Category Archives: News and Events

Pumpkin Curry Soup and Okra and Tarte aux Champignons and Cobbler

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February 15 2017:

We did some flavor traveling last night with dinner. A pumpkin curry soup, oh so yummy okra (including memories of mammaw Downs), a Tarte aux Champignons (French style flat bread with mushrooms), and a dirty apple and pear cobbler (Thomas‘ name for our dessert).

Happy Valentine’s Day to Team TLC!! xoxo

Also known as …. Using what you’ve got to create a special dinner! That cobbler is amazing! I mean, Lillian even ate it …. and that’s a miracle!! I had the store bought gluten free pie crust in the freezer. Peeled and sliced 4 apples and pears.

Mixed with cinnamon, lemon juice, and coconut sugar. Then made a topping to crumble over the top with coconut oil, coconut flour, almond flour, salt and coconut sugar. We ate almost the entire dish!!!

Valentine's Dinner 2.14.17 #1 Valentine's Dinner 2.14.17 #2 Valentine's Dinner 2.14.17 #3 Valentine's Dinner 2.14.17 #4

What Would the World Be Like if We All Liked the Same Thing

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**THROWBACK POST**

February 18 2014:

Thomas at Camp June 23 2014

When I picked up Thomas the other day he told me he has been asking all of his classmates whether or not they like LEGOS. Only one or two say they do and the others tell him they don’t and they like playing the Wii.

He said it makes him feel bad that no one else likes them. I explained to him that I’ve had a similar experience with feeling bad when others don’t like or feel the same way about something I like. BUT, I have learned that I am choosing to feel this way … And I can choose not to feel this way also.

He said, “That’s so hard, though”. I told him I completely understand and it takes lots and lots of practice to choose not to let it bother you. I said this may help …

“People are all different. We like different things. Some like the same things. Some don’t like the same things. Instead of labeling it as good when someone likes the same “stuff” as you, just look at it as “It just is” and when someone doesn’t like what you do, look at that as “It just is”.

What would the world be like if we all liked the SAME thing? Nothing would ever get done! If EVERYONE liked LEGOS and only building with LEGOS we’d having nothing but little plastic LEGO food, LEGO furniture and LEGO houses, LEGO cars. We’d be these big giant people trying to live in a little LEGO world! We all three got a laugh out of that one!

LEGO GRill 2.14.14

Happy Two Year Anniversary Thomas

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Happy TWO Year Anniversary to Thomas!

Biggest p68

He was eight years old when he began and nine years old when he finished. In the first few months there were times he wanted to quit. I gave him that option and asked him to think of how it would feel to accomplish this and how it would feel to stop before completion …
He chose to keep going. Two years ago he posted the last photo as of his 365 photography project! The book was published four months ago and what fun Biggest Little Photographer is having!

So far the following shops are selling the book: 1) The Legislative Gift Shop, 2) The Discovery Museum Gift Shop, 3) Buy Nevada First Gift Shop, 4) Don’s Pharmacy, 5) Sierra Pharmacy, 6) Galena Creek Visitor’s Center, 7) Nevada Museum of Art, and 8) Wilbur May Center Gift Shop. You can learn more and purchase a book by going here … BiggestLittlePhotographer.com …

Plus a Biggest Little Photographer exhibit at Rancho San Rafael Park Visitor’s Center opening soon.

And, coming soon … one more exciting announcement coming!!

Biggest Little Photo Cover only

Sabores de Amor with Thomas

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February 11 2017:

Thomas and I just had an amazing Sabores de Amor (Flavors of Love).

Peruvian veggie ceviche, vegetarian Pastel de Choclo, oh so yummy cocadas dessert with raspberries ….. washed down with a guava sparkling water and hot mint tea.

What a very special treat for us. Thomas says everyone was so nice. As we were driving home he said, “My brain, heart, and stomach are happy!”

I was so excited I forgot to take a picture of the main dish! Oops! Here’s the cool plate, though! xoxo

Oceans of gratitude Moon Rabbit Cafe, Farm Fresh Catering, and Reno Buddhist Center! xoxo

Moon Rabbit Cafe with Thomas 2.11.17 #1 Moon Rabbit Cafe with Thomas 2.11.17 #2 Moon Rabbit Cafe with Thomas 2.11.17 #3

Making Errands Fun

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**THROWBACK POST**

February 13 2016:

Making errands fun = Stop at the park.

Remove shoes and throw the football with son while feeling squishy wet grass between the toes.

Plus, walking barefoot in the leftover snow.

And rolling down a hill.

And playing with a paper airplane kite.

And they lived happily ever after.

The End.

Park Stop Errand Fun 2.13.16 #1 Park Stop Errand Fun 2.13.16 #2 Park Stop Errand Fun 2.13.16 #3 Park Stop Errand Fun 2.13.16 #4 Park Stop Errand Fun 2.13.16 #5

How to Say Goodbye to Habits and Beliefs

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**THROWBACK POST**

February 13 2016:

Last night we experienced a Team TLC Letting Go Ceremony. I hadn’t planned this. The idea came to me yesterday morning. May you treat yourself to something similar in the coming days. xoxo

I explained to Thomas and Lillian what we’d be doing. Writing down habits, fears, beliefs that hold us back on a strip of paper. Then, reading each one aloud, touching it to the candle flame, saying some type of farewell phrase and dropping it into the coffee can.

After dinner we wrote stories, beliefs, habits, and fears on strips of paper. It was such a wonderful, blissful feeling sitting with both of them doing this. They really, truly understood the process and what types of things to write on the strips. I was so moved. There was a beautiful excitement in the air. A magical anticipation of releasing habits, beliefs and fears that do not serve us and hold us back.

We sat around the can and a candle. Thomas went first, then Lillian and then me (Team TLC order, of course). I was moved to near tears hearing each of them read habits, fears, and beliefs that they bid farewell. They were surprised to hear some of what I had written on my slips. I think it was good for them to hear some of the things I choose to feel guilty about at times and negative beliefs that I’m still dislodging.

So beautiful, amazing, wonderful, blissful. We will make this a regular Team TLC event .. quarterly, twice a year, or at the minimum, once per year.

This was inspired by a combination of my latest blog post and a couple of books I’m reading.

The Tao of Letting Go

Unexpected Side Effect and Rancho San Rafael and Wilbur May Center

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February 6 2017:

An unexpected and wonderful side effect of Thomas’ book, Biggest Little Photographer, is renewed interest in my book published in 2012, D iz for Different. It was a great day to mail one to California. YaY!!!

Mailing D iz for Different 2.6.17

February 8 2017:

Got a new order of books! Now’s the time to get your copy if you’ve been meaning to order!

…. Plus, Biggest Little Photographer coming soon to The Wilbur May Center Gift Shop …. The order was placed this morning to coincide with the awesome Biggest Little Photographer exhibit currently being created for the Rancho San Rafael Visitor Center.

The Visitor Center will also host Thomas and I for a few public discussions about the book as the exhibit will run through April 2017. Plus, plus a private discussion about the book for children at The Children’s Cabinet. And perhaps planning a way for books to be donated to Children’s Cabinet too! Wonderful and heartwarming ….. xoxo

Biggest p8 - d

February 8 2017:

Biggest Little Photographer is on his way to the capitol building in Carson City!! I was contacted last week and the gift store manager wants to see the book. Yay! Hope she likes it!!! xoxo

Biggest Little Book to Capitol Gift Shop 2.8.17

Do You Row Your Own Boat

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**THROWBACK POST**

February 13 2013:

Wherever you go, Whatever you have … There YOU are.

True and lasting happyness is yours when you understand that:

being happy or not being happy comes from the thoughts you are thinking about a situation or person,

when you accept and be at peace with where you are, love yourself,

know you have a purpose here,

release that which you cannot control,

and row your OWN boat gently down the stream ….

You Are Here in Sand 2.13.13

Which Teacher Most Influenced You

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**THROWBACK POST**

February 26 2016 (Camilla’s Birthday 2016):

Thomas gave me a sweet hug. Lillian gave me a wonderful card that she hand made. I received a beautiful birthday card and birthday money yesterday from Mom n Frank. I’m receiving all of your brilliant birthday wishes! (Thomas took this picture of me on one of our Fall 2015 Date Days – Bartley Ranch Loop, Reno, NV)

On the way back from dropping Thomas at school I heard Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way”, Duran Duran’s “Rio”, and then Stevie Nicks’, “Edge of Seventeen”. I was absolutely floating. Rio caused me to think of junior high at Oaklawn Jr. High and the awesome friendships made there. I love all y’all!! Then that caused me to think of Ms. Eschete (I am not spelling her name correctly!), my homeroom teacher and also the drill team facilitator/sponsor.

I’ve never known how to answer, “Which teacher most influenced you?” It would be her. She believed in me. She believed in an awkward, inexperienced, tall, and lanky girl who tried out for the drill team …. and did a horrible job! She still chose me and it was the most wonderful experience.

I have wanted to be a dancer since being a young girl. In fact, I AM a dancer. I just don’t do it in front of an audience. I become the music. I can feel it in my soul. Nothing else exists in that moment. I become one with it. So, THANK YOU amazing teacher for believing in me!!

Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday to Magnificent ME!! Oceans of love to all y’all! xoxo ….. I’m going to go for a walk today and write, write, write!!

Camilla Bartley Ranch Fall 2015