This blog promises to fling itself against the world's screen door until its ideas stick.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Posted by missjunebug on Thursday August 26th, 2010
missjunebug's Valley View by Full Moonlight! Photo by mjb2010
missjunebug tried to capture the amazing beauty of this week’s full moon with her little point n’ shoot. Hmmm. Maybe you just had to be there.
Posted by missjunebug on Monday August 23rd, 2010
Today is a good day for missjunebug. It’s her 30th wedding anniversary! And they said it wouldn’t last! Just kidding, Mr.JB! So sad you are on the other side of the globe, but the junebugs had a good pre-anniversary dinner at Money Pancho, didn’t they?
As for the gift, it turns out Mr.JB is really in luck. He already bought the right present for missjunebug while they were having the time of their buglives in Tahiti earlier this summer. That’s right, pearls are the gift to give for the Big 3-0! Who knew? Way to get lucky Mr.JB. You are most definitely off the hook for a gift. And your gift is off the hook: You already gave those gorgeous Tahitian pearls to missjunebug and believe her when she says she adores them!
So, Mr.JB thanks for all your love, hard work, great parenting, wacky sense of humor, and your full-on Mr.JB-ness! Dare the JBs hope for 30 more years? Hells, yeah.
Posted by missjunebug on Sunday August 22nd, 2010
This Sunday was unlike any other Sunday for missjunebug. She spent the morning with a dear friend visiting the Agape International Spiritual Center. You may have heard of Agape (Greek for unconditional love) and its founder and spiritual director Rev. Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith by way of The Secret and the Oprah show. He is the man with the braided hair, the million-dollar smile and the serene countenance who speaks eloquently about the paths to consciousness and true Self.
His spiritual center is most definitely keeping the dream alive in Culver City and beyond, welcoming newcomers warmly and focusing on a message that is transdenominational. All this and some awesome music, too! This particular Sunday Rev. Dr. Beckwith was fulfilling another dream in Ghana where he received the title of Chief conferred upon him by the leaders of a local village in charge of official ceremonies, one more title in a long list of titles awarded to this singular man! The participants in the service at Agape were delighted to see a picture of the Reverend decked out in Chieftain garb up on the big screen.
missjunebug soaked up the greetings, the affirmations, the singing and learned much from the guest speaker Mr. Matthew Fox who focused on the pressing problems the world faces using the metaphor of ying-yang to elucidate those problems. But probably the part missjunebug really appreciated the most was the half-hour of meditation that occurred before the service began. She can’t think of a better way to prepare for worship than to get centered and get quiet enough to hear the still, small voice and know that it is God.
Will missjunebug return to Agape? Maybe. But her summer hiatus is almost over and she’s ready to return to her own home congregation. The energy is a bit more subdued there, the songs not quite so lively, but heart, soul, and spirit dwell there. Blessings!
Posted by missjunebug on Saturday August 14th, 2010
The answer, of course, is No! At least that’s the way missjunebug feels! Mr.JB suggested breakfast out this a.m. and missjunebug could not say YES! fast enough. They had a luxurious morning savoring hot coffee, corned beef hash topped with two eggs sunny side up, a rancher’s omelette chock full of bacon, avocado, tomatoes, and two delicious cheeses, cheddar and Monterey jack and, yes, even some eggs thrown in to hold all those goodies together! And did she mention the breakfasts come with fresh fruit and the bread of your choice. Mr.JB opted for the English muffin; mjb, the wheat toast. Delightful with a capital D!
Now you are probably wondering where in the world to get such fine breakfast entrees. The answer is The Waypoint Cafe at the Camarillo Airport. Newly refurbished but looking a little too Starbuck’s-y has not diminished the fab menu! Part of the charm pre-remodel was the slightly down at the heels look to the restaurant that embodied the best of Old Camarillo, but all things change. missjunebug welcomes the new look and is thrilled the food is as good as ever. Find out for yourself the next time you are in Southern California, have a Saturday free, and crave a big breakfast served at a restaurant that’s also big on atmosphere. Just look out the windows and watch all those cool little planes take off! And there’s no charge for the entertainment! Does it get better than that? The answer, of course, is No!
Posted by missjunebug on Thursday August 5th, 2010
Oh. My. Yes. Not Key Lime Pie Perfection! Photo by mjb2010
missjunebug thinks the lazy days of summer call for lazy desserts like her missjunebug’s Not Key Lime Pie, a cool and citrusy dessert that’s…well…as easy as pie!
Here’s all you need to do to make a delightful summery dessert that’s fresh and delicious!
Everything you need for the crust! Photo by mjb2010
Graham Cracker Pie Crust
1 pkg. graham crackers (1 ¼ cups)
3 T. sugar
5 T. butter, melted
Rolling pin the graham crackers into crumbs in a large Ziploc bag. Pour into 9” pie plate. Add sugar and blend with crumbs. Add melted butter and press down into pie pan as well as up the sides of the pie plate.
Not Key Lime Pie Filling
3 eggs yolks
1 can Carnation Sweetened Condensed Milk
½ c. lime juice (Larger Persian limes work just fine for Not Key Lime Pie!)
2 tsp. lime zest
Beat egg yolks with hand mixer until smooth and creamy looking, about 2-3 minutes.
Add condensed milk slowly, using hand mixer to incorporate, about 3-4 minutes.
Blend in the lime juice and zest. Pour into pie filling and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until firm.
Add three egg yolks and voila! Photo by mjb2010
Separate yolks in the palm of your hand. Photo by mjb2010
Mix until smooth. Photo by mjb2010
Mix in the sweetened condensed milk! Photo by mjb2010
Add the not key lime juice. Photo by mjb2010
Don't forget the not key lime zest! Photo by mjb2010
Pour into graham cracker pie crust! Photo by mjb2010
Ready for the oven! Photo by mjb2010
The delightful result: Not Key Lime Pie! Photo by mjb2010
Optional Topping
1 cup Horizon Organic Heavy Whipped Cream
2-3 T. granulated sugar
Whip up the cream with a hand mixer. Gradually add the sugar and whip until the cream forms soft peaks. Slather on top of the Not Key Lime Pie and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Yum x 10!
Posted by missjunebug on Wednesday July 28th, 2010
missjunebug has been busy lately reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. Being a true-blue fan of self-help books, mjb was happy to pick up The Happiness Project having read a one-page preview of its precepts early on in Real Simple magazine (one of mjb’s favs). She’s even sent copies to her two sons ElderJB and TinyJB and she’s discussed some of its precepts with Mr.JB.
missjunebug is certain that the erudite yet down-to-earth Gretchen is on to something! Inspired by a couple of old school guys Ben Franklin and Samuel Johnson as well as the happy and holy Thérèse of Lisieux, Gretchen charts a course for a year, month by month to work on very specific goals to increase her happiness quotient. Part of her thinking is to perfect her ability to experience happiness now in preparation for the guaranteed tough times ahead. Having recently gone through some tough times herself missjunebug can fully appreciate this a-good-offense-is-the-best-defense strategy when facing the inevitable vicissitudes of life.
To give you a better idea of Gretchen’s approach, let missjunebug fill you in on her plan for November. That’s the next to last chapter that missjunebug is in the middle of right now and very close to the final page of the book. The theme for November’s happiness pursuit is Keep a Contented Heart and missjunebug definitely hearts that idea!
Gretchen hopes to meet these happiness “challenges” in November: Laugh out loud. Use good manners. Give positive reviews. Find an area of refuge. Neat ideas, Gretchen! In the course of the chapter, she learns to listen fully and engage in a full belly-laugh response when the joke is deserving instead of rushing to do the talking. She begins to value kindness and being kinder especially in her conversational style which at times can be a bit peremptory and one-ups man. She also comes to terms with the dark desire of humans to play constant critic, instead of doing the braver thing: to embrace joy. Her Barry Manilow example is well worth the price of the book. She finishes off the chapter with her very helpful idea of seeking out mental areas of refuge that can be as simple as mentally visiting a few things, people, and places that never fail to provide little packets of joy.
missjunebug thinks these very personal but powerful connections are the perfect push toward greater happiness in a rough and tumble world. And this terrific book looks at such connections to happiness in each of its other month-entitled chapters, January through December, all chock full of happiness wisdom earned the hard way by Ms. Rubin’s own personal trial and error. And believe missjunebug when she says, if Gretchen doesn’t get happy doing the particular happiness activity or process she sets for herself, she’s the first to jettison it and move on. Smart move, G.
The secret to missjunebug’s happiness in reading this very savvy, atypical, and highly recommended self-help book The Happiness Project is that she will be able to share her takeaways from it with the three shiny, happy people in her blessed life: Mr.JB, ElderJB, and TinyJB!
Posted by missjunebug on Monday July 26th, 2010
mjb says "Thanks, TJ's" for this awesome bread! Photo by mjb2010
Perhaps the title to this blog is a bit much, but missjunebug can’t say enough good things about this good bread! Trader Joe’s Tuscan Pane “A Stone Hearth Oven-Baked Classic Italian Bread” lives up to its name: It is a classic! And squisito! And missjunebug hearts it big time!
Perfect for toast, even more perfect for grilled cheese! Believe her when she says you should swing by your local T.J.’s and pick up a loaf today! The “crisp crust” and “chewy interior” will not disappoint!
missjunebug owes her friend and neighbor M. who brought a loaf to her a while back as a little get well gift (along with soup and super treats, too) a big THANKS for introducing her to this lovely loaf!
Oh. my. yes. Delicious for Toast & the Perfect Grilled Cheese! Photo by mjb2010
Posted by missjunebug on Friday July 23rd, 2010
Lemony x 10! Photo by mjb2010
missjunebug loves muffins and occasionally indulges in the semi-healthy mega-delicious varieties. The missjunebug Lemony Good Sour Cream Muffin recipe definitely qualifies for that designation. For all health foodies out there, please feel free to adapt away with whole wheat flour and less sugar and no butter, but for missjunebug, she’ll keep the white ingredients and only eat these delicious lemony treats every once in a while! The perfect compromise for optimal eating! And missjunebug can’t think of a better spring or summer breakfast treat served along side a slab o’ slices of Farmer John’s Classic Bacon, cooked up crisp-delicious! (jk, health foodies!)
missjunebug’s Lemony Good Sour Cream Muffins
(adapted from 1-2-3 Bake in Parade July 11, 2010)
2 cups King Arthur unbleached white flour or white whole wheat flour (for your h.f’s out there)
2/3 cup C & H sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. Kosher salt
1 lemon, zested and juiced
3/4 cup Daisy or TJ’s sour cream
2 large organic eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. lemon extract
1 stick butter, melted
India Tree Sparkling Sugar-Bright White (optional)
Prep dry ingredients first: Mix together with a whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and lemon zest.
Prep wet ingredients next: Mix together lemon juice, sour cream, eggs, vanilla and lemon extracts, and melted butter.
Prep dry and wet ingredients separately! Photo by mjb2010
Mix the dry and the wet ingredients together. Stir in a kind and gentle way, just enough to combine. Don’t worry about any tiny lumps!
Mix Gently! Tiny Lumps Allowed! Photo by mjb2010
Spoon batter into paper-lined muffin tin. Sprinkle with India Tree Sparkling Sugar-Bright White for a bakery finish! Bake 20-22 minutes at 350 degrees. Let rest five minutes before sampling! Enjoy!
Any Old Muffin Tin Will Do!! Photo by mjb2010
Let rest five minutes before sampling! Enjoy!
The Perfect Summer Muffin! Photo by mjb2010
Posted by missjunebug on Wednesday July 21st, 2010
missjunebug between bouts of various and heinous medical interventions has still managed to have some fun with her p.i.c. doing some fairly vigorous retail therapy. There’s nothing like the approaching end of summer to bring on the heavy discounts: Nordstrom It’s Our Anniversary Sale! Banana Republic Many Percent Off Everything Sale! JCrew A Few Really Fine Things on Sale Sale! What fun!
missjunebug and her dear p.i.c. are devoted to improving their look as well as giving a much needed shot in the arm to the local economy. And speaking of arms, yes, they both bought pieces that actually reveal some arm and even a little leg. This time next year they will be sailing the high seas to exotic ports of call baring trim and firm extremities! Where does such inspiration and motivation come from? That’s right: Retail Therapy. The most affordable and accessible therapy out there for the not-getting-any-younger set.
missjunebug knows what you are thinking: How do you know the pieces you buy today will still be in style a year from today!? First off, what’s a year in the fashion industry? No biggie. You didn’t really fall for all that Devil Wears Prada nonsense, did you, dear reader? mjb and her p.i.c. can easily spot the lasting trends, grab the classics, and skip the gnarly fads that fade like cheap jeans after a hot wash. Okay, maybe no one will still be wearing sequins on their JCrew t-shirts next year, but missjunebug doubtless will be! She’ll just refer to what she’s wearing as vintage! Yeah, that’ll work!
Secondly, it doesn’t matter what mjb and her p.i.c. wear because nobody’s looking! It’s as if Harry Potter’s cloak of invisibility has settled gently on their shoulders and they can do whatever they want: wear red hats! don purple clothing! squeeze into blue thongs! expose bare arms! Believe missjunebug when she says no one cares! And, yes, there was a time a long day ago when both of them turned a few heads but, alas, those days are done. Those days are most definitely gone. Hey, you can’t look at what you can’t see!
Still, missjunebug and her p.i.c. didn’t dwell on time passing but kept a clear-eyed focus on their potent purchases filled with therapy and possibility and fun!
Holland America! Disney Cruise! Here they come!
Posted by missjunebug on Sunday July 18th, 2010
Tiny Pancakes for Le Petit Dejeuner! Get it??? Photo by mjb2010
missjunebug made pancakes this morning, nice and thin like her dear JBGranny used to make a long, long day ago. JBG always used Bisquick, but missjunebug prefers the efficacy of Krusteaz Pancake Mix! Still, it didn’t take long before mjb got a little silly doing it. JBGranny’s were always silver dollar sized and she and her JBBro just loved them with the Log Cabin! But missjunebug did JBG one better and made pancakes that fit right in with her Tiny Things Collection–remember Petite Pirate, Nifty Ninja, Small Ball, and the World’s Tiniest Pencil?
If these little pancakes were a constellation they’d look a little like the Pleiades viewed from Earth, of course, to approximate the tininess of them!
Sometimes when the larger things in life get too serious and too complicated, it’s good to get a little silly and go really, really tiny. It never fails to bring a tiny smile to missjunebug’s face!
