16 days and counting . . . .

Warm sand, breezes & sunshine!

 . . . does the body good!

A Positive Attitude . . . .

A positive attitude may not solve every problem, but it makes solving any problem a more pleasant experience.

-Grant Fairley

photo by Reenie via flickr

Just something yummy . . .

Fig and Goat Cheese Bruschetta

Prepare the fig jam up to three days in advance, and store in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature, and assemble bruschetta just before serving.

1  1/4 c. chopped dried Mission figs (about 9 oz.)

1/3 c. sugar

1/3 c. coarsely chopped orange sections

1 tsp. grated orange rind

1/3 c. fresh orange juice (about 1 orange)

1/2 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

40 (1/2 inch-thick) slices French bread baguette, toasted (about 8 oz.)

1  1/4 c. (10 oz.) crumbled goat cheese

5 tsp. finely chopped walnuts

Combine first 7 ingredients in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until figs are tender. Uncover and cook 5 minutes or until mixture thickens. Remove from heat; cool to room temperature.

Preheat broiler.

Top each bread slice with 1  1/2 tsp. fig mixture and 1  1/2 tsp. goat cheese. Arrange bruschetta on a baking sheet; sprinkle evenly with walnuts. Broil 2 minutes or until nuts begin to brown. Serve warm. (Use any leftover jam on toast.)

Yield: 20 servings (serving size: 2 bruschetta)

Calories: 138

recipe via cookinglight.com

The Power of Giving . . . .

Whatever you want to bring into your life, you must GIVE it. Do you want love? Then give it. Do you want appreciation? Then give it. Do you want understanding? Then give it. Do you want joy and happiness? Then give it to others.

You have the ability to give so much love, appreciation, understanding, and happiness to so many people every single day!

29-Day Giving Challenge . . . .

I came across this site today called 29gifts.org, that so inspired me. It was created by Cami Walker, who became very ill with Multiple Sclerosis. A friend suggested that she give away 29 things in 29 days in an effort to get outside of her own struggle. She did, and was astounded by the magical and miraculous shifts in her energy for life. I have decided to give it a go! Anyone want to join me?

All it asks is . . . 

Give a little each day. Make a big impact. Give one thing away each day for 29 days. Why? Because to see the world change, we have to do something to change the world. Plus, the best way to attract abundance into your life is to be in a perpetual state of giving and gratitude. Be an important part of the global giving movement that inspires more generosity on our planet. 

"Peace, light and good giving to you today. May you be the recipient of many gifts."

 - Cami Walker

Act as if . . . .

The rule for us all is perfectly simple. Do not waste time bothering whether you "love" your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him.

C.S. Lewis

Tall drink of summer . . . .

Another Fishs Eddy find . . . I recently purchased these Swimmers Glasses for a friends birthday, who has a lake home. Just for fun, I also gave her a bottle of Frost Glacier Freeze Gatorade because of its color, which is a beautiful blue lagoon color. (Just wanted her to have the full effect!) They come in a set of 4, and remind us that life is not a race. Tread water and have fun!

fishseddy.com  $22.50/4

Spring is nature's way of saying "Let's Party!"

Robin Williams

Happy first day of Spring!!!!

One person . . . .

As one person I cannot change the world, but I can change the world of one person.

Paul Shane Spear

Bird in Tree Cheese Tray . . . .

Currently on sale

$6.38

 fishseddy.com

What a deal!

Pair this with some cheese

for a great hostess gift!

Is your mind a little muddy? . . . .

Imagine your good feelings as rainwater, and your body as the catchment area for the rainwater.

As you make sure you feel as many good feelings as possible, you are keeping the catchment area full and overflowing. But if you forget to deliberately put the good feelings in, the water level will drop very low to the bottom where the silt and mud lie. Negative feelings are just an indication to you that your catchment area has dropped down to the silt and mud, and that you need to fill yourself up again with good feelings until you are overflowing. Keep yourself overflowing by deliberately filling yourself with good feelings every day.

-Rhonda Byrne

A toast for you . . . .

May your life be long

and your heart be true,

May your path be clear

and your skies be blue.

May your soul be happy

and your spirit light,

May you know deep joy,

May your dreams take flight.

Wishing you a Happy St. Patty's Day!

Be a friend . . . .

The only way to have a friend is to be one.

                                    -Ralph Waldo Emerson

photo by Ana June's photostream via flickr

How much is enough? . . . .

The rich industrialist from the North was horrified to find a southern fisherman lying lazily in his boat, drinking a glass of wine. "Why aren't you out fishing?" said the industrialist. "Because I have caught enough fish for the day," said the fisherman. 

"Why don't you catch some more?"

"What would I do with them?"

"You could earn more money," was the industrialist's reply. "With that you could buy a bigger motor for your boat and go into deeper waters and catch more fish. These would bring you more fish and more money. Soon you would have enough money to own two boats . . . maybe even a fleet of boats. Then you would be a rich man like me."

"What would I do then?" asked the fisherman.

"Then you could really enjoy life."

"What do you think I am doing right now?"

-Anthony De Mello

Don't slam that door . . . .

We have all heard our mother say....DON'T SLAM THAT DOOR! Well, to me, that sound can't come soon enough. I love the sound of my screen door slamming! It is truly a sound of summer. To me, that sound means that it's nice enough to have the door open, family is visiting and running in and out, I have guests who feel at home, somebody's hungry....coming in to see if dinner's ready, or going out to flip the burgers. I'll take any one of those. . . so slam away! Just don't let it hit you in the bum because it buffers the sound, and there aren't enough days in the summer for any buffering.

photo by Clover_1 via flickr

Shhhhhh, don't tell . . . .

While all acts of kindness are inherently wonderful, there is something even more magical about doing something thoughtful but mentioning it to no one, ever. You always feel good when you give to others. Rather than diluting the positive feelings by telling others about your own kindness, by keeping it to yourself you get to retain all the positive feelings. It's really true that one should give for the sake of giving, not to receive something in return. This is precisely what you are doing when you don't mention your kindness to others - your rewards are the warm feeling that come from the act of giving. The next time you do something really nice for someone else, keep it to yourself and revel in the abundant joy of giving.

from the book Don't Sweat the Small Stuff--and It's All Small Stuff by Richard Carlson

I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike . . . .

The Red Bike 

art print found via artsyorange  etsy.com

I am having constant thoughts of warm air, sunshine & fresh blooms. With that, thoughts of my bicycle keep coming to mind. Last year at this time I was hitting my local Spin class, preparing for the New York City Five Boro Bike Tour. What a great ride! It is not often that you get the opportunity to ride your bicycle car-free through the streets of New York City. It takes you through all five boroughs, through Central Park and neighborhoods, across bridges, and presents you with some of the best views of the city. Total ride: 42 miles. Registration is limited to the first 30,000 entrants, and the last time I looked, there was still availability. This is a great event! Check out the link www.bikenewyork.org.     Ride date . . . Sunday, May 3rd.

TGIM . . . .

Dreading Mondays is a ridiculous way to spend one-seventh of our lives, don't you think? Unfortunately, that's the weird habit that millions of us have fallen into. Imagine this: Over the next five years we will receive the gift of 260 different Mondays, each one coming into our life fresh and full of promise. What kind of magic and miracles could we create with that kind of time? Why not welcome every Monday with the same anticipation and excitement that most of us reserve just for Fridays? How can we put every Monday on a pedestal?

Happy Monday!

from the book: 5

A living example . . . .

The most powerful way parents can help their children be positive is to be the living example of positivity and love themselves. As a parent focuses on being those things, their children will also absorb all of their positivity. As we become more and more positive and more and more joyful, by our powerful example we uplift all of those around us.

Be a living example to the most important people in your life. You have the power to send compassionate, loving, young adults in to the next generation of our world.

photo by stange via flickr

True giving . . . .

It was beautiful here in Indiana yesterday! . . . 63 degrees, and the same is expected today. The air smells amazing! We should take a moment to think about all that nature gives to us every single day so we can live. And yet nature never asks for anything in return. 

That is true giving.

photo by ojaipatrick on flickr

Happy Thursday . . . .

quotablecards.com

When life pokes and prods you, it is not punishment or abuse. You are being pushed out of the nest. Spread your wings and take flight. See how well you can fly.

- Melody Beattie

Photo by rofanator - Flickr

Word of the Day . . . .

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.