tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37199935577269937732024-02-07T19:36:53.161-06:00Meadowlark DaysMeadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.comBlogger212125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719993557726993773.post-91817229682329194552012-03-29T12:22:00.001-05:002012-03-29T12:24:54.442-05:00The Naked Face Project<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Have you
heard of </span><a href="http://www.thenakedfaceproject.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Naked Face Project</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just
found out about it last night through a </span><a href="http://www.frederica.com/writings/the-naked-face-project.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">mailing list</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> I’m on. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was intrigued and interested, largely
because I have been makeup-free and hair-styling free for most of my adult
life, whether for good or bad!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of
my reason for not wearing makeup comes from the fact that I don’t like the way
it feels on my skin. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also value
authenticity and wearing makeup makes me feel like I’m trying to be someone I’m
not (not that you can’t wear makeup and still be authentic!) But I also have to
admit that I’ve been genetically blessed with good skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t do my hair because I don’t like the
feel of the hair dryer, its noise and heat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And it takes too much time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d
rather be enjoying a cup of tea and reading a newspaper article instead of
doing my hair. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I have
more thoughts I want to share on this, when I have a chance. Growing older and
living in California and now in Houston has sometimes made me stop and reconsider
my easy-going ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d love to know
what you think and if you’ve heard of the project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It ends on March 31 and they’re encouraging
other women to join them, even if just for the day!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Meadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719993557726993773.post-69615314541551464302011-12-14T16:04:00.000-06:002011-12-14T16:04:35.619-06:00Chicken Paprika<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9icd6tEZ1u0ZZPlyKxnocsdE9UWMMm_XTElPjzoqMTKBINyULQMKfNAalfnu8i54CdJoPmkfD2UfNJHZF-Mv2CuwR1sbSDZFS6mn5Hz0kJKNXn80-kMPMvVEkngZeRdwEfBj-cJL2sE/s1600/_MG_8074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9icd6tEZ1u0ZZPlyKxnocsdE9UWMMm_XTElPjzoqMTKBINyULQMKfNAalfnu8i54CdJoPmkfD2UfNJHZF-Mv2CuwR1sbSDZFS6mn5Hz0kJKNXn80-kMPMvVEkngZeRdwEfBj-cJL2sE/s320/_MG_8074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This dish has become a new holiday favorite. My stepmom makes it for us when she comes down at the holidays! In fact, it's what we had for Thanksgiving dinner. My husband and I want to find a quicker way to make it so we can enjoy it more often, perhaps with boneless chicken breasts.</div>
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</div>
<div>
Chicken Paprika with Spatzle</div>
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1 3 - 3.5 lb cut up fryer</div>
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1/2 C flour</div>
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1 1/2 tsp salt</div>
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1/4 tsp pepper</div>
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1/2 C butter</div>
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1 Large chopped onion</div>
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2 Tbsp paprika</div>
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1 C chicken broth</div>
<div>
1 C light cream</div>
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1/2 C sour cream</div>
<div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_2_0_1_132389999429694">
In bag, shake chicken in flour, 1 tsp salt, and pepper 'til coated. Save 2 Tbsp flour. Brown chicken in butter, pour off fat, but return 3 Tbsp to skillet. Saute onion 10 minutes or so. Add paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and broth. Bring to boil, lower heat. Add chicken, turning to coat. Cook, covered, 30 minutes or 'til tender. Remove chicken. Stir in cream. Make paste of saved 2 Tbsp flour and sour cream. Slowly stir into pan. Cook, without boiling, 'til thick. Add chicken. Serve over spatzle.</div>
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</div>
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Spatzle</div>
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3 C sifted flour</div>
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1 tsp salt</div>
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1/8 tsp white pepper</div>
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3 eggs, beaten</div>
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1 C water</div>
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1/4 C melted butter</div>
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</div>
<div>
Combine flour, salt, and pepper in medium bowl. Make well in center. Add eggs and water and mix thoroughly. Scoop up dough onto spatula or lage spoon and cut off small pieces with a knife directly into a boiling pot of salt water. As dough bits rise, scoop off with a slotted spoon. Place in covered bowl with melted butter and keep warm as the rest cooks.</div>Meadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719993557726993773.post-73560069224544836422011-11-19T22:10:00.004-06:002011-11-19T22:30:24.219-06:00{Water}<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqig5GYHnO-Zc-_xysTAs2EdY2sNBm3kslgCCzc3Ebcro5gQLiqvKMhrLYAA8vDaEqHYE3MaGn7ZYWm1Vn3chANOGstN2bLGWj8ou1-OVJ5EAKO9uT4uUto9nnFuXhDcZ5NpxDCBs4GK8/s1600/_MG_8046.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676929628296560546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqig5GYHnO-Zc-_xysTAs2EdY2sNBm3kslgCCzc3Ebcro5gQLiqvKMhrLYAA8vDaEqHYE3MaGn7ZYWm1Vn3chANOGstN2bLGWj8ou1-OVJ5EAKO9uT4uUto9nnFuXhDcZ5NpxDCBs4GK8/s400/_MG_8046.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7r2Cy50JwS63u75mlolKFBxw7_IXc-LLQbJbVsVaFYcn2cMllJdflx63U_9mQp-hduACYQ_zcztLnug1MDjLjRqPjxgmXP0sJ4jGMioPeV2CoarAuHV_dtXhdXwGNGCL4Vp0GFOgYHk/s1600/_MG_8049.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676928878422608514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7r2Cy50JwS63u75mlolKFBxw7_IXc-LLQbJbVsVaFYcn2cMllJdflx63U_9mQp-hduACYQ_zcztLnug1MDjLjRqPjxgmXP0sJ4jGMioPeV2CoarAuHV_dtXhdXwGNGCL4Vp0GFOgYHk/s400/_MG_8049.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_kdK1LZ9cpiMgtGmRxMeBaMpM56SU74cQpyjDq8wEtGRCMhK5JHDgQCLSI0sy_QeqFcn40Og6vtQWl-PZX6GFIbzd-yYCsGUF4lh7zAEM5ghmwlIE94e1lIKzX2xiJ_-POKPB_s7Y1M/s1600/_MG_8048.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676927920985257538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_kdK1LZ9cpiMgtGmRxMeBaMpM56SU74cQpyjDq8wEtGRCMhK5JHDgQCLSI0sy_QeqFcn40Og6vtQWl-PZX6GFIbzd-yYCsGUF4lh7zAEM5ghmwlIE94e1lIKzX2xiJ_-POKPB_s7Y1M/s400/_MG_8048.JPG" /></a> Today was all about the water: a trip to the aquarium, a walk on the beach, coming home and taking a bubble bath with a book. I love these murals on the sea wall in Galveston. It was overcast and breezy today, a bit warm and humid. We hadn't had a free Saturday in months and enjoyed the sense of, well, freedom to take off and have a mini-adventure for the day. Have you had any mini-adventures lately?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Meadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719993557726993773.post-64918653829874091262011-07-08T09:41:00.002-05:002011-07-08T09:50:54.486-05:00Small Victories<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3-fQVWKCWewr-bTCJKX-a2Vli_XVMlBtdubAJew4aYWa69nsh63B0WHk_1AqwfuxB0YxU2hGs-gFA6j1xDhEQ5zXSlQKboQMKLHpajx4zXj0_LkEuy29DqFOrvcGng9DoGqqJC3NCcE/s1600/_MG_4347.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626991908139895458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3-fQVWKCWewr-bTCJKX-a2Vli_XVMlBtdubAJew4aYWa69nsh63B0WHk_1AqwfuxB0YxU2hGs-gFA6j1xDhEQ5zXSlQKboQMKLHpajx4zXj0_LkEuy29DqFOrvcGng9DoGqqJC3NCcE/s400/_MG_4347.JPG" /></a> My quest to lighten the load in our home continues. Earlier this year, I did something I never thought I would do: recycle 10 years (!!!) of Martha Stewart Living magazines, including duplicates that I'd picked up at library sales. I lost count around 165 copies. I had recycled many other periodicals that I'd been hanging on to, but for some reason felt compelled to save the MSL ones as reference materials. As it turned out, once I actually sat down and started going through them (absolutely no idea how I had the time for this), there ended up being very little that I actually needed to save. I clipped craft projects and a few recipes to save, and that was that. I couldn't help but think about how much MSL and other home magazines are so very much like fairy tales for adults: perfect home, amazing dinners with beautiful friends, clutter-free rooms. I think they reflect the way we want our lives to be more than reflect how they actually are. As a reader and former library employee, I adore magazines, but I have had to stop some subscriptions just to slow the flow of stuff into the house. It also seems that many magazines just don't have nearly as much content as they once did - edited down for quicker reads for today's busy people. Of course, I still receive some mags, and I still have some piles sitting around that need to find their way to the blue bin...<br /><br /><div></div>Meadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719993557726993773.post-69766649317329953482011-05-13T17:57:00.002-05:002011-05-13T18:04:45.208-05:00Tying up Some Fun<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xNDAa3HiQ0xyGPL8QFT711jVM2oj3q__-aWERqyS-8cJ00kS0nwls9ZYNW28-MdSene58aFz6_mrcUIBty7xKX2Z31jhjlOowdqhKXT17sfR_877zhIGTyCJbiJJ3MYAVlCV2fdIsXg/s1600/_MG_4956.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606339536556148434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xNDAa3HiQ0xyGPL8QFT711jVM2oj3q__-aWERqyS-8cJ00kS0nwls9ZYNW28-MdSene58aFz6_mrcUIBty7xKX2Z31jhjlOowdqhKXT17sfR_877zhIGTyCJbiJJ3MYAVlCV2fdIsXg/s400/_MG_4956.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgII1xYBSQJypkN6Q1zVa43byxkDMnqWDrqkkzC_woYomlvW_Y8fXosS7cQqqIIjJOaxYIOfhqNLXqQ66kGrfv0wj34y9ZL3QaaEcid2taahq21pesrWLQc2abygnD3P8eZMSwDZWQYOUg/s1600/_MG_4950.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606339535339219570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgII1xYBSQJypkN6Q1zVa43byxkDMnqWDrqkkzC_woYomlvW_Y8fXosS7cQqqIIjJOaxYIOfhqNLXqQ66kGrfv0wj34y9ZL3QaaEcid2taahq21pesrWLQc2abygnD3P8eZMSwDZWQYOUg/s400/_MG_4950.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSJan568eH2wGl_zTml37cFuub8K0beuIAb0gnVhB_LnhtoYR233c1FHlxJwdbAHCHFqZ8mrVZD7AaIvmruk1_Jfhlv_aHO4imfJU-6c_eGtP21ZPFXUCjY_svjLUZYwzQqhHg_VLi44/s1600/_MG_4952.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606339532173748594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSJan568eH2wGl_zTml37cFuub8K0beuIAb0gnVhB_LnhtoYR233c1FHlxJwdbAHCHFqZ8mrVZD7AaIvmruk1_Jfhlv_aHO4imfJU-6c_eGtP21ZPFXUCjY_svjLUZYwzQqhHg_VLi44/s400/_MG_4952.JPG" /></a><br />I don't have a lot of time for craft projects these days, but I had a tie-dye kit that had been sitting in my closet for years and finally decided to put it to use. A friend and I dyed onesies and little t-shirts for the wee ones in our lives. We also used Rit liquid dye in buckets to make easy versions of the ombre clothing in stores this spring. Our favorites were the ones with the top third dyed blue, the middle left white, and the bottom third dyed green. In the wash, the dyes ran enough to dye the middle white section a lighter bluegreen. Easy fun! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Now it's time to get back to laundry and dishes...<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Meadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719993557726993773.post-25706931624999022072011-02-16T12:47:00.003-06:002011-02-16T12:56:19.786-06:00Icy Gardens<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iWyD5m_oFiJpjkVpiWhsGR0AGFq4Ac0SFBNwkH1XONbIzjS2XrafTFo8tRaicU3722ERY7G9MB7BHg33-r6Hb3CCQANkEqx8-UrSlI_IPIshlZd5PQ7y3-voqmc-0DPuuPy849XiFHQ/s1600/_MG_4330.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574361898194664834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iWyD5m_oFiJpjkVpiWhsGR0AGFq4Ac0SFBNwkH1XONbIzjS2XrafTFo8tRaicU3722ERY7G9MB7BHg33-r6Hb3CCQANkEqx8-UrSlI_IPIshlZd5PQ7y3-voqmc-0DPuuPy849XiFHQ/s400/_MG_4330.JPG" /></a> It's been a weird winter in south Texas - many days warmer than average (mid-70s and humid today - blech) but we've also had many freeze warnings. I haven't been out with the camera much in the past few months, but I couldn't resist this frozen puddle in the backyard with the ornamental pear leaf encased within. It made me happy to see ice in the backyard, happy to find icicles hanging off of my truck one morning - I love chilly weather. I know that increasingly warm temps are just around the corner, along with decisions to make about what to do in the garden (keeping it simple this year, as I repeatedly learn that I don't have the energy in a Houston summer to tend a garden effectively), decisions to make about traveling in order to escape the heat for awhile. What decisions are ahead of you right now?<br /><div></div>Meadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719993557726993773.post-51145946483641025662010-10-19T09:17:00.002-05:002010-10-19T09:27:37.860-05:00T Tuesday: Afternoon Tea and Thinning Out<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_4Jr_mLBPk1OJJCwXdeQ2651jw-ATj-faTYaV5P8Y3ydcFWhb0Ji0W_08ywzzJBffhYb8dQu3ZJ95WrnWEb8ENB9l7p9iUbaXz953r4-dKlu1yKqV8FeZ7g6vkuLzFn6Rfc5UVMCq8c/s1600/marbles.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529761374589857266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_4Jr_mLBPk1OJJCwXdeQ2651jw-ATj-faTYaV5P8Y3ydcFWhb0Ji0W_08ywzzJBffhYb8dQu3ZJ95WrnWEb8ENB9l7p9iUbaXz953r4-dKlu1yKqV8FeZ7g6vkuLzFn6Rfc5UVMCq8c/s400/marbles.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmv_w8HVH-Oj2U6jSClOD5tHqUCfAImRT8IVcnbiHRTaMvKdWiqtepNZew3YT87-DGKdyVTQPqnfd9EOKbKRiZr1uepJMJA7zFOFCwLen4rm_Xy45KE8d5FlvAgYf7SRitFeo6Z92CPeU/s1600/tin.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529761346705549778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmv_w8HVH-Oj2U6jSClOD5tHqUCfAImRT8IVcnbiHRTaMvKdWiqtepNZew3YT87-DGKdyVTQPqnfd9EOKbKRiZr1uepJMJA7zFOFCwLen4rm_Xy45KE8d5FlvAgYf7SRitFeo6Z92CPeU/s400/tin.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NukhAjv92cLhhMB0s-XBDjPTPvKXYxe4-cvOHYNTynS58O9dp0ccdYW6anBxjm4vcy15gq2wL795M0SdCN6XiR7rwt9_DJ54TZ4chaZ91l-Nk50sHmaii6vDYBkEmApsLH-L2JAiB-w/s1600/afghan.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529761315135544274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4NukhAjv92cLhhMB0s-XBDjPTPvKXYxe4-cvOHYNTynS58O9dp0ccdYW6anBxjm4vcy15gq2wL795M0SdCN6XiR7rwt9_DJ54TZ4chaZ91l-Nk50sHmaii6vDYBkEmApsLH-L2JAiB-w/s400/afghan.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_G6SP7fIXw8oHzsc1px9Dd0pstw3SYDjkuaPOvujL95sHes_ajeV7w5f-rhfIq8miej9xc6vQ3Ab6XCG2zEGYworMGYEjkl64TybZ0AbCMoeCslOm59_iFhyphenhyphenJEBkEy6bThyUhv0gLLFg/s1600/lamp.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529761291583845154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_G6SP7fIXw8oHzsc1px9Dd0pstw3SYDjkuaPOvujL95sHes_ajeV7w5f-rhfIq8miej9xc6vQ3Ab6XCG2zEGYworMGYEjkl64TybZ0AbCMoeCslOm59_iFhyphenhyphenJEBkEy6bThyUhv0gLLFg/s400/lamp.JPG" /></a><br />Things have been a little quiet on the tea front lately, but yesterday I enjoyed a delightful afternoon tea with a friend and one of her other friends at a little <a href="http://www.sereniteatearoom.com/">tea house</a> in the area. With my pot of jasmine and their Earl Grey, we enjoyed cucumber sandwiches, chicken salad, samosas, and more. (I wish I would have thought to bring my camera!) It was a fun change of pace from the coffee in paper cups that is typically imbibed during dates with friends. This morning I am enjoying Tazo's Berryblossom White with my little dog stretched out by my feet, gnawing on a chew toy. His devotion is quite endearing.</div><div> </div><div>I am slowly continuing my thinning-out project: pictured are a few items that have made their way to Goodwill. I had had them for a long time, and I found myself wishing that I had been taking more pictures throughout this decluttering process to remind myself of the progress I've made. The crazy floral tin was bought at a thrift shop during college in Vermillion, South Dakota; I began making the afghan in 2001 but never finished it and by this point no longer like the color choices I made or have the patience for it; the old lamp I bought at a garage sale in high school and after nearly twenty years of not having rewired it, it seemed time for it to go, hard as it was. I ended up keeping the marbles because they were so pretty to photograph. These items in particular carried memories with them.</div><div> </div><div>Do you have any decluttering tips?<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div>Meadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719993557726993773.post-4326296521582579022010-09-14T08:19:00.002-05:002010-09-14T08:31:14.930-05:00A Tea Kettle From My Past<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FkLytDCPFDPHWnB_uBIT-E88iR9UfvIIjpM8OUSC6vluYtu_sHZz35909Y5Q7R59THkyhzAf7LNWHpj3RLexVgi3E_rGCY6geT48tutvRa2pvqm2-kP63Kfjge9VPID_3JitFVMk4Lk/s1600/trace4.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 305px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516758483553575746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4FkLytDCPFDPHWnB_uBIT-E88iR9UfvIIjpM8OUSC6vluYtu_sHZz35909Y5Q7R59THkyhzAf7LNWHpj3RLexVgi3E_rGCY6geT48tutvRa2pvqm2-kP63Kfjge9VPID_3JitFVMk4Lk/s400/trace4.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpi_6zZxaQsQj29emTBs3i8XW6zDrSVoyhqmttINKY_zsuUpolv9Kn7YhSyCQGp-srkYR3MvOLAVIiScd6qr_nyRjc3IqGImwHfA0VFJ43ZOfqx48Olji28R2H8B-og9KPFH_MGDGOck/s1600/trace3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516758471372294978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpi_6zZxaQsQj29emTBs3i8XW6zDrSVoyhqmttINKY_zsuUpolv9Kn7YhSyCQGp-srkYR3MvOLAVIiScd6qr_nyRjc3IqGImwHfA0VFJ43ZOfqx48Olji28R2H8B-og9KPFH_MGDGOck/s400/trace3.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoztAh-7FpbPDimMQXP3hhM82B5rzRLb-FkOAGyaJSI7pt-u1ONGZuIZGdJks4ZUIEBH7oABmnKCDimLPnQcI-pClRnmaSuZSxUn7TkjZPs3I4USyrRkZWhYd_WrIlTL47DSDXH4YTAqY/s1600/trace2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516758459950466034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoztAh-7FpbPDimMQXP3hhM82B5rzRLb-FkOAGyaJSI7pt-u1ONGZuIZGdJks4ZUIEBH7oABmnKCDimLPnQcI-pClRnmaSuZSxUn7TkjZPs3I4USyrRkZWhYd_WrIlTL47DSDXH4YTAqY/s400/trace2.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3Ubqe9aBqYgn_1200-NLDzzsHe9v68G2b01w0hl67YWXgzi5ANWVqpeAPc817nee8cJQa14xjubMtF6hjUL9UahY6bpjBdy0M9gAamnZTBk_RS2J9s8SfOV7dkIijW9EkV8PZfIKDwk/s1600/trace1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 282px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516758452195655202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3Ubqe9aBqYgn_1200-NLDzzsHe9v68G2b01w0hl67YWXgzi5ANWVqpeAPc817nee8cJQa14xjubMtF6hjUL9UahY6bpjBdy0M9gAamnZTBk_RS2J9s8SfOV7dkIijW9EkV8PZfIKDwk/s400/trace1.JPG" /></a></div></div></div><br /><p>We've had sporadic internet problems due to a lightning storm, but we think (hope) the problem is solved now...so I'm back for Tea Tuesday! I have been rather obsessively going through closets and clutter these last few weeks. I even opened up the pile of sketches from Drawing 101 that had been taped up between two big pieces of cardboard for many years, sight unseen. (Drawing 101 was a very long time ago!) I enjoyed seeing the sketches again, and felt kind of sad that I haven't kept up with drawing, even if I have done lots of other arts and crafts in the meantime. I was intrigued by how many times the tea kettle in the bottom drawing showed up in the still lives - our professor obviously found it worthy of repeated attempts. The other images are also momentos of my past: the violin that I haven't touched in years, the Chuck Taylors that I wore in high school and college, my Great Uncle Louis who often visited for Christmas during those years. I kept these sketches, although many of them ended up on the curb (after being photographed if I liked them well enough - thank goodness for digital photography.) I was surprised that I finally let them go, since I tend to be very sentimental. But a big part of me is feeling that by letting things go, removing them from my home, I am making room in my life for new things.</p><p> </p>Meadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719993557726993773.post-63713743790873337712010-08-17T10:02:00.002-05:002010-08-17T10:19:02.176-05:00T is for Transcendent<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEtaImGpxhBP3oXP-kGSWNE6MA6MYue_60raVvtmZQK4ZmPmU7jookh02nvoxeADCpDbnBOgLOCi4yf2RaIZ4yCtp0244a4DV-ZuSifAhYtW8FHuwkgGVs-JNFAd15t9pyk4tqTr8rzY/s1600/church.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506394559178838498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEtaImGpxhBP3oXP-kGSWNE6MA6MYue_60raVvtmZQK4ZmPmU7jookh02nvoxeADCpDbnBOgLOCi4yf2RaIZ4yCtp0244a4DV-ZuSifAhYtW8FHuwkgGVs-JNFAd15t9pyk4tqTr8rzY/s400/church.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoif7nT71DKjw6VN2Wivqdtg7ko9mkE83FpGC5NL62jj2Hz8EjUniWUoN6Q7sIcbFKEOUFEQb5yH1cl6XppoCXItu_57QIBKOk2VPiXaFekMTthog4iid7YwSsyw5Q3codbUa_eXsLYBI/s1600/church3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506394553089768370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoif7nT71DKjw6VN2Wivqdtg7ko9mkE83FpGC5NL62jj2Hz8EjUniWUoN6Q7sIcbFKEOUFEQb5yH1cl6XppoCXItu_57QIBKOk2VPiXaFekMTthog4iid7YwSsyw5Q3codbUa_eXsLYBI/s400/church3.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KrdLLpYm-vgYnDOXlpYhrmLUWeiUBiYdvpd1p7fa87HIuMR4SgMAs6n4PS_nc0xp7D3GLcFpcwlO2fTHblWIbsizdrtl23JcSHlCCaWdfieY4Mz7XTm919AHa9p1QLpJTRws2sFOaww/s1600/church2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506394549280667586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KrdLLpYm-vgYnDOXlpYhrmLUWeiUBiYdvpd1p7fa87HIuMR4SgMAs6n4PS_nc0xp7D3GLcFpcwlO2fTHblWIbsizdrtl23JcSHlCCaWdfieY4Mz7XTm919AHa9p1QLpJTRws2sFOaww/s400/church2.JPG" /></a> Just yesterday we returned from Pennsylvania, where we were blessed with a new goddaughter. The church her family attends has recently been beautifully restored after a fire. The icons that cover the walls and ceiling of the church are wonderful and a great joy to see. Being a very visual person, one of the things that drew me to the Orthodox Christian faith was its embrace of the visual and multi-sensory (a nicely holistic approach to worship), its use of icons to remind us of Christ's life and the lives of those believers before us. I love that when I enter an Orthodox church, I know I am in a church and that I am there to worship God; countless visual reminders help me focus on this fact. Some moments are truly transcendent.</div><div>Stash Moroccan green mint and Raspberry Zinger were the teas I enjoyed when not at church! They were a nice change. Of course, not much time was spent sipping tea on this trip. My husband spent quite a bit of time folding paper airplanes for our godkids to throw across the room, and we also spent time drawing and doing a little art project. The weather was delightfully cool compared to Houston. You can find more Tea Tuesday participants <a href="http://artinredwagons.blogspot.com/">here</a>.<br /><div></div></div></div>Meadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719993557726993773.post-74132818752931466252010-08-10T09:03:00.002-05:002010-08-10T09:11:37.307-05:00T is for Twin Cities<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZdvVGJSWNCurO3szIKB6W0MglN-43u_KjEsaj-i7NmNkWhV-k-StRc9EUtBV-3H5jwlYhPUCNWfza3leUjTW1gqK3asKzb4Tr2E454YG9_UOIH206hse8K_9B4ohjl5yO_zXOtoxcZ0/s1600/tc5.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503781831963691186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ZdvVGJSWNCurO3szIKB6W0MglN-43u_KjEsaj-i7NmNkWhV-k-StRc9EUtBV-3H5jwlYhPUCNWfza3leUjTW1gqK3asKzb4Tr2E454YG9_UOIH206hse8K_9B4ohjl5yO_zXOtoxcZ0/s400/tc5.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhII7ThcL4tWNQ9h5xCnFPWgslvjOZRXTKDiCgPUlRgF2y_lfPPdGZ7zIYMOpJ98ANmQjTDbovr3riEjy3IEjz_GA3CQaygK4SBGkbyhq-6tgIOEFYqhb27M2m0EzkbFMqMfuADeDUNsmk/s1600/tc4.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503781828542042930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhII7ThcL4tWNQ9h5xCnFPWgslvjOZRXTKDiCgPUlRgF2y_lfPPdGZ7zIYMOpJ98ANmQjTDbovr3riEjy3IEjz_GA3CQaygK4SBGkbyhq-6tgIOEFYqhb27M2m0EzkbFMqMfuADeDUNsmk/s400/tc4.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFS5t9K1bvUbcUTCLxiIN1yMTnkFLfLD-22ajdU25bJSFBlgefZ7nxaBPTtrmtTNFR8UtSdUglhifSVmV_OPAfuGgKJpeXG8eN0-ptLWULV9yMoNXCnP8eIAmbYa-b4mKd6LAQUIDgNs/s1600/tc3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503781824775116914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFS5t9K1bvUbcUTCLxiIN1yMTnkFLfLD-22ajdU25bJSFBlgefZ7nxaBPTtrmtTNFR8UtSdUglhifSVmV_OPAfuGgKJpeXG8eN0-ptLWULV9yMoNXCnP8eIAmbYa-b4mKd6LAQUIDgNs/s400/tc3.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIjfHMFFteFpGB0Emo2NZu-0FBmPsu04DoAUom5h-kMCFLvhMKfaCl4L5QwehvIYdHJMjD5Fh2zKEna09O-Mn9ysoXlIzlh-mm7yi3uBnV8hAj62EzYXiDoZlxVZw2OHKHJUs3ktXD6g/s1600/tc2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503781819187895394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIjfHMFFteFpGB0Emo2NZu-0FBmPsu04DoAUom5h-kMCFLvhMKfaCl4L5QwehvIYdHJMjD5Fh2zKEna09O-Mn9ysoXlIzlh-mm7yi3uBnV8hAj62EzYXiDoZlxVZw2OHKHJUs3ktXD6g/s400/tc2.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRf64R3n-4O8J7EY4lZpCvBfSccO2a8lqukAMlZI588x2M6Fx6TgvodNnFEYauSe1VhYOexmZZzIeTm1m8o6EdwpEvsrR7lohQ-CSlmdWHIZVI9qYdS_xfcXslmEr2cWydT-8SmC_35i0/s1600/tc1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503781815504822962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRf64R3n-4O8J7EY4lZpCvBfSccO2a8lqukAMlZI588x2M6Fx6TgvodNnFEYauSe1VhYOexmZZzIeTm1m8o6EdwpEvsrR7lohQ-CSlmdWHIZVI9qYdS_xfcXslmEr2cWydT-8SmC_35i0/s400/tc1.JPG" /></a><br />A week ago we returned from a quick trip to Minnesota to visit family. One of the highlights was visiting the Minneapolis Farmer's Market, which was hands down the largest one I've ever seen - two blocks' worth of vendors. I was enthralled by the heaps of bright veggies and couldn't resist taking photos, although I did feel a little self-conscious shooting in the crowd - hence quick decisions about composition, etc.! We enjoyed some of the produce grilled, some of it raw, some of it steamed. I had quite a bit of quiet time on this trip to read, so I kept it simple and drank decaf Lipton and Constant Comment when I wasn't eating veggies! I've visited farmer's markets in Santa Fe, Rapid City, SD, Cannon Beach, OR, and Minneapolis this summer, but haven't made it to any in my own neck of the woods. For as large as Houston is, the farmer's markets here just aren't that impressive.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Meadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719993557726993773.post-88420227349056444952010-07-27T09:41:00.002-05:002010-07-27T09:47:39.648-05:00T is for Tasty<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYB7LmkY-_joggcGceGlGmKgMzvj6lZpPHF2wvQclD8J6EzRMjRMbmhiZa5yiPL55UTiGXkSlSRQRLdofc1sL-Tpl6EUOzt5rujDmoJInCQKlmw6UMxX6UYxdS4WRgcDLXdM0TruFytGM/s1600/smores.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498596186500060402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYB7LmkY-_joggcGceGlGmKgMzvj6lZpPHF2wvQclD8J6EzRMjRMbmhiZa5yiPL55UTiGXkSlSRQRLdofc1sL-Tpl6EUOzt5rujDmoJInCQKlmw6UMxX6UYxdS4WRgcDLXdM0TruFytGM/s400/smores.JPG" /></a> S'mores, anyone? I wanted to share this yummy dessert from one of our meals in Oregon - skillet s'mores! Graham crackers on the bottom, chocolate in the middle, and the best part - toasted marshmallows on top. I know it's <a href="http://artinredwagons.blogspot.com/">Tea Tuesday </a>today, but I confess I drank some <a href="http://www.sleepymonkcoffee.com/SMinterfaceembeded.html">Sleepy Monk </a>coffee with this dessert instead of tea. The coffee was delicious, and the next day, we stopped at Sleepy Monk itself for some of the best hot chocolate I'd ever had. The chocolate whipped cream was perfection, thick and substantial. I brought some of their coffee beans home with me...I think it's time to go brew some up...<br />Smore's memories you want to share?<br /><div></div>Meadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719993557726993773.post-17566595253661112122010-07-20T07:18:00.003-05:002010-07-20T07:42:30.149-05:00Traveling Tea<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDz2cnAMDdH4_m762EpZjUpCEn7q6KnuDDZoZEJKyCEdUVgcob5gsyqzWIjnYSiJqG4hcTYOZNr7KMudqut1YZ7OSTuzzLyd9ssVwSVBdNFaj6q4P1TN_RQBKdAQDZ4WFibkt2DyCJtg/s1600/tea+or.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495962151043517458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDz2cnAMDdH4_m762EpZjUpCEn7q6KnuDDZoZEJKyCEdUVgcob5gsyqzWIjnYSiJqG4hcTYOZNr7KMudqut1YZ7OSTuzzLyd9ssVwSVBdNFaj6q4P1TN_RQBKdAQDZ4WFibkt2DyCJtg/s400/tea+or.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-as7RzsrDwMf49nfdlTor8ctZWzzV5ndY9Gm0dDawDSX70mLVRnANCcuIrIXITe8XxwwVzBC9uLXrClBBBEivQbdfD4DPHaO-FjWrcIRwXMQrDk2kdxXLE4nzKEKMLVbhCyINLq4NWlk/s1600/tea+or+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495962147657309266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-as7RzsrDwMf49nfdlTor8ctZWzzV5ndY9Gm0dDawDSX70mLVRnANCcuIrIXITe8XxwwVzBC9uLXrClBBBEivQbdfD4DPHaO-FjWrcIRwXMQrDk2kdxXLE4nzKEKMLVbhCyINLq4NWlk/s400/tea+or+2.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbNY-pgPIqJqNOO4ZGQNzM_XuMk7HcrCZwDZThVyXZ4VuHcbN7hOJAcee2XPsluBXwkUE-dWXCBA4YzK-9oNPVzygtvDtEQISDuGa2bh6l_MPBjmzTnoO2xzlVUIGmd9HcsZv2aqLB9g/s1600/tea+or+3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495962144873351538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbNY-pgPIqJqNOO4ZGQNzM_XuMk7HcrCZwDZThVyXZ4VuHcbN7hOJAcee2XPsluBXwkUE-dWXCBA4YzK-9oNPVzygtvDtEQISDuGa2bh6l_MPBjmzTnoO2xzlVUIGmd9HcsZv2aqLB9g/s400/tea+or+3.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshbjplm4GlPolStK-1CM8DZ_WVW9JPDXOpvEqZpfl26dNy9qI5pJIIbftSdRPLESePIZeK4AA0uynqCxl8AtYh8I6tgFblU2apnZtS2ScyRwDcHp9ubSNiCFJDW3zlq_SBwC5qAptyis/s1600/tea+or+4.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495962137306514130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjshbjplm4GlPolStK-1CM8DZ_WVW9JPDXOpvEqZpfl26dNy9qI5pJIIbftSdRPLESePIZeK4AA0uynqCxl8AtYh8I6tgFblU2apnZtS2ScyRwDcHp9ubSNiCFJDW3zlq_SBwC5qAptyis/s400/tea+or+4.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-aBI54wxak3Z8BQJuhh8Y0s7gK4RlmGyMxw6F3fpLoW2qSbMvAU6-4ltIQ3BL5vJDXHPYWLYcLRpRTU-WhJHpQNUxPD6xZUl1aEDa6wyzRYd0snZoja3fUAa8PzIuaVltXIbvnQNJLg/s1600/tea+or+5.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495962129350320946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8-aBI54wxak3Z8BQJuhh8Y0s7gK4RlmGyMxw6F3fpLoW2qSbMvAU6-4ltIQ3BL5vJDXHPYWLYcLRpRTU-WhJHpQNUxPD6xZUl1aEDa6wyzRYd0snZoja3fUAa8PzIuaVltXIbvnQNJLg/s400/tea+or+5.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Often when I travel, I bring along a little assortment of tea. It seemed especially important to do so for last week's trip to Oregon, since I knew the weather would be cool and I'd likely be spending a lot of time reading and wanting a warm mug next to me. Tazo's Joy - their Christmas blend - has long been a favorite, and I stock up as soon as it appears around Thanksgiving.</div><div> </div><div>Tea, of course, wasn't the only yummy thing about our visit to the coast. Here are some other highlights:</div><div>~Many hours on the beach, walking and reading.</div><div>~Finding peonies at the farmer's market! In July!</div><div>~Freshly baked cookies from Waves of Grain, a local bakery - moist and perfect.</div><div>~Enormous sugar snap peas at the farmer's market, perfect for snacking on at the beach, a long favorite.</div><div>~The constant sound of the ocean.</div><div>~Being able to sleep with the windows open - so incredibly quiet and cool.</div><div>~The glistening shore at low tide, mist and fog.</div><div>~Exuberant gardens around town.</div><div>~The silouettes of mountains and evergreens on the horizon (Houston is really flat.)</div><div>~Being able to wear sweatshirts, scarves, and even hats in July (Houston is really hot.)</div><div> </div><div>So make a cup of tea, close your eyes for a moment, and imagine you're soaking up some of this peace as well.</div><div> </div><div>More Tea Tuesday <a href="http://artinredwagons.blogspot.com/">here</a>.</div></div></div></div></div>Meadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719993557726993773.post-17467548752811284162010-07-14T09:45:00.002-05:002010-07-14T09:54:41.943-05:00Happiness<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRt7jiRhV4PlxojWWW7ocCAl6FsB9ndJLYRZPuxasFlMeZ3RxLGJAEkKzAFX961DAaWkMrXbaKuJw5ZGxgz7wstq4_8iz2jz5jlEKghZh25mQrnA79XRl0xm2nVOIg36jWvs6XtE8iNo/s1600/_MG_2671.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493773516083478242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRt7jiRhV4PlxojWWW7ocCAl6FsB9ndJLYRZPuxasFlMeZ3RxLGJAEkKzAFX961DAaWkMrXbaKuJw5ZGxgz7wstq4_8iz2jz5jlEKghZh25mQrnA79XRl0xm2nVOIg36jWvs6XtE8iNo/s400/_MG_2671.JPG" /></a> We recently travelled to the Oregon coast, and let me tell you, I was a very happy girl. It had been nearly ten years since I had been back to Cannon Beach, and fourteen years since I spent a summer in college working there. It's beautiful whether it's foggy or sunny, but there is a wonderful cheerfulness when the sun is out and shining on the water and the wet sand. Most mornings we went out to catch low tide, which is also the time to find sand dollars resting on the shore. Most people are out looking for clams, but I'm just interested in the sand dollars. Fortunately, I was not disappointed!<br />I'm sure I'll have a lot more to share about this trip in upcoming posts. What are some of your favorite vacation memories?Meadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719993557726993773.post-38182572106162070792010-07-13T01:00:00.003-05:002010-07-13T09:11:20.875-05:00TeaForte<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Qvx7MzrJFmV9pCuEFuUWhl_YxpU1lP4KYmwfgXVdSRW7U3k1nRdXeRpdW8f-djRXySeV17jBy-0gkwHeYjER8YPJI_E_IK1NHUBx0BuAo6xIGezY3X5S-lowjP_jMJa8mJ_uEvAUCZY/s1600/_MG_2368.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491682676786351874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Qvx7MzrJFmV9pCuEFuUWhl_YxpU1lP4KYmwfgXVdSRW7U3k1nRdXeRpdW8f-djRXySeV17jBy-0gkwHeYjER8YPJI_E_IK1NHUBx0BuAo6xIGezY3X5S-lowjP_jMJa8mJ_uEvAUCZY/s400/_MG_2368.JPG" /></a> One of my most recent tea discoveries is also one of my favorites: my <a href="http://www.teaforte.com/store/tea-accessories/other/">tea forte </a>ceramic infuser. I had been using unbleached tea bags to brew my loose leaf jasmine vanilla because modern infusers always seemed to contain plastic (which I did not want to mix with hot water - all those chemicals) and the old fashioned spring-loaded types always seemed to leak tea leaves. This is an elegant solution. The metal base screws off so it can be filled with tea leaves, and it rests in its own little matching tray. I see they have several other plastic-free infusers displayed on their webpage. Thank you, Teaforte!<br /><div></div>Meadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719993557726993773.post-61615245097470120102010-07-08T13:51:00.002-05:002010-07-08T14:06:18.181-05:00The Flowers of Home<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAH5yVjECJJk7B5WpBQ71WUJrRdBNZNS9WCwi01KndK8NGCb3JH-7AgooENQeKCC07woAHxa6whwaqTQOd061yiGEgjlo0NyvdD3iqu03XLMntM9BFXKbYzuZZ7umpw96tXwJAmoQZhNY/s1600/flower5.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491610506768357922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAH5yVjECJJk7B5WpBQ71WUJrRdBNZNS9WCwi01KndK8NGCb3JH-7AgooENQeKCC07woAHxa6whwaqTQOd061yiGEgjlo0NyvdD3iqu03XLMntM9BFXKbYzuZZ7umpw96tXwJAmoQZhNY/s400/flower5.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhXMipqJjkMMUxrDhK4TOE7zB3VVv7VguT8TomJoCYWo7BFv4rDPe9tBCiptLCR_p30pD9kTekchXb4FtRRJra3Ac-DVYrz4qtsW30hqWU-JtOB0-FFhtM61bD_Xp6S9Sr4a874UZ9Jo/s1600/flower4.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491610497754519202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhXMipqJjkMMUxrDhK4TOE7zB3VVv7VguT8TomJoCYWo7BFv4rDPe9tBCiptLCR_p30pD9kTekchXb4FtRRJra3Ac-DVYrz4qtsW30hqWU-JtOB0-FFhtM61bD_Xp6S9Sr4a874UZ9Jo/s400/flower4.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5oq-k88A2Y20LMrMAO8UYxY6t5UfPIUiSEgJYI8ksaev2RMxfgcpWT_1Leg4vbC0FHwcEbfR0YRzDB74rt202MTuhAd35-prSNM4TnANzG9y2qAD84z53tZ-N6KUxXvwi0lW1hbAB0g/s1600/flower3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491610491798115106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5oq-k88A2Y20LMrMAO8UYxY6t5UfPIUiSEgJYI8ksaev2RMxfgcpWT_1Leg4vbC0FHwcEbfR0YRzDB74rt202MTuhAd35-prSNM4TnANzG9y2qAD84z53tZ-N6KUxXvwi0lW1hbAB0g/s400/flower3.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vv7_iKD2LhiphkHHUg3Z-A9d7UWIUJfGIJbO-MXUVd9c5P4hRJo8KJUYAsFGhomKs1RQkSdYAbSOXl9JSDngDqL92SowIaDUYbFFxYSdi1Xrs8rAZlVljcGvVWl0YD8INJl-XuNou4I/s1600/flower2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491610486594959522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6vv7_iKD2LhiphkHHUg3Z-A9d7UWIUJfGIJbO-MXUVd9c5P4hRJo8KJUYAsFGhomKs1RQkSdYAbSOXl9JSDngDqL92SowIaDUYbFFxYSdi1Xrs8rAZlVljcGvVWl0YD8INJl-XuNou4I/s400/flower2.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6a0rUuoxflW0jvkQyPCgyPvpv3fXS2Q59KdeEEoeOz8zCixQ5EPmSEKFMI6-QpqTt_xHCF56sSIx_i772SXz5MfY99erqkyZt7UWv1GJ2ouxRmegGh7EjuGPk4531t3p8NAfY44DorY/s1600/flower1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491610481024116786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6a0rUuoxflW0jvkQyPCgyPvpv3fXS2Q59KdeEEoeOz8zCixQ5EPmSEKFMI6-QpqTt_xHCF56sSIx_i772SXz5MfY99erqkyZt7UWv1GJ2ouxRmegGh7EjuGPk4531t3p8NAfY44DorY/s400/flower1.JPG" /></a><br />Is it silly to admit that one of my favorite reasons for going home to South Dakota in the springtime is to be able to visit favorite flower species that just don't grow in Texas? It's true, though. I plan walks along routes that I know will take me past favorite gardens or to places in the parks where poppies grow on their own. I carry the camera in my trunk and have been known to pull over to take photos of flowers when I come across them around town. A local gardening society does a wonderful job with the gardens at the Journey Museum; huge swaths of iris, columbine, and wildflowers meander through boulder-strewn beds. Orange poppies spring up every year along Rapid Creek in an undeveloped park; they are remainders of the gardens of homes that were lost in the 1972 flood. People are sometimes very generous with their garden flowers, handing out bouquets of peonies and irises without even being asked (including the bouquets pictured here, which were given to me right on time for my birthday, just by coincidence!) Of course, the <a href="http://meadowlarkdays.blogspot.com/2009/06/what-remains.html">lilacs </a>are also a big star, and if you don't have any bushes of your own, you may have discovered places to cut a few branches to bring home with you. Flowers are certainly a way to celebrate spring! Do you seek out favorite gardens in your town?<br /><br /></div></div></div></div>Meadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719993557726993773.post-42534370056316956802010-07-06T08:38:00.002-05:002010-07-06T08:49:23.919-05:00T is for Taos<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VtbPL1yOwTkh0_bNWZUULQvCU0xeHRUPDLK9YJXuERQBcQfufsKRgo_5Z4huoIe-MN25fAGaxrQ96jXXT0QyX3ml6sV3SnLHA9hfnt-evzJ6BWjSY7YAKlTVzbu4vlPMdMK1E3efZE4/s1600/taos1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490787512778028146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7VtbPL1yOwTkh0_bNWZUULQvCU0xeHRUPDLK9YJXuERQBcQfufsKRgo_5Z4huoIe-MN25fAGaxrQ96jXXT0QyX3ml6sV3SnLHA9hfnt-evzJ6BWjSY7YAKlTVzbu4vlPMdMK1E3efZE4/s400/taos1.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtfa4zWnszSn6jPi1sbdDg6MGXhauY6zUSmpvgE8ryKd_25ElPUomWAzXxR9RCzff-gxkRekqhchn9v6LYCP8HRNf-Mbhq8mZrl2Oe-dfrLEOPcBEF3fvspe_KVw5JpZ2l15W-asVKWI/s1600/taos2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490787505885900306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtfa4zWnszSn6jPi1sbdDg6MGXhauY6zUSmpvgE8ryKd_25ElPUomWAzXxR9RCzff-gxkRekqhchn9v6LYCP8HRNf-Mbhq8mZrl2Oe-dfrLEOPcBEF3fvspe_KVw5JpZ2l15W-asVKWI/s400/taos2.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZ4xmnskMtojsxV8CBtwa2Nifisew-2_7hL2ogGuTW4i2SSQtx4XirYc7apXYyciyVM-YNOap25JxbF3FMq-M8bL-ZlNVjW-qyF-mGIS-3lMrKgjmlZvGCC6VihY2Z2KeECEfY3dGAew/s1600/taos3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490787500936168706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZ4xmnskMtojsxV8CBtwa2Nifisew-2_7hL2ogGuTW4i2SSQtx4XirYc7apXYyciyVM-YNOap25JxbF3FMq-M8bL-ZlNVjW-qyF-mGIS-3lMrKgjmlZvGCC6VihY2Z2KeECEfY3dGAew/s400/taos3.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1qmtMsfJF4fvyb74ELe6UEIvLP4PLjinaGZXoPaavZZrzGR92Kuit_UnR6oYEiKfdE_Tepm6UrwAEOL1SQ3DcBfsGWLcM-8bgaivxtRPb5hbcr3ib-SXUmwhMO2KAQQL2uieTPrnWnM/s1600/taos4.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490787489560605346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1qmtMsfJF4fvyb74ELe6UEIvLP4PLjinaGZXoPaavZZrzGR92Kuit_UnR6oYEiKfdE_Tepm6UrwAEOL1SQ3DcBfsGWLcM-8bgaivxtRPb5hbcr3ib-SXUmwhMO2KAQQL2uieTPrnWnM/s400/taos4.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1s_NDUlg5nYPCJnEEfYMBSICHRycigSgdhtV0XpbuoD7hwjAW2ivB-eMRopDy0zDhSGdLwRv9Ds2mTrGWsJOCUNRX6_F1Xtbr9luj5JvhZI3Xj7t4SUzUdaH9cZVNPMbxKygVZeH21yw/s1600/taos5.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490787487630132050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1s_NDUlg5nYPCJnEEfYMBSICHRycigSgdhtV0XpbuoD7hwjAW2ivB-eMRopDy0zDhSGdLwRv9Ds2mTrGWsJOCUNRX6_F1Xtbr9luj5JvhZI3Xj7t4SUzUdaH9cZVNPMbxKygVZeH21yw/s400/taos5.JPG" /></a><br />After we left Santa Fe on our May roadtrip, we drove north to the town of Taos to meet an old friend for lunch. We had many miles to cover that day, but decided to make one last stop to visit <a href="http://www.taospueblo.com/">Taos Pueblo</a>, a Native American settlement that has been continuously occupied for over 1,000 years. For some reason, I'd never heard of this pueblo and was astounded to learn that there are actually dwellings in North America that have been inhabited for that long. The tribal members who live here do not use modern conveniences. They haul water from the creek and use kerosene lamps. Every year, another layer of plaster (mud and straw) is applied to the buildings, perhaps best seen in the middle photo of the church window. The igloo-shaped dome in the fourth photo is a traditional oven for baking bread. Originally the dwellings were entered through the roof, but today doors have been added. At one time, a very tall wall surrounded the village, but it has been shortened to a few feet. I'm glad we stopped here before heading back to the plains.</div><div> </div><div>As for tea these days, I'm still stuck on my jasmine vanilla, although I did break habit and use Tazo's delicious Joy blend with my homemade crepes yesterday!</div><div> </div><div>These photos are by my husband.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div>Meadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719993557726993773.post-38911476436662265232010-07-01T09:59:00.002-05:002010-07-01T10:01:35.611-05:00A Surprise<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggamXA32Lz_HEYx6szZ3_yqf9PRHMv54F3EdGiHrsRiIB8AM77VU8OpqntGrdcBaanK5cp4udJWJEMkNCKJriJeAamld0k_NNw7VdunT3pyf2UxvlVAoBGuTvXQBEDHZXAm7-fRT7Wan8/s1600/_MG_2358.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488952769310208146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggamXA32Lz_HEYx6szZ3_yqf9PRHMv54F3EdGiHrsRiIB8AM77VU8OpqntGrdcBaanK5cp4udJWJEMkNCKJriJeAamld0k_NNw7VdunT3pyf2UxvlVAoBGuTvXQBEDHZXAm7-fRT7Wan8/s400/_MG_2358.JPG" /></a> I was delightfully surprised to find a complimentary copy of Somerset Life in my box yesterday - another one of my travel journals has been published. It's a lovely spread, pages 100 - 101. Thanks, Somerset Life!<br /><div></div>Meadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719993557726993773.post-24369836979259349692010-06-29T09:38:00.003-05:002010-06-29T10:00:00.484-05:00T is for Travel: Georgia O'Keefe<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVp-7mmqSch4KMIYVMtn6CXJzSaEm5vL_5-wiF4Qj14QtQVtFrzyG8VpxyGd7Utw3XVBZPA9MPm-TJ4f3WaK6RljV52jJx1cUu7WBEYyeOkk882Ny6TTP91a5zWbB9Rb8_fI79l3BbvY/s1600/okeefe5.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488205413676075298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVp-7mmqSch4KMIYVMtn6CXJzSaEm5vL_5-wiF4Qj14QtQVtFrzyG8VpxyGd7Utw3XVBZPA9MPm-TJ4f3WaK6RljV52jJx1cUu7WBEYyeOkk882Ny6TTP91a5zWbB9Rb8_fI79l3BbvY/s400/okeefe5.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtQRWkg0rCL9u86SQX6Lds7M38sIUO_AW9W8jP_yGRSSKDVT2qazabujTm6noqFYYtRbfyxEEHK014noG-G_WL2dJLrKrmK35qQariCPQEG71Np_YEzxDcdGORbFanpvcrKl6cDa_reA/s1600/okeefe4.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488205408649607938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtQRWkg0rCL9u86SQX6Lds7M38sIUO_AW9W8jP_yGRSSKDVT2qazabujTm6noqFYYtRbfyxEEHK014noG-G_WL2dJLrKrmK35qQariCPQEG71Np_YEzxDcdGORbFanpvcrKl6cDa_reA/s400/okeefe4.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiunBlYZkZZdJCk1O9oAeJq6ppp3hQ6-7jqUk0r4fDFC0zO1e8h7byrmwDMC-zl2QkoWR53CKYtg2YTD1dEn4tYUtILtEIOCMcbkvLFYbHCtyDbGJ4czskUogHHUmDDoxrhdHyp_oatf8/s1600/okeefe3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488205401429896434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiunBlYZkZZdJCk1O9oAeJq6ppp3hQ6-7jqUk0r4fDFC0zO1e8h7byrmwDMC-zl2QkoWR53CKYtg2YTD1dEn4tYUtILtEIOCMcbkvLFYbHCtyDbGJ4czskUogHHUmDDoxrhdHyp_oatf8/s400/okeefe3.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1rq1J-i2FNGpUXC6E3x96dQ4ZXrOp5BKL3lEBcHATXm8bnkabAy2S-_VBN8P5Ac6UL1q1JJ-SD-X72kMp3Q3ptUa7_wZ-yPTOofZReO4os1sRECnALKN3YK50F9CTiCi4Fxt1eU2bKs/s1600/okeefe2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488205397598211666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1rq1J-i2FNGpUXC6E3x96dQ4ZXrOp5BKL3lEBcHATXm8bnkabAy2S-_VBN8P5Ac6UL1q1JJ-SD-X72kMp3Q3ptUa7_wZ-yPTOofZReO4os1sRECnALKN3YK50F9CTiCi4Fxt1eU2bKs/s400/okeefe2.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJolDvS9N-yq8URc3QMnBKDw3JUK9IzV_CSzf32WosNqW1g0pHXqCjoFcz28YBcDb2tZj3wv2oDvF0RfjoczwzDThLt69Q6iXBbr3mIy7ZABa8dyyvm-s5ZyzlmHpH4WJRzUbmXCytiYg/s1600/okeefe1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488205394980570210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJolDvS9N-yq8URc3QMnBKDw3JUK9IzV_CSzf32WosNqW1g0pHXqCjoFcz28YBcDb2tZj3wv2oDvF0RfjoczwzDThLt69Q6iXBbr3mIy7ZABa8dyyvm-s5ZyzlmHpH4WJRzUbmXCytiYg/s400/okeefe1.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Last month, my husband and I set off for our annual road trip north. Instead of heading straight to South Dakota, we swung west to New Mexico. I'd been wanting to see Santa Fe for some time and we both yearned to be in the true West again, with its dry air, varied landscapes, and huge spaces. We were not disappointed. One particular goal was to visit the <a href="http://contentdm.okeeffemuseum.org/">Georgia O'Keefe Museum </a>in Santa Fe. I have admired her work since high school and had only seen a handful of her works in person. The museum was our very first stop in Santa Fe, and I was treated to a few dozen of her paintings. I spent much time admiring a series of three seashells, the canvases only about 8x10 inches. Their smallness surprised me, given how bold her work is. And I was delighted to see her portrayals of cottonwood trees, landmarks in the West, and a favorite of mine. Outside the museum, I smiled to see lilac bushes blooming against the adobe walls in the town. (They don't grow in Houston.) The next day, we drove out to Ghost Ranch, where O'Keefe lived and painted for many years. My husband took these photos of the scenery at the ranch. The sources of her inspiration were clear. An artist/retreat colony is now found on the grounds, and perhaps someday I'll be able to return for a workshop. It was fulfilling to finally see these places, after years of wanting to. Unfortunately, there wasn't much time to drink tea in New Mexico, but I'm enjoying my old standby <a href="http://meadowlarkdays.blogspot.com/2010/03/jasmine-vanilla.html">jasmine vanilla </a>now that I'm home.</div></div></div></div></div>Meadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719993557726993773.post-34668668132701754372010-06-17T09:13:00.003-05:002010-06-17T09:26:59.197-05:00Reminders<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhBsKk69dX3e3eXk_jQwXroxHBK1ax_-bE-_SFf-hT72TjRL2mIaYPhm9-KYvkskXNhv0jOJkPqqNWFWFnGVlEGoWToaM273ElF33NYOVrxKfs_klvuX-YrRRObfaN4c47D2ibiMOWPc/s1600/_MG_2035.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483747098138319826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhBsKk69dX3e3eXk_jQwXroxHBK1ax_-bE-_SFf-hT72TjRL2mIaYPhm9-KYvkskXNhv0jOJkPqqNWFWFnGVlEGoWToaM273ElF33NYOVrxKfs_klvuX-YrRRObfaN4c47D2ibiMOWPc/s400/_MG_2035.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbY2KyoUoLzPWS8wAhd61aKCydM_HSt0uV0WBoCCEr1rRiDUCPO_Dse7QeOVERzWe6WnbEYJA9L-feTUMemC0x-E-8LkzT4nADNXr_qXgtdrLiSaU8b9QOH5m_L3Q-1O6q3giHmH53HtE/s1600/_MG_2028.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483746261697256146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbY2KyoUoLzPWS8wAhd61aKCydM_HSt0uV0WBoCCEr1rRiDUCPO_Dse7QeOVERzWe6WnbEYJA9L-feTUMemC0x-E-8LkzT4nADNXr_qXgtdrLiSaU8b9QOH5m_L3Q-1O6q3giHmH53HtE/s400/_MG_2028.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Zk7GnvK28FjS1lgSi6bbDQIUdpzidHgTX9jsQGZD7hzSp9UWJwA2XQkciQYfS4MIlb5X9Hb1JjBpFNV8pQus6Lv5Wi9xJflgQR0uxFRUpq6RPYe48rKMMLl_OoT6STq2t5v9zqhAPQc/s1600/_MG_1989.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483746253168583234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Zk7GnvK28FjS1lgSi6bbDQIUdpzidHgTX9jsQGZD7hzSp9UWJwA2XQkciQYfS4MIlb5X9Hb1JjBpFNV8pQus6Lv5Wi9xJflgQR0uxFRUpq6RPYe48rKMMLl_OoT6STq2t5v9zqhAPQc/s400/_MG_1989.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0jv9SIg_0djKvjiW_Nh8bhq2nfGbDkQzTcxnPQKufbd-NyIcaBCcPU4UQybmCTWakuo9Vlr6Nm4FvCsoc6sOTFW1g54VpmDFHhZ7eS9ZGaA1B2kv3nr_T28Cfmn5YlYOfA0hu8Hpzjo/s1600/_MG_2036.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483746244908648642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0jv9SIg_0djKvjiW_Nh8bhq2nfGbDkQzTcxnPQKufbd-NyIcaBCcPU4UQybmCTWakuo9Vlr6Nm4FvCsoc6sOTFW1g54VpmDFHhZ7eS9ZGaA1B2kv3nr_T28Cfmn5YlYOfA0hu8Hpzjo/s400/_MG_2036.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I was fortunate to take a solo writing retreat early this month out on the South Dakota prairie with a well-known regional writer (more on that in another post.) I stayed all alone in an old ranch house for three days, with twice-daily visits from Linda to discuss writing. I was surprised at how comfortable I was staying alone at night with the nearest neighbor a half-mile down the road, the rest of the neighbors being cows and numerous species of birds. But I think much of the reason of why I was so comfortable was because of how familiar much of it felt. There were many little things that reminded me of my mom and my early childhood years: blue flax growing by the front door, windchimes, a birds nest sitting on the bookshelf, prairie flowers in the yard. All these were things my mom loved and that were little parts of my early years. When I was small, our house was on the last block in the neighborhood, the undeveloped prairie stretching out south. We would take little walks out in the grasslands, handing grass to the horses over the fence, watching the birds, gathering flowers. It was delightful to find these things again, decades later, in another place. What small things remind you of your early years?</div></div></div></div></div>Meadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719993557726993773.post-53290202761389888642010-06-13T12:56:00.003-05:002010-06-13T13:10:49.264-05:00In the Kitchen with My Sister<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLzKT2hLxXLK5QIVWg3Pb0APBCmJx3WN3JuN34aovwaQ0FEBUUfZ_wEKenmI0LzYfrzSSMDxTQk2h5_VpzdCwofkeW8hCaHy5ZmgrwYpIM6_xRK5eQL7ss3BjdrxQEjw68nUxQkN_kdY/s1600/_MG_2192.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482319020627447218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuLzKT2hLxXLK5QIVWg3Pb0APBCmJx3WN3JuN34aovwaQ0FEBUUfZ_wEKenmI0LzYfrzSSMDxTQk2h5_VpzdCwofkeW8hCaHy5ZmgrwYpIM6_xRK5eQL7ss3BjdrxQEjw68nUxQkN_kdY/s400/_MG_2192.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEZIzGYE4EF-62vQ3K43QMu43SW_I8pWF3MWwr9gzmbT54cQap2Szmf2Xeb8Kx0waT4BxPGjvK-7nM6rYwKGPxp896hxAo8x8J2b7heP55IicoVG0DMBO7EBMtvPzy7Wi3x_ZK6YQCeA/s1600/_MG_2194.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482319014609509394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEZIzGYE4EF-62vQ3K43QMu43SW_I8pWF3MWwr9gzmbT54cQap2Szmf2Xeb8Kx0waT4BxPGjvK-7nM6rYwKGPxp896hxAo8x8J2b7heP55IicoVG0DMBO7EBMtvPzy7Wi3x_ZK6YQCeA/s400/_MG_2194.JPG" /></a><br />Where have I been and what have I been doing? Driving through the West and now enjoying being home in the Black Hills again, staying with my sister and her family, for one. There are several adventures I hope to share here in the next month or so. We haven't been doing as much cooking together as usual during this spring's visit, but last night I did make soup using French green lentils for the first time, combining <a href="http://kissmyspatula.com/2009/07/17/french-green-lentil-soup/">this </a>and <a href="http://runningintothesun.blogspot.com/2007/11/french-green-lentil-soup.html">this </a>recipe for a final dish that was quite yummy. We found these lovely spring onions at the farmer's market and used them as a garnish on the soup. Also at the farmer's market: little radishes and lots of canned goods, including chokecherry jelly, pumpkin butter, and raspberry rhubarb preserves that I look forward to using in Houston later this summer.</div><div> </div><div>My brother-in-law is usually the one who whips up some of our <a href="http://meadowlarkdays.blogspot.com/2008/08/helen-rita-part-one.html">Grandma Helen's </a>Swedish Pancakes (really crepes) now and then for breakfast, but I also attempted them for the first time this trip. I'm thinking some of these green onions would be tasty in them! My sister and I fondly remember eating them at her house when we stayed overnight as kids, sprinkled with plenty of sugar. Here's the recipe - we now eat them with sugar and lemon juice or Nutella.<br /></div><div>3 eggs</div><div>1 1/4 C milk</div><div>3/4 C sifted flour</div><div>1 T sugar</div><div>1/2 t salt</div><div> </div><div>Beat eggs 'til thick and lemon-colored. Stir in milk. Sift dry ingredients; add to egg mixture, mixing 'til smooth. Drop batter by tablespoons (I used quarter-cup measure) onto moderately hot, greased griddle. Spread batter evenly to make thin cakes. Turn when underside is light brown.<br /></div><div></div>Meadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719993557726993773.post-84656666293589845682010-04-27T08:33:00.002-05:002010-04-27T08:43:18.619-05:00A New Favorite<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKQS78RFyHrNJO-tnFkyfxxMOaT3iakBvz3ucblZsU0XNMqzQuDe31eZo5SnhY6420YnNQNZ1vMEg7lcib6_tyhjMs8e7jdAL1M_PeHShSmZOYNKiyRzfkQGU2prDPP226ZGSBf2ZdRY/s1600/parsley4.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464810505922920434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKQS78RFyHrNJO-tnFkyfxxMOaT3iakBvz3ucblZsU0XNMqzQuDe31eZo5SnhY6420YnNQNZ1vMEg7lcib6_tyhjMs8e7jdAL1M_PeHShSmZOYNKiyRzfkQGU2prDPP226ZGSBf2ZdRY/s400/parsley4.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O8_MRXTRVRTcKzGuoHeH2lBo8pNPR8XB1iaAM1D0AQsgHZdpU_hgH94hewmcvnnn-73xtHkPs5z4FnRMfN8cWrwXRXJVr5NUkwNrFdD24AOmgccfB-kkV7XxISFIp_9yX1SRKlWAEu4/s1600/parsley3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464810503542980514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O8_MRXTRVRTcKzGuoHeH2lBo8pNPR8XB1iaAM1D0AQsgHZdpU_hgH94hewmcvnnn-73xtHkPs5z4FnRMfN8cWrwXRXJVr5NUkwNrFdD24AOmgccfB-kkV7XxISFIp_9yX1SRKlWAEu4/s400/parsley3.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeJeHj70ivNZ5amkVSCYTAl7U_IPa8xx-_T4UBlbkuXzPWoEkHSEJLQAXQwkRzp6U0oVVAi5-aAG_SpDg6L4y_LSpZnhJ3ibZBSn33dy5gygd7LQ3lFaNGQZLXsPyEOE8XcxadVaBCJU/s1600/parsley1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464810398242521346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeJeHj70ivNZ5amkVSCYTAl7U_IPa8xx-_T4UBlbkuXzPWoEkHSEJLQAXQwkRzp6U0oVVAi5-aAG_SpDg6L4y_LSpZnhJ3ibZBSn33dy5gygd7LQ3lFaNGQZLXsPyEOE8XcxadVaBCJU/s400/parsley1.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DC0t_Rl4szXPTlnEXafBdqe9j8uJBOvK4hEhQg1QpSBm2m4HVF-PRq8RbbQEoLJXK2l5ee2bZfZLfM3d3su6S1Ngis13bQmKhyphenhyphenG2Ags_vDXGDRi1JbEr92Dek-6xnBJhVcymqOCvwyI/s1600/parsley2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464810393782030386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0DC0t_Rl4szXPTlnEXafBdqe9j8uJBOvK4hEhQg1QpSBm2m4HVF-PRq8RbbQEoLJXK2l5ee2bZfZLfM3d3su6S1Ngis13bQmKhyphenhyphenG2Ags_vDXGDRi1JbEr92Dek-6xnBJhVcymqOCvwyI/s400/parsley2.JPG" /></a> </div><div>Today for <a href="http://artinredwagons.blogspot.com/">Tea Tuesday </a>I will share that I have been drinking a lot of peppermint tea lately. I also like to add a bag of peppermint when I make iced tea for extra refreshment. But mint is one of those herbs that I don't dare plant in my own garden, given its amazing tendency to take over. Kind of like the variegated artemisia that I thought was so pretty last year, even though the nurseryman warned me it would take over. I've dug it out several times now and it keeps coming back - must need only the smallest fraction of a root to sprout new! But these photos are of another popular herb. Any guesses? It's parsley! It bolted after I trimmed it back six weeks ago, reaching three feet and developing these lovely flowers. I'm going to plant more just to enjoy the show next year. I've been admiring it a great deal. I'd make tea from it, but am not sure how palatable it would be!</div></div></div>Meadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719993557726993773.post-24423865069955807712010-04-20T07:07:00.004-05:002010-04-20T07:21:19.162-05:00Sweets<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifc8bKJOltWW1aehSVECDw144P5JgmErcN4UCkZFtYpR3IIeIqOoPCXmtuowhx2nfTtlFf8kQSJVf7fDEjIIC4RydJVkXvWs6wbtIkr2Zoccc3S62vwLU4P7HiUwe0-tNVHa-KC4fdhHE/s1600/turkish+pudding.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462190801025028994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifc8bKJOltWW1aehSVECDw144P5JgmErcN4UCkZFtYpR3IIeIqOoPCXmtuowhx2nfTtlFf8kQSJVf7fDEjIIC4RydJVkXvWs6wbtIkr2Zoccc3S62vwLU4P7HiUwe0-tNVHa-KC4fdhHE/s400/turkish+pudding.JPG" /></a> I've missed the last two <a href="http://artinredwagons.blogspot.com/">Tea Tuesdays </a>(in-laws in town), but I'm excited to share this Turkish dessert with you. It is delicious enjoyed with a strong little cup of Turkish tea. Don't ask me to give you its proper name! It's a wonderful concoction from a restaurant that we frequent often, a pudding of types with slivered almonds on the inside and generous crushed pistachios on the outside. Dessert can be such a sweet spot in the midst of life. My fb friends may have already heard, but last week I was in the juror pool for a murder trial - so glad I was not selected. That would have been quite a challenge. I also had a sticky accelerator pedal in my truck the same day, and luckily stopped to have it checked out. It jammed on the mechanic who test-drove it! Thankfully no one was hurt, and it was a fairly easy fix. As mentioned, my in-laws were also here. My FIL went to town on our yard, pulling out bushes that died in the freeze, planting new ones, and stringing wire trellises for my jasmine. I was so thankful for his help out there. I need to pull a few more weeds, have it mulched, and then will probably ignore the garden until autumn, as the mosquitoes and warm weather are returning. I look forward to catching up with all of you!<br /><div></div>Meadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719993557726993773.post-30342736869281610492010-03-31T07:36:00.003-05:002010-03-31T07:44:35.279-05:00Mr. Anole's New Skin<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0vE2Zo9drpplJkB11kclmrdnNncResKM8O_H5gtFdUX1Bci_yqufgbTYLPjEBJNymd1iuOPkQNDMTt8XNkA-EynkAvYd8kD50gB97F6-Ljio9J3NZ4URntWz1_891ioG28Cg4j62C9M/s1600/anole2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454776192277190882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0vE2Zo9drpplJkB11kclmrdnNncResKM8O_H5gtFdUX1Bci_yqufgbTYLPjEBJNymd1iuOPkQNDMTt8XNkA-EynkAvYd8kD50gB97F6-Ljio9J3NZ4URntWz1_891ioG28Cg4j62C9M/s400/anole2.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9zgNtgyeQqaF0BRANATF8BBzWJ3YOYDHgaIozm5iz-GN54E50Uxh4-YVMnXFiJUkuAUtGNzAL8xPEb3D_nLycg3RXoQgPPcNR1pEIVjgRf5nPyNT6MxtOtJhx9gz_Eu-IgCOl0Pmkj0/s1600/anole3.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454776187175200850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9zgNtgyeQqaF0BRANATF8BBzWJ3YOYDHgaIozm5iz-GN54E50Uxh4-YVMnXFiJUkuAUtGNzAL8xPEb3D_nLycg3RXoQgPPcNR1pEIVjgRf5nPyNT6MxtOtJhx9gz_Eu-IgCOl0Pmkj0/s400/anole3.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdl0JGtYe21-wh_LG50DQg2OApZBijxXrIc0TozuBJr8fbkwaEVF-fCDU1wjMFc7Ueadd_7G5GBVlV76KVc_LRykJ0iMexOhy-Ag4HwkTjgSWjnkspjiHAnwUiTtEQPFPxgE86-DDSYo/s1600/anole1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454776181053585474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdl0JGtYe21-wh_LG50DQg2OApZBijxXrIc0TozuBJr8fbkwaEVF-fCDU1wjMFc7Ueadd_7G5GBVlV76KVc_LRykJ0iMexOhy-Ag4HwkTjgSWjnkspjiHAnwUiTtEQPFPxgE86-DDSYo/s400/anole1.JPG" /></a> Yesterday afternoon I was out trying to make another dent in the endless yardwork. Our plumbago bushes died in the freezes this winter, so I pulled out the clippers and started cutting them away. It took me a minute to realize what I was looking at when I saw this green anole shedding his skin - he blended in so perfectly! I was pretty excited to see him, because they usually move so fast during the day that I don't see them at all. We typically see them in the evening, when they climb onto the exterior walls and turn pale pink/white. I've seen one turn from brown to bright green and back right in front of my eyes when it crawled through a gap in the window screen and didn't know how to get out. Apparently, molting renders them more still, because I had plenty of time to run and get my camera and take photos. He was about 4 - 5 inches total length. I love the little discoveries that yard work can bring!<br /><div></div></div></div>Meadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719993557726993773.post-12131994029197683832010-03-30T08:51:00.003-05:002010-03-30T09:01:37.462-05:00Tea Tuesday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qaO57yL64so1NiobrgqYL6dXND2IWq3NmdAgUa0MQjNr8E__ph_L9EO46TDkpA4R5yNMh8S4o7eaiOey-2OjPCBSNnuei6Mi9n_rEC6YpHXhLOgNt0XdvhHhrL0aYIyKm8WDQKeus9Q/s1600/chinese+new+yera.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454424214470410370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qaO57yL64so1NiobrgqYL6dXND2IWq3NmdAgUa0MQjNr8E__ph_L9EO46TDkpA4R5yNMh8S4o7eaiOey-2OjPCBSNnuei6Mi9n_rEC6YpHXhLOgNt0XdvhHhrL0aYIyKm8WDQKeus9Q/s400/chinese+new+yera.JPG" /></a> Very belatedly, I am sharing a little Chinese New Year goodie-box that a sweet friend gave to me this <a href="http://artinredwagons.blogspot.com/">Tea Tuesday</a>. Chinese New Year was six weeks ago! One of the packets contains green tea, but they're all so cute, colorful, and unique that I haven't been able to bring myself to open any of the candy or tea yet. I'm just enjoying looking at it! The little coins have symbols embossed on them that stand for various New Year's greetings: good luck, prosperity, etc. We'd gone to lunch that day at a Chinese restaurant with crunchy egg rolls flavored with sesame oil (one of my favorites), jasmine tea, and a delicious chicken and noodle dish. I love that tea is very much a multi-cultural affair, one that crosses boundaries easily from one country to the next.<br /><br />Thanks to <a href="http://alteredbooklover.blogspot.com/">bleubeard and elizabeth </a>for mentioning my blog today - she has quite a fun blog herself!<br /><br />As an Orthodox Christian, this week is the high point of the year: Holy Week, leading to the feast of feasts, or Pascha. I am looking forward to attending services this week and then staying up all night Saturday as we celebrate with a midnight Liturgy! A blessed Easter/Pascha to all of you!Meadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3719993557726993773.post-4000191662561998322010-03-25T16:48:00.001-05:002010-03-25T16:50:10.227-05:00New Article<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpy4f2Cjbxahm5PavaGyjDfogaaZNvcRixfmP-d9hiikBXLvreSBlG8PzdgqpkWlETei0_kjunZtov9Y3vtyZIIO6VW0JaoU7X4ImoKb4EeqMBEUpLgMkXz4kzswGmfGQWSno3ICikrhA/s1600/som+mem+1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452691805977742418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpy4f2Cjbxahm5PavaGyjDfogaaZNvcRixfmP-d9hiikBXLvreSBlG8PzdgqpkWlETei0_kjunZtov9Y3vtyZIIO6VW0JaoU7X4ImoKb4EeqMBEUpLgMkXz4kzswGmfGQWSno3ICikrhA/s400/som+mem+1.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I'm thrilled to share that I have a 3-page article in the latest issue of Somerset Memories of one of my travel journals! Page 118 if you want to take a peek next time you're at the bookstore.</div>Meadowlark Dayshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17335888132960472805noreply@blogger.com12