What I want to tell you today is...

"Meditation is connecting to God's frequency - the original source of energy and love in the universe. By quieting your mind every day, you build an invisible bridge which connects God's vibration with your soul. This conscious dedication to increasing your inner well-being will fill you with peace and unspeakable joy. It is available to everyone."

- from "A Celebration of Wellness" by James Levin

new chucks!

DSC_0005, originally uploaded by achathampally.

hey I got my new chucks
first pair of high-tops ever
featuring The Clash
I love the skulls on the outsides
should I stay or should I go?

highlights

my pastor has an great list of his highlights from the first week in feb:
highlights from first week of feb 2010

He has inspired me to create my own list



1. celebrating Elvis' first birthday with friends Sue and Joann and dog pals Pepe and Buddy. Elvis has been my shining star these past 6 mos of growth and change.

2. walking in the snowy arroyo with Elvis off-leash early in the morning when no one else is around. Enjoying the exercise, the silence, the crunch of the snow, the cold, clean air and the solitude of just me and my little pup.

3. exchanging recipes with my dear friend Suzanne. She is fellow foodie and together we egg each other on to new culinary heights. I've been sending her stir-fry recipes and she has been sending me new baking ideas like a salvadorean quesadilla (which bears no resemblance to a mexican quesadilla and is actually a cake).

4. Reading good books. At the moment: Sweeping Changes: Discovering the Joy of Zen in Everyday Tasks by Gary Thorp

5. Shopping fun with Sue and Joann. It is so fun and easy to be with them. We hit a gazillion stores all in a row and then stopped to have lunch at El Tesoro. The spinach and goat cheese sandwich is yummy.

6. Taking the time for meditation and prayer.

El's bday

el-bday6, originally uploaded by achathampally.

Today was Elvis' 1st bday
there was cake and presents
and lots of running amuck
basically a great time :-)

Havrekaker

DSC_0001, originally uploaded by achathampally.

Norwegian oatmeal cookies
these are zen cookies
they don't look flashy or fancy
but are really good in quiet, solid way
you taste sweet butter, vanilla, sugar
and the earthiness of the oats
less is more

recipe from:http://www.ourgrandmotherskitchens.com/?p=5992

Hemp Leaf Binding

DSC_0001, originally uploaded by achathampally.

I love Japanese Stab Bindings
I just taught myself this one
its called "hemp leaf"
its pretty and easy to do
going to my SIL Barb
who cheered me up immensely
by sending me "my life in france"

Spinach Turnover

DSC_0002, originally uploaded by achathampally.

I've been watching old French Chef episodes on dvd.
When I saw the "spinach twins" episode, I knew I had
to tackle the recipe.

The components are:
spinach filling
optional: sauteed mushrooms, shredded gruyere
pate brisee (french pastry dough)
sauce soubise au gruyere

It didn't take me as long as I thought it would
approximately a couple of hours

the finished turnover is really deliciousl
I'll definitely make it again.

btw, I copied down the recipe by hand - 7 pages!