The Life of Mrs. Miles

MOONCAT MONKEY ELEMENT

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This element was created using a reference photo from sxc using a picture by Mooncat. I've still got many more animals lined up for the zoo - I hope you are enjoying this series, as much as I am enjoying making them!

Today is a day where I'm not quite sure whats going to happen here on my blog! I have not figured out anything concrete to write so I will make 'blog salad' - share all the best little bits in my heart and mind.

First of all - the packing is coming along. I got about 5 boxes of 'non-essentials' boxed up out of the kitchen yesterday. As I was puttting the tape on them I was thinking "You know, if this box somehow DISAPPEARED, I would be able to live without it..." Thats what sort of stuff was in those boxes. This wild little urge comes over me... host an impromptu yard sale and sell the entire boxes at a set price, ha ha! (But then the practical side of me takes over and wrestles me to reason)

Other than our 1.5 hour walk last night and a quick trip to the thrift yesterday, I stayed home and snug. These long walks at night are really making a difference! The only excersize I have been doing, along with watching what I eat, is to walk nightly (most nights) and do sit ups. I hit the floor many times during the day to do sets of 50 sit ups at a time. Often I can rack up about 600 sit ups a day. Now this is from building up since January - don't go trying this right away! I started with doing sets of 5 and working up to the 50. 5 used to kill my stomach, now 50 is a breeze. I have a flat, muscley stomach and I feel so strong. My back feels so strong. Did you know that if you strengthen your stomach muscles you strengthen your back at the same time? The reason the sit ups work for me is because I can do them practically anywhere, any time, with no extra equiptment. Why don't you try just 5 for me today?

MOODY TREES AT HAYNE'S POINT PROVINCIAL PARK

With making healthier eating choices I am becoming attracted to finding cooking methods which are low fat and easy. I just came across a recipe in the Sunset Magazine 2007 issue I would like to share with you - It uses parchment paper!

First of all, they provide instructions on how to make a parchment packet:

The term for cooking in parchment is "en papillote" and the shape of the paper is important. Fold a piece of parchment paper about 2.5 times the size of what you will be cooking, in 1/2 and cut into a 1/2 heart shape.

Unfold, fill 1/2 with your ingredients, and fold the 1/2 over to close. Start at teh top of the heart in the center of the dip and fold about 1/4 of the edge toward the center and start rolling it around the rim, crimping the roll to seal it. When the roll reaches the bottom tip of the heart, twist to seal.

GREEN ONION AND SESAME FISH

4 fillets sole

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger

2 tsp toasted sesame oil

3 green onions, cut into 3 inch lengths and sliced thinly lengthwise

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Fold 4 pieces of parchment paper (12 x 14 inches) in 1/2 to form 7 x 12 inch half-heart shapes as large as the paper allows. Unfold into hearts. Place a fish fillet to one side of the center of each heart and sprinkle with 1/4 of the salt. Spread each fillet with 1/4 of the ginger. Drizzle with 1/4 of the sesame oil and top with 1/4 of the green onions. Fold papers over fillets and crimp edges to close. Put packets on a baking sheet and bake 15 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily in the middle - if not done bake 5 more minutes.

Makes 4 servings

PS: I also read somewhere for Valentines day or a Romantic Dinner, you can make the packages out of two full heart shapes and do this, then you serve your sweet one an entire 'heart' package!

REEDS AND ICE

With all the excitement in our lives at the moment I find myself needing some 'grounding'. Its become harder and harder to find some quiet time. I find myself a bit on edge, with friends and family - and often speaking to my beloved in a less than loving tone. I find myself resisting and assuming and more concerned with 'me' than 'thee' and so I know I need a spiritual 'tune up'. I need to BE STILL. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to NOT do...

Be still! Just now be still!

Something thy soul hath never heard,

Something unknown to any song of bird,

Something unknown to any wind, or wave, or star,

A message from the Fatherland afar,

That with sweet joy the homesick soul shall thrill,

Cometh to the if thou canst but be still.

Be still! Just now be still!

There comes a presence very mild and sweet;

White are the sandals of His noiseless feet.

It is the Comforter whom Jesus sent

To teach, thee what the words He uttered meant.

The willing, waiting spirit, He doth fill.

If thou would'st hear His message,

Dear soul, be still!

JOB 6:24

Teach me, and I will be quiet;

show me where I have been wrong.

How do YOU get away for prayer or quiet time in today's busy times? I would love to hear from you!

BARB'S HANDY TIP #222

Picture This - Anywhere in the World!

I have to thank blog reader JOSEY for providing this tip for us today! This site is like, and works with Google Earth and Flikr (something termed a mashup) to enable you to view photos from all over the globe! No need to download any software. This would be a terrific site to share with friends and educators! If you upload some snaps send me a link?

EARTH ALBUM