Take A Hike

People can rekindle with nature and it's as easy as taking the first step. Nature welcomes you, like a distant relative that has long been away, with open arms and doesn't chide you for your absence. Follow natures example and don't be too hard on yourself either if it has been a year, a month or a week since your last trek through the outdoors. Outdoor adventures can take place in any location, from walking down your driveway, along a country road or in a park. Just lace up your shoes and get moving.

Chances are you will find many critters along your journey, like hungry groundhogs, wiry squirrels and even a deer or two, and they will be excited about romping out of doors with you. Have you ever seen a grumpy groundhog? When driving on my way to work they are usually perched on their back haunches, dibbling dew covered grass and looking overall content. I would like to think that their outdoor habitat adds to their genuine happiness. People can have this happiness too if we participate in free hiking adventures that  relieve your stress, brighten your mood and tickle your senses.

To find a park near you visit the Discover The Forest website:

http://www.discovertheforest.org/where-to-go

Connecting the Dots: Finding Your Voice

Words enchant and mesmerize us. While some words hiccup and meander along, other words are driven with a punch and a zing. When people use their voice, these spoken words awaken dormant emotions and evoke reflection, thought and pause.

All people are authors and create their story with the every choice they make.  Authors use creative and powerful words to catch the reader’s attention and captivate their curiosity. Truly great authors use words to draw links between modern life, historical movements and human experience. To use your voice effectively you must take a candid look at your strengths and weaknesses and make choices that will allow you to grow. Although this process is not as simple as connecting the dots in a children's coloring book, I am sure that with some effort you can lead a happier more fulfilling life. 

People, like words, are redefined by life experience.  While some people believe life fosters or stunts growth, I believe an individuals’ reaction to life is far more important. The happiest people are those that take their life experience, learn from it and use this to find their voice. 

A few years ago an Appalachian Lady revealed a captivating story about embracing life.  While sitting in her recliner she glanced around the country farmhouse and mused, 'Did I ever tell you the story about going to the viewing of one of my neighbors?' With eyes still glued to her I shook my head 'no' and she commenced telling her tale. 'Well, the family was going to have the viewing for him so I got in the car and carried over the food I made for the family.'

In my mind I imagine her traveling in her caramel colored boat of a car along winding roads and emerging from the car in her well put together but no nonsense colored dress.  'Once there,' she explained, ' I carried the food into the kitchen and sat it with the rest of the food on the table. I talked to the family for a while and then decided that I needed to make myself useful.' In my mind's eye she travels through the neat kitchen with it's lacy curtain windows into the emptied front room with rows of chairs.

'I walked right over to the funeral attendant and asked if there was anything that I could do to help,' she revealed as she rocks back and forth in her recliner. 'And after a little while he said, ' Could you help us bring in the coffin?' As a smile creeps across her face she explains, 'There was nothing left to do but go and do it. I walked out the front door and helped haul in the coffin.' 

When she finished the tale I thought to myself how remarkable - she made the best out an awkward situation.  In another visit to her house this lady remarked about the length of a funeral service. 'Lord have mercy there were a lot of people at the church and the service continued on and on. I just don't understand it - you can't preach somebody into heaven.'

Although you cannot always control what happens to you, you have the power to control your reaction to the world and these choices shape your future. "Most people are as happy," Abraham Lincoln once wrote, "as they make up their minds to be." This cautionary statement beseeches us to remember what is important in our lives and follow our hearts.

'

A Junkyard Tale

In junkyards pieces of scrap metal lie in rows, framing endless fields and by squinting your eyes you can see a mosaic of colors melting together. Amongst this frame hidden classics, like Hudson Wasps or Ford's Crown Victoria, peak through dust covered windshields at the world. While a junkyard can be an eyesore, I appreciate a junkyard for its honesty. In this new orchestra, its players join the same familiar rhythm set to another melody and seem to say, “we are what we are – what you see is what you get.”

Closets, like junkyards, live in organized chaos yet you are not careful your treasures could get lost amongst the stacks and piles. While I am hugely fond of bargain hunting, it is important to keep your collecting in check so that you are not overrun with too many ‘gotta have’ items. Living with too much stuff can be stressful and I encourage you to weed out and recycle items whenever you purchase something new. Great stress relieving possibilities include, donating to charities, re-selling to consignment stores or having your own yard sale and by engaging in these types of activities you and others will benefit.  

All too often I find this ‘gotta have’ item, rush home and add it to my collection of accessories, clothing and shoes. After I get home I realize to my dismay that oops I already have two shirts that color or style. For some people seeking those ‘gotta have’ items brings a lot of joy to their lives. If you channel your inner economist, you will remember the law of diminishing returns prevents you from getting the same ecstatic feeling if you engage in shopping repeatedly. You can feel better about your collection by being selective and remembering junkyards are no fun to live in.

Dress to impress . . . yourself

You have a vibrant and unique personality and as a result your clothing should reflect this about you. All too often I go to my closet and pick out the first thing I get to and throw it on. Picking out your clothes ahead of time can save you a lot of trouble in the mornings, but if you are like me then you can still achieve the same effect if you follow these few simple guidelines.

1.       Dress to impress. When you are standing at your closet pick out something that makes you feel confident. While some people dress to impress others for important job events, social gatherings or backyard get-togethers, it is far more effective if you dress to impress yourself instead of others. If you feel confident then the people around you will notice your personality, wit and manner.

2.       Style It Up. While classical black pieces are appropriate on many occasions, don’t be afraid to add a little color or style into your wardrobe. Personal color choice varies according to taste but for those of you who are afraid of a little color you can achieve the same effect by incorporating patterns or textures.

3.       Walk in Comfort. Although I sometimes I hate to admit it, I have for the sake of fashion sacrificed comfort for style. If you are not going to be comfortable walking around for extended periods of time please save yourself the trouble and leave those items at home. One time last summer I had the brilliant idea to wear a pair of Jenna’s canvas wedge heel shoes with my outfit. When I tried on the shoes I thought they are a little tight but when I looked in the mirror this confirmed my decision to stay the course. By the end of the evening I didn’t look quite as cute as I limped back to the car in the too tight shoes. Please take my advice and think twice unless you want an experience like mine.

When you are comfortable in the clothes you wear, others will see a dramatic difference in your demeanor and notice your confidence by the spring in your step. Leave the tugging, pulling and limping clothes and shoes at home and select items that will allow you to impress yourself, utilize your style and walk in comfort. The following pictures show how I utilized all three rules in each of my outfits on a small budget. 

Picture 1

 

Angie (Blue Dress, Pink Flowers)                       $5.00                                 Vintage

Laundry (Pink, Orange and Red Flowers)           $5.00                                 $60.00-260.00

Ann Taylor Cartigan (Pink)                                 $4.00                                 $30.00-40.00

Orange Tier Earrings                                          $2.00                                 $10.00-15.00

                                                                       $16.00                                 $100.00-315.00

Picture 2 

Banana Republic                                                 $5.00                                   $89.00

Ann Taylor Jacket (Black)                                   $4.00                                   $60.00-80.00

Aigner Shoes (Black)                                          $4.00                                   $30.00

                                                                          $13.00                                 $179.00-219.00

A Red Dirt Girl

A Red Dirt Girl

In the Carolina Piedmont, tilled red dirt awakens its drowsy neighbors, like slumbering oaks and pine trees, and calls them out to play. Every spring the plants, trees, soil and animals secretly hold a great and festive reunion. Natures excited burst of color and frenzied growth speaks to the forest rejuvenation and foreshadows our journey to remember the past and grow as well.

Miranda Lambert’s song, “Red Dirt Girl” illuminates a woman’s respect for her home place and roots but also explores her desire to live unbridled and experience the world “just like a gypsy . . . cause gypsys never get tied down.” Nearly all people experience this struggle – to grow but also respect your past. People can appreciate their roots and honor them by respecting the sacrifices people made to help them along the way.

While respect looks and sounds like a lot of different things, generally respect is shared with others through kind acts or words and cultivated with time and patience. There are many idioms and old timey sayings, like ‘you reap what you sow,’ which hint to the link between place and respect. So when I hear these metaphors I think of red clay soil, of home and the memories sown there.

You, like this red dirt girl, have many innate abilities that were fostered by your family, friends and community. Childhood memories of home travel with us across time and space and continue to shape our present lives and relationships. The challenge to all people, including myself, is to keep moving forward and growing without forgetting your past and remaining thankful along the way.

Broccoli Cassrole Pictures

Here are some pictures of my Broccoli Casserole. It was great!

Picture 1: The Ingredients

 Picture 2: The Toppings

Picture 3: The Final Product



Kara’s Kookin’ in the Kitchen – Broccoli Cassrole

While many chefs practice the wares of their trade in restaurants, far more cooks, chefs and food connoisseurs learn these important skills by observing family members, reading magazines, watching cooking shows and enacting these skills daily or weekly in the comfort of their own kitchens. Many self-taught musicians, actors, writers and chefs are celebrated for their talent and you, like them, have many unique tools, like experience, creativity and knowledge, on your cooking tool belt.

Although most people love food, we are creatures of habit and sometimes revert to long accustomed consumption patterns. When at a restaurant some people pick the same old standbys, like BLTs or hamburgers, because they fear that they will receive a dish that they will not like.

At home these same phenomena can occur in our own kitchens. Put down your go-to cookbook and pick a recipe from your mother or grandma’s stash and get cooking. One of Jenna and my favorite recipes is my mother’s Broccoli Casserole. This dish is not only easy to make and great for almost any occasion, from dinner to cookouts to work parties, but also wonderfully tasty as well.

Just follow these few simple steps and you will have this great dish ready in no time.

Broccoli Casserole

Step 1: Necessary Ingredients

·         Broccoli Florets (2 bags frozen) or 4 fresh stalks

·         Butter or Margarine (3 TBS)

·         1 Cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese (Or more as suited to taste)

·         1 Bag Stuffing Mix

Step 2: Cook Broccoli on the stovetop

·         Although fresh vegetables are ideal, I usually opt for a half frozen and half fresh broccoli combination to optimize flavor.

·         After cutting up the Broccoli, cook on the stovetop in about 1 cup of water until tender.

·         Drain off the water and place Broccoli in big mixing bowl.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients

·         Stir 1 cup cheese, drained Broccoli, 3 TBS of melted butter or margarine in large mixing bowl.

·         Pour into baking dish and top with a light layer of stuffing mix.

·         Cover with lid or tin foil to keep in moisture.

Step 4: Bake

·         Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

·         In the last five minutes take the lid off and let the stuffing harden and get crunchy.

Step 5: Serve

·         To obtain the best flavor place this dish in the refrigerator for a few hours, warm and serve with your other favorite dishes! Good Luck and happy cooking.

Give them something to talk about

People are the most confident when they are being true to themselves. Your wardrobe should reflect your unique style, quirkiness and taste. Although I love stylish clothes, comfort and practicality are very important when making a clothing investment. So press the shopping brakes and take another look in your closet. Chances are you have more to work with than you think.

The next time you are staring into the great unknown, also known as a closet, consider what kind of statement you would like to make with your outfit. In other words you want your outfit to speak and give your coworkers, friends and family members something positive to talk about.

Here is example of an eccentric outfit I put together from my closet with the actual amount paid and estimated worth included.

Item                                                          Amount Paid                               Estimated Worth

Karlie Dress                                              $5.00                                            $75.00-$90.00

Mossimo Shoes (Target Brand)              $4.00                                            $12.00-$20.00

Criss Cross Bracelet (Sterling Silver)       $3.00                                            $15.00-$25.00

Guess Waterproof Watch G661251        *Free                                            $70.00-$90.00

Totals                                                        $12.00                                         $172.00-$225.00

*** Jenna’s boyfriend found this watch in the river. I was thrilled.

On this outfit alone I invested $12 and an saved estimated $170-$225. I encourage you to try this exercise at home. I bet you will surprise yourself with what you can put together!

Finding a Diamond in the Rough

I’ve visited some great consignments and thrift stores but I’ve had a few disappointing adventures as well. So don’t get discouraged if you don’t see anything worth your while the first couple times. You know what best suits your fancy – wait for it and it will come! Trust yourself.

While looking through knick knacks and other odds and ends I sometimes find . . . it! For me an ’it’ is something that will illuminate my personality and character. For you – it could be an awesome antique bowl, designer shoes, or a print by one of your favorite artists.

A few summers ago, I visited the G.W. Boutique and low and behold I saw it! While shifting through stacked wall hangings I came across a Bob Timberlake print! I grabbed that framed print and took off running through the store. Despite stares and funny looks, I didn’t slow my progress but rather kept right on trucking it until I found my mom near the front.

We are both fans of Bob Timerlake’s naturalistic landscapes and details of the American South.  I proudly held up the dust covered print “Early Janquils,” labeled 1225/1250 with the painter’s John Hancock signed in the bottom right, and gave her a big toothy smile. Upon turning it over I realized this print had its certificate of authenticity in a pocket on the back. We could hardly conceal our excitement!  This involved quite a lot of jumping up and down but after a reassuring talk with mom we headed for the checkout counter.

Once in line I rechecked the yellow price sticker on the front glass. The sticker still read $7.00. We paid the lady at the counter and took our treasure home. My mother checked the resale value of the print and it is worth an estimated $900.00.  I couldn’t believe it – I was in total shock.

Here is a link to the secondary market prices on Bob Timberlake website:

https://www.bobtimberlake.com/secondary-market-prices.cfm

The painting now hangs in the living room above my couch. I am so glad I have this print because it reminds me of early spring in North Carolina.

Don’t be deceived by the dust, dander and cobwebs that collect on discarded items. Among them you will often find diamonds in the rough.