Quick Pickles

Pickling Liquid 2 Large bay leaves ¼ tsp. allspice, crushed ¼ tsp. coriander seeds, crushed 1 Generous handful of cilantro leaves, chopped 3 Sprigs of thyme 3-4 TBS of Round Rock Honey 1/2 tsp. Sea Salt ¼ tsp. pepper Vegetables and Oil 1 Lb. peeled cucumber, sliced thinly, about ¼ inches 3 Medium shallots, sliced * thinly sliced onion will work too 1 Red bell pepper, sliced ¼ Cup olive oil 1. Place Cucumber Slices, Shallots, and Red Bell Pepper in heat proof bowl and set aside. 2. Combine first eight ingredients in microwavable dish and zap for 30-45 seconds. 3. Pour warm mixture over cucumbers, shallots and red pepper. Toss, cover for 3 minutes. 4. Uncover, and add olive oil. 5. Toss again and serve immediately or on the same day as preparation. Serve with Barbeque or Fried Fish.

The reason why I left the corporate world----

When people give me grief about the reason I left the corporate world and started my own company, they say that it is because of the big check I get as a business owner. But, it's not because of money, it's because of the smile I get when I have the opportunity to help a friend make career decisions that make a difference to them and their families, the fact that I connect with people I really love working with on a daily basis. And yes, I get a check every once and a while. And, on really great days, I get one like this one in a Dr. Seuss card covered in glitter with a hand-written note inside. Now, that is why I left corporate world!

Much "to do" at The Art Garage

It was great being at the Art Garage with the Soup Sisters, although we missed Holly and Peggy. We spent the evening catching up with celebrations, struggles and support. The soup was Chicken Tortilla (a bit bland this time), everyone pitched in veggies, fruit, chips, dip, cake, sodas and wine. Kelley, the owner of the Art Garage, was ever the professional and unconditionally supportive of all our artistic endeavors. There was no real lesson from the book we have been following, but I did reflect on the different approaches to art and the outcome of the activity. Some were into the process, painting for painting's sake. Some were taken aback by the inventory and choice that had to be made, BSO, Bright Shiny Object, Syndrome. Others wanted a specific outcome and to vet out what the product would look like in the end by studying the color samples, looking at finished pieces on display, and pulling up Google images. One came with a very clear idea and design in mind and barreled through with determined, precise and measurable steps to get the detailed design onto the clay. Wow, so many approaches to the event at the Art Garage. How do these approaches reflect our approach to life, to new experiences, to everything? Does how you showed up there reflect how you show up everywhere? Here is my confession: I am have BSO Syndrome. Peggy knew that already, right Peggy? LOL I went in with the goal of painting a soup bowl, then I was distracted by a little Kio fish dish that called out to me. Yep, that is pretty much how I am in my life. I have a plan, goals, even make a few steps towards these goals, then a BSO comes into my sight. Then, I have two competing interests! So, what do I do? • I put things on my calendar that are really important. • I keep a “to do” list on my desk. • I voice my intentions when I can to someone who will keep me accountable. • I cross out things on my “to do” list as I complete them, so that I clear the path and maybe even do a little victory dance to clear the path and keep my energy up. • I notice when something gets bumped to the next day's to do list over three times. Then, I ask myself what the avoidance is about. o Am I over-booking myself? o Is this really important to me? o Is there any deeper reason that I might be avoiding this task? o Can I drop it from my list, and feel good about it? So, what did I do? Well, the Soup Sister’s Night at the Art Garage was on my calendar, I made the soup, got to the Art Garage almost on time, and the Kio dish will look great with my Sushi and Sake set. I didn’t paint a soup bowl, but I connected with wonderful women in a meaningful way and that is not bland at all How about you? How do you show up? Do you know where you are going? Do you let yourself off the hook from time to time?

A Crappy Week

Are you having a crappy week? Try this story. Once upon a time there were two children, each was given a golden key and asked to make a wish. Then, they were led down a hallway where each child chose a door that they believed would match their key and grant their wish. Surprisingly, as the two children carefully chose a door turned the key the both doors opened. When the children looked inside they discovered that each room was filled 6 feet high with crap. The first child threw down the key, slammed the door, muttered and stomped back down the hall. The second dove right into the room and began digging away in the crap, hand over hand, flinging it over each shoulder and with excitement and glee. When asked what the child was doing, the child replied, “I thought that with all this crap, my pony must be in here somewhere!” What did you get from this story?

Oatmeal and Chamomile Bath for Allergic Rash

2 Cups Warm Water
1 Cup Oatmeal (Unflavored, just sayin')
2-4 TBS of Chamomile Tea (The Contents of about 4 Tea Bags)

Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend until creamy. Add to warm bath water, and soak for 15- 20 minutes to relieve itchy skin. Rinse skin afterward and pat skin dry gently with a soft towel.

If— By Rudyard Kipling

(‘Brother Square-Toes’—Rewards and Fairies)

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

Napa Cabbage Salad Recipe

INGREDIENTS
2/3 cup slivered almonds
8 cups (1 lb) coarsely shredded napa cabbage
12 ounces snow peas, strings removed, rinsed and thinly sliced
1 1/3 cups thinly sliced radishes
1 1/3 cups thinly sliced green onions (including greens)
1 1/3 cups lightly packed fresh cilantro leaves
Dressing ingredients
3 Tbsp rice vinegar (seasoned or unseasoned)
2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 clove peeled and minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder
1 cup mayonnaise
METHOD
1 Spread almond slivers out in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Toast in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes, until nicely browned. OR toast in stick-free or cast-iron skillet on medium high, stirring frequently until browned. Set aside.
2 Combine cabbage, snow peas, radishes, green onions, cilantro in a large bowl. Can make this step a day or two ahead.
3 In a separate bowl, mix together the rice vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, ginger, and cayenne until sugar has dissolved. Whisk in the mayonnaise.
4 When ready to serve, gently combine the dressing and almonds with the cabbage mixture.
Serves 14-16.