Source: http://www.smartschools.ph/SmartSchools/Features/DrSimonChua.htm

Cyril of Alexandria

Luke 3:4 “Prepare ye the ways of the Lord, make His paths straight.”

John, being chosen for the Apostleship, was also the last of the holy prophets: for which reason, as the Lord was not yet come, he says, Prepare ye the way of the Lord.

And what is the meaning of “Prepare ye the way of the Lord?”

It stands for “Make ready for the reception of whatever Christ may wish to enact: withdraw your hearts from the shadow of the law: cease from the types: think no more perversely”.

“Make the paths of our God straight”. For every path that leads unto good is straight and smooth and easy: but the other is crooked that leads down to wickedness them that walk therein. For of such it is written, “Whose paths are crooked, and the tracks of their wheels awry”.

Straightforwardness therefore of the mind is as it were a straight path, having no crookedness. Such was the divine Psalmist’s character, who thus sings, “A crooked heart hath not cleaved unto me”.

And Jesus, the son of Nun, in exhorting the people, said, “Make straight your hearts unto the God of Israel”; while John cries, “Make straight your ways”.

And this means, that the soul must be straight, displaying its natural intuition as it was created: and it was created beautiful and very straight. But when it turns aside, and its natural state is perverted, this is called vice, and the perversion of the soul.

The matter therefore is not very difficult: for if we continue as we are made, we shall be virtuous.

But when some one, as it were, exclaims against us, saying, How shall we prepare the way of the Lord? or how make His paths straight? for there are many impediments in the way of those that will live well –

Satan, who hates all that is beautiful, the unholy throng of wicked spirits, the law of sin itself that is in our fleshly members, and which arms itself against the inclinations of the mind to what is good, and many other passions besides, that have mastery over the mind of man.

What then shall we do, with so great difficulty pressing upon us? The word of prophecy meets these objections, saying, “Every valley shall be filled up, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked way shall become straight, and the rough ways shall become smooth: and all flesh shall see the salvation of God”.

Cyril of Alexandria (c. 376-444): Commentary on Luke, Sermon 6 [on Luke3:4].

Today is Walt Disney’s birthday. Walt Disney was a man of vision who has touched all our lives in some small way, and continues to do so through our children. In honor of his Birthday I am posting my favorite Disney quote. I remember the first time I went to Disneyland. I was 15 years old and the joy I felt at being there was overwhelming. I grew up watching the Mickey Mouse Club and The Wonderful World of Disney so when I actually stood in this place that I had only dreamed about…….it was truly magical. I have never lost that feeling. It returns again and again every time I visit Disneyland. That’s why this is my favorite Disney quote. If you have one please share it too. Happy Birthday Walt!

” To all who come to this happy place… welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America. With the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.” – Walt Disney

Have you noticed anything new on the blog. Little falling white particles maybe. It’s not an illusion and you don’t need to have your eyes examined, that’s right……It’s Snowing! WordPress has given us snow for the holidays. It’s about time too. WordPress doesn’t allow any JavaScript or Flash programs for its dot-comers. You have to join WordPress.org if you want the nifty stuff and pay for your individuality and fun. Now don’t get me wrong they offer a lot to us for free, but it would be nice to use some of the fun extras you find around the internet without having to move your entire blog. I know I have griped before about how hard it is to just find backgrounds that work because of this policy. So kudos to WordPress for giving us this early Christmas present. I think it’s neat and you don’t have to shovel it and you don’t need a jacket. So let’s pull up a cozy chair, grab a mug of hot chocolate and let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Our STORYLIKE presentation – title? How can we put it in a video?

MINUTE 1: what our business does, in a tangible way, in 1 sentence that is your business motto, such as “Keep hunger locked up til lunch” (Shreddies cereal) or “Citius, Altius, Fortius.” English: Swifter, Higher, Stronger (The Olympics). And say what each of your team members skills are.

Motto:   Sorted!

Passport2 guides, as the name implies, offer concise and essential information for newcomers to Kingston. Our small and carefully designed format contains:

A listings section to guide on basic shopping and entertainment needs
Key area maps and directions
Reality pages with contributions by people in Kingston
Recommended places to visit
How to get there by public transport
An amusing English language idioms section

Team skills:
C – content (text and images)
G – design
P – business
S – design and communications
Y – advertising and marketing

MINUTE 2: Show what you are passionate about and how you discovered your need with your observations, etc.

We are passionate about:

Clear information (designs that look good and are intuitive)
Fun
Format (portability)
Interactive content, personalised approach

Our international student discovered a market gap when she experienced unforeseen, silly little problems shortly after arriving in the UK.

MINUTE 3: Your personas, each in a sentence and your market entry step-by-step plan for each persona.

Language school student, 18 years old, lots of time off, little money. Sell 50 issues to language schools directly.

Funky, trendy gadget guy, likes clubbing and can afford to eat out often.

Geeky student who lives in Halls of Residence, goes to live music gigs.

Nature lover biology student, rides a bike, wears anoraks and likes hiking.

MINUTE 4: Images showing YOUR business idea from prototype to now:

OWN DOMAIN:
www.passport2guides.com

MINUTE 5: What you are planning to do for the trade fair on 10 December.

After your presentations, we’ll briefly discuss them and the Dragons will be able to say what presentations were the strongest. This will help you know how you can refine your Bright Ideas entries, as well as lead into your Business Plan and improving your business.

After the presentation feedback, then we’ll go into individual teams where you will meet with each Dragon who will look over your financial plan, strategy or your logo ideas (me).

Don’t you love sequels. Blue Pyramid has just released a new “What book are you” quiz.  I took Quiz 1 and I was ‘The Mist of Avalon”, now I am a Shakespeare novel. Strange, I don’t feel star-crossed. I would have preferred to be one of the comedys, but I loved this one when I was a teen so I guess it’s okay. I still think they are the two stupidest teenagers on the planet and should have shown better sense, but then we wouldn’t have this great classic tragedy of star-crossed lovers and that beautiful soliloquy on the balcony. I do believe in the power of love and songs have been sung about my name, ie rocking robin . People do reference the things I say, usually my kids in order to win arguments, it doesn’t work. I am practical to the point of boring and have often longed for a more exciting life but am too practical to take that leap, unless you double dog dare me and then all bets are off. Take the quiz and share what book you are.

You’re Romeo and Juliet!

by William Shakespeare

While people think of you as the most romantic person alive,
you may actually be more prone to offer practical warnings of what happens when
people follow their feelings too severely. You do believe that love has the power
to conquer the sharpest divides, no matter the cost. It’s just not entirely clear
whether that cost is worth it. People spend a great deal of time referencing the
things you’ve said or even singing about you. Nevertheless, they are most likely
to describe you as “star-crossed”.

Take the Book Quiz II
at the Blue Pyramid.

Baking is something I’ve done periodically throughout my life. I remember whipping up Victoria sponge cake and tea loaf on Sunday afternoons as a kid. I occasionally baked fairy cakes as a student, much to the amazement and delight of my housemates. When pregnant with my daughter and not working, my husband would often return home from a hard day’s work to the aroma of freshly baked cakes and cookies.

But my real love of baking has been cultivated in recent years, marked by the discovery of the “Cookie & Biscuit Bible” in the local library! I spent hours thumbing through this thick tome, drooling over the delicious recipes and beautiful pictures. I found an easy recipe for chocolate chip cookies and got baking. The kids were over the moon and astounded at my ability to produce fresh, warm cookies straight from the kitchen.

From that point on, I stopped buying biscuits & cakes from the supermarket and baked everything at home. More biscuit recipes were discovered in cookery books already on my shelves. Every trip to the library included a scouring of the cooking section, searching for anything related to baking. Favourite recipes were typed out on the computer before the books had to be returned, printed and shared around the family. My mother-in-law shared her secret of baking big batches of cookies and then freezing them for later enjoyment – something she would do months in advance of our trips to the US to visit. The bottom drawer of my freezer became full of bags of biscuits – gingernuts, oaty raisin cookies, chocolate cookies, plus fairy cakes and banana bread.

I now bake at least once a week. I love turning basic ingredients – butter, sugar, eggs & flour – into a whole range of delicious & mouth-watering delights. Making bread is another string I’ve added to my baking bow -  a very theraputic activity, great for stress-relief and a wonderful comfort food at the end of it! I also pride myself on the fact I always bake the kid’s birthday cakes every year – this year was a chocolate cake decorated with butterflies and a shark!

Didn’t think it would be fair to talk about baking without sharing a favourite family biscuit recipe – Oaty Raisin Cookies (actually there Annabel Karmel’s Raisin & Oatmeal Biscuits, from “Feeding Your Baby and Toddler”!)

Ingredients:

• 100g unsalted butter
• 90g each of granulated & light brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1tsp vanilla extract
• 125g plain flour
• 1tsp mixed spice
• ½tsp baking powder
• ½tsp bicarbonate of soda
• ¼tsp salt
• 75g porridge oats
• 175g raisins

1. Heat oven to 190°C / 375°F / gas mark 5.
2. Cream together the butter & sugars. Beat in the egg & vanilla extract.
3. Add the flour, mixed spice, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda & salt – beat until just combined. Stir in the oats and raisins.
4. Line 2 baking sheets with non-stick baking paper. Form the dough into about 22 walnut-sized balls. Place on the baking sheet, widely spaced, and flatten a little.
5. Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden brown all over. Leave for about 3 minutes to firm up before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

N.B. I like to substitute some of the raisins for dark chocolate chips for a really yummy cookie. These freeze really well, so are great to cook in big batches. I always cook some before we go on our summer holiday – great for picnics on the beach!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.   Thanks for the comments on the video I posted yesterday.  My daughter and I had fun with it.  If you haven’t had a chance to complete my reader survey, please click the link at the top of the page.  I’m hoping this information will prove useful to me…I’ll tell you about it soon.  May you have a wild and crazy Black Friday -  spend carefully, smile often, and drink lots of caffeine.

Although I’ve refused to cook a Turkey this year, my family is far from starving.  Considering the fact that both FringeMan and I are currently involved in weight-loss challenges, I must be doing something right.  The problem is that sometimes, I just want to eat something different. The internet is always good when you need a quick recipe, but there’s nothing like thumbing through a cookbook complete with mouth-watering pictures.

As fulfilling as creating a good meal can be, at times it’s much more satisfying to have someone else cook a good meal for you.  My solution is give cookbooks as gifts.  Odds are pretty good one of the recipients will make a recipe and feed it to you.  At least those are my hopes.

So here are a few suggestions for your holiday shopping list.

200 Best Panini Recipes – $14.95

*  I borrowed this cookbook from the library and drooled all over every page.  Includes many great ideas for leftovers.

The Bread Bible – $23.10

*  If you like to bake bread, you’ll love this book.  You’ll love it even more if you like eating hard, crusty loaves of rustic carbs.

The King Arthur Flour Baker’s Companion:  The All Purpose Baking Cookbook. – $23.10

*  If you enjoy baking, I think this is a foundational book.

The Pioneer Woman Cooks:  Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl – $13.50

*  I hardly need to mention this book.  Ree is traveling all over signing these books for millions of adoring fans.  On the other hand, how can I not mention it?  Her recipes are amazing!  Just be sure to take your cholesterol medicine, because Ree likes cream and butter.  If you gift your mother with this cookbook and she begins making these meals for your father every night, realize she may have an ulterior motive.  In the past women used cyanide, now they use butter and cream.  It’s much subtler.

The Biggest Loser Cookbook – $14.93

(Sorry, no picture)

*  This is for those of you on a diet.  Now if you give this cookbook as a present, make sure you won’t be insulting the recipient.  Could get you in trouble.

Healthy Kids:  Help Them Eat Smart and Stay Active–For Life – $13.56

(Wish I could get a quick picture of this book, but you’ll have to follow the link.)

*  I have this book.  I’m not a total health nut, but this book is loaded with good principles for raising a healthy family.  It also gives you lots of recipes full of good ingredients that your children will love.  If what you want is a healthier lifestyle for both you and your children, this book is for you.  It’s also a great gift for new moms or that ‘organic’ friend of yours.

I’d take any of these books for Christmas!  Mom are you listening?

Hello?

I know you read…

I’m done.  If you have a great cookbook to add to the list, feel free to leave the title in the comments section.  Happy shopping and cooking!

“I will not play tug o’ war. I’d rather play hug o’ war. Where everyone hugs instead of tugs, Where everyone giggles and rolls on the rug, Where everyone kisses, and everyone grins, and everyone cuddles, and everyone wins.” – Shel Silverstein.

Zilele astea parcă sunt maniacă cu desenatul. Mă uit după fețe “desenabile” și chiar îmi încurajez prietenii să îmi trimită poze cu ei pentru a le face portretul. Până acum, treaba asta a funcționat. Ei zic că-s mulțumiți. Să zicem că-i cred.

Ideea e că mai vreau fețe desenabile. Mai vreau să creionez, să mă joc cu fețele oamenilor. Ok, asta a sunat ciudat, dar ați prins ideea! Artistul din mine începe să-și arate mușchii. Parcă am uitat cât de mult îmi plăcea să desenez când eram mică. Bine că mi-am revenit la 21 de ani…Hey, mai bine mai târziu decât niciodată!

Mai nou, am o agendă în care prefer să nu scriu. Vreau doar să desenez. Orice. Tot ce văd în jurul meu sau mi-ar plăcea să văd. Vreau să stau 2-3 ore la portretul cuiva și să-i văd zâmbetul când spune: “Mulțumesc!”.

O altă idee ar fi să desenez animale, lucru pe care nu l-am mai făcut de foarte mult timp. Acum că mă duc pe acasă, poate îmi corup bestiile să pozeze pentru mine (da, la pisici mă refer). Nu oi fi un talent extraordinar, dar vreau să mai exersez și să mă bucur de pasiunea asta. Până de curând nu mi-am dat seama că îmi pot ocupa timpul și cu chestii clasic recreative. I might not have a life, but I can draw my way through! <—Asta va deveni o replică clasică. Simt asta!

Păi, în cazul ăsta, aștept requests de portrete.

Iată ultimele desene de pe DeviantArt

Până la următorul post…să fiți sănătoși, voioși, voinici și cu creierii la locul lor.

Vă pupă Gogu!

Macarius the Egyptian

When God was displeased with the Jews, he delivered Jerusalem to the enemy, and they were conquered by those who hated them; there were no more sacrifices or feasts.

Likewise angered at a soul who had broken his commands, God handed it over to its enemies, who corrupted and totally dishonoured it.

When a house has no master living in it, it becomes dark, vile and contemptible, choked with filth and disgusting refuse.

So too is a soul which has lost its master, who once rejoiced there with his angels. This soul is darkened with sin, its desires are degraded, and it knows nothing but shame.

Woe to the path that is not walked on, or along which the voices of men are not heard, for then it becomes the haunt of wild animals. Woe to the soul if the Lord does not walk within it to banish with his voice the spiritual beasts of sin.

Woe to the house where no master dwells, to the field where no farmer works, to the pilotless ship, storm-tossed and sinking. Woe to the soul without Christ as its true pilot; drifting in the darkness, buffeted by the waves of passion, storm-tossed at the mercy of evil spirits, its end is destruction.

Woe to the soul that does not have Christ to cultivate it with care to produce the good fruit of the Holy Spirit. Left to itself, it is choked with thorns and thistles; instead of fruit it produces only what is fit for burning.

Woe to the soul that does not have Christ dwelling in it; deserted and foul with the filth of the passions, it becomes a haven for all the vices. When a farmer prepares to till the soil he must put on clothing and use tools that are suitable. So Christ, our heavenly king, came to till the soil of mankind devastated by sin.

He assumed a body and, using the cross as his ploughshare, cultivated the barren soul of man. He removed the thorns and thistles which are the evil spirits and pulled up the weeds of sin. Into the fire he cast the straw of wickedness.

And when he had ploughed the soul with the wood of the cross, he planted in it a most lovely garden of the Spirit, that could produce for its Lord and God the sweetest and most pleasant fruit of every kind.

Attributed to Macarius the Egyptian (c. 300 -391); from the Office of Readings, Wednesday in the 34^th week of Ordinary Time.

Vous arrive-t-il de vous demander quelles étaient les passions et les soucis d’un père ou d’une grand-mère ?
Combien parmi nous regrettent de ne plus pouvoir interroger un aïeul sur son vécu ?
Combien d’histoires de vie ont disparu à jamais ?

Elle sera peut-être même une véritable co-naissance pour ceux qui la liront. Grâce à ce “livre de proche”, ils n’auront plus la sensation pesante de subir leur histoire sans la comprendre. Désormais ils disposeront de fils conducteurs pour mener leur vie en conscience de leur héritage culturel, émotionnel.

Cette lecture enfin pourra leur donner envie d’approfondir ce travail en consultant un thérapeute spécialisé en psycho généalogie qui les aidera à trouver leur véritable place.

Brigitte Gryson

Le Journal du Naturel 02-01-2007

My little grandpuppy Jazz at the poppy preserve.

This Sunday after yoga class a group of us stayed to talk about fasting for the new year to come so that we will be prepared to make and keep our resolutions for self-improvement.  After all “you have to give up something to get something” Donayle, the leader of our discussion, put it simply.  One thing I said that I wanted to receive as a result of fasting from sugar, negative thoughts, doubting myself, and laziness is to align my passions and my source of income — basically to make money doing what I love.  In talking with Rebeccah, our yoga instructor, a few minutes later I realized my idea, passion, calling to start a support/resource/education group for black mothers was on the verge of becoming a reality.  Rebeccah, is opening a center for well-being and self and community improvement, enlightenment, etc in the first quarter of 2010 with her husband.  She is following a calling she has to expand the “spiritual services” she offers through weekly yoga instruction and spiritual discussions into a center that would house classes and conferences and workshops (and you name it) on  a variety of fronts including yoga, drumming, holistic health, parenting classes, family nights and I could go on and on.  Really the possibilities are endless because the center is about to be created and there are many gifted and positive people who will fit right into the programming the center will offer.  Of course I was more than thrilled when I heard of Rebeccah’s plans a couple of months ago and let her know I would like to be instrumental in getting the center off to a good start and could volunteer some time to help plan and organize.  Well, back to my idea becoming a reality and our discussion this past Sunday.  She told me that she would love for me to teach a class or set up some workshops on birth choices, breastfeeding, mothering, all the things I am starting to develop in this blog.  She told me to put something together, decide how much I want to charge and we could go from there.  I was so excited, and still am, but then that little enemy named doubt started to creep in.  Thoughts ran through my head: “Who will pay me for a class on breastfeeding?”  ”I’m not even a certified lactation consultant”  ”I don’t have 4 children and 10 years of experience as a mother.”  

Fastforward to tonight.  I’m listening to my favorite radio show, Tell Me More with Michel Martin and the last bit of the show was a discussion on black women and breastfeeding.  What?!  How rare and on time is this?  I thought and cranked the volume up so I wouldn’t miss a word as I finished my dinner around the corner in the kitchen while Ani played in the living room.  The conversation featured three women, one of whom wrote the Black Woman’s Guide to Breastfeeding and formed the African- American Alliance for Breastfeeding both of which I just found out about last week and added to my resource page for women of African descent.  The conversation was great and fired me up again on WHY I need to pursue my passion to share information and resources with other black women on breastfeeding.  Simply because one of the greatest reasons we are not successful with sticking with breastfeeding is because we lack the support, in the home or at the hospital, or with our doctors, among our family members etc.  and we need a place to go to be encouraged.  And I’m not talking about being the only woman of color at LLL or other mother support meetups.  But, a place where we are among our peers and don’t feel the odd woman out and can get advice from those we often feel most comfortable with.  So, doubt, my fast hasn’t officially started yet, but I’m kicking you to the curb.  I’m going to start writing my curriculum and I’m going to teach a class, and offer workshops and form a black mother’s support group and I’m going to believe in myself.  And if I continue to state what it is I want in my life, and follow the signs that just pop up, I think the rest will be a walk in the park.  Make that a walk in the park with a sleeping baby in your arms.  Golden.

feeling nauseous. nasty feeling in the pit of my stomach. waking up with salt encrusted eyes, as if they were a cocktail glass.

Salt water is
NaCl dissolved in H2O
derived from blood
tremulous in its potential
takes the path of least resistance
Final destination, the cheek, beak,
Wet pillow in the wash
Down the pipes, into the sewers.
Pin pricks of a conscience.
Out into the sea,
Desalination, put into food
There it goes again, salt water cycle
In the eyes, always the eyes
ripped by tears.

I recently purchased a few new cosmetics that have made me very happy.  I don’t often buy make-up.  I use mine until it’s gone.  Shelf-life guidelines are ignored as I paint my face with the same boring colors day after day until I’m out of everything.  This month I ran out of foundation, moisturizer, lipstick and gloss…insert feminine crisis.  Only thing worse would be running out of mascara.

Or letting my daughter do my hair and makeup…

The Momma Lisa

Truth be told, cosmetics intimidate me.  I hate to buy something and then hate it.  I killed my money tree long ago, so I want to LOVE my purchases.

First, I tried Eucerin’s facial moisturizer with sunscreen.  Since I already managed to acquire a ‘sun spot’ on my face, I figure sunscreen is always good.  It doesn’t matter that the sun hibernates in northern states.  It was an eight dollar risk that I’m glad I took.  I like the moisturizer.  It gets fully absorbed and it’s good for my dry skin.

Second, I came to the conclusion that I just hate foundation.  Some brands give me pimples, others give me eczema, and the rest just feel like a mask.  Maybe I just haven’t found ‘the right one’, but I officially dumped foundation.  I’m only using tinted moisturizer now.  I like the extra moisture and sheer, light coverage.  Yes, you can see a few zits, but since I’m not fifteen, I don’t get a thousand pimples at once.  I think the strangers in the grocery store can deal with seeing a zit on my chin.  If not, there’s always therapy – FOR THEM.

I went to Target and stressed myself over finding a tinted moisturizer.  I ended up choosing Sonia Kashuk’s tinted moisturizer.  I am in love.  I definitely think it was worth the $12.

Next, I moved on to lipstick.  When I was in highschool/college, I wanted my lipstick to last for no less than 48 hours.  It didn’t matter if it was an oil-based permanent paint with a safety warning, as long as it didn’t come off on my cup.  I also gravitated towards the brightest lipsticks I could find.  At night, you could see my lips approaching before my body.  Lighthouses considered hiring me as a full-time beacon in the night.

Now I enjoy a more subtle, natural shade of moisturizing lipstick.  I think something happens to your brain after thirty and you just get smarter.  No offense to all those twenty-something’s out there, but the things I did to my hair and face should be punishable crimes.

My lipstick choice – Revlon’s Caramel Glace.  I even bought a matching lip-gloss since they were buy 1, get 1 1/2 price.  Who can pass up a good deal?

What I’m not happy with is my mascara.  Any suggestions?

Here’s the big question…

ARE YOU GOING SHOPPING ON BLACK FRIDAY?

I really want to be at Target at 5am.  I’m still not sure if that’s going to happen, but it’s my heart’s desire right now.

PS  I added a ’survey’ page to my header.  I’m curious to see what my audience looks like.  Check it out and take the quiz.  Thanks!   Click HERE to go to survey page.

Ignorance of good is darkness of the soul. And if person is not united with Christ, Who is light, he cannot escape the ruler of darkness, the devil.

If a humble person falls a million times they get get up again and this is seen as a victory over the fall. Whereas a proud person, immediately after falling into sin, also falls into depondency, and being hardened does not went to get up again. Despondency is a mortal sin and the devil rejoices in this overall. It is completely obliterated by confesssion of thoughts.

A person can only really stand up straight when the grace of God arrives. Otherwise, without grace they’ll always trip over and fall.

Temptations are medicines and healing plants, that treat to treat our visible passionsand invisible wounds. It is better to have one day as a winner with prizes, than many years living carelessly. Don’t expect to be freed of the passions without a struggle and shedding of blood.

Sin, whether great or small, is wiped out by true repentance.

Even though a man is forgiven his sins, the fantasy of his error and the working of it remains. Although forgive the sin, this is the rule, in proportion to the greatness of the fault.

I will either live one hour as you would like, O my Christ, or it’s better not to live at all. This is the way you cry and grive and so the Lord’s mercy comes. The passions are calmed and you are at peace with yourself, with God and with the whole of creation. Everything that causes pleasure is healed with pain.

Elder Joseph the Hesychast

I love Broadway Musicals. If I lived in New York and had the money I would see every show on Broadway. When I win the lottery (ha! like that will happen) I will fly in for every opening night. What a wonderful luxury that would be. Once again they have produced a musical based on something near and dear to my heart “The Addams Family.” The casting is near perfect with Nathan Lane as Gomez and Bebe Neuwirth as Morticia.  I hope it does justice to the Charles Addams comic strip which I love. It opens this month in Chicago and moves to Broadway in March.

I have seen a few Broadway shows that toured in California, but mainly no. “Why” you ask if I love it so. Money is the answer. Who can afford $80.00 to $200.00 a ticket. I wanted to see Wicked but I sent my kids (I got a heck of a deal) and their spouses instead as a Christmas present. I did see Phantom of the Opera (twice) and Little Shop of Horrors. The best though was seeing Yul Brenner in The King and I, twice no less. There is a funny story that goes with the first time I saw it. In fact it is one of the most embarrassing moments of my life. But that is another post for another day.

“Life is a process of becoming. A combination of states we have to go through.Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death.” -Anais Nin

So often in life we cling to ideas of who we are–jobs, relationships, and living situations that we feel define us. In a way this feels safe. When you know exactly who you are it’s clearer what you’re supposed to do.

But there is no such thing as what you’re supposed to do. You can define moment-to-moment who you want to be, and how you want to live your life. Every second that passes is an opportunity to improve upon the last.

If you face uncertainty today, instead of focusing on what you’re losing, shift your attention to the excitement of who you could become–both for you and other people.

If you lose your job, you have a chance to reconnect with your passions. If your hours get cut, you have more time to spend with your family. If a relationship changes, you can reconnect with yourself and strengthen your sense of independence.

Let yourself become today. You never know who you’ll grow into.

from http://tinybuddha.com/quotes/november-30-2009/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+tinybuddha+(tinybuddha)

Don’t laugh, yes you……stop it. I know it leans a little but I couldn’t find my cake leveler. I baked a buttermilk spice cake with cream cheese frosting for Thanksgiving. There were so many mistakes with this cake I don’t even know where to begin. First, you shouldn’t try this recipe unless you have a stand mixer….I don’t. You will also need a few extra hands to pour the oil and drizzle the buttermilk while mixing, plan ahead for this. If you do it yourself (like me) then you may accidentally pour some of the oil into the vent holes of your hand mixer and freak out when it starts smoking and sets off the smoke alarms. Make sure  your cake will fit into your cake box before frosting or transporting it could be a problem. Don’t worry if it looks funny, it will still taste delicious. You can find the recipe I used here.

My second contribution this Thanksgiving is something I always bake around the holidays. Challah is a traditional Jewish bread served with the sabbath meals and at the holidays. My family is a blended family of Christian and Jewish faiths so I have always tried to incorporate a little of both in the food. Because I have never found the proper pan to cook this in, the dough relaxes and doesn’t retain that tight braided look of most challahs. I kind of like it this way. I love making bread because of the suspense. You never know if it’s good until you cut it open. This was a good one.

As for other oops, there was plenty. I made baked beans that wouldn’t get done. 4 hours in the oven and 1 1/2 desperate hours on the stove top and they still weren’t done. These were the toughest navy beans I had ever seen. We had to leave so they went as is. Tasted good but a crunchier texture…lol. The stuffing with turkey gravy came out okay, no drama until I picked it up or I should say I tried to pick it up and the aluminum foil pan collapsed and I burnt my wrist saving it. Still it was a good day, good food (lumpias, calamari, ham and garlic shrimp with green beans casserole…yum!) but most of all good company. Hope you had a good Thanksgiving too.