Over flowing with ideas!

Human beings need pleasure the way they need vitamins.

 ~Lionel Tiger

There are just too many things to inspire me today! Consider it inspiration overload.

Maybe it's because I am in love with my egyptian and all is going well.

Maybe it is because I got a good night's sleep.

Maybe because I am finally reconnecting with some people who were new friends, right before I left Macon in 2005, and now - it's time to make them my old friends! (I do adore these people.)

Maybe it's because I am okay with getting rid of the things in the storage unit, just the way the egyptian asked.

Maybe it was because I got some exercise yesterday and spent some time playing with the dogs outside.

Who knows! But I am thrilled to try it all.

What I want to share with you are some great recipes, and some great ideas!

Little things I am just dying to try out soon!

*Click on the highlighted word for more information!*

 

Grilled Pastrami, Swiss, Sweet Onion Marmalade, on Rye

 Is it just me or is this just the most amazing sandwich??? Serve one up for me now!



Mozerella Grilled Cheese with Basil Pesto Sauce



Chicken, Spinach & Goat Cheese quesadilla with avocado sour cream dipping sauce

Washer/Fabric/or Paper/Modge Podge

 Looks simple enough!!

Glass Lamp Makeover

 Now for some simple words for me to remember this week - and hopefully you also!

I hope each of you has a fantastic week. If you are off to work - try to stay positive and be thankful for employment (trust me on this one) and if not - and you are like me, let's keep our thoughts positive and hope that before the week is out miracles happen.

They can..

But they must arrive in their own time.

Have a blessed day!

The Heidelberg Project

One of the things I have been doing on my Facebook "Destination Unknown" fan page is to post a picture of some place I would like to go some day, or maybe I have been there, and I want to encourage others to travel there.

While doing this, I have been making a list of amazing "destinations." I have found so many places I have never heard of, and I can assure you, I know my geography.

As I find these places, I book mark them, then search for a pic on Pinterest to hold in my "Destination Unknown" board. *shameless plug - Follow the Destination Unknown Fan Page on Facebook - I do soo much more there, and it's very interactive, also follow me on Pinterest. All of the links are on the left hand side.*

One of the places I found that I was immediately drawn to was the Heidelberg Project in Detroit, Michigan. Typically, I will just post a pic and a little info about the place, but today I felt compelled to write more about it. You guys know most of my career has been in non profits and promotions - and this non profit is something I could believe in.

Basically, Tyree Guyton uses every day, discarded objects to create a two block area of symbolic and vibrant art. Heidelburg Street is in the very heart of Detroit, and the ghetto. Poor, run down, desolate, but now there is hope - and it's been happening over the past 25 years. He has taken the idea to heal his community through art - and it's working!

Their Vision Statement inspired me, it says:
The theory of change for the Heidelberg Project begins with the belief that all citizens, from all cultures, have the right to grow and flourish in their communities. The HP believes that a community can redevelop and sustain itself, from the inside out, by embracing its diverse cultures and artistic attributes as the essential building blocks for a fulfilling and economically viable way of life.


HDNet - "Art From The Ashes: Detroit's Heidelberg Project" from Tilapia Film on Vimeo.


I would challenge each of you find some little way this week to make a difference in your community. If Tyree and his grandfather could defy the odds with this amazing art project, there has got to be something we could do in our very own communities.

If you feel compelled to do so, please donate to the Heidelberg Project HERE.
Or if you are interested in visiting the area, like I am, you can find more information HERE .

Have a beautiful Sunday!

Soul Sister Saturday

I've been spending a little extra time on me this weekend.

For example - taking advantage of my new nail polish - Blue Slate by Revlon. Love it. (Yeah.. it's messy.. sorry.)

Helping Autumn make (as she calls it) "Egg Salad Soup." (It's been fairly rainy around these parts.)

Communing with Love Bug..

She is killing me with the grossness of this.

Then trying to catch her!

She is such a lady. *wink*

Lord, have mercy on her.

Starting my morning off right.

Tried reading this... don't like it... but I will finish it. Too.. oh I don't know... silly and unrealistic.

Yeah, not a big fan of "light reading."

Hours playing Mahjong.

Or watching my sister create. Her latest painting...

Or giving myself a mud mask (Borghese) - good stuff...

Doing a little laundry, when Lestat will allow it...

Took Autumn to the mall today - she picked out this comforter set, saying it matches "Auntie Cole's pajamas." Which, btw, it does.

Yes - I got sucked into this.. and btw.. malls should be ashamed of themselves putting these in high traffic areas. Shame, shame.. shame.. I got cornered into doing this..

Of course a trip to the pet store is always a treat. Autumn immediately slid onto the floor and began loving on the babies...

Later, we hit up my favorte dive Tex-Mex restaurant in Macon - Polly's La Mesa.

My enchilada - and the pic came out blurry... smothered in yellow cheese...

I ended up spending about 1/2 an hour in the kid section at Barnes & Noble...

THANK GOD.

Met some friends over at Wild Wing Cafe - and of course, she got dessert.

Me with Autumn and Owen!

Autumn and Owen making wishes in the fountain.

Leslie, (Owen's mom) with Autumn.. the kids played on the lawn, while Leslie and I caught up on things..

I survived!!!

On the way back to the house, stopped by Kema's Bookstore - and found out Steve Berry is coming to town - and will be at Kema's book store on Thursday night...

I bought his book.. so I can get it signed!

He is a New York Times best selling thriller author.. a Dan Bown type!

Came home to see my tickets arrived for the symphony...

Now that the egyptian is going to Los Angeles...

Who will join me??? Friends - I will start the bidding now! hahahah

My new addiction!

How was your Saturday?

Fantasy Valentines Day

Oh, if it be to choose and call thee mine, love, thou art every day my Valentine! ~Thomas Hood

This Valentine's Day, I will probably be in middle Georgia, while my love will be on the West Coast. Definitely does not make it easy, nor optimal. If I had my way, our situation would look completely different.

For today's blog post, I have created my fantasy Valentine's Day. You think I am kidding? Oh.. you are in for a surprise.

Shall we begin?

First of all, I would probably spend the morning making treats for my family and the egyptian. Here are a few  picked out, and I would like to share the recipes with you!



Red Wine Lollipops


I would make Red Wine Lollipops. I saw this recipe on Sprinklebakes.com and was fell in love. If you click on the picture it will take you to the recipe. I could see my closest friends and family devoring these beauties! How romantic and how Valentine's Day!

Sweet Heart Sugar Cookies

Next I would spend the morning baking these beautiful Sweet Heart Sugar Cookies from Southern Living. (again click on the pic to be taken to the recipe.) I believe my Dad and little Auttie Blossom would love these, especially!

White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies

Finally, I would make for the egyptian and myself, some White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies from Midwest Living.com. These look divine!




Valentine Confetti

For my friends, I would create these wonderful bags of Valentine Confetti (found on Nest Of Posies - follow link) and deliver to each and every one of them.

After the morning of preparation has finished, the egyptian would arrive in this beautiful classic car. He would be carry in his hand... a bouquet of roses....

Love Sonnet Roses

They would be unique, because he would have taken the pages from a book a love sonnets. He knows I would cherish this, plus - they never die!

He would then intruct me to pack my bags for a week. Would would drive off in the classic car to the airport, where a private jet would be waiting....

Once we got to our destination, we would head over to the hotel and I would change into my Valentine Attire.

Though I would think my dress was complete, he would hand me a box and I would find...

A beautiful pearl necklace with this beautiful brooch attached. Immediately I would put it on and insist he tell me where we are going...

Puglia's Cave Restaurant & Bar - Italy

He would wisk me off to Puglia's Caves, where we would have dinner and drinks over looking the sea.

Next, he would whisk me off to my favorite performance of all - The Ballet. We would relax in our perfect seats and get swept away by the movement, the colors, and the music.

Finally, to end the night, he would give me the cutest and best gift of all - A tiny, black cat.


Ahh... isn't Valentine's Day amazing?

What would you do on your fantasy date?

PS - If you want to know more about the places and recipes and crafts, just click on the picture.