string*THEORY

Poking In...

To say hello. Again with the hectic life. But after reading through the comments on my last post (yes, yes from over a month ago) I realized (again) how incredibly fortunate I am to be a part of such a loving community. Let me be clear - this was not the first time I've read through the comments...just the first time today. Warm + fuzzy, they're really freaking sweet.

Plus I found out during Christmas that I'm related to a few readers of this here ol' humble blog (hi uncle Bob!). Virtual love and a virtual hello, two excellent reasons to pop in. My time has been spent fighting a cold and the winter blues that tend to come with the rain and chilly weather. I'm keeping my mind distracted through my everlasting love for words, and lately - it's been through a series books written in the magical realism style of story telling (Isabel Allende and Gabriel Garcia Marquez).

 

A bibliophile I certainly am, but I recognize the need for a creative outlet. So, until I am able to pick up the string again....photography it will be. And to you, my pretties, I'll need to request some patience while I slowly climb back on to the horse. Although there's really no need to ask, now is there? Especially since...well, you know....you've already been so patient.

Time Flies When You're Stressed Out

I'm not really sure how to start a journal entry after such an extensive (and unannounced) absence. I feel as if I owe you all some sort of explanation followed by a blow by blow account of what the heck I've been up to these past two months. The truth is, it would be too much to go into now, but I promise that I'll slowly divulge my past whereabouts during the course of my next few entries - which will (hopefully) be more regular.

Before I jump in the warm Caribbean water that will be my account of a recent vacation, I want to say "thank you" to those of you who have thought to reach out to me, and a "sorry" for not sending you the big virtual hug of thanks. Another "sorry" for not noticing or acknowledging your recent triumphs, I've been just as out of touch with your lives, as I have with my own. Slowly but surely I will catch up with you.

Ah yes, the Caribbean...is there anything better then letting the stresses of the world drift away with the seagulls as you let the warm thickness of the salty Caribbean water carry and show you what it must feel like to fly? Fear not, the photos above are not some ominous hint as to where I've been spending my time these past months. The photos were taken at El Morro in San Juan, Puerto Rico. A peaceful cemetery by the sea and one of my new favorite spots to shoot.

The long awaited respite was filled with sun, sea, food and beautiful people. Maritza, why didn't you mention this about Puerto Rico? It really should be renamed as "Land of the Hot People". And did I mention reading? I had an opportunity to reignite my inner bibliophile with two amazing novels, The Bonesetter's Daughter by Amy Tan and The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende. Both incredible for their attention to detail, character development, and homage to the power of the female spirit. I'm going to keep this momentum and post-vacation flame alive by jumping into my next novel. So, I must ask, what are you reading now? What is your favorite book?

Do You Believe?

One of the things that I've folded into the ol' LifeStyle Diet is the idea of nurturing a healthy mind (as well as the healthy body). I've come to find that it's nearly impossible to separate the two.

Taking that a step further, I've come to realize that to nurture a healthy mind, it's important to understand yourself and how your world around you effects you and your personal relationships.

So my question may seem a little hokey - Do You Believe in Astrology?

No, no, this is not some infomercial for fortune tellers or chart readers, I'm really just curious. Do you? Because I do. And not on a very complex level (my dreams of understanding my chart are clouded by the fact that I don't know the exact time I was born. Recording this information wasn't a priority in Spain during the time I emerged into the world). So I just stick with what I know, which is my sun sign, Scorpio.

Yes, Scorpio - kindly soften your expression, please. I know, I know, you've been burned by a Scorpio before. But, please be kind, I'm one of the "nice ones" (during the few occasions that I am able to control myself). There must be a band of nasty Scorpios out there wreaking total havoc on friends and lovers and siblings a like, because every time I mention it - I almost always get a negative reaction. The kind of reaction where you feel bad and want to quickly correct the situation with a quick "just kidding! I'm a Capricorn". The kind of "bad" where you can see on on their face, a glazed over look as they stumble through memory lane, superficially reliving the most painful + exhilarating memories of Scorpios who've done them wrong and oh so good.

The sad thing is, I really am a "true Scorpio", I read through the description, and shamefully nod my head in agreement. For the positive and the negative features alike. But it helps us, doesn't it? It helps us to understand who we are, and to know the characteristics that might govern the way we behave and interact with others.

So again, do you believe? What does your sign say about you and is it consistent with what you notice in yourself? Is there another sign that you relate to more then the one you naturally fall into? Is there a different chart or Zodiac or lunar calendar that you prefer or do you think it's all a bunch of self-fulfilling cosmic mumbo jumbo?

Season Changes

Oh! there you are. I've been looking for you for a few days. I've been roaming around like a lost little puppy in the woods, and boy am I glad to be back where I belong. My apologies for the extended absence.

The photo is intended less for the boob-shot (sorry about that too!) and more as a statement for how I'm feeling these days. It's the Coney Island Tank by Eireann. And despite the blasting heater, I'm wearing the tank with my tanned arms crossed defiantly, protesting against the thought of summer coming to an end.

The past week has been an absolute fury of debaucheries and indulgences. Everything my LifeStyle Diet is not. And I'm back home now, feeling the wrath of it all. No regrets though, I had a. lot. of. fun. Now, I'm trying desperately to get back into my routine. Trying my best to fend off the end-of-summer blues.

What better way to do that but to swoon over fall clothes? I present you my favorites for your viewing pleasure....

Anthropologie :: Banana Republic :: JCrew :: Nine West ::

::

:: Anthropologie ::

Ohh how I neeeeeeed those boots....

::TWO::

::Two Colors::

Black + White.

::Two Recipes::

My Mother-in-law's chicken....(hers is the simplified version. Click on the link for the more advanced)

Kima

• 1lb turkey or chicken(ground) 
• 1 small onion
• 1teaspoon ginger
• 1teaspoon garlic
• half teaspoon black or red pepper
• Tumeric (very little)

Fry up the onions in a bit of canola oil. Stir in the garlic + ginger. Stir the mixture for a few minutes. Add in the pepper and little bit of water. Add in a bit of tumeric. Stir for few minutes. Add in the ground turkey or chicken. Cover and simmer until cooked. Stir. Stir. Stir. Cover it. Leave and go check your bloglines for  5-10 minutes. Done. Did you like it, was it good?

Cynthia's Lettuce Cups (Another version on Jess's blog) 

• 1 lb ground turkey (beef, pork, or turkey)
• 1 can bamboo shoots, chopped
• 1 can water chestnuts, chopped
• 1 can mushrooms (fresh is better), chopped
  pine-nuts (1 handful)
• 1 bag or head of lettuce (bagged spinach is tasty too)
  soy sauce

Brown the turkey meat. Add soy sauce while cooking. Drain. add the chopped bamboo, water chestnuts and mushrooms. Toast the pine nuts and add these to the mixture.Serve with lettuce cups, or on top of lettuce as a salad topper.

The recipe makes plenty for 4 dinners. It also freezes well if you want to make extra.

Ok...YUM to both of these. I need to try them both. A virtual high five to both of these lovely ladies for helping out with the LifeStyle Diet. Need more recipes?

::Two Eating Tips::

Kat + Amber stay as close as they can to those fresh veggies (natural + in season). Kat had the brilliant idea of pre-cutting + preparing little bags of veggies. So when she's hungry - she's all set with a quick little healthy snack to grab right out of the fridge.

Reflection. Anna + Ali suggested reflecting on what you eat by writing down what goes down the hatch. This tip is especially helpful to me, because I have that bad habit of grabbing random things and snacking (I work from home - so it's easy for me to meander down the hall to the kitchen). As Ali put it, writing down what you eat will "shame" you into eating well. Nicely put I must say.

::Two Exercise Tips::

Teresa swears by Bikram yoga and assured me that it's not as intimidating as it looks. Am I the only one that finds highly flexible people sopping wet in their own hard earned sweat a bit intimidating?

Beth recommends being honest + reasonable with yourself in terms of exercise times. Don't force yourself to work out during times you hate. This is the quickest way to de-motivate yourself from getting to the gym.

::Two Resources::

Skylar shared these two resources; You on a Diet and Fat Secret.

Thanks to all of you who took a moment to lend a hand, a trick, a recipe. Every single one is appreciated, keep them coming! There are many other great ones that I didn't mention here, so do take a second to read them, if you're in need of a little inspiration for your own LifeStyle Diet.

P.S. The photos where taken at lunch today. Some were taken with the black + white setting, most were not. It's just that kind of place and I couldn't resist a mini photo-shoot. I'm sure the other patrons thought I was nuts. Because I am. Click on fourth one down for a little chuckle.

1 :: Track :: Mind

Do you have one too? All this organizing + lifestyle dieting is taking over in a way that is so ridiculously familiar to me. The spurts, you know, of creative energy - in a single mindedness sort of way. Which is why you've seen less and less making around these parts and more and more talk of cooking...and exercising...and other this n' thats.

It's okay to be focused, right? Focused or Obsessive, you be the judge. It's times like this, times where I've found myself without a new made item or book read in over a week when a little dash of inspiration to this giant stew of creativity is in order.

So today will be a day on inspiration...shall we take a walk over to the craft section of my little neighborhood library? Let's see what's in store...

I imagine part of this might be that awkward transitional phase I seem to go through towards the end of summer (but, it's not the end yet, is it?)...the process of spending less and less hours...then days at the sewing machine, as my twitchy little fingers find their way to the thing that comforts me most when the sun begins to set + the leaves turn to gold. Knitting. Perhaps, we're nearing that time. And books. Yes, books, time to tee up the autumn line-up. Tea in hand, I'm ready.

...but until it's official, enjoy the eye-candy inspiration.

{oh dear, did you think I forgot about your recipe? don't you worry one bit, tomorrow will be the day where we talk about food again}

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Photo Credits:

Elephant Pouch by Myra Masuda - The Crafters Companion Ed. Anna Torborg

Scrap Wrap - Quilts by Denyse Schmidt

Mixy-Matchy Napkins - Bend-The-Rules Sewing by Amy Karol

Striped Rug (felted) - The Home Guide to Craft by Katherine Sorrell

Bourgeois Bag Organizer - Simple Sewing with a French Twist by Celine Dupuy

Lifestyle Diet

Not to be confused with a diet-diet, this one is for the lifestyle as a whole, and desperately needed in casa String.

After reading through some old posts the other day, I couldn't help but notice the frequency of "I'm sick" or "I have a headache" or "I'm overwhelmed" type posts. I don't want to be the Whiny Blogger That Couldn't, but rather, the Strong Blogger that's Healthy - or something of that nature.

So, I'm slowly integrating this n' that into my lifestyle to turn it around, lift it up, and tone it down a bit. I'm growing to realize, that there are somethings that effect my health, that I just cant change. Like all the travel. Can't change that, I will always be "on the road" so to say. But what I can change, is the approach I take. Doing my best to eat healthy + always packing those gym shoes when on a trip will make things more bearable.

This week I've added two solid routines, involving food + exercise. Starting with the basics, here...

• Each Sunday I'll print out my gym's class schedule and map out which classes I'll attend, or what I will do each day to get some exercise. A contract with myself, if you will.
• On the same calendar, I've added the meal schedule for the week.The eating-out, junk-food extravaganza has got to stop, people. It's killing my waistline! Stop tempting me with all those delectable desserts you feature on your blogs, really, help a sista out.
• CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) - Erin is brilliant. After her "we need to eat locally" post yesterday - it dawned on me that folks in rural areas aren't the only ones that can do this! I too (despite the fact that I live in a city) can have fresh, in season, local fruits and veggies practically delivered to my door! And you can too, check it out. I can't wait for the first delivery.

So, I'm wondering....

• What do YOU do to stay healthy?
• Do you have any favorite meals that you cook or tricks that you use to keep yourself on track?

Tomorrow, I'll post an easy + healthy recipe with a bit of a Pakistani twist from my mother in law.

Organizing {again}

Have you heard of the saying "the cobblers kids have no shoes"? Well I had a really low moment the other day involving "the seamstress has a crappy wallet".

It consisted of a trip to the ice-cream shop with my parents. I ordered the obligatory "Gold Metal Ribbon"...my parents with their shared sundaes (this has been their routine since I can remember, creatures of habit, I think. It's a lovely habit I must say).

When the cashier began ringing up the tab, I quickly grabbed my "wallet" and jumped up to treat. Not something they let me do, usually, so I was trying my best to be quick. My sugar-induced euphoria quickly imploded when the 16-year-old cashier scoffed, laughed and coughed "nice wallet", in her best I'm-so-cute-I-can't-stand-it teeny-bopper voice.

Offended? Sure. But let's be honest, people, the girl's got a point. It's not exactly lady-like to traipse about the city with my goods all crammed into a zip-lock bag, now is it? I'm not quite skilled enough to make my own wallet, and thank goodness for that, because I never would have found this little beauty on Etsy, if I was. Goodness gracious, I love this wallet.

It's made with the highest crafted precision, using the loveliest of vintage heavy-weight fabric, and contains just the perfect amount of pockets, including a zippered pouch for chapstick. Woot woot for the perfect wallet/clutch + another awesome Esty seller - thanks Dogwood Lane!

Midnight Fabric Shopping

I disappeared for a bit, didn't I? And without any notice, shame on me. Sometimes that needs to happen, doesn't it? Setting aside the tools we use to document + reflect on our lives - to actually live.

And live I did. This past week was an absolute flurry of happy activity - none of which were creative related. But just a generally good time connecting with friends, soaking up the sun in the South Bay and wiping myself out. Which is the states of affairs for me right now. I'm back at home, reflecting + relaxing.

And my favorite part of returning home? Besides reuniting with the hubs, well, going through the mail of course!

Confessions of an Exaggerator

Confession - I exaggerated. I usually do a bit - but I think it's pretty obvious when I do. I realized that I went a bit over board after all the concerned emails I received from this latest earthquake. When I said "violent tossing" I really meant "strong swaying". There really was nothing violent about it. "Violent" was the 6.2 quake I was in a few years back in Tokyo. Seven floors up, laying next to a large window. That was scary. The one the other day, was not. I'm just an exaggerating baby is all. My apologies for that + thanks for the concern. I hope I'm not crying wolf....

The photo above is my new favorite photo of my sis taken on Friday - during my last meal before the hubs returned. We ended out the week with a bang - dinner consisting of Frijts + Beer. A nice square meal indeed. He's home. I'm happy. And the weekend is being spent visiting with my 'rents...a simple relaxing weekend in the sun. So so nice. I'm really soaking it up while completely ignoring the fact that I have to leave for another week. I promise not to be so whiney next week. Well, so blatantly whiney anyway.

A warm, happy weekend to you.