MM Marvelous Monday Freak Out!

"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."– Sir Winston Churchill

Why yes,, I am trying to finish a quilt. I think if I stood still long enough, Id turn ito a tree! Grunt.

I am in a hurry and I dont like it! But.. its my own fault! I fooled around and now the pressures on. shoot.

Hey, Can I have these?

Damn near gave me a coronary when I saw them!

Yes,  a must on the wish list, vision board, fridge, anywhere i can stick the sticky!

I may reward myself for the good fitness work! Yes! I am doing well!!!

 

Happy Monday!

 

MM's include: My baby grands are close enough I can see them in my head! Im coming!!!

My notebook, because my desktop went night night.

french vanilla coffee in the evening, thank you dear friend:)

Feet fun! ( thats all Im sayin`) LOL

Happy Birthday Lil Woman!

My neice still patiently waits for her birthday...lol
She is 19 today. I patiently wait for the 11 months AFTER my birthday!
This lil Woman is adorable, charismatic, funny and fine! Loves life so much and cant wait for each new chapter!
Jackie Loves her friends and family fiercely! I love that passion in my family members. We do it big, right or wrong? LMAO!
Happy Birthday Lil Woman! I love ya!

Nutritional Nuts!

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."– Eleanor Roosevelt

 Do ya love em? I do! Pistachio being my nut of choice these days. Go figure eh... I love trees...lol
The best thing about my pistachios are they health benifit of the natural protein. I can have a palm sized amount of nuts, fullfill my snack desires, feel full, and I havent destroyed my health plan!
It sure beats sitting down with a bag of potato chips and feeling like a L.O.S.E.R. afterward!
This is my nut dish. I keep it handy at all times however I know better than to put on the feed bag and empty the bowl as nuts can be quite fattening if overdosed. I especially like the center space for the shells. Tip: these shells work great in the bottom of plante pots for container gardening!  I do switch the nuts out for almonds every month or so. They too are good for you. Unless of course you buy all the flavored ones with salts or sugars. Please resist the temptation.
These natural beauties I'm told are good for my heart. People who eat nuts as part of a heart-healthy diet can lower the LDL, low-density lipoprotein or "bad," cholesterol level in their blood. High LDL is one of the primary causes of heart disease.  I dont want that! I also wish to thwart off any blood clots, which I have found this to be true of nuts as well.
 I am improving with every step I take toward a healthier lifestyle. I cannot believe the things I am learning about my "old" way of eatting. ( and all Americans!) Im going incredibly slow with progress, and I still have a cookie sometimes. Because I love them! I wish that I had been more educated 20 years ago. I really do. I want to live to see my mug on that Smuckers Jelly jar when I turn 100... I think I am on the right track.  Finally!



To My Followers

And non admitted followers alike:

Follow DGQC Here

I am trying hard to move quilt content to the website keeping GDG more personal. Business, more business.  Please oh please visit above link and click on the follow me button over there. Then you can keep up with
A. My soap Opera here ( affectionatly known as SUDS.)
B. Follow my quilt goings ons over at DGQC
C. Make me very happy

Thank you Dear Blog readers, I`ll do my very best to give ya lots of inspiration in both areas!
And ya know theres Ginger`s site, but she doesnt talk so much? LOL
Love yer guts!
G

MM Power To Da Poodle!

For Unconditional Love & Loyalty, Your Best Bet is a Dog

Unk

Good morning:) Happy Marvelous Monday! Whatcha grateful for last week? You tell me this time!

Do ya love the above quote?  Pooch? Me too!

I think I want a herd of poodles...lol Well, until I try to sleep and Gin is the super bed hog! I swear I can sleep right on top of her and she wont MOVE! And she dreams out loud! I think she is in pain and go to wake her from the nightmare and save her from the monsters! She is quite "gassy" which really makes me mental and grosses me out. When I leave her home alone I am punished by the tipping of trash cans all over. Justttt making a mess for ya Ma.

 She is a circus freak upon my return acting as though she hasnt seen me in six years. Someimes I break things while trying to come through the front door. (sorry KareBear) Ginger insists on being up my nose 24/7 and right on my lap if I sit down. No one told her that she is a "mini" NOT a "toy" poodle. She gives me the stink eye whenever I do something unacceptable to her. She shows her teeth also when she doesnt like the scent of something. Many lotions have gone in the garbage because SHE SAID SO.

Now that you know what a pain in the butt this creature is, let me tell you why I need an entire herd of em!

It doesnt matter what I do, say, think, feel, she loves me more than her own exsistance. In everything that she does, it shows. For every "stink eye" there five million adorning looks on her face. She is a comfort to me, and would try to kill anyone who dared to hurt me. Not that she could, but she THINKS that she can. ( and tries!) Ginger would never sit in judgement of anything I do. Ever. She wouldnt even scold me. I know that if she could talk, she would tell me all of this. Someone worships the very ground on which I walk! LOL This makes me happy. Gives me much needed pleasure. I can braid her hair, shave her face, monkey pick her skin, and she just loves me.

I never wish to be without her, however I know I must suffer that loss one day too. I freaking hate loss. Until that day comes I will be forever grateful for her love. Sent to me at just the right time. As is everyone I have ever known.

I dont understand why everyone doesnt have this kind of a friend. They should! It should be a rule.

MM Include:

This week I give many of my weekly gratuities to Ginger Snap. 

 Princess of the house!

Pastors message yesterday on the book of Ruth. Such a great love story.

My hair length inching back finally! WTF was I thinking?

People in the box

Pinterest People

The new addiction eh? I have some thoughts on it. ( you knew that I would!) The best thing about Pinterest is not just having fun dreaming. Its not planning the perfect home, meal, outfit, trip. For me, its opening up what I have created, looking at each of the compiled boards I have pinned to, and discovering something VERY COOL! ME! No kidding! I opened my "for the home" board one day and as I was shopping i my own store I noticed who I am in a nutshell! My personality comes through and its all the same even tho it was all "pinned" at different times. Its like a G Book! All about me!

Discoveries Made:
Home Board: Walk into my home and I swear everythings round, unique and fanfreaking tastic! I love my place!
Humor Board:  What a goofball I am, things that give me a tickle.
Food Board:  I am a damn good cook! WOW! And so are my Foodies! I KNOW chit!
Fashion Style: With a little work, I look like I have always looked, only smaller! YEH ME!
Quilty Board: YEN CAN QUILT! And so can her buddies!
Jewelery Board: I open it up, drool, and say YEPPERS, Its Moi`!

Now, Do I hold tonights winning lottery ticket? I just might!

Now here's another Pinterest Plus. Why google anything when we can find the best sites for what we need right there on Pinterest??? Yeppers! There are like minded people and artists right at my fingertips! No web searching required! Love that!
What a great promoter tool for our businesses!!! Go Me Again! Marketing with emotion! Just my style:)
Ok, so Dear Blog readers, go sign up and make an all about you book! Then let me know so I can go to your house, in your closet, eat your food, and laugh out loud at your sense of humor. I dig it. ( dated me opps, my bad) Old Hippie?
Have fun on Pinterest!
Please Dear Pinterest Peoples, Please dont change a thing! DONT PULL A FACEBOOK ON ME!
Love yer guts!
G

Chicken & Red Peppers

6 chicken thighs with skin and bones
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 red bell peppers, cut lengthwise into 1/3-inch-wide strips
1 onion, sliced
2 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
1/4 cup dry white wine
Pat chicken dry and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and fresh ground pepper.
Heat oil in an ovenproof 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until just beginning to smoke, then cook chicken, skin sides down, until browned, about 5 minutes. Turn chicken over and cook 5 minutes more, then transfer to a plate.
Pour off all but 2 tablespoons fat from skillet and cook bell peppers, onion, garlic, red pepper flakes (to taste), and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, about 10 minutes. Add wine and boil 1 minute. Nestle chicken, skin sides up, into pepper mixture and cook, covered, over moderate heat until cooked through, about 15 minutes.
Turn on broiler. Remove lid from skillet and broil chicken 4 to 6 inches from heat until skin is crisp, about 1 1/2 minutes

Thursday Shut Down

Courage is the power to let go of the familiar

                                                                 Raymond Lindquist

Well, I guess I'm courageous! Who knew?
How are ya? No cooking for me today. All about the quilts. I gots priorities member? I do have a fantastic one for you tomorrow!!! Stay tuned!
I just shut down the shop. Watched American Idol and quilted.
I am working on a king this week. All house. Loving it too! I'm feathering it to death. Well feathers go with neighborhoods right? Just think of the birds! I have also been hard at work job hunting. Money hunting. Familiar hunting. Just hunting. I feel like a hunter gather-er. grunt. I eveb hunted down a new cake recipe for Blima to make for me! LOL ( G doesnt bake, its too damn precise) Well, thats not true, sometimes I bake. But right now Im losing weight member? No baking! So my goal is to get to Blima in summer, and eat nothing but cake!!!  They dont call her Blimacake for nothing!
I miss our foodie functions. I think we foodies got together only four times. Serious fun for at least 14 of us. So many changes since then. Life steamrolled for me personally eh? When first she an I met online, I was a skinny little food and beverage director. Single. Happy. So full of life. She hasnt changed too much, me...well, you know..... I think I met Heather in the same year:) 1996... What has gone on since then is nothing short of remarkable! She has babies!! Babies!! I better go and make my tea before I get all mushed out. Miss you guys!



Seafood Sunomono (cucumber salads)

This one of my favorite go to salads for snacking. Found usually at your local sushi house but its so easy and good for you, have it at home! Often! I do use Splenda as opposed to the sugar, I cant tell the differance. When I am at a sushi house I love to have the fresh seaweed added! Shown here as a snacker with no proteins. You know I love cucumber water eh?

I KNOW I should have been a mermaid. grunt.

Crab or Seafood Sunomono (cucumber salads)

Ingredients

• 1 large English cucumber
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar or SPLENDA*
• 1 tsp soy sauce
• Sesame seeds
• 1 Cup crab, or #10 Shrimps

Peel and slice cucumber into very thin slices. ( Mandolin or super sharp paring knife) Sprinkle sliced cucumber slices with salt and let stand a few minutes. Squeeze out excess moisture.

 Combine vinegar, sugar, and soy in a bowl and mix well. Pour the mixture over the cucumber slices and mix well. Fold in Seafoods. Top with toasted sesame seeds.  If left refridgerated for a few hours, the cukes wilt a bit, but the flavors are delish!

 TIP: I have found in many of my recipes, that if you buy the sesame seeds in a bag in the hispanic isle, they are much fresher, and less than HALF the cost of bottled brand names! FYI!

 *Adapted loosely from an old Bobby Flay recipe. I think I FIXED his:)

On another note...................................

I sure have. Nuff said.

MM Still Here!

"Kindness in words creates confidence.

Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love."
— Lao Tzu

 Its Monday. I am feeling kind. KIND OF MENTAL!
oh, sorry... this is the blog.
K, I am a happy worker Bee. I'm not stressing...nooooo I'm fine. I am super happy that its Monday!
WHY in the hell do I dislike weekends? No one else does!

I DID in fact go to church yesterday! YEH ME! I think someone told the Pastor that I was coming because I swear to Budha that he was speaking to me. Just a lil shaker , its all good. I think I'll go get shaked again next week!
 I love the thursdays stitching group.. they shake me differently...lol
Have a great week dear blog readers! Keep Prancing!

M & M's include:

The king quilt Im trying to have my way with
Meeting yet another deadline without falling completley apart
A new Eagles song I heard.. Old, but I never heard it? "Old 55". Now ya know am nor never will be THAT old, but I love the song!
*Cab, song is called "Bad. you tube it!
Last nights Panko crusted lemon infused halibut... Swoon....

Cal Terra Tratorria In Atascadero

CAL TERRA TRATORRIA

How about some dinner fun on a HumpDay?

 I had a blast at Cal Terra this week and was very entertained!

He sang Da Blues........:::SIGH:::Steve Tracy is his name.

Loved it! I didnt have my usual Calamari Strips this time. I chose a salad, and some wine, what else? Brandon, the owner is quite personable, and his staff, attentive.

Heres a tip: Dont wait for Wednesday to visit them! YUM!

Ancho Chili Glazed Salmon

So easy, so delicious... I think I will have this once a week to get my Omega three fix! I didnt have any Ancho on hand, but New Mexico did the job well. Thanks BlimaCake.com for the heads up! OMGoodness!!! You MUST try this soon! Did I mention how easy it was? I was in the kitchen for 20 minutes, and BAM! Back to quilting! Woohoo!

ANCHO CHILI GLAZED SALMON

Next time I will do this on the BBQ!!!!

Ingredients

 Salmon glaze ingredients

 1/3 cup honey

 1 Tbs ancho chili powder

 1 Tbs Dijon mustard

 Salt & pepper

 4 salmon fillets, 8 oz. each

 2 Tbs canola oil

Directions:

 Whisk together honey, ancho chili powder and mustard in a small bowl, and season with salt and pepper. Preheat nonstick pan over high heat. Brush salmon with oil on boths sides, and season with salt and pepper. Place salmon in the pan, skin-side down, and cook until golden brown and a crust has formed, about 2 to 3 minutes. Brush the top of the salmon with some of the glaze, flip over, and contiue cooking about 2 minutes longer, until a crust has formed and the salmon is cooked to medium.

 Remove salmon from the pan, glazed-side up, and brush with some more of the ancho glaze.