I
can
no
longer
be
the
person
you
have
come
to
expect.
I
must
now
find
the
me
that
was
really
me
all
along.
Stay groovy…
–Susie
(Copyright 2019 Susie Krivacic)
Leave conforming behind…
Random Thoughts
Ready for something sweet?
So you have got to try these…
For Stef’s birthday, he didn’t want a traditional cake. I had stumbled upon these “Fudge Swirled Oreo Bottom Cheesecake Cupcakes” online.
From a site called The Stay at Home Chef, the site author, Rachel, shares amazing yet simple recipes that taste as if you are dining at a restaurant.
Quick to make with a limited number of ingredients, get out the mixing bowl and give it a go.
Smooth, creamy, sweet, but not too sweet…These cheesecake cups are great for a celebration or for an average Tuesday night.
Stay groovy…
–Susie
(Copyright 2019 Susie Krivacic)
In search of the perfect slice…
So my family loves good pizza, but there are so many different types. And each of us likes a different kind. This leads me to the quest for the perfect slice…One that the entire family agrees is number one. So as I try different pizza establishments, I will share with you my findings. In the interest of supporting small businesses, I will keep it to small, local, mom and pop establishments when possible.
Let’s start with one of my husband’s favorites: Pizzeria Valdiano. Located in Waterford Lakes in Orlando, Florida, this is Stef’s go to parlor because the sausage is the best around. For his birthday yesterday, I planned to take him to any pizzeria he desired, and he chose Pizzeria Valdiano.
A family business, Pizzeria Valdiano has two locations in Orlando. They serve pizza by the slice, classic 10″ and 16″ pies, as well as strombolis and calzones. It’s not a fancy place to dine, but the aroma alone will bring you back.
I had a slice of the Pizza Primavera with mozzarella, spinach, broccoli, grilled onions, fresh tomatoes, and fresh mushrooms. For me, this is the ultimate slice…
Stef ordered a whole pie with the interest of bringing home plenty of pizza for later (yes, it’s that good!). He had the traditional style with pepperoni and that amazing sausage. I’m not much into meat on pizza, but even I was intrigued.
The aroma, the flavor, the friendly service, and casual atmosphere makes Pizzeria Valdiano a winner in my book. Check them out at http://www.PizzeriaValdiano.com.
But we still have more searching for that perfect slice…
Stay groovy…
–Susie
(Copyright 2019 Susie Krivacic)
Candles…
Have you ever noticed how smells can impact how you feel?
As the dinner bell is about to ring, the aroma of the meal wafts through your home. Your mouth waters in anticipation. It’s amazing that the mere scent can make you more hungry. And food that smells good always seems to taste better.
It’s the same with candles. Burning a candle in your home spreads your chosen fragrance, and you just feel better about, well, everything.
I’m fortunate that my husband enjoys candles as much as I do. We recently spent quite a bit of time in our local candle shop choosing just the right one. The moment the bouquet reaches our nose, we immediately know if it’s a go or a no. (You should have seen the look on our faces when we once checked out a “beer” candle. A definite “no”…)
Our most recent find was Midnight Blue Citrus from Bath and Bodyworks. We’ve enjoyed it so much that in less than a week, we need to return for another. The essence from just this one candle can be experienced throughout the entire house.
So light up…a candle, that is.
Stay groovy…
–Susie
(Copyright 2019 Susie Krivacic)
Reach out…
So you’ll have to deal with my occasional impulsive nature today.
Bottom line: Reach out! Whether it be to family, friends, or strangers.
Reach out! Make a call, send a note, set a plan.
Reach out! Share a meal, catch a drink, gather ’round.
Reach out! Play a board game, skype, connect.
Whatever works for you…
Reach out to those far and near.
Reach out to those you love or those you’d like to know better.
Reach out to those you see each day or those you rarely see.
Reach out…
Reach out…
Reach out…
And…
Stay groovy…
–Susie
(Copyright 2019 Susie Krivacic)
Chillin’ on a Wednesday afternoon…
So what do you and your partner like to do on an afternoon of just chillin’? One of the many things my husband and I enjoy is watching historical dramas. One example is the television series called Versailles.
We first discovered Versailles on Netflix. It’s a period piece that premiered in November of 2016, set in mid-1600s France under the rule of Louis XIV. Louis decides to move the French court from Paris to his father’s former hunting lodge located in Versailles to force the nobles to submit to his rule.
What follows is amazing scenery, brilliant costuming, heavy drama, and a surprisingly accurate story. We enjoy verifying the storyline of historical dramas and have no patience for large scale embellishment. Stef is very interested in the landscape, the fashion girl in me loves to analyze the designs, and we both scrutinize the accuracy. Bottom line, chillin’ and catching up on the happenings at Versailles is a great way to relax during the afternoon of a busy week. We can’t wait for Season 3.
How about you? What do you or you and your partner enjoy doing on a lazy afternoon? Leave a comment, and let’s start a dialogue. And don’t forget to…
Stay groovy…
–Susie
(Copyright 2019 Susie Krivacic)
Start with the shoes…
So when you start your day, how do you go about coordinating your wardrobe? Do you have a shirt in mind that drives the entire ensemble or perhaps some accessories lined up? Well, I usually start with the shoes…
The shoes are a critical fashion element as they are a focal point. Everybody notes awesome shoes.
So am I feeling fun or sexy? I’ll start with the heels. What’s the weather? If it’s cold, then those heels take the form of boots. If I’m leaning more toward sensual, I may wear boots that travel over the knee. What if the weather’s hot? High strappy sandals win.
If I’m feeling casual, what type of casual is this? Am I going to be walking far? Then a cute pair of sneakers will do the trick. A standard out and about day might dictate ballet flats or sandals. Combat boots are great for winter.
And don’t get me started on the importance of color. Or heel shape…Do I want a narrow heel, block heel, or wedge?
Once I have the shoes, I build the ensemble from there. Wait a minute…Which handbag?
Stay groovy…
–Susie
(Copyright 2019 Susie Krivacic)
Life in the -ish…
Some people are sticklers for time.
Others of us prefer to chill.
If you find you’re never in a hurry,
you just may be living life in the -ish.
You see, when my friends and I make plans
to meet for a meal or a drink,
and we are coordinating the meetup we say,
“How about 11:00ish?”
It may mean 10:55, 11:05, 11:15,
11:30 or even 11:45.
It’s not about the arrival time
but about how we spend the time – together.
If someone runs “late”, it’s not a concern.
We just order a drink and bask in our surroundings.
And when they arrive, we are happy
and pick up from where we left off previously.
Living life in the -ish is a great place to be
the stress is low, the joy is high.
Just try it once, and you might like
living life in the -ish.
Stay groovy…
–Susie
(Copyright 2019 Susie Krivacic)
Early Morning
There’s a certain feeling you get early in the morning.
The kids are still asleep
and the birds are, too.
The house is still with quiet and peace.
You may hear a slight snore
or perhaps a sigh as one of the children turn over in their bed.
The gentle sound of coffee brewing indicated the day has begun.
The wonderful smell wafts past your nose.
Then the gentle sound of birds awake
just as the sun begins to rise.
They each have a particular song they sing.
You wonder if that song has significant meaning to another one of its species.
You sit down with your hot cup,
and you open the newspaper or boot up the computer to catch up on the news.
As you sip the coffee, the room gets more natural light from the rising sun.
The birds begin to converse more, and that brings a smile to your face.
But the largest smile is yet to come as you hear the children stir upstairs.
They skip down the steps two at time.
They’re hungry for breakfast
and ready to start the day.
The house begins to bustle.
The morning races ahead.
And only you are aware of the peaceful nook
that is present before the day officially begins.
Stay groovy…
–Susie
(Copyright 2019 Susie Krivacic)
I love my job…
So my alarm goes off each morning at 3:45 a.m.
Why? Because I start work at 4:30 a.m.
What do I do that gets me up while all of my friends are still asleep? I teach…and I love it!
My teacher friends here in Orange County, Florida would question my extra early rise, but I don’t join them in public schools. I teach English to children in China.
No, I’m not hopping a plane to China each day. I take advantage of technology. I’m an independent contractor, and my client offers me a platform on which I instruct students online. Parents book me, and I teach. That’s it. All I need is my laptop and headset, and I’m ready to instruct from home.
As an online ESL (English as a Second Language) educator, I have the unique opportunity of teaching students overseas. In my case, it’s China. My odd work hours are due to the twelve hour time difference. I’m on Eastern Standard Time, so when it’s 4:30 a.m. in Florida, it’s 5:30 p.m. the same day in China.
No lesson planning, no paperwork, no papers to grade, no bureaucracy…I just do what I enjoy. I teach, and I love my job!
Stay groovy…
–Susie
(Copyright 2019 Susie Krivacic)
Harmonious Groove 