Substance of Living

Spring is here and the farmers' markets are beginning to carry fresh fruits and vegetables.  Hurray for us!  That is, along as all that freshness doesn't end up uneaten. I used to buy, for example, a couple onions and by the time the first onion was completely used, the second or third had gone bad.  Now, I purchase a bag of onions and upon arriving home, all the onions are chopped, diced, sliced, or any combination and frozen.  That way the onions are available and ready for use.  In our house, onions are usually cooked and not very often used raw.  If raw onions are going to be used, say in a salad, then a quick trip to the salad bar in the grocery store is in order.  Perhaps a little extra in cost but no waste. Source: PartSelect When I was asked by PartSelect to share their infograph with you, I didn't really know who they were or their story.  Full disclosure here: I neither was paid nor received any freebies for this post but agreed to share because the informa

Are your eyes ever bigger than your stomach when it comes to food?  Mine are all the time and now my brain thought I was up for a challenge - beyond something I've ever done!  I've pledged (unofficially) to not purchase home decor or ready-made clothing this year.  When I talk about home decor, if it is something that can be sewn then it will not be purchased but made.  Purchasing fabric is permissible. This isn't a new idea and you've probably seen recycling , upcycling, refashioning , and other descriptions of such around the internet and in the book stores for some time now.  Since DH and I moved, we've been downsizing and a lot of the items were donated but now we're to the point that we are into the soft items.  Items that are still in really good shape but no longer wearable for whatever reason.  We don't want to pass along a top if there is a hole in the knit or a stain - so I'm reusing the material to make other things. A challenge, that I

I'm so happy to say that I am a BzzAgent and was able to sample Clairol's Age Defy Expert Collection in Light Brown. AARGH the gray hair! After coloring my hair I received responses and questions that prompted conversations such as: "Did you get your hair cut?"  "You look younger," and "What are you doing differently?"  When I explained that I colored my hair at home they were shocked that it wasn't professionally done.  In fact, my hair dresser complimented my hair color - that's saying A LOT! I feel younger with the gray hair hidden and I really like the softness and manageability. Gray in the new hair growth If you've never colored your hair or did so many years ago, this is a super easy product to use.  The smell is pleasant and the directions are easy to understand.  There are four individual packets inside each box marked 1, 2a, 2b, and 3.  Packet 1 is a pre-treatment to prepare your hair to fully accept the col

Follow the brick path to your dreams. A void negative sources, people, places, things and habits. B elieve in yourself. C onsider things from every angle. D on't give up and don't give in. E njoy life today; yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come. F amily and friends are hidden treasures.  Seek them and enjoy their riches. G ive more than you planned to give. H ang on to your dreams. I gnore those who try to discourage you. J ust do it! K eep on trying.  No matter how hard it seems, it will get easier. L ove yourself first and most. M ake it happen. N ever lie, cheat or steal.  Always strike a fair deal. O pen your eyes, and see things as they really are. P ractice makes perfect. Q uitters never win, and winners never quit. R ead, study and learn about everything important in your life. S top procrastinating. T ake control of your own destiny. U nderstand yourself in order to better understand others. V isualize it. W ant it more than anything.

Ever hear of the phrase, "Until death do us part"?  Poor Amanda can't even divorce her husband after his untimely demise. THE EX WHO WOULDN'T DIE - written by Sally Berneathy A military cop, a lonely stretch of railroad in a small Mississippi town, and a cover-up...  THE AFFAIR - written by Lee Child Sloane Templeton reluctantly joins the Granny Oakleys Book Club in order to find out if her mother's death was truly a heart attack.  Who knew cooking could be so deadly? COOKING THE BOOKS - written by Bonnie S. Calhoun If you've enjoyed reading Jane Austen and watching Downton Abbey or The Grand, then you're going to enjoy the dance of romance between Chad and Gillian. THE FIVE KISSES - written by Karla Darcy Last month we really didn't read anything romantic, in fact, we read about (wait for it...) murder.  So, in case you didn't get enough romance last month, here you go! TEN SHADES OF SEXY - written by Kelly Leig