REDUCE.... REUSE.... RECYCLE....

recycling bag purchased @1989 school fundraiser

WEEKWORD = R-E-C-Y-C-L-E

Recycle - Reuse - Reduce... So do YOU ??

The WEEKWORD host is  

ELISABETH @ TEXTILSPANIELN.

  

Swing by her blog & leave a note in the "kommentarer" box if you are participating this week. 

Her blog is written in Swedish, (I love the adorable letters with "circles" on top) but she writes WEEKWORD in English. 

If you are interested in reading the other posts in her blog, Google has a free translation download HERE!

FYI ~ working on my de-cluttering! Elisabeth picked a fabulous WEEKWORD to keep me focused on "simplifying my life." 

BRRRR ~ 1.10.11 ~ back window of Honda

For those of you living in the snow, this picture will be "no big deal"... but on the Central Coast of California, this is "chilly weather" for us... I grabbed my scarf & gloves!!!

GARDEN GUARD-ESS!!!

12.20.10 ~ Patio

"Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn."

~ Elizabeth Lawrence, author & gardener

created Wing Haven Gardens & Bird Sanctuary

Charlotte, NC 

When I purchased my condo in 1999, this little creature was left among the weeds in my patio area.

Several years ago, one of my daughters asked, "Why do you still have that little duck? it doesn't seem like it really fits with the ambience of your patio."

"Well, I can't get rid of it," I replied.

"Why not? just toss it in a recycle bag," she answered.

"It's the GARDEN GUARD-ESS! if I get rid of it, it would be bad "karma" for the patio & flowers," I whispered.

The GARDEN GUARD-ESS sits proudly among the winter greenery...

SIMPLICITY = SIMPLE LIVING

KEW GARDEN ~ London, Summer 2010

"Reduce the complexity of life by eliminating 

the needless wants of life, 

and the labors of life reduce themselves."

~ Edwin Way Teale, American naturalist, photographer, Pultizer Prize winning author

The rush of the holidays left me breathless... out of energy... BUT also ready to welcome the NEW YEAR with a focus of "simplifying my life." I know, I've said this before, but this time I really mean it!!

My garage is CHAOS & has been for two years now - living in a condo with a single car garage doesn't allow for the accumulation of possessions. AND, we have too much STUFF! so - I'm going to start the year by announcing that I want to de-clutter my life.

I've been teased for reading these:

actually, great quote resources

So - no excuses!            

First, we'll make a pot of...

 Chicken Tortilla Soup

some soup ingredients from TJ's ~ pretty pathetic looking lime!!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Simmer together for 8-10 minutes:

• 1 can chicken broth
• 1 16oz jar of salsa (medium heat)
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/4 tsp cumin  
• 2 chicken breasts, cooked & cubed

Add & simmer for another 10 minutes:

• 1/2 bag of frozen Mexican Corn (I use Trader Joe's)
• 1 can pinto beans (drained, rinsed)
• 1 can black beans (drained, rinsed)
• 2 TBSP lime juice

Top with the following: 

• tortilla chips
• sour cream
• black olives
• green onions
• avocado

It's "simply delicious" & easy to throw together!

recipe can be doubled & frozen!!

Our blogger friend from Sweden, 

ELISABETH @ TEXTILSPANIELN 

has volunteered to host. 

Please check her website for the next WEEKWORD. The host generally posts the work on Sunday or Monday. If you lose track of the host, email or leave me a note in the comment box. I've been keeping a list of the words + host....

THANKS for answering the call to revive WEEKWORD for 2011... I don't know about you, but this is the stimulation I need to stretch my blogging talents!

WEEKWORD = SIMPLICITY

Morro Bay Seagull cuts through a November Sunset!

 "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication"

~ Leonardo da Vinci
artist, painter, sculptor, architect, writer

WEEKWORD = S-I-M-P-L-I-C-I-T-Y 

This week's participants:

• JOYE @ JOYEFULART
• MANDY @ MANDYLAND
• ADRIENNE @ LA VIE QUOTIDIENNE
• SE @ ENSALADA
• DOMESTIC SCRIBBLES
• BELINDA @ UPSIDEDOWN BEE
• CAROLA @ carola bARTz
• KATY @ CREATING MISERICORDIA
• SALLY @ SOW & SEW
• JUNE @ JUNEBUG'S MUSINGS
• KAREN @ THE DISTRACTED COOK
• MARY @ NO POLAR
• MARIA @ SIMPLY COOL STUFF
• CATH C @ MUSINGS IN MAYHEM
• HENNIE @ HENNIEMAVIS RUNS RAMPANT
• ELISABETH @ TEXTILSPANIELN
• CARMEN @ TAILS OF A BIOMOUSE
• DIANA @ D S BRENNAN PHOTOGRAPHY
• PEGGY @ PEGGY FUSSELL ILLUSTRATION
• BLUE ROSE @ METAMORPHOSING
• HANNAH @ HAPPENINGS
• SALLY @ DIARIO 

I can't wait to sit down with a cup of tea & visit everyone's blog... 

There are several new WEEKWORD participants (WELCOME Blue Rose, Diana & Karen)... and many of you have returned after a short break from this weekly activity!  Thanks for the incredible response to participate!!!

For those who are new... this is your opportunity to visit some new blogs, leave a comment, bookmark those blogs you want to revisit, and share your "creative spirit." ENJOY!

We have a record number of participants - I think I'll be making  a "POT of tea" to have time to jump from blog to blog. 

If anyone is interested in selecting the WEEKWORD for next week, please let me know via email (or in the comment section).

Back to brainstorming my own post for "SIMPLICITY"...

BOXING DAY....

BOXING DAY = ??

A.  is thought to have originated in England during the Middle Ages

B.  is a day of rest for servants

C.  is a day to give gifts to those who serve others (tradesmen, mail carriers, doormen, porters, servants)

D.  is December 26, the day after Christmas

E.  is celebrated in Great Britain, Canada, Australia, & New Zealand

F.  is a holiday observed by banks, government offices, & post offices

Yesterday, I celebrated "BOXING DAY" by B-O-X-I-N-G up the holiday decorations... ummm, my favorite season of the year, doesn't last long enough! Do you think I could get away with decorating BEFORE Thanksgiving next year?

I confess... my Santa collection grew by FOUR... Chimney Santa was a gift from ACE; Jingle Santa "landed" via a gift exchange; Puffy Santa arrived on my birthday; & Skinny Santa was purchased after Christmas for $1.15 (Cracker Barrel Restaurant ~ Ohio) --- they got along "charmingly" with the rest of the Red Men!

As for the history of BOXING DAY - all of the statements above are TRUE!! 

AND, I DO realize my interpretation of BOXING DAY is different than the choices listed above...

So - are you finished BOXING UP your decorations?

WEEKWORD RESUMES!!!

Lily in the RAIN ~ 1/2/11

WEEKWORD resumes.... I was tapped as "host" a week ago, but judging from the number of bloggers who were on holiday break, I took the "liberty" of skipping a week to "ease us" into the NEW YEAR!!

I'm looking forward to 2011! Although I don't like "ODD NUMBERS" (this year ends in 11 or 1, depending on how you look at it), I'm eager to see what 2011 has in store for me, my relationships, home, health, work (paid employment & creative work), my community, our nation, and the world!

So - for those of you unfamiliar with "WEEKWORD" ~ it is an opportunity to share your "creative" interpretation of a word selected by a host - which for this week is... ME!

Creative interpretation = collage, photo, cartoon, story, joke, poem, painting, etc ~ basically something you can post on your blog, which is viewed by participating "WEEKWORD" bloggers.

• First step: (I'm sounding like an educator, huh!!?) Leave me a note in the comment section below that you want to participate!
• Second step: Create.... for some participants, the "WEEKWORD" conjures an immediate image, memory, or response; but for others (like me), I often don't know what I'll post until the deadline.
• Third step: Post your "WEEKWORD" interpretation on your blog by the end of the day, Friday January 7th. 
• Fourth step: Stop by my blog on Friday (1/7/11) to see the list of bloggers participating. Visit the blog(s) & leave a comment or note that you've visited...
• Fifth step: Invite your blog visitors to participate... WEEKWORD is open to anyone ~ in fact, I'm going to go back through the list of previous participants to let them know WEEKWORD has resumed!
• BTW - I started participating in WEEKWORD back in July, click HERE and ALSO HERE... but, I believe WEEKWORD was started by my artistic blogger friend from Denmark, FruensWerk but, read about it first from AIMEE @ ARTSYVILLE. Don't you love their creativity?? 

It's a fabulous way to meet new bloggers! resume former blog friendships!! & give you a "creative burst" for your own blog!!! 
Who doesn't need more friends? & after the holidays, I need some help with "creativity"....

SO - drum rolllll..... pleeeesssee!

"WEEKWORD" = S-I-M-P-L-I-C-I-T-Y

I love the SIMPLICITY of flowers in the rain... washing away the dust & dirt... bringing freshness to the garden... perhaps you've put away your holiday decorations & are reveling in the SIMPLICITY of your home? or digging through your recipes to create something that revamps your eating habits (after indulgent holiday feasting)? 

What does SIMPLICITY mean to you?