“The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.” (Lucille Ball, Actress & Comedienne, 1911-1989)

What is it about birthdays that cause one to reflect in such an intense manner? Is it the days that have passed and the experiences that they’ve brought with them…the good and the not-so-good…the anticipated as well as the unexpected…the celebrated and the “wish it would’ve gone better”? Or is it the thoughts of what was desired but never quite came to fruition?

Regardless…more about that later…

In addition to birthday celebrations, the last few months have been filled with just good ol’ fashion busy, as evidenced by the time which has passed since the last post. But busy is good. While it keeps a girl away from the keyboard, it also keeps her out of trouble…for the most part anyway.  

More specifically, the month of May brought with it a multitude of activities from one end of the spectrum to the next. Again, so many that there was hardly a minute to spare…or to rest…or even to breathe.  

Highlights included numerous corporate events. There were those that were on the more casual side. Think blue jeans and boot scootin’. And there were a few that were a bit more formal. Imagine, if you will, stilettos and sequins.

There was also a nonprofit fundraiser or two. One successfully celebrated “champions of hope” and their dedication to children within the community.  Another allowed guests to “sip, shop, and savor” in order to contribute to various organizations within the local area. And as a volunteer, what better way to work for a good cause than to help pour (and, of course, taste) wine?

There were a few sporting events. This meant fourth row floor seats to an NBA playoff game. Thanks again, Ms. Katie! Sometimes it really is just about being in the right place at the right time, huh? Also included were VIP passes to the Valero Texas Open. Who knew being such a “very important person” meant traipsing through the mud and ruining a brand new pair of fabulous flip flops?

In addition, there was a celebration to mark the last day of school as well as the Memorial Day holiday. These included river trips, sunscreen, barbecue, and more than a few adult beverages. 

And sprinkled in between all of this…there were weddings, committee meetings, site visits, business dinners and cocktail receptions. There were also a few GNOs or “girls’ night outs”. What better way to celebrate friends and enjoy just being…well, a girl? 

Now…back to the musings about birthdays.

In addition to everything else that May has going for it, it also includes numerous birthdays. Perhaps not the very most important, but still extremely signficant, is the birthday of Bleuprint itself. 

And with that, comes reflections of all that has passed throughout these last few years. There have been celebrations and victories…some great and some small. There have also been a few setbacks, but none that have been tragic enough to shake the core of what the business is built upon. And as for the contemplations of what is still to come? They bring with them hope and optimism and a great deal of determination. Also a gift is the newly acquired, and much desired, ability to just be still and be present. You know…in the moment?

So, all in all and above everything else…the future sure looks bright!

“If you want your life to be more rewarding, you have to change the way you think.” (Oprah Winfrey, Television Host, Producer, and Philanthropist, 1954 - )

So, once again, Bleu is a few days behind the curve. With a vow in January to do better about regular blog entries and keeping up with other such “day-to-day” tasks, we’ve found ourselves at March 1 wondering what the heck happened to the month of February. Shorter in days in comparison to the other 11 months of the year, it still tends to be quite a busy one.

There were multiple events and a plethora of meetings. There were also travels from one end of the state to the next. Additionally, there were chores…just the every day, nothing too exciting, is this what life is really all about chores that sometimes plague us all. 

So, with all of the hectic happenings and the lack of time to get done any of the things on our new year’s “to do” list, it would be easy to feel a little down or at least a bit ineffective. Still, given our resolution to be more “in the moment”, we’ve decided it of greater benefit to look differently at the month past and find the minor victories…the successes…the rewards amongst all of the chaos.

The aforementioned events and meetings? All involved some truly amazing individuals. Friends and strangers alike were brought together in a multitude of settings to accomplish both the seemingly insignificant (i.e., should we serve red or white wine with the given dinner menu) and the profound (i.e., how can we create the most memorable experience for attendees so that they will help us reach a fundraising goal that exceeds half a million dollars).  

The aforementioned travels? They were most definitely memorable! So much so, in fact, that our main mode of transportation has now been lovingly labeled the “crazy train”…and only with the best of intentions in mind. Amongst the long hours and many miles logged were moments of humor and, quite honestly, pure magic amongst “just us girls”. These included discussing matters from one end of the “seriousness spectrum” to the next…searching for rest stops along the way when the laughter and the tears got the best of us. There were also moments spent anxiously awaiting food in late night drive thrus, as well as looking for “mascara time” in front of mirrors when sharing an “oh, too small”, hotel room bathroom. (Some of the best, weren’t they, my female travel companions?)

And, in celebration of us making an effort to recognize our small rewards, why don’t YOU also take time in the month that lies ahead to…

FEEL well, by…buying wine with a screw-top cap so you don’t have to drink the whole bottle in one sitting…unless, of course, you’re sharing it with friends and making some magical memories of your own. In that case, buy the best bottle you can find and savor every last drop. Be sure to use your finest crystal goblets, too. Every moment that includes good wine and good friends should be considered a “special occassion”.

THINK well, by…taking a few moments to get a jump on the upcoming season. Start thinking about what specific items you will need to put in storage, or perhaps just a little more “out of the way”, to make room for the things that are more conducive to the warmer months. After all, spring break is just around the corner; so, sunscreen and flip flops will be much more important that that heavy wool sweater and winter scarf.

LIVE well, by…selecting an afternoon to declare a pajama day. Stay in them as long as possible and just putter around the house. Make a vow on this one day to NOT do anything that might be considered work or even close to “chore like”. Rent the sappy, romantic movies that you’ve been dying to see so you can join in the “meaningful conversation” the next time you’re with your girlfriends. Or, at least buy every gossip magazine that the store has to offer so as to catch up on “current events”. Also stock up on your very favorite foods and the most delicious drinks. After all, taking the day off is an event all unto itself.

“Happiness will come to you when it comes from you.”  (Ralph Marston,  Author & Speaker)

While life is full of celebrations and “big ticket” events, there are also those times (especially during the craziness of day-to-day life) when we have to pause and remind ourselves that it is the little moments that are often the most worth commemorating.  They are sometimes the “take your breath away” moments and they are other times really much simpler.  And, no big surprise here…they are more often than not the moments that we have to create for ourselves.

In light of this, Bleu suggests the following 10 ways to feel happier THIS instant:

Have a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie before noon or a cocktail before 5:00PM.

Make your next pedicure appointment during your lunch break and choose a funky yet fabulous color, like OPI’s “Ate Berries in the Canaries”, to brighten your day.

Close your eyes and relive your most magical kiss EVER.

Do an unpleasant thing that you wish to put off forever but can actually finish in a minute.

Overtip.

Facebook “stalk” the unattainable guys you had crushes on at the age of 15.  Half are overweight and balding…guaranteed!

Resist buying the $250 designer shoes, eating the third doughnut, or picking the same old fight.  Sometimes happiness is about what you DON’T do.

Try the tree pose.  Tough to worry about anything but keeling over…right, Jennie?

Think back one more time to heroic Captain Sully landing that plane gently and flawlessly on the Hudson River and, as a result, saving 155 lives.

SMILE!  Fake happiness always ends up feeling at least a little like the real thing.

“There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart.” (Celia Thaxter, Writer & Poet, 1835 - 1894)

With Labor Day fast approaching, we are reminded that the “unofficial” end of summer is also upon us.  Instead of weekend picnics and celebratory parades, family barbecues and sinfully delicious beach reads, we will be bombarded with reminders of the changing seasons.  And, even though temperatures here in Texas will remain well into the 90’s (or even the 100’s) for a few more weeks, we’ll be exposed to article after article regarding:  recipes for feel-good, “cold-weather” comfort foods; activities such as Friday night football and tailgating parties; the best method for extending that summer glow; the proper way to pack away the cotton shorts and linen shirts and/or to air out the knitted sweaters and wool coats; and, of course, crafts and decorating ideas for the impending holiday season.

Before we move on and say “farewell” to yet another joyous summer, however, Bleu would like to take a few moments to appreciate all of the glory and greatness of the traditions that have littered these last few months, as well as the summers past and those still yet to come.

For us, summer is simply…

Flip Flops…Acceptable Almost Anywhere and Anytime

Fireflies

Family Get Togethers

Fresh Fruit…Especially with a Bowl of Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Margaritas…On the Patio and with Live Music Filling the Air

Bikinis

Playing in the Sprinkler

Popsicles

Pedicures…Topped Off with Only the Brightest, Boldest, and Most Outrageous of Colors

“Kiss My Face” SPF 30 Sunscreen

Bonnie Bell Lip Smackers

Dining Outdoors

Sleeping Late

Sunglasses…the Expensive, Classic Styles or the Cheap, Trendy Ones…Just so They’re Cool and Hip

Greatest Hit Albums…The Eagles, James Taylor, Jimmy Buffet, and Elton John to be Exact

Wherever we go, and whatever we do, this perfect storm of summer essentials instantly puts our minds and bodies at ease.  So, here’s to you, summer…thanks for the memories…until we meet again!

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”  (Leonardo da Vinci, Italian Scientist and Sculptor, 1452 - 1519)

According to the most recent edition of Special Events “Eventline” publication, caterers are trying new tactics in order to keep cooking during the recession.  With corporate business showing the sharpest decline, some caterers are not only revamping the menus they offer for special events but also venturing into entirely new segments, particularly those which are simpler and more budget friendly.

Regardless of the state of the economy, one caterer who has always been mindful of the joy which can be found from those things which are less complicated is Jan Green, Executive Chef and Owner of Jan Unlimited Catering. 

Jan is a phenomenal chef and just an overall fun person.  She started her company in May of 1999 after a celebration that her mother organized for her father.  The trays of cold cuts and various cheeses ordered from a local smokehouse inspired Jan to put her passion and talents to work to prove that she could “do it better”.  With that, she called everyone she knew to tell them of her decision; and, within two weeks, she had fourteen orders.  A business was born!

Jan says that her favorite thing about catering is the people that she gets to meet and be with on some of the most special occassions of their lives…weddings, birthdays, baptisms, anniversaries, graduations, and even funerals. 

Again, Jan is not only an amazing chef but also one who can appreciate those things in life which are good and true and simple. 

And, as an example, she posted the following article to her “Party Lines” publication just a few weeks ago…

“It used to be that shopping for spaghetti was easy.  Now that pasta aisles of grocery stores are filled with so many choices it can give you a reason to pause.  ‘Made with whole grains’ is the new mantra on pasta packaging, so we decided to get reaquainted with the whole-grain pasta lineup.  After tasting a couple dozen, we were inspired by the variety of flavors, shapes, textures, and prices.  Where most refined-grained pastas (your basic ‘white’ variety) are similar in taste, today’s whole-grain pastas provide a range of flavor profiles.  We identified everything from nutty, buttery, and sweet notes to substantial, wheaty, and earthy components.  In short, whole-grain pastas have come a long way.  The ones you’ll see most often include:

Whole-Wheat Pasta:  Most are made from whole durum or enriched semolina flour, which is considered best for pasta making because of its higher protein and gluten content.  Pastas that are ‘100% whole wheat’ are hearty and offer the most health benefit.

Multi-Grain Pasta:  This is no necessarily an indicator of whole grains unless ome of the multiple grains used are labeled as ‘whole’.  Many multi-grain pastas are made from a mix of whole and refined grains.  Even in small doses, whole grains can reduce the risk of heart disease, some cancers, and diabetes.

Brown-Rice Pasta:  These whole-grain pastas are wheat- and gluten-free.  Most are mild in flavor and cook very quickly. 

Enriched with Omega-3:  Pastas with this claim usually include flaxseed for extra heart health. 

Oh, how I long for the days of my youth when I thought the only pastas were macaroni and spaghetti.  I didn’t even know the word ‘pasta’ existed.  The simple life…wasn’t it grand?!?!”

Yes, Jan…it was grand…and still is.  Thanks for helping us to remember.