Always a Kid at Heart

I’ve never been afraid to be dorky, laugh at myself, and be silly. It’s one of the things I like the most about myself. I don’t have to be mature or “act my age.” People often forget to be silly, use our imaginations and to just PLAY!

Something I’ll always remember from my childhood… Dr. Seuss.

When I was in Orlando this summer, I took a moment to appreciate the great Dr. Seuss area of the park. It brought back so many memories. My grandparents giving my brother and I a Dr. Seuss book to learn to read and enjoy. Loving the rhymes and characters. Even graduating high school, where many of us 18-year-olds got “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” and we believed it. Not even fully comprehending the meaning of that book until much later in our lives.

So don’t forget to play, and have fun, and to not be afraid to just be a kid at heart! Your soul will thank you too.

Green Eggs and Ham

The Cat in the Hat

That crazy cat

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

Dr. Seuss books, most likely lead to my love of reading as a young child to an adult

What’s your favorite Dr. Seuss book? My vote is for “Oh, The Places You’ll Go”

 

 

Harry Potter For Life

If you know anything about me, you know I’m a huge fan of the Harry Potter series. Non-traditional though it may be, I saw the movies first and only after seeing the film would read the book. I’m a little behind, having only begun reading the fifth book, but I’ll get there. Best part, I love the films, then love the books more.

Movies, check. Books, three to go. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter amusement park in Orlando, oh yeah! If you’re thinking about going, do it. I highly recommend it. The detail, creativity and realistic nature of the park was truly amazing. It honestly felt as if what my imagination and the movies created was brought to life. Get just a taste of it with these pictures.

Has anyone else gone? What did you think?

Hogwarts Express

It’s HOGWARTS!!!

The Sorting Hat

Entrance to Dumbledore’s Office

The Book of Monsters

Sampling the local brew – Butterbeer, delicious

The magical car

The students from the other magical schools

Hagrid’s cabin

Singing choir – a cappella group, very talented

 

Thank you Veterans!

We don’t say it enough, especially to those who sacrifice so much to fight for freedom, justice, and all that most Americans take for granted… Thank you to all the veterans for what you do. Most of us don’t even realize the hard work you’ve done, so today I’m sending an extra thought of gratitude to you!

<photos of my Grandpa Cornell and Grandpa Stevens, both were veterans of World War II>

 

2 Months, 2 Days

I just told you where my head’s been at from August to mid-September, but there’s also been something else weighing on my mind and in my life, also contributing to my sense of lack of control and fighting all these internal emotions going on. Also, why I haven’t been able to write on my blog.

On August 14th (15 days after our entire family flew to Pittsburgh to celebrate his 87th birthday), my Grandpa found out he had 3-6 months to live. He’d been battling colon and liver cancer, doing multiple treatments and on that fateful day, his doctor told him that the treatments weren’t working and there was nothing more that could be done. His doctor told him that he probably had 3-6 months left.

Quite the harsh reality. And life-changing on so many levels.

My Grandpa has always been the rock of our family. Never sick. Didn’t even take any other pills except for a multi-vitamin, fish oil and iron, at the age of 87! So when I say it was a harsh reality, that doesn’t even begin to describe how he felt.

Well, on Oct. 16th, I got a call from my Mom that I’d been dreading for years. My Grandfather has passed away. Calmly and as peaceful as one can. He had gone to heaven. 2 months and 2 days after getting the news that his life had a time limit placed on it.

It’s been very difficult. And if you’ve lost someone close to you, you know too how long the grieving process can take. I think about him everyday. And have a feeling I always will.

Time to Take a Hard Look in the Mirror

It’s been a long time since I’ve posted anything here. I don’t want to make excuses. I don’t.

My last post was on Sept. 5. Prior to that day and the couple of weeks following that day, I had been experiencing feelings of jealousy, envy and distrust – basically a recipe for disaster signaling major control issues. It was all-consuming and life ruining. I was afraid of being hurt.

And then I had a hard realization.

My fear of being hurt was actually preventing me from being happy. And it could make me lose something close to me, essentially pushing those I loved away. It was turning me into a person that I wasn’t. Worried, anxious… gone were the days where I was all sunshine and happy thoughts. So I took a hard look at myself and decided I needed to admit a few things to, well, myself.

I decided I need to change my outlook and perspective. Falling back on the ultimate trust I knew I had and letting go. I took action and made the choice to change. And just to be sure I kept it going (to make something a habit, they say you have to do it for at least 21 days), I knew I needed to keep track and give myself constant reminders.

Today is the 40th day I’ve kept up with my positive attitude, trusting others completely, letting go of the control that I felt I needed to keep my life from spinning out of control. And can I tell you something, as hard as it is to “let it go,” my life and relationships haven’t been this good in months.

Don’t get me wrong. I still give myself those reminders and have to remember how much better I am and truer to the person I know I am by staying strong and believing in myself and others.

I’ll catch you up on what’s been on my mind/going on in my life these last two months too, but I had to get this off my chest. It’s the reason I wasn’t posting anything because I needed all my energy to focus on me. I hope you understand.

We all need a little time every once in a while.

<photo credit: mine – sunset in Mexico>

Foodie Moment

When I was in Orlando for my work’s summer conference, our team had some delicious meals. Go figure the food communications team enjoys to try unique dishes, I know, I know.

On the last night, I was feeling a little adventuresome and decided to try a fun meal.

Beginning with my cocktail…

Orange, tequila cocktail

Black linguine with rock shrimp, red peppers and asparagus spears in a light garlic sauce

(The linguine is black from squid dye, creative and oh, so delicious, I ate the entire dish!)

Thank you Orlando had a blast

P.S. – Happy Labor Day everyone. Safe and fun holiday weekend!

Now You Know Where I Get It…

My Mom made the most delicious strawberry pie recently that I couldn’t help but show off. This was on the cover of Cook’s Illustrated American Classic magazine and it was amazing! It took a long time, but her masterpiece was amazing.

Final touches on the masterpiece

Gorgeous!

A slice of heaven

The inspiration

 

Birthday Banana Cream Pie

When my Grandpa turned 87, I wanted to do something special for him. His favorite dessert is Banana Cream Pie and he hasn’t had it in many years. So I knew exactly what I wanted to make for him for his big birthday weekend! He was surprised to say the least…

 My first Banana Cream Pie with Meringue

(the meringue turned out perfect with the help of my sister-in-law)

Side view of my first baking masterpiece (if I don’t say so myself)

Everyone loved it and most important, it made my Grandpa’s birthday and brought a huge smile to his face. That’s all I needed.

If you’re interested in the recipe, it’s so simple…

1 graham cracker crust

1 package of vanilla pudding

3 bananas (sliced)

Make the pudding, according to box instructions. Slice the bananas and layer the bottom of the graham cracker crust. Pour the pudding over the bananas. For meringue, 1 egg white (1 part) and beat until fluffy. Add about 1 TBSP sugar (1 1/2 parts) and continue to beat until it forms peaks. Spoon on top of pie (feel free to make it look textured like I did using the back of the spoon). Then place in oven on broil setting, watch it carefully, and pull it out once light brown.

 

Grand Teton National Park

Part of my Yellowstone trip was to also visit Grand Teton National Park for two days. It was amazing and again, I’ll let the pictures do the talking. If you haven’t been, go, it’s beautiful.

Beautiful sunset

The mountain range, the Tetons

Jenny Lake and Inspiration Point

“Run, Boulder dash” or just having fun, you decide?

The valley in Grand Teton National Park

Bull moose

Grand Teton mountains

Everything’s Amazing & Nobody’s Happy

Just came across this video and I have to say I completely agree. Often times when I hear people (or myself) complain, it feels ridiculous. We’ve become such a spoiled rotten society. We don’t appreciate what we have, we only focus on the things we don’t have. In a constant state of “I need.”

I catch myself saying it all the time. Then when challenged with, “do you really need it?” The answer is always most certainly “no.” So how did we get to this place? Why is our focus so off?

Last year, I came up with an idea for an e-book, titled “We’re Missing It” and the concept (still in my head at this point) is similar to this interview with Louis C.K.

Take a look and let me know what you think.