Saturday, January 30, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Quizzical Wednesday - Thinking
| You Think Objectively |
 Your brain works best when you are able to think in steps. You like procedures and routines. You are good at staying focused and on task. You are excel at developing workable solutions to difficult problems. You simply look at the facts. You have an excellent memory, and you are a quick thinker. You can sort out what's important from what's not. |
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Help Haiti
I'm finding the news out of Haiti harder and harder to comprehend as the rescue and recovery efforts continue in Port-au-Prince. I am overwhelmed with emotion when I see pictures like these, hear of the growing death toll and read that aid workers can't get supplies and assistance to those in need. It is just so devastating.
But then I hear stories about survivors being found 8 days after the quake and news that $220 million dollars that has been donated to relief organizations I feel a bit more optimistic that given enough time and assistance the citizens of Haiti just may be able to put their lives back together again.
As a Habitat for Humanity supporter I have received almost daily updates of the activities on the ground in Haiti from the information supplied by the Global Disaster Response team. Habitat is not "new" to Haiti, they have been working to provide adequate housing there for 26 years and in that time have provided 2,000 families with housing through new home construction, progressive building, home repairs and improvements. They are currently working to erect quake-resistant homes for the some of the estimated 1.5 million Haitians that are homeless. The homes are simple steel-framed "core houses" and cost roughly $3,000 each to construct. They are doing this despite the fact that the Habitat offices were destroyed in the quake.
I am passionate about my work with Habitat because I believe there is no greater basic human need than a roof over one's head. Habitat provides that to people all over the world regardless of race, education or religion. If you are looking for a way to help in Haiti, I urge you to donate to Habitat's efforts there, you can do so by clicking on the banner below.
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 350,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit www.habitat.org.
But then I hear stories about survivors being found 8 days after the quake and news that $220 million dollars that has been donated to relief organizations I feel a bit more optimistic that given enough time and assistance the citizens of Haiti just may be able to put their lives back together again.
As a Habitat for Humanity supporter I have received almost daily updates of the activities on the ground in Haiti from the information supplied by the Global Disaster Response team. Habitat is not "new" to Haiti, they have been working to provide adequate housing there for 26 years and in that time have provided 2,000 families with housing through new home construction, progressive building, home repairs and improvements. They are currently working to erect quake-resistant homes for the some of the estimated 1.5 million Haitians that are homeless. The homes are simple steel-framed "core houses" and cost roughly $3,000 each to construct. They are doing this despite the fact that the Habitat offices were destroyed in the quake.
I am passionate about my work with Habitat because I believe there is no greater basic human need than a roof over one's head. Habitat provides that to people all over the world regardless of race, education or religion. If you are looking for a way to help in Haiti, I urge you to donate to Habitat's efforts there, you can do so by clicking on the banner below.
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 350,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit www.habitat.org.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Quizzical Wednesday - Teaching
| You Should Teach Second Grade |
 You are an excellent communicator and instructor. You would take teaching seriously. You know how to present a subject in many ways. You are good at coming up with examples. You are both supportive and challenging. You know when to push, and you know when to praise. You have a lot of energy, and you don't get discouraged easily. You don't give up on people. |
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Quizzical Wednesday - Life travels
| You Hike Through Life |
 Your journey through life is challenging, exhilarating, and at times difficult. You are curious about the world, and you're willing to go off the beaten path to satisfy your thirst for knowledge. Your mind is always alert and churning something over. You enjoy solving problems, and adversity makes you feel alive. You are both independent and skeptical. You often need to see something with your own eyes before you'll believe it. |
Monday, January 11, 2010
Seven
Yesterday marked a milestone in my life. Yesterday was my 7-year "cancer-free" anniversary.
Seven years. Wow. Although this anniversary was different than the others I've marked as this one just a regular Sunday. I didn't think about it much, actually I forgot about it until late in the day. I was not consciously trying to *forget* it but rather had a lot of projects happening simultaneously. When it did occur to me I though about sending a tweet or writing a blog entry but then opted for other activities including my latest baking triumph.
It isn't that I don't care about 7-years and it isn't that 7-years isn't significant, it is. I've always been a bit timid about celebrating too quickly or too hard because you never know what is right around corner. After all my mother had a recurrence of her cancer within weeks of celebrating her 5-year mark and it scared me to the core.
While lying in bed last night, trying to get my brain to shut off and sleep to take over I thought about why the day hadn't been more emotional than other anniversaries had been and the thought that came to mind over and over again was... "Time heals all wounds." Time has certainly lessened the sting of the physical and emotional scars of cancer. Time has made me more confident and less afraid of losing my life. Time has made me feel more normal.
So here is to SEVEN, I'm looking forward to hanging out with you for a while and not just because you started off with a clean scan and a *good* call from the doctor, but because you seem more stable and less emotional than 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Seven years. Wow. Although this anniversary was different than the others I've marked as this one just a regular Sunday. I didn't think about it much, actually I forgot about it until late in the day. I was not consciously trying to *forget* it but rather had a lot of projects happening simultaneously. When it did occur to me I though about sending a tweet or writing a blog entry but then opted for other activities including my latest baking triumph.
It isn't that I don't care about 7-years and it isn't that 7-years isn't significant, it is. I've always been a bit timid about celebrating too quickly or too hard because you never know what is right around corner. After all my mother had a recurrence of her cancer within weeks of celebrating her 5-year mark and it scared me to the core.
While lying in bed last night, trying to get my brain to shut off and sleep to take over I thought about why the day hadn't been more emotional than other anniversaries had been and the thought that came to mind over and over again was... "Time heals all wounds." Time has certainly lessened the sting of the physical and emotional scars of cancer. Time has made me more confident and less afraid of losing my life. Time has made me feel more normal.
So here is to SEVEN, I'm looking forward to hanging out with you for a while and not just because you started off with a clean scan and a *good* call from the doctor, but because you seem more stable and less emotional than 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Challah: BBA Challenge #6
It feels good to be back in the swing of things and back to baking bread every weekend. I was looking forward to Challah. Since reading the section on braiding bread in the preparation to start the BBA Challenge I have been dying to braid me some bread.
This was an uncomplicated and easy bread. Mix, proof, knead, proof, shape, proof, bake. I completed the tasks while doing some other projects around the house. I was excited about the braiding but also thought it would be far more complicated than it was. I'm really pleased with the results and hope that it tastes as good as it looks.
Friday, January 08, 2010
Casatiello: BBA Challenge #5 (#bba)
With the holidays behind me it was time to begin the BBA Challenge again. Over the weekend I created Casatiello which is an Italian variation to Brioche with meat and cheese tucked inside for a savory treat.
Next stop is Challah. I've been excited about braided breads since completing the reading prior to beginning the Challenge, so I think Challah will be fun!
I chose to make mine with salami and sharp cheddar cheese as I prefer it to provolone. I started the recipe a bit late in the day but was able to complete it before bed. The initial proofing time of 90 minutes didn't yield the size Reinhart suggested so I gave it a bit more time with no change so I moved ahead. I was pleased with the results. It is not only beautiful to look at with also beautiful to the palate. The richeness of the bread mixes well with the savory flavor of the salami and the cheese.
Next stop is Challah. I've been excited about braided breads since completing the reading prior to beginning the Challenge, so I think Challah will be fun!
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