Friday Music Blog - New Jersey Artists

Welcome to the Friday Music Blog on Chief 187 Chatter. The week is closing on the 1st Anniversary of Chief 187 Chatter. There have been amazing, thought-provoking, and heart-warming responses on each day’s blog which leave me feeling splendid! As I do each Friday and have since week one, I end the week with the Friday Music Blog. As music is a part of my life, celebrations, and milestones, it seems especially fitting to conclude this occasion.

This week’s focus is songs by artists from New Jersey. I found this topic to be fitting because I am an artist from New Jersey!

From Sinatra to Bruce, Bon Jovi to the Four Seasons and any other act in between, list your favorite tunes performed by New Jerseyites!

Please check in to this blog throughout the day and weekend as people consistently add their selections. Then, I invite you to return on Monday for the start of an entirely new week of original posts!

I couldn’t ask for a better, more involved or emotionally invested readership. With stalwarts like my adoring husband and Jules, Art and Grumpa, Archidude and Pam, to newer readers like Dating Diva Liz, Dr. Mo, The Soulful EMU, and RandRBartow, I am blissful, fulfilled, and satisfied. But I am not giving up my quest to reach and touch more lives, so hold on tightly because the next year is going to be filled with more amazing Simple Joys!

Tantalizing Thursday - Apple Waffles Recipe

We are just starting to get a slight crispness to the air where I live indicating apple-picking season is upon us. Fortunate to live in the area we do, we have several orchards that offer “U-Pick” service. Each September my family and I head to the orchard with our empty paper bag, fill it up with numerous varieties of the best tasting apples that have ever passed my lips, and, as we are encouraged to do, sample away through our ‘chore’. With apples abundant and so devastatingly delicious, we always look for a neat recipe to utilize our surplus, although we all relish an apple as a snack! In my travels I found this recipe to share.

Apple Waffles Recipe
Recipe from http://applerecipes.us

Ingredients:

2 cups milk
2 cups pancake mix
2 eggs
1 cup finely chopped apples
¼ cup melted butter
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

1) Combine milk, pancake mix, eggs, and butter in a large bowl; beat until batter is smooth. Fold in apples.

2) Cook in a hot waffle iron until steaming stops. Serve as desired.

Last autumn I offered up Pumpkin Pancakes and they are still a favorite on cool fall weekend mornings at our house http://chief187.blogspot.com/2010/10/autumn-appetites.html. This Apple Waffles recipe is one to add to the rotation! Served warmed with fresh maple syrup or the kind that comes from the grocery store, some spicy turkey sausage, and a steaming cup of coffee, this breakfast will surely become a favorite!

What are you favorite autumn breakfast treats? Do you favor apple cider donuts, pumpkin muffins,

or cranberry quick bread? Share your favorites, try this new idea, and/or check out last year’s archived recipe for the pumpkin pancakes. Whatever you do, try to indulge in a seasonal recipe this fall!

Please join me tomorrow as we close this celebratory week with the Friday Music Blog!

Exposure Yields Inspiration

“You have to be exposed to be inspired.” I uttered these words one day whilst in my bedroom talking to my husband. The statement occurred to me in its entirety and made a ton of sense to me. I spoke it to him and my husband did not get moved like I was. Undetered I sought out a pencil and a piece of paper in my bedside drawer and scribbled the words down. This was long before I was involved in social media and longer still before I comfortably called myself a writer. Yet somehow I knew this simple statement would be important to me.

I was a fortunate child. If I had a desire it was, within reason, indulged. I was taken to Broadway musicals since I was a girl, experienced different sporting events, tried my hand at several classes from tap to gymnastics, bowling to racquetball. I tested the waters of many things. In short, I was exposed. Not everything shown to me elicited a passionate response. But other things, wondrous, glorious experiences, took my imagination, point of reference, and desires to new awesome heights. I was exposed to them and they, in turn, inspired me.

Throughout my adulthood I have continued the indulgences my parents started in my youth; I try to experience a ton of varied parts of life. From Karate to choir, Cub Scout Den Leadership to building an Internet career, I just throw my feelers out hoping to be mystified, carried away, transported, even, to a greater consciousness. I expose myself in hopes of being inspired!

When I joined Rowdy.com, the NASCAR social networking site, I was asked in my profile to list a favorite quote. I have a few. Racecar driver Mike Skinner spoke on-air this unforgettable string of words, “I’d wreck my own mother to win my first race!” That is a mainstay for my favorite quotes. I also use one I created that works well for my family/Team 187, “Where we go one we go all.” It may sound overly dependent and dysfunctional, but it works for us. Lastly, I reached back into my bedside drawer and pulled out the now rumpled piece of paper that read in my own scrawl, “You have to be exposed to be inspired.” Did it still sound as powerful? Did I still believe in its core properties? Obviously I responded in the affirmative and included it. These quotes join me all over the Internet when “Favorite Quotes” is a category. But not until now could I foresee being able to share the statement; explain it and open it up for debate.

I believe that to inspire an aspiring artist you need to expose him/her to art in all forms. To inspire a musician, music must be played. To cajole a promising writer to write, books must be provided. No matter what the category, I believe that unless one is exposed in some way, there isn’t opportunity to be inspired.

Do you agree? Do you feel I’ve made only valid points? Or do you, like my husband, think being exposed isn’t a prerequisite to inspiration. I’m fascinated by the differing of opinions and look to you all to enlighten me with your opinions and examples.

Simple Joys/ 1 Year Anniversary of Chief 187 Chatter!

Welcome to Simple Joys on Chief 187 Chatter. When my life is in chaos, my desk

unorganized, and my day in an uncontrollable spiral downwards, I’m learning to pause and breathe. I’m beginning to understand that I am in total control of how my mental mindset will play out. If I give into the negativity, I will be negative and thus the entire household will be, too. But when I look for the good, the positive, I can actually change the mood and peace can reign once again. Have I perfected this? Absolutely not! But by trying to be attuned to my moods, I can try to head off the bad ones, start my day (hour, minute) over, and learn to find those Simple Joys. Now, without further ado, is this week’s Simple Joys.

Singing. Music. Song. Singing. My blogs and memoirs are filled with these words. Music is vitally important to me and I share it liberally with my children. At the beginning of summer I created a new playlist on my iPod for my children. This playlist had far more songs that I liked than not. My oldest son picked the songs, but he was totally influenced by my taste as he chose from a selection of songs on my iPod solely. His father’s has far more diverse choices, but we used mine! Two songs stick out this summer that, to this day, cheer me and make me smile from the inside out when my children sing them. The first is from the Broadway musical, Les Miserables.

It is the opening number called “Look Down”. It is only about 4 minutes long, but it is quite theatrical and moving. My boys love this piece and have committed it to memory, acting as they sing, and completely commanding their chosen roles. Hearing nine and five year old children sing the gritty, mournful and dramatic opening number of this Broadway legend is an overwhelmingly pleasing Simple Joy!

The other song that makes me laugh out loud is “We Will Rock You” by Queen.

It made the playlist and has the boys singing the song and often requesting we start with that selection when we get in the car. I don’t mind as it’s always been a favorite to me. Well, now my nearly two-year-old daughter, with her ever-expanding vocabulary, has been singing for weeks in her little baby voice, “We will we will wock you!” She bobs her head and actually rocks out while singing! Priceless Simple Joy!

Canoe Ride. During the weekend my husband suggested on a rare Saturday morning free from swim lessons or obligations, that we take our two canoes out on the lake we live near. I relented but was honestly not interested at first. I had always enjoyed canoeing, but now that we have another little child we are forced to take two canoes instead of crowding into one like we used to do. We hadn’t been out for two summers in a row so I was rusty and nervous to pilot one of the canoes myself. But, not wanting to be a buzzkill, I agreed. The day was perfect; sunny but not too hot, clear with no wind. My oldest paddled with me and the two younger children accompanied their dad. We had a marvelous time exploring the natural habitats including gorgeous lily pads, undisturbed woods, as well as elegant herons, and sturdy turtles. The children, my husband, and I stayed dry, I steered perfectly, and we all had a truly wonderful time. Rediscovering an enjoyable activity together with my family was a pleasurable Simple Joy that I plan to revisit often!

Birthday. My middle son’s birthday is today. He is turning five and embarking on his second week of Kindergarten. He is bright and engaging, adorable and talented, and very loud. With his undying exuberance for life, he shouts his every thought to his father, siblings, the rest of the world, and me. I keep wondering if he’ll outgrow this trait, but I don’t see it. Besides, it truly is a big part of who he is. It’s been a difficult month for this little guy who had to endure his brother’s August birthday when all of the relatives came to visit, a summer atmosphere reigned, and his brother got to open his super cool presents. Now, school is in session, the extended family has returned home, and well, he’s still super excited about his super cool presents! His desire for this birthday? “Chocolate cake with chocolate frosting!”. My pleasure little man. Happy 5th Birthday! You are one of Momma’s three all-time favorite Simple Joys!

Chief 187 Chatter 1 Year Anniversary. It was one year ago today I sat at the computer for the first time with a goal to begin my own blog, monetize (Amazon link) and start on the road to creative expression and financial independence. One of those goals came to fruition quickly and completely; I am constantly exploring my creative side, reaching deeply into my soul to share ideas, hopes, strengths, and fears. I offer advice, ask for it, inform, and try to entertain. This year was one of the fastest on record and I have the body of work to prove it! I took no weeks off, missed maybe one day due to illness (Thanksgiving 2010) and have been inspired by those of you who continue to read, comment, and revel in my words. I must believe you truly enjoy what you read; the “being nice” time period is long gone, if you didn’t like my work you’d stop coming by to read. So, I am encouraged, grateful, humbled, and proud of this project. I have truly no idea where the future will take me; I write for several more sites now, but I cannot, at this juncture, even imagine not writing Chief 187 Chatter. It is, quite simply, a part of me and what I consider a great legacy to leave behind to my children. Have I reached financial independence? Not by a longshot, but I am tickled by those of you who use the Amazon link and try to support me in that small way. Now the goal is truly to make money using my writing and/or radio talents. Patience, I am often reminded, is necessary in this career and, with my husband’s continuously supportive and loving foundation, I am able to be (trying to be) patient and just do what I do best. In the meantime, I am just so excited to be embarking on the second year of Chief 187 Chatter with you all. With over 25000 pageviews this year, it’s unfathomable what the next twelve months will bring in topics, readership, and news. I hope you’ll all come along for the journey!

When life is getting too heavy, sad, or frustrating, take a break, breathe, and decide to look for your Simple Joys. You’ll discover that the more you exercise this prerogative, the easier it is to come by all the joyous things that happen to you in any given day. I write mine down to keep me focused on the positive. Whether you write yours or simply make a mental note of them, I wish you all the wherewithal to make it through the rough patches between the wonders that are Simple Joys!

Monday Movie Blog - Movies Set in San Francisco

Welcome to the Monday Movie Blog on Chief 187 Chatter.

Movies still excite me like little other media can. The opening strains of music, the artistic graphics for the credits that scroll while we try to sink ourselves into the fantasy of the movie world, and the scrumptious smell, feel, and taste of hot buttered (sinful) popcorn we invariably eat when we pop in a flick elicits excitement unmatched by television programming.

Sure I love to go to the theater to see a movie, but my life revolves more around the home, so my couch is the seat and my television the screen. We turn the lights off instead of dim them, but the overall effect is still the same, magical!

This week’s focus is movies set in San Francisco. List any and all movie set in the Golden Gate City. Be sure to include a list of the major stars as well as a brief synopsis or review.

To access archived Monday Movie Blogs, type “Monday Movie Blog” into the search feature located in the top left hand corner of this page. Feel free to add more comments/selections to the various topics and enjoy using this resource.

Please join me tomorrow for Chief 187 Chatter’s most popular feature of every week, Simple Joys. We will be celebrating the site's one year anniversary as well!

Wonderful Pistachios 400 Race Recap

In a wild ride the Wonderful Pistachios 400 from Richmond International Raceway that marked the last race of the regular season produced some of the season’s best action to date. Although the outcome of the race led to a Chase line-up that was unchanged from the green flag time period, the activity on the track for the duration of the race left the fans in awe!

Kevin Harvick pulled out the win, his fourth of the season and eighteenth all-time tying him with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Neil Bonnett, Geoff Bodine, and Harry Gant. The fourth win places Harvick even in the points with Kyle Busch when the Chase begins in Chicago next week, although Busch holds the first seed by virtue of his pre-Chase points.

In addition to the race winner, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, and Denny Hamlin secured their spots in the Chase with their finishes last night. They were in possession of these spots when the race began in Richmond, but they were in danger of dropping out if their finishes were unfavorable. And, with angst that began early in the race, the pressure was on from the beginning. But held on they did and the Chase is set.

Carl Edwards, fast on Harvick’s heels and aching for the win, was unable to overtake the #29 Budweiser Chevrolet of Harvick. Jeff Gordon, enjoying a successful season, came in third. David Ragan, hoping against hope to make the Chase and falling short, earned fourth. Kurt Busch, after engaging in contact with the #48 of Jimmie Johnson, ended his night in fifth. Kyle Busch brought home sixth, Tony Stewart placed seventh, Ryan Newman eighth, Denny Hamlin ninth, and Mark Martin rounded out the Top-10. It was a feeling of exaltation for Tony Stewart to make the Chase along with his teammate and employee of Stewart-Haas Racing Ryan Newman. Denny Hamlin must have been relieved like Dale Earnhardt Jr. was after such a setback at the beginning of the night.

Fifteen cautions explain the type of night had at Richmond. Explosive, temper-fueled, stress-induced, competition-focused drivers vied for twelve positions in the Chase. The end of the night was truly the beginning of the next stage of competition; ten races run consecutively over the next ten weeks will produce a new NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion for 2011. He will come from a list of the following: Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman, Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Brad Keselowski, and Denny Hamlin. Out of these twelve drivers, only five have previously won a Cup: Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch, and Tony Stewart. The Chase should prove to be the most exciting post-season action available! Don’t miss a moment!

Tune in for the first race of the Chase at Chicagoland Speedway for the Geico 400. The race will be run on Sunday, September 18th at 2pm EST on ESPN. Stay tuned for the race and my race recap to follow!