Beckie Lives and Learns

If it's not illegal, immoral, or blatantly stupid, I am willing to give it a try!

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  • Other Stuff I Learned

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Recent Posts

  • 52 Ideas for Your Own Mini “Bucket List” Calendar–Make it Your Best Year Yet!
  • Shabbat Morning Services are Good for My Health
  • Accountability “Partners”–7 Ideas to Help You Reach Your Goals!
  • 8 Great Reasons to Plan a Game Night!

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Recent Comments

  • Beckie on 52 Ideas for Your Own Mini “Bucket List” Calendar–Make it Your Best Year Yet!
  • Stephen Bergman on 52 Ideas for Your Own Mini “Bucket List” Calendar–Make it Your Best Year Yet!
  • 52 Ideas for Your Own Mini “Bucket List” Calendar–Make it Your Best Year Yet! on Want to Try a New (to you) Fruit? I Present…THE RAMBUTAN!
  • Shabbat Morning Services are Good for My Health on Joining a Book Club–A Great Decision for So Many Reasons!
  • Accountability “Partners”–7 Ideas to Help You Reach Your Goals! on Want to Try a New (to you) Fruit? I Present…THE RAMBUTAN!
  • We found the geocache!
    Fun and games,  What I Did

    My Intro to Geocaching

    November 20, 2019 /

    On a cold, wintery November morning, I joined Lawrence to go geocaching.  On one of my Facebook calls for “who would be interested in teaching me something new?”, Lawrence jumped at the opportunity (well, perhaps not, but he responded) to teach me about geocaching.  I had done it once to find one geocache a few years back, but, since I did not remember much, I considered this a fresh start! I was in for an adventure! Long story short, I had a great time, and I can see how this can become addictive! First, Lawrence recommended that I register on-line at geocaching.com, which I did, and download the “Geocaching” app. …

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    The show we came to see was on the marquee, too.

    “Whose Live Anyway?” at the Genesee Theatre

    October 16, 2019
    The show is coming soon to the Genesee Theatre!

    The Elf on the Shelf–A Christmas Musical (It will soon be on the stage! Start your holiday planning!)

    November 6, 2019
    Success with the Rubik's Cube!

    I am a 51 Year Old Woman Who Has Finally Learned How to Solve a Rubik’s Cube!

    March 22, 2021
  • The show is coming soon to the Genesee Theatre!
    Fun and games,  Other Stuff I Learned

    The Elf on the Shelf–A Christmas Musical (It will soon be on the stage! Start your holiday planning!)

    November 6, 2019 /

    "The Elf on the Shelf--A Christmas Musical" is a brand new musical which is about to start touring. This may be a great addition to your holiday season!

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    Part 2 of the 1-2 punch.

    9Round

    September 19, 2019
    The Infinite Board Game

    The Infinite Board Game

    January 7, 2019
    All smiles after our axe throwing adventure!

    Axeplosion!

    August 18, 2019
  • The painting, stamping, cutting, and decoupaging is done!
    What I Made

    Mixed Media Art Project–Painting, Stamping, Decoupage

    October 30, 2019 /

    As a kid, I wasn’t always into art.  Yes, I loved my Spirograph, Shrinky Dinks, and Fashion Plates (weren’t those the BEST?!,) but I was not necessarily “artistic” per se.  I was more of a “performing arts” kind of gal who loved and still loves dance and theater.  As an adult, I have been spending more time over the years trying to become more crafty, artistic, and creative, and I have been really enjoying the process.  Pinterest has helped with that. (Although searching on Pinterest can suck hours out of a day, when I actually finish a project inspired by Pinterest, it makes it worth the time!)  Fortunately, I have even…

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    Brazilian lemonade--Delicious!

    Brazilian Lemonade

    May 27, 2019
    Here is some of the gnocchi before it was put on a lined tray and placed in the freezer.

    Potato Gnocchi–A Nice Change from all the Matzo

    April 29, 2019
    Janome Magnolia 7330

    Sew Cool!

    January 9, 2019
  • I sprinkled a little bit of cocoa powder on top prior to serving. This was as good as if not better than any tiramisu I have had in a restaurant!
    What I Made

    Tiramisu–I Can Hardly Believe That I Now Know How to Make Tiramisu!

    October 23, 2019 /

    I learned how to make tiramisu!

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    Eucalyptus shower melts

    Eucalyptus Shower Melts–Another Pinterest Find

    June 15, 2019
    I am very pleased with how this turned out!

    Mosaic Birdhouse

    September 2, 2019
    These are the tomatillos that were in the bag.

    Time to Try and Taste Tomatillos

    March 17, 2019
  • The show we came to see was on the marquee, too.
    Fun and games,  What I Did

    “Whose Live Anyway?” at the Genesee Theatre

    October 16, 2019 /

    After hearing about it for many years, my husband and I finally had the chance to check out and enjoy a show at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, Illinois. What a great night!

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    I was ready for Sixteen Candles to transport me back to the 80's!

    The Music was Like, Omigod, Totally Awesome!

    June 18, 2019
    Success with the Rubik's Cube!

    I am a 51 Year Old Woman Who Has Finally Learned How to Solve a Rubik’s Cube!

    March 22, 2021
    We found the geocache!

    My Intro to Geocaching

    November 20, 2019
  • Here are the long Japanese eggplant which I found at my local farmers' market.
    What I Made

    Japanese Eggplant

    September 28, 2019 /

    My community is fortunate to have a very good weekly farmers’ market over the summer months.  I am trying to take advantage of these last few weeks of Sunday morning, local produce shopping.  Last Sunday, I spotted eggplant on a table. I was very excited about this! I also spotted on the table the skinnier cousin, Japanese eggplant.  Produce in that section of the tent was $1 each or 5 for $6. Yea! I took two eggplant, two zucchini, and two of the Japanese eggplant. I had never prepared Japanese eggplant, but I had seen recipes for it at random times in the past.   I figured that for under…

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    Before and after a flip

    Steak 101

    June 9, 2019
    Coasters in action!

    Making Rope Coasters with the Husband and College-Age Kids–A Successful Family Project

    October 8, 2023
    The lime is now mostly naked (and we have some nice zest).

    Key Lime Pie

    July 10, 2019
  • Part 2 of the 1-2 punch.
    Fun and games,  What I Did

    9Round

    September 19, 2019 /

    I should exercise more often.  (Anyone else?) I know that. I try to stay active, but the reality is that I don’t exercise quite as much as I should.  When the opportunity came to try a free week at 9Round, I opted to check it out.   Taken straight from the website, “9Round offers a kickboxing themed fitness program that incorporates a functional, interval, cardiovascular, and circuit training regimens.”    There is no set schedule nor formal class times. When you arrive, you can get ready to start your workout. Under the close guidance of trainers, you go through nine three minute rounds with brief periods of other exercises between…

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    Beckie 6 Comments

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    All smiles after our axe throwing adventure!

    Axeplosion!

    August 18, 2019
    Success with the Rubik's Cube!

    I am a 51 Year Old Woman Who Has Finally Learned How to Solve a Rubik’s Cube!

    March 22, 2021
    Equipment

    Entering the World of Lacrosse…

    January 26, 2019
  • When forming the matzo balls, my husband made one especially for me!
    What I Made

    Matzo Ball Soup, Chicken Salad, and Some of the Most Amazing Brownies EVER

    September 14, 2019 /

    I always get excited when someone in the neighborhood responds to my call for help in learning something new.  Last week, after being in contact with him at various times over the summer, I finally had the opportunity to meet and spend time in the kitchen with Ron.  The plan was to make homemade matzo ball soup from scratch. I love matzo ball soup, and historically in my kitchen, it involved a mix by Croyden House plus the addition of chopped carrots, celery, and egg whites.  (My husband and I would tend to make it during Passover, so the egg whites “replaced” noodles.) There is absolutely nothing wrong with that…

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    Beckie 5 Comments

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    I am very pleased with how this turned out!

    Mosaic Birdhouse

    September 2, 2019
    Dragon Fruit

    Dragon Fruit–Trying a New (to us) Fruit

    February 6, 2019
    Our pair of beeswax candles

    Making Beeswax Candles–A Perfect Simple College Spring Break Project

    March 31, 2024
  • I am very pleased with how this turned out!
    What I Made

    Mosaic Birdhouse

    September 2, 2019 /

    This summer, I spent several mornings with Stephanie, a woman who responded to my Facebook call for someone to teach me something new!  She offered to teach me how to do a mosaic design on a birdhouse, and I took her up on her offer.  Using one of my handy craft store coupons (with my Michael’s app, I always have one on hand–stores usually accept competitor coupons, so I am always ready), I picked up a wooden birdhouse which would eventually become a masterpiece!  (I set my standards high.) Day 1:  We started the project.  This project would involve getting together several times due to the various steps requiring glue…

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    Beckie 6 Comments

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    The painting, stamping, cutting, and decoupaging is done!

    Mixed Media Art Project–Painting, Stamping, Decoupage

    October 30, 2019
    Avocado egg salad spread and almost ready to be eaten!

    Avocado Egg Salad

    June 26, 2019
    Cup of Creamy Cauliflower Soup

    Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup

    March 4, 2019
  • The performance stage
    What I Did

    Aloha from the Suburbs!

    August 24, 2019 /

    Disclaimer: My son and I enjoyed a complementary dinner and show at Tiki Terrace in exchange for me sharing our experience on this blog. My son and I traveled to the South Pacific for an evening (yes, one evening) earlier this week!  No airports; no luggage; no hassles. It was a VERY mini vacation, but it was a great little evening getaway, and it was nice to have some one-on-one time with my son!  We went to Tiki Terrace in Des Plaines, IL for a Hawaiian dinner and luau show (it was Hang Loose Wednesday!). As soon as we walked in, we certainly felt transported.  No suburban feel there! We…

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    I am guessing that there was some turning involved here! It looks like I will soon take flight!

    Israeli Folk Dancing on a Wednesday Night

    February 25, 2020
    Final stop--University of Louisville

    College Tour, Part 5: Last Stop–University of Louisville

    April 17, 2019
    At the Carolina Hurricanes hockey game.

    College Tour, Part 1: From Home to Chapel Hill, North Carolina

    April 10, 2019
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