Friday, February 15, 2013
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
The Tuesday Transcriber
Fall
Keep it down in there!
My demons writhe within.
Lock down tight, say a prayer.
Let the torture begin.
The dark is hard to beat
when you're struggling to stand.
So, maybe to fall, admit defeat,
is the only way I can?
My only resolve is lost,
wandering in the mist of doubt.
But could I ever be host
to a thing I lived without?
And on and on,
and round and round,
till our days are gone
and we all fall down.
~C. Mason Sept. 2012
Saturday Stalker
My, oh my, how I love junk. I even have an email dedicated to it.
Oh, wait- that's for junk mail, which, quite frankly, I hate!
But everything else junk, I collect! If you don't believe me, ask my husband who cringes at the thought of one of our downtown rental spaces which is FILLED to the brim with garage sale finds and flea market treasures (all of which I have grand plans for.................
eventually........
when I find the free time I once had...............
remind me again what free time is?).
Today I would like to direct your attention to Donna over at Funky Junk Interiors.
She has a Pinterest Board that I follow (and copy) religiously. Her ideas are genious and inspiring. It's so fun to watch how she turns random items into useful pieces of art.
Just look at these ideas:
Big, Fat, Frustrated *sigh*...
Ok, so I fell behind again.
Sue me.
Just kidding, please don't.
We've actually had a rough go at it this week. My 9 y/o son came down with a weird rash on his legs that has turned into something, quite honestly, from a horror film. Take a look:
Day 1
Day 3
Day 5
Anyhow, how about some catch up posting? Yeah, I agree...
Friday, February 8, 2013
Free-for-all-Friday!
I love a good craft.
Especially when it's practically FREE!!
SO, let's make today Craft Day, shall we?
I'm an inherent list-maker. I have lists for my lists.
- To-do lists.
- Menu lists.
- Shopping lists.
- Food storage lists.
- Chore lists
- Party-planning lists.
- Idea lists.
- Pros and cons lists for any decisions I make.
And Colin Cowie (my organizational mentor) says that's a no-no.
SOOO, I found free printables, thrown them together with an old binder and some scrapbook paper and have created an organizational masterpiece!
Front cover
(made by yours truly)
Inside pockets filled with labels for RS dinners, notes for kids' teachers, school money pouches, etc.
The Families Are Forever chalkboard "subway" printable I found on Google and downloaded and printed for free. There's A MILLION to choose from. I use them to separate my months.
Weekly menu schedule
In the process of getting re-organized I have also started back up with couponing. This list helps me do that with ease. I had a lot of couponing to do this last week. :)
Weekly to-do schedule and my personal food log. I would die without this!!
Towards the back I have the chore chart and cleaning schedules.
Only Heaven knows how many of these we have to do! This page will fill up quickly.
(www.iheartorganizing.com)
(www.iheartorganizing.com)
THIS is one list I can't wait to fill out! Seriously, cannot wait for summer.
And since I've started my blog back up, I figure it will keep my mind in the game if I have it planned out monthly, weekly, whatevers.
Here is my list so far for Feb. Gotta start planning the next week. Not "on it" enough yet to plan monthly. But weekly, I can do that!
And the back cover
(made it myself!)
While I was at it, I made these Doodle Dinner mats in the hopes of sparking more fun, fulfilling and entertaining dinner conversation with my kiddos. Over at www.tatertotsandjello.com you can find 2 variations of this. I printed both and then laminated them together back to back, and serve them with a dry erase marker at dinner. The kids write down or draw what things were good and not-so-good during their day and we get to talk about it! Brilliant!
I'd love to see some of the things you've made!
Will you kindly share?
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Thursday Take-Out
Crockpot Italian Tortellini Soup
This was a little bowl of heaven. I cannot promise you that it's the healthiest meal that has ever been on our menu but it was worth every luscious spoonful.
Ingredients:
1 bag of frozen tortellini
1 small bag of fresh spinach
2
cans of italian style diced tomatoes
1 box or 4 cups or chicken broth
1
block of cream cheese
1 lb. of roll sausage
Brown the sausage and put
all ingredients in crockpot,
chunking up the cream cheese.
Cook on low for
5-6 hrs.
How can these ingredients not be delicious?
Try it and let me know what you think!
Recipe courtesy of Katie over at www.littlefellows.blogspot.com
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
The Tuesday Transcriber
Carousel
Through mouth-blown smoke I take my stand
on the grande stand of no man's land
to wander - the fool left unmanned
and no one there to reprimand.
But patience is an unfortunate glitch,
when a grip and flip of one small switch
and the rolling hitch of perfect pitch
sends a twitch to bewitch.
A sombre dance in a circle of light;
the night is alight in the twinkle of white
and I stand upright this night,
despite the plight my heart recites.
The stars and moon have the evening crowned,
while up and down and round and round
my soul bobs 'round then runs aground
when fate astounds and images of you abound.
The rhythm plays on but my hearts stills.
My skin chills. My eyes fill, then spill against my will.
With all the frills this ride instills, it lacks the skills
to fulfill my innermost will.
And in circles my head will spin
while again and again like a leaf in the wind
I'm back where I've been and when therein
again is my sin - I relent and take you in.
Though I should not - my resolve is drowned;
a ghost town where my wits unwound.
My mouth is bound, my words confound,
and silence resounds on a memory's burial ground.
The platform turns on, yet I must try
with all my might to stifle my cries and say goodbye
to all that's awry in my life of lies.
Alas, my eyes to the sky I cry, "Why?!"
Myself am dizzy and try to center.
Yet, a dissenter am I. A mere inventor
of the storm's center to which I venture -
a mentor for damnation's renter.
I laugh to scorn the thought of me
trying to flee - like salt from the sea,
it can never be. I foresee, nothing can free me -
an abductee of my own pretty fantasy.
So back around to face the crowd
I'm shrouded in a mushroom cloud
of doubt I've allowed to disembowel
the ones to which I'm vowed and endowed.
When all at once the music stops.
My heart drops and off I hop
while I prop myself and swap the sweat I've mopped
for sopping crops of dew drops.
Shaken and scarred I collect my pride
and collide with the woeful tide I provide.
I've denied my Guide the chance to abide
and instead confide and hide at twilight's side.
Steadying my heart I rise to go,
when slow and low the bellows flow
and call as the crow, "Don't go
The foe is slow. Come - love what you know."
And I see myself once more transcending,
descending and blending, not once contending
as the token is extended, befriending my impending end.
I wend my way and spend to ride again.
C. Mason Oct. 2012
Saturday, February 2, 2013
The Saturday Stalker
Yep, I'm guilty. Creepin' is my thing.
I'm a stalker.
Bonafide, certified.
Flitting around on the web and peepin' in on people when they don't know - it's an addiction, really. A fetish, if you will.
It excites me...
And today's not-so-secret victim is
Rachel Ellsworth and her clan over at "Come What May" .
Oh, and don't worry Rachel, it doesn't excite me like that.
I mean, not that you wouldn't!
It's just, well...I mean, that would be weird.
You know?
Ok, ima stop while I'm ahead...
*Ahem*
Look her up. She's hilarious, intelligent, witty and profound.
Plus - she has like, the coolest kids (besides mine, of course!), on the block!
Stalk on!
Friday, February 1, 2013
Free For All Friday
2nd Amendment Rights or Wrong?
There's a whole lot of discussion (some thought-provoking and some tyrannical, some passive and some aggressive) going on about our gun rights.
"We should take them away because crazy people are killing innocent people left and right."
"They can't take our guns away because my 2nd Amendment right says so."
"It's for the children and their safety."
"Guns don't kill people, people kill people."
I have my own (very strong) opinion but what say you?
Make-up Post for Thursday Take-out!! (My bad)
You guys know me.
I love food.
Especially sweet food.
But if you are also familiar with me in the least bit you'll know that I'm also a health nut (or at least try to be on most days; some days; well, good days).
So, imagine my excitement when I found something that was sweet and tasty, yet good for me. Usually, those two phrases cannot coincide together. Nay-nay.
However, this is the exception to the rule.
Be prepared to swoon... with your spoon, very soon.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Knock-Off
(as in, knock off a pound) Yogurt
(recipe inspiration via Pinterest, via www.myfridgefood.com with my own additions and subtractions)
Ingredients
1 individual container of vanilla greek yogurt (you could use plain Greek yogurt and add a tsp. of vanilla if you choose)
1 T. peanut butter (I use sugar-free or all-natural to make it even better for me. You seriously will never know once you mix it all up)
1 T. sugar-free chocolate chips (again, you'll never know)
1 T. unsweetned coconut flakes
Stir and enjoy! It's that easy and very filling. It not only satisfies my sweet tooth, but leaves me feeling guiltless for the very deed. Now go! Hurry! You have to try it so we can swoon together.
Happy Thursday!
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
"The Tuesday Transcriber"
Torture
A secret kept hidden,
for the want was forbidden -
and the torture I felt on my own soul dealt,
left me overridden,
guilt-ridden.
So, beside myself in the heat I knelt.
A cry in the night
of an unseen plight
is overheard, but our screams all sound the same.
My heart offered, contrite,
but it only ignites
and there no more is left to claim.
A fact made known
and thus written in stone
is that you will never a tear set free
for one so prone to stand alone
in the way of stones thrown.
No, not nearly for the likes of me.
C. Mason
Jan. 2013
Blog Make-over Announcement!
Hi all,
As most of you know, I have been one busy lady!! With our recent adoption and the opening of my children's store, "The Glittering Door", I have barely had time to change diapers (I won't even get in to the debaucle that is my laundry room!), let alone keep up with my blog.
And I have missed it so!
So, I have resolved to do better this year at keeping it up by revamping it a little. Each day of the week will be assigned a title with a corresponding post. It will look as follows: "Modest Mondays" - where I will post pics and articles about dressing modestly, yet trendy.
"The Tuesday Transcriber" - This is where you will get a glimpse into some of the innermost clock-workings of my mind, which will be both provacative and private. Some may shock, some may make you wonder, but all the same, I hope they make you think.
"Wordless Wednesdays" - No words allowed! I will post pictures only. Funny pictures, inspirational pictures, thought-provoking pictures, sad pictures.
"Thursday's Take-Out" - I love food. I mean I am in love with food. If it were allowed, I'd marry it. However, our relationship is love-hate; it's volatile and one-sided. I will delve into all things edible here (both lovable and loathable).
"Free-for-All Fridays" - I still need a day to just rant or express what's been on my mind for the week. This will be the designated day for all of that jibber-jabber!
"Saturday Stalker" - I love looking at other people's blogs. So, on this day I will direct you to one of my faves so you, too, can be inspired or enlightened by some of my cyberspace friends.
"Saintly Sabbath" - Inspirational pictures and articles from my beliefs, both religious and personal, will be posted on this day.
And who knows how long this will all last or -being realistic here- if it will even take (Lord knows I try to keep a well- organized life, but that's a lot like trying to rake leaves in the middle of Fall on a blustery day). Take courage, woman! I got this...
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Bonnie Ireland: Castle-hopping, fairy folklore and a whole lot of Blarney.
I just lived a dream. It's times like these that you have to pinch yourself to make sure you're really awake. And I was, I really was! My dear husband surprised me with a trip to Ireland, fulfilling a fantasy I've had since I was knee-high to a leprechaun. If you've ever wanted to go and wondered a few things like when to go, what to see and where to say, look no further!
July and August is Summer for Ireland and it stays between 65*-72* and doesn't rain as much. We got lucky and missed the rain for 7 out of the 9 days we were visiting. The days it did rain, it was only a light drizzle that didn't even necessitate an umbrella. Because these months are so much warmer and dryer than the rest of the year, it makes it a prime tourist time.
We arrived in Dublin on July 25th at 7 am in the morning after a 2 hour flight from Dallas to Georgia, a layover for another 2 hours, then a 9 hour flight from Georgia to Ireland. We flew through the night but got no rest as there was a screaming child on the plane that MAY have been quiet for 30 minutes of the entire flight.
It was dreadful.
So, we plugged in out trusty earphones and 3 movies later, I opened my shade and saw the shores of Ireland approaching.
Now, that was breath-taking. A misty fog hung over the shores and the sun glistened on the tiny little fishing boats on the sea reeling in the day's lunch special. From way up in my uncomfortable plane chair, I could see mountains dotted with grey boulders and white sheep.
Once my feet hit Dublin soil, I realized I was living my dream and I couldn't see enough. Despite the jetlag that kept knocking at our temples, I pulled my husband this way and that taking pictures at every turn, side-stepping into dainty little shops and eateries and packing the day full of delicious pastries and whimsical activities.
For lunch we found Temple Bar, a hip little block of town for people of all ages (during the day; at night it's geared more towards the younger crowds) and I had the most delicious cup of hot cocoa I have ever had in my life at a little cafe called The Brick Alley cafe.
Tucked away down a short winding path was Clontarf Castle, our first night's stay and our first of 3 castle experiences.
It was an older castle that had been modernized some. There was an original wall inside the hotel lobby with a window and balcony, but other than that, it was very modern. The 2 styles collided beautifully, though. Behind the reception desk was a lighted wall lined with all the authentic past skeleton keys found and/or returned and donated. The castle was bought, restored and first made into a hotel back in the early 1960s. $10,000,000 recently went into the renovations and restorations it upholds today.
We got into our little room and settled ourselves in for a quick nap. Although, it wasn't quick not by any means. We laid our pretty little heads down at 4:30 in the afternoon and slept our way through the night all the way till 9 am the next morning! Needless to say, jetlag was no problem for the rest of the trip.
So, off to Co. Cork we went. We shopped down the tourist strip and found a gem tucked away in a little cove off the main street. Nestled in amongst trees and a waterfall that was wedged seamlessly between 2 tall buildings was The Greenes restaurant. The food was exquisite and priced reasonably. The creme brulee was to die for! In fact, I am craving it even as I write. *sigh*
From Cork we travelled to Co. Kerry and drove the Ring of Kerry, a scenic drive following the coast of the Atlantic for miles, taking you through Kenmare (one of my favorite little villages!), Sneem, Cahersiveen, and the Dingle Penninsula. Beautiful drive and worth the scenery alone.
We spent some time searching for a place called the English Market as I had been told it was a "not-to-miss" experience. I had a list of things I should try that I could only get there, like homemade cheeses, breads and freshly harvested olives. After stumbling upon it quite by accident, we found ourselves in the entrance to the fish and seafood part of the market. Once you got past the initial gag reflex of the stench that hits you like a tons of bricks to the face it was quite enjoyable to watch Irish women and men order fresh tuna from the ships that went out that morning, to picking out bread, cheese and olives to compliment dinner.
Also in Cork was the famed Blarney Castle and you know kissing the Blarney Stone has been on my bucket list for quite some time! Legend has it, that whomever shall kiss the stone shall be blessed with the gift of eloquence. So, off we went, sanitizer in hand, to kiss that stone and gain my little portion of eloquence that was due to me! In reality, the word "blarney" is an endearing description for a fine flow of eloquence with just a touch of good-humored exaggeration (now, I KNOW I'm Irish).
Our next destination was the Cliffs of Moher in Co. Clare. This is Ireland's most visited natural attraction filled with wildlife at every viewpoint. Dolphins, mountain goats, puffins, and the rare Choughs or "celtic crow" make frequent appearances in the waters hundreds of feet below.
Up until this point, I had not done much shopping. I was happy to take pictures on our scenic drives and window shop at our scenic stops. Please don't let this fool you. I am a shopaholic and shopping was definitely on my to-do list, but I was saving my money for a specific list of things I had to have and Co. Galway was the place! Here, I scored some collectible Galway crystal chalices, a piece of Belleek pottery and an authentic handmade Aran sweater. I also found some great things not on my list, like the Claddagh ring.
It has long been used as a wedding ring in Irish tradition as it symbolizes love, loyalty and friendship.
Galway was one of my favorite larger cities. We did however, manage to step away from the hustle and bustle of the main city and head off to a couple remote attractions. Kylemore Abbey in Connemara was beyond exquisite. A beautiful Abbey set beside a glass top lake with a mountain backdrop, the view driving up made us understand instantly why this is the number one attraction in western Ireland. The Benedictine Community of Nuns have made Kylemore Abbey their Irish residence since they bought it as a refuge after their own abbey in Ypres, Belgium was destroyed in WWI.
Then came Sunday, July 29th, the last Sunday in July - it's time for the main reason we came to Ireland: To experience the Irish Pilgrim climb, Croagh Patrick. I have some Irish heritage and who knows if my ancestors (who were mostly Quakers really), even participated in this very Catholic tradition, but I had to do it myself. It entails climbing a 2778 foot perilous rocky terrained mountained barefoot. This was to help the patron rid themselves of sins, sacrifice for the cause of a loved one, or just to show devotion to God. I read about this journey on several websites and told my husband we HAD to do this, with shoes, however. With Vibrams donned -
- we scaled the mountain and reached the top just 2 hours later. Waiting for us and the thousands of other people who had completed the climb, were completing the climb or had yet to complete the climb that day, was a small church where Mass was held and St. Patrick's bed (where he slept on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights).
Exhausted and yet, completely stoked at our achievment, we realized quickly that we had to make our way back down.
Our second castle experience was a haunted one. Markree Castle in Co. Sligo is said to house a little ghost servant girl who died in the premises many years ago. She can be mischievious on occasion and has been known to move items from one room to another and even, on one occasion, knock over a glass of orange juice 4 times before the owner, Mary Cooper, decided she may not need the glass of oj that badly. Room 26 seems to get quite a bit of activity (we were in room 24 just next door) and it is said that upon asked to clean that room a young maid said she could not because there was a young girl in a grey uniform napping on the bed. Looking at the register, the room was rented out so the maid and her supervisor went to investigate and, of course, found no trace of the little napping girl. Room 7 gets most of the activity, though and years ago some American guests who requested that room specifically, got more than they bargained for when the lady of the room felt her hair being stroked in the middle of the night. She and her husband promptly fled the castle.
By far, my favorite big city was Belfast, where the streets were alive with street performers and one-man shows.
There we found the Giant's Causeway, a natural wonder in its own right. With over 40,000 interlocking basalt columns fashioned from the intense volcanic and geological activity that occured there in years past, (not to mention the fact that it's over 60 million years old), it's no wonder it provides a glimpse into the the Earth's most ancient past.
Our overnight in Belfast found us in the Malmaison, an ultra modern upscale hotel with a killer 4 star restaurant inside. It was magnificently comfortable and surprisingly affordable.
Our trip was coming to an end all too quickly. We drove to county Westmeath to do some family history and find some gravestones (none of which were any relation to me, sadly, but extremely cool, nonetheless). That evening we winded our way down the typical lazy Irish roads to our final castle stay. It was the most extravagant of all. I don't mean the price was extravagant. It was actually our cheapest castle stay. Rather, the still family owned and run (by 3 brothers) estate is authentically real. At first glance, the castle seems to have remained untouched by most modern extravagances. However, upon further inspection, you can see they have made updates but have cleverly hidden these modern conveniences in the stone walls and such. Things like electricity and plumbing were brilliantly installed to bind the modern to the vintage. But the castle, as a whole, was original. Updating had been done and renovations had obviously taken place, but it looked straight out of the Viking Era.
I walked in, suitcase dragging behind me, and saw this shaggy stuffed lion. I really thought nothing of it, lion symbols have been all over Ireland on banners and shields and crests. Except, in this case, I noticed that this "stuffed lion" was breathing. Now, those who know me, know that I am an animal lover. Big or small, it doesn't matter, I cuddle them all. BUT, upon seeing this "lion" breathing I was a little shaken and took a step backward (in all reality I tried runnig away to save my life and was hindered by my luggage, and ended up falling but caught myself on the table behind me).
"It's a baby lion!" I shrieked to my husand who had just mosied in behind me.
As soon as I said it, my brain kicked in (2 seconds too late) and I realized 2 things: 1- This establishment would not allow a lion on the premises even if it was toothless and had been declawed. And 2 - Unless, they had him imported from Africa, there were no lions in Ireland! Once my heart stopped pounding and I had a few seconds to nurse my bruised ego, I realized it was an old lazy Irish Wolfhound, (although, a rather mutantly massive Irish Wolfhound, if I do say so myself. Just throwing that out there). So, we all got a good laugh and I was able to go back to my natural animal cuddling self. Oscar was not nearly as impressed with me as I was with him.
Our final day found us lazily driving down winding roads and turning around dozens of times so I could take yet another picture of yet another house or sheep or waterfall or ruins. That's the thing, castle and abbey ruins were around every turn in every city of every county.
Our last night in Ireland led us back to Dublin where we explored the south end this time. We saw St. Stephen's Green;
and St. Patrick's Cathedral.
We ate lunch at the historic Bank restaurant and later, went to a night of dinner, Irish music and folklore in the Brazenhead Bar. Philip Byrne, our storyteller, captivated us with his knowledge of Irish history, folklore and the superstitions that still play a role in Irish living today.
For instance, fairy forts (or seemingly unexplained circular earthen mounds) are not to be messed with in Ireland as severe bad luck will soon follow. In 2007 Minister for the Environment Dick Roche signed an order destroying the Lismullin Henge, a 4,000 year old astronomical observatory and place of worship and hailed as one of the most important archaeological finds of the century in order to make way for a new M3 motorway. Despite the warnings he was given, Roche said he "was not concerned" and continued with the construction of the motorway.
Roche was since held up by an armed gang in the Druids Glen Hotel and also lost his job and was then demoted.
Martin Cullen, the then Minister for Transport, nearly got sucked out of a helicopter when the door fell off on one of his extravagantly expensive trips.
The chief Health and Safety Officer was seriously injured by a falling tree when construction began at in 2007.
A worker was killed when he became trapped at Fairyhouse where there have been many accidents on this stretch of road.
A human tooth was discovered in a digger which was used to destroy the famous ancient feasting grounds and gathering place of ancient Harpers at Baronstown. Shortly afterwards the stairs in the National Museum collapsed. Most of the Irish, whether true believers in the folklore of fairies or not, say Ireland will continue to be cursed if the government does not stop meddling with sacred ground.
(cite courtesy: Irish Central, 2010)
All in all, I can't say enough about Ireland and it's rich culture and history. I want to go back and explore the more inland parts of the country that we missed while traveling the coast on those narrow little roads that were barely big enough for our little compact car (which, by the way, was barely big enough for my 6'3" husband to fit into, let alone our luggage. We barely had enough space for the severe tourist rubber-necking we were doing the entire time).
Long live my Bonnie Ireland!!
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