Sunshine & Laughter

"An inordinate passion for pleasure is the secret of remaining young”

-Oscar Wilde

This afternoon I ventured into the backyard to engage a little rickets prevention therapy when I heard some whispers coming in from the East. I leaned in closer and while still unintelligible, I could make out that there were a group of children-teenagers, engaging some covert discourse. We live in the last house before the playground, so that isn't unusual.

Shortly after their voices began to rise. One of them was coughing, more like hacking, and quite loudly. Just as I was about to slip on my Birkenstocks' and head for the front door-doting moms want to know, I smelled the distinct aroma of marijuana. Hmmm.

The internal conversation begins. "How should I handle this? Do I let them get their after school buzz on? It's only pot, everyone does it". (Note: I do not, I'm naturally crazy; genetics.) I'm not feeling so gorgeous today, so sticking my head over the wall and being called a nosey old bitch is out of the question. I hang my head in the kind of shame that comes with wanting to do the right thing, fearing the outcome, and knowing inaction is the absolute worst thing.

So, I sit pensively, dangling my sandal from the tip of my right big toe. The sunlight casts a bright line which breaks through the shadow cast by the West pillar. The line runs, almost magically from the tip of my toe to the garden hose as it lay in the grass. Ha ha ha, Eureka! Slowly, I unravel the hose and race back giggling like a madwoman (A contact perhaps?) and I turn on the spigot. I position myself behind the East pillar. I feel the hose begin to stiffen as the water meets the nozzle and I press!

Teen pot smokers are washed up, just say, "no"!

I went and stood out front to see if they would run past; sopping wet and hurling expletives into the Universe. Alas, they failed to further entertain my perversion and ran the other way. I hope the choking kid is okay. Have you spoken to your kids, cats, dogs, or friends about drugs? How about crazy neighbors?

Peace

I Ran...

I ran, really I did only, it was not fast enough and I have been tagged yet again. I could have flaked, but these 7 random things memes are like Cliff's Notes for my eulogy. You know what they say, if you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself! Here's to you Jennifer:

1. As sibling superlatives go, I am the smartest, the meanest and the weirdest. I'm also the oldest so their opinions don't count! Laughs.

2. I was a child pageant runner up, Little Miss Half Pint. Who knows what year it was. I'm still pissed because I was so totally robbed. That other kid had nothing on my bowed legs and Afro puffs.

3. I performed in an African Dance Troupe for several years promoting the arts in New York City public schools and libraries. One of the places I performed was the historical Langston Hughes library in Queens.

4. I am a happily inked woman. I purchased a fake state ID on NYC's infamous 42nd street at age 14 and travelled via LIRR to obtain my first tattoo, a black widow spider on my upper right shoulder blade. It has since been ingeniously incorporated into the much larger floral piece that spans both entire shoulder blades by the lovely Emma of Porcupine Studios. (I'll post pics one day-Favorite guys has to take them.)

5. My teeth are nonconformists too. Laughs. In my 35 years I have had 5 wisdom teeth extracted, yes 5! I had a gap closed and an extra incisor removed as well. I've opted against having any more work done as I think the deviation adds character.

6. Following the branding initiative of Generation Y retailer Delia's in 1997, It was decided that Delia needed a more detailed identity. Up until that time she was a concept, a paradigm for girls aged 13-17. As part of that super talented marketing team we groomed her into a Lacrosse playing, A student from Pleasantville, and I provided her voice.

7. I was an infant, toddler at best, when my grandmother was working towards her M.S.N. She would often read to me. I'm not sure how far back we are supposed to remember, but I know far more about medical science than I've consciously learned. I have contributed and even corrected several diagnoses in myself and others over the years. I haven't a clue where this information came from.

I'm hanging up my tagging shoes for a while folks, it's been a blast.

Peace

Photo courtesy of Flickr user: fccmontg

Flowers, Butterflies & Friendship

Untitled, an ATC-T.Allen-Mercado 10/2008


The butterfly is a flying flower,
The flower a tethered butterfly.

-Ponce Denis Écouchard Lebrun

The past few days-it may have even been a week, I've been tethered by feelings of hopelessness and unexplained sadness. You know, sometimes I feel so myself, that I forget it's the same me who lives with depression. And then it happens, it creeps up and lassos you. First, you feel a bit smothered. You wriggle about anxiously, exhaustively as it tightens its hold. You realize, resistance is of no use. Surrender to the season, and pray it'll soon pass.

It's passed! I'm up, I've cleaned, I've cooked. My eyebrows have been shaped, my hair has been lathered and loved in sweet almond oil and black tea extracts. I used the phone, I went for a ride. I cracked a smile, told a joke. I laughed out loud, I am back.

You guys, my blogging friends are greatly appreciated, your comments, your e-mails, your own happy blog posts have all been instrumental in the process. I sincerely heart all of you.

And, I guess you all are digging me too. Last week while piddling in the basement (code for the taupes), I was nominated-not once, but twice, for this illustrious award:

The Proximidade award is very roughly translated from Portuguese to mean, "This blog invests and believes in proximity." Closeness, as in the bond shared between friends. I'm honored to receive this award and pass it on to all of my readers. Perhaps there are more than eight of you, maybe less- no worries, blog love is plentiful and low in saturated fat. Special thanks to Ms. Bar B. over at a Place of Comfort and Denene of My Brown Baby for sharing this award and their friendship. Group hug.

Peace and happiness

The Big One

The Big One is imminent if I am not careful. Last week I was tagged, received two blog award nominations and ushered Puberty Man; fruit of my now thankfully barren womb, off to a pre-mating season ceremony, also known as a seniors' dance. I promise to get caught up on the meme and my award acceptance speeches as soon as I recover. Have a fabulous Monday, all.

Peace and Laughter

My Jordan

Nykia & Jordan

Me

Note: This video footage is hilarious.

Shutter Click & Chat 10/26: Orange

Orange you glad you stopped by today? So many super orange finds all available on Etsy! While it isn't one of my favorite colors, I was hard pressed to find something I didn't like. I may just have to give in to temptation...what have you got?

Shutter Click & Chat 11/2: Gratitude

Let's kick November off with gratitude and appreciation. Show me someone/something of whom/which you are grateful.

Peace.

Friday Fill-in, October 24th

Friendship, sequins, and lipstick; simple pleasures.

1. Right now, I'm feeling down, but not out.

2. Right here with my ruler, papers and glue is where I want to be.

3. How does one justify the swift consumption of a toasted everything bagel with fake butter at 1:15 am ?

4. Feelings of excessive guilt keeps me on track.

5. Please don't tell me that's the last Twizzler.

6. Yael's smile in this pic-following last week's friendship debacle, fills me with joy.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to baking a Halloween cake , tomorrow my plans include art and yoga and Sunday, I want to ...honestly, I haven't thought that far ahead yet!

Blue

The Sky- Goodyear, AZ

I'm blue. Fret not, I've come to accept the cycles of depression. Fighting it just leads to a helpless, pathetic kind of misery that I'm not well suited to handle. So, here I am in my pajamas for the second day in a row. The Favorite Guy finagled a short lunch date yesterday-he is rather skilled at coercion, and I picked up some new papers from Jo-Ann while we were out and about. One never knows if the spell is going to be brooding and pensive or impassioned and productive. Either way, best to be prepared.

I find the spells easier to manage when I just allow them to come in and go without resistance. If it's fatigue, I'll nap. If it's food cravings, I'll snack. Unfortunately, I'm not one of those, "go run a 5k" types...now that would be excellent! So far though, the fitness fanatic spell has been remiss. I did however, spend an inordinate amount of time preoccupied with the color blue today. I contemplated its relationship to the term, "the blues". Why not call it "the taupes" or "the ecrus"? Blue has so much potential for happiness. I certainly do not equate these feelings of impending doom, general malaise, fatigue and sloth with cerulean or cornflower or periwinkle. Periwinkle is my favorite color, and look at the shot I took of the Arizona sky; perfectly blue and absolutely gorgeous! So like, whose bright idea was it to call this dreaded feeling the blues? Any ideas? Humor me.

-Peace

Opening doors...

“Our senses are indeed our doors and windows on this world, in a very real sense the key to the unlocking of meaning and the wellspring of creativity.”

-Jean Houston

Photo by: nozomiiqel4 for webshots 2006

Won't you please come in, the air is clean and creativity abounds...

-Peace

Arranged 2007

Photo courtesy of movies.nytimes.com

This weekend I saw a beautiful, heart warming film about friendship, choices and unity. Arranged is the story of two Brooklyn schoolteachers, Rachel and Nasira; one an Orthodox Jew and the other a Syrian Muslim.

Rachel and Nasira are paired together to teach in an inner city school in New York. As one of the characters in the movie notes, "it is like the UN", so many different cultures and people to learn. The two find a commonality in their love for teaching and their imminent arranged marriages. Oddly enough, the two find despite the historic unrest between their corresponding faiths, they in fact have more in common with one another than the secular world.

It isn't a very long film, and it certainly isn't my usual deep, thought provoking film. It is however a great reminder of the gifts that come of learning, understanding and ultimately embracing other cultures. The film does an excellent job at exposing- if you will, the misconceptions about the custom of arranged marriage in each faith from a safe, unbiased distance. The only minor annoyance I took initially was the seemingly boy-crazy, bimbo-esque portrayal of the secular women in the film. I later changed my opinion. I'm now thinking that's probably exactly what dating women in their 20s, whose husbands haven't been pre-selected look like from the outside. You know what they say about perception.

I watched the film with Yael and over-protective (Yenta) mom that I am, gazed over a few times and thought, "I wonder if I could find a nice boy for...aaah forget it". I said forget it, but I'm still thinking about it. No matter what your thoughts are on the practice of arranged marriage, this is a sweet film. A refreshing spin on the usual chick flick fare. It made me smile. I hope it does the same for you. The film is available from Netflix.

-Peace and unity

Shutter Click & Chat 10/19: Food

Love...also known as vegetable lasagne. The magic is in the sauce; shredded zucchini, carrots, finely minced garlic, onions, black olives, diced eggplant, tomatoes and mushrooms, sauteed and slow cooked to bubbling perfection! This was a special request from the Favorite Guy. I had 16 bean soup in store for you all, perhaps next time. And you? What's brewing?

Shutter Click & Chat 10/26

Anything orange:

Shouldn't be too tough to pull off the week preceding Halloween. Anything at all, let's be creative!

T.Allen-Mercado Wants You!

Sans the gauche patriotic hat but, with all of the intimidation and, a large brown authoritative, manicured hand, pointing right at you!

So, the Universe in of all her perverse comedic genius has blessed Joseph and I- in all of our anti-social (some may say socially inept) genius with not one, but two, young "people who need people". Pauses to hum a few bars of the aforementioned song as not to go completely mad. The problem with people who need people? Rejection. Yep the big R. You're too tall, short, fat, thin. Your sneakers are smelly, scuffed, ugly, the wrong brand, color, size. The list just goes on and on and on.

We've spent the last day and a half reminding Yael that she is a perfectly imperfect 9 year old whom we love insurmountably. And, that the evil little heifers...er, I mean sweet young and naive children who weren't nice to her, just haven't learned the power of their hurtful words. In other words, they suck. Well, look it's what my previously-punched-in-the-stomach-so-hard-I-was-winded-and-crawled-to-my-door-for-wearing-a-pleated-plaid-skirt inner child wanted to say. Instead, I took the high (on Diet Coke and antidepressants) road and diverted her pain and disappointment into the making of recycled milk carton monsters. (Harrumph! I bet those other little letches mothers' aren't crafty recycled milk carton monster making mavens!)

For now, we're over it. She cried today while discussing it with the Favorite Guy because it "hurts to talk about". We think she'll be just fine, but if she isn't there's a contingency plan:

21

Now, the children in question are not 5 years old, but 1o. You will need to tweak your assessment results accordingly. I'm guessing a 10 year old versus the original 5 year old formula is about 1.75 : 1. Provided they haven't been previously incarcerated and are kept away from processed sugars and other preservatives. If not, let me just tell you Tea & Honey Bread is not responsible for savage beatings received by its readers. Laughs.

-Peace and justice for all

Friday's Fill-in, October 17th

1. Follow the compass of your heart.

2. The children are something I always take with me on vacation. One day it will just be my camera and my bathing suit! Winks.

3. To achieve your goals, you must obsessively plan until the very last minute and then barrel through like a mad-woman. Note: Successful results are not typical, but are possible.

4. I'm a firm believer and follower of the gentle/attachment parenting philosophy, this is something I'd like you to know about me.

5. I have a few tattoos and now closed body piercings.

6. Every single friggin' bar of Ivory soap floats. I never got the bar that sunk...I so wanted to win whatever it was you'd win if you got the sinking bar!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hanging out with Yael , tomorrow my plans include Favorite Guy's monthly coffee shop event and Sunday, I want to grill some veggies and sip some wine!

Rusted tin, randy tunes and candy...

That's what it took to shake the crux of yesterday's abysmal funk. I've been keeping very busy working with new mediums over the past couple of jewelry-design-free weeks. It's refreshing to take on different projects and discover new techniques. It's that whole thinking/planning issue we discussed.

A few days ago I went through my stash and donated a bunch of unwanted and unused art supplies and ephemera. In the process I unveiled some hidden treasures. Just over a year ago I bought a few rusted tin tags from a supplies shop on Etsy. They sat idly until now. Yay for quaint, old, "unshiny" stuffs.

While trying to figure out what Cyndi Lauper was talking about in the super catchy She-Bop I pulled out the magazine and assorted scraps. (I figured it out, hence the title. I'm always the last to know these things...Favorite Guy clued me in to the Frankie says, "Relax" secret just a few years ago.) I constructed this fun little piece of bliss. Perfect for decorating a cubicle, cork board or a large shadowbox. Isn't it sweet? Found images: bird cage , Fox terrier with tin; courtesy of Real Simple magazine scraps. Yay for upcycling!

I started a few other collage pieces while on my musical junket through the 80's and 90's. I also noshed on far too many Twizzlers. Y'know, they don't taste even remotely cherry-like, I have to say the flavor is decidedly Twizzler. There really is no other apt descriptor for them. Anyway, I feel much better. And you, how are you this glorious Thursday?

-Peace

Woe is we

Yes, I'm complaining today. Share with me in this moment please. This presidential campaign-while I am by all means apolitical, has infiltrated my existence as a woman living in America and a person of color in vast and unexpected ways. I hurt on a deep personal level. I hurt for friends, family members, gays, Muslims, the Obama's, the McCain's, the Palin's I'll throw ol' Joe in there for good measure-he'll need my sympathies to battle the archdiocese. Winks.


I feel at war with my conscience, with other Americans, with people who look like me, with people who do not look like me, with people who understand what an amazing piece of history this presidential race is for women and Blacks, and with those who do not.


I'm angry because I have a clear picture of the problem but the solutions are so damn muddy. I'm angry because the freedoms that I rely on as a writer, and an artist, and a thinking human also protect the driving zygote we passed on our quaint suburban street sporting in his pick-up, adorned in hate speech. I'm angry because the mere color of my skin, the height of my cheekbones, the fullness of my nose and lips are a measure of just how publicly outraged I'm permitted to be.


I'm embarrassed by the embarrassment I feel for myself and others as I witness them grappling with the same emotions I grapple with whilst enduring this presidential campaign. I'm embarrassed because I prefer to think myself an individual; not just part of a race, or a people, or a country, a sect, a sex-but as Tameka. Perhaps I'm embarrassed at the realization that I, in the history of this country have gone from a fraction of a person with a fraction of a vote to a fraction of the populace and none of these fractions represent Tameka as a whole.


I'm pleased with what I've expressed here, surprisingly enough. Honesty needs no frill-it simply is what it is. I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on how this whole presidential race is affecting your presence (or that of others you've been in contact with) in America.

Peace, please.

Hello, boys and girls...

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Did you watch Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood growing up? Do you remember how you'd tune in some days and Mr. Rogers', slacker that he was, would take you on some pseudo-educational "exciting adventure" to the Post Office? Well, this post is a little something like that. Only, we're really going to have fun, promise. So, grab your coffee mugs and get back into your Hoverounds' because we're going on a Tea & Honey Bread's blog adventure. Ready? Make sure you're strapped in and have secured your purses, mumu belts, shoelaces and other assorted sundries. As soon as you're secure, give ol' Freddie a click and I'll see you on the other side.

-Peace

Tagged! 7 Things Meme

Ms. Bar B. over at A Place of Comfort has tagged me, and not a moment too soon. I'm pretty wrapped up in my current projects and was drawing a blogging blank. Due in part to none of my projects being complete, or even close enough for a preview. Sighs.

So 7 things about me, here we go:

1. I was an only child for 14 years, and left home at 16. Not much time for sibling bonds or battery. I did however develop quite an imagination in all of my solitude and a couple of friends to share in all of my pretend antics. While I no longer engage in much interaction with my imaginary friends-lest I lose my health insurance coverage. They- or rather, their contributions can be found in much of my writing. Dinah, one of the characters was a quick-witted waitress that kept me company while preparing meals and dining alone. You can give her credit for comments like the one above in reference to the health coverage. Old, wise and cynical; Dinah is the voice behind my socio-political, parenting, sucky state of the universe rants.

2. I am a sore loser, but you'd never know it because the game isn't over until someone passes out or I win! Adults marvel at how well my children hold their own in a board game-cute doesn't get my sympathies. I've learned them well.

3. I'm a thinker not a do-er. Once the planning process has been complete I lose interest. Be it events, meals, projects-once I'm done orchestrating it, I quit! I almost didn't make it to our wedding. If I had my way I'd show up in jeans and a t-shirt and watch everyone else eat, drink and dance from behind the scenes.

4. I'm an avid people watcher, wanna know the first person to get drunk at the party? Who hooked up with who and what they did? Predictions for which couples will not make it back as a couple next year? Just ask me; body language, subtle nuances-I'm on top of it.

5. My husband won me over by telling me he loved me because I was smart versus just saying I was pretty. Beauty fades. (Tell them Joe, tell them all how you watched my brain moving on the dance floor) Laughs and hugs the Favorite Guy.

6. Babies and mentally challenged homeless people are drawn to me. My grandmother in all of her West African influenced Gullah goodness says it's a gift. No matter where we are, babies will laugh, wave, offer me soggy goods from their dimpled fists. And, homeless folks often engage me in conversations that clearly started in my absence. I don't get out much, so I just play along. Except for the screaming toy piano man in Phoenix...he's not so friendly.

7. I collect vintage African American ephemera, namely photos of family and church gatherings, but anything'll do. They're for an altered book that I never seem to make time to work on. Some day, I hope to dazzle you all and present it in all of its rich historical completion. The photo above is my most recent find-she's pretty bad ass,huh?

I'm not going to tag anyone, if you decide to list 7 random things about yourself, by all means link back and I will gladly read them. It's been a power-walking filled weekend and my gluts are far too achy for chasing down bloggers.

-Peace

Shutter Click & Chat 10/12

Jordan and Yael Rose 2000 & 2008 Our Annual Family Vacation

Aah, happiness! The year our family increased from "just us three" to four marked the start of our annual June family vacations. Here are Jordan and Yael Rose in 2000 in Orlando FL, and again this year in Sedona AZ. There is something about starting our own little family tradition that makes me very happy. That, and being the sole proprietor of very many funny pictures as a result! Where am I? Grimacing behind the lens, I have an image to uphold. Actually I do let loose, but that's for another day. How about you? Show me some happiness!

Shutter Click & Chat 10/19

Food-Tis the season for stews and soups, slow cooking, crock pot filled comforting goodness. What's on your menu? Let's see some food. C'mon, you've got to eat something!

Sexism and My War Against Cellulite

My latest obsession is power walking while listening to Talk Radio. More specifically I listen to 92.3 KTAR; fairly conservative talk radio. I can listen to liberal banter all day at home. Laughs. Conservative fodder is just the fuel I need when I start to feel the burn. It's Pavlovian in a way-now whenever I hear Ankarlo's voice I start to perspire. I kid, but you get my drift.

Well, today I must have looked like a full on Louie. (Loo-ee n. one who is lacking in screws, cards or marbles, an empty home with the lights on, not tightly wrapped. 7:30. Screwy Louie) Now, have a sip, get a visual; power walking, arms swinging, neck rolling, lips pursed whilst mm mm mmm'ing and teeth sucking simultaneously. Ready? Okay, hold that thought.

I live in Arizona, despite the vortexes, crystals and other matters of paranormal, supernatural enlightenment, Arizona is a quasi-conservative, fundamentalist, bible thumpin', Johnny get your gun and never mind what Beyonce says, very much to the right state. Today, Ankarlo's cast and crew present the judicial travesty that occurred in a Canadian court when a victim was "embarrassed and humiliated...re-victimized", in a domestic disturbance court case. The judge admonished the victim, Melodie White as follows: (full story here)

"Thirty years ago . . . there were all sorts of women in houses where men had beaten them, husbands had beaten them regularly, and they could not get out. They did not have jobs to go to and they had kids, and they were trapped. There was no way to stand up and get out, and we were trying to help the weak and the disadvantaged, but modern women are not weak and disadvantaged"

Can you believe in 2008 where every network is flooded with armchair and valid psychological theorem, the yokels were calling in- caller after caller, validating the judge's stance and even applauding him? On a personal level-as in I have no judiciary obligation, I can understand having heard enough from your whining ass perpetual victim of a girlfriend, but in a court of law? No way.

I have no cell phone (a practice I swore off in 2004) but I was ready to pull a phone jacking...that is, if anyone happened to pass me speed walking in the desert. One caller said, "she must have really low self esteem". Further victimizing the victim. Weakness and self-esteem has nothing to do with being assaulted. Abusers carefully select those they prey on because they, the abusers are weak and lacking the basic fundamentals of humanity. Why are we punishing the punished? This "jealous" man who is incapable of engaging productive discourse and who must thrust another human to the floor to get his point across is a model of strength, pride and valor? Give me a break.

Abuse, Arizonans and others who are unaware, begins with the scars we can't see. Not so much that the abused has low esteem in the definitive sense. But that, we live in a world that puts so much weight on war and strength and violence and MEN that as women, we often feel defeated before the battle has begun. If you are a woman and were working on your visa in light of perceived election woes, how 'bout you sit your ass down somewhere and come up with a Plan B. Or at least put a B on your chest and prepare for battle. When will this change?

-Peace

Friday's Fill-in, October 10th

1. One of the best concerts/plays/movies I ever saw that I really didn't think I'd like was actually a comedy-based seminar titled, Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage with Mark Gungor. It has been instrumental in the way the Favorite Guy and I communicate matters of acceptance and forgiveness.

2. Grilled Portabello & Poblano burritos is a recipe I recently made that was delicious!

3. It's time for Halloween and I'm so excited.

4. Cold beer is quite refreshing.

5. If I never hear the word election again, it'll be too soon.

6. To one side of the curving road was a For Sale By Owner sign, and on the other was a Moving Sale sign; signs of the times.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to beer and a movie, tomorrow my plans include decorating the front yard, and Sunday, I want to finalize some art projects and catch up with my Favorite Guy!

The Tyranny of Teens

Somehow, it never occurred to me that body hair might transform seemingly awesome young people into angry minions of evil. Damn you, Dr. Sears, you left out all of the good stuff. It'd be unlike me if I didn't make a big deal of The Tyranny of the Teenage Years. I'm keeping consistent with the theme of my first lament, The Perils of Puberty. Other editions include: The Labors of Labor and, I Know Why Mama Hamster Ate The Babies.

Yes, Puberty Man has fallen in a toxic tub of Salicylic Acid and has developed an alter ego. Not quite as lascivious and self-absorbed, but twice as morose and exponentially more annoying. As I type this, Anju, who has just taken on the incumbent role of Favorite Son has just vomited on the freshly vacuumed carpet. Sighs and looks up to the heavens. I feel like Job.

No one talks about parenting teenagers. As I peruse blogs, I see chubby little cherubs covered in spaghetti, frolicking about the world with dimples in their cheeks and tiny fingers. Everything is new and bright and gay! What about the rest of us? Surely, ridiculous fashion sense, the ubiquitous scraggly catfish moustache and acne are blog-worthy Kodak moments, no?

I guess I find it difficult to accept the fact that Favorite Guy and I are suffering alone. Or maybe we're just on the receiving end of some bad karma for "asking too many questions", setting rules, and actually following through on the consequences of breaking said rules. Harrumph! The nerve! I bet we'll know better next time. You know, that is of course if we're privileged enough. Do you think? Will we get a next time to be the parents that the omniscient Lord of Melancholy Marauding ordered with his fries and shake?

Wish me peace.

The Great Debate

Fooled you, didn't I? You thought I was going to talk about, rhymes with insane and, sounds like llama? Nope, not here, not today. I watched the train slowly running off the track last night and that was enough. No sweat here, I'm stashing my meager assets in coffee tins and cookie jars; coffee for health care and cookies for retirement.

In other important news Yael was kind enough to halt her several hour conversation with this week's best friend and draw names for the Trick or Treat giveaway. Now keep in mind that not even I-as unbearably nosey and unable to patiently await a surprise as I am, know who will receive what. It is extra important that you come back and link us to pictures of the contents of your Trick or Treat loot bags!

And, the winners are:

Ashley of The Monster's Lair & Kylie B of By Kylie B.

Eat Your Veggies!

Grilled Portabellos, Poblano Chile & Black Bean Burritos

w/ Cilantro & Lime infused Jasmine rice

Serves 4


Ingredients:
4 whole grain wheat burrito size tortillas
3 medium sized poblano chiles
2 large portabello mushroom caps
15 oz whole black beans
1 cup uncooked extra long grain rice (I use Jasmine)
1tsp zest of one fresh lime
2 tbs recaito
1 ripened avocado
pico de gallo
olive oil

shredded cheese

Optional:
salt

Clean your veggies. I use a veggie brush. Lightly coat the mushroom caps and skin in-tact peppers with spritz-on vegetable or olive oil. Grill until poblano skins are blistered and blackened. Remove and set aside. (Placing them in a paper bag will ease removal of the skins)

In a sauce pan or trusty rice pot, heat a tablespoon of olive oil. Add lime zest and recaito followed by rinsed (or not) rice and warm water. Bring to a rolling boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer.

Your now cooled poblano chiles are ready for you to remove skins, seeds, membranes and cube. Cube your portabello caps too. If you add salt to your dishes, now would be a good time. I do not-I prefer the nuttiness of the mushroom and salt totally kills that. Everything cubed? Good. Now toss to mix and set aside.

Once the rice water has been completely dissolved, remove the rice from the heat source and prepare to layer. Place your tortilla on a large plate or clean, dry work surface. First, poblano portabello mixture. Next, Cilantro lime rice, beans, cheese, pico de gallo, and fresh avocado slices. Wrap, and enjoy.

It isn't a pretty dish but, I assure you it is delicious! Let me know if you try it. It's getting cool in Arizona, look forward to more recipes. I'm up for veggin' out a meat recipe too. If you'd like shoot an e-mail and I'll remix one of your dishes!

Peace & Veggies

Shutter Click, Cuss, Repeat & Chat 10/6

Grandma always says, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." Well, I know it has something to do with planning ahead since I always plan and, more often than not end up cussing about it something awful!

I had some gorgeous shots of the neighbor's bougainvillea and even caught one with a bee amidst its fuchsia blossoms. And, then the Camera von Kodak, Sir Hewlett Packard (Don't forget to the roll the r) debacle happened. Gone with just a click of the mouse.

Favorite guy walks in today and informs that our neighbor is outside cutting the "big pink bush" I feel a rush of not quite anger but certainly some annoyance come over me. He goes on to mention-as an internal battle takes place between my attention span and anger, something about it "cross pollinating" with his roses! I just rolled my eyes. Getting into my Shutter Click & Chat plans and how this news completely sucks would've been over the top. Yes, even for me.

Then, I read Fly tie's blog and she reminded me of the many marvels surrounding us everyday. I present you the revised version:

Shutter Click, Cuss, Recognize the magic in everyday things and then Chat!

10/6 Mother Nature's Marvels

Portabello mushrooms & Poblano peppers.

I'll share what became of them tomorrow. (Yes, I'm planning again)

Shutter Click & Chat 10/12, and the return of Mr. Linky:

Happiness is...Capture a moment, past or present, when you or someone you know was happy.

Peace.

Shutter Click & Chat Monday, perhaps...

Stolen from some random Google search that I can no longer find so blech! I'm in a crisis here!

One camera, one PC and so many lives depending on it...

Tameka says: Arms flailing like a quasi-angry New Yorker "What the hell is the problem? I've shut down and restarted, cleared the cache and they're still not communicating...ugh"!

Narrator (also known as the voices in my head): Could it be after years of symbiotic bliss...is there-dare I say, a rift in the seemingly stable relationship of Camera von Kodak and Sir Hewlett Packard (Roll the r in ard-there you go).

Tameka says: Looking faint (actually that look is anger but faint is more dramatic-so we'll keep it), "This is already Sir Hewlett's second Camera-he left the other a year or so ago. As I understand it, she just wasn't meeting his increasing need for more in-depth clarity in his vibrant, colorful life. Whatever will I do, they're the backbone of my blog family"? (and so many other random acts of craftiness)

Narrator: Can Grumpy (it's been a whirlwind week)..er Favorite Guy step in and work his IT magic or will Lady Camera von Kodak and Sir Hewlett Packard suffer a messy and expensive divorce?

Tameka says: "I had a feeling, somewhere in the back of my mind that it would come to this one day. That he'd leave her, for Canon or one of those other sleek and complicated women-just not this soon."

Have a Bon-Bon, this may take a while. Commercial break...

Another Day, Another...

Hobby!

Altered 250 ct Matchbox T.Allen-Mercado 10/08

I probably should stop, but I just can't. A few months ago I discovered Swap-Bot. It's been the cure for 1. my need to create 2. my need to rid myself of random creations and make room to create. Many of the ATCs and other random works you've seen in my posts were for swap partners. I'm really having a blast!

About two weeks ago I stumbled upon an altered matchbook swap. I didn't join, but the wheels did start a' turning. I promised I'd find an excuse to alter a matchbox and I have. I needed to create something green for a reggae and Rastafari loving young woman in Latvia. I came up with the guy shown above. I call him Roots and Sulfur. I think I'm hooked, if only I could find some place to put all of the matches!

In other swapping hobbies goodness news, I am trying my hand at hosting my very own swap. It is titled Dancing Machine and I'm hoping to get some movement inciting tunes from all over the world into my hands, and the hands of others. The success (or not) of this swap is the pre-cursor to personal challenge no. 35 Organize and execute an (International) Peace art Swap. The Dancing Machine CD swap is open to the public, if you'd like to take a stab at it. Don't say I didn't warn you if you find yourself hooked!

Peace.

Friday Fill-in Fun, October 3rd

3" magnets set available here.

It's Friday already?! Time for Friday Fill-ins:

1. October is the month when I am reminded of why I enjoy living in Arizona. The temperature cools, we can spend more time outdoors; life is good. Want to make it just a little better? Come Trick or Treating with me here!

2. Of all the different snakes, spiders, lizards and scary creeps that I am unafraid of, flying insects really scare me!

3. Leaves are falling all around, Reds, golds, greens and brown. Crunch, crunch , crunch! I love that sound.

4. My favorite horror movie is but a wish, because everything I've seen thus far has just been full of guts and gore with no plot. Pfft!

5. Childhood, the smell of wood stoves burning, pickled eggs, penny cookies, and candy apples from Ms. Jean's General Store: Shady Grove, SC = good memories.

6. It was a dark and stormy night, not a creature was stirring not even a...no, wait that's not quite right. Laughs. I'm getting ahead of myself.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching Hedwig and the Angry Inch, tomorrow my plans include art and yoga and Sunday, I want to cook army sized pots of beans and lentils to freeze and store!

Past My Bedtime

I am up way past the point of good sense, just lollipopping (Grandma's version of lolligagging) about the interwebs, listening to Dave Matthews Band when I found this. It'll probably be far less amusing in 6 hours when I have to wake up and face real life, which includes working out and a sensible breakfast! But for now, and especially since I was feeling rather Hormone-asaurus Rex-like, I'm going to enjoy it!

Hey how many calories do you think one burns while wrestling a velociraptor? Stifles delirium induced giggles as not to wake the grump, er...I mean Favorite Guy! Humor me, take the quiz!

Peace.

I could survive for 1 minute, 3 seconds chained to a bunk bed with a velociraptor

Trick or Treat!

Holidays are my favorite holiday! No, I didn't mean to say Halloween. I mean all holidays. I am the official Hallmark Holiday Whore. It drives my Favorite Guy a little crazy but, I think deep down he gets a kick out of watching me get a kick out of all of my frivolous celebratory antics.

Altered Altoids tins by T.Allen Mercado 09/08

Well folks, it's just taken a turn for the worse, er... I mean better. You're now in on it too. That's right! It is Halloween here at Tea & Honey Bread and that means it's time to Trick or Treat. I have two packages, each one brimming with Halloweenie goodness. One is full of treats and the other is full of tricks. Which one will you receive?

Leave a comment and your promise to post a picture of the contents of your treat (or trick) bag once it is received. I will draw 2 names on Wednesday October 8th, one week from today! Tell a friend, I'd love to get some newbies in on it. Stirs bubbling, foul smelling liquid in cauldron.

Peace.