Clink Clink

Sometimes shopping cannot be helped. For instance, our neighbors put up a pretty wind chime the other day which reminded me of how much I truly love that deep, harmonious pitch of wood against metal dancing in a breeze. It got me thinking, "Why don't I have a wind chime? I love wind chimes, how have I survived without?" But then the thought passed because, honestly, I am a little busy and have certain things on my mind all the time.

THEN I got an email from Cost Plus - World Market saying that their wind chimes were on sale, 25% off! That was all the real convincing I needed. 

FYI - We have a list of stores that I am not allowed into without a financial chaperone, this is one of them. Target is another... and Michaels... and Lowes... and Ikea... and Craigslist (well close enough.) 


SO, Beau came with me to make sure that we got what we came for and nothing more, nothing less... except he sometimes isn't good at this. Which brings me to this purchase:

I'm happy. It is a 6 quart (approx. 1.5 gallon) mason jar inspired drink dispenser. I am very happy. Imagine all the tea I can drink out of that!! I blame Pioneer Woman for putting this into my head. She brought it to my attention that these were out there in Mason Jar form. However, her's are for $60+, whereas mine was only $14. 


I win.


Contently Yours,
~ Birdie

Burn Out

There is so much in my life that I am thankful for. So much that I am learning to love and show gratitude for. So much to appreciate. 


While I may be exhausted, flirting with a lovely thing called "Burn Out," I am eternally grateful for the reasons for it. 

Rather than saying that "I have to go to work," I choose to say "I get to go to work." There are so many out there who don't have this option. I am thankful that I do. I am thankful for the job I have - I truly love it. Teaching about and discussing the wellbeing of children lifts my spirits whenever they are low. It is a pleasure.


Going to school while working is a challenge, but a worthy one. SWIHA is a blessing, every step of the way, and the people I meet there encourage me to dig deeper, learn more, and share the love. Every day I am learning to be better, stronger, healthier. I am honing my skills as a Healer and becoming familiar with my heart.


While Yoga is a part of my schooling, it is really a world all its own. Perhaps the most accountable for my fatigue, it is worth every minute. The more I learn, the more I love it. The philosophies, the asanas (poses), the community. What a beautiful and blessed way to start my day.

I am a wife and with that title comes certain responsibilities. Like loving, nurturing, and caring for my husband and finding the time to be a part of my family, love my spouse, connect with my babies (our furry little bundles of joy). Fortunately, my family is my therapy. My husband is my support who loves and nurtures and cares for me. My babies show me unconditional love every moment of every day... even when they are sleeping, I can feel it. 

I am a daughter, a grand-daughter, a sister, and a best friend. Family outside of this house garner my attention throughout the week. Thank goodness for Facebook and cell phones, letters and cards. To be loved and cherished by so many; to know that I am held in the hearts of others; to have a support group ready to lend an ear or a warm embrace... no obstacle becomes too great. I am invincible.

I have a business, in its beginning stages, that becomes a focal point whenever there is spare time. I am thankful for the knowledge that I have and the education I am receiving so that I may grow that business, so that I can spread my message, and so that I can touch the lives of others. It will be an adventure to watch as Oak Tree takes off and reaches its full potential.

What about this blog? Obviously I have neglected it in these last few weeks, but as the summer calms down, more time will become available for my dedication to return. To have a venue to share with others around the world is amazing and inspiring. Having friends and strangers show their support for this blog and the values it represents is encouraging. Thank you all for your time and attention. It is very much appreciated.


Although I know that I am forgetting somethings here and there, lastly, I must acknowledge that I am Me. While learning to be able to sit with just Me and listen to Me and be OK with just Me - I am spending time with Me. Having personal time is very important and I am getting better at embracing this idea. As independent as I am it has occurred to me that I may have forgotten how to be it. Baths help. As does meditation. I am grateful for Me.

What Are You Thankful For?
~Birdie

BBQ Black Bean and Corn Pizza - Revised

We started cooking tonight what has now become a staple for our household. The delicious BBQ Pizza. Mmmm... so scrumptious. So easy to make! I have had the chance to make the pizza a few times now and with each time I have slowly improved upon and customized the once "out of the book" recipe. 


This is where I'm at so far:

Just before it went into the oven... mmmm...

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds prepared whole wheat pizza dough
• 16 oz bottle of Honey BBQ Sauce
• 1/2 cup corn kernels
• 1 cup spinach, chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh sage, chopped
• 1 cup tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 cup mushrooms, diced
• 6 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 1/2 cup shrimp, cooked and chopped
• 1/2 tbs lemon pepper
• 1/2 tbs oregano
• 1/4 tbs cayenne pepper
• Some flour for the baking sheet

Process:

• Preheat oven to 350*.
• Combine all ingredients into a bowl except for: pizza dough, BBQ sauce, and flour.
• Mix ingredients and add 1/3 of the BBQ sauce to the ingredients mixture.
• Sprinkle Flour into a baking sheet (a regular cookie sheet works just fine).
• Spread dough on floured sheet to fill up the pan.
• Place in the oven for 10 minutes.
• Remove pan and flip the dough over.
• Spread 1/3 of the BBQ sauce onto the dough, evenly.
• Dump have of ingredients batch onto the dough and spread out evenly.
• Return to oven for 20-30 more minutes.
• Let cool.
• Cut, serve, and enjoy!

*This batch makes two pizzas, repeat process for second pizza.*


Very delicious! :)

Helpers are important.

Flowers are pleasant too...

We are becoming a dairy free house,
so we chose Lactose Free cheese.... It was pretty good.

Grandpa's bowl is also an integral part to this operation.

Add all the ingredients together.

Admire the deliciousness.

Mark it with a B.

Spread out the dough.

Put it in the oven for 10 minutes.

Mix in some BBQ Sauce.

Remove from oven and smother in BBQ Sauce.

Put half the batch onto the dough and let bake for 20-30 minutes. 

Give it a shot! You won't be disappointed,
~ Birdie!

M.I.A....

Oh dear me. I feel like I have officially become neglectful of this blog. Oh dear, indeed.


Well I have a few excuses.... as mentioned before, earlier in the month, I started my Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) and it is amazing... and busy... and incredible... and consuming. Plus I am taking an online course (Alternative Lifestyles), and two other classes at SWIHA: Psychology, Honoring the Masters; and Ayurveda. 


I also work. But that doesn't take too much effort really... I just can't blog from work. That part is unfortunate. The internet restrictions, not the working part. I love my job. It is amazing.


Then there was this thing that happened last week. I have aged. I can rent a car now. My insurance rates will drop. I turned 25.... and as a birthday gift Hubby (in cahoots with my parents) surprised me with my mom. There I was, minding my own, chatting it up at a coffee house with my friend (and birthday buddy), Eliza, when my mom walks around the corner like it is no big deal. Um. Yeah. It is kind of a big deal! It was a great surprise... I feel very lucky.


That being said, with my mama here and my studies... I have had little time to approach and address my blogging responsibilities. Thus this posting. I am still here, I am still alive... I am just currently pleasantly distracted by all the happenings. Like shopping. And movies. And food. And sitting by the pool. And eating pancakes with family. And sleeping in a little. We went to the Grand Canyon too.


It has been a great weekend. I'm looking forward to more of them once we move back to Oregon... in 10 weeks. Only 10 more weeks. Ten.

Here are some photos to wet your appetite. 

Grateful, Blessed, and Excited,
~Birdie