"Those Bird Food Cookies"

Well, one thing I can say for certain is that I am ecstatic that spring has officially sprung! I was so ready to say goodbye to winter -- the tail end of it, anyway. Those last remaining weeks of the season dragged on and brought with it more winter woes: another round of cold/flu for the littlest one and three cracked ribs for me (all that coughing seemed to be more than my poor ribs could take).

So, with all we've had pulling our attention and energy, I've been trying to be kind and not beat myself up for not undertaking any Lenten resolves. I usually try to add something to my Lenten observance (like additional prayer and meditation time or random acts of kindness), rather than subtract something (although I do really need to examine my sugar habit and cut it back or out completely).

I've been so busy taking care of the little ones' sickness around here that I've noticed some severe mama-neglect going on. My remedy? Going to bed much earlier (which is a really, really hard one for me, as nighttime is when I try to squeeze in my precious Me-Time) and those little nuggets of goodness in the photo above, alongside a cup of tea with honey. They are called Grace's Best sunflower seed cookies. Or, as my daughter calls them, "those bird food cookies." Can you tell that we've been busy keeping our bird feeders stocked with sunflower seeds for our feathered friends? ;) Anyway, they are unbelievably delicious for as simple and as healthy as they are. I picked up a package at my local health food store and I wished I had bought more. Don't let my picture fool you...they may not look all that edible and I'm definitely not a food photographer, but they must be tried.

It's the little things like a hot cup of tea and some specialty cookies to dip in it that add a little boost to my day. Bestowing such small tokens on myself make me feel like I'm at least coming in somewhere on the list (you know "the list" I'm talking about: kids, husband, home, errands, etc. etc.).

Happy Spring to all of you! I hope that you are finding little ways to sneak in some self-love and self-preservation during these hopeful days of Spring.

Only for Today

I am a firm believer in taking life one day at a time. By nature, I think way too much. Or, more accurately, I over-think the small, insignificant matters of life. I get ahead of myself and worry about all that is beyond my control, wondering how I am going to handle x,y, and z. Within the past year, given certain circumstances, I have had to remind myself to focus only on today, and let tomorrow take care of itself. More importantly, I need to remind myself that, ultimately, God will take care of all my todays and tomorrows. That's why I was immediately drawn to this on Elizabeth's site:

Only for Today
Decalogue for Daily Living

1. Only for today, I will seek to live the livelong day positively without wishing to solve the problems of my life all at once.

2. Only for today, I will take the greatest care of my appearance: I will dress modestly; I will not raise my voice; I will be courteous in my behavior; I will not criticize anyone; I will not claim to improve or to discipline anyone except myself.

3. Only for today, I will be happy in the certainty that I was created to be happy, not only in the other world but also in this one.

4. Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances, without requiring all circumstances to be adapted to my own wishes.

5. Only for today, I will devote ten minutes of my time to some good reading, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading is necessary to the life of the soul.

6. Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell anyone about it.

7. Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not like doing; and if my feelings are hurt, I will make sure no one notices.

8. Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: I may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision.

9. Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearances, that the good Providence of God cares for me as no one else who exists in this world.

10. Only for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness. Indeed, for twelve hours I can certainly do what might cause me consternation were I to believe I had to do it all my life. Bl. Pope John XXIII

I have been meaning, since the beginning of Lent, to print this up and put it somewhere prominent so that I may remember to read it at the start of each day (and then again during the day when certain, inevitable challenges come up). I haven't done it yet. But I will. Holy Week is coming up. And better late than never, I say. Beyond Easter, maybe this will gain a spot of permanence in my home, as its message isn't seasonal, but life-long. I need help remembering to live in "today" mode.

How's that saying, "Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why its called the present."

Maybe this decalogue will be like my thank you note to God for my gift.

Post-St. Patrick's Day Post

I had some grandiose, memory-making ideas for St. Patrick's Day this year. Unfortunately, none of them came to fruition. Apparently, the luck of the Irish was not ours yesterday. Instead, we had a day that redefined my previous understanding of chaos. So, in lieu of a jam-packed day of leprechauns and pots of gold, I present to you the Shamrock Pretzel. One day late. Courtesy of one of my favorite magazines, Family Fun.

Despite appearances to the contrary, they are cooked. It certainly doesn't qualify as a culinary masterpiece, as we are strictly talking refrigerated breadsticks, cinnamon, and colored sugar. But, Roo enjoyed sprinkling the cinnamon and sugar, and doing her fair share of sampling after they came out of the oven. So, if she's happy, then so am I.

We also made a few pretzels in the traditional shape because pretzels actually have a historical significance relating to Lent. The Parenting Passageway linked to an interesting article regarding the pretzel and Lent. An excerpt:

"According to pretzel maker Snyder’s of Hanover, a young monk in the early 600s in Italy was preparing a special Lenten bread of water, flour and salt. To remind his brother monks that Lent was a time of prayer, he rolled the bread dough in strips and then shaped each strip in the form of crossed arms, mimicking the then popular prayer position of folding one’s arms over each other on the chest. "

So, our "crossed arms" version of the St. Patty's pretzel:

Maybe next year I can incorporate the many St. Patrick's ideas rattling around in my head. But, for this year, I will concentrate my energy on Easter, as it is fast approaching! In an upcoming post, I will be writing about some non conventional Easter basket items, sure to thrill your little ones and guaranteed not to rot their pearly whites!