Life's Little Instructions

Life's Little Instructions by William Snell circa 1993
  Sing in the shower ... Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated ...
Watch the sunrise at least once a year ...
Never refuse homemade brownies ... Strive for excellence not perfection ... Plant a tree on your birthday ... Learn three clean jokes ... Return borrowed vehicles with the gas tank full ... Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them ... Leave everything a little better then you found them ... Keep it simple ... Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures ... Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know ... Be forgiving of yourself and others ... Say “thank you” a lot ... Say “please” a lot ... Avoid negative people ... Wear polished shoes ... Remember other peoples birthdays ... Commit yourself to constant improvement ... Have a firm handshake ... Send lots of Valentine cards, sign them ... Look people in the eye ... Be the first to say “hello” ... Return all things you borrow ... 
Make new friends but cherish old ones ... Keep secrets ... Plant flowers every spring ... Have a dog ... Always accept an outstretched hand ... Stop blaming others ... Take responsibility for every area of your life ... Wave at kids on school buses ... Be there when people need you ... Don’t expect life to be fair ... Never underestimate the power of love ... Drink champagne for no reason at all ... 
Live you life as an exclamation, no an explanation ... Don’t be afraid to say “I made a mistake” ... Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know” ... Compliment even small improvements ... Keep your promises no matter what ... Marry only for love ... Rekindle old friendships ... Count your blessings ... Call your mother ... And your dad too, if they happen to be alive ...


~~~


Follow your heart!!!

This morning I was pushing papers here and there, making calls, checking calendar dates, just getting exhausted planning my move cross country. I decided it was time to take a break and check out some online shopping at one of my favorite places, Modern Cowgirl.
Lo and behold, a post had just been written, maybe minutes before, by the owner Shana whom I’ve never met but with whom I had an email conversation with when I was bidding to do some work for the organization. Shana wrote about how she built her business and how she came to a place where she understood her loves and with her becoming a new Mom in June, decided to take a jump and realign her business. I love that kind of confidence! It’s always wonderful and so motivating to hear when a women has looked inside and chosen to follow her hearts desire.
Read how she makes it her mission to “Ride her own White Horse” ….
horse-close-up

Ladies night!

Dinner with my buddy tonight!!!
"Knock off its horns, wipe its ass, and throw it on the plate” ~~ Pepper Lewis

(a line from one of my favorite movies)

Can’t go wrong with Whiskey and Wine …

Sooooo … I was browsing recipes on the Pioneer Woman's website. Now I don’t really buy into the whole Pioneer Woman perfect life thing because I know living on a working ranch is NOT easy … there is no way to spend a day on the ranch taking perfect pictures while preparing wonderful recipes, homeschooling the kids, trying out new gadgets, setting up giveaways, writing witty blog posts, prepping for a cooking show and whatever else the Pioneer Woman’s blog represents BUT she does have some decent recipes.  {{Well, who knows (grumble, grumble) may she can do it all}} I know I couldn't, the ranch I lived at kept me pretty busy, and pretty dusty plus there seemed to always be something to get done to keep things running  ... but I digress.
Sooooo … I was browsing recipes on the Pioneer Woman's website and I found this recipe she posted last year for Pasta with Whiskey, Wine, and Mushrooms … I like Pasta. I like Mushroom. I always enjoy Wine and I do like some Whiskey so how can I go wrong. Got this on the kitchen agenda for this weekend. I still have to go buy the pasta and mushrooms.

Recipe: Pasta with Whiskey, Wine, and Mushrooms

Prep Time: 5 Minutes  |  Cook Time: 30 Minutes  |  Difficulty: Easy  |  Servings: 8
Ingredients
  • 24 ounces, weight Thickly Sliced Mushrooms (baby Portobellos Are Best)
  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • Kosher Salt
  • Black Pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 2 Tablespoons Butter
  • 1 whole Large Onion, Peeled And Sliced
  • 1 cup Dry White Wine
  • 3/4 cups Whiskey (Jack Daniels Is Good) I like Jack but I’d also suggest trying Pendleton Whiskey
  • 1/2 cup Chicken Broth
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream
  • Salt And Pepper, to taste
  • 12 ounces, weight Mostaciolli, Cooked Al Dente
Preparation Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Drizzle mushrooms with a little olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Set aside.
In a large pot, heat additional olive oil along with the butter over medium heat. Throw in the sliced onions and sauté for a couple of minutes, or until beginning to turn translucent. Pour in wine and whiskey and allow to bubble for a minute or two. Pour in broth and allow the liquid to reduce for a couple of minutes. Stir in cream and reduce heat to low. Add mushrooms, salt, and pepper, and simmer until sauce thickens.
Toss in cooked pasta, using a little hot pasta water if sauce needs a little thinning. Taste for seasonings and add immediately.

Practice makes perfect …

Look at this card I found online …. Love it!
Grant me
Ha-Ha!!!

What’s that out by the pool?

I just read a story in the Albuquerque Journal about cattle wandering around Rio Rancho. Well, knowing Rio Rancho, ‘The City of Vision’ that dates way back to the roaring 1970’s when Amrep reigned supreme, I find this to be pretty funny since Rio Rancho is a mecca for city folk from other bigger cities, namely New York. It’s no longer the arid mesa land that crooked Amrep Reps sold to unsuspecting New Yorkers in the 1970’s but a qualified city boasting the “fastest growing community in New Mexico
Perhaps some of the Cowboys and Cowgirls from Corrales, Los Lunas and surrounding areas will find some extra work, or a bit of practice for their next event, roping and returning the cattle to their rightful owners. 
I wish they would have posted a picture …
Wandering Cattle Trouble For Rio Rancho Homeowners
By Associated Press on Fri, Apr 13, 2012
POSTED AT: 8:40 am
Cattle wandering off the open range are creating problems for residents of some Rio Rancho neighborhoods.
They’re complaining that herds of a dozen or more cows are tearing up their properties.
The suburb just north of Albuquerque is the fastest-growing city in New Mexico.
The cattle come in search of grass and water, and if the properties aren’t fenced, state law says there’s nothing homeowners can do to recover their damages.
KVOA-TV in Albuquerque reports that Rio Rancho Police Sgt. Nicholas Onken keeps a rope in his squad car because police are called to move cows off roadways about twice a week.
The only thing the homeowners can do is fence off their properties. Then they can bill the livestock’s owner for any damages.
cows-swimming
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Your journey has no beginning … it has no end

…And the truth of the matter is it is always right and you are always where you are supposed to be, and every thought and action is exactly what it should be and your journey just continues to flow! It’s what makes everything worthwhile!
Your journey

To drive or not to drive … that is the question!

So that is my question of the day … drive or not drive. Although I have driven across country several times, up and down and all around, I am seriously considering letting the moving company take my vehicle and my boy and I can fly out to New Mexico. I just talked to Miss M who works for the moving company, conveniently owned by my childhood friend and who has moved me several times in the past and has always done an excellent job. I also like that I get a bit of special treatment. Miss M is my friends daughter and such a sweetie. She got the scoop from her father so she knows all about me which makes me feel very comfortable.
It’s not such an easy decision. With the cost of gas, hotels and food, it might be about the same cost as moving the vehicle. Driving would include a stop in Mount Pleasant, SC, then Mandeville LA, on to Breaux Bridge LA, Dallas TX,  Keller TX, a possible stop in Amarillo TX and finally Albuquerque, NM. 
… but it’s not about cost … it’s about the drive and the long days of being on the road. I guess I am getting old, so is my vehicle.