SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO CRY IT OUT

It's a proven fact that women cry more often the men, about 3 to 5 times more often. But we do tend to cry over the same things like homesickness, broken relationships and grief. 

So what brings you to tears? And why? Do you wish you could cry more or cry less? Crying is a way to communicate, like babies who cry when they are in pain, or hungry or frustrated. 

For me, I've realized it is rarely physical pain that will bring on the watershed. I don't remember crying during labour, but I do remember the intense physical pain and I had both my babies naturally without so much as an aspirin. 

But mental anguish, guilt, grief these things will have me going through a box of kleenex in no time. 

I'm around 20 years old and in a bad relationship. I've got a cigarette going in both hands. I'm crying a lot because I'm scared, emotionally drained and feeling like I'm in a locked cage. Recently I ran into some old friends. One is dealing with some mental health struggles. I can see the fatigue and confusion in her eyes. I can see the pain of loss in his. Seems we are all on the verge of tears.

Mental pain, hidden away by men and women you connect with every day is a heavy, heavy burden. So is grief, that dark cloud where your life has now been changed because someone you love is gone. Be kind to one another, the greatest pain, the heart wrenching cry of the broken, is often hard to see. 

Psalm 145:18-19
"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them."

PLEASE PASS THE PASTA

There are certain things in life that once you've experienced the real deal, there's no going back. For example: coffee, chocolate or toilet paper! Someone hands you a quality product and you are spoiled for life.

Pasta, falls into this category. If you are using store bought dried pasta you should give fresh a try - you are in for a treat! 

A few years ago, the whole family took a trip to Italy. Mama Mia, these people know their pasta. Upon recommendation from a friend of ours (Dan), we hiked up, and up, and UP on the island of Capri to find a restaurant carved into a cave. It was here I had one of the most memorable meals of my life. 

A beautifully balanced meal of fresh seafood, pasta, just the right amount of sauce and cheese.

These pillows of ravioli were a delight too.

The setting certainly helped! Up high overlooking the sea, enjoying the balmy Italian climate

And just below us, the boats looking like tiny water bugs scooting on the surface and this amazing arc formation of rock.

I was hooked. 

Once, when my son was home from University, he showed me his pasta making skills from scratch. 

The dough is ridiculously simple - water, flour, egg, bit of salt; that's about it. But we did not have a pasta machine so we cut the dough by hand using a sharp knife.

Thought these looked pretty good! So we dropped them into the boiling salted water.

They came out big and fat, like udon noodles and made for a pretty hearty meal!

Last night, we had company for dinner and I guinea pigged them on a new Pasta dish: salmon pasta with lemon.

Garlic, butter, fresh herbs with lots of lemon and of course, fresh pasta! This would be a great meal on a summer day but it tasted pretty darn good in the middle of March. 

Sometimes the finer things in life are absolutely worth the time, money and wait. 

 Recipe for Baked Lemon Butter Salmon Pasta: Spend with Pennies Baked Lemon Butter Salmon Pasta - Spend With Pennies

WAKE UP!

I'm up early to walk Lulu. In the east, there is a hint of lighter blue oozing into the inky blackness of the starry night sky. Before I've made it half way around the block the robins are starting to laugh and sing. 

Time to Wake Up! 

Time to yawn and stretch and wake up our lazy bones. The birds know it and they waste no time in getting on with the business of life.

The trees know it. Life giving sap is moving in the sugar maples, waking up the trees from their long slumber.

We tap in and help ourselves to this gift known as maple syrup.

Tomorrow morning when your alarm goes off in whatever form that may be, Wake Up! Cherish the day you have no matter how mundane. Wake up to the gift of life with all its ups and downs, opportunities and struggles. Don't sleep through your life, waiting for something to change before you begin living.

You are right where you need to be to learn and grow. Honour the past, cherish the moment you are in, keep an eye on possibilities ahead of you. 

So there you have it - yours (and mine) Monday morning Pep Talk. Wake Up!

SOUL FOOD

Soup; warm, comforting soul food. Given the choice for my last meal, it would be a beautiful bowl of soup with fresh chewy bread, a glass of wine and something chocolatey for dessert. 

This past weekend, downtown Belleville hosted their annual Savour the Chill Soup contest. We make a point of taking in this event each year. Local restaurants all present their best in the soup category and for $2 a pop and with spoon in hand, you can hop from spot to spot and try their creations. This year's winner, Earl & Angelos, created a butternut squash with maple infused sour cream.  It was a taste experience and my personal favourite. Coming in at second place was Sans Souci's Wing Night soup.

It was a perfect mix of soup with a crostini to soak up the juice and a big ole chicken drum/wing. This is my idea of Soul food!

But we are not just body. This incredible species known as Humans are also made up of spirit and soul. I like to have soul food for all three. 

So I go to church and take part in what we call "Life Group" to nourish the other two. We get together in small groups and just share life together, talk about spiritual things, make memories and laugh or help carry one another's struggles. 

But we church goers learned quickly that throwing food into the mix just makes it all that much better.

Here is some of us enjoying a home made apple crisp that was warm and rich and buttery and fruity and I could go on and on. Thanks Leslie, it was delicious!

Here's to Soul Food, whatever that means to you. May you feed ALL of you, body, soul and spirit. 

LENT, LOVE AND RETIREMENT

Canadians, who is getting winter weary? Yes...I see those hands, all 35 million-ish. Walking is almost an Olympic sport. I had to help a little dear maneurver her walker through slush and ice. I pass other pedestrians, comrades-in-arms, trying to avoid nasty slips. We give each other that weary winter glance that says "I know...I know". So, please, let's give each other a good reason to celebrate or acknowledge and honour one another. Like Lent, Love and Retirement.

Although not the most ideal timing, Lent arrived this week. The day before Valentines. The day all the woman stoutly determined to give up chocolate changed their minds. 

I gathered with my church community and pancakes and bacon were enjoyed on Shrove Tuesday.

These two beauties, Charmaine and Rhonda, did their best to keep up with the supply and demand!

At work, we celebrated Valentines Day passing out Valentines to one another and slipping them into bags for special prizes; gift cards to a local spa or restaurant or the ever popular LCBO.

Sheldon and I enjoyed a beautiful gourmet dinner at one of my favourites, L'Auberge de France. 

The table was set with flowers, candles and little bags of candies making for a special atmosphere on a cold winter night. Thanks L'Auberge!

At the end of this week, one of our co-workers, Sue, finally hung up her hat after 46 years. 

You heard me...46 YEARS. The office will not be the same without this stalwart and foundational soul. Sue is our Bingo Queen so in her honour we had a rousing Bingo tournament over lunch. Sue, you will be greatly missed!

Cold Canadian winters need moments of refuge. This week, we packed it in with Lent, Pancakes, Chocolate, Love and Honour. Take heart, my comrades-in-arms! The Robins are back. Winter is slowly losing her grip. We will survive!

A FEW NEW ADDITIONS

I have a few things I want to tell you about - new additions in my life!\\\

The first one is the addition of Ronja to our home. She is an 18-year-old german exchange student who said in her german accent: "I don't like getting my picture taken."  So, no pic. But she is lovely with beautiful brown eyes and presently long bluish/blonde hair. Now before you get all up in my face about taking in kids (See my blog "The Last of the Red Hot Ballerinas") may I say in my defence she is not a ballerina. But you are right, I buckled...and took in another kid. I'm incorrigible. 

Next addition, I'm thrilled to introduce you to DandyLion. Unlike Ronja, this one is more cooperative when it comes to picture taking. AND HE'S SO CUTE! So here come Lots of pics.

He's fluffy with hair going here there and everywhere, like a hot mess. It's looks like he will have one blue eye and one brown.

Be still my heart. How adorable is this kitten?

He's inquisitive and curious like any kitten should be. But he's also sweet tempered and loving. I'm smitten with this kitten.

New additions. It's amazing how one's heart can expand and increase to love more. You would think mine would be getting pretty crowded with all the friends, family and extra kids I've tucked in. But apparently there is room for more.

Bring on the additions! Bring on the love!

JUST BE NICE

We Canadians are a pretty nice bunch. Everybody knows that. We also say "sorry" a lot (this is very true), and I'm sorry about that, but it just happens. Cause we want to be nice and not offend anyone. 

But today is the Big Game, Super Bowl Sunday. There will be factions and homes split down the middle: Pops rooting for Patriots and Uncle Fred cheering on the Underdog Eagles. They will still be saying "I'm sorry" but it will be more like "I'M SORRY!! BUT THAT WAS AN IDIOTIC CALL!!"

Just be nice...

Lulu, she is not a nice dog. So don't take any cues from her. 

She's a bit of a brat, really. She would harass my Old Man Frodo (miss you Old Man) and I would have to remind Lulu that this is an Old Cat - like frail and pushing 100 years by human standards.

See what I mean?  Just be nice Lulu.

There's a sordid tale about one of the Kings of Judah. His father, Jehoshaphat was a great guy: wise king, honest and true. His brothers were all great guys too. But Jehoram happened to be born first so the throne came to him. First up he had all his brothers and few officials to boot executed. Not a nice guy. You can read about his disastrous reign yourself in 2 Chronicles 21. He only reigned for 8 years. Then he died of a nasty bowel disease. Scripture says "he passed away unlamented". Another version puts it this way?  "He departed with no one's regret". Like, good riddance don't let the door hit you on the way out. That's got to be one of the saddest scriptures around! 

So while you are watching the game, make sure you make amends during the half time while you all sing along with Justin Timberlake.

Don't be a sore loser, or a saucy winner - just be nice.