Kitchen Savvy.

....or so I wish to become....one day....in a kitchen such as this one (I can always dream..)

Source: housebeautiful.com via Jacquelyn on Pinterest

So, I have gathered some interesting kitchem tips that are interesting and helpful to know about.  In fact, I was fascinated by most of these things.  For some of you...you foodies/kitchen extraordinaires..this may be old information.

I was recently going through Rachael Ray's magazine and came across "30 tips that'll make your life easier".  I think I may laminate this page and put it on my refrigerator.  I apologize for the sizing of the scanned page.  I could not figure out a way to make it fit to scale on this page yet still be able to read the words.
  To be able to read the words:
1) Click the picture and a new window will open
2) click the picture again in the new window to zoom in

I'm not sure how effective it would be to keep the dry ingredients fresh in these drawers, but isn't this a neat concept?

Source: farm4.static.flickr.com via Jacquelyn on Pinterest

I don't cook that much, but I have cooked enough to remember how much it bugs me to find the brown sugar in clumps....well, apparently there is a way to prevent this from happening :  drop a 3-inch citrus peel into the bag.  Cool!

Source: realsimple.com via Jacquelyn on Pinterest

Make more use of those wonderful citrus fruits:  use lemon as a cutting board cleaner. Slice a lemon in half and squeeze onto the soiled surface, rub, and let it sit for 20 minutes before rinsing.

Source: realsimple.com via Jacquelyn on Pinterest

....And I just had to post this beautiful display of food.  To me, this would be the perfect meal and I could eat this every day (minus the bleu cheese).

Source: flickr.com via Jacquelyn on Pinterest

..Since I was on the topic of citrus fruits above, you can never go wrong with Meyer Lemons....Meyer Bars??! These look absolutely scrumptious! ...and beautiful too. This could have been tagged onto my "sunshine" blog too...

Source: treats-sf.blogspot.com via Jacquelyn on Pinterest

Wise words.

Well, it's a rainy day here today.....

Source: flickr.com via TRUE beauty on Pinterest

And today was the day I found out "if" I matched into a residency program.  I got a "yes"....so, it's official...but it has not really hit me yet....now for the waiting game until Thursday, the day I will find out "where" I will be for the next 5-6 years. 


I wanted to share with you all some words from Dr. Dubin, the former dean of our med school (...words he passed onto us from his mother)..


If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

A little sunshine.

Today is a good day to appreciate the beauty of nature......there is not a cloud in the sky, the sun is shining bright.  I am trying to take advantage of every minute of it.  I enjoyed a run at the park this morning, and I am (trying to enjoy) studying while sitting very near or outside.  Well...before we know it, the dreadful heat and humidity of summer will hit Houston...so, I better appreciate every sunny day that is sub-80 degrees.

In celebration of the sun shining so bright today, I will appreciate some beautiful things - nature, the sun, and the color yellow.

"Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you" - Walt Whitman

A perfect yellow dress by Maxmara.

Source: matchesfashion.com via Jacquelyn on Pinterest

I'm amazed at the rich colors of these places and things........


I don't know where this is, but if someone dropped me off in this field of lavender, they would have a hard time making me leave.....I could lay here forever.

Source: weheartit.com via Jacquelyn on Pinterest

raindrops on a peacock feather....

Source: memorybox.tumblr.com via Jacquelyn on Pinterest

Aaand.....my sister in a ray of sunshine. She is one person that always lives in sunshine. She teaches me to live in the sun :)

Night Sky.

One thing I miss out on living in a big city.

Oren Lavie - Her Morning Elegance

excerpt from "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran

Then said Almitra, "Speak to us of Love"

And he raised his head and looked upon the people, and there fell a stillness upon them. And with a great voice he said: When love beckons to you, follow him, Though his ways are hard and steep. And when his wings enfold you yield to him, Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you. And when he speaks to you believe in him, Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden.

For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning. Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun, So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth. Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself. He threshes you to make you naked. He sifts you to free you from your husks. He grinds you to whiteness. He kneads you until you are pliant; And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God's sacred feast.

All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life's heart.

But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure, Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor, Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.

Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself. Love possesses not nor would it be possessed; For love is sufficient unto love.

When you love you should not say, "God is in my heart," but rather, "I am in the heart of God." And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.

Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself. But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires: To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To know the pain of too much tenderness. To be wounded by your own understanding of love; And to bleed willingly and joyfully. To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving; To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy; To return home at eventide with gratitude; And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.

Dream.

As I continue to study for my board exam, I wonder...why is it, that when my mind needs to express its feelings and creativity the most, it's the most difficult to do so? Here I am...typing this blog....wondering what I have to say. My mind is numb. I need some sort of release, but I have it right here..my very own blog! I'm thinking..

Ok, here is my attempt. After browsing on Pinterest, I came across some beautiful places I would like to visit one day...and also, spaces I would dream to have. After all, one can always dream.

I came across this quote recently, and I think it really puts the purpose of this post into perspective:

“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Butchart Gardens, Vancouver. Look at the color!

Source: flickr.com via Jacquelyn on Pinterest

I'm not sure where this is, but I would like to live here...even if just for a little while.

Source: desiretoinspire.net via Jacquelyn on Pinterest

This studio is perfect!

Source: shedworking.co.uk via Jacquelyn on Pinterest

no words...

Source: myparadissi.com via Jacquelyn on Pinterest

I would go to France just for this.....and I will secretly pull out the soft part of the inside of the bread (I will never be too old for that!).

Source: thebottomoftheironingbasket.blogspot.com via pobox607 on Pinterest

tired.

I feel like this polar bear....must keep studying, must keep studying..argh!

Source: flickr.com via Jenny on Pinterest

I'd like to take a study break and lay my head down in a field like this.

Source: kaixin001.com via Lynne on Pinterest

Hmmm.....but I think I have 3 minutes to spare to make this!

Source: i-am-bored.com via Marie-Christine on Pinterest

Well, enough of my ranting about studying....I need to be thankful for today and learn to appreciate all the small things.  This is one of my favorite quotes:

Source: vi.sualize.us via Lisa on Pinterest

Today, I appreciate:

my early morning run...clearing my head for the day, listening to my music on my ipod, or just the sound of my breathing and feet hitting the pavement and nature

Source: oiselle.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

enjoying coffee at Starbucks while I listened to Pandora (...and studied of course).



posting on this blog :)

Giving Thanks...

Source: thesefavoritethings.blogspot.com via Kelly on Pinterest

These will match my pencil skirt!! hehe......don't these remind you of the teacher/bus driver on The Magic Schoolbus?

Source: love-you-big.blogspot.com via Kate on Pinterest

When life gives you lemons.....make Limoncello.

What's one of the best things about Italy? ....the food.....and....Limoncello. You can learn how to make limoncello??

Source: flickr.com via Astrid on Pinterest

And Tiramisu made with Limoncello??

Source: thelovebite.com via Jean on Pinterest

Another popular dessert wine in Italy is Vin Santo....always paired with Cantucci (almond biscuits) por favore.

Don't forget.

Source: kelly-place.com via Heidi on Pinterest

I must remind myself to:

Source: quote-book.tumblr.com via Emily on Pinterest

....and not get caught up in the monotony and insignificance in everyday tasks.  Nothing is insignificant. 

I just love this:

Source: quote-book.tumblr.com via Elizabeth on Pinterest

These are Brown Butter, Bacon, and Chocolate Chip Cookies.  Wow....this sounds very good, but it seems like they need to fit in Lipitor somewhere in the name.

Source: tnlocavore.typepad.com via Pinterest on Pinterest

One thing I have discovered this past year is Macarons.  After a Saturday morning run with a couple of my running buddies, they took me to a wonderful famer's market in Houston called T'Afia.  This is where I found Maisson Burdiso, who makes these macarons that just melt in your mouth......what a great post-run treat!  I tried the flavors Pistachio and Toasted Marshmallow...yum!  I will definitely make a point to visit T'Afia more often after my early Saturday morning runs.   I would love to try a Hot Chocolate and Marshmallow Macaron like the one below I found on Pinterest:

Source: eatlivetravelwrite.com via Pinterest on Pinterest

Can you believe that this is tape?  There are so many things you can do with this....

Source: designspongeonline.com via Pinterest on Pinterest

ooo...I like the shirt, the skirt, shoes...

Source: talbots.com via Gaetana on Pinterest

Maldives.....I'd like to go here.

Source: travel.nationalgeographic.com via Malorie on Pinterest

I really like this by Sigur Ros...great band......and you don't really have to understand the words to feel the music....



..and another by Sigur Ros.

simple beauty.

Yep.

Source: anabundanceof.blogspot.com via Pinterest on Pinterest

beautiful dress.....Christian Dior.....notice the "something blue"

Source: img246.imageshack.us via Pinterest on Pinterest

Happy National Peanut Butter Lovers' Day!

Yes, you heard me correctly.  How can anyone not like peanut butter?  I once found a quote that says it all:

"If you can't control your peanut butter, you can't expect to control your life" - Bill Watterson (Calvin & Hobbes)

I MUST try this....Peanutella! (a mix of peanut butter and Nutella?!)

Source: smittenkitchen.com via Amy on Pinterest

Coffee day.

It has been a coffee day today....literally.  Yes, 'spilled coffee on your clothes' type of day....twice..both times in the car....and all before 8:30am.  I either blame my clumsiness, or the fact that the coffee didn't quite kick in soon enough. Apparently, this was a little too meaningful for me today:

Source: google.com via on Pinterest

The first spill required me to turn the car around to go back and change.  The second time was "let's attempt to cover this huge stain along the side of my scrub pants with my short white med student coat that doesn't go past my hips".  Honestly, I was very annoyed the second time it happened, but after thinking about it I decided that all I could do is laugh, so I did!  Moral of the story?  Don't drink coffee and drive...or, well.....opportunities to get a good laugh in for the day are numerous, especially if you are as clumsy as me. Speaking of laughing, well.......

Source: the3rdplanet.tumblr.com via Lea on Pinterest

Some interesting info about caffeine and coffee:

Source: lolsnaps.com via on Pinterest

This is my dream breakfast.  These pop-tarts are topped with a coffee-spiked glaze.  And these are not just ordinary pop-tarts.  They are Nutella pop-tarts. Oh boy is that dangerous!