ODOMETER

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 42 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short – enjoy it..

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.

9. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

10. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

11. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
12. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

13. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it...

14 Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

15. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

16. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

17. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.

18. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

19. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

20. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

21. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

22. The most important sex organ is the brain.

23. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

24. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

25. Always choose life.

26. Forgive but don’t forget.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does..

31. Believe in miracles.

32. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

33. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

34. Your children get only one childhood.

35. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

36. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

37. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

38. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have not what you need.

39. The best is yet to come...

40. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

41. Yield.

42. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

HUSBAND

This is what I always say to Husband. I  love it!

GATINEAU

We might have been overdressed for the 1 degree and sunshine walk through Gatineau Park  but the English rose in me was happy as a clam. It was a busy day for cross country skiers, we had the foot path trail all to ourselves. It was simply beautiful, the snow covered trees and pristine trail was the perfect prize after having so many days inside this week. It really made me appreciate the Ontario winter I've been complaining about. Now I know what Steve has been talking about when he says "proper season."  I'm not sure I'll feel this way all winter, but if we have more days like yesterday it won't be that hard.  We had such a nice weekend- here are a few pics.


I wish all of my friends and family that are starting back at school & work tomorrow after the Christmas Holidays a really great day! xoxo

HAPPY WEEKEND

Finally Friday, we had a great week but I've been looking forward to the weekend which usually makes the week go by slow. Euan climbed up the stairs for the first time this week. Eeeek! I'm going to need a corral soon. *wink* My little baby is growing up so fast.

It's been a productive week around the house but I'm getting cabin fever and need to get out. The temperature is decent- let's go enjoy the snow!

We have a busy weekend planned...While on holiday we met a fantastic couple at the resort we were staying at. Tonight we are having Heather & Patrick for supper. Saturday we are going to sign Euan up for some Music classes. Sunday we've been invited to have pancakes with the Labreche's and in the evening Steve is meeting up with some of his other besties from University for guy's night. I can't wait to catch up with friends and find out how their holidays went.

 I hope you all had brilliant Christmas Holidays and you are refreshed and ready to get back to routine on Monday. Happy first Friday of 2013!! have a great weekend! xoxo

WHEN IT WANDERS

GOOD MORNING -21

Cinnamon Rolls Husband made yesterday. He used the Bread Revolution recipe- We met these lads at the Love Food Fest last year in Bristol, UK and they gave Steve some great tips on bread and pastry making! They go in the oven at 10:30 if you want one head on over! xo

SHE WAS A GIRL

“She was a girl who knew how to be happy even when she was sad. And that’s important—you know ” 
― Marilyn Monroe

BAKING DAY!

It's a good day when you are sitting cozy by the fire playing with your son and watching your husband make bread, banana bread & cinnamon buns. I think he's doing this to get out of the home list I gave him this morning. My Honey loves distracting himself in the kitchen, which is mostly a good thing.

We caved today and got a house phone & cable. I'm not sure that we really needed the cable but they included it in the bundle for a very good price- persistence can be a wonderful thing. I got this quality from my Mom; although some would call it a negative, I find it mostly benefits my family.*wink*

I've been bugging Steve to take me out for a hike in the Gatineaus but it's been very cold the last few days so we have been avoiding it. I'm hoping that the weather will warm up just a bit this weekend so we can take advantage of the park. I have also been wanting to get back on my skis! We didn't go on our usual winter ski trip last year because I was pregnant with Euan and too scared to ski after my last big spill in Switzerland. Anyway,  I'm ready to climb back on the horse as they say. I love skiing and I know it will make the winter go by faster. I'm even open to cross country skiing which seems to be a huge thing here. I keep hearing it's important to dress warm and embrace Ontario winters for a happier life.

We've been spending our evenings in the hot tub after putting Euan to bed. It is a great way to unwind after a busy day with Euan. Steve's going to be needing the hot tub a lot this winter it will be a nice treat after a long run. I've just signed him up to run the Ottawa Half Marathon in May in support of the MS Society of Canada. He will find out about this when he reads my blog tonight or checks his email. Surprise Love.. Happy Running!!!! xoxo

DAY 2

Euan no longer wants baby food unless it's dessert! He's been eating with us for the last few days and it's going well. This morning he fed himself cereal and did a pretty good job of it. 

It's January 2nd and I'm feeling the need for something great to happen which means Steve and I will no doubt be tackling our next house/life project. I see some sanding in his future and some painting in mine. :) 

My resolution list sticks at the front of my mind, I have already started practicing a few... winter exercise outdoors with the family & piano playing with my son, I've also organised my computer and the house a bit. *focus on present *put myself out there *commit to family exercise * be organised *be appreciative *sew *practice forgiveness *don’t forget to travel *play the piano with Euan *spend time outside this winter *be loyal *be happy *be patient *be silly *be kind -CWG

Are you sticking to your resolutions? xoxo

CHEERS

JANUARY 1

      

Chapter 2013- Page 1 of 365.

 Pinch Punch it's the first of the month! xo

NEW YEAR

 I love getting up New Years Day and putting all the Christmas decorations away and doing a really great house clean and that is exactly what we are doing today.

We have friends coming over later to make pizzas and celebrate the first day of the New Year with us. Steve is making JO's dough right now- we used this recipe loads over the past few years it's really good. Here is the recipe..we have most of Jamie Oliver's cook books but if you don't you can also find some more recipes HERE.

Happy New Year! xoxo

Ingredients

• 1 kg white bread flour or Tipo '00' flour, or 800g strong white bread flour or Tipo '00' flour, plus 200g finely ground semolina flour
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 2 x 7 g dried yeast sachets
• 1 tablespoon golden caster sugar
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 650 ml lukewarm water

Method

Sieve the flour/s and salt on to a clean work surface and make a well in the middle. In a jug, mix the yeast, sugar and olive oil into the water and leave for a few minutes, then pour into the well. Using a fork, bring the flour in gradually from the sides and swirl it into the liquid. Keep mixing, drawing larger amounts of flour in, and when it all starts to come together, work the rest of the flour in with your clean, flour-dusted hands. Knead until you have a smooth, springy dough.

Place the ball of dough in a large flour-dusted bowl and flour the top of it. Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and place in a warm room for about an hour until the dough has doubled in size.

Now remove the dough to a flour-dusted surface and knead it around a bit to push the air out with your hands – this is called knocking back the dough. You can either use it immediately, or keep it, wrapped in clingfilm, in the fridge (or freezer) until required. If using straight away, divide the dough up into as many little balls as you want to make pizzas – this amount of dough is enough to make about six to eight medium pizzas.

Timing-wise, it's a good idea to roll the pizzas out about 15 to 20 minutes before you want to cook them. Don't roll them out and leave them hanging around for a few hours, though – if you are working in advance like this it's better to leave your dough, covered with clingfilm, in the fridge. However, if you want to get them rolled out so there's one less thing to do when your guests are round, simply roll the dough out into rough circles, about 0.5cm thick, and place them on slightly larger pieces of olive-oil-rubbed and flour-dusted tinfoil. You can then stack the pizzas, cover them with clingfilm, and pop them into the fridge.