figuring out 40

ventage tuesday : 5 awesome things to do.

Happy New Year from our little Ventage group! Today's topic was chosen by Barb - "5 Things to Do in 2013." Since Stephanie has dubbed this year "the Ventage Year of Awesome," here are 5 things that I think would be AWESOME to do this year...

1. Visit the Ventage Girls. I'm the outlier, up here in the northeast. Ventage headquarters is really Wisconsin/Illinois. I'm determined to take a road trip/train trip/ plane trip to get the band group together.

2. Take a few weekend trips to the beach. It's really not that far...and if I have company, the 3.5/4 hour drive will fly. (hint, hint: Colleen. Gina. Michelina.)

3. Find a signature cocktail. I'm certainly a fan of red wine, and Miss Angie introduced me to the beauty of the gin & tonic this year. I'd like to get creative and find a drink that I can call my own.

4. Attend (or maybe even HOST!) a pop-up dinner party. Note to Barb - I will need you to fly out for this. How amazing does that SF party look?? Swoon.

5. Go on a date. I feel like a giant geek even writing that! First, for anyone saying "but wait, didn't you JUST get divorced??" Uhm, no, I didn't. The falling apart (thank you, Stacey Morrison) happened over the course of several years. The legal part was merely the finale. And I'm not saying that I even want a relationship - I'd just like someone to compliment my outfit, open the car door, and pick out the wine. I'm easy like that. NO, not easy like that. Oh good grief, I should delete this one.

What awesome things do you have planned for 2013? See what Angie, Stephanie, Barb, and Em are up to...

ventage tuesday : peace on earth.

Happy Ventage Tuesday Christmas! It's bound to be an abbreviated sort of day, given that 3 of the 5 Ventage Girls have littles underfoot. My "littles" have driven themselves over to their Dad's house for a Christmas dinner, so I have some quiet keyboard time. Barb suggested that today's topic be "things that make you feel peaceful." Seems like a fitting theme for the day...

1. Knowing that my kids are loved. We were joined for brunch today by Hope & Austin's Dad, and then said "Merry Christmas" via Skype to Hope's father. We are choosing kindness...and that brings me great peace. 

2. The first cup of coffee. I've made more space for gentle mornings this year (even when they make me late for work). I'm not always successful, but when I do manage to really savor that first cup of coffee? Insta-peace.

3. Meditation. It sounds funny to say that this one is hard-won, but it is. Meditation isn't easy. Monkey mind derails me all the freakin' time. I'm still not confident enough to say that I have a regular practice, but I'm getting more & more consistent. Sitting = peace.

4. Writing. One of my intentions for 2013 is to write more. I'm firing my critic, and rewriting my censor's guidelines. I want to blog more, journal more, contribute more, tweet more, and (yes, Katherine!) maybe finally start writing a book. Words bring peace. 

5. Alone time. I am, and forever will be, an introvert. I crave my alone time, and often spend it in silence. Thanks to Gabrielle Bernstein's writing/teaching, I'm learning so much about finding peace within myself. 

I hope that this holiday has brought you moments of great joy, and so much peace. 

ventage tuesday : rockin' around the christmas tree.

Today's topic is brought to you by the marvelous & musical Miss Em...5 fave Christmas songs! 

                

Baby It's Cold Outside - the Glee cast version. 

Straight No Chaser - the 12 Days of Christmas

Mariah Carey - All I Want for Christmas

U2 - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

SheDaisy - Deck the Halls

I'll be listening to Christmas carols on my drive to Montreal today - it's time for things to get HOPEful around here. :) 

*Be sure to check out Angie, Em, Steph, and Barb...I'm hoping that one of them leaves me a Xmas carol voice mail. Hint, hint.

ventage tuesday : on thursday.

I missed Ventage Tuesday this week due to travel, so I'm just going to rewind - 

One of our Ventage Girls celebrated a birthday this week, so our theme this week is "Ode to Barb." Miss Barb is the ripe old age of 33. Barb is my travel companion, my Thursday night skype date, my Taylor Swift dealer, my un-paid therapist, and my fellow dreamer. It's funny to me that we're a decade apart in age b/c we have so much in common - and this year, we (unfortunately) shared a common journey through divorce. She is stronger than she realizes. She is funny. She is wicked smart. She has awesome style. She is well-read & well-spoken. She is creative. She is a part of my life that I can't imagine being without. 

Crazy love for you, my awesome friend. Crazy love.

ventage tuesday : wish I may, wish I might.

It has been an exceptionally challenging day. The opportunity to be a bit frivolous is welcomed. Today's Ventage Tuesday is a Christmas Wish List (and...since Barb and I have before & after birthdays...let's just consider this a Xmas/Bday list)....

1. this print. 2. this blender. 3. mala beads. 4. this milk frother. 5. this mug. 

If we're being indulgent, I'd really lke...

A Dyson.

or. 

Accomodations & a ticket to this weekend. Swoon.

ventage tuesday : thanksgiving faves

It's Tuesday...and more specifically, it's the Tuesday before Thanksgiving here in the states. For everyone wondering/about-to-ask...no, Hope does not come home for American Thanksgiving. She celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving last month with friends. Yes, that makes me sad. :( Austin & I will be joined by Rob for Thanksgiving Dinner (as Austin said "dude, we make our own rules.") In prep for the holiday, the Ventage girls are sharing 5 Thanksgiving Faves...

(image source)

Fave #1 - Mashed Potatoes. A favorite in our house. Made with real butter & cream. With a little extra butter for good measure. 

Fave #2 - A non-turkey main dish. Last year, we had lobster tails. This year, it's Celebration Roast. I giggle at the people who are appalled that I don't serve turkey on Thanksgiving. Apparently, I'm supposed to take a hall pass on the whole I don't eat meat thing for the holiday. DO NOT get me started on the people who will act like Thanksgiving isn't "real" w/o turkey...but will then start telling me to put the Christ back in Xmas on Friday. 

Fave #3 - A rousing game of Aggravation. My Grandma Bea loved Aggravation. My kids didn't get to grow up having Thanksgiving with Grandma Bea, but they are carrying on the tradition of the game. As Grandma would say "you're going to town now!"...

Fave #4 - Pumpkin Pie. With a lot more whipped cream than what is shown in this photo. Like, A LOT more.

Fave #5 - Black Friday Ads. I have no plans on going shopping on Black Friday (although I've done it many, many times). I don't normally get the newspaper. I'll pick up a paper on Thursday for the sole purpose of paging through the ads. I think it's fascinating to see what the "must have" items are for the year...especially when they are totally unnecessary. 

Be sure to visit the other Ventage girls...Angie, Barb, Steph, and Em...and leave some Thanksgiving love! 

ventage tuesday : five fun facts.

Does it surprise anyone that I'm running late posting this? Hmmm. Didn't think so. Today's Ventage Tuesday post is supposed to be five random/fun/little known facts about ourselves. I'm not sure that I can think of 5 facts that I haven't talked about before! I'll try - but no apologies for repeats. 

1. I can see - and memorize - color very accurately. Yes, that's really a thing. This skill comes in handy with scrapbooking AND color cosmetic development. It also means that you really don't want to be the guy mixing paint for me at Lowe's. I'm kind of a pain.

2. I only spell "immediately" and "separately" correctly 80% of the time. I am spelling-bee-good at spelling...but those words trip me up. Thank god for spell check! (proof positive - I spelled separately wrong when I first wrote this post)

3. I was born with a congenital eye movement disorder called Duane's Syndrome. I turn my head to the left to compensate. I don't notice that I'm doing it, which really irritates the DMV when I have my license photo taken (DMV - please look straight ahead. Me - I am. DMV - ma'am, please look straight ahead. Me - I AM!!!). It also means that if I have my picture taken with you, I want to stand to your right. Otherwise, it looks like I'm leaning away from you.

4. I can't parallel park. Sometimes I get lucky, but I usually give up and just drive until I find a pull in spot. Even if that means walking blocks out of my way.

5. I didn't really learn to cook until I was well into my thirties. Signature meals in my twenties were hamburger helper, frozen pot pies, and various other entrees that required reading the instructions on the side of the box. My Great-Grandmother was a VERY good cook, and I wish that I would have had the opportunity to serve her an excellent meal. I think that she would be proud of my culinary skills. :)

So, there ya have it - five things that you probably didn't need to know about me! Be sure to check out Angie, Steph, Barb, and Emily....

ventage tuesday : songs for the ride home.

Today's topic is near & dear to many a Ventage heart. It's Em's job. It's the fuel for spontaneous, stress-busting dance parties. It creates opportunities for car dancing. Like many Ventage things - we share some loves, and we chuckle at our differences in taste. 

I couldn't really pick 5 favorites, so I'm just going with 5 on my "recently played" list. My kids claim that all of my music is depressing. I disagree. It's thoughtful! Or something. 

You & I  - Ingrid Michaelson. Most often listened to on the way to school in the morning. It's Austin approved.

Everybody Talks - Neon Trees. Just a happy song. So NOT depressing!

Lover's Eyes - Mumford & Sons. Dude. I am still sooooo in love with this song.

Catch My Breath - Kelly Clarkson. I have loved her voice since Idol. Love this song. Love the girl power sentiment. 

Say Anything - Tristan Prettyman. We won't break if we let go. You & I already know. We were bound to be set free. 

To see what the other girls are listening to, visit Em, Barb, Angie, and Steph...

ventage tuesday : in my bag.

It's Tuesday again - so it's time for a Ventage girls post. This week is inspired by Em - she's encouraging us to dump out our pocketbooks and confess to our hoarding sins. Or something like that. Here's a look at the treasures lurking in my laptop bag...

1. a Loving Kindness Mediation - copied from Being Zen. I really need to just buy that book.

2. my new Moo cards. 

3. one dollar. I never carry cash. 

4. bandaids from TD Bank - random. 

5. lip glosses - like, duh. MF Polished, VS Duos, Dazzlelicious, and Cashmere Glow.

Be sure to visit the other Ventage Girls to see what they're toting around! Barb, Em, Angie, and Steph...

ventage tuesday : fall foods to try

Happy (really late) Tuesday! I really need to learn to write these posts ahead of time. Sigh. Before I jump into today's Ventage Tuesday topic, let me say CONGRATS! to Dianne for winning the I AM giveaway. Please email your addy to me - katrina(at)katrinasimeck(dot)com. Thank you!! 

Today's Ventage Tuesday post is about a subject that we Ventage Girls hold near & dear....FOOD! I'm constantly on the lookout for new recipes to try (I subscribe to an obscene amount of cooking blogs), so I surfed my Pinterest "dine" board and Google Reader starred items to come up with five recipes that I'm looking forward to making this fall - 

Roasted Butternut Squash & Black Bean Enchiladas by Yummy Mummy: due to the fact that this summer's sweet potato & black bean tacos were a fast favorite, I'm thinking that this adaptation could be a fall winner. (note: there will be no sour cream happening here. Em, how are we friends??)

Black Rice w/Sweet Potatoes & Scallions from Emily Levenson: super simple, but really interesting...and colorful! This is actually on the menu for this week.

Chickpea & Rosemary Frittata from Stone Soup: I love frittatas for dinner. I never would have thought of eggs & chickpeas - but I enjoy both, so why not?

Shredded Brussels Sprouts & Apples from 101 Cookbooks: I feel like I should like brussels sprouts. I'm often surprised when I have them in restaurants and I actually like them....so I'm convinced that it's merely a flaw in the way that I've cooked them. I'd like to try again - although I'll likely sub tempeh for tofu b/c I like the texture better.

Creamy Lumaconi w/Sausage & Spinach: I've made this one a couple of times, and it's a fave. I substitute veg sausage (favorite: Field Roast Apple Sage), and use whatever shape of pasta I happen to have on hand. 

Cooking/eating notes: I'm pescetarian (veg & fish), and I only cook pescetarian. Austin eats pescetarian at home, and sometimes chooses to eat meat at restaurants & friend's houses. Ditto for Hope (who also cooks for herself at university). I don't eat most condiments, so I work around them when recipes call for them. Austin and I (+ Hope when she's home) sit down at table every night (with few exceptions) with real plates, cloth napkins, and proper glasses (stemless red for me). Having interesting recipes makes mealtime more fun. I totally get the challenges of dinnertime with little ones....b/c my children weren't born 16 and 20. Trust me, I get it. 

Be sure to check out the other Ventage Girls! - Barb, Em, Stephanie, and Angie.