Ice cream sundae

IAt my last Reiki session, my friend and practitioner, Cindy, asked, "What was your dad's favorite dessert?" My answer, "An ice cream sundae." So she told me to have one and I did so yesterday. It may not have been the best one I ever had, but it was the most meaningful. I felt an instant connection to my dad and my great uncle (his favorite flavor was cookies n' cream), who both died around this time of year. Just from the sundae, I understood how both of these men, who were integral part of my life, would view my life now. I even felt like they gave me so advice too. Often, I wish they were still here to talk with and learn from, so thank you Cindy for pointing out a way to connect to them in spirit and continue to learn. I learned that my favorite dessert is a simple sundae—vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce and whipped cream. Unlike my dad, I don't like a cherry on top.

What we learn from others...

My mom had a childhood friend recently pass away. He was a radio sports jokey and I learned upon his death that he reported the news for several hours on 9/11. He didn't have to; he could have continued to report the sports. Instead he gave his listeners what they wanted and needed—the news of what was happening in the US. I learn from this that no matter who we are or what we do, sometimes we need to reach beyond this to give people what they need. Thank you, George, for teaching me this and being a true friend to my mom.

Family is what you make it....

After my daughter's 5th grade graduation, a set of her grandparents went out to lunch. They ran into the teachers and commented how nice graduations was. The teachers asked who they were their for and they told them. A teacher said that she the resemblance between Grandma and Sylvie. Only, they are not biologically related. These grandparents are very close friends that have been in Sylvie's life since she was in my tummy (in fact I meet Grandma when I was 13) and so they became grandparents. It is nice that I can teach my daughter that family is what you make it and not just biology. Sylvie is close to my mom and this grandma with no distinction between the two. This warms my heart.

What a week....

There was so much going on this week, that it got out-of-hand. I showed up on the wrong day for a networking event. I couldn't show up on the right day because I was leading my fist ever workshop. Only one person came (it was cold and wet out) and now I can say I did it. Lucky for me the one person is a friend, so it was easier (less never racking) than I anticipated. I put my profile up on an online dating site and to do so did some serious thinking about me as a person and my likes and dislikes. Now I know, I can't live without a good book, a cup of Caffix (all natural coffee substitute) and black and white cookies. By yesterday evening, I sank into a pew at Synagogue for Shabbat Services and was glad to be relaxing, calming the nerves and leaving the hectic week behind for a hectic weekend. Oh, well!

In the kitchen on Thursday or not....

For my Thursdays, I post a recipe that I have made recently and well since I had wrist surgery last week, I haven't been cooking and not starving either since I hired a caterer to prepare some meals for me, so my family could eat well (not take-out every night) and I wouldn't have to worry thankfully.

A little TLC goes a long way...

In between loads of laundry, a quick grocery shop and making chili for Superbowl Sunday, I was called an "awesome mom" because I made Sylvie baked donuts to have breakfast this week with all the fresh berries in the house because she said she wanted to eat yogurt, berries and granola for breakfast to be healthy which lasted a few days before she got bored.

The act of recovery....

According to Dictionary.com...

RECOVERY: restoration or return to any former and better state or condition.

Well, I am in RECOVERY from wrist surgery and will be back in the full swing of my blog soon.

In the kitchen on Thursday: The Caterer

In anticipation of my wrist surgery, my mother hired her friend, a caterer to make some dinners so no one has to cook, while I am in the beginning stages of recovery and all I can say is "Thanks, Mom!"

A mother'w work is never done (I know a cliche, but.....)

Happy Mother's Day!

While my daughter and her friend that slept over made me waffles this morning, it is still a Sunday which means laundry, general house clean-up and grocery shopping and thankfully my husband cleaned up the kitchen (after two 9 year olds made waffles) and took them to the park, so the house is empty and I can clean as I want without feeling like I am rebelling against mother's day.

Wednesday's words..."Yes, I can!"

According to an article in Good Housekeeping, "You control 40% of your outlook—and can train yourself to be an optimist."

Good Housekeeping

Have I learned anything today? YES

In speaking with my business mentor, she said that people like to know upfront what things cost so they  know if they can afford them and this really resonated with me—one because there are no prices on website (soon to be corrected) and two because my 9 y.o. is very conscious of what things cost and how much she is spending (Thank you, Helen).

Wednesday's words: For the first day of the year

“Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.” —Brad Paisley

Brad Paisely Birography

Tuesday's Tip" Music is the universal language

This morning my daughter was having a fashion crisis unable to decide what to wear to school, which dissolved into tears and then she started talking about the song they were learning in music class, Lean On Me, which just so happens is on my Itunes and she listened to it on the walk to school and the tears gave way to a smile (Thanks, Bill Withers).

Wednesday's words from a wise Elder, may he RIP

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." --Nelson Mandela

Tuesday's Tip: Heat water for coffee

For the past two mornings, my daughter (age 8) has made me a cup of coffee in my travel mug which is so sweet of her even if the coffee is cold, since she didn't heat the water (She said"I figured the water was still hot.")

(P.S. A second tip. just say to your child, the "blank" is delicious because it pays to sweeten things every now and then.)

In the kitchen on Thursday: Potluck

(Containers of food for the potluck Thanksgiving dinner at my mon's place--Cranberry , Potato Pancakes, Roast Pecans, Cornbread Stuffing and Gingerbread Cookies)

Roast Pecans

2 lbs. Pecans

4 Tbsp Butter

2 Tbsp Brown sugar

2 Tbsp Worstershire sauce

Salt

Heat oven to 400. Melt butter with sugar and Worstershire and coat pecans. Roast for 1 hour. Toss with salt. Cool completely and store in an airtight container.

Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for my family, my home and my mon's pumpkin chiffon pie.