Quote of the Day.....

Mindfulness is the aware, balanced acceptance of the present experience. 

It isn't more complicated that that. 

It is opening to or recieving the present moment, pleasant or unpleasant, just as it is, 

without either clinging to it or rejecting it. 

Sylvia Boorstein

Thrifty Thursdays - Black Bean Burgers

Trying to save a few pennies? Here is a great recipe for Black Bean Burgers from this months Gourmet Magazine. I tried the recipe and they were great. One tip, I think I made mine a bit big, so maybe slider size would be better. I served mine on salad with tomatoes, avocado, salsa, and a touch of sour cream. Here it is:

Serves 4

2 (14-oz) cans black beans, rinsed and drained, divided

3 tablespoons mayonnaise

1/3 cup plain dry bread crumbs

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled

1/4 teaspoon cayenne

1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

4 soft hamburger buns

Accompaniments: 
sour cream; salsa; lettuce

Pulse 1 can beans in a food processor with mayonnaise, bread crumbs, cumin, oregano, and cayenne until a coarse purée forms. Transfer to a bowl and stir in cilantro and remaining can beans. Form mixture into 4 patties.

Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Cook burgers until outsides are crisp and lightly browned, turning once, about 5 minutes total. Serve on buns.

The Blue Jars

At a recent visit to the Hawk & Ivy Bed and Breakfast in North Carolina I discovered the "blue jars". These antique mason jars lined the open shelving in the kitchen of the inn. Fully functional with nuts, seeds, coffee, and grains they were the highlight of the kitchen. While staying in the Asheville area I peaked around a few antique markets and scored, a slew of "blue jars". While they were not cheap they were definitely worth it. I use them daily for oats, tea, & coffee. Although I have not researched the value of the my jars it is my understanding that they vary in worth. According to a commenter on the Martha Stewart Wedding site, “Antique mason jars are eagerly sought after by collectors, and are bought and sold not only through antique stores, but also on auction sites such as eBay. While most jars sell for only a few dollars, some have sold for as high as $30,000. The value of a jar is related to its age, rarity, and condition.” 

Here are some pictures of the jars in my kitchen....

 And this is the inn where I first discovered these beautiful, yet functional antiques...

ALPHABET STAMPS

Along with my addiction to my label maker I have also developed an obsession with alphabet stamps. I found them at the local Michael's Arts and Crafts Store. Here are some of the labels I have made with the stamps. 

Do you think I should stop now?

Quote of the Day.....

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. 

-Confucius

Teaism at Dupont Circle

Now that I have defrosted from my trip to D.C I thought I would share one of my favorite discoveries. A friend recommended this great little tea shop in Dupont Circle called, Teaism. While walking around in the bitter cold I stumbled upon it and stopped in for a chai latte. The restaurant/shop smelled of basmati rice and spices. My brother and I sat out front amongst the birds, drank tea, and talked. I stayed in D.C for a few more days and each day made the mile walk across the bridge to have a chai. The last day after spending about an hour at Kramerbooks I stopped by to purchase some loose tea for the road. If you happen to be in the D.C area it is definitely worth a visit.

Quote of the Day.....

“Whatever the tasks, do them slowly

with ease,

in mindfulness,

so not do any tasks with the goal

of getting them over with.

Resolve to each job in a relaxed way,

with all your attention.”

- Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen Master

Repurposing Treasured Items

This past summer I spent about two weeks at my parent's house and during my stay we did a bit (or shall I say, a lot) of de-cluttering. We found lots of lost treasures from Hulk Hogan action figures to beautiful silver tucked away in boxes. We even stumbled across a silver antique toast holder, I was in awe. When I mentioned that it would make a great letter holder my mom 's eyes lit up. At that moment I thought, I will never see that item come my way. Well I did! My mom delivered it to me as a gift, and it is one of my favorite treasures. I have it on my desk to hold letters and bills and enjoy it's beauty everyday. Thanks Mom!

Here is a picture:

Bedside Storage

Having a limited amount of space is a constant challenge when two children share a room. Keeping furniture to a minimum so they have room to play on the floor is important, as well as making sure they have a place for their favorite items. I decided to use some kitchen storage items from IKEA for my boy's books. Since they have a bunk bed it is important that the child on the top-bunk can store books and a glass of water. Above are some pictures of their bedside storage solution. 

Orla Kiely meet Target

So I am a huge fan of Orla Kiely. I received my first bag about 5 years ago and still use it today. Love her designs & color palate, but as many of you know the prices can be a bit steep (yet worth it!). For those of you who have not heard the news, her line (a more economical one) will be at Target next month! Be on the look-out and be ready to pounce as it will quickly disappear.....  

D.I.Y Toy Storage

It is always a good idea to do a pre-holiday toy purge. New toys will come in, so it is a great opportunity to share gently used toys with a local charity. After purging and donating to the local orphanage I decided we needed to fine tune our organization system as well. Our three year olds toy collection consists of a few firemen, loads of pirates, and pirate paraphernalia. Since our two boys share a room I decided to place some storage boxes under the bed so they would be easy to get to. I found these boxes at a local shop that used them for display. They were a steal so I bought a bunch. A quick trip to the art supply shop for wooden signs and chalkboard paint. After painting the signs I used 3m double sided tape to attach the signs to the boxes. Using chalkboard paint allows you to repurpose the boxes as your children grow. Check out the pictures above!

Give Granola!

Every year I make granola to give to friends and neighbors. I figure that everyone will eat enough junk over the next few weeks and something remotely healthy might be nice. The process is quite time consuming but it nice to be "stuck" at home during the holidays with time to read a book , or watch Christmas specials on TV. Above is the finished product! I always use a mason jar to store it in so it can be reused and will stay fresh.

What are you cooking up this holiday season? Send in your ideas to share!

If you have been following my blog you already know how neurotic I am about plastic and BPA.  I have blogged several times about safer ways to store your children/baby's food and drinks. I came across this new feeding system by Think Baby. The line has not yet been released and already has a waiting list so get on it! The set costs $42.oo and comes with the above components. Totally free of BPA, lead, melamine, lead, PVC, and phthalates this one is hard to resist. 

A Truly British Tea Party with a Purpose

Today I had a joy of attending a tea at my neighbor Denise's home. She hosted a lovely tea party to benefit Low Country Orphan Relief. A tea party with a purpose. Guests were asked to bring any used clothes, books, school supplies, and toiletries for the children. Bags of goodies were piled up around the Christmas Tree ready to be delivered to the children. The Non-Profit provides aid to children in the Charleston area that are abandoned, abused, and or neglected. The organization basically takes over where the government leaves off. We enjoyed amazing homemade scones, tea, and other traditional British treats. Check out the pictures above....