I am so happy that you have landed in my little corner of cyberspace. If you join me here, you will, hopefully, get to know a little about me. You will read my thoughts, my hopes and dreams, and see some of my favorite things. I hope you will visit often. I will try to update it regularly and hopefully you will see an improvement in the blog along the way. Thank you for stopping in to see me as I travel on this journey called "life"!













Sunday, April 3, 2011

A FEW THINGS I'VE NEGLECTED TO SHARE WITH YOU...

There have been a few things that I've neglected to share with you the last 5 months.  I've had the best intentions.  Promise.  I've even taken the pictures fully intending to share them with you.  
Mark Bittman's Roasted Chicken, Baked Pureed Parsnips & Lemon Broccolini

I can't always get my act together to post them.  Life intervenes....in good ways.  We have been making good choices in our lives. Spending time with family...

Birthday parties....

My sweet niece....cancer free!  \0/

I love these kids!

Local grass-fed beef

and my hubby's favorite loaded mashed potatoes

There other distractions.....and it takes me forever to prepare a post for publishing.....which means you don't get to see some things that I have won.
 
 
Or see goofy photos of me wearing the things that I've won...
 
 
And then there's the house hunting...
 

We didn't think we wanted to be home-owners again. We really didn't.



 
We liked the idea of "loose feet" and the freedom to travel and enjoy life. We liked the idea of a landlord to worry about the repairs.



No lawns to mow.  Of course, the neverending Louisiana heat and humidity might have had something to do with that particular complaint...


After being here for the last 5 months, we need to spread our wings. Things are getting a little cramped. We want to entertain.  It's cheaper to buy than to rent.  Rent is so expensive.


I've done pretty well with a two burner hot plate and a toaster oven; but I want a kitchen.  I need to cook....really cook.

my sandwich of love
 And have friends and family over for more impromptu jam sessions....


And turn up the music....


And share some laughs...


And future "stars" get the spotlight...


I truly don't know how you all blog so consistently. You are my heroes.

Banana Raisin Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce
So to catch you up and so that I don't feel like I'm so far behind on blogging, I thought I would just post some random things that I've neglected to tell you about.  Like our daytrip adventures....




And the Winter Carnival...


Where there was ski joring...


And ski jumping....













And then there were things like this to warm us up when it was cold and snowing outside...

Jalapeno Potato Corn Chowder with Bacon, Cheese and Chives
All made from as many local and/or organic sources that I can find.  All made with as few packaged/processed ingredients as I have been able to get away with.  

Black Bean Burgers.  Yum.
It hasn't been perfect, by any means.  It's all about making little choices to eat healthier than I have in the past.  It's all about making good choices on the portion sizes.  

Whole Wheat Pearled Couscous Salad
 There have been potential snowball fights...

He didn't.....but he wanted to.  I could tell.
And lots of coffee....


And lots of "picture taking"....


Of stuff like this...






And this...


Who is forever taking photos of me....


Which I mostly delete...because I can...and because he should be taking photos of her instead...

grandchildren are amazing!
So it's all about making good choices.  It's all about enjoying family and friends.  It's about music and laughter and love.  It's about slowing down and taking notice of the things around us.  It's about taking time to stop and smell the roses...or daisies....or whatever is in season.



And I think we're doing a pretty good job...
How about you?

If you've stuck with me through this blog post, you deserve an award for patience.  It has been awhile since I've linked up with Cate at Moments of Whimsy for her Project 2011.  It's not that I haven't been trying to meet my goals; but, as you can see, I've found it hard to blog about them.  Maybe I will find some time to link up consistently.....or maybe not.  Either way, no worries!

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Have a beautiful day!


project2011b

35 comments:

  1. Wow. You have been doing well. I can tell that the move was good for you. I am so glad. Do you send your food by fedX? Ha ha.

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  2. wow! It looks like there is so much joy in your life! Congrats on the healthy niece. May the good keep rollin' in. :) *hugs

    --d'Arty
    www.livinginiowa.net

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  3. Wow - you have been so busy Candace! It is good to hear that you have been doing so well though. You have kept your goals in mind and made them part of your every day choices which is just how it should be ;-)

    And I can't believe that you have been preparing all of the wonderful food that you showcase here on your blog on such a tiny, makeshift kitchen. You're my hero!!

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  4. You have most certainly benn busy! Thanks for sharing.

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  5. You have been busy go, go, going and eat, eat, eating! Love all the photos!!! :O)

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  6. My goodness, you have been busy! I love the pictures.

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  7. What a fun post! Looks like you've been having some fun lately! And there was a lot of yummy looking food in this post :)

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  8. Good to see you enjoying your new environment..it is beautiful ! ! Did you ski down that slope? WoW...Happy the little girl is cancer free, what a wonderful blessing ! ! AND....jammin', a lot of that in my life too ! !

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  9. wow! Fun post and now I feel all caught up!

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  10. Hey Candace! I enjoyed this post so much! Thanks so much for sharing!!!

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  11. You're doing a great job! Good food, beautiful family, fun places! What a terrific post, you've been busy! The kids are adorable. Very happy for your niece :)

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  12. Look at all those fabulous adventures. Those houses were amazing, so much charm! Your grandbaby is so cute.
    Blessings and keep enjoying life!

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  13. That was a fantastic post! Loved all the photos. And you're right, life gets in the way, so to speak, and posts I've planned get set aside. I look back through my photos and realize,'hey, I was going to write about that.' I'm so glad you're near your granddaughter.

    Isn't it fun to be up close watching a ski jump event! I think it's thrilling!

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  14. all of these are very good reasons for you not blogging consistently and you should not apologize for one second. I am glad to hear that you Neice is now cancer free! That is amazing news. And the food choices are simply splendid and the house hunting, well you have good reasons which will only extend your level of happiness! I am so happy for you, you are in a good place! Have an awesome week my friend.

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  15. I loved your post today. You've been busy and you must promise to let us know when you find a house you like. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  16. That's quite a change from Louisiana, especially the snow! Looks like you're adapting very well, though. Loved all of the great pics and the food looks wonderful. Thanks for stopping by!

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  17. You are truly my hero! Cooking such luscious dishes with limited kitchen equipment/space, taking gorgeous photos, entertaining and out and about seeing the sites. I'm not sure how you do it all but girlfriend, you rock!

    I have not been doing that much posting either but love reading what others are doing. Take good care!

    xoxo
    Pat

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  18. What a lovely post! You should never feel guilty about not posting - you're out there LIVING your life!
    I imagine I won't post as often once hubby is back in the house and not working away from home - but for now it's what connects me to the world after Little Miss has gone to sleep!

    Frugally Green Mom

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  19. Oh, this was so much fun!!! We should be sitting on the sofa together, poring through the album ... of course, with a beautiful smiley grandbaby on our laps ... :) (I need to borrow her sometime -- she's entirely too cute!) And I loved seeing a picture of a happy, smiling Julz!!! A fabulous post -- brava!

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  20. I love all the pics and we are house hunting too-so funny! But of course you know which pics stood out the most to me- the food! Yep, I must have that bread pudding and potato corn chowder! YUMMO!

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  21. I hope the next series of photos will be from your new home Candace and the things with which you will decorate it! I have a neighbor here who seems to me that he looks like your husband. I will try to sneak a photo of him and I will mail it to you and let me know. All your pictures are beautiful and indeed you were busy! I would love to be there and enjoy all the fun you had with snow. I never forget how beautiful nature is in NH!

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  22. awww Candace what a great post! Thanks for sharing all past un-shared eats, fun, and antics! =) love it! There is so much I leave out too! posting/writing takes forever!

    xoXOxo
    Jenn @ Peas & Crayons

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  23. Hi Candace,
    High Five for a fellow Cancer Survivor!! I really enjoyed your beautiful post about your life. If made me smile and feel happy. Thank you so much for sharing and have a great day!

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  24. Hello Candace! Great photos! I love the snowy pictures...we don't get much snow here in Portland, Oregon. Good luck house hunting!!! Happy cooking! Andrea

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  25. Wow, that's a lot to catch up on. I started doing the 365 project (I started late) & then stopped. I pretty much take pics everyday, but had a hard time keeping track of the order & posting them. I've been to the Quechee gorge & that antique place. It's fun winning things. I'm addicted to it. Also good luck house hunting. It's fun, but exhausting. Your grandaughter is adorable.

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  26. What an awesome way to catch up on what you have been up to! So glad to see that you have been enjoying life.

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  27. Wow! What a whirlwind. I feel as if I'm all caught up now. I loved all the pictures. My favorite was of the rushing water. I'm a water baby at heart.
    How wonderful your niece is cancer free. What a blessing for your family.
    I have a mini confession, I almost licked my screen at your picture of the beef. *hanging head in shame*

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  28. This is what is important. Having fun and enjoying life. I, too, find it really really hard to be consistent with posting. It just amazes me to see all the ones that are so so good about it. It sounds like you have amazing things happening in your life. How wonderful! And the fact that your niece is cancer free is just amazing and a total blessing!
    Good luck with the house search!!
    Thanks for sharing all that you have neglected to share! ;)

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  29. OH those photos are gorgeous!!! And i love the ones of your niece. SOOOOOOO glad to hear she's doing well. And can I get the recipe for those parsnips please???

    Lots of yummy love,
    Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner
    www.mawhats4dinner.com

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  30. You have been very busy!!! I think you do an amazing job cooking if you're doing it on a hot plate. wow!

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  31. What a fun filled joyous post!!!

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  32. Such a beautiful post!! OMG, a Cabot cheese shop??!! I don't think you could ever get me out of it!

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  33. Hi sweet friend!

    Gosh, I've had fun catching up with you tonight. It seems like FOREVER since I've had time to just read blogs and enjoy myself. Between our two weeks in California and then having two grandsons here for Spring Break, I seem to have gotten myself behind. Not anymore though. I'm BAAAACK!

    Hugs,
    Kat

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  34. wow this is quit the post! so much info, you've done so much! those winter sports look like a lot of fun and I don't even like winter sports and I totally know what you mean on the house thing! we've managed to maintain a pretty good amount of traveling while having a house so we're getting the best of both worlds going on.

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