Gator Athletics!

We had such a great time last weekend at our youngest daughter's college parents' weekend. Being former UF athletes, it was fun to check out some of the athletic events. Florida basketball is decidedly more popular now than when we were in school. They are doing fairly well this year so it was fun to see them in action against Arkansas. Arkansas had beaten them a few weeks ago IN Arkansas so the O'Dome was rocking and rolling when the Gators were their host. We won! And it was fun to renew my interest in college basketball... March Madness is just around the corner! As a bonus, during the game, it was announced that the Men's swimming and diving team (my husband and I were divers on the team back in the Day!) had just won the SEC championship. On Sunday we went to watch the women's tennis team take on Stanford. It was a close and very exciting match but we had to leave before the conclusion.  We learned later that Florida did win! Our family also has an interest in the gymnastics team. One of the Gator team members was a teammate of our youngest daughter several years ago so we may have to go to Gainesville for the NCAA Regional meet April 6 to see her final competition as a Florida Gator! As always, Go Gators!

UF vs Arkansas

                                                                       

Uf vs Stanford

                                                                                 

And the Fun Begins!

                                                               

So sorry I have been unable to post for a few days. I recently agreed to step out of my comfort zone and train to become a booking agent for a talent firm. It is exciting, fast paced and certainly different. We have projects come in from all over the country and each job is unique. The most daunting part for me is the varied computer programs. I am closing the gap on the learning curve and enjoying it more and more! I now have to figure out how to rearrange my schedule to continue doing all of the things I like to keep in my schedule. Enjoy your day.

Brussel Sprout greens Oh My!

I am a late comer to the greens fan club. They were never a part of my "veggie" plate until recently. Fortunately, I have had the pleasure of dining on delicious mustard, collard and turnip greens but my "hands-down" favorite is Brussel Sprout greens. I didn't even know what brussel sprouts looked like except wrapped in cellophane in the grocery store. When I saw the brussel sprout stalk I fell in love with the awkward looking vegetable. I have already posted a recipe for even the most stringent naysayers of the brussel sprout. This easy recipe of  brussel sprouts roasted in olive oil and balsamic vinegar might just move someone to try the maligned veggie.  The real treat is the top or greens! Not kidding... buttery, and delicious!

 

     



Brussel Sprout Greens

Wash and separate greens from thick stalk. Tear into bite size pieces.  Cook 3 pieces of bacon until just brown in pot you will use to cook greens.  Add greens, stir to coat. Add 1 Cup chicken broth. Simmer until tender. Make sure you check liquid level as greens are cooking.  Enjoy !!

                                                                                                                       

Monday Cat!

Truth be told, I actually like Monday. Don't get me wrong, I love the freedom and relaxation of the weekend but I do like a little structure in my day. I know the rhythm of Monday. It is like a mini New Year's resolution (ok, that's a little stretch.) It is similar because I use Monday to set the tone of the week.  I remind myself of the story of the jar that needs to be filled.

Imagine a jar and several rocks, pebbles and a cup of coffee sitting next to it. Your task is to fit all of the  items into the empty jar. The rocks go first and represent the big (important) things in life that need to be first like family, friends, health and God. The pebbles are smaller and represent the many responsibilities and events we face daily like work, community, recreation and goals. The cup of coffee goes last but fills the remaining empty spaces in the jar. It reminds me to make sure I take time to appreciate and enjoy the simple pleasures in life like a cup of coffee. And PS, your rocks, pebbles and liquid may be different than mine. That's the great part, you get to choose. Have a great week.

Enjoy the little things in life!

Happy Friday! I saw this poster and it gave me pause. I've mentioned before that I love quotes, slogans or sayings. Most are cliche or trite but on closer examination, the good ones pack plenty of truth into a neat little package. I can open the presents at will and receive a gift; either a reminder of something I already know or a new way of looking at something.

   



One of the little things in life I really enjoyed was a Valentine greeting from each of my children. A little thing maybe, but it goes in my column of BIG things.  Enjoy your weekend. Notice the little things that bring you joy!                                                  

Valentine's Day

                     







Hope your day is filled with wonder!

                                                            HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Random Acts of Kindness

I read somewhere that this week is designated as "Random Acts of Kindness" week. The challenge is to practice a random act of kindness daily. It is fun to think of little things that may make someone's day a little brighter because of YOUR act of kindness.  I've been noticing little things this week that have made me feel lighter. I went into a convenience store in search of some Advil for a headache I couldn't shake and as I handed the clerk my money he said, "I hope you feel better." Such a small thing but it DID make me feel better. Someone else offered to pick me up in a carpool headed to an event I had committed to attend. I ran into a store today as the rain started coming down hard. The back hatch in my car popped open. A stranger tracked me down to make me aware that my trunk was getting rain.

It has been a wonderful week receiving kind gestures and I have tried to hand them out as well. Some days my offering may just be letting someone in waiting in traffic. Maybe I let someone with just a few items go ahead of me at the grocery store checkout. It has even been as simple as offering up thoughts of love in prayer form for a stranger lying on a park bench. Your imagination is your treasure chest. Enjoy the week of Random Acts of Kindness!

                                                             

                                                           

Brunch at Black Sheep

We don't usually splurge on the weekends for Sunday brunch but we had the pleasure of eating Sunday brunch at the Black Sheep restaurant near Five points. I had cardamon pancakes and my husband ordered Black Sheep Benedict. Both were delicious. In fact, everything on the menu looked wonderful. I was so intrigued that the owner invited me into the kitchen to photograph another offering. They were preparing a pork chop over collard greens with a fried egg on top! Of course, in the true southern tradition, no egg dish would be complete without grits.  It was a special treat and I am looking forward to another Sunday brunch!

 

                                                                                                     

William James on Wisdom

The art of being wise is knowing what to overlook.
William James


A simple sentence but powerful in its content. How often do we choose being right over being happy? Is it wise to think you are right about a situation and choose that position above all else? Or would it be wise to decide what may be most important. Is your happiness the most important at that moment? Take some time to investigate. That is a start to obtaining wisdom. How do you practice nurturing wisdom?

On a Whim!

Happy Monday!

Enjoyed a brief trip to Naples for business with my husband and on a "whim" we decided to traverse the state and visit some family in West Palm Beach. The weather was beautiful and we always love being with my husband's sister, her husband and the nieces and nephews who may be in town!  One of our favorite things to do on Saturday in West Palm is visit the Green Market. Vendors set up their tents selling everything from freshly made red velvet donuts to orchids. It is a wonderful world of sights, sounds and scents!  We didn't get the donuts but we did succumb to freshly made smoked fish dip, guacamole and ceviche! I was tempted by the orchids but didn't want to transport them.

  We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the shops of City Place. We ran into some friends of theirs and visited with them for a while sitting outside of a restaurant. The evening meal was at a local Italian restaurant where we employed some of the Italian wait staff to help us with the correct pronunciation of "my pleasure" in Italian. (As opposed to "you're welcome") I'm quite certain I still don't have it down but it was fun to learn something new!

We made it home in time to be with treasured friends for the Super Bowl. I liked both teams but the "Blind side" story won out and I pulled for the Ravens. It was a great game and I enjoyed it more because it was a GAME!  Beautiful weather, family, friends and football. What's not to like?

The weekend started off a great week. Impressive Monday morning sunrise. Enjoy!

                                            

Flowers all year long

I love fresh flowers in my living space. What I don't like about them is that some tend to be pricey and seem like such an indulgence for the amount of time you get to enjoy them at their peak. Fortunately, I have a few flowers in the garden that I can count on for most of the year. December is great for Holly berries and poinsettias.  In January and February, Camellias are gorgeous. March and April bring azaleas while I wait for my favorites to bloom -- GARDENIAS! The scent is divine and I'm sorely disappointed when the last flower appears. But not to worry, I have roses, hydrangeas, gerber daisies and wildflowers to perk up my summer surroundings.

Camellias

faux roses sprayed with delicious scent

Hydrangeas from garden add to a bouquet

If I can't get any fresh flowers from the garden, fragrant herbs like basil and mint work wonders as well as beautiful bouquets of greenery. As a fill in for times when I can't get the fresh flowers I want, I find realistic faux botanicals and spray them with a pleasing scent to hold me over until I can return to the real thing! Faux flowers with a subtle hint of sprayed on scent is a nice touch for those colder, darker winter days. xo

purchased sunflowers for added color

wildflowers from garden