Photo Phriday aka Phaterday edition

I spend way too much time on Facebook and Pogo that I forget its even Friday!



Proud to be home.

What did you see?

Yes I did

I am a geek and I know it.

I added the countdown meter for the newest Harry Potter Movie.

It is so unlike me to show off my Harry Potter pride, but I am missing him. All his wizardly angst, complaining that he gets so much attention because he survived.
So misunderstood the boy wizard was.

I don't know where she gets it...

I feel as if the day has been never ending and it literally just did and we are on to the next.

Coming home from yet another kid birthday party Brook notices a cup that was abandoned on the wall by the side entrance of our building. She was so offended that some slob had left it there and said that it was "littery" of them to have left it there, and that it was disgusting.

The things children say. I don't know where she gets it...

Photo Phriday: Snow Trees

Before the snow melts on this balmy 43 degree day, I thought I would snap a few of the snowy trees.

What did you see today?

There is a hidden Top Chef in all of us!

I found this delicious looking recipe in last Sunday's Daily News Magazine section and thought I would try it out before I blogged about it.

This is how it looked:



And if I tell you it was delish, it was delish!

Very flavorful and low cal! I am sure you could even substitute the beef for chicken or shrimp, whatever your fancy.

Here is the recipe if any of you are interested in becoming the next Top Chef in your very own kitchen!

Sesame Beef Stir-fry

Serves 4

Per serving: 340 calories, 13g of fat, 30 mg chol., 25g protien, 31 carbs, 7g dietary fiber

4 oz whole grain noodles, cooked al dente
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 tablespoons finely chopped and peeled fresh ginger (so fragrant!)
1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
3 chopped green onions
2 cups shredded cabbage
1 cup carrots sliced on diagonal
1 cup yellow onion
1 medium green pepper, julienned
1 tablespoon sesame oil
12 oz flank steak (or Chicken breast or Shrimp)
2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
3/4 cup low sodium FF chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon salt
Fresh ground pepper

1. Cook pasta, drain, transfer to mixing bowl, set aside

2. Heat olive oil in a large non stick skillet over medium heat. Add ginger, garlic, green onions, cabbage, carrots, onion and bell pepper and saute (about 8 minutes or until tender). Transfer to the bowl with the pasta, set aside.

3. Heat sesame oil in skillet over medium/high heat. add beef and sou sauce until nearly cooked (about 3 minutes). Add the broth and the reserved noodles and veggies, bring to a boil, add salt and pepper. Cook until heated through, about 3 more minutes.

Serve and enjoy! Healthy for the entire family and so flavorful, they wont even know its so good for them!

Photo Phriday...The Late Edition!

It is a day late, but this is the Late Edition:




What did you see?

He wonders if they are going to throw her a shower

If you haven't figured it out by the title of this blog, congratulations are in order!

Our Albino Catfish is pregnant!



Yes!
She is huge too!
It should be any day now.

We have quarantined her for her own safety as well as her unborn fishie babies from the other predators in our tank. I am going to google her, to see if they give birth to eggs or live babies.*

You see, we had a death in our tank. One of the oldest living (now deceased, God rest her soul) fish (about 3 years).
I was devistated because just last night I had said in passing to Anth, "you know, these 2 fish we have had for like forever, they are doing so well!" He says, "uh, they will be dead in the morning, you'll see."
Low and behold, one was! Pinki was her name and I found her having the life totally sucked out of her by our sucker fish! Ewww. I called Anth immediately to tell him the tragedy that took place in the tank, told him how devastated I was...he in turn says, "please do not wish me well!"
He always knows how to make me laugh, if it were only that easy (did I say that out loud?)
Just kidding there, a little.
Anywho, I am looking forward to the newest additions to our over-crowded-already home!
God Bless us, everyone/fish!

*Breeding your Cory Catfish. Breeding the Cory is relatively easy with a large enough school for them to pair and breed. Slightly acidic water and the correct temperature are required for breeding. Abrupt changes in temp. is known to induce breeding. Try taking away 20% of water and replace it with slightly colder water. Remove fry when they become waterborne and place them in a separate tank: a 1 to 5 gallon is good.

Did anyone read the above and get if they are live babies or Fry? Fry, I am assuming, are the fishie babies. Interesting!

I have to deal with it

I remember what it is to be a "young adult" because it really wasn't that long ago!
My daughter is beautiful no matter what.
Her expressiveness is truly a blessing these days. When she was a tweenie she was so shy and quiet, now look at her!
My "mini me", a grown up? Not quite, but she's got a lot of time to grow up totally.

40 Tips for a Better Life in 2009

40 Tips for a Better Life in 2009

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.
5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2008.
7. Make time to practice meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, OR issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.
18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years will this matter?' 26. Forgive everyone for everything.
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
28. REMEMBER GOD heals everything.
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch. 31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all y ou need.
33. The best is yet to come.
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
35. Do the right thing!
36. Call your family often. (Or email them to death!!!)
37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.
38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
40. May your troubles be less, May your blessings be more, May nothing but happiness come through your door!

I may be late, but...

I know there are only but a few faithful readers but I mean it with all my heart.

Now onto the 2009 Resolution business.

I am hoping for the best this year and will try to push myself just that much harder to attain my goals/resolution this year, which are:

1-Win the battle of the bulge...you know what this means, this means WAR. Enough of the battle, it is time to really focus on portion size, move more and drop the excess baggage once and for all.

2- To become debt free or at least, manageable. The only way to do this is to find a full time job or take my photography hobby to the next level and learn, learn, all I can about this fabulous craft, get a good camera and start shooting.
I feel very passionate about it and it is something I feel I can truly achieve.

3- To go on vacation for one week or more. Somewhere warm, somewhere nice. That is an easy one really. The hard part is trying to figure out where to go and what there is to do there. I would love to get to San Diego again. We'll see.

This may seem trivial to some, but I have 363 days left to achieve my 3 goals for 2009 and this time next year I will let you know if I have done it.

Phirst Photo of the New Year Phriday

Albeit, I did not actually see this today, but I did see it this year...




What did you see this year?