WHAT IS HAPPINESS?

What does happiness mean to you?  Is it financial freedom?  Is it traveling the world?  Is it spending time with the ones you love?  I believe we all find happiness in different things.  They can be great big things or the simplest of things, all that matters is that we find true happiness.

For me, happiness means being comfortable with myself.  To love me for all my strengths and weaknesses, and to know that I am one of a kind.  A perfect masterpiece.  There is nobody out there in the whole world who is exactly the same as me, and I kind of like the experience of being unique.

Happiness is also about being surrounded by family and friends.  The people I have chosen to surround myself with have all contributed to shaping me into who I am.  Each and every one of them brings great and special qualities to our relationship.  Knowing I have such kind, honest, beautiful, and generous friends makes me feel great.  Not only do these people make me happy, but they inspire me.  Inspire me to be a little more generous, a little more patient, and to try a little harder. 

Happiness doesn't have to be about other people.  Happiness can be that perfect cup of coffee first thing in the morning.  The feeling of crawling between clean, wind blown, sheets fresh off of the line.  It is holding a small child, helping someone in need and finding comfort in all things familiar.

Today's assignment is to stop for 5 minutes and think of all the things that make you happy.  Write them down.  Make a plan to do one thing every day that brings you happiness.  My favorite thing about happiness is.... It's free.

BACKYARD BURGERS

Hamburgers are probably my favorite thing about summer.  As I'm sure you noted from yesterdays post, I love to BBQ.  I happen to have a thing against pre-made burger patties.  First, they probably aren't as good for you, and secondly, the taste isn't nearly as good as what it would be if you made your own.

I made some up the other day and managed to take pictures!  Here is a basic recipe for making these little beauties.

1 lb Extra Lean Ground Beef
1/2 lg Onion, diced
1 Clove Garlic, diced
2/3-3/4 Cup Quick Cooking Oats (you may need more, or less, you be the judge)
1 Egg
3/4 tsp. Roasted Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp. Pepper
3/4 tsp. Seasoning Salt
1 tsp. Cajun Seasoning
1/2 tsp. Italian Spices
1/3 tsp. Nutmeg
4 Tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce (I'm always a little heavy handed with this stuff)
(you can add any other spices you might like, or adjust to your personal taste)

Mix all ingredients together so that it just sticks together.  Add more oatmeal if its too runny (but don't add too much or you'll have dry burgers).  Shape into hamburgers.  Place them in the refrigerator until ready to use.  I usually let mine sit for an hour or two before I'm ready to cook.  Just lets the spices all mingle together.  Place on grill, make fancy grill marks, and serve with any toppings you may like!

The buns were used from my FRENCH BREAD post.  I just made them flat, because I don't like a burger with too much bun.  I added: ketchup, mustard, mayo, pickles, lettuce, cheese, and of course bacon.  On the side was a little bit of cottage cheese.  All I know is that this totally hit the spot!  I can't wait for leftovers!

FRIDAY FAVORITES

Friday Favorites is all things Fire.

1. CAMPFIRE BREAKFAST- Tradition in our family when camping is campfire breakfast.  We don't actually eat tomatoes and mushrooms, we do however have eggs, and bacon, and hash browns and toast.  It takes a couple hours to make but it is soooo worth it.  Some of my favorite memories of camping are being "daddy's little helper" making breakfast!  He taught me well, because I make a pretty mean breakfast over an open fire.

2. SMORES- How can you have a fire without smores?  For those of you who have never had a smore, you are SERIOUSLY missing out!  All you need is some flame, Grahame Wafer Crackers, Marshmallows, and some Chocolate (preferably milk chocolate).  Melt your marshmallows over the fire, put them on your crackers with chocolate, and squish into a perfect ooey gooey sandwich.

3. BBQ-  The best thing about BBQ is its simple, clean up is a breeze, and you normally enjoy them with great company!  Nothing gets people together in the summer quite like a BBQ. 

4. FIRE- Well obviously I like fire.  I don't care if its a wilderness campfire, a gas backyard fire, or a fire pit on a beach.  I just love the cozy warm feeling on a cool summers night!

THE QUIRKY THINGS I LOVE ABOUT MYSELF

We all have little habits or rituals that make us unique.  I always like learning fun little facts about people.  So the challenge for today is to tell me 5 things that make you unique, or 5 little tidbits about you.

I was thinking about it and here are 5 of mine:

1) I bite the ends off my pickles and throw them away and then eat the middle section.  Actually I bite the ends off of everything.  I don't know why I'm so biased against the ends of things, but it just kind of grosses me out.
2) I never let my gas tank get below half a tank
3) I always brush my teeth before I get in the shower. (While I'm waiting for it to warm up)
4) I always set my alarm 30 minutes before I need to get up and then hit the snooze button until the very last minute I can stay in bed (usually resulting in me running around like a chicken with my head cut off)
5) I don't turn the TV on before 5 PM (If I do it is very very rare)

BREAKFAST IN A FLASH

I'm always looking for a super easy good breakfast.  Today I made a Baked Omelet Souffle.  Now I know the word Souffle is intimidating.  I've always wondered how people get them so light and fluffy and perfect.  Now I guess you'll never know unless you try.  The best part of this recipe is... its sooo simple!

What you need for this ultimate breakfast is:

4 Eggs

3 Tbsp. Hot Water

1/2 tsp. Salt

1/8 tsp. Pepper

1/2 Tbsp Cornstarch

Cooking Spray

*You can add bacon, cheese, peppers, onions, or any additional spices you might want.

Spray inside of a quart sized (4 cup) baking dish.  Place into a pre-heated oven of 375 F.

Separate the eggs.  Beat whites until stiff (meringue like) and set aside.  Beat yolks until creamy.  Add Cornstarch and water to the yolk mixture and stir.  Add your additional ingredients to the yolk mixture and stir.  Fold in the egg whites gently, and then add to the already heated dish.

Bake for 12-15 minutes & Serve.

*NOTE* I halved the recipe seeing as how I only had a 1/2 Quart (2 Cup) baking dish

The two things I love about this dish are...

 #1 There isn't much of a mess.  I have an issue sitting down to eat any meal if there is a mess in my kitchen.  While your souffle is in the oven you have plenty of time to wash up those dishes (or put them in the dishwasher)

#2 I ate this with toast.  Normally when I eat eggs and toast they are cold before I get to the end.  Having the baked eggs gave me time to eat my toast while it was hot while still getting to eat hot eggs when I was done.

PS... I'm starting to feel like this is a cooking blog... but we all have to eat, and I know I appreciate a good recipe, so I don't want to hoard them.

THE GIRLS ARE UP UP AND AWAY!

After a wonderful "SINGLE GIRLS VACATION" trip last November, a couple of us have decided that it is a MUST do again!  For all of those that I haven't included on the Facebook Event, I'm inviting you here GIRLS TRIP TO CUBA !!!  We're not sure on exact dates yet, but if its something your interested in, you can email me for further details.

The girls vacations is all about having a good time together, being girls and celebrating being fabulous!  In a world full of crazy-busyishness its a good time to unwind in great company!  Lets make this a first class event!  I hope to see you all there!

STRAWBERRY BANANA MUFFINS



I added a strawberry butter cream icing and some chocolate decorations on top.... took them over the top!

 I'm always on the hunt for a great recipe.  This is the perfect one to use up those leftover fresh Strawberries and Bananas you have kicking around.

1 Cup Fresh Strawberries, sliced
2 Tbsp Sugar, to toss with berries
2/3 Cup Mashed Bananas (about 2)
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup 2% Milk
2 Lg. Egg Whites
2 Tbsp. Vegetable Oil
2 tsp. Vanilla
2 Cups All Purpose Flour
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
1/4 tsp. Salt.

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Grease or butter muffin tins.

Toss strawberries with the sugar and set aside.

In a large bowl stir together banana, sugar, milk, egg whites, oil and vanilla.  In a separate bowl mix flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.  Add to wet ingredients and mix until just blended.  Fold in strawberries.  Drop batter into muffin tins until 3/4 full.

Bake for 20-25 mins or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.  Cool 15 mins in tins before turning out.

Serve and enjoy.

Yeilds 12 muffins.

FRIDAY FAVORITES

Today's Friday Favorites is going to be a little bit different.  Seeing as how its the FABULOUS Stephanie's Birthday, I'm going to celebrate her as being my favorite this week!

1. Coaster Sunglasses.  Don't even ask.  This picture was found under the "WILD WILD WEST" Folder in my computer...

2. A great day out on the golf course.  Nothing like a group of good friends, some sunshine, and a few good laughs to make one heck of a day!

3. 80's night.  Need I say more?

4. Being a good sport.  She was the only one who would pose for me while I tried to figure out my new camera.

Happy Birthday my Little Ray of Sunshine!  I hope you have a super duper birthday this year, and many more to come!  Being your friend is always an adventure.  I hope that it continues that way for a long long time!

LITTLE MISS GREENTHUMB

This year I thought I'd Give my all at gardening.  Because I'm not at home much I decided to plant little containers full of vegetables for the summer.  Nothing beats a fresh from the garden carrot in my eyes!

So here it is!  My whole little first attempt at being a vegetable gardener!


Onions on the right, and the fuzzy green "chia pet" looking like stuff on the left is my Carrots.



Lettuce.  I do believe the package said it would cover a 12 foot row, so what did I do?  I dumped the whole pkg. in a 2 foot area.... of course.

 

The beginning of my peas.  I love fresh peas! 

 I can't wait for them to be fully grown.  I guess this is a good lesson in patience.  All I know is I love going outside every day to see how much they've grown.  Even all of the guys out here are keeping a pretty good eye on things.  I did warn them that if things went missing... so would their fingers...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARAH!

I wanted to take a minute today to wish the lovely Sarah Carr a VERY VERY Happy Birthday!  I hope this year is all you could wish for, and then a little bit more!  I love you, and I miss you lots!

I'M A CELEBRITY!!



Picture borrowed from THE OUTFIT DIARIES.


As I scroll through my regular reads this morning, I realized that I had a little mention over on Cess's Blog: THE OUTFIT DIARIES !!  For all of you that have your own blogs you know how exciting it is when someone acknowledges you for what you have to say, what you wear, what you make.  I think I'm on cloud nine!

So I wanted to say a great big thanks to Cess!  Your blog is always a joy to read!  Your style is impeccable.  And you always keep me inspired!  Way to go girl!

FRIDAY FAVORITES

Todays Friday Favorites is all about WEATHER! 

1. THUNDERSTORMS: I love thunderstorms.  There is just something so mesmerizing about them.  I could sit and watch them for hours and hours. 

2. HOAR FROST: I love it when you see hoar frost!  Its like a million glittering diamonds everywhere.  (Those of you who know me, know I can't resist anything that sparkles)

3. DOWNPOUR: I actually really dislike rain.  The drizzly miserably cold and damp kind of rain.  However, I do love a good downpour.  The type where you're soaked with in seconds.  I like the instantaneous of it.  And usually it leaves just as quickly as it came.  Nothing beats this on a hot summer day (other than a thunderstorm)

4. BIG FLUFFY CLOUDS: I love looking at them and seeing them change shapes.  Some of my best memories are watching clouds and trying to see what sort of shapes you see!

What are your favorite things about the weather?

ALMOST AN ESCAPEE



From Point 1-2 is a 16 hour drive, 2-3 is a 10 hour drive, and from 3 back to 1 is 12 hours.

The countdown is on.  I only have 3 more days until I get some days off and get to go home!  This means that I have been trying to write scheduled blog posts to entertain you guys while I'm away.  The one thing I love about leaving work is the fact that I don't even open my computer the entire time I'm away.  While I'm at work, I spend most of the day wandering around aimlessly online reading this and that, window shopping, and googling every random thought I have.  I have to admit, the one thing I do miss about being gone is reading all your fabulous blogs.  Which means, I have a ton of catching up to do when I get back to work.

Anyways, for days of I have a ton of plans.  I'm going to try my hand at wallpapering, get some yard work done at home, head to my parents house for a few days to see some wonderful friends and my grandma.  The best part is, its WEDDING SEASON!  I love weddings!  So yes, this also means I have a wedding to go to (and I can't wait)!  After that, I'm headed back to work.

 Round trip I put on about 4200 kms of travel!  So seeing as how I have such a long long way to go, make sure you say your prayers for a safe drive!

LIVING ON A BUDGET

I've finally decided that I need to live following a budget.  I realize that it isn't really realistic to spend as much money as I do on things that I don't really need.  For the next 3 months I've decided that I'm going to write down everything I spend and live on a cash budget (when possible) to see how much money I can save. 

I found a great tool online that helps keep track of expenses.  You can find it here DOLLAR TIMES and a bunch of other budget forms. 

How do you guys keep track of things?  Do you have a system that works for you?  What is the one tip that you could give to someone who wants to save a few extra dollars?

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

For the last few months I've been trying to keep my attitude positive.  Instead of complaining about things I can not change, I try and look at the bright side.  I find when I stop and think about things they become a little more clear.  Here are a few complaints I've muttered in the last couple months:

Complaint #1: I hate my job!
Reality Check:  I could be unemployed and not know how I was going to pay my bills

Complaint #2: I'm not married.
Reality Check: I could be in a loveless or abusive marriage

Complaint #3: There is nothing in the refrigerator that I feel like eating.
Reality Check: I could be digging through the garbage looking for scraps of leftover food

Complaint #4: I wish I lived in a nicer house or drove a nicer vehicle
Reality Check: I could be homeless without a vehicle to drive at all.

Complaint #5: I wish I didn't have to get up so early.
Reality Check:  I could not be waking up at all.

I guess if you look at the bright side, our problems don't really look that big.  I know I could be a lot worse off, so today I'm just going to be thankful!

LOSING TOUCH

Have you ever had a really good friend that things just all of a sudden ended with?  Things were going good then all of a sudden it was like neither of you could make the effort to keep in touch anymore?

I have drifted away from a few friends like this in the last couple years.  I know that things don't always stay the same and that people change, but lately I've been feeling like these people think they are so far above me that I'm not worth their effort.  I know that our lives all take different directions.  We get married, or have kids, or heaven forbid, both of the above...  But WHY?  Why do things have to change?

Maybe in my own way I'm being to stubborn to make the first move in reconnecting.  I think that they should be the ones to make the effort.  I just feel so awkward about the whole "drifting apart" situation that I don't even know where to begin.  The thing is, I miss these people.  I think about them often.  I ask our mutual friends about them.  I don't know why but it just so happens that I'm too bull headed to pick up the phone and make the first call.  I don't know what I'm so afraid of.  Maybe rejection?  Maybe the fact that these people really don't want to be my friend.  I don't know.  What I do know, is that I'm sorry that this bout of silence has gone on for this long.  I'm sorry if I did something wrong.  I'm sorry if you didn't think I was supportive enough or there for you when you needed me.  The fact is, I needed you too.  I know a lot has gone one in all of our lives in the last couple years but the fact is.... I MISS YOU and I hope that things don't go on like this forever!

CHRISTMAS COMES BUT TWICE A YEAR....

Beginning of the snow storm

Yesterday was a wet dreary day, which much to my dismay turned into a freak snow storm.  Apparently winter isn't quite done with us yet.  I mean really... It's June 3rd and there is snow on the ground... How unimpressed am I?  I was sitting here watching TV last night and then got the bright idea to poke my head out the door, and this is what I saw.... my little planters covered in snow.  Needless to say, I rushed them inside and they had the privilege of making a huge mess in my entrance way.




View of the rig (note the snow on the pipe in front)

 


Close up of my Tomato Plant

 


My poor little Tomato... :(

 


My planters, Peas, Carrots, Lettuce, Onions, Chives.. buried in snow

 

CALLING ALL HOCKEY FANS!!

Tonight is the beginning of the Stanley Cup  finals.  For those of you who follow hockey, make sure you cheer for the Vancouver Canucks!!!  The only way I would let you cheer for Boston and still want to be your friend is if you happen to be located way over there...  Even then I still think you should jump ship and hop on the Canucks Bandwagon!

Now, I've always liked hockey, but for some reason this year its been amped up a bit.  Maybe because the team I cheer for has gone further than they have in a long time.  The best thing about it is the rivalry.  I love watching my friends hockey teams get knocked out one-by-one.  There is nothing better than gloating!  I realize that this might end up in me eating crow one day, but regardless, a little competition is great!  Plus I think Vancouver has the best fans ever!!

So, I guess you know where I'll be for the next couple weeks, glued to my TV watching every minute of hockey that I can!  GO CANUCKS GO!!