Stepping Away from the Edge

It's Summertime. . . and the Livin' is Easy

It sure felt like summertime around here this weekend.  Hot and humid.  It's a perfect time to think about summertime goals . . . prompted by this week's Ten on Tuesday topic . . .

Ten Goals for This Summer:

1. Find plenty of opportunities to put my feet up and . . . relax!
2. Eat fresh -- visit the Farmer's Market for fresh, local produce.
3. Go to the Lake Michigan shore now and again . . . catch a sunset!
4. When it's too hot to be outside, stay inside where it's cool and organize a closet or two (or three).
5. Do a little "sprucing up" at the cottage -- some paint, some new shelves, replace the flag.
6. Visit a botanical garden or two; go on some garden tours for inspiration.
7. Research cameras . . . take the plunge and buy one!
8. Finish the Photoshop class.  (It's time to Just Do It!)
9. Smell the roses!  Don't stress out about what's "not done" in the garden. . . and enjoy what "is!"
10. Soak up the sun!  Get out and "play" in the delightful summer sunshine.

How about YOU?  What are your goals for the summer?

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I Wish I Liked. . .

This week's Ten on Tuesday topic just made me smile every time I thought about it!  This week, Carole has us thinking about Ten Things We Wished We Liked. 

I wish . . . I liked. . .

1. Getting up early
2. Frugality
3. Housecleaning
4. Taking the high road
5. Delayed gratification
6. Opera
7. Unsolicited advice
8. Running
9. Tofu
10. Moderation

How about YOU?

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Overnight Revision

My to-do list is about a mile-long these days!  My recent work schedule ended up playing havoc with my life, and now I'm behind on nearly everything.  This week's Ten on Tuesday topic - Ten Items on Your Spring To-Do List - is particularly apropos.

So I started putting my list together last night.  It was overwhelming.  And dull.  And a bit depressing.  So I left it unfinished, and watched Breakfast at Tiffanys instead.

When I woke up this morning, I had a new list in mind.  I like it much better.

To-Do. . . This Spring. . .

1. Watch the season unfurl.
2. Listen to the birds.
3. Soak up the sun.
4. Dig in the dirt.
5. Eat fresh foods.
6. Move.
7. Smell the roses.
8. Spend time with people I love.
9. Take a load off.
10. Play.

How about YOU?  What's on your Spring To-Do list?

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A Family Affair

This week for Ten on Tuesday, Carole has us . . . in stitches!  (But not knits and purls.)  This week, we're talking comedy. 

Laughter is best shared, I think, so I shared this topic with my family.  I asked each of them to share their favorite comedy movie.

Here's our list . . . a Family Composite . . . of the Ten Best Comedy Movies. . .

 

1. We'll start off with a classic from me . . . Young Frankenstein.
2. From Tom, we get Will Ferrell and company in . . . Old School.
3. Erin moves to action-comedy with . . . Kung Fu Hustle.
4. Erin's boyfriend, Keith, adds a little tongue-in-cheek, dark comedy with . . . Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.
5. More Will Ferrell and slapstick comedy from Brian, with . . . Step Brothers.
6. My sister, Di, goes classic with . . . Monty Python and the Holy Grail,
7. While my brother-in-law, Kurt turns seasonal with . . . A Christmas Story.
8. My niece, Jes, brings some buddy-comedy with . . . Dumb and Dumber.
9. My Dad really does go "old school" with. . . Smokey and the Bandit,
10. And my Mom favors rom-coms like . . . Love, Actually.

And there you have it!  Humor . . . it's a Family Value!

What's YOUR favorite comedy?

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Pin-Up Girl

When it comes to keeping track of things. . . I'm a pin-up girl!  I love bulletin boards, and I make good use of them all over my house.  Not only do they help me keep track of little bits of things . . . the flotsam and jetsam of my life. . . but they also serve to inspire with visual reminders of Things I Like.

This week for Ten on Tuesday we're talking about what's pinned on our bulletin boards.  Here are things you'll find on the boards scattered about my house:

1. Photos - old and new, but all of them cherished
2. Cards - with images and phrases I like to keep where I can see them
3. Schedules and Calendars - spinning classes, exercise classes, curling league schedules, hockey games; if there's a schedle, I keep it on a bulletin board
4. Business cards -- especially those that I need currently or don't want to lose track of in the short term
5. Take-out restaurant menus - you never know when you'll need a quick bite!
6. Memories - a £5 pound note, a Paris Métro ticket, a business card for a restaurant in Paris
7. Safety pins - when I find them, I generally stick them in a nearby bulletin board
8. Goofy little things I want to keep track of -- packets of buttons from a new shirt, a list, a doodle that's worth saving, a plastic baggie containing loose pieces of this or that
9. Paint chips or fabric swatches -- just so I can get a visual picture in my head
10. Buttons and decorative pins -- things I would never really wear. . . but that I like the look of (or that make me smile)

How about YOU?  What's on your bulletin board?

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Back Home Again!

Carole's back from her vacation. . . meaning Ten on Tuesday is back . . . with a vacation-related topic!  This week, Carole has us thinking about 10 Good Things About Coming Home From a Vacation.

I really like vacations, and I really like traveling to far away places.  But I also like coming home!  Here are 10 things I like best . . . about being back home again:

1. Being reunited with Jenny (there's nothing like a greeting from your dog!)
2. Sleeping in my own bed  (ahhhhhh!  and my own pillow, too!)
3. Drinking my local tap water (that familiar taste -- and no pathogens!)
4. Not eating in restaurants (sure, it's fun for a time. . . but after a while, it gets old)
5. Being in the "right" time zone (I hates the jet lag!)
6. Not living out of a suitcase (I like to dive back in to the full spectrum of my closet)
7. Reliable internet and cell phone service (although this is getting better all the time)
8. Downloading and organizing your trip photos (almost as good as being there!)
9. Going through the mail (even though it's mostly junk)
10. Getting back to my regular routine (creature of habit, I am!)

How about YOU?  What do you like about returning home from a vacation?

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Just Two This Tuesday!

Carole's on vacation this week, so no Ten on Tuesday topic.

Instead, I thought I'd share these two. . .

Perfect little wine glasses!  For a sip while reading . . .

or knitting!

(Thanks, Tom!)

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You can find 'em here!

Do You Like Green Eggs and Ham?

I do! I like them, Sam I Am!

This week, Carole has us thinking about our Ten Favorite Ways to Prepare Eggs.

1. Scrambled (with cheese and lots of black pepper)
2. Hard-boiled (with plenty of salt and a touch of Tabasco)
3. Over-easy (with buttery toast and some crisp bacon)
4. Huevos Rancheros (with a fresh tortilla and some jalapeños)
5. Breakfast Tacos (á là Austin, Texas)
6. Quiche (without a soggy crust, thankyouverymuch)
7. Frittata (with fresh veggies and herbs)
8. French Toast (with a splash of vanilla and a touch of cinnamon)
9. Egg Nog (with fresh-ground nutmeg)
10. Sausage McMuffin With Egg (to go, please!)

And. . . don't forget this kind of eggs!  Mmmmmm!

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On the Side

I'm hosting Easter dinner at my house this weekend.  My menu is planned, but the shopping isn't finished quite yet.  While the featured "star" of my meal will be a spiral ham (glazed with a mustard sauce with vermouth and thyme, á là Cooks Illustrated), I will also be serving several side dishes (and dessert, of course!).

Which brings us to Carole's topic for us this week. . . Ten Favorite Side Dishes to Serve at a Family Dinner.

This is actually harder for me than it sounds. . . because I tend to either make up my sides, or just skim through my favorite cookbooks for quick inspiration.

Let's see...

With HAM. . . I like (1) scalloped potatoes and (2) roasted asparagus.

With TURKEY . . . I like (3) dressing, (4) sweet potatoes and (5) cranberry sauce.

With LAMB . . . I like (6) wild rice with Kalamata olives and feta cheese.

With STEAK . . . I like (7) roasted potatoes and (8) sauteed mushrooms.

With ROAST BEEF . . . I like (9) roasted carrots and turnips and (10) mashed potatoes.

What do YOU like to serve on the side  . . . at your family dinners?

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Voting is still open on my March Madness project.  Cast your vote by Wednesday at 9:00 for a chance at a great prize package!

 

 

Movin' Out

This week, Carole's got us . . . movin' out!  Hit it, Billy!

 

I've had my share of moves over the years.  Across town and across country.  I've moved myself with U-Hauls.  I've been "moved" by relocation companies.  And I've depended on the kindness of friends and relatives to help me move.

I've been in one place now for nearly nine years (and that last move came compliments of a relocation package with packers and movers and unpackers, even), but my kids have not.  I've moved kids in and out of dorm rooms and campus housing too many times to count, and last summer, I helped Erin move to Pittsburgh.

So.  Yeah.  I'm qualified to address this particular Ten on Tuesday topic.

My Ten Tips for Moving (with input from Tom):

1. Sort through your stuff before (or even as) you pack.  Get rid of ANYthing you don't want to deal with in your new place.  This is your Big Chance!  Thin out.  Have a garage sale.  Donate to Goodwill.  Recycle.  Just don't move something you don't need or want!  (And if you have professional packers move your stuff, just know that they will pack EVERYthing you have.  Even full trash cans.  Everything.)
2. Get familiar with your new place BEFORE you move.  It's great if you have the time (and luxury) to paint or change out the carpet before you actually move in, but, at the very least get in and measure windows, check whether or not you need to bring a shower curtain with you, and have some idea about where you want to place your big furniture and belongings.
3. Designate a "safe spot" to hold the items you want to bring with you to have immediately when you move in.  During our last move, for example, we desginated the bathtub as the spot to store things we didn't want packed into the moving van (medications, documents and records, overnight bags, tool kits, etc.).  When you're in the midst of a move -- with other people pitching in to help or moving you -- it's a good idea to have one central location to store things you DON'T want to lose track of!  Your "helpers" will know that one spot is off limits.
4. Treat your movers well (whether they're professionals you've hired OR your friends and relatives)!  Feed them.  Provide water or Gatorade.  TIP THEM WELL!  They'll be so much more willing and helpful if you do.
5. Create a tool kit of those items you'll need at hand while you're moving and unpacking -- and keep them with (or near) you all the time.  Tape measure.  Box cutter.  Packing tape.  Markers.  Water.  Toilet paper.  Clipboard/note paper.  Pen.  Cell phone.  Screwdrivers. 
6. Locate local fast food and chain restaurants you can trust right away!  When Tom and I first moved to Michigan, we had to eat at "Clock Fine Foods" (the "Fine" was a stretch) for three days straight because we couldn't find more standard fare for awhile.  (Of course, this was in the pre-GPS days and internet days. . . but still.  Find your best options right away.)
7. Once your "stuff" is "in" -- set up and make your bed first.  Before you do any other unpacking.  Because it's great to be able to settle in to a comfortable (and civilized) place to sleep when you finally get to turn in for the night!  (And, really, who wants to make up a bed when they're hours beyond bedtime and emotionally drained?).
8. Set up your electricity, cable, and internet services in advance of the move so they're set up and ready to go on moving day.
9. If you're moving yourself, be sure to rent a dolly.  It's totally worth the extra (minimal) expense.
10. Relax.  Try not to get too overwhelmed.  It will all sort itself out.  Eventually!

How about YOU?  What are your best moving tips?

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