StoryBoardC

Badge of Brave|Heart.

I took this picture the Sunday morning before my surgery. I wanted to remember what it was like and recently came across it in my phone. I actually purposely forgot about it. I gasped when I saw it, whoa I was scared and I truly did not know what to expect. Now it is like staring at someone, I want to grab and embrace. Reassure her it will be OK. You will feel the best that you had forgotten and thrilled daily to be able to have the life you imagined again. Yes, now that bare chest carries a scar. And that scar was once open to fix something that allows these very precious everyday moments of life you cherish. Yes, the pain was nothing you ever imagined nor the fear. But, each day of healing and all those experiences you now hold dear were worth it. It restored your Faith, reminded you that you have a purpose still here and NO you are not Alone. 

On Monday I return to work. I am excited. But, I am so grateful for this time to heal and all the lessons I have learned. Last week I began seeing a counselor at my new Parish. Their were a lot of tears from both of us:) Recounting the last couple of months and all the blessings. My gratitude for family and friends that walked this journey with me, knowing my Mother wasn't with me and My Dad couldn't come up. Thank you to the Surgeon that gave me this second chance and the Hospital staff with the outpatient team that showed me such compassion. Then my Rehab crew who has encouraged me to become better than before. I feel a little like a bird leaving the nest:) But, they have all given me the tools to fly again in the world. I am ready with my badge of brave (no scar here;)  Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Happy Friday!

Love, Cindy 

Vanilla Overnight Oats|Eat.

I first discovered the joy of Overnight Oats on a work break in January and have been in love ever since with the hearty combo of oats, greek yogurt and fruit for breakfast. While scouring Pinterest for the perfect at-home recipe, I quickly realized I was not alone in this dietary obsession, Pinterest is filled with oodles and oodles of unique takes... Finally after finding a somewhat basic one, it initially became a team effort with my Best Friend though she soon took over the making part and I became the official tester. We soon within weeks became the ultimate connoisseurs of Overnight Oats and daily discussing via text our likes and dislikes.    But, We always seemed to go back to the first batch of the 'Dieters Delight' version, a reference to a longstanding joke about our hometowns old Truck Stop Restaurant and it's sad little attempt at offering something healthy among a Menu of Mammouth meaty dishes and portions (truckers apparently demand obscene amounts of food:). The legendary Dieters Delight back in the day (it is so fun to say:) consisted of Canned Peaches atop a heaping serving of Cottage Cheese. Don't worry my Overnight Oats recipe below does not contain cottage cheese, but we did run with the peaches. And they are perfect.

Now in my own Apartment, I have tweaked our peach recipe to my own perfect version. Not too thick or thin and a great basic jumping off point to get creative with different variations if I choose. Probably will stick with the basics, I am that kind of eater:) But, I do hope sharing my little Vanilla Overnight Oats recipe will make it easier for you to try your own hand at making up a batch. 

Vanilla Overnight Oats.

Serving Size: 1 Prep Time: 10 minutes.

Ingredients: 

1/2 or 3/4 Cup of Rolled Oats (I prefer 3/4, thicker the better:)

1/2 Cup of Greek Yogurt (I use Fat-Free)

1 Teaspoon of *Watkins Pure Vanilla Extract

1 Tablespoon of Local Honey

1/2 Cup of Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk

1 serving of your choice of Organic in the bottom of Jar 

Optional: 1 tablespoon of Chia Seeds.  

Instructions:

First things first, I add all dry ingredients together and mix them quickly together with a spatula. Next comes the wet ingredients. Then stir it all together. I then place my frozen fruit of choice in the bottom of my Ball Canning Jars. I usually make four servings at a time (4 jars) enough to last for a couple of days. Lastly I ladle the Overnight Oat mix atop the frozen fruit and put the tops on right away. Once finished they go in the Fridge. Yes, they should stay in overnight, but I have happily found them ready to eat in five hours. 

Supplies:

I am all about making the prep time a delightful process and here is a few of my favorite tools.

1. How Darling (yes I said darling) are these mixing bowls by Pyrex? A nod to what might of been found in our Grandmothers cupboards from the 1950's. (Target, $29.99). 2. Ball Canning Jars (12 0z.), I picked mine up my Local Community Co-op. 3. I like to ladle fancy and these Porcelain & Gold Serving Spoons do the trick. (Target, Threshold Brand. $8.99). 4. Support your Local Co-op, my friend Lisa graciously introduced me to the wonders of Wedge Community Co-op located here in Minneapolis. All of my ingredients were purchased there, except for my Beloved Favorite *Watkins Pure Vanilla extract (Target). Watkins is a Winona, Minnesota company. It has been around forever and it is even where my parents worked when they were first married (My Dad was the Factory Watchman and My Mom Front Desk Receptionist). So, Growing up we always had Watkins products. The Vanilla extract was a staple, I swear I can still taste Childhood in that extract to this day:)

Ok now go try making your own and let me know what you think.

Love, C. 

What is your Summer Cocktail of Choice?

Marilyn via pinterest. Marilyn Monroe drinking Champagne in the Hollywood Hills/July 1962 wearing Pucci. Photo: George Barris. 

Ah The Fun in the Sun season is upon us finally unless you live in a climate where it is Funny and Sunny all the time:) Either way where you fall on the longitude and latitude lines, who doesn't like to cool down with a favorite cocktail. Even though I am still in recovery, I do enjoy a occasional cocktail while watching the sunset outside my little studio's window. And my warm weather Stand-by is a pretty easy Cocktail to conjure up. Made even easier the more you drink/make them;) 

The Madras:

Named after a Plaid Cloth Design, which originated in the Bay of Bengal in Southeastern India. The Madras 'preppy' Plaid and Cocktail are both indeed considered classics. 

Ingredients and Supplies:

*One Highball Glass filled with the amount of Ice of your liking. 

*1 1/2 Ounce of Vodka, My all-time favorite is Deep Eddy's Cranberry Vodka from my two years living in ATX).

*4 Ounces of Cranberry Juice, Optional if you use Deep Eddy's Cranberry Vodka.

*1 Ounce of Orange Juice, I personally go pulp-free.

*Garnish with a Lime wedge or a Fancy striped straw in my case.

The Madras is so refreshing and dangerously easy to make that you can wing it like I do.

Now I want to know your Summer Cocktail go-to?

Love, C. 

 

Mid-Century Monday|Pool Party.

All Images, Joe Scherschel- The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images (Italic) Shuffle Board Poolside Anyone?

My favorite Mid-Century Monday series is back for the summer beginning with a little look back at Swimming Season of 1960 and maybe a game of shuffle board:)I came across these lovely images in the Vintage Time/Life Vault, Celebrating Summer Across America. 

So, Back in 1960 Life Magazine sent Photographer Joe Scherschel to capture the new wonderful world of Private Backyard Swimming Pools. I hope you enjoy the peek here and my Modern twist on Pool Party Favors. *There might be a little StoryboardC. commentary as well;) 

Outtake from "In the swim in the backyard". *I just love the metal avocado green Grill cart and snazzy Pool House.

*Adore the Metal Pagoda style umbrella in Red/White Stripe and that Little floaty Boat. California. 1960.

Pool Party Favors for Today's Lady-Lounge Fun. Top (L-R): Ban.do's All Around Giant Towel-Beverly Stripe. Sip Sip Straw Set- Color Block. Too Cold to Hold Drink Sleeve, Pool Party. Middle (L-R): Swan Flotation Device. Pagoda Series, Signature Umbrella. California Umbrella. Pineapple Tumbler. Bottom (L-R): Mrs. Lilien's Cocktail Swatchbook. Pom Pom Straw Hat. Float on Giant Innertube- Beverly Stripe. 

*Oh, Gad are those Swan Floating Planters?!?! Can someone starting making these again. Texas 1960.

Now grab your gal pals and take a dip or lounge by the pool. *Santa Barbara Style Pool in Beverly Hills, CA. 1960. Swim wear vintage Jantzen.

Be back here tomorrow with some more Fun in the Sun Cocktail  inspiration.  

Love, C.

Let's Do this.

Life is what I am talking about. Who cares if we are not perfect or scared shitless to get out of our comfort zone. We really truly have nothing to lose. Ok maybe our pride, but it is stupid thing and actually insignificant when it comes to the fleeting delicacy of this precious life we have given to live. This is not a dress rehearsal I once heard and now I know it is true. Seek that Happiness you deserve and revel in the loved ones you have in this moment. Forgive the ones that hurt you and throw that pain to the past. Always remember that we all our flawed, but also carry abundant beauty. 

So, let's do this life thing the best we can and when we do take that last breath at the end our time here... we will have no regrets:)  

Love, C. 

Day Designer® Mornings.

In February, I finally took the plunge and ordered my Day Designer Planner after a about a year or so of hemming and hawing.  I struggled with committing to another new paper planning system. I had tried a few fancy Designer ones that just ended up in a drawer or a prop for flat-lay photo:)  Now reflecting back, I only wish I had bought it sooner. The Day designer has become my brain on paper. It keeps me on track like never before in my long line of planner history and making a positive impact on how I go about my day. Especially in the mornings, it's unique and detailed format works perfectly in sync with my own creative/work planning process.  I want to share specifically my daily morning planning process and just maybe hopefully it will help you as well or inspire you to think of your own unique way of planning.

 I am a cultivated morning person, which means over the years I have grown to love mornings. As a kid and teenager I despised  them. But, with learning the beautiful power of awakening to a brewing pot of coffee and the quiet morning rituals that accompany it. My creative clarity and idea making took off at  optimum speed :) Currently my morning with grabbing my writing stuff (legal pad and my beloved g-2 pilot pens in bold with black ink), my Day Designer (January 2017 Flagship edition: Black Stripe) and iPhone. I begin with opening my Day Designer. I have recently consciously stopped looking at my phone first... I find that it keeps me on task instead of getting stuck in Instagram land for hours:) Which is lovely if intentional, but a grave distraction If not;)   Can you relate? 

ONE Remind/Refresh:

I first find that Day page. Remind myself of to-do's and notes I have jotted down, which usually consist of work schedule, appointments, blogging posts, birthday's and even feast days (I am Catholic and we love our feast days:) Then I add in any refresh breakdowns, like new ideas that come to me in the bright morning hours and review my Top Three to-do's (love that this is already added to Day Designer Pages!) The Remind/Refresh part of my morning ritual only takes about five minutes and saves me hours of catch up and 'lucky if I remember moments' for later. 

Side-note: On Sunday Mornings I like to brainstorm and set up my week. I always add as Number 1 of my Top Three to-do's, Morning Pages/Prayer and then leave the next two spaces to fill in daily as needed. I love how DD promotes that life come first, not work. My Morning Pages and prayer life are a must-have staple for Life and Work to coincide nicely:)  

TWO Gratitude:

I next use this morning time to reflect on Yesterday's little to big Gratitude's. I usually will just write down one simple word or a maybe persons name or quick short sentence of a grateful situation. Then I will send that Gratitude out to God or the Universe in the form of a quick blessing or prayer of abundance for the person, place or thing that impacted my life.

 

THREE Insights:

After Gratitude I dive into my Morning pages and any insights or ideas that come to me during this writing process. I jot them in the notes section or to-do section if it is empty. The reason I do this is I rarely keep all of my Morning Pages unless they are full of ideas I do not want to forget. But, I love keeping those insights handy for future project ideas or a just because:)

Side-note: If you are not familiar with Morning pages, I will be sharing a post soon on this creative discipline. But, in the meantime here is a quick definition to tide you over. Three hand written whatever comes to mind pages that help release that creative clutter we all have standing in our way. I personally have been doing Morning Pages for nearly 20 years now and I can't imagine my day beginning without them.  Please Keep your eyes out for this post soon to learn more or if you do them yourself. I would love to hear from you and how it has impacted your creativity. 

Overall this 3-Step Day Designer Morning Ritual organically evolved for me. Honestly this morning I timed myself to see how long it took. Literally 10 minutes excluding my Morning Pages. If you have a Day Designer or am thinking of getting one (good timing right now, Mid-year addition is now available), I encourage you to find your own formula for planning more intention in your life. It's a game changer indeed. 

Love, C.

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Big Red|Guzzle.

Hi Big Red! The other day on my break at work I decided to visit our Mall's newish Fancy Candy Store, Lolli & Pops. After Few Seconds of entering this sweet oasis, I was assaulted by the sight of the very Delicious, yet Different BIG RED Pop (or soda if your not from Minnesota:). Recently living in Austin, Texas I was re-introduced to THE Childhood favorite and bonding over it with my friend Belle at Lunch, a mutual lover of this cream-like soda dream and thinking how cool it was in Soda Dispenser form. Unfortunately it still left me craving the original Pop Bottle style. So, last week meeting up with nostalgia in real glass and containing the coveted childhood ingredient of Sugar. My Mind instantly went back to my own Childhood when Big Red took the top spot for Pop love. After a horrible incident of Guzzling and then quickly Throwing up Grape Soda on a hot summer day in Florida. It was quickly replaced with Big Red or Big Peach which goes along lovely with Georgia Boiled Peanuts (I know gross to many, but if raised in the Deep South you know what I am talking about:)

Fast Forwarding to now and my above photo of Happiness:) I was curious to know the story about this odd to Northern Folks Pop. So,here is the random factoids I found and am now graciously sharing this useless knowledge with you:)

1. Big Red Hails from Waco, Texas. The current home to all things HGTV Chip and Joanna Gaines Fixer Upper stardom including there Magnolia Market Store and if you were not millenial you might also remember the infamous Branch Davidian Stand down that ended in Tradgedy. But, lastly you could call Waco the Soda sensation capital:) Dr. Pepper hails from there as well.
2. The creator of Big Red was a Beauty Supply Chemist who hooked up (not romantically though that would make this post far more interesting)  with R.H. Roark, who was the Owner of The R.C. Cola Bottling Company in Louisville, Kentucky. Big Red then was originally marketed in Central Texas and Kentucky. This is the reason it is so popular in the Southern States and The Republic of Texas to this day:) And far from well known in the Yankee States:)
3. It's Original name was a Mouthful! Sun Tang Big Red Cream Soda. So, glad it was shortened in 1967 after Big Red President heard his caddy on the Golf Course say, "Let's go get a Big Red."  

Ah, I Hope you have enjoyed this little walk down Big Red memory lane or lame:) helped you recall apart of your own childhood soda pop yearnings. And yes I said Soda Pop:) 

Love, C.