Hello out there...FREE STUFF!

I have finally gotten my Etsy shop up and going! Some items are listed on the side bar to your left but go to my shop and check it out.

Now it's time to celebrate so I am offering a give-a-way! I will give a journal of your choice (see the Etsy shop) to a random winner. Just leave a comment telling me which journal you would chose and what you plan to use it for...I will announce a winner on Sunday 11-23.

Also, if you purchase any of my products between now and Thanksgiving eve (11-26-08), enter the word 'Celebrate' in the notes of your order and I will ship your order for free! No postage or handling...just the cost of your items purchased! What a deal.

Happy shopping!

Someone needs to stop the merry-go-round...

How is it that time flies by with such little realization? I just don't get it sometimes...I went shopping yesterday and picked up some Christmas decorations I've been wanting to add to my stash for the past few years and at great prices too! But the point here is how did it get to be 'that time of year' again? Wasn't it just a few months ago we took our trees down? Don't get me wrong, I am very excited this year about the holidays but I just seem to be in some kind of Jetson-ish time warp which sends each year by in a blur of dull memories and fewer marked moments.

The weekend of Thanksgiving I hope to put up the festive decor I have planned in my head...It will surely be the most lovely array of Christmas beauty one crazy 40-something woman can fit into her 1000 sq ft cottage...perhaps I will post some pictures too!

I just have so many tricks up my sleeve, dont' I?

Thoughts for a Wednesday...

How tired do you have to be from doing all the things which must be done to be too tired to do the things you still need to do? I mean, I'm just wondering.

How did it get to be November 12th (Man, am I old), and I have only purchased exactly one holiday gift...yikes!

I keep telling myself in my head (because I am nuts) that it 'all' will get better and easier...I better not be lying.

Brain dead me.

During the week I am brilliant...

...but on the weekend, I am more dense than ever. This is when I normally use all my mental capacitites to work on my venture and seem to use up what lttle brain power I have left over from the work week.

I guess it might be time to tell you what it is~

I started a company called 'SchuStrings' a few years ago and due to a move and life change, I took some time off from it but have recently ramped things up again. I design and hand create papergoods ranging from cards to calendars to individual scrapbook pages(or sets), journals and notebooks and other custom items.

I have an Etsy shop too! Come visit...I will be updating it this week!

I will be doing a give away soon too!

T

I've let you down again...

I suck at this! I cannot seem to get through a weekend with a post per day...in my defense, I had a huge order to complete this weekend which literally took me about 12-14 hours to do and made me a slave to my desk so much that I did not leave the house at all...sad, I know. So that is why I didn't get any posting done...that and the fact that I am crazy.



T

I am a big, BIG loser!

I missed another day of posting and forgot to submit my picks for our football pool last night...I need a vacation! Or a nanny to make sure my house gets cleaned, my bills get paid on time, my family eats healthy, I don't run out of gas, and my head doesn't explode with all the things swirling around me the past several weeks...UGH!

I am drowning~
EVERYONE OUT OF THE POOL!

All I can say is...YES!

I have never been more proud to be an American than I was last night watching the acceptance speech of our new president elect, Mr. Barrack Obama.

And as he said, if anyone doesn't believe this country of ours is a place where dreams come true, then this is your moment. To think that a man who not so long ago would have been denied the right to vote has been chosen by his fellow country men and woman as the one we want to govern our land...WOW!

I am proud of Americas everywhere. I am proud to be one of you. I am proud of our courage and our voice. I am proud we stood up and said we want change...and I am proud that we chose him to take us there.

YES!

T

You know what day it is...

...So

ROCK YOUR VOTE!!!!! I did and I feel so patriotic!!!!

We should all help to change this country for ourselves, our families, our friends and the future generations...It is a right we have but more than that it is a PRIVILEGE to chose who governs our country.

Do it.
Go.
Vote.
Feel patriotic.

T

Day 2 and I blew it!

I am a loser...day two of the month and I forgot to post anything! How can I screw up something so easy?!?! I know why-I only have one day each week off and I got up and raked the yard and cleaned up the last of the dead flowers since last week's frost. Then it was on to cleaning the house which my son helped with but still took 2 1/2 hours, even with all 1000 sf of my house. Oh and let's not forget about the 6 loads of laundry and dinner.

It's no wonder I forgot! I was in bed by 8:00.

Go vote tomorrow!

this message approved by schustrings for Obama.

NaBloPoMo...YES!

I am attempting to join all those fellow bloggers and do the post a day challenge this month...Wish me luck!

On other fronts of my life, getting my new venture up and running has gone slower than I had hoped...A major family crisis and honestly, I work so much at my real job, I often do not have the energy to devote to my business like I wish I did. Somethings have changed lately though which I am praying will make things more manageable for me. I will let all of you know as soon as I am off and running!

Here's to day one...
T

Baby watch 2008 has come to an end...

I got the call this morning around 8:30...Little Ben has arrived! Mom sounds very tired and in major need of rest but there is a peace behind her raspy voice. And Daddy was amazed and emotional. His words were, He is beautiful.

Really, what more can one say.

I cannot wait to hold my new nephew in my arms and thank his parents for giving me another child to love and making our world a better place.

oxox, little Ben.

A love letter to Her...

I have a sister who is so amazing and special, I have long said I want to be her when I grow up. But this is not about her. It is about my other sister. She is my best friend, is my sister by choice rather than blood and truly could not be more of a sister to me if we were born of the same parents. She is younger than me by several years but we are kindred in more ways than I probably even know. She has been my shoulder through the most wrenching and fearful moments of my life. She has been the ear who endured my tearful rantings though I know she just wanted to tell me to shut up and get a hold of myself...but she never said anything of the sort. She was honest but loving, supportive but direct and most of all, has always loved me despite myself. We have been through some crazy things, both wicked hysterical and painfully heartbreaking. We have shared so much it sometimes feels as though she has always been a part of my life...and for sure, she is part of me now. She knows my secrets and my joys. She knows me and I trust her with all that I am...and more importantly all that I am not. I can only hope I too, have been such a friend to her.

And to you now-Forgive my ignorance and the times when I am selfish. For not picking up the phone if you needed me. For the foolish mistakes I made and thank you for the times when you stepped in to fill the gap. For anything no matter how small which was less than you deserved from me, please forgive me...

My emotion for her cannot be measured in words anymore and that was inflated just over a week ago when I was witness to her becoming a wife...to a guy whom I love too. And they will soon be first time parents.

There is so much new in both our lives over the past several months...she is a wife and soon will become a mother; I have reunited with "the man who got away" and he is most certainly the love of my life as I always thought him to be...and sooner or later the past must give way to the new. These days she and I only see one another sporadically though we only live an hour apart. Life paths, love and new expectations often don't yield to our old life of laughter, music and time at the hearth and I must admit I can feel the absence of her.

Though we don't always agree, we have never had words and never once has there been a thought of what my life would be without her. Instead, she is giving me more of her to love. I am waiting with each new day wondering if it will be the one when I hear a voice tell me her child has arrived. As I type these words, my heart is full and my eyes swelling with emotion.

It is a privledge to be your sister...
I love you, JJ

Lettuce all love...

Today I have nothing of circumstance to report but have been meaning to post this recipe since last week. You see, I am a huge lettuce wrap fan. PF Changs has ruined me for life! Ever since I had my first bite about six years ago, I have not only loved these little bundles of perfect yum and goodness, but now crave them all the time!

So what to do when the closest PFC is nearly 50 miles away? Make it yourself and use the man in your life as your guinea pig...and in my mind I said, "Yes, this will work!!!!"

Shortly after my discussion with myself and realizing having this type of exchange proves my craziness, I began. I sliced the pork ever so thin, combined it with all its friends so they could all hang out in a bowl together until I was ready to cook...Oh, did I also say this meal was prepared last Sunday...the day the Guitarist cleaned and let me relax all day...I still love that man! Anyway, back to the story~ So his reward for being the best guy on the planet? Drum Roll please......

Lettuce wraps to give PF Chang's a run for their money!!!! (I typed that in a sing song-y voice)

Wow, were they delicious! I am a very confident cook and get complimented a great deal for my food (not that I am bragging or anything because that would be wrong) but this surprised even me. Typically I need to make a recipe a time or two to tweak and get it just right but these are so easy and likely forgiving since I varied the recipe a bit and the result was truly award worthy...okay, maybe only in my mind but they were wicked good!

Try them and you too will fall in love~


Sesame Lettuce Wraps
Adapted from Korean sesame beef with lettuce wraps in the Sept Cooking Light, 2008


3/4 pound of meat, trimmed and thinly sliced- recipe called for flank steak but I had thin pork chops so I used them. You could easily use chicken too, which I will do the next time.

1/3 onion, diced-called for green onions but since I don't like them and had white onion, that is what I used.

1 TBS sugar-I used organic cane sugar but any will do.

6 TBS GF soy sauce-called for just two, but I like more and used LaChoy lite.

1 TBS minced garlic-I used the jarred kind...I know, but I was supposed to be relaxing, remember!

1 TBS toasted sesame seeds-I toasted my own so they had better flavor.

1 tsp sesame oil-I love this stuff and use it all the time in lots of things which would shock you!

Combine the items above and marinade for at least 1 hour, max 4 hours.

2 generous TBS of safflower oil-called for canola but you could really use any kind.

1 small head of lettuce, rinsed, drained well and left as whole leaves-I used iceberg but love bib for these.

The recipe called for kimchi but I prefer something much better! I made quick pickles of 1/2 a thinly sliced English or seedless cucumber, enough cider vinegar to cover them and a 1/2 teaspoon of sugar; stir and let sit until the meal is ready.

I also made jasmine rice to go with it...I cooked it as directed and once finished, mixed in a couple tablespoons of peanut sauce.

Cook the marinated meat in a hot pan or wok with safflower oil in two batches..fast and hard here so you get a good color on it without burning the garlic...mine was on medium high.

Serve in separate dishes or a large platter-

Meat
Lettuce leaves
shredded carrots
broccoli slaw
pickled cukes
peanut jasmine rice

Using the lettuce as a cup, spoon in a small amount of each and top with peanut sauce. I used a jarred one that was gluten free although I don't remember the name of it...sorry! Wrap your lettuce around and make a beautiful little package and eat with your hands like a taco.

I served the rice on the side...

Hope you love them as much as we did!

T

Rest, renewal and the best guy ever!

The past few weeks have been especially difficult for me...My mother is not in good health and although I do not, at this point need to provide her with daily care, I do take her shopping, run her errands, take care of her finances and am the only go-to she has. Although I love her and am dedicated to her, the job is not an easy one. The load is heavy on my life and heart but it must be done and this I have accepted. I am typically fine but when other stresses of life present themselves, like they have lately, I can only hold out for so long until I cave like a soup can...meltdown like a candle...basically just crumble under the weight of what I need to carry for those I love.

And I did precisely that on Saturday night...the poor Gutiarist. He is such a caring and loving man. He listened to me rant and rave, cry and cough and sputter through my emotions and for the most part just said "I will begin to do more to help you"...and he did precisely that. On Sunday while I made brocolli and cheese omellettes for breakfast he made a list of chores and then went to task cleaning, doing laundry and trying to get the water out of our basement...Oh, did I tell you in the midst of all this, we have a small flood? Luckily, nothing of circumstance was affected but we could do a scene from "A river runs through it," though I doubt the ceiling is high enough to get a good cast of your fly...Anyway, my boy let me nap while he moved the furniture, swept up the dog hair and straightened the house. How special he truly is!

Today I feel rested for the first time in weeks and I owe it all to you, Baby.
Thank you~

A silent smile...

This morning through the rain, we mourned a lost friend. A man well loved, a husband for many decades over, and father to a daughter who stands before us today as a lovely woman. He was nearly ninety but only known to us for a mere two years. Everyone called him Noisy. Which would make you laugh if you had known him as he rarely said a word. You see, it had grown very difficult for him to hear over the years but from what I understand, he was a man of few words even before his hearing failed him, but he always sat by, content and smiling...Never seeming to feel slighted or lost as the swirl of our patio conversations went on around him though he couldn't really join in much.

He is part of our extended/adopted family of neighbors who are now dear to both of us and he will be greatly missed by many... but through the sorrow of losing someone so cherished there is a spot of light and happiness. When I called the Guitarist to tell him of our friend's passing he said this..."Well, at least now Noisy can hear." After talking to our friends I understand his doctor said the same.

So with that thought in mind, "Bless you, Friend and rest well. Thank you for making those around you smile. We raise one to you and will miss you under the canopy!"

Us.

Apples, friends and a shout out to the 'Z' Family...

Have I forgotten about all of you out there? Rest assured, I have not, so do not panic, which should make me laugh as no one has even read my blog yet so I am really just talking to the voices in my head...but I am still here.

You see, my friend Autumn has come to visit and I have been taken in once more. She is enchanting and full of charm. She shows up on a whim and it only takes a few minutes for me to remember how much I adore and miss her when she is not here. She brings with her a comfort which reminds me of cashmere and homemade bread. She is bright and warm; serious and purposeful but all the while, moves with grace and elegance. She always looks flawless with her deep red and gold skirts flowing like wisps of fire on the breeze. You see, life looks different with Autumn around. She brings new life to my flowers long worn from the summer heat and the dog frolics larger and leaps higher when she is around; the world new but still familiar and I have to smile as my senses come alive with awe.

I have known her all my life. Yes, she is my friend...dear and true. She never lets me down or disappoints me even though she can change her tune on a dime and will vanish just a quickly as she arrived. You see these are all elements of her and I am her loyal companion...

Until she leaves again, Winter taking her place.


PS: A wonderful dose of gratitude to the 'Z' family for a great time on Saturday. Thank you for making me feel like part of your clan!



Autumn Chicken Apple Salad

8 chicken tender strips with your favorite GF poultry seasoning
cayenne pepper, a pinch
parsley, I used dried as that was all I had
onion and garlic powder, a pinch of both...about 1/4 teaspoon
salt and pepper
1/2 cup broken pecans
2 med diced apples
1 cup GF mayo or Greek yogurt


Bake seasoned chicken for 15-20 minutes at 350 and remove and cool. Chop apples (with or without peel is your choice) and put in large bowl. Break pecans with hands and add to apples.
Sprinkle with remaining spices and add hand torn, cooled chicken. Mix with half of mayo or yogurt and add more until it is the right consistency for you...I like mine a little on the less is more side and season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Chill for at least one hour and serve atop broccoli slaw or a crusty piece of GF bread.

YUM!

Vacuuming dog wanted...

On Saturday I was determined to get the house cleaned and as I walked passed the office, I saw the Guitarist had organized the desk and computer and moved his many books off the floor. Can I tell you, I love that man! Well, it motivated me even more to get the house in order. After I'd been home for an hour or so, he was tired and took his ever present canine companion aside for an afternoon nap. Now I was really ready to get down to the dirty business of cleaning, armed with the vacuum, the broom and a flurry of solutions. Sometimes it shocks even me to think what moments or activities put me in my element. Sadly enough, cleaning is one of those moments. Not many things in life make me feel a deeper sense of accomplishment than a house which smells as clean as it looks. Hmmmm...

Today is Thursday...and I really do not have much to report. I am feeling better than last week although still not normal yet and still wandering around in a haze of exhaustion...and beyond doing the dishes and straightening up a bit, I haven't done a thing since Saturday.

Not even the floors...

Tired and crazy...

Well it has been one of those weeks where no matter how much sleep I get, I do not feel rested. In addition to Celiac, I have a thyroid condition and it was time to have my levels checked and in the meantime, my prescription had run out. As a result, I went for 5 days without my medicine before the doctor re-prescribed a new dosage. I picked up the new meds yesterday although I have been directed to take them first thing in the morning as they work better after fasting through the night...I woke up at 6:12 this morning and the first thing I did was open that bottle and chase the little pill with a gulp of cold water and before I could put my glass down, the Guitarist asked..."Do you feel better yet?" That guy just keeps me laughing!

Strangely enough, I could feel the difference in the way my body was functioning although I had no idea it was noticeable to the world outside, or even to him...Interesting...The man knows me better than I thought and after 12 years I guess he should. Once I had explained to him why I was so tired all week, his response was..."so that is what's been wrong with you." And in the course of our conversation, he made the comment that I am much more fun when I stay on my meds...Ha..Ha! I fired back asking if he was trying to tell me I'm crazy and he said, "well of course, but crazy I can handle...punked out and drained I cannot. It is not the real you"...Yes people, this kind of humor is the norm in our house. And it suits us both just fine.

As a result of my exhaustion, I have only cooked once this week and the cottage is in disarray as I did not do much at all which is, as the Guitarist said, not like me. I am a bit of a neat freak and given the fact our house is so small and we have a dog who sheds so badly I can barely go two days without cleaning the floors, it takes little to make our place look a mess. So today when I get home from work I am hoping to make some headway with the cleaning. I also need to start cooking again because if the phrase, 'you are what you eat' is true, it is only a matter of hours before my man turns into a hotdog. I just pray my energy lives up to my to-do list.

Or perhaps I will take a nap instead...

A few of my favorite things...

Starched white shirts and good, worn denim cut offs.
Fine point black pens and clean white paper, thick and crisp; none of the cheap stuff.
Tulips of any color, but especially white.
Coral inpatients.
Dark red boots and boot cut jeans that fit.
The smell after it rains and the scent of fresh cut grass on a cool day.
The feel and taste of ice cold water as it slides across my tongue and down through my chest.
Eating crisp cucumbers like a banana...bananas with a tinge of green on the peel.
Cabernet.
The sound of nothing while perched at the top of the Rockies.
My sons who never cease to make me feel that amid all my faults and failings, I have done something extraordinary.
My Mom's spaghetti sauce.
Pickled beets, cold from the frig.
Candles...lots of candles (the Guitarist can attest to that).
While I am here, the Guitarist! And his faithful side kick, Lila' the ornery yellow lab.
Clay flower pots.
My big red sofa.
Clean sheets.
Good hair days.
Black shirts and pants and khaki shorts.
Cheap black flip flops.
High heeled shoes...okay, any shoes.
Gerbera daisies.
30 minutes of silence when I get home from work.
Anything chicken.
People magazine, and Cooks Illustrated and Cooking Light and Living Without.
The best neighbors on the planet.
A sister I also consider my closest friend.
Writing.
Entertaining for those I love.
Strong peppermint gum.
Organic almond soap.
Fabric softener fresh laundry.
My little cottage of a home.
People who are of tender spirit and heart.
A sharp, snappy sense of humor...and sarcasm.
Chicago Tribune Sunday crossword puzzle.
NFL football...go Redskins!
Eating gluten free and feeling healthy again!

Well I guess that was a bit more than a few of my favorites but whose counting, right!

A whole new world...And it begins with pork!

...this blog-sphere is just that for me so forgive my naivete' as I get the hang of this and hopefully get to know others out there in blog land.

I live gluten free and have for the past 10 months. In some ways it is more of a challenge than I ever dreamed and in others, it is the most simple task I have ever taken on...eat whole foods and there is really no issue. The daunting task comes into play when we (me and the man who will now be referred to as the 'Guitarist') want to have a meal outside the house. Even trying to grab a quick 'something' is nearly impossible though I am so thankful the Guitarist is very understanding and will go with the flow (although I always say the guy would eat broken glass if I gave it to him in a bowl with a spoon). And though I love to cook, with the size kitchen I have it has lost some of its luster...36" of counter space, a small range and basically no room to prep or prepare anything bigger than a sandwich and the irony here is if the bread isn't gluten free, there will be no sandwich for this girl. Are you getting my point here? Small kitchen+gluten free living=not much fun!

Our home is small but very charming, peacefully cozy and I am in love with this house. So we are preparing to do some remodeling. And I must add, this prep has been going on since January and still not one spec of dust has been raised in the efforts of creating a functional space for me to properly feed my very talented musician, but I hope to get started as soon as the weather cools off a bit. Did I mention up until the past 4-5 days, it has been in the high 90's and so humid you could steam asparagus over my driveway...no, I must have left that out as the wonderfully cool temps have made me think I am on some lovely tropical island...See what I mean? The heat was really gone to my head. And if you stick around for a while, you will find I am a little insane at times...

As I mentioned above, I am doing research to begin a new chapter of my life. I am hoping it will be a rousing success and perhaps then I can even hire the Guitarist to be my own personal serenader (is that even a word? Don't judge me. Spell check says yes). Regardless, it is my hope, or rather my dream that we can be free to make our own success and not someone else's...I will keep you up on the progress and when the time is right, will reveal my new venture.

Thanks for spending a few minutes with me and please leave me a comment! Good, bad or indifferent, I value your input!

I leave you with a recipe...enjoy!

More later!

T



Pork Chops with Onions...Gluten Free!

4-6 thin sliced pork chops (the thick ones do not work as well)

1 small onion, sliced thinly

1 tablespoon gluten free soy sauce

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon of organic sugar

olive oil

salt and pepper

If your pork chops have a ring of fat or tissue around the edge, snip it every few inches with scissors or a knife. This will help prevent the meat from curling at the edge causing uneven cooking. Salt and pepper both sides of pork and put into fairly hot saute pan coated with olive oil. Brown good on both sides...about 5-7 minutes. Mix soy sauce, vinegar and sugar together and pour over chops in pan. Add onions on top of chops and turn pan to low heat so the liquid still bubbles a bit. Simmer 10 minutes on each side until tender and onions are transparent. Remove meat and keep warm for a few minutes...I just cover mine with foil. Turn pan up to med high, scrape brown bits from bottom of pan and reduce sauce for 3-4 minutes. Serve sauce and onions over chops.

Yum! And quick and easy too~