New Year and all that .........................My "theme" for this year is:
 
Live Life Loved! (and to be a loving being to others, in spite of short comings/limited talents/ inherited weakness) Love always leaves a significant mark - giving or receiving.
 
I am all over the board with rumblings in my head.....guess that's good, at least they are not Rants!

Aging mother and care for her
 
College aged children/ their push to be FREE
 
Middle age and realizations of what has/ has not come to fruition - what are the chances for some of the high ideas I had? and/but do they even really matter? what's really important?
 
It's a lot to be distracted with - or to focus on. Trying to find the balance there........
 
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In other news, just because I posted a photo of the front door window I will comment. I didn't like the stark black metal that framed the window/became exposed with the curtain down. Could have painted it, but didn't like the amount of light able to get through the rice paper either. So, since I didn't like the creme shades ( not enough natural light coming through) I was going to tea stain the original white lace curtains - that I replaced because they were white and not matching the creme tones in wallpaper- however, the lace curtains are not cotton and are instead some synthetic and did not take the stain. So the creme sheers are back in place. Who cares right? Like I said, since I posted I just thought I'd mention. Now if I can just remember to get some RID dye and try that route with the lace that let in more light. I will go put a note with car keys now....and email myself at work. See that's the problem for me - Often thinking of things at the wrong time and/or thinking I will remember to do with out a reminder. ( remember the many rumblings in head........)
 
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So, with the frigid temps across much of the US , anyone want an easy yummy soup? Quick, easy and DELICIOUS. I like to double up - as it's a fav here. Served with a nice salad , it's all you need. It's a variation of Byerly's Wild Rice soup. http://www.lundsandbyerlys.com/Recipes/Recipes/W/Wild-Rice-Soup.aspx
 
WILD RICE AND CHICKEN SOUP
 
Ingredients 6 tablespoons margarine or butter
1 tablespoon minced onion
1/2 cup flour
3 cups chicken broth
2 cups cooked wild rice
1/2 cup finely grated carrots
1 to 2 cups chicken (can cheat and use canned if want)
3 tablespoons chopped slivered almonds
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup half and half
2 tablespoons dry sherry, (optional)
 
 
Directions
In large saucepan, melt margarine; saute onion until tender. Blend in flour; gradually add broth. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil; boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in rice, carrots, chicken, almonds and salt; simmer about 5 minutes. Blend in half and half and sherry; heat to serving temperature. Optional - Garnish with snipped parsley or chives. Amount: 6 cups.
 
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BOOKS - Who's reading what? I am stuck in a couple books and can't seem to make progress. I finished THE SHACK, - do read it, still working on the re-read of THE WOMEN'S ROOM. ( just not feeling like being involved in the struggle and angst of the characters) , gave THREE CUPS OF TEA to friend, LEEWAY COTTAGE still calling my name........
 
But I've seen lots - FOR ME - of movies - all ones I would recommend.
 
AUSTRALIA
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
THE CHANGLING
SEVEN POUNDS
THE SECRET LIVES OF BEES - if you read the book, do rent when it hits video/dvd status, you won't be disappointed
 
Saw the play DOUBT and that's rumored to be quite a good movie but know it's not a feel good , but intense drama. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Ok, that's all I have for now....off to make that yummy soup! p.s. no matter who you voted for - It's noteworthy to stop and reflect that we live in a country where we were able to vote and we will witness the PEACEABLE TRANSFER OF POWER this Tues. That is truly something awesome. God Bless the USA. ( and for heaven's sake, will someone please put Bernie Madoff in jail, at least?????!!!??!!??)

If you are ever in need of a getaway in Tulsa  - Here is the place  www.cedarrockinn.com .  What a lovely B & B  and facility for a function.  Our friends took the place over for their daughter's wedding and reception.  What a delightful time we all had! 

After a fun night of celebrating with old friends, we headed to Stillwater for "the big game".  OSU was hoping to win and win big over Troy after their last meeting when Troy rolled OSU with a 41-23 win.  And woo hoo!  In fine COWBOY style they won handily 55-24 and we were part of OSU football history as part of the largest football crowd ever to attend a game - 52,463.  Additionally, it was great to meet up with Tyler and Candace and her family.  It was just the best!  Perfect family/ friend time, perfect weather, perfect game!

Gotta run!  Life is calling!

 

Living in Oklahoma there is no getting around FOOTBALL!  Especially living in OK just miles from the great college town of Norman - ranked  6th by Money Mag in the top 100 places to live - AND having a son enrolled at OSU, just up the road in the other direction.  So, yeah SOONERS and COWBOYS!  Both won their season openers and Sooners are well on their way to taking the second game, as I type.  COWBOYS kickoff at 6pm tonight.  We would be there but I am not feeling well.......So.........bummer.  Missing the first home game and festivities of tailgating. 

So Gustav brought and abrupt change in the weather - 80 + one day and the next was raining and 63.  Nice change in pace, but it's always so sudden here.  But within 48 hours we were back up to the 80+ usual.   OH , brother......I sound like my mom - talking about weather......lol. 

Well, I need to go catch Garrison /Prairie Home Companion.  More later.............

 

 

 

 

Woke up with a jolt this morning.......dreaming that my 18yr old daughter had a baby in a cardboard box in the living room. One push, and that baby came out all dressed and pretty darn cute. What does THAT MEAN!??!!??!! Seriously, Whoa, that's some crazy dreaming!

So, time to get up and start the coffee. Stopped by the light in the living room coming in through the side window by the doors. Last night I took down the creme sheer curtain and replaced it with rice paper roll that you adhere to the glass - let in more light but still have privacy. However, the trim to the window is black and it looks too stark. ( see pic) What's a girl to do?
I guess I will let it be a couple days and see how it speaks to me......then decide.

Today is a HOLIDAY - a day off. Been struggling with a head cold so the question is- just be low key and treat myself to a honest to goodness day off or take advantage of the time and get a bunch done? I think I will do a little of each. First , something for me, read - I have at four books going at this time.........and probably seven by the night stand waiting.
THE SHACK
THE WOMEN'S ROOM
LEEWAY COTTAGE
THREE CUPS OF TEA
then I will work on getting some of the living room packed up. If we are ever going to paint , we must start somewhere, sometime. And seeing that it will be a very time consuming task with having to prime and then paint, this is probably a good time to start.
For fun, I think we will venture out to the local arts festival for some music and food later........

Happy September!