Monthly Archives: May 2012
Peach State says: The Quote!
This is one of my favorite cups…and it is from one of my favorite places…Starbucks. So I will share with you the words of wisdom from my cup…“The “Quote”!”.
Here’s to starting the day together.
To rushing in for five minutes or five hours.
Here’s to conversations over coffee, road trips, and hatching plans.
Gathering with friends, sharing stories, and losing track of time.
Here’s to running a non-errand, to cooling off, warming up, and an afternoon with no agenda.
Here’s to ideas bubbling up.
Your novel getting written in your favorite comfy chair.
Rewarding yourself for the big presentation.
Finding a bit of home on the road.
Here’s to holiday time.
Father-and-Daughter time.
Mother-and-Son time.
Parking the stroller, cycling club, knitting club, ukulele club.
Here’s to being part of something, to sharing books, movies, vacation photos, new songs, and old family recipes.
To always saying what you want, wishing for yourself and for others.
Here’s to you!
These words are quoted from my cup…but they left off a few!
Aroma Therapy, breathing in and hold…yum!
Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name!
Restocking of supplies.
Retail Therapy.
Coffee Break!
OCD Meetings (Obsessive Coffee Disorder).
Did I leave anything off the list? Let me know what you would have included…Have a great day!
Peach State
Peach State says: Sometimes You Just Need To Scream!
. Ever have one of those days…NOTHING GOES RIGHT! I have no more words of wisdom and I ran out of straws to break the strongest of camel backs a few months ago. One thing after another! Why did the publishing company stop printing the parenting book called “Tricks of the Trade…How to Successfully Raise a Responsible Teenager!” Perhaps I should write a book and title it…”Sometimes You Just Need To Scream!”
The proverbial carpet has been pulled out from under our feet. Typically parents have the luxury of speaking their mind as the child/teen is forced to listen. The parental words bounce around, like a award winning play on a pinball machine, popping and pinging against the different areas of their brain. BUT…this time the words went flying straight through…in one ear and out the other…not one word was left behind!
I worry about the loss of communication surrounding this series of events. The good news is that the child/teen involved is trying, through humor, to stay connected with the family. “I think the whole concept of borderline adult scares the pants off him!” He is so overwhelmed and cannot make sense of what to do next. His independent spirit, whispering in his ear, resembles the devil complete with pitchfork. He is telling him one thing which is the complete opposite of what we have suggested. “Why is it kids just don’t realize how parents really do know something about making it in the world?” “Did I say that out loud?” I have long been aware of the vicious relationship circle between parents and kids…but now I sound like a parent from a bad 50’s movie.
Now when my husband calls, on his way home from work, and wants to know about my day with the boys…I respond…”I do not want to talk about ______!” I do not need to frustrate either of us. Avoidance is essential to sanity right now. But just below the surface it is waiting….”Sometimes You Just Need To Scream!”
However…other issues have come not play. Stress is causing problems with our health. The underlying pain, ranging from sore muscles to migraines, and stomach aches have begun to plagues us daily. On the flip side…at least my husband and I know the reason for the bickering and have put blame where it belongs.
I apologize for the vagueness but just needed to vent. It really helps! I can see all of you agreeing with everything I say as all of your heads nod up and down. Your sympathetic understanding of my position helps me feel like I am not alone…but if you know what I am going through…I am sorry and can identify with you! Do you want to share a scream? 1-2-3 SCREEAAMM! “Sometimes You Just Need To Scream!”
Well I feel better…so now it is time to get ready for the next thing on my agenda…room decoration!
I am teaching the 4th Grade Class in VBS (Vacation Bible School) next week and this is decoration week. Time to put on my creative hat and see what I can do…I hope the hat still fits!
Thank you for your help today! Have a great day!
Peach State
Peach State says: Taste…Step by Step
This is the dessert I spoke about Saturday. It was easy…really! I started by baking the angel food cake and sliced and cubed it…
I then sliced the strawberries and placed the next layer on top of the cake…
Keeping with the Red…White…and Blue theme the whipped topping was placed on top of the strawberries.
Then the blueberries …
Repeat the layers…
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The finished product was a light and refreshing summer dessert! My family loved it! How do I know…because there was no leftovers. Enjoy!
Have a great evening!
Peach State
Peach State says: Memorial Day Recipes
Memorial Day is Monday and most people will have a long weekend to remember and celebrate with family and friends. Our little family has always celebrated quietly together on Sunday…”My husband does not usually have the entire weekend off and will be working Monday!” We will venture out, together, and see a movie (Men In Black 3) and then return home for our cookout. The menu has been planned and the food has been bought. Here are a few of my new Memorial Day Recipes!
Hamburgers with the standard lettuce, tomato, and pickle toppers are the main course with Grilled Corn on the Cob and a Bacon and Ranch Pasta Salad.
Bacon and Ranch Pasta Salad
Small Shells cooked and cooled
Peas
1 small diced onion
10 cooked slices of bacon…crumbled
Ranch Dressing…pour over the above ingredients and mix. I don’t use a lot just enough to flavor!
Chill!
Dessert this year will be a layered Angel Food Cake with berries!
I will be making my angel food cake today but a store bought cake can be used.
Layered Patriotic Dessert
Angel Food Cake…cut into bite sized pieces
Strawberries…sliced
Blueberries
Whipped topping
Starting with the cake begin to layer…
Cake, Blueberries, Strawberries, whipped topping and repeat…
Place the whipped topping on top and sprinkle with decorative toppings or a few berries!
Something new to our menu is a icy drink…I saw this in a store ad and have included the recipe.
(other brands may be used)
I will share a wonderful tip with you…most meat and seafood departments use a wonderful type of ice in their displays. You can take a cooler to them and they will fill it…FREE! I will be doing this today…it is much easier to use in blended ice drinks. “Can you say Mocha Frapps?”
I know this may seem like a average cookout dinner…but there will only be four of us this year. I hope you try one or all of these recipes…if you do…please let me know what you think of these Memorial Day Recipes! For those of you celebrating Memorial Day…Please take a moment to remember those who have fallen while serving and those who are presently serving. Have a great day!
Peach State
Peach State says: Dawn’s Early Light
The darkness fades as shades of deep orange and pink pierce the horizon. The gentle beams reach out to brush the moisture from the leaves and bring light to the morning. The morning moves forward as I watch Dawn’s Early Light.
I cannot stop this progressive march of light and have to yield to it’s order. I reach for my coffee and listen to the day come alive. Another day of scheduled activities, silently flash on my hand-held screen, reminding my sleepy brain of the ticking clock. Virtual numbers begin their countdown and I slowly reach for another warming sip from my friendly cup. The broken and bent light has reached beyond the trees and begins to filter through the windows of my life.
Patterns appear across the damp grass as scampering chipmunks dash from sight. Playful sounds of morning fill the air as Spring tickles the leaves with a breeze. All is well in this morning dance by Dawn’s Early Light.
I hope and pray for resolution of several issues that plague my day. Heavy decisions and realizations of dreams hang in the balance as this day unfolds. The rippling effect, of the choices made, could be felt by our family for a long time. Both positive and negative….where is my happy balance?
Sorry…I do not mean to sound like a Weeping Willow. I do not want to stand with my shoulders hung over as moisture sprinkles all around me. I long for the peaceful remnants of normalcy…childhood…where these issues did not invade and tear apart the fibers held together by love and trust.
Dawn’s Early Light is fleeting as the colorful blooms show their true nature in the morning sunlight. The air is pleasant and cool, as it teases with a gentle caress, knowing the warming of the day is on it’s way. I close my eyes and smile…Iced Coffee! It will definitely be a day for an Iced Coffee Escape.
Our morning shuffle will take us into our day…I know this and will put a smile on my face and hold one in my heart. I will reach for my cup and sip…but only until this cup is gone. “Places to go and People to see…it will be a long day filled with life.” I smiled as I wrote that! I do have a life no matter what the situation. “And so do you…Go live your life today and find something that will put a smile on your face and a smile in your heart!”
Have a great day!
Peach State