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This is one of the seasons where it seems a lot of money is either being spent, or credit is being used. We all know that when we use credit, the debt is one more thing added to the financial stress we carry most of the year.  Many do it anyway.  It is very hard to resist all the marketing and highly paid for advertisements that bombard us from all directions.  If you live in an urban area, and visit any shopping center or mall, you are blinded by colourful lights and beckoning elves and snowmen.  I must get a zillion sale notices starting in  November about just what I need added to my already cluttered life if I am to enjoy a good “Christmas”

The truth is,  we don’t need anything from a retail store to make us happy.  Happiness is a state of mind.  Happiness that is acquired through a purchase soon losses its luster and appeal.  That electronic must have soon is replaced by something fancier and more sophisticated. The dress or outfit once worn a few times is no longer to be seen in.

The Value of Money and Things Depends on How you Choose to Use Them. (PL teaching)  Money and things are materials for your self-expression. Use them to their fullest for the sake of others and society. (Church of Perfect Liberty)

World Peace starts from Peace at Home and in Our Hearts.  Inner Peace is the greatest gift of all.

Have a wonderful day everyone, be happy.

Blessings, Oyashikiri

photography – Q                smilePencil

Vulnerabilities

A warrior takes every person as an adversary
He/she sees all their vulnerable points.
And trains to eliminate his/her own
Only the way of the sage eliminates all weaknesses.
The sage goes beyond concepts of protection,competition,honour and righteousness, and has no fear of death

The sage knows life is merely an illusion.
Life is but one dream flowing into another.  Tao –Deng Ming-Dao

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A healthy mind is clear and uncluttered, always opened to the heavens/UNIVERSE

Whatever the optimal time of the day for you, set aside time to cultivate your connection/ bond with God/Tao.

virtual photography –Home of the Blue Lotus Clan

World of Snow

Sometimes, we have to really look to see something.

When we do take the time to be present in our surroundings, we are often blessed with a deeper understanding of the moment we are living.

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http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Slightly%20Twisted/136/92/21

July 3 Q_002

Give your best effort with a prayerful Mind.

God Resides in a prayerful mind. The Universe responds to sincerity (Makoto)

Believe that even if you don’t have what you think you need, you WILL find a way!  If you are fixated on “what you don’t have” you will not be blessed with wisdom and a way to solve your problems.  Think creatively to get past any obstacles in your way.

mushrooms & greens

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Wind chill factor of -24 degrees, time to burrow in with a hot bowl of veggies and mushrooms. Nothing too fancy, just something hot and steamy to warm up the insides.  Later I can have some rice and Chinese sausage (steam cooked on the rice while it is cooking).

Notice that I finally succeeded in getting my mushrooms to brown just like they do in those cooking shows.  I was pumped about that.  The greens are called broccoli, but it goes by another name of rappini.  This batch I found the stems to be a little chewy, otherwise they were delicious tasting.

Today’s temperature this morning was -11 not counting the chill factor.

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Mushrooms are a spore producing a fungal growth that many of us are very fond of in our food.  At one time some of the mushrooms now commonly found in Asian grocery stores could only be had by purchasing them in dried form.  Bringing them home and soaking them prior to  preparing them in a meal.  Now we can obtain some of the fresh, interestingly I find them not as appealing fresh, they lack the taste I’ve grown accustomed to.

Life .. is like that… we get used to something, and when there is a change, sometimes for the better, the adjustment on our part is not an easy transition.  What is important is that we make the effort and give it a try

Today’s PL lesson >> Don’t let yourself think “it’s too hard…Just give it a try..

Merry Christmas?

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Everywhere we go there are decorations, and signs advertising events to celebrate the festive season. Merry Christmas was the standard greeting of the day back when I was a “youngster”.  Even though I myself didn’t celebrate “Christmas”  I knew what it was supposed to mean.  My Mother would take us to church where we would hear about the birth of Jesus and hear the Christmas songs that were being sung.  That was pretty much it, in the world away from the Sunday service, it was all about hanging out.music,dancing, & going out.  Then there was the formal or family dinner,  that no one was really interested in except the parents, I didn’t care for it then anymore than I care for it now.

What I do love and I mean truly have a deep affection for, is the spirit of what the season is supposed to be about.  It is my belief that this should be the spirit all year long, not just on a given day or month. Goodwill to all, and Peace on Earth.

Asked why I participate” in the  trappings of Xmas.  I do so because my family and  friends do, it is their tradition.  I may not study the bible, or follow the “teacher” they do,but I love them, and respect their way to God.  God is our connection, in God we are all ONE.  ” Everyone has a different point of view.  Let’s enjoy and appreciate the personalities and differences we all have.” (PL Teaching)

We all celebrate the JOY of GOD, we all pray for PEACE on EARTH, if some say it by wishing me a Merry Xmas, then   Merry Christmas it is.

smilePencil

Fresh Vegetables

It winter, the days can be dreary and gray, that is no reason to sit down to a boring plate of vegetables. I had left over butternut squash from the other day, and some of the orange cauliflower. To round off the plate, I added steamed corn on the cob, and a steamed mixed veggie dish.

I use fresh green beans, carrots, red potato, red pepper, sliced like potato fries. toss the veggies with some butter, seasoning, garlic and spiracha hot chili sauce. Then I nuke it for about 5 minutes. Letting it sit in the steam for another 2 minutes before service.

The Sriracha hot chili sauce at one time was only available at Asian grocers, but now most of the major grocery stores have it.

photo (13)Note, the only butter used, is the butter I used in the mixed vegetables.  The corn is eaten the way you see it.  I discovered that cooking the corn in its husks, in the microwave steams it beautifully.  The niblets are plump, tender and sweet, unless you get a bad or old batch of corn.  I do my best to buy fresh produce in shops that are well populated.  The product does not stay around long.

There are a lot of Japanese rice seasonings that compliment the veggies, they are flavourful, and low in calories.

Being diabetic, I have to really watch what I eat, and there are days when I have to eat often.  So smaller meals with lots of vegetables suits me.  At lunch today, we  had roast pork with baked potato and roasted carrots.  I indulged my protein craving at lunch.  This evening I might have toast and kippers for an evening snack. =^_^=

One of the lessons I have to learn in life is to be accepting of the fact that I am a diabetic.  One of the day to day happenings besides the medications one has to take, is to be creative about meals.  Being visual, when my plate of food is appealing, I have a better appreciation of the meal.

PL Precept # 20 Live maintaining equilibrium between mind and matter.  smilePencil

Salmon cheeks

They are delicious,if you have never had this taste delight, don’t delay. I served these babies up with steamed veggies, and stuffed vine leaves. To cook the salmon cheeks I left them frozen till ready to cook.
Prepare your pan with coconut oil, garlic cloves to flavour the oil, then put in your cheeks. Cover and let the oil and steam do its job.
Once they are no longer in a clump, use a fork to toss them about so they cook evenly.
Season with the condiments you think you would like, in my case, it was some sea salt and pepper.
I used some paper towel on a plate to drain any of the fat that lingers when you take them out of the pan.
and voila! a taste to rival the juiciest  scallops or boring shrimp.

Salmon cheeks were new to me, I found them in my Asian grocery store in the frozen fish section. (T&T grocers)

The stuffed vine leaves, you can get at an ethnic grocers, I know Costco has a rather tasty offering,, I serve them up cold.

Happy discovery!

Holly & Mistletoe

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So many parties and events, there is a lot to do during the holidays =^_ ^=  What happens when and if you are simply not the party type, or like being in crowds.  One of the lessons in PL (Perfect Liberty) is to appreciate who you are, your situation, likes and preferences. As an artist who can easily get lost in writing or creative expressions, I tend to forget what time of day it is, or even at times, what day it is.

In PL, we have daily opportunities to speak with or have personal consultations with the PL minister of the church.  If you are not near an actual physical church, all the PL ministers no matter where they are will “meet” with you, via phone, internet, Skype, whatever means they have at their disposal to “meet” with you.

Each one of us has our own unique personality and lifestyle.  Therefore, it is different for each individual how they practice the “True Way” (TAO/PL)  We all seek happiness in our own way.

Last night when I couldn’t sleep, I wandered my favourite shopping haunts looking for a red dress for the holiday season.  No not to go to parties, no-where really, but because it pleases me to dress up.  Like the days when I designed fashions for my doll models, now I can do it in the virtual world, it is a form of artistic expression.one I never seem to tire of.   LIFE IS ART

Look and you shall find ….  5 little words to remember, in all aspects of your life. =^_^=  You need to continue and persevere to make your wishes and goals come true.  God is here for you, God is everywhere ALL the time.

YOU are loved.. today and everyday.

picture was taken in Exile @ Covet  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Covet/105/40/30

outfit is from PurpleMoon  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Etherea/167/71/22   the leopard shoes are from  Shoenique Designs  http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Shoenique%20Designs/128/49/23

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Joy of Exprssion

Results are important, but let’s not lose sight of the true joy that can be found in the actual process.
Face every task with wholehearted enthusiasm.

The holiday spirit is everywhere these days, the creative expressions of the many artists around us is abundant and plentiful. Remember to show appreciation of their accomplishments, celebrate the season, and the friends and family that make life so worthwhile.
Best of all…. remember to tell people you care, don’t assume they know…. the holiday season can also be a lonely time, and a sad time…. Let us count our blessings.
Share the LOVE.

12.7_001Peace on earth begins with peace in our hearts.

Love and BlessingsJoy to the world!

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