These are the terms used when we want to have some Rest & Relaxation. So it seems that we usually do these things during the summer months, its much warmer and nicer weather to be outside. Do you go to a beautiful sandy beach, a quiet tranquil wood cabin, a city night on the town, visit exotic locals that you don’t see on a daily basis?
Would it not be nicer for us to treat ourselves to some of this wonderful reprieve day after day? A romancing of the ordinary if you will…The daily grind can become overwhelming for many if you don’t have a little to look forward to, you could become depressed, sad, lonely, angry or bitter by not having some fun in your life in a more regular way.
And did you get what
You wanted from this life, even so?
I did.
And what did you want?
To call myself beloved, to feel myself
beloved on the earth.
-Raymond Carver
“Late Fragment”
We even think of others so much more than ourselves sometimes that when we do have more time for ourselves, we wonder what to do. What can fill this space…
I’ve always been intrigued with Journaling. Although not able to do much of this lately, I know it helps to unlock, release, to get to know the real you. Finding hope in your life, you see what your dreams are once again and you can plan little times for you, just you. Feeling refreshed afterward like a Vacation would, but in a simpler way.
I’ve always wanted to be an artist. I never went to school for it, but it is a gift that I have. I have supplies galore and try to fit it into my days although not very successfully. This is something that I need quiet time for and inspiration as well. With a bustling house full of kids, activities and things to do I never get to it.
I had an idea to put these two things together…and wouldn’t you know it, more ideas on the internet…
Keeping a Painting Creativity Journal
What should you put in a creativity journal and why should you make one?
By Marion Boddy-Evans, About.com Guide
I will be sorting through my things and putting together my own art journal. I want to keep this in my life and continue to grow in my art. Something for me.
In the mean time I have to cook and prepare food daily for the family so I have found a reprieve in that. I find I enjoy this very much, especially when not rushing for time. I find delight in new recipes and new ways to get the best nutrition into my family.
Raw food is something I am captivated with. Although challenging to incorporate into the daily dishes I serve, I keep trying.
Perhaps a small retreat you can give yourself is a quiet picnic alone…when was the last time you did that? It is a sure way to restore a sense of innocent wonder ~ in a shady lane or a park, by the lake, on a riverbank or a hillside. Some place where it’s green and leafy. Although both occur in open air, a picnic is not to be confused with eating outdoors. We eat outdoors on the patio, deck, or in the backyard, and during the warm summer months, we should try to do it as often as we can. We picnic away from our home, and even in the summer we don’t seem to do it often enough. Do they seem like productions? A bit of planning doesn’t mean a three ring circus. Picnics posses romance and ritual-the day, the place, the menu, the accoutrements, the clothes, the blanket, the companion, the keep-in-minds, and don’t forgets. But there is a splendid reward for she who delights in the ceremony of the picnic. What comes to my mind is the old pictures of famous artist of pictures of families picnicking on the edge of the water.
Where shall you go? Somewhere a little AWAY FROM THE ROUTINE THAT;S Picturesque, quaint, or charming. Is there a place you’ve often thought “that would be a great spot for a picnic.” If no place immediately pops into your mind, pretend you’re a scout for the movies or a painter. You want a spot with a view that doesn’t include power line, satellite dishes etc.. Somewhat a secluded spot with level ground and a fair balance of shade and sun. Near a tree is idyllic. Imagine having a picnic on every vacation you take and knowing the nooks and crannies in locals from Kansas to Kenya?
What to lie on the ground? Take an old soft blanket (and a plastic liner if the ground may be damp) and lay it out on the ground, pillows are optional for some but two is preferred. Spread a table cloth and a vase for wildflowers to pick later.
“I wish my life could look like it was out of a magazine or a movie, just once.” Well it can, occasionally, and a picnic is one of those times.
The menu. Simple is best. Try salad, a light sandwich, cheese, bread,pickles, snacks, pie or cake and maybe a nice bottle of wine or special beverage of choice. Something that can withstand the warm weather. Do you have a hamper for your possessions? Easily found at a thrift store with assorted fine china, cutlery, real glasses, linens, can all be placed in a type of picnic basket. It is a delightful indulgence and hobby for the summer. It can be there and ready, and deciding to go on a picnic seems so much simpler and light hearted. You can have a companion of course, a person, child, pet, book, or journal or art supplies! It’s nice to have someone or something to share your thoughts with. But it’s also refreshing to be able to hear your own. (So, no cell phones on.)
Keep in mind and don’t forget some essentials though. Paper towels, damp sponge, plastic bag, napkins and even bug spray and a first aid kit. A little trick is to Take an extra plate and pile it with something sweet and walk it about thirty feet away from your spot, and let the bees and wasps have their own picnic.
Bring a light jacket or weather, umbrella, bottle opener and pocket knife. Always take extra water.
Let me know how your experience with this is. A nice retreat from the daily lives we live. Nothing too fancy or far or expensive But may be worth its weight in gold to our health and well being.
Curried Egg Salad Tea Sandwich
Directions
Mix 3 chopped hard-boiled eggs, 3 tablespoons each chopped celery, red onion and cilantro, 2 teaspoons each Dijon mustard and lime juice, and 1/4 cup mayonnaise.
Cut white bread into pieces and spread with mango chutney.
Sandwich with the egg salad.
Not Potato Salad
Salad:
- 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 3 stalks of celery, finely chopped
- 1/2 onion, minced
- 1 Jicama, chopped into small cubes or 5 zucchini or squash, peeled and diced
- 1 Turnip or other root veggie cubed
- 1⁄2 lemon pickled cucumbers, chopped
Mac Mayo:
- 2 cups macadamias or cashews, soaked in filtered water
- 1/4 cup lemon or lime juice
- 1 chunk of onion
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 date or 1 tablespoon agave nectar or more to taste
- 2 teaspoons prepared mustard or powered mustard
- 2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme or 1 to 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon white or black pepper
Put the macadamias into a strong blender or Vita-Mix Blender, add:
- lemon juice
- date or Agave Nectar,
- chunk of onion
- garlic clove
Blend with just enough water to blend, create a thick mayo base.
Next, take a tablespoon of mac mayo in a bowl adding:
Next, take a tablespoon of mac mayo in a bowl adding:
- 1 teaspoon mustard,
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric
- 1 teaspoon Agave
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
and stir. Making a prepared mustard for mac mayo.
Now back in the blender add:
- the prepared mustard you made
- cumin
- fresh thyme
- dried dill
- sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon white or black pepper
Blend a second time into a smooth thick mixture adding a little water if necessary to blend easier (but not too much). You may have to stop the blender a few times and tamp the mixture down.
Transfer the macadamia mayo to a bowl then add the Jicama (or zucchini) and veggies, stir together.
Transfer the macadamia mayo to a bowl then add the Jicama (or zucchini) and veggies, stir together.
In a glass jar add:
- 1 large cucumber or 3 pickling cucumbers, sliced
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 1 tablespoon of dried dill
- 1 teaspoon of pepper
- water to fill the jar Soak overnight or more.
Enjoy!
Raw Divine Dish~ Laura
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