I'm Taking a Happy Break!

 

 

I'm taking a break from blogging here for now as I am on my own special Happy Break!

 

I had some wonderful news in October and now I am following-up with a couple of projects that are taking up most of my time these days. All good stuff!

 

Some of you already know what I am referring too. :<)

 

 

In the meantime, I wish you lots of happy days, happy breaks and great surprises.

 

 

Dreams... can come true.



Warming the Soul: My Version of Black Bean Soup

Brrrr....it's a chilly one, here today in Interior BC.
 

 

I just posted this recipe for my version of Black Bean Soup over at my cooking blog and thought I'd share it here too. I'm making this for supper tonight along with Cornbread Scones.

 

When it comes to " "nurturing" and "warming the soul" is there anything better (especially on a cold day) than a big, steaming bowl of... oh, so satisfying soup? Right up at the top of my list!!! ;<)

 

 

 

What's on the menu at your place this weekend?

 

Have a Wonderful  Week!

Word of the Week: Talisman

 

 

Do you believe in talismans?

 

  

This gorgeous "sachet" type talisman above was made for me by a friend who is a good (white)witch. It contains various herbs and plants believed to ward off evil.

 

 I have it on the back of our front door, along with: a rosary, cross, (very) small totem ...covering all the bases, so to speak. ;<)
 

This lovely talisman is also an ongoing reminder of my friend's concern and support, while I was going through a very difficult time. That kind of friendship is a gift and a treasure. Her thoughtfulness in making this personal and unique gift for me meant so much.

 

 

 

This is my writing talisman.

 

 I wear it when I'm working on creative writing projects. Another gift. I love the symbolism of the sun, the light, shining....all good.

Some writers wear hats, a certain T-shirt etc... I like my sun necklace.
 

 

I'm also sharing an archive haiku/haiga over at My Poetic Path today, featuring the theme: talisman. Hope you'll stop by to see that too.

 

 

 

I wish you a week filled with wonders of all kinds, including luck and good fortune.

 

 

Don't forget your talisman! ;<)

 

 

 

 

Talisman:

- an object held to act as a charm to avert evil and bring good fortune

 

- something producing apparently magical or miraculous effects

 

Definition courtesy of Merriam Webster.com

 

 



 



Word of the Week: Focus

FOCUS

 

It's so easy to get distracted, isn't it?

To have our thoughts go in all different directions, instead of being focused on one thing at a time. This is an issue I am constantly working on.

But I know how important it is to be focused. In theory at least. ;<)

If we are going to do our best work on any kind of project or task, we can't also be mulling over: what to make for supper, whether the plants need watering, filing nails at the same time...the list goes on and on.

 I have also been making an effort recently not to get signed up for too many "extras" online, that take up time and often in rather trivial ways including: too many newsletters, email alerts...lots of distractions. I'm also not a fan of Facebook or Twitter anymore. I know a lot of people just love these social media sites but for me, they were just more ways to waste precious time.

On the other hand, I don't consider blogging a waste of time, at all. I find it energizing and stimulating. Writing posts and visiting my (many) fav blogs. These pursuits add to my day, in a positive and productive way. Within reason for blogging time, of course!!! LOL 

I have a number of wonderful and diverse creative projects on the go right now that I am really excited about. I'm swamped, but in a good way! But in order to proceed with all of them productively, I need to have a plan each day what I'll be working on.

 Focusing...instead of randomly trying to work on several tasks and getting diverted and distracted along the way.

Multi-tasking appears to be productive but apparently it isn't. That's been proven again and again. I blogged about multi-tasking vs chunking  previously here.

I hope you find this word/mantra for the week helpful with your own creative pursuits.

WISHING YOU A HAPPY AND PRODUCTIVE WEEK!  :<)

Word of the Week: Open

OPEN

 

Being open to new ideas, suggestions, opinions...I think it's so important.

 Something that I've noted in my own life, again and again. When I had a belief, opinion, sometimes a misconception... about a particular topic, then did a complete "360" after talking to someone or reading an alternate opinion. Sometimes right away and sometimes, it took some time.

 

Being open keeps us "in the loop" vibrant, young at heart. Not that it isn't good to have personal beliefs that don't change and are part of who we are. But there are so many things that aren't "written in stone". That might at some time, be good to take another look at. Listen with an open heart.

 

Nothing is more beautiful than a flower, just opening it's beauty to the world.

Here's to being open and as fresh as a blooming flower, throughout life.

Makes things interesting too, don't you think? :<)

 

Wishing You a Wonderful Week! 

Taking the Time to Say: Thank You!

Recently I was having yet another bout of insomnia at around 1 in the morning (that happens quite a bit) and decided to get up and do some browsing on the Web.

While on Google, I "happened" to find my way to a Doctors Review site. It got me thinking about a doctor I had met many years ago when I ended up in the emergency ward at 5 AM with what I thought at the time was either a heart attack or stroke (it was neither, just a lot of stress-related physical symptoms...long story).

Back to the "thank you" theme of this post. After finding this doctor's name on the review site and reading many glowing (they really were) reviews (and not one negative one!) from patients he had treated and cared for over the years, I decided to try to locate an email address for him. I wanted to send a note of thanks for his kindness and compassion on that very difficult night, so many years ago.



My email:

Many years ago, I ended up at the ..... Hospital emergency room at around 5AM, suffering from what I thought at the time was either a heart attack or stroke (it was neither, just way too much stress in my life). I had the good fortune to have you as the emergency room doctor who attended to me that night.

I was reading some reviews of doctors and came across your name. I vividly remember you and that night. You were so kind, professional and reassuring, I never forgot it. It appears from the reviews I was reading tonight, that I am not the only one who has been impressed by how you conduct yourself as a doctor. If I didn’t thank you that night (Oct. 1998) I just wanted to say that now. My sincere thanks to you for helping me so much on what was probably the most difficult night of my life. I lived to tell the tale though! I’m so glad you were there.

And the Dr.'s reply:

Thank you so much for your kind words! You made my day Geraldine. I will speaking to my Dad later today (both of my folks are well) and I will pass on your greetings.
Take care. R....


I've left out the names for confidentiality. Coincidentally,  I happened to know his parents, wonderful people.

It left me with such a good feeling to have been able to reconnect and to express my sincere appreciation, after all these years. I needed the care of a truly compassionate and professional doctor that night and that's exactly what happened.

If there's someone who you've always wanted to say thanks to and it got forgotten along the way for whatever reason, it really is worth the time and small effort to write a note, email or make a phone call. I'm so glad that I did....

It's Cherry Blossom Time Again!

                                        

This lovely cherry tree on one of our main streets had a late start this year.

It is finally in full and glorious bloom now.

And what a sight to behold!

I always stop when passing by to savor a moment of beauty.

The pink blossoms are so delicate and dazzling. Then gone until next year, much to soon.

For now though, wow!!!!

Word of the Week: Halcyon

                        

   
                                                      

warmth of summer sun

                                     

butterfly basks in the glow

                                                  

breaks free, flies alone
                   

                      

GHH/2008
                                     


                                    

This photo and haiku always brings to mind "halcyon days" for me.
                                

The warmth, the calm and tranquil beauty of a butterfly, basking in the sun.
                            

I was not aware that halcyon also referred to a type of bird.
                            

I hope you enjoy this word for the week.


And a week filled with halcyon days!

***

hal·cy·on:

1. A kingfisher, especially one of the genus Halcyon.

2. A fabled bird, identified with the kingfisher, that was supposed to have had the power to calm the wind and the waves while it nested on the sea during the winter solstice.

adj.

1. Calm and peaceful; tranquil.

2. Prosperous; golden: halcyon years.

Definition courtesy of : The Free Dictionary

Butterfly photo courtesy of: Flickr

A Proverb to Ponder

" You cannot stop the birds of sadness from flying over your head, but you can stop them from nesting in your hair."

A Chinese proverb that I really like. 

As always, birds can teach us so much, even indirectly.

                               
Thanks to Sandy for the perfect nest photo!

Take a Yummy Break....

                   
I absolutely love carrot cake and this recipe is my all-time fav!



With Easter on the way, I thought it was a good time to share this recipe here (see read more...for page 2) and the cream cheese icing recipe I added to it.

Let me know if you give this one a try. You won't be sorry!

Have a Yummy Good Day and Happy Baking!



A Gerber Daisy Haiku

                                                            

This beautiful gerber daisy was a pretty and thoughtful gift that I received from a couple of friends. They dropped it off, as a much-needed "pick me up" for the day (I was having a less than happy one). It certainly did that and went on to weather the winter on the bathroom window sill, leaves crumpled and flowers nowhere in sight.

And then, to once again emerge in all it's loveliness.

Daisies of all types and colors, always make me smile.

                               

Wishing you a Wonderful Spring Day!

Also submitted for: Today's Flowers

A Chuckle Courtesy of Mr. Cheddar

                                            

How do they always know...

…it’s a BLACK COAT/JACKET/SWEATER etc…????

                       

I have yet to meet (or be owned) by any cat who doesn’t gravitate to black/dark clothing.
                                              

                                                             

                             

                                            

                                

                                
“Oh Meowmie, get a life!!!”

               

                                                                       

PS: It's almost time to put away the coats, capes etc...for another year. Yipee!

Thought you might enjoy seeing/re-visiting what Mr. Ched enjoys the most when it comes to dark colors and winter clothes!

Hugs and Headbonks from me and the Ched!

Spring Cleaning: It's Not Just for Your Home

Spring is definitely in the air.

Isn't it a wonderful feeling?

Time to enjoy the warmer days and the scent of cherry blossoms.

This time of year, I feel even more hopeful and blessed. Spring to me is a time of new beginnings and renewal. Anything seems possible. What a feeling that is!

It's also a time that many people still equate with a good old-fashioned top to bottom, stem to stern house-cleaning. Let the fresh air in, clean out the closets and garage. Wash those windows and curtains. Feel the warmth and sunshine pouring in. Savor the clean, sparkling spaces.

I think it's also a great opportunity to take stock of our own personal inner space. What kind of "clutter" have we left to accumulate over time?

 Perhaps a grudge that's gone on to long with a family member? An impossible to achieve "to do" list? Email accounts crammed to overflowing? A project that has lost it's appeal and has languished on the shelf for months?Or maybe a major change in life that you've been putting off for a long time and know that something has to change and soon?

Spring. It can be so much more than the awakening of the earth and warm, sunny days. It can also be a new beginning and awakening for all of us.

A good opportunity/reminder to take some quiet time to reflect and once again reconnect with that still, small voice inside. It never let's us down. It always there if we take the time to listen. 

Happy Spring!
                   

PS: The cherry blossoms are not out here yet (in Interior BC) so I'm sharing a file photo, one of my all-time favs. Hope you enjoy it too!

This Weekend, Take Time for A Special Breakfast

Many of us don't have the time to make a special/substantial breakfast during the week, at least not on a regular basis. It is the most important meal of the day, according to most experts.


  Breakfast = break the fast.     

                               

It's nice to have more time and plan for a treat on the weekend/or days off.
                                     

                    

I've been on a "pancake kick" lately and have been giving several "scratch" pancake recipes a try. Oh so yummy and a great way to treat yourself and those you love.

I usually stir up the dry ingredients the night before and then just add the wet ingredients in the morning. Almost as quick and easy as pre-mixed! And so much better, cheaper too. I like to add fresh blueberries (pick one add-on from the list in recipe) to these oat pancakes and they were extra yummy. Very nice flavour and texture.

A couple of changes I made to this recipe: I add 2 T. of fructose for a bit of sweetness and use a combination of 1/2 water and 1/2 cereal cream in lieu of the fat-free milk. Your choice on this. Finish off with some maple syrup or homemade jam! Yummm....

Link to: Quaker Oats Oatmeal Pancake Recipe. Photo courtesy of Quaker Oats.
                                               

Have a wonderful weekend.
If you can, take time to treat someone you love, including yourself!

It's Your Lucky Day!

May this day bring you extra special luck and good fortune.

I've got a "bit of the Irish" in my blood so I feel especially blessed and lucky today! LOL

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

           

Photo courtesy of: Flickr

Art Can Inspire and Nurture the Soul

Isn't this beautiful?

This "Idea Mandala" has been kindly shared by Teri at: Teri's Mandala's and Haiku.

Visit Teri's blog to read more about this unique form of art and also the meaning/inspiration for this particular mandala.

I could look at these for hours. I feel calm and peaceful enjoying each mandala. 
                                   

Art in all it's forms, can be so inspiring.

 I hope this beautiful selection brings joy to your day.
                          

PS: I also have a new product review post over at MRLR for a natural cosmetic product you might enjoy. Hope you can stop in soon!

Word for the Day:Abundance

The abundance of beauty in nature.

                          

Recently, I have felt the abundance of life flowing towards me once again after a very long "drought" of feeling a lack of it, on many levels. It is a very good feeling.

When I look back to years ago, I have had so much to be thankful for and often didn't realize or acknowledge it all, at the time. I will not make that mistake again. I truly believe that abundance comes and goes in our lives for many reasons. And not just in terms of material things although those are important too.

                                   

If you have abundance in your life in it's many forms: love, success, wealth, friendship...treasure it and never take it for granted. If  you feel the need for more abundance in your life, dwell on it, make it your mantra and believe that it is on it's way to you, in whatever ways you need it.

                                            

NEVER give up, never give in that all is lost. It will return.

                                          

Wishing you abundance in your life!

New Blog Launch!

I'll be posting here starting on Monday February 28th. Hope you'll stop by then and often!

Have a wonderful weekend. G