The Garden

This week began with a vision of creating a garden...a retreat center...a place where I can go and take some time for myself. Well that was the fun part of the idea and now on the hottest weekend of the year...I am seeing that this exciting new DIY project is so far away from that vision. That vision I had of myself sitting by a small table drinking ice tea and reading a new book! Yea, instead I am at Lowes buying sandpaper and wood seals. Even though this project was nicer to dream up than it is taking to get done...I have to say...I am enjoying the experience.

So far I have been getting the area ready and getting the needed materials. We are working on pulling weeds...gathering pots...buying a small table and moving around shelving, pots and boxes that I have gathered. All of this is the goal for the weekend and I am hoping that we are successful! :) My parents have been a big help with their advise and insights on how to get some of this done. Of course it is great that I am inheriting their old pots, shelves, chairs and garden boxes...saving me big time on cost! I did buy the small table....I scored at the Goodwill...only 14 bucks!! Now I need to sand it...and that is where Nick comes in...and while he sands I'll be pulling weeds.

This has been a joint effort and it has been so nice. I really feel that the process of how this garden is being created is going to help create the energy of the space. So far it's been a labor of love and learning and I'm hoping that will stay...inspire...and make this space the retreat center I hope it becomes. I feel that I'm at a point in my life where I need a place like this. I'm not sure what to call it or even know how to describe it, other than I am sensing some change coming my way. I don't have a negative or positive feeling towards this inclination, but there is a sense of calm, which for me is unusual when it comes to change. So before this gets much deeper than an, "I am building a garden space and this is how I did it!" blog, which is for sure the intent of this, I'm just trying to say I'm in a good place right now...I have my family in my life more than I ever have in my whole life...I have wonderful, amazing, inspiring and great friends...I am getting ready for a new journey in my career and education...and well it's almost summer time...so LIFE IS GRAND and this garden may just be an outward expression of how good I feel these days!  

Today Sounds Like:

 Learnalilgivinanlovin - Gotye

Time of the Season - The Zombies

 Garden - Pearl Jam

Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles

One Love - Bob Marley

What If I Won the Lotto...

All week it has been hard to avoid...news stories...news papers...all with the same images of people lining up to buy their lotto tickets. Some lines are short...some around the corner and some hours long with travelers that have crossed state lines to get in on this "lotto mania". Well today I found myself amidst those folks and I have to admit...as silly as it may be...or as small of a chance I have (1 and 176 million is said to be the chances I have) I am a little giddy just thinking about what I would do if I won the lotto!! Here is my list...and I know you have yours ha!

Well first things first...or course debt would no longer be a word my family knows or understands...of course the mortgages, credit, loans, STUDENT LOANS (grrrr) and cars would all be paid off (duh). Then the kids (my nieces and nephews) would be taken care of...100,000 scholarships for each of them for when they plan to go to school or buy a home. So yea...yea...yea all the serious stuff...done...HANDLED!

Now for the fun! Of course my life would consist of travel...and that would be shared with my family...everyone will need a passport because we will be seeing this world!! Of course an Airstream for me and Nick...Peter and Tania if they want one too!! My parents would just have to point at a map and tell me where they want to go...of course I already know my mom will want to make her first stop outside the Good Morning America window in New York City! :) Nick's parents would have all the same opportunities to travel...I would take Nick's dad to a taping of American Idol and Nicks mom someplace she has never been (with this lady this is tough, she has been everywhere) Tim would get a long vacation that he so deserves...probably send him to some NASCAR races with my dad. And Bill and his family as well as Michelle Sophia and Michael would enjoy a great family vacation! This is just the broad notion of what I would like to do for my family...there are endless things that I want to do for them.

As for myself...no student loans would be enough haha...but a loft in Seattle and a home here would be just fine thanks. I guess what I would hope for in this little mega millions day dream of mine is that I would hope that if I were...or if anyone were so lucky to get this fortune that there would be something good from it. Not to say that being out of debt and making wishes of your family and friends come true is not a good thing...it guess maybe the word I am looking for is...change...

While growing up my dads wish, whenever he played the lotto, was to open an animal sanctuary. This was mostly influenced by the fact of us taking in almost any stray we saw...there was even a time when a litter of kittens was dropped off on our front porch because they knew we were the "animal house"...haha! He always dreamed of buying a huge piece of land...employ vets and caretakers and just save any animal that needed saving. It was such a beautiful vision (because I am a huge animal lover and have fallen into my fathers footsteps of picking up pups in the street) it was so pure.

So I guess while I am sitting here thinking of all the wonderful things that would happen if I won the lotto...I hope to see some change come from this frenzy...this "mania"! Because this is truly a fortune...one that could not be spent in a lifetime...one that can change so many lives, which is why we play in the first place. All of us who went out there and bought a ticket or twenty (ha) were all wishing...hoping...praying even...that this would change their life. So I hope that in some way it will...not only change the life of the one holding the winning ticket...but that they spread that fortune...the share that fortune...they do something to make change...

This could be wishful thinking...but maybe it will happen...we shall see! :)

Today Sounds Like:

Awake - Troublemakers

Three Little Birds - Bob Marley

I Ain't Superstitious - Howlin' Wolf

Pigs on the Wing (Part One) - Pink Floyd

A Small Room Filled With Love and A Tuna Sandwich

On Sunday I was so excited to plan my menu for this week. It was going to be fettucini alfredo Monday...kale and lentil soup tonight...pita pizzas Wednesday and veggie soup and dumplings for Friday. Well last night it was an unexpected time change for my adorable niece Marley's birthday party and I was not able to get home in time to make dinner. But it was more than ok because last night in a small two bedroom apartment about 25 people gathered...all to share in the celebration of this cute, hyper, "team Jacob" loving little girl. Family, friends, aunts, uncles, cousins and new acquaintances all squished together to be part of this day.

It was really a night to appreciate. Sitting in a room with all of my family, my brothers, my sisters, my nephew, my nieces and my parents...wow...I really have to say that this was a first. Never have we all been together, in the same place, and all so happy...taking this time to look back on that night it still leaves me with this feeling of such joy...such appreciation...such happiness. So what started off as a night of fettucini turned into a night of seven layer dip and family.

As for tonight's planned meal...well my parents are up in Victorville watching Tim's kids and it is just not worth it to make a large pot of soup for myself. But I do have some last minute company in which I am ready to serve my new planned meal that I had set for myself...a tuna sandwich. A tuna sandwich and some tots was what was on the new menu, and though it does not come from a fun new recipe that I found online, nor do any of the ingredients come from my wonderful Farm Fresh to You box...I am so happy to be having a humble tuna sandwich because again, it is not only about the fact that I have been craving tots for the past month, it is that I get to share this little meal with my guest.

Nick...my best friend...my boyfriend...my true soul mate! This man is by far the best person I know and my favorite person! I don't think that I can even go on a rant of some sort explaining how much he means to me...and that is what made this little tuna sandwich so great. This little half sandwich was such a reminder...such a symbol...of how much Nick means to me...how much I value and appreciate our relationship...this humble meal was the centerpiece of a room full of laughter...excitement...and true genuine love.

These past two nights have been great reminders...reminders of how it really is "The Simple Things." There are so many articles out there that give you "10 Simple Ways to Relieve Stress" or "8 Simple Ways to Make Yourself Happier"...and don't get me wrong...I am the one clicking on these links and sharing them on facebook. And as often as I find myself reading these articles and blogs it is always a treat...a blessing...when you catch yourself present in one of those "simple" moments. So that's what I am grateful for today...that is what I am taking from these past two days...and that is making me really happy right now and a little less stressed...ha! :)

Today Sounds Like:

Everlasting Light - The Black Keys

Thank You - Led Zeppelin

Just Breathe - Pearl Jam

By Your Side - The Black Crowes

Rain and Soup...

Ok so it is Sunday and before I head out to the markets to get ready for the week I am going to make what I call "Clean Your Fridge Out Soup" :) Pretty much I look at what I have left from the week and see what I can throw together in a pot and make a delicious (well I hope delicious) soup!

Today I am working with some cabbage, green beans, small gold potatoes, celery, brown onion, garlic, some canned corn and tomatoes. So far it smells yummy and it hasn't even come to a boil!


Now I am sitting here...listening to the rain and smelling the yummy-ness that this soup is turning out to be...and I am thinking that I am so lucky for many reasons. The present few are that one, I am able to sit inside a warm home, listen to the beautiful rain and actually appreciate it. I am not out trying to drive in this weather and I am not having to walk or "live" in this weather because I have no place to go. I have food that is being prepared and I am excited to plan my menu for the coming week. Life is good and I am blessed for sure!

Of course there are the many other things that I am blessed with that include my family, friends, Nick and the wonderful weekend that I have had. I guess taking this time, making soup and listening to the rain with Portishead and DJ Shadow playing in the background gives me this little moment of clarity, this moment of bliss. And for that I am truly grateful and appreciative.

Thank you soup...thank you rain...because both of you have made it possible for me to slow down for these few moments and appreciate what I am blessed with! Thank you!

Today Sounds Like:

Just Like I Pictured It - Medeski, Martin and Wood

Look Out For My Love - Neil Young

One For My Baby - Billie Holiday

These Days - The Black Keys

Jack-Ass - Beck

Looking Back and Ready for What's Next!

Happy New Year!! Cheers to all things that made 2011 so special and memorable as well as a nod to those that made me struggle, because without those two things combined, I would not be so grateful and optimistic about the year ahead. This year there is so much that I am looking forward to and so much that I am excited to be a part of.

One of those being my new approach to food. This past November I embarked on a ten day juice fast, which was probably one of the most disciplined things I have done in some time. But it really opened my eyes and opened my heart to cooking. While on this fast I realized how unhealthy I had become, how addicted to food I really was. It was crazy! Even while I was on the fast I would make lists of places I wanted to eat when I was done, I even dreamed of chili cheese fries...hahaha! Well let's just say that since that fast, I have not had chili cheese fries, or all the other things that were on that list. I gained a new love for veggies, soups, and KALE!! Hahaha yes kale has become one of my favorite things to cook, drink and eat. It's so weird, so refreshing, and so exciting. I come home and I cook for myself, my family and Nick every night and I have to admit, I am quite good at it. So this year I am so excited to continue on this path of being healthy and refreshed. I have a great support system of friends and family who are with me on this path and it makes it so fun and easier, so I am truly grateful for that support.

On the note of friends....this past year has been a great year of friendship. This past summer Nick went on tour with his great friends Kyng and with him gone for about six months I found out that I had a great support system. Some old friends that I knew without a doubt would be there for me, and some new ones that I am so happy have developed into great friendships. All girl camping trips with Sara, Susana, Verno and Amy were some of the highlights of my summer. Or Jersey Shore Thursdays with my new found family. Making Adrienne laugh so hard that she declares "no more" and reuniting with an old Ahso friend.

My outings with Sara and just the great insight we give each other, this is a great friendship that I am so happy continues to grow. New friendships with Monica and reunited with my Steph (Grammy). I was not able to visit my Amy as much as I would have liked, but skype has been a remedy for that. And my friend Adri has continued to show me strength in so many ways, I continue to pray for her and Sarah and even though I am not as present as I can be in their lives I always carry them in my heart. So with this new year ahead of me, I hope to continue these friendships and make more wonderful memories that I was so blessed to have last year! So bring on the charades...soup parties...all girl camping trips (Zion is rumored to be the next one)...Youtube nights and dinner with the Crew!

This year I am going to continue to work on me...work on friendships...my relationship and just be good at what ever it is I decide to do with my time. I want to get some traveling in....Seattle and a spring road trip are in the works...and Europe in winter. I am not going to try and make a list to read a book a month, or lose ten pounds...rather I am going to just do my best at what ever it is I decide to take on this year.
Looking at all the great things that I am fortunate and blessed to have, I am really motivated and excited for this new year. Just like all the years before I know there are going to be some bumps...even some straight up mountains in the road, but for now I am going to remain optimistic...hopeful...happy!


Today Sounds Like:

Stay Free - Black Mountain

Joy - Phish

Three Little Birds - Bob Marley

Bron-Yr-Aur - Led Zeppelin