Spinach Quiche with Cream Cheese

1 pkg (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
4 eggs
1 cup pet evaporated milk
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. ground red pepper
1 pkg (10 oz.) frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and thoroughly drained
1/2 cup diced ham and/or chopped onion1 prepared deep-dish pie crust, frozen

In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer until creamy. Beat in eggs, evaporated milk and red pepper.

Squeeze spinach between paper towels until almost dry. Stir spinach and ham or onion into egg mixture.

Pour into frozen pie crust. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

Bake in a preheated 350 degree F. oven on a preheated baking sheet for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Makes 6 servings.

Kashi stands by their product

I like to have something on hand for the vegetarian in our family and just recently picked up two Kashi Pizzas. They sounded great, made by hand, and looks great, so I bought a Roasted Vegetable and a Mushroom Trio & Spinach.

Both pizzas were tasty, but did not match the photo on the product box. We were very disappointed, as there were so few toppings, so,

I called Kashi. They were very nice, assured us that they take this stuff very seriously, and they are sending me coupons for two free pizzas.

Thumbs up on Kashi products! I am certainly not afraid to try them knowing for sure there is a money back guarantee.

Although, I'm sure that my store would have refunded me my money, but thought it best to call Kashi direct.

On other companies that have stood by their products:

Betty Crocker sent me a free coupon for a pound cake mix that didn't seem to follow the direction time, and Tide sent me a free coupon for a Tide laundry product and a $5.00 coupon for laundry soap when I called and told them I couldn't read the cap lines very well. So, good on them as well!

From Word of the Day

The Word of the Day for July 19 is:

bardolater \bar-DAH-luh-ter\ noun : a person who idolizes Shakespeare

Example sentence: "[Abraham] Lincoln was a lifelong Bardolater and serial Shakespeare-quoter, as Mr. [Barack] Obama noted in remarks at the recent reopening of Ford's Theater." (Barry Edelstein, The New York Times, April 26, 2009)

Did you know? George Bernard Shaw once described a Shakespeare play as "stagy trash." Another time, Shaw said he'd like to dig Shakespeare from the grave and throw stones at him. Shaw could be equally scathing toward Shakespeare's adoring fans. He called them "foolish Bardolaters," wrote of "Bardolatrous" ignoramuses, and called blind Shakespeare worship "Bardolatry." Oddly enough, Shaw didn't despise Shakespeare or his work (on the contrary, he was, by his own admission, an admirer), but he disdained those who placed the man beyond reproach. The word "bardolater," which Shaw coined by blending Shakespeare's epithet -- "the Bard" -- with an affix that calls to mind "idolater," has stuck with us to this day, though it has lost some of its original critical sting.

The above is cut and pasted from the Word for the Day. I had no idea this word existed until today.

I don't know if one can call me a bardolator, but I greatly admire the works of William Shakespeare, and have no idea, at all, why someone would feel the need to dig up Shakespeare and throw stones at him. But, I could see where I might feel that Shakespeare was beyond reproach. Given all things of the times, he did amazingly well in the entertainment field and literary field. The amount of words and phrases he coined is still being discussed and researched.

My personal opinion is that William Shakespeare is my favorite playwright, and I can't remember when I didn't love him. So, maybe I am a bardolater? but I really think that's okay!

In Doing Nothing...

My favorite place to do nothing, so to speak as in the sense of things that are, we are always doing something, but that set aside, outside is the ideal place to be the most relaxed.

Here are somethings to try:

1. Take a turn about your house. Look at the boarders of your home. Admire flowers and shrubs. Take a clipper with you and cut some flowers to bring inside. Look for caterpillars. Don't clip them. Only clip things for your bouquet. Or, save a flower to give to someone. It will make them smile.

2. Look up at the clouds. If you are comfortable, sit on the grass, or get a blanket or a chair. Bring a beverage of your choice with you, and just gaze at the clouds looking for shapes. If you have a burning need to make this educational, go ahead and identify the shapes with their scientific names, but feel free to call them a bunny or a puppy, or dragons and unicorns.

3. Sweep your porch. Slowly. Watch the broom move the debris to it's proper place. Listen to the sound of one broom sweeping.

4. Explore your sense of sound. Stand outside and close your eyes. What do you hear? If it's only the noise in your head, turn it down and listen to the nature around you. If you can't hear any, go somewhere that you can.

5. Study the colors of a flower.

There are some things to begin your thought process towards the upside of doing nothing.

And, if you are trying to make sense of the photos I use relating to the text of my post,
stop.

I love and admire Winnie the Pooh

Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering.
~~Winnie the Pooh

Some people just don't understand this as a necessary concept. They can't think of anything that could fall comfortably under the guise of doing nothing, not bothering, that would be valuable.

I'll help them tomorrow.

Good Night for now.

Little known facts, what else and who cares

1. My husband says if I had an Indian name it would be Walks in Many Shoes. Because I always lose my shoes, and I will put anyone else's shoes on to walk around outside. (I hate looking for things. One must allow oneself some unforgivable sin...)

2. I spend a couple of hours in the library reading up and writing down nutritional recipes and ideas, and then come home and eat hummus, chips and red wine for dinner. (I guess I'm gearing up...one must cultivate taste...)

3. I know kids always want their way. I deal with them from there. Things mostly work out. (I overhead my 5 year old nephew in the back seat singing, "I love my mommy, she is the best....I love my Aunt Sasha (me), she is the best"...and that is good enough for me, as he was in the third seat back and didn't know I was listening)

4. I just found out that DIY means Do It Yourself. (I didn't read it, I just *finally* figured it out on my own. That sign Slow Children was in my neighborhood...)

5. I am constantly amazed at the amount of people who cannot figure out what to eat and how much to eat, so they won't gain weight...so now, companies that package food are doing the thinking for them! They go ahead and package up the (junk) food in little packets marked *100 calories* ~ "oh, happy day," the buyers say, "we don't have to count or think!" Oh darlins, why? So, sad ...

6. I've learned that one half of the world always laughs at or dislikes the other. I wish it wasn't so, but it always seems to be like that. Just be happy with what you've got, and be nice. Don't give someone a reason to dislike you, as they will probably find one for themselves soon enough.

7. If things are over, go ahead and make nice. What reason could there possibly be to leave things on a sour note? These frequent trips around the sun I have made, have shown me none.

8. There are no new things, except for the morning. Just begin again, and try to be a saint.

A butterfly day....

I wasn't intending to do any gardening this morning, as there was much to be done around the inside of the home, but alas, a few visits outside, and I (let's face it) really did not want to come in!

And, it was hot. And, it was humid. What was that word I made up ~ hottimud? Yeah, that.

But anyway, I got a bottle of water, and tried to rest when I felt like I was going to pass out, and I got some things done out there! I got some morning glories around this saw palmetto! That's going to be great.

One of the reasons I love gardening is that you are making a picture that is yet to be seen. It keeps changing in a beautiful way, as long as you are attending it...and if you attend it with love, it shows itself differently than if you attend it with just necessity.

I found two caterpillars on the ground, no place in particular, just in the dirt, and they were just going around in circles, so I wasn't sure what to do, so I put them on a big leaf and took them over to one of the plants they were most likely from, but just in case not, as these butterflies do that mimicry thing to escape getting eaten.... I put the two of them on the plant that seemed like they would choose (a parsley plant) but also put the other plant (a milkweed) right next to it.

I went out later to check them, as they were so still when I moved them I thought they might be dead, but they weren't and were eating away at the milkweed.

more later

Daily Decisions

Daily Decisions:

What I am experiencing at this moment is the result of choices and decisions made in the past; what I will experience in the future depends on choices and decisions I make now. Happiness is a daily decision.

So there I am with my granddaughter, and my daughter wants to take a picture of us. The picture is small, but if you look closely you can see that Shaylin is ready, got her little hand behind her in a little pose, but grandma is still talking!! ~~ I'm asking questions instead of making a decision!

But, it all turned out well. Actually, anytime my granddaughter smiles, it's all good with me.

Happy Birthday, Gene

It's Friday and today is Gene's birthday. Gene and I are older than Jackson Browne. In my world, that's not really that old.

How does Thursday happen...

...without notifying Tuesday and Wednesday that it's here? I do not know what happened to my minutes...

I do know that the days have been filled with people and activity. My granddaughter has been here during her fussy time (actually, I heard this psychologist on the TV today, and he was saying that this fussy time is really a time of a need for stimuli, so she is getting that~) so lots of singing and dancing by assorted family members, and it seems I've had a full house for the last few days...
so, while her brain was just loving all the stimuli ~ mine was like -- doing a mini freeeeeking out, just kidding, sorta kinda. I really can only stand some much noise and things like that, but whatever, I survive!

I did get some walking , as in exercise, ...and man, it is humid out there. Actually, it's worse than humid, it's like hottimud, or something.

My plants were wilting in this weather, but then yesterday it rained and thundered and lightening so quickly that my son's gazebo tent flew off. He called the company and they are giving him a full refund.

My marigolds are beat down from the way the water pours off the roof. See, there is the thing about money lacking ... if I had the funds, I would be able to duct that water to some where I could use it. We are looking into some kind of rain barrel type item that I have seen on some gardening blogs for using that wonderful rain water for later. But, you know, you deal with what you can deal with...

more later...

Straight until Morning and it's now Monday?

Oh my gosh how the time flies....so you might as well have fun.

I did have fun this weekend with family and friends and fireworks. It was totally relaxing and just a pleasure. The fireworks and fellowship were great, but the grilled vegetables that my sis-in-law made ....oh to die for! So simple and yet so wonderful. I filled up on them and my digestive track spoke to me about it all the next day.

My granddaughter doesn't mind fireworks. She loves people and watching and interacting with them, so watching people light things in the street that exploded into bright colors was just about as favorable a reaction as one could get! If she had been able, I'm sure she would have said, 'more, please!'

I'm, depending on how one looks at things, behind on things, but I want to make sure my behind doesn't get ahead of me (ha,ha, just reread this, too funny the double meaning)...

so I started walking again and it. is. sooooo. humid! Not to mention hot, so I am opting for mornings. And! the mosquitoes are parlaying options for taking over the world and focusing themselves in my area! Crikey ...and ouch while slapping body.

It's been raining like wildly, madly, deeply for the past, seems like 10 years, but maybe 10 days, maybe 2 weeks? I don't know. I just know you are sitting here and then your feeling like someone outside has weapons and just exploded them right on your house!! It's that sudden and that hard.

But, it's all good. Good visits from good friends, good food, good family
~ just need more money ~ hahaha, but who doesn't these days!

Family is just accident.... They don't mean to get on your nerves. They don't even mean to be your family, they just are. ~Marsha Norman

The only rock I know that stays steady, the only institution I know that works is the family. ~Lee Iacocca

Returning to Flylady for help with Messiness

I'm getting behind again on my house work ...and I'm not comfortable with that. Actually, it's not just the house, it's the other things I have to to, long list of miscellaneous.

I ventured a life with Flylady.net at one time, and responded remarkably well...and then I got full of myself, with 'hey, I got this...' type of an attitude and fell off my high horse. Luckily for moi, I have a great husband who will bail me out.

Yes, when things get to overwhelming for me, he will set in. He usually goes beyond where I need him, and that's trumps the special gift of helping even more.

So, he got things in order Thursday, because #2 son's girlfriend was coming to visit, and now I have to pick up the gauntlet and keep going! Hopefully, I can say, "I got this...'

But as I type, I can hear the outside calling me....I can hear my yard saying, "Come...look for butterflies and trim out leaves; admire our new growth and take some of our beauty inside." Oh, I love working with my plants and flowers!!"

But, I'm going to study my weak areas of keeping an orderly house and fix some things this week! That's my goal. I'll post my progress so I can keep myself - in my face!!-

Had a great fourth by the way!!

Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence should be read by everyone who decides to make the United States of America their home. It is a source rich in information of what was intended for us as a nation.

Most people are familiar with the second paragraph:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness..."

then further down ...

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

...and then beyond that it begins the list of the infractions of King George.

they state some definite and strong truths for how they tried all reasoning and it didn't work...

...and the last line ...

— And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.

The signatures follow.

I heard this read aloud the other day on NPR, I think it was. No loss on anyone's part to gain some insight from our country's beginnings.

From Thought for Today

Cleanliness~~~

The most important places to keep clean and tidy are my mind and heart. If I allow thoughts to flourish that I wouldn't want to see the light of day, I can never have any real self-respect. By starting each day in quiet reflection and pouring positive, loving thoughts into my mind, I gradually clean out cynicism and unkindness~
....from Thought for Today.

I know I like spending some quiet time alone in the mornings. I really do. It helps me stay calm throughout the day. I think about all those I love, and how fortunate I am to have all these people in my life.

And I have been making a genuine effort to avoid, totally and truly, avoid negative thinking and negative thoughts. They do you no good. None, Zip, Zero ~ Nada. Pass on them.

When I first wake up in the morning, I thank God. I lay in my bed and quietly smiling, I thank God for everything in my life. Maybe specific things each day, maybe not ~ I just thank God.

I like to have a good strong cup of coffee, look at the outside and what the sky has to offer....If it's early, I catch that brilliance that only the sun can do while it's rising. Oh my gosh, that is so cleansing. If I can get myself to the beach, I would probably walk on air all day. But, if I get to the beach, it's usually in the evenings ....but back to mornings ...

While the coffee is perking, I feed the cats, otherwise, they will yap and yell and make all kinds of sounds that are either telling you off or saying good morning feed us now, but so loudly it will wake everyone, so I just feed them.

This morning I took their food outside, first thing, because when they come in, they are all yapping so loudly and running all over each other, they would wake the household, and I got up so early, that just didn't seem fair to everyone else.

I check my plants on my porch. I am working on bringing the jungle onto my porch. One is never done with this project. But, I love it. I will die doing this. I love looking at plants and smelling flowers and herbs. I do believe that looking at flowers and the colors of the earth are a natural way to cleanse ones soul and spirit. ~

I have a theory about aging. One must, MUST, have things in their life that they love to do. And there are so many things to choose from that are healthy and rewarding in some way or another! One should always have a project going. It's a fulfiling thing in your life. If one is not sure what to do, do something for someone else, that's a great way to start.

Oh, here's my latest project ... I am going to make a 'movie' for my granddaughter and feature family members reading books to her. I have chosen the first two books. I will read one of them with my nephew Jacob, he's five, as there are words in the book (colors and numbers) that he can read, so he will read those words, and I'll read the rest. The book is One by Kathryn Otoshi.

I love my days. I love my peoples! I am happy.

Happy Birthday Sean!

Happy Birthday to the child that always made me laugh when I tried to discipline him. Can anyone figure out who that might be in the above photo?

It's been a great 23 years. I am so proud of you. I am proud to be your mother, and I thank God for blessing me with you in my life. I will love you forever.

Best wishes and many happy returns. You rock, Sean!!

That is Sean in the White Jacket.