Kathleen Rowland's Blog, page 32
April 30, 2014
People Craft– taking care of ourselves
We are having a block party this weekend! Besides the fact that warmer weather brings people alive, block parties are wonderful ice-breakers. In our case we moved to our new neighbourhood last summer, and I’d like to get to know people who live around us. In case you’d like to “customize” my invitation for your block party, I’ve included the wording here:
OurStreet Potluck Supper
It will be such a sensation, an evening of neighbors and conversation, a real snazzy celebration! It’d be great to see you there.
So please join us Sunday Night. On May 4th at 5:30 the party takes flight. It ends at 8:00 but will be a delight! Oh, and please bring any dish to share.
99 OurStreet is the place to be, and 999-9999 is where you RSVP. Any questions will be answered happily. Let us know if we can save you a chair.
Save the date: Sunday, May 4th from 5:30 to 8:00! Bring the whole family to share the yumminess. Dinner is pot luck, and you can (make or buy) any one thing that serves 4— salad, entre, or dessert. Please feel free to bring spirits for yourselves, but we’re providing plastic ware, water, and non-alcoholic punch for all. Kathy & Gerry Rowland, 999-9999, 99 OurStreet
April 13, 2014
Eat– for Good Health
You may have heard about the Colorado Soup diet. Theirs is a version of India’s Kitchari, shown below. Kitchari is the comfort food and often recommended for recovering from illness. Cook the 1/2 cup basmati rice and 1/2 cup mung beans or lentils according to directions. Rinse and the place in a pot with 2 1/2 cups water. Add seasonings: 1 tablespoon each (of cumin, coriander and turmeric) and 1 – 2 onions cooked to translucent. Serve with 2 tablespoons yogurt.
Coriander seeds come from the cilantro plant. Some persons have a cilantro allergy.
People craft– taking care of ourselves
Here’s me (in our bedroom at home) prior to attending a spring tea yesterday. In Southern California where a tea is informal, we gathered in an outdoor party room. White linen covered some of the walls which were open wooden slats with windows. Very pretty! An L-shaped table held hot and cold teas and lemonade with lemon slices in the container. Many light watercress and cucumber type sandwiches adorned the table. As a writer I can get way too comfortable in front of my computer editing away! It’s vital to mental health to get out!
April 7, 2014
People appreciation
“The haunting presence of late Mike Kelley looms over the exhibition at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA like an itch that won’t go away,” writes Richard Chang, visual art critic of the L.A. Times. Kelley’s works have the most imposing presence in the show although he is no longer with us. His carpet and stuffed animal pieces influenced many and still do.
March 29, 2014
People craft– taking care of yourselves
You have undoubtedly heard of the Anti-defamation League.
The original purpose was to stop defamation of Jewish people, but the ADL works to fight injustices for all. Our black grandson needs the backing of the ADL, but so far my son and daughter-in-law haven’t enlisted their help– here is our family’s recent experience: D’mitri, a 6th grader, is on an All-star traveling soccer team. When his team won last Saturday, a kid on the other team whom he had never met, called him a Black Muppet. Someone who sits behind him in school calls him Blacky Chan (an alternative of Jackie Chan). Maybe to some people this doesn’t sound so bad compared to last year, when D’mitri was called the N word on the playground. I truly believe these incidents need to be reported. My son Johnny reported it immediately to the coach of this kid’s team, but the coach didn’t want to get involved. Johnny then took it up with someone who oversees the soccer league, and this person will interview the kid with his parents and educate the coach. It is the coach’s problem. I would still like the ADL to log this behavior in their system. People don’t like to be on record.
March 28, 2014
Exercise– for Body and Spirit
If you are a lap swimmer, chances are you’ve heard of the new one-piece goggles. I’ve had mine for a week. Sometimes I can get a good seal. Most of the time, I’m adjusting every lap or two because of leakage. At the store (Sports Chalet) I believed I had a perfect fit. Aside from the leakage, visibility is excellent. I feel adjustment to make these goggles watertight is still an issue. Have you tried them? . 
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I would love to hear your opinion. I paid $39.00 for mine!
March 26, 2014
Eat– for Good Health
Beef Stroganoff can be made with lean strips of beef or ground beef. Using fat-free sour cream goes a long way to cut fat and calories.
Ingredients for 8 servings: Parsley for garnish; 1 pkg egg noodles, cooked and drained; 6 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced; 1 onion; 2 Tbsp butter; 2 lbs lean ground beef; 4 Tbsp flour; 2 cups beef broth; 1 cup fat-free sour cream; salt and pepper to taste.
Directions: Prepare noodles and set aside. In a large skillet, cook mushrooms and onion in 2 Tbsp butter over medium heat until soft and remove from pan. Cook ground beef in the same pan, mix in flour, stir in beef broth and cook until thickened. Add mushroom and onion mixture. Stir in sour cream. Season with salt and pepper. Continue cooking until hot but not boiling. Add a bright green parsley spring when you serve over egg noodles with a tossed salad.
March 23, 2014
Wordsmith– I also write books
Yes, indeed, friends. People judge a book by its cover. Designer Carey Abbott (who also writes as Tabitha Blake) comes to rescue an author in need of a stunning book cover. Carey is having a half priced sale on her pre-made covers. Man-oh-man, they are amazing. For my New Adult Interracial romance, I needed a custom cover (which Carey created). Otherwise I would have chosen one on her blog below:
http://safariheatbooktoursandauthorservices.blogspot.com/p/pre-made-covers-for-sale.html
Here’s a sneak preview of my book to be released in May:
March 19, 2014
Eat– for Good Health
Everyone in my family loves salmon if I serve it with dill sauce! It’s fine to pan fry salmon with a scant amount of oil if you detest using a broiler. Isn’t broccoli or baby broccolini delicious with any kind of fish? DILL SAUCE: 1/3 cup fat free sour cream, 1/3 cup light mayo, 1 tablespoon chopped scallion, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon horseradish sauce, and a dash of pepper!
Eat Healthy and Get Skinny!
March 17, 2014
Places– of Charm
Happy St Patty’s Day! Have you noticed the new burgundy shamrock plants? I bought one, and here it is below, on my dining room sideboard. The first thing my husband Gerry said was, “It’s not green!” Right, but the Burgundy Shamrock, ‘Oxalis Triangularis’, will be pretty when covered with pink star-shaped flowers. The handsome foliage is rich burgundy red with large, shamrock-shaped leaves. These plants are deer resistant, hardy in zones 7-10, and need full or partial sun.
