Be Here...Be Now...2012

Be Here…Be Now…

I heard this saying for the first time from my little sister. It’s a saying that I noticed I have been using more and more on a daily basis. Its four words that remind you to focus on the present. I, like I am sure most of you, tend to get too many far steps ahead in my brain. If its from something small like planning what I am wearing that night to foreshadowing an events outcome before its even happened, I am usually too many steps ahead. I can always tell that I am have been “in my head” too much, cause I began to get anxious and stressed about that event/plan/moment/idea. I start talking about it a lot or some moment from the day has passed me by and I wasn’t paying any attention. When I feel this happening, I have to just stop…take a deep breath…exhale…and say “Be here, be now”. That’s it. And I might even have to repeat that saying a couple times to just bring my whole self to the present: mind, body and spirit. The reason I am labeling this 2012 is because I think this could be one of the easiet resoltuons that you can give yourself. Just TRY to be in the moment. Trust me, it’s not easy, so cut yourseld some slack if you don’t pick it up right away. I STILL get too far ahead sometimes…but all I can ever do is just try my best, just be here and just be now.

Happy New Year Everyone! xoxo

Bubble Bath

What is it about a tub full of water and bubbles that smell like peaches that can wash away all of the days stress?  I literally just lost myself in one of the most awesome bubble baths ever. No, this post isn't just about taking a bath...it's more about how the small things in life can really do alot for someone. When life seems to get you down or work has you wanting to pull your hair out, there is nothing like treating yourself. I'm not talking about going out and buying a $300 pair of shoes, I mean those "little" things. Playing your favorite song, driving the scenic route home, ordering from your favorite take-out, singing as loud as you can...or a bubble bath. I know these things are all for you, but sometimes you gotta spoil "you" too. I believe in giving and blessing others but I think you can do the same for yourself.  You can treat yourself.


Just be good to YOUrself.
Now,  Go enjoy that extra scoop of ice cream with no guilt!

J'te aime...

This picture just made me so happy I had to share.

If only I could be there now....

Goodbye Aridness...

Tears fell slowly down my face

I reached to wipe them but they remained the same

And like the desert aridness with no rain

My tears dried up and there was less pain

You are still here, in my mind

I will hold you there till the end of time

Just know I am thankful for all we have had

Each loving memory will linger and last

As each day that passes and the hand on the clock ticks

I grow stronger and happier with this new existence

I know in the end, it will always be just me

That sticks by my side and let’s me be free

I haven’t given up though, I do still believe

That love is something that is destined for me

Cooking for one...

So I found this recipe online...I googled, "cooking for one". I know, kinda sad but it's ok...at least I dont have to worry about having a guinea pig suffer through all my cooking tastes test! But the funny thing is, I begin to make this last night and I am realizing its more like cooking for 5! Needless to say, I have enough pasta for lunch and dinner this entire week.

I pretty much followed the directions and it came out very yummy. It could have been a little creamier but I will need to figure out how to do that. I did not grate my own Parmesan cheese, which might have made a difference. I still loved it and enjoyed a nice glass of petite syrah with it =)

  

Spaghetti Carbonara

1 lb. spaghetti
6-8 slices bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
3 eggs
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup pasta water
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook spaghetti until al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.In a large sauté pan, cook bacon until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Drain grease from pan.

In a bowl, whisk eggs, Parmesan, pasta water, and pepper. Place pasta in large sauté pan over medium-low heat. Quickly stir in egg mixture and reserved bacon and toss to coat. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

A little string goes a long way...

I haven't cross-stitched in years and I decided to tackle a project to send to my Grandmama for her birthday. She was the first person to ever teach me to sew/cross-stitch. This actually was a tedious project since normally some cross-stitch patterns are shown already on the cloth. But this one...well, this one was blank. So I had to litterally count every groove on the cloth. But I enjoyed it!

Paula Deens Grilled Apple, Bacon and Cheddar Sandwich

Ingredients

2   slices sourdough, multigrain or another hearty bread
2   slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp
2   slices Cheddar
1/2  Granny Smith apple, cored, sliced thin
Mayo & Butter for Bread

Directions

Preheat a seasoned grill pan or griddle over medium heat. Assemble this sandwich just as you would a traditional grilled cheese sandwich: spread 1 slice of bread with some Mayo, then top with 1 slice Cheddar, the bacon, the apple slices, then 1 more slices of Cheddar, finishing with another mayo-slathered slice of bread. Butter the outsides of the bread and transfer to the hot grill. Grill about 3 minutes per side, since this sandwich is so thick. Remove to a cutting board and cut the sandwich in half on the diagonal to serve.

YUMMY AND GREASY AND GOOD!

Just Dance

I gotta say...lately I have discovered my dancing shoes. It's like I feel the music all through my body. Something about shaking and moving and just letting your body go does something for me. Whether I am dancing for fun, getting over a broken heart, battle dancing, slow dancing or just getting down, I love it.

The funny thing is, I used to not be able to dance. I was uber awkward and stiff. Then one summer I took bellydance lessons and started moving those hips. The thing is, it taught me to appreciate the way my body moved. It helped me loosen up. So since then, I've been letting it all go. I actually should probably look into trying other types of dancing. I've been wanting to try Burlesque. I think that would be a new sexiness to my moves, which can't hurt! ha!

Honestly, I don't know why I wanted to blog about dancing. But maybe it's just cause I have a new found appreciation for it. But I will leave you with my favorite quote -

"When I hear music, I just can't make my feet behave"  - Blanche from the movie Grease.

It's How I Go

Sometimes I wish I could just stop time
That I could sit and think of what used to mine
But life is like a river, it needs to flow
It's how things go, It's how I go

Sometimes I'm sorry is not enough
Too much as been said and too much time has passed
I must keep going even when it seems so tough
It's how things go, It's how I go

Sometimes you just have to keep moving
When the ground under your feet never stops
You gotta hold your head high and be seize what you got
It's how things go, It's how I go

Movement

Why is it so hard to just get back into the gym. I mean, I sit here and complain about my body and blah blah blah...and I KNOW that it takes me getting off my bootay and just working out. I try everything to go..."It's only an hour", "You can eat what you want", "That dress will zip up now".  What is it that makes me just want to sit on my couch, eat ice cream and watch Grease on a daily basis? 
It's called laziness! And starting today, February 2, 2011...I am saying NO to Ms. Lazy and YES to Ms. Sweat Machine! 


I started the day by searching for workout routines for "pear" shaped women. Not sure how I resemble a green fruit but hey, I guess I do carry a little extra junk in my trunk. Well, come to find out, I actually need to work out more than once a month...who knew? So, looks like my goal is getting to the gym 3-4 times a week and also doing some other sweaty things on the side (don't get dirty on me...I was talking about hiking or biking). I gotta get on those cardio machines and sweat it out and then start actually squatting up and down to work out these legs. Movement. It will be a new verb in my life.

Bring. It. On.