Wednesday's Words: Face your fear

“Fear keeps us focused on the past or worried about the future. If we can acknowledge our fear, we can realize that right now we are okay.”  —Thich Nhat Hanh

Tuesday's Tip: When I return...

To this day I remember that my mother's parents always arrived for a visit wearing nice clothes; my grandfather was in a tie and I knew from this that my grandparent's house was left super neat. Here in lies the tip: leave your house neat, when you travel and you will come home to a neat house.

(I am sorry Papa-g that Mama-g made you wear a tie, I would have preferred your coveralls.)

Skinny Jeans

The other week I bought skinny jeans which is surprising because I am not "skinny" and my mom said it was because the company had realized that there are many body types that look good in skinny jeans and I said the company realized that the temporary confidence boost one gets from buying skinny jeans equals more sales—heck, I bought two pairs.

In the kitchen on Thursdasy: Easy Pasta Meal

1  jar Vodka sauce
3-4 slices cooked Turkey or Pork bacon
1/2 box Spaghetti, cooked according to the package directions.
3/4 C. Grated Parmesan or other cheese

Cook the bacon until crisp. Allow to cool and then crumbleHeat up the sauce. Put the cooked pasta in 4 bowls. Ladle sauce on top. Then add crumbled bacon and cheese. Serve immediately. Seves 4.

Wednesday's words: Wisdom comes from within

"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom." —Aristotle

Wednesday's words: The little engine that could...

"Whether you believe that you can or you believe you can't, you're right." —Henry Ford

Henry Ford Biography

Tuesday's Tip: Wine on the go

If you plan on having wine at the beach or your hotel room, remember to pack a corkscrew and one with a bottle opener works for a six pack too.

Easy vs. Hard

My husband asked if I was interested in ordering two entrees and swapping half way, so I  said, "I'm easy about it" and my daughter said, "why can't you be hard sometimes?" and all I could do was answer, "I am not sure" and be left to ponder her question.

(P.S. My husband and I each got our own entrees.)

In the Kitchen on Thursday: Sinful Mac n' Cheese

1 box. Ziti Rigate
2 Tbsp. Butter
2 Tbsp. Flour
1 1/2 C. Milk
1/4 lb. American Cheese
1/2 lb. Cheddar Cheese
1 1/4 C. Corn Flake crumbs
1-2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1/4 C. grated Parmesan or other hard cheese

Cook Pasta based on directions on box and drain. Melt butter in sauce pot. Whisk in flour until it is all incorporated. Add in milk and whisk for 2 minutes. Then pour in cheese and whisk until all covered by milk mixture. Place on lid leaving an opening. Let cook until cheese is melted. In the meantime in a bowl mix the crumbs, olive oil and cheese. Toss the pasta with the cheese sauce. Place in an oiled large baking dish. Top with crumbs. Broil for 5-7 minutes. Serve warm. Makes 6-8 servings.

(I almost ate 1/4 of the dish after I made it, so beware.)

Wednesday's words: Deadlines

"A goal without a date is just a dream." —Milton Erikson

"Snow" in summer

Every summer the Linden tree in front of house "snows" flowers and I sweep and sweep and sweep and this year our babysitter suggested using the snow shovel which was an excellent suggestion, since I refer to the flowers and "summer snow" and learned that thinking outside the season my help bring about a new solution.

Relationships come, go and endure

I had had lunch with an old friend (from junior high) and we were able just to talk and it made realuze that some relationships, while they wax and wane, will always keep on going while others will wane, either and die.