Thursday, October 29, 2009

Just Call Me Punkin Head


Seriously, I had no idea the back of my head looked so much like a pumpkin.  Thanks to my son, I do now!
 
In our family, the tradition is to carve our Jack-O-Lantern on Halloween afternoon.  Now some of you who know me may think this tradition was born out of procrastination, but I assure you it wasn't.  You see, October in Texas is an unpredictable weather month.  It can be in the 50s, like it was day-before-yesterday, or it can be in the 70s, like it is today.  If you carve your pumpkin too early, you may just end up with a slug-infested, rotting, stinking mess on your front step by the time Halloween rolls around.  Granted, it does make for one scary looking Jack-O-Lantern, but it's really just disgusting.  Hence, the Halloween day pumpkin carving tradition.

I love pumpkins.  Pumpkin seeds, pumpkin pie, pumpkin soup...yummm!  Do you know how good for you pumpkins are?  They're loaded with all kinds of great stuff:  iron and all the B vitamins for lots of extra energy; vitamin E and all its antioxidant power; zinc which is so healing.  Really, you should eat more pumpkin.  It's also great for skin.  So don't let your pumpkin bits and pieces go to waste.  Here are a couple of quick recipes for you.

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds:
  • Rinse and dry your pumpkin seeds.
  • Spread 'em out on a greased cookie sheet
  • Sprinkle w/salt (I prefer kosher salt), or cajun seasoning (if you like a bit of a kick)
  • Bake in the over at 250 degrees for 15-20 minutes (giving the pan a shake about half way through)
  • Cool and munch away
Pumpkin Facial Mask:
This is a perfect way to use the scraps left over from pumpkin carving because you don't need very much for this recipe.  (You can also do this w/canned pumpkin.)
  • First, prepare the pumpkin puree by microwaving the small pieces until they're tender when you poke them w/a fork (probably 1-2 minutes)
  • Mash cooked pumpkin w/fork or in the food processor until smooth
  • 2 Tbs pumpkin puree
  • 1/4 tsp honey
  • 1/4 tsp cream (heavy cream for dry skin, substitute 1/4 tsp cider vinegar for oily skin)
  • Mix it all up
  • Smooth on to face and neck
  • Rest for 10-15 minutes
  • Rinse off.   Ta-DA!  Your skin will feel as soft as a baby's bottom.
Have a happy & safe Halloween!

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Powered by Joy


If someone asked me to describe myself one of the words I'd use is "positive". I try to look on the bright side. I believe in the power of positive thinking. I believe in Karma. I believe that good ultimately triumphs over evil. Etc., etc., etc. That's not to say that things don't bug me. Oh, things bug me. They can bug me a lot. And I can be really bitter. Oh lawdy, can I carry a grudge! Just ask The Man. But still...I try to be positive most of the time. OK, some of the time. Every now and then? You're not going for this?

I have to admit, since giving birth to Ladybug I haven't been my old chipper self. Well, I've been the OLD part, just not the chipper part. The fact is that I'm tired. I try not to beat myself up about it too much. I mean c'mon! I'm...well, I'm old! Like, in my 40s old.  I know, I know, 40s the new 30, but I've given birth TWICE since I turned 40.  I'm entitled to be a little tired. Especially since I'm still trying to live my life like I'm in my 30s.

Lately I've begun to think that I'm using this "old mom" thing as a crutch. It seems I've gotten out of the habit of recognizing the amazing things that happen right in front of me every day. Well, I'm doing something about it. Ho-hum...sounds a tad cliché, you say? Well, one of the best parts about being in my 40s is that I don't really care what people think about me anymore. (Now if that's not reason for celebration, what is?!) So stop on by my brand-spankin' new blog. Acknowledge a little joy with me.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

I'm Sick

"I Got A Code Id My Dose" http://sbritt.etsy.com

Ugh! I felt if coming on a couple of days ago, and really, I’ve tried to do the right thing. I’ve been taking it easy, trying to get to bed at a decent hour, eating right, etc. Too little, too late, I guess. Oh well.

I’ve been awake since 2:30 this morning. I tried watching a little TV, but that’s always a mistake for me. TV does nothing but wake me up. By 3:45 I couldn’t take it anymore so I decided to get up.

It’s now 5:00. What I should be doing is researching some great homeopathic way to make myself better. Instead, I’m blogging and trolling Etsy.

Basically, I feel like I’ve got a bunch of these guys stuffed in my head.

Pet Pathogens by SublimeDzign
http://sublimedzign.etsy.com/


And an army of these guys in my throat.

Pet Pathogens by SublimeDzign
http://sublimedzign.etsy.com/


All I can say is thank goodness this little dude hasn’t taken up residence in my body.*
Surfing Giardia Germ by FrecklesUnleashed
http://frecklesunleashed.etsy.com/


But if he had, I could always call this bad ass to take care of him.**

Mac the Biker Bacillus Germ by FrecklesUnleashed
http://frecklesunleashed.etsy.com/

All I know is that I’m definitely going to need one of these today.

Flackie Monster Tissue Holder by SwieDebie
http://swiedebie.etsy.com/


Hmmm…I wonder if there’s rush delivery available on this item.

Quinceanera Surgical Mask by CheapChampagne
OK, I'm going back to bed!

*Gardia - think Montezuma's revenge
**Bacillus - the good kind of germ found in stuff like yogurt