Archive | February 28, 2012

Instant Patina

Filed under clean, Laugh by SusieJ on February 28, 2012 at 8:35 am {2 comments}

Want that rustic, shabby chic look for that brand spanking new piece of furniture you just bought? SusieJ offers instant antiquing services — dramatic effects can be seen in as little as one hour.

Just drop off your table for the weekend — or overnight, and by morning, your table will look as if it has aged 100 years.

We also offer monogramming services –

…. Sharpie (name your color!)

or engraving. In just a few short hours, our team of highly qualified distressing experts

will have your table carrying the patina of centuries.

When Seconds Become Microseconds

Filed under clean, Life, writing by SusieJ on February 23, 2012 at 11:54 pm {one comment}

I’ve been busy writing. For other people. In between my endless trips to the grocery store, loads of laundry and cooking, I’ve been looking for the truth in what someone else wants to say — and nailing it down with graphite. (I always write by hand, first.) Without giving it away… I can give you a glimpse of what I’ve been working on. Pronouns are missing… bear with the incognito.

The magical thing about basketball is that just about every season there is one game, out of nowhere, when something seemingly unimaginable happens. Seconds are broken down into microseconds, while the heart agonizes over how slowly, or how quickly (depending on where you sit), those final seconds tick off the score board. This drama is what keeps the seats packed throughout the winter as students, parents, alumni and basketball fans flock to the gymnasium just for that one chance to witness the single swoosh that makes or breaks the season.

Such a night happened during the championship game….. During the last minute of the game, the team threw a 3-pointer, giving them a one-point lead. Then, in what was an excruciating 20 seconds for them, the other team made two free throws, giving them the lead at 51-50. With less than 10 seconds left, the team threw the winning shot, marking the final score at 52-51. Such a game is what makes….

By definition, March Madness means that the season’s past record tells you little about the future. Basketball fans know that nothing’s a given. But one thing we do know: The fans always cheer as if they do belong in the tournament, regardless of what drama unfolds on the court.

Isn’t that the truth…

Is Gratitude the Great Betrayer?

Filed under Life by SusieJ on February 22, 2012 at 12:29 am {3 comments}

Tomorrow is Lent. I am not Catholic… so I consider the practice of giving something up as a choice. But, when you delve deeper into the reasons the Catholic practice lent, it’s hard not to jump on the bandwagon. But because I am not Catholic, I have more freedom in what I choose to give up. What to give up? There is nothing obsessively corrupt in my diet — other than radishes. I could give up radishes.

Instead, though, I thought I could “add” something, conscientiously, to my life. Like, more gratitude. Everyone is talking and writing about gratitude — the magical elixir of our age.

Thinking about this more deeply, I realized that gratitude is really choosing not to complain. The art of seeing everything as a blessing. The best example of living this way is in the old Taoist story of an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. “Such bad luck,” they said sympathetically. “May be,” the farmer replied. The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses. “How wonderful,” the neighbors exclaimed. “May be,” replied the old man. The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune. “May be,” answered the farmer. The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son’s leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out. “May be,” said the farmer.

So… I could give up complaining for Lent. On everything.

But what a betrayal that would be. Could I really give up my right to say that something is unjust? Wouldn’t that just make me a doormat? How could I betray myself by looking at the face of adversity and choosing to be grateful for that? Wouldn’t that just make the problem more permanent? Bigger? Larger? Isn’t that how improvement begins — with a complaint? If I stopped complaining, would I become complacent with the way things are, and, if everyone was just “happy with the way things are”, wouldn’t society just go down the drain? Isn’t that giving the problem way too much power? Just thinking about this doesn’t really make me happy. Yet, .. all the books say gratitude is what makes your problems, magically go away. What a paradigm shift the act of graitude really would be for me. Am I really up for this? Is it just too radical?

Then, I remember that story in Corrie Ten Boom’s book, The Hiding Place. Her mother told her to be grateful for all things. Even the fleas in their bed in the concentration camp? Even the fleas that bit them all night long, while they endured painful persecution. Corrie couldn’t’ be grateful for the fleas. Later they learned, that the soldiers raped the girls in the other houses– but they never went near Corrie Ten Boom’s place — the soldiers avoided the fleas there, and left those girls alone.

How could she have known? How could anyone could have known… that the fleas… gave them protection?

She couldn’t have known. And that is the point.

So, I’m going to trust all of these ancient sages — and God himself — when he said, “In all things give thanks.” He didn’t say, just the good things… he said ALL THINGS. So, if the entire thread of society of this world starts to fall apart, you’ll know why. I’m off on some radical no-complaining binge to find out if those sages are right — does gratitude really generate more happiness in the face of adversity?

My Favorite No-Time To Workout Workout

Filed under health, skinny by SusieJ on February 20, 2012 at 10:27 am {one comment}

Pinterest is flooded with quick workouts you can do inside — all claiming to burn hundreds of calories in just a few minutes. I’ve tried most of them. There is one from Prevention that claims you will shrink a size in 14 days, and I don’t see how that is possible. Maybe it’s because I do lots of yoga… but I thought that workout routine was merely the warm-up — where was the elevated heart rate?

There is one routine that I simply love… (or hate, in the moment)… however you want to put it. It’s fast, and it’s customizable for any level, time constraint, or energy level you have at the moment. And, because of the amount of sweat that accumulates on my belly and spine, I know I’m burning calories.

Here is the workout:

Source: sidebysideblog.blogspot.com via SusieJ on Pinterest

Now — depending on the fitness level you’re at, you can customize this workout recipe to suit you — maybe you start with 25 jumping backs, and go down from there — and that is the best part! You GO DOWN FROM THERE!!! Once you’ve hit the first set of jumping jacks, it’s mentally so much easier to go back and do it again, because you’ll be doing less each time. Psychologically that works for me.

The beauty of this workout recipe is that it’s easy to memorize… perfect for when you are travelling, or you just can’t get onto your computer to find it. And doing this workout takes very little room — you can do pull this off in a hotel room — and get quite a bit more sweat than you can on any exercise machine. I also like it because it adds variety — you really aren’t doing the same thing that many times — and so quick. Pick a start number, and you’re done.

And no, I don’t add the run for ten minutes at the end. Too cold!!!

An Irish Country Memory

Filed under Eat by SusieJ on February 17, 2012 at 7:43 am {no comments}

Two or three years ago, I listened to a book on CD by Patrick Taylor, called, An Irish Country Christmas. I remember the month was late February, early March… and it was cold outside. I turned it on whenever I was out running errands, picking up the boys from this or that place.

We have spent time in Ireland… but the memories of Christmas in that cozy village of Ballybucklebo are burned more brilliantly in my imagination than my real visit to Ireland — and I’m surprised at how much those memories, 2-3 years old now, shape my day. When I’m driving around in the cold, I think back to that chicken pot pie that was waiting for Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly, and I think, I want to make that too… like right now. More than what is actually sitting in my fridge, that book influences what we have for dinner, (only in the winter), than anything else.

Some mornings, I find myself pulling out a tomato to throw on the skillet with the eggs… something I really did eat while in Ireland. (The Irish do not eat eggs without tomatoes… does that surprise you? Me too.) And I end up with a morning like this one.

This makes for a very good morning… the tomato caramelizes on the skillet — Irish heaven… just try it.

Brie & Roses

Filed under Eat, holidays by SusieJ on February 14, 2012 at 2:00 pm {no comments}

The oldest boys scrunched up my valentines, and stuffed their candy into their lunch bags, and said, “You don’t have to give us that stuff. Just the candy is fine.” Ahhh, but such is the price to pay, dear boys. And, I will do it again next year… so don’t even bother to make that scene or give me that face.

I made these heart eggs for breakfast:

Source: images.marthastewart.com via Christine on Pinterest

I’ve spent most of the day trying to spread Valentine Love to five men in this house . I have the “roast” mastered, and I don’t even need to follow a recipe. I simply open the cupboard and slather on the spices that tickle my nose… (today? rosemary, thyme, garlic salt, celery salt, cloves, peppercorns and bay leaves) and a couple splashes of Pomegranate Vinegar. It’s on a slow roast in the crock pot…

I’ve been out most of the day catering my littlest boy to be a guest “teacher” at another school. He taught the kids how to make Origami Ninja Stars, and Origami Dresses.

I am in love with those dresses.

And the house is tumbling down around me, the floors need mopped, books must be returned to the library, laundry is in all stages of disarray on every single floor, in every single room… but I’m on to bigger things…

The potatoes are boiling — for the mash.

I’ll probably roast some fennel too… and I have bread dough ready to pop in the oven — and then there is dessert: I couldn’t be more thrilled that my husband voted for this strawberry dessert:

Source: ourbestbites.com via SusieJ on Pinterest

Rather than this traditional strawberry one:

Source: alamodejournals.com via SusieJ on Pinterest

I can hardly wait to get started on that strawberry nacho dessert. I’m not using fresh strawberries, though… so I’m guessing I will have to cook the frozen ones a bit in sugar to make a syrup … rather than a mushy thawed strawberry. I want to add almonds to it — but so many boys won’t like that… and then, of course, a couple of them detest whipped cream… See, it’s just not that easy to give Valentine Love to everyone today. But that’s what makes this day so special… lots of giving, and no reason not to.

And then, there is that surprise… I walked in from a busy morning of “co-teaching” with my son, only to find sushi, a dozen roses, brie and fresh fruit. “The Sushi is for lunch,” he said. “We can save the brie for later.”

I hadn’t realized it before… but brie goes way back for us. From those early days when we were so poor, scraping up enough mileage points, and pennies to head to Europe… where we roamed the streets eating the best baguettes we’d ever tasted, and chunks of brie — unpasteurized.

Funny how you start the day out trying to give to everyone else… and then before you know it… you have received more than you can expected.

Mighty Warrior Hearts

Filed under clean, holidays, Make Something, Try This by SusieJ on February 13, 2012 at 3:27 pm {one comment}

There is always some kind of strawberry dessert on our Valentine’s table, along with a favorite “red meat” (usually a roast) and green asparagus — roasted with a drizzle of olive oil and sea salt. And, with pleasure, I always make Valentines for the boys.

Can I even tell you how much I love slathering them with valentine hearts, candy and stickers… and they don’t even blush — because this involves candy. Now that two of the four are too old for “Valentine parties,” at school, they appreciate Mom’s valentine’s even more — probably the only bit of candy they will get all day.

This year, they’ll have two valentines in their lunches:

A Peep Heart, two graham crackers and a chocolate bar.

The second, is actually the same craft we’ll be making with the first and second graders tomorrow during their party:

(Just ask me how glad I am that I did not throw out all of those decks with missing cards.) The heart card, holding a sucker. Each boy gets a card that matches how many years they are (minus ten for two of them) and King for daddy.

Good Morning Grapefruit, Carrot and Ginger

Filed under Eat, Life, skinny by SusieJ on February 11, 2012 at 6:10 pm {5 comments}

The Key to Skinny, II

There is a survey out there somewhere that explains that people who are not overweight do three things:

Eat Breakfast
Weigh themselves every morning
And I can’t remember the third. Honestly. When I remember what book I read it in, I will figure it out and post — I’m sorry.

I believe in breakfast — you are “breaking the fast” you had all night, and this food jump starts your metabolism — so choose carefully!

This shake is pretty — so I tried it (found the recipe on Pinterest, of course).

SPOILER ALERT!!! (The combination of grapefruit, carrot and ginger tastes as pretty as it looks… just be sure to add Stevia Powder– to cut the tartness with some sweetness, and zero calories and an extra boost of nutrition.)

I also love grapefruit — which is purportedly a key to help you regulate insulin levels.

The other two ingredients are carrot and ginger. (Ginger raises your body heat to help you burn more calories — plus it’s great for your digestive system.)

Intrigued just to know what it tasted like, I tried it.

First of all — you DO NOT need a juicer. So, you can stop with that excuse.

I diced the carrots into little cubes, and my hand stick blender did a great job.

For the grapefruit, I simply peeled the fruit, like an orange, and inserted the sections into the cup.

Then, some shaved ginger, which is always “fresh” in my freezer.

Delicious…. but I added Stevia to sweeten it a bit. It almost tasted like candy — but better.

Making shakes, by the way, I think are a lot of work. Whoever coined “shakes” as a time saver is crazy. It’s much easier to open a box of cereal, pour and add milk. This shake requires a lot of peeling, and cutting… and the mess!

But don’t let that stop you! Make this easy on yourself. Make extra.

Store and freeze. Just remember to pull it out and drink it!

114 Views, and Only Ten Votes?

Filed under clean, contest by SusieJ on February 8, 2012 at 6:58 pm {3 comments}

My son nudged me out of bed Tuesday morning at 6:00. “This is the day, Mom…to post the pictures.” Right… I’m on it. Bleary eyed, we came down stairs to pick the best photo of the Lego creations he had made Friday night… the night we learned about the Lego Contest, Build Your Best Ohio.

(Yes… I’m breaking my rule about kid posts… and no, I don’t have everything ready for the new place yet…but this is an emergency.)

He carefully went on the internet to search for some of his favorite things… “Is the Sears Tower in Ohio? How about the Golden Gate Bridge?” After enough searching, he narrowed down his building to three, not just one, Ohio Landmarks.

Here they are:

Apollo 11, (Neil Armstrong) The Huntington Center, and The Wright Brother’s Airplane. He named it, “Look How Great Ohio Is!” Is that not adorable, right in itself?

We loaded the photos, and I voted for him, giving him the first vote… and he was the first entry.

Just ask me how thankful I was when I woke up today, and tried to vote again, and the site said, “You already voted!” What a score! I am not obligated to continue voting for the next four week, every day — no pressure! Because, I know I would miss a few days, and feel plagued with guilt… with no recovery…

But something is bothering me. We have over 100 views, and only 10 votes! Please, if you can find it in your heart, give him a vote, please.