L-O-V-E...It's Real Baby!

If you like Craig Ferguson, you are in for a real treat and a good LOL.

I think he's such a hoot!

Singing L-O-V-E from the movie Born Romantic here's

Craigeeeeee: L-O-V-E!

(click to sing and dance along)

Have a l-o-v-e-l-y day!

There's a Song in Your Heart, Let it Out!

                                     
I have always loved to sing !

Many years ago I sang on a semi-professional basis for quite some time. I was also a finalist (twice) in one of Canada's prestigious country music competitions: Big Country Music Awards in the 80's.

Let me tell you, I belted out a respectable rendition of some of the musical hits of the time like: Desperado, Someday Soon, Stand By Your Man and Catch the Wind to name but a few. What fun it was and what an unexpected pleasure to find that other people (including some who had been in the biz for a long time) thought I had a talent for singing too.

Years later, in 2000 I decided to get back into singing and took more voice lessons, in a more classical vein this time. What a joy it was to rediscover the freedom and pleasure of singing!

 Of course I've always tried to remember to "lighten up the day" with a song, humming along to a CD, singing while driving etc. The times I really remember the true joy of singing are many and varied. One thing I did not know until recently were the many health benefits associated with singing.

This article was very interesting, listing various health benefits directly related to singing including: improved memory, lung capacity and lowering blood pressure to name but three. It includes an extensive list of health benefits of singing and just one of many lists/articles that  I found online.

Whether you consider yourself a singer or not, it's a great way to improve each day and your life. And it doesn't have to cost a dime! Even if you start in the shower and go from there, you might surprise yourself and go on to share your singing voice with the world. You just never know! It's all good.

Update on Personal Power Symbol Post

I recently wrote this post about personal power symbols here at Take A Happy Break.

 Several readers kindly shared their own power symbols and reasons for why they picked them. My symbol is a heart, I've explained in the post why I chose this beautiful symbol for myself.

Speaking of beautiful, Teri over at: Teri's Painted Daisies has expanded on the topic today of Personal Power Symbols. Enjoy her wonderful post on this topic here. Her beautiful artwork always inspires me. This representation of personal power symbols as a painting is truly memorable. Thanks Teri!

Happy Sunday. Hugs, G

Heart photo courtesy of : Flickr
                             

PS: On another topic, I also have a new book review over at My Real Life Reviews you might enjoy, especially if you are a craftsperson (or wannabee)!

Check Your Bra... It's April Fool's Day!

                                                             

The Case of the Interfering Brassieres-1982:

The Daily Mail reported that a local manufacturer had sold 10,000 "rogue bras" that were causing a unique and unprecedented problem, not to the wearers but to the public at large. Apparently the support wire in these bras had been made out of a kind of copper originally designed for use in fire alarms. When this copper came into contact with nylon and body heat, it produced static electricity which, in turn, was interfering with local television and radio broadcasts. The chief engineer of British Telecom, upon reading the article, immediately ordered that all his female laboratory employees disclose what type of bra they were wearing.

                           

Have a great weekend.

And do check those underwires if your bra starts talking... LOL!!!

Source: the Museum of Hoaxes website.

Do You Celebrate Your ME MONTH?

                                  

If you don't know what ME MONTH is all about, I hope you will check out this post.

If you haven't had a birthday this year already, there's still time to plan a ME MONTH!

If your birth-month has already come and gone, pick another month for this year and go for it!

 This is my 3rd year of celebrating my own ME MONTH in April.

I hope you will enjoy a ME MONTH too and share your experiences.

                                

We all deserve some "me-time" don't we?

                   

Photo courtesy of : Flickr. I wish I could soak in that tub right now!!! LOL

Put On A Happy Face!

                         
This happy, classic tune was playing in my head the other day.

It doesn't get much better than when it's sung by the amazing Tony Bennett!


The smiling kids and happy faces in this video made me feel happy too.

                                                    

Click to sing along: Put On A Happy Face

                                                           

"spread sunshine all over the place...."

PS: Speaking of things that make me happy, I just wrote this new post over at My Real Life Reviews today that's oh so yummy! Caution: chocolate alert!!! LOL

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 In Bloom!

                        

Don't you just love it!

                     

This lovely little grouping of spring flowers caught my eye as we walked past a building downtown recently.

There is beauty to behold, everywhere!

Wishing you a day filled with unexpected beauty.

My Kind of Bakery: One with Heart!

My apologies if you are hungry right about now.

Especially for a sweet treat!

Aren't these adorable?

Chocolatey good. Gluten-free is just a bonus!

 

A spring bouquet that's tasty too!

 

These are but a few of the yummy offerings from the Baking for Good website.

                                 

Not only does this company offer quality gourmet baked goods at very reasonable prices, they also donate a percentage of every sale to a charity chosen by the customer.

Their lovely and luscious website is a joy to visit/shop and the list of charitable causes benefiting from Baking for Good is extensive.

Truly a win-win for this company, it's many happy customers and the causes that they are supporting. If this is one of the trends for small business in the 21st century, keep it coming. So positive and inspiring!

 

From their website: "Sweet Mission: Baking for Good is dedicated to providing high quality, irresistible treats that are perfect for any occasion. Moreover, we’re committed to helping great causes raise money for things that matter. That’s why 15% of every purchase you make on our site goes to the cause of your choice."

Stop by soon at Baking for Good. A thoroughly enjoyable sweet browse awaits.

 I only wish they shipped to Canada!!!

A little sugar CAN go a long way!

Happy Weekend.

Finding Your Own Power Symbol

                                          

Do you have a personal power symbol?

An object or image that you focus on during times of difficulty or stress? I've been reading about this subject more and more recently, including this excellent article: Personal Power Symbol.

                                                

I kept noting hearts coming up in my life, more and more lately. In photos, the chocolate box(es!!!) left over from Valentine's Day (yes, there was more than one box!LOL) and also several recent misspellings of my last name, instead of Hart...Heart showing up on packages, emails, labels. Noting them in store windows etc.

I think it's an excellent symbol for me and I am now featuring hearts wherever I can,  to keep this positive symbol close at hand and something I can look at and focus on, even when I'm not feeling stressed at all. And lately, the stress level has really been going down for me. Due in large part to making a real effort to focus on the positive,  to "deal with and drop" the negative asap throughout the day and to show/reflect on gratitude on many levels. 

I don't think it's realistic for anyone to expect a life without cares, burdens or worries. Authors who preach this kind of message are in my opinion doing a great disservice to their readers. Also, implying that every thing that comes into our lives is the direct result of our own wishes and manifestations. Again, I think it's just so wrong and misleading. That is as if to imply that the disasters (such as now in Japan) that impact the lives of innocent, average people are their fault. No, No, NO!

Ok, I digress...back to symbols.

Do you have a personal power symbol? If you don't, perhaps you might want to give this a try. If you already have a symbol, please share it in a comment here and if you can, explain why you chose this particular symbol. I'd love to hear about your choice.

Heart photo (isn't this beautiful!) courtesy of: Flickr

Desktop Dazzlers!

Sometimes when I go back to my computer desktop screen, I am stopped in my tracks by the beauty of a particular image. I take the time to stop and stare. That happens to me on a regular basis. Does that happen to you too?

The last traces of winter will soon be gone completely but it's memorable beauty will still linger on in photos. I really do love winter but I'm happy spring has arrived!
                                 

Here's to the wonder of every season.

People. People who need people...

...are the luckiest people, in the world.        


                                     

And aren't we lucky to have YouTube and to be able to enjoy the amazing voice of Barbra Streisand any time of day/night?

I'm a big fan of Babs, so I loved re-visiting a clip from one of my favorite movies and this special song with it's timeless,wonderful message. 

Omar Sharif is another bonus in this clip. Hello Gorgeous!!!!

This brought a smile to my face today, I hope it does for you as well.

Barbra Streisand from the movie: Funny Girl singing: People

Babilicious indeed!

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!