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.

“Every child should have mud pies, grasshoppers, water bugs, tadpoles,frogs, mud turtles, elderberries, wild strawberries, acorns, chestnuts, trees to climb. Brooks to wade, water lilies, woodchucks, bats, bees, butterflies, various animals to pet, hayfields, pinecones, rocks to roll, sand, snakes, huckleberries and hornets; and any child who has been deprived of these has been
deprived of the best part of...education.” Luther Burbank

I sometimes find myself telling the boys not to play in the dirt outside because I don't want to deal with the mess that it creates. I don't understand why everyone likes making mud cakes in my garden plot; why not in the neighbour's garden? Mud cakes are dirty, dusty and messy. The mud doesn't usually stay in the garden, but finds its way onto the sidewalks and grass. Clothes get dirty. Faces get dusty. Hair gets filthy.
Today, I found Joonas (once again) playing in the dirt. And you know what? I stopped myself from forbidding him. Kids are meant to explore and get dirty. They are meant to appreciate and have fun in the outdoors. They can't do that if they are never allowed to get dirty or sweaty or smelly. I shouldn't let my own laziness to help with the clean up afterwards stop them. So, I let him play.

Summer Nights

One of my favourite things to do after the kids have gone to bed, is to sit on the patio. The weather cools down once the sun sets, but with a blanket, it's perfect. It's quiet. It's dark enough that candles don't seem out of place, but not dark enough to be depressing (winter). The geraniums are still blooming beautifully. A vanilla earl grey latte and I'm set.

Thoughts

"You can't just do what you feel like. You need to do what you know you should do."