Smiles ....

Nothing more genuine than a baby's first smile at 7wks of age!

A smile may be a little thing, but it sure makes living a lot more worthwhile and fun.

Make it a goal to exchange smiles every chance you can.

Summer recipe: Stuffed Green Peppers

Green peppers are perfect - large and crispy - this time of year.
Here's a recipe to try, yummy 'stuffed Green Peppers':
- 6 large green peppers
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 cup of uncooked rice (or Orzo pasta, which is like rice)
- 1 can of pasta sauce or tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp worchestershire sauce
- 1/4 tsp of garlic powder and onion powder (or fresh garlic, onions)
- 1 tsp of italian season (or fresh oregano, basil, rosemary, parsley, chives)

1) Preheat oven 350 degrees F or 175 degrees C
2) Cook rice or orzo; cook ground beef
3) In larger pan, mix the rice, ground beef, spices, worchestershire sauce and tomato sauce
4) Prepare the green peppers, take the tops off and flatten bottom so they stand up on a cookie sheet
5) Add the rice, beef mixture to the green peppers, top with extra tomato sauce
6) Cook for 45 min to 1 hr at 350 degrees F.

ENJOY!

Dog days of summer ... do they still exist?

Remember when you were young and experiencing the 'dog days of summer'?  A time mid-summer when the days dragged on and you simply didn't know what to do.  I remember saying to my mom "I don't know what to do" ... long gone are those days in my world, and I expect they are long gone in your world too.
Summer may still be a busy time of year, but it should be a different kind of busy - that is a gift we get with the changing seasons here in Canada.   I hope the gift of summer, the 'dog days of summer' allow you time for vacation, time to be with family and friends, time to read a book.  Summer should also be a time to catch up on some things, a time to reflect and renjevenate.     A time to enjoy all the 'little things' that are really the most important things - enjoy the sunshine!

Excitement of a "Bumper Crop" of red currants!

Isn't it a great feeling to see new flowers, vegetable and fruits grow ... especially the ones that come back each year on their own.  This year I am reminded of this 'little thing', the excitement of a bumper crop of red currants ... maybe our best crop in 25 years!

What brings tears of joy to your eyes?

Tonight at 6:45pm I heard a thunderous roar approaching the house ... could it be?  YES. The Canadian Snowbirds were flying in diamond formation over our country home. Today, the "Snowbirds" were performing over the water in Sarnia, ON.   As I heard the 'loud roar', I ran outside in time to see the Canadian Snowbirds, in a clear blue sky, flying in perfect diamond formation ... joyous tears immediately filled my eyes.  I jumped and waved from the back deck of our home, even though they would never see me.  What a rush, what a thrill - one of those 'little things' that brings joy, if even for 5 seconds.

The photo is the Snowbirds making their entrance for the Sarnia show over Canatera Beach, Lake Huron.  They started the show in the same diamond formation they were in as they flew over our place. 
Video footage from another show this summer.       Canadian Snowbirds over Great Lakes June 2011   Enjoy.

Spend as many minutes as possible in your entire life 'just happy"!

I love to get feedback from readers ... keep writing:

"wow!

I love the inspiration that all your quotes bring. I just think its so cool!

I love things in life that are just a breath of fresh air.

People get too busy in life and stop remembering to appreciate and live in the moment of life.

I recently saw a commercial on tv for something, it was a man saying how he's a pessimist.

But he doesn’t forget to stop and enjoy the small things in life. Whether its hitting 3 straight green lights on the way home for work, or making your favorite meal for dinner. Small things count! Why not spend as many minutes as possible in your entire life just happy?

Anyways.

I think your blog is great"

Q1 (0-25)

Thank you so much.  I couldn't agree more ... "why not spend as many minutes as possible in your entire life just happy?" !!!

Inspiration comes from 'little things'

Recognizing the 'little things' is important because it allows us to be in tune with our surroundings and enables us to continue moving forward. 

My inspirational quote ('little thing') for today to support this comes from Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer:
"Keep opening doors to create possibilities."  Inspiration that comes from this for me is the recognition fear, apathy, procrastination and many more adoptable traits often closes doors and in order for us to keep moving forward we must face the situation that closes doors on us.

We make choices every day.  One of those choices should be to 'keep opening doors to create possibilities'.  Thanks Cesar.