halloween fun

scary movies, scary stories and scary costumes are not for everyone... but who doesn't like dipping apples in caramel?

try these toppings and taste the 4th dimension of deliciousness

~ dip chilled caramel apples in melted white chocolate, then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar
~ drizzle melted chocolate over caramel apples, then sprinkle with nuts
~ coat caramel apples in chocolate and then roll in your favorite candy or cookie…
   (chopped Oreos, Snickers, M&Ms)

Project Girl seeks change

did you ever open a magazine like Shape, In-Style, Teen or Seventeen and really look at the advertisements? i mean, really look.

now put yourself in the shoes of a 9 or 10 year old adolescent girl. how is she to process some of the images she sees? heavy on sex, body image, drinking, drugs, violence... the media targets the young so they can sell their products.

girls are influenced by these messages and they begin to be the ads. the media is changing our culture, there is no denying it.

there's an activist group based out of Madison, Wisconsin called Project Girl that leads workshops that teach adolescent (middle school age) girls to process these media messages so they begin to look differently at media and ask questions. they talk about the truth and discuss what real girl power means.

Project Girl vernacular...
un-mediafy your life
be suspicious
does buying things really make you happy?
the power of art to change the world.

projectgirl.org

thank you Project Girl for looking out for girls!

girls learn to process these media print advertisements with the help of Project Girl's curriculum.

life is beautiful, chose it

i know politics are the only thing people hear about these days and there's really only one thing i really care about--- i am PRO-LIFE. i was online and came across this website www.abortionno.com. they show a graphic video that truly made my heart sink. 

some of the statistics on the site were mind-numbing... 

Why women have abortions:
"1% of all abortions occur because of rape or incest; 6% of abortions occur because of potential health problems regarding either the mother or child, and 93% of all abortions occur for social reasons (i.e. the child is unwanted or inconvenient)."

at the end of the day, isn't life the most important thing? 

photo:  1 day old healthy infant girl

paisan's >> wow

sometimes it takes a bad dining experience to really see what makes an exceptional one.... or, in this case, even a passable one. Paisan's is a Italian-style restaurant that makes all the other restaurants look good. Paisan's -- long wait, chains on outside patio furniture, poor service, and don't even go there with the food. try it at your own risk but don't say you were not warned.

tis the season my friends

why are rummage sales beautiful?

well, three things...

purging of clutter >> moving towards creating a life free of constant chaos

wabi sabi >> it is a beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete

deals >> why pay retail?**

--------
**before you purchase online, refer to this site
retailmenot.com

high-style in madison

fresco rooftop restaurant is one of those rare Madison sites with its super-modern, high-style atmosphere... yet, it retains some semblance of coziness as you step into the outdoor sculpture garden and listen to the campus buzz of State Street. Check it out sometime... 227 State St, 3rd Floor inside MMoCA.
frescomadison.com
mmoca.org

verde lake

It's somewhat impossible to leave a lake-view vacation spot. You almost have to tear yourself away because it's such a relaxing escape. I often wonder if living on a lake would be the same as vacationing on a lake... Likely not because if you'd wake up to that view every morning, you might begin to take it for granted. For now I plan to just visit and soak up all the lake's beauty in short spurts.

puppy love

Have you ever seen a puppy look at a puppy?
Vizsla pup (14 months) looks at Weimaraner pup (6 weeks).
vizslascoolcreekkennels.com

1/2 never looked so good

1.5 something.... 50+.... and ~13. Today I cheered on two of my friends while they completely rocked the half-ironman triathalon in Racine, Wisconsin. The scene was beautiful.... a sea of athletic people cheer on their other athletic friends and family among a rich blue backdrop (Lake Michigan) and a steady cool(er) summer breeze. What a rush.

Congrats Jim and Morgan. You made me proud.
spiritofracinetri.com

spinning

this morning, myself and a friend, had the pleasure of touring around madison's neighboring community, cross plains. lush green landscapes, the fresh smell of rain and few cars made the start of this day one to remember. 30+ miles on my USA made, Trek Madone... life doesn't get much better than this.

water is beautiful design

Have you ever really looked at a lake... like really looked at it-- A huge body of water with people floating on top of it in boats or kayaks. It's such a peaceful part of nature. Smooth waves flow with the wind.

Tonight I enjoyed one of Madison's best summer hot spots. The Memorial Union Terrace, shown here at night. It's located lakeside on Lake Mendota. Local musicians, steady warm breeze and good conversation with friends. Thanks Terri, Suzi and Donna.

Lakes are beautiful.

the morning

Take a look around you and notice the beauty in all things. Wake up slowly. Brew your own coffee. Sit down and read a book... don't read the news, it's all negative. Look out the window. Watch the birds. Smile and remind yourself how good it feels to be alive.