Took a Drive~

Decided it was time to take a break,

  go do something new.

Went to Vermilion, Ohio 

to the 40th Woolly Bear Festival.

It was fun to just take a break 

and 

experience something new.

The kids had a great time 

& 

I got to catch up with a fellow 3-Dayer,

that I have not seen in a while.  

Every now and again 

you have to take a break

 from the normal routine.

Take a breather...

Today,

 was that day for me.

Wandering around, 

no time constraints,

new scenery and lots to take in.

It turned out to be a beautiful,

 Fall weather day.

Enjoy the Fall days while they last...

XoXo

<3

Savvy Saturday~ Grape Jamboree

The Geneva Grape Jamboree celebrates 

the harvesting of the local grapes. 

Visitors may taste freshly squeezed grape juice, 

wine, and various other grape products. 

All grand-stand entertainment, 

including the grape stomping contest, is free. 

Miss Grapette is featured in the two giant parades each afternoon: Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Rides, crafts, food, and other concessions pack the downtown streets during this grape filled weekend. 

The Geneva Grape Jamboree is held 

on the last weekend each year in September.  

Geneva is located 

one mile north of Route 90 

at the intersection of routes 20 and 534.

 If you have never been it is fun to go 

and watch the town go "grape" for the weekend.

I have never seen so many things made with grapes,

or the color purple.

Jewlery, all different kinds of crafts 

and 

more food items than you could ever imagine.

It is truly is a sight to behold.

If you are ever in the area, I would suggest

you to at least experience it once...

XoXo

<3

This is the grape stand 

that I volunteered at in

2010. 

It is crazy to see all the grapes we went 

through and grape juice...

We sold out the first day 

and 

then had to replenish, for day two...

Was a great time even though 

it was a mad house!  

Fantastic Foodie Friday~ Angel Hair Pasta w/ Shrimp & Basil

• 

  Added a little bit of Asparagus for color and added flavor.

  Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup olive oil, divided
  • 1 (8 ounce) package angel hair pasta
  • 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
  • 1 pound large shrimp - peeled and deveined
  • 2 (28 ounce) cans Italian-style diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
  • 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

  Directions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and add 1 tablespoon oil. Cook pasta in boiling water until al dente. Place pasta in a colander, and give it a quick rinse with cold water.
  2. Heat remaining olive oil in a 10 inch skillet over medium heat. Cook garlic, stirring constantly, until the garlic is tender, about 1 minute. Do not let the garlic burn. Add shrimp, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove shrimp from the skillet, and set aside.
  3. Stir tomatoes, wine, parsley, and basil into the skillet. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced by half, 8 to 12 minutes. Add shrimp, and continue cooking until the shrimp are heated through, about 2 to 3 minutes. Serve the shrimp mixture over the pasta. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

  Nutritional Information 

  Amount Per Serving  

  Calories: 527 | Total Fat: 18.1g | Cholesterol: 176mgPowered by ESHA Nutrient Database

Thursday~ My Treasure

We all have different treasures in our lives.
It could be something that someone left us,
or a trinket that we picked up along the way
while we were with someone...
Recently,
I have come to realize that it is not the 
"things"
that matter as much, 
even though they hold sweet memories...
Rather, 
it is the precious moments,
that we were able to spend with that person.
So, treasure each moment that you are given.
Never take anyone, or the time you have
with them for granted.
Cherish every memory you get to make with them.
Life can change in an instant.
Without warning.
Tell those that you cherish, you love them often.
Never pass up an opportunity to do something new.
and
Find your Treasures in moments & people 
not things...
XoXo
<3

Wednesday~ Maybe the Greatest Charity

Sometimes the greatest charity that we

 can extend to another is to forgive

 and still love them in spite of the differences...

We all have different ways to approach situations.

What is right for one, might not be for the other.

Learn to love another for their differences,

not everyone can be exactly the same.

The greatest gift you can give someone is 

to love them even when their views differ 

from yours.
The beauty lies in the differences,
when you know that they are 
there, but you accept them because 
you love the other person...
XoXo
<3  

Tuesday~ So You Know

If you could hear me,                            I would say that our finger prints don't fade                               from the lives we've touched.                          It only takes a moment to leave an                              impression that will last a lifetime...                            We may have had only a few                              moments together,                                   but our meeting was not by chance.                                If I could tell you tonight,                                   just one thing...                               It would be that I am better for having                              met you...                            You will forever be with me,                             as you live within my heart...                             XoXo                             <3

Motivational Monday~ An Ahhh Haaa Moment~

Ever have that one moment of clarity when all the confusion 

fuses together and gives you a glimmer of understanding?

This did it for me...

There are a series of 3 of these.

I wrestled between two of them,

this one, won out..

Left Brain

I am the left brain

I am a scientist. A mathematician.

I love the familiar. I categorize. I am accurate.

Linear. Analytical. Strategic.

I am practical.

Always in control.

A master of words and language. 

Realistic.

I calculate equations and play with numbers.

I am order. I am logic.

I know exactly who I am.

Right Brain

I am the right brain

I am creativity. A free spirit.

I am passion. 

Yearning. Sensuality.

I am the sound of roaring laughter.

I am taste. 

The feeling of sand beneath bare feet.

I am movement.

Vivid colors.

I am the urge to paint on an empty canvas.

I am boundless imagination.

Art. Poetry. 

I sense. I feel.

I am everything I wanted to be.

In this world there are people that are left brain centered,

and then there are those that are right brain driven.

We all have both inside of us.

In one body,

 two sides are married into one.

Each being unique.

No two will ever be the same.

Some how they find a way to make 

two halves a whole.

It took something so complex,

to be made so simple 

to find me...

XoXo

<3 

Heartbreaking News~

Though I never had the pleasure of knowing Kat, 

 her story will stay with me always.  

I wanted to share what I know of her life,
 with you, as it has touched me profoundly.

  I hope you will keep her husband, 

four children and all her family & friends in your prayers...

Kathleen (Kat) Werner passed away this weekend,

 from a blood clot.

 Only 9 short days after giving birth to her 4th child, 

a handsome boy named Micah.  

A Breast Cancer Survivor and an Fierce Advocate.

Two of her children were born,

 after her personal battle with Breast Cancer.

Another cause that she fought tirelessly for 

was Autism, as her other son is Autistic.

Every story I have heard of Kat is one of Love, 

Understanding and a Heartfelt Desire to bring about a Change.

Her passing leaves many grieving and feeling that life is very fragile.

At the young age of 37, Kat, impacted countless lives.

She brought Hope, Compassion and a Light to many that 

were living in Darkness.

Though her life ended all too soon,

her Legacy will live on in the lives of all that she touched.

My heartfelt thoughts & prayers are with her family 

& friends during this most heart breaking time...

Peace be with Kat as she has earned her Wings.

XoXo

<3

YSC~ Tribute

Savvy Saturday~ Local Pumpkin Patch

Welcome to the first day of Fall...

The weather is changing, 

Leaves Falling 

and 

Pumpkins are ready to be picked.

Instead of going to your grocery store 

or 

Walmart.

Why not do a Google Search, 

and find a local

Pumpkin Patch...

Take a day,

spend it trying to get out of a corn maze

drinking apple cider

and 

finding the perfect carving pumpkin.

Make lasting memories as you 

spend the day having fun!

Here is a web site:

Pumpkin Patches & More

XoXo

<3

Fantastic Foodie Friday~Roasted Tomato Soup

5 tomatoes, cored (if necessary) and quartered
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and quartered
3 medium yellow onions, peeled, quartered
extra-virgin olive oil
5 plump cloves of garlic, unpeeled
fine-grain sea salt
2 - 3 cups light vegetable stock or water
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

Preheat the oven to 375F degrees and position 2 racks in the middle of the oven. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper, alternately you can just rub them down with a thin glaze of olive oil.

Arrange the tomatoes, skin side down, on a baking sheet. Coat the bell pepper and onions with olive oil and put them on the other baking sheet along with the garlic, place the pepper skin side down as well. Give both sheets a light showering of salt, then bake until the tomatoes start to collapse and the onions start to brown and caramelize, about 45 minutes. Turn the onions if they start getting overly dark on the bottom .Check on the garlic as well, once the cloves are golden and oozy inside, pull them from the oven.

Peel the garlic, dump all of the roasted vegetables into a big, high-sided bowl, and puree with a hand blender. Alternately, use a conventional blender or food processor and work in batches. Blend in a cup of the stock, and keep adding the rest 1/2 cup at a time until the soup is the desired consistency. I like a little chunk and texture to this soup particularly if the weather has a bit of a chill, but smooth or chunky is your call. Add the paprika and a bit more salt if needed - adjusting to your taste.

Serves 4.

Found at 101 Cookbooks a recipe journal

Take Care~

Pamper yourself...

Get a Massage,

Pedicure

or just 

treat yourself to a day out...

Every day you should do one 

thing for yourself.

Read a book,

Meditate

or 

relax on a porch swing,

 taking in the beauty around you.

Relax...

Take one day at a time

& 

take care of you...

XoXo

<3

New Location~

It's Official!

I am all set to walk in Tampa.

Plane Ticket has been bought,

Accommodations made.

October 25-27, 2013

3-Days, 60 Miles

Getting the chance to walk

in a 

new city...

I am excited!

Look out Tampa,

Here I Come!!!

If you would like to send me

a letter of encouragement...

( So I have something to read at camp )

Here is the Address:

Susan G. Komen 3-Day

ATTN: Malinda Sneary

PO Box 7937

St. Petersburg, FL 33734

XoXo

<3

Just Laugh~

We all need to laugh, 

to find the humor in life...
Not every day will be filled with
sunshine
&
hearts
but we have to keep finding ways
to be happy...
Find your happiness,
and keep laughing...
Life will deal you situations,
that will challenge you.
Test your very limits,
but you have to find ways
to get thru them...
Take a night off,
watch a movie,
go to a comedy club
talk with a friend
whatever it takes...
Laugh and the World will Laugh with you...
XoXo
<3

Motivational Monday~ Evaluate

Sometimes, we need to take a step back and evaluate,  

where we are & where we want to be.
This can be in any part of our lives.
  For some it is their weight,
for others it could be a job,

 where they are in a relationship or location.
 Whatever the situation...
You need to step back to get perspective,
 set a reasonable goal 

and start working towards it. 

  It is not to say that you will always reach it

 in the time you have given yourself,
 but just to know that you are working towards

 an end result.  
Sometimes,

 there will be set backs,
unforeseen bumps in the road 

or sometimes it can just be a plateau,
 that you have to work around.  

Whatever it is,
 doesn't mean you won't get there,
 just means you need to adjust to get around it.
  Be kind to yourself, 

change is not always easy.
  Sometimes,
it is down right difficult,
frustrating and can even be scary,
but if you believe in your dream go for it!
 You will not always get the positive words of encouragement,
 that you want as you reach for your goals.
  You need to learn to be your own coach & cheer leader.
 Find ways to draw strength and courage.  
Use visual aids if you need them.
 Tape up a picture or pictures of what motivates you.
 Above all,
 have Faith that you will get there,
 Believe that you can do it 

& 

know that you are worth it...
When you reach your goal...
Celebrate!

XoXo

<3

Starlight Star Bright~

We all are stars,

each of us has our own light.

One life touches another,

sometimes

we don't even know the impact

 we have on others...

A kind word,

giving of your time,

or a simple 

gesture that means so much.

Each one of us has the power 

to touch another life.

Never underestimate 

that you do...

Each one of us 

has a light that shines.

Never be afraid 

to be you

& 

to share the light 

that you posses...

You never know when 

you will touch another life,

just by being you...

XoXo

<3