Gratitude Journal Monday

Lilana Slater from Google via Pinterest

Happy Labor Day, America! It's Gratitude Journal Monday and today's declarations are dedicated to those people contributing to the social and economic worth of our country - 
the backbone of America!

41. I am grateful for all the shift work people that keep our factory machines humming day and night, 7-3, 3-11, 11-7.

42. I am grateful for all the office workers that keep a place operating smoothly while putting out daily fires.

43. I am grateful for all the transportation workers that distribute what we need across county lines or across state lines.

44. I am grateful for all our services providers that protect us and keep us out of harms way, teach our children, and clean up our trash, and the labor force that supports those efforts.

45. I am grateful for all the innovators, entrepreneurs, and business leaders whose visions and dreams, when brought forth, keep America working and earning.

Rest up, tomorrow is coming so we can do it all over again! 

What are your plans for Labor Day?

Goodbye Week. Hello Weekend. Lessons Learned: Take 10.

Go see the Gnome and Garden exhibit.

Goodbye long, sweet summer days of August.
Goodbye South Beach diet I really tried to follow.
Goodbye traffic-free week of driving to school - finally figured out the right time to leave.
Goodbye quiet in the house since trumpet practice is expected daily.
Goodbye most precious lunch with my Babi (grandmother); we'll have to do it again soon.

Hello cool days of September.
Hello amateur golf tournament.
Hello pasta party (now you see why South Beach diet didn't work for me).
Hello breaking bread with new friends (do I have to mention South Beach?).

Lilana Slater via  Danielle Mogstad

on Pinterest

Hello 3-day weekend; Happy Labor Day, everybody.

This week I learned happiness is contagious. Affect somebody today with your positive attitude. Don't infect them with negativity. Go about your day smiling and people will react positively to you. Try it!

What are you saying hello to this long, holiday weekend?

Going Local: Holden Arboretum

Gnome Improvement

Are you looking for a way to squeeze one more drop out of summer before hibernating under bed covers wrapped in a wool sweater sipping cocoa so warm you can feel the smooth chocolate flowing down your throat? Not ready for that yet, huh? Then gather up a picnic basket, pile the family into the people transporter, and head towards the lake (that's North). Holden Arboretum is a sanctuary of peace and tranquility to me. It is my ultimate most favorite place in the world. When you go, you'll know what I mean (the Rhododendron Garden is my favorite area). While there, plan to tour their current exhibit: Gnome and Garden. Gnomes as high as five feet tall were given to regional artists who used these statues as blank canvases of whimsy to create their own unique take on these magical protectors of our gardens. Holden Arboretum has great activities for the kids relating to the featured gnomes if you're interested, as well.

Gerome, the Recycled Gnome

Candy Gnome - son attempting to lick

Krazy Kubist Knome

Down the Rabbit Hole - a favorite

Favorite Spot in All of Holden

We grabbed some cream sodas, slapped together some turkey sandwiches, made a yummy Roasted Tomato and Olive Salad and hightailed it to search out the gnomes, all 20 of them scattered along the one-mile trail. I want to show you photos of all the gnomes but I don't want to ruin it for you. It's so much fun to be walking along the path, then suddenly, in the distance, you see this huge gnome. My heart went a-flutter after each glimpse of a new gnome discovery!

We practically had the park all to ourselves because we we're allowed to be there after-hours since we're members (I highly recommend this investment).

The Gnome and Garden exhibit runs only through September 25th. I hope you capture some of the whimsy and magic these gnomes have to offer and carry it with you through winter and into spring, when you can enjoy the gardens once again.

There is a fee to enter the park unless you are a member. At only $50 per year we are Maple members of Holden Arboretum so we get free admission and admittance to the park after-hours. The place is open year-round with seasonal activities to enjoy (love the snow-shoeing program). Imagine, the beauty of this preserved land for you to enjoy practically all to yourself! For more information about entrance fees, hours, directions, or membership, click here.


Do you have a gnome in your garden?

Head Versus Heart: Heart Wins

Weighing my decision: head or heart?

You know that feeling in the pit of your stomach that says you shouldn't do what your head is telling you to do? Well, my head and my stomach have been battling it out now for months. If you are a naturalized citizen to the blogging world you may have heard of a little weekly feature entitled What I Wore Wednesday, or WIWW. It all started with Lindsey from The Pleated Poppy. She is a homeschooling mom of three kiddos, very busy with her handmade items shop, and is a blogger extraordinaire. She started WIWW to hold herself accountable to not allowing PJ's as a wardrobe choice day in and day out. Many, many people link up with Lindsey's site and participate. I'm talking A. LOT. of people! The people participating to WIWW take pictures of themselves in the clothes they wore throughout the week and post on their own blogs, again, to hold themselves accountable in actually getting out of yoga pants when not actually attending a yoga class.

Now, I will admit, I never miss a Wednesday on Lindsey's blog, but only as a casual observer, never a participant. I am a fan of WIWW and if it helps people, then all the better. Here's where my head and my heart are playing tug-of-war. Participation in WIWW would probably yield a lot more visits to my own site. That's a good thing (head talking here)! Participation in WIWW makes me uncomfortable if I had to take pictures of myself and what I was wearing (heart talking screaming here)! I don't know, maybe it's a California* versus Mid-West thing? I'm not sure. I do not feel this way in the least bit viewing everyone else's WIWW posts because I know it's all in fun and helps serve a purpose. But frankly, for me, I feel I don't have to hold myself accountable in choosing Capri's over sweats each day. And, when it is a sweats day, I don't sweat it. I love you Lindsey, I really do. And, I'll keep tuning in each Wednesday for WIWW. But, I just can't bring myself to do it on my own blog - sorry. I have to listen to my heart and be at peace to be happy. I know you'll understand and not hold it against me all you die hard WIWW contributors.


Did you think I was going to let it rest and blog off into the sunset? Nooooo!


So, here's what I've decided to do. I love the fact that people link up and share so I've decided to introduce my own version of WIWW in a way where I'd be most comfortable and, also what I would find most interesting to me. I'd like to be accountable for constant creativity. I hope you agree.

Are you ready? 

Wait for it, wait for it...

Don't you love it? I want to know what creative people out there are making every week!!! It can be a craft project, it can be a new recipe that turned out dee-lish, it can be a handmade product you sell, anything you want it to be as long as it was made with your own two hands (or your children's of course). I'll be getting a linky tool soon to make linking up really easy for everyone so hold tight, I'm working on it. I am so going to enjoy viewing every one's creativity each and every Wednesday on W.I.M. Wednesday!


So, here's my first installment. It's a recipe I made during the summer that was absolutely flavorful and portable since it accompanied us on so many picnics. I hope you enjoy it!

Roasted Tomato and Olive Salad

inspired by BH&G recipe, August 2011
 

What You'll Need
2 packages cherry or grape tomatoes, wash and pat dry
3 cups Italian bread torn into bite-size pieces
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives
1/4 cup green olives or any other olive you like - my grocery store has a great olive bar where I purchased green olives stuffed with feta cheese
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 baking sheets
1 large bowl for mixing and combining

What You'll Do
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees and position one of the oven racks to upper third of oven
- Arrange tomatoes on one baking sheet in a single layer
- Place torn bread in large bowl and drizzle 3 Tbsp. olive oil over bread and toss to coat
- Place oiled bread on second baking sheet in a single layer
- Roast tomatoes on upper rack and bread sheet on lower rack for 20 to 25 minutes
- Stir once, check often as to not burn the bread
- In a large bowl whisk to combine remaining 2 Tbsp. olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper
- Add to bowl the roasted tomatoes, toasted bread, and all olives

What You'll Need to Know to Finish
Toss the combination of ingredients gently in the mixing bowl and transfer to a serving bowl or storage bowl if heading out to a picnic. If you are watching your carbs simply omit the torn pieces of bread.


I'll have a Linky Tool soon so get working on your creations to share with the world! I can't wait for more W.I.M. Wednesdays, interested?

*Two bloggers I follow like a religion are both from California: Lindsey and Lisa Leonard - both participate in WIWW and I love their posts. Like I said, love seeing others, just can't bring myself to do it. Love you guys - xoxoxox

Learning from Children

One week ago today my son started 4th grade at a new school. He entered the school as a new student knowing practically no one. My son left behind buddies he's known since kindergarten to start a new journey. We're sacrificing a lot for my son to one day graduate from the same school my husband graduated from years ago. Aside from the financial sacrifice, I know I won't get pity because it is our choice every day I drive my son to school and pick him up, totaling 2 hours each day. Everyday during that drive we talk and talk and talk. I want to make sure he's handling the transition well. What I've discovered is how much my son has taught me about facing change and not being fearful of something new, even when you enter it alone. I know he's never really "alone" but since we're not glued to his hip while he's at school, we can only support him through telepathy at best during the day. 

His courage this past week is commendable and yet, completely expected if you know my son. He never shows his fear and he takes a positive perspective on the unexpected. I want to declare my admiration for his bravery and unyielding sense of adventure. I am so proud of his fearless spirit and, if I work at it, maybe I'll grow up to be more like my son someday.

 


My son's school had a ribbon cutting ceremony before school started for the new Early Childhood Learning Center (grades PreK to Kindergarten) that they renovated during the summer. To help introduce him to other students, I had my son participate in the choir singing the day's theme song. Although the song was written in honor of the new Early Childhood Center, I thought the song's words befitting for my own son because, as a new student at the school, this too is his new beginning. I share those words with you and hope they carry you through any new beginnings you may be experiencing.

A New Beginning

Music by Jacobson/Emerson

Dawn! A new Day! A fresh start! Together.

Light! The first light! Connections forever.

Fueled by a passionate spark;

Bound by a beacon of hope...

Led by the joy in our heart

To the start,

To the start.

A new beginning

Will start today.

A chance to change and learn and know

A better way.

A new beginning

Will start with me.

We'll find a way each day to change our destiny.

A dream that everyone can share and

See the light from everywhere.

A new beginning

Starts today!

  

Good luck to all the kiddos out there as they embark on a new school year! Any "new beginnings" in your life you'd like to share?

Gratitude Journal Monday

Can you believe the color variation of this flower?

Join me in another declaration of gratitude, as today is Marvelous Monday! Are you wondering what Gratitude Journal Monday is all about? Click here to get the 411. Are you ready to think of your next 5 declarations? Here are mine...


36. I am grateful for time. Some times it's stolen from me, but more often than not it teaches me and blesses me with wisdom and patience.

37. I'm grateful for the line I love in the movie Shawshank Redemption that begs a choice be made: "get busy livin' or get busy dyin'?"

38. I am grateful for hope. Hope always sees the good and positive side and tirelessly gets us past the present and catapults us into a better future.

39. I am thankful for my college education degrees. I may not be practicing engineering or using my M.B.A. in the traditional sense, but the journey has shaped me into the person I am.

40. I am so appreciative of my gal pals who help me when I need them and support me when I want to do creative craft projects. Thanks for participating guys!!! (Project details coming soon in a future blog post: stay tuned!)

Comment any thoughts of thankfulness you are feeling today.

Goodbye Week. Hello Weekend. Lessons Learned: Take 9.

Goodbye morning mist of dew greeting us each morning.
Goodbye first day of school jitters.
Goodbye trying to figure out what to do with myself each day.
Goodbye figuring out the carpool line; it's old hat by now.
Goodbye ice cream truck treats for dessert.

Hello camping-themed birthday party that will last late into the night.
Hello date night with super-hubby at a local vineyard.
Hello figuring out my new photo tent and how it's supposed to help me take awesome pictures.
Hello slow-moving photo shoot for my jewelry in my Etsy shop
(opening soon!!!).
Hello realization that I'll always have a to-do list, no matter how many cross-offs I make in a day.

The lesson I learned this week is more like a rule of life. If anything is worth having, worth doing, worth one's time and energy to accomplish, then a sacrifice, not a compromise, must always be made. People are scared of the word "sacrifice". It sounds so painful. The word "compromise" seems so much more pleasant to both parties, now doesn't it? But if you're always compromising, it means you're only getting half of what you really deserve. Is that what you want, half? I'd rather get all of what I want some of the time than half of what I want all of the time. The gain always comes after the give. It's just the way it is; accept it. Some times the sacrifice is time, sometimes it's frustration or having to do something you don't want to do or stepping out of your comfort zone. But if you're willing to make the sacrifice for the betterment of a situation, another person, or one's self, the reward will be paid back in double measure. Double for your trouble is the prize from the hardship and that realization is the steam in my locomotive that keeps me chug, chug, chugging away to get over that big ol' mountain top.


Did you have to climb any mountains this week? Did you compromise or sacrifice to get over to the other side? The choice is in the result you want. Keep chug, chug, chugging!