Lighten Up Saturday . . . .

It's Saturday, and today we need to give ourselves permission to Lighten Up! It's time to do the things that make us laugh! Do the things that make us feel wonderful. Dance, laugh, sing, join friends, and play your way through the day. 

Smile & celebrate your life today!

Photo by Nick Vorderman

Have fun!

Saturday morning indulgence . . . .

Chocolate-Banana Filled Crepes 

Crepe Batter:

1 c. all-purpose flour

Pinch salt

1 egg

1 egg yolk

1 1/2 - 2 cups milk

1 tablespoon melted butter

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping:

1 jar hazelnut chocolate spread

5 bananas, sliced

1 can whipping cream

Directions:

Sift the flour with the salt into a bowl. Make a well in the center and add the egg and egg yolk. Pour in the milk, slowly, stirring constantly and, when half is added, stir in the melted butter and vanilla. Beat well until smooth. Add the remaining milk, cover and let stand at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before using. The batter should be the consistency of light cream. Heat a well greased 6-inch skillet. Add 1/4 cup batter. Tip skillet from side to side until batter cover bottom. Cook until the bottom is golden brown, turn and remove to a plate. Repeat with remaining batter. Spread thin layer of chocolate hazelnut spread onto crepe and place banana slices down the center. Roll or fold crepe. Just before serving, top with whipped cream.

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

Good Feelings Friday . . . .

My favorite day of the week! Today, and every Friday is our day to capture and magnify all the good feelings within us. I hope you are filling your day with what makes you feel good. Listen to your favorite song, and when it's over, listen to it again! Buy your favorite lunch. See your favorite friend. Snuggle with your favorite person or pet. Crawl in to clean sheets for a quick nap. Do the things you love and that make you feel so good that you are overflowing with good feelings and cannot take that smile off your face.

Photo by Jenni Vorderman

Point of View Lens

Happy Friday to you!

Thank You Thursday . . . .

Today, and every Thursday is our day to say and feel "Thank you" in as many ways as we can.  When you wake up in the morning, smile, and say thank you before you step out of bed. Take note of all the people you want to thank, and tell them. Return thanks today to those who have done things for you. Look for every opportunity to say thank you to other people, and say it with so much meaning that the person looks right at you. Thank your way through every Thursday, and make "Thank you" your predominant thought, feeling, and words of the day.

And by the way, thank you!

So refreshing . . . .

I am in love with these Archipelago candles! I have Wasabi-Mint burning at the moment and it's so refreshing! Just what I need in a house that is dying to open it's doors! Can't wait to try the Cucumber-Melon.  I will definitley be putting these on my list of lovely hostess gifts.

Good Deeds Wednesday . . . .

This could be the best day of your week by far! Make today, and every Wednesday, Good Deeds Wednesday! Give encouragement to those around you. Give kindness. Give good words to those you see and speak to. Give a bigger tip today. Give a gift for no reason. Open doors for others. Buy coffee or lunch for someone. Give compliments. Give your smile to everyone. Give your genuine interest to those who serve you in your day. Give your undivided attention to those close to you. Give kindness to other drivers. Give your seat, and stand so that others may sit. As you give your all to Good Deeds Wednesday, watch, as it becomes the best day of your week by far.

Appreciation Tuesday . . . .

Make today, and every Tuesday, Appreciation Tuesday! Appreciate the weather, your clothes, your food, your bed, your family, your friends, your co-workers, your health, your body, your senses, the past great times in your life, and the great times ahead of you. And finally, appreciate that on every Appreciation Tuesday you are creating an incredible life for yourself.

I appreciate you visiting my blog! Thank you.

Good Thoughts Monday . . . .

On average, humans think well over 50,000 thoughts per day, so you have 50,000 opportunities to think good thoughts today. Make today, and every Monday, Good Thoughts Monday! Be aware of negativity as it enters your mind, and mindfully push those thoughts away. By the end of the day, you will feel better about your situation, and yourself.

Photograph by Catherine Wessel

Books with a fun twist . . . .

My search for the perfect baby gift is over! I have fallen in love with these books by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Both are simply told stories about facing very typical dinnertime and bedtime dilemmas, but with an unusually fun twist. For Little Pea, meals are difficult. He hates candy! "If you don't finish your candy, you can't have dessert," says Mama Pea. Negotiating his quota down to five cellophane-wrapped pieces, Little Pea proceeds to choke them down--"Three. Plck. Four. Pheh."--then jumps for joy at dessert's arrival--a heaping bowl of spinach.  

All Little Owl wants is to go to bed at a reasonable hour, like his friends do. But no. . . Mama and Papa say little owls have to stay up late and play. So Little Owl spends all night jumping on his bed, playing on the jungle gym, and doing tricks on his skateboard, but he's hooting mad about it! Children who have a hard time going to bed will love this fun twist on this common dilemma. Expect bursts of hilarity from young listeners.  Both of these books will be my go-to baby gifts of the year.

Choose wisely . . . .

The best day of your life is the day you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to blame. The gift of life is yours, it is an amazing journey, and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. Life is about the choices you make - choose wisely.

Your journey is determined by the choices you make. Your answers are determined by the questions you ask. Your destination is determined by the steps you take. Your future is determined by what you do today.

from the book 

5: Where Will You Be Five Years from Today?

by Dan Zadra

Two words . . . .

There are two words that, when spoken, have the most unfathomable power to completely change your life.  Two words that, when they pass your lips, will be the cause of bringing absolute joy and happiness to you.  Two words that will create miracles in your life, and wipe out negativity.  Two words that, when uttered and sincerely felt, have the power to change your outlook on life.

There are just two words standing between you, happiness, and the life of your dreams. . . . . . . 

Feel the gratitude!

Just something yummy . . .

This quick & healthy smoothie is so easy, and you gotta love easy! It gives me all the get up & go that I need first thing in the morning.  Enjoy!

1 c. frozen blueberries

1 c. orange juice

1 banana

1 Tbls. flaxseed, optional (for that extra bit of fiber!)

Mix all together in a blender.  No need for ice when using frozen blueberries!  Serves 2 (or save some for later).

I'm in the mood for . . .

I think if I could have any dessert in the whole wide world this Valentine's Day, it would be Creme Brulee. That would be my Joy for today!  So perhaps I will try to master it myself. 

Word of the Day. . .

Blog (prounounced blawg) - noun

A Web site on which an individual or group of users

produces an ongoing narrative:  She spent hours

and hours trying to get her blog just right, until she

finally realized that she needed to get over herself 

and just write it already....geeze louise!

Time and space . . .

"One of my favorite things about time and space, is that absolutely NOTHING can ever happen there, that can't be seen as a blessing in some wonderful way." . . . but you need to choose to look at it that way, my friend.

The power of a hug . . .

This morning, my yoga instructor, Lori, greeted class participants with hugs as they were preparing for class.  After I recieved mine, I thanked her, and let her know that I thought it was wonderful of her to make her way around the room like that.  She was spreading the Joy!  I looked around and noticed the whole room was smiling!  Ahhh, the power of a hug.