Here comes the sun, little darlin' . . . .

"Here comes the sun, do do do doo,

Here comes the sun, and I say, . . . it's alright!"

On our way to sun & relaxation in sunny Florida! 

I can already feel the sand in my toes, the sun on my face, and the warm breezes.

Happy, happy Friday!

Recipe for Love . . . .

Ingredients

2 hearts full of love

2 heaping cups of kindness

2 cups of friendship

2 cups of JOY

2 armfuls of gentleness

2 big hearts full of forgiveness

1 lifetime of togetherness

2 minds full of tenderness

Stir daily with Happiness, Humor and Patience.

Serve with Warmth and Compassion, Respect and Loyalty.

-Author Unknown

-photo by Babi_Santander via flickr

For beautiful eyes . . . .

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone." 

- Audrey Hepburn

Capture the joy . . . .

People go through their whole lives chasing everything in the material world, and they fail to discover the greatest treasure of all, which is within them. You bring to you whatever you are feeling on the inside, so be the magnet of joy! Joy is a feeling inside you, and you can cause yourself to feel that no matter what is happening in the outside world. - Rhonda Byrne

Take a break from the outside world. Direct your thoughts and words to the inside of you. Capture that feeling of joy, and when you return to the realities of the world, notice the difference in how you handle your daily annoyances. Have a joyful Monday, my friends!

Just listen . . . .

The most basic and powerful way to connect to another person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing we ever give each other is our attention.....a loving silence often has far more power to heal and to connect than the most well-intentioned words.

-Rachel Naomi Remem

photo by McAzadi via flickr

Word of the Day . . . .

Words . . . .

Every time words are spoken, something is created. Be conscious of what you say and how you say it. Use words that build up, appreciate, encourage and inspire.

-Lucy MacDonald

Being aware of what we say when we speak is difficult sometimes. Understand what you're saying, and think about the potential consequences of the words you choose. Slow down. Think first.

Mentor someone . . . .

If you are successful in any area of life, remember that somewhere, sometime, someone gave you a lift or an idea that started you in the right direction. Each of us can look back on someone whose simple acts of caring changed our lives - not just by teaching us, but by taking the time to be with us and to believe in us. Decide today that you will make time in your life to mentor someone - that you will give them the gift that only you can give. Don't just give what you know, give who you are.

from the book 5

Just add charm . . . .

Attn: Do-it-yourselfers! Here is an easy weekend project that will add instant character to an otherwise ho-hum walkway or a plain concrete wall. 

Easy instructions: 

1. Clean surface

2. Choose a brick-red latex paint and a small roller with a thick nap. Let dry completely and add 2nd coat if needed. 

3. Roll on free-hand, or use a brick patterned stencil. If using stencil, allow paint to set before moving the stencil.

4. For more character, mix lighter and darker shades of reds and browns, and dab it onto the bricks with a sponge.

Love, love, love this lady . . . .

"If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm. As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others."

-Audrey Hepburn

Good for your soul . . . .

The best blush is laughter. It puts roses in your cheeks, and in your soul.

-Linda Knight

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 . . . .