Wings

When you dream, ponder things,

use your imagination....

do you ever think about being

something else in nature?

I've wondered what it would be like to be my dog many a time! She has a loving and sheltered life. Her needs are met, she gets treats. Autumn is loved and shown a a great     deal of affection which she soaks up to the point of sheer bliss and wagging tail.

Butterflies

delightful, vivid colors

patterns, shapes

almost perfect in design!

They flutter, they flit, they fly. Wouldn't you like to be able to do that?

and they bring smiles to people's face -

be it young or old...

Would you like to be a horse

galloping in a field of green,

a sassy cat perched in a window watching the squirrels play, a child again?

I think I might be a soaring bird.... but then I'm quite content being me too!

I'd love to hear from you, Jennifer



Dare To Be Different! Just Dance!

photo the beautiful work of Lisa Marie Savard

You know the expression "dare to be different"?

Well, I believe it's a great motto. But I learn new things

almost every day. Working in a high school can be wonderful and challenging.

I see students that dress the same and think they look unique, students that look very

different in their own style. We have many cultures and customs.

Then there are the clients from my part- time job ...

my "peeps". They are high functioning mentally challenged individuals

that I help with their daily life skills. They are all one of a kind.

They are usually happy to see me. Happy about most days.

Love to share stories. 

"Dancing like no one is watching" was written for them.

We attend free concerts by the lake near their apartments

every Friday and Saturday evening in the summer...

about 7 to 10 of us, clients and aids.

The band starts up and my peeps go right up front and say "hello".

They know a lot of the performers by name.

And when the music plays - boy, do they swing!

They swish and sway, jump, bounce, smile, laugh and it's their world.

They know the words to all the current songs and sing out loud and with enthusiasm!

"Perfect" by Pink is a favorite.

I smile too.

So do the people in the audience.

You see it's abandon, it's joy, it's pure fun like no other.

I look, I learn, I love.

They inspire me.

So I thought about a lot of people and things that are different today.

Mother Teresa

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Jacqueline Kennedy

Marilyn Monroe

Rosa Parks

Ghandi

So who's your vote on unique?

          
              Just Dance!

Party Planning Post Op!!!!

Pomegranate Jello Shots

Glass: 2oz plastic shots or small paper cups - Glass shots look better but are harder to drink from, paper or plastic can be folded into the mouth... I like to serve them in Champagne Glasses

Step 1: Boil the water
Step 2: Slowly add JELL-O while stirring until it dissolves
Step 3: Add cold water and let the jello cool down for 5 minutes
Step 4: Add vodka and stir
Step 5: Pour into shots
Step 6: Put a cranberry piece in each shot (optional)
Step 7: Put shots in freezer

Step 8: Get the party started!
You can also use:

Squeeze a lime in the mixture for that special flavor that only the lime can give.  Arils are new and fun!

Benefits:

no added sugars, preservatives or colorants

flash pasteurized to retain both flavor and nutrients

certified kosher

not a low calorie food - see nutrition panel for calorie and sugar content

gluten-free

good source of potassium

Then you shake your pom poms!
any friends with adorable
Teacup Pomeranians...
please bring them!

and here's a treat for all my blogging friends...

There's a method to my madness...

I'm having knee surgery on November the 30th and will be out of work for 2 weeks -

then on light duty for several more weeks and I plan to have one hell of a party

when I'm back on my feet!

Stuffed Portobellos with Greens

Ingredients:
Grilled Portobello Mushrooms:

4 medium portobello mushrooms
1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 shallot, minced

1/2 teaspoon each of basil, Italian parsley, rosemary and thyme, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

Herb Sonoma Goat Cheese

1/2 teaspoon each of basil, Italian parsley, rosemary and thyme, chopped

1/4 lb. Sonoma goat cheese

1 tablespoon creme fraiche

1 tablespoon cream cheese

POM Mustard Vinaigrette:

Juice from 1 large POM Wonderful Pomegranates*, or 1/2 cup POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice

1/4 cup rice vinegar

1-1/2 tablespoons mustard

3/4 cup olive oil

salt and pepper to taste
Salad:
2 cups California baby greens

Garnish:

1/4 cup arils from 1 large POM Wonderful Pomegranates** or POM POMS fresh pomegranate arils

Preparation:

Grilled Portobello Mushrooms:

Combine 1/4 cup of the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, half of the minced shallots and 1/2 teaspoon of each of the herbs in a bowl. Remove stems from mushroom caps and marinate in herbed oil and vinegar mixture for 30 minutes to one hour. Remove portobello from marinade and season with salt and pepper. Grill each side for approximately 2 minutes or until tender.

Herb Sonoma Goat Cheese:

Preheat oven to 425 F. Combine remaining herbs, garlic, goat cheese, creme fraiche and cream cheese. Spoon mixture onto cookie sheet in 2-1/2 to 3 ounce dollops. Place cheese in preheated oven and bake for 5 to 7 minutes or until soft. Remove from cookie sheet and place into center of serving plate.


POM Mustard Vinaigrette:
Prepare fresh pomegranate juice.* Combine the pomegranate juice, rice vinegar and mustard in a large bowl. Slowly whisk in oil to emulsify. Season with salt and pepper.

Baby Greens Salad and Plating:

Add remaining shallots in equal portions to the baby greens and toss with vinaigrette. Place mushroom on top of cheese with a small portion of the salad.

Notes:

* For 1 cup of juice, cut 2 to 3 large POM Wonderful Pomegranates in half and juice them with a citrus reamer or juicer. Pour the mixture through a cheesecloth-lined strainer or sieve. Set the juice aside. ** Score 1 fresh pomegranate and place in a bowl of water. Break open the pomegranate under water to free the arils (seed sacs). The arils will sink to the bottom of the bowl and the membrane will float to the top. Sieve and put the arils in a separate bowl. Reserve 1/4 cup of the arils from fruit and set aside. (Refrigerate or freeze remaining arils for another use.)
Nutritional Information:

Nutrients per Serving (1 mushroom cap, 4 oz. salad, 2 oz. dressing): 416 calories (354 calories from fat), 5g protein, 39g total fat (8g saturated), 10g carbohydrates, 2g dietary fiber, 9mg cholesterol, 4g total sugars, 47mcg vitamin A RE, 112mg sodium, 415mg potassium, 2mg vitamin C

Let's get this party started!

Christmas Comes In Many Colors....

LIGHTS        BRIGHTS        SPARKLES            GLITTER

THAT'S WHAT I LIKE ABOUT USING YOUR OWN FLAIR WITH DECORATING - IT CAN BE TURQUOISE, SILVER, MAGENTA, RED, SAGE....

EVEN POLKA DOTS... IT'S UP TO YOU!

MAKE YOUR OWN TRADITION!

AND I LOVE CREATIVE MINDS!

Mmmm Pretty Packages!

Dare to be different!

And when you're all done...

sit back and enjoy the view...

with a friend or loved one...

or both!

la de dah! 

Etsy Find! Etsy Fav! Etsy Talent!

theeye'sinfo @ Etsy

what an artist! I love

her subjects, her colors, the depth, the

natural elements, the talent - please look up her site - you won't be disappointed.

jennifer

Always a Creative Person Out There!

I saw this necklace on one of my
Etsy ventures for Mother's Day
ideas and I was delighted with a
new style mixing vintage and new.
This is something I would wear or would be happy to give as a gift and wanted to share the photo with others....ENJOY!

Creative Designers! Originals on Etsy

FONTH ON ETSY - PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO LOOK AT HER SITE AND ENJOY

ALL OF HER UNIQUE ITEMS - STRIKING COLORS - BRACELETS, NECKLACES - more- MORE - more!

October 18th & 19th - Breast Cancer Fund Raiser - Lucketts, VA. - Shop 'til you drop!!!!

On A Whim in Luckett's VA. is hosting a Breast Cancer Awareness Fundrasier October 18th - 19th. This area is fun area to scout out any day of the week or weekend.
On A Whim is open 7 days a week. When you've explored that area - head to Leesburg and if you're feeling adventurous .. there's always Really Great Finds in Purcellville, VA.. By the way - I love to shop.