Today is the day!
On January 17, 1922, the world was blessed with her birth.
Yep.
It's Betty White, all day long
and it's just the way it should be.
Here or some of my favorite things floating around the web...
1. The first thing that is just awesome, is my tribute/dream of having Betty White as my neighbor.
This choice was a no brainer...I love this lady. If Betty White was my neighbor...
2. Huffpost- 5 Timeless Lessons from Betty White
She has it right.
Her first lesson is "Animals have so much more to teach us than we realize."
"In her book, If You Ask Me, White writes: "Animals don't lie. Animals don't criticize. If animals have moody days, they handle them better than humans do.'"
One of the things that became frustrating over the last few months,
was the lack of reading that I was able to do.
Life became too busy to sit and just read.
I would try to go to bed and read,
but as soon as my head hit the pillow,
I was out.
Sound asleep.
So my stack of books grew and grew...
No end in sight.
Now this was a problem for this book nerd...
A BIG problem.
But the solution was sooooo easy!
A subscription to Audible.com was all I needed.
The miracle of audiobooks saved this book nerd from
missing out on all the books that I wanted to enjoy.
And boy, have I been listening to books!
I listen as soon as I wake.
I listen in the car, while baking, cleaning, doing yard work, and even in the shower!
I know...it's an addiction,
but a good one! ;)
Since school has been out,
I've listened/read over 20 books!
Yikes! I did say that I was a book nerd right?
Not all of the books have been stellar.
Some that have been recommended to me have been ok.
And some were awful!
So here are a few of my favorite reads so far...
Just like my music tastes,
My book choices are just as eclectic.
I've listed them in order of my #1 read on down.
#1- The Unexpected Gem
The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared
#2- The Post-Apocalyptic Zombie Awesomeness
The Girl With All the Gifts
#3- The "Grim Reapers Rule the World" Book
Croak Trilogy by Gina Damico
Young Adult Fiction
#1 Croak
#2 Scorch
#3 Rogue
#4- The Girlie Reads
-Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple
-What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty
#5- The "It is so different from the movie" so I like it, book.
World War Z by Max Brooks
Over the next few days I'll be giving detailed recommendations for each of these book choices. So stay tuned for that! I have a feeling that there will be one, two, or three of these books that you'll fall in love with too.
If you have the time, you must give it away. That is the statement that floats around in my head, trying to stick to something.
And up until I've been content to fill my weekends with beautiful volunteering and I will continue to do the same. But in addition to the weekends, I now have 5 additional weekend days to do some good in our community. Though I plan to do as much as possible to heart the organization of my heart, Fences for Fido, I would like to spread my sparkle out a little more.
Since goals and lists help me stay focused, I have made my Summer Sparkle List.
Is your favorite organization on the list? Want to join me in the fun? Please do!
1. Fences for Fido-
The truest form of pure love,
delivered every weekend to families all around the Northwest.
Need I say more?
I love them and plan to help out even more...
it's an honor to spend my time with people who live to care for dogs.
There's nothing better in my book.
Maybe it's time you joined me?
Run for the Love of Dove~ June 9th~ So, this one I've actually completed, but I figured that it deserved a place on my list any way. Technically, it was during my summer vacation so it counts. Plus, Dove Lewis is one of my favs and I plan on helping at other events this summer.
Salem Harvest- Sign up for a harvest or two! Then, use my portion of fruit to preserve and give it away to people around me. ooooo....it would be fabulous if it was apples! I can smell the applesauce already.
"With more than 3,000 registered volunteers, Salem Harvest is one of the largest all-volunteer harvesting organizations in the state. The non-profit, grassroots organization connects farmers and backyard growers with volunteer pickers to harvest fruits and vegetables that would otherwise go to waste. The group was established in January 2010 and is currently managed by a six-member steering committee." http://www.salemharvest.org/index.php
**Side Note:
Murphy- this list would be typed much faster without you licking me the entire time. Geesh!
3. Chelsea Hicks Foundation-
Helping kids?! This sounds like a fun way to work with kids through my summer months.
Hospital Helpers
Chelsea’s Closet visits Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel and Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Volunteers help with set up and clean up, help children select costumes and accessories, and assist with crafts, snacks and the costume parade. You may volunteer as often as your schedule allows.
4. Oregon Food Bank: Food Repack "You might be surprised to learn that about 1,500 volunteers visit Oregon Food Bank each week! Food repack volunteers help with the most fundamental part of our mission – getting food to the people who need it most. Many donations need sorting, repacking, labeling or additional processing before they are ready to be sent to hunger-relief agencies. That's where you come in! Help us prepare food to be distributed through our network to hungry families." Oregon Food Bank
5. Portland Fruit Tree Project: Harvest Party "Portland Fruit Tree Project is a grass-roots non-profit organization that
provides a community-based solution to a critical and growing need in Portland
and beyond: Access to healthy food. By empowering neighbors to share in the
harvest and care of urban fruit trees, we are preventing waste, building
community knowledge and resources, and creating sustainable, cost-free ways to
obtain healthy, locally-grown food. Because money doesn’t
grow on trees… but fruit does!" Portland Fruit Tree Project
This one might be a great birthday party for me! I love a party with a purpose. Check these projects out and then join me in filling your love bucket up too.
5. Family
Everyone has family. Some families are close, some are distant. Some times situations draw families back together even after long and strained absences. Occasionally, even when they don't want to join forces...it's necessary. Because if you can't trust family, who can you trust. In Supernatural, family is the one thing that unites a family...at least that's the starting point. Over time a relationship between brothers is renewed. To me the lesson is that family endures and protects even in battles of evil creatures.
4. Conflict Resolution
They drive you crazy, but you gotta love 'em...or at least you try to though many times it's not easy. The main characters, Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) Winchester drive each other crazy, but they're brothers. They hit each other, ask for forgiveness and move on to solve problems. Now, I don't suggest hitting as a conflict resolution
3. Good vs. Evil
Good wins...most of the time. I like that. Though there are times where I wonder how the characters will get out of the crazy situations, they do. No matter how bad things are, I like to think that things will get better and problems will be solved. Life doesn't always wrap things up that nicely, but when you're watching a TV show you can almost guarantee that it will have an end. I'm only on Season 5 out of 8 Seasons, and so far good is winning....I like that.
2. Clever Plots
Currently I'm watching an episode when the brothers are stuck in TV shows. Similarly to the old movie with John Ritter, The Dish...where the family gets stuck and they have to figure out a way to live. This episode is like that, except that they are being tricked, by what is called a "Trickster."
What I love about these actors is that they can play serious,
but they are really good at silly.
1. Humor...Speaking of Silly.
In my family we use humor to ease stressful situations.
It may not be the best solution to elevate stress,
but it does help.
Dean and Sam's characters also use humor to help them through stressful moments and so do the actors.
One of my favorite episodes was in Season 4: Yellow Fever (Episode 6). Dean, played by Jensen Ackles, is generally a no-nonsense, tough older brother. But in this episode he's scared of everything and runs away from every "bad" situation. The best part...I mean the best part was one of the outtakes at the end...and here it is. Enjoy!
I love silly, don't you?
Not all of life can be serious and I definitely need a giggle now and then.
Downton Abbey. Even Kristen Bell's dogs are addicted to this drama.
It's a show that could be boring, but it's not...it's intriguing.
The characters are unique, manipulative and mean...really mean. And they say things that you generally only think, right in the persons' face. In their FACE!
Now you may think, "Whoa, what could anyone possibly learn from a show like this?"
Well, let me tell you.
Most things in life have lessons...this show has 5.
Top 5 Lessons from Downton Abbey #5 Great meals take great preparation:
This is probably why I rarely have good meals that I create in my own home. I have AMAZING meals in friends' homes and in local restaurants, but I don't enjoy cooking much so I don't...often. I'm lucky if I make one dish each week! Each night I just open up the refrigerator and scoot stuff around until I see a little inspiration. Or I just make Mac 'n Cheese...sad, but true.
At Downton Abbey, meals are events and presentation is important. But, the truth is that the staff works all day preparing these meals...I don't have a staff. I guess that's for catering company's and very special occasions. The idea is nice though.
#4 Breakfast in Bed:
The married women receive breakfast in bed, everyday...each day...which I think is a little strange, but I like the pampering. I never have breakfast in bed, unless you consider falling asleep with crackers and eating one in the morning, breakfast in bed. hehe...not that I've ever done that....(cough). But seriously, that sounds really nice. So don't wait unless a special day, instead surprise that person on a random day and make them feel extra special. #3 Dress up for dinner: Now, really...in my world it seems that I dress down for dinner and you're lucky if I'm not in my pj's by dinner time. But I like the idea of getting dressed up for fancy meals and making it feel like a special occasion. Though, not so pretentious and stuffy...I'm sure that my fancy meal would have quite a bit of laughter too.
#2 Stand up for your beliefs:
This show is set in a time when women could not vote and people had rigid expectations for others. Stand up for what you believe in, even if you're the only one.
#1 Always, always, put your children first:
Ethel has to make some difficult decisions regarding her son. I don't have kids, but I can't even imagine having to do something that breaks your heart, but you know will give your child what they need. Can't. Imagine.
It's our job to care for them...prioritize correctly.
The lights are low, the wine is poured and the movie has just started.
We've just settle down on the couch for the evening...
Me and my favorite cookbooks = Perfect Date. :0) hehe
It's never a disappointing date....never.
Cookbooks...they live in random places in my house.
In the kitchen, well, that's normal...
...but they're also stacked by the couch, in front of the TV, and by the bed.
Flipping through these little gems is relaxing to me.
I wish that I could have a delivery from Amazon everyday, but then I would never have time to actually make anything from my cookbooks.
Hopefully, there will be a bookstore opening around me again soon...
I miss getting lost in the cookbook section.
Today I'm getting lost in my favorite cookbooks...half of them are old favorites, and half of them are new discoveries...soon to be favorites I'm sure.
Oldies, but goodies #1~The Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook~ Copyright 1980
The copyright date is essential. Newer additions of this cookbook do not have the important recipes or the classically cheesy pictures. Anytime that I find a copy of this cookbook, I snatch it up quickly. Each time that I see a stack of old cookbooks in a thrift store, book store, or garage sale, I look earnestly through them to make sure I don't miss a copy. #2~The Corner House Cook Book~
This is a local cookbook that was created by a lovely group of woman that I have heard stories about, but don't remember meeting. The Corner House is located in Sellwood, Oregon. When I was a little girl, my mom took painting classes at that house with a group of older ladies in the Charlotte's Workshop classes. Up until last year, I didn't own a copy of this cookbook. My mom had been using it for years and I was always jealous. Then, at one garage sale, there it was...in a stack of books...a diamond in the rough. and it was mine. For the ladies that created this book, you might be gone, but your recipes live on...I hope that I can be that lucky one day.
#3~The Art of Preserving~
It's published by Williams Sonoma, so it has to be good, right?! Okay, not everything with a big name is great, but this one is. I love this canning guide because recipes are simply delicious and the pictures are beautiful. You must have this book if you enjoy canning and need some new challenges.
#4~Ball Blue Book of Canning~
Basic, clear, precise instructions for the beginning canner and reminders for the experienced canner are found in the book. Enough said....it's must for all.
#5~Hershey's Chocolate and Cocoa Cookbook
My mom loves chocolate, but she particularly loves Hershey's chocolate...this is a cookbook for her heart. Classic, simple delicious recipes. There will be a post soon inspired from this book.
Who knows, maybe it will be fondue?
Maybe not...Let's be honest, we're friends...
...it's probably going to be a cake or cookies.
New, Soon-to-be Favorites
Some of my favorite gifts include cookbooks...surprised? Yeah, I didn't think so. Sometimes I gift myself, but thankfully, others gift me with divine books too. Here's just a little peek at some of my new books. I haven't tried recipes yet, but soon...very soon.
#1~The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook~
Cheryl and Griffith Day, founded Back in the Day Bakery in
Savannah, Georgia, in 2002. #2~Joy the Baker~
Joy the Baker Cookbook: 100
Simple and Comforting Recipes~Joy Wilson
