Halloween chalk board art

Catch some Z's

Y is for YOUR dreams

I tend to think of other people a lot. Sometimes I think of them too much and forget to take care of myself. Recently I had an opportunity come up and I almost let it pass because I was thinking about caring for everyone else except myself. 

Here is to all you dreamers: 

X is for

W will make you smile!

V is for Vision

This is an old Japanese proverb and I think it works wonderfully for the letter V. 

 

U is for Unique

Celebrate the unique things in life!

T is for Thankful

Today i was reminded how thankful I am for amazing friends. So today's letter is dedicated to my friends! 

Spring Will Come!

S is for Spring. With the weather we've had in the Midwest this year it doesn't feel like it will ever be here but this phrase makes me smile a renews my assurance that Spring will come. 

R is for Rain

Because this is today's weather.....

Q is for Quinoa

Do you love Quinoa? Have you ever given it a try. I discovered it a few years ago after going gluten free. I was looking for an alternative to rice and was pleasantly surprised at how good Quinoa is and also the variety of flavors it offers. Plus, the nutritional value makes it well worth it!

History of Quinoa: Pronounced KEEN-wah, this seed has been called the "mother grain" and "the gold of the Incas." Cultivated in the Andes for over thousands of years, it is used in much the same way as other whole grains. White, red and black are the three types of quinoa most commonly found in grocery stores today.

Nutrition: Rich in iron, magnesium and fiber, quinoa is also unusually high in protein. One cup of cooked quinoa contains approximately eight grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per cup. Containing all nine essential amino acids needed by the body, it is considered to be a “complete” vegetarian protein. It has a pleasant, nutty taste that goes well in place of other healthy grains in recipes.

How to Cook Quinoa: Cooking Quinoa is much like cooking rice. Wash the seeds in a strainer to remove the seed’s outer coating and natural bitterness before cooking. Drain well.

Use 1 cup of dry quinoa and approximately 2 cups of water or broth. This will yield about 3 cups of cooked quinoa. Begin by heating a saucepan with a little olive oil. Add the quinoa and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute to toast the seeds, letting the water evaporate.

I love to add some chicken broth and or fresh spices like rosemary from my garden or add some other herbs for a little flavor. Add the water (or broth) and seasonings and bring to a full, rolling boil. Lower the heat to lowest setting, cover, and cook for about 15-20 minutes. Turn off cooktop, remove pot from heat and let stand five minutes. Fluff and serve!

Try this mango quinoa salad. It is phenomenal!

P is for Pinterest

"O"

One of my favorite Dr. Suess books....

I've seen some very creative uses of this book. Specifically a parent having a school teacher from each year sign it with a message and present it to the child on their graduation day. To see more on this idea check out this website.

N is for Never Give Up.

M is for Mom

Watching my daughter grow up and learn new thongs each day is one of the best parts of pattering. One of her new skills is being able to write words. So she write today's word, Mom. 

Todays word us dedicated to all the moms who make life so great for their kids. 

L is for Love

Kindness

Just because ....

Practicing one of the new chalkboard fonts that I found on Pinterest.

Going For the Gold!

I am the first to admit that I am an Olympic nerd. To honor of the fact that the Olympic Opening Ceremony is this weekend my Abc project for the letter G says:

 #goforthegold    #teamusa

So to honor the Olympics I also created  an Olympic themed craft.

Supplies:
Orange and yellow construction paper
Paper towel tube
Aluminum Foil

Find the width of the tube and then sketch a flame about 4 to 5 inches tall.

Cut and glue the flames together.

Place the tube in a 12 inch piece of foil and roll it up.

Tuck the bottom end into the tube. Leave the top end open.

Add the flame to the top. Tape or glue if you want to secure it.

Ready for the opening ceremonies!

Laughter is the best medicine

Today I get I share something that has given me many grins, lots of giggles, and a few laugh out loud moments.

I LOVE to read the e-cards on Pinterest. 

Since my last post was about my dogs I'll start with one of my favorite all time e-cards:

Sometimes it is refreshing to read, in print, the thoughts that I have in my head but never want to say out loud.

Sometimes I read it, smile, and say "That is so true!"

Other times all I can do is laugh.

Occasionally they are a bit rude.

This card pretty much sums them up:

No matter how inappropriate they are I still read they whenever I see them because everyone knows "laughter is the best medicine" and if this is what is going to make me laugh today..…. 

Laugh on my friends!