[ A quote to live by ]

"It's tough to do, but you've got to work at living, you know? Most people work at dying, but anybody can die; the easiest thing on this earth is to die. But to live takes guts; it takes energy, vitality, it takes thought. . . . We have so many negative influences out there that are pulling us down. . . . You've got to be strong to overcome these adversities . . . that's why I never stop." - Jack LaLane

I came across this quote while sorting through my inbox this past weekend and it really hit home with me. Living, really living is hard work - especially as an adult.

Its so much more difficult to make friends, to try new things. There seems to be so many barriers and things that get in the way that sometimes you forget that you have the option to do these things. To try new things and to put yourself out there.

I had to be honest with myself and i realised that i haven't been living these past few years. Not in the real world anyway. I only have a handful of people who even knew that i exist at the moment and a lot of those friends are not even in the same country as me. Its difficult to realise that while everyone else has been living their lives and moving forward I have been .... I'm not sure really. Sitting here, waiting for life to come to me i guess. That's not how it works and i have realised that now.

I have decided that i want to live my life. I don't want to be sitting in the background watching my life go by - i want to be living my life. I want to be enjoying it with everything that i have, i want to be doing exciting things, meeting interesting people and doing things that scare me silly.

So i have taken action. "Strike while the iron is hot" as they say! I have booked myself in to a painting class Monday night, body jam on Tuesday, Body Combat on Wednesday, a Study group on Thursday and a Body Balance group on Saturday morning. I have to be out there in the real world to meet people, to make friends and to scare myself silly, right?

This weekend i also got to watch 27 Dresses, twice! And who wouldn't with this cutey, hunky, yummy man...hehe

It is such a feel good, funny chick flick so if you have been sitting on the fence about watching this movie i would say GO FOR IT!

Whats new?

I must say that i seem to be having major photo withdrawl at the moment. Last night i took loads of photos, edited them but as i am without internet they are still sitting on my hardrive. Poo!

So, today i decided that i would do the naughty thing and pick up some photos from google image. Just to make sure - Please note that none of these photos were taken by me.

My spirits are lifting which is a good thing. I feel like a new flower blooming and i am loving it.

So whats new with me? What have i been up to? What have i been doing? How about some visual prompts.....

I am going to watch Juno on Saturday evening - cant wait!

I have been really enjoying the warmer weather, bluer skies and little blossoms which are showing up everywhere.
Home and away is the only Soap that i watch ....but i do have to watch it every day!

I feel like i am becoming a wize in the kitchen. My most recent creations include Butternut squash soup and some delicious weight watchers brownies. (Actual photos and recipes to follow sometime next week) I am loving Superchicks! Been listening to them non-stop. Waiting for another one of their albums to arrive in the post.Started a new knitting project a few days ago. I only knit for an hour or two while i watch my soap and perhaps another programme.Have i mentioned i have also been catching up on CSI? I went through a phase of not enjoying it that much but the bug seems to have snuck up on me again and i am watching it when ever i can.I also have a few paintings which are on the go at the moment. I really should sit down and finish one before i move onto another one...lolJust around the corner from my new flat is a lovely park that i have been going for a walk in the past few days. Getting home by 4:40 gives me a little more sunshine in my early evening.And this little book has been a great inspiration to me over the past few weeks. I am so pleased that bought it when i did.

This is probably about it for now. Happy hump day - Looking forward to tomorrow night and saturday!

Oh yeah, and my spell check doesnt seem to be working so pardon any bad spelling which makes it past me.

Giving thanks

First off i just want to share this recipe with you. I am sure that a lot of you already have it, or at least something similar but for my non US friends this is definitely a very nice recipe to try.

Whipped Sweet Potato Casserole

Recipe found on Allrecipes.com

Original recipe yields: 5 servings but i just scaled it down for the two of us at our home.

INGREDIENTS
3 medium sized sweet potato, peeled and cubed
1 tablespoons orange juice
1.5 tablespoons brown sugar
Sprinkle of ground nutmeg and cinnamon
1 tablespoons butter

miniature marshmallows

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large saucepan cook sweet potatoes in salted water over medium-high heat for about 20 minutes, or until done.

Drain, and add orange juice, brown sugar, spices and butter. Whip until smooth. Spread into a medium size casserole dish and top with marshmallows.
Bake in preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until marshmallows are golden brown

My notes

I did find this recipe a little on the sweet side so next time i will probably skip the sugar all together. Oh yeah, I almost forgot that i made one big casserole rather than smaller ones.

Now onto my tittle. Everyone knows that this month is Thanksgiving in the US. When i lived there, this as well as Christmas, was my favourite holiday. Since i moved to the UK i haven't celebrated it in the sense of decorations and turkey but i do still take this opportunity to give special thanks for those things in my life that are special to me. Often things that i overlook or take for granted suddenly get the attention that they deserve. I do try and live with a grateful heart but i guess there is always room for improvement, right?

So, here is my list of things that i am grateful for. Thing that have been around for as long as i can remember and things that i am grateful for just today.

* My new car, Feebie. I am so grateful to have her and to know that she is in good condition and is reliable.

* For being able to see my gran this year and to spend some time with her

* Having a little sachet of Hot Chocolate sitting in my desk draw just waiting for me to need a pick me up

* My family who have blessed me in so many ways this past year

* Stuart has managed to pass his truck licence test and is now much happier at his job

* I just love the talents that God has blessed me with. Painting, Knitting, scrapping, drawing and so much more.

* Thankful for my freedom and safety that i have

* For the job that i have even though at times i wish i worked somewhere else

There is so much more that i have to be grateful for but i am doing this at work today so probably should stop here for now.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Be safe!

Things about me right now

African - I was born and raised in South Africa. My heritage is South African. My roots are South African. I love Africa. I found this quilt here. I am hoping to make an African quilt at some point.Budgeting - I am trying to get my head around budgeting and have been doing this for 3 months now. I think that i have finally found a system that works and that we can stick to. Now i just have to get the spending to stop.

Cats - I love cats and always have. We currently have 3 and i wouldn't change them for the world.

Dreaming of a holiday - It has been so long since we have been on holiday. Its been 2 years and that was only for a weekend away. Argghh, how i wish we could get away for a week or two.

Eagerly awaiting the arrival of my brother - My brother arrives in 9 days from South Africa. I haven't seen him in 4 years and i am looking forward to getting to know him again.

Finishing things - My dad has brought it to my attention that i tend to begin a lot more projects than what i actually finish. This is not true. I finish my projects......eventually. *I am working on this one now dad*

Georgiamudfudge - Just the thought of this word brings so many happy memories flooding back to me. Dairy Queen. The beach. Rayola. America. Good times.

Honesty - This is something that i am working on. I am learning to be more honest with those around me about how i feel. I am so concerned about other peoples feelings that often i tell them more what they want to hear rather than how i feel. I have started to realise that by doing this I am not being true to myself and that is no good.

Incredibly blessed - For all that i have.

Jelly and custard - Even at the ripe old age of 25 i still enjoy Jelly and Custard for pudding. Granted, now its sugar free jelly and low fat custard but hey, it still counts right?

Knitting mad - As i am sure is the case with most knitters and artists out there.....too many projects and not enough time! So many things that i want to knit.

Laughing a lot - I love spending time with my family and having them closer to me has made me very happier. My family are so funny and we always have such a good laugh when we get together.

Magnolia flowers - These are one of my very favourite flowers at the moment.

Needing to sort out my South African Passport - My passport expires in two months and i really need to find some time to sit down and fill out all the paperwork that is needed.

Orange - This colour seems to be growing on me more and more each day. I love the combination of orange and brown. It has such character!

Puppy dog - At the moment i am trying my hardest to persuade Stu that we are indeed in need of a cute little chocolate Labrador puppy. He keeps saying no but if i keep at it long enough i can get him to break!!

Quilting - I would like to start trying some quilting. I bought some fabric off of eBay last week and am just waiting for it to arrive. I love trying to new things.

Reading - Always reading. Be it books, magazines or articles on the net. I always have more than one thing on the go as far as books go and that is how i like it.

Sewing - After many months of having my sewing machine sitting upstairs being unused, i have pulled it out and done some sewing. I am loving it! So much better than sewing clothes. I have just finished an apron and am about to start on a handbag.

Tigger pj's - My tigger pj's are falling apart. The seam is coming undone. It has several holes in it from who knows where but i just don't have the heart to throw it out.

Under the throw-over - I have a very special throw over that Jenny gave me for my birthday a few years ago. This sits on the back of our suite and whenever i am in relaxing knitting or reading a book i always have this draped over my legs. It reminds me of her.

Vegetables - I have always loved vegetables and to this day i still do!

Weight watchers - tonight i start at weight watchers. I am committed and i know that i am going to do it. Taking one day at a time.

Xtremely concious of my smelly feet - So today i am wearing some shoes that i have not worn in a very long time....now i remember why i have not worn them. They are smelly!!

Yarn - This is my latest craze! I love stroking yarns and even better buying them and taking them home. I have made a promise to myself that i will not be buying any more yarn until i have used up all that i have at home.Z z z z z z - I am definitely in need of some more sleep in my life. Don't ask me how or when but i just know that i need it.