Love & light,
~Shannon ** ƸӜƷ **
Monday, June 09, 2014
Migration
Starting today I am moving my regular posting (yes, I know it's been over a year so "regular" is a bit of a misnomer, lol) over to my other blog Domestically Challenged Goddess of Procrastination. If you've been following me and perhaps even wondering where I am, follow the yellow brick road (or the link.... which will get you there faster). See you there and until then, Stay Beautiful xx
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Sunday Scribblings
Wake up!!! I need an alarm that says this at the top of every hour that I am physically awake. I feel as though I've been sleepwalking this past year. Some of the past 13 months has been very good, amazing even, most of it just the every day lalalala blah, and some sad, even heartbreaking, periods of time. So a normal year for me (or most of us) really.
Why do I always feel the need to explain myself?? Yes, that was random but suddenly I receive this epiphany while I am typing - I don't owe anyone an explanation. Sometimes it is good to share how I'm feeling, how I'm failing, where I've been; however it appears every writing "spurt" on this blog begins with me explaining why I've not been posting. Like you care? Like it matters or makes a difference to what is ahead.
Ok, I didn't post for over a year this time. Do I start over with a new blog? Do I go into the drivel that was my past year? Or.... Wake up, Shannon !! Time to smell the rain and shake it off. The past year is just that, the past, and while not completely immaterial it is the now that matters. Today is here, tomorrow is waiting in anticipation of our arrival, it is time to quit lollygagging, procrastinating and sitting on the pitty potty. Let's get this party started, Wake Up !!
Why do I always feel the need to explain myself?? Yes, that was random but suddenly I receive this epiphany while I am typing - I don't owe anyone an explanation. Sometimes it is good to share how I'm feeling, how I'm failing, where I've been; however it appears every writing "spurt" on this blog begins with me explaining why I've not been posting. Like you care? Like it matters or makes a difference to what is ahead.
Ok, I didn't post for over a year this time. Do I start over with a new blog? Do I go into the drivel that was my past year? Or.... Wake up, Shannon !! Time to smell the rain and shake it off. The past year is just that, the past, and while not completely immaterial it is the now that matters. Today is here, tomorrow is waiting in anticipation of our arrival, it is time to quit lollygagging, procrastinating and sitting on the pitty potty. Let's get this party started, Wake Up !!
Love & prayers,
~Miss Shannon ** ƸӜƷ **
Thursday, March 29, 2012
My Pretty Nuts
I have this obsession with Mason jars, I've completely and utterly fallen in love with them. I use them for storing dry goods, for storing leftovers, for freezing leftovers, for anything I can find to do with them. I'm learning and adding to my wishlist all the wonderful ideas I find of what I can do with Mason jars. They're inexpensive, easy to clean, easy to label, easy to fill and sturdy.... I'm a klutz.
Last fall I had a mouse invasion. Now I want to be clear about what I consider an invasion, one or two mice, while annoying, aren't terribly bothersome to me. I don't hate mice, at least not house mice, they're actually kinda cute. But when, between the cat & I, we managed to catch (and this is just those we caught) a dozen house mice in just over a week PLUS two very large specimens of deer mice (which freak me out, these suckers were eating the house mice in the traps I set out!!), well, that's an invasion. I was chasing mice at 2 AM, I was throwing out food, I was loosing sleep from stress and I nearly lost it when I found the deer mice.
Never really been a fan of that super expensive plastic storage product. I have plenty of it, but it always seemed to make the items we don't use as often smell kinda.... well, weird. (For the record, my olfactory sense is rather sensitive). So when I found some glass jars, then some 2 quart Mason jars, I went glass crazy. I've not turned back. Mice can't chew through glass, dust doesn't get in, no weird odours no matter how long it sits and glass is far more environmentally and health friendly.
My pantry has quickly become a showcase of glass and I love the Mason jars so much I got a new shelf, set it up proudly in my kitchen and proceeded to fill the jars and I think it looks quite aesthetic :). I'll go into more detail another time but I had to give a quick history so I could lead into the conversation I had with my 11-year old son this morning.
Pointing to this lovely jar of artistically layered nuts, seeds & dried cranberries....
Me: "I really want to eat these nuts but I can't, they're too pretty !
Spaz: Grabs the jar, "Hey! Peanuts!"
Me: "NO! Don't eat those nuts, they're pretty!"
Spaz: "MY pretty nuts!! "
Me: "snicker.... giggle.... Bwahahahahaha!!!"
Spaz: Looks at me quizzically, realises what he has said.... O_o "Never mind!!", and returns jar to shelf.
Have a terrific Thursday!!
Last fall I had a mouse invasion. Now I want to be clear about what I consider an invasion, one or two mice, while annoying, aren't terribly bothersome to me. I don't hate mice, at least not house mice, they're actually kinda cute. But when, between the cat & I, we managed to catch (and this is just those we caught) a dozen house mice in just over a week PLUS two very large specimens of deer mice (which freak me out, these suckers were eating the house mice in the traps I set out!!), well, that's an invasion. I was chasing mice at 2 AM, I was throwing out food, I was loosing sleep from stress and I nearly lost it when I found the deer mice.
Never really been a fan of that super expensive plastic storage product. I have plenty of it, but it always seemed to make the items we don't use as often smell kinda.... well, weird. (For the record, my olfactory sense is rather sensitive). So when I found some glass jars, then some 2 quart Mason jars, I went glass crazy. I've not turned back. Mice can't chew through glass, dust doesn't get in, no weird odours no matter how long it sits and glass is far more environmentally and health friendly.
My pantry has quickly become a showcase of glass and I love the Mason jars so much I got a new shelf, set it up proudly in my kitchen and proceeded to fill the jars and I think it looks quite aesthetic :). I'll go into more detail another time but I had to give a quick history so I could lead into the conversation I had with my 11-year old son this morning.
Pointing to this lovely jar of artistically layered nuts, seeds & dried cranberries....
Me: "I really want to eat these nuts but I can't, they're too pretty !
Spaz: Grabs the jar, "Hey! Peanuts!"
Me: "NO! Don't eat those nuts, they're pretty!"
Spaz: "MY pretty nuts!! "
Me: "snicker.... giggle.... Bwahahahahaha!!!"
Spaz: Looks at me quizzically, realises what he has said.... O_o "Never mind!!", and returns jar to shelf.
Have a terrific Thursday!!
Love & prayers,
~Miss Shannon ** ƸӜƷ **
Saturday, February 25, 2012
GF Pumpkin Rice Pudding... Dessert you can eat for breakfast.
I believe this is my first recipe that I have posted here, but most assuredly will not be my last. I was busy with other things today so I didn't get any photos taken. I'll add one tomorrow of the finished pudding and try to remember step by step photos next time I make it because I WILL be making it again :D.
I kinda knew what I wanted, but I couldn't quite find the recipe I was looking for. I love pumpkin pie, but due to gluten sensitivities I've had to stop having it and I'm just not a fan of no-crust pies. I do have a GF pie crust mix, but I'll use that for a special occasion. Pumpkin is really very good for you. It's a nice bright orange squash, with the anti-oxidants alpha & beta-carotene, has plenty of fibre to keep things "moving", vitamins C and E, potassium and magnesium. Best of all, pumpkin does NOT have to be just a desert thing, I do lots of different things with pumpkin that are easy, quick and delicious (if you like pumpkin of course). I'll post those another time :). (Oh, I feed it to my dogs and cats too, very good for them and they love it.)
I'm lazy, I sort of have reason to be lazy, but the truth of it is, I'm still lazy, so I use canned pumpkin. Maybe, just maybe, next autumn, when pumpkin is cheap cheap I'll can my own, maybe. Make sure you buy pure pumpkin, NOT pumpkin pie filling and read the ingredients to be sure it is 100% PURE Pumpkin (sorry to repeat myself, but it's important)! I actually buy No Name® or E.D. Smith® canned pumpkin, depending on the size of can I want and which is on sale. I always have several of both the 398ml (14oz.) and the 796ml (28oz) cans in my pantry. I also use brown rice for well... everything, as it is healthier than white. I tend to make a lot as we like our rice, so I make sure there is enough leftover for rice pudding. Let's get on with it....
Pumpkin Rice Pudding - Gluten Free
Ingredients
700ml (3 c.) Cooked, brown rice
1- 796ml (28 oz) can of 100% pure pumpkin
475 ml (2 c.) Almond Breeze® -unsweetened, original
(coconut milk or even 3.25% cow's milk works too)
10 ml (2 tsp) Pumpkin pie spice (or to taste)
120 ml (1/2 c.) Maple syrup
30 ml (2 tbsp.) frozen orange juice concentrate (do not add water)
5 ml (1 tsp.) pure vanilla extract
Directions
In a large saucepan, combine rice, pumpkin, Almond Breeze®, pumpkin pie spice, & orange juice concentrate. Bring to a low boil over medium-high heat, stirring often. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is absorbed, about 30-40 minutes. Remove from heat.
Add the vanilla extract (more if you like vanilla) and stir well.
Serve warm, top with vanilla or Balkan yogurt and drizzle some more maple syrup over if desired.
I've stored my leftovers in a glass jar in the refrigerator, other similar recipes indicate it keeps up to two days, if it lasts that long without getting eaten, I'll let you know :). I really loved this as a healthy, almost bed time, snack (I try not to eat too close to actually going to bed).
If you try it, let me know what you think. I'd also love to hear of any variations or additions you've made and enjoyed.
ps. I've finally uploaded a photo, go me *\o/* lol. I topped the rice with a big spoonful of Balkan plain yoghurt, sprinkled cinnamon on it and drizzled about a tbsp. of maple syrup.... soooo yummy!
I kinda knew what I wanted, but I couldn't quite find the recipe I was looking for. I love pumpkin pie, but due to gluten sensitivities I've had to stop having it and I'm just not a fan of no-crust pies. I do have a GF pie crust mix, but I'll use that for a special occasion. Pumpkin is really very good for you. It's a nice bright orange squash, with the anti-oxidants alpha & beta-carotene, has plenty of fibre to keep things "moving", vitamins C and E, potassium and magnesium. Best of all, pumpkin does NOT have to be just a desert thing, I do lots of different things with pumpkin that are easy, quick and delicious (if you like pumpkin of course). I'll post those another time :). (Oh, I feed it to my dogs and cats too, very good for them and they love it.)
I'm lazy, I sort of have reason to be lazy, but the truth of it is, I'm still lazy, so I use canned pumpkin. Maybe, just maybe, next autumn, when pumpkin is cheap cheap I'll can my own, maybe. Make sure you buy pure pumpkin, NOT pumpkin pie filling and read the ingredients to be sure it is 100% PURE Pumpkin (sorry to repeat myself, but it's important)! I actually buy No Name® or E.D. Smith® canned pumpkin, depending on the size of can I want and which is on sale. I always have several of both the 398ml (14oz.) and the 796ml (28oz) cans in my pantry. I also use brown rice for well... everything, as it is healthier than white. I tend to make a lot as we like our rice, so I make sure there is enough leftover for rice pudding. Let's get on with it....
Pumpkin Rice Pudding - Gluten Free
Ingredients
700ml (3 c.) Cooked, brown rice1- 796ml (28 oz) can of 100% pure pumpkin
475 ml (2 c.) Almond Breeze® -unsweetened, original
(coconut milk or even 3.25% cow's milk works too)
10 ml (2 tsp) Pumpkin pie spice (or to taste)
120 ml (1/2 c.) Maple syrup
30 ml (2 tbsp.) frozen orange juice concentrate (do not add water)
5 ml (1 tsp.) pure vanilla extract
Directions
In a large saucepan, combine rice, pumpkin, Almond Breeze®, pumpkin pie spice, & orange juice concentrate. Bring to a low boil over medium-high heat, stirring often. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is absorbed, about 30-40 minutes. Remove from heat.
Add the vanilla extract (more if you like vanilla) and stir well.
Serve warm, top with vanilla or Balkan yogurt and drizzle some more maple syrup over if desired.
I've stored my leftovers in a glass jar in the refrigerator, other similar recipes indicate it keeps up to two days, if it lasts that long without getting eaten, I'll let you know :). I really loved this as a healthy, almost bed time, snack (I try not to eat too close to actually going to bed).
If you try it, let me know what you think. I'd also love to hear of any variations or additions you've made and enjoyed.
Love & prayers,
~Miss Shannon ** ƸӜƷ **ps. I've finally uploaded a photo, go me *\o/* lol. I topped the rice with a big spoonful of Balkan plain yoghurt, sprinkled cinnamon on it and drizzled about a tbsp. of maple syrup.... soooo yummy!
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Just Another Speed Bump....
Oh goody, a new format to confuse me with, not that confusing me is all that difficult ;).
Now, why am I here today? Oh yes, trying to get back into writing, amongst other things. I know how much my readers miss me ;) (Or miss having some nice dull material for nights when insomnia hits). If you've been following me for any resemblance of time, you probably know I'm a wee bit scatterbrained, just a bit :D, and I have issues sticking to things; the health end of it doesn't help but sometimes I confess I use it as a crutch. FMS and CFS are real, it is frustrating to live with, it can be debilitating, but I've spent so many years feeling yucky, and tired, and in pain and just plain ill that even on good days I have no idea where to start.
With the help of some very amazing and strong and supportive friends and some well deserved kicks in the rear I was ready this week, both mentally and physically, to attack some much needed projects. I set up to go ColdTurkey with the internet (getcoldturkey), I made a list, I told people I was busy this week and couldn't play my iPhone games, couldn't visit, I needed to focus. And then I got sick. First it was food poisoning, something I've rarely been afflicted with thankfully. Then it went from bad to worse, I don't want to go into what I'm ill with but suffice to say it threw a great big monkey wrench into my plans. Fatigued, wanting to sleep all day, my FMS flared up as it does when I'm afflicted with a bad virus so I was in constant pain and I started to slide into depression as my plans were once again foiled with things far beyond my control.
The fibro fog set in and I couldn't think clearly , I became very downhearted and frustrated. Not just for the lack of being able to continue with my plans, but I felt I was letting people down; letting my kids down, letting my mom down and letting my friends down. Then, I reached out to a friend, and very gently, she took me (figuratively) by the hand (or was it dragging me by the ear? lol) and helped me take control of the things I could control. Like simple meal planning to make it easier for me while I heal, making sure I got the medications I needed once some money came in, taking other steps to help me heal faster, and just focus on resting and getting better.
I am not sharing all this to vent, my dearest friend got the brunt of that and she dealt with it (me?) admirably. While there are things in our lives we cannot control, we can work around and even with them. We, and by 'we' I really mean 'I', need to remind ourselves of this often and regularly, we need to keep in mind that the speed bumps are what make us strong and that our friends are there to push us over those, so in turn, when they hit a speed bump, we can be strong enough to help them.
With the help of some very amazing and strong and supportive friends and some well deserved kicks in the rear I was ready this week, both mentally and physically, to attack some much needed projects. I set up to go ColdTurkey with the internet (getcoldturkey), I made a list, I told people I was busy this week and couldn't play my iPhone games, couldn't visit, I needed to focus. And then I got sick. First it was food poisoning, something I've rarely been afflicted with thankfully. Then it went from bad to worse, I don't want to go into what I'm ill with but suffice to say it threw a great big monkey wrench into my plans. Fatigued, wanting to sleep all day, my FMS flared up as it does when I'm afflicted with a bad virus so I was in constant pain and I started to slide into depression as my plans were once again foiled with things far beyond my control.
The fibro fog set in and I couldn't think clearly , I became very downhearted and frustrated. Not just for the lack of being able to continue with my plans, but I felt I was letting people down; letting my kids down, letting my mom down and letting my friends down. Then, I reached out to a friend, and very gently, she took me (figuratively) by the hand (or was it dragging me by the ear? lol) and helped me take control of the things I could control. Like simple meal planning to make it easier for me while I heal, making sure I got the medications I needed once some money came in, taking other steps to help me heal faster, and just focus on resting and getting better.
I am not sharing all this to vent, my dearest friend got the brunt of that and she dealt with it (me?) admirably. While there are things in our lives we cannot control, we can work around and even with them. We, and by 'we' I really mean 'I', need to remind ourselves of this often and regularly, we need to keep in mind that the speed bumps are what make us strong and that our friends are there to push us over those, so in turn, when they hit a speed bump, we can be strong enough to help them.
Love & prayers,
~Miss Shannon ** ƸӜƷ **
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