Filed under: challenge, food, kids, life, photography | Tags: challenge, food, from above, kids, life, Photograph, photography, postaday, weekly photo challenge
My take on the WordPress weekly photo challenge: From Above
I hadn’t realized that I take so many pictures from above, but I love the view from up here. Family. Food. Feet.
Which one is your favorite?
Filed under: family, goals, gratitude, ideas, kids, life, resolutions, Uncategorized | Tags: family, goals, Is the glass half empty or half full?, kids, life, lifestyle, mental-health, Parenting, Pinterest, postaday, resolutions
The age-old question of the glass being half full or half empty is sometimes used as an indicator of your views on life. Are you an optimist? A pessimist?
Or perhaps you don’t care either way and are just happy to have the glass.
Since I became a mom, I found another glass metaphor – the one that measures my energy level. I remember talking to a friend about parenting young kids and how demanding they are with constant questions, needs, and wants. She replied ” your kids will drain you all day long; they suck the life out of you, so you have to make sure that you start each day with a full glass” (no, not of wine). And then she forwarded me a link to a blog post about nurturing yourself while nurturing your child.
After reading this article I realized that, at times, I was too impatient with my kids and frustrated by the lack of time for myself. I chose to leave my career in finance to stay home full-time with my kids, but I wasn’t the mom I wanted to be. So this year, as I approach 40, I have made an effort to put myself back on the never-ending to-do list. I decided that I needed to take some time every day to do something that is just for me. Something that makes me happy.
I exercise. I make a cup of tea (and try to drink it before it gets cold). I treat myself to a great pedicure. I read. I savour a square of sea salt Lindt dark chocolate.
If I had more time, I would sew, paint, make jewelry, garden, but until my youngest is in school all day, I will keep pinning great ideas on my Pinterest boards for future reference; even this makes me happy!
What do you do to fill your cup?
Filed under: baking, family, food, kids, parties, recipes | Tags: baking, Birds nest, cadbury mini eggs, Chocolate, Chow mein, chow mein noodles, Easter, family, kids, Mini Eggs, muffin tins, nut-free, parties, recipe
Spring is in the air. The flowers are blooming and the frost has taken a backseat to the rain, but the sun is still only making occasional appearances. What better time to have a spring party!?
My 4-year-old’s preschool had a class party yesterday for family to attend and parents were asked to contribute treats, snacks, drinks and decor. What fun to see the variety of delicious treats on the table; home-baked iced cookies, rice krispie treats, cupcakes, even some delicious candied-popcorn (I asked for that recipe!).
This year we made bird’s nests! They were quick, easy, child-friendly and delicious. Our class has a number of allergies including nuts, eggs, and kiwi so these were allergy-friendly, too. They are also super-cute and were popular among the kids and parents.
We first attempted this treat for dessert on Easter weekend, but they didn’t turn out. Apparently when you run over to the closest corner store and purchase the only chow mein noodles they have, it doesn’t mean your nests will be edible. Cute, but not edible. So we tried again – successfully!
The ingredient list is short:
chocolate
chow mein noodles
mini-eggs
Ready? Melt your chocolate, mix in the noodles and spoon them into some lightly sprayed muffin tins. I didn’t exactly measure but found that melting the chocolate then stirring in noodles a bit at a time until they were completely covered but not too “wet” worked well.
Once they’re in the tins, use your fingers to make the shape nest-like so there’s a place to put the eggs. Then add 3 Cadbury mini-eggs (you could use other types like jelly beans or something, but these look so cute and taste great!).
My 4 year old happily helped with the mixing, spooning, and placing the eggs, then licked the spoon clean, of course! It’s a bit of a sticky process, but they come together quickly and look and taste great.
Enjoy!
Filed under: challenge, goals, gratitude, ideas, life, resolutions | Tags: goals, Gratitude, gratitude journal, Happiness, happiness project, Health, life, quotes, resolutions
I came across this article on the subject of Happiness and thought it worth sharing:
http://www.inc.com/geoffrey-james/9-daily-habits-that-will-make-you-happier.html?nav=pop
How many of these do you already do?
How many can you work into your daily routine with all of the competing demands in your life?
My personal favorite is “9. End each day with gratitude.” How do you know if you’re happy unless you acknowledge all that you have already? Every night I write in my calendar, 3 things that I’m grateful for and I find myself more grateful, more satisfied, and in the moment than I used to be.
But there is always room for improvement.
Filed under: family, friendship, kids, life | Tags: Adolescence, Parent, relationships
I’ve written about my boys before, but never my teenage daughter and I think she deserves a mention.
I love her.
Over the years we have traveled together to places like San Francisco, New York, and Paris. We’ve shopped, we’ve dined, and we’ve laughed a lot. We’ve laughed so hard in places that are meant to be quiet that our seats shook and tears streamed down our cheeks!
But we also drive each other crazy.
found on Etsy, Scissormill
I’m sure she’s just like other teenagers – she stays up into the wee hours of the morning, she sleeps in and wastes away half the daylight hours, she doesn’t answer her phone when I call her, she even forgets when we’ve made plans or what time we’re supposed to meet. I figure this is payback for my own terrible teen years. Thankfully, she willingly babysits my boys who adore her; she feeds them junkfood and is sometimes late, but I’m not paying her so I try not to argue too much.
We don’t really see eye-to-eye on life and somehow are polar opposites in many ways despite our blood connection. This sometimes causes tension and arguments, we often disagree, but underneath it, we both know that we’re not going to convince the other to come to our point of view. She seems to respect my opinion and asks me questions, expects me to know things that she doesn’t and is surprised when I don’t have all the answers. Unfortunately, I’m often too short-tempered, too impatient, and too tired to give her what she’s looking for, but I think she understands.
Oh, did I mention? She’s 65 and my mother!
Filed under: challenge, clutter, cycling, goals, ideas, life, organized, resolutions | Tags: 39, Birthday, challenge, clutter, cycling, date night, declutter, Duathlon, family, goals, happiness project, healthy-living, ideas, kids, life, marriage, organized, photography, resolutions, Ride to Conquer Cancer
I’m a little behind on posting and have been getting some attitude about it. Truth be told, I have 16 drafts started and a few that are almost ready to publish, but I’ve been busy. I could name all sorts of reasons, but let’s just call it “life”. Time to get back on track.
My 39th birthday was in October; yes, it’s been four months, but a busy four months they were. This year, after my annual birthday resolutions were made,
I also made a vision board to keep me focussed, but, I didn’t post my goals for all to see. If you’re new to my birthday resolutions, check out last year’s post: Happy Birthday To Me.
2013 Birthday Resolutions
To Do: a road bike event
To Have: a regular date night with my husband
To Be: clutter free
To Give: my undivided attention
To Learn: how to use my digital camera settings
Happily, I can report that I’ve taken steps to help me achieve these goals. We have interviewed new babysitters to watch the kids so my husband and I can exercise and socialize together plus we have both registered for the 2013 Ride to Conquer Cancer in June. You can make a donation here: http://www.conquercancer.ca/site/TR/Events/Vancouver2013?px=3156646&pg=personal&fr_id=1441.
To get more comfortable with my road bike, I am planning to do another Duathlon in March. And to work toward being clutter free I am following a “declutter calendar” for the year which I stumbled upon (http://www.mysimplerlife.com/decluttercalendar.htm).
To give undivided attention is aimed at having more “quality” time with each of my kids and my husband as well as cutting back on multi-tasking. Focus, focus, focus! Which brings me to my camera; I haven’t yet made a formal plan here, but am confident I’ll get this one done, too!
Now, to check my 40 Before 40 list to see what other goals I can achieve this year!
Have any tips or advice you want to share?
Filed under: 365, baking, challenge, family, food, life, photography | Tags: baking, challenge, Cook, Daily Post, family, food, Holidays, Home, New Year, Photograph, photography, postaday, special occasions
As a final post before the new year begins, I thought I’d participate in the weekly photo challenge of “my 2012 in pictures”. As I looked back, I was surprised to see how much we travelled. Not quite the same as before kids, mostly local trips, but still away from home somewhere almost every month!
I was also surprised by the number of photos of food I took this year – food that marked special occasions, vacations, birthdays, holidays, and class treats for school so I’ve decided to post those photos instead of our various trips. Let me know what you think!
