Take it as it Comes~

Every day you will be faced with challenges.

Do not let it deter you.

Make the best decision you can 

& 

keep focused on your goal...

There will be bumps along the road

&

tests that you need to over come.

Do what you can today

&

don't worry so much about what will come 

tomorrow.

Find the joy and beauty in each day.

Don't let the worries of what lies ahead 

consume your in the now...

For you never know what will happen 

in the future.

XoXo

<3

Song Saturday~"Everybody's Someone" LeAnn Rimes & Brian McFadden

And every day begins the same

Get up, go out, come back again

Same old same old

A thousand faces pass you by

You never look into their eyes

You feel so ordinary

They feel so ordinary

Hey...

Everybody's someone

No matter where you come from

There's light in every single star

You're more than who you think you are

And hey

Everybody's someone

And when it's hard to hold on

Remember you are not alone

This house is everybody's home

And every day we seem to chase

The perfect smile, the perfect face

Same old same old

For every one who gets to shine

A million more are left behind

They feel so ordinary

You feel so ordinary

[Chorus]

From a king to a common man

We're all part of a greater plan

Hey...

There's light in every single star

You're more than who you think you are

And hey

Everybody's someone

And when it's hard to hold on

Remember you are not alone

This house is everybody's home

Hey...

Fantastic Foodie Friday~Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:

2 tsp canola oil

8 oz white mushrooms, chopped

1 lb lean ground chicken

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 tsp fresh ginger, minced

1 cup green onions, sliced

1 (8 oz) can sliced water chestnuts, drained and chopped

8 large lettuce leaves

1 tbsp toasted sesame oil

1/2 tbsp rice wine vinegar

3/4 tsp lower-sodium soy sauce

1/2 tsp honey

crushed red pepper flakes, to taste

Directions:

Heat canola oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. 

Add mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. 

Place mushrooms in a large bowl, set aside.

Add chicken, garlic and ginger to skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes or until chicken is brown, breaking the meat up as it cooks. 

Combine the chicken mixture with the bowl of mushrooms; 

add green onions and water chestnuts; toss together. 

Combine sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, lower-sodium soy sauce, honey and crushed red pepper flakes in a small bowl; whisk to mix well. 

Divide chicken mixture evenly between each lettuce leaf and top with sesame oil mixture. Optional: Garnish with fun, bright extras, like the red peppers and scallions seen above.

Serves 4

Count Down~

When I woke up this morning,

I had a million things running through

my head until I read this post...

Do you know where you will be in 

6 months?

I then shift my thinking, 

and start trying to invision 

what things will look like...

I will be in a new State.

A town that,

I have never lived in before.

Not sure what kind of living 

arrangemets there will be.

I Just know that 6 months from now.

I will not be here,

and I will be closer to there...

Hopefully with little to,
 No Snow 

on Christmas day...

XoXo

<3

Motivational Monday~Words you Need to Hear

Every now and again we need a little 

reminder...

We may not hear the words 

that we long to hear.

So, tonight...

I hope this speaks to you.

You are one of a kind,

there is no one like you...

Celebrate yourself 

& 

know that not only are you loved,

but you are beautiful...

If you ever start to forget,

come back & I will tell you again...

XoXo

<3

Finding Beauty in the Day~

Every day I am taking time to capture the 

Beauty in the Day...

It is my time to take in all that is around me. 

To just be one in the moment...

It is amazing all of the things we 

miss as we go about our daily routine.

If you can find the time in your day to 

just surround yourself in nature

you will find the beauty,

 that is just waiting to be discovered...

XoXo

<3

Song Saturday~Hunter Hayes & Danielle Bradbery~ I Want Crazy

I'm booking myself a one way flight
I gotta see the color in your eyes
I'm telling myself I'm going to be alright
Without you baby is a waste of time

Our first date girl the seasons changed
Got washed away in the summer rain
Can't undo a fall like this
Cause love don't know what distance is

Yeah I know it's crazy

But I don't want good
And I don't want good enough
I want can't sleep can't breath without your love
Front porch and one more kiss
It Doesn't make sense to anybody else
Who cares if your all I think about
I've searched the world and I know now
It ain't bad if you ain't lost your mind

Yeah I don't want easy
I want crazy
Are you with me baby
Lets be crazy

Yeah

I wanna be scared don't wanna know why
I wanna feel good, don't have to be right
The world makes all kind of rules for love
I say you gotta let it do what it does

I don't want just another hug and a kiss goodnight
Catching up calls and a date sometimes
A love that revels and we still believe
We're the kind of crazy people wish that they could be
I know what crazy
Yeah

But I don't want good
And I don't want good enough
I want can't sleep can't breath without your love
Front porch and one more kiss
Doesn't make sense to anybody else
Who cares if your all I think about
I've searched the world and I know now
It ain't bad if you ain't lost your mind

Yeah I don't want easy
I want crazy
Are you with me baby
Lets be crazy

But I don't want good
And I don't want good enough
I want can't sleep can't breath without your love
Front porch and one more kiss
Doesn't make sense to anybody else
Who cares if your all I think about
I've searched the world and I know now
It ain't bad if you ain't lost your mind

Yeah I don't want easy
I want crazy
Yeah look at us baby
Tonight the midnight rules are breaking

There's no such thing as wild enough
Maybe we just think too much
Who needs to play it safe in love
Lets be crazy

Who cares if we're crazy

We gotta be crazy
I know that we're crazy
So lets be crazy

Yeah 

Fantastic Foodie Friday~ One Pot Wonder

This is a picture of what was cooking on my stove today, 

the Blow your mind Tomato Basil Paste!!!

Pasta, Tomatoes, Veggie Broth, Olive Oil, and Seasonings (details below)

Throw it all in the pot, INCLUDING the uncooked Pasta, and cook!

 Bring it to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. 

The starch leaches out of the pasta and makes a rich, warm sauce for the noodles. 

The other ingredients cook right along with the pasta

Ingredients

12 ounces pasta (I used Linguine)
1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes with liquid
1 large sweet onion, cut in julienne strips
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves
2 large sprigs basil, chopped
4 1/2 cups vegetable broth (regular broth and NOT low sodium)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Parmesan cheese for garnish

Directions

Place pasta, tomatoes, onion, garlic, basil, in a large stock pot. Pour in vegetable broth. Sprinkle on top the pepper flakes and oregano. Drizzle top with oil.

Cover pot and bring to a boil. 

Reduce to a low simmer and keep covered and cook for about 10 minutes, 

stirring every 2 minutes or so. 

Cook until almost all liquid has evaporated 

– I left about an inch of liquid in the bottom of the pot – 

but you can reduce as desired .

Season to taste with salt and pepper , 

stirring pasta several times to distribute the liquid in the bottom of the pot. 

Serve garnished with Parmesan cheese. 

Bringing it into Focus~

Sometimes we need more than 

the right attitude and desire...

Every now and again we need 

to have the right tools

to bring things into focus.

Just like taking a picture of the moon.

You can have a camera,

you can see the moon

but without the right lens, 

you won't capture all 

of the beauty you seek...

XoXo

<3

Just a Moment~

Time to take a break.

Unwind from the day...

Find a quiet spot 

to relax.

Listen to the ocean

or 

the wind rustling through 

the trees.

Watch the sunset with all of 

it's colors dancing across the sky.

Take a moment just for you.

Enjoy the moment 

and 

breathe deep.

Tomorrow is another day...

XoXo

<3

At the End of the Day~

Reflect...

Take time to look back on the day.

See the beauty, 

 be grateful for all that you have.

Things may not be perfect,

but you have to find the 

moments 

that can make you smile.

XoXo

<3

Motivational Monday~ You

We have the each have the potential

to be our greatest strength

or

our own worst enemy.

We can either make decisions

to empower ourselves

or

make detrimental choices that 

will have long lasting effects.

We need to allow ourselves to 

step out of the way,

 so we can 

have what we want 

and deserve...

 Be the best you,

allow youself to be what 

you dream of.

XoXo

<3

Happy Father's Day~

Thank you for each memory that we

have made together.

Thank you for the lessons that you 

have instilled in me.

Thank you for all of the love,

I feel everytime we are together.

Most of all,

Thank you for being there for me.

Through the good times

&

the rough patches.

Since the day we first met,

my hand in yours...

You have been the man that I 

have looked up to.

Thank you Daddy for always

being there for me...

I Love You...

XoXo

<3

Song Saturday~ Mr. Mom~ Lonestar

Lost my job, came home mad
Got a hug and kiss and that's too bad
She said I can go to work until you find another job
I thought I like the sound of that
Watch TV and take long naps
Go from a hard working dad to being Mr. Mom

Well
Pampers melt in a Maytag dryer
Crayons go up one drawer higher
Rewind Barney for the fifteenth time
Breakfast six, naps at nine
There's bubble gum in the baby's hair
Sweet potatoes in my lazy chair
Been crazy all day long and it's only Monday
Mr. Mom

Football, soccer and ballet
Squeeze in Scouts and PTA
And there's that shopping list she left
That's seven pages long
How much smoke can one stove make
The kids won't eat my charcoal cake
It's more than any man can take
Being Mr. Mom

Well
Pampers melt in a Maytag dryer
Crayons go up one drawer higher
Rewind Barney for the sixteenth time
Breakfast six, naps at nine
There's bubble gum in the baby's hair
Sweet potatoes in my lazy chair
Been crazy all day long and it's only Monday
Mr.Mom

Before I fall in bed tonight
If the dog didn't eat the classifieds
I'm gonna look just one more time

'Cause
Pampers melt in a Maytag dryer
Crayons go up one drawer higher
Rewind Barney for the eighteenth time
Breakfast six, naps at nine
There's bubble gum in the baby's hair
Sweet potatoes in my lazy chair
Been crazy all day long 
Oh been crazy all day long and it's only Monday
Mr.Mom

Balancin' checkbooks, juggling bills
Thought there was nothing to it
Baby, now I know how you feel
What I don't know is how you do it

Honey, you're my hero

Fantastic Foodie Friday~Fat Burning Turkey Burgers

- Ingredients
1 pound ground turkey
1/4 cup minced onion
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce2 tablespoons minced green bell peppers
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoons fresh grated ginger
salt and pepper
2 cloves garlic crushed
This fat burning recipe is good for 3 burgers, each at 184 calories, 4 carbs and 4g of fat

- Preparation
Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl
Mix all ingredients together, it works best if you squeeze them together with your hands
divided into three equal patties, each about three quarters of an inch thick
lightly spray a nonstick coating to your frypan
cook over medium-high heat
cook each side for about five minutes, or until entirely cooked through
Give this High Protein healthy and tasty turkey burger recipe a try for yourself, 

I’m sure you’ll really like it!

A Different View~

Usually time & pressure equals

 a negative situation,

but if we change our perspective...

Just look what time & pressure can create.

Sometimes, we need to go through the 

rough times to come out polished

on the other side.

XoXo

<3

Cocooned~

In the darkest of hours,

we learn...

We grow,

becoming stronger

and 

when we are ready...

We emerge.

Our colors shining bright in the Sun.

Our true beauty 

there for all to see...

Don't be afraid of the darkenss.

It will help you find the light...

XoXo

<3

My Life~

If you missed this amazing talent tonight,

I wanted to share him with you.

Paul Thomas Mitchell,

he has a story that will touch you.

He has struggled, and lived in darkenss,

but he decided to rise above it.

This song, My Life that Paul wrote.

It is a reminder to all of us that 

we can choose to take a different path.

To rise above our struggles 

and 

chase our dreams.

No matter what,

Paul has brought about a positive 

change in his life.

 I only hope that each one of us

 can learn from his willingness 

to step out from the shadows,

face his fears and chase his dreams...

I wish him all the best!

XoXo

<3

Motivational Monday~ My Hero

Tonight, I watched one of the most emotional movies

 that I think I have ever seen.

It has touched me in the most profound way. 

 I wish that every person would take 

the time to watch this movie.

HONOR FLIGHT~ONE LAST MISSION 

It reminds us that we have an Amazing Legacy

that is still here and we need to 

Honor them, now...

Time is fleeting,

we need to Honor those Men and Woman 

who fought for our Freedoms.

Tonight, 

I am going to ask for something.

For My Father, My Hero...

You see, he is a World War II Veteran.

He is planning on taking a flight

that is not just a trip,

but a journey into the past.

To have the chance to see 

that even though when he came home

so many years ago, and packed away all of his 

military gear and memories,

and got to work taking care of his family...

For him to know that his service and all those that he fought with 

are so vital to our Freedom that we cherish today.

So many have never had the chance to go to Washington DC

to see the Memorials that were built in Honor 

of those who fought for our Freedoms.

This September, My Father will get that chance.

He will be flying to Washington DC on an Honor Flight.

Tonight, I am asking each one of you

if you would take a moment, 

to write a letter, send a card or picture which will 

be given to my Father at his final mail call on the way home.

When my Father was in the service, 

 mail call was always the brightest moment of the day.

They didn't have e-mails, faxes, facebook or any of the 

things we have today to keep in touch.

It was mail call, that most of the military lived and died by.

To get a letter from their loved ones to hear how 

things were and just to hear words of love.

As a Marine serving, 

I can remember how much a letter from home,

 from a friend or even  from someone I may have never met

meant to me.  

The words of encouragement could help me in my 

times of struggle, no matter what I was facing at the time.

I, to this day, still have each one that was sent to me.

If you want to help me Honor my Hero, my Father

would you please send me what you want him to receive  

at his final mail call.

I will be putting a package together for him to get.

Thank you in advance for your time and for helping 

me to Honor a man who has helped to shape me into the 

person I am today.

Charles W. Humes

665 Tall Trees Drive

Ashtabula, OH 44004

XoXo

<3

If you want to learn more about the Honor Flight here is another link.