I Hope you have a Safe and Happy Halloween!

Best Witches

 

Justin and Ahram Halloween 2011

http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=2991928843560&source=jl999

Thanks to my dear friend Marilyn for this card.

Love you

Life’s pretty good, and why wouldn’t it be? I’m a pirate, after all.

 

 My Son is once again participating in Movember thus full mustache and beard as well. Please donate all proceeds go to prostrate cancer funding.

 

In Loving Memory of Yoshie Yamashita

http://www.onetruemedia.com/otm_site/view_shared?p=8ae5642537bc2b836bf96e&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url

• Photograph courtesy of Modern Settings Photograhy
• Our dear friends Nia and Christian took this in Jackson Park May 2009
• Nancy is in the middle and me and Cathy are on either side of her.
• It is my dear friend Nancy's Mother who has died.

My love and prayers and deepest sympathy go to my dear friend Nancy and all of the family
at this sad time of loss.
I loved Nancy's Mother Yoshie as did everyone.

The Dragonfly Story

Down below the surface of a quiet pond lived a little colony of water bugs. They were a happy colony, living far away from the sun. For many months they were very busy, scurrying over the soft mud on the bottom of the pond. They did notice that every once in awhile one of their colony seemed to lose interest in going about. Clinging to the stem of a pond lily it gradually moved out of sight and was seen no more.

"Look!" said one of the water bugs to another. "one of our colony is climbing up the lily stalk. Where do you think she is going?" Up, up, up it slowly went....Even as they watched, the water bug disappeared from sight. Its friends waited and waited but it didn't return...

"That's funny!" said one water bug to another. "Wasn't she happy here?" asked a second... "Where do you suppose she went?" wondered a third.

No one had an answer. They were greatly puzzled. Finally one of the water bugs, a leader in the colony, gathered its friends together. "I have an idea". "The next one of us who climbs up the lily stalk must promise to come back and tell us where he or she went and why."

"We promise", they said solemnly.

One spring day, not long after, the very water bug who had suggested the plan found himself climbing up the lily stalk. Up, up, up, he went. Before he knew what was happening, he had broke through the surface of the water and fallen onto the broad, green lily pad above.

When he awoke, he looked about with surprise. He couldn't believe what he saw. A startling change had come to his old body. His movement revealed four silver wings and a long tail. Even as he struggled, he felt an impulse to move his wings...The warmth of the sun soon dried the moisture from the new body. He moved his wings again and suddenly found himself up above the water. He had become a dragonfly!!

Swooping and dipping in great curves, he flew through the air. He felt exhilarated in the new atmosphere. By and by the new dragonfly lighted happily on a lily pad to rest. Then it was that he chanced to look below to the bottom of the pond. Why, he was right above his old friends, the water bugs! There they were scurrying around, just as he had been doing some time before.

The dragonfly remembered the promise: "the next one of us who climbs up the lily stalk will come back and tell where he or she went and why." Without thinking, the dragonfly darted down. Suddenly he hit the surface of the water and bounced away. Now that he was a dragonfly, he could no longer go into the water...

"I can't return!" he said in dismay. "At least, I tried. But I can't keep my promise. Even if I could go back, not one of the water bugs would know me in my new body. I guess I'll just have to wait until they become dragonflies too. Then they'll understand what has happened to me, and where I went."

And the dragonfly winged off happily into its wonderful new world of sun and air.......

Thank you God, for the story of the water bugs and the dragonflies.

Please remember________who left the pond we live in...and remember me...

STICKNEY, D. (1997). Water Bugs and Dragonflies. Explaining Death To Young Children. The Pilgrim Press.

Sunrise

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un18Hm4IiEA&feature=share

I love this movie and I love this quote

Sally Owens: Can love really travel back in time and heal a broken heart? Was it our joined hands that finally lifted Maria's curse? I'd like to think so. But there are some things I know for certain: always throw spilt salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for luck, and fall in love whenever you can.
From the movie Practical Magic



Rainier Shadow Cast On The Clouds At Sunrise (PHOTO)

Usually it's the clouds that cast a shadow on the ground, not the other way around.

Wednesday morning, Seattle area residents were treated to this spectacular sunrise as the first rays of light hit Mount Rainier before reaching the sky. The cloud cover provided the perfect canvas for Rainier's shadow, making it almost seem like a smoking volcano.

Conditions have to be just perfect for this sight to even occur.

From KOMO News:

It only happens when the sun rises farther to the south as we head toward the winter solstice and has to be in the exact position to where Rainier blocks the first rays of morning light.

A Discover Magazine blog adds, "Mt. Rainier is a volcano, climbing to a height of over 14,000 feet (4300 meters). There are no other mountains anywhere near that height nearby, so it’s really prominent in the landscape."

You can see more spectacular user-submitted photos of the event from KOMO here.

This shadow isn't the only stunning image taken of nature recently. Check of this photo of a double rainbow over London, and this NASA footage of Earth taken from 220 miles away.

Mt. Rainier At Sunrise (Provided by Nick Lippert):

Sent to me by my fabulous friend Chip.
Blessings

Low cal pumpkin pie dip

Calories: 102.9 • Fat: 0.1g • Protein: 1.8 g • Carb: 27.7 g • Fiber: 0.9 g

• 15 oz can pumpkin
• 3/4 cup brown sugar (Splenda would work too)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/8 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or more to taste)
• 6 oz fat free Greek yogurt (I used Chiobani)
• 8 oz cool whip free
• cut up apples to dip (extra points)

Mix pumpkin with brown sugar, vanilla and spices, blend well. Mix in yogurt. Fold in cool whip and chill in refrigerator until ready to eat.
Makes about 6 cups.

Source as seen on Pinterest

My Son is once Again participating in Movember

Movember
ca.movember.com
It’s Moustache Season, join my Movember team and change the face of men’s health. Show your support for the 25,500 men who will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. https://www.movember.com/ca/register/details/team_id/281244See More

https://www.movember.com/ca/re

http://www.movember.com/

Please donate if you can.

Thanks so much

Thanks Justin and all those who are participating once again.

Special thanks to my dear friend Shelley who added this gorgeous background for me.........
and for your viewing pleasure please visit her gorgeous blog Every Yesterday.

I love you Shelley.  Thanks for everything♥

Chili Mac Soup Recipe

 

 

A home in my former neighborhood that I just love.

Chili Mac Soup Recipe (via pinterest)

Ingredients:
1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
5 cups hot water
1 box Hamburger Helper® chili macaroni
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
2 cups diced tomatoes (from 28-oz can)
1 can (11 oz) Green Giant® Mexicorn® whole kernel corn with red and green peppers, undrained
2 tablespoons sliced pitted ripe olives
Directions:
1. In 4-quart Dutch oven, cook beef, onion and bell pepper over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is thoroughly cooked; drain.
2. Stir in hot water, sauce mix (from Hamburger Helper box), chili powder, garlic salt and tomatoes. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally.
3. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in uncooked pasta (from Hamburger Helper box), corn and olives. Cover; cook 10 minutes longer.

NYC

Source of this photograph unknown to me

but loving autumn in New York.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PHOeXIPNZE

For my fabulous friend Lisa

I love you♥

Blogs I am following

*bellaMUMMA {life is beauty... 

A Gift Wrapped Life - Gifti... 

Delights of the Heart 

From The House of Edward 

Jeannes Bliss Blog 

REVERIE 

Sea Angels 

The dutchess

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBoNgED1RZE

I love all of the Justin Wu video's♥

Also I visit Printerest and 

Flickr and many other blogs

as well as Facebook

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br8Sc8NTRc8
One Cirque show I must see is the Michael Jackson Tribue one.

Monday

A home in our area all decorated for Halloween♥

Red Lobster Biscuits recipe:2 cups Bisquick biscuit mix 2/3 cup milk 1/2 cup cheddar cheese (shredded) 1/4 cup butter (melted) 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley Then....Preheat oven to 450 degree. Mix biscuit mix, milk, and cheddar cheese until soft dough forms; beat vigorously for 30 seconds. Drop dough by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Mix melted butter, garlic powder, and dried parsley; brush generously over warm biscuits before removing from cookie sheet. Serve warm. Make 10-12 biscuits

Recipe as seen on Pinterest♥

Thank you

This is Halloween

Author: Dorothy Brown Thompson

Goblins on the doorstep,
Phantoms in the air,
Owls on witch's gateposts
giving stare for state,
Cats on flying broomsticks,
Bats against the moon,
Stirrings round of fate-cakes
With a solemn spoon,
Whirling apple parings,
Figures draped in sheets
Dodging, disappearing,
Up and down the streets,
Jack-o-lanterns grinning,
Shadows on a screen,
Shrieks and stars and laughter --
This is Halloween!

http://restaurantrecipesbook.com/chicken-madeira-recipe/

Another great recipe.

 

Sunday Blessings

Celebrate you and surround yourself
with people that do.

http://jeannesbliss.blogspot.com/

 

A great day for listening to the Beatles.

All you need is love

 

 

Happy Saturday

Love is all you need.

Photograph taken in Seoul

at  Jang Heung Art Park. By my beautiful daughter in law.

Thank you Ahram.

Be not too busy making a living that you are forgetting to make a life.


It is a gorgeous Saturday here, sun shining nice cool breeze.  It surely is a slice of Heaven.


Creamy Roasted Garlic-Squash Soup, adapted from Food.com
Ingredients:
2 heads garlic
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup Earth Balance® Natural Buttery Spread
2 cups diced onions
1/2 cup diced celery
3/4 cup diced carrot
4 pounds butternut squash, seeded, peeled, and roughly chopped
6 cups vegetable broth
2 tablespoons freshly chopped sage
1/2 cup Earth Balance® Soymilk (unsweetened)
Sea salt & pepper, to taste

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Cut the garlic heads in half crosswise. Rub the cut surfaces with the olive oil and put back together. Wrap in foil and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until tender. Remove from the oven and let cool.
3. Meanwhile, melt the Earth Balance® Buttery Spread in a large pot over medium heat.
4. Sauté the onions, carrots and celery until the onions are translucent. Add the squash, broth and sage. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 25 minutes or until the squash is tender.
5. Once the garlic has cooled, remove and mash the cloves. Stir into the soup.
6. Purée the soup in a blender or food processor in batches until smooth.
7. Return to the pot and stir in the Earth Balance® Soymilk.
8. Season with the salt and pepper.

You can also make up some extra roasted garlic using step #2 from the recipe to whip up some garlic bread to enjoy with the soup. Just toast up some crusty French bread, coat with Earth Balance® Natural Buttery Spread then top off with a smear of roasted garlic directly from the bulb. Sprinkle with a bit of salt or dried herbs for a filling & hearty meal!


http://www.madejustright.com/post/creamy-roasted-garlic-squash-soup


Recipe taken from this blog.


Thanks to my dear friend Judy for posting this link.
♥♥

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t4LpqKpFYI

Jang Heung Art Park at OneTrueMedia.com

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

All photographs to make this montage are courtesy of my fabulous
Daughter in law.
I love you
Umma♥

Happy Friday♥

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltRwmgYEUr8
This song so very special indeed as is
All you Need is Love

you're beautiful...♥ "*•.¸❤ ❤¸.•*""*•.¸❤❤¸.•*" "*•.¸❤
❤¸.•*" "*•.¸❤ Happy Friday♥

Life is a series of new beginnings

http://willows95988.typepad.com/
Please visit this gorgeous blog and read about wedding customs in France.

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=ab1308e8ed7f96fc6e7e46&skin_id=701&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url



I am hooked on Pinterest.

Roasted Red Pepper and Sweet Potato Soup

INGREDIENTS
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
3 red bell peppers, seeded and chopped
1 large yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
dash crushed red pepper flakes (to taste)
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. dried parsley
4 cups homemade or low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 425 F. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, combine sweet potato, red pepper, onion, garlic, olive oil, red pepper flakes, basil, oregano, and parsley. Toss to coat. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Spread in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.

3. Roast in preheated oven for 45-60 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and golden brown, turning occasionally. Remove from the oven and let cool for several minutes.

4. Working in batches, puree vegetables with chicken or vegetable broth in blender or food processor until smooth. (You can add up to a cup of water for a thinner consistency.) Pour mixture into a large pot and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Season to taste with crushed red pepper, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Serve warm.

Serves 4-6.

(Adapted from Canadian Living)

As seen on Pinterest

I had many people tell me they had trouble getting into my former blog and could never leave comments.
I am hoping this fresh new blog will be a beginning of something wonderful.

Celebrate you and surround yourself with people that do.

Blessings on this day and every day.

CELEBRATE

Charmed I am sure.............

Love and hugs.