Finding smiles...

Rocket & Roses HQ Play List:

Brandi Carlile ~ Fall Apart Again
Brandi Carlile ~ Caroline
Jools Holland Big Band ~ Outskirts of Town
Def Leppard ~ Love Bites
Snap! ~ The Power
Joan Jett ~ Frustrated
Bowes & Morley ~ On A Day Like Today
Alanis Morissette ~ Forgiven
Bowes & Morley ~ I'll Take The Stars Out Of The Sky
Alisha's Attic ~ Just The Way You Like
Billie Meyers ~ Much Change Too Soon
Bebel Gilberto ~ Close Your Eyes
Holly Williams ~ Happy
Jessie Ware ~ Wildest Moments

For me...this week has been tough. But there have been moments where I've smiled and discovered words of comfort, music that has made me feel high and miscellaneous things that have given me something to look forward to. And as I haven't a food posting to share I thought I would share a few of these things that have kept me this side of sane moments with you. lol.

*taking a breath*

I need Yoga and its philosophies in my life. But I physically haven't been able to do any form of real practice for over a year now and it's hurting me. I had also forgotten that I still have an important part of it all open to me...the breath in my ravaged body...and the mental focus. And this simple poster reminded me and it had quite a powerful effect on me.

Such a great name for a recipe!

I came across this recipe on Pinterest and the recipe name actually made me smile and even chuckle. Serendipity is one of my favourite words so to see it used in such an awesome way and with a recipe that I can't wait to try I Pinned it to my For The Love of Vegan Food board straight away. So thanks to www.dietdessertndogs.com for the smiles...and I can't wait to try the recipe out.

Airbourne ~ Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast

Well...how happy was I when I stumbled upon these guys. If you like AC/DC then you will almost definitely enjoy them. They are an Aussie rock band that are unashamedly rock and just so good. I was on a music high for hours after listening to as much of their music that I could access on YT. They reminded me why I am the rock chick that I am. And yes some of their songs are Cert 18 but you can be a feminist and enjoy great rock music too!

Breaking Dawn part 2
SPOILER ALERT!!!
If you haven't seen it yet...scoot down to the next item!

It was recently our anniversary and my sister snuck in a belated present. The Breaking Dawn part 2 DVD. So ML and I finally sat down to watch the end of the series. I never got around to reading Breaking Dawn so the last movie and this one was a mystery to me.  So what did I think? Well firstly can I just say....CGI baby/children faces? With the budget they would've had to make this movie...I felt it could've been a lot better. In fact it freaked the bejesus out of me and it just wasn't convincing at all. Such a shame. And the whole film felt really rushed...but then when you split a book into two movies then I guess something has to give.

However...I did love the introduction of all the new characters, the mystery of Alice & Jasper's departure (ML aka Alice junkie..said That it was obvious Alice was going to save the day...lol *eyeroll*), the battle scene was righteous, the frustrating sudden twist in the story and did I mention there were vampires and werewolves? lol. But one thing that both of us liked and respected was that instead of a list of cast...at the end of the movie they went back to the beginning of the series and every character was given a face and actors name. Nice touch.

Total rock and roll, eh? lol

Rock n Roll or what? lol. We found these little beauts on a recent crawl around a shop. I did resist buying some as I don't get on with earbud earphones...but they did make me smile.

Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts ~ Hold You

When I first heard the growly voice of Crowe I knew I was a gonna like the Grunts..lol The songs are great and I have enjoyed the one album I have. This song in particular and it seems to have popped up on my play list on my Pod a few times this week. Making me both smile and think lol. Dammit..lol

J.R.Ward *bowing*

One of my favourite authors J.R.Ward is about to release the latest in her Black Dagger Brotherhood series. They are pure escapism for me. When I need the world to shut the hell up and music isn't doing it...I can take one of her books from my shelves and disappear between the covers.

But this one is very special hence the clue in the title, Lover At Last is the story of two regular characters Quinn & Blay. The Brotherhood are warriors and throughout the series, one of the brothers story is told...and in the background has always been these two characters story of fighting their love for each other.

And from what fans are told..the powers that be were not happy for them to have a book to tell their story...until now. I know that when this comes out in paperback I shall lock myself away for two days and revel in the highs and lows of their story. Because all the BDB fans have waited such a long time for this. It's gonna get bloody...it's no doubt gonna make me cry at times...and there will be many laughs and I cannot wait. So I shall be marking the days off until it's released here...something to look forward too.

Holly Williams ~ Three Days in Bed

This week I found Holly Williams. And yes she is indeed the granddaughter of Hank Williams. Her music is at times emotive, dragging you back to places in your past. Other times light and you feel your heart lift with hers. And everything in between those places. She tells beautiful stories with her song writing and her voice is both enchanting and gritty...for me that's a great thing. I have enjoyed listening to two of her albums this week and very happy I found her music..whilst searching for something completely different entirely..lol.

I need this cookbook for my collection..lol

I collect cookbooks...this you know, right? And when this one was released I knew I wanted...no..needed it. lol. I made a decision to do a long running review on my blog. Starting at the beginning of the book with recipe one and work my way through them all..giving over one day a week of the blog to this. I've seen many people's reviews and the photos of their efforts and enjoyed them. So when I do pick up a copy I shall be joining the masses in this sandwich making fun.

Wise words

This has been my mantra this week...however, it does work most of the time...but even this rain loving freak is getting really fed up with being sodden everyday. Oh well..whilst it's raining on me it's leaving someone else alone, eh?

I am no lover or supporter of guns. But when this came through on VeganCartoons feed this week it really did make me laugh. The right to hunt and the fur trade make me crazy angry and saddens me. But this makes a great point in a funny way. Loved it....

Thanks for stopping by...and I hope our Friday is a fantastic one..

ML is deep in birthday cake making...so I will be back tomorrow with the latest creation for our little niece Noo...who is turning 4 but acts 14! Urgh..where on earth is the time going? lol.

~Red~

Focus: Things I Am Loving In This Moment...

Rocket & Roses HQ Play List:

Zac Brown Band ft Aslyn ~ Trying To Drive
Harry Connick Jr ~ All The Way
Thunder ~ Gimme Some Lovin' Live
Natalie Clein ~ Tavener: The Protecting Veil
TOFOG's ~ Memorial Day
Nat King Cole ~ Ain't Misbehaving
B.E.P ~ Let's Get It Started
Court Yard Hounds ~ Fairytale
Bon Jovi ~ Living On A Prayer
Audioslave ~ Light My Way
Depeche Mode ~ Enjoy The Silence
Tina Dico ~ Friend In A Bar
Placebo ~ Every Me Every You
Blondie ~ Picture This

Today's post is all about taking a moment in the midst of chaos and looking at what is going on around you...taking the things/people/thoughts that make you smile and celebrating them. Focusing on the positives...although I have to say, that particular phrase said to me on a bad day can make me want to throttle the person who says it...hard!!! lol.

So in this moment....these are the things that are making the chaos bearable...lol

A Thought...

A mantra now...

I've said recently that this thought is vital to me. I could easily get bogged down with thoughts of the past or the bleak future. So I choose to think of my life...In this moment...and in this moment I am OK.

A Photo...

The very awesome and under appreciated
Mr Luke Morley
Songwriter and Guitarist

I confess this photo is taken from The Union Facebook page. The Union are one of my favourite bands. I have been a fan of Mr Morley's work for over 20 years. In his relatively new band he is getting so much attention and rightly so..they are awesome. If you love blues/rock I urge you to check them out. This photo...to me sums up Mr Morley. A true muso, fantastic talent and still rocking it when others maybe couldn't. And I hope he never stops...

A Piece of Art...

Artist: Malcolm Liepke

I admit it. I had never heard of this artist until this painting turned up on my Pinterest feed. It was amongst many other paintings by other artists but I couldn't even tell you what they were because the moment I saw this...I was captivated. In fact the more I look at it..the more I fall hopelessly in love with it.

An Important Thing...

Especially medical...

There are times when I wished with all my heart I was one of those people that could live in ignorant bliss. And in some aspects of my life I have to be but it's not how I want it. But being in ignorance when it comes to your health..well..it's just stupid. Understandable...but stupid. This week I was back at the hospital to get the latest tests done and find out the new plan of attack. Now I really was dreading it...hated the thought of it...couldn't function at some points leading up to it as my very inner circle would agree..but having had a couple of days since the appointment I am calmer. I know for the next four months I've got a battle coming...but now I know what I am facing...I also have a plan. Knowing the facts is so much better than not. (Preachy bit over now!! lol)

An International Thing...

My close friend and guest host Trustworthy lives in Oz and we are in touch everyday via Skype.  We cook (well OK he cooks and I watch lol), talk and laugh a lot and even disagree sometimes..lol. But one of the other things we like to do is have International Mate Movie Dates..lol. Yep we select a movie and both watch it with our laptops on and headsets in, watching the movies together. We try and take it in turns in selecting the movies...last week was T's choice which was...

....which I really enjoyed. Even the eating brains part...lol And this week my selection is the very funny and touching Crazy Stupid Love. Really looking forward to watching it with him.

Don't be fooled, T loves a good rom/com..lol...and I am sure he'll love this one.

A Drink...

Yep it does say Decaf...lol

I am a self confessed addict of the demon bean and back in the day when my body had coffee and Jack flowing through my veins I couldn't get enough. I am one of those strange people that love the hot coffee beverage but can't stand it cold in any form..or in food. Yuck! lol. But these days my body doesn't respond well to caffeine at all and I had managed to wean myself off of it and been a confirmed herbal tea drinker for the last 4-5 years, enjoying the very occasional coffee when out, until very recently...I could make a whole list of excuses but the only one that would have any merit would be...stress and low mood boost. And I have been abusing the bean once more...often..hourly...so I am now trying to wean myself off of it once again. And then I found this decaf coffee...it is so good. I get all the flavour of regular coffee without the side effects...and I am loving it. Steaming black mug of this..and I am a happy gal.

A Tune or Two...

Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts ~ B******d Life or Clarity Album
Sail Those Same Oceans Enjoy!

I like Russell Crowe. I think he is an amazing actor...and I like his edge. I respect that he's not bowed down to the Hollywood way of life..simpering and smiling. I like that if he's in a bad mood..he just is. No excuses. And I have always been curious about his band Thirty Odd Foot Of Grunts or TOFOG's in short. Then the Clarity album came up on my 1p bargains list last week. It was a sign..lol..no really it was. lol. No? Oh OK. It arrived yesterday and I have to say I have only just put Pebble (iPod) back on shuffle play...I have played the album about 10 times through and have loved every song. The music is rather Springsteeneqsue. Russell's voice is good and growly. I am now officially a huge fan of his music too. I hope there is more to come.

A Wouldn't Want to Live Without Thing...

Friendship

There are no words really needed here...except for these...'Friends that are family'..spending anytime with any one of you is always a pleasure...even in the bad times. We are very different but that's what makes us strong. I am a very lucky woman...

A Book Thing...

A werewolf or two can never be
a bad thing...lol

At this point in my life my reading choices are all about pure escapism. Usually it's an even spread of cookbooks, fiction and knowledge. So you will most likely find me running in the worlds where Were folks live...or chasing serial killers. This is the book I am reading today...

A Body Art Thing...

An artform..no arguments folks but I do respect your
rights to disagree.

Having been ill for a while...I am left with scars. And yes..I own it...they are part of my story but I've owned it for long enough now..lol. I need a change and I am constantly looking for the right thing to cover them. Recently I saw a tattoo design that was laid over a woman's shoulder and it was of a large flower with falling petals that drifted down and across her body. And I knew then I had found the concept I was looking for...now I just needed to find the design. As there are a few...I have decided upon a large cherry blossom branching with full blooms and many falling petals. The design above isn't exactly what I want but it's pretty similar to the image I have in my head. Why blossom? Sorry folks..I do have my reasons and they are private but when it's happening I shall post photos.

A Tasty Thing...

Kao Pun Temple Waterfalls, Kanchanaburi Thailand

A waterfall...tasty? I can hear you asking lol. Well..no. But I couldn't find an image to go with the food but I did find this beautiful waterfall in Thailand and now have another waterfall to add to my list. lol. I cannot wait to visit this one...awesome..don't you think?

Anyway to the food...Thai Mixed Veggie Tempura with Sweet Chilli Sauce to be specific. I cannot get enough of this dish. I am not usually one for anything that is fried...but this is my one exception. And where we buy it they do a really nice light and crispy batter..covering carrot sticks, onions rings, green beans, green pepper, red pepper, mushroom and broccoli. Now I always ask for no mushroom and always secretly hope they will put in extra broccoli..alas they never do. These simply cooked veggies dipped in the sweet chilli sauce is a little plate of food heaven for me. I get really bad cravings for just a bowl of broccoli tempura drizzled with the addictive chilli sauce. Bad cravings...very bad cravings...lol. Oh no..now it's back again..lol.

A Not So Bling Thing...

Prayer Bead Bracelets

Regular readers will know for sure that I am in no way religious..but very respectful of others' beliefs as long as it isn't harming anyone. Anyway....I have always loved rosaries and prayer beads as necklaces or jewellery. I think the design is often beautiful....and when I saw these this morning I knew it was something I would happily wear. However I wouldn't pay $75 for them. But I can admire them from afar and enjoy them that way. I love bracelets...

Well that is a few of the things I am loving right now...this moment..lol. I hope it entertained and thank you for stopping by and I hope your week is being very good to you..and you have great things planned for the weekend..be it boisterous or peaceful.

~R~

So there was this tune, a book, piece of artwork, a recipe, a truth, a tattoo and a word...

It's Saturday and instead of having our usual riotous family time, we are at home just hanging out together. Doesn't feel like a Saturday but more like a Sunday. So I have the time to write a slightly different type of posting than the normal ones. And of course that meant a certain amount of time staring at my screen...waiting for inspiration...which actually means reading one of the books I'm currently reading, playing around with my Pod, cruising Pins via Pinterest and just generally pootling around. lol. Yep, productive or what? lol. Well actually it was because I decided to incorporate all of these elements into one posting..Tada! lol.  So here goes...

a tune....

The Union ~ Blame It On Tupelo

This track from The Union's album Siren's Song is a great ballsy, bluesy rock tune and when it plays on my Pod I can't help but sing along and smile...and have been known to burst out into spontaneous dancing...lol. Well when health permits...

a book....

Red Dragon

My good friend and guest blogger Trustworthy recommended this book to me...so I borrowed a copy from my local library and have been enjoying it very much. A real page turner...thank you T!

piece of artwork....

Rock Chicklets Rule!

This painting/drawing from the Tracy Lizotte Studios I found quite by chance on Pinterest. And it made me smile so much. It reminded me of days gone by..hours spent with my pals as we rocked the air guitars to all the fantastic rock tunes..have to say..still do it to this day...lol But a great piece of smiley artwork in my opinion..

a recipe....

Sesame & Broccoli Salad

Today I am craving greenage...and when that happens...(well that's every day because I love all green veggies..except Okra..oooh no! lol)...my preference is the humble but splendid broccoli or mini trees. I love it raw, steamed, sauteed or roasted...and this salad is food heaven to me. So wish I had a bowl of it right now...lol.

a truth....

It.is.the.truth! lol

OK..I admit it..I'm a recovering coffee addict...and yesterday I fell spectacularly off the wagon. Big time...massive! I consumed approx *beep* espressos throughout the day..but damn if it didn't taste and feel good. And it's amazing how much better my painkillers work with it. But sadly today I am suffering a caffeine hangover..lol. But coffee has been and will always be one of my favourite smells...

a tattoo....

Wow factor or what? Eh?

I think this tattoo is just beautiful. I love the placement..the scroll detail and colour. I would love a piece like this on my back someday....I know, I know!!! When I'm healed...

a word....

A lovely word...

This word just sounds fun...rolls off the tongue with a smile. I love the meaning of it..and the sound of it. And I even loved the Cusack/Beckinsale movie called Serendipity. A happy word. lol.

So there you have it..my Saturday round up of 'stuff'..lol. Hope you enjoyed it?

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your Saturday is a glorious one....

~R~