Rave Reviews and Recipes

Lemon Artichoke Chicken

Yield
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients
4 boned, skinned chicken breast halves (about 8 oz. each), rinsed, dried, and pounded to an even thickness of 1/4 to 1/2 inch
1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper
2 tablespoons butter
1 can (14 oz.) quartered artichoke hearts, drained
2 tablespoons dry sherry
2 tablespoons grated lemon peel
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Sprinkle chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. In a 10-inch frying pan over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add chicken in batches and cook, turning once, until browned on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a 9- by 13-inch baking dish and add artichoke hearts.

2. Add sherry, lemon peel, and lemon juice to remaining butter in frying pan; stir over medium heat until well blended and hot, 2 to 3 minutes. Add cream and stir. Remove from heat and pour sauce over chicken. Sprinkle with cheese.

3. Bake until sauce is bubbling and golden brown on top, 20 to 25 minutes.


Nutritional Information
Calories:437 (39% from fat)
Protein:57g
Fat:19g (sat 11)
Carbohydrate:6.6g
Fiber:1.1g
Sodium:600mg
Cholesterol:184mg
Charlotte Corkery, Auburn, CA, Sunset, FEBRUARY 2006

Delicious!!!!

Happy Trails,
Danna

Funny Friday

Subject: AAADD- KNOW THE SYMPTOMS

AAADD- KNOW THE SYMPTOMS

Thank goodness there's a name for this disorder. Somehow I feel better, even though I have it!!Recently, I was diagnosed with A.A.A.D.D . -Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.

This is how it manifests:

I decide to water my garden. As I turn on the hose in the driveway, I look over at my car and decide it needs washing. As I start toward the garage, I notice mail on the porch table that I brought up from the mail box earlier. I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car. I lay my car keys on the table,put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table,and notice that the can is full.

So, I decide to put the bills backon the table and take out the garbage first. But then I think,since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the garbage anyway, I may as well pay the bills first. I take my check book off the table, and see that there is only one check left.

My extra checks are in my desk in the study, so I go inside the house to my desk whereI find the can of Diet Cherry Pepsi I'd been drinking. I'm going to look for my checks, but first I need to push the Diet Cherry Pepsi aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over.

The Diet Cherry Pepsi is getting warm, and I decide to put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold. As I head toward the kitchen with the Diet Cherry Pepsi, a vase of flowers on the countercatches my eye--they need water. I put the Diet Cherry Pepsi on the counter anddiscover my reading glasses thatI've been searching for all morning.

I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to water the flowers I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly spot the TV remote. Someone left it on the kitchen table.

I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV, I'll be looking for the remote, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, but first I'll water the flowers.

I pour some water in the flowers, but quite a bit of it spills on the floor. So, I set the remote back on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill. Then, I head down the hall trying toremember what I was planning to do.

At the end of the day: the car isn't washedthe bills aren't paid there is a warm can of Diet Cherry Pepsi sitting on the counter the flowers don't have enough water, there is still only 1 check in my check book, I can't find the remote, I can't find my glasses, and I don't remember what I did with the car keys.

Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day, I'm really tired. I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check my e-mail....

Have a wonderful weekend worth remebering,

Danna

Zen Horse

Training Tip of the Week: By Clinton Anderson

Keeping Shots as Painless as Possible



Part of owning a horse means giving annual vaccines or occasionally having to administer antibiotics. Giving a horse a shot is something many people dread because it can turn into a big problem if you do not properly prepare your horse. Remember, preparation is key whether you’re riding, doing groundwork, or any activity involving your horse. I try to do some basic groundwork before I give my horses shots. This gets them using the thinking side of their brain and puts them in a better mindset before I have to poke them with a needle.

Once you have done your groundwork, take the syringe and tap on the horse’s neck (or wherever you need to administer the shot) in a rhythmic manner. At first, this may bother the horse but as soon as he stands still and relaxes, take the syringe away. Let him relax for 30 seconds or so and then repeat the tapping exercise again. Continue doing this until your horse is desensitized to the tapping.

The next step is to simply tap, tap, tap, give the shot, and then tap, tap, tap. If your horse throws its head up or gets bothered, just ignore it and continue tapping. Basically, don’t make giving a shot a big deal. If you don’t act like it’s a big deal, your horse will stay much calmer.

The main thing to remember is to not act any different around your horse when giving him a shot. Act just as you normally would if you were simply going to catch him. Some people start sneaking around their horse when they have to give a shot, and it just makes the horse uncomfortable and nervous. Remember, horses are excellent at reading our body language, so keep yours relaxed and calm, desensitize your horse to the tapping feeling, and you shouldn’t have any trouble the next time you have to give one of those dreaded shots.

Happy Healthy Horses make Happy Trails,

Danna

Damn Good Stuff

Life is like a taxi. The meter just keeps a-ticking whether you are getting somewhere or just standing still. -- Lou Erickso

Life is a grindstone. Whether it grinds us down or polishes us up depends on us. -- Thomas L. Holdcroft

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. -- Winston Churchill

Live as if your were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever. -- Gandhi

Nobody gets to live life backward. Look ahead, that is where your future lies. -- Ann Landers

Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.-- Buddha

Life is like riding a bicycle. You don't fall off unless you plan to stop peddling.-- Claude Pepper

It is not length of life, but depth of life. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

I love motivational quotes!!!

Happy Hump Day

Danna

Tipsy Tuesday

Tips For Springtime Horse Riding

Begin your riding schedule slowly if your horse (and perhaps you) have been idle over the winter months

Horses who haven't shed out their long winter coats will heat up faster when working and take longer to cool down and dry out on warm spring days.

Consider clipping a long winter coat if you are planning to get back into a regular riding routine. A clipped horse or pony may still need to be blanketed if the temperature dips.

Spring time is vaccination time. Consult your veterinarian for the recommended vaccinations in your area.

Hasten shedding with regular grooming. A shedding blade helps pull out long hairs.

Be cautious about introducing your horse to lush green pasture if it has been eating hay all winter. A horse that is allowed to nibble grass as it emerges will be introduced slowly and naturally. But putting a horse or pony out on pasture suddenly can lead to things like colic and founder. Make the transition to pasture very slowly especially with ponies, draft breeds and draft crosses. As little as thirty minutes on fresh grass can cause a pony to founder.

Horses accustomed to being blanketed during the cold weather may still need blankets during temperature dips or rainy weather. Don't forget to remove the blanket when the weather warms up again!

Keep an eye out for signs of thrush or rain scald that can flare up during wet spring weather.

Happy Trails,

Danna

On The Road Again

Last week in February, WOW!!! Team Burns is busy as usual. Scott just finished up the Scottsdale Arabian Show. Braydan is moving a team to Las Vegas for the Cutting Horse show at the South Point Equestrian Center. Destiny is getting ready to leave for Scottsdale to compete in the Pro Rodeo on Thursday.

I will complete my 4th month of ground hog day, doing the same thing over and over again, introducing our wonderful products to people from all over the world. For 150 days Park City has been my calling. No road show business in my near future either. Ski season ends around April 1st depending on snow.

Then my family, my horse, the mountains, red rock and friends get my attention.

Doing what I love and loving what I do in Park City Utah at Burns Cowboy Shop.

Danna

Inspire Me

This one is a wonderful collection of numbers-I especially like ATTITUDE


Absolutely amazing!

Beauty of Mathematics !!!!!!!

1 x 8 + 1 = 9
12 x 8 + 2 = 98
123 x 8 + 3 = 987
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321

1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111

9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

Brilliant, isn't it?

And look at this symmetry:

1 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 12321
1111 x 1111 = 1234321
11111 x 11111 = 123454321
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321
11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321
111111111 x 111111111 = 12345678987654321



Now, take a look at this...


101%



From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:



What Equals 100%?
What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?

Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?

We have all been in situations where someone wants you to
GIVE OVER 100%.

How about ACHIEVING 101%?


What equals 100% in life?


Here's a little mathematical formula that might help
answer these questions:


If:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.


If: < B>


H-A-R-D-W-O- R- K

8+1+18+4+23+ 15+18+11 = 98%


And:

K-N-O-W-L-E- D-G-E

11+14+15+23+ 12+5+4+7+ 5 = 96%


But:

A-T-T-I-T-U- D-E

1+20+20+9+20+ 21+4+5 = 100%



THEN, look how far the love of God will take you:



L-O-V-E-O-F- G-O-D

12+15+22+5+15+ 6+7+15+4 = 101%


Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:

While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will
get you there, It's the Love of God that will put you over the top!

Have a nice day & God bless!!

Danna

Rave Reviews and Recipes

Lonesome Dove

The Best Western Movie. Truly an EPIC!!

Captain Augustus "Gus" McCrae (Robert Duvall) and Captain Woodrow F. Call (Tommy Lee Jones), two famous ex-Texas Rangers, run a cattle ranch called the Hat Creek Cattle Company and Livery Emporium in the small dusty Texas border town of Lonesome Dove. Gus is a romantic figure whose happy-go-lucky nature and good fortune with women and prostitutes, especially Lorena Wood (Diane Lane), prohibits him from doing much real work around the ranch. Call, however, is a no-nonsense, hard-working taskmaster, though his industrious nature has not rubbed off on Gus in the thirty years they've been together.

Working with them are Joshua Deets (Danny Glover), a black man who is an excellent tracker and scout from their Ranger days, Pea Eye Parker (Timothy Scott), another former Ranger who works hard but isn't all too bright, and Bolivar (León Singer), a retired Mexican bandit who is their cook. Also living with them is the boy Newt Dobbs (Rick Schroder), a seventeen-year-old whose mother was a prostitute named Maggie and whose father may be Call.

The story begins as Jake Spoon (Robert Urich), a former comrade of Call's and McCrae's, shows up after an absence of more than ten years. He is a man on the run, having accidentally shot the dentist, and brother of the sheriff, of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Reunited with Gus and Call, Jake's breath-taking description of Montana inspires Call to gather a herd of cattle and drive them there, to begin the first cattle ranch in the frontier state. Call is attracted to the romantic notion of settling pristine country. Gus is less enthusiastic, pointing out that they are getting old and that they are Rangers and traders, not cowboys. But he changes his mind when Jake reminds him that Gus' old sweetheart, Clara, lives on the Platte, which is on their route to Montana. Call prevails and they enlist the Hat Creek crew and some new hands to rustle a herd from south of the border, and then they begin the long drive north. Along the way, the Hat Creek boys revisit old regrets and losses and come to terms with their past.

In Park City we have T.V.'s where we put on great western films to create a atmosphere for our visitors, Lonesome Dove is always a favorite, people always say Isn't this Lonesome Dove? Then instantly say that was the best book and movie ever written and made.

Augustus why did you have to be so stubborn...you should still be alive!!!

Rave Review's for Lonesome Dove. Dig it out or go rent it this weekend, reserve 5 hours.

Happy Trails,

Danna

Funny Friday

THE GOOD NAPKINS

The joys of having girls.
My mother taught me to read when I was
four years old (her first mistake).

One day I was in the bathroom and
noticed one of the cabinet doors was ajar. I read the box in
the cabinet.

I then asked my mother why she was
keeping 'napkins' in the bathroom.

Didn't they belong in the kitchen?

Not wanting to burden me with
unnecessary facts, she told me that those were for
'special occasions' (her second mistake).

Now fast forward a few months....

It's Thanksgiving Day,

and my folks are leaving to pick up my
uncle and his wife for dinner.
Mom had assignments for all of us while
they were gone.

Mine was to set the table.

When they returned, my uncle came in
first and immediately burst into laughter. Next came his
wife who gasped, then began giggling

Next came my father, who roared with
laughter.

Then came Mom, who almost died of
embarrassment when she saw each place setting on the table
with a 'special occasion' Kotex napkin at each
plate, with the fork carefully arranged on top. I had even
tucked the little tail in so they didn't hang off the
edge!!
My mother asked me why I used these
and, of course, my response sent the other adults into
further fits of laughter. 'But, Mom, you said they were
for special occasions!!!'



Life is too short for drama and petty
things,

so for heavens sake, use the good
napkins whenever you can!

This was sent to me by a follower. Thanks Tall Girl.

Happy Trails,

Danna

Zen Horse

Training Tip of the Week: By Clinton Anderson

Don’t Let the Little Things Slip


A mistake a lot of horse owners make is letting the little things slip. Though these things may not seem like a big deal at the time, little ounces of disrespect soon become pounds of trouble! To avoid this problem, make sure that you correct the little things before they become a big issue. Let me give you a couple examples of what I’m talking about:

When you’re leading your horse he should mimic your steps. If you stop, so should he. If you walk, he should walk. If you run, he should run along beside you. A common problem is for a horse to get ahead of you when you’re leading him. Lots of horse owners don’t correct their horse when this happens, and before they know it, he’s leading them and not the other way around! Instead, if your horse gets ahead of you when you’re leading him, immediately back him up and avoid developing a pushy, disrespectful horse.

If you’re horse is pushy or pins his ears at you when feeding, take a handy stick and back him up. Make him give you two eyes until you’re done. Little corrections like these make a big difference in helping prevent your horse from becoming aggressive or dominant when you’re feeding him.

Don’t let your horse walk off when you’re getting on. Not only is this not safe, it indicates a lack of respect on your horse’s part as he is not tuned in to you. One thing I do to prevent this problem from developing is to make sure I always flex my horse when I first get on for 3-5 minutes. This helps me gauge his responsiveness and make sure he is soft and supple. In addition, it teaches him patience and to not be in a big hurry when I get on. Another thing you can do if your horse walks off is to back the horse up or get on and off him multiple times using the “approach and retreat” method until he stands still.
If you pay attention to the little things involved in your horsemanship, it will pay big dividends in the end. Horses don’t develop into pushy, disrespectful animals overnight but do it a little bit at a time. On the other hand, if you keep up with the little things, you can help insure that your horse will be a respectful and willing partner that is a joy to be around.

Happy Trails,

Danna

Damn Good Stuff

Flax Seed Warmers and Pillows

Why Flax?


Flax Seed is an herbal flower seed, rather than a food product, so no "foody" smell will disturb the soothing experience.
Unlike rice or other grain products (which are mostly water), Flax Seed is 30-40% oil, which remains inside the seed to be warmed again and again. Most grain products loose their ability to retain heat as the water cooks out of the grains.

When heated, a Flax Seed Pillow retains half their heat after an hour. In your covers, the Flax Seed Pillow will still be warm the next morning.

Flax-filled heated Herb Pillow provides a gentle, Heat Moist Therapy which promotes healing with Heat Therapy.

Flax Pillows may also be chilled for a soft and soothing cold pack. Cool a sunburn, fever, hot flashes or inflammation.

Flax Seed products, Damn Good Stuff!!!

Happy Trails,

Danna

Tipsy Tuesday

Anyone who doesn't take truth seriously in small matters cannot be trusted in large ones either.
Albert Einstein

I was tested on this just today. I had a opportunity to sell a $600 boot if I just told the customer it was calf skin instead of kangaroo. I questioned myself for a instant, then decided do I want this to hold me back from all I want to accomplish. I decided to bear the truth, the customer was appreciative and ordered the calf skin boots anyway.

My tip for this Tuesday, 6 words, Tell the Truth, All the Time!!!!

Have a day of truth,

Danna

Inspire Me

Surround yourself with people who believe you can.
Dan Zadra

What great advice this wonderful Sunday. I think back my half century of life and recall the people I have surrounded myself with. The ones I choose to spend time with are the ones who believed in me and I believed in them.
I have been so blessed to have freinds and family who incourage me to be the best I can be, at whatever I choose to do. I hope I have been the type of person others want to surround themselves with because I believed they could accomplish their dreams.

Namaste,

Danna

Rave Reviews and Recipes

Happy Valentines Day!!!!

Elizabeth Barrett Browning How Do I Love Thee

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to useIn my old griefs,
and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life!
--- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Elizabeth Barrett Moulton-Barrett was born March 6, 1806, in Coxhoe Hall, Durham, England. In 1809, her father Edward, having made most of his considerable fortune from Jamaican sugar plantations which he inherited, bought "Hope End", a 500-acre (2.0 km2) estate near the Malvern Hills in Ledbury, Herefordshire, England. Elizabeth was the eldest of Edward and his wife Mary Graham-Clarke, who had 12 children.
Elizabeth was educated at home, attending lessons with her brother's tutor and was consequently well educated for a girl of that time.
Her first poem on record is from the age of six or eight. The manuscript is currently in the Berg Collection of the New York Public Library, but the exact date is doubtful because the "2" in the date 1812 is written over something else that is scratched out. A long Homeric poem titled The Battle of Marathon was published when she was fourteen, her father paying for its publication. Barrett later referred to her first literary attempt as, "Pope's Homer done over again, or rather undone."
During her teen years, she read the principal Greek and Latin authors and Dante's Inferno in their original languages. Her appetite for knowledge led her to learn Hebrew and read the Old Testament from beginning to end. By the age of twelve, she had written an "epic" poem consisting of four books of rhyming couplets.

I chose Elizabeth Barrett Browning this Valentines Day to showcase one of the all time best love poems ever written.

Have a wonderful day spent with someone you love. If not together than through thought.

Love,

Danna

Funny Friday - Adopt Pinky

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asmfrzKN3XI

This is hilarious!!!!I wonder if anyone adopted Pinky. I know the guy doing the segment did not!

Friday the 13th my LUCKY day.

Sweethearts weekend.

Spend time with someone you love even if only possible through thought.

Happy Valentines Day,


Danna

Zen Horse

Training Tip of the Week

By Clinton Anderson

Picking up Feet

Many people encounter problems when picking up their horse’s feet. Whether the horse won’t let you hold his foot up or he kicks out at you, this is a common issue. Most of these problems are fear based and can be helped by using desensitizing methods. When first handling a horse’s feet, don’t just grab his foot and expect him to respond well. Instead, work up to it and help prepare him for having his foot held up. Depending on how sensitive your horse is, following these steps will help increase his respect and responsiveness when being shod or trimmed. The first thing you should be able to do is rub your hands all over the horse’s legs. If he’s really sensitive, rub him all over with the handy stick first, staying up by the horse’s shoulder where you don’t get kicked or hurt. Once he relaxes and is comfortable with this, you can start using your hands.

Rub him high up on the leg where he is less sensitive and more used to contact when beginning. Work your way down the leg a little bit at a time as he gets used to you and relaxes. This stage is where you will need to use my “approach and retreat” method. As you’re sliding your hand down the horse’s leg and he begins to get nervous, just hold your hand there until he stands still and relaxes. As soon as he relaxes, remove your hand. Keep doing this until you can slide your hand all the way down the front and the back legs without the horse getting uncomfortable.

Once you can do this, take your lead rope and shimmy it up and down all four of the horse’s legs. When he’s used to this, put the lead behind his fetlock and pull up. As soon as the horse lifts his foot, release the pressure. If you can get your horse to lift his foot with the lead rope, you’re ready to start cueing him with your hand. To lift a front foot, squeeze the horse’s chestnut and for back foot, squeeze the cap of the hawk. As soon as the horse lifts his foot, release the pressure. Only make him lift his foot for a second or two the first time. It’s very important that you release the pressure before the horse takes his foot away from you. If this happens, he’s on his way to forming a bad habit. Instead, beat him to it! The second you feel him wanting to put his foot down, release his foot even faster. That way he thinks it was your idea, not his, and he feels rewarded. Remember, handling feet is a process that takes time. You shouldn’t expect your horse to stand perfectly for the farrier the first time his feet have ever been handled. Instead, work up to it a second or two at a time. Eventually, having your horse behave when his feet are being handled won’t even be an issue.

Happy Trails,

Danna

Damn Good Stuff

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFz-FMj-9Ps

Animals amaze me, we learn so much from them and their non judgmental nature. This is a great example of forming up a relationship despite major differences.

Happy Hump Day,

Danna

Tipsy Tuesday

"Knowing is not enough; we must apply.
Willing is not enough; we must do."
— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: was a German writer and polymath

Applying and doing what a wonderful tip this Tuesday.

I know you can set intentions and put your attention on them to help manifest desires into your life. When you apply action to those thoughts you recieve the speed to obtain things quicker.

When I want something, I set the intention, I put my attention on it for several minutes per day then I ask what action can I contribute to gain access to my desire. I document in my phone the active steps I need to aquire my intention.

Along the way I do things daily to position myself to gain what it is I desire.

So many great minds to learn from thanks to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe for his wise words this Tipsy Tuesday.

Happy Third Birthday to my darling ,sweety pie, granddaughter, Addison Vee Shaw.


Love you,
Nana Danna

On The Road Again

President's Day week, Valentines Day week, busiest ski week. Arabian Horse Show in Scottsdale Arizona begins this week.

Hooray!!! Busy, Busy Week!

I saw my husband Scott for two days in the past month as he loaded up more product from our Park City store and headed back south to sunny Arizona for the Arabian Horse Show.

If you are in the Scottsdale area you must attend. The pageantry is amazing. Wonderful shopping, beautiful weather and the best Arabian Horses in the world.

I have a full schedule this week in Park City. Clint Orms and his family will be arriving for a special appearance in our store. Clint is one of the best silversmiths in the world, he will be in Park City, Friday through Monday.

Also this week Lisa Skyhorse the worlds best leather carver will fly in for one day to help represent her fine product at a private trunk show we will be having on Saturday night.

Rand Houk our Lucchese boot rep will be in Park City also for this busy weekend.

My children will be up to assist in all the logistics and the other Burns team members will be keeping the rest of the operations running smooth and productive.

Tori and Wendy have been so kind to travel up, stay with me and assist me in the store last week and this week.

What a wonderful team of individuals that pull together in making all the Burns Saddlery adventures successful.

Thanks Team!!! We love and appreciate all you do. Your Amazing!!!

Gratefully,

Danna

Inspire Me

CREATING A SENSE OF MEANING AND PURPOSE by Susan Jeffers, Ph.D.


For too many of us, life seems inexplicably empty. No matter how much success we attain, or how many loving people there are in our lives, or how many activities we participate in, there still seems to be that deep yearning for something more. What is it that we are searching for? I propose that what many of us lack in our lives is that very important sense of our own meaning and purpose. Until we find it, our emptiness goes unabated.

How do I define meaning and purpose? As I see it, our sense of meaning is the knowledge that we truly make a difference...that we are needed...that we are important...that our lives count for something. Our sense of purpose is the determination to act in ways that are consistent with our sense of meaning...that are consistent with the knowledge that we truly do make a difference. When a sense of meaning is combined with a sense of purpose, we have found the formula for living a wonderfully fulfilling life.

In addition to filling the emptiness within, a sense of meaning and purpose takes away a lot of our fear about the future, thus helping us to embrace the uncertainty in our lives. This is because we can take our meaning and purpose with us wherever we go! It is with us in the best of times and the worst of times. It is this sense of meaning and purpose that helps us transcend the drama in our world and makes life worth living.

Inspiring words, from Susan. I read her book, Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway. It gave me a feeling of meaning and purpose and hope to feel and understand my fears but still live the life I have inspired to live.

Namaste,
Danna

Rave Reviews and Recipes

Valentine's Day Recipes

Enjoy your favorite fruits and savory snacks this winter with a hint of chocolate. These Dipped Chocolate Treats make for a fun kids' recipe, an elegant party dessert or a holiday sweet.


Ingredients
1/2 pound of chocoate
1 to 2 teaspoons salad oil
Cooking Instructions
In 2-cup glass container, microwave chocolate on medium (50% power) until softened; stir until smooth.
For easier dipping, stir in 1 to 2 teaspoons salad oil.
Use for dipping fruits, pretzels, truffles, etc. Recipe makes enough to dip 6 cups pretzels; or 2 pints strawberries (try combining melted dark and white chocolates before dipping...very pretty); or 2 batches Cappucino Truffles.
Tips & Tricks
Melting times
semisweet chocolate......2 to 2 1/2 minutes
milk chocolate...........1 1/2 to 1 3/4 minutes
white chocolate..........1 to 1 1/2 minutes

This is a microwave recipe.

A week from today is Valentines Day! Spend it with someone you love even if only by thought!

Cheers,

Danna

Funny Friday

From an email I recieved written by a 3rd grader. . .

Mom's always say no when dad wants to buy hores.

Go figure!!!!

TGIF

Danna

Zen Horse

Remember, never let your horse rush to the barn.

A very important part of being safe when you’re riding your horse is knowing when and when not to let your horse run. If you’re on a respectful, well-trained horse that listens to you, then cantering in the pasture or along the trails is fine. However, there is one rule about running or cantering that I follow no matter what, and that is to NEVER let your horse run back to the barn. In fact, I try to never even let my horse trot to the barn. The reason I follow this rule is because letting your horse hurry back to the barn is a recipe for disaster. Horses are smart and they know that when they are being ridden back to the barn that the work is over. I’m sure you’ve noticed that no matter how tired your horse is, he always walks a little quicker when you’re heading home.

This is where the problem starts. You’re heading back to the barn and your horse gets a little pushy. If you let him have his way pretty soon you’ll be riding a runaway. Or maybe you can control the horse, but if one of your kids or a less experienced rider gets on him and he’s used to hurrying back to the barn, they may not have the skill to stop the horse and he could run through an open gate or through the barn door and cause some very serious injuries.

To keep my horses from anticipating going back to the barn, I always make it a point to work them when I’m heading back to unsaddle. I’ll do a lot of transitions like yielding the hindquarters, yielding the forequarters, bending, yield to a stop and serpentines. If my horse knows that he’ll get worked every time we head home, he won’t be in such a hurry and will be more focused on me. A horse that is focused on his rider is safer and more respectful than one that is in a hurry. If you have a really barn sour horse, work him really hard at the barn and only let him rest while he’s away from the barn. Keep doing this until he stops trying to hurry home.

Remember, never let your horse rush to the barn. It forms a bad habit that could potentially end up hurting either yourself or someone else. Instead, make your horse pay attention to you and you’ll have a safer, more respectful horse.

Clinton Anderson's Tip of the Week.

Damn Good Stuff

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8f8drk5Urw

Where do people find it in them to be the best in the world at what they do.

Talent in so many forms for us to marvel and be amazed with.

youtube offers us a peek at extraordinary people doing extraodinary things.

Talent, Damn Good Stuff!!!

Happy Trails,

Danna

Tipsy Tuesday

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow.
Learn as if you were to live forever."
— Mahatma Gandhi: Was an Indian political and spiritual leader

Great tip this Tuesday!

Happy Trails,

Danna

On The Road Again

Ground Hog Day!!!

Yes, Phil saw his shadow 6 more weeks of Ski season, YEAH!!! I know only a few of us excited about winter.

I love the movie Ground Hog Day. I just recently told my daughter Tegan that my life is like the movie, over and over again 7 days a week the same routine. I am a person that has rarely stayed in the same place a week let alone since Oct. 6th.

Park City is a wonderful town to be stuck in the same day over and over as was the town in the movie.

In the film, Murray plays Phil Connors, an egocentric Pittsburgh TV weatherman who, during a hated assignment covering the annual Groundhog Day event (February 2) in Punxsutawney, finds himself repeating the same day over and over again. After indulging in all manner of hedonistic pursuits, he begins to reexamine his life and priorities.

I too after indulging in all manner of hedonistic pursuits, have reexamined my life and priorities.

No, On The Road for me this week, it's making the best out of the life I have grown to love.

Happy Ground Hog Day!!!!

Danna

Inspire Me

Great story for SuperBowl Sunday!!!!

KURTIS THE STOCK BOY AND BRENDA THE CHECKOUT GIRL

In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy, was busily working when a new voicecame over the loud speaker asking for a carry out at register 4.
Kurtis was almost finished, and wanted to get some fresh air, and decided toanswer the call.
As he approached the check-out stand a distantsmile caught his eye, the new check-out girl was beautiful.
She was an olderwoman (maybe 26, and he was only 22) and he fell in love.Later that day, after his shift was over, he waited by the punch clock tofind out her name.
She came into the break room, smiled softly at him,took her card and punched out, then left.
He looked at her card, BRENDA.He walked out only to see her start walking up the road.
Next day, he waitedoutside as she left the supermarket, and offered her a ride home.
He looked harmless enough, and she accepted.
When he dropped her off, heasked if maybe he could see her again, outside of work.
She simplysaid it wasn't possible.
He pressed and she explained she had two children and she couldn't afford ababy-sitter, so he offered to pay for the baby-sitter.
Reluctantly she accepted his offer for a date for the following Saturday.
That Saturday night he arrived at her door only to have her tell him thatshe was unable to go with him.
The baby-sitter had called and canceled.
To which Kurtis simply said, "Well,let's take the kids with us."She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but againnot taking no for an answer, he pressed.
Finally Brenda, brought him inside to meet her children.
She had an older daughter who was just as cute as abug, Kurtis thought, then Brenda brought out her son, in a wheelchair.
He was born a paraplegic with Down Syndrome.
Kurtis asked Brenda, "I still don't understand why the kids can't come withus?" Brenda was amazed.
Most men would run away from a woman with two kids, especially if one had disabilities - just like her first husband and fatherof her children had done.
Kurtis was not ordinary - - - he had a differentmindset.
That evening Kurtis and Brenda loaded up the kids, went to dinner and the movies.
When her son needed anything Kurtis would take care of him.
When he needed to use the restroom, he picked him up out of his wheelchair,took him and brought him back.
The kids loved Kurtis. At the end ofthe evening, Brenda knew this was the man she was going to marry and spendthe rest of her life with.
A year later, they were married and Kurtis adopted both of her children.
Since then they have added two more kids.
So what happened to Kurtis the stock boy and Brenda the check-out girl?
Well, Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner now live in Arizona, where he is currentlyemployed as the quarterback of the National Football League Arizona Cardinals and has his Cardinals in the hunt for a possible appearance in the Super Bowl.
Is this a surprise ending or could you have guessed that hewas not an ordinary person.
It should be noted that he also quarterbacked the Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI

Inspiring, Kurt Warner. Go Cardnials!!!! (I didn't mean it Randi) worlds biggest Steeler fan.

Game On,

Danna