Best Birthday Ever!

I would be remiss if I didn't pay homage to the friends
who helped me celebrate my birthday.  It was a grand time indeed.
I haven't laughed so hard for so many hours straight as I did that day.

Becca, rallied the troops.
I rallied Joshy.
We spent the day at my lake place,
which was a wonderful birthday gift in and of itself.


Eric kept us in tears all day all night.
I thought to record the laughter,
it was indescribable, as were the conversations.
Probably best that I didn't.
By the time we made to the tent to sleep,
my stomach hurt, my cheeks hurt, my head hurt
from laughing so much. It took another hour for
us to settle our chuckles into snores. No it took almost
two.  Like gradeschool kids, who know they are supposed
to be quiet in the library, but can't stop laughing.

I will never forget this birthday as long as I live.

Joshy, you have no idea how it

warms my heart when your mom

says your sister is on the phone.

In the last few years we've had

more adventures than most people

do in a lifetime.

Thank you for the roses.

Four dozen.  Man that only

happens in movies.  You make

it happen in life. Baby brother you got class.

Becca,

you already know girl.

I sit here without words.

You are a treasure that

stretches far beyond any

verbs or adjectives

I could conjure up.

Eric,

you "ROCKED THE PARTAAYYY"

I have a feeling you always do.

It wouldn't have been the same without you.

I'd insert a smartass remark right here

but I think it's best I don't....PDLM.

oops I just did. You are the baitcaster backlash MASTER.

Liz and Josh,

we said it that night

I'll say it again, so glad that you

joined in on the festivities, both of you.

Liz, don't be scared of the Beastie boyz.

(inside joke) am laughing.

 

Kasandra and CC, yeh I really want

to post a picture...lol. you sleep

in my bed I photograph you in my bed.

Am so glad you guys made it up for the birthday bash,

was nice coming home to find you two here.

Who gets a birthday filled with laughter,

water pong, rainbows, charlie's angels,

(what is it when three girls get together

they have to do the C.A. pose?), jumping

in the lake while the boys take the 3 hour tour?!

With all of my heart,

Thank YOU.

I always ask birthday people what have you learned,

you're a year older you must have learned something...

If I say I learned it's about living life not just

surviving it...well, I learned that one a long time ago.

Life is awesome.

: )

One Love. One Peace. Always and all ways.

Am...

reminding you of what you already know... 

Be authentic, genuine and good natured. 

Wish others well, sincerely and with honest intent for their successes. 

Do what you do, work hard, stay focused, 

and live the

dedication that is your passion... 

And know that thru this positive
living can come only positive results. 

Then... revel in its awesomeness. :) 

~ "Kat"Maineghosthunters

One Love. One peace. Always and all ways.

Life ....

has been busy. 

I keep trying to find my way back to blog world
and every time I turn around I am sidetracked by
one thing or another.  But it's all good stuff.

Let me start with her...


She's tenacious.






About a month ago we found her on the nest.
Sadly enough when we went back after a very
stormy weekend of rain and high winds her nest
was empty.

I happened t to go fishing in our favorite place the other day.
Looked over my shoulder and thought I saw her sitting.

Sure enough, there she was. She'd come back to try again.
Nest built higher this time.
She was ready for whatever winds came her way.
Sometimes we have to go back and take care of things
the right way before we can move forward.

She seems to know us.  Hannah was with me,
we sat for an hour and she never fussed.  An eagle
flew over and then she started to call for her mate.

I'm smiling because I have a pretty good idea when
those babies are going to hatch...

timing is everything.














One Love. One Peace. Always and all ways.

On the Subject of Happiness...

People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. 

Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost.

~H. Jackson Browne

It's a good road I'm on,


actually,

 it's a great one. 

: )

One Love. One Peace. Always and all ways.

One the Subject of Mental Stability...

it's a fragile thing.

The crazy thing is, those who aren't...

think they are.

Where'd the food go?

I haven't posted a recipe in a while.

I'm going to.
Soon.

Life has been busy, exciting and just

when I think it can't get any better it does.
I really do believe it all comes down to choice,
personal accountability.
We choose what we choose.
There are consequences
for each and every single choice we make.
My life is good because I choose it to be so,
and the decisions I make have
everything
to do with it being good.


On another note:

I see a few of my blogger friends taking a break

from the blog world to enjoy spring blossoms.

Can't wait to see what you've photographed.

Here's to taking a little time to enjoy the flowers!

I'll be back in a week or so.
I have a little garden of my own to grow.

: )

 

One Love. One Peace. Always and all ways.

Soaring into Spring...

Fall is always my favorite season.

But I cannot deny Spring her favor,
and the feeling of renewal that comes with her.

This Spring brings with her

an appreciation

for all that surrounds me. 

Family, friends and the very best of love. 

This Spring brings with her a fondness 

for what remains constant and 

an eagerness for changes 

that are closer than I dare to imagine,

embracing it all with open arms and an open heart.

Soaring into Spring ...I am.

we're almost there.

One Love. One Peace. Always and all ways.

On the subject of forward movement...

Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. 

Don't resist them - that only creates sorrow. 

Let reality be reality. 

Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like. 

~ Lao Tzu 

I like very much the flow of life...

and love.

One Love One Peace. Always and all ways.

My Old Kentucky Home...

and there's no place like home.
Home means so much more
than the house you live in.
It's with the heart
that we create the feeling of home.

It's that place where our heart feels the safest.
Home is where love lives.
Anything else is just an empty house.



I'm blessed to have a "home"...

and love.


There are far too many people who don't.














One Love. One Peace. Always and all ways.

One The Subject of Forgiveness...

Forgiveness, as a whole

is not only so you can feel better,

it's so you can BE better.

One Love. One Peace. Always and  all ways.

Rivers Italian...

This town's best kept secret.

And it shouldn't be a secret.

If I were to review all the restaurants
in this little town, I wouldn't be allowed
in the door.   Except for this one...

Rivers Italian is a gleem of hope
in a town that sports specials such
as all you can eat fried fish on a friday night for 8.95
which is a heck of a deal if that's what you're looking for.

We've got an Applebee's and a Ground Round now, a few other
local restaurants that give what I'd call a weak attempt at upscale food.
It's not bad, it's just not authentic in the way of fresh, creative,
and mouthwatering.

                                                                    [ fresh marlin ]

Which is exactly what Chef Matthew Taylor's food is, fresh,
creative and mouthwatering. Every week he offers fish specials based
on what he has flown in.  Every so often he does a Port of Call,
creating a menu inspired by a specific region or country.




I can always count on there being a beef special, carnivore that I am.
It's USDA prime and cooked to perfection. A place where you can order
it rare and get it rare. That's unusual in these parts.

The atmosphere during the day is quaint and cozy. At night it
has a warm, inviting ambiance. Perfect for a romantic evening.

The wine list is solid and the staff are well versed.
I have yet to ask about a specific wine and the server
say I don't know.

The desert menu is to die for, and regularly changes.
Tiramisu anyone?



Location:
208 NE Third Street
Grand Rapids, MN, 55744
Phone:
218.327.3471
Mon - Fri:
11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Sat:
12:00 pm - 11:00 pm




Website:

Rivers Italian








One Love. One peace. Always and all ways.

The duality of life...

I witnessed multiple acts of selfishness this week,

the likes of which I have never seen.

Just when I think people cannot surprise me anymore
by the things they do with the intention of causing pain,
or the things they do that cause pain because they
walk this earth in some sort of blind self serving egoic state,
I stand here, my mouth open...unable to speak

... appalled.

They will never know the pain they cause.
They're too blinded by ego and their own selfish agendas.

then I witness on my way to work,
a homeless man 
who was riding by on his bicycle  in the rain,
carrying bags of aluminum cans and other treasures,
help a single mother and her two young children,
put a mattress, that she'd just pulled out of
the dumpster behind the furniture store,
on the top of her beaten up old station wagon 

.....that GMH.

[ please click the link below, it will lift you in ways you couldn't imagine ] 
(gives me hope)

One Love. One Peace. Always and all ways.

Beautiful day...Beautiful Life.

Couldn't have been a more perfect day.
Spent it hiking trails, chasing rivers down stream,
a fantastic dinner out with friends.

I'm lovin life!
Full speed ahead I say...
stay the course, its a damn good one.












One Love. One Peace. Always and all ways.

Trust in the Flow...

What I was reminded of by two angels whom
I keep close to my heart...trust in the flow.

Two friends of mine called and
said we'll meet you there.

Now after a double overnight,
a 40 hour week in three days,
three hours later I was deliriously tired...
we won't talk about the other hours I work.
I choose it, so no complaining here.


Four hours later...
300 miles down the road
I'm here at the Bluefin, on the north shore.

I said to them when we got here...
I need you to take care of me.
I know when to let go,
I know to ask for what I need

I didn't have to say another word, they knew. 


Want to know the next to best part?

Frustrated with slow drivers.
 3/4 of the way here...
I ran into a Timberwolf
injured. I pulled over, threw some
bacon I happened to have in the car,
out the window, don't ask,
he engulfed it.

I can't say I got THE  shot,
but I got a few that I wouldn't have otherwise had....
had anything else been different.
And Timberwolves are hard to come by. 

Tonight has been the perfect night,with the best of friends...
and well, waves crashing against the shore...

at the Bluefin
on Lake Superior.


I'm in good hands,
on all counts.
Lake, love, friends, and resort.



It's great to be back at the Bluefin.



ya gots to trust in the flow...








One love. One Peace. Always and all ways.

Ghost Pines Merlot 2006

This may very well be my first wine review.
This may very well be my only wine review.


This wine was so fantastic
I can't keep it a secret.

Let's start with a price of 16.99.
Let's talk about the little
tag below it that used the words

lush and hedonistic in flavor and finish.
Let's talk about a wine that delivers.

I happened to like the name,
especially since I have a strong interest
in Ghosts, and have had my own
experiences with paranormal investigations.

Click the link and take a peek...if you're not too scared.

Henryton Sanitorium

Yeh there was no walking away from this bottle of wine.

I'm not going to hit you up with a bunch
of adjectives that I'm not quite sure describe
the flavor.


When they used the words lush and hedonistic
they weren't lying.  The finish was SMOOTH.


It's my new favorite.

I've researched reviews here's a link
that will give you a little more information
on this particular wine.

Wine Stopper

One Love. One Peace. Always and all ways.

Best Moments #1

Best moments this weekend:


I called a girlfriend of mine last night whom I haven't talked to in months.
While I was waiting for the beep to leave a message on her cell phone.
She calls me. She had already started dialing before my call came through
which is why it went to voice mail. I love moments like this.

Hiking with Hannah.
Cuddling with Hannah.
Laughing with Hannah.
Looking at Hannah and knowing
what she wants me to say....

and well, Hannah giving me that look
waiting to hear it time after time...
priceless.

"You and Me together..."
she can't quite say together but she
can say house, or movies, or roooooollerskating...
you get the drift, so she always finishes the sentence

I can't imagine my life without her.

I can't imagine........

the joy she brings is indescribable.

I had someone try my butter sauce recipe with halibut...
she loved it. that made my day.


I indulged in a two inch thick T-bone tonight.
Let me say the word incredible and mean it.

One Love. One Peace. Always and all ways.

Cod Poached in Butter with Peas

How could that be bad?
That's what I told myself when I started.

It's healthy if you don't eat
all the beurre monte. Yes I said it.
Fancy words for "butter sauce".






Beurre monté is an emulsified butter sauce.
When whole butter is melted, the butter fat tends
to separate from the milk solids and water.
By whisking lumps of cold butter into a couple of tablespoons
of extra-warm water, whisking as you go, you eliminate separation.
Keep your heat even, keep your whisking gentle.

Most recipes will tell you all that is needed is one tablespoon
of water brought to a boil, then turned down adding one cold cube
of butter at a time while whisking to emulsify.

I found 4 tablespoons to one stick of butter worked best.
Double or triple as needed to suit your needs.
Do not boil, or your liquids will separate.
180-190 degrees is recommended.
I like to call that a nice simmer.


Once the sauce is made, add the fish,
I used cod. Feel free to use just about
any delicate white fish, lobster, etc.

I also added frozen peas.

My cod pieces were fairly thick,
it only took a few minutes on each side.
I did flip. I'd have to say the slower
you poach the better, you really want that
buttery flavor to soak on in.

Feel free to add shallots, other seasonings.
This was my first time, so I kept it straight.
Next time I'll be adding saffron.
Oh yeh.


This was melt in your mouth good,
even though I read the instructions um..yeh..after.
Don't ask.

As for not eating all the sauce...

Put down your spoon. Walk away slowly. And nobody gets hurt.
especially your hips.
ha.

“Come join the fun at the My Baking Addiction and GoodLife Eats 

Holiday Recipe Swap sponsored by Kerrygold.”

One Love. One Peace. Always and all ways.

On the Subject of Acceptance...

So often my images reflect what's happening around me.

A conversation I had last night, had to do with doing

the best you can with what you have and what you know. 

Sure enough as my shift ended, here I am looking at

an amazing image and no camera save for my cell phone. 

 I did the best I could with what I had and what I knew
and I'm letting it be good enough. 

We do the best we can with what we have and what we know.

We have to forgive ourselves those moments. 

Or maybe we love ourselves without guilt for those moments.

I'm not sure which.  

I think

if you've given your best,

you can give yourself both.


And hopefully next time around,
we'll do better.

One Love. One Peace. Always and all ways.

Trees and things...

I wonder what this tree has seen...

One Love. One Peace. Always and all ways.

Laptops...

Remember the last post...


when I said "if my laptop died"
yeh. about that.


it died.
the next day.
the ac adapter,
probably a short in the wire,
fried my motherboard and hard drive.

Five guys review needed to be re edited.
FJ didn't like my artistic license on that one.
I'm not sure I did either.
It will now need to be rephotographed,
which means it will need to be re-eaten.
oh darn.

Within an hour i headed to Best Buy in Duluth.
Picked up a new laptop.
Props to Eric the best buy phone guy.
Really helpful.

My poor hard drive is being sent to a special
recovery lab since it won't spin.
Which means they take it apart and try
to find the pieces which I need, say like.............
the photo and video files.

This is not the first time I've been
handed this lesson on a plate.
Make hard copies of your photos.
I think that's all I need to say about that.
Fortunately I had moved the bulk
of them over to an external drive.
Fortunately I only lost a couple of months worth,
and it wasn't much given the time of year.
Fortunately I still had thousands on memory cards.
Fortunately I was able to get a laptop.
Fortunately I'll be able to keep this one, and
give the replaced laptop to my father.


if he doesn't go pay a ridiculous price to get his fixed.


So really there was something very good that came out of this.
There usually is something very good to come out of something not so great....











One Love. One Peace. Always and all ways.

Musings...what a cheesy title.

that's funny.
I hit the wrong button and it posted a blank entry.
Today I normally sleep until four to catch up from
working double overnights, it's how I cram 40 hours into three days.
I like overnights btw,
so don't take that as a complaint.


It's twelve thirty when
my father calls me on the cell today.
I keep that phone on in case of emergency,
and put the dnd on the regular phone.
his laptop has gone into a coma.
some other time I will explain why
this is truly an emergency, the laptop
in some ways has been a life line for him.
Who am I kidding, if my laptop died...
yeh, I am laptop dependent.
I'm sure there's a meeting for that somewhere.

multiple phone calls after that to and from
different people, I'm still awake.
I'm not a phone person,
anyone who knows me will tell you that.
Love does funny things to a person...

I'm smiling.
I'm not going back to sleep now.

You know what...
it's good to be back...



then again
I never really left.

One Love. One Peace. Always and all ways.

One Question...

It's funny how sometimes a recent conversation
and a photograph I've taken manage to say the same thing.
That happened to me today.
A conversation. A photograph.
The message was clear, and I do believe Becca
this one's for you.

It has everything to do with pushing
all the "stuff" out of the way
and ask yourself one question....

What am I waiting for?

you already know the answer.

: )

One Love. One Peace. Always and all ways.

Chicken Salad and Frozen Florida

I work two jobs.
one I work 40,
the other is 70+ hours.
I know.
No I'm not one of those.
I work hard so I can play harder.
Both afford me the luxury of heading out of town
when the mood hits.

Took a mini trip to Florida,
I live in Minnesota. Right, you're
thinking nice, go where it's warm.
Yahno. There is ice in Florida.
It's true. These pictures prove it.

I don't know why they call it chicken salad.
Its a spread. Salad usually means lettuce in a bowl.
Doesn't matter, Suzanne's mom rocks it.
I ate it every day I was there.

Suzanne's Mom's Chicken Salad

How great is this,
she had the recipe written out.
I forgot to photograph the backside,
I think I can talk you through it.

I didn't use the Italian dressing.
just a personal preference for me.

I chopped the celery very fine.
You can lightly toast those pecans.
Salt and pepper to taste.
You guys know the rest right?
Flip into a food processor and voila.
It ain't rocket science.

LOVE THIS RECIPE.







Suzanne thank you for inviting me, and thank you
to your mom for making me feel like one of the kids.

I have not laughed that hard,
[and we laughed almost every minute of every day I was there ]
that long, in quite a while.

I'm comin back!










One Love. One Peace. Always and all ways.

A little of this and a lot of that...

I've never been a duck and hide kinda girl.
But I sure do know better than to sit in the line of fire.
And I definitely am smart enough to run when I see chaos,
especially when its not my own.

I know how to keep my world peaceful.
I know that my peace is more important than ego.

I know that when I keep quiet, keep patience close,
I open the door to something even better.

I know that when someone tells you more than
once they aren't happy, they mean it. If you don't
hear them, you're just plain stupid or you need a hearing device.

I know that the people we say we love need to see it in action.
Love shouldn't be hard work,
that doesn't mean we should be lazy about it.
And if the love itself is hard work, it ain't love.
Real love, the good and healthy kind of love,
it's easy like Sunday morning...

I know that you truly do get what you give.
There's comfort in that.
.
You made the choices that got you where you are.
If you don't like where you're landing, well...
just remember you bought the plane ticket.

I know that sometimes it is a little too late.
Move on, move forward I say.

I know that we are all here to learn.
But women my age who still have their
head in a bucket, irritate the hell out of me,
I guess because we are given the gift
of being a woman, strong and intuitive, [and it IS a gift]
when I see it wasted and littered with excuses...
I find there is no excuse for you.



I know that I am truly blessed.
I'm not talking about a big house,or expensive things.
I'm talking about the people in my life.
You know who you are. You matter to me.

You are the best gift the universe could give me
for having done a few things right in this world.

I'm happy.
I'm grateful.
I'm loved.
and I got easy like Sunday morning...

One Love. One Peace. Always and all ways.