WELCOME TO SIESTA MAGAZINESince the original SPM newsmail began back in January of 2006, it has grown in length and in popularity, reaching several cities in the US and at least one foreign country. Now, in the fourth year, this month marks the 43nd issue. SPM strives to offer a fresh look with each issue, which have always been sent out on the first of each month.
~On the cover~ "The Beautiful Truck"- Depot Diner, Cold Spring, NY -DeNitto ©2009
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING ALL FUTURE ISSUES
As of May, 2009, Siesta Magazine has moved most contents to this new blogspot site. E-mail reminders will continue to arrive in subscriber mailboxes on the first of the month and will only include the magazine cover, news and announcements. From now on, if subscribers click on the cover or the link to the blogspot, they will be directed to view the various sections of the magazine within this new site. The magazine will also have further editing changes in the coming months.
Follow SPM on TWITTER and FACEBOOK!!
>>> SPM TWITTER
>>> On Facebook, simply search for STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED!
STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED FACEBOOK FAN PAGE REACHES 100th FAN!!
So far, in celebrating reaching the first 100 fans, SPM is rewarding the 100th fan a free gift!! Congratulations to Tara Smith of Atlanta, GA for being SPM's 100th fan!!! Tara will be awarded with a special free surprise to arrive in her mailbox shortly!!
=====================================================
TABLE OF CONTENTS
+ SPEAKING OF SIESTAS!
+ THE BOOK CORNER
+ PICK OF THE MONTH
+ RECIPE OR COOKBOOK OF THE MONTH **COOKBOOK PART IS NEW!
+ GREEN LIVING TIPS
+ TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS
+ MOM TIME
+ SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE MONTH
+ QUOTE OF THE MONTH
+ PHOTO OF THE MONTH
__________________________________________________
+ SPEAKING OF SIESTAS!
{ Pictured: Ulysses resting from his little kitty journey. DeNitto © 2006 } A siesta /siːˈɛstə/, original Spanish pronunciation [ˈsjesta] is a short nap taken in the early afternoon, often after the midday meal. Such a period of sleep is a common tradition in some hot countries. The word siesta is Spanish, from the Latin hora sexta - "the sixth hour" (counting from dawn, therefore noon, hence "midday rest").At SPM the true definition is taken a bit further. If a nap is not possible, but there is enough time allowed for any other type of break, it is strongly encouraged to take advantage of that precious moment. As long as the mind and body can rest for a short period as often as possible during the work week, it can only enhance the quality of living.
Each month, learn more facts about SIESTAS and how you may benefit from taking them into your daily routine.
Below are June's SIESTA FACTS:
Simple question: What time is a Siesta?
Answer: Though a Siesta can be taken at any time during the day, this time of rest typically falls during the hottest part of the day between 12noon and 3pm. Usually, lunch is eaten and the body is ready for a break before kicking back up in the early afternoon.
Hence, if visiting a foreign country, such as Spain or Italy, tourists may notice that many shoppes and restaurants are often closed during this time, as workers are serious about this traditional practice. The best thing a tourist can do is to adopt the tradition and plan accordingly.
And it isn't just humans who take naps during the daylight hours, of course! Check out these cats who are famous for midday snoozes!
SIESTA CATS
__________________________________________________
+ THE BOOK CORNER
This section offers ideas for books related to various subjects including organizing, designing, lifestyle improvements, humour, business, psychology and green living. During the year, the occasional novel or biography may also slip into an issue.
: BOOK RECOMMENDATION FOR JULY :
TITLE: Backroads of New York
- Your Guide to New York's Most Scenic Backroad Adventures
AUTHOR: Kim Knox Beckius
COPYRIGHT: 2007
ISBN-13: 978-0-7603-2955-9
BACK ROADS OF NEW YORK
This softbound guide carries readers from Long Island to Westchester County to the Catskills to the Finger Lakes all the way up to Niagara. Of course, I am happy to report that the Catskills chapter includes lots of information about the richness and beauty of the Hudson Valley. If readers are not very familiar with the state of New York and only think of Manhattan, this guide offers fantastic photos full of seasonal colour throughout the state, including shots of farm country, charming villages, popular art centers, mountains and bodies of water. Readers will also find history about railroads, castles and famous estates that is most intriguing. For example, according to the book, Taughannock Falls is about 35 feet taller than Niagara Falls.
This is a great guide for anyone to venture into the large state of New York for depthy exploration and pleasure.
__________________________________________________
+ PICK OF THE MONTH
SUGARFOOT EMBROIDERY
Look out for Sugarfoot Emroidery to become a big hit, offering an array of products, such as the fantastic personalized market totes, in particular. Starting out with a Facebook fan page, Sugarfoot is taking off with fans and orders for personlized totes, water bottle lanyards and an assortment of beverage koozies! If you use Facebook, be a fan by simply searching for Sugarfoot Embroidery, where you can see samples of these great items and request something be personalized for you!
Designer CJ Nguy has been a personal friend for nearly 30 years, so STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED can certainly brag about her artistic skills in both embroidery and children's clothing designs! CJ lives in Atlanta and has a wonderful husband and four children who model her designs regularly.
See STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED's favourite MARKET TOTE sample photo below! SPM would love to have this orange tote with the Siesta Magazine logo! I'll be giving Sugarfoot a call soon!!
__________________________________________________
+ RECIPE OR COOKBOOK OF THE MONTH **COOKBOOK PART IS NEW!
TITLE: OUT HERE - SUMMER 2009
AUTHOR: Offical Magazine from Tractor Supply Company
COPYRIGHT: 2009
ISBN: n/a
On a recent visit to purchase bunny food, I was happy to stumble across this great little free magazine with some tasty recipes! Visit your local Tractor Supply Company or view the recipes from the link below. The Potato Wedges are particularly memorable!
SUMMER RECIPES
__________________________________________________
+ GREEN LIVING TIPS
It's time to Greeganize!!! (an official SPM term!)
July Tip:
Larry's Beans
As SPM is all about supporting MOM & POPs, INDIE shoppes and being green! Having tried Larry's Beans before, purchasing a bag this month made sense. Though a little more expensive than a regular grocer's standard beans, Larry's was calling out with slightly new packaging which debuted last November.
BIO BAGS
I must say, it is very impressive if these bags are totally biodegradable as the claim states. (I, for one, may be very interested in putting the bag to the test in my back yard- just for kicks!) My only question at this moment is to how the bag is able to keep the freshness of the beans while sitting on the grocer's shelves -???- The reason that this question comes to mind is due to the fact that once the bag was opened in our kitchen on that same day of purchase, the initial aroma of the beans was rather "dead", shall I say. It was not as thrilling as expected. Once some of the beans were ground, I had hoped for a stronger aroma, but it still didn't reach that glory. I am hoping that it was just a bad bag or perhaps the store should be blamed for handling? The date reflects a 2010 date, however. The beans are certainly okay to consume, just not as exciting as expected.
In any case, I will still be willing to try Larry's Beans again and I think the concept of the Bio Bag is positively brilliant as long as it does what the bag reads:
"It BIO-DEGADES in landfills - or it composts in your own backyard. (In about nine months, it'll be dirt!)"
Now is the time to embrace the green.......
>>In future issues, Siesta Magazine will offer more tips or product guidelines with the latest information on how to adopt routines of green living!
__________________________________________________
+ TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS
GOING ON HOLIDAY?
There is nothing worse than preparing for a vacation and forgetting something important or experiencing inconveniences due to poor advanced planning. Save time and frustration with a checklist to ensure that a vacation is as close to it's definition as possible.
First, what is the true definition of the word "vacation"?
A vacation is a period of time spent away from home or business in travel or recreation.
In keeping with what the purpose of a vacation is, plan in advance in order to give yourself a true break for relaxation and fun, rather than worrying about what you forgot to do. A checklist can make a big difference in the quality of your time away from home. Below is a sample checklist that can be purchased, however, you can always create your own and customize it according to what you need to do and pack.
TRAVEL PACKING CHECKLIST
Also, packing can be simple. Leave unecessary items at home and pack as lightly as possible. Remember what was taken on the last trip that was not used and leave it behind this time. Plan outfits by using pieces that can be mixed and matched and narrow down the shoe choices to one or two pairs, including the ones on your feet.
As for the actual packing of your luggage, roll clothing pieces tightly, which allows more room and makes it simple to find what you are looking for later. Keep shoes sealed in plastic and away from clothing. Use ziplock bags for keeping underwear fresh, holding liquids and other items that may need to be quickly accessed through airport security systems.
Speaking of security, it's easiest to have all contents of pockets poured into a ziplock before standing in line. Have an empty bag handy to fill with wallet, keys, cell phone and loose change so that you can move through the line quickly. As for shoes, wear a pair of slip-on shoes that are easy to remove and jump back into when entering security, as long as they are comfortable for several hours of wearing. This relieves the issue of collecting luggage and pocket contents from the security x-ray machines and having to find a chair to sit in and lace up shoes all over again before being able to head to the gate.
Keep extra ziplock bags in various sizes in the side pocket of your luggage. They are great to have for a leaking liquid, a wet swimsuit, stinky seashells or foreign money. You might even keep a couple of spare garbage bags in your luggage for dirty laundry in order to separate it from any clean laundry.
Keep all paperwork in a clear vinyl pocket to prevent spills from ruining it. Also, a vinyl envelope works well to organize travel receipts. If driving, print up directions and toll or road contruction information from online sources and keep handy during the trip. Knowing what lies ahead during every mile of a trip can sometimes make all of the difference. If flying, find out about public transportation before your flight. Study the destination airport and determine which method of transportation is most convenient and at what cost before you arrive. In some cases, you might even learn that reservations were needed for a special train or ferry in order to travel from one point to another after arrival, which can be stressful if you happen to find that out the hard way.
Remember, the less you have to carry, the more pleasurable the trip. No one wants to be too sore and exhausted simply from lugging heavy bags.
Use your vacation as what it is meant to be! Enjoy your break more by planning ahead.
__________________________________________________
+ MOM TIME
FORWARD: A note from SPM MOM...
During the early 1990's, as a mother raising two children through their first years, I now learn of many new products that are thrilling to me, even with my empty nest. I often find myself wishing that some of them were available 22 years ago. Below are neat links and ideas to products or educational items currently on today's market for parents to explore for their children-- babies through college students!
The 4th of July isn't the only holiday that kids can enjoy this month! Apparently, there are several holidays during the month that hint celebration for both parents and children. Take your pick from the list below as perfect excuses to have more fun during this hot summer month!
TODAY!! Have some ice cream because July 1st is Creative Ice Cream Flavor Day!!
July 7 - Chocolate Day
July 8 - Be a Kid Again Day
July 10 - Teddy Bear Picnic Day
July 14 - Blueberry Picking Day
July 15 - Gummi Worms Day
July 21 - National Junk Food Day
July 30 - Parents' Day
Want more excuses to have fun? Visit ZANY HOLIDAYS
__________________________________________________
+ SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE MONTH
SWEET SINGING CICADAS
Depending on where you live, you may notice that in certain years, the cicadas come to life bringing their distinct songs with them. This year must be Charleston, South Carolina's turn to hear the resonant buzz from treetops. You see, according to entomologists, the best known North American cidada brood is a periodical insect having an outstanding life cycle-- anywhere from 13-17 years!! They emerge from underground in large numbers after having cycled those long years in what we might relate to as a super-extended hibernation. For more information, photos and videos about such a fascinating creature, please visit the link below.
CICADA MANIA
One can't help but wonder why these insects would want to remain underground for so long and then emerge to sing, mate and then pass away. It is as if they are waiting on a "special occasion" before they decide to put forth effort to return to the Earth's surface and celebrate. As an organizer, I cannot help but relate the cicada's "special occasion" to organizing. It causes me to recall how we, as humans, actually have something in common with these little creatures. We too, tend to "wait" before we bring forth special efforts. We don't use our special china and linens until we have worthy guests. We hold onto possessions that we rarely use, only to moan about how much space they take up. We tell ourselves that we will use them for special occasions, yet years and years pass and that china only collects dust and the linens begin to yellow.
Like the cicadas, are we waiting too long to decide what a special occasion should "be" in our minds? If we own these wonderful items, why not use them more often? For some, these items may never be used. Like the cicadas, even 17 years for humans can come...and then go. It happens faster than we may think. Cicadas leave their fragile shells behind as a reminder for us to perhaps consider celebrating life with our own little songs by using what we have while we are here to have it?
As I listen intently to these fabulous insects singing by my window day-in and day-out during these hot summer months, I can't help but think of what I own and cherish
and plan to use from now on, special occasion... or not. If only I could hear the cicadas again next summer...
__________________________________________________
+ QUOTE OF THE MONTH
Ability is what you're capable of doing.
Motivation determines what you do.
Attitude determines how well you do it.
--Lou Holtz
__________________________________________________
+ PHOTO OF THE MONTH
"Joy Brown's 21 Pods" - View of outdoor art at Boscobel in Garrison, NY~ DeNitto © 2009
