“Once the choice is made to live according to our truth, the path that follows seems so logical as to make us wonder why we took so long to walk it.~Ruth Fishel
I have an Un-Bucket list…
(no jumping out of parachutes for this gal)
and unlike a Bucket List mine includes a simple list of things. Things I must experience daily
Things that perhaps someone else might consider a little odd.
(not you of course)😉
This list looks something like…
#1. Create a beautiful life.
#2. Do one thing a day (or week) that stretches me as a person. ( i.e. preparing a new recipe, trying out a new hobby, expressing myself in a creative way….art, dance, music, blogging😘 etc.
Lately I’ve been very mindful about this Un-Bucket List
and have given some thought on…
#1. Creating that beautiful life.
Creating a beautiful life is a pretty easy thing to do (once you get the hang of it)
For instance this past week after a visit to Shore Acres and being inspired by the beautiful botanical gardens, was motivated to switch up the cottage living room which resulted in a touch of Fall.
The fabulous thing was I didn’t need to purchase a.n.y.t.h.i.n.g
I had created a whole different look and feel to this room.
and now for the next Un-Bucket list item…
#2. Do one thing a day (or week) that stretches me as a person.
just by its nature stretch me as a person seems a little intimidating at first
however sometimes it’s as easy as inviting your plein-air painting group over to paint…
in your cottage garden.
Voila!
Along with a Fall garden tour at Shore Acres, Fall decorating in the cottage living room and inviting the plein-air group over…I also prepared a new recipe!
It’s from Little Spice Jar Blog. The gal’s name is similar to mine only spelled Marzia.
I pretty much followed everything in the recipe except I used a large cast oven pot instead of the suggested slow cooker. My sweet husband Joe also helped with the prep work dicing onions. I forgot to get green beans so no green beans added. I also realized that I had mistakenly purchased beef broth instead of vegetable. Even so the recipe was fabulous and I’ll be preparing it again for an October Fest that Joe and I are attending. All I can say is you must try it…you will love it!
INGREDIENTS:
2 cans (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/4 cup sun-dried tomato pesto (homemade or store bought)
1 parmesan rind
4 cups vegetable stock
2 cups water
1 cup carrots, diced
1 1/4 cup celery, diced
1 1/2 cup white onion, diced
4-5 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 sprig rosemary (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
2 bay leaves
salt and pepper to taste
1 can (15 oz) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) great northern beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 cups zucchini, diced
1 1/2 cups tubular (ditalini) pasta
1 cup frozen green beans, thawed
2 1/2 cups baby spinach, chopped
Finely shredded Parmesan cheese, for serving (or Romano)
DIRECTIONS:
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato pesto, parmesan rind, vegetable stock, water, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, oregano, rosemary, and bay leaves to a slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper to taste and cook on low heat 6-8 hours or high 3-4 hours. ( I added these ingredients in a soup pot and simmered for a couple of hours, stirring occasionally)
- Add in red kidney beans, great northern beans, zucchini, and pasta and cook on high heat for an additional 20-25 minutes until pata is tender. Stir in the spinach and green beans and cook for an additional 5 minutes until heated through. Serve warm topped with parmesan cheese and garlic toasts. ( I served with cornbread) Enjoy!
https://youtu.be/t8XnVMZmivs
Thank you very much for sharing your ‘Unbucket’
List. A great reminder of the opportunity to appreciate everyday life.
Hi Joe! Thank you
Marcia…the recipe looks like a must try….I love your un-bucket list…no jumping from anything for me either..but the rest sounds like a plan…much love to you & Joe…my hubby helps in the preparation of meals too….❤
Hi Carol! When the weather is cooler I love having soup. Actually good soup is wonderful anytime isn’t it! Thank you for your sweet good wishes.
Hello sweet friend!
Happy October 1st!!! Fall is in the air…. and all is good in the world…. I love the idea of the unbucket list… how perfect! I really like what you want to do. I think each one brings on a new experience…. and makes us a better person and gives us a feeling of accomplishment. No time to let grass grow under our feet…. and no better time than the present to get them done. The idea of making a new recipe sounds wonderful! I am definitely going to be making your Minestrone soup… the weather here along my southern California coast has definitely cooled down… what a perfect October 1st day…. Your soup will warm our hearts and fill our tummy with goodness….
My goodness!! I love all the plein air paintings of the darling pink cottage by the sea… they are all so beautiful and capture the happiness of your home…. each one is just a testament to how lovely you have made your home and the environment that you live in… your garden is always such a delight…. I love the fact that you are always adding something new to delight us with…. You do live in a bit of Heaven on earth….
Your home looks lovely for the Fall….. just adding touches here and there make such a difference… and having everything on hand is just an added bonus…. it is cozy and and a feast for the eyes… I love seeing everything… Your kitchen always looks so inviting and fun to be in…. you are a natural in there!!!!
Oh, my goodness I must get over to your coast and see Shore Acres…. Yikes!!!! I love the way they decorate with all the lights and celebrate Christmas…. what fun…. I could almost smell the trees and the aroma of the cookies…. it is definitely a place I will put on my un-bucket list….
Well, sweet friend Happy Saturday to you and Joe…. and of course Cami and Darjeeling…. I so enjoy these posts by you…. they make me happy…. and they are always so uplifting…..
XOXO
Jane
Hi Jane! You are spoiling me me with all your kind comments. Thank you. I’m sure you will enjoy the minestrone. It made me feel so healthy! I’m certain your home is filled with lovely Fall things. When I lived in California I started decorating for Fall early because I wanted it to arrive right away after the warm summers. Often the air conditioner would be going while I was waiting for it’s arrival. Ha! I’m enjoying October on the coast. The weather has been in the mid 60’s and very little wind. I can hear the waves and foghorn as I write and the sky is crystal clear with glorious sparkly stars. (Its late…around midnight) It’s all so lovely. I’m sure it’s paradise in Laguna this time of year with the tourists gone and the cooler weather…you are happily enjoying it all! Wishing you a wonderful month my friend.xo