To Grateful Beginnings!

    Today is the 5 year anniversary of this blog!!! If you are a fan you know that I am not one for New Year's resolutions. I will remind you to begin again the book Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach. Since the first entry is January 1st it is always a wonderful way to begin the New Year. The second would be to sign up for Mike Dooley's Notes From the Universe & then sign up for the free 30 day workshop to Love Your Life beginning New Year's Day. See end of this blog for link. ***

   This year I am determined to master the essence of one of my favorite Mike Dooley TUT Notes from the Universe 'quotes'. These are the messages awaiting my inbox in the morning & help get my day off on the right 'note' This one note, though it sounds simple, has not been simple at all for me to master.

"Little else fires up the old turbines of manifestation like gratitude given in advance."

     So why is this such a toughie? I feel most of us have been practicing our gratitudes on a regular basis. Remind yourself or write down daily three things that you are grateful for. Well this note has an extra step to it if you read closely. If one is to give gratitude for something in the future, then you must begin to dream big on a regular basis. You must look to the future & be grateful for something that hasn't even happened yet! We are taught not to be presumptuous or to jinx ourselves on any future luck that may be in store for us. That's hogwash, rubbish & ridiculous! So yes, it is difficult visualizing that dream then thanking the Universe for its fruition. That is why this will be my goal for the coming year to master the ultimate of gratitudes. For instance, Universe I am so grateful for the years of service my car has given me but I am so grateful for this newer, beautiful model (that isn't falling apart around me!) Woo Hoo! Not so hard after all; it will just take some practice. But what a way to start a new year, dreaming of lovely things to happen & saying 'thank you'.

     Happy New Year to you & remember to dream big and be forever grateful!

     *** Go to http://www.tut.com/index/tut30days to register for the FREE Love Your Life 30 Day workshop. All Mike Dooley's workshops are fabulous and for only minutes a day your year will be off to one filled with infinite possibilities!

The Day After Christmas

Twas the day after Christmas

And all through the house,

Not a present is left unwrapped

Not the perfume nor the blouse.

The wrappings are strewn;

The tree's getting dry.

You reminisce of the 24 hour whirlwind

And let out a big sigh.

This blogger says to herself

"I did fine this year,

I was a productive little elf."

There were smiles & frowns,

Many good tidings all around.

We were healthy and happy this year,

And the many laughs I could hear.

And as I remove my virtual Santa hat,

I say, "I can't ask for more than that."

Now with nothing to bake, cook or wrap,

A very happy post Christmas to all

Now you deserve a long nap!

What's New Cookie?

   Cookie baking is synonymous with Christmas. So check out my previous cookie baking blogs (search on this blog Holiday Baking Tips - there's a favorite recipe tucked there too!) and utilize these tips from cookie master Dorie Greenspan found in this month's Better Homes and Gardens. Remember, you pay a lot for your quality ingredients;  maximize your success by reading ahead!

    ~ ALWAYS preheat the oven to required temp then wait 10-15 more minutes. This accommodates for heat loss when you open the door to insert that first tray.

~ Line baking sheets with parchment paper (This is the best tip EVER - makes it all so much easier come cookie removal & cleanup! MP50) or use silicone baking sheets.

~ Properly softened/room temp butter will leave an indent when you press with your finger.

~ Don't cheat on cool down time. A cookie's true texture develops when cool.

~ Freeze scooped, rolled & cutout cookie unbaked! Freeze them on a parchment lined sheet until solid. Then transfer to a baggie or airtight container for up to 2 months. (I did this last night for my chocolate chips & it worked like a charm! See pics below. I will have others too & will bake thawed cookies for those holiday visitors for the freshest cookies ever. Think how amazing the house will smell! Especially beneficial for those cookies that don't hold up as well after a few weeks no matter how airtight your tin or how many slices of bread you throw in said tin to keep them moist! - MP50)

    Finally, Nestle is helping us get imaginative with our Toll House recipe by reinventing the morsel. Last year I used the semi-sweet & the milk chocolate caramel filled morsels. This year they have a trio of dark, milk & white chocolate morsels mixed together in various sizes for interest. Also, slightly under bake those cc's for the chewier texture. Go crazy, Ladies!!!  Most of all, enjoy the baking experience with family & friends. HoHoHo!

Decorate with Mindfulness this Holiday

   How quick the season is upon us & we suddenly realize time is running out and we have to shop, wrap, clean, cook, bake, oh and yeah decorate. (all the while being merry & happy & NOT exhausted). Not an easy time of year for all us Give a Mouse a Cookie women but it can be better. (For starters for every yes you say to something, say a no to something & for heaven's sake just breath)!

   What this blog is about today is to remind you (and myself) to be mindful of those special things that make Christmas amazing for you; the things that bring a warm and fuzzy feeling to your heart. For this blogger it is decorating and especially my live greens decorating & putting up and adorning that fragrant, amazing tree. If nothing else got accomplished - I would have a tree. When my daughter was in Australia for Christmas two years ago - not many decorations made it out of their ten month hiding places, just a few favorites but I most definitely had a tree.

   The lights of course bring your tree to life but it's your ornaments that give it the heart, soul & joy. Mindfully - take the time to reflect on them and carefully give them their special bough. I love the ornaments I have collected from places that have been visited or ornaments that came from a special place or remind me of a special time or person in my life. My friends (of over forty plus years!) and I did an ornament exchange for many years when we were out of college & even some were exchanged before. These are always so precious to unwrap. I even have an ornament I made in the 4th grade; just a simple red ball with my name glued and gold-glittered onto it. What precious times those were with many more to come!

   This year I am starting a new tradition. We will each print out a picture of a 'big dream' destination or wish in words and tuck it among those balsam fir branches. I can't think of a better place for a dream to begin its journey to realization than at Christmastime. This is something that takes thought & mindfulness. Take your time & enjoy your trip down memory lane...

    Alas, I know someday when my daughter has her own tree, all her ornaments (and some family ones too) will graduate to that next tree. Hopefully, I will have done my job right and she will mindfully decorate and reminisce on each and every one too. This is the time of year for ornaments & the most extraordinary memories of dreams, faith, hope & love they bring.

Be Prepared for the Holidays... How Not to Gain & Go with the Flow!

   The first of the holiday season celebrations is almost upon us - Thanksgiving. A favorite holiday for most, I mean parades, football, family time uninterrupted by the opening of gifts and of course ... the best meal of the year! So how do we make it through an almost steady six weeks of celebrations without gaining weight or dare I say continuing to lose weight for those on that path right now? Read on!

   I finished reading Bob Harper's (of Biggest Loser fame) latest book Skinny Habits. I'm telling you great minds think alike. He proposes an If/Then strategy to parties and the like while I was promoting to friends  a flow chart strategy with the same idea - you gotta go into this prepared! It will be the key to your success! Here are examples of how having situations written down in advance can help. You can then call upon them when that party or special dinner or cookie exchange happens.

Example One ~ If I am invited out for Thanksgiving this year, then I will go prepared! (top of the flow chart) Next Block: I will drink loooots of water in the morning with my healthy breakfast and all day long. Next Block: I will bring a dish I know is delicious and a healthy, lower calorie alternative to what I might find there (turkey is great but there are many unknowns). Next Block: I will eat all my favorite foods but small portions of each and will avoid the rolls, mashed potatoes & liquid calories! Next Block: I will have a sliver of a dessert only if it's a once a year favorite and feel thankful that I don't feel like a stuffed turkey by 7pm!!

Example Two ~ Top of the flow chart: The neighborhood is having their annual cookie exchange again on Saturday night. Next block: Cookies are not dinner! I will eat a healthy, full of veggies and fiber dinner and drink lots of water before I go. Next Block: I will sample one or two new cookies that evening, have tea or coffee & bring the rest of the cookies home. Next Block: I will have cookie tins/containers ready to pack the exchanged cookies tight as a drum, tape the sides & put in a cool, dry closet - out of sight. After all the point of this is to have a variety of cookies for guests during the holidays.

   So you see where I am going with this. You can do one for each situation. We will splurge here & there but to consistently overindulge will leave you feeling awful and unhappy with yourself. I highly recommend Bob Harper's book. It covers the 6 secrets of thin people & is very easy to read. So start writing your if/then flow charts up today! Happy Thanksgiving! Gobble Gobble (well less gobbling and more savoring every bite!)

"It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" Celebrates 50 Years!

    "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" is celebrating 50 years this week! If you are like me, you have watched every airing (this Friday on ABC). It is one of the most iconic shows of our childhood. Yes, Charles Schultz knows the way to one's heart during every season...

    Linus begins this story writing a letter to The Great Pumpkin letting him know that he will be waiting in the pumpkin patch on Halloween night, waiting for his visit where he will bring lots of presents & toys to all the good girls & boys. Once again he forgoes tricks or tricks to have something less tangible but more real in a sense. He has faith & persistence and in turn Charlie Brown's sister Sally has faith in Linus (and a crush). Everyone thinks he is a fool for believing in the Great Pumpkin but Linus never relents. While the others from the Peanuts gang are going door to door & then to a holiday party, Linus (and Sally) brave the cold. His sister Lucy still asks for treats for her 'stupid' brother at each house. (Secretly, I believe she admires his gumption!) Linus, back at the patch, believes since The Great Pumpkin values sincerity above all else, he will surely visit this most sincere pumpkin patch. When Snoopy shows up instead, Sally blows up, the others give him the business. Lucy rescues him shivering at four in the morning and tucks him into his warm bed. (She values family above all else I believe.) After Charlie Brown criticizes him on their leaning wall the next day, by his reaction we know Linus will once again be out there next year waiting and hoping. Just like at Christmas, Linus isn't into this for the gifts, he knows it's more important to flex those faith muscles. He has no regrets; yes, another quality that could never truly fit into a sack meant for toys alone.

    At this time of year, which face it, has become the beginning of the Christmas season, we can never have enough early reminders about the importance of faith in our daily lives. Believing in something less tangible than presents, but more important to our hearts, is a skill we can start honing now. When Christmas rolls around (in 2 months!) our priorities can be firmly locked in place. Our strong faith can be percolating in our hearts and our perspective on life and love will be most sincere. After all, that is what The Great Pumpkin values above all else!

Happy Halloween!

Fabulous Products Alert ~ Fall 2016 Edition

    I love to think of fall as a time to regroup and simplify many areas of my daily routine. I also love to share products that are tested & loved by yours truly to help the simplification process along (and to save you money & time). So here are my recent favorites:

~ Aveeno has come out with a new skincare line called absolutely ageless. (You may have seen the Jennifer Aniston commercials) I am using the cleanser, daily moisturizer with SPF30, & the restorative night cream. They smell delicious & light, and I love my skin in them; soft & moisturized but never too much. You can never go wrong with Aveeno.

~ Softsoap Coconut Butter Body Scrub ~ Okay, I have tried loooots of 'moisturizing' body washes over the years. Never have I ever come out of the shower without feeling the need for body lotions... until now. This fabulous smelling, delicate scrub leaves me feeling moisturized... FINALLY. And you can't beat the price - between $3.50-4.50 for a generous size bottle.

~ Trader Joe's Fresh Linen Scent Antibacterial Hand Soap ~ Don't cringe on the antibacterial part. This soap it PETA approved (listed as one of their favorite vegan products), does not contain the ab ingredients like triclosan & triclocarban (which will officially be banned in less than a year). It does not contain SLS Sodium Lauryl Sulfate which is also a no no ingredient. What it does have going for it is fab ingredients like aloe, Vitamin E and a wonderful list of botanical extracts. The scent is unbelievable, the recyclable plastic bottle is so pretty and you get a generous 16.9 FL OZ. size for $3 and change!

~ PRO-FX Sticky Base Coat ~ This my most recent discovery (last two weeks). I wanted a new top coat for home manicures & saw this; Grabs and Locks in Color base coat. I am a fast manicure kind of girl (take more time on the pedicures) so this intrigued me and for $5 & change at Wal-Mart I thought I'd give it a try. So twice now, just the basecoat & one single coat of a barely there color and NO topcoat. The results were better than I dreamed. With no thought to protecting my nails the single coat lasted a week!! (probably longer but I got bored) The bonus is my usually easy-to-break nails are hard & haven't broken at all in two weeks!! I will definitely try other products in this line.

~ L'Oreal Revitalift Bright Reveal Peel Pads ~ After months of summer sun, my facial skin usually needs an overhaul even though I am a sunscreen wearer. With glycolic acid & other ingredients, I use this to exfoliate my skin more quickly & efficiently. Swipe & sleep with the product on overnight. The generous size pad does my face, neck, décolleté and hands! I use just once a week & the generous 30 day supply will last months. Exfoliation is key to helping your serums & moisturizers (like the Aveeno line) to work at optimum performance. At only $16-$18 and change, much less expensive than a facial.

~ L'Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation ~ My go to line for foundation always seems to be L'Oreal. I have reviewed many before this one & have never been disappointed. This could be my favorite at this time of my life. (Love a) pump bottle with smooth, even coverage (and real coverage, not the sun damage still can show through kind) but gives you the look that you are not wearing any foundation and is luminous! My cheekbones have beautiful, natural glow! It also has SPF 20 and keeps my skin moisturized all day (but not tacky or gross). Another great value.

Enjoy the products & the added simplicity they will offer you; fewer manicures, beautiful skin which means less & less makeup & Ooohs & Aaahs from your guests emerging from your bathroom saying, "that soap smells amazing!!"

What a Gardener Truly Needs... A Sense of Humor!

   So east coast it has been a rough summer. Record number of heat waves, little to no rain. A real struggle for gardeners and our furry outdoor friends too. Every part of the yard has been ripped & eaten by deer & critters like I've never seen before. I in turn am trying to keep my sense of humor about it all. I mean they are all just trying to feed the youngins & stay alive, right?!

   For a week or so I was noticing a change in my extraordinary hibiscus plant. Lovingly planted in a large ceramic pot & carefully placed in the right sun exposure on my patio, there was a big difference. Day by day, from bottom to top it was losing its healthy, glossy green leaves and along with them, the spectacular deep coral-pink blooms. Was it bugs? Nope.  OMG this sucks, WHAT is doing this?? Then the culprit revealed himself. It was a squirrel, using the plant to practice for his kinds version of America Ninja Warriors. I never saw him eat or chew, just scale to the top, over & over, every day so eventually every single leaf was knocked off. So, what's a gardener do?? Laugh because a great photo-op comes to mind. (see below) Yes, my little Charlie Brown tree form hibiscus is now making the big time with his picture on the internet! 

"I never thought it was a bad little tree."

     I also have a beloved tree form Rose of Sharon 'tree', happily rescued one fall from Lowe's clearance. It is now about 10 feet tall but needs some help. Parts of branches have not leafed out the past two years and in odd placements. This has been frustrating on how or not to prune it. A few weeks ago I was mesmerized by the number of chickadees, titmice, goldfinches, woodpeckers, hummingbirds & cardinals using the twig-like dead branches as their perches going to and from a close by for birds only 'food court'. (see pic, 'twigs' in background) 

I laughed and smiled as I watched & it came to me, to do the minimal because isn't that why we plant flowers & shrubs & trees in the first place - they give the bees, butterflies, birds (and now ninja squirrels) a place to hang out? That's why this gardener plants anyway. And there is the joy. Coneflowers that went to seed way early because of drought are now tiny seed heads home to those goldfinches. To truly be a happy gardener through all the seasons, one must take it all in stride and not take it all too seriously!

Salsa & Bruschetta Recipes Made Easy; The Power Trio!

    It's Harvest Time!! For all you growing tomatoes, peppers, basil (or are partaking of the incredible locally grown veggies at your farmer's markets & stores), here are two delicious recipes to use them up! I like to make my fresh salsa & bruschetta simultaneously because the first steps & first three ingredients are common to both. Delish & easy, guaranteed.

    First take a handful of ripe tomatoes & chop into small chunks. Place in container & salt. Salting now will draw some of the water from the tomatoes . (Your seasonings added later takes on a truer flavor if there is less water.) So… chop, salt, sit & drain. Repeat this step a couple of times. While the chopped tomatoes sit, chop sweet onion & garlic finely. Add to drained tomatoes. This is your basic power trio!

Then for Salsa: Take your garden peppers, some without heat & a few with. I think jalapenos work best for a controllable heat for your salsa and they are easy to grow. (Tip #1 ~ the most heat from peppers comes from the whitish membrane & not just the seeds!) (Tip #2 ~ put a sandwich baggie on your hand holding the peppers. This way the hot oils don't get on your fingers.)  Now add fresh squeezed lime juice, ground pepper, a bit of sugar (to cut the acidity)  & cilantro flakes. (Fresh cilantro is fine; it is a taste preference) How much of the above ingredients are up to your taste buds & harvest! Start with 5 medium tomatoes, ½ sweet onion, 2 cloves garlic (the power trio!), 1 bell pepper, 2 jalapeno peppers, 1-2 limes, 1/2 teaspoon cilantro flakes, salt & pepper. Serve with your favorite foods & chips.

Then for Bruschetta: Add a bit of sugar, a bit of ground pepper, 1/2 teaspoon evoo (extra virgin olive oil), 1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar. Mix together well & then add 2 T. roughly chopped fresh basil. (fresh works best but flakes will do). Now adjust for your taste buds! The easiest way to serve is on the round toasts they sell now. I like to serve cold with a small slice of fresh mozzarella on top drizzled with balsamic reduction (Rachel Ray makes a wonderful one), top with your fresh made bruschetta. For a warm recipe you can easily slice your own baguette bread, drizzle with evoo & grill in a pan. When you flip add some fresh mozzarella to the grilled side, a basil leaf & the bruschetta. Cover until the cheese melts & the second side of your bread is grilled. If using the toasts, just follow the same steps but place on tin foil under a broiler, or toaster oven until the fresh cheese melts. Soooo good!

Effortless Inspirations

     We all need a bit of way to go, you're on the right track, keep it going, don't ever give up type of inspiration! There are those who read or listen to books on tape on life affirming topics. More & more I feel we all need something to reaffirm that the twisting , turning road we are all on is something to embrace in our lives & definitely the most interesting! I for one love inspiration quotes. I also have many books that in short paragraphs give you something good to think about. (Current bedside book: "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff... and it's all small stuff (simple ways to keep the little things from taking over your life) by Richard Carlson, Ph.D. In brief paragraphs he touches on so much that we need to remember but easily forget. Of course if you are a regular reader to this blog, you know how I love the daily, small chapter reads found in Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach! Now, the link to my most effortless inspirational favorite is below!!!

    In order for us to complete our daily tasks we need to be centered, grounded & find joy in it all. Something I touched upon in my Looking Forward to 2016 blog, my favorite way to start my day is with an inspirational message tailored just for me: TUT - A Note From the Universe ~ created by Mike Dooley (a contributor to the best-seller The Secret & author countless books like the wonderful Infinite Possibilities). Mike's famous quote is "thoughts become things... choose the good ones!" and is the basis for what he tries to convey to you in a fun, light-hearted way. To say they are life affirming words to start your day is an understatement! And they arrive Monday-Friday right to my e-mail (some days it is the only e-mail I read & I read before I even get out of bed!) My paragraph today reads:

"When in a hurry, mary, step #1 for changing the entire world is falling in love with it as it already is.  Same for changing yourself. And best of all, mary, with this approach, there is no step #2.

You like? The Universe.

Sign up for free today. He also offers free on-line workshops throughout the year.

 http://www.tut.com/Inspiration/nftu

Sit back and effortlessly take in all the inspiration that is offered: "thoughts DO become things... choose the good ones!"

Routine Smoutine ~ Happy Summer!

    So here I am on a Friday after work at my computer. I've mixed up a delicious blender drink (yes, using the Master of Mixes Strawberry) and am writing this blog. Definitely not something that would happen in the middle of February but we are in the middle of a heat wave here East Coast and this feels right ~ but definitely not routine! So in summer is it then that we abandon all 'good for you' routines and say, "Routine smoutine, screw it!"

      This is definitely the way things can go. Summer is the time for more entertaining, vacations, staycations, picnics, barbecues, weddings... anything but the routine. So the exercise routines, grocery shop 'typical' list, weekend routines can be thrown right out the window without a second thought. You can then hear yourself in September say "it was summer & I was so busy, how could I possibly have gained five pounds? Shouldn't I have lost weight?" Well, anything is possible especially if your routine goes to smithereens. So maybe you take a different approach for a few months; mix it up & still have continued success.

     Maybe it's the extra foods you eat or maybe exercising in 100 degree heat index temps isn't your thing & you just skip a few days. Where exercise is concerned, getting off the routine even for a day can derail the best of us. Some ways to circumvent the obstacles is to view from a different perspective: First approach can be to embrace the 80/20 rule mindfully and with the week as a whole. Say, "I will stay on track with my healthy eating options, watching my liquid calorie intake 80% of the week and then feel guilt free the remaining 20% of the week that may include a barbecue or a visit to the beach... you get my drift. You can't all of a sudden come upon Saturday and go, "Dagnabit, I wish I behaved after dinner this week, oh well..." Another option is to behave as best as possible and consider the 1000 calorie a day option for 2 days of the week (referred to as calorie cycling - see link below). If you stick to your exercise/eating routines for 3 of your days and eating approx. 1000 calories for two, that leaves you the freedom to enjoy your weekend away with no worries. Studies are showing that these 2 calorie restricting days can get you out of a dieting plateau & rev your metabolism. With the abundance of fresh summer veggies and some lean proteins you can still fill up while eliminating calories. The key in any scenario is to treat the week as a whole and think ahead considering all your plans.

http://www.rd.com/health/healthy-eating/lose-weight-with-calorie-cycling/

    Good luck with your new approach to your routines, have fun, enjoy and see you in September with no remorse!

Summer Cocktails Made Easy

   Absolutely nothing makes your summer party, picnic or vacation more delicious than a blender drink or fruity cocktail. I don't often crave a frozen cocktail in the colder months so it is time to take advantage of these hot temps and blend myself (and friends) a treat.

   Sure you can only use individual ingredients or you could make it easy on yourself. I am a huge fan of the Master of Mixes brand of mixers. 

These are alcohol free so you have versatility in the alcohol or virgin drink you blend (and yes, it is cheaper than the premixed with alcohol brands). You can usually get a large 33-oz. bottle for about $3.50. Okay, they are loaded with sugar calories but for the handful you have over these few months, it's so worth it because they are delicious. (And yes, there are Lite lower calorie choices too). I am a big fan of all the flavors really: pina colada, margarita, mango, strawberry, sweet 'n sour and the newest flavor peach. The line also includes the extras like grenadine, simple syrup & triple sec that you may use in many cocktail recipes. (There are also LARGE buckets you add alcohol, stir & freeze ahead of time.) Each bottle has recipes printed right on them or you can use your imagination. You can just mix with your liquor of choice and add a slash of seltzer at the end for some fizz and fewer calories. One of my favorites is mixing the sweet 'n sour with a bourbon whiskey and then adding a splash of grenadine at the end. The red grenadine will sink to the bottom of the glass (until stirred) and makes a very easy, delicious, pretty cocktail. Add garnish of choice like lemon, orange, mint, maraschino cherries. Follow the recipe suggestions on the label for blender drinks made with lots of ice. I like to mix the pina colada with the mango for a change up. Throw banana, strawberries, watermelon, peaches into the blender too for a healthy (ier) recipe. With so many flavors, the sky's the limit!

   No one wants to spend oodles of time this summer mixing up cocktails for your crowd, so make it easy and delicious with mixers. Happy Fourth of July & Cheers!

A Summer Morning in the Garden

   From this gardener's perspective, summer mornings in the garden are magical and productive. From a human's perspective, a stroll is good for the soul!

    There truly is nothing better than grabbing that mug of tea or coffee and venturing out into the often dewy grass of morning. Slowly meander around your 'finished' beds, your beds-in-progress and take a deep breath and a deep listen. The birds are wonderfully chatty this time of day; the air smells wonderful. The soft sun has not had its chance to de-saturate a single flower petal and the bugs, aside from a morning-loving bumble bee, have not yet made their presence known. Although still too chilly for butterflies, you may happen across a luna moth resting on a plant from the prior evening & what a treat to behold! Although I never want to stop my stroll, I know that this is also my favorite time of day to do some gardening chores. Rarely too hot, the bugs still asleep, I can effectively get into my beds and stake, deadhead & weed. The parents of my resident House Wren family at the corner of my cottage garden make their presence known, loudly. If the babies hear me they chirp their feed-me chirps and the parents remind me to meander to the other side. I pick up my watering cans and check all my containers and new transplants and pour them all a drink. Last bit of morning fun amongst my flowers is to cut a few stems here & there for a small arrangement to brighten the rest of my day.

   At some point the vegetable/herb garden will need picking and this is the best time for me (again no gnats or mosquitoes). While I have a head of (caffeine-induced?) steam I can have my pesto made and even a few loaves of zucchini bread baked before noon. Come August it gets really busy in the kitchen with so many wonderful varieties of peppers & tomatoes & beans. Right now I am enjoying the kitchen lull & simply revel in how quickly the plants are growing.

   I work a handful of days per week so I am grateful for those perfect glad-I-have-the-day-off mornings. As a gardener I appreciate a rainy morning more than most, but when I know that sun is going to shine, well those are my favorite summer mornings. Happy Summer Solstice to you all!

When Your Garden Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade!

   It's another planting/growing season and again your perennials, peripherals, chachkis aren't all that you expected or remembered from last season. (or now you remember & say I should have thinned or moved that plant last year) Well it's a new season and lemonade we shall make with the sour lemons scattered about.

   My favorite 'lemonade' project this year is a concrete bird bath from my parent's old house that I brought home once my Mom moved. Now I understand why she had a plastic lid resting on top to hold water. The concrete top, although in decent shape, drained water quickly. Light bulb! I would make a succulent planter out of it and chose one of her favorites, portculaca.

They are very happy in their well-draining home & starting to flourish. I did this with my own garage sale find too that was cracking at the side. Looks beautiful. (and to think I was ready to toss it last season! Check out the link from my previous blog on the watering can dripper idea below as seen in the pic.

http://marypause50.blogspot.com/2012/06/bird-bath-dripper.html

   You also may be dismayed by how metal surfaces on hanging baskets & sheppard's hooks have lost their shimmer. Clear coat glossy spray paint to the rescue, and it looks like new! You don't always have to choose a color ~ although fun, the clear coat does the job. Lightweight planters also do well with a new color to suit your patio or plant scheme this year. Again see my blog link for more instructions.

http://marypause50.blogspot.com/2014/05/spruce-up-your-garden-accessories.html

   Privacy in your yard is important. Sometimes out of control, sheds or buildings are built over our fences and we are left with an eyesore. Lemonade for this problem have been quick to grow Leyland Cypress evergreen trees. They create a full, fast, tall (up to 45 ft.) privacy wall if needed. (and they make wonderful decorating holiday greens)

    Plants have taken over? It's usually the early bloomers you notice first. Do what I do & let them bloom then move or tear out. Some varieties you can share!

    I was looking for zinnias this spring and they seemed to be later in the garden centers than usual. I even wanted a certain striped variety I haven't seen in awhile. So I went to Lowe's and found very sad, sour 'lemons' that needed love on their clearance rack. From what I could tell they were striped but they needed love. The garden center person sold me three 9-packs for a dollar a piece. So home I went to save what I could of my favorite annual and I am happy to say that 15 have survived and I couldn't be happier with this lemonade!

    So when all the work is 'done' you can kick back enjoy the fruits of your labor. Enjoy an actual lemonade with some of that mint that went whoosh this spring, while appreciating your vision, flexibility and your dynamic garden. Cheers!

Pre-Summer Gardening Reminders

   So here we are on the precipice of the summer season!! Two exclamation points on that one. It is the time of year we gardeners long for, dream of... There are a few reminders I'd like to pass along now to make your gardening life easier this summer. Yes, put in the time now and the rewards will be felt all summer long.

Weed ~ Yes, weed now often and then weed some more. You need to get to the buggers while you still can. Before your perennials go whoosh. (my description of what happens one day you go outside and look around and they have all grown inches seemingly overnight. I call it The Whoosh Affect.) Get to them before the roots head to China or out like a Compass Rose in every direction!

Staking ~ You know the plants that you have in need of staking. Early staking will alleviate any sleepless nights you have when you're hearing that pouring rain coming down. Get in there while you can still reach them!

Seed Heads ~ I am already staring at the columbine & forget-me-not seeds that are poised to drop. Decide now what you are sharing, what you are carefully cutting down to avoid volunteers, or shaking and going to town on the spreading (the most fun I feel). This forget-me-not photo shows the results of going to town last spring.

Weed ~ Okay you see where I'm going with this...

Edging ~ Nothing makes your beds look professional like edging each year but you need to do it now before the soft, rain-drenched ground goes bye-bye.

Fertilizing ~ Scratching an organic fertilizer around you plants will give them a smile. Need to do this before The Whoosh Affect & that final step...

Mulch ~ To take advantage of all your hard weeding work, you need to mulch. Leaf mulch & mushroom compost are the best choices for your plants and soil. My township provides leaf mulch for free, but you need to haul it yourself. Garden centers are getting the message and you can find these more readily & have them delivered.

Enjoy ~ Sit back and enjoy the fruits & flowers of you labor!

Kokedama ~ Moss Ball for Plants

   Kokedama (pronounced coke-eh-dah-mah), is a Japanese term for a moss ball, and is the technique of planting in a pouch of moss and soil or oasis. It is a fun and different way to 'plant' a favorite plant. Once complete, the balls can be used to hang plants like succulents, orchids, ivy & herbs or placed on a lovely dish on a tabletop or windowsill. Be creative and watch each plant suddenly transforms into a beautiful specimen plant!

    The traditional kokedama uses sheet moss to surround a bonsai-type soil. The most cost effective way to do this is to use round oasis in place of the soil. You then take a knife like a pumpkin carving knife to carve out a pouch at the top of the ball to accommodate your plant. (If you trim away a small flat bit at the bottom of your oasis, you can keep it steady & standing if you don't plan to hang). 

Take your sheet moss and cut into pieces that you can wrap and pin (with heavy gauge (green) garden wire cut and bent like large bobby pins). Work your way around to cover your kokedama. [Another less traditional option is to use coconut liner in the same manner] 

Then, using your plant of choice from a 3-4 inch pot, shake off the majority of the soil and place securely into the pouch. You may then like to wrap in twine for decoration or function (to create a hanging option). To water, submerge in a small bucket to saturate the oasis. To keep moist use a spray bottle to mist. Keep in mind the watering needs of your plants. A succulent or begonia would need less watering. Kokedamas hung outside would dry out more quickly & need more frequent water.

    I love this project, because the sky is the limit. Just use your imagination! I imagine three fragrant herb kokedamas on beautiful tray as a centerpiece for your dining table. Family or guests can then pick fresh herbs for their meals! This is also a fun Mother's Day project with your kids or the other Moms in your life. It would also make a great stay in girls night out project. Have a (kokedama) ball & have a Happy Mother's Day!

Life Hacking ~ A Generational Thing

   Hacking's meaning has now evolved into more than breaking into a computer. Thanks to countless YouTube videos and the entertaining TV series on truTV, Hack My Life, hacking is all the rage. (Yes, the watermelon/rubber band hack aired there 1st) Well I am here to say women have been hacking for generations! Hacking skills have been passed down from mother to daughter & we are proud of it.

   My friends & I reminisce about this one every winter. It is the bread bags on the kid's feet held up by rubber bands before they go in the winter boots to keep the feet dry hack. Our Mother's generation began this one. (Sliced bread was not commonplace in our grandmother's generation) With those bread bags, the kids were able to play out in the snow longer. Yes, our mothers were pretty crafty with their hacks! Also, our moms showed us the secret to a happier marriage: by keeping any non-necessity (i.e. shoes) shopping purchases in the trunk of the car until an opportune time came to secretly unload. My Mom did this and among my friends, most have done this one and we are definitely passing this hack to our daughters.

   For all my years the Vaseline (petroleum jelly) hacks have been a part of my life. Everything from beauty hacks (moisturizer, healthy mascara, cuticle cream) to preventing blisters, healing cuts, removing scuffs marks & shining patent shoes have been seamlessly used from generation to generation.

   In a few weeks, Mother's Day will be here. This is not just another Hallmark holiday, Ladies. No, it is a hack that has enabled women for decades to have that one day a year to be waited on hand & foot and do whatever they please. (mimosa time, gardening time & nap time for this Mom!)

   Some of my favorite gardening hacks include using coffee filters in the bottom of you pots to help the water drain a bit slower while keeping the soil in place. In the larger containers, displacing some space in the bottom of your pot with packing peanuts (not the water soluble kind!) or an overturned destined to be disposed of plastic pot. This bloggers favorite hack to refresh your garden furniture, chachkis & birdfeeders is spray paint. It is my single most favorite springtime hack (along with my Mother's Day nap) Enjoy & keep hacking away; generations of daughters are depending on it!

7 Ways to Flatten that Belly!

   Whenever you can incorporate ways to flatten that belly without cutting calories JUMP at the chance! According to this month's Shape magazine, there are seven belly fat traps you can avoid and lose some inches.

~ Living on a busy street ~ Regular exposure to traffic noise makes you 29% more likely to have a bigger waistline. Yes, lots of noise may spike your cortisol, a hormone associated with abdominal fat. Using soothing music, white noise apps or noise cancelling ear buds can help.

~ Your diet soda habit ~ Yes, in a 9 plus year study, diet soda drinkers gained more inches (3.2) than regular soda drinkers (under an inch). There is science behind this, but really just give up all the soda for a healthier you! If you need bubbles, flavored seltzer works.

~ Mental multitasking ~ People who are able to focus on singular tasks carry a pound less belly fat on average. Mindfulness is the key. Regular exercise helps along with a physical/mental practice such as yoga.

~ Skimping on calcium ~ Studies show that consuming a calcium rich diet (three servings a day) will help you lose more belly. Mix it up with low fat dairy and non-dairy foods like broccoli, spinach & pumpkin seeds.

~ Your commute ~ Simply stated, the more time you spend on your commute the less time you have for workouts. Find ways to get more steps in your day like parking your car further away from your destinations, taking stairs.

~ Tossing & turning ~ Yes, a longer night's sleep (6-8 hrs) & more quality sleep will get you a thinner waistline. Turn off blue-light emitting devices at least an hour before bedtime & turn in earlier!

~ Watching food TV ~ Logically, those who watch more than 3 hours of TV a day have significantly more belly fat than those that watch under an hour. Interestingly, tuning into cooking shows (which don't always cook the healthiest of recipes) boosts your risk of gaining weight even more to the tune of 10 pounds! Lesson here: find your (healthy) recipes online or from friends.

Edible Garden Ideas ~ Food Pairings for Healthy Living

   Yes, we are trying to eat healthy & optimize the benefits of the foods we do eat. If you are getting ready to plan/plant your edible garden, here are some food pairings that are so healthful and with one easy to grow component each! These simple pairing are featured in the April issue of Redbook:

Red Bell Peppers & Black Beans ~ Beans are an excellent source of iron & (protein & fiber). All that iron is more readily absorbed with the pairing of high in Vitamin C bell peppers (Peppers contain the most Vitamin C of all vegetables!). Bell peppers are easy to grow. Just wait until frost danger has passed in your area & give your plants plenty of sun. Suggested recipe: Simply mix chopped raw peppers, black beans, quinoa & lime juice.

Meat & Rosemary ~ Marinate is the key word here. We are aware by now that grilling at high temperatures can lead to harmful carcinogenic compounds (HCAs) forming. To protect your meats ~ marinate! Rosemary contains multiple antioxidants that keep HCAs from forming. Add 2 T. to your favorite marinate for at least 30 minutes before grilling/cooking. The wonderful thing about growing an herb like rosemary is that it is easy and can happen year round by keeping your plant inside in a sunny location during the winter months.

Spinach & Olive Oil ~ Vitamin A packed spinach leaves when paired with small amounts of healthy fat olive oil will help it be better absorbed by your intestinal cells. Mix the olive oil with fresh lemon juice & drizzle away. Spinach is a cold weather veggie so the time to grow is now (and again in the fall) It is also easy to grow & so much better when picked fresh from the garden!

Eggs & Cheese ~ My Brother and Sister-in-Law do have a fresh supply of eggs with their chickens but most of us do not have the room to 'grow' eggs. No matter. We all know that Vitamin D & Calcium work hand in hand for maximum absorption of Vitamin D in the body. I am including this pairing because it is a delicious twosome but also the above spinach, peppers, rosemary all would taste amazing with your cheesy egg recipe of choice. (and hopefully you are considering growing additional herbs & tomatoes too!) YUM, and happy growing!

What Do the Skinny Bitches in your Life Eat?

   I will be writing this blog about the eating habits of a curious and interesting creature ~ the Skinny Bitch (SB moving forward).  I am saying this with the utmost affection for the SB; (and yes, I happen to sort of be one). My friends affectionately 'hate' me at times ~ "Really...I need to stand next to her?" I love them & they love me. Many SB's have much to offer the general population in the way of desirable eating habits. I'm not saying we always eat healthy, but we do watch our portions & always take home leftovers.

   In one of my magazine reads the past few months, they were featuring a woman on a successful weight loss mission. One of the 'out in the field' observations was the way her friends ate in restaurants. She has a group of friends in an more ideal BMI (Body Mass Index) category. Also, a group of friends in a closer to obese BMI situation. She observed the eating habits of both groups & LIGHT BULB! Once she began to follow the choices of her healthy weight friends, she began to lose weight herself. AHA MOMENT. So simple... (in the same vein as follow a three year old around all day and mimic every move and you WILL lose weight & WILL be exhausted!)

    So that got me thinking about writing this blog. I am not a true SB but I am thin and I do practice portion control naturally - all my life. I am suggesting in the social situations to begin your observations. Seeing first hand will be your best teacher, because the proof is your friend & these good habits can be easily learned and adapted. And no, I do not consume diet beverages. I do not skip meals or snacks, I do not deprive myself of anything. I do not skip out on social events because of the food temptations. I do not eat out much. When I do, I have been known to order off the appetizer menu if there is something delicious. I don't exercise for hours a day, just yoga or walking a few times a week. I do take home leftovers if I am ordering an entree. I do like to cook simple fare from scratch at home. Am I textbook healthy eater 24/7? ~ absolutely not. Do I feel lessons could be learned from me if one observed my eating habits ~ yes. Think of your meals over a one week span of time. The majority of that time I am making dietary choices worth mimicking. That's all we can ask for from ourselves in the real (SB) world.

    So next time you are in a situation, just ask yourself, "what would my SB Bestie eat?"

Pantone 2016 Colors of the Year & Your Garden

    I always like to include a blog each year featuring the Pantone color of the year. This year we are doubly fortunate because for the first time there are two Pantone colors, Rose Quartz and Serenity, to help guide our design choices and for this gardener, my plantings.

    As the website below suggests, the feeling of respite and relaxation was what the colors are meant to invoke. What better place for respite and relaxation than our outdoor rooms and gardens. Yes, they have made a challenge for us with Serenity. It is a challenge to find soft blue blooms in the garden consistently throughout the growing season. Annuals just don’t come in that color. My perennial Lungwort (Pulmonaria), & my biennial Forget-me-knots , all early spring bloomers, come pretty close. Both plants as they mature take on the Rose Quartz tones too and where the colors blend is the beautiful soft shade of lavender. So with the serene blue sky readily available most days in the garden, we can focus the rest of the summer on the soft pinks and delicate purples. The important thing to remember is not to plan these soft shades in a planter or bed that is drenched in sunlight because the shades will appear washed out. Also, the subtlety of the colors will be lost if planted too far from your choice viewing areas unless planted en masse.

http://www.pantone.com/color-of-the-year-2016

     So as you begin to plan your 2016 garden keep some of these plants in mind and you may just have your very own Pantone Garden of the Year! For my sunnier spots containers of softly colored petunias would be lovely. When you think of soft pink & purple for the shade you may think traditional impatiens but alas that annual is not an option because of the downy mildew disease. The hybrid impatiens like the double impatiens and the new guinea (with sunpatiens for the sunnier spots) are still an option. Also there are lovely shades of these colors in the shade loving torenia. Beautiful perennial hellebores, creeping phlox, phlox paniculata, geraniums, mallows, coneflower, cornflowers for blue, scabiosa & lamium are wonderful choices. As always, visit your favorite garden centers frequently for the best, continuous selection throughout the seasons. I mean the Serenity sky is the limit! Lastly, be creative with your containers, bed arranging, & have fun with this new color theme! Now all we need is the warmer weather…

Nesting Bird Webcams

    Nothing says Spring more than bird songs during nesting season. I had the privilege late last winter, early spring to be introduced to two webcam sites featuring nesting birds. What a treat and, be forewarned, an addiction of sorts!

   The first of two wonderful sites for live webcam streaming of a bird's nest with their young has two hatchlings right now! bellahummingbird.com. This nest is located in So. California. As I am writing this, Bella is feeding her adorable hatchlings! It is an amazing opportunity to watch these small miracles up close & personal! There is ample amount of info on the site about the Allen's Hummingbird, Bella and how the site (in someone's yard) came to be. The will be multiple clutches laid in the coming months. Savor every squeak!

    The second webcam is hdontap.com. There are quite a few webcams on this site, scenic & bird related. Two of my favorites from last year are the Great Horned Owl & the Bald Eagle. The first hatchlings you will see are the Great Horned Owls from Georgia. She is sitting on her clutch right now! The second very interesting one is in Hanover, PA, the Bald Eagle's nest. Lots of activity will be coming there soon. Both male & female eagles play a large role in raising their young. One of my favorite moments from last year was a late winter snow & the parent eagle sitting on her clutch of 2 eggs & not moving as the snow piled up. (see photo above) Eventually it was just the head peeping out of the snow!

   Again, be warned, as anyone who viewed the various (sooo cute) miracle births & fledglings last year, these cams can be addicting!! Enjoy them all; Spring is coming!

When Did We Stop Playing & Moving for Fun??

     I am a Baby Boomer & proud of it. We, the Boomers, had a childhood that dreams are made of. My life was filled with the simple things, family & friends for security and the lack of technology & TV channels kept the temptation of staying indoors at bay!

   Yes, the younger me was off playing every day after school, during school, weekends, holidays. And by playing I mean I was always moving! I left the house to seek out neighborhood kids and friends and didn't return home until hunger set in. I never got tired, seriously. Now you may say that's because you were young. Sure that plays a part but I was always doing activities that kept me moving, my body engaged and those activities were FUN! Sure there were mandatory homework times & rainy days when arts & crafts, jacks & board games come into play. It is those moving times I'd like us all to get back to. We need to find the fun again in moving & not see exercise always as a chore. That is how one gets to a healthy weight & stays there for a lifetime.

    Those fondly remembered activities included roller skating, tennis (against a wall), kick the can, wire ball, baby in the air, basketball, catch, jumping rope traditional & Chinese, hopscotch, can ball, dodge ball, jingle jump, riding bikes everywhere, walking everywhere, running, handball and organized sports like basketball, softball & even bowling in a kid's league on Saturday mornings. Winter moving included sledding (but we had to make our own hill first), snowball fights from behind massive forts & igloo building. And when we got soaked to the bone we would come inside, throw our clothes in the closest neighborhood kid's clothes dryer, plan our next igloo city & then get back out there with dry, warm & toasty jackets socks, hats & gloves. I am exhausted just writing all this down & smiling at the memories.

   It was my life & I am happy to say I have maintained a healthy weight over the years. What I am sad to say is aside from my love of yoga, some fun activities have slipped my mind. When did I stop playing? I want to find a vintage Jingle Jump & jump again! I enjoy walking but this year I want it to take me to a destination like it did so many years ago. I resolve this year to find moving activities that are fun. This is the only way to maintain healthy bodies for a lifetime & simultaneously keep the joy in our hearts. If you dread what you need to do to maintain your weight then get moving for FUN. The alternative being you will eventually lose the battle to alas ~ TV & technology. Have a blast playing & being fit!

The Latest Studies... For a Healthier, Happier You!

    I am fascinated by the latest studies that come out month after month. It is in our best interest to use this information to achieve a healthier, happier life. So here are some recent, I feel, most beneficial, easy 'latest studies' adjustments to incorporate into our lives.

~ Water ~ We know drinking enough water is mandatory for optimum health. A study is now showing that drinking 17 ounces of water (2 glasses) half an hour prior to each meal will significantly help you lose weight. In the study, obese adults who did this lost almost eight pounds more than the control group over 3 months! Yes, it will fill you & help you control portion size, but studies have also shown that being even a little bit dehydrated will slow your metabolism! Have fun with your water by adding lemon or lime. Infuse your water with fruits, cucumber slices, sprigs of herbs like mint; the sky's the limit. Water is not boring... it is what keeps us going!

~ Healthy Fats (monosaturated & polunsaturated) ~ Studies have shown they can improve cholesterol levels, may reduce risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, help promote healthy nerve activity & cell development just to name a few. You can easily incorporate nuts & seeds, oils (canola, olive & sunflower) , avocadoes, olives, cold water fish like salmon & tuna into your diet. Again, have fun with new recipes or sprinkle & drizzle away on your current mealtime favorites.

~ Gut Bacteria Healing Foods ~ Studies show that probiotic foods like probiotic yogurt, drinkable kefir, refrigerated pickles, kimchee & sauerkraut, (essentially refrigerated fermented vegetables) can promote healthy gut bacteria that been compromised by medication, poor diet, age. Prebiotic foods like raw garlic, raw/cooked onions & raw asparagus keep your 'getting healthy' gut staying that way.

~ Feel Gratitude & Happiness Will Follow ~ Studies show that writing down/reflecting on the things you are grateful for will bring for more happiness in your life. You are likely to feel more optimistic, you may feel less pain, live longer, catch fewer colds & strengthen your heart. The desire to exercise more may follow too! Write down three gratitudes a day & try not to repeat!

   So try these suggestions. I am optimistic there will be more studies in 2016 that will have the potential to offer us a healthier, happier new year! I promise to share.