Joyous Expectations

Killer Club Sandwich

2011-04-08T08:28:00.001-07:00

Ingredients

12 slices Sandwich Bread
4 Tablespoons Mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon Prepared Basil Pesto
1 Tablespoon Prepared Sundried Tomato Pesto (or Just A Couple Of Pureed Sundried Tomatoes)
8 slices Bacon, Cut In Half
½ pounds Shaved Ham
½ pounds Shaved Turkey
4 whole Avocados, Peeled And Sliced
4 slices Cheese (swiss, Mozzarella, Etc.)
Romaine Or Green Leaf Lettuce

Preparation Instructions

Toast bread in toaster until light golden brown. Set aside.

Fry bacon until just barely crisp, then drain on a paper towel. Set aside.

Mix together 2 tablespoons mayonnaise with prepared basil pesto; in a separate bowl, mix additional 2 tablespoons mayonnaise with sundried tomato pesto.

To Make One Sandwich:

Spread two pieces of bread with basil pesto. On one piece of bread, lay ham on top of pesto mayo, then top with cheese and lettuce. On other piece of bread, lay the slices of 1/2 avocado on top of the pesto mayo. Top avocado with bacon. Lift the second slice of bread (the one with avocado and bacon) and place it, ingredient side down, on top of the first piece of bread.

For the second layer: On the top of the top piece of bread, spread the sundried tomato mayonnaise. Spread one side of the third piece of bread with sundried tomato mayonnaise. Place ham, cheese, and lettuce on top. Place other half of the avocado slices on the other piece of bread. Top with bacon slices. Place this piece of bread, ingredient side down, on top of the first piece of bread.

Use a sharp knife to cut the sandwich in half (on the diagonal) then again in fourths.

Serve with chips!

From: The Pioneer Woman

Baking Inspiration

2011-04-06T14:31:00.000-07:00

From http://www.bakerella.com/

14 Layer Cake

2011-04-06T07:45:00.000-07:00

The recipe I used:
The Smith Family’s 12-Layer Cake (used with 14 pans)

Some other recipes you might like:
10-Layer Cake (Smith Island Cake Recipe)
14-Layer Cake (uses a cake mix)
14-Layer Cake (you cut the layers with this one)

Dark Chocolate Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
1/2 cup butter, softened to room temperature
8 oz. cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder ( I used Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa)
1 box (1 lb) confectioner’s sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1-3 Tbsp milk

Cream the butter and cream cheese with a mixer.
Add the cocoa and vanilla.
Add the confectioner’s sugar in small batches and blend on low until combined. Scrape down sides with each addition.
Add 1 tablespoon of milk at a time until you get the consistency you desire.

Some helpful tools:
Aluminum foil cake pans
Cake board
Cake rack
Jellyroll pan

Happy Baking!

Recipe from http://www.bakerella.com/fourteen-for-the-fourteenth/

Chocolate Carmel Bars

2011-04-02T08:35:00.000-07:00

Chocolate Caramel Bars

1 1/2 c flour
1 1/2 c old fashioned oats
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 packed brown sugar
1 cup plus 2 T butter melted (Okay I never noticed this part before. I never melt the butter, I just dice it up and use a pastry blender or forks to make it crumbly, like I would with my apple crisp recipe. Whatever you want to do is fine though.)
1 14 oz bag of caramels
1/2 c whipping cream
1 12 oz bag of chocolate chips

Directions: In a large bowl combine the first six ingredients to form a crumbly mixture. Unwrap and melt caramels with cream in microwave. (I haven't had trouble with this when I make it, but watch it carefully and check it so the caramels don't burn). Sprinkle half of oatmeal mixture into a greased and floured 9x13 pan (I just usually spray it with a little pam). Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes. Sprinkle chocolate chips over baked mixture and pour caramel mixture over chips. Sprinkle remaining oatmeal mixture on top. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

Serve with vanilla ice cream.

From http://pizzaandrootbeer.blogspot.com/

YUM QUESO DIP

2011-04-02T08:26:00.001-07:00

Here's a recipe for queso that we tried last fall and I never got around to posting about it. This was delicious with chips, ground beef with taco seasoning, cilantro, and avocados.

Queso dip

1 cup of shreddred monterey jack cheese
1 cup of American cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3 roasted poblano peppers (finely chopped)
8 oz tomatoes ( finely chopped)
1 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 tbsp of ground garlic
salt to taste

Directions:
Combine all of ingredients in crockpot. Cover and cook on low for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally, or until cheese is melted. Thin with more milk or cream if necessary. Taste and adjust seasoning. For additional flavor, add finely chopped onion, ground cumin, chopped roasted red pepper, etc..
Serve hot from crock with tortilla chips.

From http://pizzaandrootbeer.blogspot.com/2011/03/queso.html

Super Girl!

2011-04-02T08:21:00.000-07:00

Inspiration from http://www.freeprettythingsforyou.com/

Sewing Inspiration Today!

2011-04-02T08:18:00.000-07:00

Super inspired today from http://yougogirl.typepad.com/

Meditation from Dr. Wayne Dyer today

2011-03-30T11:29:00.000-07:00

I appreciate all that I am and all that I have

Journaling Inspiration today

2011-03-29T09:08:00.000-07:00

Inspiration from http://pamgarrison.typepad.com/pamgarrison/

True Energy Meditation

2011-03-28T15:35:00.001-07:00

It is our expectation that your life will continue to get better and better. And that you will fall into the resonance of the True Energy that is at your core. And that the emotion that is within you is guiding you in a powerful way. And that you now hold the keys to being the Deliberate Creator of your experience. And it is our expectation that it will be really, really fun. – Abraham-Hicks

mmmmmmm strawberry cordial

2011-03-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

For the alcoholic version you’ll need:

1 bottle Sake – any kind will do
1 bottle Champagne
1 pint strawberries
6 meyer lemons
3-4 springs of mint
Vanilla Bean
Sugar to taste

Non Alcholic... substitute sparkling water for sake and champagne

More dream home images collected

2011-03-28T14:55:00.000-07:00

Things that inspire me today

2011-03-28T14:54:00.000-07:00

She Believed

2011-03-28T14:51:00.002-07:00

“Love after Love” by Derek Walcott

2011-03-28T14:51:00.001-07:00

…You will love again the stranger who was your self.

Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart

to itself, to the stranger who has loved you

all your life, whom you ignored

for another, who knows you by heart…

Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,

the photographs, the desperate notes,

peel your own image from the mirror.

Sit. Feast on your life.

Love these from In Stitches

2011-03-25T09:56:00.000-07:00

Rocky Road Rice Krispy Treats

2011-03-25T09:50:00.000-07:00

From The Pioneer Woman

1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

½ cups Peanut Butter

½ cups Nutella

½ cups Mini Marshmallows

¼ cups Pecans

¾ cups Rice Krispies

Preparation Instructions

Melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter and nutella for 2 minutes in the microwave. Stir.

Mix in the marshmallows and pecans. Fold in the Rice Krispies.

Pour mixture into a well-greased 8×8 glass baking dish. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Optional: top with extra pecan pieces and marshmallows.

Circle Quilt

2011-03-25T09:34:00.000-07:00

Weekly Creative Inspiration

So Fun

2011-03-17T07:28:00.000-07:00

Sour Cream Noodle Bake

2011-03-17T07:16:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

1-¼ pound Ground Chuck
1 can 15-ounces Tomato Sauce
½ teaspoons Salt
Freshly Ground Black Pepper
8 ounces, weight Egg Noodles
½ cups Sour Cream
1-¼ cup Small Curd Cottage Cheese
½ cups Sliced Green Onions (less To Taste)
1 cup Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Brown ground chuck in a large skillet. Drain fat, then add tomato sauce. 1/2 teaspoon salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Stir, then simmer while you prepare the other ingredients.

Cook egg noodles until al dente. Drain and set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine sour cream and cottage cheese. Add plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Add to noodles and stir. Add green onions and stir.

To assemble, add half of the noodles to a baking dish. Top with half the meat mixture, then sprinkle on half the grated cheddar. Repeat with noodles, meat, then a final layer of cheese. Bake for 20 minutes, or until all cheese is melted.

Serve with crusty French bread.

Interior Inspiration from http://theletteredcottage.net/

2011-03-16T07:37:00.000-07:00

I am so inspired by these before and afters!

Tea Party Treats

2011-03-16T04:55:00.000-07:00

what you need
24 brownie squares (1 inch), split
1/2 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
2 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, chopped
1/4 cup whipping cream
24 violet candies
make it

FILL each brownie with 1 tsp. COOL WHIP.

MICROWAVE chocolate and cream on MEDIUM (50%) 2 to 3 min. or until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after 1-1/2 min. Spread over brownies.

TOP each with a candied violet. Refrigerate until glaze is firm.

kraft kitchens tipsVARIATION Omit chocolate glaze and candied flowers, and do not split brownies. Spread or pipe COOL WHIP onto brownies; sprinkle with flower-shaped sprinkles or colored sugars.

Dream House

2011-03-15T05:19:00.000-07:00

This is my collage of my dream home images...

Bedding from Restoration Hardware

Crate and Barrel Kitchen Island

Meatball Recipe

2011-03-14T11:00:00.000-07:00

INGREDIENTS

Jamie's Famous Meatballs Recipe

1 1/2 pounds ground beef
8 ounces ground pork
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 cup and 1 Tbsp. grated Parmesan (or Pecorino Romano)
1 large whole egg
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 cup whole milk
3 cloves chopped fresh garlic
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil , for frying

DIRECTIONS

Using a whisk, mix the milk and the bread crumbs in a deep bowl. Add all the other ingredients. Using your hands (you can use gloves), mix well until the mixture looks even. With a scale, weigh out the mixture into about 4-ounce portions and form them into meatballs.

Place olive oil into a frying pan, and heat until it begins to smoke slightly. Carefully place the meatballs in the pan using tongs. Keep rotating each meatball so they cook evenly until the inside of the meatball reaches 140°. Place the cooked meatball into a marinara sauce of your choice and let simmer for approximately 2 to 4 hours.

Yield: 10 meatballs (4 ounces)
Prep time: 15 minutes
Inactive prep time: 0 minutes
Cook time: 2 to 4 hours

Creativity at work!

2011-03-14T10:57:00.000-07:00

I love this picture--- creativity at work

Parmesan Salad Bowls

2011-03-14T10:56:00.001-07:00

Servings: Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

Parmesan Salad Bowls

1 1/3 cups Parmesan cheese , coarsely grated
Mixed green salad

Champagne Vinaigrette Dressing

2 1/2 Tbsp. champagne vinegar
1 tsp. fresh garlic , pressed through a garlic press
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. salt
Freshly ground pepper , to taste
1/2 cup good olive oil

DIRECTIONS

To make Parmesan salad bowls: Preheat oven to 325°.

Put a Silpat mat on a half-sheet pan. Spread out 1/3 cup cheese onto Silpat into 6 inch circles. Put in oven and allow to brown in the oven for about 10 minutes. Remove cheese from pan with a spatula and lay on a flipped-over medium-size (5 1/2 inches) clean bowl. Gently place a paper towel over the cooked Parmesan and lightly press on to flipped bowl. This protects your hands while soaking excess oil.

Let Parmesan bowls cool about 5 minutes before removing from flipped bowl. Divide prepared salad among the Parmesan bowls and serve.

Yield: 4 bowls
Prep time: 5 minutes
Inactive prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes

To make Champagne Vinaigrette Dressing*: Mix the champagne vinegar, garlic, mustard, salt and pepper together in a bowl. Slowly add your olive oil, whisking it constantly until you get a smooth and creamy consistency. It should be a little tart. Add more salt or pepper to taste.

Dress Parmesan salad with your desired amount of vinaigrette and serve.

Yield: 4 serving
Prep time: 5 minutes
Inactive prep time: 0 minutes
Cook time: 0 minutes

*Champagne Vinaigrette Dressing recipe courtesy of Margaret Weitzman

Yum Shepherds Pie!

2011-03-14T10:35:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

Garlicky Potato Topping:

4 large russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
10 whole garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 to 1/2 cup beef broth
4 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Nonstick cooking spray

Filling:

4 slices bacon, cut into thin strips
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 medium onions, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus 1/2 teaspoon
1 teaspoon sugar
1 pound ground beef
2 to 3 medium carrots, roughly chopped, (about 1 cup)
3/4 cups frozen peas, thawed
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 (12-ounce) bottle light or dark beer
1/2 cup beef broth
1 teaspoon finely minced fresh rosemary leaves
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup grated Swiss or Cheddar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions

Prepare potato topping: In a large saucepan add the potatoes and garlic and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook, uncovered, until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain. Transfer the potatoes and garlic to a large bowl. Add the sour cream, 1/4 cup of the broth, butter, salt and pepper, and beat on low speed with a hand mixer until the potatoes are light and fluffy, about 1 to 2 minutes. If the mixture is too dry, add the remaining 1/4 cup broth. Do not overmix. Cover and set aside.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 10-inch round baking dish with nonstick spray.

Prepare filling: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring occasionally until browned and almost crisp, about 7 to 8 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a plate; set aside.

Add the oil to the drippings in the skillet and put over medium heat. Add the onions and 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are very soft and just beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle in the sugar, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions begin to caramelize, about 3 minutes. Stir in the beef and cook, stirring occasionally, over medium-high heat, until the beef begins to brown, about 7 minutes. Add the carrots, peas, and garlic and cook, stirring, until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and flour and cook, stirring, until well blended, about 2 minutes. Add the beer, bring to a boil and boil for 3 minutes. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, and scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan, about 2 minutes Add the cooked bacon, the broth, rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and the pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until the sauce thickens, about 15 minutes.

Spoon the meat mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread the potato topping evenly over the beef mixture. Bake until the filling is hot, the topping is lightly browned and the edges are bubbly, about 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the cheese. Return to the oven and bake for 10 more minutes. Let rest out of the oven for 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

STPATRICKSDAY

FOCUSED THANKS TO Ashleys Blog

2011-02-24T07:40:00.001-08:00

1. Money is important, and Bob is a liar, because everything is NOT going to be alright unless you have some.

2. You can’t get money if you don’t set some kind of goal(s).

3. Despite my earlier fears, I’m not a flake. And when I want to do something, I will. Trust in the universe is bullshit; trust in one’s self is everything.

Her Blog

MMMCrafts Inspiration

2011-02-17T11:25:00.000-08:00

New Fabulous Blog I found... she inspires me!!!!!

mmmcrafts

It's been a while now I am ready to blog again! Starting with the launch of my new volunteer group I am starting in Michigan!

2011-02-04T11:09:00.000-08:00

To distribute and create and Capes for Courage to sick children throughout local hospitals and, eventually, the nation!
Please become a fan on Capes for Courage on Facebook
and visit our Website for updates and photos as all of the talented volunteers make capes and wonderful donations go to good use!
Thank you everyone!

Gratitude

2010-05-27T07:19:00.001-07:00

Cultivate a sense of gratitude for what life brings to you—both the good and the bad. This is a journey, and the people with the fullest lives have experienced both sorrow and joy and learned how to be thankful for the lessons learned.

a paradigm shift...

2010-01-12T06:27:00.000-08:00

Deep thoughts from blogger Raptitude today... Made me think many times we impose our own thoughts on someone who has died... for example- they didn't live a full life, or all of the things they are missing out on- makes me think who are we to judge or feel sad for them at this point life may be better than it has ever been for them... read below his thoughts, I think they are really quite lovely:

"I like life, and I plan to keep at it for a while, but death itself doesn’t scare me. I just don’t like the thought of a lot of people being distraught should things end abruptly. In case anyone, whether you’re a casual reader, a friend or a family member, finds themselves needing to make sense out of the senseless, here’s what I feel I need to say. It’s in past tense, for obvious reasons, but at the time of writing I’m still kicking.
Whatever happened, I’m proud of it all, right up to and including the end. Whether, as I write this, I’m due for a quick lightning strike, or fifty years of terrible decisionmaking and failed goals are yet to come, what I’ve experienced so far makes it all worthwhile.
No matter how unfair or unexpected or early or needless my death was, it is not a tragedy.
I don’t care if someone took my life for no reason. It doesn’t matter to me if I was victimized or martyred or sacrificed or betrayed. I don’t care if I did something dumb and out-of-character and did myself in. Ill-advised cliff-dive, maybe. Let it be, it was my right. Please, do not interpret my life’s conclusion as a tragedy and do not regard my life as incomplete.
It was perfect. I got to make hundreds of friends and eat fish and chips out of a newspaper and beat my dad at chess. I got to experience the highest highs and the lowest lows. I got to drink beer on the patio with some of the planet’s finest human beings. I got to laugh, often. I got to write things, and got you to read them. My life wasn’t “tragically cut short” unless you have some very serious entitlement issues. Nothing went wrong. Learn what you can from it and carry on knowing I was cool with all of it, and that no lightning bolt or falling piano can change that.
Ah. Huge weight off my chest."

A good reminder in this new year from raptitude.com

2009-12-28T08:10:00.000-08:00

Concentrate on the body’s role in the moment and bring your attention back to it whenever you notice it is playing with imaginary things. It really is nothing more than meditation in action, but without the formality of a proper sitting session.
It won’t solve your problems for you, but it may remind you not to bother with problems unless you are actually sitting down to bother with a solution.
Be strong then, and enter into your own body;
there you have a solid place for your feet.
Think about it carefully!
Don’t go off somewhere else!
Kabir says this: just throw away all thoughts of
imaginary things,
and stand firm in that which you are.

A good reminder today...Appreciate yourself and honor your soul

2009-11-18T08:37:00.001-08:00

Turkey Fold

2009-11-17T06:39:00.000-08:00

Just incase... here are directions for folding a napkin like a turkey...
http://www.marthastewart.com/article/napkin-folding-turkey?xsc=eml_crd_2009_11_17

Using LinkedIn more effectively

2009-11-09T05:51:00.000-08:00

If you are using LinkedIn to market your business- here are some great tips-
http://www.sagespark.com/article/using-linkedin-business&WT.mc_id=SparkNews051109

dafont.com

2009-11-05T09:42:00.001-08:00

awesome font download site!

Stop Being Upset: All negativity is derived from fear. What you are afraid of is that a situation will not be solved in a way that serves you. God is bigger than the problem and can heal all.

2009-11-05T05:22:00.001-08:00

The Freeedom of Bohemian Chic

2009-11-05T04:54:00.000-08:00

I found a beautiful new Web site, worth your time to check out and become a member... How to use the resources around you to simplify and save money! For home, business and you! Jodi Olson will inspire you.
http://www.thefrugalitarian.com/

When Jodi Olson blew the candles out at her 40th birthday party, she made big wishes. "Forty was a life-changing year for me," she says. "I got divorced. I was at a point in my life where I needed to have a new dream."

A former news reporter and television producer, Jodi decided to put her skills to the test and relay a timely message: that women can be elegant without spending a lot of money. Seven months ago, Jodi started The Frugalitarian, a website that shows how to stay on a budget and have fun doing it. Her business is thriving due to online sponsorships and ads on her website. Jodi also writes a monthly column for M magazine and shares her advice on public radio.

"People are looking for hope in a tough time," Jodi says. "My brother has been out of work for a year. Most of my friends [who own businesses] have lost clients. I enjoy being able to help them -- it feels good. Also, now when people see me, they ask what part of my outfit is from the Goodwill."

Really Great Small Business Marketing Tips!

2009-11-03T11:36:00.001-08:00

http://mashable.com/2009/10/28/small-business-marketing/

Do you scribble, doodle and draw while in meetings!

2009-11-03T06:18:00.000-08:00

There is a name for it! Check this out... super inspiring...

http://www.zentangle.com/index.php

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." - Gandhi

2009-10-29T04:53:00.001-07:00

Just for fun

2009-10-27T09:34:00.000-07:00

Fun...
cool website... create yourself into a character...
www.faceyourmanga.it/faceyourmanga.php?lang=eng

Oh So Happy

2009-10-23T09:58:00.002-07:00

Cool Blog I found- Great tutorials- really fun stuff for your crafty side!

http://ohsohappytogether.blogspot.com/

Happiness

2009-10-23T09:58:00.000-07:00

thebrightsideproject.com

This is the happiest Web site I have seen-

Simplify

2009-10-23T09:57:00.000-07:00

When there's too much stuff in your life, you have less creative ability. Unlearn the fear and thoughts that weigh you down.

- Marianne Williamson

Peaceful Daily

2009-10-23T09:56:00.001-07:00

Love this site: http://www.peacefuldaily.com/todays-tip.html

If you can imagine it, you can have it.

This is the name of the game. This is the lesson to learn. It couldn't be any easier.

Reality is not what your eyes show your mind, but what your mind creates for your eyes to see. You are not limited by logic, the past, or the world around you. You are not even OF the world around you. You are supernatural, pure spirit. You came first. MAGIC, MIRACLES, and LUCK are the consequences of understanding this, the inevitable result of dreaming and acting in spite of appearances.

You are ever so close. Simply stay the course.

It won't be much longer.

Change is Good

2009-10-23T09:55:00.001-07:00

Change is an important prerequisite to real growth. If we shy away from new and different things, we stagnate. Sometimes a change may not be something that pleases us but grasping onto it and seeing what plans the universe has for us can sometimes be a wonderful growth experience.
When we hide from change, instead of getting on for the ride, we remove ourselves from the excitement of life, and we miss out on priceless opportunities, as well as a lot of happiness.

POWER: THE EQUATION: SHIRLEY ANN JACKSON, PHD

2009-10-23T09:54:00.001-07:00

Theoretical physicist, university president Follow your passion with persistence, magnified by intense preparation. Use compassion and courage to weave a strong web of connections. Use focused excellence to drive achievements and gain wisdom. It is through the combination of all these things that your power will reveal itself The magnitude and reach of your power is up to you. You must be prepared; you must commit the time, energy, and effort required to achieve. Be persistent. The passion you exhibit for your ideas and ideals and the compassion you show for others will further enhance your power. Connectivity is key; it is what creates and strengthens your web of opportunity. The more connected you are, and the stronger your connections, the more effective you will be in obtaining and using power to achieve your goals.

All of this requires courage: the courage of your convictions, the courage to get started, the courage to keep going.

I walk free from all that would limit me.

2009-10-23T09:53:00.001-07:00

From Michael Bernard Beckwith. My Inspiration today-

I am free as Spirit is free. I renounce any sense of being bound to habit, personal history, experience or circumstance. Wisely using the Law of Freedom I walk free of all that would limit me.

2009-10-23T09:52:00.001-07:00

So what do we do? Anything - something. So long as we don't just sit there. If we screw it up, start over. Try something else. If we wait until we've satisfied all the uncertainties, it may be too late.
Lee Iacocca
Former Chairman of Chrysler Corporation

Cool Links if your a techy geek like me...

2009-10-23T09:50:00.000-07:00

http://www.webdesignerwall.com/

http://www.smashingapps.com/

Hybrid Mom Inspiration "Don’t let doubt get in your way"

2009-10-22T07:03:00.000-07:00

If you haven't joined the subscription to Hybrid Mom it is worth it! Very inspiring- real women running successful businesses-

http://www.hybridmom.com/articles/work/career-and-ambitions/10-tips-balance

Don’t let doubt get in your way. Recognize that you are competent and desirable. Never lose sight of that. Stress may make you feel like you can’t do something or you are unattractive physically, socially, or emotionally but feelings aren’t facts. Remind yourself of your accomplishments and your successful relationships to make your confidence soar. You are your greatest resource!

2009-10-22T06:49:00.001-07:00

As long as we are persistence in our pursuit of our deepest destiny, we will continue to grow. We cannot choose the day or time when we will fully bloom. It happens in its own time.
Denis Waitley

The Big Picture

2009-10-22T06:16:00.000-07:00

We all get very wrapped up in our busy lives and forget to think of the 'big picture'. This template makes it easy to remember and keep track of what's important in your life. I found it on google templates- for those of you that need to see it on paper and check things off as you do them- this is a great outline for staying on your best life path!

Life Checklist Template

Last Updated:

Accompanying Blog Post:

Raptitude.com: How to Make a Life List You’ll Actually Do - A Comprehensive Guide

http://www.raptitude.com/2009/09/how-to-make-a-life-list-youll-actually-do-a-comprehensive-guide/

Getting Started Tips:

-Make all the items clear, check-off-able things: There should be a specific moment when you can
say “YES! I did it!” without question. Beware of "one chance only" goals, like "run the 2010 Boston
marathon."

-Make sure each item has real, personal significance, and isn’t just “This would be kinda neat.” Ask
“What specifically do I want to do?” Remember, this list *is* your life.

-Be audacious, but not unrealistic. Dream big, but consider the amount of time and money each goal
will require. Add small items too.

-Avoid goals that depend on luck or other people’s co-operation. Don’t necessarily omit items just
because you’ve already done them.

Life Checklist (add rows as needed)

Have fun. Dream. There are certainly already experiences you know you want. Write them down.
Don’t worry yet about how you will make these things happen. Suspend fears about money, difficulty
or criticism.

Travel

Skills and Knowledge

Experiences

Career

Finances

Tour China, see Angel Falls, camp in the Australian outback

Speak Spanish, learn to write calligraphy, know your constitutional rights

Drink in an Irish pub, play in a band, drive a Ferrari

Own your own company,
become a partner at your firm

Make six figures, become debt-free, donate 10% of your income to charity

Example 1 - Done!

Relationships

Physical

Have a child, trace your family tree, get married

Run a marathon, do 100 pushups, do a wheelie on your mountain bike

Next Steps:

-Give it a once-over and cut anything that isn’t truly compelling or that you can’t see happening.

-Put it in a prominent place

-Pick one item you can do fairly soon, and take a step towards it right now

-Check-out John Goddard’s Life List (a must see!): http://www.johngoddard.info/life_list.htm

-Revise as needed.

Great Free Blogger Templates

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http://freeblogtemplatess.blogspot.com/

Email me if you need directions on how to add them to your blogger site

Favorite Business Card Printing Site

2009-10-19T12:09:00.001-07:00

Their quality is outstanding and they have GREAT marketing ideas- worth checking out their site, For Studio K Web Design I use their mini cards, postcards and regular size business cards...

moo.com

Party/ Open House Planning

2009-10-19T12:06:00.003-07:00

Are you planning a party or open house- Outstanding ideas on this blog! http://www.hostessblog.com

Studio K Web Design will be at the Soothe Your Soul Open House on Thursdays for Ladies Night in Oxford. Feel free to stop by and ask questions about getting your own Web site up and rolling!

Studio K is in Business

2009-10-19T12:00:00.000-07:00

Today I went to part time at my job and started Web design full time- I know I can do this!

This blog will host all of my good finds and good ideas for small business owners or others contemplating starting their own business. A resource of just good stuff!

Web design site studiokstyle.com

Studio K creates creative and affordable Web design. I have an outstanding team ready to roll!