Another Success

Thursday night the Alexander Gallery at Clackamas Community College held an artist's reception for Morgan's latest works. The exhibit is titled "Childhood Telemania" and is a statement about children and television. There was quite a turnout. Of course, the free food made sure the college kids came around to look. Earlier in the day, Morgan addressed one of the painting classes at the college and gave them a guided tour of the exhibit.
No matter how old they get, I'm still a proud mom.

Winning!!

See that little gipper in the sailor cap? He just published his first book! I couldn't be more proud, I sure hope he is.
Get it while they're hot, cuz they are flying off the shelf! The book can be purchased at Reading Frenzy, Amazon or Buyolympia.

The book is Heart Beats by Alex Buck

Summer!

Well, here it is July 29th. Another summer day of rain, temp in the high 60's and no real summer in sight. My vacation was plagued by torrential rain came down three days in a row. Where on the upper west coast can you always count on sweaty, dry, blazing sun? Redding California! Except when I choose the area for a vacation I've needed for 8 mos.
We ended up at Mt.Shasta City. Now there's a cute little town. Weather was perfect and we even got some hiking in.
I try to have fun no matter where I go. we had one small casualty during this vacation....we threw our tent in the garbage. When do you get too old to camp in the rain?

Optimism

I don't always address the Postitive Thought aspects of my blog, but today seems like a good time to reinforce the power of positive thinking. The world is very chaotic right now. Bad things are happening to good people. How do we get through the day?
The Optimist's Creed is a 100 year old mantra, written by one of the first New Age thinkers. Believing the best in everybody and himself, he wrote these words as a way to help people remember the good, despite the bad.



Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature you meet.

To give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud word, but in great deeds.

To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side, so long as you are true to the best that is in you.
~Christan D. Larson

The world is on our side.

Post Vacation Reality Check

After a carefree, relaxing vacation in my favorite Casa in Sayulita, Nayurit, unfortunately, I'm returning to reality. Gained poundage, work piled up at work, no groceries in the house and dirty laundry. Yippee!! One week out---caught up on laundry and work stuff, groceries in the house and day 6 of Atkins induction. Biggest thrill--day 6 of Atkins induction. It's always hard, but somehow, having eaten and/or drunken, whatever I wanted to on my vacation, I haven't felt the sense of deprivation I have in the past. Let the weight loss begin.

Mexico!

Countdown to the vacation. We will be going back to our favorite haunt later this month. Not only do I need a break, a little sun would be nice since I just looked out the window and it's snowing. Sayulita is a little fishing village located about an hour north of Puerto Vallarta. We will land in PV and take a cab to Casa Sorpresa, two blocks from the beach. Most likely, after unpacking, we will mix our first pitcher of Margaritas and let the vacation begin. Fishing for dorado, of course. This will provide us with many meals during our stay. Fortunately for me, I will be bringing two chefs to cook for me during the week. I will be the maid. Shorts, t-shirts and swimming suits will be the daily fashion statement. Coincidentally, our local foodie magazine posted an article on some of our favorite eating places in Sayulita. I can hardly wait.
Adios!

One of my new favorite hors d oeuvres!

I am not 100% in to cooking like a lot of my peers. However, when I am asked to make something, I do like to make something worthwhile.
This recipe was shown to me by my cousin who is a professional chef. It is right up my alley because it is so simple, easy and tasty. You can also experiment with other cheeses to stuff the peppers with.
Start out with some marinated peppadew piquant peppers. You can purchase these at any of the higher end antipasto bars in the local supermarket. They can also be found in jars, but the supermarket ones are a little better. Use goat cheese to stuff the peppadew. That's all there is to it! You will be so surprised how good these are and how well they go over at a party. I've also stuffed them with olives, also very good.
Bon Appetit!!