I think I am in love

well…they say lightning never strikes twice…but I feel that it has.  I am in love!

Have no fear, Mr. Roche…there is only place in my heart for you!  What has my attention is all the fun I am having with my new additions to my blogger account…so while I have tried to maintain both sites for variety sake…if you want to stay up to date you will have to visit me at www.mixedgreensvillage.blogspot.com …startling photos included!

sail away with this fashionable bag

People always amaze me with their creativity…their resourcefulness. Check out this fun bag made by Ella Vickers…recycled sails that once were discarded are now a fashion statement. This bag is great because of the waterproof nature of the cloth…and even chocolate milk (don’t ask) washes out in a snap.

Here’s what Ella shares about her bags:

Ella Vickers Recycled Sailcloth Collection is the most refined & quality built on the market. Our pieces are made from authentic recycled/reclaimed yacht sails. They are Green/Eco Friendly, Urban Chic, and Ocean Durable. All items are handcrafted in the USA using yachts sails from around the world, saving 20 thousand yards of sailcloth from the landfill each year. Inspired by her days of sailing as first mate on a classic Americas Cup winner, Ella made herself a set of bags from a discarded sail. When regatta guests bought them right off her arm, a company was born. The durable and sophisticated designs reflect the nautical lifestyle with crisp white Dacron Sailcloth and hi-performance Kevlar Sailcloth. This gorgeous, urban-chic collection ranges from the small cocktail cache to the functional tote messenger and the ocean durable duffel. Experience the spirit of the sail reborn into fresh shapes for a new adventure!

While on vacation, I received so many compliments for this bag…now you have the source!

the most precious resource on earth

Okay, you are probably tired of me gushing about my trip to the lakes…nothing can put me in a philosophical mindset like spending hours along the shore…I am as the salmon who fights the odds to make the annual trip…the water is my home!

One thing that keeps sticking in my head is how incredible our waterways are…the power, life, depth, and wonder…it runs through the very core of our being. Like the earth, we are composed of roughly 75% water, and yet the sacred waters that feed our earth and our bodies are being abused. Enormous amounts of plastic pieces are discarded into the water each year, and since plastic does not quickly decompose, a swirling mass piles up endangering the species of our waters…and the water itself. While it is right that we look up and ask questions of the sky above us, we also need to pay attention to the water by our shore.

So what can we do? It is as simple and important as being aware of our litter, recycle a bottle or bag, and reduce the amount of garbage we put out there. I am a believer in the power of people to make change happen…in the goodness that we can all do! It may feel like your efforts are a small drop in the bucket…but together it is an ocean!

unexpected treasures

If you are traveling…on vacation, on the way to work or school, to get the morning paper…stop and take a look. Unexpected treasures are everywhere…

a flower that grows along the side of the road…it freely gives its beauty and color…

shells and bits of sea glass…among some ordinary pebbles…you have to dig a little bit, but they are there…

the way the morning sky is full of soft hues that welcome a new day…the rhythm of each day…

These are the “little things” that can be missed when we hurry through our day. Yet if we pause, there is a deep message that resonates…that life welcomes us every day, and we are meant to be here.

Where the water is blue…there is my heart!

 I am on my way home…to my St. Clair River…where everyone knows me as “Lisa,” and I can’t wait to see those beautiful blue waters!

This is the St. Clair River…a major artery in the interstate waterway’s commerce…this ship is carrying coal or iron ore from the Upper Pennisula…yes, that would make me a troll since I grew up under the Bridge of Mackinac…

There is some major steering involved with navigating the St. Clair River…check out this turn!  Just in case you were wondering…that is just a little boat…1,000 foot long!

This is the Blue Water Bridge linking the U.S. to Canada…if you know me…this explains my accent…aye! And just out the bow is Lake Huron.
So if you are seeking a beautiful, magical place…don’t wait too long…because the snow is already on it’s way!

Freckle Face

My kids have each been granted by the gene fairies…beautiful eyes and these adorable freckles. This little one wants to see how many she can collect in one summer…we’ll keep you posted.

Now if you subscribe to any fashion mags…you will read how everyone is searching for “blemish-proof” skin techniques, and how you can hide this and that “imperfection” on your skin. I want to shout, “but I have worked so hard to create all these laugh lines!” When did the signs of a life well lived become “imperfections?”

Here’s an idea, how about instead of listening to all that crap in the magazines, we celebrate who we are and what we are becoming? How about instead of being critical of these little things, we see them as a scrapbook of all the adventures we have had? Like my little freckle face, see them as a celebration of a great summer! It is like recognizing that the cocoon while not very noteworthy is giving way to a beautiful butterfly inside!

P.S. If you want a fun summer read…try Judy Blume’s Freckle Juice. It will make you feel like a kid again!

Boredom & Snickerdoodles

This picture say it all…we are at that point in summer vacation where boredom sneaks in…a whole plate of snickerdoodles isn’t going to bring a smile to this little blue face…

“Everyone is doing something but me!”

We were probably all this way at sometime in our childhood…and yet now the days fly by ever faster. I consider myself sort of lucky to never be bored…but maybe I am missing a good thing here. Maybe boredom is a gift rather than something to be avoided like the plague. It is that spaciousness and awareness that keeps grabbing my attention. Of all the seasons, summer is comfortable with moments of boredom…a.k.a. freedom from the to-do list…time to watch the clouds go by…take a nap on the sand…to do nothing and be okay with it. Stop. Time out. Do nothing. Despite the fact that I have a million places to be today, I am intrigued by the idea of taking a moment to do nothing. Maybe by creating this space of nothing…something will arise.

Snickerdoodles (just in case you want the recipe)
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup Crisco (or vegetable shortening)
2 eggs
2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

Cream the sugar, butter and Crisco. Add the eggs. Stir in flour, cream of tartar, soda and salt. Shape dough into round 1 inch balls and roll the cookie dough in a mixture of:

2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees F for 8-10 minutes. Cool before serving. Makes about 6 dozen cookies.

Toast to a great weekend!

It’s Friday…where did this week speed off to? What an amazing five days… I spent time teaching 6 youngsters culinary basics at Celebrity Kitchens here in Wilmington…they were great chefs and cool kids. Working with them is keeping me young and hip (I say “hip” because I think I gained a few this week testing their creations!)

One down note this week was the passing of a dear lady that I know…Dolores…someone who inspired me to just get out there and do it! While she will be sincerely missed, I know she is going to be around us as a little angel from above…encouraging us to sieze the moment!

So for all the things we have to be thankful and for all the people we love…let’s raise a glass to this weekend and say “cheers!” As promised, here is my recipe for a delicious Sangria! Enjoy!

Freshly Squeezed, Delightful Sangria!

• 1 cup orange juice (if you have fresh oranges, squeeze them baby!)
• the juice from one lemon
• the juice from one lime
• 1/2 cup superfine sugar (they sell this by the box near regular sugar at the market)
• a medium pitcher–1/2 filled with crushed ice
• 1 bottle of red wine (don’t use your best stuff, this is good for the $3 bottle!)

Pour all the ingredients together in the pitcher and give it a stir. Garnish with frozen grapes, slices of orange, lemons, limes…blueberries, strawberries…you get the idea. Rub the rim of your glasses with a lemon, roll in sparkling sugar, and serve the sangria!

A great site for vintage finds!

From time to time on my journeys out on the world wide web, I stumble across a beautiful site…thought this one by Heather Bullard was a real treasure: http://www.heatherbullard.typepad.com/ and I also enjoyed this site by decorology: http://www.decorology.blogspot.com/

Julie Powell & Julia Child

After reading the book, Julie and Julia, I became a fan of Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child, but also of Julie Powell…a woman whom I feel an immediate connection to…because we both enjoy discovering life’s pleasures through the art of cooking. Just in case you don’t know the story, Julie Powell was a temp living in NYC with her husband, Eric. As her job options continue to be less than she dreamed…she decided to take MAofFC and make all 524 recipes in one year. At her husband’s suggestion, she started a blog on the topic, and I can hardly wait for the movie which comes out on August 7th! We should have a dinner party and make it a big night out! If you are interested in knowing more about Julie Powell or the book Julie and Julia check out these links.

Julie’s blog: http://juliepowell.blogspot.com/
A bookclub meeting with the author: Julie Powell Borders Media
To see the movie trailer: http://www.julieandjulia.com/