Seek the Wonder

Greetings all!

"Sometimes we are so focused on seeking the beauty of big things that we lose sight of the wonder that hides in small things," said Barbara Prina, one of the finalists in Agora’s #Animals2020 competition in late August.

I loved this reminder to seek the wonder that hides in things big and small.

Agora, a free photography app, had a contest to show that "all living beings are on Earth for a reason" and to celebrate “the wonder of our natural world" - and the photographs submitted from all over the world are just amazing! Below are some of them. 

Winner: "Iguana" by Martin, shot in Indonesia

"Baby monkey" by Prabu Dennaga, shot in Indonesia

"Curious seal" by Pete Xu, shot in Canada

"Family" by Manny Librodo, shot in Thailand

"Fierce" by @pitokung, shot in Indonesia

"Focused" by Leo Wies, shot in Germany

"Friends" by Barbara Prina, shot in Botswana

"Icelandic" by Subhash Panikar, shot in Iceland

"Little Tiger" by Huang Di, shot in China

"Mother Bekantan" by Irawan Subingar, shot in Indonesia

"Motherlove" by Patricia Ortega Olmos, shot in Australia

"Puffin Close Up" by Heather Bulley, shot in Wales

See more photos here: https://www.insider.com/animal-photos-taken-around-the-globe-2020-11?amp

Drop me a line and let me know which one was your favorite!

"No One Cares. Why Should You?"

Greetings all!

Do you enjoy housework? You usually see results immediately so you feel accomplished, and some cleaning chores might feel relaxing or meditative. But do you enjoy these chores?

A clean house does spark joy for me – but cleaning itself? Not so much! One of my favorite quotes on housework is by Erma Bombeck:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/504895808195252924/

Take dusting, for instance – it is a war we cannot win. Have you noticed that dust never takes a break, goes on vacation, or follows self-isolation rules? Also what about the color of dust? I actually googled why dust is grey, and guess what – we humans are shedding. Dust is us, well, our skin. Wouldn’t it be better if it at least sparkled?

https://veryfunnypics.eu/fun/housework/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/334673816031565972/

https://veryfunnypics.eu/fun/housework/

As I was contemplating the nature of dust - and yes, I could clean and think at the same time, but why multitask? - I came across a fun cleaning personality quiz.  My results were very accurate and I took them to heart. Instead of dusting, I decided to write this post and hopefully brighten your day a little!

You would rather be dancing around your living room than actually spending time cleaning it. Why would you clean when there are so many more meaningful things to do with your time?

Take the quiz here: https://www.buzzfeed.com/swiffercanada/cleaning-personality-quiz

Drop me a line and let me know how you deal with housework!

“I got the blues…”

Greetings all!

What do you do if you are feeling stuck? Or feeling blue? These past months have been challenging for everyone, to say the least. Physically, we have been stuck at home, but we have also been stuck emotionally - filled with uncertainty and anxiety. Our plans, too, have been stuck in COVID limbo. 

So how do we get unstuck? How do we find energy and motivation and hope to snap out of feeling blue and start venturing out both physically and emotionally? 

Image from https://pixy.org/5748359/

Sometimes we might need something profound to help us snap out of it but sometimes all we need to feel unstuck is just to do something, no matter how small! 

Just get up and start moving - make a list, have a snack, read a recipe, watch a funny video, work on a puzzle, go for a walk, call a friend, meditate, write in your journal, have a cup of tea, make some marmalade, or comment on my blog (mark your comment "private" if you do not want it published)...

This quote by D.H Lawrence always perks me up and makes me smile!

“I got the blues thinking of the future, so I left off and made some marmalade. It's amazing how it cheers one up to shred orange and scrub the floor.”

Have a great week and drop me a line!

5-Ingredient Carnitas Soup

Greetings all!

As the days are becoming cooler, I am starting to make more soups. Here is one of my favorite soups - delicious, quick and easy!

You can make it in a regular pot, Instant Pot, or Slow Cooker. Just combine everything and cook until the potatoes are nice and tender. Read on for details!

Image and recipe from 

https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/5-ingredient-carnitas-soup/

My super-lazy variation:

• 3-4 large potatoes
• 2 cups (400 g) of cooked carnitas
• 1-2 cups (12-16 oz) any salsa
• Water to cover other ingredients + a bit of extra
• Your favorite spices 
• Cilantro to serve

Original recipe:

• 6 cups chicken stock
• 1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, diced
• 3–4 cups carnitas
• 2 cups (16 ounces) salsa verde 
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• optional toppings: fresh arugula, chopped fresh cilantro, sliced avocado, sliced jalapeños (or serranos) and/or grated pepperjack cheese

Instructions:

Stovetop Method: Add chicken stock, potatoes, carnitas, salsa verde and cumin to a large stockpot, and stir to combine.  Heat over medium-high heat until boiling, then cover and reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for at least 10 minutes or until the potatoes are fork-tender.  Taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed. Serve warm with desired toppings.

Slow Cooker Method: Add chicken stock, potatoes, carnitas, salsa verde and cumin to a slow cooker, and stir to combine.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours.  Taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed. Serve warm with desired toppings.

Instant Pot Method: Add chicken stock, potatoes, carnitas, salsa verde and cumin to an Instant Pot pressure cooker, and stir to combine.  Close lid securely and set vent to “Sealing”.  Press “Manual”, then press “Pressure” until the light on “High Pressure” lights up, then adjust the +/- buttons until time reads 8 minutes. Cook.  Once the soup has cooked, very carefully turn the vent to “Venting” for quick release, and wait until all of the steam has released and the valve has dropped.  Remove the lid. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed. Serve warm with desired toppings.

Bon Appetit! Let me know how you like it!

Smart Phone - Dumb User

Greetings all!

Isn’t technology marvelous these days? As I find myself in need of a new phone, I can’t help but be amazed at how many cell phones are available, with various exciting and confusing features.

Image from 

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/516999232193943432/?nic_v2=1a2vzSgwW

What really I want is a phone that will also cook and clean and fold my laundry but so far all I can find is articles and videos and apps that tell me how to do all these tasks myself. I am optimistic though! It seems we have to change phones every 2-3 years so who knows where technology will take us in the near future. 

A smart phone has access to more facts, tips, and data (and much much more) than what is in an average human brain. Is humanity losing the battle of smart phones vs. smart humans? As you ponder this question, I would like to share this humorous poem by Rick W. Cotton:

My new phone is "smart." I guess that I'm not.
Amazing what all this here smart phone has got.
TV and Weather and Internet, too.
There's just no limits to what it can do.

Check my blood pressure and my temperature
Without even probing all my apertures.
I now know the time in Paris or Greece.
I can track the migration of thousands of geese
Or find Chinese food; it's here on this map.
Oops, my finger just slipped, now where was that at?

A camera...a CAMERA! Now I can take shots
Of everyone I know (who'd rather I not).
Push this here button and take me a "selfie."
(If it had a nose would this thing take a "smellfie"?)
Email to pester with, video to shoot,
Maps to drive 'round with, wow that's a hoot!

A compass to guide me home if I'm lost.
Thank God work paid for this thing (what it COSTS!).
The things that it does would amaze Mr. Bell.
What he would have thought of it, no one can tell,

But one question's still stuck in my middle-aged craw.
Despite all the gizmos that strike me with awe,
They're fun and they're useful and "techy" and all
...But how do I just simply make a phone call?

Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/smart-phone-dumb-user

What did you think? Drop me a line!

Adorable Pet Halloween Costumes

Greetings all!

I would like to ask my readers who own pets - will you be dressing up your pet for Halloween? 

Here are some adorable costumes that put a smile on my face!  

Photo: Amazon OMG Adorables Cat Lion Mane

Photo: Amazon California Costumes Pet UPS Pal Dog Costume

Photo: Amazon Idepet Pirate Cat and Dog Costume

Photo: Petsmart Thrills & Chills Guinea Pig Lobster Halloween Costume

Photo: Chewy Frisco Shark Attack Dog & Cat Costume

Photo: Chewy Frisco Stegosaurus Dinosaur Dog & Cat Costume

See additional costumes here: https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/07/cnn-underscored/pet-halloween-costumes/index.html

Drop me a line and let me know which one was your favorite and whether your pet enjoys being dressed up!

Thought of the week - Decision

Greetings all!

Here is an inspiring thought for the upcoming week (from http://www.deeshan.com). 

Be yourself!