candice mclean

52 Lists Project | lists

A few weeks ago, I saw a post by Ali Edwards featuring a new project that sounded intriguing. 52 Lists by Moore Seal. I jumped over to check it out and fell in love with the idea. I adore lists. They keep me sane. Truly they do. I have several lists always going at once. Everyday lists. Goal and dream oriented lists. To-Do lists (short term and long term). Birthday (forty2) lists as seen here. So when I saw this 52 Lists Project I had to join in.

I'm a few weeks behind so I'm playing catch up. Won't you play along too?

WEEK ONE // LIST THE WORDS THAT TOUCH YOUR SOUL

love, heart, joy, peace, faith, family, art, energy, comfort, believe, brave, courage, inspire, empower, dream, fantasy, imagine, encompass, thirst, driven, poet, poetic, carefree, enjoy, passion, diligent, honesty, practice, extraordinary, fantastic, taste, touch, feel, soulful, relax, multiply, grow, growth, concentrate, foucs, intent, intention, live, alive, bold, daring, awesome, story, capture, photograph, design, typography, photography, graphic, black, white, turquoise, chartreuse, ochre, dreamy, encourage, support, portrait, happiness, forgiveness, jesus, positive, endure, faithful

 

 

staying the path | FOCUS

i write with a heavy heart but with hope.

this year has already presented some challenges and heartache. january started with the flu spreading through my clan one week at a time. my mother had another stroke on january 21st. in february, my grandfather's health rapidly declined and we lost him on february 16th. though all of these events are sad and even tragic, i'm choosing to focus on the good. the promise. the love.

mom | after the stroke, i sat down with her and pleaded for her to try harder. she has so much to live for. and... she is really trying this time. she is eating healthier and walking everyday. i phone her at least 3 times a day. i remind her that each day is a new beginning, and i'm praying she stays the path. i'm happy to see this new change in her attitude.

brother | he too was sick with the flu in january. the nursing staff we had in place was not working at all so i had to fire them and look for a new agency. luckily, i found an agency located closer to my mother with a larger staff. we still need a morning shift nurse so i'm praying we have all of the nurses in place soon. i'm also praying that they are reliable and loving for my little jj.

papa | watching him decline and his body slowly exhaust was extremely difficult. talk about a fighter! he was such a fighter. he loved life with a passion and this was truly evident. he was an amazing man. an amazing husband. an amazing father. an amazing grandfather. and an amazing friend. our family had time together as we all sat with him in his last days. we laughed. we cried. we shared stories that warmed my heart. through this very difficult time, i found joy. i found joy in knowing that my papa sat in the same room with us all listening to us share those stories. those laughs. those tears. those hugs. i know he heard them all, and i know he had to feel the love that surrounded him. his funeral was a celebration of life. he lived 95 wonderful years. thank you to all of the family and friends who came to visit us at the viewing and funeral. thank you for the sweet thoughts, prayers and the gifts of condolences.

staying the path. with february quickly closing and march approaching, i'm looking forward to conquering my goals and living with more focus. the last two months have proven to me that life is worth celebrating everyday. i'm eager to find purpose in everyday tasks no matter how small or large. i'm excited to live with intent everyday... enjoying the laundry and even the cleaning, expressing my love through cooking meals for my family, sharing laughs over coffee with a friend, loving my talents as i pick up the camera to capture and freeze time even if for a second, sharing my love of art with others... it all has purpose.

i want to share a message from joel osteen about reprogramming your mind. here's an excerpt...

I believe that as you honor God with your time, He’ll multiply it back to you. As you stay faithful and focused on Him, He will direct your steps, and you will embrace the blessing and victory He has in store for you!

where feet may fail | music

ZION. Listen to this... Oceans (Where Feet May Fail).

visit their website and share this link to help spread the word. blessings!

 

Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)

You call me out upon the waters

The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
[x6]

I will call upon Your Name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine

week 9 | weekly menu

 

every sunday morning i follow a routine. sleep in a bit (maybe 8 am if I'm lucky). have coffee in bed. read my favorite blogs. look through cookbooks. watch food network or the cooking channel. make a menu for the week. write out my grocery list. write in my journal - ideas or goals. look over my calendar. plan for the week.

some of these things i'm doing simultaneously. it's all about multi-tasking! my sunday morning may seem lazy as i linger in bed, but i'm actually quite busy and productive.

i bought two new cookbooks recently.

a year in my kitchen | i scored this awesome find at marshalls's for $5.50. << another great reason to shop marshalls. >> okay, so i'm in love with this cookbook. i love the author's writing, the photography and the recipes look delicious. i'm trying one recipe out this week. baked eggplants.

barefoot contessa foolproof | i love everything about ina garten. matter of fact, i'd love to meet her one day. she reminds me a little of my mom in appearance. she is so calming to watch and listen to. i tape her show everyday and when i'm stressed, i watch one of her episodes while cooking, while reading, just sitting and vegging. i love her effortless and simple approach to cooking. and her recipes are the BEST! i have a few of her cookbooks, and i've tried many of the recipes. they are truly yummy and they really work. you know what i mean about really work! right? anyhoo... here's what i've planned for this week's menu.

sunday

gumbo over steamed jasmine rice | paula deen's gumbo recipe

monday

leftover gumbo and rice. yum! the gumbo is even better the next day.

tuesday

pan seared salmon with brown rice and broccoli

wednesday

grilled ribeye steaks with mixed green salad

thursday

baked eggplants with mixed green salad, beets and feta | a year in my kitchen page 115

friday (LENT - meatless fridays)

penne alla vecchia bettola with arugula salad, heirloom tomatoes and garlic bread | barefoot contessa foolproof page 158

saturday

crockpot meal - corned beef with cabbage and potatoes

sunday

foolproof bbq ribs with homemade slaw and baked beans | barefoot contessa foolproof page 141

here's a peek of the gumbo. this IS the best gumbo recipe ever. it's easy and very tasty. i've made this over and over since 2009. it's a great crowd pleaser too.

and just because i didn't post anything valentine's day related, here's a cupcake for us to enjoy! store bought from sam's club. every month i donate cupcakes for the school's cupcake sale (every 3rd friday). i've found sam's club to have the best cupcakes. 30 cupcakes decorated beautifully for $13.98. so much easier than baking them myself. though i've done that too.

 

 

 

Joseph Sherril Nuckols, Sr. | PaPa

My grandfather, Joseph Sherril Nuckols, Sr. (PaPa), has left us today to be reunited with our heavenly Father and his bride Minnie Elizabeth Tate Nuckols (MeMa). Born December 27, 1917 - February 16, 2013. He celebrated life for 95 years. We will miss you SO much PaPa, but I am happy for you to be celebrating in the heavens above. I love you with all of my heart! Kiss MeMa for me!!! xoxoxo

Here's a clip on You Tube of my Papa created by my father Joseph Sherril Nuckols, Jr.

 

week 7 | weekly menu

life has been hectic. the planned menu from last week shifted quite a bit. but here's the thing, you have to be flexible and make adjustments when necessary.

my grandfather is slowly fading and will no longer be here. this past week, i've traveled to see him as often as i can afford away from home. it was great to have the weekly menu in place and i'm thankful that i went grocery shopping over the weekend so most of the meals i had planned were still a success. however, the evennings i was not home my husband implemented easy dinners that he could manage.

and oh my goodness, how i love my crockpot. isn't it amazing? you throw everything into the pot in the morning and hours later walk through the door to find your mouth watering with anticipation. yum. love easy meals.

sunday | baked talipa, brown rice with quinoa and sweet corn-on-the-cob

monday | new york strip steak, baked sweet potato with  roasted garlic and green peas

tuesday | pork tenderloin with carmelized onions and garlic, baby carrots and brown rice (crockpot)

wednesday | green and red salad topped with grilled chicken

thursday | seared salmon served over a medley of steamed veggies

friday | naan pizzas

saturday | chicken country captain by alex hitz

saw this recipe in house beautiful. it looks and sounds devine. will report back to you.

MY STYLE FILE | fashion

1. jaquard dress by aryn K 2. chevron shift in navy 3. nightfall lace dress 4. verona patterned dress 5. ochre pleated dress 6. le chat chic dress

1. knitted dress with funnel neck 2. ethnic print dress 3. high neck black dress 4. black dress with constrasting lining 5. printed tunic blouse 6. printed button neck blouse 7. top with shoulder buttons

Week 6 | weekly menu

SUNDAY

brunch | french toast bread pudding with berries

Super Bowl snacks | salsa, guacamole with organic blue corn chips

dinner | curry chicken salad sandwiches with sweet potato frites

MONDAY

dinner | tequila lime chicken, brown rice & quinoa with steamed broccoli

TUESDAY

dinner | pan seared tilapia, jasmine rice with mixed green salad

WEDNESDAY

dinner | pot roast with carrots and baby gold potatoes

THURSDAY

dinner | grilled chicken with feta and beets over arugula

FRIDAY

dinner | naan pizza night (create your own pizza) with mixed green salad

SATURDAY

breakfast | pancakes with berries and a side of bacon and scrambled eggs

lunch | tomato, basil and mozzarella panini

dinner | grilled flank steak tacos with black beans and rice

RECIPE FEATURE

Ina Garten's French Toast Bread Pudding (with a cinnamon twist!)

I sliced the challah loaf into bite size pieces and I added a tablespoon of ground cinnamon to the pudding mixture. The recipe is very easy to make and everyone loved it; however, it takes a long time in the oven. 45 minutes covered with foil and then anther 45 minutes uncovered. Worth the wait! I served the french toast pudding with fresh strawberries and blueberries (sorry forgot the photo) and maple syrup.

 

forty2 | sweet everyday life

this year i'm turning forty2 so i'm making a list of forty2 things to do, to see or to accoomplish by december 31, 2013. my focus is to enjoy the everyday. live simply. try new things. and live with intent. here we go.

1. run a 5k

2. bake forty2 cakes

3. read forty2 books

4. take a vacation with chip sans the kiddos

5. learn to say a few things in spanish (maybe forty2 sayings?) "si!"

6. run a 10k

7. complete forty2 diy projects around this house

8. blog more often with more joy

9. participate in a photo challenge (FMSphotoaday)

10. run a 1/2 marathon

11. make a book of my favorite forty2 quotes

12. take forty2 portraits of other people (preferrably strangers)

13. make a collection of forty2 random things (hmm??? shells, rocks, poems)

14. draw forty2 different flowers

15. practice more yoga

16. try forty2 new recipes

17. be a better menu planner

18. photograph forty2 pairs of shoes

19. draw forty2 portraits

20. write down forty2 words that inspire me

21. hold my breath for forty2 seconds

22. make forty2 homemade rubber stamps

23. take a family summer vacation (beach cottage or mountain lodge)

24. make a list of forty2 things that i'm thankful for

25. volunteer at a homeless shelter

26. using mema's pickling recipe... make my own pickles this summer

27. create a garden space in our backyard

28. take the kiddos on more nature walks (hiking the blue ridge mountains!)

29. attempt a family camping trip (i am not a fan of tents)

30. donate forty2 one dollar bills to random people

31. make forty2 different types of pizza

32. create forty2 designs for textiles

33. paint forty2 kokeshi dolls

34. go fishing with chip and the kiddos

35. take forty2 portraits of jj

36. crochet a scarf (i need to learn to crochet first!)

37. take forty2 self portraits

38. write more notes (hand written letters) to family & friends expressing my gratitude for their love

39. make dinner for a friend

40. take a class (any kind of class... online, art, photography, anything as long as i learn something new)

41. plan a fun girl's weekend away with my closest friends (wine tasting, thrifting, eating, sightseeing)

42. hug and kiss my children more often when they least expect it