One of my favorite parts of each day is opening up Pinterest and seeing if there were any new pictures posted about Italy.  As you can tell from my Profile picture in front of a vineyard and my bio stating that I love all things Italian, I am not sure why I didn't make Tuesdays about travel!

 

(The view getting off the train and entering Venice)

 

About two years ago I found myself waking up in a dream, or so it seemed for as long as I had dreamed about going to Italy!  I will remember every moment there and even though I will never be able to return, I will always have the pictures in my album and the memories in my heart.

 

(Pienza, Tuscany - one of the most quaint hill towns in all of Tuscany)

 

(The market in Florence where I attending a cooking class)

 

(Burano, Venice. The most colorful and perhaps my

 favorite place in the whole of Italy!)

 

(I believe this is San Giagmano, but I cannot be sure.  All of the hill towns of Tuscany start running together and start looking alike in ways)

 

(Trevi Fountain in Rome. I threw my coins in, but I was in a foul mood that day so perhaps I will not return.)

 

 

I hope that you have enjoyed a small taste of such a beautiful country with me and I will look forward to sharing a few more pictures next week.  One of these years I will actually put the pics in an actual photo album so I can peruse through them without having to be hooked upto a cord!

 

 

                                                                                                                                               

 

 

Enjoying my thoughts,

Petra

Did you miss me?

I have been "away" for a few days and I don't think I am going to pick up where I left off, rather I will just write what I would like to discuss today.  I want to talk about books and reading.  I am curious to know what everyone is reading today or even lately...because not everyone gets the chance to read every day.

I am a horrible person when it comes to reading because I can never finish something before I start something else.  My son might say my ADD is setting in, but I would prefer to think of it as I have different moods. Yeah, that sounds MUCH better! 

Today I bought two more books that I think I will start reading here in the next day or two, in addition to the few I have already started. On my Nook I am reading Bram Stoker's "Dracula" because I want to know how it all started - even though I believe legends began before that.  But I really want to know how to measure up the current movies and stories to the 'original.'

On my Kindle I am reading a book called "The Towers of Tuscany." It is set in Siena, Italy, long ago during the times of the great painters.  It's going kinda slow, so I thought I would branch out and get started on something else.

 http://www.amazon.com/Towers-Tuscany-Carol-M-Cram-ebook/dp/B00I49C70U/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400533058&sr=1-1&keywords=Towers+of+tuscany

So I bought another Kindle book, "Game of Thrones" by George R. R. Martin. Please don't ruin it for me since I am only YEARS behind the times on this one. But I just think it sounds like something I would like, especially since I loved "Lord of the Rings" and "Hobbit" as well as the Eragon series by Christopher Paolini.  When I am done with this series I plan on getting Suzanne Collins's series "Hunger Games." But that is much later.
     
                                               

Also, today, I picked up another book - a REAL book. One with pages and everything!  It is a non-fiction book, the title of which I would rather not reveal since it is a little too personal.  Suffice it to say that I am trying to better myself and that is ALWAYS a good thing. 

So....I guess you could say that I have a book for every mood. Dark. Historical. Fantasy. Helpful.  All I need now is something light...any suggestions?  Never mind, I am sure I can find something on my shelves of actual and digital shelves.  It's just a matter of getting started.  No telling when I will finish anything.  But that's kind of the fun thing for me, because in between reding all these books I am still writing. I'm a mess sometimes, not suhre whether I am coming or going, but I do know this - each place is magical and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!

Delving into my own conscience now with my writing,

Petra

P.S. Have a wonderful rest of the week and I look forward to hearing from everyone on what books they enjoy or even what genre appeals to you.

My Friends,

I realize I am going to be opening up myself to criticism, but today I am going to share a small scene of the current story I am currently writing. Please be aware that this story is  difficult for me to write, but I must. It is based on my life, although I have taken a few liberties with certain parts. Please enjoy and feel free to comment on either the writing or the content.

The road stretched out in front of Daniel, beckoning him to the unknown future. The future was all he had. The past was to be forgotten. He must forget it. He would take his few possessions, wisdom leaned from the last three years, and the peace in his heart, garnered from reconciliation with God, and press forward towards a place and relationship of which he knew little to nothing.

The sun was beginning to set and he darted behind the sun visor, blocking the blinding rays of the sun. It was hit and miss with the radio station so he opted for a mix that Pastor Anderson had given him. It had some praise music on it, stretching his musical tastes in much the same way his soul had been stretched lately. He wanted to get to Cincinnati before dark, but it didn’t look that was going to happen. At this rate it would be after midnight before he reached the small town south of Louisville which was his final destination. He should have left sooner.

His car was on its last leg and Daniel desperately hoped that the money he had saved up for the last month was enough to pay for gas and the few morsels to eat. Although his sister had not approved of this trip, she had given him a little money and a gas gift card that she had won at a church raffle. Daniel was grateful that he had a sister who cared even though she didn’t quite understand his logic.

Was it logic? No, he didn’t think it really was. It was more of a compunction. A drawing. A yearning. He just knew that unless he did this he wouldn’t be able to rest. As it was, he wasn’t able to sleep through the night. He had trouble discerning fact from distortion, and those convoluted thoughts gnawed at him incessantly.

Daniel knew that the only one who could provide the answers lived at the end of this long drive. He prayed that his mom would recognize him after not seeing him these last few years.

 

This story is taking a lot from my soul and I can only write a little at a time. That is why it is taking me so very long. That and the fact that I am writing the first draft out in longhand. I look forward to sharing more of this story with you once in a while or even if you have an interest in knowing more about it. 

Drawing from my past, making sense of the present, and preparing for the future,

Your friend,

Petra

I love watching movies and TV. Anyone who knows me in the least, knows that. I'm very passionate about it, too.  Once I get started talking about a certain show or actor, I am kinda like a bulldog - you have to let go first. I know I am a sad,  pathetic woman, but it's true.

For all the years I had been married and had friends, I have discovered something rather interesting about men and women in general. Men generally watch television for educational purposes and women generally watch television for entertainment purposes. You will find men watching news, sports, outdoor channels, history channels, anything on the learning channel,  and some DIY shows. Women, on the other hand, will watch the dramatic shows in the evening after the kids are in bed, the sitcoms, and you might even find her staying up all evening on Saturday or Sunday catching up on a month's worth of shows that have been DVR'd if she has had to work.

I specifically DO NOT watch television for educational purposes UNLESS it is something like HGTV, some cooking show or a travel show on a place I would like to visit. So there you have it. 

I'm a mess, though. because I have a HUGE pet peeve regarding this subject. If someone attempts to throw in some kind of educational tidbit of information while I am attempting to be entertained, I get extremely aggravated. Allow me to give an example. Let's say I am watching a sitcom with my Sweetie and a guest actor is part of the television scene. I am enjoying the show and all of the sudden Sweetie goes online and is looking something up. Then he exclaims, "That person is the son of the woman who played on the show ___ forty years ago. And his father was ____ and he was also an actor who ___." Well, Sweetie, you just  did the "unforgiveable." You just added education to my show. Ugh!

I mean, seriously....what if a man was watching a show on fishing and his wife came up and sat next to him and started commenting things like, "Wow, isn't he a hottie? He would make a great lead actor in ____ because those eyes could really see through the lies ____ keeps telling her boyfriend." OR "This is really boring, why can't they have some background music like they might have in 'Jaws' and maybe have the fish just jump out of the water into the boat. It would make the scene so much more exciting."

Now, I WILL say that I am blessed by my man because he doesn't fit the mold for every other man.  He actually enjoys both educational as well as entertainment television, and he rarely, if ever, subjects me to educational TV when we are together, but I guess it's runs in his veins.

OK, I feel better now that I have exposed my sick and perverted way of thinking.  I have been told I need to lighten up and NOT throw things and hit people who don't feel the same way I do (I don't think it's a problem since I am just making myself understood), but I can't help it.  Just like my dad can't help slapping his hand on the table and marching into another room when someone talks 'nonsense' while he is trying to watch the news. I mean who cares what the president of Timbuktu does with his money, if he isn't telling a joke and making people laugh?

From my demented corner of the room,

Petra

Wednesdays are difficult for me.  They have become, because of my work schedule, my shortest day of the week. Or so it seems. So when I get ready to write about anything I seem to be rushed for time. And since the subject I chose to write about is difficult for me, it makes it doubly difficult.

I live in a mobile home, as some of you may know, and therefore the space I have is rather limited. Nevertheless I am attempting a mini garden. I have a small deck and am trying to plant some pretties as well as edibles without making my deck feel cramped with the furniture.

I already have a butterfly patio tree which I have planted in a wonderful pot.  I was hoping to add some greenery and annuals to the base. Haven't done that yet. I have three window boxes, which still are devoid of the herbs I had planned to place in them. 

So where do I go for help? Pinterest of course. And one of the first things I found was an idea that I think I am going to HAVE TO DO!

http://www.isavea2z.com/raised-bed-garden-designs-plans/

I have already gotten an approval from my landlord to install a raised garden bed, and this seems to be perfect. I am already formulating ideas of what I am going to plant in this "bed." I am getting a little excited about it as well.  My mom has a wonderful green thumb, and I am SURE that she will have no problems advising me as what to plant.  And of course as a dutiful daughter I will listen - NOT.

So my only questions now are when will I find the time and how will I afford this?
Yesterday I picked up a good "start" with tomatoes, herbs and hot peppers - those are for Gerald. But I walked in the door minutes before the heavens opened up so it will be quite some time before I can get them planted. 

http://indulgy.com/post/BFA1NWCiH1/great-offkitchen-herb-garden-idea

Is this too much to ask for? 

I just hope that this year will be different than every other year before.  I have always had good intentions but failed miserably.  Should I just resign myself to the fact that I am not a gardener? Maybe I will next year.

Wishing my thumb were greener,

Petra

P.S. Maybe I will take some pictures of my mother's wonderful gardens and landscaping for next week's post so you can understand the example I have to live up to,

This morning I have been thinking about the "art of craft."  I am not sure there is such a thing, but I like the phrase. Anyway, I and wondering what happened to it.  I mean, looking around, I can find people who are still involved in a craft - and I am not just talking about needlepoint.  But I think my real question is, why has it gone from a means of support and living to just something we happen to do with our time.

Take crocheting for instance. Years ago it was commonplace to see women and girls making blankets and sweaters for the winter. Now it is "quaint", something that is fanciful. We receive a handmade blanket and it is accepted graciously and then placed in a closet somewhere because we have our "special" blanket that we use.

And what about men? I mean, where are the carpenters? The ones who painstakingly make a rocking chair or a dresser to benefit the family? Or sells it to put food on the table for a few weeks?

I remember years ago, taking some crafted items to a consignment shop to earn a few dollars. But it never happened.  I was told that people nowadays would rather spend less money for something mass produced. I find this very sad. Yes, I do understand the idea of spending less money, don't get me wrong. But at the same time we also, as a society complain that there aren't enough jobs for Americans because all of the products are made overseas.  Do you see the problem?  It is so clear to me.  We are feeding the "machine." I love those little mom and pop stores, but I can't remember the last time I was in one. They had to close their doors. I understand. I couldn't afford the wares they were selling because I didn't make enough money. And that is the case with the majority of people.  Things made in the USA cost a little more, maybe a lot more. But I know it is important to keep our hard-earned money in our country.

Okay, I think I strayed a little there. But my point is, our idea of "hobbies" used to be what put food on the table or kept us warm many years ago.  And the further away we get from past generations the further we distance ourselves from the values they had. Where are the sewing bees that made clothing for a family who was new to the neighborhood or just had a tragedy happen?  Where are the "barn raisings" where the men brought their tools and within a few days had erected a sturdy barn or home?  Where are the children who appreciated a pair of homemade mittens and scarf, and possibly a pair of wool socks, under the Christmas tree? Where are the baskets of homegrown vegetables that are shared with neighbors and the canning parties in the summer? Where are the fathers teaching their sons how to provide meat for their families by hunting? Where are the families who continue to work on the farms that have been in their families for generations that provide dairy and meat products for themselves and others?

I consider all of these "the art of craft." I am just feeling a little nostalgic I suppose.  But I am really upset at my generation for not paying more attention to our grandparents who tried to instill some "craft" in us but we found it either to expensive to maintain or too time consuming or inconvenient. And therefore we have not bothered to pass these things down to our children and taught them the value of self-sufficiency. I know I don't speak for every person, and I am sorry I am generalizing, but I think you can see my point. I realize that we have strayed too far, but I don't think we have lost that insight completly, have we? 

I live in a part of the country where I still see many people holding on to these fibers of the past, and I am going to try and do my best to honor them.  I am going to even attempt to put my mark on my society, or at least my little circle, and find a way to make an impact. Is anyone else with me?  Let's support the little shops as best we can, pass a trade down to our children, and teach them the importance of making a difference.

Looking forward to picking up my hook and making a few projects for Christmas,

Petra

Please join me tomorrow when we discuss this a little  further when we explore "weekend warrior" projects.

Music and memories are so very closely linked, aren't they? I don't know much about the brain but there must be some kind of phenomenon that happens in a part of the brain when we hear certain songs that trigger certain memories.  Don't ruin the moment for me by getting analytical and explaining this to me. I just know it happens.

I think that is why there is a category at awards ceremonies that honor the one who had the best musical score for a movie. The creators of the film want to conjure up a certain memory every time we hear a certain song being played thereafter.  Let me give some examples. You may not have ever seen the movie, but every time you hear "Eye of the Tiger" you can picture Sylvester Stalone punching his way up the stairs in Philadelphia. When you hear "My Heart Will Go On," by Celine Dion, we think of that scene in Titanic where the two lovers are in the ocean, freezing, and one slips away to death.  I am sure you can think of more, given time.

You may even remember where you were when you heard those songs for the first time. But one thing remains true. If you want to get a memory back you listen to a song which you know takes you back to that time.  It could be a good or bad memory, but songs trigger those memories, don't they?  I wonder if that is why these stations that play 'decades' of songs succeed in what they do?  I mean, how can you fail if you play songs spanning 60 years?  You are bound to hit a memory with someone with every song played.

I think about couples who are planning on getting married. They want to find "their song." A song that describes them, but will also stir up good memories when played in the future. Some people, when thinking about their funeral, discuss what songs they want played at their funeral.  Perhaps they want to be remembered every time others hear that song in the future.  And there are certain artists who have 'angry' songs that some like to listen to when they break up with their significant other.

This sounds like a novel idea, doesn't it? But at the same time it just plaine STINKS! I will tell you why. Because there are some songs that are just beautiful with no attached memories. When I hear certain songs played now, I cringe when at first  I melted. I am sure you can guess why. It's because at one time the song represented a beautiful memory, but when that memory is tainted, the song inevitably becomes tainted by default.  It stinks, I tell ya!  I can no longer listen to some of my favorite artists without tearing up because they bring back bad memories now.  (Basically anything from the 80's)

But what of those times when no memories are being formed?  I have noticed that is there is no music.  Maybe I am more cautious in assigning songs to memories now, knowing I would rather cherish the song than the memory - or lack thereof. Hmm that's an intersting thought.  I think I will have to ponder that a little further.

Thinking of the croonings of Michael Buble,

Petra

P.S.  Maybe you would like to share a song and a memory it brings to mind?

Greetings form Austenland!  That is where I find my mind right lately, anyway. I have been journaling my thoughts about characters and how I relate to all of them.  And this is where I find myself on my first day of discussion about books.

About two years ago, a wonderful man, then friend, now fiance, introduced me to an entirely new genre of books. Maybe I am late to the game or fancied myself a reader when in reality I was a novice reader. But the point is, Fan Fiction has become something of an obsession with me when it comes to reading. I even found a few movies that have awed me.

Have you ever heard of this phenomenon?  It is where a writer, novel or screenplay, takes a work of fiction that interests them and either draws other conclusions to the ending, puts the characters in different situations, modernizes it, or just plain starts over with the already-written character and has fun. And since I adore Jane Austen, I have found that there are hundreds, if not thousands of people who are such fans of her as well that they have "run" with her ideas and so intertwined their own creativity based on her characters. 

Now, I am not a Austenite afficianado, however, I do know what I like and I have found some very well-done works and a piece of trash.  I don't know if you are interested in this kind of writing, but may I make a few suggestions?

If you are familiar with "Pride and Prejudice", Jane Austen's, arguably most famous work, you will no doubt be familiar with the several screenplays written.  The one, in my opinion that most closely resembles the book is the one with Colin Firth in it.  Anyway, if you would like to delve a little further into that world, via movies, may I suggest "Lost in Austen" and "Austenland."  The former would definitely be considered fan fiction, while the letter is more setting than anything.  "The Jane Austen Book Club", based on a novel, is a modern day movie that tries to draw lessons from the characters. Okay, that was a slight diversion into the movie arena. My apologies...

As far as novels go, I have read several novels by various authors and I would highly recommend all, save one.  "Death Comes to Pemberly" was written by P.D.James and will be made into a British Masterpiece theater production.  It is well written and it takes the story of "Pride and Prejudice" and speculates what might happen after Elizabeth and Darcy are married.

"Longbourne" is a recent novel and is written from the viewpoint of the servants, much like the recent Masterpiece Theater hit, "Downton Abbey." It is well written and I find it humerous at times, but I didn't like the way certain characters were portrayed.  But that is merely a personal opinion.  The book is nonetheless well written and reads quickly.

My favorite fan fiction book thus far, and I must say it has become one of my favorite non-Jane-Austen books is (drumroll please...) "Secrets of Elizabeth and Darcy" by Victoria Kinkaid.  I could not put it down and I look forward to reading it several more times.  I even, on my Nook, was able to highlight sections for further exploration.  It was well written and did not detract from the original story, but, instead, went deeper and put endings to all the loose ends.  I highly recommend it.  Victoria Kinkaid has been interviewed in British newspapers and has hinted that there will, in fact, be another book in the future. 

So, the one book I would NOT recommend is "Emma and the Vampires."  Okay, I may be biased, but the author was sloppy, boring and redundant.  The points of the vampires was unbelievable, even for a greenhorn like me. But, as I shared with several people, I honestly believe I could have done a better job writing that story and would have made it more appealing to a first-time fan-fiction reader.

There you have it. My take on fan fiction.  As I said, I have only just touched the surface of all that is out there, but I intend to, eventually, make a small mark in that area.  That said, I implore you, my fellow Jane-ites.  If you have an interesting "what-if" scenario that you would like to see explored, please let me know.  I am thinking of putting together a small collection of these stories, or parts of them anyway. I am looking for some great ideas.

If you are not interested in Jane Austen, but are interested in "Gone With the Wind," may I suggest "Scarlett", and there is another book that I have yet to read but have on my bookshelf, "Rhett Butler's People."  If you have another type of book that you enjoy, google it with "alternatives" and see what pops up.  It may open your eyes and soul to a whole new world!

"Expanding my mind" one story at a time,

Petra

P.S. Thank you, Gerald for loving me enough to let me in on the "Secret" of fan fiction.  I will be forever in your debt.

So, here I sit at my computer, trying to figure out how to write about writing.  This SHOULD be easy for me since I call myself a writer, yet I am finding it increasingly difficult. Really can't put my finger on "why."

For those of you who have known me for a long time you may have followed my journey through the last three years on my other blogs.  You have seen some high and low moments.  Moments of victory as well as moments of defeat.  Some may have even recogized good writing while you may have also seen some bad writing.  But one thing has stayed pretty consistent (although incosistently), I write.

Looking back, I see I have always been a writer.  Since my earliest recollections, I have written notes and kept diaries.  I have written cards and long letters which some have noted were the length of novels.  I have written for fun and have written for school.  But I have always written.  I feel that somehow I can express myself more succinctly in written form than I can in spoke form.  It can be detrimental at times, however, because some can use my words against me.  But that isn't my point.  The point is, I am a writer.  I must write. Even when I am not putting pen to paper, I am formulating a thought to expound upon in my journal, blog, or even my current novel.

But here is the quagmire in which I find myself - to whom am I to write?  My journal is, of course, my own personal thoughts and I rarely share those thoughts with anyone. But what about the other stuff?  Is that to be kept to myself?  Am I to pick a person and write as if I am writing for them?  I mean, what is the purpose of writing a blog if one doesn't expect anyone else to read it?  What is the purpose of writing a novel or a self-help book if nobody else will ever see the contents?   

Recently I made a good friend who graciously allowed me to read her book.  I was so grateful, since it had never been published and she wrote it just for the sake of writing it.  It gave me a real sense of who the woman really was. She must be confident in herself, humble, and tremdously trusting.  It made me think a little. Those are the very virtues I would like to attain.  But if I am constatnly vying to get attention for my work, then that works against the very things that I am trying to accomplish.

With that in mind I am going to continue writing. Yes, I understand that what I write on this blog is for all eyes, and I am ok with that.  I am not going to hold my breath and keep my fingers crossed hoping someone comments on someething or praises me, or even gives me constructive criticism.  It's out of my control.  As far as my novel goes, I will work on it in my own way and at my own pace. (FYI - right now I am at a standstill and need to work on some personal issues before continuing.) But I have other story ideas. Other beginnings that need to be continued. And a journal that is always open to recieve what my heart has to say.

I want to encourage you, if you have a story to tell - even if it is to your own children - write it down. You may not be a writer, but everyone has a story to tell.  If you ARE a writer, please let me encourage you to just be patient with yourself.  We are told to be patient with everyone, but sometimes we have nothing left to give ourselves. We need to allow ourselves the freedom to write, even if everyone else finds it terrible.  If we are writing, it becomes ours and we will treasure it always, even if only as a lesson in "what not to do."

Moving towards a better "me,"

Petra

P.S. I look forward to sharing my thoughts on a relatively new subject for me when we discuss books. NOT that books are a new thing for me but there is a genre of them that is.

I am sick. I suffer from "cookbook-aholism".  Is there such a thing? Seriously, though, I have a problem.  I have in excess of thirty cookbooks, not including two binders FULL of recipes I have collected as well as a box stuffed full of more. They are divided and neatly categorized, of course, but still...I have more recipes than I know what to do with.  And I will be the first to admit, I don't want to stop. Every time I go to a book store - new or used - I wander through the cookbook section scouring them for something I MUST have. I watch QVC and want every single cookbook they have.
Sometimes, and I really hate to admit this, but, I go to my mom's house and eye her stack of thirty-plus cookbooks as well (for I truly believe this is a genetical disease) and wonder how I can snatch a few without her noticing.

I have cookbooks from the south. A Mennonite cookbook. Ones that have just Italian cooking. Pressure cooking and slow cooking books. Gooseberry Patch cookbooks. Weight-loss cookbooks. A few all-inclusive cookbooks. Books on desserts. Good grief, my head is spinning!  Then, those binders I referred to? Well they have years of Taste of Home magazine recipes that I cut and pasted, literally, into it. And I have a few of the actual Taste of Home cookbooks.  Then don't even get me starting on the board I have on Pinterest with recipes and all the ones I have "saved" on Facebook. I just can't stop!

Ask me how many of them I have actually used on a consistent basis. Uhh..maybe not....that's not fair. I get ideas from them every once in a while. I have my tried and true ones that I do on special occasions and I always think I am going to use that one recipe from that one book that I saw one time...where was it now? Ugh....Yes, I am hopeless. But at the same time I know that I won't stop. I can't stop. It's a sickness I tell you! I just don't have the time to experiment with all that delicious-ness. And besides, I do not have a dishwasher, automated or real, that can clean up the messes I make when I cook.

Maybe one of these days I will have the speed of Flash and be able to scan everything into the computer and make my own cookbook and free up valuable real estate in my kitchen, but for now I will content myself sharing a few here and there with you, knowing that I am somehow justifying my addiction.

Simply Delicious Strawberry Cake

12-16 Servings
Prep: 25 min.
Bake: 25 min. + cooling
Ingredients

• 1 package white cake mix (regular size)
• 1 package (3 ounces) strawberry gelatin
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 4 egg whites
• 1/2 cup mashed unsweetened strawberries

Frosting

• 1 cup heavy cream,
• 1 cup confectioners sugar
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced or halved.

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the dry cake mix, gelatin powder, water and
   oil.
2. Beat on low speed for 1 minute or until moistened; beat on
   medium for 4 minutes.
3. In a small bowl with clean beaters, beat egg whites on high speed
   until stiff peaks form. Fold egg whites and mash strawberries into
   cake batter.
4. Pour into two greased and floured 8-in. round baking pans. Bake at
   350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
   Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool
   completely.
5. To prepare frosting, beat cream and sugar until stiff peaks form.
   Place first cake layer on serving tray, top with a layer of whipped cream and strawberries, place second cake layer on top and top with remaining whipped cream and strawberries.

Tell me THAT doesn't look heavenly!!!

So, for now, enjoy the recipe and send me more. You know I will savor each and every one. Post them in the comments section so I can print them out and add them to my notebook. I promise I will try each and every one...eventually (wink, wink).

Until tomorrow when we discuss my heart and soul...writing.

Petra

When I was a little girl, and young adolescent, I watched cartoons with superheros.  WonderWoman was my favorite since it was one of the only female characters on telelvision. But there was something about the way she acted that I just wanted to emulate.  I have a feeling that if truth be told, all of us watch some kind of superhero growing up.  Maybe we even had a favorite.

I have a theory about this...would you like to know what it is? I think each of us struggled with something as a child and a specific superhero gave us "hope" that we could be different, maybe even better. There may be the child who was bullied incessantly. That child may want to watch a show like Batman and see how to fight off those bullies.  Maybe a child was asked to do chores around the house and wanted to be like Superman and do those chores "faster than a speeding bullet" in order to return to television watching or playing. Perhaps a child was terribly shy. Most superheroes haved their face concealed, don't they? So a shy child could somehow become outgoing and be able to associate with others as a superhero. Perhaps parents fought often and there was turmoil in the home growing up. Won't you agree with me that several different characters might appeal to a youngster who just wants to get the fighting to end? Maybe one of the reasons I liked WonderWoman so much was the fact that I never thought af myself as attractive, being taunted by the kids at school for everything from the length of my hair to my braces to the clothes I wore.  WonderWoman exuded beauty to me, and with her lasso of truth could make people tell me why they really did what they did and said what they said,  I'm not sure.  All I know is that I liked her.

And now, as an adult, I continue to watch superhero movies.  I will be the first to admit I have a huge crush on Thor. Maybe it's the long hair and rough exterior.  But I know that it goes much deeper than that for me and so many of us out there.  If not, why do those movies thrive at the box office? I will tell you what I think, and you can disagree with me if you like.

I believe that inside most of us we all STILL struggle with something that perhaps we can't quite put a finger on. It may be that we feel inadequate as a spouse. Or we struggle with selfishness. Or we are shy. Or we don't think we are attractive. Or others make us feel as if we cannot accomplish things. No matter what, there is a superhero for us. One that will make us feel stronger, more confident, selfless, giving, or even proud. (I am sure you are thinking of a superhero right now, aren't you?)

And in a world where few people stand for anything, superheroes stand for something and show us that we, too, can stand for something if we just try.


Drawing on my inner WonderWoman,

Petra

Enjoy the trailer for my favorite superhero movie so far:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=eOrNdBpGMv8


P.S. I'll see you tomorrow when we discuss another frivolous topic - food/fashion. You never know what will come out of this mouth!

This morning I got thinking about what a weekend warrior really is, and I determined that it mean different thinks to different people

For instance, if you are from a place where the military is prevalent, you would consider a weekend warrior to be one who is a soldier and leaves his family for the the weekends in order to have drills and exercises.

 

But if you live in the suburbs where you work during the week and only have the weekends to do certain projects around the house, you image of a weekend warrior might look a little like this:

 

For me, persoanlly, I don't have a weekend to get projects done.  My days off fall on days where most people are working, and there is nothing wrong with that, but at the same time I feel like my image of being a weekend warrior might look a little like this:

Well, I WISH!!!!  But my point is, I feel like I have to accomplish EVERYTHING in one day because if I don't, it will just pile up and will never get done until I get sick and HAVE TO take a day off....just to be sick....because when I'm sick I refuse to lift a finger because it would be too strenuous. Anyway, I digress. My  point is that inevitably my picture of a weekend warrior ends up looking like this:

I am sure many of you have that same feeling, don't you?  So the question arises, how do we avoid getting to the point where we WANT to go back to work so we can relax? Of course the obvious answer is that we must do a little every day and not let things get piled up. Easier said than done, though, right?

So what works for you? Anything? How do you balance all the demands of life, family, home, and work? Seriously, I would really like to know.  Because I have been scouring Pinterest for ideas and it seems like nothing will fit "me."

The other day I found myself doing some heavy lifting when I need to rearrange furniture and I hurt my legs so badly that it hurts to do anything.  So now I honestly can't do much working around the house that requires stooping, squatting, standing, or basically just using my legs. Ok, that might have been a silly story, but my point is that I am NOT Wonder Woman and I cannot possibly do things by myself, but I continue to try. Why? Because there is some strange, mysterious voice in the back of my brain, sounding much like my mother, nagging - uhm, reminding - me that my house is not up to par and I have so much to do!

UGH!  What is a grown woman to do? Well, I will tell you. The same thing a teenager would do - REBEL!  That's right!  From here on out I am on a mission to never be a typical weekend warrior again.  I will garden when and if I want to. I will wash my windows when I can no longer see the outside. My floors will be washed when my feet start sticking to the linoleum. My clothes will be washed when I run out of clean things to wear. And my winter clothes can just lay in the corner of my room gathering dust all summer, for all I care, until I can find the time to pack them up for a few weeks only to get them out again.

From now on my "weekends" will be spent enjoying life so that I will dread going back to work and not look forward to it. I will catch up on my favorite shows. I will visit with friends. I will write silly blogs and stories to my heart's content.  I am taking my weekends back!  I am a weekend warrior! Hear me roar!

Just please don't tell my mom on me.  She scares me.

Until tomorrow,

Petra

Today I had planned on writing about techniques nand crafts, but this morning I got to thinking...every person has different interests and "craft" means different things to different people, doesn't it?  But there are a few things that link them all -

1) A craft is something that you enjoy doing
2) A craft usually is a form of stress-relief
3) Crafts bring out the creative side of a person
4) A craft is something you would do even if nobody else was with you

Through the years my "craft" has changed. Sometimes I didn't have the financial resources to continue. Sometimes I got a little bored. Sometimes 'life' got in the way and I wasn't able to do it anymore. But one thing remained the same...I always had SOMETHING that I could do to express myself.

Recently I have gotten addicted to Pinterest.  I still don't quite understand what I am doing, but I am having fun.  Would you like to know why I started getting on Pinterest to begin with?  I wanted to learn about new techniques in "expressing" myself.  It began as getting some patterns to make crocheted gifts for Christmas. Then I started a few boards dealing with writing and how to better my craft in that area. In the process I found that there are so many ways to express your creativity, but the key is to do SOMETHING...just a little something every day...to put a piece of your soul on the 'outside' of your body and expose it, even if it is only to yourself.

Some of you might enjoy writing. Start a small journal - it doesn't have to be much. Just some way to express yourself (even if that is anger at the boss and you need to vent.) Some of you enjoy photography. Wonderful!  Nobody sees the world out there quite like YOU!  Snap a picture of something you want to remember - even if it is that cup of coffee you are sipping right now because you find it so relaxing.  Some of you might like DIY projects.  What a wonderful way to put your personality into your home.  If you have run out of ideas, may I suggest Pinterest?

Here is my final thought about 'craft.'  No matter where you are in you knowledge of that craft there is always room to grow, to mature, and to advance.  Don't remain stagnant and don't be intimidated by trying something a little bit more difficult. A little more challenging.  It's YOUR craft.  Dont' let anyone tell you how you should or shouldn't express yourself through that means. (unless, of course, it is going to be something totally vile and ungodly)

And speaking of God...Remember that He is the Creator and He made us in His image.  He has poured a wee bit of that creativity into each one of us, so no person on the earth can say that they are not creative.  They just need to find the right 'outlet.

So, take a minute to ponder what you would like to do sometime today to express your creativity and don't just think, act. It makes no difference in your life if you keep yourself bottled up.

Until tomorrow when we discuss those weekend warrior projects (and if you have ideas, please contact me)...

May your creativity shine today and every day!

Petra

Today starts my "newer than new" blogging venture.  I will attempt to write every day for the month of May, even if it is just a small tidbit.  I will focus each day on a certain subject until I can figure out how to customize the page to have certain entries for certain topics...well...you don't want to hear all of that stuff, I am sure. 
 
Not that you are sitting on the edge of your seat waiting to hear what subects I will be addressing, but I just want to do this for my sake - so I can stay on task. 
 
Monday: Musings and Music
Tuesday: Techniques and crafts
Wednesday: Weekend Warrior projects
Thursday: Theater - live and screen, big and small
Friday: Foods and fashion
Saturday: Scibbles, script, and shorthand
Sunday: Relaxing with a book (the only day that doesn't have a catchy phrase)
 
This way you can tune in to either every day or the days that you want to know what's going on in my life "As I Know/See It".

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

There is a song that has quickly got my attention, for the words. The beat is just enough to get me swaying. Take a quick listen, if you like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooiLP_zqnFs

A few phrases catch me and, if I am in a sensitive mood, which is most often, I may even shed a tear.

"Beginning of a lifelong love letter"
"But then you found me and everything changed, and I believe in something again"
"I get to be the other half of you"


Come on!  Don't those add up to a fairy tale to you? It sure does to me. So, what do you think? Sappy? Do you like the song? Style? Appropriate wedding song? (Not that I am hinting at anything)

I do know this....Love is a choice. And when I eventually say "I choose you" it will be forever and not until I find another choice!

Until tomorrow when I will be talking about "technique and crafts",

Petra