Hey-hey friends!
How was Thanksgiving? Ours was wonderful. Can’t go wrong with great food, family, laughter and sharing stories and enjoying each others company. Thanks-Giving happened!
Well – It’s official!
Christmas season has arrived. Time for me to break out my pretty twinkle and chunk lights, retro tree (yes, I have a silver one that my great Aunt Jen Lou gifted me with the roll around color wheel – circa probably 1960) , decorations and a wreath or 2. EXCITED.
Great line-up today.
BEGINNING WITH STEPHANIE’S CHIC ON THE CHEAP COLUMN
42nd high school reunion?! Impossible – you look too young, for that timeline, Steph. Seriously.
The last high school reunion I attended was my 10th in Billings, Montana. Nothing as cool as what they had going on for sure!
Ours was pretty stuffy – buffet table, table tops of 5 and mingling around kinda-sorta recognizing classmates even after a short 10 years. No disco lights, disco ball, D.J. or having fun dressing up for the event.
*YAWN* on my class of 1980.
Hat tip to Steph’s Class of 1981 for a memorable FUN reunion!
QUICK QUESTION
What 3 questions would I like to have answered — I know one for sure that I’ve often thought about —
That being, Do our beloved pets go to Heaven when they die?
Still thinking about the other two. You?
ADVICE FROM A TREE
Is a beautiful letter/story. Totally makes sense to me.
CUBAN BLACK BEAN SOUP RECIPE
Is outstanding. I love black bean soup and this recipe is one of the very best. I especially enjoy the part where there’s the addition of serving it with rice. Give it a try now that Thanksgiving’s finished until next year and the temps are definitely falling.
So super grateful for all sliding by today + thoughts + and happy energy you send our way. Grateful.
STEPHANIE’S
CHIC ON THE CHEAP
80’s MUSIC STILL RULES
Hello!
A few months ago a client of mine told me about these hydro-gel under eye patches. She was amazed at the results.
You can purchase these eye patches at Ulta. The cost is $4/packet. You use them one time and discard.
The particular pack contains:
Collagen which reverses the appearance of fine lines.
Retinol which promotes promotes collagen production.
Vitamin C which promotes brightening.
I purchased a few packs to keep on hand in case a last minute event came up.
Well, that just happened when I decided to attend my 42nd *OUCH* high school class reunion last weekend. I hadn’t been to a class reunion since my 20th.
The reunion was really cool!
A few classmates went all out planning an 80’s themed reunion. The venue was in a warehouse that they had decorated with disco lights, a disco ball, dance floor and a D.J. who had us all dancing to the best 80’s music all night.
((I was sore the next day. Wiggling all those dance muscles and moves on the floor I hadn’t done in a while. LOL.))
My husband laughed at me getting ready for the reunion as I walked around the house with these rainbow colored under eye patches + my teeth whitening strips.
I was also very impressed with the results of these eye patches! Bags and fine lines gone!
PIC #1
The under eye patches you can purchase at Ulta.
Back to the reunion – It was a requirement to dress 80’s to attend the party. The class of 1981 did not disappoint.
One of my friends showed up wearing an almost identical outfit as mine. Right down to the vintage Guns ‘N Roses vintage rock t-shirt. I hadn’t seen her in many years. I absolutely love her gorgeous, long silver hair.
PIC #2
Here we are!
PIC #3
These 80’s Ladies still Rock It!
Have a safe and great weekend.
WHAT 3 QUESTIONS DO YOU WISH YOU KNEW THE ANSWERS TO?
ADVICE FROM A TREE
Dear Friend,
Stand Tall and Proud
Sink your roots deeply into the Earth
Reflect the light of your true nature
Think long term
Go out on a limb
Remember your place among all living beings
Embrace with joy the
changing seasons
For each yields its own
abundance
The Energy and Birth of Spring
The Growth and Contentment
of Summer
The Wisdom to let go like
leaves in the Fall
The Rest and Quiet renewal of
Winter
Feel the wind and sun
And delight in their presence
Look up at the moon that
shines upon you
And the mystery of the stars
at night
Seek nourishment from the good things in life
Simple pleasures
Earth, fresh air, light
Be content with your natural beauty
Drink plenty of water
Let your limbs sway and
dance in the breezes
Be flexible
Remember your roots
Enjoy the view!
~ COPYRIGHT 2018, LLAN SHAMIR
USED WITH PERMISSION
yourtruenature.com
CUBAN BLACK BEAN SOUP
As I said in my opening, this soup is outstanding. The recipe card I have reads: “It’s difficult to believe that such ordinary ingredients could turn out so amazing.” But they sure do!
HERE’S WHAT WE MAKE IT WITH
Pam cooking spray
2 cups dried black beans, washed
2 1/2 quarts any well flavored vegetable or chicken stock
2 bay leaves
2 fresh jalapeno peppers, chopped with seeds
1/2 -3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 large onions, small diced
2 green bell peppers, stemmed seeded, and diced small
6 cloves fresh garlic, minced fine
salt to taste
2 cups cooked white rice, for serving
1 small yellow onion, chopped for serving
Fresh lime wedges, for serving
HERE’S HOW WE MAKE IT
- Spray a large heavy soup pot with the Pam and in it soak the black beans in stock to cover overnight
- Next morning – add enough of the remaining stock (or add more) to cover the beans by an inch. Add bay leaves and jalapeno. Cover the pot with its lid and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat to low and let simmer. Place the lid so pot is now partially covered. Simmer until beans are tender – about 2 hours.
- Meanwhile, in an medium size skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and saute diced onions and green pepper until soft. About 4 minutes. Maybe 5. Stirring frequently. Add minced garlic and cook a minute or so longer. Stirring constantly so garlic does not burn.
- When the beans are tender, add the onion mixture to them and season with salt to taste. Let simmer another 30 minutes.
- Serve at once, or, even better the next day. (If serving the next day – simply reheat until soup is hot again.)
- Ladle soup into bowls and drizzle olive oil on top of soup – about a tablespoon per serving.
- Pass the bowl of rice around the table along with fresh diced onions and lime wedges. (Squeeze the lime juice from wedges on soup.)
Serve with lightly toasted Pita bread or Ciabatta.
~ Hippie Cowboy recipe box
That Cuban Black Bean Soup sounds so good right now! Definitely on my list.
Oh, yes, ma’am – the Cuban Black Bean Soup will not disappoint. So incredibly good.
We appreciate ya, big time.
GRATITUDE
Cuban Black Bean Soup! Yes!
Enjoy the black bean soup! It’s a winner-winner!
Thanks so much for reading and sharing your feedback.
MEANINGFUL
Stephanie’s suggestion on under eye patches caught me with, “You gotta be kidding?” Next time I go to Ulta, I’m making my purchase. Smiles!
Seriously cool, right, Marty?1
I, too, am going to purchase and use for special occasions as Steph shares tried-and-true.
Thank so much for reading and contributing.
JOY