cupid (eros)

In Roman mythology, Cupid (Latin cupido, meaning desire) is the god of desire, affection and erotic love.  He is the son of Venus (goddess of love) and Mars.  In the Greek version he was named Eros, the Greek god of love and sexual desire.  He was also worshiped as a fertility god. Eros is the offspring of Aphrodite and Ares.  Sometimes Eros was worshiped by the name Erotes; this personified all the attractions that evoked love and desire.  Cupid (Eros)  is often depicted as a young winged boy, with his bow and arrows at the ready, to either shoot into the hearts of gods or mortals which would rouse them to desire.  His arrows came in two types: golden with dove feathers which aroused love, or leaden arrows which had owl feathers that caused indifference.  Eros is noted to be bittersweet and cruel to his victims, yet he was also charming and beautiful. Being unscrupulous, and a danger to those around him, Eros would make as much mischief as he possibly could by wounding the hearts of all. 

Cupid is frequently shown shooting his bow to inspire romantic love, often as an icon of Valentine's Day and the personification of love and courtship. He is frequently invoked as fickle and playful.

eros and psyche

The following story is identical in both cultures.  When Cupid's mother Venus became jealous of the princess Psyche, who was so beloved by her subjects that they forgot to worship Venus, she ordered Cupid to make Psyche fall in love with the vilest thing in the world.  While Cupid was sneaking into her room to shoot Psyche with a golden arrow, he accidentally scratches himself with his own arrow and falls deeply in love with her.  Cupid visited Psyche every night while she slept.  Speaking to her so that she could not see him, he told her never to try to see him.  Psyche, though, incited by her two older sisters who told her Cupid was a monster, tried to look at him and angered Cupid. When he left, she looked all over the known world for him until at last the leader of the gods, Jupiter, (or Zeus in Greek mythology,) gave Psyche the gift of immortality so that she could be with him.  Together they had a daughter, Voluptas, or Hedone (meaning pleasure) and Psyche became a goddess.  Her name Psyche means soul.

Cupid
Sam Cooke

Cupid, draw back your bow and let your arrow go
Straight to my lover's heart for me, for me
Cupid, please hear my cry and let your arrow fly
Straight to my lover's heart for me

Now, I don't mean to bother you but I'm in distress
There's danger of me losin' all of my happiness
For I love a girl who doesn't know I exist
And this you can fix

Now, Cupid if your arrow make a love storm for me
I promise I will love her until eternity
I know between the two of us her heart we can steal
Help me if you will

Now, Cupid, don't you hear me
Callin' you, I need you
Cupid, help me xo

dirt cake for darcy

Darcy loves this concoction and her sweet tooth knows no bounds ~ I made this especially for her.  We have half of the strawberry cake left so I hope they mop up these creations sooner than later.  I still have my all time favorite dessert ~ tiramisu ~ to create later in the week.  The ingredients are at the ready and I will share if all goes well.  Meantime, here is the recipe for D's dirt cake.

Crush (in a processor) 2 (20 oz.) packages Oreo cookies so they look like this ~ dirt.  Some people use an old-fashioned flower pot but I just used a pretty bowl.  If you use a pot, line the bottom with foil.  Place 1/3 of the dirt mixture on the bottom.  Set aside.

Cream 1/2 stick butter, 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.  Set aside. 

Combine 3 1/2 cups milk and 2 (3 1/2 oz.) packages French vanilla instant pudding.  Fold 1 (12 oz.) tub Cool Whip into the pudding. 

Fold together pudding mixture and butter-cream cheese mixture.

Layer this mixture (about 1/3 of it) onto the crumbled cookies in the bowl (or pot.)  Next, add another layer of dirt cookie crumbs, then pudding mixture and continue alternating until you have dirt on top.  Chill in refrigerator for 3 hours before serving.

Use your imagination to embellish - many decorate gummy worms and critters in the "soil" so they will seem emerging. 

Enjoy! xo

babies

It is the nature of babies to be in bliss. 

Deepok Chopra

Writing about babies fills my day with bliss.  I am in my happy place just reading about the amazing adventures babies bring to a family.  The memories triggered by my collection of notes and photos fills my heart with joy I must share.  These moments provide balance to the oftentimes heavy heart that we carry about other issues going in our lives. 

Every child begins the world again.  

Henry David Thoreau

Precious one

So small,

So sweet.

Dancing in

On angel feet

Straight from

Heaven's brightest star

What a miracle you are.

When God wants something special done in this world...

He sends a baby.

And then...

He waits.

Today's findings include some amazing facts.  At 5 months, our grandbaby is already 12 inches long and weighs about 1 pound.  Hair is beginning to grow on baby's head and soft woolly hair called lanugo covers baby's body.  Mother is feeling little butterfly movements, also known as quickening.  Baby's internal organs are maturing and eyebrows, eyelids and eyelashes appear.

Prenatal babies take less than a month to develop and begin using their heart - it takes only 18 days from conception.

Before the first month of the 1st trimester, they have begun to form their hearing, vision and respiratory systems.

Brain waves of a fetus can be recorded at the 42nd day of conception.

Babies begin sucking thumbs in the womb - some at 7 weeks.

Babies have developed all their bodily systems before the second month of the 1st trimester is over, usually by the 8th week of conception.

Babies can cry at the 26th mark after conception - they even have taste buds.

Can babies laugh?  no, however, on ultrasound babies are seen to react to their mother's laughing by bouncing up and down 32 weeks after conception.

Male sperm carries either X or Y gene that determines gender.  Any other tales on position, time of day, diet are just myths.  Oh, Mikey...

If you want to increase your chance of twins, eat yams.  Tribes in Africa whose diet was mostly yams show an exceptionally high rate of twins and multiple births.  Twins run in Margarita's family and it is her generation that is able to give birth to twins.  Look out next time!

For every 100 girls born, there are 105 boys born.  The Wind family is a testament to this fact.

People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one.

Newborns can hear as well as you - they startle at anything because it is new.  Smell is also advanced.

Newborn's eyesight is just as good as adults, however, they are not able to process information as well and start out at 8 to 15 inches of range. 

It only takes a few weeks in before a baby can visually distinguish between mother and other adults. Constant sounds and sights are soothing to a child and are missed when gone.  However, the voice and smell of the mother can be recognized from birth.

Baby is capable of their first non-gassy smile at only one month old.

The heaviest baby ever born weighed 22 pounds, 8 ounces (born in Italy in 1955.)  It is highly unusual for a one year old baby to weigh 22 pounds!

At 6 months babies usually double their birth weight - a near impossibility at any other age.

Pound for pound, baby is stronger than many animals.  An oxen is the best example of compatible strength.  Strongest muscles - legs.

Diaper backward spells repaid.  Think about it.

A babe in the house is a well-spring of pleasure, a messenger of peace and love, a resting place for innocence on earth, a link between angels and men.

Babies communicate physically - waving, clapping, pointing - the more physically they communicate, the better they will verbally communicate.

At the end of the first year, baby's weight will have tripled.

Any Dad takes 1 minute, 30 seconds to change a diaper - that amounts to two 40-hour weeks a year.

Nose and ears never stop growing - only eyes remain the same size.

During 9 months between conception and birth, a baby's weight increases 3,000 million times on average.

Thanks to Anne Geddes for her unbelievable baby photos.  They constantly tickle my fancy and provide giggles galore - at least until our wee one arrives! 

Always kiss your children goodnight ~ even if they're already asleep. xo

pink

Today is a pink kind of day.  After rearranging Stevie's room the sun is dancing everywhere with joy.  The energies feel pink!  Darcy and I conquered a Pilates workout together and we amazed ourselves (after grunting, groaning and giggles.) To celebrate, I made a pink cake.  I combined white and strawberry cake mix, strawberry frosting with coconut and...you guessed it...pink sprinkles!  

I spent some quiet time browsing through my Burpee catalog and bunny-tailed a bunch of unique flowers for spring.  Perhaps if I send the warm vibrations to the universe, this nasty winter will leave us.  Wishful thinking.

Tomorrow is Super Bowl Sunday and while not very interested in this game, we will order pizza and watch it for the hype and commercials.  GLEE is on afterwards - yippee! 

May your days be filled with sunshine, lollipops and rainbows everywhere.

think pink   xo

elephants and pea soup

Steve resumed his artistic skills and made these cute paintings the other night.  Look what happens when you put them together ~ it becomes an elephant!

I promised our realtor, John, that I would make his favorite soup.  He sold the house on Sawyer in less than 90 days, so kudos to him.  We are all so relieved to pass this dwelling on to someone else, especially one who really wants it.  The dog days are over!

Pea Soup

I bag peas

1 smoked ham butt

10 gold potatoes

1 bag of carrots

5 celery stalks

3 onions

6 bay leaves

2 sprigs rosemary

garlic

cayenne, paprika, sea salt, pepper

Rinse and drain peas, then boil for 30 minutes in 8 cups water.  Chop veggies and ham. You can use a ham bone, but my grocer did not have any, so I just used the meat.  Pour peas and liquid in a crock pot.  Saute all veggies in butter and oil.  Add to crock pot with spices and herbs.  Cook in crock at least 4 hours, then puree if you like it that way.  Add ham and cook another hour.  Prepare croutons if you like.

Croutons

Cut various breads into cubes.  Saute in oil, butter and garlic.  Season with a dash more of garlic salt, flipping so as to get all the bread covered.  You can bake in the oven, but it's really not necessary.  Add to pea soup. Indulge.

As an aside, I made another cheese ball and my Danny asked me "what are those brains doing in the fridge?"  He has a vivid imagination.  Hmmmm.

Try to stay bundled up on these frigid days.  Spring will be here before you know it.  That's the beauty about the seasons, they always change. 

Please keep our Uncle Bill and family in your prayers.  Thanks. xo



what's up doc?

Today is the beginning of the Chinese Year of the Rabbit.  People born in the year of the rabbit are articulate, talented and ambitious.  They are virtuous, reserved and have excellent taste.  Rabbit people are admired, trusted and are often financially lucky.  They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind.  Rabbit people seldom lose their temper.  They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract.  They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing; however, they seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise.  Rabbits tend to create a peaceful and comfortable environment on a hunch.  This character trait makes them very hospitable and attentive people who take care of those around.  The average rabbit person emphasizes the importance of small details; they pay attention to everything from color, design and furniture to food and conversation.  When they truly believe in something, they are serious, perseverant and capable.  Calm as they are, it is not easy to provoke rabbit people.  They are sentimental and compassionate.  And they cry easily, too.  They can be moved by personal problems you share with them.  People born in this year can be great partners in relationships.  Romantic, sweet and faithful, they never lack of suitors.  They need trust, security and tenderness in a relationship.  Sometimes it takes time for a rabbit person to find a partner, a real soulmate, but when they find that person, their attachment is boundless.  They are most compatible with those born in the years of the Sheep, Pig and the Dog.  They are balanced in outlook and cautious in approach, and like to be informed of all the facts before making a judgment.  Rabbits tend to be conservative, but gifted with a positive yet practical outlook that few can fault.  They have a talent to avoid trouble and identify opportunity.  The rabbit can be sensitive, tactful, home-loving, refined, prudent, discreet, long-living, ambitious, cultured, well-mannered, artistic, considerate, scholarly, suave, graciously hospitable, modest and virtuous.

1915 ~ 1927 ~ 1939 ~ 1951 ~ 1963 ~ 1975 ~ 1987 ~ 1999 ~ 2011

My grandbaby will be a rabbit.  The days leading up to embracing our miracle of life are fast approaching.  Baby is making itself known to us by protruding from Mama's belly and kicking up a storm.  I fondly remember this as the very best part of being pregnant.  The second trimester is wonderful.  I found some cute quotes pertaining to things that change when you have a baby that are worth sharing.

you finally stop to smell the roses because your baby is in your arms

you respect your parents and love them in a new way

you believe once again in the things you believed in as a child

you find that your baby's pain feels much worse than your own

you lose touch with the people in your life whom you should have banished years ago

your heart breaks more easily

every day is a surprise

bodily functions are no longer repulsive; in fact, they please you (hurray for poop!)

you look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself

you become a morning person

your love becomes limitless; a superhuman power

you finally realize that true joy doesn't come from material wealth

you now know where the sun comes from

you'd rather buy a tricycle than those shoes that you've been dying to have

you realize that although sticky, lollipops have magical powers

silence?  what's that?

you discover an inner strength you never thought you had

you no longer rely on a clock ~ your baby now sets your schedule

you give parents with a screaming child an "I-know-the-feeling" look instead of "can't-they-shut-him-up?"one

you take time for one more hug and kiss even if it means you'll be late

you learn that taking a shower is a luxury

you find yourself wanting to make this world a better place

if you didn't believe in love at first sight, now you do

you start to appreciate Sesame Street for its intellectual contribution

you have to quit watching the news because you see every story from a mother's perspective and it breaks your heart

you just plain love life more ~ everything comes together and becomes better because of one tiny person and your love for them

the support you get from other people surprises you because the people giving it are not always the ones you'd expect

nothing is just yours any longer ~ you share EVERYTHING!

no matter what you've accomplished in life, you look at your child and think "I've done a GREAT job!"

you want to take better care of yourself for your child

you can have the most wonderful conversation using only vowel sounds like ahh, ooh, gully gully, kichy koo and la la la    

silly rabbit...trix are for kids! xo  



february blizzard

Today we are reeling from the effects of an historical blizzard that hit over 20 states, including our humble abode.  As of this moment, it is the third largest blizzard in our history, and the snow is still coming down.  What makes this so extreme is the gusty 50 mph winds that cause drifts.  I was quite worried last night as I awaited the call to get Wayne from the train station and luckily the roads allowed me to bring my hubby back home safely.  Mike and Margarita brought Ozis; Dan and Darcy were dancing in the snow last night; and Steve and our dogs kept checking the status and wondering why we were having a party.  It was heartwarming to have all my loves under one roof safe and sound together for a slumber party.  We enjoyed hot cocoa with whipped creme and sat by the fireside listening to the whistling wind.  Baby even chimed in by kicking all night long. 

Mike and Wayne played warriors this morning and tackled the drifts and made paths for now and they enjoyed every minute of it - boys will be boys.  Now they will enjoy a brewski and nice salad and a huge bowl of spaghetti to warm their bellies.  Everyone else is still asleep.  I made a little path so the pups can do their doo doo.  This whole event is quite exciting, for it makes us take pause and keeps us together.  We are making some great memories and they will remember it for years to come, just as we did during the famous Blizzard of 1967, which still holds the honor as the greatest storm in our lifetime.  I got a kick out of how the media kept referring this as the Blizzard of the Century when this century just turned 11 years old.  Giggles. 

Darcy and Steve were thrilled to get dressed up in warm layers and make a snowman, which turned into Miss Margaret, the snow woman.  The sun is shining and it brings back fond memories of when the boys were little and endlessly played in the snow.  They would get all dressed up, play outside, get undressed, come in for hot chocolate, then begin again - endless playtime.  The doggies keep going in and out to join their party.  I am taking tons of pictures but the photo blogger is not working right now so I'll table my photo share. 

Enjoy this extraordinary day.  When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.  When it snows, make a snowman! xo