favorite things

tree of enchantment

Isn't this weeping pussy willow tree adorable?  Darcy and her mom, Julie, presented it to me last week.  The official name is salix caprea pendula and is among the most graceful of trees.  It is connected with all that is feminine-dreaming, intuition, emotion, enchantment, healing and revitalization.  The willow has long since been recognized as a sacred tree by poets, philosophers and religious leaders because of the flexibility of its twigs.  The willow's flexibility symbolizes resilience and inspires us to move with life rather than resist what we are feeling. 

Legend has it that willow is bestowed with magical power capable of fulfilling wishes.  For a wish to be granted, ask permission of the willow explaining your desire.  Select a pliable shoot and tie a loose knot in it expressing your wish.  When your wish is fulfilled, return and untie the knot.  Remember to thank the willow for your gift.

The plant must be kept indoor for the first winter and well-watered.  Silvery white catkins will appear followed by yellow stamens later in season.  After flowering, cut back to within six inches of the stem allowing new branches to come for the following year.  Plant outside in spring and keep well watered for the first year.  I must find the perfect location and follow my feng shui placements but methinks to just keep it in a big pot indoors;  my aunt had a dickens of a time with hers. 

This beautiful cardinal keeps me company every day.  He likes hanging around the window and I think he likes when I whistle to him. 

These are my slugs ~ Ponti is sleeping on my slippers. 

To celebrate this gorgeous sunny day, I had to make my all time favorite dish - chicken pasta parmesan.

cookie monster

 My girls and I are attending a baby shower this Sunday and I just had to get this little guy.  I had a blast browsing in the Babies R Us store and know this is my new stomping ground ~ already registered in their rewards program.  LOL.

These are just a few of my favorite things for today and I share some lyrics from Rodgers and Hammerstein Sound of Music.  It's such a catchy tune and keeps a smile in my soul.

My Favorite Things

Raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles, warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies, crisp apple streudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells, schnitzel with the noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with the blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I'm feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And I don't feel so sad  xo

dill pickle rag

I found a delightful recipe for dilling pickles from our late Uncle Achie (Bonyok's Dad) and hope you enjoy the share.  He would make three crocks full of perfect pickles and I hope to continue his tradition.  We really don't have to wait for summer to create our own concoctions since baby cukes are available at the grocery stores all year round.  This is his exact recipe, verbatim.

Uncle Achie's Recipe for 80 Pickles

1 1/2 quart vinegar
8 quarts water
1 head garlic
dill cherry leaves (or grape leaves)
2 pieces rye bread
2 1/2 juice size glasses pickling salt
bunch of fresh dill weed
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 box pickling spice

Lay bread on bottom of crock.  Put pickles and dill in between.  Sprinkle chopped garlic and spice over top.  Mix water and vinegar and salt.  Heat on stove till very hot ~ not to a boiling point.  Pour over pickles and cover with plate so pickles are under water.  Pickles should be ready in 3 to 4 days and have to be refrigerated.

We just saw the movie The King's Speech, so I thought to include an oldie but goodie tongue twister.

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
Did Peter Piper pick a peck of pickled peppers?
If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,
Where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?

I love the word pickles.  It sounds so happy.  Enjoy! xo

thank you...

to all my friends and family who helped me celebrate another year in this beautiful life.  Even Mother Nature pitched in with an absolutely glorious day ~ she really let the sun shine in ~ a rarity this time of year.  I lived the day as if it were my last; embraced all the moments that took my breath away and took in every detail of the day.  My heart is filled with all the love shared.

My buddy took off work so we could spend time together so we enjoyed breakfast at the new joint ~ Honey Jam.  Perfect.  We ran a few errands and went to see The King's Speech.  Wow!  It was better than I expected.  Most of the day was spent with the kids.  Another rarity is having them at home all at the same time, but they did so we could sing and sample the tiramisu I prepared.  It is a winner and my all time favorite dessert to make. I did indulge in this one and my palate was pleased.  I never thought it would be so easy to create ~ it seemed too fancy to make at home.  Not at all. 

It was nice to connect with my facebook friends and family.  This heart is so full with my love I think it just might burst and spread throughout the universe.  Thank you so much. xo

The most memorable comment was made by my cousin Deena's daughter, who seems to be wise for her tender years.  Carolyn wrote "happy valentine's day to anyone without a valentine...I'll be everyone's valentine today" and she continued with another note "to carolyn...love, carolyn."  This really tugged my heart for she gets it ~ love yourself and everyone ~ we are never alone. 

I hope you made some delightful memories.  Let the sun shine and keep the faith.  I must share one of my all time favorite songs by Brooks and Dunn.  I hold the lyrics close to my heart with loads of wonderful memories.

UNLOVED

I know you know
Just how it goes when it goes
And how it feels
To be lost and left alone on your own
And what it's like
To give all you got and have to stand and watch it
As it walks away
So everyone deserves a chance to live and learn
From mistakes
That we make and hearts that break and bridges burn
Starting now
From this moment on nothing's gonna go wrong
Love is here to stay

You'll never be without
You'll always have enough
When you're in my arms
You'll never go unloved
As long as there is time
And for all of it to come
No matter where you go
I want you to know
You'll never be unloved

So in this life we lead
Some things are guaranteed
You can
Count on the fact that hearts won't act responsibly
Now and then
Comes a love that's heaven sent and meant to be
So baby look at me

You'll never be unloved  xo



happy valentine's day

I was dancing ~ pure light

formless consciousness
when you called me ~
by the power of your intention ~
with the song of your desire,
in the intensity of your passion ~
you called me
and tentacles of your sending shot through timeless space ~
found me
and I sent back a joyful "yes!"
And the universe changed ~
a new frequency began to hum
And I was there ~
in those most tender moments
and most ecstatic
and you knew in that way you have of knowing
and I whispered my name to you...
and you smiled...

Fear is the only thing standing between you and your experience of love. 

Prayer for Embracing Love

Dear God,

Please show me how to love.
Teach me how to extend my light into the life of another.
Remove the barriers to my soul, the walls which stand in front of my heart,
My commitment to aloneness,
My resistances to joining.
I do not seek love, dear God, for I know it is all around me.
I seek instead the healing of my resistances to it, the strengthening of my spirit;
That I might learn to love, to love well, to love fully, to love deeply.
When my true love calls, dear Lord,
Please keep my ears open.
Let me not shut down.
Let me not forsake him.
Let me always remember that his call to love him is my call to love You.
Thank you very much.  Amen.



Let love fill your soul, share it by extending hugs, kind words and smiles. xo

tiramisu

Tiramisu is an Italian dessert and is considered a semifreddo (a dessert served cold, but not frozen.)  Tiramisu has many variations with the only constant ingredient being the mascarpone cheese.  This is my all time favorite dessert which I will indulge in wholeheartedly. 

ingredients

2 packages ladyfingers, split
1/2 cup brewed espresso or strong coffee
1 (16 oz.) carton mascarpone cheese
2 cups whipping cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup chocolate liqueur (Kahlua)
2 oz. chocolate baking squares
2 oz. bittersweet chocolate, grated
unsweetened cocoa powder

 optional enhancements
chopped chocolate-covered coffee beans
fresh mint sprigs
strawberries, raspberries and blueberries

directions

Line the bottom of an 8x8x2 baking pan with some of the ladyfingers, cutting to fit as necessary.  I added a few chocolate ladyfingers just for variety.  Drizzle half of the espresso over ladyfingers; set aside.

In a medium bowl, beat together the mascarpone cheese, whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer just until stiff peaks form.  Lightly beat in the Kahlua.  Spoon half of the mascarpone mixture over ladyfingers, spreading evenly.  Sprinkle chocolate and bittersweet chocolate over the mascarpone mixture.  Top with another layer of ladyfingers.  Layer with remaining espresso and mascarpone cheese mixture. 

Cover and chill for 6 to 24 hours.  Sift cocoa powder over top of dessert.  Garnish with cocoa coffee beans (can be purchased at Trader Joe's.) Place a mint sprig and chocolate syrup on dish for presentation.   Serve with fresh berries that promises to please your palate. 

Yummy, yummy in my tummy!  xo

In honor of Abraham Lincoln, I share a few of his famous quotes:

"In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be wrong."

"Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right."

"Surely God would not have created such a being as man, with an ability to grasp the infinite, to exist only for a day! No, no, man was made for immortality."

"The Lord prefers common-looking people. That is why he makes so many of them."

stuffed french toast

cream cheese stuffed french toast

16 slices bread with crust

1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese

1 dozen eggs*

2 cups milk

1/3 cup pure maple syrup*
powdered sugar

Cut bread into cubes and place half of mixture in 9 x 14 inch casserole dish.  Cube cream cheese and put on top of bread, add remaining bread. 

Whip eggs, milk and syrup together; pour over entire area.  Cover with plastic and let sit overnight in refrigerator.  Remove plastic for baking.  Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.  Let stand 5 minutes before serving.  Add additional syrup if desired.  Dust with powered sugar.

*As an aside, I used 7 white eggs and 6 brown eggs ~ my baker's dozen is always 13; it goes back to boiling eggs during Easter ~ an egg for Jesus. 

*Pure maple syrup is divine and very healthy ~ worth the extra pennies.

Happiness is not in our circumstance, but in ourselves.

It is not something we see, like a rainbow,

or feel, like the heat of fire.

Happiness is something we are. xo

beautiful boy

Mikey, I know how much you love the Beatles and immediately found this particular song to announce your firstborn.  The joy of being a father to a son has no bounds.  Your son will continue the Wind family name and he will have amazing role models in you, your brothers, you dad and numerous uncles.  He will just adore his great grandpa! Not only will both you and your son be the first grandsons, but baby will be the first great-grandson!  Just so you know, boys are all about the mama until they reach the tender age of about 10 or 11, then it's all about not the mama - that would be you, dear son.  :)

 You pondered who will be the godfather and brilliantly came up with the idea that if baby is a boy, your brother, Dan, would hold the honor; if it is a girl, then Steven would be.  Nice.  Congratulations, Dan.  Steve, you get the honor next round. Darcy was so cute when you broke the news - she just loves, loves, loves boys.

I'm glad I saved so many baby items and can't believe the day will arrive when we can pull them out once again.  It seems like yesterday that I lovingly dressed all you boys in those adorable onesies and I am sure a stream of memories will overflow in my heart once again.  Of course, I'll be hitting the stores for all the newfangled toys for baby; after all, it's a grandma's prerogative to spoil her grandchild. 

Now we move full speed ahead with baby shower arrangements.  Margarita put her finishing touch on the invitations and I'll bring them to the printer.  Thanks be that we know baby is a boy; I can begin making the baby blue blanket cake and Melissa can create the centerpieces and favors.  Stevie is the designated photographer so look out. Party time!  It won't be long before the blessed day arrives. 

a baby boy

A baby boy was created

by the hand of God above

to give the world the sweetest touch

of tenderness and love.

With the softness of a whisper,

God made a baby's skin

and then designed two trusting eyes

to put the starlight in.

With giggles from a waterfall

and breezes passing by,

God made a baby's laughter

and a tiny, sleeping sigh.

God made the world a precious gift

more dear and pure than gold,

with little toes to play with

and tiny hands to hold

then brought into the sunshine

a precious baby boy

All wrapped up in a rainbow

of wonder, hope and joy.

Congratulations, Mike and Margarita!  See you soon, baby Dillan...

Myliu tave, mažyli xo