May the 4th Be With You

OH Star Wars.....so wise. Do you think George Lucas knew what he was creating? Educating generations of people? So much to be learned from these characters.

Seriously! My momma always said to be a leader not a follower. I will admit I may have followed a fool or two......for a brief time.

So so true.....On May 19th 1999 (my 18th birthday) I was sitting in an Edmonton movie theater at 2am watching Episode One - The Phantom Menace with the man I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with.......I had no idea that just over three years later he would be gone forever.  

Wow. Just wow. Think about it. It kind of reminds me of a quote our GM has on his desk that basically says that common sense is a misconception based on the fact that we have all had the same experiences...

Since today is Star Wars Day 

I am going to channel my inner Jedi! 

You should too.......

and remember to use the Force.

a day off

I was feeling run down and a little drained....so I took a day off!! There was no reason other than I was feeling like I needed some "me" time - booked a day off work and stayed home! Man it was nice! 

So many of us are too busy loving other people and forgetting to love ourselves! We go out of our way for our spouse, kids, friends and our work but we will hardly go out of our way to take some time just for ourself! While it is important to be available to the people in your life when they are in need of your support, guidance or advice; it is equally important to make time for you!

A  recent survey found that nearly half of Canadians are not using their vacation time. Nearly half?!

WHAT IS WRONG WITH US??? 

Why do we feel like we can't take time off?

Why do we feel like we can't be away from work? 

I have yet to meet someone who is so important that the wheels would fall off if they took a day off!

So do it!

Take some time off and do something for you!! 

Going to the gym, reading a book, spending time with my family, watching cooking shows, sitting around the fire, going on a date with my husband...or my camera, catching up with a girlfriend, being outdoors,  having a nap, playing cards, soaking in the hot tub, laughing, snowshoeing or hiking....the list goes on and on!  I know what my "something for me" looks like!

 Do you?

compliments

         "A remark that says something good about someone or something."

Simple.

So simple. 

How good does it feel to get a compliment!?

I mean really? Who doesn't like a compliment?

Compliments work. 

It is amazing how choosing a wine that compliments your meal really does make the wine and the meal better! (could just be the fact that it is wine though). One of the big supermarkets even has a brand called our compliments. "Compliments of the gentlemen at the next table" has been an acceptable way to pick up chicks for years and even sometimes when you need to get a little extra scoop of ice cream on the cone a quick "how do you get the scoops so perfect?, I am so bad at it" will usually work.

Compliments are easy to give. 

Sometimes they aren't as easy to accept - but that is a whole other topic! So if they are so easy to give why not give more of them? Why not try to make it a natural part of your way of being? When you notice something compliment worthy make it known! Let it out! You will not only feel better for saying it but the person receiving the compliment will also feel better!

Everyone does at least one thing each day that deserves a compliment. They pick out a cute outfit, got a hair cut, are wearing new shoes, helped you do something and the list goes on. The point is that they did something to allow for a compliment.  All you need to do is be on the look out. It is amazing the things you can learn when giving a compliment too. There have been many times when I have simply complimented someone on their watch and I get the complete history of where they got it and what it means to them, or other times waiting in the grocery store line I toss out a "nice purse" and I am rewarded with a smile and a very excited story of how great of a deal they got on it!

People like to be noticed, people like to know they are being noticed, and more importantly it is important to notice the people around you. After all, what's the point of being here is not to pay attention the world around us?

Turkey and Cabbage

I love creating a new recipe! I love it even more when it turns out to be delicious! Here is one that I tried and am happy to report it was easy and very good! 

We have started to eat more ground turkey and I really only have one good "go to" recipe so today I had a look at what was in my fridge and told my husband to cross his fingers..... supper could go either way! I had been meaning to try oven roasted cabbage and I thought it would make a good side for some turkey balls. I used Epicure spices because that is what I have and what I use, but you can use whatever spices your family likes! 

Turkey Balls
 1bs ground turkey
shredded carrot
green onion
2 eggs
1/2 cup of bread crumbs ( i use brown rice krispies crushed with my rolling pin)
Epicure El Derado spice

Mix together - form into balls. Place on lightly greased baking sheet. 400 degree convection oven for 25 minutes or so, flipping after 15. 









Serve with hot sauce (if you want to) I used tia chili sauce.

 Cabbage 
Cut into 1" thick slices
Drizzle grape seed oil over cabbage
top with Epicure garlicky dill topper 
Place in 400 degree oven 20 minutes or so. (depending on how crunchy you like your cabbage.
Before serving drizzle with mayo/dill/dijon mustard mixture

   Very easy and very good! As with pretty much everything this meal goes well with red wine! ;o) 

another 8 things that make me happy!

There are a lot of things that make me happy! The number 8 is one of them which is why I wanted to do another "8 things that make me happy"

1. A good night sleep! Oh how everything is right with the world again after a good night sleep! Every once in awhile I forget this and something bothers me WAY more than it should.....but then I have a good sleep and my clear head prevails! No wonder they often say "why don't you sleep on it?"

2. Having my camera at the right time! Pretty self explanatory.

3. A bargain! Especially when you aren't expecting it! Even when it is just toilet paper, lol a good deal is a good deal! 

4. A good hug! Hugs are magical. They make everything better....even if it is just for a moment, they can turn your day around and your mood! Giving a hug is just as good as getting one! 

5. An uncontrollable laugh! Laughing is great for you, but uncontrollable laughter is a true gift! It doesn't happen often enough which makes me appreciate it all the more! 

6. Seeing my husband smile! I just love him so much! 

7. Taking a risk! Whatever the outcome I am always happy with myself for being brave! 

8. My health! Well actually the health of everyone I love really! 

What makes you happy......and are you getting enough of it?

Happiness during the holidays

For so many people this can be a very hard time of year. There are a lot of factors at play during the holidays and as always, is completely up to YOU as to how you handle the added stresses during this time.

I am a big fan of the word "no". Sometimes when I get stressed and have too much going I like to whine to my parents....they like that right!? My dad will usually let me get through most of it before he tells me to go stand in front of the mirror and practice the word "no". Surprisingly it has worked! I have gotten a lot better at saying no! (I still have a really hard time saying no to a good bargain, or a homeless dog but that's another story)   It is muscle memory. When you get on a plane it is good practice to buckle and unbuckle your seat belt multiple times before take off. You are supposed to do it with one hand. For real. I actually do this every time I get on a plane. The theory is that you will have muscle memory so that if the plane crashes and you live, you will easily be able to undo your seat belt. When you are in a stressful situation and are put on the spot during the holiday season having practiced saying no will come in handy!

We also need to know our limitations, financially and with our time. We have 365 days in the year to get together with friends and have social gatherings, so why do we try to jam it into a couple weeks? When you start to feel overwhelmed during the holidays thinking of all the visiting you "have" to do, remember......everyday is just as important as the next. "Everyday above ground is a good one" Take advantage of the 365 days in every year and  spend time with the people you love throughout the year! Financial stress unfortunately for many goes hand in hand with the holidays. It is really too bad but so common. Nothing like taking away from the Christmas Spirit by worrying abut money. Know your limitations and be ok with them. Planning and sticking to a budget will ease so much stress and allow you to enjoy the holidays......and when the glow of Christmas morning dims you won't have to ring in the new year by playing catch up with your finances!

I am a big fan of homemade gifts. Baking some Christmas goodies for a friend is a nice one and you are baking anyway so just double the recipe. I think a coupon or coupon book is a good one too.....it sounds kind of cheesy but the gift of time is absolutely priceless. Maybe you make a voucher for a card night or dinner date (you cook) at a later date, maybe you offer to babysit your friends kids one night for them in the new year so they can go out! Time is a gift we so often overlook but one that will never go out of style and will always be appreciated. Some people are crafty....like a fox, and some people are actually crafty; if you are one of the actual crafty people then make a craft! It doesn't have to be a Christmas craft, it can be something for outdoors or a home decor item! Have a look on Pintrest or wander around Michael's to get some ideas - have fun with it! Keep in mind how much the person you give it to is going to love it - whether it turns out "Martha Stewart-ish" or it becomes more of a conversation piece to giggle about - they are going to love the thought! 

So get out there and do your best to make the holidays happy and stress-free! 

An early Christmas present!

 I have been lucky enough to volunteer with an animal rescue organization that serves Rural Alberta, I take photos for them when the animals are in foster homes near our place. 

It works so great for me because I love dogs, I love taking pictures and I love the feeling I get from a selfless act!

A few weeks ago I was able to take photos of a cute little pup named Larry! When I got home I told my husband what a cute and gentle little guy he was and that I just knew he would love him and could we, oh could we please bring him home.....I also used my best puppy dog eyes on him. After some discussion, he agreed and we started the adoption process. He already had a family interested and so we let it go - happy that he was going to get a good home. A few days later I noticed that his photos were still up on the website and so I emailed to see what was going on and to let them know we were still interested! It turned out that he was available for adoption and as they say the rest is history! 

We have had him now for three weeks and he is settling in to his new home and his new name....Rusty! He is a puppy - which isn't something we have dealt with before so we are doing our best to enjoy the puppy stage and to be patient with this little baby dog! He is learning how to interact with the other dogs, he is trying to figure out the kitty and horses and he is learning that our shoes are not chew toys!! 

Rusty is bringing much happiness to our lives at the moment; we are looking forward to getting to know him better, seeing more of his personality and teaching him how to be a good boy!