What Does Friendship Mean to You?





Yesterday I spent some time meditating and thinking about the word "Friendship" and what it means to me. As a mature adult (at age 45), I am sure it means something different to me, than what it does to my 27 year old daughter. As we age and mature...our thoughts and feelings on things change.

Anyway, I have several close friends in my life who I share everything and anything with. I would do anything in the world to help those "handful" of friends, at anytime of the day or night. Beyond those few friends, I have casual friends...people who I would help, but I wouldn't give up everything to help them. You know what I mean!!! You have your BEST girlfriends and then...just friends!

Today, I wanted to share what "Friendship Means to Me" with all of you.

* A friend will be there to lend you an ear when you just need to talk. That friend won't pass judgement on you and will make time for you when you really need for them to just listen. That friend won't be self-centered and always change the conversation into what they want to talk about.

* A best friend would give you the shirt off their back if it meant you would have clothing and be warm. A casual friend...most likely, wouldn't give up things to help you out in a pinch.

* A best friend would realize that you have enough on your "plate" and wouldn't add their own drama to your dinner plate. What I mean is this...if I am going through a rough time dealing with my own medical problems, a real friend would realize that I can't and shouldn't have to deal with their drama too. There is only so much that one individual can handle, at one particular time and often times, I get over-loaded with trying to deal with my own situation and then others come along and drops theirs onto me.

* A best friend is not paranoid that you are running around gossiping about them. A true best friend knows that you love them, are there for them and that your friendship is solid. A person who doesn't think very highly of you or your friendship, runs around being paranoid that you are gossiping about them, turning on them and all kinds of things...which were/are simply not TRUE. Yes...a friendship is a 2-way street, but you shouldn't have to spend every waking minute of the day convincing a good/best friend that you are there for them and that your friendship is rock-solid. When it gets to the point that they "think" differently, it just ZAPS your energy down into the dirt.

* A best friend doesn't run around behind your back spreading gossip, lies, rumors, etc. and then LIE about them when confronted. Matter of fact, if this was your BEST FRIEND, this wouldn't even be a topic of conversation because best friends (true friends) don't do that.

What I have learned about "friendship" over the years is this...Friends come and go...but your BEST friends are always there. My one best friend Renee has been my BFF since we were 5 years old, that is a solid 40 year friendship! Renee would do anything for me and I would do anything for her! There is no drama between us and there never has been...EVER!

At my ripe age of 45...I have learned to stay away from the "drama" that others cause as it affects me and my health in very negative ways. I choose to keep my circle of "friends" to a small tight-nit group and frankly, I just prefer it that way.

What does friendship mean to you?

Getting Ready for Spring...or so I Thought!



Now that we are all moved into our new house, we have been busy working on getting things unpacked. Last year we started a massive landscaping project in our front and back yards and this Spring we are hoping to complete it.

About 2 weeks ago we had a mild weather week and got outside and did a Winter clean-up. We picked up tree branches, leaf litter and other junk that blew into our yard over the past few months.

While we were out there, I noticed that some of my tulips and daffodils that we planted last Fall are starting to "spring" up out of the ground! Usually we don't see our Spring flowers popping up until March...but this year is different! I thought surely....Spring was on it's way since I was seeing signs of Spring.

Boy...was I completely wrong on that assumption! Just 4 days later we got hit with an ice/snow storm and then a few days ago...we got hit again with snow! What the heck is going on here Mother Nature? C'mon now, we have been tortured enough this past Winter with this icky weather crap!

I am MORE than ready to see Spring arrive and I am really looking forward to getting outside into my yard and garden! We have a lot of big plans for the yard & gardens this year and I am ready to get busy with them!

Once we get rolling, I will take some before and after photos of our projects and share them here on my blog. For now...enjoy the photograph of the cold, wet and icky snow! Booooo!!!!

Homemade Veggie Dip Recipe



I love making a variety of homemade veggie dips for my family to snack on throughout the week and this particular recipe is one of our favorites. It's really easy to prepare and once prepared, just refrigerate it for a few hours to allow the flavors to infuse.

It's a great dip to serve alongside some fresh broccoli, carrot sticks, cauliflower, cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, etc.

Homemade Veggie Dip Recipe

1 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup salad dressing
2 Tbsp. chopped ripe olives
2 Tbsp. chopped onions
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/4 to 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper

In a small mixing bowl, combine together all of the above ingredients until well blended. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for a few hours. This dip is best served cold alongside freshly sliced vegetables.

Indie Lee’s Java Fix - Homemade Coffee Beauty Scrub Recipe

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to remove cellulite completely, however, there are things we can do to reduce its appearance. Indie Lee, founder of the all-natural skincare line Indie Lee & Co, shares one of her at-home recipes for an all-natural scrub containing her favorite ingredient: coffee. The caffeine works to dehydrate fat cells and when broken down, acts as a natural exfoliant.

What You Need:

· ½ ounce of sweet almond oil

· 2 tablespoons coffee grinds (espresso roast)

· 5 tablespoons coconut oil

· ¾ cup of arrowroot powder (natural alternative to talc powder) 

How to Make It:

1. Combine coffee grinds and sweet almond oil in a large bowl and mix.

2. Add coconut oil and mix well.

3. Fold in the arrowroot powder. Make sure all the coconut clumps are gone.

*Indie Tip: She likes to keep the mixture refrigerated for a day to make it easier to scoop out, like butter.

Cocktail Recipe: Love Potion Punch

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching and will be here before we know it! For those of you who will be enjoying a romantic dinner for two at home, why not add this delicious Love Potion Punch to your dinner menu? The cocktail recipe was given to us by the great folks over at Three Olives Vodka to share with all of you.

Love Potion Punch Recipe

¾ cup Three Olives Berry Vodka
1 cup fresh blueberries (save some for garnish)
1 cup fresh raspberries(save some for garnish)
1 cup fresh blackberries(save some for garnish)
½ cup honey
½ cup fresh lemon juice
1 bottle rose sparkling wine

Blend the blueberries, raspberries, blackberries honey and lemon juice in a blender until smooth. Drain the mixture into a pitcher. Add the vodka and left over berries for garnish. Cover the pitcher and refrigerate until cold, at least 1 hour. Top of the mixture with the rose sparkling wine right before serving.

Disclaimer: You must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcohol. Please drink responsibly.