gerrycatgurl

Creating the Perfect Picnic Checklist

2008-06-17T06:52:00.000-07:00

Make a menu ahead of time and keep it taped to your refrigerator. Check off each dish as you pack it into your basket.

A picnic basket, hamper or tote bag for carrying food and equipment
Food chests to keep food hot or cold
Frozen blue ice for chilled foods
A tablecloth, quilt, sheet or any other cover if you plan to eat on the ground
Large cloth or paper napkins
Wicker holders for paper plates
Plates for appetizers, soup, main course and dessert
Coffee cups, water glasses and wineglasses
Flatware
Serving pieces
Bottle opener, corkscrew and can opener
Paper towels
Plastic bags or plastic wrap for leftovers
Large plastic bag for trash
Large plastic bag for used dishes and utensils
Small cutting board and knife
Condiments: salt, pepper, sugar, cream for coffee, mustard, relish, etc.
Fuel and matches if you are using a hibachi
Ice, liquor and mixes
Thermos filled with hot coffee
Soft drinks, sparkling water, beer or wine
Jug of cold water
Whole lemons and limes
Candles, candle holders and matches
Flashlight

My 43 Favorite Non-Fiction Books

2008-06-16T07:14:00.000-07:00

These are in no particular order.

1. "The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People" by David Niven

2. "The 100 Simple Secrets of The Best Half of Life" by David Niven

3. "All I Need to Know I Learned from My Cat" by Suzy Becker

4. "The Angel Book : A Handbook for Aspiring Angels" by Karen Goldman

5. "Angel Wisdom: 365 Meditations and Insights from the Heavens" by Terry Lynn Taylor

6. "Angel Courage: 365 Meditations and Insights to Get Us Through Hard Times" by Terry Lynn Taylor

7. "Bad Cat: 244 Not-So-Pretty Kitties And Cats Gone Bad" by Jim Edgar

8. "Beautiful Gardens Made Easy: Simple Techniques " by Miracle-Gro

9. "Being In Balance: 9 Principles for Creating Habits to Match Your Desires" by Dr. Wayne Dyer

10. "Bibliotherapy: The Girl's Guide to Books for Every Phase of Our Lives"

11. "Cinematherapy: The Girl's Guide to Movies for Every Mood"
by Beverly West

12. "Coming of Age...All Over Again: The Ultimate Midlife Handbook"
by Kate Klimo
by Beverly West

13. "The Color Scheme Bible: Inspirational Palettes for Designing Home…
by Anna Starmer

14. "Creating a Charmed Life: Sensible, Spiritual Secrets Every Busy Woman Should Know" by Victoria Moran

15. "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff for Women : Simple and Practical Ways to Do What Matters Most, and Find Time for You" by Kristine Carlson

16. "Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets…"
by Paul D. Tieger

17. "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff--and it's all small stuff "by Richard Carlson

18. "Dr. Andrew Weil's Guide to Optimum Health" by Andrew Weil

19. "Dressing Rich: A Guide to Classic Chic for Women With More Taste Than…"
by Leah Feldon

20. "The Emotional House: How Redesigning Your Home Can Change Your Life
by Dawn Ritchie

21. "THE ESSENCE OF ENGLISH LIFE" by SHEILA PICKLES

22. "Eyewitness Travel Guide to Great Britain" (revised) by Hilary Bird

23. "Eyewitness Travel Guide to London" by Michael Leapman

24. "Finding Your Own North Star: Claiming the Life You Were Meant to Live"
by Martha Beck

25. French for Cats: All the French Your Cat Will Ever Need
by Henry Beard

26. "Gift from the Sea" by Anne Morrow Lindbergh

27. "Healthy Aging: A Lifelong Guide to Your Physical and Spiritual Well-Being" by M.D. Andrew Weil

28. " In the Royal Manner : Expert Advice on Etiquette and Entertaining "by Paul Burrell

29. "Guardians of Hope: The Angels' Guide to Personal Growth" by Terry Lynn Taylor

30. "An Incomplete Education,"by Judy Jones

31. "It's Never Crowded Along the Extra Mile:10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace" by Wayne W. Dyer

32. "Life's Little Instruction Book" by Jr. H. Jackson Brown

33. "Living a Beautiful Life" by Alexandra Stoddard

34. "Messengers of Light: The Angels' Guide to Spiritual Growth" by Terry Lynn Taylor

35. "The New York Public Library Desk Reference" by The New York Public Library

36. "Organizing from the Inside Out" by Julie Morgenstern

37. " A Poem a Day, Vol. 1" by Karen Mccosker

38. "Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy" by Sarah Ban Breathnach

39. "Simple Pleasures: Soothing Suggestions & Small Comforts for Living Well" by Robert Taylor

40. "The Small Garden Planner" by Graham Rose

41. "Something More: Excavating Your Authentic Self" by Sarah Ban Breathnach

42. "Three Black Skirts : All You Need To Survive" by Anna Johnson

43. "Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential" by Joel Osteen

43 of my favorite quotations

2008-06-13T15:57:00.000-07:00

" From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded."

St. Luke 12:35-48

43 Songs That Never Fail to Brighten My Day

2008-06-12T17:24:00.000-07:00

"OUR HOUSE"

by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young

I'll light the fire

You place the flowers in the vase

That you bought today

Staring at the fire

For hours and hours

While I listen to you

Play your love songs

All night long for me

Only for me

Come to me now

And rest your head for just five minutes

Everything is good

Such a cosy room

The windows are illuminated

By the sunshine through them

Fiery gems for you

Only for you

Our house is a very, very fine house

With two cats in the yard

Life used to be so hard

Now everything is easy

'Cause of you

43 of the most beautiful words in the English Language (In my opinion)

2008-06-09T07:51:00.000-07:00

1. serendipity – good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries. A fluke, good fortune, good luck – a stroke of luck
2. ailurophile – A lover of cats
3. beatific – Displaying great happiness, having a divine aura; befitting an angel or saint
4. ethereal – 1. extremely delicate or refined , heavenly or spiritual
5. Eloquent – Vividly or movingly expressive
6. Sanctuary – A sacred place, such as a church, temple, or mosque. The holiest part of a sacred place, as a part of a Christian church around the altar.
7. bliss – Extreme happiness; ecstasy
8. epiphany – moment of great or sudden revelation
9. lagoon – A shallow body of salt water close to the sea but separated from it by a narrow strip of land, such as a barrier island, or by a coral reef.
10. elixer – a good potion
11. serene -Unaffected by disturbance; calm and unruffled
12. tranquil – calm, peaceful, or quiet

100 Fun Things To Do This Summer

2008-05-29T09:04:00.000-07:00

The reason that I am making this list is that I felt that summer passed my by last year. Its funny that I feel that way because I had a terrific vacation to Mackinac Island. It just seemed that it was over before I realized it. So this year, I have made a list. And I intend to do everything on it!
1 Take a beach vacation. Not sure where. Maybe Fort Lauderdale?
2 Swim in the ocean. I LOVE doing this!
3 Swim with dolphins. Probably not at the beach, but somewhere.
4 Build a sandcastle. I have photos of me doing this when I was little. It was such fun.
5 Sail on a sailboat. Have always wanted to do this.
6 Go Snorkeling.
7 Go to an outdoor concert.
8 Swim in a pool. ( Ok, alot more accessible than the ocean)
9 Go to an Outdoor Cafe. Food always tastes better outdoors!
10 Make Homemade Ice Cream. Especially Peach!
11 Swing on a tire swing or swingset. Ok, tire swings are difficult to come by, but awesome !
12 Throw a frisbee
13 Bounce on a trampoline
14 Play Hopscotch on the sidewalk
15 Get a kid's wading pool, fill it up, and sit in it all day!
16 Buy a charcoal grill. (done 6-4-08)
17 Watch fireflies at night.
18 Play croquet
19 Play badminton
20 Learn Astronomy, Map out the stars in the night sky.
21 Paddle a canoe.
22 Hike in the woods.
23 Learn how to use a compass
24 Create a first aid kit to carry in the car.
25 Go to a Baseball Game
26 Keep a Journal, Write in it everyday.
27 Play Miniature Golf
28 Go to a Drive-In Movie (If one can be found)
29 Get a manicure and a pedicure (well, at least a pedicure! July 2, 2008)
30 Get a massage.
31 Bird Watching -Identify and keep a log of birds in my neighborhood
32 Watch the sunrise
33 Photograph 43 sunrises
34 Have coffee on the deck in the morning sunshine
35 Feed the ducks at the park.
36 Watch the clouds and identify them.
37 Make "Smores" on the Grill
38 Go to a Polo Match
39 Collect Seashells along the seashore
40 Hike to a waterfall
41 Take a train ride, even if it is a dinner train.
42 Draw pictures on the driveway with chalk
43 Buy some nondangerous fireworks and sparklers and set them off on Independence Day.
44 Go fly a kite
45 Play with a Yo-Yo
46 Check out some Children's books at the library and read them
47 Make some pottery at "The Mad Potter"
48 Visit the Louisville Zoo and take pictures
49 Learn some Italian Phrases
50 Brush up on French Conversational language
51 Tie-Dye some tee shirts
52 Visit the Farmer's Market for the best fruits and vegetables
53 Pack a Picnic Lunch and go to the prettiest place you can think of.
54 Visit Shaker Village and Have lunch or dinner there.
55 Visit Chrisman Mills Winery and Vineyards for Lunch or Dinner
56 Make Sun Tea
57 Dine Al Fresco on the patio
58 Create several new fresh fruit smoothies
59 Create a Terrarium. http://www.ehow.com/video_9374_make-terrarium.html
60 Search for fossils or unique rocks in the woods and identify them.
61 Go on a wildflower walk and see how many different ones you can identify
62 Go to at least 8 Summer Movies "Sex and the City" on 6-1-08,
63 Ride a bicycle
64 Ride a motorcycle
65 Do a cartwheel or two!
66 Go Hiking at Raven's Run Nature Sanctuary
66 Go to an Outdoor play
67 Go to Bernheim Forest and take a picnic lunch.
68 Visit Berea for the Arts and Crafts Festival
69 Learn Archery
70 Target Practice (6-7-08) done
71 Go to a Play at Actor's Theatre
72 Go on the Belle of Louisville
73 Climb a tree
74 Tour the Cathedral of the Assumption in Louisville
75 Tour the Frazier International History Museum in Louisville
76 Visit a Planetarium Rauch Planetarium in Louisville or Hummel Planetarium at EKU
77 Visit the "Little Loom House"
78 Find Used book stores and buy from them
79 Visit the Louisville IMAX Theatre and Science Center
80 Visit Henry Clay's "Ashland" and take photos of the walled garden
81 Berea Craft Festival July 11-13
82 Go to movies at the Kentucky Theatre
83 Visit Boyd Orchards in Versailles for U-Pick Strawberries
84 Visit Midway
85 Chrisman Mill Winery and Restaurant in Nicholasville
86 Antique Shops in Nicholasville
87 Have lunch at Mike Fink's Riverboat in Covington
88 Visit Frankfort
89 Woodland Art Fair , August 16 & 17
90 Visit McConnell Springs
91 Walk at the Arboretum
92 Create a water feature for my garden
93 Get all my landscape lights to work properly
94 Have dinner at Portofinos
94 Lunch or Dinner at Dudley's at Dudley Square
95 Have lunch at Alfalfas
96 Have Dinner at Marikka's German Restaurant
97 Giuseppe's Italian Restaurant
98 Horseback riding
99 Dinner at Rossi's
100 Sunbathe on my deck and listen to the birds sing!!!!