Pancakes!

I'm not big on waiting. But, when you are prepared to wait for something good, it's not raining, and you're in good company, it's not so bad. Especially when the pay off is these gigantic strawberry pancakes with whipped cream and powdered sugar. (I finished about half of one, which was pretty good considering they were bigger than my head)

Pasta

I love pesto. Homemade pesto. My only problem with it is that fresh basil is harder to come by in the winter. You can still get it, but they don't sell it at the farm in huge bunches, like they do in the summer. You also can't really grow it yourself when it's only 5 C outside. At the grocery store, it comes in little plastic containers that contain a few measly basil leaves.
So, I was very excited to see a recipe for pesto that called for only a handful of basil and used lots of arugula and avocado instead. The recipe is found here:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/linguine-with-avocado-and-arugula-pesto-recipe/index.html
I changed a few things (no almonds for me) and cut the amount of salt and lime juice, and added some cherry tomatoes on top. It was delicious!! It was like having a bit of summer in the middle of a cold and dreary winter. Finding/trying a new recipe that works; awesome!
(I need to warn you that you need to love the taste of lime in order to enjoy this recipe)

This week's inspiration

I am really sick. It started with Matias more than a week ago and then it hit me. I feel awful, but there have been some small joys this week regardless. Like eating plums. Being happy for my sister. Coffee in bed on Valentine's. But most of all, watching Matias read. He was home all week, so he had to find things to keep himself busy, since I wouldn't let him watch tv all day (his first choice). He had gone to the bookshelf and chosen a (chapter) book to read all on his own. He had chosen George's Marvelous Medicine by Roald Dahl. A few times I caught him laughing as he was reading; I love that!! He wanted to tell me some of the funny parts. How awesome to watch your child "discovering" on his own one of your personal favourite childhood authors!

Moments

Because life is only a collection of moments.

Watch the following video all about enjoying every moment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhOUaszMGvQ

French Onion Soup

On a cold, dreary January day, what could be better than French Onion Soup? I tested this new recipe last week and loved it. I wasn't sure how I would like fresh sprigs of thyme, but since I happened to have some in the fridge, I thought I'd throw them in. Yum! The recipe is found here http://food.chatelaine.com/Recipes/View/Fabulous-French-onion-soup
The only thing I changed was the white wine. I didn't have any, so I just substituted it with water. Perfect rainy day food!

Happy New Year. Almost

As a new year draws closer, I find myself reflecting on the events of the past year. It included many things: a new job, three trips, a new friend, weight loss, a brother's marriage, and lots of little moments. Overall, it was a great year. I failed in living up to my "word of the year", which was "gratitude". However, I think where I succeeded was in being more grateful overall. This year, I will not be setting themes for every month. But, I still want to choose a word. So, I choose PEACE. I wish it for you and I wish it for me. And as much as it is within my control, I want to choose to make peace happen. Not as an abstract, "oh I hope all the wars end", but as a decision to live in peace. Corny, right? But much harder than you may think.
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

Elf on a Shelf

From what I understand, it's a very Finnish (Scandinavian?) tradition to use elves around Christmas time to keep your children in line. As in, the elves are watching and reporting to Santa, so you better be good...
This year we are starting a new tradition. The elf on a shelf is coming to live in our house. Every night in December, he will report to Santa about the kids' behaviour. When he returns in the morning, he will choose a different spot for observing the kids. When the kids wake up, they will have to find the elf. I think they'll love it. We'll see.
ps. I found the elf and story book at Chapters.