Spring has been trying to decorate our parks, yards, highways and byways. Winter unfortunately has been acting like the obnoxious drunk guest at 4am when the party is over who refuses to go home. It has been a LONG Winter. On my way to work this morning, I was pleasantly surprised by the tress lining Broadway. Could it be? Do I see buds that have bloomed? I'm gonna go out on a limb (pun intended) and say that Winter has FINALLY left the building. Inspired by this turn of events, I realized it was time for me to dust off my keyboard and come out of hibernation.
I am so excited about the journey ahead. Spring, ah Spring. I'm feeling the urge to purge. "Spring Cleaning" is music to my ears !!! I'm not sure about you and your situations but I am definitely wanting to lighten my load. The older we get we find sometimes, depending on your mind-set and upbringing, we start to accumulate. We accumulate things, stuff, items that we deem important for this reason or that. We make excuses....whether out of sentimentality or the fear of the "lack of" (I might NEED this tomorrow.) Those who know me KNOW I have stuff ....cool, eclectic but stuff just the same. I had a conversation with my mom recently about collecting "stuff". I came to the realization recently that aside from photographs and some treasured heirlooms, if I lost it ALL tomorrow I would be fine. I do not define myself by my "stuff". In fact, once I let something go I rarely miss them. Something may remind me and I will reminisce fondly but "out-of-sight" truly is "out-of mind". This epiphany has opened my eyes and this year's "SPRING CLEANING" will be deep . Guaranteed.
Artist to check out: Nicole Atkins "Mondo Amore"
"Maybe Tonight" Nicole Atkins
I had the pleasure of seeing Nicole in the NJ suburbs at a "House Concert" in a man's photography studio in his backyard. She played for 50 of us and she ROCKED! We had pot luck dinner after the intimate concert. I felt it only appropriate to buy Mondo Amore in Vinyl. I was NOT disappointed! She played SXSW 2011. I feel her voice reminds me a little of K.D. Lang with a pitch of Alannah Myles "Black Velvet". Sultry Soul...... Enjoy!
Random Usefullness:
Cucumbers
1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.
2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.
3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.
4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.
5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!
6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!
7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.
8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.
9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!
10. Stressed out and don't have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.
11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.
12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.
13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!
I highly recommend Vihno Verde (Green Wine) Gazela - Crisp Clean Cool White Wine.....Tasty with Seaood, Chicken, Salads or after a long HOT day......AWESOME for SPRING & SUMMER !!!!
~ Namaste'
Kelly :)
