Monday Morning Hero

 Birds often think they can fly through our log home in the woods, but quickly learn it is impossible. 

Today a little feathered friend saw stars after he bounced off one of the great windows above the deck. Flyboy, gently handled the tiny critter until he regained some balance. 

After a short rest, the Nuthatch flew off with a squeak of thanks. 

**sigh** 

Nothing beats a sexy hero with gentle hands.

Love is A Puffy Apple Pancake

Today's word is LOVE. While I was doing my morning yoga, LOVE was the word that came into my mind. Being September, the word APPLE also comes to mind.

Sunday at Grams was about food, family, fun and love. I hope to install such a traditional tine in our family. So let's see what we can make with love and apples.

I'm a bit of a messy cook.

 

Today's breakfast is Puffy Apple Oven Pancake. A perfect dish served in a cast iron pan on a rainy fall morn.

Over medium heat, cook apples in butter until they turn golden.

Add the batter and place in the oven at 420 for 20 min.

The result is a lovely puffy pastry.

I think my guys liked the dish. 

This is a cookbook I often go to. It's filled with family friendly meal ideas and fun little stories.
If you enjoy reading cookbooks, this is a good one! 

Williams-Sonoma Family Meals: Creating Traditions in the Kitchen 

A Beautiful Begining

The beginning can set the tone of the entire day so take a moment to think about it. 

Choose one word, perhaps the first word that comes to mind, of how you want to feel, be or accomplish today. 

My word today is "creative".  I want to feel creative and be creative.

Realistically,  my day involves laundry and cleaning the house. But for breakfast I'm trying a new recipe... chive and cream cheese omelets for Flyboy & me. I also hope to get some blog posts done and work on Hawk's Honor.

But for now, I'll start my day and set the tone. I take a deep breath, enjoy the moment and say the word " Creative."

#MIchigan #Meditation

 Time spent in nature is an opportunity to rejuvenate the soul.

Try a moment of Michigan Meditation.

My state of Michigan is known for nature. I was blessed to have worked for the Department of Natural Resources for a time. Every day I walked the 81 acres of marshland I was charged with and started the day with peace, wonder and beauty.

Yesterday was the first day of bow hunting season and hunters took to the woods, including my flyboy. Like many hunters, he didn't see a deer but simply enjoyed being in nature. Curious squirrels teased him while he sat enjoying the sounds and smells of the woods. 

You don't have to be a hunter to enjoy Michigan Meditation, or even be in the state. Find a spot outdoors, on your porch, in a park; and take a moment to listen, look and smell. Feel the peace.

Thursday Thirteen - 13 "Love Surprises"

Little things mean alot. 

I'm sure you've heard that before... but it's true. 

Simple things such as a smile can brighten one's day. 

My flyboy hubby is gone often so I enjoy hiding things in his suitcase.  When my mom was alive, living in an apartment, I'd have fun leaving goodies in her fridge or on her dresser for her to find. When Football Moms were allowed to decorate the boys' locker room, we'd leave encouraging notes and candy on our sons' locker doors. I enjoy leaving a cute little card on my secretary's keyboard.

Here's a list of some items for you to leave in often over looked places for your honey or someone special to find.

For your honey:
1. Handcuffs.

2. A sexy photo of yourself.

3. A pair of panties scented with a favorite fragrance.

4. Favorite candy. Sweet for a sweetie.

5. A key (to your heart).

6. A love poem.

7. A love letter.

8. Love coupons.

For someone special:
9. A greeting or inspirational card.

10. A photo of the two of you in a cute frame.

11. A small book. (Inspirational, poetry, romance, comedy)

12. Favorite CD.

13 Favorite magazine. (Magnolia, Taste of Home, Oprah are my favs to give to a gal or a hunting magazine for a guy)

Other items may include Hersey kisses, a teddy bear, jewelry, a list of why that person is special to you, small artwork, and a small bottle of their favorite fragrance.

What other items can you think of?

Special Thanks to Cary Ann's Hallmark in Flushing, MI

for keeping me well stocked in "little things."

Check out more fun Thursday 13 lists HERE

Lunch With Love

Nothing is sexier than a man who cooks, except for the food. 

Hubby grilled some chicken breasts for me to use as my work lunches.

Deliciously seasoned breasts served on a bed of mixed greens, dried cranberries and shredded parmesan cheese...yum!

I'd rather have a glass of white wine, but water with a slice of lemon will make to do.

#SoulFood Morning

 Soul Food. Yes, it truly is good for the soul. Comfort. Family.

I've been on a Southern Dish kick lately and my poor family is enjoying the new recipes they are tasting. Today was a simple but hearty breakfast Grandma would have been proud of.

Grits slow cooked on the stove. I added half & half for a creamy texture then tossed in a bit of shredded cheddar. (Here's a simple grits recipe.)

While the grits simmered, I used up some leftover roasted veggies to make an omelet. Gram's logic of bacon fat makes everything better, I placed a dollop of bacon fat in small cast iron pan before adding the veggies & eggs. The fat browned nicely, adding a smoky flavor.

For serving, I scooped some of the cheesy grits into a bowl. Chopped up the omelet and placed it on top of the grits. 

Oh, yeah!

I left for work with a happy feeling deep in my soul. Thanks, Gram!

#TeaTime - Breathe Easy

 I keep a variety of teas at work. Today's #TeaTime is Breathe Easy.

My asthma is acting up and I'm busy typing letters so I grabbed a favorite "feel good tea".

This floral tea has a minty start with a licorice ending. It relaxes me, soothes an upset tummy from coughing and eases my throat.

I love the #TeaTag tells me to SMILE today.

#BehindTheStory - Crow Magic

Crow Magic, is about a Native American shape shifter. I was asked how I attained my interest and knowledge of Native American legend and lore. My response became a story.

After the Civil War, my great-great grandfather, Gardner Avery, left his New York regiment to settle with his wife, Helen Greenleaf Kern, in a rural area near Grand Rapids, Michigan, named Jamestown. He kept a diary, which remains in the family, of his daily activities and expenses. On the land he purchased to farm, a tribe of Native Americans resided. The couple let the Potawatomi continue to live and hunt on the land.

Potawatomi Warrior

Over time they developed close friendships with many of the tribal folk. My great-great-grandmother became very close to the medicine woman of the tribe who taught her the use of herbs in food and healing. The Avery’s interest in the art of the tribe eventually led to them learning how to make the Native American pottery. Through stories shared around meals, they learned the spirituality of the Native Americans.

At the time, Grand Rapids was one of the first large scale trading posts used by the Ottawa, Potawatomi and the Chippewa. My ancestors learned valuable information from their relationships with these tribes, which lead them to have a successful farm and healthy family. Despite the Avery’s wishes, the government forced the tribe off the land and into a reservation. According to family legend, Helen and her dearest friend spent the last days together. After hugs and many tears, she stood in a field and watched the tribe travel until they were out of sight.

The information, stories, and traditions my ancestors learned have been passed down through the

generations. I grew up listening to the stories my grandmother told of visiting the farm and her grandparents. She also shared aspects of the Native American spirituality and showed us how similar it is to Christianity.

 In the 1950s, my grandparents purchased property and build a cottage on Coldwater Lake, not far from Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. We spent many summers at the cottage, where we collected arrowheads we found in the local sand pits. A Chippewa family owned a cottage near ours and “Indian Dave” would share their stories, dances, and traditions with us while we sat around a bonfire.

I could say the knowledge of herbals and spirituality lives in me because of the ties of my family with the tribes of Michigan and beginning embraced by each generation of my family.


To add to my family history, my cousin’s father was from a Seminole tribe and my brother-in-law is a descendant of a French Trader and Blackfoot Indian woman. Funny, how a person with the Welch/Swedish/German heritage I have, can be neatly blended with Native American legend and lore. Grandmother used to tell us that our legacy isn’t only family blood but also the land we live in.



Indian Dave

Eagle Dance is Book 2 in the Legend of the Spirit series and features another Native American shifter from the Chippewa tribe who is looking for a special woman who will love him for who and what he is. Indian Dave's spirit makes an appearance.

CLICK FOR MORE CROW MAGIC

CLICK TO BUY ON AMAZON

#CoupleFun – Make a Wish Jar

 Couples often look for ways to entice a partner to expand his or her perspectives on the possibilities in or even out of the bedroom. Often planning a special romantic evening as a surprise for your honey often doesn’t go as arranged. Kids, pets, families, work… so many things may interrupt. It would be much easier to plan something with your partner rather than planning a surprise.

I found a unique and fun idea.

Pick out a couple of cute jars from a craft shop or dollar store, decorate yourself.

Keep two “wish” jars in the kitchen, one for each or you. 

Take some index cards and cut in half. Stack the cards next to the jars. Whenever something comes to mind that would be fun to do together, it gets written down on a card and dropped into the appropriate bowl.

Create a ritual for the “big drawing”. At the beginning of each month, sit down at the end of the day with a glass of wine and some cheese. Pick five cards at random from each other’s jar. Read them over, talk about them and maybe even negotiate a bit.  The only rule is you have to agree on two activities to be done during the next month.