Wednesday's words: All about love

"You have to walk carefully in the beginning of love, the running across the field can only come later when you're sure they won't laugh if you trip." --Jonathon Carroll (outside the Dog Museum)

Tuesday's Tip: Energy usage reduction

Using cold water in the washing machine reduces energy usage up to 50%.

Banner day, so far

Returned a gift, bought buttons to finish a knitting project, checked out books from the library and picked up ingredients for tonight's dinner at the butcher shop in time to be home for lunch and afternoon of writing website copy and doing research for my new business.

Advice from the NYC MTA

Advice from the NYC MTA

Banner Sunday

I have done two loads of laundry, grocery shopped, paid bills and my husband cleaned out some of his books and took our daughter to the American Girl store (He is a trooper), now let's see if he can cap off the day with making dinner, so maybe his gym visit will have to happen tomorrow.

Dinner and a life lesson

Yesterday's dinner was a dud (it should have been In the Kitchen on Thursday post) because my daughter added more hot sauce to my buffalo wings and I know the reason is that I strayed from the recipe, so the lesson I learned is that sometimes someone else knows best.

More words.....

On a blackboard outside a restaurant in Brooklyn

Wednesday's words: Spontaneous love

"You are the best, Mom," said spontaneouly by my daughter last night.

Tuesday's Tip: Your shopping list

For efficient (and quicker) shopping, write your list to match the store layout.

Going back in time to inform my new business

I have been racking my brain to come with a way to put the topic information for my new business on paper, when it hit me to do as a study guide like I did in highschool (I guess it helped that I spent the weekend in the place where I studied for all my high school exams).

A lesson in perserverance--Skiing

I went cross country skiing with my mother and daughter today and my daughter fell quite a bit (it was only her second time) and each time she got up, even when she was ready to quit, so I learned from my 8 year old what perseverance really is--Thanks, sweetie!

When Life hands you a new business....

Last evening I was running around getting dinner in the oven and baking 32 cupcakes for my daughter to take to school today when I thought that it was no wonder I was starting an organizational parenting (a.k.a. family efficiency expert) business and hats off to Betty Crocker and Duncan Hines.

My new business....
Life Management Pros

Thursday in the kitchen: The side salad updated

Spinach Salad

3-4 C. Baby Spinach leaves, washed and stems removed
1/4 C. Pine nuts
1/3 C. Olive Oil
1 1/2 Tbsp. White Wine Vinegar
1/2 Tbsp. Mustard (I use Dijon)
Salt and Pepper to taste.

Place the spinach leaves in a sald bowl. In hot skilled, toast the pine nuts by shaking the skillet for 2-3 minutes. Then let cool. Mix the last ingredients together in a small bowl. Toss the spinach with the dressing and serve in 4 bowls. Sprinkle pine nuts on top.

Wednesday's Words: It takes work to reach your goal

“Set a goal that stretches you, requires exceptional effort, but one that you can reach.”—Pat Summit, former ladies college basketball coach

Wednesday's words: Do you have an untold story?

"There is no greater burden than carrying an untold story." —Maya Aneglou

Tuesday's Tip: How to squeeze a piece of lemon

Place a fork in the lemon piece and squeeze—the juice come through and the pits get caught in the tines (Brilliant, if you ask me).

Celebration and a cold

Yesterday, I had a tea party  with family and close friends to celebrate my birthday (Thanks, mom for hosting at your place) and now my cold has attacked with a vengeance and so today, I will be sipping more tea and more tea and more tea.

Business and Life together

My new business is coming together and now if my cold and sore throat would come together and leave that would be great.

In the kitchen on Thursday, no Friday: Flavorful Fish

(Adapted from  Jamie's Food Revolution by Jamie Oliver)

2-4 Scrod fillets
2 Tbsp. Canola Oil
3 Tbsp. mild Curry
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 Tbsp. Plain yogurt
1-2 tsp. Lemon Juice
2 tsp. dried Cilantro.

Heat the oil over medium heat in a 10" skillet. In a shallow bowl or rimmed plate mic the curry, salt and pepper. Coat the fish in the curry. Pan fry for 3-4 minutes on a side. You may need to do two batches depending on the number of fillets. In a bowl mix the last three ingredients together. Place a fillet on a plate and spoon over some yogurt sauce. Serve warm.

More than books are found in a bookstore....

See in a used book store....Haslam's Books

Wednesday's Words: Dessert first or second?

"Life is short, eat dessert first." -- Jaque Torres (master chocolatier)

Jaque Torres Chocolates

Tuesday's Tip: Indoor plant buying

When you buy plants, be sure to get ones that work in your climate and for the amount of natural light you have (this is a mistake my husband has made that has cost us some plants0

Only got one black dress...

Check this out.....Rachel Ray Show

New Year—back to the same old

If felt great to get back to the gym after a vacation and being sick, so now I am energized for the week ahead.

Resolution: To be healthier

I made a resolution to get healthier—eat better and exercise more in 2012. I wrote this contract, so I would feel beholden to my self to do it. Well, I lost about 10 lbs. (still more to go according to my doctor). Now you can us the contract too. Get off to a good start with my.....Healthy Living Contract

A wonderful Sunday....

Nothing beats window shopping in housewares and furnitures stores and superb lunch with my nearly 8-year old fashionista, interior decorator daughter and lucky for her daddy had other plans, since most of the furniture would be too modern for his tastes.

Not Ready for WInter....

Winter is definitely here...Brrrrr

I can't wait for spring.....

(Melted snowman kit seen in a gift shop.)

Tuesday/s Tip: Those Pesky Resolutions

Remember that resolutions are mile markers and not end posts on the road of life.
5 easy steps to realistic New Years resolutions