Harper Valley

Red, White & Blue from Bajalia

 

...from Bajalia Trading Company

Dress up this 4th of July with some of their beautiful red, white and blue items. Celebrate by wearing America's colors while supporting those without the same freedoms and luxuries that we are graced with here in the United States.

RED

This Scalloped Red Brooch is handmade by the women in the West Indian delta region, which has been famous for lace-making for more than 100 years. These women use their crochet skills to improve their lives and provide food and care for their families.  Price: $10.00

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WHITE

 

Bajalia tries to preserve the purity and dignity of the ethnic crafts by supporting the handicraft techniques that have been handed down from generation to generation. These are key to each artisan's individual heritage.

Warli painting is one such technique. Spark conversation with this ancient Indian form of art. Made by artisans struggling to survive. Each vase is hand crafted and painted and combines simple geometric designs and ethnic art. Use as part of your centerpiece or set in a special place. Every whimsical set of 3 will make you and your guests smile.   Price: $30.00

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BLUE

 
These turquoise hoop earrings add a simple splash of color to any outfit. Made by incredibly brave women fighting for a new life. Each set of these earrings are created by those who were lured into the sex industry by deceit and then held there by shame. Bajalia partners with groups throughout Asia to help provide shelters, medical care and avenues of escape to these women trapped in this spiral of abuse.  Price: $14.00

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Help those around the world who aren't as lucky as you and I this 4th. Wear your red, white and blue and share the stories of those behind them.  If you haven't had a chance already, check out Bajalia's website and the beautiful new products that have been added.  www.bajalia.com

Michael Jackson Tribute

 

I was amazed at how quickly the news spread about Michael Jackson's death on Thursday afternoon.  Between Twitter, Facebook, and the Internet...we were all mourning within moments. 

Michael Jackson meant so much to so many of us, musically.  When I was about nine, my dad came home from a trip with a gift in hand for me.....the Thriller cassette.  My sisters and I were so excited.  We immediately ran to my room and huddled up on the edge of my twin bed.  Then we popped that tape into my rinky dink portable cassette player and listened to it over and over and over.   We were hooked.

Michael Jackson changed music forever, and I feel honored that I experienced the phenomenon as a child and teenager.  The music you grow up with always holds a special place in your heart.  For us Gen-Xers...he was our Elvis.  And he broke the racial boundaries that most musicians couldn't or didn't want to.  I feel like a part of my childhood is gone now that he's passed. 

Some folks say he's a pedophile who should rot in Hell.  Is it true?  Who knows.  If it is, then rest assured that he IS answering for his actions now.  Despite his tortured, troubled, train-wrecked soul..the world still loved him. 

Although Thriller was my first real cassette, Off the Wall is my favorite MJ album.  And my favorite MJ song is ---> PYT.  Without a doubt.  Although, Workin' Day & Night, Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough, and Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' are very close runners up. 

It's hard to pick just one, but go ahead and try.  What is your favorite Michael Jackson song? 

Find New Blog Topics

Did you know that approximately 1 million blog posts are written every 24 hours?  Stats like that make blogging seem easy.  But it's not.  Check out these blog topic tips from my BFFs at TypePad. 

For more social media/marketing info and blogging tips, follow this link to TheFutureBuzz.

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10 Ways to Find New Blog Topics

1.  Check your comment section.  Some of the best ideas come from readers. Read through your comments and check for interesting questions, provoking thoughts, or anything that could become a good post topic. Focus particularly on any comment threads that contain a spirited discussion among readers. If it's hot, run with it.

2.  Create a list.  Whatever you blog about, there is likely an exciting list that you can uncover. Write the “5 Secrets to...” or the “Top 10 Ways...” or “8 Reasons Why...” or “3 Ways to Find Out...” They're quick and painless, and even better: they're fun to read.

3.  Review your greatest hits.  Read back through your old posts, particularly the ones that generated a good amount of feedback, and consider writing a fresh angle on the topic. If a subject was compelling once, it might be worthwhile to explore another variation on it.

4.  Spend some time on social networking sites like Digg and StumbleUpon to find out what other people are blogging about.  Sometimes just browsing through headlines of buzz-worthy blog topics will be enough to jumpstart your creativity. Good ideas are contagious, so take time to read popular blogs and blogs that are generating lots of conversations, and you'll soon have a bunch of new ideas.

5.  Explore blogs in an entirely different category than yours.  Stepping outside your own content area is a wonderful way to be inspired. Have a marketing blog? Read a few food blogs. Have a craft blog? Check out a few political blogs. Inspiration is just a few clicks away.

6.  Do something different.  Create a post using only pictures. Hold a contest. Give something away to the “nth” person who comments. Invite your readers to ask you a question. Participate in a blog meme. Write a pros and cons list on a topic that is relevant for your audience. Write a post in your “alter ego” voice, contradicting a stance you would usually take. Create a poll. Write about a blog post that you had a strong reaction to.

7.  Invite a guest author to write a blog post.  If you need a break on the writing front, why not ask another blogger to write a guest post? Another up-and-coming blogger will likely seize the chance to write for a new audience, and your regular readers will get a fresh perspective.

8.  Step away from the computer.  Some of the best ideas come when you stop trying so hard. Spend an hour or two at the museum; catch the afternoon matinee; browse the magazine rack; or crack open a novel. Chances are good that you'll find yourself inspired when you do return to your desk.

9.  Turn on the news.  We know: since you started blogging, you don't watch nearly as much television, but local and national news are a goldmine of topic ideas. Tune in and be inspired.

10.  Keep an idea log.  Buy a cheap notebook and jot down ideas whenever they come to you. Carry it with you when you're riding the bus or sitting at the airport. Next time you can't think of anything to post about, all you'll have to do is turn to your own treasure trove of brilliance.

Happy Father's Day

   

Just found this picture of me and my Dad.  I'm guessing this shot was taken around '75 or '76.  I look annoyed.  Hmmm..no surprise there.  And my dress is kinda short.  But I guess that's cool when you're a toddler.  At least I'm following the fashion rule of not showing too much leg and chest at the same time.  Dontcha love our haircuts?  Me with my Dorothy Hamill wedge and Dad with his Farrah Fawcett feathers.  Oh yeah.  Hialeah's finest.  Happy Father's Day, Dad!  Thanks for making me go to church all those years, even when I hated it.  : )

Beach Bums: Part II

 

While we loved chillaxin near the ocean, we also did a bit of floating in the pool.  The pool was grody, but it gave Hunter & Meagan a chance to swim around a little better.  And we actually met a real nice lady there, Miss Vicki.  She was very engaging so the girls latched on to her, literally.  They told her their middle names, last names, birthdays, cousin's name, hometown, teacher's names, favorite movies, etc. 

Meagan got real comfortable with our new friend.  So comfortable that she asked Miss Vicki....Have you ever seen The Farting Preacher?  It was hilarious, especially in her adorable, innocent, four-year-old voice.  Now I'm the first one to laugh uncontrollably and even snort-laugh at TFP, but it's a little awkward when the youngins mention it to strangers.  Janet and I quickly explained what it was and brushed it off, but I was dying with laughter on the inside.  I'm sure Miss Vicki looked it up on YouTube when she got home.  Meagan's our friendly little diva....

I had big dreams of building a giant sand castle on this trip.  But once I plopped down on the beach, I just didn't feel like thinking and digging and being creative.  Luckily, our fellow beach buddies did feel like it.  Check out their masterpieces...

 

 

I was pretty careless with my sunscreen application on Monday, so my shoulders and chest felt like fried chicken by Tuesday morning.  Therefore I spent most of that day wearing a t-shirt, sitting under the umbrella, guarding our beach toys, snapping shots of my feet, and shooing the birds away.  Not as exciting observing the crew, but I'll take a bad day at the beach over a good day at the office..any time.

 

 

 

After a few hours of umbrella hibernation, I came out of hiding and helped Avery gather more shells for her collection.  We found quite a few treasures. 

 

On our last night of the trip, we went to see the movie, UP.  Might seem like a weird thing to do at the beach, but the kids wanted to go <me too> ..and it was nice to sit in a clean, stench-free theater, a welcome departure from watching a 13-inch TV at the Bates.

I'll say this about going to the beach with little kids.  It's in no way relaxing, but it sure is fun.  The wee ones had their typical meltdowns, and I think that triggered a few meltdowns in me.  Guess I'm just not used to the additional yelping, jumping, crying, and whining that comes with children.  I told my sister...I can't believe you don't hit the bottle every night? 

Throughout the trip, Janet and I were reminded of Summer Rental, the 80s classic beach movie starring John Candy.  Our adventure mirrored many of the scenes in this hysterical film.  The trip was lots of work, but I laughed a ton, and now I have my own irreplaceable 'Summer Rental' memories. 

 

Beach Bums: Part I

 

I survived my first beach trip with three small children (and their mother/aka my sister).  Our trip was full of non-stop action, sandy toes, salty mouths, seafood, and sunburn.  With every millimeter of the minivan occupied, we ventured out for a three-day stay at Madeira Beach, on Florida's Gulf Coast. The drive is about two hours, but the kids were troopers and kept us in stitches with their excitement and amusing questions. I think Meagan's inquiries won first prize: Mama, did you pack my clothes? ...Mama, have I been to the beach before? (x4) ...Mama, are you gonna throw me out to the sharks in the ocean?

Our excitement bubble burst rather quickly when we rolled up to the Surf's Inn.  From the outside, we thought..it's not so bad.  Just a little old.  One of those good old fashioned Florida beach motels.  Wrong observation.  How can I put this nicely?  Hmmm..I can't.  The place was a dirt hole.   The 'large' studio was crammed with over-sized, uncomfortable, shabby furniture.  The air from the A/C unit smelled like vinegar, which only enhanced the stale, eternal smoke smell permeating from the walls.  The floors were so filthy that our feet turned black within minutes.  The bathtub was full of mold.  The sink had old crusty toothpaste in it.  The bathroom door lock was loose, so we accidentally locked ourselves out.  And as dumb luck would have it, Mr. Maintenance punched out 10 minutes prior to the incident, so we jimmied the lock with a bobby pin. 

The pool was also very interesting.  Seemed like most of our neighbors enjoyed staring at the pool for hours at a time while chain smoking.  I couldn't blame them for not wanting to wallow in hot, salty, moldy water.  I could go on with more gory details, but I shan't.  The only saving grace of this dank dive was its close proximity to the ocean.  Score 1 for the Surf's Inn.

 

After the shock of the room wore off, we got down to business....the BEACH.  The waves were calling our names and we answered.  There were only a few hours left in the day, so we wasted no more time complaining about the hotel.  Meagan and Hunter were a little apprehensive about the waves, so they spent more time on the shore, digging holes.  But Avery jumped right into the ocean like a little fish.   

 

The next day, we hit the beach bright and early, complete with four chairs, two umbrellas, a giant beach mat, a plethora of toys, and plenty of snacks.  After an hour of jumping and riding waves with Avery, she said...Aunt Lisa, what happens if you need to poop?  I've never run that fast through sand before.  Whew.  Score 2 for the Surf's Inn.

  

We worked up an appetite after our first full day in the sun, so in the evening, we cleaned up and cruised on over to John's Pass for shopping and seafood.  I couldn't resist purchasing the classic beach souvenir: Salt Water Taffy, made fresh in Clearwater.  Avery & Meagan went for another beach classic: the sea shell necklace.  Avery just couldn't get enough of that shark tooth.  I started to think it might have magic powers. 

 

With souvenirs in tow, we moved on to Sculley's for dinner.  Their Rum Runner {on the rocks} was killer.  It paired very nicely with our lump crab stuffed mushrooms, crab cakes, and blackened Grouper.  After dinner, we enjoyed the birds and fish around the boardwalk.  Lots of pelicans everywhere.

   

 

Next on the agenda: Sunset.  You simply can't visit the West coast without watching at least one sunset.  And watching it go down over the ocean is even more breathtaking.  The kids loved it too.  Our sunset walk was one of the few times they seemed completely calm. 

 

 

Stay tuned for Part II of our beach adventure.........

Caprese on a Stick

 

This recipe is so easy that I can hardly even call it a recipe.  Here are 10 reasons why you should make Caprese on a Stick for your next gathering:

1. Colorful
2. Fork-free
3. Bite-sized
4. Refreshing
5. Looks fancy
6. Perfect trinity
7. Self-contained
8. Easy to assemble
9. No oven required
10. Tastes damn good

Caprese on a Stick*

• 1 pint grape tomatoes
• 24 small leaves fresh basil
• 1 container bite-sized mozzarella balls
• 1 package 4" skewers
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup balsamic glaze
• Kosher salt
• Fresh cracked black pepper

Skewer mozzarella, then basil leaf, then tomato.  Arrange on a plate.  Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Assembly right before serving is recommended.  *Recipe adapted from Rachel Ray's version.

Since there are so few ingredients in this delicious treat, be sure to use the best ones you can find.  The key here is using Balsamic Glaze vs. Balsamic Vinegar.  The glaze has a rich, sweet, luscious taste.  It's much more palate pleasing than the tartness of vinegar.  For the cheese, you may need to hold up the container and inspect the contents before purchasing.  The packaging looks almost identical to the ones holding the giant mozzarella ball.  Here are the products I used for this appetizer:

Fresh Fruit Salad with Lime-Ginger Syrup

 

I had some friends over for dinner tonight.  Instead of making them a traditional hot meal, I made everything cold.  This Florida Summer has made its presence known, so I thought some cold grub would be energizing and refreshing.  We started off with Caprese on a Stick.  Then on to Curried Chicken Lettuce Wraps with whole wheat toast rounds.  And for dessert....Fresh Fruit Salad with Lime-Ginger Syrup.  For all you Weight Watchers peeps, this recipe is from the WW Chefs themselves.  And it's only 2 points per serving.

Fresh Fruit Salad with Lime-Ginger Syrup

• 1/3 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 2 TBSP sugar
• 2 TBSP honey
• 1/4 tsp fresh grated ginger
• 1 tsp each lime zest and orange zest
• 1-1/2 cups cubed fresh pineapple
• 1-1/2 cups quartered strawberries
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 3 kiwi fruit, peeled and cubed

Combine first six ingredients in a small saucepan.  Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook 5 minutes or until reduced to 1/2 cup, whisking constantly.  Remove from heat and cool.  Stir in lime and orange zests. 

Combine fruit in large bowls.  Pour syrup over fruit; toss gently to coat.  Cover and chill at least 1 hour.  Serves 8.  Yields 1/2 cup per serving.  WW Points = 2.

Chef's Notes:

As I typed this post, I realized that I forgot the water in the recipe.  However, it was fine. 

The recipe called for 2 large mangoes, but I subbed strawberries instead.

The recipe also called for ground ginger, but I almost always do fresh when it comes to ginger.  It is SO worth it.  I also used a little extra, probably about 1/2 tsp total.

Build a Better Sand Castle

Next week, I'm going on a mini beach vacation with my youngest sister and her cheerun.  I don't remember ever going to the beach with wee ones, so I'm pumped about having partners for sand castle making.  I'm such a craft nerd that I Googled "how to build a better sand castle" and actually found some really helpful info.  Check this out below...

Sand Castle Tools:

• Buckets to carry water and sand
• Plastic straw to blow away loose sand
• Water-filled spray bottle to keep sand moist
• Small soft-bristle paint brush to erase knife marks and brush away loose sand
• Shovels and trowels to help sculpt (For bigger castles, don't use plastic beach shovels)
• Plastic knives, butter knives, and putty knives to carve and shape your castle

Sand Castle Tips:

• It is difficult to impossible to build a castle from the bottom up. While molds are great for simple structures, or to stand alone, the sand you turned over out of the green bucket just isn't packed tightly enough to support the weight of another layer on top of it.
• Ninety percent of the building process is actually sculpting the structure down from a larger pile.
• Start by making a pile about a 12 to 18 inches high. How long and wide it is will depend on what you want the final structure to look like.
• Pack the pile down fairly hard, and smooth off the top so it is flat. If you want to use a mold to make the top of a tower, place it near one of the ends of the flat "base."
• Now use the edge of a shovel - or a ruler or playing card - to "carve" down the rest of the side of the tower, and to form the walls of your castle. By moving down the pile in staircase fashion, you can create multiple levels, position additional tower molds, and exercise your creativity.
• Build towers by forming and stacking sand patties about the size and shape of thick pancakes. Place larger patties on the bottom, and gently shake the patties from side to side as you pile them so that the sand settles. Seal your towers by gently pouring water over them.
• One benefit of working from the top down, is that you can decide to stop at almost any point, and what you have already done will appear as a complete structure, deliberately built atop the base formed by the remainder of the pile.
• Dig a moat around the castle to protect it from invaders, such as breaking waves and dogs.

These tips and tricks were unearthed from various online sources.  You wanna know the best tip I found?  Here it goes --- "Sand castles are very much like life. The joy comes from the process of living and building, and not in the act of completion." 

Note to self:  Must remember quote when compelled to yell at young sand castle helpers.

Happy Building!

Creative Fear

Hola mis compadres creativos.  I'm sure that just like me, you've experienced fear, anxiety, and doubt surrounding your creative journey.  You've heard of Eat, Pray, Love, no?  Chew on this inspirational and poignant talk by its author, Elizabeth Gilbert.  Whoa. Stick with it until the end.  It's worth it.  

Healer

 

Most of you know I sang in my church's Easter choir a while back.  That Easter weekend was a turning point for me because I felt like I was part of something.  Something bigger than me.  Something powerful and effective.  I felt emotional when I watched the audience respond positively to the music.  I was so proud of us for doing it, but not in a boastful way.  Just proud that we came together as a team to create a joyful and meaningful experience for people.  

This weekend, the choir reunited for the first time since Easter.  We sang at all four services, and I'd be lying if I said the fourth one was a cake walk.  It wasn't.  By the time #4 rolled around, I was exhausted.  My toes hurt.  My back hurt.  My throat hurt.  And then I walked out on stage and the crowd was very, very slim.  When I saw that, I felt disheartened, and felt my attitude drift South real fast. 

But then I thought....Lisa, don't go there --- These people deserve our best performance just as much as the other three audiences did.  They came here to worship too.  Some of them are hurting and broken just like you've been.  They need to feel God's presence, just like you need to feel it over and over again.  They need a Healer, just like you do. 

I thought..well what am I doing up here anyway?  Am I up here to worship or am I up here for the applause?  And then something shifted in me.  That turned out to be my favorite service.  I loved singing for that less-than-large audience and felt honored to be a conduit of praise for them.

I was amazed how full my heart felt after our last song.  What a big fat blessing all over again.  We closed each service with a song called "Healer" by Trent Cory.  Take a listen below.  Powerful stuff.

"Healer" by Trent Cory