Hahn-on-the-Web

The 4th of July- taking it personally

2011-07-02T17:43:00.001-04:00

Independence Day has deep meaning for many people. Some are appreciating the freedoms that we have by living in the United States, and some reflect on the costs of freedom through war and personal sacrifice. Some think about distant times when freedom as we know it did not exist. Others declare the 4th of July as a personal Independence Day to venture on new paths in life. One family I know has declared that the 4th of July is their 24 year old son’s Independence Day. On that day, he is to give back the car he “borrowed” from his parents, and seek his own independent form of transportation. I thought that was a very creative idea- using the 4th of July as a personal, Independence deadline.

For some of us, clothes shopping is TORTURE!

2011-06-30T18:55:00.000-04:00

You know you need clothes. You want clothes. But finding something that fits your particular body is impossible. And, to top it all off, you wear a size 10 in one clothing line, and a size 14 in another. So you need to take 3 sizes of everything you want to try on into the dressing room. Of all the advancements made in human history, we have yet to make this process easier. Someone needs to invent a machine that will scan your body and then create custom clothes for you instantly.

Success! (well, sort of)

2011-06-21T14:51:00.001-04:00

I tempered the chocolate! It came out dark and smooth instead of grayish. I then put it in the refrigerator to harden up. I left it in there for about 2 hours. Major mistake! I was suppose to leave it in the fridge for 5 minutes. When I took it out and broke it into bark pieces, it felt like the chocolate was melting in my hands. Actually, the chocolate was "sweating." Leaving the chocolate in the fridge for only 5 minutes apparently avoids this situation. Now I need to leave the chocolate in a dry, cool place for 3 days to allow the excess moisture to evaporate. Attempt #3 at making chocolate bark will be this weekend.

By now you are probably wondering why I am putting so much effort into learning to make chocolate bark. About a year ago I heard of this company called OMG (Oh My God) Chocolate. The baker who made the chocolate bark was both spiritual and intuitive. What was unique about her product was that with each batch of bark, she meditated, prayed, and infused energy into the production and final product. Each batch she focused on a different theme, such as love, prosperity, healing, etc. I purchased some (I don't remember the theme I chose) because I thought that mixing spirituality with chocolate was a great idea! Well, guess what- the chocolate bark was not that great. In fact, it was rather mediocre. I thought, "I make better chocolate than that!"

Recently I thought of the OMG Chocolate company and looked them up on the internet. Could not find them. Anywhere! I guess they went out of business (really not surprised due to the quality of the product). So this idea starting forming in the back of my mind- I could do something similar, only I would produce really good chocolate bark.

Who knows, maybe I will seek this new venture as a business in the future. For now, I think I have stumbled upon a unique and delicious Christmas gift to give family and friends. I'll see what they think of it first.

WOW! It's been over a year!

2011-06-20T11:41:00.002-04:00

I can't believe it's been over a year since my last blog post. Time seems to be passing quicker these days. Here's a quick summary: Brian finished his second year of college, changed is major to English with a secondary education minor. Yup, he's going to be a high school English teacher. Shenan got her master's degree, got a full time job, and is engaged to be married this September. Bruce and I have learned a lot about wedding planning, digital photography, and being the parents of 2 adult kids. During this non-posting time our beloved kitty Kudos passed away. Sadness still comes in now and then. Her brother Zimbu is still meowing, looking around for her.

I've been developing new passions and goals for myself. I've been focusing a lot on digital photography (pun intended- get it, focusing!). I've entered some of my photos in contests just for fun, but have actually won a contest!. Today I started a new project, one which I used to do years ago. I used to make chocolate bark. It was quite good. But the bark, although incredibly delicious, always came out grey and dull. I recently learned that I need to "temper" the chocolate first- a method of melting and cooling the chocolate to precise temperatures.

I attempted to temper chocolate for the first time this morning. I bought the necessary tools: candy thermometer, dark chocolate, and parchment paper. I improvised a double boiler with a pot and ceramic bowl. My first attempt resulted in burnt chocolate. Note to self: use the Fahrenheit numbers on the thermometer, not the Celsius. This afternoon I will go out and buy more chocolate for melting, and attempt to temper again tomorrow.

Salt Air... Here I Come!

2010-01-27T19:46:00.000-05:00

I'm still trying to shake this pneumonia. The doctor said it might take 2-3 months to be completely out of my system. We leave for Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in a week and I can't wait! Salt air will be sooo good for me. Salt seems to have natural healing properties. Interesting how salt can be so bad for you, and so good for you. I plan on sitting at the beach and breathing in as much salt air as possible.

It's Funny...

2010-01-22T20:30:00.000-05:00

Ever since I can remember, I've always wanted to be a mom. I loved raising, and teaching my kids. I loved my kid's friends. I loved being a stay-at-home, always there for them, mom. When my second of two kids left for college, I felt lost. The first few months was very hard for me- not only as a mom with no children at home, but as a person trying to redefine myself. It's been 6 months since the start of college. He comes home many weekends. It's funny... this weekend he is home and I find myself less inclined to take my old mom role. I never thought I'd feel this way.

I've begun to re-discover me. I like this new process. I'll always love my kids and I'll always be their mom, but now to a lesser extent and on a different level. I like having grown children. I like the new relationship my husband and I are creating together. I like the person I'm growing and changing into. I like me.

Found 2 Treasures Today!

2010-01-21T17:25:00.001-05:00

I went walking this morning, grateful for a good breathing day (almost done recovering from pneumonia). As I cut through a local park, I noticed that the breeze had stopped for that moment, and I felt the sun on my face. The sun felt so good, so warming, that I sat down on a bench to bask. The sun was directly in front of me, back lighting the trees across the park from me. There must have been ice on the trees, because the way the light hit them, the trees looked like they were filled with hundreds of diamonds. It was so beautiful. I wish I had my camera with me. That was my first treasure- trees filled with diamonds.

The breeze started up again so I left the part and continued my walk. As I passed the local library, I saw a wallet on the steps leading to the library. The wallet was filled with credit cards, money, and various other things. I went into the library and gave the wallet to the librarian, thinking that the person who dropped it must have just been there, and would return. I've felt that "panic" feeling when you've misplaced your wallet, or cell phone, or other valuable. I wouldn't wish that feeling on anyone! That was my second treasure- finding and returning a wallet.

I love finding treasures!