happy fourth…

7 / 4 / 15

Happy Birthday, America – 239 years old today! The Fourth of July. A celebration of our red, white and blue. Flags flying high and proud. Displays of patriotism around every corner. Amidst the BBQ and fireworks, the tri-color jello molds and the stars and stripes fingernail art – I think we sometimes get too busy, so wrapped up in all of the preparation and planning (myself included) that we forget. We forget to stop… and say “thank you”.

As they say, “there is no land of the free, without home of the brave“. To our men and women , past and present, who have served this great country of ours… we are forever in your debt. Thank you, thank you; a million times… thank you.

That being said, I also 100% LOVE all of the wonderful family and friends traditions that we celebrate this glorious day. So many memories, going all the way back to my grandparents’ boathouse on the river when I was a little girl. Spending the day on the little “beach” with a picnic lunch, catching tadpoles and shooting the rapids. Returning, exhausted, to our tiny little river house to enjoy smokebombs, “snakes” and sparklers, before we crashed, 2-3 people per bed, underneath a bizillion stars, in the middle of nowhere – the chirping of the crickets almost deafening… Flash forward – Another vivid Fourth of July memory – exactly 25 years ago today. Pregnant with twins and confined to bedrest, I was feeling ~~overwhelmingly~~ a little “stir crazy” and decided to “sneak out” and watch the fireworks that night. Ha!! Let me tell you, there is absolutely NO WAY to “sneak” ANYWHERE when you are 36 weeks pregnant with twins. Never-the-less; we did it anyway. I went into labor exactly 10 days later…

I woke up this morning remembering the past 25 years with our kids… like a filmstrip of memories all jumbled up into a big ball of happy. Parades and popsicles, family and friends, petting zoos and jump houses, tattoos and water balloons, pony rides and decorating the bikes, neighborhood pool parties and family BBQ’s… I’m not gonna lie; I have felt a bit melancholy all day. Sigh…

fourth of july kyle

So I chose this beautiful pic and quote (at top) this morning as my inspiration for this year – July 4, 2015. Not a focus on our “rights”, as such… but, rather, our privileges. As Americans, we are so mightily blessed. As a nation we must reject prejudice and embrace honesty. We are called to do the right thing. Just because. As (a very wise woman) Ellen says everyday at the end of her show… “Be kind to one another”.

OK. I’m done. Tri-color jello, anyone…? Happy Fourth, friends xo

their chapter…

2 / 2 / 15

pruett candle Yesterday I wrote of “chapters“; my word for 2015. This morning I awakened with a sense of the real impact of such a word. You see, today marks the closing of a very painful chapter for some dear friends of ours. Exactly one year has passed since they lost a beloved husband and dad. Today we remember Dan.

As their friends, we exist only on the outside of their incredible pain. In reality, we are rendered utterly helpless in their grief. What can we do? What can we say? At the very core, the truth is painfully simple really. Nothing. Their hearts have but one wish; and, sadly, we cannot bring him back.

So we simply do what we can. And it all starts with love. First and foremost, We love them… Quietly. Every day. Secondly, we honor their family’s long and painful journey by loving those around us with that very same all encompassing love. Quietly. Every day.

We cry with them… we cry for them. Just this morning I stumbled across this beautiful song that someone had selected for their mom’s funeral. It’s beautiful. And yes. I cried. You will too… Jealous of the Angels (Jenn Bostic)

It’s morning, February 2, 2015… the world still dark and silent. I lit a candle and said a quiet prayer. Tonight, in a community prayer service, we will gather once again; just as we did every single week in the months before Dan’s passing. In those days and weeks we prayed for Dan’s healing. But tonight we will pray, along with Dan in heaven, for his family’s healing.

One year later. Their journey; their chapter…

nini’s marsetti casserole

10 / 2 / 13

Our newest little neighbor just turned one week old yesterday. Yay! This lucky little man came home to one adorable brother, two darling sisters and a very busy mom and dad!! In an effort to give them an extra few minutes of time, I decided that they needed a casserole. Yes – a casserole. Not some fancy gourmet meal that you have to “prepare“… a one-dish wonder that has but one requirement. Turn on the oven. Pondering the possibilities the other day, a memory popped into my head. One of my kids favorite meals when they were little… Nini’s Marsetti Casserole. Yep. That’s it.

Nini. My husband’s grandmother; my children’s great-grandmother; and one heck of a classy lady!! She had a zest for life that was absolutely contagious… Nini was, however, not exactly what you think of when you think “great grandma“… Not by a longshot. She had it all going on. The hair, the nails, the bling, the make-up… perfection. Her clothes were polished and crisp and tailored. She was educated and articulate; always up-to-speed with current events. She was a great golfer and an excellent piano player. She loved her life in Florida, but she also loved to travel. In this world of rush, rush, rush… Nini taught us the true meaning of “dining…” when we went out to dinner. More than anything, however, Nini loved her family and friends! xo Her social life would have made you dizzy! Her favorite time of the day… “Cocktail Hour”! WooHoo!! Yes – Nini taught everyone around her, by example, what it meant to live each and every day to the fullest. And she did so until the very end – October 18, 1995. At 89 years young, when her time on this earth was finally complete, she said goodbye during “cocktail hour”, decked out for a party with friends. Little did she know that there was a whole new group of friends waiting to meet her that evening.

Thanks to Nini, Heaven will never be the same… xo

Nini’s Marsetti Casserole

1 pkg (12 oz) thin spaghetti, broken into pieces & cooked

2 lbs. ground beef, browned *

1 lg. onion

½ green pepper, chopped *

1 jar (8 oz) sliced mushrooms

Minced garlic, to taste *

1 t. pepper, oregano & basil *

1 T. Worcestershire sauce

2 (14.5 oz) cans tomatoes

1 small can tomato paste

S&P, to taste

8 oz. Parmesan cheese

In a large pot, combine browned beef, onions, peppers, mushrooms and garlic; Simmer until tender. Add in seasonings and tomatoes. Mix well; then add in cooked spaghetti and 4 oz. Parmesan cheese. Pour into a 13×9 pan and top with remaining cheese. (Note: Can be frozen before – Just be sure to thaw before baking.) Bake at 350 for about an hour.

* I’m not a green pepper fan, but I love red peppers. An easy sub! When I am making for a family with kids, I often omit peppers altogether! I have also subbed in turkey Italian sausage for the ground beef, which is yummy. Whatever floats your boat…! Over the years, I added in the garlic and increased the seasonings a bit. xo

fancypants biscotti

9 / 10 / 13

Three reasons why I am lovin’ on this particular biscotti recipe… #1 Plain & simple –I LOVE biscotti; Especially with a good cuppa joe #2 This recipe is DAIRY FREE – Yay! Great news for my daughter and me (Grammatically correct… but it just doesn’t sound right!) #3 This recipe reminds me of those chocolate dipped, super hard and crunchy, biscotti that you buy at those fancypants coffee shops!!! Yep – Three really good reasons to give this recipe a whirl!! SO YUMMY, and very simple! Really!!!

I think people are put off by most biscotti recipes because they have multiple steps. So what. It really isn’t complicated, and it is so worth it when you are sitting down with a steaming hot cup of coffee and a delicious, crunchy, chocolate dipped biscotti that you made yourself!! C’mon friends – let’s do it…

Crunchy Biscotti

3 eggs

1 t. vanilla

¼ t. almond extract

2 c. flour

7/8 c. sugar

1 t. baking soda

Dash of salt

¾ c. toasted whole almonds, coarsely chopped

3 oz. semisweet or dark chocolate, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a small bowl, beat eggs, vanilla and almond extract. In a mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Mix in egg mixture until blended. Mix in almonds; divide dough in half.

On a greased & floured baking sheet, pat out dough into two logs about 1/2” thick, 1½” wide and 12” long. Space them about 2” apart. Bake in the middle of the oven for about 50 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer logs from the baking sheet to a cooling rack for about 5 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 275 degrees.

After cooling, place logs on a cutting board. With a serrated knife slice diagonally at a 45 degree angle into 1/2” thick slices. Lay the cut slices flat on the baking sheets and return to oven for another 20-25 minutes, or until toasted – Turning them over halfway through to dry the other side.

Place chocolate in a (dry!) microwave safe bowl and microwave on medium for approx. 2 minutes; until chocolate melts. Stir to blend out any lumpy bits, and spread over entire surface of cookies. When you’re completely done, lick any remaining chocolate off the spatula (required step) !! Let cool at room temp until set (or speed up a bit with a quick visit to the fridge!) Store in a tightly covered container. (Although they won’t last long!!)

URBAN DICTIONARY (def) “fancypants”: Sophisticated or impressive. See “posh” (very classy or sophisticated)

Oh ya. These crunchy, chocolatey biscotti are ALL THAT.. and more. And they are (GULP!) HOMEMADE… by you!! Go ahead; Impress your (oh so hard to impress) friends. And Dahling… be sure to serve your coffee in the “fancy” coffee cups.

live happy

the ten dollar smile

9 / 3 / 13

What can you really get for $10 these days..? A fancy coffee drink and (maybe) a muffin? A couple gallons of gas? Unfortunately, we live in a world where things of value, things that matter, are gonna set you back a bit. It’s just the way things are these days, and we have to accept that. Or do we…?

Met some friends, two other couples, the other morning for breakfast at a little local area called “Park Place”, here in Kansas City. Following an early morning thunderstorm, the sun had returned and the skies were a glorious blue, so we all sat outside and chatted over coffee for a couple of hours. Afterwards, the hubbie and I decided that we needed to stretch our legs after sitting for so long, so we strolled the outdoor shops, hitting a couple of “end of season sidewalk sales”. By the time we hit late afternoon, we both admitted that our stomachs were grumbling a bit, and all of the little sidewalk cafes had started “Happy Hour”. Perfect timing for a glass of wine, some olives and a little hummus. So you might be thinking that this is the end of the story, but it’s not. You see, I haven’t told you everything...

What I didn’t mention yet, was the time between strolling the shops and Happy Hour… As it was, we popped out of one of the stores, and were immediately greeted with the sounds of a sidewalk musician – a lone guitarist with a voice a lot like “The Fray”. So we did what we knew we had to do. We pulled up a spot near the music and the fountains and settled into one of the brightly painted adirondack chairs for a little R&R in the glorious Sunday sunshine. As we all know, shopping can be absolutely EXHAUSTING for men!! (If you squint real hard on the pic above, you will see the guitarist on the far right of the pic, through the water droplets; and the hubbie is sitting next to my green chair, in a blue shirt, shades on, eyes closed…) The guy played his heart out, while folks strolled by and smiled, children ran in and out of the fountains, oblivious to anything but their own innocent joy, nearby sidewalk diners clapped politely…

Now I don’t know this young man’s story. At all. Was he paid by the merchants? Does he do this on the side, or is music his sole source of income; his passion? Did he know that we enjoyed the fact that he was there… that day… playing those songs… making our day a little brighter…? As I was up snapping this pic, he announced that it was his last song, and he thanked everyone who was there and wished them happiness for the rest of their day. My hubbie smiled at me and stood up, walking over to the young man. He had no “tip bucket” of any kind, so the hubbie merely thanked him for the gift of his music, and handed him a small token of gratitude. His eyes lit up with a sincere appreciation was so genuine it made my heart ache. A smile that was so worth every last penny… Be the reason.

live happy, cathy

business? ethics

8 / 23 / 13

Yesterday my daughter’s boyfriend approached me with a request. Could he interview me on the topic of “business ethics”. Hmmm… On the first night of class, his teacher made the statement that there is really no such thing as “business ethics”. Nice. Couldn’t agree more.

So he did our little interview, and I, shockingly, rambled on and on and on… (SO good at that!). But our conversation stayed in my little brain long after “the interview” had ended, thoughts rolling around up there like little tiny frozen peas. So here’s how I feel about it. (I sensed that you were dying to know) I feel that ethics are ethics. Period. You can’t have a different set of values, morals and ethics – one for your personal life, and one reserved solely for business. Nope. Doesn’t work that way.

I have been in the retail world basically my entire life. I started selling Avon door-to-door (And I mean that literally!) with my best friend, Laura, when we were 14. Our moms had to drive us (Ha!) to the “required meetings”, where we rubbed shoulders with all of the “old ladies”. (Yep. Those “old ladies” were probably well into their 30’s… at least!! HA!!) Time marches on, and along the way I did everything imaginable with regard to retail; ultimately starting my own retail business, “Creations“, over eleven years ago. Being an entrepreneur means having to get out there on your own and make it work. I was a “one (wo)man band” – the CEO as well as the gal who makes the coffee. And sometimes the coffee got burned. There are lots (and lots) of people out there who really don’t care about anyone but themselves. Fact. However…. there are so many more who DO!!! I really do believe that. You just have to search them out and make them part of your circle. When I say “circle”, I don’t mean in some “exclusive, you gotta meet all of these expectations, uppity, nose-in-the-air” kinda stuff. Just the opposite, actually. I care about the people that I call friends, and I want THEM to succeed, as well. If we all work together in that circle, promoting each other, sharing info, contacts, suggestions, positive energy… we will ALL grow in ways that we cannot ALONE! On the contrary, those who are out to (negatively) compete, with gossip and backstabbing… well; I would just have to ask them if they believe in karma?? I sure do. If we are good and kind to others, the world will give all of that back… and more. Believe it. (Insert music to Kumbaya, and let’s all hold hands.)

So there it is. That, my friends, is how I feel about (business) ethics. Any other questions…?

live happy

my “lovely” friend; alice

4 / 2 / 134 / 2 / 15

(A repost from exactly two years ago… With love. To you, Alice. I miss you today xoxo)

Today would have been my lovely friend, Alice’s, birthday. April 2. My birthday falls on May 2. We celebrated our birthdays together in 1987 and 1988.

Unfortunately, that was all the time we were blessed with…

We moved to London in the fall of 1986 for a (short… way too short) two year adventure with my husband’s accounting firm. Knowing that I only had a very limited period of time, I decided that the best way to do things was to jump in feet first; and ask questions later. So that’s exactly what I did. “Getting cozy” with the Brits, however, was a rather daunting task. It was much easier to develop friendships with the New Zealanders, Aussies and the other Americans. The British are, overall, a bit more distant and hard to get to know. And I am the first to admit that my personality might be a bit “over the top” for them. Regardless, I decided to venture out of the old “comfort zone”. We had been attending mass in a massive English cathedral… cold and dark and full of gold and stained glass. “Cozy” is not exactly the word that I am going for here. I decided to pursue some volunteer work through the church. I made some contacts, and before I knew it, I had a slip of paper in my hand with two names, addresses and telephone numbers. They were “older women” who might welcome a visit or two. One of the names scribbled on that piece of paper….was Alice.

I phoned her “straightaway” and made arrangements to stop by for tea. Her flat was down a quiet little cobblestone street near “Marble Arch” in the heart of London. I knocked, the door opened… and, in that very moment, a friendship began. Yes; Really. Just like that. We started out setting specific times and dates for my visits. But as the friendship deepened, we started having “impromptu” visits between visits! I would phone her to see if perhaps I might stop by for a quick visit. “That would be lovely”, she would say. She loved the word “lovely”. Not once did she turn me away. And they were not usually quick visits, either – ha! We would just sit and talk for hours. Alice had lost her husband many years prior and had no children. Her closest relative was a niece (and her family) who lived outside of London, but she didn’t really get together with them very often. I knew that my visits meant the world to her. Truth is, they meant the world to me, as well.

Alice would leave the front door open when she knew that I was on the way. I would let myself in, and from the moment that I stepped inside that tiny, dimly lit, cozy little flat – it was like my heart coming home. If I close my eyes I can still remember everything like it was yesterday… the sound of the teacups and saucers clanking against the tray as she made her way

to the tiny little kitchen table… the scent of freshly brewed tea and something warm from the oven… sometimes the soft little purr of a kitty that also called Alice “home”. Alice had a frail little body, crooked fingers, soft golden white hair and a tiny little voice. Her eyes would sparkle when I entered the room with a love that was, indeed, mutual; and shared between the two of us. We were separated by many, many years; it’s true. But we were kindred spirits; friends of the heart. It was a gift, and I think that we both knew that we were blessed in the moment. We treasured those moments up until the very, very end. Leaving Alice felt like I was ripping out a piece of my heart and leaving it there in London… Indeed I was.

Upon returning to the states, we kept our promise to each other to write often. Those letters meant the world to me. Sometimes I would even call her just to say a quick “hi” and hear her voice. I still remember calling to tell her that I was pregnant with twins and she was going to be a “grandma”… xo! She was SO excited and just kept saying how “lovely” that was… her favorite word!! She started making plans to come to the United States after they were born. “Nothing would make me happier”, I told her.

I still remember the day the letter came.

It was from her niece. I sat down. I started crying before I even opened it. “Auntie Alice” had passed away peacefully in her sleep. She knew that I would want to know. She had found my letters, along with my address, there next to her bed. She thanked me for being such a special person in her “auntie’s” life. Wow. “Ever had a memory that sneaks out of your eye, and rolls down your cheek…?”

If a yellow rose is the symbol of friendship, perhaps those are the tears of missing a friend…

So today, Alice, I am thinking about you with my whole heart… I brewed a pot of tea, selected my favorite little floral teacup and saucer and put some quiet music on to help me write this post. So many memories are running through my mind. It truly feels like you are right here with me. I know you are. There were tears in my eyes as I wrote this entire blog post, but they flowed uncontrollably as I attempted to type that last paragraph… I still miss you so much. I always will. I realize, however, that I am so very, very lucky to have been blessed with such love. “Missing someone isn’t about how long it’s been since you’ve seen them or the amount of time since you’ve talked. It’s about that very moment when you’re doing something and wishing they were right there with you.” Oh, Alice; If only heaven weren’t so far away…. Happy Birthday, my dear friend.

oh; to define thanksgiving

11 / 20 / 12

November is one of my very favorite months of the entire year. Halloween, with all of the adorable little ghosts and goblins, is behind us. The craziness of the December holiday rush looms ahead. But November wraps us up in a warm, cozy blanket of giving thanks… of remembering what is important to us in our lives. A time to reflect and count our many, many blessings. I know that being in the retail world forces me to “jump the gun” on the Christmas season… and there is not much I can do about that. I do, however, have control over the way that I look at, and approach, the ENTIRE holiday season. You see, I have a little different perspective on everything. I actually see Thanksgiving and Christmas as being two parts of one beautiful season.

For me, the entire season is about family, friends, peace, love and gratitude. I know that a lot of people like to get a jump start on their Christmas decorations in November – but I still love to “decorate” my home for Thanksgiving – even though we don’t actually celebrate Thanksgiving Day here. Again – it’s not a “day” in November and then another “day” in December… it’s an entire beautiful season. There has been so very much going on lately – globally, and in my very own little world. Sometimes it reminds us to stop dead in our tracks and reflect on life… and what REALLY matters. I pray for “peace on earth” as we begin this most blessed “holiday season”…

(the above is an excerpt from my November newsletter… )

A couple of fun links for you to check out, as well as a few pics from “home”…

Tracy Porter napkin ring ideas

Thanksgiving tabletop ideas and inspiration

ginger candy apple tini friday

10 / 12 / 12

Some days were just meant to be Fridays… Happy Weekend, friends!

Ginger Candy Apple Tini

3.5 oz Absoult Brooklyn Vodka( ginger apple flavor) brand new to the market?

1.5 oz Dekuyper apple

.5 oz Dekuyper butterscotch schnapps

Line the inside of the martini glass with caramel syrup. Garnish with a caramel apple slice. So pretty!

www.mixxrestaurant.com

a sprinkle of lemon sunshine

9 / 10 / 12

(This is actually a re-post from my old blog. Just decided to share it with you today…)

Yellow is “the color of happiness” – which really comes as no surprise to me. No color in the world makes me happier than bright, warm, sunshine yellow. It is also “the color of forgiveness, peace and joy”. I like that. Yellow is perky. Today was a rainy, gloomy day – but these beautiful yellow mums were just smiling at me from my kitchen table, begging to have their picture taken. Naturally, I obliged.

They say to use yellow to suggest freshness and citrus fruitiness. Perhaps this explains, in part, my recent obsession with lemons. If you have been following me on Facebook or Twitter, then you know that I have had a case of “Lemonade-itis” lately! Two recent posts were recipes for Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes and Cherry Lemonade with vodka!! OK – I’m sorry, but they just sound delish! And guess what. I found yet another recipe for Lemon Cupcakes (just wait until you see how cute they are)!! Oh my – Someone please stop me! Did I mention that yellow is also “the color of… insanity“?! Seriously. ( Oh well. Sanity is SO overrated!!) OK – No more lemon “food”. Let’s think “SPA”. How about a wonderful lemon scrub to exfoliate and smooth away dead skin??? Ahhh… There we go. And since we’re at the spa now; how about some refreshing lemon water… Simply slice several lemons and add in your choice of other goodies. Some of my favorites are lemon and fresh mint, lemon and cucumber or a combo of lemons, limes and oranges. Fill your pitcher with fresh cold water and ice and you’re ready to be refreshed. Calorie free!!!

Yellow, by any other name ( banana, cadmium yellow, chiffon, cream, golden, goldenrod, lemon, mellow yellow, saffron, chartreuse, topaz, yellow ocher) is still yellow. So maybe yellow isn’t your favorite color (Hmmm… trying to process) – but perhaps you are redecorating a room or planning a dinner party, and you would like a few tips when it comes to mixing yellow into your color palette… Well look no further. Here we go:

Use yellow to perk up a more subdued cool palette of blues and grays. Perhaps an end of summer “pool party”? No pool? Me neither. Just call it a “Beach Party”. I live in Kansas. Enough said.
Use lemon yellow with oranges to carry out a healthy, summery, citrus theme. Nothing is simpler than a bowl of fresh lemons, limes and oranges!
Very pale yellows can work as neutrals alongside darker or richer colors.
Yellow and blue are a high contrast, eye-popping combination. My choice of colors for our guest room. A classic combo and “gender neutral”. It just works.
Mix yellow with neutral gray and a dash of black for a high-tech look. Suddenly I’m thinking about New Year’s Eve. And champagne.
Try a hot, exciting mix of red and yellow. Anyone for a Mexican Fiesta?? Ole’
For an earthy palette, especially for fall, mix yellow, olive green, and brown. Thanksgiving at your house this year??
While yellows and bright or light greens can be part of a natural, fruity color palette, be careful not to use colors too close in value or they will appear washed out.

Alrighty – Let’s check our “party prep” list. We have a delicious Cherry Lemonade, with or without vodka, and two different kinds of lemon cupcakes. Yum. We used our lemon scrub while we sipped on our lemon water – so we will be a bee-u-tee-ful hostess. Our “color palette of choice” has been embellished with a little happy splash of yellow. All that’s left is to leave that fresh scent of lemon behind as we spritz those kitchen counters down one more time. This little recipe might help.

All natural “General Cleaner Upper Spray”

1 tsp Liquid Dish Soap
1 tsp Borax
1 tsp Lemon Juice
1 tsp Vinegar
1 Spray Bottle
Essential oil; like lemon (optional)

Add dish soap, borax, lemon juice and vinegar to bottle. Fill bottle with 1 quart hot water. Place the spray nozzle on the bottle and shake until all ingredients are well mixed. A few drops of your favorite essential oil will make it smell yummy. You could use lemon, lavender or tea tree oil (All three are antiseptic and antibacterial). If you have a problem with hard water stains, use 2 tsp lemon juice and 2 tsp vinegar.

Well – I think you’re pretty much ready for the party. Just one more thing before I go. Do you believe in serendipity? I was in the middle of writing this blog when the phone rang. It was my neighbor, Deb, and she needed a missing ingredient for her dinner. Any guesses? Yep. A lemon. Make that two lemons. I quickly took a pic of the three lemons on the plate for this blog, so that I could share them with her. When she walked down to get the lemons, she told me that she had a little gift for me. Something she saw and thought of me. It is the tea towel in the pic. She had no idea that I was writing a blog about lemons or that I would post a recipe for Cherry Lemonade – with vodka on Facebook and Twitter. That’s just how friends are sometimes. True friends. They just know.

Oh – and one last thing that I forgot to mention.

Yellow is also “the color of friendship”… but, then again, I already knew that.