My friend, Paul, wrote a blog post recently of how he wastes spends his time playing games on his iPad.

It got me thinking… Growing up, I loved our family game nights: Sorry, Pit, Uno and, of course, Nertz. We played Nertz pretty fast at our house, but Nertz at Michelle’s was a serious, frenzied, “take no prisoners” affair.

Then came Scrabble, Risk, Trivial Pursuit and Pictionary. And eventually computer games like the classic Kings Quest.

Loved them all…
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I don’t love to cook, but I do love to eat.

And I can’t believe it took me 50 years before I figured out how much I love, and how easy it is to prepare, roasted vegetables. They’ve become a favorite food of mine. Especially since I discovered the joys of parchment paper.

I had intended to make some for Ashley while she was here, but we got busy eating out and such. So I made a video of myself making them instead to show her how easy it is.

This is for Ashley, but the rest of you can watch

My favorites are potatoes, carrots, onions, red bell pepper and garlic – with fresh rosemary or doTERRA rosemary essential oil.

By the way, that garlic spinach is easy and delicious too. Just a little olive oil and butter in a fry pan, some crushed or minced garlic… heat it up and toss in the fresh spinach, stirring until wilted. (I hated cooked spinach before discovering this way to prepare it)

What vegetables do you like to roast? Any tips to share?

I’ve been in Bali almost two weeks, and have had so many rich experiences. You’re probably thinking that nothing could equal my birthday surprise, but you’d be mistaken…

Balinese practice their own unique form of Hinduism. There are over 11,000 temples and more than a million Hindu shrines on the island. My son Brandon will be writing a bit about this on his blog soon.

We expressed an interest in learning more about the rituals and meanings that are such an integral part of Balinese daily life – and so the language school arranged something very special for us.

Along with our tutor, Daniel, to translate, we were going to not only observe, but participate in the Melukat ritual. We had no idea what that was, or what we’d be doing, but we were excited.

Appropriate attire (sarong, belt and sleeved shirt) is required within the temple, and our wonderful staff shared their own sarongs, belts and a beautiful kebaya (top) for Jennifer to wear. We were told to bring a change of clothing, since we may be getting wet.
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As you know, I was invited to spend my birthday at a lovely villa in Bali.

After a 23 hour journey, including layover in Taipei, I arrived to this lush, green island and was welcomed by my son and his family. Except for 9 month old Aysia, who burst into tears as soon as she saw me.

We’ve spent a lot of time relaxing in the pool and in the house, talking, a little time sightseeing, and have been enjoying every minute. I love this opportunity to reconnect with my sweet family. And I’ve been taking a lot of photos for future posts.

You’d think that just being in Bali, relaxing at a villa where all the meals are fresh prepared, all my needs are attended to, a gorgeous pool outside my door and a glorious view of the valley would be enough of a birthday gift, wouldn’t you.

What more could you ask for?
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My birthday was so spectacular that it is taking me awhile to get through photos and videos to post. So in the meantime, I thought I’d share one of my new food discoveries here in Bali.

While in Costa Rica last year, I discovered my love of a good mango. Mangoes were so plentiful and fresh – I just couldn’t get enough. I purchased a few from my local grocery store in the states, and they’re okay, but just not the same as a fresh, ripe from the vine mango in Costa Rica.

I was hoping I might find similarly fresh and tasty mangoes in Bali, but it is not their season. Instead, I was served an interesting fruit I’ve never tried before – fresh mangosteen.

Pretty purple/red on the outside – white, juicy fleshy sections on the inside. The texture of the fruit is kind of like the soft areas of a honeydew. Or maybe a bit like a peach. But the taste is different than either…. it is reminiscent of many fruits – but hard to describe.

It was very good, different than I would’ve expected. When we stopped by a farmers market the other day, one of the vendors offered me a mangosteen ‘gratis’, in hopes I would purchase more. One bite and I was hooked!

It was even sweeter and fresher than the mangosteen I had eaten for breakfast the day prior. I purchased 5 and paid 5,000 Rupiah. That may sound like a lot, but it’s only .55 cents – basically 11 cents each. I think they often sell for over $3.00 EACH when imported into the states (if you can even find it).

So mangosteen is the new mango. And now I’m going to go to the market and buy more!

Have you ever tried fresh mangosteen?

I loved my two trips to Costa Rica, to Hawaii and to Victoria BC, San Diego and (kind of) to Los Angeles and Salt Lake… But I traveled so much last year that I had determined I wasn’t going ANYWHERE in 2012… was going to stay home and focus on my doTERRA essential oil business, creating a residual income that would then allow me to travel more freely when and where I wanted.

I was content with that plan.

But then I got an unexpected invitation to spend a couple of weeks at a villa… in the guest room that is apparently just SCREAMING my name… a red guest room with a Chinese Opium bed… that looks out onto a gorgeous pool… and lush mountains and rice paddies…. in Bali.

My first reaction was, “I don’t think I can do that…” (nuts, I know!) since it was so sudden and I had determined I was staying home this year. And I would have to work things out with Margie (I am her Virtual Assistant), and potentially move an essential oil class I was teaching. I just didn’t have travel to Asia on my radar.

Yes, this is the pool and the house. (Allison, are you nuts???!!!)

And on top of that, this home is currently inhabited by three darling little girls I only see once or twice a year if I’m lucky. And an awesome son and beautiful daughter. And frogs. Oh, and a maid, chef and driver. I wonder if there is a pool boy….

Once the shock of the invitation wore off, I thought to myself “ALLISON! You would be NUTS to say no to that – no matter what it takes to make it happen! !” (I’m sure you were thinking the same thing… my sister was!)

Well, despite the prevailing opinion, I’m NOT (entirely) nuts - so I got the airline ticket and have started packing. I leave on Friday at midnight! I just hope I can survive the 20+ hours flying time to get there… and that I can fit in the seat.

I’ll take lots of photos, I promise. And yes, Michelle, I’ll record myself singing at least a line or two from Bali Hai for you (even though the movie wasn’t in Bali )

Bali haiiiiiiii may call you……

I have found a new favorite tea. And if you like strawberries and chocolate I think you will too.

Introducing Strawberry Chocolate Tea by The Republic of Tea.

Yummy, yummy!

Naturally caffeine free (so I can enjoy a cup at bed-time), naturally sweet, smells and tastes delicious. A perfect 0 calorie, aptly named treat. I think I’ll have a cup right now!

Ingredients: Rooibos (red tea), carob, cocoa kernels, chocolate flavor, strawberry flavor, sweet blackberry leaves and bourbon vanilla beans

Try it and let me know what you think.

Do you have any other really yummy teas to recommend?

If corporations are people, then this ad makes perfect sense…..
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Honestly, the ruling that corporations are people may be the worst Supreme Court decision ever. It’s ridiculous – and damaging to our nation. This brilliantly silly attack ad shows one reason why. Not to mention how absurd our campaign finance laws are… which this clip illustrates:
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Thoughts?

It’s 2012 and I love living in the Northwest.

Today, instead of being buried in snow on January 1st, I planted primrose in one of my garden pots.

And I enjoyed watching the dozens of birds at my feeders… including a sweet hummingbird who is so happy I have left out a small feeder for him (in the pot with the primrose).

I also discovered a few other blooms in the rock garden. And wondered if the little blob on my finger was a bug…

… or a tiny slug.

It was the latter.

He’s cute, but will grow into a garden menace so I flushed him down the toilet.

To ring in the new year, I also spent some time playing my new Tibetan bowl.

I have been a bit distressed to discover that my formerly perfect pitch is currently off by 1/2 step. When I first played the bowl, I was sure it was an E-flat or even an E. But it’s a D. AGH!

I downloaded an app to help test/retrain me and I am consistently 1/2 step too high. I know what the note is – it’s just a half step off from the rest of the world. It’s unsettling and I hope that I can come back into tonal alignment (or whatever it would be called).

By the way, I started a new blog awhile ago and have made a resolution to update it regularly. It’s called:

FlowersMakeMeHappy.com

It is devoted entirely to my love of flowers, and it’s where I will post lots of my flower photos. I also have a facebook page where I post additional photos, and twitter feed for it. Follow me

So, how did you bring in the new year?

When I was a tween and teenager, I collected frogs (long before frogs became “cool”). I had, and still have, some awesome frog jewelry, figurines, and some cool stuffed frogs received from boyfriends/husbands/friends over the years. But I’ve never considered myself “collector” of anything (besides clutter or excess pounds, perhaps).

The other day I undertook the monumental task of organizing my ribbon drawer(s) and realized that I actually am a collector…

…of ribbon.

It started in my early 20s. I didn’t have much money at the time, and treating myself to a fancy ribbon now and then seemed like an affordable indulgence.
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