tgif freebie

TGIF, TGIF, TGIF! Whew, what a long and crazybusy week it's been. I will be so happy to shut down the computer when my work is done and start relaxing into the weekend. Aren't weekends just the best?! :-)

Oprah's book club has another freebie download. The first story from Uwem Akpan's Say You're One of Them is currently available here. Oprah and the author are planning an online discussion of the story in conjunction with CNN.com on November 9th, so mark your calendars and make some time this weekend to spend with a treasure by this amazing writer.

Have a GREAT weekend everyone!

rules to live by

Encouraging news today that the recession has reached its end. That does not, however, mean that this blog is going away! Because not only will the economy need to time to recover before more of us are out of the woods, but also I believe many of the actions we've taken to tighten our purse strings and cut our consumption should carry on even during flush times.

One of the positive side effects of financial downturns is that many of us are forced to reexamine our relationship with money. Sure, I look forward to the day when I am not counting every penny at the grocery store and the family can take a much-needed vacation. However, many of the lifestyle adjustments we've made will remain rules to live by, even when the piggy bank is full.

Over at mnmlist.com, a website devoted to simple living, a list of "7 ways to avoid buying new stuff" was published recently. Following this basic advice will result in less trash in our landfills, more money in our pockets, and a greater appreciation of the work that goes into making things. Win, win, and win. :-)

foto spot #14

Over the Alps at 37,000 feet. Awesome!

keeping happy in tough times

We're more than a year into this recession now, and although there have been positive signs that a recovery is not far off, for many, day-to-day life remains a struggle. I know this firsthand: it's been more than a year since my husband finished his last work contract. :-(

The economic instability can be frustrating and at times, yes even more than a little scary. But we DO have choices, even when it feels as though we have been pushed up against a wall. This article, published by Psychology Today, addresses specific ways to keep happy during a recession. Here are some highlights of the authors' suggestions:

• Happy people place more emphasis on having a meaning and purpose in life, rather than acquiring things. Therefore, pursuing meaningful life goals is more important now than ever. Which is why I have made my writing work a priority this year.
• Learn to live in the present moment. So true. Whenever I find myself becoming anxious about something that has yet to happen, I ask myself, "Does our family have everything we need today?" Roof over our heads, check. Food in the pantry, check. Lights, heat, nice clothes to wear, check. And then I give thanks for being more fortunate than many others on this great planet.
• Nurture meaningful relationships. And break ties with people who are only negative, complainers, and not supportive. I have trimmed my relationship fat, so to speak, in the past year, so that I have more time to spend with the people in the world who really do care about and uplift me.
• Don't let present economic dilemmas keep you from dreaming. The authors suggest keeping an optimism journal; I have a wish list. :-)
• Engage in acts of kindness and give back. I have mentioned the importance of this before (and even have included a "giving back" section on the blog). If you are unsure of how to best do this or feel as though you have nothing to give (and I assure you, we all have days when we feel that way!), check out the 29-Day Giving Challenge web site. They have listed many suggestions; plus, you can connect with people from all over the world who are also committed to this simply human principle. I am on day 3 of my personal challenge, and I have already happily reconnected with a couple people from my past. Can't wait to see what unfolds in the remaining 26 days!
• Consider a media blackout: This is alluded to in the article, but it is a technique that I use whenever I feel overwhelmed. There is so much negative reporting on the TV and the Internet, that sometimes I find the best thing to do is to just ignore it for a few days, focusing on my family, our neighborhood, and local community instead.
  

And if you can't pull yourself out of a blue period, don't be afraid to find a therapist or a support group. Sometimes just being able to freely talk about frustrations in a supportive environment is all that's needed to end a funk. Chin up, we're going to get through this together, ok?

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

friday fun

Simon's cat ALWAYS makes me laugh! Have a great weekend, everyone!!!

whew!

Whew, the past few weeks have been challenging! And so far, I must concede I believe October is winning; I simply do not know how time can pass so quickly!

But at least a weekend beckons, and I have already blocked time to sit and catch my breath. I plan to dig into my copy (published in 1910!) of Arnold Bennett's How to Live on 24 Hours a Day, a book that celebrated its 100th birthday last year! If you've never read this little treasure, please add it to your wishlist pronto.

A cold wind is blowing this evening, and Real Simple has posted 25 Dishes to Warm the Heart, absolutely perfect to bookmark for the next few months! We're having one of my faves for dinner: roasted tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches, yum. :-)

One more day until the weekend, yay!!!


Photo is by Maria Robledo on Real Simple.

free candy corn, yum

Hope everyone had a relaxing and fun weekend! Here is a FREE pattern for making these fun (and very low calorie :-) pieces of candy corn, just in time for Halloween, too.

For more October craft ideas, check out Lion Brand's web site and just search for "Halloween".

Happy Monday!

more thoughts on fall

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower. ~Albert Camus

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns. ~George Eliot

No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace
As I have seen in one autumnal face.
~John Donne

October's poplars are flaming torches lighting the way to winter. ~Nova Bair

Youth is like spring, an over praised season more remarkable for biting winds than genial breezes. Autumn is the mellower season, and what we lose in flowers we more than gain in fruits. ~Samuel Butler

Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn. ~Elizabeth Lawrence

Art is Marquetry box, detail, English School 17th century.

the whole bird: part 2

Another option when buying an entire chicken is to roast the whole bird. I confess this is something I do every Sunday afternoon for the family's meat eaters (including the canines). See, even though I am a vegetarian, I make a supertasty roasted chicken. :-)

Back during my former omnivorous days, I perfected the roast chicken after being served at a Parisian bistro the most delicious bird I had ever eaten. And the preparation could not have been simpler: the chicken had been lightly sprinkled with a touch of sea salt and black pepper and popped into the oven. Parfait! After the holiday, I made it my business to replicate this little bit of France at home. :-)

My process is equally simple. As far as seasoning, I tend to stick to salt and pepper, if anything, although placing a few rosemary or thyme fronds under the skin before roasting has a nice effect. I have also sliced a lemon in half and then stuffed both pieces into the cavity; this too was very tasty. My favorite, though, is to put an entire head of garlic inside the bird; not only does the garlicky flavor enhance the chicken, but also the resulting roasted garlic can be added to mashed potatoes or spread on warm bread. Yum. :-D

Most importantly for my perfect bird is the following: I preheat the oven to 400-425 (or between the medium and high flames on our ancient cooking machine) and roast the chicken uncovered at this higher temperature for the first half hour. Then, I cut the heat back to low for the remaining ninety minutes or perhaps a little longer, depending on the size of the chicken. This way the skin has a nice crispness to it, but the meat remains incredibly tender and fall-off-the-bones good.

Occasionally our weekly chicken is served straight from the oven, but more often it is cooled, plated, and put into the refrigerator. Then throughout the week, it is can be added to a sandwich or salad or used to supplement the dogs' homemade food. And all for just a few bucks, eh? A definite seal of approval from The Happy Recessionist!

Photo is by Deborah Jones found on epicurious.com.

foto spot #13

Because some days an extended coffee break is in order. :-) Hope you're taking the time to have a special day. Back tomorrow!!!

the whole bird: part 1

Although I personally no longer eat meat, I still buy it for the carnivores in the family, including a couple canine members. When I go to our local butcher to stock up, I admit I am surprised to see how many people line up to buy the very expensive chicken breasts, when a whole chicken can be had for just a few pennies more.

Years ago, when I still ate meat, I got into the habit of buying the whole bird and either roasting it or jointing it myself. After a quick consult with the Internet, I found step-by-step instructions for cutting apart a chicken (like these here, provided by Delia), and have never returned to buying the bird by the piece.

We use every last bit, too. The carcasses are boiled down first to make stock, and then they are pressure-cooked into a powdered bone meal, which we give to the dogs as a supplement to their other home-cooked food (a posting in the near-future will detail more of their menu).

So hone those kitchen knives and save yourself a little cash. And if you're nervous, don't be. After a little practice you'll be cutting cleaner fillets than your butcher. :-)

full moons

Last night's full moon and some howling winds cast a spooky pallor on our town. Which got me thinking about October's classic holiday, Halloween.

If I were superorganized, I probably would not have waited until the month was upon us to start pondering costumes, decorations, and party foods. Because I am just merely organized, I rely heavily on the Internet for ideas and inspiration. And one of the first places to look when in a pinch is good old Martha. :-)

For do-at-home Halloween ideas, she does not disappoint. At Halloween Central there are ideas for pumpkin carvings, costumes, decorations and crafts, tons of ghoulish (but tasty!) recipes, and free clip art for invitations, party favors, and even the cool lanterns pictured here. Everything you need in one place, awesome! Now, should we have the "I Scream Sandwiches" or the Graveyard Cake for dessert? They both look positively creepy. In a good way, of course. :-)

tgif freebies!

I have TWO freebies to help you celebrate this October's first TGIF! (Less than three months until the holidays, people!) Both freebies are for the crafter readers, and both are for great handbags! They are brought to you, once again, by Knitting Daily. :-)

The first bag, pictured left, is for those who love to crochet; the pattern and instructions can be downloaded here. The second pattern is for a knitted market bag, although it would be great for lugging all sorts of things: books, yarn, or that bunch of bananas; the pattern and instructions here.

We're miraculously pretty caught up on our housework, so tomorrow we're sorting through wardrobes one last time before heading to our local charity shop to drop off our donations. Then I intend to divide the rest of my free time between my own various craft projects (MUST block and sew up that hot pink cardigan, which I finished knitting a month ago) and playing in the kitchen. :-)

Have a GREAT weekend, everyone!

colors of fall

The Wild Swans at Coole
by W. B. Yeats

The trees are in their autumn beauty,
The woodlands paths are dry,
Under the October twilight the water
Mirrors a still sky;
Upon the brimming water among the stones
Are nine-and-fifty swans.

The nineteenth autumn has come upon me
Since I first made my count;
I saw, before I had well finished,
All suddenly mount
And scatter wheeling in great broken rings
Upon their clamorous wings.

I have looked upon those brilliant creatures,
And now my heart is sore.
All's changed since I, hearing at twilight,
The first time on this shore
The bell-beat of their wings above my head,
Trod with a lighter tread.

Unwearied still, lover by lover,
They paddle in the cold
Companionable streams or climb the air;
Their hearts have not grown old;
Passion or conquest, wander where they will,
Attend upon them still.

But now they drift on the still water,
Mysterious, beautiful;
Among what rushes will they build,
By what lake's edge or pool
Delight men's eyes when I awake some day
To find they have flown away?

Painting is Still Life with Oranges by Paul Gauguin.