Just for Fun ~ The iPod Meme

Grace is doing this fun meme, I just had to join!

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Put your music player on shuffle.
2. Press forward for each question.
3. Use the song title as the answer to the question even if it doesn’t make sense. NO CHEATING!

How do you feel today? Fighter - Christina Aguilera (I sure do!)

What's your outlook on life? Daughters - John Mayer (oh, yeah)

What does your family think of you? Only Heart - John Mayer (aw! I hope so!)

What do your friends think of you? I'll Think of a Reason Later - LeeAnn Womack (LOL)

What do your exes think of you? Settlin' (they wish!)

How's your love life? Photograph - Nickelback (not sure about that one)

How will your love life be in the future? Hot in Here - Nelly (whoo-hoo!)

Will you get married? Clarity - John Mayer (huh?)

Are you good at school? California Girls - Gretchen Wilson

Will you be successful? Honey and the Moon - Joseph Arthur

What song should they play on your birthday? Fall Back Down - Rancid (perfect!)

What song should they play at your graduation? Face Down - The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus (this would mean I'd had waaaay too much chardonnay!)

The Soundtrack of your life? Stupid Girls - Pink (oh, I hope not!)

You and your best friends are? Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen (um..at least we're not Thunder Thighs!)

Happy times: Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover - Sophie B Hawkins

Sad times: Was that My Life - JoDee Messina

Every day: Anyway You Want It - Rise Against Revolutions Per Minute

For tomorrow: For the Windows in Paradise - Sufjan Stevens (how lovely!)

For you: Wrong Way - Sublime (uh-oh!)

What does next year have in store for you? Walk Away - Kelly Clarkson (I'm thinking this just means I should keep walking..period)

What do you say when life gets too hard? Glamorous - Feat, Ludacris (I turn to glamour when life gets too hard, this is true!)

What song will you dance to at your wedding? I'm Yours - Jason Mraz (beautiful song, very appropriate!)

What do you want as your career? It's My Life - Bon Jovi (you betcha)

Your favorite saying: Crazy - Gnarls Barkley

How will you die? 4-Ever - The Veronicas (sounds good!)

This was so much fun! Tho they didn't all make sense some of them did, and it made me realize what eclectic music taste I do have!

On My Hearth: WW Zero-Point Soup

Poor Lily seems to have caught my head cold, but hers also includes a nasty fever! She stayed home today, the last day of school, and is collapsed on the couch with o.j. and the tv remote control. Since she's mostly-vegetarian, I can't make her chicken soup so instead I'm whipping up some healthy veggie soup and a loaf of fresh bread. Hopefully she'll feel better soon!

Weight Watchers Zero-Point Soup

Ingredients:

2/3 cup sliced carrots
1/2 cup diced onions
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups fat-free broth (beef, chicken, or vegetable)
1 1/2 cups diced green cabbage
1/2 cup green beans
1 tbsp. tomato paste
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup diced zucchini

Directions:

In a large saucepan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, saute carrots, onions and garlic over low heat for about 5 minutes. Add broth, cabbage, green beans, tomato paste, basil, oregano and salt, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for around 15 minutes or until beans are tender. Lastly, stir in the zucchini and continue to heat soup for 3 - 4 minutes. Makes 4 servings.

The Nature Challenge

Mother-of-Invention went to see Dr. David Suzuki and has written a wonderful post about it, inspiring me to check out his website and join his Nature Challenge; I do many of these things already but there's always room for improvemnt. Anyone want to take the challenge with me? Mother Earth could use all the help she can get.

1. Reduce home energy by 10%

2. Eat meat-free meals once a week

3. Buy a fuel efficient, low-polluting car

4. Choose an energy efficient home and appliances

5. Stop using pesticides

6. Walk, bike or take transit to regular destinations

7. Prepare your meals with locally produced food

8. Choose a home close to regular destinations

9. Support alternatives to the car

10. Get involved, stay informed

Happiness Is...

*morning entertainment: watching the squirrels and blue jays fight over the birdfeeder; my backyard is becoming such a nature habitat!

*wearing a new dress to work today, in my favorite color! (Red, of course)

*my boss encouraging me to take some days off this upcoming month if I'd like; my wallet will be empty but I'll be happy!

*catching a dozen eggs as they were just about to slide out of the shopping bag and hit the floor, whew! It's the little things in life, you know?

*stealing a few moments out by the pool before the clouds moved in.

*anticipating a lovely cocktail hour with an old friend, our visit is long-past due and I can't wait to see her!

I'll Never Let Go..

My friend Grace posted this quiz so I had to give it a try. It describes me pretty well as yes, I do believe that though you can love many people, there is one that fits...they may not be the easiest to love, but they challenge you and help you grow as well as completely adore you. ;-) Beren and I are a perfect example of that, apart for 22 years yet here we are together again despite incredible odds!

I don't think our ending will be bittersweet, though, we've had enough of that already. I'm planning on happily-ever-after, thank you very much!

Your Love Life is Like Titanic

"Promise me you'll survive. That you won't give up, no matter what happens, no matter how hopeless." You think that you only really have one true love in your life. And that you better to anything and everything to be with that person. You tend to be very nostalgic about past loves that didn't work out. There are many secret feelings that you keep to yourself. Your love style: Deep and emotional Your Hollywood Ending Will Be: Bittersweet

What Movie Is Your Love Life Like?

Re-Decorating

Many, many thanks to Domestic Chicky for my gorgeous new header!! Isn't she talented? And so very sweet. The castle looks so lovely with it's fresh new face!

Now Playing at the Castle: Nickelback

Last night Beren and I were talking about my newfound love of Nickelback (I know, they've been around forever but I'm kinda slow about such things) and how I adore his voice. I am such a sucker for a deep, grainy, growly voice..the lead singers Creed, Pearl Jam, etc. they all sound like that and they all get to me. I told Beren that I don't even know what Chad Kroeger looks like, and I don't care, all he has to do is sing to me, Beren does a very good job with all the rest.

Happiness Is...

I'm suffering from a nasty head cold so my "appreciations" are rather simple right now...

*tissues with aloe; whomever thought of these babies, my nose thanks you!

*afternoon naps with two black kitties who seem to somehow know that I'm sick

*endless amounts of ice water and orange-strawberry-banana Crystal light. Good stuff!

*feeling well enough to do some late-afternoon gardening, my herbs are blooming so nicely!

*a wonderful boyfriend who kicked butt cleaning the patio and back yard in preparation for our little soiree today

*playing Gin Rummy by candlelight on said clean patio, the scent of dill & rosemary & lavender wafting in from the garden...a lovely time even if Beren did beat me every single game!

On My Hearth: Greek Pasta Salad

We are up to the letter "G" in our own little veggie adventure and since it's such a tough one (what vegetable starts with G?) we fudged a bit and decided to focus on Garbanzo beans. I served hummus with whole wheat pitas, cucumbers and olives & salad as garnish, and this tasty Greek pasta salad on the side. I used whole wheat penne to boost the healthy aspect, and substituted olive oil for the vegetable. The whole meal was really yummy and a good light choice to start off the holiday weekend!

Greek Pasta Salad

Yields: 8 servings

"Penne pasta has great company in this robust salad that is hearty enough to serve as an entree. Tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, sweet onion and black olives are tossed with the pasta and an herbed oil and lemon juice dressing."

INGREDIENTS:
1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic salt
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 sweet onion, chopped
1 cucumber, coarsely chopped
1 cup black olives, chopped

DIRECTIONS:
1. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water until al dente. Drain, and rinse in cold water.
2. In a small bowl, mix together oil, lemon juice, basil, garlic salt, and black pepper.
3. In a large bowl, combine pasta, tomatoes, green pepper, onion, cucumber, and black olives. Add dressing, and toss to coat. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Just for Fun ~ My Name in Lights!

Domestic Chicky did this and I just had to try it myself! How fun!


I got my name in lights with notcelebrity.co.uk