The re-discovery of happiness … day 10
You need to learn to be happy by nature, because you’ll seldom have the chance to be happy by circumstance. ~Lavetta Sue Wegman
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The re-discovery of happiness … day 8
Happiness held is the seed; happiness shared is the flower. ~Author Unknown
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The re-discovery of happiness … day 7
We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. ~Frederick Keonig
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The re-discovery of happiness … day 6
The art of living does not consist in preserving and clinging to a particular mode of happiness, but in allowing happiness to change its form without being disappointed by the change. ~Charles L. Morgan
I stepped out on the deck to watch the sun rise as I enjoyed my coffee this morning. It just stopped raining. As the sun showed up, the water on the tips of the leaves of my cedar started sparkling. It was a moment I had to capture. The picture above is not an alien pod, just a macro shot of the drops of water clinging on to the tips of the newborn pine needles. Below is the “not so up close” version of the shot. Have a great day everyone!
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The re-discovery of happiness … day 5
Some wish for happiness, others create it. ~Christine Sternfels
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The re-discovery of happiness … day 4
Even if happiness forgets you a little bit, never completely forget about it. ~Jacques Prévert
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The re-discovery of happiness … day 3
Plenty of people miss their share of happiness, not because they never found it, but because they didn’t stop to enjoy it. ~William Feather
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The re-discovery of happiness … day 2
Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
~Robert Brault
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The re-discovery of happiness … day 1
Ever wonder why pets and kids are always happy? Simply because… they are. They don’t try to find it, over analyze it, buy it or make it a goal. They just are. ~Christine Sternfels
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There is no secret to happiness. It’s something we all know and are capable of being.
Over the next 30 days, I will post a “Happiness” quote each day. They are sayings by wise women and men. From simple folk and anonymous authors to influential leaders of great nations. From students of life to spiritual leaders. Some will be funny and witty, while others will be deep and life-changing. Some go back a few centuries and some were just thought of five minutes ago, which is what I will start this series with. Yes, one of my own.
Won’t you join me on this journey? Feel free to take along anyone you wish. My hope is to be reminded of this special gift each day, so I may continue to share it and hold on to it forever. So are you ready? Buckle up, cause here we go!
Discover new places
I like to wander through the woodlands in a place unmarked as if I’m discovering the world ~Matin Blackman
While you can…
When we reflect upon what’s been said and done, most of the time it’s the unspoken words and undone deeds that haunt us. Don’t wait “when you can“, just do it “while you can“. ~Christine Sternfels
CHOOSE
It doesn’t matter which side of the fence you get off on sometimes. What matters most is getting off. You cannot make progress without making decisions. ~Jim Rohn
Advice to my younger self…
A child can ask questions that a wise man cannot answer. ~Author Unknown
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“If I knew then, what I know now.” How many times have you said that to yourself and what would that knowledge change? Here’s my top 10:
- A penny saved is a penny earned. Don’t be an emotional spender. Learn to be frugal.
- Listen to your parents, they want what’s best for you. Rebellion comes back to bite you, when your kids are teenagers.
- Don’t light up that first cigarette.
- You are an amazing person, you’re not a failure.
- Learn proper nutrition and learn to love exercise.
- It’s not always about you.
- Don’t worry too much.
- Joy is about balance, not things.
- Your family comes first, the promotion can wait.
- God’s got your back… always.
I don’t know if knowing all that when I was younger would have made a difference. Well… maybe a few extra zeroes in my savings account, but I think that learning as I went through life is what made me who I am today. The woman my husband is crazy about, the mom my kids love (although she’s the neighborhood nut), the girl my parents respect and the person I like (most of the time).
What’s your advice to your younger self?
Are you going in the right direction?
You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own, and you know what you know. And you are the guy who’ll decide where to go. ~Dr. Seuss
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Ever wished you had a GPS for your life? “Turn left. When possible make a legal U-turn. Destination is up ahead in one mile. You have arrived.” I mean the type of internal GPS that knows the best way for you to reach your destination and you could literally hear it guide you. None of this “Go with your gutt” or “Find what gives you joy”.
Sometimes, in the process of recreating, redefining or repurposing yourself, you get lost. There’s too much guess-work and connecting with your instinct or listening to the universe. Sometimes I feel like I’m going in circles and I have all this passion and I’m going at it with gusto, then bam! It’s a freaking brick wall.
I know I have a purpose, I just need to stop second guessing it. I have envisioned my destination, I just need to jump over the hurdles. I can do this, I’m going the right direction… or am I?
What do you do when you feel this way?
Buttercream Cheese Icing
A few weeks ago, I made red velvet cup cakes with buttercream icing for a surprise baby shower for my sister. I attempted to make blue velvet because she was having a boy. The cake batter looked like something I would rather not describe here, but when they were baked, it looked just like a chocolate cupcake. Using the buttercream icing recipe, I decided to change it up a bit and added whipped cream cheese. It was a successful experiment. It was light, fluffy, a bit buttery with a hint of cheese. You can use this with any boxed chocolate cupcake mix and even on brownies. Enjoy!
Buttercream Cheese Icing
Servings: 36
Ingredients:
1 & 1/2 cup butter, softened
1 vanilla bean OR 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners’ sugar (add a 3rd cup if you like it sweet)
2 tablespoons milk
1 8oz tub whipped cream cheese
Directions: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla. Blend in the sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the milk, and continue mixing until light and fluffy. Taste if sweet enough and add the 3rd cup of confectioner’s sugar if desired. Keep icing covered until ready to decorate.
Daydreaming
When your mind starts to wander, it’s just taking a break from too much wondering. ~Christine Sternfels
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Daydreaming is my favorite pastime. Ever since I can remember, it was a place of comfort for me. As an artist, everywhere I look stirs ideas that get me wondering on how to change, improve or recreate something. Always thinking, always creating something in my head. So when I need to take a break from wondering…. I simply let my mind wander.
Be our guest
Who has seen Disney’s Beauty and the beast? I had to share this picture because it reminded me of the scene where all the dishes were singing to Belle… “Be our guest, be our guest, put our kitchen to the test…”
You’re not alone
Life is simple, it’s just not easy. ~Author Unknown
When life gets to you and you feel like walking away from it all, remember… you’re not alone. If you think you’ve run out of solutions and your problems are too much to handle, remember… you’re not alone. Although you’ve hit the bottom, and climbing back up seems impossible, remember… you’re not alone. If there is no one else to turn to and you feel no one will understand, remember… you’re not alone. Have you forgotten about me? Has the world taken you so far, that we’ve become strangers? I want you to stop… breathe… listen to your heart beating… give me your burdens and rest. Tomorrow is a new day with new possibilities. Live to love, give, serve and be thankful. I am here to keep you steady and strong as you face the most difficult days of your life. I am always with you, remember… you’re not alone. Love always, JC
RAIN
Bad weather always looks worse through a window. ~Author Unknown
Living in the Pacific Northwest, we’re never short of it. It was one of the things that kept me from moving here. But now, it is one of the reasons I love it here. Rain may resemble gloom to some, but when those little silver drops come down from the sky…
trees grow…
flowers bloom…
a plant’s thirst is quenched.
Let’s not forget a rainy weekend gives us an excuse to sit by the fire and be lazy, read a book, spend some true quality family time. There’s an upside to everything.
The perfect complement to a rainy day is my bacon clam chowder with cheddar garlic biscuits. http://somethingville.com/2011/01/12/bacon-clam-chowder/.
Red velvet cupcakes with buttercream icing
I made few dozen red velvet cupcakes for a surprise baby shower for my baby sister and thought I might share the recipe, since it was very much liked. The hardest part was refusing to dip my fingers in the batter while mixing the ingredients and sampling them after. Thank goodness for my daughter and her friend for being my victims testers, although eventually I gave in and had some myself. I know traditionally, the preferred icing for red velvet is cream cheese. I paired it with my favorite buttercream and it actually turned out great. Enjoy!
I got this recipe from a good friend of mine, which she found on www.allrecipes.com
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Red Velvet Cupcakes
Amount Per Serving Calories: 160 | Total Fat: 5.5g | Cholesterol: 34mg (By ESHA Nutrient Database)
Servings: 20. Prep Time: 30 Min. Cook Time: 20 Min. Ready In: 50 Min
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 fluid ounce red food coloring
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 12 cup muffin pans or line with 20 paper baking cups.
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Mix in the eggs, buttermilk, red food coloring and vanilla. Stir in the baking soda and vinegar. Combine the flour, cocoa powder and salt; stir into the batter just until blended. Spoon the batter into the prepared cups, dividing evenly.
Bake in the preheated oven until the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in the pan set over a wire rack. When cool, arrange the cupcakes on a serving platter and frost with desired frosting.
Link: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/red-velvet-cupcakes/detail.aspx
Buttercream Icing
Amount Per Serving Calories: 181 | Total Fat: 9.8g | Cholesterol: 12mg (By ESHA Nutrient Database)
Servings: 20. Prep Time: 15 Min. Ready In: 15 Min
Ingredients:
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons milk
Directions: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, shortening, and vanilla. Blend in the sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the milk, and continue mixing until light and fluffy. Keep icing covered until ready to decorate.
Link: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/buttercream-icing/detail.aspx
Fiddler on the roof
If I were a rich man, Yubby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dum. All day long I’d biddy biddy bum. If I were a wealthy man….
I can’t say the ducks are back, because for these guys… they hang out on our street all year. Their favorite spot is my neighbor’s roof. We walk past it to the bus stop every morning, so the kid decided to name them ”Fiddler and his wife”. I asked, “Why Fiddler?” Her response “Because he’s always on the roof.” And I asked “How do you know it’s a girl duck and boy duck, what if they’re both dudes?” She proceeded to explain the distinguishing marks and corrected me by stating the male is called a drake and the female a hen. So I asked one more question… “Why are they called ducks then?” She said “If you need to know more, just google it mom. Right now we have to get to the bus stop”.
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