Sparkle, I would love to hear about your summertime BBQ salads! I have a few summertime salads I just love to make -- but only for special occasion because sometimes it can be very expensive.


There are several things I do to improve my way of life: 1) I love music, like most types of music, so I'm always listening to music. Just today, I heard Joe Cocker (The Wonder Years\ The Beatles --- I Get By With a Little Help from My Friends).



There's nothing like a song that you hear out of nowhere that can change how you feel about your entire day. That song did it for me, earlier this afternoon.

2) I try to keep a monthly date with myself, where it's just me, doing what I want or doing nothing at all... but mostly it is the idea that I use that time to really get to the heart of my soul --- fine tuning my own world, adjusting my capacity to live life with as much joy .... each day that is before me.

3) Music and "me time" usually is the antidote to self improvement. I can't be perfect... but listening to music and "me time" makes my world a better place and helps me so much.


~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Give me three of the best desserts you've ever had and love still today.

They can be expensive!

I like to use common ingredients in unexpected ways. I do a zucchini, summer squash, and peach carpaccio (sliced paper thin on the mandolin) With capers and dressed with fresh squeezed lemon juice and a tiny bit of lemon zest. It's a great cold salad that is refreshing when it's hot and can hold up outside for a few hours.

I also do an arugula, cantaloupe, prosciutto, and fresh mozzarella salad dressed in a homemade French vinaigrette (very light but with a sharp shallot and dijon zing) also refreshing but doesn't hold up well outside because of the mozz.

I do a simple baby spinach, sliced strawberries and toasted nut (of your choice) salad with a rice vinegar dressing.

And in the fall I like to use ingredients like pancetta and pomegranate and toasted walnuts -- great with any greens you fancy, and makes a nice entree if you add protein like grilled chicken.

William Sonoma has a good book called 365 days of salad, which is chock full of awesome seasonal recipes that inspire new combinations.

As to desserts...

*i had the most amazingly fresh tiramisu in Venice, it was incredible, straight off the whisk. I'm spoiled for tiramisu forever though. Nothing will ever compare.

*im a sucker for a lovely crunchy creme brûlée.

*and strawberry shortcake - with homemade whip cream is my go-to birthday dessert because strawberries are usually newly ripe and delicious around then.

Give me the last three times you felt valued

1) My spouse tells me daily how she appreciates me taking care of her, 2) Manager at the kennel makes me feel valued a lot, 3) I felt valued several years ago when I won an award for cna of the year for my state. GM3 things you miss most?

1. My bank manager gave me a free pen

2. my phone company sent me a survey cause my opinion of how they're doing, matters

3. the call centre for my computer repair kept interrupting the hold music with a message that i should keep holding cause my call is very important to them.


gm3 things you'll never stop doing, no matter how "bad" they are for you.

Not things, but people:

*My Grampa
*My Grama
*Chris



Oh, that's a tough one because I'm old enough to know that as soon as I say "I'll never give ____ up" - i will be assured of having to give it up. So many of the vices, which I *swore* if never give up, are long since gone(cigarettes, 4" heels, caffeine, three day long dance parties...) I'm clinging to the vestiges of my youth.

But, I swear that I will:

*NEVER give up coloring my hair. I'm going to be one of those ladies who has a standing appointment with my elderly gay hair dresser once a week.

*NEVER give up champagne -- entirely. It's just too wonderful an indulgence.

*NEVER give up driving manual transmission cars. I know that day is coming - But I will have to be dragged out of my last stick shift car.


Give me three things you're excited about.

Being able to sleep in
Getting new glasses
Finalizing some paperwork


GM 3 things you are not excited about?

Brisa
 

Xmas shopping
crowded stores
rude

people in crowded stores :seeingstars:




GM3 things you buy every week other than groceries.

Lunch out for my friend and I
Bingo cards
Skinny vanilla latte

Gm3 things you do in the winter

Drink hot tea
Go for walks
Go to festivals

Give me 3 of your favorite pieces of clothing, assuming you don't always parade around in your b-day suit!

My Tee shirts,boxers and bath robe...

Gimme 3 of your goals in life?

1) to lose weight. 2) to make a fulltime career working with animals. 3) to finally find inner peace. Same Question???

Three goals in life
 

1. Be helpful to those in need
2. Be financially secured - independently
3. Get a new car hehehehe


Gimme 3 items you'd trade or upgrade

My Computer
My body
My mind

Gimme 3 excuses you use for why you are late?

You know, this trade/upgrade thing really is too much trouble for very little reward...i prefer to drive things into the ground, throw a handful of dirt on them, and then go get the "next" thing.

gm3 places you'd live if you had the guts and resources.

1) Hawaii. 2) Jamaica. 3) Key West. GM3 beverages you drink all the time?

Brisa
 

coffee, cranberry juice, iced tea

Hey u forgot to ask a question? LOL :jester:

– Water
– Gatorade
– Green Juice

Gimme three ways to show your appreciation to an online friend.

Thank them publicly or privately
Send them a gift card or gift package
Acknowledgement like stand with them

GM3 ways you help the environment