Steve Jobs - Insanely Great

When Steve Jobs stepped down from his post as Apple's CEO due to his illness I wrote a blog post paying tribute to his leadership prowess and unrelenting push for innovation. As you may or may not know, my husband's business is focused on and around Apple. I thought it only fitting he write today's tribute as a guest blogger so, dearest husband, take it away.


On April 1st, 1976, the world saw perhaps the greatest "joke" of all time when two hippy geeks came together to completely change the world. On that spring day so many years ago, the seeds of the world's most influential and most valuable company were first sown. 35 years later, the influences of Apple, Inc. are everywhere. Whether or not you are a fan of Apple, there is no arguing that the company has had an impact on nearly every person in America and many throughout the world. And most of the innovation has come from the driving vision of Steve Jobs.

Described by many as the Thomas Edison of our age, Steve Jobs' contributions are far reaching and will be documented by many in the coming days. But in the end, he just made our lives better. Better like the light bulb. Better like the car. Better like the telephone. Just simply better.
 
Thank you, Steve. The world is a better place because of you.

Steven P Jobs 1955 - 2011

Thank you for those thoughts, sweetheart. Steve made our technology-filled lives better by making the unthinkable attainable. Rest In Peace, Steve, and thank you.


How have you been touched by Steve Jobs' visionary gifts to the world?

What I Made Wednesday {Applesauce Cake}

The big finale to your Homemade Applesauce you made last week...here goes! Note: If you have no motivation on making your own applesauce, no worries. When I don't have time to make my own sauce which is 99% of the time I like to use store bought Mott's Natural Chunky Applesauce. It's yummy either way so no need to fret about a thing!

Applesauce Cake

What You'll Need

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 sticks unsalted, room temperature butter

2 cups packed light-brown sugar

1/4 cup honey

2 large eggs

2 cups Homemade Applesauce or Mott's Natural Chunky Applesauce

nonstick cooking spray

Bundt pan, preferred but not a show stopper

confectioners' sugar, optional

What You'll Do

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Coat the pan with cooking spray and don't be shy.

Whisk together flour, baking soda, kosher salt, cinnamon and set aside.

Using a mixer, beat butter, brown sugar, honey, and eggs until fluffy.

Lower mixer speed and add the dry mixture SLOWLY to avoid a flour shower. Blend well.

Add the applesauce and beat for 10 seconds.

Pour batter in well-greased pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes in a 350 degree, preheated oven.

 

What You'll Need to Know to Finish
When a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean, remove from oven. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then invert cake on plate, ridge side up. Cool completely. When cool, dig in and sprinkle on some powdered sugar if you are so inclined. Enjoy!

This cake is great in the morning with tea or coffee. Do you like to have sweet or savory for breakfast?

   

No More Excuses

Time to bite the bullet; jump in with both feet; throw caution to the wind. I've procrastinated long enough in the opening of my Etsy shop and I need to do something to keep things progressing along. I've been blaming it on the photography but really, it's been a sad excuse. Folding laundry, picking up toys, and trying new recipes and crafts all steal my attention and time quite easily from what I really should be doing. So, NO. MORE. EXCUSES.

 

The Holiday Season is just around the corner!

I declare one week from today LOVD will make available at least 5, count them 5 pieces of product to sell on the shopLOVD Etsy shop. See that little area to the left on your computer screen above my profile? Clicking there will take you to my Etsy shop that currently has zero, nada, no items for sale. But by next Tuesday, friends, I will do whatever it takes to have that "click here" mean something!

Sign at Anthropologie during a seasonal display change.

I need your help in holding me accountable. Today's declaration should be all I need since I'm a person of my word and take that character trait VERY seriously. So, pardon my dust...the studio will be hopping with flash bulbs popping, prop set-ups, and hot, hot lighting (maybe another reason why not to turn the furnace on so early in the season).

Take a glimpse of my jewelry and my story: What is LOVD?


Are you procrastinating on anything right now?

Gratitude Journal Monday

Just another manic Monday...but it doesn't have to be. Pour yourself something piping hot, have a seat in your favorite chair, get comfortable, and think "Gratitude". Have you started your Gratitude Journal, yet? Are you keeping up each week? Not sure what I'm talking about? Click here. I encourage you to record your own thanksgivings for this beautiful world and all it gives us, unselfishly, each day for our enjoyment, if we so choose to accept it with joy and gratitude.

Nothing is off limits when it comes to gratitude so thank away!

61. I am grateful for my good health.
62. I am grateful for understanding and accommodation from others.
63. I am grateful for cameras catching memories - sometimes photographs are the only evidence we have of actually being there, in the moment.
64. I am grateful for the warmth a wood-burning fireplace brings to my chilly little house because I refuse to turn on the furnace this early in the season.
65. I am grateful for living.

How are you progressing with your Gratitude Journal?

Goodbye Week. Hello Weekend. Lessons Learned: Take 14.

Goodbye sweet September as you came and went so silently.
Goodbye play time and ice cream time marking the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Goodbye discovery of realism and wisdom and growing in acceptance of it.
Goodbye fun-filled day-off from school with great friends making good times.
Goodbye beautiful bloggers who have shared so many inspirational Autumn projects this week.

Hello warm jackets, stylish hats, and closed-toe shoes.
Hello sweet October moon shining brightly in the blackened Fall sky.
Hello Halloween decor exploding all over my home.
Hello celebrating my sweet mom's birthday.
Hello visiting grandparents staying for too short of a time.

The lesson I learned this week is actually one that is an ongoing education about blogging. I am ever so humbled to be a part of this wonderful, tight-knit community of bloggers that continue to amaze and inspire me with their creativity, their words, and their hearts. Thank you for sharing your world with the world.

Do you decorate your home for the Autumn season?

Love and Patience: A Lesson from Nature

 Do you see those Black-eyed Susan's? Those beauties are a lesson from nature in love and patience. When I was writing this post, something more than a story about a perennial emerged from the words. The lesson went much deeper and, I think, it is probably your revelation, too.

Let's play a game. Think of somebody that has really supported you and believed in you over the years. Got it? Now here's the fun part. As you read my little post about my plant, I want you to replace the following words in the story:

When ever you see the word "I", replace it with the person you thought of when you think supportive.

When ever you see the words "the Black-eyed Susan", replace it with your own name.

I hope after reading this you give your "I" person a thanks.

Ready? Here goes...

Love and Patience by LOVD

When I first came in contact with the Black-eyed Susan I had much hope. I was excited by the Black-eyed Susan's potential and promise. For 4 long years, I nurtured the Black-eyed Susan in hopes of strong, massive growth. I could see greatness when I looked at her.

Year after year nothing came of the Black-eyed Susan despite unending care and support. I got nothing in return for the effort, but, I was steadfast. I was not giving up on the Black-eyed Susan. I knew love and patience for the Black-eyed Susan had to endure because I believed in her and in all the potential of beauty she had to give and share with the world.

There were years where I saw a glimmer of hope. I thought the bud emerging would finally bloom. I waited with anticipation but the Black-eyed Susan did nothing with her opportunity. The potential was there but nothing happened. I thought, "Well, at least that was a start." So I continued to practice love and patience with the Black-eyed Susan. Love and patience, love and patience.

Then, suddenly one day, after 4 years, as if by magic, the Black-eyed Susan bloomed. And bloomed she did. It was beautiful to see. Finally, the Black-eyed Susan was being who she was meant to be. I was so happy for the Black-eyed Susan. Now she could share her true beauty with the world.

Love and Patience. Don't we all need that to find our own success? Don't we all need to give that for others to find theirs?

As you read the story, inserting your own name and that of your biggest supporter, I hope you share this post with them and thank them for their endurance of love and patience.

 


I hope you enjoyed my true story and struggle with my real perennial plant of 4 years, the Black-eyed Susan. She is still doing well and continues to bloom into the Fall season.



What lessons has nature taught you?

What I Made Wednesday {Simple Homemade Applesauce}

Apples are synonymous with the Fall season. We head for the hills to our apple farms and get all excited about nature's bounty set before us in bushels. And, without thinking, we start grabbing all sorts of different kinds of apples to take home. When we get home our best laid intentions come to a screeching halt when we look at our pile and think, "Now what the McIntosh am I going to do with all these apples?" The apple picking day on the farm was a cherished memory but now it's time to wake ourselves from those blissful moments ingrained in our brains, wipe off the apple fritter glaze from our lips, and get to work.

Simple Homemade Applesauce
inspired by FOOD Everyday October 2005 

What You'll Need
3 pounds apples (try Gala, Empire, or McIntosh)
1 cinnamon stick
4 tablespoons sugar
3/4 cup water

 What You'll Do

Peel apples.

Core or slice apples.

Place all ingredients into saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring twice.

What You'll Need to Know to Finish

When apples are tender, remove from heat, discard cinnamon stick, and add 2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice. Store in airtight container in fridge when cool.

Be sure to reserve 2 cups of applesauce (if you think you can) for next week's W.I.M.Wednesday: Applesauce Cake!

My favorite type of apple is called honey crisp. What is the name of your favorite type of apple?