The Heart Of The Home: Can you believe I haven't posted in almost 4 years...

The Heart Of The Home: Can you believe I haven't posted in almost 4 years...: Can you believe I haven't posted in almost 4 years.  I never intended to go this long without writing but life happened.  The days turne...

Can you believe I haven't posted in almost 4 years.  I never intended to go this long without writing but life happened.  The days turned into months and the months into years and I look back now and wonder where all the time went.

My last post was about my new granddaughter Kaelyn and well now she is 3 years old.  I guess my excuse for not posting can be that she took up much of my time. I got to spend time watching her grow up from an infant to a toddler and it has brought me so much joy.

If you have grandchildren, you know what I mean.  They do something to you that you never expected.  The smiles, laughter, hugs and kisses just brighten your day beyond words.  Your heart is ready to burst each time you see them or hear them call you "grandma".  You melt a little each time.

Well Kaelyn is in preschool now and I don't babysit as often.  It seems impossible that she will be 4 in October but time waits for no one.  The years have flown by.  If you have young children or grandchildren, don't rush for them to grow up.  Enjoy every moment you have with them because it all goes by so fast.

So enough about my granddaughter taking up my time.  I also started a soap business where I made my own soap and beauty products.  That was going pretty well until I developed severe pain in my left shoulder and needed surgery.  I had to close my business because the recovery time and physical therapy went longer than expected and my ability to do craft shows and fairs was now impossible. Thus, I closed my business and learned to let it go in order for me to recover.

Letting go of something even if it seems perfect at the time whether it is a business, relationship or job can be devastating but many times it is the right thing and you can't look back.  I knew what I had to do and did it and never looked back.

Sometimes in life what we think is the right thing, turns out not to be.  You can put your heart and soul into something but in the end it just doesn't work out.  You know what, that's okay because it was not meant to be and fighting it won't make it any better.  Life is an adventure and finding out what your passion is or where your skills and abilities lie is part of the journey.

There is nothing wrong with quitting something that doesn't feel right whether it is a job, a relationship or a business.  So much has been said about quitting and "being a quitter" and that it is bad or you are a failure.  This is false.  If you need a change in jobs, go for it.  This might be the time to find a new career.  If you are in a bad relationship, get out.  Don't go another day feeling miserable and unhappy.  It is time to start over.  Close the door on this part of your life and walk proudly through the open door into a better more fulfilling life.  YOU ARE NOT A FAILURE but a person who is looking out for their best interest and happiness.

I know from experience that waiting too long to make a change in careers is never the answer.  You will have regrets and disappointments.  Remember to give it lots of thought before you step out of your comfort zone. Chances are you'll be scared and nervous but if it is the right thing, it will work out.  Research your choices and search your soul to see what is right for you.

We all have been given one life and it is quickly passing us by.  Make the most of every day.  Search your heart and see what you really want your legacy to be.  Are you willing to make changes and step out in faith or will you crawl back in bed and just complain about your life and the hand you were dealt.

There are so many unhappy people in this world, don't add to that number.  Change what you can and accept what can't be changed.  Live your life and enjoy each and every precious moment you were given.

SEE WHAT'S NEW

I can't believe this year is just about over.  Time goes by

so fast and as you get older, the days blend into weeks

and weeks into months and before you know it another

year is over.  I always feel that maybe I missed

something during the year or failed to do something

important.  Do any of you feel that way?  We all

seem to be so busy, yet what are we really doing?

I often ask myself is how I'm spending my time

really of any value or am I just wasting it?

Yes, there are always things to be done

but are they really the best things we should be doing?

This is something I'm going to try to work on this

coming year.  Try to use my time wisely and productively.

 

How many of you are caught up in the social media explosion?

It is really addictive isn't it?  I know I can get on the

computer and start searching for this and that, go to

Facebook, check out people, look at things, post,

check a post, look at ads and before you know it

two hours have gone by.  I for one don't think that

is a good use of my time so I'm going to try

to change that or at least scale back.  It is so easy

to lose track of time and forget about more important matters

like home and family.

 

 

One thing I've learned though is to treasure each day and

make memories when I can because life does not promise

us tomorrow.  I have a sister-in-law who is 64 and terminally ill

and I see what she is going through and it stinks. 

We all need to cherish the days we have with those we love and celebrate even if it is only a great meal

 or a day of good health.  Life is so precious and

we should enjoy each and every day.

 

I feel so blessed this year because I welcomed a new granddaughter

into our family Kaelyn Marissa on Oct 25.

 

She is such a sweet baby.  I cannot stop looking at her

and never want to put her down.

 

As I mentioned before, I am planning on changing my blog

 a bit so I hope you come back to visit again.  It has been such a

busy year with the new baby coming and family issues

but I hope to start up again in the New Year.

 

Until next time,

Kathy

 

 



GONE TOO LONG

Hi Everyone.


Well it has been such a long time since I posted.  Some of you know that I retired last July and basically that was out of medical necessity.  I was having a lot of physical issues and my job was contributing to them.  I couldn't get disability so I had to retire early.  This caused some financial difficulties for us but we are getting by.  I was taking a lot of medication and pain pills without results so I decided to try acupuncture because this worked for me in the past.  It was pretty expensive but I felt if it gave me relief, it would be worth the money.  Thankfully, I did get very good results.  I am feeling much better with fewer limitations.  I am still getting treatments and hopefully will get better and better with each treatment.


During this time, we also had some family problems and which brought on more stress contributing to my  physical condition but life has a way of adding problems and not always choosing the correct timeframe.


I am much better now and am able to get back to a more productive life but I do have to be careful with what I do.  I always push myself too much and then suffer.  I have a great husband who helps so much around the house that I don't have to worry about that.  There were days when all I could do was just sit in a chair and watch TV all day long and not do a thing.  Talk about boring.  When you are an active person, this is torture but I had no choice.  Some days I couldn't even turn my neck from side to side so I had to give in to my limitations.


I'm probably not going to be doing much on the way of primitives with my blog any longer because financially I won't be purchasing new things and my decorating is pretty much confined to what I have on hand now.  I would like suggestions though if you would like me to continue with the blog but maybe talk more about homekeeping, recipes, organizational tips, decluttering, cleaning tips things like that.  If I don't get much of a response, I'll probably just close my blog at least for now.  I'm thinking of other things I can do.  I know there are so many people who want to learn and we all have so much to give so if anyone feels they have suggestions, let me know.  I know I don't have many followers, so this blog may not even be read but I'll give it a few weeks and then if  nothing shows up, I'll close it.


I just want to thank all of you for your concern and e-mails asking me where I've been.  It was so thoughtful of you and much appreciated.


On a final note and a happy one, yesterday Father's Day we found out that our new grandbaby will be a girl. She will arrive around October 26.  We are thrilled beyond words and can't wait for her birth.  Everything is perfect and we saw all her toes and fingers, arms and legs on the sonogram pictures.  A little angel for sure.


Until next time, may all  your dreams be happy ones and your days be filled with joy.


Hugs
Kathy

The Kitchen

Hi Everyone

Just wanted to make a short post to let you know that I have been working on some things, nothing big but making some changes and reflecting on my home and what it means to me.

What is it about the kitchen that draws everyone there?  Is it the food?  Is it because the hostess/host is  there and people gather around to visit with her?  Is it because we love the homey feeling it brings just to be around the smells and sounds of something cooking?  I wonder.  If you notice, every time there is a party or get together, people seem to end up in the kitchen.

I love the kitchen.  It is my place to be creative with food and in some cases, not so creative.  I love new recipes and I love my old recipes.  Those traditional ones that I learned from my mom and carried over and prepare for my family.  I love that they enjoy them as well.  I love that my grandchildren enjoy them now too.

I love teaching my granddaughter to make cookies and pies and the benefits of eating healthy and why we eat certain foods and why certain foods are not good for us and I also love that she knows she can have whatever she wants in GRANDMA'S KITCHEN.

Cooking for my family is something I truly enjoy.  I know many women feel it is such a chore but to me it is a blessing.  I feel that I am giving them food to nourish their bodies and help them be healthy and in this way I bless them each day.  I am responsible for serving my family food and in this act of service to them I try to find joy in the love I feel for them. 

 Ladies as we serve our families, we are demonstrating an act of love.  Even if you prepare a quick meal, serve it in love. Don't just toss it on the table and let everyone fend for themselves.  Use nice dishes, set the table, take a few minutes to make sure everything is set correctly.  This is a good time to teach the younger children.  Also use your silverware, save the plastic spoons and forks for a picnic.  Your family should be treated as the special people they are.  Don't save your best for the guests.  After all who are the most important people in your life, are they your guests?  Use nice things for your family, they deserve it.

I love candles and use them whenever I can, especially at meal time.  You will be surprised how it changes the mood.  Try it on your little ones.  Light some candles at dinner time and see if their mood changes and calms them down.

Again, I love the kitchen.  I love everything that makes up a kitchen.  I enjoy being there and cooking good meals for family and friends. 

I'm trying to pass down my love of cooking to my daughter and granddaughter.  I hope that one day they will realize what a blessing it is to serve their families with joy and love.

Until next time may you find joy in the meals you prepare remembering that your service to your family is a  gift of love, give it freely. 

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE WALNUT BISCOTTI

Hi everyone, glad to see that some of you stayed with me after my long, long absence.  I think I lost a few readers along the way but hopefully I'll pick up some newbees and maybe my long-lost followers will return.  I did get some requests for the biscotti recipe so I'll post it for all to enjoy.  I think it was a Barefoot Contessa Recipe so I can't take the credit for it but all I can say is try it and you'll love it.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 stick (6 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 cup walnuts chopped

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 tablespoon confectioners sugar

Preheat oven to 350F and butter and flour a large baking sheet.

In a bowl whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.  In another bowl with an electric mixer beat together butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.  Add eggs and beat until combined well.  Stir in flour mixture to form a stiff dough.  Stir in walnuts and chocolate chips. 

On prepared baking sheet with floured hands form dough into two sightly flattened logs, each 12 inches long and 2 inches wide (don't flatten too much or your biscotti will be too flat since these don't really rise that much.)

Bake logs 35 minutes or until slightly firm to the touch.  Cool biscotti on baking sheet 5 minutes.



On cutting board cut biscotti diagonally into 3/4 inch slices.  Arrange biscotti cut sides down on baking sheet and bake until crisp about 10 minutes.  Cool biscotti on a rack.  Biscotti keep in airtight containers 1 week and will freeze well for about 1 month.  ENJOY.

Let me know if you make these and how you like them.  I'll be back soon.  Until then, may you enjoy all the blessings in your life because nothing should be taken for granted.

Hugs

Kathy

STILL HERE

Hi Everyone, just wanted to let you know I'm still here.  A lot has happened over the last few months.  For one thing I've finally retired from 46 years of working outside the home and can't believe the freedom I feel right now not having to answer to a boss.  My time is now my own and I love it.  My husband is also retired and we are enjoying life as much as we can.  Of course we have had to scale back on things but it is worth it.  We are loving the free time to volunteer with our church and other community activities and to be available for our family when they need us.  Best part is we are here for our granddaughter whenever she wants to visit like during Christmas vacation.

We had such a good time.  I taught her how to sew and she started making a very simple quilt.  We also worked on other crafts and just spent some good quality time together.  I love being a grandma.

I have also been doing many of the things around my home that have been overlooked because of my lack of time.  You know all those tedious things like cleaning out drawers, replacing shelf lining, arranging and organizing pantry shelves, closets and throwing away all those extra items we accumulate.  I really needed a lot of time to accomplish that.

I have been neglecting my blog because of being busy with different chores around my home.  I'm hoping to get back to blogging on a more regular basis soon.  I would like to add pictures of my home and some of the changes we've made. I am not a very good photographer but I do the best I can.  Hopefully 2012 will be better and I'll have more pictures to show together with some recipes and other organization ideas for you.  There are so many ideas floating around in my head but putting them all down is another matter.

Here is a picture of some chocolate brownie biscotti I made that are absolutely to die for.  They are not dry like regular biscotti and are fantastic especially if you like to dip them in your coffee.  If anyone wants the recipe let me know.  If I get enough responses I'll post it. These are fabulous.

It looks like a bite was take out on the right side but that was just a piece that broke off.  Believe me, I wanted to bite it but thought that would be too tacky.  These are pretty easy to make too. 

I hope to write more often and keep this blog going.  I wish all of you are very blessed New Year and may you all enjoy good health and prosperity.

Until next time

Hugs

Kathy