tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57225599186476617182012-01-31T15:22:02.680-08:00Finding Peace through writing about life experiences: the grande and the awful, sharing my love and passion for hope and faith in the improvement of the spirit and body through healthful food and nutrition, art, communication, love expression, rhythm, music, gardening, cooking and yes, the occasional rant. Step inside and take a ride, or a chill break.Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.comBlogger631100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-65192881504229278862012-01-31T15:20:00.001-08:002012-01-31T15:22:02.727-08:00

I recently watched a "Dr. Oz" episode in which chef Alton Brown discussed losing 50 lbs and keeping, yes, keeping it off. He then shared 4 list of food he eats or doesn't eat to maintain his weight loss. I thought they were really pretty good suggestions, not, by any means, all inclusive of foods you should eat for ideal health, but very much worth sharing with you. Some suggestions I'd add to

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-90729716021643902122012-01-23T21:35:00.000-08:002012-01-23T22:03:00.443-08:00

These are the best brownies I’ve ever had—fudgy in the middle and chewy on the outside with a shiny, crackly top. The browned butter adds a rich, nutty flavor. I've made plenty of brownie recipes, but I think these are the star, the top of the list, the one I will make again and again. Ingredients10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 cup sugar 3/4 cup

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-51159920189562772032012-01-09T16:26:00.000-08:002012-01-15T18:47:26.277-08:00

A couple of winters ago, I was very sick with a stomach virus, honestly, I didn't know what was wrong. I was sick at my stomach constantly with nausea and burning. That I could deal with, I mean, that was not the worse of it. I began to lose my hair one day and it continued for 3 months, coming out in handfuls in the shower, coming out all day long in fact. My hair was everywhere, all over the

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-35057670120545851542012-01-06T22:06:00.000-08:002012-01-06T22:32:24.267-08:00

I attended a slide presentation tonight given by one of my most creative friends and artist, Caroline Douglas. Caroline creates figurative sculpture from clay and I have been very inspired by her work as well as her story. You see Caroline and I have a few things in common, all of which define me and my path. We both suffered brain injuries and have worked toward healing through our expression in

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-66352110423339849562011-12-28T12:06:00.000-08:002011-12-31T09:22:36.595-08:00

"Somewhere between self-abuse and gluttony." That is what I said in response to my daughter when she asked how much whipped cream to put on her pumpkin pie. Yes, somewhere in the middle there is a good place to hang out no matter what the subject matter. Balance is a tricky thing. I believe most of us don't really know what the middle looks like. We grew up leaning toward one side or the other

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-60385988850811125612011-12-27T12:08:00.000-08:002011-12-27T12:20:33.932-08:00

My kiddo is learning to cook and asked if she could make a holiday meal this year. She loves lobster macaroni and cheese, so when we watched a Food Network show recently with this recipe featured, we both excitedly knew this would be a good fit for her. She plans to make this for New Year's Eve,.....with a little help. Lobster Mac and CheeseIngredientsKosher saltVegetable oil1 pound cavatappi or

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-17504529520505740772011-12-17T18:23:00.000-08:002011-12-23T17:23:36.605-08:00

Time crunching during the holidays can make for stressful days. My husband has been helping me with dinner lately. This week I was grateful for extra time to get things done while he made this delicious recipe I found online. We changed some things in the end to suit our tastes. Dinner was wonderful and life is good!Ingredientslasagna noodles--"no boil" lasagna noodles are the best choice!!!1/2

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-27449163905274155862011-12-05T19:15:00.000-08:002011-12-17T18:23:09.024-08:00

I have a silver female Yorkie rescued from a puppy mill. A puppy mill, if you don't know, is exactly as it sounds, a place where dogs are bred, repeatedly, and the puppies are sold to stores, like the ones you find at the mall. The parent dogs are kept in wire cages, with wire bottoms, stacked one on top of the other, several dogs to a cage, kept outside in the weather, very little water and food

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-61474892265026039162011-11-27T22:06:00.000-08:002011-12-05T18:52:08.255-08:00

For Thanksgiving this year, I gave this recipe of Ina Garten's a try; of course, I changed it a bit for two reasons: 1) I have to be in control just a bit and 2) everything can be improved upon. I think I did improve it quite a bit and wanted to share my version with you. I doubled this. I love cranberries and they rank right up there with blueberries for nutritional qualities. I hope you give it

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-67666175220936709802011-11-27T21:33:00.000-08:002011-11-27T22:03:19.979-08:00

Last weekend was my birthday and as always my wonderful husband makes my day especially special. I awoke to kitchen sounds, despite his attempt to be quiet. I heard clanging measuring spoons, a mixer on low speed...quiet, quiet, a general bustling and rising excitement wafted into my room. To my surprise, my hubby was making one of my favorite recipes just for me, gingerbread. It turned out

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-16607143324449328042011-11-09T21:55:00.000-08:002011-11-11T23:10:21.540-08:00

Desiderata     Go placidly amid the noise and haste...sounds wonderful, doesn't it? But, often, not as easy as we'd like for it to be. Most all of us find ourselves living in difficult times, especially financially. Many of us are fed up, we've had enough, we've lost our tolerance. Drastic measures are sometimes appropriate, but I caution you, never comprise your core beliefs, your core

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-86728485649967974202011-11-08T19:00:00.000-08:002011-11-23T23:19:16.012-08:00

GRATITUDE, IT'S POSITIVELY WORTH ITI find daily life to be full of so many situations and people full of negative slants that pull, tug, and drag me down. I work exhaustingly to prevent this from happening. Lately, with the stress in our country, I find this challenge increasingly difficult. It seems everyone is on edge and on the edge of peril. Yes, the

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-24524483574496959252011-11-03T21:13:00.000-07:002011-11-03T21:16:42.312-07:00

This summer my Concord grape vines went wild with growth and so, after about 12 years of letting them freeze on the vine, I felt compelled to make grape jelly. Being that I've never canned anything in my life, I was excited by the challenge. I should have been apprehensive probably, but what did I have to lose? time and a little money. My daughter and I picked 30 plus pounds of grapes! The plan,

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-78919802410447517292011-10-26T19:57:00.000-07:002011-10-26T19:57:26.147-07:00

Here it is only October and I've been sick with a cold for three weeks; granted the Type 1 Diabetes can keep my immune system down, but enough is enough, right? The congestion moved into my ear about a week ago and some days I've been hours on the floor incapacitated with vertigo; sounds like the Alfred Hitchcock kind, but not....and nausea to boot. It's been hell to say the least. I've tried

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-64540365710349529062011-10-13T13:52:00.000-07:002011-10-15T23:08:00.518-07:00

The first time I visited Colorado, a friend drove me to Rocky Mountain National Park, standing at the overlook to Long's Peak, I was humbled to tears. I truly understood for the first time what the Arabic and Psalm 48 expression "God is Great" and "Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, in his holy mountain" actually means. I soon moved to Colorado to be closer to

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-51279897285987115792011-10-12T10:25:00.000-07:002011-10-12T11:02:22.776-07:00

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.We ask ourselvesWho am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?Actually, who are you not to be?You are a child of God.Your playing smallDoes not serve the world.There’s nothing enlightened about shrinkingSo that other people won’t

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-46004093846237180462011-10-05T20:15:00.000-07:002011-10-05T20:27:58.241-07:00

Apple co-founder and former CEO, Steve Jobs, died today. Jobs was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2003. During a commencement address at Stanford University in 2005, Jobs expressed his feelings about facing his own death after this diagnosis. I am thankful for these words and his creativity, I type this on a MacBook, because Jobs understood how my brain works. Thank you Steve Jobs.Below is an

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-30588010967362073032011-09-20T17:51:00.000-07:002011-09-20T23:01:45.632-07:00

Swiss Chard Lasagna with Ricotta and MushroomsSwiss chard is a favorite "green" of mine. I find I'm often drawn to foods that are particularly beneficial to my specific health needs. After a bit of research, my instincts were confirmed. It happens that preliminary studies indicate this bitter, earthy green contains a phytonutrient that inhibits the activity of an enzyme that the body uses to

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-65497661642129816682011-09-04T21:51:00.000-07:002011-09-04T21:55:04.999-07:00

I seem to have loved you in numberless forms, numberless times… In life after life, in age after age, forever. My spellbound heart has made and remade the necklace of songs, That you take as a gift, wear round your neck in your many forms, In life after life, in age after age, forever. Whenever I hear old chronicles of love, it's age-old pain, It's ancient tale of being apart or together. As I

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-1514941737857460572011-05-22T11:56:00.000-07:002011-05-22T14:28:08.999-07:00

Recently I received news that a friend of mine from the past committed suicide. I found myself lost for days in grief over this news. I drowned in the river of grief from the past, so much grief for lost time, so much pain of my own resurfaced. I sincerely understand my friend's choice. I, myself, struggle with moments of darkness that drive me to find a final release. I understand feeling

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-65051579229098523782011-04-11T10:10:00.000-07:002011-04-11T10:22:20.999-07:00

HEALING WORKJUST A FEW THINGS I'VE BEEN WORKING ON:

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-18474575557691838052010-04-16T09:42:00.000-07:002010-04-16T18:35:10.490-07:00

Are you listening? Your body has an internal voice speaking words of wisdom. Listen and you will hear the answers to your questions and more. The intuitive self is protective yet so often we forget to stop and listen. Recently, I found a lump in my breast and went for my annual mammogram. The mammogram missed finding the lump. I went to my physician and she refused to palpate the lump, telling me

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-8813164926524151382010-03-15T21:40:00.000-07:002010-03-15T21:51:12.358-07:00

Loving you has been the joy of my life.Smooth roads turned rocky for us quicklyAnd you stayed.Our love grew stronger in the strife.Sent from a wish I blew to the heavens, you came to me.You came to save me before I knew I needed it.You came to carry me through tragic times And challenges I had yet to foresee.You loved me when no one else would.When my sister died it was you who stood behind me

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-22972133577331271812010-02-25T20:22:00.000-08:002010-02-26T10:51:57.441-08:00

If you still have ginger on hand from the previous recipe, go out and pick up the rest of these ingredients. You want to try thissimple, nutrient dense, beautifully green and refreshing smoothie. I drink this smoothie when my belly is a little upset. I feel immediate relief and an all over sense of well-being. I highly recommend this for any indigestion, irritable bowel, reflux, or on days when

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-62794665269606338142010-02-19T11:06:00.001-08:002010-02-19T11:24:48.509-08:00

I am a lover of crystallized ginger. I slice it and put it in a cup of hot chamomile tea with a bit of honey. Native to Asia, ginger has been highly valued around the world as a cooking spice, dating back 4,400 years, my use of it...not quite so long. Culinary uses aside, ginger’s medicinal properties are prescribed to aid digestion, alleviate nausea, diarrhea, as an anti-inflammatory for

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-45851719365592989952010-02-10T11:11:00.000-08:002010-02-10T16:17:04.254-08:00

Baking something chocolaty is really the best Valentine’s gift I can give my family. This year I’m thinking on making this wonderfully fudgie bottom, soft chocolaty pudding middle, and super creamy, whole cream, whipped topping pie. It is truly the best combination of flavors and even folks who don’t care for desert love this one. Just a little note on this recipe: I use an organic pudding mix

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-78787191960430333272010-02-03T17:22:00.000-08:002010-02-03T17:35:32.946-08:00

I finally got around to cleaning out my closet and let me tell you it had been too long since the last time. I had no idea how long it had been. Being that I have a mild traumatic brain injury, organization is no longer my forte. It is instead my nemesis, a true torture trip. Typically, I’ll begin and in the middle of the task I loose track of where I put what and where to put what and then

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-32648061029735735322010-02-01T18:23:00.000-08:002010-02-01T19:44:23.014-08:00

This is a post from fellow admired blogger, Clarence. You can find his enlightening wisdom at: "http://www.diamondnuggets.comI hope you enjoy this and I hope you take the time to stop by Clarence's blog site, his post are worth your time. Thank you Clarence.A Life Lesson From The KitchenToday, while reading through my regular list of emails, I came across this incredible piece written by an

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-81353617103943454572010-01-16T21:26:00.000-08:002010-01-17T13:00:42.317-08:00

A better butternut squash recipe please...that was my wish for months and months. I am a food snob you see and find myself uninterested in half baked recipes, so to speak. Imagine the food critic in the movie "Ratatouille" declaring, "I don't like food, I love it! If I don't Love it, I don't swallow," and you will have a pretty good picture of moi. I have tried so many butternut squash soup

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-75026096876450249782009-12-31T21:01:00.000-08:002010-01-01T08:54:30.286-08:00

What is in the way, is often the way; the way through to a truer essence of yourself. Life lessons can often be learned by searching just beneath the surface of an issue that is troubling you. The lesson or true meaning may be hidden deeply from you simply because you have diverted your attention away too long, and your issue is now a mounting frustration. Feelings of frustration move you further

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-69614228418675712742009-12-10T23:57:00.000-08:002009-12-11T00:07:31.942-08:00

At the trial to indict the man who murdered my sister, we waited in the court room corridor for what seemed like forever, before the trial in the morning, and again after lunch and before the afternoon session. The waiting was difficult and anxiety provoking, waiting to walk into a nightmare time and time again, we had to have courage. My family huddled together and "his" family huddled together,

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-34707982309185721882009-12-03T18:42:00.000-08:002009-12-06T09:27:56.723-08:00

I have beautifully spirited people in my life who I need only think about and soon they appear to me as I make my way through the day; I receive a phone call or I run into them at a local shop. It's sounds a bit of what some may consider psychic, but I really believe we all are so closely connected that just a wish is enough energy to bring someone close. I am also very considerate of the energy

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-37625409471770149102009-12-01T11:06:00.000-08:002009-12-03T18:56:15.094-08:00

Creamy risotto acquires an earthy deep flavor with the addition of dried porcini mushrooms. Once each grain of rice is cooked to the properly tender, but still al dente state, and the cheese is added, your risotto might not be as moist as you like; if it isn’t, add some of the remaining stock. I sometimes add dried cherries, about 1/3 cup at the end to broaden the flavor palette. 1 1/2 cups

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-1375426497561975142009-11-22T22:59:00.000-08:002009-11-23T10:21:39.052-08:00

My daughter requests pumpkin pie every Thanksgiving, (I was planning on making one anyway) it's just that to her, the Pumpkin pie defines the tradition. Tradition is important to her as it is to many people for the simple reason that it provides a feeling of safety and security; it is something they can count on despite life's uncertainties. She had many years of erratic instability prior to

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-52205876402551899292009-11-18T11:14:00.000-08:002009-11-19T12:33:35.708-08:00

My husband loves garlic mashed potatoes; I abhor making them, so he helps quite a lot on this one! Don't ask why I hate to make them, something about the starchy residue left on the pan makes me squirm. However, the roasted garlic is so delicious I could just spread it on some yummy toasted slices of bread and be done with it all. If you are like my hubby and want the potatoes to pour your turkey

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-73905997998851593892009-11-16T16:10:00.000-08:002009-11-16T16:27:43.223-08:00

This is one of my favorite side dishes for any occasion. I have to omit that I pray for leftovers to hide just for myself to chow on later...hmmmmm, little rewards for cooking. This is simple simple, don't let the lengthy look of this recipe scare you off, it's just a bunch of words which translate to very little action and yummy bursts of flavor. Go for it, you won't regret it and your family

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-17624704385181868382009-11-13T22:46:00.000-08:002009-11-14T10:52:43.967-08:00

Okay, so if you're cooking Thanksgiving dinner, it's time to start planning your meal. I am hoping to post a few of my favorite side dishes I like to serve up with the bird to help you along. The recipe posted here is one I made for the first time when I was 13 years old, quite a few years ago, and I have continued to include it each year I cook the Turkey dinner. I have also had great success

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-232601219132903122009-11-09T09:18:00.000-08:002009-11-09T09:20:59.411-08:00

As you travel and I stayI watch and wonder how I manage to let you go at allI would rather be the leaver than the one leftSend me a memorySend me your loveI’m lonely here tonight in the silence No memory, no loveYour heart is too out of reach even for this passionate oneI ache for you one thousand miles awayI’m tired of being alone and in love with a travelerI’m disquieted by my own heart,

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-17509329586206755652009-10-29T22:39:00.000-07:002009-11-02T11:41:32.396-08:00

Isak Dinesen once wrote, "THE CURE FOR ANYTHING IS SALT WATER: SWEAT, TEARS, OR THE SEA. I am in need of a cure and lately the sweat creating workouts aren't coming the way they used to, and tears...well, when my niece arrived, the crying stopped. It turned out that my crying disturbed her, so I stopped. Now, I try to cry, I need to cry, I have much emotion to purge, but the crying has stopped,

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-64361251969422763042009-10-27T10:42:00.001-07:002009-10-27T11:13:11.818-07:00

I lost my sister to a violent death. She was taken from us by another, an angry other, but I try to block that from my mind and recall memories of her. I want to remember HER today, this anniversary of her death. I want to remember who she was, not how she died, struggling and fearful. My mother talks about those last moments of her life and I tell her that what I know in my heart to be true, and

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-42044424790617027502009-10-23T23:06:00.000-07:002009-10-24T20:09:54.532-07:00

I received a recipe for Eggplant from a high school friend recently: "Eggplant Cooked in the Pickling Style" by Madhur Jaffrey. After trying it, I was so inspired by the flavor and the combination of spices, that I decided to take them and a few other ingredients and create a casserole recipe to maximize the full meal effect....meat and veggies all in one. I didn't expect it to turn out so well,

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-69957303403067134292009-10-22T20:06:00.000-07:002009-10-23T11:06:25.106-07:00

There are many paths to one's destination in life. Sometimes the path we find ourselves on is not the one we would have chosen or planned for our journey. Despite that, the destination is still yours to have if you truly want it. Destinations are not always an actual physical location, for some it is a state of being or state of mind, such as the ideal self.Don't be discouraged by the obstacles

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-32228102413509108582009-10-19T19:41:00.000-07:002009-10-22T20:06:16.803-07:00

I’m a pretty funny girl, with an off-the-cuff sort of humor, relaxed and quick witted. When I worked as an RN, the staff and I often used humor to deal with difficult, flesh and blood, situations when there was an event or situation that was just too much to emote in any other way; we chose to laugh. Laughter brought us closer together when we couldn’t deal with the reality of the human condition

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-25078805016619497922009-10-15T12:00:00.000-07:002009-10-15T15:52:52.979-07:00

My child returned home from school yesterday informing me that something had happened in class that just seemed wrong to her. She told me how, while she was clarifying her homework assignment with her Language Arts teacher, the teacher responded, “Don’t stand there and give me that dumb blonde look.” All the children in the room stopped their chatter and stared at my daughter, a few of them

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-60326800517856700102009-10-09T22:09:00.000-07:002009-10-10T23:27:43.674-07:00

During a phone conversation with my brother yesterday, he asked, "What is the name of your blog again?" I began to explain why the name, such a serious name, "Auntie V's Life and Cookery" was chosen for this blog: I am raising my niece-Auntie has become my identity most hours of the day; I have many life experiences to discuss and share (many of you will ride along on that wave with me nodding,

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-9274256297870850572009-10-08T10:55:00.001-07:002009-10-08T12:43:36.077-07:00

I welcome a guest post today, Susan Murphy Milano. Susan is a violence expert, safety consultant, the daughter and survivor of murder-suicide, author of "Defending Our Lives, getting away from domestic violence & staying safe and "Moving Out, Moving On" when a relationship goes wrong. And her new book out in 2010,"Time's Up" how to leave and survive a dangerous relationship ,offers detailed

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-56133707316168797712009-10-08T10:40:00.001-07:002009-10-08T10:42:55.424-07:00

My husband prepared brunch for me at his house on our second date. I drove from Denver up high into the mountains to his lovely home on a most gorgeous fall day. When I got there, he had prepared for us fresh fruit, fresh orange juice, and homemade, he made, quiche. I was delighted and it was delicious. After filling our bellies we set out for a hike and the exchange of good conversation. He was

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-36442130255015418422009-10-04T13:51:00.000-07:002009-10-04T13:58:14.289-07:00

I made this recipe again today, and as typical to my character, decided I could adjust a few things and make it even better. I think you will find it hits the spot of your soul! Feel free to exercise your own artistic flair. Chili today, hot tamale, well not exactly...It is cold outside, at least to me, any temp below 70 is cold to me. I'm dreaming of soup to warm my chilly body. This

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-72893904893437719182009-10-02T13:31:00.001-07:002009-10-02T14:06:20.854-07:00

I MISS YOU SISTER LIKE A THUMB CUT FROM MY HAND.I HAVEN'T SLEPT IN YEARS,YOU KEEP CALLING ME IN MY DREAMS.HOW DO I MAKE MY WAY BACK TO YOU?ALL NIGHT I SEARCH FOR YOU ONLY TO AWAKEN EXHAUSTED AND ALONE.YOUR NEED FOR ME CROSSES TIME AND SPACE.MY NEED FOR YOU, CROSSES ME. MEMORIES OF YOU CHURN, AGITATE, TOSS AND TURN ME.I'M SORRY FOR YOU, I'M SORRY FOR ME WITHOUT YOU.SINCE YOUR DEATH,IT HAS TAKEN

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-5251989243208678532009-09-30T14:26:00.000-07:002009-09-30T15:44:17.491-07:00

My Grandmother, faced with the end of summer bounty of tomatoes, created her own catsup recipe for preserving them. She made a hot catsup by stewing together tomatoes, onions, red bell peppers and spices, all kept roughly chopped much like a salsa. Scrabbled eggs served with her catsup is a memory I salivate over. When my Grandfather died, my Grandmother was forced to sell the farm and move to a

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-74993405449152472532009-09-28T23:10:00.001-07:002009-10-06T14:21:30.388-07:00

My husband prepared brunch for me at his house on our second date. I drove from Denver up high into the mountains to his lovely home on a most gorgeous fall day. When I got there, he had prepared for us fresh fruit, fresh orange juice, and homemade, he made, quiche. I was delighted and it was delicious. After filling our bellies we set out for a hike and the exchange of good conversation. He was

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-76689477302454632362009-09-28T12:54:00.000-07:002009-09-28T16:42:56.796-07:00

The greatest joy in writing and sharing what I write is that people are free to take their mood and emotion and apply it to what I share. They feel unified, acknowledged, and validated as if I'm speaking only to them and I understand, and they, in turn, understand me. I am driven to write to foster this relationship with others; discovering and strengthening the common thread between us. I have a

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-24866610759398047352009-09-25T10:51:00.000-07:002009-09-25T11:22:44.267-07:00

TOO TIRED TO CARE...Ever have that feeling that you are too tired to care? too tired to do anything about what it is you really care about, tired of fighting for what you want? All the while, there is the part of you that still cares standing in the shadows watching, voiceless, not because things don't matter anymore, but because the part that is too tired also happens to be the stronger part of

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-54965249743020828612009-09-23T19:37:00.000-07:002009-09-23T21:48:19.517-07:00

These are a few things that make me smile and settle my soul. I feel calm in the presence of a soulful cow. I feel my creator in the Colorado mountains and wildflowers, especially when graced with bees and butterflies. My yard is filled with birds, birds, birds, who sing passionately to me. I work my garden with a meditative spirit; this is my first try at growing eggplants-this poor fella

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-64353561255986963522009-09-20T14:05:00.000-07:002009-09-29T18:19:59.653-07:00

Looking out the front door screen, I was annoyed by the bushy, unruly growth of the two trees in my front yard. The wet summer weather in Colorado this year was a delight, but pruning must ensue. A woman I remember well, grabbed the hand clippers with verve and breezed past me out the door and into action, clipping away at the wayward branches. Stooping, reaching, and stretching she worked as I

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-3717403722113556662009-09-18T17:09:00.000-07:002009-09-18T23:01:39.767-07:00

I am weary from working on getting my blog site set up, all the networking, and registering that comes with that. I've needed to call upon my toolbox of resources today to keep moving forward. In my grief, following my sister's death, I stumbled upon a book of meditations at the bookstore, not really looking for anything in particular I found myself blessed with every page in the years that

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-13454983673683435912009-09-17T09:01:00.000-07:002009-10-06T11:18:04.265-07:00

Just this morning I was thinking I "needed" to practice yoga today. And then I fell into the to-do-list crevasse. How can I spend time relaxing in a gentle pose, while so much needs to be done after so many days of illness? It is true, taking time out of my day to exercise, often feels like I am displaying a selfish attitude towards my loved ones and friends. But...Honoring oneself is the root

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-8517928657997107172009-09-16T16:48:00.000-07:002009-09-16T16:55:43.308-07:00

All Women Are Sisters A woman was murdered and another woman was wounded beyond repair. I wish I could say this is a unique situation. Domestic violence knows no socioeconomic or educational boundaries and yet we as women rarely speak publicly on this injustice. Women empowering women must discuss this often swept under the rug subject, otherwise who are we kidding? Women need to speak together

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-49723187701724980062009-09-16T11:10:00.000-07:002009-09-16T11:40:56.905-07:00

My parents, southern born and bred, would have slapped me (well, maybe not slapped, but serious discipline would have been involved) if I used the expression, "YOU LIE". When I was a child, some expressions were not acceptable to be used in conversation, another example is "shut up"! Seriously, calling someone a liar would often result in a "Billy Jack" incident, and not his "zen" side. Those are

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-22004362287666611662009-09-12T17:53:00.000-07:002009-09-14T10:08:49.859-07:00

1. The illness I live with is: Diabetes Type 1 (and two others)2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: Fall, 19823. But I had symptoms since: Summer, 19824. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: A total life regime adjustment, daily injection, every 2 hours checking of blood sugar, daily exercise, and best aid of all: viewing food as fuel and consuming the most nutrient dense food

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-20952201881411083232009-09-12T09:09:00.000-07:002009-09-15T12:39:16.575-07:00

The cool misty morning has carried my senses toward zucchini bread baking in the warm oven, although tomatoes hang on the vine in the garden, I feel Fall rushing in and am in need of something deeply satisfying to offset the chill. I'm not ready to bid adieu to summer and zucchini is begging to be eaten. The recipe I'm using today is a compilation of many zuch bread recipes with slight

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-60799000050160771122009-09-11T12:14:00.000-07:002009-09-11T12:16:15.213-07:00

THE RELATIONSHIPWhere are you when I need to talk--to you, to anyone?Why is it that your need for quiet is when I need to chatter?Just listen honestly and intently for a few minutes, then I will speak no more...til the next time.Can you leave your cave and come sit with mein this field of wildflowers?Can you hold your lips to mineJust a little longer dear?Wrap your arms around meand press your

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5722559918647661718.post-41923436139817699532009-09-10T23:58:00.000-07:002009-09-11T16:08:59.823-07:00

Well, it has been 5 weeks of illness; germs followed my baby girl home from the school and attached themselves to moi. I have a diagnosis of bronchitis, but fear, fear, fear, the run amuck villain, swine flu. The doc and I are attempting to "kill" this with a second round of antibiotics, (could this one be any stronger than the last?), and the various other palliative care treatments. I am

Victoria Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704964021598202942noreply@blogger.com6