Green Eyed Monster

Where did we come to identify envy with the color green, as in "the green eyed monster".
In the ancient Greek theory of medicine, which long governed medical treatment, it was believed that an imbalance of certain "humors" produced one's physical symptoms. Jealousy was considered to result in an excess of bile, which would give a pale-greenish cast to the skin. This idea remained popular for centuries, though it underwent some transformations. It famously appears in "Othello," when Iago refers to jealousy as a "green-eyed" monster.
I admit to being jealous of people on occasion throughout my life. It is a terrible feeling. There was a time, decades ago, when I told my husband that I would look at people driving convertibles and think they were happier than me. Of, course, in his ever constant logic, he said, "How can they be when they are being whipped around in the wind and their hair is getting all messed up?! If you think that, let's buy a convertible, but you won't like it!"
Well, we never did get the convertible. He was probably right. I don't like my hair messed up. Wouldn't it be nice if solving our jealousy was as easy as buying a convertible? I fear it is far more difficult to solve than a new set of wheels.
Longing for things...more money, more time, a better job, kids who listen, a vacation, etc is probably not the root of the problem. The real issue is a longing in ourselves for a fulfillment that we suppose these things will be. Rarely does it and, only for a short time, in most cases. Like most things of value, they come from within and not from others.
It has been said that if everyone tossed their problems in one big pile, we would end up choosing our own problems over those others. If this is true, being jealous or envious of anyone is a complete waste of time. Stop being jealous of others. Jealousy is the art of counting someone else's blessings instead of your own. Ask yourself this: “What’s something I have that everyone wants?” I bet each of us can all put a few things on that list!

Stand By Me

"It’s not the people that stand by your side when you’re at your best, but the ones who stand beside you when you’re at your worst that are your true friends."
When your life is smooth sailing, anybody can ride along in your boat. It's easy and fun and lighthearted. Unfortunately, much of life cannot be described in these terms. More often that not, we have challenges, worries and troubles that eat away at our attempt at joy. Instead of smooth sailing, we have some turbulent waters that sometimes feel like our boat may capsize. Who hangs with us during these times?? I bet you can count these people on one hand, but count them you should, because they are the only ones that really matter. I can steer the boat by myself when the waters are calm. It's when the storm threatens my safety that I need a crew.
Who's on your crew?

Grapevine Magic

Recently, in a catalog, I found a really cute front door decoration. It got my creative juices flowing. The important component, that I didn't have, was grapevines. Luckily, I have a friend with access to loads of grapevines and she generously offered to pass some my way. I guess I wasn't sure exactly what I would be picking up. When my husband and I stopped to pick them up in my car, they proved much larger than expected and would not fit. My husband rolled his eyes! My friend's husband just laughed. The next day, my husband picked up the grapevines in his truck.

I immediately ran the tub with HOT water and dropped some into it. I read online that this is the best was to make them pliable. After several hours in the hot water, I was able to bend the grapevines into this shape ~ exactly what I wanted. I used light gauge wire to keep them together and in place.
I added some silk flowers that I bought from Michaels (40% off coupon, of course!!!).
Adding some wired ribbon and a pastel egg were the finishing touches. It looks awesome hanging on the front door. When I get complements on it, I can proudly say, "I made it!"
HAPPY SPRING!!

Small But Mighty!

When Abbey and I spend time together, she always has A LOT to say! This kid remembers everything so you have to be careful what you say and do around her, even in passing. She will likely bring it up to you months later...in detail!!!
Things she said to me this week:
"I am going to live right by coffee so I don't have to drive so far to get it."
"Mommy skips the red lights sometimes."
"Jack was being so inappropriate!"
"I can do this by myself. Don't help me."
She may be the littlest, but she is a force to be reckoned with to be sure. Smart and sassy may be a challenge at four years old, but it will serve her well in adulthood. I can't imagine anyone talking her into anything she doesn't want to do. She has a clear idea of right and wrong and on which side she stands. She rarely wavers. Some adults could take a lesson!

Sleep & Laugh

Sometimes we look for complicated answers for simple problems. For me, if I have gone too many days without finding something about which to laugh out loud or my sleep has been lousy for several nights, I let all the little things get to me. Women, especially, can often say, "I could just start crying and I'm not sure why." It is an awful feeling and fighting back tears takes a ton of energy in the day.
Remembering that laughing and sleeping are two answers to many of life's struggles, helps.
Choose one!

My Weekend

My weekend consisted of: dinner out (Peppino's great Italian), watching Jack's t-ball game, running five miles, taking the kids to see The Lorax, out for lunch, baking something yummy, a homemade lunch of chicken salad sandwiches, Facebook, Pinterest, MANY walks with the dog, picking up dog poop in a tiny baggie, a bottle of better than average wine, a few craft projects that I love, talking with friends on the phone, wondering if I can accomplish everything that is on my list for the week, arguing politics with my husband, reading a great motivational running book, getting a Starbucks reward postcard in the mail, playing Words with Friends, and more things that I can't remember due to age!
Here's the thing....my life is SO boring! It is nothing exciting, or interesting, or exotic....it is my life and it suits me just fine. As my husband loves to remind me...people would kill to have your life. HA!! Only boring people, I think!!

St. Pat's Treats

I love the combination of salty and sweet and when I saw this snack idea, I knew it was one I had to try, especially because it was themed for St. Patrick's Day and I am sucker for themes! It begins with small pretzels. I like the look of these square ones, plus they are flatter than the small twisted ones. I recommend splurging on this size. Place the pretzels on a parchment lined baking sheet. Do not use wax paper for this! It is going in the oven. If you don't have parchment paper, foil would also work.
Next, you place one candy melt on each pretzel. Keeping with my theme, I used milk chocolate, white and green melts. Wilton makes good melts that I use in all my candy classes. You can find them at Michaels (with a 40% coupon, of course!!) This is placed into a 350 degree oven for 1 to 2 minutes. Do not get sidetracked!! It goes fast and you need to keep an eye on it. You are not melting the chocolate, you are only softening it. Big difference. I did these for just a little over a minute, and, looking back, I think I should have let them go another 30 seconds. I was just so shocked at how fast they began to melt, I didn't want to have a mess on my hands and waste everything. Just keep an eye on them.

I bought a big bag of plain M & Ms as I only wanted to use green and a little bit of yellow ones. Have these separated and ready to go the minute you remove the cookie sheet from the oven. You need to work fast and having a helper would come in handy at this point. I did it myself and, by the end, they had begun to harden back up already. You are going to gently push the M & M into each candy melt so it sticks.
Here's what they looked like when I had finished all of them. Some are a little off center, but I think they will taste just as good as the perfect looking ones!

A close up of the finished tray.

They really look adorable in my shamrock tray. this would make a darling little treat for kids to take to school for their teacher on St. Patrick's Day. Bagging a small amount and tying it with a bow would be a cute treat for friends, neighbors or coworkers.
It is fun to celebrate everything in life and even better to share it with others.