Morning, folks! Holy cow, if you were where I was last night, we had an insane thunderstorm last night! I have never experienced anything like it! It was consistently lighting up our dark house with the loudest booms I have ever experienced- literally shaking the whole house! It was quite a thrill, let me tell you! I absolutely love summer storms, don't you? In the summer time, I can't get enough of fruit. Honestly... actually a year round thing. I love fruit. I can eat a whole bag of grapes to myself, even a whole watermelon if I really wanted to! The sweet cherries, the crisp watermelon and juicy honeydew melons! AH! So dang good. Smoothies are so refreshing in the summer too! I would have one for every meal if I could, and I didn't feel obligated to make a true meal. Smoothies pack in so many nutrients, and are great boosters for when you need it. So in the summer time- when you have parties and have to take home the left over watermelon (of which, you have the other half in your fridge already) what do you do with it? Look no further than this post! I have a recipe for you that may solve all your woes of trying to finish off you watermelon before it goes crumbly! (that's if you don't finish it first!) *Now, I should for-warn you... I am not truly a picky eater. I am known for my 'bland tongue.' I believe this smoothie gives the right amount of sweetness from the natural sugars in the fruit that are in it, but in the case where you find it horrendous, disregard this entire post and never view this page again.* (That would be very unfortunate. I hope I don't do that to you...) This here is my Watermelon + Kale smoothie with banana and flax seed in it! Filled with potassium, omega 3 and protein from the flax seed and the powerful punch from the kale, it is a treat for the morning! I love to freeze watermelon when I possibly can! Why? Several reasons: -They act as the ice cubes you would place in a typical smoothie -It is like buying frozen fruit in bulk! All you need is to prep it and throw it in the freezer! So much cheaper if you are trying to make smoothies but can't afford the $10 bag of berries at the time. That's my way of thinking, as a wife to a college student with a child (we try to budget...) In fact, I also love to freeze my banana's as well, peeled before hand and divided. It's so nice to have frozen bananas to keep the drink cool. You may need a powerful blender for this one, due to the frozen watermelon. We are so blessed to have a Vitamix (literally... the most used kitchen tool in my house besides the pot that my husband uses to make his daily pasta). You'll also have to forgive me... because this isn't necessarily a 'pretty' smoothie. The green that results from the blending isn't as robust as some other pictures you may see on other smoothie recipes. Why is that... I have no clue. But I promise it's delish! Ha, and I know this post is completely unrelated to my art work. Originally this site is to display and eventually *crossing fingers, toes, tongue, eyes...* sell my art work, but I do love sharing the recipes I find or create! Note: Tried the whole "over-the-top" smoothie display. Then I thought... this is a mess I didn't need! Goodness, and it's a waste of smoothie!! haha! Give the smoothie a shot, tell me what you think. Any improvements? What would you enjoy more from this smoothie? or am I just weird and have a really bland tongue... Have a sweet day, and stay peachy! GO
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Afternoon! And what an afternoon it is! Let me tell you, being in a car for 14+ hours can make you go nuts- no, INSANE. Just this past weekend, my little family drove together- 14 hours there and 14 hours back- to Albuquerque, New Mexico for a wedding (true love right), and what a blast it was! Seriously, it was the highlight of this summer thus far! Although I did discover a few things: 1- I shall never live in New Mexico. Multiple reasons why. Don't hate on me if you are there now! It's a diamond in the rough! Just... it's hard to find that diamond.... 2- Grateful for our new car and Air Conditioning 3- 5 Hour Energy Shots work for 5 minutes You can imagine what me and my husband were thinking when we drove up to our house. "I better not see the interior of this car for another 12 years!" Ha... then I had to drive to the store this morning... But yesterday, after unloading, we looked at each other and said, "I wanna work out!" I feel so lucky to have a husband who has the same desires to work out as I do! How we both love the feeling we have after working out and how it feels so wonderful to have blood flowing! So the first thing I did was strap on my Nike's, buckle wee one in the stroller and hiked up the trails behind the city. But would you just look at that though? It's so awesome here, with the trails! No wonder Montana is known as "The Big Sky" state! I always feel closer to my Maker when I am running outside! It's so refreshing. (More on that topic in another post) Jogging with 'I' is so sweet to me! I bond with her and help her explore and see the world around her, and by doing this, I have noticed how much she absolutely enjoys the outdoors! She jumps in my arms whenever I head towards the door outside and it warms my heart as well! I am always thinking, though, about my influence of running I would have on 'I'. Running is a definite for me when it comes to staying healthy, but I hope she grows to and come to learn what will make her happy with staying healthy. I think about her doing all different types of sports when she gets older- rec soccer, volleyball, girl's basketball (maybe follow after her dad in that area), maybe swimming (following after her mommy). Being an influence of good and good habits start from the beginning. To quote LDS leader Elder Bradley D. Foster, "I know I can’t turn back time, but this I now know—that it’s never too early and it’s never too late to lead, guide, and walk beside our children, because families are forever. (October General Conference, 2015)" I know this applies to parents in a spiritual manner, but I apply it now as a habitual matter of physical habits. Our bodies are temples, and it houses our spirits, and as long as we remember to take care of our temples, we will experience a degree of happiness that helps us feel inspired to do good, and to follow Christ. As I strive my best to teach by active example, I know that my daughter will learn from action.
Now with this being said, I also have a fear of my habit of trying to be healthy scar my daughter. Depression on self image is a huge thing I am scared of, and pray she never experiences. So finding a happy medium is what I am trying to look for for her to grow up in. Even if 'I' ends up not being physically active, what matters most is that she knows how much she is loved. The moments I spent with here are the fondest in the world, as I watch her eyes sparkle and cogs whirl in her head. I love it when she chirps and says a little coo, pointing to a dog crossing paths or pointing at the beautiful birds that take flight from the ground. I hope she knows my love for her as much as I do when I spend my jogging workout with her. Mommy's out there, do you go jogging with your little girl/boy? What are your routes? And do you even add some 'sumpin sumpin' to your running workout? I would love to hear! Cheers to being a mommy! And cheers for being out of a car! Stay Peachy, GO It's a beautiful summer day here in Montana, and apparently Google is saying it's 'officially' summer so. Happy First Day of Summer everyone! May the rest of these days be filled with sweet watermelon and beloved summer nights! (Hint hint... new piece idea... thinking of that crisp, juicy watermelon has me going ditzy for a summer piece! Watermelon? I want to get on it right now! Ideas are flowing! Maybe ideas or even a sketch by the next post?) Summer will always remind me of the most magical summer of all... summer 2014, when the world seemed to sing in my behalf for the chance I had to marry my spectacular husband! *Sigh...* what would I give to swing back to that memorable day. I remember it clearly like it was last week (because honestly, I doesn't feel that clear to me when some say 'I remember it like it was yesterday): Our wedding day was supposed to be the stormiest day of the whole summer. Just the day before, it seemed like the end of the world was upon us, and our poor outside reception area in my parents back yard was being eaten up by the storm. Chris and I were married in the LDS Salt Lake City Temple, where it was miraculous that the storm never caught us while outside. In fact, it was brilliant blue skies the rest of the times we were outside- including our reception! Marriage designed from above? Destiny? I think yes. Since then- and even before then- my husband and I have had a huge love for attending the LDS temples and doing work for our kindred dead. It was the date night every week- the get away that we absolutely waited for weekly. What a blessing it truly was to live in Ephraim, Utah, where the LDS Manti Temple was literally 7 minutes away. (5 minutes if it was me driving!) As this new chapter in our lives became unfolded, however, I realized that one thing that would be sorrowing me while in Montana. The nearest temple is at least 3 hours away. No longer would Chris and I have get-aways for the weekend to ponder on thoughts in reverence and feel the peace of the temple that it always gives- the quick access of doing work for our family members isn't as quick any more. Although we have discovered FamilyHistory.com , Ancestery.com and other branch websites from family history sites, where we could work on our ancestors for records, it isn't the same as attending the beautiful temple, even the House of the Lord. I have wondered how I'm going to handle not having my temple worship as frequent and feeling the joy I feel in the temple in my life as often. Will the business of the world take over and distract me from planning trips with my husband? After all, it is a day trip to attend the temple now. It's a scheduling thing- something that isn't as sporadic as one would be living in Utah where there are 17 (and probably more in the near future). What does one do after being so blessed? Well. When someone gives you a large canvas, for free, you take it. No exceptions. I don't normally make "word art" but for some time, I have had this stretched canvas that had black permanent marker on it (from previous owner), and have desired to do something- something- on it that would be a great gift for my husband and home. It's tacky. It's quick. But it was something that is needed in my home. A temple is literally a house of the Lord, a holy sanctuary in which sacred ceremonies and ordinances of the gospel are performed by and for the living and also in behalf of the dead. A place where the Lord may come, it is the most holy of any place of worship on the earth. Only the home can compare with the temple in sacredness. (Bible Dictionary, Temple) I love this description the Bible Dictionary gives on the Lord's Temples. Particularly the final phrase from this paragraph: "Only the home can compare with the temple in sacredness." This puts a whole new perspective on how I desire to have my home. As I decided to have this as the quote on the canvas, I remembered the talk given by LDS Apostle, Elder Gary E. Stevenson, back in April 2009 General Conference called, "Sacred Homes, Sacred Temples." He said, "There exists a righteous unity between the temple and the home. Understanding the eternal nature of the temple will draw you to your family; understanding the eternal nature of the family will draw you to the temple. President Howard W. Hunter stated, “In the ordinances of the temple, the foundations of the eternal family are sealed in place.” I love to see the temple, and I love more than anything attending the temple. But there is a time nd season for everything- and I am already blessed by the temple because of the distance. I believe distance strengthens the importance and novelty of the opportunities to visit the temple. I can prepare more prayerfully, and be more ready when those days do come. I can visualize what I wish to feel or questions answered, thus having me ready for when personal revelation can come. Those who live far away from temples, what do you do to enjoy the blessings of the temple? Those who don't even know what the heck temples are... why don't you find out! :) Click this hyperlink to learn more and find your nearest temple and get there! Trust me. Walking the grounds brings about a spirit that you cannot feel anywhere in the world. I love you guys so much! I'll be posting real artwork pieces this next post! Stay Peachy! GO Does the title give it all away?
Hey there world, it's Mrs. G O'Neill, and yes. It seems as though I have returned after literally a year of ignorance and/or the excuse of a busy life. Is that really an excuse though? Anyone can say that they are too busy to do this or that, but what has been holding me back? Do I really know? Perhaps its fear. Fear of what hasn't happen and won't happen. But Gretchen, that doesn't make any sense... how can you fear the things that haven't happened? Are you like... anticipating for something to not happen? Well, anonymous, yes. It is like I am anticipating something to not happen. Because it seems inevitable. Inevitable that I may not become a public artist because of how behind I am in my practice. Truly, I feel like I don't even consider myself an artist anymore simply because I have put it off so much. Do you see the downward spiral? I am now a proud mother of a stunning baby girl and married to the love of my life, and suddenly I'm in a world of great expectations that should be coming from me. "How to eat clean;" "How to stay fit and still be a mommy;" "teaching your children how to not fight back;" "tips on teaching your kids how to eat their greens." Add onto the list if you so desire. But wait, do I have to live in pessimism? Where am I going with this? Hang on. I know where I am going with this! I have recently moved to Butte, Montana, and wow. WOW what a change it has been. I can't believe how much I have learned and have seen already- what a shock! It's like diving into an ice bath (almost literally. Thank heavens we are experiencing the little bit of summer that Montana has here!) and now it's becoming refreshing and crisp. I'm seeing how I can mold into Butte without Butte molding me, and so far... I've done ok! I've also realizing that I am trying to hard to be the girl I was before my daughter was born. I had dreams back then, that I still have now, but I have even more. And they are involving her and my husband. With a new spot of residence calls for a new introduction of who I am. Because I am not the same woman I was back in June 2015. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HI! I'm Gretchen O'Neill, and I think I am diving into the world of blogging. Is this called mommy blogging? I'll take it. Because I might even begin consistently filling up your feeds with the life of a Montana-Mormon-Mommy, restarting my art career in a different setting, and begin the life that I am supposed to live- more spiritually in tune with my Savior and Heavenly Father, connected with my husband and daughter, and sharing the adventures life generously will be giving me! This new chapter in Montana is full of excitement and thrills- better than any dream I could've thought up! I've discovered that I'm not an artist. I'm more than just an artist with potential. I'm a mother. I'm a fitness junkie. I'm a health-nut. I'm an outdoors[wo]man. I'm a camper. I'm a gardener. I'm a graham-cracker-milk-dippin fanatic. I'm a Mormon. I'm an Interior Designer. I'm a wife. I'm a cook. And I'm happy for who I am. I know my potential. Because I am not just an artist. Oh but I am so much more and cannot wait to find more of who I am here in Butte, Montana! Please join me, once more, as I rededicate myself to the ones who will see this blog and think it's worth their time. Because it is and will be. That I will promise. I'm excited to share with the world the things I enjoy, and hopefully you can enjoy them too! Stay Peachy GO |
Gretchen O'NeillFixated About My Husband Archives//
October 2020
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