Mimmsical Creations

Mike and I have decided we love polenta. I knew this already, but I've never cooked with it - only ordered it in restaurants! We bought a tube of pre-made garlic/basil polenta last week. I tried a breakfast with it over the weekend ... it was OK, but not great - wrong combo of flavors.

But, dinner! That is another story - a yummy one! I got a brainstorm and tried it out - and it was a huge success!

First, I sliced the remaining polenta into 1/4" thick slices and put them in to fry in olive oil.

While that was cooking - I started the "sauce" or topping. (Mike was helping me by chopping mushrooms and tomatoes!) I started with olive oil and garlic (minced, from a jar) in my skillet. I added sliced button mushrooms and sliced crimini mushrooms. And then, I chopped up some fresh basil and added that. I also added a couple slices of red onion (because that's what I had on hand.) Isn't it pretty with that bright green basil in there? :)

Next, I added in three chopped, roma tomatoes. This time of year, they don't have much juice, so I added a splash of sherry to give it a bit of liquid. I let that all simmer for a couple minutes, and then I added a handful of grated asiago cheese.

2/18/08

Three Years ago in mid-February, my best friend Andrea and I (and her friend Stacey) were in New York City to celebrate her 30th birthday! I pulled out some of my stuff from our trip. We saw Wicked and ate at this amazing Italian place (more than once!) We went to museums (the MoMA being our favorite!) We played tourists! It was fantastic! Both of us were reminiscing and wanting to go back!!

2/11/08

2/12/08 (taken 2/12/05)

We were also there for the opening of the Installation Art Exhibit by Christo and Jeanne-Claude called "The Gates". This photo above is Central Park on that morning! Amazing sight. We didn't know about it until we arrived in NY. What a cool thing to be a part of!!

As you know, Mike and I are hoping to move to an ocean this year. His job is very stressful, and he has been looking for other jobs for quite some time. Well, today, he found out from his current supervisor that a job in Portland, OR called to check his references!! He knew he was a candidate for an interview, but hadn't heard anything more than that.

SO... still no set interview, but hopefully, we'll hear that news soon! This is the closest he has come to an actual, possible job somewhere else! It's exciting. I'll keep you posted as we hear! Portland would be a great place for us. We both love the Pacific Northwest! Send some good "interview" vibes to Mike!

Below is my next Creative Life Mosaic - Bookshelf! I had fun with this one. I love books - and have way more than fit on my current bookshelves. (In boxes in the basement!) I also have a lot of "stuff" on my bookshelves - pictured here too!

2/10/08

Join in on this project if you can! It really is a fun idea!! Go visit Kelley! :)

2/09/08

This is my bathroom (Mike has his own and we have a third guest bathroom.) I love bright colors and I matched my rugs and towels to my curtain. My rugs are lime green. I have bright orange towels and lime green hand towels.

Mike actually bought the hangers for the curtain. I sent him (on our move in day, actually) to get a few things - thinking he would come back with very plain, simple shower curtain hangers. He picked these instead. (I really like them!)

You can see I'm not really organized - some of my jewelry is jumbled up on my counter! I have candles there too, even though there really isn't room! I showed you some of my favorite products too. Olbas is fabulous and I use it when my neck is hurting - the menthol helps for whatever reason! I also really love Burt's Bees - this cleaner for my face smells citrusy. I can't eat citrus but I love the scent! :) I also have lots of things in a scent called Velocity - they are mostly gifts from my friend, Andrea. She sold Mary Kay, and I love this scent!! :)

The mirror (sun/moon) is actually outside the door of my bathroom. I love this mirror! It was a gift from my friend (and previous landlord) Nancy!

I really like this mosaic - it was fun to take the pictures and to see them all grouped. Join in on this project if you can! It really is a fun idea!! Go visit Kelley! :) I'll be back tomorrow with my second mosaic - Bookshelf!!

1/22/08

1/24/08 Oscar in the bag with Henry looking on.

1/25/08 - Grumpy Mike

1/26/08 - Screenshot from World of Warcraft. Mike's character Pleiades, and
my warrior Andromedah defeat the spider Terokarantula! :)

1/27/08 Luna and Oscar cuddling together! So cute!

1/28/08 - Fun mail from my nephew David, and niece Joy. Love the envelope! :)

1/29/08 - Miss Girl cuddling with me. She was even purring
(which doesn't happen often) and drooling!

Last Sunday, I attended a one afternoon art group with my art therapist. It was a session to make a Treasure Map of your intentions for 2008. I'm so glad I went. It has been a long time since I did an art group, and even a one day session was so good for me!

We met at 3 p.m. and introduced ourselves. Turns out all of the other participants were mental health professionals - colleagues of my art therapist. I was the only non-mental health pro! But, it wasn't a bad thing. They were all there to do the same project!

We took quite a bit of time to search through magazines finding the images that inspired us. We weren't supposed to use too many words, but I found a few that really fit, so I did use them.

Many of my images turned out to be the ocean, the shoreline, etc. I know that my intention for this year is to get Mike and I moved somewhere near the coast! Either one - I'm aiming for either Oregon, or North Carolina. We love both areas!

My treasure map feels very peaceful to me. I wanted that feeling for sure. The background is made up of a "breathing space" spread from an Oprah magazine, always my favorite pages! It is magnolia blossoms on a black background. I cut it to fit my circle and then pasted my other images on top.

I don't normally choose butterflies, but these bright colored ones spoke to me. One of the other participants said that butterflies can represent a new change/new life. That is good and it fits with my intentions! The zen garden and the woman with the cat also represent peace to me. Our cats are in dis-harmony still, and I hope for peace there too.

The words "the spice of life" is to remind me to live my life to the fullest and take opportunities. Fearless is a biggie for me. I am excited about the possibility of moving, but it also scares me. I want to take it on, and not let my fears keep me from doing anything!

It was such a positive experience (as always with my art therapist!) I'm glad I have this image now to remind me of my intentions for this year!

1/18/08 - Ben the Fuzz

1/19/08 - Berry Crisp from this recipe.

1/20/08 - Treasure Map mandala - made in an art group with my art therapist.
I'll do a whole post on this soon!

1/21/08 - Miss Girl enjoying catnip.

1/14/08

This is Mike in his favorite environment. In the dark, playing World of Warcraft with his lighted keyboard! :) He is playing the battleground Alterac Valley with his level 67 Warlock, Bantz.

1/15/08

Oscar has enjoyed this bag immensely. It's torn to shreds, but he still loves sitting in it!! :) He chases across the room into the bag.

Yesterday was my favorite thing... a dentist appointment. YUCK! I hate it, but it wasn't too bad. It was a new dentist, and he was really nice. My teeth aren't too bad in spite of the fact that I haven't been in about three years. I was prompted to go in because I'm having some jaw pain. Turns out I have a really bad, crooked bite. It's been that way forever, but only now has it started hurting. For today, he made me this bite splint - it fits on my front teeth and keeps my jaw straight when I'm wearing it. I can't talk with it in, but it has already helped - the muscles in my jaw feel less tense already!

For more long term, he will make a bite plate for me that I'll wear much of the time. Hopefully I'll be able to talk better with it than this splint! It's not a cheap procedure, but if it helps, I'm game. I think that this jaw problem may be the source of some of my headache trouble too. Maybe correcting this will help that!

1/16/08

And last but most certainly NOT least, the wonderful Mary Ann gave me a "You Make My Day" award a couple days ago!! Since she nominated me for this, I'm now supposed to pass this on to ten other bloggers who make MY day! There are so many, it is difficult to narrow down! I know some of you will have already received this from someone else too. If you have, and don't want to pass it on anymore, that's OK too. But, it really made my day to know that I make Mary Ann's! So passing it along is a good thing!!

My ten nominees for this fun award are (in no particular order):

Mary Ann - I have to pass it back. She is always so positive and upbeat. She creates up a storm, which is inspiring. And she is always so loving and generous with the blog community! She is definitely a blogger I aspire to be like! Mary Ann makes my day every time - no matter what the post is about!

Melba - Melba inspires me as well! Her blog is so open and honest. I have learned a lot from reading what Melba writes about her own journey! I don't always comment, but boy, she makes me think! She has created a wonderful place for creative bloggers with the Create a Connection blog also. I have "met" many new, wonderful bloggers through challenges and swaps there! Melba's photos always make my day too!

Tammy - The Daily Warrior - she is inspiring partially because she writes about her struggles with ALS. Tammy makes me laugh and cry with her honest posts. (Plus, she has a great name!) The music on Tammy's blog always makes my day!

Suzie - Suzie has inspired me to find my path again to do with all things pagan! I feel like Suzie and I would be great friends "in real life" too! Suzie's recipes and kitchen photos make my day!

Jamie - Suzie's sister - she inspires me with her drive to accomplish her goals. Her progress reports and accomplishments always make my day!

Shannon - Yes - she is Suzie's sister too! Shannon makes my day with her updates to her 101 in 1001 list. She has accomplished so much already, and it's so fun to see what she is working towards!!

Jana - Jana's blog amazes me because of her openness to share. I've learned a lot from Jana. She makes my day with her little comments... such as *giggle*!

Lila - She is so creative and has so much artistic talent! She makes my day when she posts new projects and art!!

Jill - aka The Happy Hooker. Jill makes me laugh! Her posts always make my day. She is quirky, crafty and very funny! I was lucky enough to have a winning bid on an altered journal of Jill's. I love it!

Jolene - aka Jill's mom! Jolene and Jill are two bloggers who I just know would be fun to hang out with! Jolene never ceases to amaze me with her talent! I also own a journal that Jolene made - I was the lucky winner of a drawing!! :) You make my day too Jolene!!

Patti, guest host over at Create a Connection, challenged us to find our favorite number displayed in our every day lives. My favorite number is 13. I saw it this morning when playing with my new World of Warcraft character, Purnima. She was level 13. I snapped a shot of my screen!

1/12/08

I've been having so much fun with Purnima today that she is already level 18! She is a Tauren Shaman (with engineering as a profession - hence the green goggles!) Purnima means "full moon" in Hindi.

1/11/08

I am enamored with reusable shopping bags. Particularly my new ones from Whole Foods! I have 2 of these now, this one purchased last night so I could carry my groceries home in it! I want to keep them in my car so I can use them instead of plastic!

1/8/08

This morning... I got a cleaning bug at work. My desk is now the tidiest it has been in a LONG time! It is a nice feeling to be organized. I hope I can make this last a bit! I'm the queen of "piles". I bought a couple of organizing desk pieces to help me out!

1/9/08