October Already? (Soup recipes here) :D

Happy October! I still can’t believe that it is officially fall and OCTOBER; time has flow this year. I love fall so much. Working at the floral shop has given me a little taste of fall already working at a few fall themed events already. Fall gives off such a warm feeling with all the rich colors, sweaters, and spices. Oh how I love a pumpkin spiced latte… 😀 SHHHH don’t tell, I know they are not good for my healthy lifestyle.

This month I want to set some more goals to work towards to keep my healthy lifestyle. I want to continue my tai chi practices. I will continue to eat healthy and adventure out of my comfort zone with foods. I want to make as many soups as I can this month because October and fall are the best time of the year to make soup. I want to take my husband on a date and keep our romance burning. I don’t think my goals are too difficult, I have confidence I will be able to achieve all of them. 😀
I found two soup recipes I really want to try this fall…here they are.
Fall Chicken Stew

Ingredients-
• 5 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 lbs. chicken tenders, cut into small pieces
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 medium parsnips, peeled and chopped
• ½ tsp. dried rosemary
• ½ tsp. salt
• ¼ tsp. ground pepper
• 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 2 granny smith apples, peeled and chopped
• 2 tsp. cider vinegar
Instructions-
• Heat 2 tsp. of oil in a pan and add chicken and cook through. Set on the side covered.
• In a pot add the remaining 3 tsp. oil, onion, parsnips, carrots, rosemary, salt and pepper; cook until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the broth and apples and bring to a simmer stirring often until the vegetables are tender. Add the chicken and vinegar to the pot and enjoy!

Cream of Turkey and Wild Rice Soup

Ingredients-
• 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 cups sliced mushrooms
• ¾ cup chopped celery
• ¼ cup chopped shallots
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ tsp. salt
• ¼ tsp. ground pepper
• 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup instant wild rice
• 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
• ½ cup reduced fat sour cream
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
• Heat the oil in a saucepan then add the mushrooms, celery, carrots, and shallots and cook until softened. Add the flour, salt, pepper and cook for about 2 minutes. Add the broth and bring to a boil.
• Add the rice to the saucepan and heat to a simmer. Cover and cook until the rice is cooked through. Stir in the chicken, sour cream, and parsley and heat for about 2 minutes. Enjoy!

I hope you all are ready for a fabulous fall full of fun! 😀 What are you planning to do during October?

Until next time,
Nancy

Corporate Floral Arrangements

I had the honor to help my boss create floral arrangements for a corporate client this past week.  Before working on this project, I never took notice to corporate flowers; but after seeing the transformation of the office, it is clear that flowers and greenery keep work environments lively.

At first I was having trouble creating “corporate looking” pieces that fit our clients business.  My boss really helped me out and pointed me in the right direction.  I learned it is important to focus on flowers with a gentle sent not a potent one to keep it from over powering an area.  Flowers help set the mood in a room, keeping the floral message in the office appropriate is a pivotal aspect of a florist.

When I was making the floral arrangements for the reception areas I had to keep in mind that they will be see by everyone and be entertaining employees and clients.  Keeping my audience in mind is something I learned to be very valuate when designing.

Now that I understand how to create visually appealing professional pieces, I think that an effective arrangement can really add to the tone of the office and create a welcoming and positive environment.

Nothing creates a positive impression like fresh flower arrangements in a corporate environment.  After talking to the client and my boss, I think that the flowers are an extension of the business and the branding.  Subconsciously, when I walk into an office if there are fresh flowers I immediately feel at ease. 

I enjoyed taking my floral arrangements down a different path.  I liked creating corporate pieces but I think I like weddings and other events better!

Until next time,

Nancy

Solo Beach Day

My husband left yesterday for a business trip to Arizona for three days; so what’s a better way than to start my solo weekend at the beach.  Although I will miss his company I am excited to have some time for just me. I have been working quite a bit lately; although I love every second of it, I feel like I need to give myself a little break and relax. This couldn’t have come at a better time.

This morning I slept in and took my time drinking my coffee and reading the paper. It was so nice not having any commitments or places I needed to be. I actually read the whole paper AND did the crossword puzzle.

When I got to the beach I found a quiet corner all to myself. I laid my blanket down and just sat and listened to the waves. I found myself slip into a meditative state, since Tai-Chi I find it much easier to find peace and really let go. My breaths matched the waves crashing in, calming my body and relaxing. I hadn’t felt this at peace for a while.

After I was done, I began reading a book Clara brought home for me. It was an old romance novel she thought I would like; and of course I did. It felt like I hadn’t had time to just sit and read for ages. It was good to not only lose myself in the calmness of the ocean but in the book as well.

To make the day even better, my menopausal symptoms cooperated and didn’t make me a sweaty mess. When I relax, focus on the present, and maintain a healthy lifestyle I feel so much better and feel my body taking steps in the right direction.

Sitting by the ocean listening to the wave’s crash made me forget all my worries and reflect on what makes me happy and everything I am grateful for. I think everyone needs a day to themselves every now and again.

When I allow myself to have a day to do nothing, I acknowledge the positives in my life and create a better environment for myself and my family. This is going to be a much needed relaxing weekend to myself.

“Turn off your mind, relax, and float downstream.” –John Lennon

Until Next Time,

Nancy

Creating a Dream Board

I was recently reading a few articles about dreaming and visualizing dreams to make them a reality. I initially thought that creating a dream board sounded kind of cheesy and childish, but after reading a little more it was shocking to see the research behind making them dreams visually available and achieving them.

The meaning of a dream board is to have dreams and motivation in a visual form to inspire you to be happy and work to achieve those dreams. Even though I have accomplished so much in my life already and am very happy, I like the idea of dream boards and what they are intended to do.

I have hopes, dreams, and little quotes that make me want to live each day to the fullest. I decided to create a dream board this morning. Although I took a little different spin on it, I put things I am grateful for, things I have accomplished, and photos and quotes that make me a positive. By creating a physical inspirational board that I can look at every day, I have no excuses to be upset or unhappy.

Here are a few of the pictures and quotes I put on my dream board. 🙂

In my digital version of my dream board I have a picture of my favorite beach to go to with my husband and kids, a diploma for my children and everything they have accomplished, a quote about kids that makes me such a proud mother, a quote about loving my husband, a photo of a road trip we went on to the center of the US a few years ago, a photo of one of my favorite floral arrangements I have created so far, a quote that makes me feel very rich :), a photo from our romantic getaway to New York City, and a photo of the Eiffel Tower because I want to visit Paris one day.

I absolutely love my dream boards; I made one on the computer and one on a poster. I found a lot of inspiration and quotes on Pinterest that were perfect for this project. I hope I inspired you to make your own dream board, it is a great way to see your dreams and work to make them a reality.

Until next time, keep dreaming,

Nancy

I GOT THE JOB AND STARTED!

As you can tell by the title of this post, I GOT THE JOB! AND I STARTED ALREADY!  The caps depict my excitement!  I got a phone call on Tuesday from the position I applied for.  They wanted me to come in for an interview on Wednesday.  I was really nervous about it, I had night sweats nonstop before my interview.  When I woke up I was oddly alert and awake, I think it was the nerves and my endorphins going crazy.

When I walked into the flower shop I was at ease.  The flowers everywhere and the beautiful smell made me feel so much more comfortable.  The interview went so great.  I was out of interview practice for quite a few years…  it had to of gone well because I ended up getting the job.  The owner offered me it on the spot! I was speechless.  I accepted and actually stayed there a few hours learning about the shop, their store layout, and a little training.
My boss is so nice.  She was so helpful in showing me where things were and giving advice right away.  I think it is going to be a great “work-ship.”  I started on Friday in the store and worked an event yesterday with her to get the feel for what venue working involves.

I was excited I got to design a few arrangements for the party and a few for private clients in store.  Even though I have only worked two days at the flower shop, I can tell this is going to be such a good experience full of learning.  The classroom is completely different than in the store.  The store has such a huge selection of flowers and makes each arrangement specific to what the client wants.  I love it!
I really like that there are guidelines to each arrangement but the creativity and design ideas are endless.  I am so happy the way this is going! I can’t believe it is only February 1st and I am already having a great year!  The whole family is healthy, Bobby and Clara are growing into such wonderful adults, my husband and I were able to travel to New York, I am loving my life, and I just began a job that I am passionate about!  Life is good!

Until next time,
Nancy

Early Christmas Shopping

I am not the most organized or timely person but for some reason I got the urge to finish my Christmas shopping this week. It was weird…I have no idea was possessed me to do it! I usually don’t do much shopping for our extended family, I usually just stick to my kids, my husband and our parents.

This year has been an incredible year for me. Even though my both of children moved out of the house and I am going through menopause, I look them as positive learning experiences. I can’t keep my children living in my house forever, and after a few months of them gone I am learning to like it. And menopause is a natural process that I have learned to take with stride. I think my newfound confidence and lifestyle made me change my ways and want to get Christmas gifts for everyone.

Before I went shopping I made a list of people I wanted to buy gifts for and an idea of what I wanted to get them. I set my budget to make sure I wouldn’t go crazy…it is so easy to spend more than you want when buying for other people…tis the season I guess!

I decided to go big and head to the mall for my little shopping spree. Walking in was so magical; the entire place was decorated with lights, big snowflakes, candy canes, Christmas decorations everywhere and Christmas music playing from the speakers in every store. I forgot what it was like to shop in the mall during the Christmas season. I have become the gift card lady to the nieces and nephews over the past couple years and haven’t ventured to the mall.

I ended up getting everyone their gifts; the first time that has happened in many years. I really want to share what I got for everyone because it is all so great, but I can’t risk my family and friends seeing this post before Christmas! 🙂

You all will just have to wait!

I am so happy I decided to go shopping in the mall for everyone’s gifts. It really got me in the Christmas spirit. It is a wonderful time of the year!

Until next time,

Nancy

New Technology

Along with not being very fashion forward, I have never been tech savvy either. My kids have always made fun of my out of date cell phone and laugh when they try to Skype me and I have no idea what I’m doing…what mom of college students hasn’t been laughed at during a Skype call. 🙂 A couple days ago my phone decided to take a swim in the park river, so I had to get a new phone, and decided to get a “smart phone!” I thought it was a good time to join the tech world and try to master social media and video calling my kids.

I never really wanted a smart phone, but with the technology and society today it is hard not to have one. I hope now that I have one, I will be able to figure out social media a little better and use it to communicate with Bobby and Clara more. I already have a Facebook and Pinterest, but now with my new phone I will be able to go on it everywhere. A bunch of my old friends from high school have a group chat on Facebook that I didn’t really get to participate in because I only check my Facebook on the computer a couple times a week. But now with my brand new smart phone I will be able to talk to them all the time. …now that I’m writing about everything I can do on my phone, I think I’m realizing how excited I am! 🙂

My husband is also happy I got a smart phone! He always is up on the new technology trends and what is coming out next. Now that we have the same type of phone we can text easier and send photos quicker….at least that’s what he tells me. I’m sure he will help me figure it out.

Since I got this new phone two days ago, I have spent so much time on it, it’s ridiculous. I have been figuring out how to work all of the bells and whistles on it. Luckily for me, not only is my husband tech savvy I also went out to coffee with one of my good friends yesterday who is a cell phone guru. She is always posting pictures on Facebook from her phone and talking about how often she Facetimes her children; hopefully after her instructional coffee date some of her knowledge rubbed off on me.

After coffee and my cell phone tutorial I was feeling so much more comfortable with my phone. I even tried Facetiming Bobby at college when I got home. Although it didn’t really work, the picture was really delayed, it was so great seeing Bobby and hearing his voice. He laughed at me trying to figure out how to point the camera at myself and not the celling. It was so incredible seeing him and hearing his voice together, it was almost like I was there! I really miss him.

I feel like when I started writing this post I wasn’t thrilled about my new phone and now that I’ve actually thought about all the things I am going to be able to do on it, I am really eager to learn more! I am ready to take on my new smart phone, Facetime, and social media. Find me on Facebook and Pinterest!  Watch out techy world, Nancy is coming! 🙂

Until Next Time,

Nancy

A Pinterest Addicts New Lifestyle

I have been doing so good keeping up with my exercise routine this week. I got my husband to join me three times this week to go cycling, I’ve been making a point to take the stairs more often, and I did a living room workout twice this week. I may be speaking too soon, but I am feeling healthy and active. There is just something about being active that changes your mindset and makes you have a great day.

I have been trying to eat healthy, but it is just so hard. I am used to making quick meals for the kids that were easy and not necessarily that healthy. I want to commit this upcoming week to eating healthy AND keeping up with my activity schedule.
I am aware of what makes food taste good and how to use fresh ingredients, I struggle in portion control. I need to be conscious of how much I’m eating and pacing my consumption. I read that putting the food in a different room while you are eating, makes you think about how much you’re eating and prevents you from getting seconds or even thirds. And if you do decide to get more, you have to get up and walk to get it. I think this is a great idea; I am going to try that this week and see how it works.
I feel like Pinterest is such a good place to get motivation, workout ideas, and recipes, I think it’s safe to say I’m a Pinterest addict. This morning I pinned a bunch of recipes I want to try and found some great boards on eating healthy. Better Homes and Garden has a board called healthy dinner recipes, it is so many different recipes.

I used to be able to eat whatever I wanted and not gain any weight, but now that I am a woman of menopausal age, it is important to be aware of what kinds of food are going into my body. If I stay motivated and keep going in the direction I am now, I will be managing a healthy lifestyle in no time.

Thanks for reading!

Nancy

By Nancy Bell

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