I love this song and his voice! Wow, Robert Palmer has stood the test of time.
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share this week.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
When you were a child, what job did you think was perfect?
For me it was being a DJ or an Ice Dancer.
I can’t wait to hear your answers.
Melinda
I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.
They bring a smile to my face each Spring and they last all Summer.
Melinda
Cindy is a great blogging friend and an inspiration to me. When she said her look book was poetry, I paused for a minute. I’m not one to get into poetry, but this book is different, it’s conversational and the topics speak to me. I love how it flows.
Celebrating Poetry is a Companion Guide to Re-Create and Celebrate.
Cindy is a San Francisco native and currently lives nestled in the trees in a small community with her husband and four fur babies. Her debut book Recreate & Celebrate: 7 Steps To Live The Life Of Your Dreams has 40 5-star reviews on Amazon and can be found at local bookstores. She was voted Author of The Year by Spillworks Press, NY in 2024 and was voted Author of the Month by Spillworks Press, NY in April 2023 and Publication of the Month by Spillworks Press in October 2022.
“Celebrating Poetry by Cindy Georgakas is a joy to read and a perfect companion to Cindy’s book, Re-Create & Celebrate.
She shares a variety of poems relating to the ups and downs of everyday life. Her verses encourage us to discover and celebrate our own strengths and to face life’s challenges.
I highly recommend this wonderful book to reconnect with yourself and enrich your soul.”
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“Cindy’s poetry is a warm embrace on a cold night. Each verse, a window into her soul, inviting the reader to peer in and understand. Her words, raw and honest, resonate deeply, making the reader feel both seen and understood. It’s as if she’s sitting across from you sharing her life story, one heartfelt poem at a time. A truly beautiful and moving collection that I loved.”
–
“First thing in the morning and last thing at night. I keep this lovely collection of poems next to my bed, and read one before falling asleep to feed my muse and my spirit. When I wake, I re-read the same poem again, and generally pick up something new that I missed in the first reading. No matter when or how you decide to read this beautiful collection, just know that you don’t want to miss a single one! 💞”
I love how the book is laid out, there is a section where Cindy writes her thoughts followed by a collection of relative poetry. It’s more conversational than a poetry book. One of the most important things I can say is Cindy is inspirational, and positive and leaves you with questions to ponder.
Some of the topics Cindy covers in Celebrating Poetry are:
Be who you are
Look up not down
You reap what you sew
Bite your tongue
and so many more great topics that can help us shape your life for the positive.
I like that there are pages to write down your reflections which is great to look back at and remind you of which areas you would like to read again, and you will want to read again.
A few poems I especially related to:
Bite Your Tounge
Learn or Blame
Spit It Out
This book will become your trusted friend, one you can go back and lay your head on. There’s truth in Cindy’s words. I agree with one reviewer, it’s a must-read.
Melinda
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series over the past two years. I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week, we highlight Leanne Cole’s blog. I have followed Leanne for a long time and am amazed by every photo she posts. I’m drawn to her infrared photos; they are like no other I’ve seen. She lives to take photos and challenges herself to get the best of each one.
This is about me and this blog is about my photography and what I’m trying to achieve with my photography.
Ultimately I am a middle-aged woman who loves making the world into my vision.
I’ve been taking photos for over 25 years. That’s if you count from first SLR, though I have been taking photos all my life and got my first camera when I was around 10.
Photography was expensive and I wasn’t allowed to do a lot. We didn’t have a lot of money for that sort of thing.
While doing that I was also drawing as much as I could. Being an artist was something I really wanted. I was born to be an artist.
All photos are copyrighted to Leanne Cole, she was generous enough to allow me to include a few photos.
M. Is there a type of photography you would like to improve on?
L. Most definitely, I want to get a lot better at still-life photography. I really think I suck at it, and I love paintings of still life, so I want to get better at it.
M. What is your favorite type of photo and why?
L. I love architecture and macro flowers. Why, I don’t really know why. I love macro because I can do it in my garden. I’ve spent a few years trying to get my garden to a stage where I have flowers in it and can take photos out in it.
Leanne also participates in several photo challenges each week, and it’s so interesting to see how she tackles the prompts.
Pull up and chair and browse her archives, you’ll be amazed.
Melinda
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share this week.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Thank you for the great feedback on this series. I sit down to a blank screen and see what comes to mind.
People are born good-hearted, they learn the rest from their parents and experiences in life.
If parents and their children spend less time on their phones or computers, they can have family conversations and make memories.
If parents drink, smoke, and swear, they can expect the same from their children. Do as I say does not work.
If you have room in your garage or back driveway, why do you park in front of the house? It makes the street look junky.
Leaving your outdoor Christmas lights on until February is not cool, stop procrastinating.
When someone calls me mame, I do a double take, I rarely hear it, and it makes me smile.
Remember to revere the elderly, everyone has the time to let them get across the street without honking.
If your city has bike lanes, use them. Biking groups should not be able to ride on the major/high-traffic streets. They are a traffic hazard and always cause traffic back-ups.
Remember to say you’re sorry.
Melinda
I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.
The second photo was taken from their website; the majestic building shines through. David took the first photo through a window in the Mayo Clinic buildings.
Melinda
The recipe is from Kristin Cavallari’s book True Comfort.
This smoothie sounds so good I’ll have to try it. I like how easy it is to make and you can double the recipe to make two lattes.
1 tbs. ground coffee or instant coffee granules
1 tbs. raw cacao powder
1 tbs. coconut cream
1 cup frozen cauliflower florets
1 1/2 cups almond milk
1 frozen banana
Serves 1
Place the coffee, cacao powder, coconut cream, cauliflower, almond milk, and a banana in a high-powered blender and blend until well combined, about 1 minute.
Pour and enjoy!
Melinda
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The recipe is from Kristin Cavallari’s cookbook True Comfort
1 1/2 cups almond milk
2 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tb. raw cacao powder
1 1/2 tsp. raw honey
3 tsp. tahini
In a small saucepan, warm the almond milk over medium-high heat until it simmers, 5 minutes.
Pour the warm milk into a high-powered blender and add the vanilla, cinnamon, cocoa powder, honey, and tahini.
Blend on high speed until the cocoa is smooth and frothy, 1 minute.
Serves 1
Double the recipe to make two cups.
Enjoy.
Melinda
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I remember very well! I looked back to see if my dad was watching and ran into a telephone pole.
Melinda
Def Leopard all day any day! Big hair had its day and it was wildly popular.
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share this week.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
I get so excited when I see a new country has visited my blog, I wonder how you found me. Thank you for letting me into your life and traveling with a moment.
Take good care of yourself until I see you again.
Melinda
The first day of 2025 is off to a great start because I woke up and any day I wake up is a day to be grateful. We have a year to live life the way we want to live, if you’re not there yet, keep moving forward with your eyes on the prize.
Happy New Year!
Melinda
Let’s see what type of party music I can curate at 61 years old, don’t expect current music because I don’t know any. Maybe we’ll call this an oldies music party. :)
Commodores – Brickhouse (Live)
Kool & The Gang – Get Down On It
Michael Jackson – Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough (Official Video)
Bee Gees – Stayin’ Alive (Official Music Video)
Rocky – Eye of The Tiger
Flashdance – What A Feeling (S.Martin Remix 2019)
Enjoy New Year’s Eve, have a great time but don’t drink and drive.
Melinda
“These are great for a morning or afternoon snack when you just need a little pick me up. I like to take them to the office with me.” Kristin Cavallari from her cookbook True Comfort.
1/4 cup finely chopped raw almonds
2/3 cup almond flour
1/2 cup creamy raw almond butter
1 tablespoon instant coffee granules
1/4 cup vanilla protein powder
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 to 2 teaspoons almond milk
1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
In a large bowl, combine the almonds, almond flour, almond butter, coffee granules, protein powder, maple syrup, vanilla, and almond milk.
Roll the dough into golf ball size balls and place them on a baking sheet.
Place the shredded coconut in a shallow dish.
Roll each ball into the coconut and then return to the baking sheet.
Place the baking sheet in the fridge to chill for at least 1 hour for the bites to firm up before you eat.
These bites keep well in a ziplock bag in the fridge for up to 14 days.
Here’s a great Gluten Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. My archives contain many Gluten Free recipes.
Enjoy!
Melinda
As we approach several holidays mocktails are great for those who chose not to drink.
Here are a few great recipes
INGREDIENTS
Add the lime pieces, lemongrass slices, ginger syrup, and sugar to a sturdy highball glass or a cocktail shaker. Muddle until the sugar has dissolved and the aromas are released. Add the mint leaves and muddle a bit more.
1 wedge lime
4 ounces *brewed jasmine green tea, chilled
4 ounces ginger beer, chilled (I used Gosling’s)
Garnishes: Fresh sliced strawberries and additional lime wedges
Fill a glass with ice cubes. Squeeze the juice of a lime wedge over the ice and drop the lime wedge into the glass. Add the chilled green tea and ginger beer; stir gently. Garnish with strawberries and additional lime wedges.
Makes 1 drink
Here are the ingredients in a virgin piña colada recipe:
Throw these in a blender, and you’ve got a tasty signature drink in no time. Except you need one last required item…drink umbrellas!
Brilliant green matcha makes this healthy mocktail creamy and comforting. Plus, it’s packed with antioxidants and features a little caffeine kick.
We recommend using plant-based milk as the foundation for your Green Russian. This renders the drink accessible to those not consuming dairy, but it also allows the matcha to shine; milk proteins can block the absorption of matcha’s beneficial compounds.
2 ½ cups plant-based milk
Tip: Use a richer, fuller plant milk, such as cashew, macadamia, or barista-grade oat milk.
1 ½ tablespoons matcha powder
2 oz cold coffee
Tip: Try to use cold-brew coffee. Since we’re only using a little bit, you’ll want your flavor to be as full as possible. Alternatively, mushroom coffee can be used to achieve an earthy taste and add nutritional benefits.
2 tablespoons sugar or other sweetener
1 pinch cacao powder (optional)
1 cup ice
Warm 2 cups of your milk over low heat. Add the sugar and stir. Next, add the matcha powder and stir until fully dissolved. Remove from heat and set aside.
Next, add ice to your glasses. Once the matcha mixture has cooled, pour it into the glasses. Add a quarter cup of the remaining milk to each glass. Pour a splash of cold coffee on top of the milk for a beautiful combination of colors and flavors. Dust the mocktail’s top with cacao powder for added glamor (and superfood power). Serve and enjoy!
Melinda
References:
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The recipe is from Kristin Cavallari’s cookbook True Comfort.
I am so impressed with her cookbook, she covers every meal, snack, and smoothie. You don’t have to be living a Gluten-Free life to enjoy the recipes, they sound delicious. Several followers have made comments about how good the recipe was.
1/2 avocado
1 tbs raw honey
1 cup almond milk
2 tbs raw cacao nibs
1 cup frozen cauliflower florets
1 big handful of fresh spinach
1 tsp brain octane oil (she likes Bulletproof)
1 tbs bee pollen
1 tbs hemp seeds
1/4 cup chopped or sliced blueberries and blackberry
Place the avocado, honey, almond milk, cacao nibs, cauliflower florets, spinach, and brain octane oil (if using) in a high-powered blender and blend until well combined, about one minute.
Pour into glass and top with the bee pollen, hemp seeds, and berries.
Enjoy right away.
Serves 1
Melinda
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Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.
Such wise words!
Melinda
Coffee drinks give me a chance to stop & relax.
1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk
1-2 shots of expresso
1 TB raw cacao powder
1 TS pure maple syrup
1/4 TS teaspoon peppermint extract
Warm the coconut milk to your desired temperature over medium to high heat in a small saucepan.
Pour the warmed milk into a high-powered blender and add the espresso, cacao powder, maple syrup, and peppermint.
Blend until the drink is combined and slightly frothy, about 1 minute.
Pour into a mug and enjoy it immediately.
Serves 1
Double the recipe to make 2 servings.
Enjoy
Melinda
WOW!!!!!! Sing it, Sammy.
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me this week for another edition of Weekend Music Share.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Melinda
The family cookbook contains recipes my Gramps and Granny used often. It is the type of food I grew up on: good ole Southern food, from my Gramps’ dumplings to Granny’s pecan pie.
This recipe is a keeper! My brother and I would beg Granny to make it.
1 can condensed milk
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup peanut chips
2 cups tiny marshmallows
2 cups chopped nuts
Stir and melt chips and milk over medium heat, don’t scorch
Stir all the time and fold in marshmallows and nuts
Spread on buttered oblong pan and cool.
It is worth forgetting about the calorie count.
Melinda
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I pray you and your family have a blessed Christmas day. Christmas traditions like gathering with the family for a good meal and exchanging gifts are great memories. I hope you will take the time while the family is all together to count your blessing and be grateful for the help God has given your family in 2024. Remember Jesus is the reason for the season.
If you don’t celebrate Christmas, I wish you and your family the best leading up to the New Year. May 2025 bring you great joy.
Melinda
The family cookbook contains recipes, my Grandparents used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like dumplings, and pecan pie. Some recipes have been passed down or from other family members recipe.
1 stick butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup quick oatmeal
1 egg
2 tb. vanilla
2 tsp. flour
1 cup finely chopped pecans
Cookie sheet
Cream butter and sugar until combined
Add egg, and vanilla, and blend.
Add oatmeal, flour, and nuts, and mix until combined
Use a teaspoon to measure with
Drop mixture 2 inches apart on a folded lined cookie sheet
Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown.
Cool and slide off the foil
Store in an airtight container
This recipe was a favorite of Granny’s.
Melinda
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One of the greatest rewards of slowing down on writing is that it has allowed me to spend more time communicating with the bloggers who comment. I thank each of you who have left your comments, they are the lifeblood and the joy of blogging. I appreciate the time you’ve taken to share with me, it brings a smile every time
Here are the bloggers who have commented the most this year.
. 
I appreciate you reading my post and sharing your thoughts with me, You’re the best.
Melinda
Tear Jerker! What can you say about a person who shows true kindness?
Melinda
The family cookbook contains recipes that my Grandparents used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like my Gramps dumplings, to Grannies pecan pie.
3 or 4 cups sugar
1 cup water
Half a stick of butter
Medium pot
Cook until butter is melted
Cook at 400 degrees until brown.
Pour over potatoes
Melinda
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Willow & Sage by Stampington
Simple to make, classic sugar scrubs are a must-have item for your skin routine. They not only help remove dead skin cells, improve circulation, unclog pores, and prevent ingrown hairs, but they also leave your skin feeling soft and smooth- a necessary tool during cold winter months. You can use a sugar scrub one or two times are week. For sensitive skin, you’ll want to watch how your skin reacts and perhaps exfoliate less often.
Boost skin circulation
Exfoliates dead skin
Improves skin texture
Moisturizing dry skin
Scalp: Brown Sugar
Faces: Sanding/Caster Sugar
Lips: Brown Sugar
Hands: White granulated sugar
Legs: Cane sugar
Feet: Raw/Turbinado sugar
Melinda
Melinda
lookingforthelight.blog 