Pumpkin seed discovery

Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known. – Carl Sagan

Today is Halloween and here I sit dressed up as a lumberjack, with my ghost earrings, cuz I'm totally sure that is part of the costume.  It just wouldn't be the same if I didn't wear some earrings.  The cool thing about my costume is that it required (per me) that a stocking cap be worn.  That cut off lots of time in getting ready for work.  A quick ponytail and plopped the hat on top!  Instant lumberjack hairdo!  I sure the heck hope that it is cool in my office today, so that I don't have to take off the hat in public!

When our kids were little, it was a big deal on Halloween morning.  Scrambling to get ready, putting on the costumes and then racing off to work.  Racing back from work at the end of the day to hit the trick or treating trails.  I wonder what Rachel is doing this morning getting ready for her classroom of three year olds?  Sarah has been dressing up for weeks at Saver's, so she's not needing my help.  The candy that I bought a couple of weeks ago has been mostly consumed.  It is a good thing that we don't get any trick-or-treaters in our neighborhood.  Not a very stressful morning so far.

Last night we finished the three day project of making pumpkin seeds.  I had never made them this way.  They look like they turned out, and they taste okay too.  I started to wonder if they are any good for a person, and came across this link.  See, somewhere, somebody shares incredible news you were just waiting to know!  Hah...you were wondering where this crazy Wednesday blog was going weren't you...?

Happy Wednesday - hope you discover something you didn't know before!  Make it an incredible day!

Healing Properties of Pumpkin Seeds

Rachel - "I'm the cutest tiger ever"

Sarah (3 years later) - "so Rachel
wore this too??"

Savory version (4 tbls butter, 1/2 tsp garlic
salt, 2 tsps worchestershire)

Halloweeny version (4 tbls butter, 1 tsp
cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp allspice) - tastes like pumpkin
pie - I'm positive that the healthy benefits
of pumpkin seeds might not include
the amount of yummy butter!!

Bad composition perfected

There is no better time to crop a bad composition than just before you press the shutter release. – Bryan Peterson

 Tuesday Photography Tips - Yes, that's awesome advise above.  One of the things about my camera that I really like is that it has a pretty big focal range.  It takes in a lot of the area around the objects I'm trying to capture in the picture.  It works well when I take a picture of a room and want to see most of it.  My camera is great for that.  It can even make the room appear bigger than it really is.  On the other hand, it can be frustrating.  Many times I would like to zoom in and focus on something without having it distorted.  Far away objects in real life look closer and more interesting until I take a picture.  Last night when I stepped out on our deck I saw the smoke from the neighbors wood stove was forming fog across the field.  It was neat looking to me so I grabbed the camera.  But...the picture didn't turn out exciting at all.  This is a perfect example of bad composition.

You know what...it's all about the discovery process of what not to do that helps a photographer grow!  If I would stop here, I'd never take another picture!

Time to discover examples of better composition!  At least my pumpkin is cute...

Oops...focused on the deck railing instead.

Smoke fog...way across the field.

Fish eyes, or are they eye lashes??

So far it's just a pumpkin

Always when judging who people are, remember to footnote the words “so far.” – Robert Brault

It's pumpkin carving time of year.  The watching of how each person approaches their pumpkin is a moment not to judge, but to watch creativity in motion.  I love to see how they turn out.  I remember back to when our kids were little, when my husband and I had to do all the work.  Just watching the joy in the eyes of our kids when we lit up the pumpkins was the reward of doing all the work.  The stages when they could dig in and make the mess themselves were just as rewarding.  Now, they can do all of it from beginning to end.  It's still fun to watch them and see what they create.  I do think pumpkin carving is one of those examples of "so far"...each year is just "so far" to the next discovery and creation.

The pumpkins thawing and melting pre-carving stage

We're never too old to dig in and have some fun

Ah, the messy part of the process

So far so good

Wonder how messy this pumpkin will
be inside?

Four different creations, four unique individuals
Yep - that's what makes life worth living!

Memory Mittens

Simply touching a difficult memory with some slight willingness to heal begins to soften the holding and tension around it. – Stephen Levine

This week in the mail I received a letter from Hospice reminding me that it has been just over 6 months since my mom passed away.  The letter included a list of things you can do to continue the healing process. On the list said "sew a quilt from your loved one's favorite clothes."   I've had it on my "to-do" list to either make a quilt or a pillow or something out of the clothes I kept just for that purpose.  My mom always loved sweatshirts.  They were an easy gift to buy for her, easy for her to put on herself as her disease progressed, and they were just as cuddly as the bears she loved.  I thought about making a bear, but she had so many that we kept already, I didn't really need another one.  A pillow or quilt sounded better.  Then I came across the idea to make mittens out of sleeves of old sweatshirts.  I found the box of clothes I had put away, pulled out the sweatshirts to decide on which one to use.  One of the sweatshirts was one that I had decorated for her 18 years ago when I was into fabric painting.  She loved it and wore it many times.  Perfect, many memories and the best one for the prototyping.  Prototyping is right!  They didn't turn out the best, but they will be perfect for when I take Copper for a stroll, for when I run outside in the cool mornings, and when I'm just sitting outside in the fall.  I held my mom's hand through her last moments.  Now the memory mittens and memories of her will continue warming my heart and hands.  Yes, simply touching what I thought would be a difficult memory has added to the healing process.  Nope, no tears shed, only happy memories.

Mom's favorite sweatshirts and jeans

Make a pattern, I used an old
file folder

Cut out the pattern

Turn the sleeve inside out and place
the pattern on the sleeve.  I placed
it so that the outside seem could
be used for part of the mitten.

Double check to see if it fits your hand

Pin on the pattern.  I cheated too,
I used the other side of the sleeve for
the thumb side of the mitten for a loose
fit and less sewing.

Cut out the mitten

Looks pretty good, try it on.

Oops...not enough for the thumb, next one make bigger

Use the first mitten as the pattern
for the other sleeve and other
mitten.  Adjust for errors on the first one.

I adjusted for sizing.  Then sew them on
the sewing machine.

Funny shaped due to my sewing technique (it's
been a few years since I sewed, and I knew
I had to stay close to the edge)  Sweatshirt
fabric is tricky and slips.  If I cut the next pair
bigger, then I won't have to sew so close to the edge.

I cut a couple hearts out of the
rest of the seam in the sleeve,
sewed them on the mitten w/ the
fabric inside out.  I would highly
recommend sewing an embellishments
on before you sew up the mittens.

Well, they aren't perfect, but neither
was the sweatshirt 18 years ago,
but they are made of memories and love!

Fit just right....

When I showed my husband, he was speechless...
I'm pretty sure he wasn't as impressed as I was,
but as my mom would say -
"Whatever..."

Peace of mind from paper removal

When we…go back into the past and rake up all the troubles we’ve had, we end up reeling and staggering through life.  Stability and peace of mind come by living in the moment. – Pam Vredevelt

 SILLY Saturday week 4 - paper sorting continues

Ah...the removal of "unwanted, unneeded, no longer useful, taking up too much space and time papers" remains the mission again this week.  As I've said before, paper accumulates so fast it is hard to keep it under control.  One of the problems with paper sorting is that I feel compelled to look at each sheet to see if I want it or not before tossing it.  The memories of those long ago moments flash in front of me and I end up getting distracted.  Typical for a random thinker I guess (Yes, I'm rationalizing).  Today I came across my personality tests from pre-high school graduation.  Good ol' Myers Briggs tests, supposedly to predict what I should pursue for a career path.  I'm not going to say how long ago that was, but I did find it incredibly interesting how my scores have changed over the years.  I'm still shaking my head at the fact that way back when I was an Extrovert and my scores of the recent 10 years indicate I'm an Introvert.  Wonder what caused that change??  My youngest just took her test this past year.  At her senior conference the counselor stated the scores are a very good predictor for her future as it has remained steady since 8th grade.  Huh...wonder what her scores will be when she's my age?  Will she still be the same or will life give her many opportunities to change direction like mine has?  See...it is so easy to get sidetracked and off topic!

So, I'm needing a little more motivation versus less distraction. (BTW - I did just take a break and check out Facebook and the email that email message that just popped up).

Getting back on track - I re-read my goals and action steps for this 12 week project.  I grabbed another cup of coffee for energy.  Turned on the iheartradio for some music.  And...sidetracked again, I looked back at a big huge project going on three years ago that I did get through to get more motivation for the current project.  Sorting out my mom's lifetime worth of papers was a huge project that took months to accomplish.  At the tail end of the project right before we emptied the house, we had taken pictures. I saw something in the picture that reminded me that I've carried forward some of those things.  I need to remind myself of the silliness of keeping stuff from the past and smile that I've gotten through it before and can do it again.  I just have to get rid of because they are the past and not living in the moment.  My mom would chuckle at me for making her same mistakes.  She is now my motivation to live in the moment instead of the past.  (Guess the "Thinking" in me now needs to take over the "Feeling" of my past Myers Briggs results!)  I'm laughing at my Silliness of holding on to things!   Happy paper sorting!!

In the closet are two bins and on the shelf there is
the box of cards that I referenced before in this project.

Here's my closet now, the two bins are still there,
and the box of cards.
Oh dear...time to get to work!

Today, today, today

Life is not a dress rehearsal. Stop practicing what you’re going to do and just go do it. In one bold stroke you can transform today. -Marilyn Grey

What a motivating statement!  How do you approach life?  Do you have to have a complete and perfect plan?  Do you need to know what it is that you want before you can go and do it?  Maybe, maybe not, but if you don't decide on which thing to work on first, you'll never transform your today into the tomorrow you want.  Today is really the only day you know you have for sure.  Why not make it the best day ever?  Dreading today, dreading tomorrow, dreading the future of which you have no idea what it will be like, is living in fear.  Fear of what?  Identify your fears or accept what you know and want and move forward.  Either you practice fear daily or you practice living daily.  Both ways will transform your situation.  Which one will you choose?

If you normally choose fear, choose living in TODAY instead, see if it makes a difference!  Happy Friday!!

Impressive independence

There is no dignity quite so impressive, and no one independence quite so important, as living within your means. – Calvin Coolidge

Happy Thrifty Thursday - Week 3 "saving $24/day mission".  This time of year during the changing of the seasons it's easy to see how the electric bill is affected by the weather.  The gradual changing from air conditioning to heat is remarkable on the electric bill.  Luckily this September and October we had pleasant weather.  Today when I was paying the electric bill for one of our rental properties, I was pleased to see how well the renters had done on watching their usage of electricity.  They rock and by the way...I'm very proud of them.  While I'm sure not wanting to ever move back home again is motivation enough, they have truly been inspirational in their ability to live within their means.  Maybe I can get them to write some money saving tips for the Thursday Thrifty Tips!  

Look at what saving 180 kWh's a month can save on the electric bill!  Yippee - way to go!!!  Close to $24/month.  Hmmm....wonder if I pick up some more sweaters from Savers for them, will they continue on that saving path when it's time to really turn up the heat??

Way to save on the electric bill!

Knickers in a knot

Don’t get your knickers in a knot.  Nothing is solved and it just makes you walk funny. – Kathryn Carpenter

 There's something pleasing about hanging clothes out on the line to dry.  I like to hang them out early in the morning and let them hang there all day.  The fresh air dries them as well as gives them that cool "outside air" smell.  Have you ever had one of those beautiful days that started out calm and then by the time the day is over, the wind has blown in and twisted everything you've hung on the line.  Sometimes even to the point where the items are lying on the ground.   It seems like no matter how many clothespins you use, sometimes the wind just wins.  Ever have one of those days when you wake up and your thoughts are all in a knot like wind twisted clothes on the line?  You tend to think funny too!  Sometimes you need to take step back, regroup your thoughts and iron out the wrinkly thinking.  Thinking about life in a calmer, smoother fashion helps.  Or maybe you can be grateful that the wind has blown you in a new direction?  Enjoy the new view or opportunity to learn something new in your life.  Realizing nothing is solved by getting your thoughts all bunched up in knots is the first step in discovery!

Wishing you opportunities to iron our your wrinkly thinking or to enjoy the way the wind is blowing you today!

Sun-kissed lighting

Shadows play an integral role in letting sunlight permeate the scene.  They provide a ‘setting’ that compliments the sun-kissed lights.  Often, shadows will have a golden tint, or even a rosy red color that conveys a unique atmospheric glow. – Jeanne Dobie

Happy Tuesday Photo Tips - Natural lighting is one of my favorites.  I love the shadows that play off of things, and how the objects look different depending upon how the light hits it or how the camera responds to the light.  The quote above really hits the points of how sunlight is a great addition for composing a photo.

Our cat Tizzie loves the sunlight.  Throughout the day, you can usually find her soaking up the sun somewhere in the house.  If there isn't any sunlight, she's either curled up in a blanket or she's sitting under a cabinet light so that she's warm and cozy.  This past weekend, I looked up and she looked so peaceful, I just had to grab the camera again.  My camera on zoom setting isn't as clear as when I just move closer to her, so I grabbed the chair and climbed up closer.  Normally she sees me and moves or tries to sniff the camera, but this time, she just kept on soaking up the sun turning from side to side.  That is until she gets bored of the project.  Another helpful tip in photography, is to wait, just a bit longer than you think to catch the right moment.  At the end of our little session, I was able to catch her yawning big.  I like how the sunlight caught her whiskers.

Sunlight, a cat, a chair, and 5 free minutes of fun.  Enjoy your Tuesday!

Here I had used the zoom, I like her
eyes in this one.  A little bit of
a rosy tint to the picture too.

I was too far away, gotta get closer
so I grabbed the chair

Lots of shadows, she was watching
to see if any birds were in the bushes,
pretending I wasn't there!

I like the golden tint to this one

Then she turned -
wow, now that's a yawn!

Be open to stumbling here and there

Keep on going, and the chances are that you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it.  I never heard of anyone ever stumbling on something sitting down. - Charles F. Kettering

 A new week, another Monday.  Wonder what today will bring?  It will bring Sarah opportunities to appreciate her friends who will be her transportation today since her car is still on the trailer.  It will bring an opportunity for my husband to be creative in finding the most cost effective way to get her car fixed.   We're all hoping that it will be a small problem, not a big one.

Either way, time to get up off the chair and discover the day!  Happy Monday!

Get up off the relaxing chair

Be open to opportunities for happiness

What will be your next opportunity?

Busy making other plans

Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans. – John Lennon

Just when you think you have your day all planned, something else happens.  I woke up this morning and had writer's block for my sentimental Sunday blog.  But, that quickly disappeared when Sarah's car gave us something different to do and something to blog about!  Yeah...so this is just like the flying excursion, pictures tell the story way better than I can write.  Lucky me with my writer's block of today.

Until we can actually get the car diagnosed, we're just speculating that it is the transmission.  I'm sure the cost of that will blow my Thrifty Thursday off the charts, but we'll just have to wait and see.  Now, let's get on with the story.

My husband receives a text from Sarah asking for assistance.  As she started up the hill to her boyfriend's house, her car started making strange noises.  Instead of going forward when she pressed the gas, she started rolling backwards.  Two good clues that something big was wrong!  While waiting for daddy to pick her up she shed a few tears for her baby car.

After loading up the trailer to haul the car back home, we all headed out to rescue the car from the field.

There's the little baby, just waiting for a ride
home.

Okay, let's get a plan, seems like kind of far away
to me...oh, we're going to push it to the trailer,
good thinking.....

It'll be okay, daddy will get you home.

Sad girl, in a sad little car

Okay, we pushed close enough now to start
aiming it correctly for the ramps

Pushed it a little farther, we're looking lined up

Now for the technical skills, good thing dad knows
what he's doing

Oh, no, where are we going to hook the winch to???

Keep on looking, I'm sure you'll find something

Muscles...

We're almost to the top!

It's like a very slow roller-coaster ascent

Look mom, no hands on the wheel

Almost there

Wonder if the home owner is watching??

Time to tie it down for the road trip home

Load up the ramps

All clear for climbing out of the car

Added reassurance.

I'm just so sad...better thank dad!

Daddy, my hero!

Look how close that car is behind us

Still there at the first stop, good sign!

Ah...safe at home!  Going to
stay on the trailer to transport to
a mechanic on a less expensive day!
Wonder how Sarah's going to get to school...