Up In The Air

My connecting flight was cancelled due to bad weather, about 20 minutes before board time.  This was after the 3 hours lead time to allow for the extra security and all that.  Another 2 hour wait in line at Air Canada Customer Service with many others with the same concerns. What were they going to do with me?

The long and short of it is that I could spend overnight in Toronto and try again the next day, or be placed on a direct flight to Houston, and spend overnight there, courtesy of Air Canada.  I could then hop on the next flight out to Lubbock bright and early the next morning.  The only drawback was having to go out and come back in through the 'wash cycle' of Canadian Customs and the US security system again.  I chose Texas - for the Adventure.

Sounds good.

Except when I got to Houston, the local Air Canada agent had no idea that such arrangements had been made.  It took some convincing on my part that it wasn't logical that I would choose to come all the way to Houston, just to be stranded in an airport terminal at night in an unfamiliar country, when I could have stayed at a hotel in Toronto for free.  The agent eventually agreed and set up hotel and shuttle arrangements.  Shuttle in 15 minutes in the pick up area.  Check!

After waiting outside for an hour, without seeing the afore mentioned shuttle, I went inside the terminal to confirm that they were coming.  Air Canada office is closed now, but a phone call from the general customer service desk confirms that the shuttle will be on their way in 15 minutes.

After waiting another hour, I went inside the terminal and found everyone gone from customer service area.  A shuttle driver phoned hotel from his cell phone.  In fact, they said they were going to be about 15 minutes.

Another hour passed.  I was tipping over the point of sanity.  I have been either in an airport terminal or in a plane for the past 13 hours.  I went inside the terminal again and met up with a lovely female police officer who kindly phoned the hotel again.  Apparently, the shuttle in question was a large orange bus that was zipping around quite frequently in the three hours I had been waiting.

So out we go and the officer puts me on the shuttle.  Off to the hotel  When the shuttle driver escorted me inside the hotel lobby, we were informed that there were two hotels with the same name and this wasn't my hotel.  The shuttle driver also informed us that he didn't go to that hotel.

God Bless 'em, the owner of that hotel was willing to drive me to the hotel that I was booked in, about 8 miles away.

A fully conscious individual may give pause to wonder 'what was that all about'?

I did catch the right shuttle to the airport the next morning, and was prepared for a short hour and twenty eight minute flight to Texas West.  You know...... flat, dry, tumbleweed....

 I couldn't believe what I saw from the air.  It was a bright cloudless morning so the ground was totally visible from my window. It was as if I was in a art gallery, looking at an exhibition of surreal paintings. The bright colours of indigo, terra-cotta, buff, maroon and plum.  The little patches of water here and there were like bright turquoise glass.  I was stunned.


Although I never expected such a difficult day of travel, I never expected to see one of the most amazing breath-taking sights of my life. Was it worth it?  You bet!

I did find a website whose photos may give you an idea of what I saw that morning.

http://www.clusterballoon.com/assets/thumbnails/AmericasChallenge2008_PaloDuroBelow_thumb.jpg

 http://www.clusterballoon.com/assets/AmericasChallenge2008_StatisticiansDream.html

Maybe the next time I will try the balloon-method of flying. Being up in the air is certainly a different viewpoint.

Back On the Planet

Happiness might be 700 square feet of great floor.

I am thrilled with the soft luster of this bamboo flooring. It is tough, eco-friendly and oh so beautiful.




It is amazing to see how order rises out of chaos.









Bits of my world are coming back into order, and surprisingly, I have been able to let go of many things.




I have had to size down by two rooms. If it isn't functional or beautiful, - out it goes.

Some serious spiritual house-cleaning has been going on.

I know what a strange creature I am by what I am attached to.

An example:
Two years ago my daughter was packing for her move to Texas. She gave me her sushi style platter that was shaped like a leaf. It was really beautiful but had a chipped edge. I never used it because it was obviously damaged. I just set it up on a shelf on its edge so that the chip didn't show and looked at it from time to time.

As I was packing to move, I had this dish in my hands, preparing to throw it out. I just couldn't do it. I said to myself, "She gave me this. I just can't let go of it".

I put it right back on the shelf. Then I watched it slide down and crack in half.

I threw it out!



This is a sneak-peek of my new office with the glorious floor finished.

Like most upheaval, this has been a walk of faith. I couldn't have done it without the help of my friends.





Now that I am back on the planet, I hopefully will be able to attend to other aspects of life. I am planning to visit my daughter for a week. I still have some final details and some wall painting to finish when I get home. But over-all, I'm done with renovations.

I am mostly settled after the exodus. As much as I feel grateful for the opportunity to co-create my own home and office, I'm glad to be back.

The Internal Romance

When I put on make up, fuss a bit with my hair and dress up a little, people wonder if I am trying to attract a man. When I don’t get all gussied up, people wonder if I’m letting myself go.

The point is, what I do, I do for me. I have a love affair with life, and in this life I am the leading lady. Do I cast myself as the cleaning drudge or the hard done by divorcé, or even the less favoured sibling?

Are these true? I get to decide! They are true if I say they are.

I get to decide what my story is all about; is it a tragedy, a comedy, an adventure story? Ahead of me, all blank pages. The pages to the left have been written in already, but I am also editor of my story. I can go back with my magic red pen and change the flavour, point or purpose of the story

It’s my story. It can even be a romantic comedy.

The manure for a good story is always just about the same. There are interesting characters that are facing times of testing, and rising to the challenges. As the story resolves we see our characters gaining wisdom, growing in perspective and maturing. They are sharing their story with others.

So what’s with the romance thing? In my world, a story about a dog or a horse is a romance story. A story about children, or estranged families reconciling, or even stories about finding our ancestors. These things are the very essence of romance; anything about relationships, interactions, impressions, perceptions. Romance is who we are, where we are and how we are and with who.

Film Shot: Put a man alone looking at a mountain sunset, and Yup! – We’ve got ourselves a romance story.

I remember a line in a Sarah McLaughlin song. “In a world created for romance”. Think Maui, The Grand Canyon, the Sahara or Niagara Falls! To me, this world that we live in, that is the backdrop to our lives is created for romance.

What perks me in the very core of my being connects me with the God who created me. I understand more of God’s nature by what my own heart responds to: Romance, adventure, excitement, mystery; a story with great characters. The stories that we love, and flock to the theatres to see, are romance stories through and through. The Titanic grossed millions. Think of some other timeless classics: Gone with the Wind, Gladiator, Old Yeller, Little Women, Pride and Prejudice, Lawrence of Arabia.

It is always marvellous to see ordinary people living extraordinary lives, or even people living ordinary lives in an extraordinary way. This world we are in is created for Romance.

In the Valley of the Details

The other day I was too weary to cry.

I don’t know about you, but I seem to travel from mountain to mountain. While I am standing on the peak, I can see with total clarity; where I am going, where I’ve been. I’m standing in the thrall of the vista. All of a sudden, everything makes sense. My decisions are clear and I chose my direction with purpose and commitment.

Once that decision is made, I start to travel down into the valley. At some point in the decent, I lose all sense ‘rightness’. The clarity is gone. I endure, I trudge, I put one foot in front of the other. Every fear kicks in. My mind is caught in a litany of negative messages.

Self pity, frustration, and discouragement reign. I am lost in the Valley of the Details.

I had been renovating in filth for 6 weeks. I had been painting 50 kilometres of baseboard, door and trim for four whole days and I realized on the fifth morning that the old brown paint was shadowing through. I absolutely had to do a fourth coat.

Many dark thoughts traveled through my mind that day. This was my low point. I was tired of being dirty. I hurt everywhere. I was definitely past my point of patience with crud and dry wall dust. I was totally sick and tired of painting trim. My life was reduced to nothing but paint, tea and sleep.

My neighbours, God bless them, noticing that I was feeling ‘lower than a snakes belly in a wagon rut’, offered to share their pot of chilli with me. This was their ultimate comfort food. Probably if I had been offered something I liked, I might have been distracted enough to move into a better state quickly. However, distraction was not forthcoming.

Truly, I loathe chilli. Chilli is what you eat when you are surrounded by cattle, and ‘nothing’. Chilli is what you eat when you are desperate and going to die otherwise. Chilli is what you eat when there is no more hope left to be had. Add a whack of soft bread and I am definitely on the slippery slope of depression.

Coming to the end of ourselves; this is where, for me, faith kicks in. No distractions, no rescue. This is where we have to just ‘gut it out’.

This whole day was an uninterrupted therapy session. I did persevere. Later that evening over tea and banana loaf, I was able to giggle with my chums and make fun of myself.

The trim looks great and has transformed the space. Friends are dropping by to oooh and ahhh. My landlords have kicked into gear and are speeding the process. The 720 square feet of bamboo flooring is being laid next week.

I am out of the valley and can see the completion of the project. Thanks to the team of ‘Angels’ who have helped and encouraged in so many ways.

Nutritional Solutions for Winter Ravaged Skin

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Many people at this time of year are noticing the discomfort of cracked fingers or are experiencing other weather irritated skin issues. It is important to remember that our skin is an organ. Our skin is responsible for regulation (fluids, temperature, and toxin removal) and protection. Basically it keeps our insides in and the outside, out.

With this in mind, it is important to nourish the skin from the inside out. Winter is a good time to supplement with essential fatty acids. When the body is nourished this way, you will notice a reduction of the need to use a topical moisturizing product, or that what you use topically will be more effective.

If you would benefit from intensive hand or foot treatments, I suggest buying a pair of light cotton gloves/socks. Slather on a heavy moisturizing product at bedtime and put them on to protect your bedding and keep the product on the affected area longer.

In respect to topical products, many natural based creams and ointments are available and are amazing in their ability to help heal the skin. A light application of Grape seed oil is a wonderful protection for dry irritated skin. The oil is more ‘skin friendly’ and is used by many massage therapists for this reason.

I keep a small vial of a mixture of Grape seed/Calendula oil handy. The benefits of Calendula are many. First, it protects the skin from bacteria entering deeper into the tissues. As an antiseptic, it reduces inflammation and itching of the skin. It takes the heat out of burns and soothes abrasions. Calendula also promotes and speeds healing. A light coating of this over my regular moisturizer provides a bit of extra protection before going outdoors.

It also stands to reason, to take precautions to clothe your self adequately when going out and about in cold climates. Gloves and scarves are a wonderful invention.

I am outdoors more; walking downtown or to my renovation site on a daily basis. I am also experiencing the drying effect of drywall dust on my skin and hair. At this time I am using Super EFA Liquid, Berry EFA Plus, Evening Primrose Oil, Black Current Seed based GLA. As well as nourishing my skin, I am nourishing my glandular system, nervous system and immune systems.

Be sure to keep well hydrated. Drink plenty of pure water. Also consume broth and teas on a regular basis. Also make sure that your trace minerals are up to snuff. I like to use sea vegetables (Gomasio) to meet this need. Minerals are responsible for holding water balance in our tissues.

Morning Smoothie

3 ounces pure water

½ banana

¼ cup frozen berries

½ ripe avocado (optional)

1-2 heaping Tablespoons protein powder (Rice Pro or Soy or Harmonized Vegan Protein

1 teaspoon Progressive Nutrition - Vegge Greens or Vegge Greens Blueberry Medley

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1 Tablespoon Progressive Nutrition – Phytoberry Powder

1Tablespoon Berry EFA Plus (essential fatty acids)

1 Teaspoon Super EFA Liquid

Blend until smooth. Dilute down with more water as desired.

Optional:

Use juice instead of water

Use peaches or any soft fruit

Use a purchased smoothie blend diluted half and half with water

Add 1 tablespoon organic golden flaxseed, freshly ground

Give this a try daily for two weeks and you will be amazed by the change in your skin.

What the Heck Is She Thinking!

Hold on to your sanity! She's renovating again!

About a year and a half ago, a friend was viewing my progress while I was painting my present apartment/office. She turned to her husband and said, "Lets buy a property in town and rent it to Nelda".


Well, due to many earth-shaking changes in their world, they did buy a rental property, and after a lot of soul searching, I have decided to...dare I say it....MOVE!

Its rather like having 2 pregnancies in one year. I'm really happy about it, but I know that a huge labour looms before me and my memory is too good. Thank goodness for the help of friends.

This building is just up a block from my present location. The building is Circa 1907, has tall ceilings and full bay windows on both levels. It's a WOW!


There are many pluses. No disruption overhead. One of my best chums is also my downstairs neighbour (who provides wonderful laugh filled tea breaks regularly while construction is in progress).

Her family-owned business was a lighting store, and she is well experienced in the art of cobbling together amazing creations out of Re-Store pieces. Our total budget for the entrance lighting is about $5.00.

Thrown (willingly?) into the deal is her partner who is an absolute wizard of all things pertaining to building, plumbing/heating/carpentry/electrical/drywall. So far he cheerfully and kindly responds to my call. He is teaching me how to skim plaster. The man is a saint!

I have every assurance that in this new location my business will be respected and supported in the way it deserves. This is going to be beautiful (trust me).

What a blessing! It will be wonderful to be back in the arms of loving kindness again. I am so looking forward to feeling settled. It will feel like my own. I'm thrilled.

Maybe the clincher is the TUB. It has that cute little rectangular rod above for attaching a shower curtain. 'She sighs'.



I love to design, paint and decorate. I have had 3 official interior design jobs in the past, 1 residential and 2 businesses.

This is your first view of my future home/business location.


I have given up trying to look like a girl. Drywall compound plays havoc with your hair, especially when afore mentioned hair defaults to frizz anyway.


This hole was just covered with a layer of wallpaper. When I scraped off the paper, about three cups of soot landing on my face and in my mouth. Yuk!

I do love working with paint effects on old plaster. I am so excited about the entryway.









I do apologize for not keeping up with my posts. Be assured that I am not keeping up with anything else either. But, stay tuned and you will be able to see the step by step progress as my team and I transform a 'sow's ear' into a 'silk purse' .

Once Was Lost...

I thought I had lost our family photos for good. I had resigned myself to the fact that they had been sacrificed to the great 'Moving God'. (it also scored a spatula, soup ladle and a cork screw)

I helped my friend clean out her attic and low and behold! There were my box of photos!

This is the best of Christmas presents.


Ahhh! The Ghost of Christmas Past



There are some photos that just tug at your heart strings.


More tugs!









If Christmas is about memories, and family and counting our many blessings, this is the best! I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Some Holiday Whoo-hoo

I really love pumpkin pie, especially at Christmas. However for one person it is really not worth the effort. I also need to avoid cow's milk as much as possible. This recipe is my compromise of pleasure, time and health.

My daughter gave me ramekins and a small butane torch for Christmas last year. I have been putting them to good use. For this recipe you will need four ramekins.

Dairy Free Pumpkin Brulee

¾ cup soy milk (I use So Nice - Vanilla)
½ cup pumpkin puree (or 125 ml can)
¼ cup pure maple syrup
2 Tablespoons Sucanat or cane sugar (optional)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
A pinch of ground cloves
¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs


Preheat oven to 350 F
Boil 2 cups of water

Combine soy milk, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, cane sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and vanilla in blender and process until well combined. Add eggs and process until smooth. Tap the bottom of blender container against your palm and set it aside for 5 minutes or so until any bubbles settle.

Divide the mixture between the four ramekins, and put the ramekins into a metal rectangular cake pan (8x8 inches). Add boiling water to the pan bringing the level of the water to halfway up the outside of the ramekins.

Put pan into the oven and bake for 35 or 40 minutes or until the custard has set. Remove ramekins from pan and let cool on wire racks. Can be covered and put in fridge overnight.

I put a thin layer of refined sugar over top and torch it to get a traditional Brulee crust.
This can be served with vanilla yogurt, frozen yogurt, whipped cream or any ice cream type product that you like.

Whipped Green

For an extra rich dairy free whipped cream sort of topping try whipped green. It must be eaten immediately as the avocado tends to oxidize.

½ ripened avocado 1 banana
1 Tbs agave or maple syrup 1tsp vanilla extract or liqueur
¼ cup soymilk or rice milk
A little lemon juice

In a blender, add avocado, banana, vanilla and soy milk and sweetener.
Blend until smooth and creamy. Adjust amount of milk to get the consistency you want. This can be used as a dip for fruit or as a replacement for whipped cream.

Fresh Spring Rolls with the Ultimate Easy Dipping Sauce

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These spring rolls are my all time favourite food.  They are like salad and finger food at the same time.  I serve by putting sauce in the bottom of a bowl, and fan the spring rolls in the bowl.

8 large rice paper wrappers

8 ounce package rice vermicelli noodles or bean thread noodle, soften with boiling water and cool enough to handle

4 green onions cut in thin strips

2 carrots cut in julienne strips, lightly steamed and flash cooled

1 red pepper cut in thin julienne strips

3 Tbs fresh Thai Basil cut in thin strips

3 Tbs fresh mint leaves cut in thin strips

3 Tbs fresh cilantro leaves cut in thin strips

1 cup of lettuce cut in thin strips

 

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Options:

8 ounces cooked shrimp cut lengthwise in half or tofu cut in thin strips or ……

Use sliced crab meat; pre-grilled chicken, smoked salmon or Spicy Dry Tofu

Prep all your veggies and ingredients in advance

Soften the paper by dipping the rice papers one at a time in a large flat bottomed dish of cool water for about 1 minute.  Hold it by one edge and let the water drain off it.  Lay on a the counter or a cutting board  and let them soften.  Re moisten if necessary.

On the side nearest you, place the meat, tofu, a small handful of noodle, the greens, carrots, pepper, herbs etc and roll the paper around the filling like a jelly roll.   Keep your mass rather long and narrow.  Be careful not to over fill.  Flip in each end and continue to roll trying to keep the roll tight around the filling.

Place on serving dish, seam side down.  To keep them from drying out, cover with waxed paper placed over the top. You can also soak a rice paper and place that on top.  Discard before serving.

Get creative. Anything that doesn’t squeal can be made into a rice wrap.  Some examples are: chicken or mock chicken salad or green salad with a yogurt/fruit dressing.  Dress the salad lightly before you roll.  Don’t have it dripping with dressing, just enough to flavour.

For dressings to dip your spring rolls into:

Mix about a ¼ cup of lightly ground Gomasio into the basic balsamic vinaigrette,

or mix equal parts of peanut sauce with the balsamic dressing.

Balsamic Vinaigrette Basic

2 parts oil to one part vinegar - If you find dressings have too much bite, add 1 tablespoon of water. 

Balsamic Vinegar is strong tasting – so add a little less than the full part

Crush 1 garlic clove and add to oil

Add 1Tbs of Dijon mustard (emulsifier)

Herbamere to taste

This is better made ahead and left to marinate a bit.

Japanese Gomasio

Rinse 1 cup of brown sesame seeds in sieve under tepid running water

Let drain

Use dry cast iron skillet –medium heat 

Cut dulse into small bits

Toast in pan until dulse is crisp

Add 1 tsp Celtic salt –ground fine

Up end sieve and dump in sesame seeds all at once

Spread over bottom of skillet and leave it to dry for a bit

Stir gently and fairly constantly (you may need to reduce heat)

This is ready when seeds are fragrant, slightly golden and hollow

Cool slightly and store in an airtight jar.

Grind about ¼ cup of the seeds using a mortar and pestle and add to the basic Balsamic Vinaigrette.  

Peanut Sauce

¼ cup of crunchy organic peanut butter

Add boiling hot water and mix, a little at a time, just until you get a smooth consistency

2 Tbs rice vinegar

2 Tbs Braggs Aminos or Tamari sauce

1 tsp or more Thai red pepper sauce

1 inch or more ginger root, pealed and grated

1 clove of garlic minced fine

Adjust flavourings to taste

(I mix this with equal parts balsamic vinaigrette)

Oriental Dressing

¼ cup rice vinegar

¼ cup warm brown rice syrup or agave syrup

1 Tbs water

1 Tbs sesame or canola oil

1 clove garlic minced

1 tsp grated ginger root

¼ tsp toasted sesame oil

A little hot stuff