by Krista | Feb 5, 2010 | Fabulous Friday
Waaaaay back in December 2009 I read a New Year post by the lovely El over at Fresh New England. She was reflecting on things she’d learned over the last year. Reading through her list I felt alternately teary, affirmed and cheered. When I shared it with a couple of friends I was visiting with online, I had to chuckle because all three of us immediately printed out the list and propped it up on our desks. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked at it over the past month and or two.
It’s such a simple list, and maybe that’s where the magic lies.
For me, being in a cult for seven years left deep scars and a mind chock full of false guilt, fear, and a habit of always thinking the worst of myself. Reading #1 on her list startled me:
1. Never, ever put yourself down. Ever. And don’t let anyone else do it either.
I thought, “Can I really do that? Am I ALLOWED to do that?” Turns out I can, and I am. 🙂 I’ve spent the last while discovering the joy of being kind, gentle and patient with myself. The cult taught me that I should die to myself, crucify myself, suppress myself in favor of what my authorities told me was right and acceptable. They told me there was nothing good in me, credited others with any right I did do, and taught me to always look for ways to give up my rights and die to my dreams, hopes and expectations. They warned that any other behavior would result in me becoming prideful, self-centered and arrogant.
The opposite has happened.
I have never felt so gracious, loving and accepting of others. It has freed me up to see us as we ARE, in all our lovely frailty and strength, beauty and ugliness, wisdom and silliness. I’m no longer afraid or ashamed of myself. When I do something wrong or foolish, I don’t berate myself or wallow in self-loathing, I simply acknowledge it, apologize if necessary, and press on with hope, joy and greater understanding.When someone praises me for something, I can now say THANK YOU with a free and happy heart instead of looking for ways to put myself down or deflect the praise to someone else. I can listen to the hopes and dreams of my dear ones and support them fully, even if I don’t understand or agree, simply because we are all on a journey and have the right to try new things, make whopping mistakes, and putter along as best we can.
I hardly got past #1 when #2 popped up:
2. Every week, plan at least one activity that you’ll look forward to.
I LOVE this! 🙂 I’ve always tried to do at least one happy thing a day, but I love the notion of PLANNING jolly things, giving myself something to anticipate, especially when times are rough.
I’m poor as a churchmouse these days, maybe worse :-), but that hasn’t stopped me from planning at least one happy thing a week. Sometimes it’s very, very simple (and cheap!): looking through old Victoria magazines, setting aside two hours to talk with a dear friend, or having a slumber party with my goddaughters and letting them plaster my face with make-up and tell me I’m “so beautiful, honey dear”. 🙂
Sometimes it’s just Danish pastries on a Saturday morning while having coffee with my parents and grandies.
Or making scones slathered with lemon curd and piled with Devonshire cream and fresh berries for tea and a good ol’ chin wag with a friend.
One day my friend Stacey and I decided we HAD to see snow (she was visiting from Texas, so this was important!). We got in my car and drove up into the mountains and it started snowing!! We cheered and hollered and got soaked and loved every minute of it.
This weekend I get to watch Foyle’s War with my pals, Toby and Mike, have my goddaughters and their parents/my friends over for Sunday dinner, and watch the Super Bowl with friends at my folks’ house. So much happiness in one little weekend. 🙂
I’m sure El had no idea the impact her simple list would have, but it watered good changes in this girl’s heart and brought much, much joy. 🙂
So, dear ones, what happy thing are you going to do this weekend?
by Krista | Feb 4, 2010 | Plucky Thursday
It was a dark and stormy afternoon – we have those now and then in Washington. 🙂 I got home on lunch break, pulled up the shades to let a bit of light in and there were snowflakes! Stuck there by my roommmate Robyn. 🙂 Aren’t they cheery?
I’ve been bed-ridden so much lately that I simply had to post some pictures of my beautiful Washington. Just looking at them makes me FEEL like I’ve been out and about. 🙂
Dairy country. That’s Mount Baker off in the distance
Nooksack River
Nooksack Falls
Sigh. I feel better already. 🙂
Sometimes in the middle of winter I crave summer. I know you couldn’t tell from all the hot, sunny photos I’ve been posting lately. 🙂 Well, I’ve also been craving summery foods, light, bright and packed with flavor. Like this noodle salad.
I picked up some lovely mung bean noodles – something I’d never cooked with before.
I love how they go all glassy and silvery when they’re cooked.
I added scallions…
…cilantro…
…plump mandarin orange segments…
…and some thinly sliced yellow bell pepper, then made a quick vinaigrette of freshly squeezed lime and orange juices, sesame oil and a bit of kosher salt and pepper.
It suited my craving beautifully. 🙂
by Krista | Feb 3, 2010 | Bits 'n' Bobs
After a long week of illness, I’m finally perking up. Hooray! Just in time for sunshine too. 🙂 Thanks to a chiropractor appointment and some good pain pills I was able to sit outside yesterday with juice, quilt and a good book, soaking up healing rays and fresh air.
I’m reading “The Rose Cafe” reveling in vivid descriptions of the sun-drenched, intrigue-laden Corsica of the 1960’s.
Today I go back to work and my lunches are light and healthy. The first came about when, in my groggy state, I thought I was making a pot of millet porridge and ended up with quinoa. 🙂 Thankfully I had some perfect additions on hand to make a delicious salad. I tossed the quinoa with pesto then added quartered artichoke hearts and thinly sliced red and yellow bell pepper.
The second dish was beautifully simple. I had chilled polenta in the fridge, so I sliced it, fried it in a bit of olive oil with a sprinkling of kosher salt, spooned on a savory blend of mascarpone, chevre and green onion and topped it with marinated roasted bell peppers.
Now I must juice oranges and grapefruit, mix plain yogurt with apple sauce, vanilla and mandarin oranges, brew my tea and head to work. Hope you have a beautiful Wednesday! 🙂
Fried Polenta with Savory Cheese and Roasted Peppers
Ingredients:
10 slices chilled polenta
olive oil
kosher salt
1/4 cup (2 ounces) mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup (2 ounces) goat cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh chives
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 jar roasted marinated red or yellow peppers
Directions:
- Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Place polenta slices in pan, sprinkle with kosher salt, and fry until golden on each side.
- Mix cheeses with chives, pepper and salt.
- Dice peppers.
- Place slices of polenta on platter, spoon 1-2 tsp cheese mixture on each piece and top with bell pepper.
by Krista | Feb 2, 2010 | Spring
After our relaxing and beautiful first day in Greece, we slept soundly and awoke to another brilliantly sunny day.
We headed down to the hotel dining area, found sunny seats on the terrace and tucked into a hearty breakfast of strong coffee, yogurt with fruit and grains, Spanikopita, deviled eggs, sausages, tomatoes and cucumber.
With water bottles in hand we set out to explore the Old Town of Corfu, particularly the Old and New Forts. On our way we found a splendid outdoor market filled with artichokes, lettuces, olives, fresh fish and grapes.
I walked through dreaming of all the wonderful meals I could make with these amazing ingredients. There’s nothing quite like a farmer’s market to get the creative juices flowing!
We emerged into the blazing hot sunshine ready to tread the cobbled walkways and tunnels of the Old Fort.
The view from the fort was worth the trek up, and the breezes off the coast were deliciously cool.
Then it was time to head back through the Old Town for lunch, shopping and delighting in the shaded streets.
I love this classy restroom sign
Next week I’ll share with you our lovely lunch in Old Town Corfu. 🙂
by Krista | Feb 1, 2010 | Bootstrap Monday
I have been called Anne of Green Gables my entire life, with the occasional Pollyanna along the way. I was honored by the Anne bit because she was my absolute hero as a girl, but I found the Pollyanna label was usually intended as a put down, a reference to my determined nature to find something good in everything. For a while there I was embarrassed and tried to harden myself and develop such charming qualities as pessimism and sarcasm. Neither sat well with me and I finally realized that being a Pollyanna is not such a bad thing after all, so long as I use it to highlight reality, not escape from it.
Today I’m going to subject you to a bit of Pollyanna-ish-ness. 🙂 I’ve been in so much physical pain the last couple of days that even my normally sunny nature disappeared in blinding headaches and tears of distress, and it’s time to bring her back. 🙂 While the pain was real, so too were the lovely bits, the shining little moments of happiness and delight that I’m very, very grateful for.
An absolutely wonderful visit with my rellies visiting from Canada! We met Saturday morning at my folks’ house for a fabulous brunch: fried potatoes and sausage, scrambled eggs, toast with peanut butter and jelly, and coffee. Delish! Then we were off to town for a few hours of treasure hunting in our favorite thrift and deal stores. I was so happy to find my favorite tea on sale for only $2 a box!
At the thrift store I found two darling sundresses, a funky pair of new fuchsia snakeskin flats, and a totally glam cocktail ring that cheers my heart every time I look at it. 🙂 We had such good visits and laughs and parted with big hugs and promises to see each other again soon. 🙂
That night my phone rang and it was my brother Evan who is deployed in the Middle East!! YAY! He got this handy-dandy thing called a Magic Jack that allows him to have an American cell phone number for us to call free any time. He never fails to encourage and inspire me, making me laugh AND feel like I can take on the
world. 🙂
I found an oh so cheery primrose to take home for only 99 cents! 🙂
I was able to finish a good book, play Scrabble on Facebook with my friend Tabby, have great phone chats with a dear friend, and last night I was well enough to get up and make some yummy food for the week.
I juiced apples, poured the liquid into a glass and laughed because it looked just like beer.
I gathered garlic, parsley, black pepper and diced butternut squash, tossed them all together with a bit of flour and a few glugs of olive oil and slow-roasted them for two-hours. Wow – the smell was amazing and the sweet, garlicky chunks melted into a savory gratin with a toasted crust.
I collected all the leftover bits and bobs from my fridge and made a lovely Black Bean Sausage Soup with tomatoes, cilantro, lime, green pepper, green onion, garlic and smoked sausage. Mmm. 🙂
So, I’m counting my blessings today and counting down the hours to the chiropractor tomorrow! 🙂
Happy Monday, dear ones! 🙂
_logo.svg){kind=logo}
