Thankful Thursday's!

I am going to start doing a blog about what I am thankful for every Thursday!  I realize that there is always something negative that one can say but not always easy to do with saying something positive, There is so much that we hear everyday of something wrong or something upsetting, but I want to do one post a week that can focus on everything good in my life. There is so much good in my life I feel like being sharing a piece of my sunshine each week...

Tonight I went downtown Poulsbo to get out there and meet some new friends and saw some of my closest friends tonight. I have to say I am so thankful for all the wonderful things that Kingstongirl has been bringing me. It just makes me smile. Then to top things off paying this forward with the Celebration Cake bags, ( we got 20 ) I can't wait to get my goal for all of them. 

Most importantly I am so thankful for my Mom. She is my mom but so much more then that. With our her in my life my heart would be empty. I don't take the time to say it all the time but my Mom is so wonderful, my best friend, rock. My Mom showed up and stayed to the last minute of the Girls night out.  Kept me company and is always so supportive. I know that not every family has the bond that my family and I have and that makes me sad because everyone should be as loved by their parents as I am and love their parents as much as I do. 

I am blessed to have the friends that I have. 

imfreetobmommy started this cute contest! I hope you have fun with this! :)

Here is how this award works...

The rules:

* Click on the above image and paste onto your blog/website
* Answer the below questions
* Pass onto 10 (or 6 like me) bloggers that you Love, go to their blog and let them know they've been given the award.

1. Who is your style icon? Humm if I had more money I would dress like Resee Whiterspoon. :)

2. What is your favorite socialite lit book? Socialite Book? Wow what is that?? Does twilight count?

3. Favorite party theme? Duh! Twilight! No really, it would be an 80's prom theme!

4. Go to Halloween costume? Alice in wonderland.

5. Extravagance you cannot live without? My Apple Lap top.

6. Living person you admire? My parents especially my mom are the ones I admire most for so many reasons, no matter what a day wont go by with us fighting we always make up and tell say I love you...

7. Greatest fear? My parents or Chris dying.

8. Trait you deplore in yourself? I wish I had a little more patience & I wish that I didn't want to please everyone all the time. 

9. Which talent would you most like to have? I wish I could sew. 

10. Greatest Achievement? being married to my amazing husband. Thru thick and thin he is my best friend. 

Ok, here are the five bloggers I am passing this award on to:

 1. Alexis @http://mom2mycrazy2.blogspot.com/
 2. Megan @http://meganswishingwell.blogspot.com/
 3. Erica @ http://www.alabastercow.com/
 4. Tenielle @ http://www.feistyfrugalandfabulous.com/
 5. Joni @http://www.sixcherriesontop.com/
 6. blueviloet @http://www.anutinanutshell.com/

Review of Dirty Hairy's! ( Tessa saved the day! )

                                                                Before the haircut! 

Last week I was asked to go check out Dirty Hairy’s salon down town Poulsbo on Jensen Way.
When I walked into the salon I felt like I was walking into a hip Steal Magnolias Salon.. That this is a place that I could not just get my hair done but really feel like I was sitting at a friends house where I was waited on and treated like company. Just the undivided attention they showed me made me feel like I was a guest in their home, I guess in a way I was a guest in their home.

I was happy to be playing on my laptop writing for the blog, using the free wifi that they offer to anyone that goes there. Tessa told me they got wifi so people could still do work while they were there on a lunch break not missing a beat while they waited for their color to be done or wait their turn to have their hair done. It just makes sense in a busy way of life these girls catered to us. 

Tessa has been living in the area for about two years. “I have been a stylist for 20 years and a salon owner for 13 years. When I moved here my goal was to open a salon within one year. Big goal... “ Moving here from Spokane she left everything and everyone she knew and headed to Poulsbo to start her new life. While waiting to find the perfect place Tessa rented a chair at a local salon until she was able to build a name and client list for herself. “Eight months later, that is just what I did.” In the mean time she met and became friends with Stylist Kimbery Ulbright & soon they started looking for the perfect place to run their own salon becoming co-owners & partners of Dirty Hairy’s salon & together they opened in July 2009. Then the third lady of the Salon Alison Hanford called and asked if there was a chair for rent and the rest is history! Alison is a perfect fit to the trio! They are a great team. 

“ I love the small town feel and the way the people work together to improve each others success.” Tessa said.
Owning her own business gives Tessa the freedom to also make her own schedule, making way to give her the balance between work and family. Tessa enjoy’s making her own rules. “I have always been more of a leader than a follower when it comes to most things. It seems to have worked so far.” On the down-side, for owning her own business she feels that there is a lot of responsibility to keep things running smoothly and make sure everyone is happy. 

When asked if there was anything she would like to change in Poulsbo she said “I would get rid of the one hour parking signs so people can enjoy more time roaming around” 

Tessa is a true believer that more people should help support the local small businesses, so someday all of the windows will be lit up rather than empty! In the future The Salon hope there will be a Dirty Hairy's magnet on all of the refrigerators in kitsap county within the next five years! As a salon owner Tessa has learned how to see people as individuals, and then to take that and use it as a tool to give each person a pleasurable experience. When she chose to open the salon in Poulsbo It was because she enjoyed the view of the bay and the historical downtown "feel". Tessa always believe’s your business will grow if you work where you play. “I love it here! The people in this community are very original. We fit in here. Dirty Hairy's is one of a kind!” 

When I left the Salon after my hair getting done I realized that I was hooked and more then likely would never go anywhere else. I have told everyone and anyone that would listen that this is the best kept secret in town & in selfish way hoped it would stay that way so I wouldn’t have to wait a month to get a hair cut! I figure I better book early because these three girls, Tessa, Kim & Alison, are going to be booked months in advance before long. I truly felt that this was so relaxed. That the ladies at the Salon were my friends now and really easy going and so fun to work with. In this economy their prices are so reasonable. I think that people are important to them and that our town is important to them. They add that spark this little town needs. I am so lucky to have been able to come and check them out! I can’t wait to go back!!!

                                                                      After the haircut! 

19132 Jensen Way Poulsbo, WA, Call today at 360-598-3600They offer services From Cuts Starting at $20.00..... Ranging from Facial waxing to Perms! Offering Happy hour where every Monday & 1st week of each month Mens/children cuts are $10.00!

Wordless Wednesday's! The most beautiful evening I have had.

Tempt my Tummy Tuesday. ( I know its a little late!)

Chickpea Cutlets

• 1 cup cooked chickpeas
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup vital wheat gluten
• 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup vegetable broth or water
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, pressed or grated with a Microplane grater
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon Hungarian paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon dried rubbed sage
• Olive oil for pan frying

1. In a mixing bowl, mash the chickpeas together with the oil until no chickpeas are left. Add the remaining ingredients and knead together for about 3 minutes, until strings of gluten have formed.
2. Preheat a large heavy-bottomed nonstick or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Meanwhile, divide the cutlet dough into 4 equal pieces. To form cutlets, knead each piece in your hand for a few moments and then flatten and stretch each one into a roughly 6 by 4 inch rectangular cutlet shape. The easiest way to do this is to form a rectangle shape in your hands and then place the cutlets on a clean surface to flatten and stretch them.
3. Add a moderately thin layer of olive oil to the bottom of the pan. Place the cutlets in the pan and cook on each side for 6 to 7 minutes. Add more oil, if needed, when you flip the cutlets. They’re ready when lightly browned and firm to the touch.

Just in case you were wondering, you can also bake these too! Baking these patties gives them a toothsome chewy texture and firm bite. Preheat oven to 375°F, and lightly oil baking sheet. Brush both sides of each patty with olive oil, place on baking sheet, and bake for 20 minutes. Flip patties and bake another 8 to 10 minutes until firm and golden brown. 

Vital wheat gluten is the naturally occurring protein in wheat that makes it all happen; it’s what gives wheat dough its characteristic stretch and makes seitan (sometimes called wheat meat) so toothsome. Look for organic brands at your health food store, usually in the baking section.

Serve with BBQ Sauce! :) it makes it yummy! Also with green beans and red potatoes oven baked on 350* for 25-30 mins with garlic and olive oil. Serve and enjoy. Makes enough for 4 people.

Manic Monday?

Manic Monday, There is so much to share but don't want to overwhelm anyone with my manic thoughts, so please except my apoligies, before hand.....for my ramble's.

Today I started to ween off diet coke....yes that is what you just read no need to adjust the screen.  I am sick of drinking a case of it every few days.  So today I cut back and added tea and sparking water.. bring on the splitting headace that I am sure that I will be having tomorrow!  I hate the way water taste's just is so boring. Even with the crystal light I put into it doesn't help at all.  I wish that water could taste like diet coke, then it would be so much better. 

The next mind numbing rant is, Why do women give other women bad names, The idea of the craziness that we women can sometimes be just awful. We have a friend that is going through a tough time. He and his babies mama broke up a while ago and everything was going well and things were on good terms. Now bare in mind I DO NOT take sides, when friends break up. It is their business and their issues to work through. with that said, why do some people use their children to make their ex suffer. Like they are the buttons that they push & know that it will really be the one thing that will tare the other in half. This is what is going on with our friend and it is heartbreaking to see him not able to see his little girl because she doesn't feel like letting him see her because she is wanting to hurt him now. Don't people get it that its not the ex that is going to suffer as much as it is their child. Why can't they remember the start of their relationships, I am not saying that everyone in every situation should be letting their children see the other parent if their life is in danger.  Just put the bullshit away and be a parent. We all hate our ex's and if you don't you are a saint.  So why don't you think back to the when you use to be in love. Not that you should fall back in love with your ex, but just remember that you were once in love with this person and created a life. 

“My blog is carbon neutral” We interrupt this program.....

I know that this isn't Earth day week still but I found this blog and I knew I had to do this. I mean being green isn't a fad it is a way of life and Earth day really should be everyday so I found a way to make my blog carbon neutral and I would love for it to be paid forward to other bloggers out there. So please enjoy go to the link and have one less thing we do effect anything we touch! :)

“My blog is carbon neutral” is an initiative, originally started in Germany by the “Make it Green” program, that has the goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. We plant a tree for your blog and thereby neutralise your blog’s carbon footprint for the next 50 years! Everyone can make a small contribution to the environment. Every tree counts! I think this is the perfect idea for anyone that blogs.  How much carbon dioxide does a tree absorb?

Unfortunately, no precise answer is possible. The carbon dioxide absorption of a tree can differ a lot. The amount of carbon dioxide that a tree can absorb depends on the type of tree, light exposure, length of the vegetation period, latitude, water balance, and the soil conditions.


There are many different calculations for the saving potential of a tree. The assumed values vary between 10 and 30kg (20 and 70lb.) for a tree each year. It is certain however, that in its first two to three years a tree absorbs relatively little carbon dioxide. In the growth phase following this, the absorption rate increases rapidly. During this time, the tree safes a considerable amount of carbon dioxide. The absorption rate decrease again from the age of 18.


The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) assumes a yearly absorption of one tree of approximately 10kg (20lb.) carbon dioxide emissions. “Make it green”, the environmental programme of kaufDA, is using a yearly absorption value of 5kg (11lb.) for its “My blog is carbon neutral” initiative. This is a very conservative calculation, ensuring that the neutralisation of each blog is achieved.


One tree neutralises the carbon dioxide emissions of your blog


As demonstrated in the above calculation, the atmosphere can be relieved by an average of 5kg (11lb.) carbon dioxide every year by planting one tree. An average blog causes 3.6kg (8lb.) of carbon dioxide emissions. Consequently, a tree neutralises the carbon dioxide emissions of a blog. Since a tree lives for an average of 50 years, carbon dioxide emissions of your blog can be completely neutralised for this time period.http://www.kaufda.de/umwelt/carbon-neutral/how-you-can-join/ or email at : CO2-neutral@kaufda.de


xoxo
Kingstongirl