Telling it like it is

My 80 year old mother says she's too old to change.  But my mother is a smart, creative, deep thinker with the capacity to learn new ways.

Today we had a discussion about speaking your mind.  In her opinion, you should be able to say how you feel -at all times and regardless of your audience.   While I agree in theory that you must say how you feel, I also think there is a time and place and way to do that; diplomacy should rule the day.  You can be authentic, and genuine, and sincere about your feelings.  But the rest of us don't have to accept insults.  Stating your opinion without taking into account your audience is just plain old bad manners.  And eventually, people will avoid you.
That can be a lonely situation.

She doesn't agree with me, but I figured she wouldn't.  

I've learned a lot from my mother.  I will keep an open mind and try to see the error of my ways, too.

Gina

The secret chair

We inherited this chair from hubby's mother; it was her sewing chair.

I recently covered the seat pad with the same fabric as the couch cushions.  It has a neat feature - the seat comes off to reveal a compartment where you can store all kinds of things.  The Girl used it in her room at one point and it hid all her Lisa Frank stickers and stamps.  Then it was moved into the front room and Scout used it to store his recorder, and euphonium sheet music. Now it belongs to moi.  But it was showing wear and tear.

 Wooden button missing.

Scuffed finish.  But it's such a nice little chair!  I think I shall put my notecards and stationery in it - I still like to write a handwritten letter now and again.  Here are some before and after photos of the secret chair getting a spiffing!

 Couldn't find those wooden buttons to match so I removed one on each side, filled the holes, sanded.

As a matter of fact, the whole chair was sanded, then got a new coat of walnut stain and varnish.

I painted the inside compartment a pretty fern green.

The lighting isn't great - but the chair is.

I'm glad I got her spiffed up; she deserved it!

Gina

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Mothering perspective

 

And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, "Speak to us of Children."
And he said:
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts.
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as he loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.

from "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran

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Fingerprint Friday - 

OK, so I'm late

Chicken Tikka Masala

I figure just about any thing can go into the crock pot...

I really love Indian food, but I am too impatient to learn how to cook it the traditional way.  It's not like I have all day to master it, and most of the time, my family is good-natured about my "experiments",  but they can also be critical and picky!

 But it turned out great and all I did besides add a pre-packaged seasoning mix of spices was cover it and walk away... A little spicy, but that didn't seem to put anyone off.  I served it with rice and kale.
A very filling and healthy meal.  

My crock pot done good!  

Summer plans 2010

I know its only April, but I am so ready for the school year to wind down. 

 Camp Rustown Beachgoers, ca. 2005

It's time to start thinking about heading to the beach and all the other fun things we can do in summer.  Time to get the towels out of storage, buy some new flip flops, make sure the boogie boards are in good shape, and plan our escape.  I am looking forward to making some summer plans!

Gina

Patio furniture re-do

I started the "patio project" about 2 weeks ago, and am slowly making progress.  My ficus tree and potted plants were wintering in the garage.  And yes, the deck boards are in sad shape.  (But that's a project for Hubby.)

What possessed me to paint this set green, I ask you?  Bubbie and I had to sand virtually all of the paint off, as even with primer the new paint was wanting to flake. I detest sanding - fortunately, he loves it.   I would estimate he did more than 50% of it!

 Spray priming and painting is a messy job and I never want to do this again!  I was lucky it wasn't windy.

 But yay! The plants came back to live in their Spring home! And the hanging sun face got a facelift!

These pretty cushions were $10 each at Wally World.  They are zippered, so I probably couldn't have made them cheaper. 

Who is that woman!?  I think I'll go join her now and enjoy my "new" patio furniture. 

Gina

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Easy Peasy Lo Mein

 

An easy meal, kid-approved.  

Cook 8 oz linguini, drain and set aside. Cook 1 pound ground beef, chicken or pork - or use leftover meat you might have.  Saute some green onions and garlic in a tablespoon of canola oil a couple of minutes; add 1/2 a box of sliced white mushrooms and saute a few minutes. Set that side and in a larger pot saute 1/2 a small cabbage, sliced fine, with 3 grated carrots. When cabbage is wilted, add the mushroom mixture, and the cooked meat.

Mix 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce with 1 T. fresh grated ginger.  Stir it into the veggies and cook another minute.  Toss with hot linguini. Sprinkle more green onion on top and serve.  

That was easy and filling!  

Gina

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'Cause I love me some Lo Mein!