were meant to become. They challenge me, infuriate me at times and frustrate me to no end some days, but I never stop loving them. This, for me, is a true example of what love is supposed to be. It’s unconditional. No matter what my children do, I always love them and I always will.

My family is a gift. I was blessed to be raised by good parents who love me and support me. I have wonderful brothers and sisters, who I remain close to, even though we don’t talk as much as we used to. We are very tight knit and I am thankful to have them.

I also have varying levels of friends that I am thankful for. I have friends who make me laugh, I have friends who I can cry on when I am struggling, I have friends that I talk to daily, and I have friends that I talk to only on occasion. They have each blessed my life with something. They have all come into my life when I have needed them. There are friends that I no longer talk to for a variety of reasons, but I am still thankful for the lessons I learned from them and for the time we shared.

I hope in return I am the kind of friend that also leaves people with something positive. That they are able to take away from the time they share with me, something that will enhance and enrich their lives in some way. I hope to be the kind of friend that people will feel blessed for knowing or having known me. I hope to be the kind of friend that doesn’t make people feel taken for granted or taken advantage of. I want to be the kind of friend that you can share your inner most personal thoughts and feelings with. To know that I will be the kind of friend that won’t desert you or betray you. I want to be the kind of friend that people have confidence in, to know that it is never my intentions to hurt anyone. I want to be the kind of person that you know you can trust to always be there.

Life is short, go live it.

Tears in Heaven

And the skies opened up
raining down all the tears in heaven
mourning for all the tortured souls and broken hearts
longing to find peace.

And the Angels came down
to comfort those in need,
only to find they had deaf ears
and couldn’t hear the message they had come to share.


(I know that I am not a poet. )

The Chains of Words

The Chains of words
They do confine me
At times, they even gag and bind me.

I hear their echo
Deep in my soul
They whisper the stories
That only I know

Aching to be released
Longing to set them free
The chains of words
Demons they be.

Tongue Tied

I have never been one of those super open women, the kind that can tell anybody everything. I usually have one or two good friends that I confide in and even then its in my nature to isolate myself when something is really bothering me. I have been working on this and trying to not retreat into solitude. I am honest and direct about most things, but when it gets personal, I often find that I stumble through the words to explain the thoughts and emotions I am experiencing. It’s not comfortable or natural for me to be that open. I had an experience recently that has me a little tongue tied at the moment. I do not fear rejection, I don’t fear misunderstanding, and so why is it so hard for me to just say what’s on my mind or how I feel? What is it I’m so afraid of? I am a little disappointed in myself right now. I feel like I could have, should have handled things differently (better) than I did.

You can learn from the past, but you cant live in it.

I am a sentimentalist; I savor precious memories, such as my children being born or camping with my dad. It’s sometimes nice to take a walk down memory lane. We can learn much from the things we experience. It helps to shape and mold us into the beings that we are. The problem comes when we try to live in those past experiences, the good or the bad. If we spend our entire time dwelling in the past trying to live, recreate or change those moments, we miss important opportunities in the now that could have a negative impact on our future. The laws of nature always push us forwards, never backwards. It’s good to learn from our past to avoid making the same mistakes over and over, but that’s not the time in which we live. Those moments are gone, and only the memories and feelings of those moments remain.

OK! I Take it back!!!

I have a fear thats causing me great distress right now. I know... ironic after I just made a post about over coming fear. Here's the thing... there are GREAT..... BIG......Spiders!!!! Making residency on my deck! The only thing that scares me more than heights, suffocating and small places, is SPIDERS!!!! It was only a few nights ago that I was talking to a good friend of mine about spiders and their significance, however, I DO NOT WANT THEM ON MY DECK!!!! I spend a lot of time out there drinking coffee and thinking. With the weather turning warmer, I enjoy sitting out there with my dinner or a glass of wine in the evening when my nights off permit. I dont want to share my space with spiders!!

(Anyone want to volunteer to come help me with this one? LOL )

Domesticated Goddess

Yes, I am a highly domesticated creature. I love cooking, cleaning and folding laundry (although, I can openly admit I draw the line at ironing. I avoid it at all costs! LOL). I love the home arts. I make soap from scratch, I love to garden, although I have only been able to try container gardening so far, and I want to learn to quilt. I love the feeling of clean bedding and the smell of freshly scrubbed floors. It’s therapeutic to clean and clear my space. It allows my mind to focus on more creative and pleasant things. This is just part of who I am.

I recently read a book that tells women NOT to do these things. That we must show our equality to the male species and that doing these things gives the impression that we are boring creatures and gives us a homely vibe. I don’t agree. I don’t do these things for any man, I never have. I do these things for my own sense of well being. There is no shame in a clean kept home that makes friends and families feel welcome. I am not homely, and the last I checked, I was not boring. I do not find myself hovering for hours over Martha Stewart magazines and I have no intentions of doing anything that is uncomfortable or unnatural for me just to impress anyone else. I have no need to impress anyone but myself. Take me for what I am or leave me the hell alone. Now THAT’S the difference between being homely and being a Goddess!

I think too much emphasis is placed on what we should or shouldn’t do instead of nurturing the person that we ARE. Too many people are trying to be someone they are not to gain the affections or attentions of someone else. No wonder so many people feel lost and confused with out a strong sense of self. Every magazine seems to have some article on who they are supposed to be or how they are supposed to act, instead of focusing on loving them selves for who they already are. Why can’t we just have a sense of self love and appreciate our own inner beauty. We are each unique in our life experiences and perceptions. We all have our own life experiences; we should embrace them and realize how far we have come in our own personal lives. How boring would it be if everyone reading these articles adapted the suggestions and tried to emulate the author’s perceptions of how we should behave? I would rather stand for something I believe in than to bend my will to what someone else thinks is a better standard of living. I find most of these articles shallow and offensive. I am more than skin deep, and I hope it shows!

Fear

What is fear holding you back from? Fear may slow me down, but it will never stop me. That doesn’t mean I am scheduling a trip for bungee jumping! The opportunity (for me) has to out weigh the fear itself. To tie a bungee cord to my body and jump off a perfectly stable platform into thin air just to say I did it, does not hold enough of a benefit to me for me to face that fear. I was thinking about all the times in my life that I have felt and over come fear. Some times I have had to consciously face that fear, other times, I have had no choice in the matter. Either way, I have found the greatest opportunities and blessings have come from those moments when I have over came fear. It has led to me being confident and comfortable in my own skin and with who I am. I am a strong, independent woman, and I believe I can do anything I put my mind to. I have determination and backbone! (Backed with brains and beauty of course! LOL)

To live your life in fear, is not to live at all. Sometimes we have to challenge the unknown to find out the opportunity and the potential. Life is an amazing experience with all its ups and downs. We won’t ever realize the beauty of the valley if we are too afraid to hike to the peak. Don’t let fear stop you from living the life you were given or to seize the opportunities that await you.

Spring

I love the first signs of spring when the earth begins to awaken from the deep slumber of winter. When the sun peaks out from grey skies and shines its light on the rebirth of the trees and flowers that have been barren and dormant. As my life is also in a rebirth, it’s refreshing to take a moment to look at the beauty that surrounds me with the soft pink flowers on the trees, the green buds opening and the petals that are pushing through the soft earth. I love to wake up to the sun shining through the windows, to feel the warm air on my cheeks, to hear the birds coming out and singing a cheery little song. The animals are busy with nesting and babies and the frogs are happy (albeit, loud!) critters!

For me the change in seasons is somewhat akin to the starting of a new year. It’s a time to look both past and future and resolve where it is I want to be. It’s a time of reflection, dreams, and hopes. Like the new growth, the possibilities are endless and up to me. Like the new flowers growing, small and beautiful, but very strong. Like them, you have to push through the obstacles to realize your full potential and beauty. Breaking through the earth gives the flowers a better chance at withstanding the elements and challenges the earth will bring, such as strong winds and heavy rains.

You have choices. You can spend your life looking at things from under that layer of dirt, never seeing the sun, the beauty that surrounds you or your own inner beauty, or you can grow, brave the weather and let your soul bloom into the person you were destined to become.

"In every winter's heart there is a quivering spring and behind the veil of each night there is a smiling dawn." Kahil Gibran

Definition of a Rut

I just heard a saying that is definately food for thought.

"If you do what you've always done, you will get where you've always gone."

How often do we get stuck in a rut with our own thoughts and actions, and then complain about the results?

What kind of friend are you?

Through a series of events, I have been thinking about friendships a lot. What kind of friend I am to others, and also what kind of friends do I wish to surround myself with. I was thinking about friends I have had both past and present to see if there was a "type" of friend that I continually allowed into my circle. I believe all people are brought into our lives for a reason. Some people are in your life for their benefit only, some of them are brought into your life to help you with specific life lessons, and others are life long TRUE friends. I believe friends should enhance your life, not control your life or bring you down. I believe friends should above all be trustworthy. Trust is a complicated, fragile thing. Trust has to be earned, is easily broken and hard to regain. Are you the type of friend that others can count on and trust? Do you have your friend’s best interest in mind, or do you have your own gain as your goal? I think friends should be gentle, but honest if the situation requires it. I think friends should listen with out judgment. I think if your going to share your deepest most intimate thoughts and feelings with a friend, they should be worthy of such a privilege. I have had a wide variety of friends through out my life. I have been friends with the "needy", who tend to need constant reassurance. These friends only think about themselves and are a lot of work and are never long term. They deplete those around them of their precious energy and compassion. I have been friends with the "doormat", who tend to just adopt and agree with what ever the person they are with believes and desires. Not having their own thoughts and opinions, they tend to not be able to contribute much to the friendship, even though they also tend to believe they do everything because they are a good friend. This friend also tends to be short term, as eventually, most people get bored and would rather be around people who have their own personality to contribute to the friendship. I have been friends with the "controller", who tend to think their way is the only way. They often mean well, but have little to no acceptance of others thoughts, opinions, feelings and ideas. They often are over bearing with their efforts to help and offended when a person stands their ground and makes choices that are right for them, rather than taking the well meaning advice that the controller "offers". I believe we all have all of these friendship traits within us and at times and with circumstances, we all show these traits to some degree. I wish to surround myself with positive, strong people who know themselves well and who are both willing to contribute to the friendship as well as accept mine. I have had my share of temporary friends. They were not necessarily bad people or even bad friends, but lacked the traits required to maintain a friendship long term. I have both good and bad memories of such friends. Some I miss others I do not. I am a loyal, trustworthy, compassionate friend. I am the friend you can confide in. I am the friend you can depend on. I will always be honest with you. I have my own thoughts, opinions and ideas and I am not afraid to express when I do not agree with yours. However, I do this without judgment. I think our unique differences are what make friends and life interesting. I wish to have a well rounded group of friends with their own unique personalities that enhance and enrich my life through their own personalities and perceptions. I also hope to be that kind of friend to others in return.

Reboot and Restore....starting over.

Reboot and Restore. These are things we are more than familiar with when it comes to our computers, but what about our lives? Right now, I want to reboot and restore. I want to shut down, start up, and start over from a restore point of right now. I want to let the past go, take what I know and make a future. I want my future to be pleasant and full of peace and contentment. I know day to day stress is a given and just a part of life. With out those challenges and resistances that create stress, we would be unable to recognize or appreciate the gifts, positives and the good in life. I believe that we need those negatives to learn, grow and see life for the beautiful gift it is. However, when your in the thick of “learning”, sometimes its hard to see the sun through the clouds.

Routines and Rituals

I recently attended a class that discussed quadrant based fears and challenges. As the discussion progressed, the topic was addressed on ways to grow through these opportunities. As I reflect on the different comments that were shared, my own thoughts are emerging in ways to apply some of what I learned to my own life on a daily basis. I realize that recognition is a powerful tool. If I am able to recognize the challenges that I face as opportunities for learning and growth, perhaps it will better enable me to go through these struggles with a more positive outlook.

I am also thinking a lot more about meditation, routines and rituals as a daily practice. It would seem to me, if I can start my day with some positive reflection about what I hope to achieve on a personal level at the beginning of each day that I will be better equipped to handle the unforeseen challenges that we are all faced with on a daily basis.

If I start my day with a meditation practice to prepare myself for the day, it would also then seem to make sense to end my day with some quiet reflection as well. Both of these rituals would allow me the opportunity to see my growth progress, as well as areas that could use a little more of my attention.

I think self awareness is important here. I think without it, we take a lot of the good things that come our way for granted, and miss opportunities that we are given daily to learn. Life lessons will continue to be handed to us, why not embrace them and learn from them to enrich our lives and become stronger within ourselves? We will have challenges, that’s a given. If we can accept them with grace and move with them, instead of fighting against them, it would seem it would make those uncomfortable, stressful times less chaotic and hard. I would hope that it would encourage a more optimistic attitude through both the good times as well as the challenging ones.

As I ponder these thoughts, I am still uncertain as to what routines and rituals I will implement into my day. I want them to be intentional. I know my time is valuable; that every second wasted is a second lost that can never be regained. I think that is part of the reason it’s so important to live with intent and purpose. I believe I am worth the time and effort spent on these rituals to reflect on things and enrich my life.

One of the things I used to do when I lived in the Midwest was have a cup of tea at night before bed, usually with a good book. I have fond memories of that time as my children were all very little and usually my days were filled with the joys and chaos of being a mother. I remember as the evening drew near, the anticipation I would feel as my "quiet time" approached! I know a lot of parents can relate to that. For me that was a nightly ritual. To this day I still take a bubble bath at night to quiet my mind, and still with a good book! I still remember the positive affect that this simplistic routine had on me after all these years. I can only imagine the power routines or rituals could hold if I added some self reflection into simple, enjoyable moments such as these.

Integrity, Honesty, Truth and Character...

Integrity, Honesty, Truths and Character…Those little white lies are bigger than you think.

We are all guilty.

Deception is deception, no matter how big or small. I have never heard any one exclaim how grateful they were when they have been deceived.

There is a quote:

“Be careful of your thoughts, for your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your character…and character is everything.”

I am not sure the author or originator of this quote, but what wise words. As long as you’re living with integrity and purpose, your character has less chance of being called into question. If you’re living a life full of deception and lies, you must expend a lot of energy in hiding the truths.

I desire to have a strong sense of character. I want to be able to stand strong and proud with out shadows lurking in my closet. I want to be trustworthy to those around me. Trust, in my opinion, is no small thing. It has to be earned, is easily lost and hard to regain.

I only speak for myself. I do not stand in judgment of others. I have not walked in their shoes. I am not self righteous. I have plenty of life lessons that I have yet to learn. I am just a humble seeker of truth and knowledge, stating my thoughts and opinions.

Life is a journey worth living. Why not spend it with integrity and good character. It’s not always easy, but in my opinion, it’s always worth it.

Three Dimensions of Communications

It would seem to me, that in today’s world of technology and advancement, that the more forms of communication we have, the more complex communication becomes. There are three levels of communication; one dimensional (text, email, IM), two dimensional (phone or other forms of voice only communications), and three dimensional (in person, face to face conversations). These are the forms of communication that seem prevalent in our society. It would seem that each have their time and place, but convenience, time restraints and other unforeseen variables leaves us to not always to choose the appropriate form of communication for the conversation at hand. They each have their own strengths and weaknesses when used appropriately.

One dimensional conversation is risky because it is up to the reader to interpret the intent of the conversation. There is no tone, body language or much else to indicate the message that the sender is trying to make, so the reader is left having to guess what underlying tone is for the messages being sent. At the same time, it’s quick, easy, and readily available most of the time.

Two dimensional conversations are a little better suited for many conversations because you can hear the tone of the other person through their voice. While it leaves less for guesswork, there is still much that can be misinterpreted. It is easy for people to multi task with voice only communication, which leaves the chance for the listener to not fully hear what it is that’s being said. It would seem to me, that distractions outside of the conversation tend to be a little higher when you are not present with the person having the face to face conversation. Whether it be that your driving, cleaning, or any of the other distractions that tend to come along, it’s highly likely that at some point in a two dimensional conversation that you will miss something that’s being said or the tone it is being said with. Two dimensional conversations are an easy way to keep in touch when in person conversations are impossible due to time, distance or convenience.

Three dimensional conversations then become the ideal. You can easier grasp what it is that’s being said when you have body language, facial expressions, tone, and other clues into the intent and emotion behind the words. It could be the importance of stressing a deadline or an important topic, it could be an emotionally charged point that a friend or colleague is trying to make, or it could simply be just enjoying the chit chat between friends. It’s not always convenient or easy to make time for three dimensional conversations. They seem to last longer than either the one or two dimensional conversations previously discussed.

While all forms of communication are subject to interpretation by the listener, be it in written or spoken form, it seems that there is less likely to be misunderstandings with the three dimensional communications that there are to be with one or two level forms of communication. Communication has always been complex and intricate. With all the modern conveniences and advancement in our technologies providing us with faster, easier, more convenient ways to communicate, it would seem our communications are getting easier, however maybe less accurate as well.