Long Time Coming-so its a long one!

So its been four and a half months since my last post...and its a wonder to me. I will be so very simply honest. My handicap and medical issues have forced my  family to live with only one salary. That happening caused us to lose our house. We are now renting a beautiful home, which I love very much, but there was a lot of grieving to be done with that loss. I can barely even speak of it now. There has never been a time in my life where my name was written on a piece of paper that this land was mine to cultivate...and cultivate we did....now I will enrich other land...but it won't be mine. I will have my time again. Just need to be patient.
My gift for my injuries has been to be home with my daughter. I have been truly aware of what the time I took away at my job did to both me and her. To stay at home was never a option, we could just never afford it, but when you physically cannot work, and you are being told over and over again, that your work is physically destroying the only hand you have, its time to reconsider your options.And my husband, renewed in the faith of his youth, has felt impressed that if I do not work, I will be able to keep the use of my hand  for longer than the doctors believe. So I am at home. I have a leave of absence from my job, and I am going to try and disability retire. There are no lies about my love for my coworkers or my job, but I need a life that gives me my physical health back...and that is one of a stay at home mom. It comes with great financial challenges. And we have to tighten our belts....but with my faith in my God firmly in grasp, I believe He is watching over our little family, and we will be just fine!
To be sure, I did not feel this way until about October, much of why I did not post on my blog to general public. I was a faithless, stubborn, petulant woman. And no one likes to have much of their ugly side  viewed really.
Phhysically, the run down is this... my left hand is ok when I don't do typing of fine motor skills for 6 hrs straight. Still have bad grasp- about 8 pounds maximum, still breaking glasses.(Note to self ask for cute plastic for my birthday hehe). My right leg still gives out. The MRI did not show injury.  I ventured in to some exercise,  and the results were ...I started losing control of my leg. I have recorded when this happens and its when I am in a hurry, or going to fast. So I am thinking perhaps my brains synapses aren't firing to the right side as quickly as they used to? Could I have had a mini stroke and not known?  The right side is only giving out sometimes... But I just truly injured myself pretty badly last Thursday when I fell down my new level stair to my kitchen and took the fall with my right knee and forehead to the fridge...and yes, there were more dishes to clean up...seriously! I have an appointment with my neurologist, in early December. It will be good to hear what she thinks!!
PATIENCE AND FAITH  seem to be the echoing themes of 2011 for me. Though I have never been particularly good with the first, the second truly was always a gift til this year.....when I have been tested time and again.
And with all the stress and change of losing money, a career, a house,and my running- a new life has begun for my husband and me.
 He, as I said before , has renewed his faith in the religion of his youth, the Church that I was baptized into 23 (eek almost 24 yrs ago). We belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, or Mormons, as many commonly know us. Before he began to study the scriptures, my husband was very difficult to reach spiritually.  He believed there might  be a God. That was about it. He would make fun openly of the Church and spiritual things. But he respected me enough to let me have my faith. He would say religion is for women and old men.....He does not remember saying this. I will tell you that I NEVER  thought I would see him active in the Church in my lifetime. I guess you could say I had given up hope. I am writing this, because, if there is someone out there who  knows someone less active, PLEASE  never give up hope. Pray for them, love them anyways, and continue to live your faith.  MY HUSBAND IS A MIRACLE.  He is a changed man. He cannot tell you what it was that made him want to read the book of Mormon, but he can tell you that by the end of the first Book , the Spirit had taken hold of his heart and he has never been able to feel such peace, love and care from our Heavenly Father as He does when he reads that Book. His testimony that this Church is true grows day in and day out.  He is inspired and feels a great desire to do good...he has made changes so sweeping that it takes my breath away. And honestly, I am humbled , truly humbled by his desire to thoroughly search the Scriptures. He read Revelations in a DAY! We were on course as a couple to go to the Temple  and be sealed together and as a family. It meant, though we were married for this life, in the Temple we sealed by proper priesthood authority, to each other for eternity, and also our daughter can be sealed to us for eternity.Its called "celestial marriage" because we hope, if we live a good life, we can be together in heaven again... I love that term...seal-it means to me a bond that cannot be broken. And its my joy to say we were sealed on October 22, 2011 of this year.  We have a new life now, and not without challenges, but its a good life. We have much to be grateful for. And now I feel I have caught ya'll up! ;)

As any mother will tell you, the first time you hear or see your child's heartbeat, there is a moment of wonderous magic...and from that time forth, your heart literally belongs to them. We mothers wear our hearts on our sleeves most of time- ready and willing to give them up at even the slightest inclination of hurt or suffering. Its part of our gift as mothers really. To empathize and feel for others at their time of need. It is also a curse. Especially when your little child is going through their own suffering. Oh, that I could replace the pain. Oh, that I could take away the hurt.
This week, and especially Tuesday, my heart has been beating for my child. She had to undergo dental surgery.
At 8 months, she got her first tooth. The same week she broke her first tooth out of her gums, she tried to chew the marble coffee table and chipped her tooth. It progressively got worse, a cavity got into it, and it needed to be fixed. I looked forward to the sweet little white cap that the pediatric dentist told us about. I was excited for her to have no pain. But she was going under anesthesia and well, I was worried. I had to occupy her time all morning with out food and drink. We got there at 10:15, and we waited. And waited and waited.I was getting antsy.  At 12pm they finally started prepping her with a little happy drink- it does three things, causes her no worries that mommy and daddy arent there, is an amnesiac, and anti nausea medication for after the anethesia, many get sick to their stomachs.
The dentist told us he was probably going to remove the tooth. And he had to remove the other one as well, so that when the adult teeth came in, she would have a even smile-this was procedure and common.  It was causing her great amounts of pain. She would be so happy once it was gone. But I started to cry. Thank goodness my baby was well into the effects of her happy drink. Gone? BOTH OF THEM??  She is only 3!!!!
The dentist reassured us, and reminded us that it was our attitude that would affect the way she saw her lack of teeth, and of course, we knew we had to take the positive role. I could not watch them wheel my baby away from me. And so I fled, crying the whole of 5 minutes, whispering prayers the dentist would have a swift and careful hand and that they would be gentle with my child. And I can tell you there is an empty void in your chest when you are walking around with out your heart for a time. My husband and I tried to fill up the time. We needed to eat so we ate. Then we waited. And waited. After an hour my husband started bouncing his leg. With every leg bounce, my stomach churned. I begged him to stop. Two and a half hours later, we saw our  baby girl. She was a trooper. As predicted, by 7 pm she was pretty much normal, and short of a very 6 yr old smile, and some fabulous "Iron Man fillings", she is no worse for the wear. My heart is back in its rightful place. Attached to my sleeve, awaiting the next crisis.
Two thoughts kepts going round about my head during the day.
One: I felt great empathy and sympathy for any parent who has a child who must stay in the hospital for a time. What a heart wrenching and painful time for every one involved. How difficult it is to keep the little ones still and patient, and yet they endure. I am so grateful for my healthy child. I am so grateful that I was gifted with a piece of understanding of what moms go through who must suffer with their little ones. My love has been expanded for those moms.
Two: Even as I wish to place myself in my daughter's shoes to take away the pain, I know I cannot. By the laws of nature, that is impossible. So too, it was impossible for Heavenly Father to take away the bitter cup from His own child when that Perfect One begged  for it to be removed. But He sent His heart, in the form of an angel, to strengthen Him.
By the laws of nature, we cannot take away eachother's pain, but we can in fact live our lives to be the angels of strength, buoying up eachother, even at our weakest, most desperate moments. There was a family this week, that especially went out of their way to buoy us up. Our Savior has experienced all of our pain. It  is through Him that we can be eternally and truly comforted.

PIZZA EXPERIMENT

We are admitted pizza snobs in our home. We adore Round Table Pizza. We love the sauce( my hubby gets extra sauce! ) We love the thick crusty bread. But WE HATE THE PRICE. Because of our different tastes, Frank gets a pizza and I get a  pizza...and its about $24 a pop to have pizza night.  We have pizza night about 2 times a month. UGG. Thats $50 a month! Thats $600 a year! THATS A DISNEY VACATION kids!
So in the spirit of trying to SAVE MONEY......FRUGALITY CAN BE YOUR FRIEND PEOPLE....
Heres what I did for our first HOME MADE PIZZA NIGHT .... I needed to copy the sauce and the crust...so heres what I did:

Pizza Sauce Recipe

• 3(6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 10  ish fluid ounces warm water
• 3 teaspoon minced garlic (I used powdered garlic )
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar

2 teaspoon onion powder

• 2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 2 teaspoon dried basil
• 2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
• Salt/black pepper  to taste

I mixed the paste and water first- I “eyed” it – using can to measure water and it must  STAY THICK SO IT STICKS TO YOUR SPOON WHEN TURNED UPSIDE DOWN.  

Then I added all of the dried ingredients – and added a bit more sugar and red pepper flakes to taste.

Please, please taste test your sauce. Then taste it again in an hour...adjust to your own liking. if you just CANT  taste cold sauce...warm it a bit in micro!

Then you gotta let the flavors marinate in the fridge at LEAST 2 HOURS.

Next time I will add cayenne pepper too- just a tad. My husband said it WAS REALLY AWESOME! He loved it. It is VERY CLOSE TO Round Table Pizza Sauce recipe . Sorry no pics… my computer is not reading my printer and I cant upload pics yet.

Please note- this made A LOT OF SAUCE -  we only used half- but I am planning on freezing the rest today for future use!

Crust wise, I totally cheated . I will be picking my friend’s brain and going scratch VERY SOON.

This time I used Rhodes rolls to make the crust. Thawed(I put frozen rolls covered w plastic wrap outside- the 90 degree heat thawed the rolls in NO TIME!)  and rolled together then rolled out and I pulled it so the crust part would be “thick crust”- Franks was 9 rolls mine was 7 rolls – think 9 inch pizza and 7 inch pizza.  I let Frank and my crust “rise” for 30 minutes after I put on the pan then put fork marks in the bottom to avoid bubble up.

(EVA WAS NOT WILLING TO WAIT-  we made hers with not risen crust in a pie tin- hers came out BEAUTIFUL IF A BIT BURNT... she ate the whole four inch pie!)

I will say that the bottom for Frank and my pizzas were  TOO SOGGY. Sad. I am gonna invest in that pizza stone now.   The crust part was so perfect fresh, yeasty, and thick- just like Round Tables.

Please note use WHOLE MILK MOZZERELLA...  and perhaps mix up the cheeses a bit - mine was low fat, and didnt melt or string like I would have liked....Next time...Its gonna be pizza heaven!
Heres the price run down:
Rhodes Rolls bought 72 rolls for$5.98
used 20 rolls: $1.60
sauce cans 62 cents each-$1.86
spices had in my cupboard
used half of the mozzerella cheese - $3.00
tomato from garden -free
pepperoni $4.00 a pkg for 90 pepperoni we used like 20
about $1.00
Artichoke hearts about 6 est $1.00
total: about $8.46 for all of our pizzas!!! and it tastes sooooo much better than RT!!!!YAY!!!!!!
$31 DOLLARS SAVED EACH MONTH!

Lessons you learn..over and over again.

Have you ever seen a pattern in your life with certain circumstances popping up?
 For example, I used to fall in love with men who just wanted to be friends. I was the perpetual friend. They were all top notched men- with all of my favorite qualities...and they had something else in common...they just wanted to be my friend. Aside from this being one of the MOST IRRITATING  parts of my 20's and a bit of 30, I did not let it tarnish my self esteem. Early on in my"dating"   journey, I was given information which I know to be of a spiritual nature that I should LEARN from all of the men who entered into my life as they all had something to teach me. I took it to heart. The first taught me something I will NEVER BE ABLE TO REPAY: The knowledge the Heavenly Father walks with those who suffer, and that our Savior knows like only the sufferer does the exquisite pain they feel. Finally, after years of feeling alone, I knew I never was alone - nor will I ever be again..
The second taught me to marry a man who respected work and had a job that could provide for a family. Oh, and you can't fix broken people by loving them.
The third taught me I was beautiful just the way I was.
The fourth oh, the fourth. Well. He taught me that priesthood power is truly about loving and caring for others. Seeing the needs of others before your own. He literally clothed me when I was cold. Again. Another gift I can never repay.
And the fifth. RIGHT before MR Right. HA. Mr number 5. Five is my lucky number. But we werent lucky. He was the ultimate in just wanted to be friends. But with benefits. He taught me that true love means saying goodbye when you know that your man won't commit to marriage. Yup.
Then I met My dear Hubby. I know we were meant to be. And I keep learning from him.
But back to our lessons that keep repeating themselves. I will own a few of mine. My handicap/disability  gets in my way- then I get fussy, angry, impatient. I am prideful, then I get bummed. I want to have it my way. I want to do it my way. I am independent by golly. But it doesnt always go my way. I am not independent. I need more love,  peace, patience.  HMMMMM.  My psych major friend is gonna have a hay day with this blog... anywhooooo. My disability is my outward handicap and  when I have problems it magnifies EVERYTHING I do wrong in life. It is my greatest teacher. I have learned so much from it. I am so much more because of it. I am empathetic, caring, kind and I love people.  I see ways of doing things that others do not - because I always have to figure out how to do the same others are doing - just with one hand and 1.5 legs . Ya, I got 2 legs, but well the right one is squirrely!  I have to be patient sometimes, cuz well, How else are you gonna braid a 3 yr olds hair with one hand? Yup, I button my pants with one hand too- thats my litmus tester to all my friends- spend one whole day just putting your clothes on and off with one hand...going to the bathroom, etc. I love hearing what people say after they have done that....go ahead. TRY IT. JUST TRY NOT TO DO IT IN PUBLIC RESTROOMS...hahaha
 I have turned as I always do when stressed to my peace- my Heavenly Father's words . The Scriptures. May I just partially repeat 1 Cornithians 13: Charity suffereth long,doth not behave unseemly,is not easily provolked,beareth all things,believeth all things , hopeth all things, endureth all things .
Then I watched a religious show where the wife asked her husband- which of these is you? OPPS.  nice way to put your beloved on the spot. I do NOT RECOMMEND  THAT. I can honestly say all I could think was "WELL  I got some work to do." Lessons. I need patience. I need to be less quick to anger. I need humility. My list feels eternal to me. Like in my heart I always have been one who is passionate-but not always in the good way  and in the prexistence I was too. And Heavenly Father said, "Hun, I have JUST THE TEST FOR YOU! "And finally vs 12 comes as we perfect ourselves: "For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then I shall know even as I am known." The bliss of knowing we can become even as Heavenly Father sees us. And so, with these lessons, I am thus trying to be stalwart and ENDURE TO THE END!

Medical News

Well...on the broken body front.....
I have beeen referred to a WONDERFUL DOCTOR  who handles CP and MS and other nuero problems on a regular basis. She gave me some very helpful information. I have hurt my affected leg. Due to that my CP has gone into "Overdrive" causing my leg to spasm, contract, and give me my fabulous limp drag that so resembles Quasi moto in Hunchback from Notre Dame. She assures me that injuries in people with CP exacerbate CP symptoms and she  has me on NO ACTIVITY  for a couple more weeks. She believes if I TOTALLY REDUCE MY ACTIVITY  my leg should heal. And I cried as she told me NO MORE hard repetitive weight bearing activity. Never? No more running EVER? Not unless I want furthur injury, arthritis, Degenerative joint disease. She does not recommend it. So I cried.
Then she had me crying all over again as she told me my CTS in my left hand and arm is most likely Work related and needed to be dealt with through those channels.
She reminded me that typing jobs were not beneficial to my disability. Sigh.
"Ruth guess What you are disabled." I told her "I don't like to think of myself that way." She said why must you put such a negative connotation with it. It just is.
Then she gave me modified work duties, which I will not describe, but I cried again. Lets just say I am sucking through my time.
Patience.
More appointments tomorrow.
Did I mention I am not so good with change? Guess I should not have kept asking God for patience.
Gotta stop typing now.
More later.

cry baby WAH, WAH, WAH

So I have gotten myself into it this time. Like the good little overachiever I am I kept trying to run and then walk on a hurt right leg. Its a pulled muscle, get through it. Its shin splints get through it. And then, well, then my leg started giving out on me. Just weakness set in  and lo and behold the leg crumbles, which causes a great limp drag effect , that help me feel very Hunch back From Notre Dame'ish, but has reduced my running, walking  and now any , and I mean any weight bearing to a minimum. Like, I went from run/walking 2-3 miles every other day- to limping at 1/4 mile-once a week. The only thing that has resolved it is - total sedentary activity- also known as "A time " in my home....cuz you get to sit on your "A".  I have been forced off work for a week and am awaiting my "rehab dr" to make an appointment. This is good as I also have been suffering with Carpal tunnel in my left hand, and well, its my bread and butter this hand. I kind of like it a lot. I kinda need it for EVERYTHING.  And I CANNOT  get to the surgery point. It will take 6 weeks to heal. And, well, that will make me a bit crazy.
So understandably feeling benched, and for the first time in my ADULT life ACTUALLY RESENTFUL  of my broken body.  Feeling real sensitive too as my "Quasi status" has made me limp more in public and YA people stare at girls who limp. Wish I could say it was my cute face. But its not. By the way, staring is rude. I no likey people who stare. They are usually the pitiers. ug . 
Now dont forget, I was liking my running. It was empowering me. When i was feeling all emotionally yuck I could have a little cry  during my run and things seemed fresh. Like a good rain cleanse. Not to mention, with my broken CP body, I felt in control. Well. FELT  is the key word. Not sure they will "recommend this excercise for me. Prolly get the Pansy why dont you swim response. UG. I am currently hating that idea. By the way. As an extra rant. People with CP are HYPER SENSITIVE.  I mean physically. Random stuff makes our muscles contract and spasm(yes that has increased with me.) And guess what, I am not a bit fan of super hot and super cold. And because I was in a mood,  I saw someone putting ICE  on a small child with CP recently. I wanted to scream. Now the adult thought the child liked it.Perhaps he did. But I wonder. I know i would hate that. He offered me the ice. I politely declined. The Child was not mine. Or I would have gone all mama bear on him. I know how cranky I have been lately, so I just let it go. But it has been bugging me for a whole day.  And my adult brain tells me to stay out of peoples business. But well, being all spasmy and contracturey- I could barely watch the little activity. Maybe I need my run therapy. Oh ya, I DO.
I have cried a lot today. My child is off with  ONE her favorite aunts  for the first time sleep over. It is  GREAT STRUGGLE NOT  to get in the car and grab her and race her home...into the safety of my capture sack. Shes fine. I AM A MESS.
TODAY  we stayed home waiting for my brother to come get his stuff ...he finally moved out. HES THRILLED  soooooo HAPPY. And we are happy for him. But today there have been just too many changes to my nice little routine. And I wanted to cry baby a bit.
Now for my blessings, cuz I have quite a few.
1. Frank's  testimony is growing leaps and bounds. He is amazing me not just with his love for the scripture but how easily he is applying them to his and my life . This is HUGE.and he is  GREAT BLESSING
2.Its a SMALL THING  but I have been praying for my little decrepit zucchini to grow and I got a real zucchini today!
3. my little E is a happy healthy little girl on DAY 5  of complete potty training ! Thanks to a little hamster named skittles. Story another time.
4. 2nd to my brother leaving the nest- I get a real live craft room. I have been checking out paint and ideas online.
5. I have a great support system of friends and family who listen to me crybaby a bit and a few who know when to figuratively smack me out of it!
this is me. Hoping for some help from above to ACCEPT WHAT I CANNOT CHANGE!
sincerely quasi

8 YRS AND STILL MADLY DEEPLY IN LOVE

MARRIAGE....This is our story and what I have learned. Everyone has a different idea of what it means to them. I grew up in my dreams. My dreams are what kept me sane. I would make up stories about my future husband and children and fall asleep planning our futuristic vacations and birthday parties.
I believed in the fairy tale version. I believed in love at first sight....
And boy did I get that!
My husband and I will tell you that we met at a  LDS Church dance- he totally not active, me not wanting to date the bad boy. But on a date we went. And magic ensued. I can still remember when we were walking into the restaurant, he grabbed my hand and in the heat of the night a quick and cool breeze came over us and it began...it seemed like it was always meant to be this way, and we would never be apart again.
 And so , we fell in love. That crazy kind where you just cannot ever imagine yourself with anyone else ever again, no matter what.  Its still like that.
We had our road blocks along the way. I was active, he was firmly NOT. But he has supported me while I go off to church and teach Sunday School, Relief Society and Nursery.

We had a good two years where we were ...ahem, gettting to appreciate eachothers ..ahem...faults. It sucked for him that I am a very emotional person to his quite "Vulcan" characteristic. I grew up in a volatile home and struggle with anger, even now, years later. It sucked for me that he never got flustered. It was one of my FAVORITE  things about him- he is calm under pressure. Even my raging emotional pressure. He  IS  perfect for me.
And I realized, along the way, that though there is love at first sight for some of us...the fairy tale often includes cleaning toilets and and sharing your sink space. It means that you have to make compromises and sacrifices and you have to put that person first even when they don't always remember that rule. And mostly it means RESPECT. AND TRUST.
I have always deffered to my husband. In my Church, we teach that a man should lead in the home. It gives order during chaos...and the wife should lead right next to him. I like that my husband is the head and leader.It is in similitude of Christ and his Church....For Christ loved his Church- his children- even somuch as to die for them, and so He asks the men to lift themselves up to that standard.
 I like that I picked a man so perfect for me, and that I can trust him to make the right decisions for our family. He hasn't always been considerate of my tenderest feelings. But then, same goes for me. I have forgotten at times that those who don't wear their emotions on their sleeves dont do it because they are cold, but because they are even more sensitive!  But if he wants to do something, I trust him.
It has gotten us here. With a beautiful home and gorgeous intelligent daughter and a relationship that in the last many months has been blossoming like our dating days. I feel like I am gushing about this man. I am sure those who know me our sick and tired of Frank did this and Frank did that.....ha. But let me tell you what FRank did. He opened his heart, and asked a question. Began reading the scriptures a little over three months ago. Specifically, the Book Of Mormon. This week he finished the Book of Mormon. And I asked him what he thought of it when he was done and he answer was simple. "I love it." "I know it will continue to help me for the rest of my life"  Many would say...Frankie? Going to Church. YES. And happy to do it? YES. and is it blessing our little family and bringing JOY  beyond measure. YES. So This week, for my anniversary-my husband gave me something I never thought would happen in this life. Knowledge that HE loves the Church Like I do. And NOW  we are spiritually yoked and I feel more than  humbled to be his wife. And our family will continue to be blessed and I believe in miracles. If you have never had an opportunity, read the Book of Mormon. Ask yourself, with an open heart is this true? And see if God doesn't perform a miracle in your life.

THAT STILL SMALL VOICE.

 Tonight I went for my run with Eva. It was sunny and cool and 7 pm. When we got out, there was a man that also got out of his car with his  preteen son and went ahead on the trail. There were many on the trail tonight and I was pumped just to be back on familiar ground. I thought nothing of it. Except a little voice said, " Watch him."
Well I didn't see him again until the fork in the path . He wasn't exercising , he was pacing. With his cell phone. Boy was gone.  And the little voice said Get away. Well, I WAS running and almost at the 1 mile point.....only 2 more miles to go.. I started pushing myself and pulled a muscle in my right calf...and that voice then said Stop. Go to the playground. Now mind you, my inner lazy girl is usually begging for me to stop and whining but not today. I quieted her down with my Ipod music. Still heard it AGAIN-LEAVE. JUST LEAVE.
 So I turned around. I just left. And that man had been following me.....he turned around when he saw me and pretended to talk on the phone. Eva and I went to the playground. And that is where his child was. I let Eva play and then we left. I was totally worried the whole time. I left when others were leaving. That man was just leaving as I got to my car.
I am still  a little freaked. And grateful . Grateful for that Still Small Voice- The Holy Ghost- that prompted me to safety.

sleep is overated

Monday experiment went well...Eva did not seem stressed all day. She just seemed exhausted. Laid around saying she was tired. This is from thr 3 yr old who runs for a 1/2 mile laughing....I was sure she would take a nap.  NOPE!   She was what we call CRISPY all day tired and wwhiny (definition of crispy: So fried from the day...you are "crispy")
She passed out FINALLY  at 9:30. But woke up this morning WIDE EYED AND BUSHY TAILED  5:30 am.
Poor Frankie. I had to go to work. He had to work with a bouncy toddler through the morning hours-not his favorite time of the day... Then my dear sweet, precious baby girl takes a 5 hr nap this afternoon. I got to take a nap too! and then I  caught up on a little blog reading and goofing off, and added a blinkie or 2....aren't they cute?
Luckily, Eva only sleeps like  that in the afternoon once a month. Hopefully this was June's. It means I get to be up SUPER LATE. Bummer.
I am jealous of parents who put their precious children down at 7 pm and they sleep 12 hrs straight. Even 8 pm....lucky dogs.
 I work at 6 am- so super late makes me cranky and want to be a slug. And because Eva did her long nap, we have to visit Grandma tonight and I am missing my very important run. I have to do 9 miles by Saturday I also wanted to do a 5k by myself on Saturday before Nellie and I return to our routine and she devises even more "Death to Ruth" workout plans. hahaha I love it! Who am I kidding?
 

Must be Monday...

Around the Munger home, Mondays can be slightly hectic. I have to go back to work.  Dear Husband has to go back to work, and Eva is well...needy. She whines more. She wants to be held more. She feels the disturbance in the force. The Family Force. She has always been this way on Mondays. Her sleep is always off, she usually gets up before 6 am, has late naps and goes to bed late. Since I started running, there is the added routine on Monday. It seems to have helped her. She is more relaxed and tends to not be as needy. And I have figured it out. Today, we couldnt go running. I have the week off but ironically , my jeep's brakes went out and we needed to get them fixed. Her routine was off. Right? WRONG.  Its me. Its my stress that she is feeding off of. Its my worry. I was very stressed while waiting for the final $$ estimate. Then wondering if it would get done in time. Waiting anxiously at home by the stupid phone. When we finally picked up the jeep at 4 pm- that is when our day started getting BETTER.  My sweet baby said " its a great day huh,  momma?"  " Yes baby it is a great day. " I did not get a chance to go running. Instead I colored and cut bricks and sticks, and hay for a ship that my daughter wants to build to get away fromn the wolfie. We made raccoon and duckie paper puppets- oh so fun! And of course, ate yummy food!  Four hours later at an UNPRECEDENTED TIME... she was winding down from her bath and bedtime routine...She fell asleep at 9. Shes my little precious, and I forget so much because she can communicate so well. I forget what a little conduit she still is to her mother. She feels my stress and worry as much as I do. And I have always hated Mondays because I have to leave her. But all she feels is the stress. She doesn't understand the why....I am blogging this because I think its a real breakthrough to our children's behaviors. Can we step outside of the "trouble" and check on our own mood and temperment of the moment. Perhaps, just perhaps we are the cause...The funny thing about the running is that it has released me from the work stress VERY QUICKLY  after work...which is of course why my little E has been better when I run. I am EMOTIONALLY BETTER.  Geez, Nellie is gonna have a hay day with this one!
On another note, we Type A personalities always strive to do more with our days than can really be done, then FEEL BADLY  when its not accomplished. BALANCE  is my mantra word  for the year...not for my running mind you- thats usually - Go, or breathe, or just push....lol...still working on a really cool word that can make me go faster....lol but I am a rudimentary runner. Like if anyone asked me what I think about when I am at the breaking point of the run and just want to quit and get a ice cream cone, I am counting. Simple counts, 1...2... then to 20 then to 40 then to 60 then back to the beginning. All these gazelle runners with their long lean legs all  primed for leaping ...they probably have some cool word like warrior princess HA! .....HEHEHEHEH ok I am gonna stop the ramble train right there. Can you tell I missed running today? Have a week off from my paying job. So happy about that.  Missed blogging these last few weeks. Really really exited its June in one day. I love June! Its not blazing hot, my veggies are starting to blossom- which meand I should have some zuccinis any DAY NOW ( they magically grow overnight you know) and some tomatoes too- though my poor maters have some little buggies on em....gonna have to go google that!
Happy monday ya'll!

RUNNING...AHEM..sort of!

This is my story. I have ALWAYS  wanted to run a 5 k....since Utah, when I would run 1 mile and be so proud and when I had to walk to work every day2.5 miles each way ...I realized my favorite form of exercise is done OUTSIDE.  I will always always remember the grape vines  draping one house's fence  that changed through the seasons. I was so in touch with so much spiritually when I lived in Utah, and part of that I really do attribute to my "enforced" walking to work. That aside I never could really RUN   past 1 mile. My asthma and my right leg never made it easy. And I stopped trying.
And when I moved to California- I didn't need to walk to work, I had a car, I slipped into exercise videos and 5 yrs ago- when my mom died...I stopped even that.  Life gets busy. 
But I still wanted to do the 5 k. This year is a big year for me. I AM 40. Its been 5 yrs since mom passed, and I REALLY WANT TO GET INTO SHAPE. So in April I picked a 5 k a month out - The Susan G.Komen on May 7th, 2011 and did the first step-TOLD EVERYONE . A lot of people said great good job, GO FOR IT!  A few even said they would run with me! YAY! One faithful, brave girl decided to TRAIN  with me. Actually Nellie isn't just a girl. She's my running angel. The first day I forgot my inhaler. And almost passed out.Literally! Nellie chose a great trail path that is paved and runs around lovely grasses - we even saw a coyote a few days ago!!! I saw those grasses wave and lurch...oh geez am I outta shape I thought!  I barely walked a mile. I thought I was crazy. I knew I was crazy. The rest of the day I wheezed like an old cat and coughed up phlem...and remembered my inhaler the next day. Yup . I went again. Additionally, I kept going. I was not fast at first. I walk almost every 1/2 mile - STILL. It is a goal to maintain speed consistently, and get to running the whole way...step by step, I keep running...jogging..pushing. I  started counting 1...2...1...2...little Riley- Nellies daughter has been imprinted so much she counts like that when she pushes HER STROLLER .....poor baby...cute though!  And we ran. Two days I ran by myself . Once I ran with my husband.  And our best timed day was two days before our race....but that really was only part of it. I am here to say that part of the training was getting to finish that 5 k, but part of me began to change...in my head. I crave the run now . I look forward to it. I still do not run perfectly...but oh how I love that feeling of accomplishment I get when its done. So many times I have cried big fat tears on these runs. I have cursed and yelled at Nellie- to her credit she yelled right back..shes actually more like running angel warrior....The big day loomed and everyone dropped their race plans with me except Nellie. Our babies stay home with their daddies so we could be warrior women.
 THOUSANDS  were scheduled to appear . We decided to be true go getter types and got up SUPER EARLY  to get there before 6:15 . We beat the crowds . And stood around and waited. and watched There was the zaniness of the breast cancer awareness groups  and then there was - all the professional runners in their cute little outfits and tight little bodies and precious little mercury speedy type shoes....doing crazy mantra type poses that I couldn't even do for seconds- much less for long MINUTES. I admit I was envious of their skill...I would love to be somewhat like that someday. We got asked if we were doing the walk. Nope we are here to run...we may not be like the "gazelles" (pro runners) but we were going to be part of the timed RACE. So Nellie said we are stay alivers..I like it. We are. We stay alive. We keep moving . We show up each run day and suck in some air and sweat and get all red faced and we ROCK THAT RED FACE! Something about Miss Nellie. We have been in the same Church congregation for 4 years and I have just gotten to know her through running...and it should have been sooner...she is awesome. We have many similarities and maybe because she is so very nice, we get along.We all know I can be a bit too much at times ;)  And and added bonus our two gorgeous daughters play very nicely together!  here are the pics of the race!

nellie and i are so cute pre race- all naive! look at our happy smiles!

nellies grandma

yup thats some of the 22,000!!!(we are in the front!)

we so did it!

oh, and my time...42.05- not bad for a cerebral palsic, asthmatic lazy white girl who started running april 11!!!!Oh and I hurt my right calf muscle and ran with a shin splint ...that kind of sucked ! (and under my goal by 3 minutes~!) The runners were nice and I WILL BE DOING IT AGAIN...MY NEW GOAL- 35 MINUTES OR LESS

rockin the red face!

its official!!! I officially paid money to be a timed runner in the 5 k for Susan G. Komen on May 7th!

I will be finding a cute way to make "rocking the red face" part of the run!!! I am so excited!
 http://sacramento.info-komen.org/goto/ruthmunger

Monday Madness!

Why blog Monday ? I don't even know- but by the time I start blogging I usually have had a comedy of errors day! It makes me wanna blog!
it feels like a hundred years ago- but was  just last Monday.....

I started running with a friend.I am amazed at my body...I am going to run this 5 k for Susan G. Komen!

Yay! I am so not "there" but feel excited that I am in the "process". I still love my food, and so may always have some weight issues, but at least my heart will be healthy! I want to be HEALTHY.  Funny isn't it? We worry about how we look in our 20's and now I am .....ekkk....40 and I worry about how I feel......I think I like 40 better.

Dare I say its been frustrating moving my brother into my craft room- my midnight access is not there and I am a tad bit sad ......still good to have him home. And we will adjust. Got to do some more cutting and gessoing today for my class project. I like gessoing. Its therapuedic like coloring with crayons. You create a white background to put your personal stamp on, and I felt a little of Monday's stress fade away. Ahhhh....the painty goodness. I associate gesso with my mom- She would feel the need to paint and just gesso over one of her paintings she had already done as we were too poor for new canvas. I was sad more than one time that she did that- and that was who she was...its good to gesso. She would wear this old white button down shirt that on the back she had screen printed a tiger.  over time it would have paint splatters- she had it until she died.  I can still see her...leaning over a painting making it white again...

I am afraid of painting the backgrounds. I am a perfectionist in my scrapbooking and the backgrounds  in the class is well, more "free". What if it looks like a messy gloppy mess? Did I mention mess?  I  am hoping to paint tonight after the E will go night night....I am excited -I guess I need to make a painty mess tonight!

Whew!

Think its been a week....yep- its been a week- I worked my fingers to the bone and made 20 handmade cards and 45 handmade flower hair pins for a craft faire that - DID NOT  make me rich! Ha!

cute litte carrots filled with malt balls!

But I got to see some amazing work done by some amazing women and.... I am officially on etsy! As of tonight I have 2 whole items up= I need to have a photo shoot soon for the rest of my babies!
my shop is http://www.etsy.com/shop/ruthiesrubies/

Again- its JUST A BEGINNING But I thought its time to start!

I am thinking constantly about my Stash to treasure(soon to be Miss ART's) class.All about me by Bethany Kartchner..I got my cropodile on its way and took my "everyday pics!" e actually put a paper bag on her head and walked around moaning - but by the time I had raced and gotten the camera- she had taken it off and I lost my magical moment- but I was laughing so hard it took a moment to remember!
I know my colors and my theme, gathered my stuff and keep gathering- wish I could stop!
 and I just made some cute ribbon flower embellishments to add to a page. They took a LONG TIME ...AND I MEAN LONG...

 I had to adapt and used hot glue and due to my CP- it took a bit to figure it out- and ya, I got a third degree burn. i was doing this at 1 am one night which is sooo not my time ( member- i am a morning person) Eva knows I think when something is afoot because she refused to go down for bed last week before 10 pm! I work at 6 am! So I was pretty sleep deprived! HA and ecstatically happy! Arent they cute? The yellow is scrap fabric- I haven't even shimmered em yet! I love them!

 Between working my "paying "job, doing craft faire items, and taking care of Eva- my husband picked up the housework slack- I felt sooo guilty . But he is a treasure!
And something very special is afoot in the Munger Home lately....The Spirit of the Lord has been working some of His magic ! Thats all I am gonna say about that for now....

Today a new friend of mine started me a running for my 5k in May- it did not run the whole mile- but I did run and feel excited to be back on the path of exercise...
I gotta go and put e to bed!  Thanks for popping by

artichoke Pasta = YUMMM Y

OK , my daughter loves PASTA. I pretty much hate spaghetti- too much of it when I was in my 20's- young, cute, but poor...i DIGRESS. Back to the pasta- I am always trying new pasta recipes and love LOVE ARTICHOKES- THIS ONES A WINNER-  I was doubtful when I saw cottage cheese- but it works - please note I added a tad more cayenne for my own taste its spicy and yummy !
Try it and let me know -

Artichoke Pasta recipe

Ingredients

• 12 ounces uncooked penne
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 (10 ounce) can artichoke hearts
• 1 small onion( I used 3 shallots instead )
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 cup low-fat cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup low-fat sour cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until al dente. Drain and keep warm.
2. While pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place olive oil, butter, and liquid from artichoke hearts in skillet. Cut artichoke hearts into bite-size pieces. When olive oil mixture is hot, add onion and garlic. Saute until soft and lightly browned. Stir in artichoke hearts and saute until heated through. Season with salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and oregano. Remove from heat and stir in cottage cheese and sour cream and Parmesan cheese. Toss mixture with cooked pasta and top with  more parm cheese
3. now that is done - please note toasted pine nuts would be FABULOUS OVER THIS !

Monday turned to FunDay!

I started my very first Online class with the www.stash-to-treasure.net (soon to be Miss Art's in May).
The Class is titled All about me and its concept is simple using old cracker boxes and cereal boxes to make a multimedia mini album about yourself- learning cool techniques along the way.... taught by the gifted Bethany Kartchner of Creative Ruminations. Its only $5.00 a month- YAY!

So I cut out my cracker /cereal boxes. And showed my seriously devoted husband. He is devoted because he thinks I am crazy to save these boxes, and he raised his cute eyebrows at me when I showed him all the cut out pieces. But he lets me create...and doesn't throw the boxes away! 

Today I  started to glued some of the pieces together. Well. I put little E to work or her own paint project, at our table right in front me. I okayed the use of hands as paint brushes and thats where my creative process stopped and Mommy clean up began.  As a three year old, her inate responsibility is to creatively destroy as quickly as possible - she took a mix of her paints now a green gobliny mess and smooshed them all over her hands and ...got down and put hand prints on my refrigerater, the cabinents and the wall...and dripped all along the floor and the started painting herself....I was too frazzled and frustrated to take a picture of the after....heres the cute beforenotice her talented two handed process? She ADORES PAINT-

I decided to make HER PART OF MY PROCESS  and let her Gesso her little heart out....heres the Gesso-ing pics:

notice the different dress and the towel from the clean up?

I"STAMPED" CIRCLES

THE COOL  juice box tops-cant you just see the peek a-boo possibilities?

As I said in the intro  forum for the class...I believe there wa a reason this class was in April- 5 yrs after the death of my mom. She loved to paint- in this class I  have to paint - a lot- I am going to be using her brayer, some of her beads, but this will be about me. And I am excited at this age of forty to be exploring where I have been and where I am going . When she passed I stopped EVERYTHING  creative. I just couldnt do it. I boexed it up and it gathered dust- until Eva was born. Thanks to my desire to chronicle her life- I started up again. And I am going to share my little creative process here - By the way- got a lot done this weekend - but not everything and thats ok.... I can conquer the world one day at a time!
Ruth

homecation!

It's homecation time! We had Cesar Chavez day off  for state workers and I decided to pull a four day weekend- and get some spring cleaning and creating done! Today was my first day
My to do list is VERY VERY LONG... HERE IT IS:in no particular order:
*clean house- ugh and mop -double ugh- this includes laundry
*weed yard
|*clean up garage
*do the bills
*dye my hair...(Yes I have  about 10% white lets not talk about it shall we )
* do the  weekly grocery shopping
*send in the State taxes
*finish the seed planting
*clean my craft room ( Marks room hes hm next week from boot camp)
*make  a bunch of stuff for my 2 craft faires in April
*gather my materials for my April online class
*watch Church conference over weekend and have missionaries over for dinner
*start running for 5 k in may
*all this while playing and enjoying eva and of course, spending time with  the Man himself- Mr Frank.
I think I put a lot on my plate- I am starting to feel anxious-!
Today,  I did the bills. Went to lunch, hung out with my sister in law , took a nap and watched a movie with my daughter. we played in the garden, but I did not pick even 1 weed! It was sunny and glorious and I enjoyed every LAZY MINUTE OF IT. What did Scarlet Ohara say? TOMORROWS ANOTHER DAY!
On another  note:Watched Eat Pray Love last weekend  and it was ...alright I guess. The best part for me was when the Italian man told Julia ( I am so rich and bored I can vaca for a yr) that Americans feel guilt about too much instead of enjoying their lives - the simple pleasures in life. Basically, I am paraphrasing. I liked that part. I personally know no one who has money and time to leave their lives for a year to vacation and find themselves I found the movie insipid and sad. I could not really relate. Additionally, if that was me, I know the hot Brazilian would not be hitting on me - it would have been the toothless shaman-or the old dude hanging in India- and those of you who knew me when  I  was single probably said he already did ! Har de har har!!!
Plus, any mother out there knows THERE ARE DEFINITELY days when you feel numb. Exhaustion is what we call it. We do not just drop our babies and lives to find ourselves, but look inward and gather the internal fortitude to keep on going. I felt the Julia Character lacked internal fortitude.
Theres my two cents. Now I gotta go get my child some food. She doesn't Care about that movie either!

More sleep anyone?

So Frank had the last two days off spontaneously...we played hard yesterday- going to the park- going to dinner, watching movies- its so idyllic to spend time like this as a family - Frank threw the ball for our fabulous Clifford and I took pics of him, and of Clifford and of Eva who got all her wishing done by personally blowing - and pulling apart  EVERY DANDELION IN THE PARK!
I wore myself out. Went to bed at 11:30 pm and got up to the rudely blaring alarm at  gasp- 4:50 am...I hate the time change still since its only been raining and I havent enjoyed early light yet!
Today was to be a great visit with my elderly grands- they are 90 and 91 and have officially proven they have more energy than me- I fell asleep while visiting them! They continued to putter about doing what they do best: .reading a book and working on the computer .....while Eva and I slept away...it was actually really nice.
 I got my rest and honestly feel so great! Thanks Grands! I have some park pics! Here ya'll Go-

Happy St Patty's Day!

Eva refused to let me take her pic!

My sweet husband !

Clifford our wonder dog!

ComfortFood Night

One of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE things to do for comfort is EAT.  And as it happens, I love to cook. I have cooked since I was a young girl, and as a single young adult- I cooked often for my single friends. It was my way to nurture. I felt like I was feeding them more than food. Its really an extention of my love-

Feeding is even referenced in the Scriptures- to be fed the Bread of Life and drink of the Living Water-the Savior knew that many besides myself would understand the comfort that  symbolism represents. Ah, food. Its so much more  than the stuff that sustains.
The irony that I married a man whose dietary needs were and still are able to be met by frozen burritos, lean pockets and chips and dip- well- the irony is not lost on me. He enjoys my cooking though- and swears I make the BEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES EVER.   He has become more interested in food over the past 8 yrs! Even so, he works at night so I usually only cook simple dinners for Eva and myself.

So as its usually just E and I to cook for lately, I jump at the chance to feed others.   In my Church we tend to new mothers and the ill by making their families dinner- its so fun for me to cook for more than TWO.
I am so excited because TONIGHT I m bringing a friend  sourdough bread,  potato soup and all the toppings and for dessert: strawberries and warm brownies. Its pouring down rain, its nt that the perfect comfort food- warm soup and warm chocolate. And yes, I made a little extra for myself and Eva!
Hope ya'll enjoy this one!
Heres the Potato soup recipe -
My adaptations:
I used 6 large potatoes almost all peeled, used chicken stock instead of boullion and water  I did not add the bacon (that will be a topping) added 1 cup of chopped ham and sauteed the onion and celery in the bacon grease until soft-before adding to potatoes- adeded some thyme, parsley and ground pepper to the pototoes while they boiled
 oh and used heavy cream cuz I didn't have half and half- its fabulous- just wish my printer would upload the pics!

8 unpeeled potatoes, cubed

1 onion, chopped

2 stalks celery, diced

6 cubes chicken bouillon

1 pint half-and-half cream

1 pound bacon - cooked and crumbled

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. In a large stock pot combine potatoes, onions, celery, bouillon cubes and enough water to cover all ingredients. Bring to a boil and simmer on medium heat until potatoes are with in 15 minutes of being finished.
2. Add half and half, bacon, cream of mushroom soup and stir until creamy. Add cheese and stir until completely melted. Simmer on low until potatoes are done.

IVE BEEN IN THE WEEDS

"Im in the weeds"- you know that feeling - there you are driving along the road of life and somehow inexpilcably, without your permission, your best intentions get waylaid. You'e in the weeds, or the "mud" or whatever it is that keeps you going along your merry path.
It sucks. I don't like being here. And I am one who usually spins her wheels long and hard to get back on my PATH.
I thought I' d pulled out a few weeks ago when I recieved some disappointing news  from work.
Its just work afterall...I have these other blessings my little family...and oh, they are so dear to me!
And God has a Plan. Oh YES HE DOES.
So, last week, I heard some negative stuff about me. I know. I couldn't believe it either! And it hurt. Wow. What makes people think that its ok to tear eachother down?
Gossip is bad for so many reasons. We know not how far reaching it is. This time- it got back to the source- me..AND IT THREW ME OFF MY PATH.
Bummer.
So I have spent the last 4 days in a funk. Fussy, sad and cranky with myself. Ever get one little criticism and all of a sudden- all your inner speak reminds you of EVERYTHING YOU DO WRONG?  Your house isnt clean enough-or prettily decorated enough- why cant you just make those cute things to decorate?  your child doesnt eat enough veggies, YOU DONT  eat enough veggies, you procrastinate, you have weeds- the real kind in your back yard, and there are a million things that need to be done- and there you are WASTING TIME SLEEPING.  Well, that added to my work stuff....made for a cranky Ruth. Ever feel so irritated with yourself-others start irritating you?
Yep. That was me too. AND YET HERES MY FAMILY'S REACTIONS:
 My husband helped me do craft projects , made me GO BACK TO BED  when I had a migraine and - by watching E gave me some time to myself.  Not to mention what happens to my spirit when he physically wraps his arms about me....I feel healed. Too bad I  cant take his arms with me to WORK! When E and I went shopping and she joyfully talked on her pretend cell phone about our shopping trip- and there is NOTHING  like your child wrapping their tiny arms around you telling you - in spite of your flawed self- you are the one they love. What irony. She who is so innocent and perfect- loves me ...sound familiar? She is a perfect example of Our Heavenly Father...but I digress....
I couldn't shake my fussiness. I figured it out. I prayed, I read the scriptures, I listened to my family's love and finally tonight I realized I needed to regurgitate  through words. I always felt better when I wrote it all down. And so I thought what better place but here on my little blog. 
So, even though I am not financially rich...I have SO MUCH RICHNESS IN MY LIFE .
MY JEWELS:
FAITH, FAMILY, LOVE, CREATIVITY, ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND AND TRULY HUMBLE MYSELF TO HIS WILL..(.WELL EVENTUALLY! ;)
My dear Husband has been worried. I am the happy hyper one in the relationship. The funk has gone on for too long. I have spun my last wheel- I am back on track ya'll- be prepared ..here comes some pictures of what I did this weekend!

a brooch I made a friend and chicken emchilada soup....yummo!

Life

Life gets in the way of my blog these last few weeks. I have had some disappointments and my faith has once again-CENTERED ME. My husband has SUPPORTED AND LOVED ME, my daughter has REMINDED ME . Are you BLESSED?  Do you honor your blessings?
Whatever happens in life if it is not uplifting you, don't let it change you. A Leader of my Church once said- Sacrifice is giving up something good for something BETTER. We do not know others hearts, we only know our own, we must choose the higher road.
That being said, I have been creative and as soon as I can upload my pictures...I will start my creation of the week- actually- it will be mass amounts of creations! I can't wait to share!
 Now: Go Do something for yourself

Still not up and running!

I know! I said I would be soon....but we are having technical difficulties in the Munger Household....I hope to have everything fixed this weekend! STAY TUNED!

leftover inspired Pasta!

SO ....felt uninspired...same ol boring food...could not just feed E or myself frozen burritos..Heres mytrain of thought stream of consciousness recipe!
.so I put the pot on to boil for  1/2 box leftover penne pasta...now for the sauce.....

I took 3-4 cloves of garlic, abt 4 tbs of sun dried tomatoes in oil and had 4 pieces of cooked bacon...that was just crying out to be eaten.....bacon should never be wasted!
I pulsed the above  in my processor til it was a paste ( go ahead add some olive oil...or more garlic...or whatever...)
Then I took good parm reggiano- you gotta use the good stuff...you will never wanna go back....
And shredded abt 3/4 cups
It was missing something...I had a lemon for the end, but I was looking, and found frozen chopped spinach~ thawed it, drained it and threw 1/2 box into a colander....poured the hot pasta and pasta water right over the spinach- instant cook!
Then added to now empty pot  a little olive oil on low heat add the tomato pesto... sauted like a minute - could have done longer- but did not want to burn precious garlic....topped with pasta and spinach mixture stirred in juice of 1/2 lemon and cheese...
IT WAS YUMMY....I  would even add red pepper flekes forr some spice but my dear daughter is three..and can be fussy! she loved it!

New Beginnings

A long time ago, a friend said I was like the scripture in Proverbs 3 :15 which reads: "She is more precious than rubies:and all things thou canst desire are not to be compared to her." I was nicknamed "Ruby" and went by that for a long time....
Now I am revisiting my past and as I have turned a landmark age...(gasp!)40!, I have decided to follow some of my dreams...and have been creating like a crazy person...I am filled with ideas and desires to reach out to others with my little creations...my little rubies....for its the rubies in all of us that are screaming to be seen...we too often hide up our treasures afraid of what the world will think of us....
A special thanks should go to Bethany Kartchner, who has inspired me to follow my dreams....
I will be posting pictures of my pretty little jewels soon...stay tuned!

.

IM Here!

OK, so I am not Blog cool...and I completely messed up ruth's randomness=WHILE TRYING TO MAKE IT PRETTY, which is fine, since I wanted to start a new blog ANYWAY!