Sun Kissed and Salt Licked

Sun Kissed and Salt Licked

by | Aug 2, 2017 | Guest Blogging, Writing

 

If you have been to my About page, you will recognize this picture.  It is from one of my favourite places in the world, in Chimney Corner, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada.  It is a bench made from driftwood that overlooks a private beach.  You will not find it easily, it is not open to the public.  Not even very many locals have been here.  It is a gem in the home of my heart, and a place I think of often.

The ocean seems to find its way into my words when I write, whether it is song lyrics or into my fantasy trilogy.  That’s right, I am planning to write a fantasy trilogy based in the home of my heart.  It won’t be about my life, exactly, it will be straight from my imagination.  There may be familiar issues or mannerisms found in some of the characters, but I am not basing any of it on real people.  After meeting Kelly Armstrong a few weeks ago, I realized that for my first trilogy, it will be enough to write it without creating a new world for it to happen in.  I asked her during the Q&A session at the local library if she would ever write in a world that she created, and she answered that she didn’t plan to create any other worlds for her writing.  She said that she felt that there are people that are better suited to world building, and she isn’t one of those people.  I am reading some of her books now, and have read some before the event at the Library.  I am not sure if I will write more than a trilogy based in Cape Breton, or if I will connect all of my books there somehow.  However,  I do think it is a logical place for me to start.

I also got some books signed after the Q&A had finished.  I told her that I am writing my first trilogy and that I am a little nervous about writing book 2.  I am scared that I might get lost and stuck in there.  She told me I was looking at it from the wrong perspective.  She shared that book two is not where I should get lost, but where I should plan to have fun.  I am going to try and remember that.

Meeting Kelley Armstrong

Matty, Kelley Armstrong, and me at the local library.

I am writing this post to tie it into my upcoming Guest Post on another Blogger’s page. He is a friend I have met online since I started my blogging adventure, and he asked me to write a story for his Around The World category.  I wrote to him about my upcoming vacation in Cape Breton Island, and this became the topic I decided to write about.

The Atlantic Ocean, kissing the Cape Breton Coastline

The Atlantic Ocean, kissing the Cape Breton Coastline

The sun setting beside Margaree Island, seen from the shore of Cape Breton Island

The sun setting beside Margaree Island, seen from the shore of Cape Breton Island

What a Beach day! Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada

What a Beach day! Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada

Thanks to my friends and family members for the beautiful pics I blended together in this project, with permission.  I came back from my week in Cape Breton feeling relaxed and refreshed.  I did go swimming twice, and that is where I got the title for this story.  Salt water therapy on the shorelines of Cape Breton Island is the best kind and one money can’t buy.

I was honoured to be invited to share my story on Mohamad Al Karbi’s Blog.  I hope you take the time to visit and read the story of my vacation.  It is written to share MY Cape Breton with the world.  While you are there, if you have some time, there are many other posts in this and other categories.  I have enjoyed reading about different places in his blog, and I suspect if you want to read more about other places in the world, this is a way for me to help you discover the world through other people’s eyes, with their own stories.

You can read my Guest Blog # 2, Homesick for the Home of my Heart, here.

I hope you enjoy both stories for this project.  As always, I have enjoyed writing them.  Always Thinking…

Weekend Warrior #23

Weekend Warrior #23

by | Jul 30, 2017 | Weekend Warrior

 

Oh my goodness!  I am busy, busy, busy this weekend!  It is great to have things to do, but again there are too many choices to do EVERYTHING I want to do.  As a result, I have been able to do some things, and I will write about that.

Friday night right after work I had to get groceries for the house and a party I was invited to on Saturday.  There was a potluck, and I like cooking.  My friend was having a party at her house, and so the first thing on my to do list Saturday morning was to get the chocolate macaroons aka frogs aka mud pies aka haystacks made and in the fridge to set.  I have finally mastered making them with cashew milk.  At least I hope it wasn’t a fluke. I also used butter, white and brown sugar, vanilla, cocoa, oats and unsweetened coconut.  Other times I have made double batches, and they never set properly.  They stayed gooey and had to be licked off the wax paper as they wouldn’t come off cleanly.  Still delicious, but messy.  Sometimes I goof up on the timing and end up making chocolate granola.  But the ones I made yesterday had that perfect consistency, they were slightly granular, just past the gooey stage, but not dry or crumbly.  I am quite proud that they turned out so well.

As soon as I had them in the fridge I took the chicken I was marinating in Kraft Greek Feta and Oregano dressing.  Yes, I was going to be at a BBQ, but I wanted MY prep work to be as close to finished as possible.  I then popped to the store for a last minute beverage run.  I had bought myself some rum and key limes but needed the mix.  I got some Zevia Cola to mix, and some Gatorade G2. (That is my anti-hangover trick these days, and it seems to work really well!) I needed more coffee, so I decided to grab two of my favourites, Folgers Black Silk and Kahlua flavoured coffee.  I tried the Folgers Intensely Dark, as it comes in the larger boxes, but it doesn’t compare to the Black Silk.  So I had to buy 2 smaller boxes, at least they were on sale.

Rushed home to keep cooking.  I made the biggest batch of Greek Pasta salad I have ever made, as the hubby was wanting some for home too.  That was to go with the chicken that was in the oven.  While I was boiling the pasta, I picked up small pasta shells on Friday night, I started cooking the ground beef to prep for the hot nacho sauce.  It is hot off the stove hot, not spicy hot, and goes so well with nacho chips.  This recipe can be made with soy ground meat replacement for vegetarians.  I packed the rest of the ingredients, and the pot to cook it in.  At this point, my host was starting to get ready to pick me and another friend up to go to the party.  That was AMAZING!  I had enough time to get everything done and packed before he was here.

We had a wonderful time.  We had food, snacks, drinks, music blasting,  we played Backyard Yahtzee and had a BBQ.  I am a little sore from the 2.5 games of Backyard Yahtzee.

 

 

We did have to call interference a few times.  My friends have dogs, and one of them would steal a wooden die every so often.  We’d get it back, and allow re-rolls if needed.

When it was time for cake, we surprised the birthday girl with a minions ice cream cake.  She didn’t even know we snuck it in earlier at the start of the party. She got some presents, and cards, and it was a nice time.  For those of us that stayed after dark, our host made a nice fire in the back yard fire pit.  We gathered around it and just enjoyed the quiet, watching the flames and the fireflies.

Today started off with a little slower pace.  I went to an afternoon matinee with a friend.  I am now finishing this story, in the company of another blogger, we are visiting and writing at the same time.  I am going to be visiting another friend after supper.  In the meantime, there are dishes and laundry to be caught up on.  This has been another busy weekend, and from where I sit now, I think I won this round!  What did you do this weekend?

Trust Your Gut: Tish’s Story; Part 23

Trust Your Gut: Tish’s Story; Part 23

by | Jul 27, 2017 | Trust Your Gut

 

Trust Your Gut is a series of stories about real people with weight issues, and complications arising from those issues.  It will explain what the person is facing, what their options are, what they have decided to do to take action, and why they chose the path they are on.  Each person’s story will be based on truth, so it won’t all be happy, but it will be real.  The goal of this series is to get people talking about options that are available for people who have weight issues, on either end of the scale.  If you would like to contribute to this series, there is a contact form linked on my Homepage for this blog.  I know there are people out there that want to help people like them; as I do.

 

The names here may or may not reflect the person’s real name.  If someone wants to remain unknown, we will choose a different name for that person’s story.  The goal is to help people, and anonymity is a valid personal choice for contributors.  I will use a person’s name only if they give permission to do so.

This week I am pleased to share another of my own stories.

Here is  Trust Your Gut: Tish’s Story; Part 23

I really didn’t know if I was going to be able to write this on time this week.  I am fighting another migraine.  It started yesterday and hung on for the day today.  I am really hoping I can shake it off before the weekend. ( I love that song!) The last time I had a migraine the diagnosis was a sinus infection.  I am really hoping that it is not the same this time because I just want to feel healthy and well, not to have to take more antibiotics.

As I write I have done what I can and have taken what I can take. I will be taking another migraine pill before bed, which will likely be shortly after I publish this story tonight.

I left work a little early, which I signed up to do since I am not feeling so good.  I try to work my regular shifts and even do a little overtime when it is offered, so if I am looking to leave early, it is usually because I don’t feel well or there is something going on that I need to leave early for.  If I have company, for example.  That happened a few times this month.  I think today was the 5th time of the year that I left early.  Some people sign the paper to go home every day.  I can’t afford to go home early all of the time, but if it is necessary, then I make a decision to do it.

I have tried to stay on plan for the early part of the week, but when I am not feeling good, the lazy way wins.  I did not eat well for some of the meals I had this week.  Today was one of those days that I went off plan for supper.

If you haven’t heard of the phenomenon that is called “Chase The Ace” then you are missing out on something fun.  It is a lottery, so if you don’t gamble, it is not for you.  It does usually get run by a charity though, so if you wanted to donate the winnings back to the charity, that would be an option that you could still play if you don’t accept the prize for yourself.

There are a few of these events going on in the city, and all over the Maritimes.  You purchase tickets, and there is a growing jackpot.  There is a weekly prize amount, based on the number of tickets sold.  A certain percentage goes to the charity, and a certain amount is the jackpot.  The weekly prize is what you win if you don’t pick the Ace of Spades out of the remaining cards in the deck every week.

So if your ticket is drawn, you get to pick a card from the table.  If you pick the Ace of Spades, you win the jackpot. If you pick any other card, you win the weekly prize.  This week someone else picked another card, so next week we get to try again to “Chase the Ace.” The charity that is running the event that I go to is three local SPCA shelters and another animal rescue.  I am a person who loves animals, so I like going when I get the chance.

I took my migraine medicine and had a nap when I got home today.  I woke up in time to go to the Chase The Ace at Houlie’s Hometown Pub.  The food there is excellent.  I wasn’t feeling great, but I said to my husband, “Even zombies have to eat, ” and we decided to go.  He only has every third Thursday off, and we have gone a few other times.

I REALLY enjoy the Mozza sticks there.  In fact, I don’t even want to share them, they are that good.  I have had the nachos and a pulled pork wrap with sweet potato fries there before.  I have heard that the seafood chowder is amazing, and I wanted to try it tonight, but I will have to wait for another time, as it was sold out.  I opted to try the fish and chips and had sweet potato fries instead of traditional fries.  Sweet potato fries are on plan, so I sort of did OK. (I tried. I don’t feel good.  Eating with a migraine is a gamble in itself).

I have been watching MasterChef again.  I tapped the batter with my fork, and it sounded like it did when Gordon Ramsay did it on TV.  I cut into the first piece of fish, and just like on MasterChef, the fish was flaky and glistening.  It was really tasty, too.  I was eating my supper, and a thought occurred to me.  Pepere, my grandfather on my mother’s side, always said something when we were having a meal with fish.  He would always say, “Fish for brains!”  My hope is that the fish will help my brains feel better and lose the migraine.  It also can be loosely thought to reflect the zombie comment I had earlier said about going out for supper.

We didn’t have a jackpot winner this week so the chasing will continue at least for one more week.  The jackpot was around $4,800.00 tonight and will be higher next week.  I did get to see some friends and support a charity tonight.  I also had a delicious meal, and now I have a full belly to fuel me to start feeling better and work harder tomorrow.  Something was telling me to eat fish at supper tonight.  So even if it was off plan, it was a choice I made and I think it was the right one.

#TrustYourGut.

 

Weekend Warrior #23

Weekend Warrior #22

by | Jul 25, 2017 | Weekend Warrior

Please accept my apologies for posting this on a Monday. (Which is now Tuesday).  I was literally too tired to finish it before I went to bed last night.  The weekend was THAT busy and took ALL of my energy by the end of it. I started writing it yesterday morning and will leave it in its original format.

I am in the middle of a busy weekend again!  I find that it happens a lot in the summer.  The sun is out, and people want to do more things together.  Family and friends gather around, yard sale season happens, and there is always something going on somewhere.  Usually too much to be able to participate in all that you want to do.

Back in April, we took a road trip to visit Nanny Webber in Nova Scotia.  Yesterday was her 109th birthday, and we went back on a day trip to visit and have some birthday cake.  We got there and she was very happy that we made it.  We didn’t commit because sometimes things happen, and just in case we couldn’t go, we didn’t want to make a promise that we couldn’t keep.  I am happy to say that she was surprised to see us step through the crowd of people.  In fact, I would say she was delighted.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

She and Roy’s father were happy to see us, but a little sad that it was just a day trip, and that we would be making the drive home the same day. She told me that she kept asking her son, Roy’s dad if we were going to make it.  He didn’t know.  She said she kept asking him because she knew that if Roy made the trip, that I would go with him.  What a nice thing to say.  Nanny Webber really is a special lady, and I like spending time with her.

I had made her a bracelet, for her birthday.  I made it too big for her wrist, but because I made it, I packed what I needed to fix it if I had to.  I asked her what colour to take out, and with a few minutes and 2 tries, I got it to fit better.

On the way back from the party to her place, we had a car full of party food, gifts, cards, and balloons.  I took a few selfies of me in the car with the balloons.  I mean, when I looked into the back seat, all I saw was balloons!  It was just screaming selfie!

We went back to her place and made a visit.  We had a plate of sandwiches and sweets.  Then we got her to open her gift.  What do you give someone for their 109th birthday?  Well, along with the custom made bracelet, we found a little crystal flower and vase decorative suncatcher in pink and green.  We also got her a piece of decorative art, themed with things grandma says.  She read some of it, as the words went in different directions within the frame.

Then it was time to go.  She said she had a good day, and I think she was a little tired but didn’t want to tell us.  So we said our goodbyes and went to our next stop.

We had a 4 to 5 hour drive in each direction.  We planned to have supper with a friend on the way home, to break up the drive. We had a nice visit and then got back on the road.  It was 1 am on Sunday by the time we got home.

We set the alarm and went to bed.  By 1 pm, we had divided to get some groceries and to start laundry, got a chicken in the slow cooker, put away the groceries, and started the dishwasher.  We were off and running to go see Spiderman Homecoming with friends. I enjoyed the movie, it was fun.

After the movie, we rushed home to get the house ready for company.  We were expecting guests and they were staying overnight.  We finished up after they arrived, and had a filling chicken supper.  We had strawberry shortcake for dessert and a visit before making up the bed for the guests.  I did not stay up much later than my company last night.  It was a full and busy weekend.

What did you do this weekend?  Were you a Warrior like me, running here there and everywhere?

Trust Your Gut: Tish’s Story; Part 23

Trust Your Gut: Tish’s Story; Part 22

by | Jul 20, 2017 | Trust Your Gut

 

Trust Your Gut is a series of stories about real people with weight issues, and complications arising from those issues.  It will explain what the person is facing, what their options are, what they have decided to do to take action, and why they chose the path they are on.  Each person’s story will be based on truth, so it won’t all be happy, but it will be real.  The goal of this series is to get people talking about options that are available for people who have weight issues, on either end of the scale.  If you would like to contribute to this series, there is a contact form linked on my Home page for this blog.  I know there are people out there that want to help people like them; as I do.

 

The names here may or may not reflect the person’s real name.  If someone wants to remain unknown, we will choose a different name for that person’s story.  The goal is to help people, and anonymity is a valid personal choice for contributors.  I will use a person’s name only if they give permission to do so.

This week I am pleased to share another of my own stories.

Here is  Trust Your Gut: Tish’s Story; Part 22

Well, folks, it has been a fantastic day!  I didn’t start off too well, I started the day with a sugar low.  I didn’t let that stop me, not for too long. I ate my banana in the car and had a juice box when I got to work.  My sugars, of course, went up from there.  As usual, I chased the banana with a black coffee.  That’s how my days start.  I don’t usually have the juice box, and I don’t usually have the low at that time of day.  So what is going on?

I have worked hard this week to find my way back to working on me.  I have had to make some decisions and some changes.  I have started cooking meals that are on plan this week, and I am letting myself enjoy what I make.  That is how Trim Healthy Mama is supposed to work.  I’m not an expert, and I stray a little here and there, but I am getting my groove back, and the scale is responding the right way.

I am also happy to say that I am sitting here melting in my living room.  It is said to be the warmest day of the week, and it is more than warm.  I am not just warm because of the temperature in here, but also because I have made it to Zumba twice this week.  So when I write that I am melting, it is literal.  I worked out in this heat, hydrated, and now I am relaxing in my little almost sauna.  It sounds better than it is, but I am not here to complain.

I am here to try and help people.  I have been lacking in that department, lately, because I was not trying very hard myself.  I have had enough of that noise!  I am back and working hard to make more progress than before!  I am seeing it, and when I see it, I know it is real.  I am cooking.  I am planning.  I am working with recipes that I really love because that is what keeps me going back to this plan.

My sugars are coming back around.  That is one of the most important things I can do for my health, is to monitor my sugars, and eat so that they stabilize.  I am working on that, and THM is the way for me to do that.  When I add in exercise, it is a remarkable difference in how I feel, and how I attack every day.  Planning is so important for me when it comes to food.  I have worked hard this week to make food that is on plan so I can start winning this thing called life we all play at here.

I am breaking away from the bad habits again.  Only I can do that, I have to believe that I am worth the effort.  Now that I am back in my routine, and back from vacation, it was time to start working on things that help me feel better, and live life better.

After my on plan supper, I was wanting a little something extra.  I tried the new Good Thins Beet crackers.  They are OK, but I saw the ingredients and decided to not eat too many.  I was debating making an on plan shake or smoothie when my husband showed up.  He had picked up his own supper, and cinnamon rolls.  But the best thing he brought home was a bag full of fresh cherries.  I indulged in a bowl full of cherries.  Because let’s face it, life really is based a lot on your perspective, and in what you make of it.  I am making the most of things tonight, and having the bowl of cherries, because who wants to choke on the pits?  Not me.  I’m back, and I am feeling great!

#TrustYourGut