Category Archives: Food/Drink

{five favourites}: Miscellanea (LXX)

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I usually do this link-up around Tuesday/Wednesday but my week got a little crazy. I figured I’d get my 7 Quick Takes up because they were pretty prominently on my mind and then link up here over the weekend. 🙂

One

The Parade of Nations during the Opening Ceremonies. I love seeing what the various countries are wearing because sometimes it includes beautiful ethnic costumes. They did not disappoint. The Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia and Qatar had women who looked completely elegant and some of the nations that are part of Oceania had beautiful dresses and sarongs. I also loved the traditional-style dresses that the Georgian team was wearing even if their nation petitioned to have the costume changed. I was not enamored with the clothes Team USA was wearing and I think the women should have done the blazer-over-a-sheath-dress thing that many of the other western nations did. Those women looked very pretty and not like they were in some boring pants suit for a meeting.

Two

COPS. The show has been on since I was a kid but it’s addictive and it sometimes shows the lighter side of law enforcement.

Three

Jail. They film footage in jails around the country though Las Vegas, Portland, and various cities in Texas and Florida are the more popular ones. Sometimes, the inmates can be pretty humorous.

Four

Locally-sourced foods. While I live in town, it’s only about a 5-10 minute drive until you’re out in the fields. We’ve been stopping at little farm stands when we’re out doing errands and we’ve learned about some interesting things that are grown in the area such as tayberries.

Five

Robitussin Nighttime Cough DM. We’ve been fighting colds in this house for the least week or so and as it’s a chest cold, I’m definitely having problems breathing which lead to problems sleeping. This formulation of Robitussin has an antihistamine in it which is making me feel really chill. I’m hoping it helps me sleep.

Go love up Bonnie, babystylista, and the others.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: July 31, 2016

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For Today… July 31, 2016

Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window… sunny. It was a blistering 74F today and I seem to be annoying various Californians by pointing this out. 🙂 (It was 109F in Sacramento on Friday.) I’m hoping for a pretty sunset tonight.

I am thinking… about my week and what is on my plate.

I am thankful… for the sweet woman from church who wrapped me in a prayer shawl today. It was a good surprise.

One of my favorite things… Coffee Almond Fudge ice cream from Tillamook.

I am wearing… jammies. Clothes from church were a blue-green shirt from Old Navy and stretchy black skirt that I got from Lands’ End 10+ years ago. When I got home, I exchanged the skirt for my black capris from Kohl’s.

Me with Daniel while wearing my prayer shawl.

I am creating… plans for new WIP’s on my hooks.

I am watching… “Lockup: Indiana – Extended Stay” on MSNBC. I’m kind of a forensic show junkie.

I am hoping… for good sleep tonight and that I can be competitive in the various Workweek Hustles I am part of on Fitbit.

In my kitchen… the normal Sunday fare.

In the school room… Daniel is done with ESY and school is starting on August 30th.

Post Script… I liked the list of signs that one is a counterfeit Christian. Let’s just say that I know a few people who fit the profile and the list is a warning to me to be authentic with my faith.

Shared Quote… “So, look, so don’t let anyone ever tell you that this country isn’t great, that somehow we need to make it great again. Because this right now is the greatest country on earth!” — Michelle Obama

A moment from my day… One of the pictures I took at Deception Pass today.

Puget Sound @ Deception Pass

Closing Notes: Unless you’ve been intentionally avoiding all political news (which I think is a totally rational option for this election season), you’ve heard Trump’s criticisms of Khzir Khan and his wife Ghazala who spoke at the DNC. Their son, US Army Captain Humayun Khan, was killed by a car bomb in Iraq in 2004 while serving as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. One of Trump’s criticisms was that Ghazala was not the one who spoke at the DNC. She didn’t speak because… SHE’S GRIEVING HER SON, EVEN 12 YEARS LATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is her op-ed from the Washington Post, which I found to be very tender and very well-written.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

7 Quick Takes: Political Fun, History, and Grizzly Bears Scarfing Down Salmon

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

A little fun with all the political drama going on right now… Stephen Colbert goes to the two conventions as the character “Julius Flickerman” (brother of “Caesar Flickerman” from The Hunger Games with his pet weasel Caligula

— 2 —

History made this week. Even if Hillary Rodham Clinton doesn’t win the election in November, she is still the first woman to secure the nomination of a major political party as a presidential candidate. (I emphasized that part because she is not actually the first woman to run for president, as various people have been pointing out all week.)

— 3 —

Yeah… no. In her beautiful speech at the Democratic National Convention, Michelle Obama pointed out that she lives in a house that was built using slave labor. Fixed FOX News pundit Bill O’Reilly disputed this, mansplaining and whitesplaining to the First Lady that they were well-fed and were local moochers. Hate to break it to you, Bill, but the First Lady is correct. She is backed up by primary source material from Abigail Adams and by the Smithsonian.

If you want a good read on our tendency to whitewash some of the negative effects of slavery and our inability to deal with our society being complicit in it even if some of our ancestors weren’t in the country yet, I recommend this piece by a woman who used to lead tours at a southern plantation.

— 4 —

More fun related to the DNC. Quartz Magazine posted this piece talking about Bill Clinton and his speech on Tuesday night but did it in the style of a puff piece about a woman’s appearance giving the speech rather than the content of it.

— 5 —

Radio Free Babylon for the win! Sometimes Frequently, Coffee with Jesus manages to communicate the truth better than I can articulate it.

Closed to Dialog

— 6 —

Green smoothies. It’s hot here this week (translation: it’s in the 80’s) so I’ve been doing lots of green smoothies for meals because it helps to keep me cool. My recipe: a little bit of whole milk, some Greek yogurt, a handful of frozen fruit and a handful of spinach. Yum.

— 7 —

Something to watch when bored. Have you ever had the urge to watch grizzly bears in Alaska eat salmon and go fishing? Here you go!

For more Quick Takes, visit Kelly at This Ain’t The Lyceum.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: July 24, 2016

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For Today… July 24, 2016

Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window… dusk. We’ve had pretty sunsets lately. I think it was in the high 70’s today?

I am thinking… about my to-do list for tomorrow.

I am thankful… for my church. Amazing worship today, amazing people, amazing sermon.

One of my favorite things… seeing the water lapping on the rocks in Padilla Bay.

I am wearing… jammies. Clothes for today were an indigo v-neck and black capris which I swapped out for a denim skirt for church.

I am creating… this entry and various emails.

I am listening to… a fascinating YouTube playlist of Christian music but from all different traditions. Right now, it’s something from Anúna which is breathtaking and speaks to the inner parts of my heart. Next on the list: St. Patrick’s Breastplate which is a favorite hymn of mine.

I am hoping… to finally get my car cleaned out tomorrow.

I am learning… why I seriously need the rest days in between Fitbit challenges! My poor feet were incredibly grumpy yesterday.

In my kitchen… I’m smelling my dad making some kind of soup for himself with chicken broth.

In the school room… my kiddo has one more week of ESY.

Post Script… I wish I’d seen this list of seven perfect replies to (politely) shut down negative people 16 years ago. It would have made various aspects of my life so much easier.

Shared Quote… “Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

7 Quick Takes: RNC Stupidity, Pokémon Go, and Baseball Commentary

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7 Quick Takes

— 1 —

*snickers* Someone has made a Pokémon Go app for moms called Chardonnay Go. In it, you can hunt for glasses of Chardonnay all over your neighborhood to collect. It’s not for me because I can’t drink but I can definitely see this being popular with other mamas this summer! (Yes, I know it’s a parody.)

— 2 —

Seriously, Cleveland? According to CNN.Com, guns are allowed at the Republican National Convention but tennis balls are not. There is an entire list of banned items and some of them make sense (bombs, lasers, grappling, hooks, and crowbars for example) while others are just stupid (ice chests and tennis balls). Guns seem to be missing from the “ban” list. Just because you *CAN* open carry in Ohio doesn’t mean you *SHOULD*, especially in a politically-charged atmosphere with large crowds of people.

I can conceive of this not ending well…

— 3 —

More Pokémon Go fun. The meditation garden at my Episcopal church in southern California is apparently a Pokémon gym and the statue of the Blessed Mother has many of the creatures gathered around it. Figuring that this was a good way to do outreach, the vicar attached a brace of VBS flyers around the neck of the statue. I’m wondering how many kiddos will be at VBS there this year because either they or their parents were playing Pokémon Go and happened across the flyers.

— 4 —

Donald, where’s your trousers? This is an interesting piece on “utilikilts”.

And just for fun…

— 5 —

They needed some meddling kids. The FBI just closed the D.B. Cooper skyjacking case. Whether or not D.B. Cooper lived, he got away with it. The event meant that airliners now have doors that can’t be opened from the inside (the device is named after Cooper) and there have been episodes of shows like Leverage which have touched on the case in some way.

— 6 —

Prerequisite baseball take #1. Was anyone else wondering what the MLB was thinking with those UGLY uniforms for the All-Star game? I mean, seriously? Yellow and brown together like that??? And the lettering? I’m thinking that they need fire whoever came up with those!!!

— 7 —

Prerequisite baseball take #2. Anyone want to guess whose baseball team has the best record in the country currently? 🙂 Yep… that would be my Giants. 🙂 I should also mention that THEY ARE 6.5 GAMES IN FRONT OF THE LOSERS FROM LA RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!! Just sayin’.

For more Quick Takes, visit Kelly at This Ain’t The Lyceum.

The Simple Woman’s Daybook: July 10, 2016

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For Today… July 10, 2016

Simple Woman's Daybook

Looking out my window… dark. It was a beautiful day today with temperatures in the 70’s. I’m loving the climate here in Washington.

I am thinking… about my meeting with the insurance agent tomorrow to get my policy changed to Washington. It won’t be bad but it’s one more thing to cross off my to-do list.

I am thankful… for a good visit with my evil twin, his long-suffering wife, and her family. I’m also really thankful that after a few days of being a pill, Daniel had a pretty good day.

One of my favorite things… a day when my alarm doesn’t have to be set and I can sleep in. That’s not going to be happening for a while though.

I am wearing… jammies. Church clothes were a black fitted tee from Old Navy, a black paisley skirt from Kohl’s, and my black cardigan from Kohl’s. After church, I traded my skirt and cardigan for jeans.

I am creating… emails.

I am watching… COPS: Reloaded. I’m a cop show junkie.

I am hoping… certain emails of mine eventually get answered this week.

I am learning… where all the cool farms are in the area.

In my kitchen… tri-tip, potatoes, and salad tonight with a surprise birthday cake for my sister-in-law for dessert.

In the school room… Daniel is enjoying ESY and good reports are coming home for him each day. It isn’t surprising — he loves school and tends to be a sweet kid there.

Post Script… a friend shared this piece on why #AllLivesMatter is offensive to #BlackLivesMatter supporters. The gist: all lives *SHOULD* matter but, in practice, they don’t.

Shared Quote… “… Reading the Scriptures in church has to be an authentic proclamation of the reader’s faith. Preparation is essential – there are far too many last-minute readings in our churches.” — Olivia de Havilland on reading Scripture as a lector.

Closing Notes: I’m hoping this week to be able to write something on why I don’t weigh in on everything that happens in the media and why there is frequently radio silence from me these days after a week like last week.

Hosted by The Simple Woman.

{five favourites}: Miscellanea (LXVII)

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#5Faves

One

Grey kitties. My parents’ grey kitty Homer really wants to be Daniel’s friend. Daniel is afraid of him. If Homer is on the bed passed out on my chest, Daniel will stay off my bed. Guess how I’m enforcing the expectation of Daniel sleeping in his own room? You guessed it — lots of Homer snuggles at night. Homer seems to be a fan. 😉

Two

The MLB All-Star Game roster. While I’d prefer to have the infield all be from the Giants, I’m happy that Buster Posey is the starting catcher. The best part about the ASG starting roster? NO DODGERS ARE STARTING PLAYERS!!!! #BeatLA #GoNationalLeague

You can also vote for the final player from each league to be added. My recommendation: Brandon Belt from the Giants for the NL spot. He’s a fabulous hitter and a good first baseman.

Three

Schuh Farms. They’re a local farm that Mom and I discovered while making a run to the county recycling facility with a load of paper and cardboard. They were advertising homemade pie and ice cream. We went back to find it a few weeks later and have patronized them a couple times a week since. I normally hate pie (I loathe pie crusts) but their cherry pies are amazingly good. We also got some cheese curds there from another local farm and they were good enough that they barely made it into the house!

Four

This Stephen Colbert video. I recommend watching the original video.

Five

“Rockelbel’s Canon” by The Piano Guys This never fails to make me laugh. The embed script isn’t working so here’s the link.

Go love up Bonnie, babystylista, and the others.