Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. a good trip to Denver
2. distractions
3. family photos
4. positive words all around
5. mail love

Pumpkin Caramels

Trying to decide if I should be putting these on my holiday treats to make....




Recipe: Food 52 Salted Pumpkin Caramels

Abandoned Houses

Found this website a while back and then stumbled upon it again today....100AbandonedHouses.com

Here are just a few photos from the website...

Gratitude Friday

It has been a very hard week for me and it had nothing to do with my birthday - oddly. And so it is a time for me to focus on good things because of it.

I am thankful for...
1. Michael - thankful that he always is there for me during the struggles and pain. I am thankful for his big heart that wraps me up when I am hurting.
2. our kitty cats for being big soft fur babies for us
3. the warm comforter on our bed as it is cold and rainy
4. a nice birthday
5. hot cocoa

Nice Day

I had a very nice birthday. Michael and I spent the day together. We went out for a late lunch to my favorite Chinese place. And then we took a drive to look at all the beautiful fall colors. It was just a nice quiet day without a care in the world but just spending time together. Perfect.

I received cards, emails, messages on facebook and phone calls all day long. I am so grateful to everyone remembering my birthday.

Tomorrow is my baby sister's birthday! I hope she has a fabulous birthday!

Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. chatting on the phone with good friends when we live so far from each other
2. keeping a cold away with airborne
3. the new med I started 2 weeks ago for my sciatica as it is helping me live almost pain-free (at least pain-free from the sciatica - migraines are a whole other issue)
4. the new book I am reading - In This Way I Was Saved by Brian DeLeeuw - very interesting and a page turner for me
5.cooking up several freezer meals - for quick dinners when I don't feel like cooking

Nearing 43

When it nears my birthday, of course I become a little introspective. And this year is no different as it nears my 43 birthday, I have really been obsessing about it. I know I am not where I wanted to be at this age. It isn't that I don't love aspects of my life. I do of course - but there are other things that I thought I would have accomplished by now. But do I really want those things anymore? And I guess that is what I am still working on. I had someone ask me what I wanted to do recently and I know I just looked at them with a deer in the headlights look because honestly I am not sure I know right now.

I am going to be 43, you think I would know what I want to be doing, who I want to be but really I don't think I am even near to the point to see it clearly. And that bothers me so much. I am sure because of all the deaths that I had in my life this past year too - makes me worry more that I will never figure how to live my life.

I am thankful for all the wonderful things life has given me and thankful for many amazing things that have happened in my life. I am just wondering if this next year will be spent focused on where I want things to be in the next 5 years.

Sesame Street Spoof

Michael and I like the Old Spice commercial and this is spoof of it by Sesame Street! So FUNNY!

Special K Bars

These are thicker than the usual recipe for Special K Bars. I upped the normal recipe as I had left over rice crispies.

1 1/4 cup white corn syrup
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cup peanut butter
8 cups rice crispies
1 1/4 cup chocolate chips
1 1/4 cup butterscotch chips

Measure rice crispies into a large bowl. Combine the sugar and syrup in sauce pan. Cook until it boils. Remove from heat, add the peanut butter. Stir until full incorporated. Pour over rice crispies and mix. Pat into a greased 9 x 13 pan. Don't press too compact or they will become hard. Melt the chips together, stirring until smooth and well blended. Spread evenly over the rice crispies. Cool and cut into squares.

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Gratitude Friday

I am thankful for...
1. safe travels to Denver
2. a good day of work
3. 5 Guys Burgers
4. autumn colors
5. talking with a good friend on the phone

Sausage Potato Skillet

3 or 4 potatoes - peeled and cubed
1 lb. Sausage - Italian, Smoked sausage, Turkey/Chicken Sausage or Kielbasa, cut in bit size pieces
2 sweet bell peppers (orange, yellow or red), cut in cubes
1 small onion, cut in cubes
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
seasonings*
olive oil

1. In a microwavable bowl, filled half way with water, add potatoes. Microwave on high for 9 minutes. Drain potatoes.

2. Using a large skillet, brown sausage on all sides according to the package.

3. Add vegetables and potatoes and drizzle about 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the ingredients.

4. Stir in Parmesan cheese and seasonings.

5. Continue cooking for about 15 to 20 minutes, turning occasionally, until potatoes are nicely browned.

IF YOU WANT TO BAKE:
The recipe title and picture title says bake. And that is because sometimes I bake the mixture instead of just doing it in a skillet.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

1. In a microwavable bowl, filled half way with water and add potatoes. Microwave on high for 9 minutes. Drain potatoes.

2. Grease a 9 x 13 pan add all ingredients including 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Tossing to make sure the cheese, seasoning and oil coat the potatoes, sausage and vegetables.

3. Bake for 45 minutes tossing after 20 minutes. Bake until the potatoes are tender and starting to brown/crisp and the sausage and vegetables are cooked through.


* Seasonings - My favorite is Penzeys Bavarian Seasoning. But I have used a combination of rosemary, marjoram, dried mustard and basil and garlic powder. Play with it and decide what tastes good to you.



Package of the sausage I like to use. We get them at SAM's. I have used all the different kinds of sausage listed in the ingredients though and they each have their own appeal.

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Strong Enough

Sometimes I wonder if this is true...if I am strong enough. This year has been rough. And just when I think it has hit the bottom - something else happens.

A Note from the Universe:Darby, you know the way, you're strong enough, and you will prevail.

Otherwise, what would be the whole point?
The Universe

Gratitude Friday

I know there are things everyday that I do, see, use and remember that I am thankful. I often wish I could capture them all. So that in times like this...when it has been such a hard week that I would have a list of things come to mind easily.

I am thankful for...
1. being able to breath
2. tears
3. kleenex
4. distractions
5. tea


art in icon by Lauren Alexander