A Week Of Joy - Day 304

Yesterday hall of fame basketball coach, John Wooden passed away at the ripe old age of 99. He was a winner, a motivator of young men, but most importantly he was a good person. One thing I heard in an interview from a year ago stuck with me. It was a favorite saying from his beloved wife Nel - "Oh Lord, make me beautiful within." It is how John Wooden lived his 99 years and how I plan to live mine.

This week has been one filled with joy, giving and receiving. My down time at Costco today gave me time to reflect on just how amazing the time has been. I passed out cookies, blueberries and advice. I shared ideas, researched and planned. In return I received some unbelievable gifts - a jar of homemade blackberry jam, a home cooked meal served at a dining table with my adopted family, a whole blackberry crumb pie made with fresh picked blackberries, the world's largest zucchini and a loaf of yummy blueberry zucchini bread. Kat, Shawn, Sheri, David, Sarah, Noah and Retta...THANKS! I enjoyed every bite and every minute.

The exclamation point was spent at Polonia Polish Restaurant this evening with Mike. We feasted on Perla Beer and Pork Cutlets for Mike, Raspberry Polish Wine and a Polish Sampler Plate for me. Our server, Marysia took very good care of us. We savored every delicious bite and took home Kolaczki Polish cookies for later. It was joyful soul satisfying evening...kind of like my entire week.

Many hugs,

Kathy

Happy National Donut Day! - Day 303

This morning I went through the Dunkin Donuts drive thru to pick up a cup of coffee to jump start my day and ended up with a free donut. Little did I know that June 4 was a day to celebrate the rounding of America...National Donut Day. I was more than happy to participate.

Donuts are like hot dogs to me. I really like them, but rarely indulge. The guilt about their unhealthiness makes me stay away. Plus I am too busy eating cookies, pie or cake...much healthier choices. Yeah, right! However, a FREE donut is difficult to pass up. My sugar raised donut choice paired quite well with the cup of piping hot coffee. A good day was ahead.

I love obscure holidays...especially when free stuff is involved.

Many hugs,

Kathy

Blackberry Heaven - Day 302

A day can't begin or end any better than today. I started my day with a toasted sandwich thin spread with a thin coating of Irish butter and a generous spread of homemade blackberry jam. This was no ordinary jam. It was the jam made by Kat's fiance Shawn from blackberries hand picked in their back yard. I couldn't help but be in a good mood as I headed to work.

The good mood continued when I walked in my office. Kat had left me a note on my desk telling me she thought Shawn and I were having a "baking affair"...come to her office to find out why. Hmmmmm, I wonder what yummy goody I was in store for?

My jaw dropped when Kat pulled the gift from Shawn out of her cooler. Shawn had made a beautiful blackberry crumb pie. A whole pie just for me. Because he knew I loved blackberries. Because I shared my cookie experiments with him. You know, I think Kat is right. I am having a "baking affair" with Shawn and it feels really good. It feels like blackberry heaven.

Many hugs,

Kathy

The Best Lunch Break Ever - Day 301

Today my work travels took me to Tampa to deliver a rush job for an event this evening. No time for lunch on the trip over. The trip back was another story. A billboard advertising BLUEBERRIES at Shady Oak Farm had been calling to me for over a month. Today I answered. After a brief visit to Mickey D's, I picked up the phone and called to find out when picking season ends and ask for directions. Picking will continue for another couple of weeks and the exit was only two away. What a great way to spend a lunch break!

I LOVE picking fruit!

Shady Oak Farm is located just 3.5 miles off exit 31 (Kathleen Exit) on I-4. Blueberries are available for you to pick for $3.00 per pound or $4.25 per pound freshly picked for you. Did I mention I LOVE picking fruit? You know which option I chose!

I took off my jacket, picked up my bucket and headed to the bushes. The owner directed me to the bushes with the most berries. Nirvana. Peeking out from the lower branches were clusters of beautiful blue goodness. I picked for about a half an hour. Sweat poured down my face. I did not care. I was in my happy place with an added bonus of goodies to share. I would strongly recommend a visit to Shady Oak Farm this weekend before the season ends. Pick your own berries and share with your friends...or make new ones.

Shady Oak Farm (813)512-1547.

Tonight was Dinner at David and Sheri's Part 2. Dinner last week was so wonderful, I was really looking forward to the sequel. And once again David did not disappoint. He served Roasted Chicken, Zellwood Corn, Couscous with Zucchini and fresh from the garden Brussels Sprouts. I could really get used to this Wednesday ritual. Somehow I think his blog is going to take weeks to perfect.

Many hugs,

Kathy

It's All About The Cookies - Day 300

Cookies have taken over my brain. Every spare moment is consumed by thoughts of the next step in the process. Today on my lunch hour I stopped by A Chateau Kitchen, a commercial kitchen for rent in Winter Park. As soon as I walked through the door I was struck by the intoxicating smell of fresh baked goodies. This is home. This is where I belong. This is what I am meant to do. Unfortunately the woman that owns the facility was not available. Her father just passed away. But a woman working for Cake-A-Licious, the vendor responsible for the amazing smell, handed me a business card and said there were a couple of spots available. This was music to my ears. I think my heart actually sang a few notes.

Earlier in the day my friends David and Morgan generously offered...no, begged to help me with my logo. I just cannot get over how many people want to help. Step by step, everything is falling into place. It is like ...this is what is meant to be. True serendipity. I was looking for a way to meet my financial responsibilities. What I found was...I was already the wealthiest woman around.

Many hugs,

Kathy

Meeting of the Minds - Day 299

Today was a gift...a day off from work. No Fidelity. No Costco. Only me and Mike and our very neglected home. We divided and conquered the task of making it presentable. Unfortunately on my early morning grocery run, I pulled a calf muscle and spent most of the day hobbling around like an old lady. Well I am an old lady, but I walked like a really old one.

Tonight we had Dennis, Kenda and Mark over for dinner to celebrate Memorial Day and the creation of HeartSong Cookies. Dinner consisted of homemade pineapple salsa, blue corn chips, red sangria, burgers, grilled salmon, pasta salad, corn on the cob and of course...HeartSong Cookies. The dinner was not my best effort, but the company was great. They all humored me as I talked about the multitude of tasks before me. After dinner we all headed upstairs to our little used loft filled with my grandmother's things. This space makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. It is even better filled with many of my favorite people. We critiqued cookie websites, talked about logo ideas, made plans for commercial kitchen tours and vowed to enjoy the process of creating the business.

It was the perfect ending to my gift of a day.

Many hugs and Happy Memorial Day!

Kathy

The Sun Is A Little Brighter - Day 298

Happiness has an amazing effect on my view of the world. The sun is a little brighter. The sky a little bluer. Everything tastes better...feels better. Ideas flow like the...ugh, oil from the BP oil rig in the Gulf. Nothing seems to stop the flow.

There is so much to do to get our cookie business started. It could be overwhelming, but somehow I feel calm...another offshoot of happiness.

I am amazed by the outpouring of support from my friends on facebook over the last couple of days. They seem to think I will pull this off. I think I will!

Right now I need to research website designs and bulk ingredient pricing. My postings may get increasingly brief, but I promise to document the process. The process of realizing a dream.

Many hugs,

Kathy

A Beautiful Wedding - Day 297

Mike and I traveled to Jacksonville this weekend to spend a couple of nights with Ryan and attend the wedding of Dennis and Alice. Tonight we got dressed up and headed out the door to the Epping Forest Yacht Club for a beautiful evening. The venue was on the St. Johns River in a elegant Spanish style setting. The storm clouds stayed away for the ceremony. Dennis looked nervous. Alice looked gorgeous. The vows were mercifully brief and we all moved on to the open bar and passed hors d'oeuvres. Then inside to dinner. The color scheme of gray and pink lent a soft elegance to the room. The food was delicious. The people watching an eye full. And all in all it was a really nice way to cap off my day away from Costco.

Many hugs,

Kathy

Dream Come True - Day 296

For over a year I have been talking and dreaming and talking some more about starting my cookie business. Today Mike told me my dream is coming true...thanks to the generosity of someone that believes in me. Someone that believes I will be successful.

I wish I could find the words to describe just how I feel right now. Speechless.

Pinch me. Can this be real? Most definitely! So this is where the hope went. It was waiting just around the corner. It was waiting for the perfect time. The time when I reached the end of the ride. When I finally said enough is enough.

Welcome to HeartSong Cookies...my dream come true.

Many hugs,

Kathy

Stop The Roller Coaster...I Want To Get Off! - Day 295

After reviewing my postings the last few weeks I realized what a roller coaster ride my life has been recently. One moment I'm writing about a loss of hope, the next minute, the Power of Good. Up...Down...Up ...Down...Down...Down. I HATE roller coasters...especially the drops. The good times have been really good. I feel them and relish them with all my being. But the bad are really bad and I feel them to my very core.

I crave consistency. I need level ground. A long, straight boring ride...like the road to Tallahassee. Instead I have the Skyline Drive with no guard rails and no brakes.

Tonight I was back to my routine of dining alone. I cooked some whole wheat pasta and topped with leftover cream sauce. The zucchini my dad gave me last week evolved into spicy zucchini and tomatoes, served with a glass of wine and a nice fresh salad. Tonight's dinner guest was a re-run of Housewives of New York City. What a train wreck of a show. It is so bad! The cast embodies all that I dislike in the world...pretentious, obnoxious, petty people. But somehow if I stop for a moment on my channel surf, I just can't turn away. I long for a repeat of last night. A cooked to perfection, beautiful dinner at a dining table with good friends and no TV. My only solace is the smell of homemade cookies and the thought that Mike will be home soon.

Many hugs,

Kathy

The More We Do, The More We Can Do - Day 294

I've been kidded about having the energy of the Energizer bunny. Questioned on how and why I do what I do. I do it because I can. I do it because each check off my list brings me closer to success. Closer to what I am meant to do in this world. I want so badly to make a difference. To ease the pain. To create some comfort, peace and happiness. To show the world that each of us is full of possibilities, potential, energy and life. The more we do, the more we can do...together.

I do not have the answer as to how I am going to make a difference. But with the amount if time my brain has devoted to obsessing over it, I feel an epiphany is eminent. I hope to submit an idea to the Pepsi Refresh Project or a more traditional venue. Unfortunately money is power and right now I am as weak as a church mouse. These programs offer funding for great ideas to better humanity. Great ideas like the one trying to explode from my brain.

I am compelled to try to fit as much as I can into each day. Rarely saying no to invitations or requests. I am in a hurry. A hurry to experience life. My time is running out. It is running out on all of us. We have to act. We have to do whatever it is to better the world. The more we do, the more we can do.

Tonight was a magical night spent with my friends David, Sheri and their kids. David is a Master Gardener in training and an amazing chef. His attention to detail and eye for beauty make dining a soul satisfying experience. A pre-meal tour of his edible garden let me know I was in for a treat. The meal began with a fresh from the garden eggplant hummus served on homemade crostini. Oh my! Sheri, Sarah and I fought over this bowl of goodness.

Dinner was served at the dining table the way all meals should be served. The table was handmade by Sheri's family and included a large lazy Susan in the center. Family rules required a turn of lazy Susan only after your table mates finished serving themselves. The bounty before me was impressive. A garden fresh salad worthy of a photo, delicious wax beans picked earlier in the day, perfectly seasoned roasted potatoes and just picked carrots, heavenly sour cream and chive biscuits and a delicate glazed salmon. I was in heaven and it wasn't over yet.

My White Chocolate Blueberry Pecan Cookies paled in comparison to the homemade cherry ice cream David prepared. He sets such high standards, I will have a difficult time measuring up.

The reason for us getting together was more than simply sharing a meal and good company. It was to share our dreams. David has lost sight of just how amazingly talented he is. I have to find a way to show him the light...to help him retrieve his confidence. Creating a blog tonight was just the beginning. An outlet for him to share gardening secrets, recipes and photos of all the beauty he creates.

Tonight we took baby steps toward self discovery. Thank goodness, David's blog creation will take at least one more session. One more incredibly tasty session...or maybe two. I think I will have to stretch this out for as long as I can because this feeling is just that good. Tonight was the embodiment of the Power of Good.

The more we do, the more we can do...together!

Many hugs,

Kathy

Two for One - Day 293

*#@?!~!%@?!!**! Therapy

I hate to admit it, but there are certain times that require a little #@!**~#@?! therapy. A drive alone in the car, yelling words that never, ever come out of your mouth in public...can be quite liberating. Today was one of those days. A day to purge pent up anger at a co-worker and months of financial frustration. @#?!!**~@!!!! Life is good...again.

What Is A Friend?

These days the word "friend" is thrown around like it means nothing. Facebook has taken care of that. Today I got a huge reality check when it came to friendship and I am very glad I did. Sometimes it takes pain and disappointment to make you realize what true friends are.

True friends are the people that see all your warts and love you anyway. They believe in you. They empathize with your pain and want to make it go away. They dream with you. And make you laugh. They share their thoughts and feelings. And listen intently to yours. They offer advice you may not follow. And are OK with that. They share the elation of your triumphs and the despair of your defeats. A true friend...forever friend, never thinks just of themselves. They think of the two of you...the give and take of a relationship. They don't keep score. They will always be there on the other end of a phone call, knock on the door or click of the mouse.

I am blessed to have several true, forever friends in my life. After today, I have never appreciated you more. One of them sent me this link to make me smile. It worked. Check it out.

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/the-orangutan-and-the-hound/1356710375


Many hugs,

Kathy

Dinner for Two...At Home! - Day 292

Mike was off today. I was not. I grudgingly got ready for work while he stayed in bed. The drive to work was filled with thoughts of a plan to get back home. Back home to Mike. I locked myself in my office with a lengthy to do list and vowed that if I crossed off most of the items, my reward would be time with Mike. What motivation! The list was checked off in no time. I even worked through lunch...now that is true love.

When I walked in the door, Mike was up to his ears in housecleaning. Something is definitely wrong with this picture. What a crazy, discombobulated life we live!

Mike needed something special for dinner tonight. Something special that could be made with Canadian bacon or pineapple. I gave Mike the choice of Creamy Parmesan Pasta with Canadian bacon and peas or Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Pineapple Salsa. Pasta was the winner. I improvised a sauce with very tasty, fattening ingredients and served it over pappardelle noodles with a side salad. It was yummy. Mike was happy. I was happy. Life was good.

Gotta go...time with Mike includes Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow. I just heard this week is "Geek Week"! I have to do something to celebrate my geekiness.

Many hugs and Happy Geek Week,

Kathy

A Cathartic Sidebar...Where Did The Hope Go? - Day 291

June was to be a banner month for my quest to be less cash starved. Or so I thought. One of my hardship programs would be complete and my payments would drop considerably. It was a baby step toward a life without stress. A life with possibilities and options.

And then I opened the mail. It contained a notification my second mortgage payment would increase considerably in August. I felt my heart hit the floor. My step up the mountain resulted in a slide down a hole...a deep, dark hole. The light that once appeared to brighten was now a pin hole. The business dreams that seemed within reach just days ago, now seemed a distant blog posting...just words in cyberspace.

So this is what despair feels like. No hope. No dreams. No options. No possibilities. I hate it down here. I have to find a ladder, a rope, a step stool, a solution. I have to. I will.

After all, doesn't hope spring eternal?

Many more hugs,

Kathy

Fun with Pineapple and Canadian Bacon - Day 291

Last night I made Mike one of his favorites - Hawaiian Pizza. I picked up a large Take and Bake Cheese Pizza from Costco, a large package of Canadian bacon, and a large container of fresh pineapple spears. At Costco, everything is LARGE! Including my bill for the three items...$25.00. With a third of my weekly food budget invested, I need to figure out a way to use all the leftovers.

I knew Mike would take care of the leftover pizza for lunch, but it was up to be to get creative with the Canadian bacon and pineapple. A cookie perhaps? Somehow I think not.

For breakfast I made Mike a bagel sandwich with egg, cheese and Canadian bacon. Dinner was an easy version of Chicken Cordon Blue inspired by the teriyaki chicken my mom was demonstrating at Costco. I simply topped the frozen precooked teriyaki glazed chicken breasts with Canadian bacon and Swiss cheese and baked in a 350 F. oven for 20 minutes. Served it with 90 second rice and a tasty salad and we were eating in no time. Dessert was a Tropical Sundae made with caramelized fresh pineapple topped with a scoop of Butter Almond ice cream, a drizzle of chocolate sauce, squirt of whipped cream and a sprinkling of toasted pecans and toasted coconut. Very tasty.

After all this, I still had half a package of Canadian bacon and pineapple leftover. Oh my! I gazed into the fridge and freezer. Maybe pasta tossed with Parmesan cream sauce, Canadian bacon and peas? Pork Tenderloin with pineapple salsa? Tropical Muffins with bananas, pineapple and toasted coconut? All with items I already have. This is fun! Maybe another blog site idea...How To Eat Creatively For A Week On Three Costco Items.

Many hugs,

Kathy

Making Life Decisions - Day 290

Yesterday I received an early morning call from my son. He had been thinking all night about his life and choices before him. In the wee hours of the morning he made a major life decision and wanted my thoughts. Problem was, I was so surprised by the call, I didn't know what to say. Somehow I fumbled through with questions and opinions. But mostly, I listened. I listened to how he arrived at this point. It made me very proud. One thing he said stood out to me. He said I had always taught him to go out and grab life...not to let it pass him by. How could I argue with that sage advice?!

Maybe it was time to follow my own teachings. To go out and grab what I want in life. I've set a goal of having a business license by summer's end. The fall would be the perfect time to set up shop at one of the local farmer's markets. I can do this. I will do this! I think I just made a major life decision of my own. Thanks Ryan...for setting a great example. Thanks for listening. Thanks for making me proud.

Many hugs,

Kathy

Payback - Day 289

Cookie fairy drops yield amazing rewards!

This morning when I walked into my office I was greeted by a little gift sitting in the middle of my desk. The Philadelphia Cream Cheese container covered in plastic contained a quite a treat. The post it note attached said "To: You, From: Shawn." Inside was one of my most favorite foods...fresh picked blackberries. Blackberries hand picked by Kat's fiance Shawn. I ran into Kat's office to say thanks and found out Shawn had made a special point of picking these berries just for me as payback for all the cookies I send his way. Thanks Shawn! You made me a very happy girl. This special package road around with me all afternoon and continued to fill me with happiness until the last of the precious berries disappeared into my mouth. This is the Power of Good.

Tonight Mike and I ventured out for dinner to a new restaurant in Winter Park - Green Lemon Cafe. It is a tiny, casual cafe that specializes in homemade crepes. Urbanspoon reviews raved about the food. My friend Kenda raved about the food. The Orlando Sentinel raved about the food. We had to find out what all the buzz was about. The menu is simple with a variety of savory, sweet and dessert crepes in original or whole wheat. Mike ordered the Turkey, Brie and Apple tucked inside a whole wheat crepe. I ordered the Monte Crisco with ham, turkey, cheese and strawberry preserves also tucked inside a whole wheat crepe. Both were very tasty and surprisingly filling. The price was appealing as well...$20 for dinner for two including drinks. We were too full to try one of the dessert crepes, but the Southern Comfort Crepe sounded pretty darn good - filled with peanut butter, bananas and chocolate sauce. Yummmmmm, maybe next time.

Many hugs,

Kathy

Easing Into the Day - Day 288

Sometimes it seems like I have lived my whole life with a stopwatch around my neck. Start the time. Go! Stop! Do it all over again. Seven days a week. Eighteen to nineteen hours a day.

Today would be different. It had to be.

As I rushed around getting ready for work, an "ah ha" moment came over me. Look at how beautiful the house is in the morning light. I rarely see it. Always running from place to place. Job to job.

This morning I saw it...in all its grungy, dilapidated, BEAUTIFUL splendor. This was a moment that had to be captured. A moment to savor. I ran upstairs to retrieve my trusty IPhone from the charger and snapped away. I wanted to be enveloped in the morning light like a hug that just won't end. I had to do it.

To the fridge I went and grabbed the Greek yogurt fixins in my arms like Rachel Ray. Fage yogurt, fresh raspberries, blackberries and Grape Nuts. I grabbed the pitcher of iced coffee made last night and white chocolate mocha creamer. From the cupboard I retrieved my favorite yellow bowl and spooned into it several dollops of the thick, rich yogurt. Blackberries and raspberries were next. Followed by a drizzle of North Carolina honey and a light sprinkling of Grape Nuts for crunch. Back to the cupboard I went for a glass to fill with ice, good strong coffee and white mocha creamer. How beautiful is this?! I picked up my IPhone, snapped a picture and e-mailed it to Kat with a brief message. I would be a little late this morning...taking a few selfish moments for ME!

Many hugs,

Kathy

A Little Lonely - Day 287

Today was a busy work day filled with driving, meetings and cookie drop offs. I even did a cookie drop to my husband Mike. Then I headed home.

The drive home from Gainesville left me far too much time to think. I reflected on my crazy, disjointed lifestyle and began missing Mike with each mile I traveled. I dreamed of the day Mike and I could live together seven days a week under one roof. I dreamed of menu planning for the week and cooking fabulous meals for the two of us. I dreamed of entertaining friends on weekends...weekends that did not involve work at Costco.

Snap! Back to reality I came. Once again I would be eating dinner for one. Dinner fixins in the fridge were sparse. I had lettuce and ripe tomatoes from our burger dinner earlier in the week. Hmmmmm. I decided to do a "Half In, Half Out" dinner tonight. The "Half In" part was a salad from the fridge fixins. The "Half Out" part was a Chicken TropiChop from Pollo Tropical. I poured a glass of ice coffee, prepped my tray and plopped myself down on the couch in front of the TV. Sandra Rinomato from Property Virgins was my dining companion. I like her, but she is no Mike. I miss you Mike. Friday evening cannot come soon enough.

Many hugs,

Kathy

Stress Knot...Stress Not - Day 286

Whew! What a roller coaster ride day. I awoke with a knot in my stomach that no Greek yogurt breakfast could quell. Once again money challenges got the best of me. I was depressed...very depressed. I felt frozen. When I got to work I headed to Rich's office to go over a quote. He asked how it was going? I broke out in tears. Why is it when you are feeling vulnerable, the most simple question sends a tidal wave of emotion that escapes out the eyes?! Rich closed his office door and did his best to make me feel better. He listened to my troubles, reminded me how fortunate I am and actually made me feel better.

When I left Rich's office more magic happened. My cell phone had a voice mail message from The Commissary - a commercial kitchen available for rent. I had sent an e-mail requesting info last night and Mark, the owner, responded with pricing and an offer for helpful info to get my cookie business started. I was pleasantly surprised by the rental price. It was actually within reach...if I got on my tippy toes and grew a few inches. I called Mark and discussed license fees and got a clearer picture of just how much I would need to make my dream a reality. Suddenly things didn't didn't seem so hopeless. Happy Dance!

Lunch with my friend Sheri was next on the agenda. We both love Italian and were in the mood for something different. I checked out Urbanspoon on my phone and came up with the solution...Terramia Winebar Trattoria. It was a great choice. The food was delicious and the company even better. It had been far too long since we had gotten together to talk and boy did we talk and talk and talk. It was just what I needed. Thanks Sheri!

Tonight after work, my co-worker and friend Kat met me at PF Chang's for a free wine pour and appetizers. PF Chang's was introducing a new wine, Vineyard 518, at 5:18 p.m. on 5/18 and the best part was it was free. Free is a very good thing. We ordered two appetizers from the happy hour menu at $4 each and an Asian Pear Mojito for "dessert". With my 10% Warrior card discount the bill came to $19 for a light meal for two. Kat and I rarely get the chance to actually sit down and talk about anything but work. Tonight was a rare gift. Thanks Kat!

What began with a stress knot in my stomach, ended with happiness in my heart. Stress knot...stress not!

Many hugs,

Kathy