I ran across a quotation this week that really hit home.
“The life you have left is a gift. Cherish it. Enjoy it now, to the fullest. Do what matters, now.” — Leo Babauta
This quotation also reminded me of a wonderful and very powerful poem by Linda Ellis entitled The Dash (which I blogged about back in 2008).
One of the highlights of my day is to work the puzzle page of the local paper. From the Sudoku, to the ScrabbleGrams, to the Cryptoquotes, to the Crosswords, I find them all challenging as well as mentally stimulating. And, while I would be hesitant to describe myself as a cruciverbalist (I have not yet attempted to design or construct a crossword puzzle of my own) I certainly do enjoy working or attempting to solve the puzzles which might make me an aficionado for sure.
\kroo-suh-vur-buh-list\, noun;
It’s here! Tulsa International Mayfest . . . “an annual tribute to art and music in the heart of beautiful downtown Tulsa!” I really don’t think I need any more temptation right now, but okay, here goes. The festival official got underway last night and will continue through the weekend (Sunday, 6 PM). By all means, if you are looking for something to do this weekend, avail yourself of the art, music, food, fun and more. And since you’ll be downtown, why not stop by the Blue Dome Arts Festival as well? There is quite the lineup of art and entertainment, get out and check it out! You won’t be disappointed.
What do you get when you combine carrot cake and cheesecake (each a truly wonderful dessert in its own right)? A decadently delicious and awesomely amazing dessert!
Carrot Cake Cheesecake
Ingredients:
18 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature)
1-3/4 cup granulated sugar
1-3/4 cups powdered sugar
1 cup flour and 1 tablespoon flour
5 eggs
2-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 (8-1/2 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained (save juice)
1 cup grated carrots
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 tablespoon butter, softened
1 tablespoon reserved pineapple juice
Dash of salt
Directions:
Grease a 9 or 9-1/2 inch springform pan. Set aside.
In the large bowl, beat together 2 packages cream cheese and 3/4 cup sugar until smooth. Beat in 1 tablespoon flour, 3 eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla until smooth. Set aside.
For the carrot cake: In a large bowl, combine oil, 1 cup sugar, 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla, blending thoroughly. Stir in 1 cup flour, baking soda, cinnamon and pinch of salt, mixing well. Stir in drained pineapple, carrots, coconut and walnuts.
Spread 1-1/2 cups carrot cake batter over bottom of prepared pan. Drop large spoonfuls of cream cheese batter over carrot cake batter. Top with large spoonfuls of remaining carrot cake batter. Repeat with remaining cream cheese batter, spreading evenly with a knife.
Bake in preheated 350°F oven 50 to 65 minutes or until cake is set and cooked through. Cool to room temperature and then refrigerate. When cake is cold, prepare the frosting.
For the frosting: in a small bowl, combine 2 ounces of cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, 1 tablespoon reserved pineapple juice and a dash of salt. Beat until smooth (spreading consistency). Frost the top of the cheesecake. Refrigerate 3 to 4 hours before serving.
To our fallen brethren . . . we will not forget.
For all of you comic book fans out there, 1963 was a banner year for the creation of several super heroes (all of whom are now eligible for AARP membership). So Happy 50th Birthday to the X-Men and the Avengers. In addition, the Amazing Spider-Man (created in 1962) was granted his very own comic book in 1963. Luckily, super heroes never really age, so all of these characters will be around for a very long time . . .
New “Golden Aged” Heroes (turned 50 this year [or last year]):
Older “Golden Aged” Heroes (well beyond 50):
Originally built in 1981, the Dome Home at Cape Romano, Florida, was occupied until 1993. The home had been purchased in 2005, by the John Tosto family of Naples, who had plans to renovate the home and make it functional again. Unfortunately, they ran into issues with the Department of Environmental Protection and the Collier County Code Enforcement Board and were told the domes must be removed from the island in 2007. The domes have not yet been removed, but they probably won’t be renovated either. Too bad. Here’s a link to the entire story.
A week in which we honor those members of the law enforcement community who have given the ultimate sacrifice and have died in the line of duty.
What started in 1982 as a gathering in Senate Park of approximately 120 survivors and supporters of law enforcement, has grown to a week-long series of events which attracts thousands of survivors and law enforcement officers to our Nation’s Capital each year. National Police Week draws between 25,000 to 40,000 attendees from departments throughout the United States as well as from agencies throughout the world.
Three officers from Oklahoma will be added to the wall this year.
| Coen | William C. | Oklahoma | 06/10/12 |
| Hayden | Brian E. | Oklahoma | 04/19/12 |
| McCoy | Jeffrey M. | Oklahoma | 05/18/12 |
Let us never forget!
Here is a link to the NCJRS (National Criminal Justice Reference Service) special feature page for National Police Week.
Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech, that is. Dali was born in Figueras, Spain, on May 11, 1904. Happy Birthday Salvador! Salvador Dali was one of the best-known surrealist artists (artists who seek to express the contents of the unconscious mind) despite his expulsion from the surrealist movement (by Andre Breton) in the late 1930s.
Here’s a link to the collection of his paintings/works.
Here’s a link to other Dalinian links (museums featuring works by Dali).
“A true painter is one who can paint extraordinary scenes in the middle of an empty desert. A true painter is one who can patiently paint a pear in the midst of the tumults of history.” Salvador Dalí.
How many times do you arrive at the end of the busy day and think to yourself “gee, I was busy, but what did I actually accomplish today?” Some days the answer will be “a lot,” and some days the answer may be “not so much.” Then again, sometimes, no matter how hard you may be working, or regardless of how many items you’ve crossing off your “to do” list, the list seems to have grown instead of shrunk. Take stock in the fact that you really are being productive and don’t allow yourself to become discouraged (often times this is easier said, than done).
“Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It’s not a day when you lounge around doing nothing, it’s when you’ve had everything to do and you’ve done it.” — Margaret Thatcher
Even though I like this quotation a great deal, perhaps some days you will have to settle for the satisfaction that you just made it through to the end and not concern yourself with anything else at all.
