A reminder

Twice in the past 3 hours I was reminded how petty my complaints and worries are.  Buck up, Alicia.  It could be far far worse.  Be grateful for what you do have, the time you did have, and for the uncertain future.  

Instructions for living a life:  Pay attention.  Be astonished.  Tell about it.

~ Mary Oliver

Apparently it's me

These are the carrots I planted inside in March/April, then planted outside in May.  When my whole garden died?  These are the only things that survived.  I just harvested them, with 5 months of growth.  I'm pretty sure something is wrong with my soil.

Be confident in the skin you are in, because that is the only body you will ever have, the only place that will ever be solely yours.  Even if you will never be as skinny as those supermodels, or the beauty who makes everyone stare, you can be beautiful in your own way.  And you have to accept that, and own it.
~ Deejae Harper

Atticus

Atticus has a big lump starting on the right side of his ribs.  We go see the vet on Wednesday.  :/

This is his stop-taking-my-picture-face.  

My mood kinda plummeted.  I don't feel like talking right now.

It is better to drink of deep griefs than to taste shallow pleasures.
~ William Hazlitt

Amid the week of dayshift

Beat

I could tell you all the details of my weekend, of my last night, of my day today, of going from graveyard to dayshift, of getting less than 3 hours of sleep, etc etc etc.

Instead, I will just say....I am beat.

Drinking my dinner.  No, that's not rootbeer.  It's me, unable to properly pour a spire dark.

Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don't wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it's at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored. 
~E. Nightingale

The heart

I was driving home today, deep in thought, and something my wise friend Virginia said once popped into my head...."The heart wants what it wants."

I'm thinking of setting aside all the good-intentioned advice from friends, and follow my heart for a little.  I'm wondering where exactly it will lead.

Every girl needs some farmers market flowers.  And fruit.  And cheese....

The soul always knows what to do to heal itself.  The challenge is to silence the mind.
~ Caroline Myss

I haven't talked about food in awhile

Although I haven't talked about it, I've been making it.  Sans photos, mostly, but here's a recent recipe round-up...

Pumpkin Pie Roasted Almonds.  This recipe had an added side affect of making my entire house smell like fall.

Spicy Miso Dipped Tempeh.  I really hate tofu, but I really love tempeh.  I buy the multi-grain version at Trader Joe's.  It's my way of saving a chicken.  Also, I really don't like to handle raw meat.

Raw Peanut  Butter Pie.  Everyone at work who tried it went from skeptical to appreciative.  So apparently it tastes much better than it looks.  

Both Beet Hummus & Black Bean Hummus.  I'm pretty sure I just don't like beets.  Even in hummus.  But it makes a good sandwich filler.

Coconut Tempeh with Mango Honey Dipping Sauce.  Yeah, the recipe calls for chicken but I've already discussed my thoughts on chicken.  Still tastes awesome with tempeh.

And my crowning glory....Stuffed soft pretzels.

I made one batch stuffed with spinach, artichoke, bacon, and cheese, and the second batch stuffed with bacon and cheese.  These were gobbled up by even my most skeptical coworkers, and I brought none home.  A lot of work, but overall not so bad.  

With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.

~ William Shakespeare