Sunday's Thought and Picture

Second post today, but I needed to do my Sunday thought.
"Life is good, if we live in such a way to make it so.' . . . 'A good life' comes as a result of the way we do things, of the words we choose to say, and even of the kind of thoughts we choose to have."


Have a lovely Sunday all!

I Got An Apple

Instead of flowers, I got an apple.

You like?It is cuz I am a teacher and my day was hard
yesterday. I had to get really mad. And when I get
mad, I feel really bad. So Mr. Friend (he needs a new
name) got me a ginormous apple. Cute right?
(He didn't want to use the flower-train too much.)
I've a crazy two days.

First of all, we went to the midnight showing of Harry
Potter and I have to say that it was well done. The director
really stayed true to the book in expressing the loneliness and
frustration of Harry trying to find the Horcruxes. It was a dark
movie, but all the funny parts made it great. My favorite was when
Harry and Hermione have an awkward dance in the middle of
their tent. It is awkward teenage stuff.
However, there is this scene between the two of them
after Ron comes back that is really disappointing. I don't know
why they had to put such graphic nudity into a children film. I
don't recommend it as a family film.

I really do like Emma Watson's new haircut though.
She has been know for her locks while doing the Harry Potter
series as Hermione has frizzy hair in the books.
But, oh if I were brave enough (and had delicate features.)
Got home at 3:30 and went to bed, woke up at 6:30 and went
to school. Drank a coke and made it through the day.

Came home, crashed till 6:30. Woke up wanting to take a shower
but slicked my hair back and went on a date with Mr. Friend and
Setherloo. It is his first date since his mission! Yay!
We went ate a ginormous amount of calories (bad for my diet)
at Bambino's and then went lazor-tagging. Which gets you nice
and sweating. And it brings out my competitive side, poor Mr. Friend.

So, here I am.
On my lovely Saturday with nothing to do!!!!!
Hallelujah! It is Thanksgiving Break and snowing!
And I got to go on a winter walk with Mr. Friend.
Which is where all the pictures are from.
I finally got to take some. It has been a long while.
Enjoy!

Copycate Recipe- Italian Nachos

I had the best leftovers today for lunch:

Johnny Carino's.
Lovely, lovely Italian food. Seriously better than
Olive Garden. If you haven't gone there you simple must.Anyho, I love Johnny Carino's appetizer Italian Nachos.
They are creamy, crunchy, pretty, and divine!
I've been making my own version lately and they ain't
too bad. So, here is a fun little recipe to mix some up with.

What you need:
1 package of wanton wrappers, cut into triangles
a handful or two of grilled chicken breast
(or you can use Italian sausage)
a can of chopped olives
a can of pepperochini peppers
two Roma tomatoes cut into cubes
mozzarella cheese, shredded
Ragu Alfredo Sauce (or some other white sauce,
if you make it from scratch you are a better person than me)
garlic powder
Italian seasoning

In the oven or in a fryer, cook your wanton wrappers.
(If you cook them in the oven, toss them in olive oil and
bake at 400 for about 5-6 minutes.)
This only takes a few minutes until they are golden brown.

Meanwhile heat the sauce and grill the chicken.

Once wantons (wanton is a fun word to say!) are finished lay them
on a platter, put some chicken, tomatoes, pepperochini peppers,
olives onto and drizzle the Ragu over it. Put the shredded cheese
on top, place in the oven or microwave to warm up. Say a little prayer
and hold on to your taste buds because they are going to love you!

I've Been Compared to a Ferrari

.... and I liked it!{image}

I like to think of myself as independent.
(A curse to my generation.)
So, I get a little upset when a man steps in to help
me carry the bags, open the door, and even get up off
the floor. I know that I should enjoy these things,
but I can't help myself when I assert firmly that
I can do it.

I got a chewing the other day for doing this very thing and
it made me very happy.

Mr. Wiggly-My-Toes and Make-Me-Really-Frustrated told me
to lay off. He said he knew that I was very capable of a great many
things and that opening the door and offering to help was not to be
taken that he thought of me as incapable of taking care of myself.
He said that he doesn't do nice things for me because I can't do them
for myself. He insisted that women aren't glass ornaments that men
need to take care of otherwise we'll break.
We are more like Ferrari's, a well designed and very capable,
fast machine that can take a dent as well
as another other car. But you treat a Ferrari nice because it
deserves special treatment.
Maybe even baby it. If you really like Ferrari's.

I am not a car person, but
I like that he opens my door, refuses to let me carry
anything if he isn't, and insists that I take his coat if I'm cold.
He makes me feel special, like a Ferrari.

Transitory

Fall feels like a transitory state.

You can feel change in the air; like the earth is
holding its breath until winter decides to come.

Change is a funny thing. It is good. It is bad. And
yes, it hurts.
I look back on this summer as one that I will never forget.
I started out married, lying about who I was, and very miserable.
I had to face some hard facts about myself and my mistakes.
I had to cry a lot, pray a lot, and grow a lot of strength.
I had to readjust my convictions.

I don't recommend what I went through.
But my life is so good now. It isn't simple. Never easy.
But extremely good.
I find myself divorced and completely happy and ready
for this transitory state.

I feel good about who I am. I am becoming daily the
person I want to become. My Heavenly Father
believes in me.

Today is good.
I just want to smile and enjoy the sunshine.
Take in life and it's wonderment.
Love it.
Someone gave me a big bottle of confidence
and I am still just enjoying the side effects.

And I am going to keep soaking it up.

I love me a Farmer's Market

There is the smallest little farmer's market here in town. I
decided to take my camera down there and see if I could get a few
good shots in. I am a budding photographer remember. It was so much
fun, ended up staying longer than I should have talking with all the vendors.
Mostly fruits and veggies, but some really fun people. I bought me an apron and
raspberry honey.

If I had me a little boy, I would have bought him one of those
adorable little wooden swords. There was a group of little farts
running around waving them over their heads, but I'm a little slow
trying to get my camera settings right and missed them.

I couldn't resist not trying these little beauties and let me tell you
they were beautiful in my mouth as well.

I hope you have an enjoyable Saturday and eat something healthy.
Any photographers out there or amateurs like me, I would love
some tips or advice.

And I want to give a shout out to all my readers- I appreciate
you all so very much. Just sending some love through the e-world.

The Mr. Van Gogh Interlude

I have a HUGE crush on my Van Gogh doll.
(And because I am an art teacher, I can have Van Gogh dolls.)

{You know Van Gogh right? The tormented artist who painted all

the beautiful swirly landscapes. My favorite is "Starry Night."
He was always financial broke. And sadly

only sold one of his 800 paintings during his lifetime. He committed suicide in his
30s. Pretty much he is a legend-- very mysterious and a genius for his time,

not appreciated until after his death. I love his paintings. And he

happens to be my favorite artist. And the fact that another of my favorite

artist, Josh Groban, sang about him makes my toes wiggle.

A Van Gogh painting to look at and a Josh Groban song to listen to,

well there is nothing better than that. It is my cozy time.}

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

My original Van Gogh doll faced a terrible death by the

roommate's dog shortly after moving in. Belle, the dog, attacked his face and left

a gaping hole. I was heartbroken. But a new one arrived the other day,

and my broken heart fills somewhat renewed.

Look at him! Cute right?
I mean he has a little paintbrush in his hand!

And the best part, the part that gets me really excited, is his ear

comes detached!

There are several stories about Mr. Van Gogh's ear. One that

it was injured after a fight with one of his good friend and fellow

painter, Gauguin. There is the one were he cut it off and took it to

a prostitute and practically bled to death until discover by the police the

next day. But the one I like and prefer to believe is that Van Gogh

fell in love with a woman who would not return his affection. In

some fit of craziness, he cut off his ear and set it to her. I don't know

why, but I like to think in his lunatic mind it made sense to give

her a piece of himself as a sign of true devotion.

So, my Van Gogh doll sits waiting for me to find someone to give

his ear to, only symbolizing my true devotion of course.
But he looks so cute while he does it I just had to share.

(Maybe all artists are a tad loony.)

There is your art history lesson for the day. Feeling educated?

Sunday is a good day

I had a date last night and woke up this morning still wiggling

my toes about how great it was. He showed up on my doorstep with

flowers. It was so adorably cute.

He made me dinner and then we went for a walk.

It was very well planned and simple, complete with hot cocoa to enjoy

the sunset with.

I think first dates should be that way: simple.

And he's got me smiling today.

My heart is full of hope. I feel blessed to have new friends.

Sunday is just a really great day.
I feel good about where I am and the growth I've experienced through

my trials. Adversity teaches us things that we might not have learned

otherwise. And it is our reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that

determines how our life story will be created. And thankfully we are never

alone in our greif and pain.

And today I choose to move on. Today, I am just happy.