Book Review: The Language of Flowers

The Language of Flowers.... what a wonderful tale is spun in this book. It's really a challenging book to sum up without giving away some of what happens, but I will try.

Victoria has lived her life in and out of foster care. She has made some choices that of course do not promote her adoption. At the age of 18, Victoria is emancipated and thrust into life on her own. She is homeless, cashless, and essentially has little skills in relationships or work. She must learn how to make it on her own as she has burned many bridges in her past.
 
She stumbles upon a floral shop and seeks to find a position there; however, the owner is not hiring, especially someone with no experience. Saying Victoria has not experience with flowers is not true. She has experience and can easily match a flower to what someone is going through and help them through it. It's a gift. She's good at it and touches many people's lives. She ends up in a mess of her own and struggling with how to manage learning to live with and get along with others as well as how to give and receive unconditional love. It's a really beautiful and amazing tale.

According to the book jacket, Vanessa Diffenbaugh called upon her experience as a foster mother to write this novel. It certainly showed through.

Victoria is a character you will not soon forget. She embodies and shows the struggle we all go through in developing and maintaining relationships. It's not easy. It's uncomfortable and definitely a lot of work. The emotions and feeling she displays upon some of the choices she makes make her so real. She was a character I could totally identify with. The anger, making of poor choices just because you can then realizing it was the wrong thing and trying to mend it.

This book is a book about unconditional love, helping others when you can't seem to help yourself, and ultimately forgiveness. An AMAZING novel. Now, let me go see what flowers I can get that bring peace and calm to a house! :)

I'm Batik!... I mean, back!

Back in April, I took a class on how to make a Batik scarf. Oh, you didn't know this? That's because I forgot to tell you. I haven't been in a blogging mood lately. Nor have I had motivation or a creative bone in my body. I don't know what happened, but the end of the school year through now has just had me in a funk. I feel I might be getting my groove back, but we'll see.

One of the great things about where I live is the Parks and Recreation Department. It's truly amazing what all they offer. We have 6 parks in the area with playgrounds, wading pools, and sand boxes. They offer classes for all ages ranging from sports, to cards to dance to crafts. As I said, in April, I took a class on how to make a Batik scarf. The course fee was $15 and the registration fee was $2. So for $17 I was going to make a scarf. It's about what you would pay for a scarf at the store (unless you hit up Burlington which has amazing prices on great scarves). But the best thing, I design it and create it myself.

This was the first craft class I had taken. Walking into it I had some anxiety. What if I was the oldest person in there? What if I was totally crappy at this? What if my scarf didn't turn out and I ended up making a mess out of something so beautiful and wasting my $17? Calmed by dear friends and the hubby, I set out to the class. I was 2 minutes late... oops.

I was not the oldest... I was the youngest.

I was not crappy at it... I had more compliments that any and an offer to buy my scarf.

My scarf did turn out. I did not waste $17.

Most importantly, I had FUN!

I sat in the class with a bunch of retired women (a few school teachers) and we talked about whatever. We helped each other. It was so great. I realized how much I love talking with women who are wiser than me. I realized how much I love to make things in fabric. I realized I loved being me.

I used a favorite Zentange design. :) The dark green is supposed to be white, but I had to dye my scarf a few times to make it not as flourescent as it initially was. So that lead to dye leakage.

Love it!

It was a great time. It was cheap fun. I immediately asked when the next class would be so I could sign up to make another scarf. It was great!

Those 10 pounds....

I haven' really talked with anyone much about this, other than hubs and a few friends, but I'm trying to lose 10 pounds. Really, I would like to lose 15-20, but I'm starting with 10. My journey thus far has only been slightly successful.

Initially, when I decided I couldn't take it anymore, I took up running every morning before hubs left for work and while lil man was sleeping. I was surprised how things had changed in the year I was off from running due to constant strep and 2 tonsillectomies mixed with several sinus infections. I'm a healthy one, let me tell you.  I used to run a mile in 10 minutes. Nothing fantastic or anything but I didn't mind that speed. It was just fast enough for me and let me get in a minimum 30 minutes of cardio when I did the 5K course I designed in my neighborhood. Well, after the year off, I was at a much slower pace (12.5 min mile) and couldn't make it more than 2 miles. REALLY? While this was good exercise, and regardless, I was burning more calories doing that than sitting on my bum at the computer or the couch, I just realized how out of shape I had become.

Oh the horror of being someone my age and realizing, yes, Cheri, You are getting old. This means that in order for me to lose the 10 pounds I've wanted to lose for a year I need to work harder. Enter the major sinus infection from allergies that I developed this year. I ended up running for a week strong then having to take a week off due to not being able to breathe. Fun. Add in 2 birthday parties, the Fourth of July and some other get togethers... I'm a goner.

As I usually do, I choose to see the brighter side. Why give up? Why not make the change now? So what if I ate a bad breakfast, now I just have to make the calories up elsewhere- a walk, better choices throughout the day, etc.

On Sunday, I decided I'd try going back to running again. My speed was a little better (I did some intervals). The problem- my knee twisted funny and I got major shin splints. I took Monday off. This morning I figured I'd speed walk for 2 miles and try to do a few block long sprints here and there. I did, but I hurt my knee more and my right shin is killing me. So, I'm not giving up on running, but I'm definitely not going to practice it this week. Instead, I'll bike to the farmers market and to the stores and take walks as much as I can with little man. It's simple things like that that do make a difference. I mean, there's no reason I can't WALK somewhere or for a little bit to help with this.

Eating... well, that's a different story. You all know how I love to make homemade fresh food for my family. I'm working on it and just making better snack choices as well as eliminating calorie laden beverages (a can of Sprite or Sierra Mist which was a once a day treat or some iced tea- this one is HARD). I don't really drink alcohol unless it's a girl's night where I'll have a glass of wine or a fru-fru drink so that's not a problem.

I'll let you know how the progress goes. It's just a challenge to get that last 10 pounds.....

Recipe Review: Brown Sugar and Bourbon Flank Steak and Cheesy Zucchini Rice

Remember this post about my meal plan for the week? I had 2 new recipes on there for our Monday meal: Brown Sugar and Bourbon Flank Steak and Cheesy Zucchini Rice.  I'm going to do a crazy thing and review both on this one post! Usually, it's a 2 post situation, but today I'm generous and don't want you to wait.

Brown Sugar and Bourbon Flank Steak:
I've never cooked flank steak... well, I can't say that any longer because I did this past Tuesday (yep, the rain on Monday made me delay the grilling until Tuesday).

When I was shopping for the flank steak, I must admit that I wasn't impressed with how it looked. I was kind of surprised by how much it cost too. It was outrageously expensive, but more than I anticipated for what it looked like. Meat prices are just ridiculous.... Flank steak is simply a flat and long piece of meat. Not much marbling too it (aka, fat, juicy goodness). It looked just like the pink styrofoam it sat on... okay maybe a little bit different. It's thin too- which scared me because my husband likes to eat meat, well, food in general. I didn't know if it would be enough for all 3 of us at 1.5 pounds, but you figure that's a half pound for everyone and I know myself and lil man won't eat that much meat.

So the flank steak was chosen and purchased. On the day of cooking/preparing, I took a whole 5 minutes to mix together the marinade/sauce, pour it into the plastic bag and add the steak. I put it in the fridge for 30-40 minutes then pulled it out to bring to room temperature as the recipe stated. While it was working it's way to room temp, I started grating a zucchini (which was totally fun! I'm weird, I know).

Flank steak at room temp meant I got to start up the grill (and clean it). It was only 91 degrees. No problem cooking out on the grill.... I oiled the grates with olive oil (using a paper towel) and set the flank steak on it. No problems. Super easy. Recipe said cook 5 minutes. I can handle that- granted I moved away from the grill during that time. I went back into the house where the rice was cooked and I was adding the zucchini and butter. Mixed those to incorporate and all was good. Back out to flip the steak and start again.

The steak was done and I brought it in to rest for 5 minutes. It was perfect! So easy to cook and beautiful. I had some good grill marks on that puppy I tell ya! I will cook flank steak again.

Image from Tracey's Culinary Adventure Blog

While the flank steak was cooking, I warmed the marinade to make it "syrupy" as Tracey called it. It didn't smell the greatest and lil man asked if I was making stinky food. I added the cheese to the rice and sliced up the steak. Serving was ready to commence.

Now to the good stuff: This flank steak was amazing! Delicious, easy, flavorful and delectable. I think I "MMMM"'d after every bite I ate. Yes, I'm pretty sure I did. I gave some to lil man who decided he liked it too. Hubs said it was pretty good and very tasty. He loved the sauce.

The rice: It was good, needed more salt and pepper. I loved that it was just like those Knorr packs you buy but it was totally homemade and you know what's going into it (something I love)! No sneaky ingredients or things you can't name. I think next time I make it (yes, there will be a next time), I'm going to add sauted onion and garlic as well as some parsley and other flavors. I will also grate my own cheese (It's a kick I'm on right now and I love it. Melts better and is just so stretchy and cheesy- delicious!). I can also imagine grating up many other veggies to add- cauliflower (yum), broccoli, other squash, what about some pumpkin????... the possibilities are endless. Simple and delicious.

Image from Tracey's Culinary Adventure Blog.

I recommend making both of these, but if you only want to try one, go with the flank steak. Both together were fantastic and I can't wait to eat the left overs for lunch. Not terrible with calories either just watch your portion sizes on the rice with that cheese!

For the recipes click here for Steak and here for rice.

Kitchen fear 1

Remember me telling you about things I was afraid to make? One of those was pizza crust. Yes, simple, basic, pizza crust. Why was I afraid of it? I can't tell you. Maybe it's because of the fear of time it would take, I would miss a step (happens frequently in my cooking endeavors- have you read my Tasty Tuesday posts?), I would burn it, whatever.

Enter (my heroine), Ree Drummond (aka The Pioneer Woman). You know I love her and her recipes. I was looking to make calzones and didn't want to use biscuits (as I usually do), so I used one of her recipes for pizza crust. It was so stinking easy and basic and wonderful. I loved the crust. It was tasty, simple, and not time consuming! yes, I made it the night before (which is typical for bready things).

So easy. I'm actually looking forward to using it for something else I'm afraid of doing- grilling! Yep, I'm going to grill and I'm going to grill pizza. You watch and wait. I'll report back. I'm sure I'll love it and everything will be fabulous... and if it isn't, it was a learning experience- take out here we come!

Here is the link for the pizza crust recipe I used (I think- there are 2 cookbooks with 2 different recipes- can't remember which book I used and which crust! UGH! I really should write these as I go!). Enjoy!

Yummy Eats for the Week.

The story goes that since I'm on summer break, I've fallen out of many habits. I'm getting lazy. It's true. It's terrible. Don't get me wrong, I'm doing a lot and have really only spent 5 days of the past 20 at home all day. I'm making little progress on my goals for the year and I really am not into reading much either. I don't know what's up. I just want to play with my lil man.

So, I'm going to start writing out my meal plans for y'all again. It keeps me accountable and maybe it will give you some ideas. I'm shopping on Monday mornings now as the stores are not busy and doesn't take from time with hubby and lil man. Granted, shopping with lil man is a little challenging at times. The links will lead you straight to the recipe for the items. Be sure to stop back as I'll review the recipes after I make them.

Monday: Brown Sugar and Bourbon Flank Steak with Cheesy Zucchini rice. Both from Tracey's Culinary Adventure... a favorite food blog.
Tuesday: Meatball subs and french fries
Wednesday: Breakfast (french toast with bacon or a quiche)
Thursday: Taco salads served in biscuit bowls (I forgot the shells at the store as lil man was trying to escape from the cart).
Friday: Honey grilled chicken with grilled potatoes and veggies served with cake for lil man's birthday!
Saturday: Leftovers
Sunday: Grilled cheese or burgers or quesadillas.

Hopefully, this week the local farmer's market will have some good stuff so I can get some new things to try. This morning, I gave my son a piece of toast with a flavored honey from the market and he loved it! Let's see what else I can get him to like.

Wardrobe Re-do

I know it's been a while, but remember how I was redoing my closet and wardrobe using ideas from Haley's The No Brainer Wardrobe?  I have to tell you something. I love that I can see what I have in my closet and not have to dig in the back. Everything I currently own is stuff I will use again and again. Nothing in there (that I can think of right now) is something that will just sit there. It's so nice and easy.

I know where everything is (even the stuff in my dresser drawers). I can't tell you how freeing this process has been. I find it easy to get ready and look put together when I need to. I can't thank Hayley enough for all she's done. Coming soon.... some favorite outfits! I love that part!

Fore more on how to feel better about your ensemble without the stress of not knowing what to wear, click The No Brainer Wardrobe on your right side. Great ebook and so easy. I love that Hayley gives you action steps to take that are simple and that the advice has worked!