Weekly Photo Challenge: Thankful

Even though Thanksgiving is now a memory, I am still thankful for the turkeys that gave of themselves so that my family and I could have a superb meal.  It wouldn’t be a holiday without them!  

©Grandmother Musings 2012-2013.

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jamie Nowinski – Grandmother Wisdom/Grandmother Musings with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Green

I just love the Weekly Photo Challenge from The Daily Post @ WordPress.com.  I look forward to the new challenge when it is posted on Friday.  This week the challenge is GREEN!  My interpretation comes from a trip I shared with my husband to Niagara Falls.  The breathtaking views of the falls from Niagara Falls State Park where we enjoyed the American and Bride Veil Falls on the Cave of the Winds were exhilarating.  In a place where one would think to see only blue, I found a rainbow of color, especially green.  The park offers lush green pathways and a green trolley to take you from one end of the 400 acres to the other.  It is a place everyone should visit at least once.

Niagara Falls by Jamie Nowinski

Niagara Falls by Jamie Nowinski

Niagara Falls by Jamie Nowinski

Niagara Falls by Jamie Nowinski

Niagara Falls by Jamie Nowinski

Niagara Falls by Jamie Nowinski

Niagara Fall by Jamie Nowinski

Niagara Falls by Jamie Nowinski

“New to The Daily Post? Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, you’re invited to get involved in our Weekly Photo Challenge to help you meet your blogging goals and give you another way to take part in Post a Day / Post a Week. Everyone is welcome to participate, even if your blog isn’t about photography.

Here’s how it works:

1. Each week, we’ll provide a theme for creative inspiration. You take photographs based on your interpretation of the theme, and post them on your blog (a new post!) anytime before the following Friday when the next photo theme will be announced.

2. To make it easy for others to check out your photos, title your blog post “Weekly Photo Challenge: (theme of the week)” and be sure to use the “postaday″ tag.

3. Subscribe to The Daily Post so that you don’t miss out on weekly challenge announcements. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS.”

CHECK OUT THESE ENTRIES!

http://frouk.net/?p=279

http://tacts21.wordpress.com/2012/11/17/weekly-photo-challenge-green/

http://milnersblog.wordpress.com/2012/11/17/weekly-photo-challenge-green/

http://jessemckay.wordpress.com/2012/11/16/weekly-photo-challenge-green/

http://patbean.wordpress.com/2012/11/17/weekly-photo-challenge-green/

http://picturesinlivingcolor.wordpress.com/2012/11/17/weekly-photo-challenge-green-3/

http://retireediary.wordpress.com/2012/11/17/weekly-photo-challenge-green-all-over-the-world/

http://rarasaur.wordpress.com/2012/11/17/weekly-photo-challenge-geekin-it-green/

 

©Grandmother Musings 2012-2013.

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jamie Nowinski – Grandmother Wisdom/Grandmother Musings with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

 

Pasta with Chicken, Garlic, Red Peppers, Broccoli, and Fresh Oregano

It has been a long time since I have posted a recipe, and an even longer time since I have made this dish for dinner.   This is an easy, healthy, and quick meal to make on a busy night.  I hope you will try this recipe and enjoy it as much as my family and I do.

Ingredients:

3 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts

4 Tablespoons olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 whole Sweet red peppers, sliced

1/2 pound broccoli florets

8 ounces Fettucine noodles, cooked and drained

2 Tablespoons Fresh Oregano, chopped

pinch dried red pepper flakes

salt and pepper

4 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions:

1. Cut broccoli.  Boil in water for 3 minutes.  Drain, and set aside

2. Slice chicken breasts into strips . Heat olive oil in large skillet. add chicken and cook until they are no longer translucent.  Add peppers and saute about 4 minutes.  Add garlic, cook 2 minutes.  Add broccoli season with salt and pepper

3. Combine chicken and vegetable mix with cooked noodles.  Add oregano, red pepper flakes.  Toss with cheese.  Serve.

4. Add a little more olive oil and cheese if desired.

 

 

 

©Grandmother Musings 2012-2013.

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jamie Nowinski – Grandmother Wisdom/Grandmother Musings with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Weekly Writing Challenge: In An Instagram

Marilyn

Marilyn does not know this, but on the day I saw her sitting in a cold, folding chair in the homeless shelter, she changed my life.  She is a mousey, brown-haired, sophomore, who I later learned, comes to the shelter every Wednesday with her mother and her little brother.  She carries everything she owns in a beat-up backpack including her schoolbooks and pens.  After dinner is served, and the tables are cleaned, Marilyn gets right to work.   She spreads her notebook and her World History book out on the table and pretends that the rest of us do not exist.

My first night as a volunteer in our community shelter was eye-opening and humbling.  All the preconceived ideas I had about the type of people who frequented shelters were blown-away after ten minutes in the place.  Marilyn’s story was the most life changing.  One of my fellow volunteers shared what she knew about this young high school student with me.

It seems that Marilyn’s father died, and their house was foreclosed upon shortly after his death.  With no skills and no means to pay for the house, Marilyn’s mother moved the family in with her relatives.  When that no longer worked, they began moving from shelter to shelter every night.  Knowing that having a good education leads to better opportunity, Marilyn’s mother pushed her to keep up with her studies despite the circumstances.  Therefore, every evening, Marilyn and her family enter a community shelter, they eat dinner together, and she works on her studies.

Her classmates at school do not know that she showers, sleeps, and eats breakfast at a homeless shelter every day.  They do not know that sometimes Marilyn does not have the comforts of a TV, a phone, or a computer.  There are times when items such as clean socks or sanitary napkins are not available for this young girl.

To say that Marilyn is admirable is more than an understatement.  She is the epitome of words like courageous, determined, and invincible.  The things that she overcomes every day to be an honor student would break most people, but she perseveres.

Sometimes, we find heroes in the most unusual places.  I found mine in a homeless shelter.  It is my hope that Marilyn will finish high school and receive a scholarship to college.  A few of the volunteers at the shelter  pooled their resources together to help Marilyn and her family.  They found a permanent residence and even have had a fundraiser to help finance Marilyn’s college education.

I owe Marilyn much gratitude for changing my outlook. I clearly was ignorant.  I imagine that after you read this story, it will change yours, too.

Related Articles

http://chicenvelopements.wordpress.com/2012/11/11/one-very-long-cold-night-for-cooper/

http://expatalien.com/2012/11/12/life-can-change-in-an-instant/

http://kkline922.wordpress.com/2012/11/12/life-is-too-short-for-indecision-or-second-guessing-listen-to-your-intuition/

http://diannegray.wordpress.com/2012/09/29/souls-child-wins-ywo-book-of-the-year-award/

http://thewritericouldbe.wordpress.com/2012/11/12/the-instant-my-life-changed/

 

©Grandmother Musings 2012-2013.

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jamie Nowinski – Grandmother Wisdom/Grandmother Musings with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Veteran’s Day Words

Over at The Daily Post @ WordPress.com one of the Daily Prompts is Play Lexicographer.   

I thought I would try my hand at this game, using the theme of Veteran’s Day to invent new words to honor all the men and woman who have served our country.   Here are a few words I have created …

Uvetidid –  (you-vet-I-did)  n.  a person who served in the military or a soldier who has seen considerable active service .

Vetservedcountry  (Vet-serve-country) v. a civilian who has in the past served in the military.

Honorvetservice (honor-vets-service)  v.  1. the act of honoring.  2. Something all citizens should do on Veteran’s Day and every day.

Thankavet (thank-a-vet) v.  give gratitude for the unselfish service of a Veteran.

Givevetscredit  (give-vets-credit) v.  the act of giving credit to the men and woman who have served our country. 

I wonder what other words we can invent to express our gratitude to all those brave men and woman who have given their time and their lives for our freedom.   Share your words of thanks.

Related Articles

http://grandawn.com/2012/11/11/thank-you-dad-and-other-veterans/

http://microfilmblog.wordpress.com/2012/11/11/happy-veterans-day/

http://sweetsabelle.com/2012/11/11/remembrance/

http://ceschwilk.wordpress.com/2012/11/11/exposed-sunday-remembering/

http://theinboxjaunt.com/2012/11/11/silent-sunday-9/

 

©Grandmother Musings 2012-2013.

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jamie Nowinski – Grandmother Wisdom/Grandmother Musings with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

 

 

Weekly Photo Challenge: Renewal

Picture by Jamie Nowinski

Everything old is new again!  This re-purposed sculpture was spotted basking by the barn at a Corn Maze at Treinen Farm just outside of Madison, Wisconsin.  Using old parts from cars, machines, and other items around the farm, the artist created several creatures for our enjoyment.  This one looks like a raccoon. See the eyes? It gives it away.

You can get involved in the Weekly Photo Challenge, too!  Here is how it works:

• Each week there will be a prompt. You take a photo of your interpretation of the prompt and place it on your blog.  Do this anytime before Friday of the following week or before a new prompt is given.

• To make it easy for others to check out your photos, title your blog post “Weekly Photo Challenge: (theme of the week)” and be sure to use the “postaday″ tag.

• Subscribe to The Daily Post so that you don’t miss out on weekly challenge announcements. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS.

It is so easy, and so much fun!  Be Challenged, Today!  🙂

Check out these great posts for The Weekly Challenge: Renewal

http://carramedia.wordpress.com/2012/11/10/weekly-photo-challenge-renewal/

http://pixelmaedchen.wordpress.com/2012/11/10/weekly-photo-challenge-renewal/

http://cardinalguzman.wordpress.com/2012/11/09/weekly-photo-challenge-renewal/

http://jaysnaps.wordpress.com/2012/11/10/weekly-photo-challenge-renewal/

http://colderweather.net/2012/11/09/weekly-photo-challenge-renewal/

http://avacationinmymind.com/2012/11/09/weekly-photo-challenge-renewal/

 

©Grandmother Musings 2012-2013.

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jamie Nowinski – Grandmother Wisdom/Grandmother Musings with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Geometry

 

Table Geometry found in a weekend excursion.  The make-up of the table and the grids on the benches are showered with geometric shapes.  Even the bricks on the walk are bursting with geometry.

Share your interpretation of geometry by posting a picture for the The Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: Geometry. Be sure to add postaday to your tag line so that your photo will be easy for others to see.

 

 

 

 

©Grandmother Musings 2012-2013.

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jamie Nowinski – Grandmother Wisdom/Grandmother Musings with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.