This week in pictures!

Do you ever feel busy but you're not accomplishing much? I feel like I've been running around and yet, I look around and nothing seems to be getting done! What a weird week!

First of all, my car ...so sad. I still don't really know what was wrong but when you show up at the garage and see this...it can't be good!

Good news is...I now have air conditioning back in my vehicle! It's a mini van, don't laugh...I LOVE it! =)

It was very stressful waiting to get it fixed. It took almost a week! I was lucky to have a little Cupcake Red Velvet wine on hand to ease the stresses! PLUS red wine is healthy for you! =) Thank you Carter and Roger!
A nice evening out in the yard with some wine and cheese and the car was a distant worry!

Next up...my poor sick kitty! When kitty looks like this for a few days and has thick green goo streaming from his nose. It's time for a visit to the vet!                                                                                                                      

yeah..pretty much every day for 3 days..this was how I found him in various spots of the house! =(

The 4th of July came and went so quickly! We had an impromptu cookout with the kids and watched the Macy's fireworks on TV. At least we have a huge TV with surround sound so we felt like we were there. Kinda. Not really. 

OK...not at all. But it was still fun! =)

I decided that I NEEDED to get my CD cover designed and sat around in the air conditioning all day on my comfy couch with my computer and got to it. It took a while cause I don't really know what the hell I am doing.

 And NOW, I have just discovered that I need to have it in a PDF form! I have NO clue how to do THAT! Really!?!? OY VEY!
So now with my fancy shmancy new CD cover...I realize...ummm...maybe I better start recording some stuff! So we took to the studio. Now here is the thing...I don't have central air in my house. But Charlie is wonderful about turning on the window AC's. (I understand some husbands are a pain about this, but not mine). The only catch is....when we're recording..we have to turn it off. So, I was soaked and HOT to say the very least. This was not easy..and we did it for two days. I am happy to say, we only have one or two songs left to do and even though it was hot, I loved every minute of it!

OY....

When it was time to take a break. I met my friend Kim for lunch down on the Strand here in Kingston. This area has come a long way and I hadn't been down there in some time. I wanted Mexican. Rositas! On the water. Afternoon margaritas and yummy food. Girl talk. It was something I really needed and it was spur of the moment! That usually works better for me. Too much planning stresses me out! It was a lovely lunch! Thanks, Kim! =)

So that is it. My week in pictures! Now if anyone out there knows how to make PDF's please let me know! I NEED HELP!!! If I send you a JPG..maybe you can help me out and put it into PDF form for me? Copy and paste? Is it even that easy?  I am stressing again!!..........where is that Cupcake wine!?

BOOBIES!!!!!

 Now that I have your attention! I had my first mammogram this past week and I wanted to share how it went with you!  Especially for those of you who don't think you NEED to do it or for those of you who are scared or nervous like I was!  I am happy to report it was NOTHING! It was a squish! Ok...well a few squishes but honestly, you guys KNOW I am the biggest baby on the planet and I survived! You will too!!!

I was a LITTLE sore that night and the next day but took a couple of advil and stuck an ice pack on me for 20 minutes and I was fine. I have other issues that would make me sore...most people don't have soreness but we're all different, so you might have a little bit. NO BIG DEAL!

I did not look like this when it was done!! You won't either! =)

 

I went to a really great place. AND where I live there is a cancer services program where they provide free mammograms. Check with your doctor cause I bet that there is a program like this near where you live. 

So now there is REALLY NO excuse! You have to go! =) 

This is the machine. It's NOTHING. I had no idea what to expect. You just stand there. My particular technician was great and kind and had warm hands! That was helpful! LOL! It was over in 5 minutes!

 I must admit, the worst part of the whole thing is waiting for the call or letter. 

But isn't it better to KNOW and find out EARLY? 

Isn't it better to not have to WORRY and wonder? 

But yes, the waiting is the hardest part. At least it was for me. 

Who likes to WAIT!?!??!

Not this guy.

 

Anyway, don't make me BEG. I don't look this cute when I do! =)

          GO OUT THERE and get your mammies ladies!! 

It's important!!

New diet funk?

So, I haven't been in a writing mood. As a matter of fact, I haven't been in ANY mood at all. I am in a funk. I am feeling blue and unmotivated. I went to the doc. Gotta have blood work done. Ok. I'll do that.
In the meantime, I have asked around. Seems this vegetarian thing can make you a little low on B vitamins?
Or maybe I am ultimately just a miserable person with no energy.

This is proving to be a difficult summer..AGAIN. In that, I did not book a summer job...AGAIN. I think this makes 3 years now. I am doing concert work and I LOVE doing that..I LOVE doing it and I get to go to Niagara Falls in Canada!!! But it doesn't get me insurance weeks. =(   I can't understand and never will understand how so many people around me seem to book solid through the ENTIRE summer, get their insurance weeks and I can't even get an AUDITION. I can't even get in the room for these theaters! It is so disheartening and depressing. I get in for big stuff...don't get the wrong idea! My manager is wonderful to me and gets me good auditions for Broadway shows and tours and I even get close to booking these things. But these little summer theaters are really starting to grate on me! LOL! I know I am not alone in this. But it's still working my nerves.
(make no mistake, I am the crying, tragic mask)


Anyway, I am TRYING to motivate myself to do things around the house and make my house a nicer home to be in. Again, NOT motivated at all. I don't even feel like going outside. What's up with that!? It's nice out! Maybe it's the new couch! It's pretty awesome and I am very happy here!

 I guess I just need to try and relax and give myself a break and accept that this is where I am for TODAY. Maybe tomorrow will be better. Oh wait..tomorrow, I go for a root canal. But that is actually a good thing........

Today, I am motivated enough to go through about 20 old magazines and pull out recipes or articles that I want to hang on to. This is a big deal for me because I LOVE magazines. Especially the home ones and cooking ones! But am I really going to be reading these things over and over!? NO. So I will pull out the 3 pages of interest and trash the rest, clearing out an entire crate for new stuff that needs a home!

Is anyone else going through anything like this right now? And I don't feel CLINICAL or anything, don't anyone get too nervous. It just feels like a funk. I am proud of myself that I continue to eat well and pretty healthy...healthfully?

Yes, I do the chocolate chip cookie once in a while..and I refuse to give up my half and half or creamer in my coffee, and I will never give up my 100 empty calories of  Luigi's Lemon Ices, but I am challenging myself to find substitutes for things I know are doing my body NO GOOD. And...its actually fun and frees me from guilt.

 Ok...so that's what's up with me right now. What's up with you? =)

Here is a recipe I posted on Facebook today. Couldn't be easier or more delish!!!! YUM!


Roasted Cauliflower with Garam Masala
Serves 6
Ingredients

• 1/2 head cauliflower, trimmed and separated into flowerets, about 4 cups
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons garam masala (see note)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 scallion, white and light green parts only, sliced (for optional garnish)

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 450º.
2. Place the cauliflower in a flat-bottomed ovenproof dish (large enough to hold the cauliflower in one uncrowded layer), add the olive oil and toss to coat the cauliflower pieces.
3. Roast uncovered for 25 - 30 minutes, until the cauliflower pieces just start to brown.
4. Scatter on the garam masala and toss gently. Correct the seasoning.
This may be served immediately, at room temperature or chlled as an addition to a salad.

The Long and Short of It

Ok,  since I have officially become a blogger, I have been reading more of other people's blogs.
I feel like many are VERY long!!! My first one was long. 
So, what I want to know is this?
What are your preferences?
Again...I like to write and GOD KNOWS, I am capable of yapping....but I don't want anyone to be bored or decide to not read cause them because they don't have time and they assume its going to be LONG!

First blog EVER! Am I a vegetarian!?

OK...so...I have always thought that the whole blog thing was pretty narcissistic. I mean, isn't Facebook enough in this department!?  HOWEVER, I find that I have trouble connecting with everyone I need and want to connect with on a regular basis. I am busy or traveling or vocal resting between singing or watching So You Think You Can Dance.
For those of you who know me. I HATE talking on the phone more than ANYTHING! I HATE IT. So please, if you're someone who really tried to get me on the phone, don't take it personally..I am nuts. Deal. Now, you have this, my brand new blog to keep you up to speed!
My hope is that my life is interesting enough to some of you that you'll want to read this blog! It won't be daily unless something really cool happens or if I find a recipe that I simply HAVE to share. Which could be often actually because I have rediscovered my love for cooking lately! I don't yet have a FOCUS for this blog. OK...the focus is ME...but again, I don't want to seem too narcissistic.
So, about the vegetarian thing. Charlie (my husband) has been a vegetarian since January! Or a pescetarian? We love fish. I was slow to get on this train, let me tell you.  I thought I couldn't ever give up steak and chicken! BUT, I have found that I am actually not missing it. In the last 6 months I have had steak 6 times and I usually ended up feeling really disgusting after! I figure why do that to myself.  So, I started reading more about being a vegetarian. I thought I would still have to have CHICKEN at least....but since Charlie won't eat it...why bother? I'll just cook what he wants to eat. It won't kill me and maybe I'll shed the weight I have been struggling with. AND I am learning to use new ingredients and having so much fun trying new flavors and textures! I also have an amazing knife set gifted to me by my friend Deb and I kind of love chopping and slicing things..so the vegetarian thing is fun in that way! There are SOOOO many food options for vegetarians! I had no idea! Really YUMMY things! Who knew!? NOW I KNOW! =)
Please feel free to share any vegetarian recipes with me! Or any tips? I need snack ideas. I like to graze a little during the day. So far I am enjoying plain almond butter..JUST almonds ground up out of the machine at Mother Earth's, no oil or salt and I love it on celery, rice cakes and triscuits. I am going to attempt to make my own next week! I'll let you know how it goes.  Tomorrow I am going to make some healthy-ish Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies. I believe they are vegan!
In the meantime...here is a recipe that rocked Mike's world this week! =) (Mike is my son..step son..but as my Dad always said "we have no steps in this house". To which I'd reply, "then how will I get to my room?")

Stay well and please follow me!! =)  New couch arrives tomorrow!!!!!!!!!

Hearty Vegetarian Veggie Chili (for the slow cooker!)

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 2 onions, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1 yellow squash, chopped
• 6 tablespoons chili powder (keep in mind..slow cooking chili powder, makes it really SPICY! so you might want to use less)
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce, or more if needed
• 1 cup vegetable broth, or more if needed

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and cook the green, red, and yellow bell peppers, onions, and garlic until the onions start to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Place the mixture into a slow cooker. Stir in spinach, corn, zucchini, yellow squash, chili powder, cumin, oregano, parsley, salt, black pepper, tomatoes, black beans, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, and tomato paste until thoroughly mixed. Pour the tomato sauce and vegetable broth over the ingredients.
2. Set the cooker on Low, and cook until all vegetables are tender, 4 to 5 hours. Check seasoning; if chili is too thick, add more tomato sauce and vegetable broth to desired thickness. Cook an additional 1 to 2 hours to blend the flavors. 

This is how it should look! =)  YUM! I served it with brown rice and a tablespoon of light sour cream!