fog that is swept away into sunshine; having friends stay overnight and trying to pack so much into a small visit-space; 50%WW waffles with homemade yogurt and mixed berries; homemade turkey veggie soup that reminds me of my Aunt Colleen and Uncle Bruce's soup - and my Grandma Y's soup (is there anything more comforting for lunch than homemade soup??); 1-1 time with my youngest daughter; singing; having a clean kitchen; the ice that drips into stiff thickened fingers from my white icing roof as Spring laughs and teases Old Man Winter... these are a few of my favorite things today.

An Encouraging Article entitled, "Finding the Esther in You" ...

http://www.incourage.me/2011/03/finding-the-esther-in-you.html#comment-78273

A good reminder for me to remember that 'I am the woman for the job'. My family and I are anticipating some big changes in this next year. It is encouraging to read articles like this one; God has a plan and a purpose for my family and I. I can trust Him and be at peace. :)

My Favorite Things Today: reading by the fire, going for a brisk walk in snowflake-swirling weather, schooling my children, folding clean laundry with that freshly washed scent, hugs and kisses, giggling, A. choosing to potty-train on her own initiative, homemade tortillas, friends ...

Blessing of the Hands

Blessing of the Hands
by Rev. Daniel L. Harris

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and as in today, tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children, the hands that will help you to hold your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

gathering with other women who have pastor-husbands too and sharing our hearts; going for a drive with my family and seeing the changes in our community; vanilla ice cream with angel food cake and strawberries; laundry soap in fun fragrances - especially the 'lavender vanilla' that matches my liquid fabric softener perfectly; starting a 'Spring Clean Contest' with the kids for fun and to help with teaching responsibility... these are a few of my favorite things today.

snow melting and water dripping off of the roof; having a fireplace that heats our home so well that the furnace isn't needed today; cuddles with my kids; kisses from my husband; seeing and hearing the return of birds; thinking about changes.... these are a few of my favorite things today.

mini-yellow daffodils from my husband; Gala apples; melting snow; birds chirping; squirrels out and about; a beautiful golden sunset; warmer weather; the helpfulness of my children; the colour gray in a nice, warm shirt; hugs and kisses with my family .... these are a few of my favorite things today.

An idea for using up leftover pasta meat sauce

Preheat oven to 350. Make Mac'n'Cheese according to package. Beat 2 eggs and stir into Mac'n'Cheese. Get a greased casserole dish or round pan for pizza. Put Mac'n'Cheese/egg mixture into greased dish/pan and bake for 10 mins.

Top with pasta meat sauce, put grated mozzarella over that, opt. put grated parmesian cheese on top. Bake additional 10-15 or so mins.

Slice into wedges like pizza and serve.

~~~ This is what the silent chewing with enjoyment comment was about yesterday. :) My 2 year old daughter had 4ths! :D

the crisp, crunch of snow beneath my feet on my morning walk; sunshine that makes the wind seem a little less biting; the smell of birch burning in the fireplace; dancing and singing with my children; Advil gel caps; new recipes that render everyone silent with enjoyment as they chew and swallow; warm clothes; almost-done laundry; making plans with friends to come visit this week; ... these are a few of my favorite things today.

peace and quiet; rambunctious running; tickles; cuddles; firewood stacked up outside the front door for easier access in a storm; how my husband cares for me in so many different ways; singing at the dining room table; dancing; the scent of clean laundry; tea; sleep ... these are a few of my favorite things today.

"Berry" means "Fairy"

It is so cute how my 4 year old says 'Berry-Bella' and "Berry-Mommy"... when actually she means to say "Fairy-Bella" and "Fairy-Mommy". I just figured it out this week when she wanted to dress up as a "berry" with her "berry-wings" and her "Berry-wand" and her "berry-crown" and her "berry-skirt" with the "berries all over it". :)

She's the cutest 'Berry' fairy that I know!

getting my blood drawn (not my fav. - after you've been pregnant 4 times, it gets old fast!) BUT my lab tech is AWESOME at it and I hardly feel a thing (!!!); the still, peaceful quiet of my village; having my kids all welcome me home when I got back (celebration!); massage from my husband; knowing that our firewood will be here before dark! (yay!!); looking forward to a cozy evening in front of the fire; homemade cinnamon buns; playing games; Family Fun Fridays with pizza for supper (our tradition!); making up a blues song about my 8 year old son on the spot at the lunch table and having my 4 year old daughter start doing 'air harmonica' with me (HA-HA-hilarious!!!); listening to my girls sing their rendition of 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star' at the top of their lungs complete with actions... these are a few of my favorite things today!

not freezing completely on my walk in -23 C windchill and beyond weather; sunshine and birds chirping on said walk; a good doctor who takes his time (they don't make them like that anymore!!); kids who are mostly healthy; hugs and kisses and "I luv you"'s and sweet little chubby arms that wrap around my neck so tight; a bubble bath; friends; my husband's kisses and his making both lunch and supper meals .... these are a few of my favorite things today.

March: Celebrating being Irish and welcoming Spring with Rainbow Cookies!

Today, one of my favorite things was making and eating rainbow cookies! The kids had a great time making them too. Maybe we'll make them again and get the colours right next time!

Rainbow Cookies Recipe

1 c sugar
1 c butter/margerine, softened
2 c flour
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
Food colouring (at least the primary colours, so that you can make the other colours - you'll want to have 6, with one of them being red)

Directions:
1. Mix sugar, butter, egg and vanilla. (I like to cream my butter and sugar first; then add the egg and vanilla.) Add flour and mix well.
2. Divide the dough into 6 balls.
3. Add a different food colour to each ball and mix well.
4. Roll into 'snake shape'; form arch; layer up until rainbow is formed.

Bake at 350 for 8-15 mins. Enjoy your taste of the rainbow!

Sheri's Salmon Rolls

2 x 213 g Canned Pink Salmon; drained, skin and bones removed
2/3 c (or a little more) finely chopped celery
1/3 c (or a touch more) Mayo.
1/2 tsp Onion powder (I used some Mrs. Dash)
1 1/2 tsp chives

Biscuit Dough
2 c. flour
4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (I omitted this)
1-2 tsp dried Dill

2 Tbsp veg. oil (I cut in 2 1/2 Tbsp or so margerine)
1 c (shy) milk

Topping:
Grated Cheddar Cheese to cover salmon mixture spread on biscuit square.

Directions:
Combine the first 5 ingredients in a bowl.

Biscuit Dough: Measure dry ingredients into a bowl. Cut in margerine or add oil. Add milk. Mix until soft ball forms. Knead on lightly floured surface 6-8 times. Roll out into square (12x12"). Spread with salmon mixture. Spread grated cheddar cheese over salmon mixture. Roll up like cinnamon roll. Cut into 12-15 slices. Spray baking sheet with cooking oil. Bake @ 400 F oven for 20-25 mins. until browned.

Results: We really enjoyed these; the girls didn't appreciate them; but they will learn to do so! They are very filling and go great with tomato soup and fresh cut veggies. You could omit the dill if you want too, but it does add some spring-like colour. These would be beautiful at a ladies luncheon or fancy brunch. They look fabulous and finicky without a lot of work! We plan on having them for our next Christmas Eve/New Year's Eve.

If you make them, let me know what you think!

painting with shades of green with my children; looking forward to making and baking rainbow cookies; the many different birds that come to visit us; singing 'O Canada' with great gusto as we begin our school day; reading to my kids; sitting with my husband; hugs; a great new recipe; wearing my 'new' apron; eating my canned peaches (summer in a jar); finally locating someone with birch firewood still available; dishwasher detergent that works well ..... these are a few of my favorite things today.