A Haiku to Celebrate Valentine's Day

                                                  

Also submitted for the Haiku Heights prompt: Desire

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day.   :<)

A Sweet Valentine's Treat for Your Sweetie!

February.....

The month in Canada that usually heralds the last, cold blast of winter. On the plus side, February is also the month of love and Valentine's Day! And what better way to celebrate than to make some oh so easy, homemade chocolates for you and those you love.

I have quite a collection of chocolate heart boxes from over the years. Some so beautifully decorated, they are like works of art. I find it hard to discard/recycle these. So much better to fill them up  again, with yummy chocolates from the kitchen. ;<)

The following is a recipe from my cookbook: Not Just for Vegetarians that was also featured in my craft book: A Year of Crafts,  years ago as a Valentine's project. They are very easy to make but still decadent and delish.

Hope you give these a try.

And do share with your own sweeties!

                     

Easy Chocolate Hazelnut Clusters

vegetable oil cooking spray

60 whole shelled hazelnuts

6- 1 oz. squares or 6 oz.( in total ) semi-sweet dark chocolate (try to get organic, it is so worth it)

1 Tbs. unsalted butter

                                           

Line a cookie sheet with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.

Arrange hazelnuts in clusters of 4, spacing evenly on the cookie sheet, allowing at least 1" between each cluster.
                      

Melt the chocolate and butter over very low heat, using a double boiler, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

                       

Drizzle melted chocolate over each nut cluster, coating each one completely.
                                

Allow to cool at room temperature, then refrigerate.
                                        

Place clusters in foil/paper candy cups or individually wrap in foil. Store in the refrigerator.
                                                

Makes 15 large clusters. Just right to fill a medium-sized Valentine's box! :<)

***

Photo courtesy of Flickr

Recipe from: Not Just for Vegetarians, Delicious, Homestyle Cooking the Meatless Way by Geraldine Hartman. All rights reserved. 

Mixed Messages from the Groundhogs!

There were mixed messages being delivered by the groundhogs of Canada and the U.S. today.

Click here to see another adorable photo and details of this year's weather predictions from these furry experts.

I'm going with the ones that said we are in for an early spring. :<)

Happy Groundhog Day!!!!

Photo courtesy of Flickr

Mr. Cheddar Unwraps His Prize!!!

                                        

Woohooo!! Mr. Cheddar struck pay/kibble-dirt when he won this recent contest in the Lazy Cat category.

Thank you to everyone who voted for the Chedster on Facebook.

We appreciated all of your votes!

Not that the Ched is ever lazy in reality but he does like his napping time, as seen in this winning photo:

                                                

And here's Mr. Cheddar opening his prize basket:
                                      
                                       

I've hit the Jackpot !!

                                               
Yummmm....and yummier!  Lots of food. And a couple of fun toys too.

 

                                         

                      

Meowmie, let me read the card for myself!!!

                 

There's a lot of kibble in this basket; that will last a loooooong time.
A coupon for another big bag included too. And in one of Ched's fav flavors, Trout.

                                        

Yet another reason that we definitely need another feline to share our home.
Mr. Cheddar, totally agrees. Hopefully soon. :<)

Never Underestimate the Power of a SMILE!

How's this for one happy flower?
                                         

                                                         

Daisies always make me smile. I gave this one a bit of an "embellishment" ;<)   But in real life, no embellishment is required, when it comes to beautiful and genuine smiles.

                                         

A smile can change our day; sometimes change our life.

Or the life of someone else, when we share a smile.

We should never underestimate the impact a smile can have.

The power of this simple gesture is truly amazing.

Smile: at those you love, to let them know they are special and never taken for granted.

                      

Smile: at strangers, especially people who look sad or lonely.

                       

Smile: at yourself, in the mirror. Or in the reflection of a window.

                             

Smile: and make the world a better, happier place. :<)

                        

And sending a smile to my "daisy" blog pal : Teri

Your daisy creations always make me smile.

Smile: Also my suggestion for this week's OSI prompt.

Word of the Week: Renewal

First, a timeless Christmas tune to set the mood... :<)

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

gotta love Luther's silky, sexy voice....

What a wonderful time of year to think about: renewal.

I was so happy to see this as a prompt over at OSI, especially at this special time of year.

Thanks dear Sandy for the great suggestion!

I hope that 2012 is a wonderful, prosperous and special year for all of my readers.

                    

Here's to the wonder and possibilities of  renewal.

 And to wishes and dreams that do come true!

 

Happy, Happy Holidays!



***

PS: I'm taking the month of January to complete my novel so I won't be posting for a while. I'll still be blog-visiting now and then and back to posting in February. See you all soon.

Photo courtesy of Flickr

Also submitted for the OSI prompt: Renewal

Mr. Cheddar Needs Your Votes!

Calling all Facebook fans.

Mr. Cheddar has an entry in a photo contest, in the "lazy" cat category.
He's not lazy of course but cat-napping is a close second!!!! 

Click here to vote for Mr. Cheddar and to check out the competition.

Personally, I think the Ched's a "paw-in" but I may be just a bit biased LOL

Thanks for your support, from me and the Cheddar. :<)

Word of the Week: Inspiration!

That's how I've been feeling lately: truly inspired!

You may remember this previous post about my current novel project. Well, my little journal has been filled since that post was written. I have been writing my novel, on my computer since then.

 For the most part, it's been going very well. I did come to a point where I felt a "stuck" and I could no longer continue to just write the story, without taking the time to create several, detailed reference pages to work from. Too much information about characters, locations etc... to try to remember.

I did a lot of research and trial and error at that point, trying out various novel writing software programs and suggestions, looking for something that would help, not hinder my progress. And to help me get organized in a way that would make writing the rest of my book easier.

I've come full-circle now on this after trying out the "bells and whistles" of  many of the choices of novel writing software currently available.

For me, working with a typed and printed outline, character and location pages, in a binder to refer to, seems best. It's not distracting as I found some of the software programs to be, with the various windows and files/folders to open, when looking for the information I need.

When it all comes down to it, if it's not making the story move forward, why use it?

Having an outline and scene ideas typed out for the whole book has been very helpful. It's like filling in a puzzle. Instead of being unwieldy and overwhelming, to move forward and type a couple of hundred more pages to complete my novel, now I look forward to my writing time each day.

And speaking of writing time. I've decided to take the month of January to complete the first draft of my novel. Complete! Yes, I think it's possible but only if I make my novel top-priority for a while.

So, I've decided to take the month of January off from blogging entirely. Maybe do some visiting now and then, at my fav blogs but no posting. As you all know, blogging can take up a lot of time, if you factor in writing posts, visiting, taking photos for posts, research etc... And if I'm ever going to finish this book, I need as few distractions and diversions as possible.

I'll be back here at Happy Break with a Christmas post on December 25th as I couldn't resist the OSI prompt for that day; it's such a good one. Thanks for the great prompt suggestion: Sandy C !

                      

Here's to a creative and inspiring new year, for all of us!

Word of the Week: Melody

                                            

I love the word: melody

                           

 I've been thinking about all the melodies we hear throughout life.

And how life itself is also one, continuous melody. The high notes and the low. The beautiful and bittersweet. Fast and slow. And so it plays on...

I hope you enjoy this photo (not mine but I love it) and the poem too, which I wrote a few years ago.

                          

The Melody of Life

 

                        

Mother’s: sigh.

Baby’s: cry.

Hushed by a gentle,

Lullaby.

                

Starlit, summer nights.

Giggles and childhood fun.

Round the campfire.

The old tunes draw everyone.

                         

Teen’s rebellion; IPODs blare.

Feet flying fast.

As passions flare.

In perfect rhythm, to the latest:

Metal Stallion?

                          

Sweet scents of lilac spring.

As young lover’s dance.

Hearts in time to;

tender notes of romance.

                      

Mid-life’s song.

The beat goes on….

Hips a swayin’

While the golden groove keeps playing.

                              

Old folk’s bliss.

Holding hands; they reminisce.

Bittersweet memories of their Autumn’s,

First Kiss.

                          

The melody of life goes on…

Song to song.

As the years roll along.

Sealing memories in their own special way.

Pressed between pages that will never fade.

                                   

 GHH/ 2008

                           

Photo courtesy of Flickr

Link to the original post/comments

                       

                    

Wishing you a wonderful week, G :<)

Word of the Week: Snow

Walk on a Winter's Day



Chilled to the bone, the frosty sheer air.
Winter again unrelenting, inevitably here.
The stillness of a new untouched morning,
Still ours alone to share.

The trees, a wonderland of beauty,
Boughs lush with white diamonds,
Dreamlike, in a haze of soft gray sky.
A picture,well-worth a thousand words.

Bundled and mittened, we walk on….
Determined, sure-footed,facing the elements.
Brave against the chill.
Your hand in mine, snug and secure.
The cold less bitter,because you are near.

Step after step,we trudge the brilliant white mile.
Smug in our solitude with nothing to fear.
With chocolate and kisses, waiting in the warmth.
To welcome us home again; so glad you are near.

GHH




Growing up on the Canadian Prairies, we spent many a day out in the snow. And snow it did; sometimes with "drifts" reaching as high as the roof of the house!

Blizzards, stay-at-home snow days,ice forts,skating rink in the backyard, snowball "fights", walking in the deep snow, frost on the trees.....lovely, cherished memories.

 I love the snow!


I hope there is plenty where we are, this Christmas.
 

"The snow: a blanket of diamonds in the winter sun."


I wrote this description many years ago. I still love the image it conjures up. :<)


 

Link to the original post at My Poetic Path, with a tribute to my dear brother Wendell.

 He was a December baby. I miss him so much. Even more so, this time of year. Hugs to you dear Wendell.

This poem was not written for him specifically, but I think he would have enjoyed it.

Word of the Week: Pamper

                               

Why is it often so difficult to allow ourselves (women in particular) to be truly pampered? 

To enjoy a "spa day". To buy a new outfit that we don't really need, but love. To make ourselves first priority. To "indulge" in a "R and R"  day?

I don't know the answer but I do know from what I've read, heard and seen that this is the case for millions of women around the world.

For myself in recent years, pampering has definitely "taken a backseat" almost completely; for a number of reasons. But lately, I've been re-thinking this and trying to find ways to treat myself a bit more, even if it's only in small ways, throughout each week.

Soaking in a warm tub of bubbles....ah bliss. Applying night cream for a change, not just washing my face with soap and calling it a day. Enjoying a foot rub. Having a glass of good organic red wine with dinner.....little things that can add up to feeling special and nurtured.

It really can make a difference and not just at the time!

Speaking of soaking in the tub...I recently tried an excellent product that I received as a gift:

 Weleda: Pomegranate Regenerating Body Oil.

Applied after a shower or bath, this stuff is "bliss in a bottle".  Perhaps a good way to start your own "pamper project" ? :<)  You can read my full review here.

I hope you make/take/find the time for some pampering, this week and to make it a part of life on a continuing basis.

We all deserve to be pampered. It's nothing to feel guilty about.

And the dishes can always wait! LOL

Have a Wonderful Week.

Photo courtesy of Flickr

Word of the Week: Empathy

Empathy.

What a blessing and gift it can be, when someone takes the time and reaches out to us to say:

                            

" I care, I understand, I'm sorry for what you are going through...."

                         

It can mean so much. It can change our perception and attitude towards a difficult situation we are struggling with. For me, it's been the difference so many times between coping and despair.

I don't think we should ever underestimate the power of empathy. It is a force for good. 

                                                     

And in case you ever wondered what the difference between empathy and sympathy is, this is what I found over at the Free Dictionary site:

empathy/sympathy  - Empathy denotes a deep emotional understanding of another's feelings or problems, while sympathy is more general and can apply to small annoyances or setbacks.
                                 
                          

***

On a completely different (but timely) topic, I've just posted: 20 Great Gift Suggestions Under $20 featuring some of my favorite products I've reviewed at My Real Life Reviews.

A variety of gift and stocking stuffer ideas; something for everyone.

And they definitely won't break the bank! LOL :<)

Word of the Week: Break

" I love Paris in the Springtime, I love Paris in the Fall...."

Ahhhh..... Monsieur Cheddar; you are tres handsome. 

Doesn't he look dashing?

 I made him this little beret recently and it was no small feat, getting a couple of pics of him, wearing it. A bit of "camera shake" trying too!!! He prefers chewing on it! LOL

We are all so in need of a break here. For many reasons (a lot of them beyond our control) it's been years since Joe and I have had any vacation, long or short. And we all do need a break, don't we? To regroup, re-energize, relax.... I hope one is possible soon.

I've also been thinking about all the ways that the word "break" can be a positive in life.

Some that came to mind:

-getting a break

-break free

-break loose

-a breakthrough

-break away

- a break from the ordinary/tradition/convention

-take a break
-gimme a break!

and of course!!!

-Take A Happy Break

Wishing you a wonderful week.

And do take plenty of breaks. You deserve them!<)

Word of the Week: Courage

Courage can take many forms.

At this time of year, it is the courage of veterans that always comes to mind.

What would the world be like without having those who have served their countries, so bravely? Willing to sacrifice so much.

True courage. 

I thought it was such a fitting word of the week.

My small tribute to veterans.

                           

And a classic poem I never tire of reading.

So evocative and touching.

It always brings tears to my eyes.

THE RED FLANDERS POPPY

The red Flanders’ poppy was first described as a flower of remembrance by Colonel John McCrae (1872-1918), who was Professor of Medicine at McGill University of Canada before World War One. Colonel McCrae had served as a gunner in the Boer War, but went to France in World War One as a medical Officer with the first Canadian Contingent.

At the second battle of Ypres in 1915, when in charge of a small first-aid post, he wrote in pencil on a page torn from his despatch book:

IN FLANDERS’ FIELDS

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

***

By Major John McCrae, May 1915

Lest We Forget