adventure time!

It's adventure time! It's raining, and this is a good thing. Northern California really needs the rain. I think our reservoir, Indian Valley, is only about half full. Any way, sitting inside- I have a little cabin fever perhaps. maybe.
















Well I started going through and touching up some photos. I'm really excited because I didn't think some of the would be too dark, as they were taken inside Il Duomo di Sienna. Magnificent place, beautiful place, awe inspiring.

Actually my whole week in Tuscany was. i can't wait to go back. Who goes and only spends a week? Well that was the budget then. Next time it is a month.

When we were there, in 2006, the cathedral was getting a face lift.

I know you've heard of Sienna: that is where the famous horse race around the city is every July.

I went to Wikipedia for a little history.


From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Siena Cathedral.
The Cathedral of Siena (Italian: Duomo di Siena), dedicated from its earliest days as a Roman Catholic Marian church and now to Santa Maria Assunta (Most Holy Mary of Assumption), is a medieval church in Siena, central Italy.
The cathedral itself was originally designed and completed between 1215 and 1263 on the site of an earlier structure. It has the form of a Latin cross with a slightly projecting transept, a dome and a bell tower. The dome rises from an octagonal base with supporting columns. The lantern atop the dome, was added by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The nave is separated from the two aisles by semicircular arches. The exterior and interior are constructed of white and greenish-black marble in alternating stripes, with addition of red marble on the façade. Black and white are the symbolic colors of Siena, etiologically linked to black and white horses of the legendary city's founders, Senius and Aschius...

Well we went in June. The weather was incredible. At the villa I eat my breakfast under a haze of honeysuckle. Very special....

Thanks for letting me share.

Mistress Kimberly

http://dreamingtoday.info/

Keep dreaming.

Your 7 day program

 I read and download so much about self improvement, This is part of a series I found. I don't remember the source. Sorry, but it came with 39 others. 

It is still January and many of us have not yet broken our new year's resolutions to work on ourselves this year. So... KEEP GOING! and enjoy.

"A Better You" Your 7 days program to self-improvement

I seem to lost count on how many times I've read and heard of celebrity marriages failing almost left and right. Not that I care (and personally I don't), it seems strange that we often see movie and TV stars as flawless people, living the fairytale life of riches and glamour. I suppose we all have to stop sticking our heads in the clouds and face reality.

There are many ways to lose your sense of self-esteem despite of how trivial it could get. But whatever happens, we should all try not to lose our own sense of self.

So what does it take to be a cut above the rest? Here are some of the things you can think and improve on that should be enough for a week.

1. Know your purpose 

Are you wandering through life with little direction - hoping that you'll find happiness, health and prosperity? Identify your life purpose or mission statement and you will have your own unique compass that will lead you to your truth north every time.

This may seem tricky at first when you see yourself to be in a tight or even dead end. But there's always that little loophole to turn things around and you can make a big difference to yourself.

2. Know your values 

What do you value most? Make a list of your top 5 values. Some examples are security, freedom, family, spiritual development, learning. As you set your goals for 2005 - check your goals against your values. If the goal doesn't align with any of your top five values - you may want to reconsider it or revise it.

The number shouldn't discourage you, instead it should motivate you to do more than you can ever dreamed of.

3. Know your needs 

Unmet needs can keep you from living authentically. Take care of yourself. Do you have a need to be acknowledged, to be right, to be in control, to be loved? There are so many people who lived their lives without realizing their dreams and most of them end up being stressed or even depressed for that matter. List your top four needs and get them met before it's too late!

4. Know your passions 

You know who you are and what you truly enjoy in life. Obstacles like doubt and lack of enthusiasm will only hinder you, but will not derail your chance to become the person you ought to be. Express yourself and honor the people who has inspired you to become the very person you wanted to be.

5. Live from the inside out 

Increase your awareness of your inner wisdom by regularly reflecting in silence. Commune with nature. Breathe deeply to quiet your distracted mind. For most of us city slickers it's hard to even find the peace and quiet we want even in our own home. In my case I often just sit in a dimly lit room and play some classical music. There's sound, yes, but music does soothe the savage beast.

6. Honor your strengths 

What are your positive traits? What special talents do you have? List three - if you get stuck, ask those closest to you to help identify these. Are you imaginative, witty, good with your hands? Find ways to express your authentic self through your strengths. You can increase your self-confidence when you can share what you know to others.

7. Serve others 

When you live authentically, you may find that you develop an interconnected sense of being. When you are true to who you are, living your purpose and giving of your talents to the world around you, you give back in service what you came to share with others -your spirit - your essence. The rewards for sharing your gift with those close to you is indeed rewarding, much more if it were to be the eyes of a stranger who can appreciate what you have done to them.

Self-improvement is indeed one type of work that is worth it. It shouldn't always be within the confines of an office building, or maybe in the four corners of your own room. The difference lies within ourselves and how much we want to change for the better.

Kimberly

What are you Dreaming Today?

http://dreamingtoday.info

Family Christmas

hoFamily Holidays: Tips for Peace and Harmony

What do you like to do on family holidays? Go to the beach or spend a week in the country? Maybe you like camping or visiting relatives. Whatever you enjoy, family holidays are a chance for everyone in the family to get reacquainted and spend quality time together. It's a chance for parents to really talk with their teens and find out what's going on in their lives. It's important to keep the communication lines open, and a family holiday is a good time to do that. Having a good relationship with their parents is one of the most important factors in keeping teens out of trouble.

Studies have shown that when families take holidays together, they are more likely , holidays, teens eat together and are less likely to argue. They do not watch as much television because they are involved in doing things together. Kids even report that their parents seem to act differently while on holiday.

While family holidays are a good time to connect with your kids, communication problems that are already there will not automatically disappear. Especially with teenagers it is important to listen and be flexible. Find out what the kids would like to do and eat and plan accordingly. While even teenagers need boundaries, it is important for parents to try to avoid needless confrontation. Explain why you make the decisions you do and show them positive attention.

Kids will appreciate being included in travel plans. There's a good chance they will choose a theme park or the beach if those are among the options. Sometimes it works well for a teenager to take a special friend along on family holidays. While this might increase the parents' load, the teen is likely to really appreciate it. Also, sometimes it works well for kids to go on holidays with their grandparents instead of their parents. Sometimes there is a special relationship here that can help kids open up and communicate about their concerns.

While on family holidays, if teens are uncooperative or behave improperly, try to deal with the problem in private. Teens are very aware of embarrassmant and it is needlessly mean to exploit this sensitivity. In fact, you might explain to the kids how their behavior embarrasses you, and they in turn might work harder at getting along and acting appropriately.

Kids will be happier on family vacations if they have snacks, drinks, and entertainment. Few kids enjoy a long ride in the car! Try to provide individual CD players or hand-held video games, and don't forget to take plenty of bathroom stops. Sometimes kids enjoy the ride more if they can help you follow the map. This is an educational activity for them as well. By following these suggestions, your family holidays can make a happy memory.



Kimberly
thebishopscandle.net

Turkey Day is Coming!

Why do the big fuss  this year? Turkey and dressing, pie... all the work, all the clean up. Uhg. Why not do something  different and have an appetizer party. 

Here are a few recipes to try. 

Easy Appetizer Bites  Prep Time: 10 min Total Time: 1 hr 10 min Makes: 12 servings, 3 pieces each  1 pkg. (9 oz.) OSCAR MAYER VARIETY-PAK Ham and Turkey   5 CLAUSSEN Bread 'N Butter or Kosher Dill Sandwich Slices, cut in half lengthwise   1 tub (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese Spread    PAT meat and pickle slices dry with paper towels.  SPREAD each meat slice with about 1 Tbsp. cream cheese spread. 

Top each with 1 pickle slice; roll up. (Note: You will have 1 pickle slice left over.

Enjoy it as an extra snack.) Wrap tightly in plastic wrap.  REFRIGERATE at least 1 hour or overnight. Cut each roll-up into 4 pieces to serve;

secure each with toothpick.  Nutrition (per serving) Calories 80  Total fat 6g  Saturated fat 3g  Cholesterol 30mg  Sodium 390mg

Carbohydrate 2g  Dietary fiber 0g  Sugars 2g  Protein 4g  Vitamin A 4%DV 

Vitamin C 0%DV  Calcium 0%DV  Iron 0%DV

Bacon Cheddar Appetizers  Prep Time: 15 min Total Time: 17 min Makes: 16 servings, 4 topped crackers each  1 pkg. (8 oz.) KRAFT Finely Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese   1/2 cup KRAFT Mayo Real Mayonnaise   3 Tbsp. finely chopped onion   1/2 cup OSCAR MAYER Real Bacon Bits   64 TRISCUIT Thin Crisps    PREHEAT broiler. Mix all ingredients except crackers until well blended.  PLACE crackers on baking sheet. 
Top each cracker with about 1 tsp. of the cheese mixture.  BROIL 2 minutes or until cheese is melted. 
Garnish with chopped red and green pepper, if desired.  Nutrition (per serving) Calories 160  Total fat 12g  Saturated fat 4.5g  Cholesterol 20mg  
Sodium 280mg  Carbohydrate 6g  Dietary fiber 1g  Sugars 0g  Protein 5g 
 Vitamin A 4%DV 
 Vitamin C 0%DV  Calcium 10%DV  Iron 4%DV

Stuffed Mushrooms  Prep Time: 20 min Total Time: 35 min Makes: 20 servings, 1 mushroom each  20 medium mushrooms   3 Tbsp. margarine or butter   2 Tbsp. finely chopped onion   2 Tbsp. finely chopped red bell pepper   14 RITZ Crackers, finely crushed (about 1/2 cup crumbs)   1/2 tsp. dried basil leaves    PREHEAT oven to 400°F. Remove stems from mushrooms; finely chop 1/4 cup of the stems. 
Discard remaining stems or cover and refrigerate for another use. 
Melt margarine in large skillet on medium heat. 
Add chopped stems, onions and peppers; cook and stir until tender. 
Stir in crumbs and basil.  SPOON crumb mixture evenly into mushroom caps; place on baking sheet.  BAKE 15 minutes or until heated through.  Nutrition (per serving) Calories 30  Total fat 2.5g  Saturated fat 0g  Cholesterol 0mg  Sodium 40mg 
 Carbohydrate 2g  Dietary fiber 0g  Sugars 1g  Protein 1g  Vitamin A 2%DV 
 Vitamin C 0%DV  Calcium 0%DV  Iron 0%DV