Scene: Emily is sitting in a chair reading magazines. A little girl in a red sweater skips over.
Girl: Hi! [very cheerful]
Emily: Hi there.
Girl stares at the magazines and giggles to herself. Emily continues reading, smiling.
Girl: My name is Annalisia [I really couldn't tell, so this is a guess.]
Emily: My name is Emily. It's nice to meet you.
Girl: It's nice to meet you, too.
Emily: How old are you?
Girl: I am four years old.
Emily: That's neat. What do you have there? [pointing at little toy in her hand, which turns out to be a small fake bird with a little harness]
Girl: This is my pet bird!
Emily: Oh, what's its name?
Girl: [thinks for a long time and fiddles with the bird's pink & yellow tail feathers] Its name is Pink....because it has a pink feather!
The little girl's mom comes over and asks her if she wants a stamp on her hand from the librarian. "Can you say goodbye?" she asks her daughter. Her daughter complies.
This encounter totally made my day. I love how bold she was, so unafraid to come over and strike up a random conversation with a person she didn't know. When she said hello to me, she said it like she knew who I was and was excited to see me. It was so neat that her mom just let her talk to me while she checked out the library books...she wasn't worried about her, since she could see and hear everything I was saying. She asked her daughter to say goodbye. But what I can't get over is just how uninhibited that little girl was. She wanted to talk to me, and she wasn't afraid, even though I was a stranger. I want to channel some of that freedom and energy. And I'm grateful for this encounter in my Monday afternoon.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Balancing Act
When I was a kid, my brother and I would sometimes make ourselves what we called, "The Breakfast Special" on a snow day or during spring break, etc. It consisted of a bowl of cereal of our choice, with a slice of "gourmet" cinnamon toast (the key is to put on the butter and cinnamon sugar and then broil it in the toaster oven), along with both hot chocolate and juice. It was our rendition of the cereal commercials we saw on TV. ("all part of a balanced breakfast!")
I am all about balanced eating. To me, this means not beating myself up over a not so healthy lunch or snack. I like to be able to go over what I've eaten during the day and see that my good and bad choices balance each other out. Today is such a striking example of that:
Lunch: salad with organic spinach and greens, feta cheese, lots of veggies, balsamic vinaigrette, and an almost unsweetened green iced tea.
Then it was off to do laundry and study, while one of our former housemates made Bisquick pancakes and a decadent chocolate cake. I licked a beater (yum!) and ate three fluffy pancakes with Earth Balance and fake syrup (first ingredient: corn syrup. Hey, at least it's not HFCS?). While doing laundry, we got a call from some friends who bought a coconut macaroon pie at a church pie auction. Did we want to help them eat it? Of course! We sat at our house and ate large slices of pie with decaf coffee and good conversation.
I like to think that my full-o-nutrients salad lunch balances out the fluffy, virtually nutrient-less pancakes and dense, sugary pie. I also like that I don't beat myself up over this. I am a generally healthy eater, but I still want room for pie and Bisquick in my life. And I just might have to recreate "The Breakfast Special" some day soon.
I am all about balanced eating. To me, this means not beating myself up over a not so healthy lunch or snack. I like to be able to go over what I've eaten during the day and see that my good and bad choices balance each other out. Today is such a striking example of that:
Lunch: salad with organic spinach and greens, feta cheese, lots of veggies, balsamic vinaigrette, and an almost unsweetened green iced tea.
Then it was off to do laundry and study, while one of our former housemates made Bisquick pancakes and a decadent chocolate cake. I licked a beater (yum!) and ate three fluffy pancakes with Earth Balance and fake syrup (first ingredient: corn syrup. Hey, at least it's not HFCS?). While doing laundry, we got a call from some friends who bought a coconut macaroon pie at a church pie auction. Did we want to help them eat it? Of course! We sat at our house and ate large slices of pie with decaf coffee and good conversation.
I like to think that my full-o-nutrients salad lunch balances out the fluffy, virtually nutrient-less pancakes and dense, sugary pie. I also like that I don't beat myself up over this. I am a generally healthy eater, but I still want room for pie and Bisquick in my life. And I just might have to recreate "The Breakfast Special" some day soon.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Spring has Sprung?
Our house: Saturday morning
Our back porch railing: Friday night
It was sunny & 65 degrees on Thursday. I just thought you should know.
The good news is: we needed the moisture, it's March in Colorado so this is just life, and today it is gloriously sunny, the snow is melting, and tomorrow it should be in the 50s.
Our back porch railing: Friday night
It was sunny & 65 degrees on Thursday. I just thought you should know.
The good news is: we needed the moisture, it's March in Colorado so this is just life, and today it is gloriously sunny, the snow is melting, and tomorrow it should be in the 50s.
Friday, March 12, 2010
How I Am Trying to Cope
Let's just say that best descriptor of my life right now is overwhelmed.
Work is tough right now. Spring is always a stressful time in my job, but this year, the things on my plate feel like they are really adding up. Let's just say I'm not at all doing a good job of managing my stress. On top of that, I'm studying for a big bad teacher licensure test: General Science. I have been spending the last two months on a steady diet of Physics & Earth Science, subjects I never took a high school or college level class in. Needless to say, I am still studying, and haven't even touched the Biology & Chemistry this test also covers.
One thing I appreciate about the blog world is that there is some level of accountability in putting a plan for your life on the internet. I might not have very many readers, but even just typing this out makes it feel more like an official plan.
Coping strategies:
1. Exercise. I just don't exercise. I'm not proud of this. I'm at the point that I feel so out of shape I don't know where to begin. But I want to make a commitment to yoga at least once a week & walking at least twice a week.
2. Write. I used to keep a paper journal and write often. I processed a lot of stuff in that journal, and I have really fallen out of the habit.
3. Talk. In college I had a spiritual adviser. We met once a week and talked about my life, and not just my thoughts about God and my beliefs. We talked about the stress of student teaching, my new relationship with my now-husband, my thoughts about future careers and vocations. I was a much healthier person because of this. Here in Colorado, I haven't found a new mentor or adviser and am really hurting for older adult wisdom. I plan to ask my church for some pastoral care in this area. I also have an incredibly wonderful, supportive group of girlfriends. Some live here in Colorado, and the others I communicate with mostly through a huge email chain. I haven't written in forever. My silence is partly b/c I feel so overwhelmed by my emotions. But I am going to try harder!
4. Have fun. I want to intentionally plan fun things into my week and weekends. New recipes, new explorations with James, and more. I want to plant some herbs & play in the park. If I plan these things ahead of time, I have something to look forward to in those stressful moments.
So, readers, there you have it. I hope these strategies bring more mental stability to my life in the coming weeks.
How to do cope with stress (especially work-related stress)? What techniques work best for you?
Work is tough right now. Spring is always a stressful time in my job, but this year, the things on my plate feel like they are really adding up. Let's just say I'm not at all doing a good job of managing my stress. On top of that, I'm studying for a big bad teacher licensure test: General Science. I have been spending the last two months on a steady diet of Physics & Earth Science, subjects I never took a high school or college level class in. Needless to say, I am still studying, and haven't even touched the Biology & Chemistry this test also covers.
One thing I appreciate about the blog world is that there is some level of accountability in putting a plan for your life on the internet. I might not have very many readers, but even just typing this out makes it feel more like an official plan.
Coping strategies:
1. Exercise. I just don't exercise. I'm not proud of this. I'm at the point that I feel so out of shape I don't know where to begin. But I want to make a commitment to yoga at least once a week & walking at least twice a week.
2. Write. I used to keep a paper journal and write often. I processed a lot of stuff in that journal, and I have really fallen out of the habit.
3. Talk. In college I had a spiritual adviser. We met once a week and talked about my life, and not just my thoughts about God and my beliefs. We talked about the stress of student teaching, my new relationship with my now-husband, my thoughts about future careers and vocations. I was a much healthier person because of this. Here in Colorado, I haven't found a new mentor or adviser and am really hurting for older adult wisdom. I plan to ask my church for some pastoral care in this area. I also have an incredibly wonderful, supportive group of girlfriends. Some live here in Colorado, and the others I communicate with mostly through a huge email chain. I haven't written in forever. My silence is partly b/c I feel so overwhelmed by my emotions. But I am going to try harder!
4. Have fun. I want to intentionally plan fun things into my week and weekends. New recipes, new explorations with James, and more. I want to plant some herbs & play in the park. If I plan these things ahead of time, I have something to look forward to in those stressful moments.
So, readers, there you have it. I hope these strategies bring more mental stability to my life in the coming weeks.
How to do cope with stress (especially work-related stress)? What techniques work best for you?
Sunday, February 28, 2010
These are a few of my favorite cookbooks
I have a pretty hefty cookbook shelf--whenever I've moved, they pretty much take up a whole box. I love the internet for quick ideas, but to me, nothing beats flipping through a cookbook and choosing delicious recipes to try. I use a few cookbooks that are pretty standard in the Mennonite world, but may not be as well known to my (few) non-Menno readers. Enjoy!
1. More-with-Less Cookbook: This is the first of the World Community Cookbooks (I call them the trilogy). The premise of this book is learning how to consume less of the world's limited food resources while eating well. This is a popular Christmas gift for young Mennos going off to college, because it is full of basic, cheap, and filling food. Some of my absolute favorite recipes come from this cookbook: cornbread, baked lentil casserole with cheese, quiche with shredded potato crust, and more. I also love all the thrifty tips and its focus on consuming less meat, eating cheaply, but still eating healthfully.
2. Simply in Season: This is the third in this series of World Community Cookbooks (the second, Extending the Table, is about foods from around the world--also great, but I don't use it as often as the other two). This one is all about eating locally and seasonally. The book is divided into 5 sections: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, and All Seasons. For each season, there is a list of produce that is in season during that time of year and then recipes that use those ingredients. This is my go-to cookbook. The recipes are simple, delicious, and a great mix of vegetarian & non-vegetarian recipes. Black Bean Sweet Potato Burritos, Hazelnut Coffee Brownies, Lemon Asparagus Pasta, and more! This is a great resource when you buy something new at the farmer's market: what should I do with kale? How about kohlrabi? There's several recipes for most things I bring home, and they are all delicious.
3. Moosewood Restaurant Cooks At Home: Mollie Katzen & the Moosewood Collective write amazing vegetarian cookbooks (they have a restaurant in Ithaca, NY that I am dying to get to some day). Whenever I am in a rut with my vegetarian meals, I turn here. This particular Moosewood cookbook is all about quick recipes that can be made in 45 minutes or less. I haven't found a dud yet! I also love this one b/c for each recipe they give menu suggestions--really helpful when you're short on time and want a full meal. I made James Asian Salmon from this book for his birthday, which was flavorful and amazing!
4. The New Enchanted Broccoli Forest: Another Mollie Katzen cookbook. I also use The Moosewood Cookbook as well and both are chock full of great, creative veggie food. They generally use ingredients I keep on hand anyway and are full of flavor.
Please check out these cookbooks if you're looking for creative and interested vegetarian or non-veggie fare. They've never disappointed me.
1. More-with-Less Cookbook: This is the first of the World Community Cookbooks (I call them the trilogy). The premise of this book is learning how to consume less of the world's limited food resources while eating well. This is a popular Christmas gift for young Mennos going off to college, because it is full of basic, cheap, and filling food. Some of my absolute favorite recipes come from this cookbook: cornbread, baked lentil casserole with cheese, quiche with shredded potato crust, and more. I also love all the thrifty tips and its focus on consuming less meat, eating cheaply, but still eating healthfully.
2. Simply in Season: This is the third in this series of World Community Cookbooks (the second, Extending the Table, is about foods from around the world--also great, but I don't use it as often as the other two). This one is all about eating locally and seasonally. The book is divided into 5 sections: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, and All Seasons. For each season, there is a list of produce that is in season during that time of year and then recipes that use those ingredients. This is my go-to cookbook. The recipes are simple, delicious, and a great mix of vegetarian & non-vegetarian recipes. Black Bean Sweet Potato Burritos, Hazelnut Coffee Brownies, Lemon Asparagus Pasta, and more! This is a great resource when you buy something new at the farmer's market: what should I do with kale? How about kohlrabi? There's several recipes for most things I bring home, and they are all delicious.
3. Moosewood Restaurant Cooks At Home: Mollie Katzen & the Moosewood Collective write amazing vegetarian cookbooks (they have a restaurant in Ithaca, NY that I am dying to get to some day). Whenever I am in a rut with my vegetarian meals, I turn here. This particular Moosewood cookbook is all about quick recipes that can be made in 45 minutes or less. I haven't found a dud yet! I also love this one b/c for each recipe they give menu suggestions--really helpful when you're short on time and want a full meal. I made James Asian Salmon from this book for his birthday, which was flavorful and amazing!
4. The New Enchanted Broccoli Forest: Another Mollie Katzen cookbook. I also use The Moosewood Cookbook as well and both are chock full of great, creative veggie food. They generally use ingredients I keep on hand anyway and are full of flavor.
Please check out these cookbooks if you're looking for creative and interested vegetarian or non-veggie fare. They've never disappointed me.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
V-day
After spending time with some lovely CO blogger ladies yesterday evening (thanks for a wonderful time Heather, Laura, Kathleen, Lauren, Katie, Beth--and especially Ashley for hosting! I look forward to hanging out with you all again sometime soon!), I am inspired to do two things I rarely do: blog and take pictures of my food.
Valentine's Day started off on the wrong foot when I rolled over in bed and James said, "It snowed." I went out to investigate to find about 3 inches of powder on the ground! We debated whether we'd go to church or snuggle back into bed. We got up and headed to church, which I definitely did not regret. Great hymn singing today, as well as a really fun combined children's/adult choir singing spirituals, followed by me eating half of the world's best cake donut ever (got to love donuts after church every Sunday).
James and I came home, planned meals for the week (including a very special Valentine's feast), and headed out to do grocery shopping. I actually love grocery shopping, especially Whole Foods for fun finds and yummy samples. :) We came to home to complete Operation: V-day Feast.
We had a fun time cooking together in the kitchen...we don't get the chance to cook together that often, but I think we're a good team. We had decided the day before that we wanted to do something with chicken sausage, and with a little searching on one of my fav cooking sites, we found Tomato and Sausage Risotto, which we planned to pair with some roasted green beans.
Oh man, this recipe did NOT disappoint! Yum. I'm looking forward to the leftovers. The recipe's supposed to make 4 servings, but this is so rich and creamy that I think it'll be more like 6 in this house. After lunch, we snuggled up and watched Community and Modern Family while nibbling on chocolate my parents sent us. Both highly enjoyable, especially Abed's antics on Community.
We've spent the evening in a cleaning frenzy, and have an organized fridge, clean kitchen, sparkling kitchen, and vacuumed floors to show for it. I love having a clean house on Sunday evenings! We had planned to make crepes with a blueberry sauce for dessert, but were too stuffed after lunch...we still may execute that plan yet this evening. What a fun foodie filled weekend! I'm so glad I have tomorrow off from work so that I can study and further organize my life.
Valentine's Day started off on the wrong foot when I rolled over in bed and James said, "It snowed." I went out to investigate to find about 3 inches of powder on the ground! We debated whether we'd go to church or snuggle back into bed. We got up and headed to church, which I definitely did not regret. Great hymn singing today, as well as a really fun combined children's/adult choir singing spirituals, followed by me eating half of the world's best cake donut ever (got to love donuts after church every Sunday).
James and I came home, planned meals for the week (including a very special Valentine's feast), and headed out to do grocery shopping. I actually love grocery shopping, especially Whole Foods for fun finds and yummy samples. :) We came to home to complete Operation: V-day Feast.
We had a fun time cooking together in the kitchen...we don't get the chance to cook together that often, but I think we're a good team. We had decided the day before that we wanted to do something with chicken sausage, and with a little searching on one of my fav cooking sites, we found Tomato and Sausage Risotto, which we planned to pair with some roasted green beans.
We've spent the evening in a cleaning frenzy, and have an organized fridge, clean kitchen, sparkling kitchen, and vacuumed floors to show for it. I love having a clean house on Sunday evenings! We had planned to make crepes with a blueberry sauce for dessert, but were too stuffed after lunch...we still may execute that plan yet this evening. What a fun foodie filled weekend! I'm so glad I have tomorrow off from work so that I can study and further organize my life.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Home
We're back. As I dozed in the back of the Super Shuttle van, I woke up and instantly recognized where I was, something I would not have been able to do a year ago.
On our shuttle ride to the airport at the beginning of this trip, our driver was pretty reliant on his gps and missed a turn or two. I would have never realized this fact a year ago. What was once unfamiliar (Denver) is now home.
It was a wonderful trip, full of family, food, games, and general good times. But 5 states and many hours of travel later, it is good to be home. We were in transit for about 12 hours yesterday, during which the following happened:
On our shuttle ride to the airport at the beginning of this trip, our driver was pretty reliant on his gps and missed a turn or two. I would have never realized this fact a year ago. What was once unfamiliar (Denver) is now home.
It was a wonderful trip, full of family, food, games, and general good times. But 5 states and many hours of travel later, it is good to be home. We were in transit for about 12 hours yesterday, during which the following happened:
- while waiting to print our boarding passes and check on our delayed flight to St. Louis, a small dog in a tiny duffel bag puked something green its owner's bag and the floor surrounding her
- the woman in front of us helped clean it up, just after a clueless young man rolled his bag through it
- our flight to St. Louis, which originally got pushed back so far we couldn't make our connecting flight, left earlier than expected
- while waiting for said delayed flight, two small boys filled my heart with joy: one ran in circles with total abandon, flapping his arms and giggling like crazy. the other sprinted away from his dad, had an amazing giggle, and had a father who was willing to play with his kid as long as he wanted to
- when we got off the plane in St. Louis, we walked the 10 steps to our next gate to hear, "the plane that will take you to Denver is landing in 10 minutes and we'll board as soon after that as we can." We high-fived victoriously to celebrate.
- before this, some folks on our St. Louis flight with a serious attitude problem made life a challenge for all surrounding passengers. Please, may they have made their Oklahoma City flight so that no other airport employees had to feel their wrath (I don't understand how being rude and grumpy makes people want to help you [see my last post]).
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