I wore a whimsical necklace from my childhood yesterday and it brought back memories. The necklace joined my wardrobe for one of my first trick-or-treat outings. I’m glad to see, from a photo album caption my mom wrote, that it was also my dad’s when he was little. How fun! And, I’m also glad to see I still enjoy randomly wearing headdresses and dancing around… Hah…
Reflection time: I want to take a moment and consider a handful of things I’ve started doing on a regular basis to build a happier me. Because, honestly, if I don’t reflect on these, I’m afraid I’ll stop making this effort when I’m busy or stressed. And that would be a darn shame. Because I truly believe tiny efforts feed into a greater sense of calmness and clarity of self.
I stop to savor beautiful sights. And to take photos if I have my camera on hand. :) A few years ago, I took a mindfulness/Buddhist class that’s helped me better notice and appreciate my surroundings. I also challenge my sense of sight by looking for patterns and subtle imagery.
Since high school, I’ve made it a point to smile as the last image I see of myself in a mirror. I want the picture of myself in my head to be happy. And I want a smile to feel like my most natural, go-to expression.
This past week, I bought two strangers coffee. And I’ve decided to make this a weekly ritual. The idea’s simple, and I took it directly from church. But I think it’s a fun way to acknowledge the people around me. I have my boyfriend, Chris, to thank for helping me realize this, too. He recently tweeted, “I’m glad so many people want to change the world. I just wish they would start caring about the people in front of them first.” I think he’s on to something.
When Chris moved to D.C., we started our own group on Facebook. At first, it was a place to post pictures and simply say hello. Lately, we’ve been using it as a gratitude journal. Every day, we each write five things for which we’re thankful. It’s nice not only to reflect but to share these small joys with someone.
I say good morning to my design coworkers. My office is at the beginning of the hallway by the stairs, so it’d be really easy to sneak in and start working without seeing anyone. But it feels nice to at least say hi.
What are some of the small things you do to build a happier you?
Today, I went to the park. And this is what I saw.
Building across the street from my grocery store
Photo taken on 2011 Christmas Eve while looking at luminaries
I have the crafting itch!
Recipe: Breakfast bars
Music: Sigur Ros, The Antlers
Candle Scent: Sage and white tea
Baking company: Gypsy fuzzy wuzzy kitty
Outfit: Lounge pants, sweater, poofy slippers
Ingredients:
1/3 cup whole wheat flour
1/8 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
1 1/2 cups dried fruit (cherries, cranberries, apricots, plums… go crazy.)
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1 tbsp milk
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Coat a square pan (8 or 9 inch) with non-stick spray.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Stir in the nuts, dried fruit and chocolate chips. Mix in the vanilla and milk.
Spread the mixture into the pan and press to even it out. Bake for 30-35 minutes.
*Recipe adapted from Joy of Baking. And by “adapted” I pretty much mean chocolate was added. As it should be. TO EVERYTHING.
This past weekend, I visited my boyfriend, Chris, in Washington D.C. to celebrate his birthday. Naturally, I decided I should fly 1,000-ish miles from St. Louis with a homemade birthday cake for him. (Obviously.) This may seem like a bit of a hassle, but it surprisingly was not. Was it hilariously awesome? Affirmative. People ate it up. Not literally… but some wanted to.
Let me break my cake traveling process down for you: First, I had a man help me with my luggage for the “safety” of the cake. Then, when I was checking my bags, a group of Southwest employees ganged up on me saying they’d have to confiscate it. (And might I add that they kept disturbingly straight faces at first. Definitely threw my NOYOULIESTOPTRICKIN radar off.)
While waiting in the security check line, a man inquired about the future owner of the cake and demanded repeatedly that he [Chris] better downright appreciate it. (It’s cool, stranger man. You couldn’t have known that I have the sweetest guy alive.) Then the security guard announced to all with a chuckle that both laptops and special cakes should be placed in their own trays. And while the cake was moving through the X-ray machine, I heard her say, “I’m going to need to taste test this one.”
As I was boarding the plane, a fellow traveler stopped abruptly, cackled and proceeded to ask me 7.524 million questions about the cake. Once I made it on the plane, the flight attendant clapped and announced I’d brought cake for everyone while I walked down the aisle. And throughout all this, countless small children eyed the flying cake up and down with lust.
And all this took place before 7 a.m. Whew! Now I know how to make friends at the airport.
You are always on my mind, Thai food. Always.
Oh yeah. So iced. So fly.
Why does this cake exist? Because Chris does a wicked impersonation of Kermit. Yes, this is one of the reasons I’m dating him. (Really? Yes.)
