These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things *Part VI*

1. Hamptons shingle style homes.

 

2. Getting the answer to Jeopardy questions right. Take that Trebek!

3. Using fresh herbs you grew yourself.

4. Emails or comments from my readers and getting new followers is always a thrill for me. Keep ‘em coming folks!

5. Ginger kitties. I love them all but gingers are extra special to me.

6.  A chilled nectarine on a hot summer afternoon.

7 . Inane fun facts no one really cares about.

8. That moment after you’ve just read the last word of a novel and you pause to soak it in for the last time.

9. Being reminded why you love your partner.

10. Suddenly remembering a hilarious moment from your past that causes you to burst out in laughter but no one else knows why.

11. A random compliment from a total stranger.

 
12. Going outside and smelling BBQ nearby.

Do you have any fave moments you would like to share? Feel free!

*Photo credit Pinterest and Reckless Bliss*

 

-Snapshot Of The Week-

“Before computers, telephone lines and television connect us, we all share the same air, the same oceans, the same mountains and rivers. We are all equally responsible for protecting them. “

-Julia Louis-Dreyfus

 

*Photo credit google images*

 

Anyone Up For Burning Their Bras?

  I stumbled across this little article from 1955 that gave me such a hearty chuckle I had to share it with all the ladies out there. It’s hard to believe that this way of thinking was ever the norm and women blindly followed it. I can’t imagine living out my life in this controlled manner but I suppose when it’s all you know and have been taught it takes some of the sting out of it. Thank goodness for the most part this is a thing of the past.  If you haven’t already seen it, give it a read and try not to scoff, I dare ya!:

Did you make it all the way through without scoffing?

Me either, that last one especially gets me every time.

*Photo credit google images*

Giveaway Winner!

The first day of summer and it’s a beautiful sunny day here in Canada so I’m in an extra happy mood since it’s time to announce the winner of the $25 gift certificate to ReadingGlassesShopper.com. Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter. After a random selection the winner of the gift card is:

 #16 Jacqueline V who said:

“i follow via gfc and i love pride and prejudice!”

 

 Thanks so much for entering Jacqueline and everyone else who commented! 

Stay tuned because I will be hosting another awesome giveaway shortly. I don’t want to give away the surprise but I’m super excited about this giveaway and I think you guys will be too so keep checking back!

-Snapshot Of The Week-

“I would much rather feel comfortable and feel beautiful, than to feel uncomfortable, but look fantastic.”

-Ms Penny Marshall

*Photo credit Google Images*

  

Color Inspiration: Green

 

 

   

  

  

    

   

  

  

 

 

 

  

 

Have an inspiring weekend everyone!

  

*Photo Credit Pinterest*

In The Kitchen With Corn and Avocado Salad & Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits

I’m all for eating healthy whenever possible but sometimes to cook healthy means a gigantic amount of prepping and work compared to ripping open a box of hamburger helper and saving yourself the headache. This is why I am madly in love with this easy-peasy recipe for corn and avocado salad. There’s no cooking involved and it’s guilt free food that has such a delicious flavor. It fills you up and you can eat it without feeling like you’ve disappointed your waist-line. I accompanied this salad with some jalapeno cheddar biscuits which aren’t quite as healthy but homemade is always better and these biscuits are delish! Read on to find out how to make this fresh summer feast.

First thing I did was chop up some fresh avocado into a bowl. I’m only feeding two people so I used two  avocados. I would say this whole recipe would easily feed 3-4 people so add more of each if you need to feed more.

  Always toss your avocado with some fresh lemon juice to stop it from browning and look ugly.

  Chop half a red onion into the bowl.

    And now for some juicy tomatoes. You can just use mixed cherry tomatoes which makes it even easier and colorful but I used vine because that’s what I had. This is three vine tomatoes.

  Roughly chop up approx. half a cucumber (or smaller if you like little bites) and toss it in the bowl with its friends.

   Now for the sunny corn. I used fresh corn on the cob and just boiled it then sliced it off with a knife. If you have a BBQ then you could grill it or you can go the even easier route and just crack open a can of corn but try to keep an eye on the salt content of the can to keep this extra healthy.

   Put the corn in the bowl with the other veggies and give it a toss being careful of the tender avocado on the bottom.

When you’ve done the hardest part you will have a colorful bowl of goodness in front of you that looks something along these lines. Now let’s move onto the dressing for this salad.

Use approx 3 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil and some fresh pepper

Throw in some minced garlic or garlic powder. I used two cloves for ours.

  

  Add a splash of red wine vinegar and a small bunch of minced cilantro. Give it a whipping with a fork for about 30 seconds. It should get mildly frothy and ready for drizzling.

 

Pour over your salad and you are good to go. Now let’s move on to my super easy biscuits. Put the salad in the fridge for a little while if possible because it’s extra yummy chilled.

I used a basic buttermilk biscuits recipe which is just flour, baking powder, baking soda, butter, salt and buttermilk mixed until just combined. Don’t over mix or it will get tough. At this point you can make these biscuits in all kinds of ways. Add some chocolate and have dessert buns or raspberries for a breakfast bun. I make them a few times a week and they’re never the same twice. In this instance I threw in a cup of grated cheddar and a minced jalapeno. One of the reasons I make these a few times a week is because it’s so fast and easy. Buttermilk biscuit recipes always tell you to knead the dough out on a floured surface. Save yourself the stress and just get an ice cream scoop to make dough balls. It cuts down on the risk of over kneading and it’s way less mess to clean up afterward.

Preheat the oven to 450 and bake for 15-20 minutes. I actually use my toaster oven because I make smaller batches and it uses way less energy to power so the buns have to cook a little longer since you can’t really preheat the toaster oven. About 25 minutes if your going that route.

When they’re done let them cool before you snarf one down because they will be piping hot. They’re crispy on the outside and soft and so flaky on the inside. They’re yummy warm or cold and mingle beautifully with most diner dishes.

Enjoy!

*Photo credits belong to Reckless Bliss*

It’s Giveaway Day!

Summer is fast approaching which means time to bust out those sunglasses. If you are in the market for a new pair that offer the added bonus of magnification then I suggest popping into Reading Glasses Shopper for some great choices. I recently got myself a pair of reading glasses from them for my late night book binging. I don’t wear glasses in my everyday life but when I read at night in the low lights I am constantly squinting and straining my eyes. (Before I give up, the book is usually an inch away from my face as I hopelessly try to make the words out). Reading Glasses Shopper had a really stellar selection of frames including men's and women’s bi-focals, full frames and sunglasses at different magnifying powers to choose from so after some in-depth browsing I eventually I found the perfect pair:

 

I settled on this classic looking pair called, “The Turner” at the lowest magnification +1.00 since I was just looking for a little help with small print in novels at night.

 

I received them in the mail a few days after my order and have since been majorly impressed with them. They are super light weight and comfortable which is highly important for long wear. The magnification was perfect to give the text in my book that little extra boost so I can read longer and not strain my precious green peepers.

 

I’m currently engrossed in a novel called A Fistful of Fig Newtons by the genius mind behind the classic tale, “A Christmas Story,” Jean Shepherd. Thanks to my new handy friend The Turner, I can stay up later and continue my love affair with reading longer because my eyes don’t get sore like they did sans glasses and that my pretties, is priceless for a bookworm such as myself!

 

The Giveaway:

 

Because I want to share this new found joy with you, I am offering a $25 gift certificate so you too can get yourself sporting a pair of these reading glasses. With this gift certificate you can choose any pair you like from the entire website whether it’s a new pair of sunglasses or some simple reading glasses. Whatever tickles your fancy is all yours!

 

How to Enter:

 

*Remember for each entry please leave me your email address (it will only be used if you win) Don’t forget to come back and comment for each entry you do. The winner’s entry will be verified*:

 

1. Mandatory entry: if you aren’t already, then become a follower of Reckless Bliss using the “Google Friend Connect” on the right of this page and comment on this post telling me the name of your very most favorite and beloved book ever.

 

Extra Entries:

 

*Do any or all of them, the choice is yours*

 

2. Visit the Reading Glasses Shopper Blog, leave a comment on any post and let them know Reckless Bliss sent you. Then come back here and comment letting me know you did. (include link to post you commented on and your email address in your comment)

 

3. Become a fan of Reading Glasses Shopper on Facebook then come back here letting me know you did. (Include your Facebook name if different than your entry name and your email in comment)

 

4. Follow Reading Glasses Shopper on Twitter then come back here and comment letting me know you did. (Include you twitter name and email in comment)

 

5. Follow the Reckless Bliss Facebook page then come back and let me know you did including your name and email (if you’re already a follower then the work is done so comment and let me know)

 

6. Follow Reckless Bliss on Twitter and then come back and let me know it’s done as well as your Twitter name and your email. (Instructions are the same as above if you’re already following. Let me know!)
 

That’s a total of 6 possible entries so go crazy! It’s super important to remember to come back here and comment on EVERY entry you complete with the given instructions and your email address so I can verify the entry and contact you if you win.

 

Contest ends June 20, 2011 6:00 pm PST and is open to the US and Canada. A winner will be chosen and announced the following day on Reckless Bliss. The winner will be contacted at that time and have three days to respond before a new winner is chosen. I moderate all comments on Reckless Bliss so please be patient if you do not immediately see your entry.

 

Good luck everyone!

CONTEST NOW CLOSED

 

*Reckless Bliss received reading glasses from Reading Glasses Shopper for review of product. Reckless Bliss gives 100% honest reviews of products and does not receive compensation to give false positives.*