LOVE IS IN THE AIR (WAVES)

Romanze, composed by Robert Schumann for his beloved wife Clara, is part of the long, LONG history music plays (bad pun) in the Book of Love (Peter Gabriel). 

Robert met Clara when she was 15 and was forbidden by her father to continue their romance. Dad burned all their love letters. But this was "More Than a Feeling" (Boston) and he would wait for hours at a coffee shop just for a few minutes with her. Eventually they married when she was 21 and went on to have a bevy of children together. Ah... "The Things We Do for Love" (10CC).

Humanity is always trying to figure out how to express passion, and one of the best (and worst) is through music. Last week, in honour of Valentines Day, CBC Music sent out the invite to listeners to tell them what they considered were the worst Love songs of all time. Top of the List? "Having My Baby" by Paul Anka. Yep, that one was pretty bad...For those who know me well and my personal aversion to ABBA, I would have to put "Fernando" up there. 

But most of the time, we get it right, and there are some beautiful love songs out there. I'm a sucker for a guy who can serenade me with a guitar and one of my favourites right now is Donovan Woods "I Ain't Ever Loved No One". 

So, another Valentines Day has come and gone. A few gorgeous bouquets arrived at the office and I came home to  1 dozen red roses a box of chocolates (Thanks Sheldon!). 

"But these three remain Faith, Hope and Love" 1 Corinthians 13:13. To the end of time, Love is and always will be in the air (waves). 

A FEW SURVIVAL TIPS

I just got to say it, winter has been pretty grumpy; down right pissy this year! We go to extremes: frigid deep freeze temperatures to snowmageddon, then jump into buckets of freezing rain and why not throw in wind gusts up to 100 clicks.

My backyard that is so welcoming and lively in the summer is distant and giving me the silent treatment: dead potted plants, icy decks and frozen poopsicles. 

But this isn't my first winter rodeo so I've stored away a few survival tips to get me through this yearly ice age.

My first suggestion would be to get out of Dodge, to somewhere bathed in surf, sun and sand! If that is not in the cards, find yourself a nice warm sunbeam.

I find the pets strategically aligned with these all over the house. Not having a personal fur coat, I take to the fireplace or warm fuzzy blankets for a hibernation moment.

Make yourself comfort food like soups, stews and in this case, a mushroom and spinach quiche

Add a nice glass of red wine with that and you won't even notice the icy, freezing rain smashing against your window.

Finally, spend time with those who warm the cockles of your heart. This weekend I hung out with my parents, enjoyed a raucous night of laughter at a games night with a few friends, went to Church this morning and then, there's this guy, the Little Prince:

If that face doesn't melt your heart, I don't know what would!

If, like me, you have had enough of winter's little tantrums let him know you're not going to take it. Show him who's boss and pull out your Survival kit. If that doesn't work, get on the next plane to Tahiti!

I SEE YOU

In the dead of winter, it's not uncommon for a mouse to make his way into our house. Little mouse thinks "Ho ho, what is this? There's food in abundance, water and lots of warm places to sleep! I've discovered Shangri-La!" 

But this little paradise has two healthy mouse hunting cats. And more often than not, I will find a miserable little mouse perched high on the top of the curtains with cats just waiting at the bottom, knowing, eventually, that mouse will have to come down. 

This is one I managed to rescue before the cats finished him off. I love the intense look on Sasha's face. 

"I See You, Little Mouse..."

One of my co-workers and I had this discussion about how we tend to flippantly greet one another, barely acknowledging the other's presence; just going through the motions: "Morning", "Hi" "How are you"...maybe a quick nod. So now she makes a point of stopping, looking me in the eye and saying "Good Morning. How are you, I SEE YOU." This may still be a pretty quick gesture but we make a point of sensing a connection.

C.S. Lewis once said:

It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods & goddesses, to remember that the dullest & most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship…You have never talked to a mere mortal.

This week, when you greet your fellow man, remember what a glorious creature you are interacting with, more than just another mere mortal slugging through life. They are a unique, one-of-a-kind creation: Connect. 

And Hey, I See You

SOMETHING NEW

Perhaps I complained a little too loudly about the cold weather last weekend...Old Man Winter has sent a reprimand - "You whining about the cold? I'll give you something to whine about!" We are getting us a real winter wallop; not only is it colder, it's snowier. So after shovelling out those extra 15 cm of snow in the driveway, I'm hunkered down in front of the fireplace with my hands wrapped around a Cinnamon Chai Tea.

I've been trying lots of different teas lately, thanks to a David's Tea gift box from Christmas. They are Something New for me.

Which got me musing about all the new things I discovered last year!

For example: I discovered new music and artists. The Bahamas with their easy summer sounding groove, Natalie Prass' "Short Court Style" which I dunno, I just find it fun. "Come for a Ride" by Divine Right - old song, but new to me. And Donovan Woods.  "Burn That Bridge" is over the top when it comes to building musical tension. 

I discovered new recipes too - chocolate meringues, Pasta with roasted squash and kale that I could every night for the rest of my life, and lots of great soups.

Of course, there were new adventures, new people and new pets who entered my life and touched my soul. 

All that to say, this year too, will hold New Things. The Thai Chicken Noodle soup I made last week is a keeper. And I have a stack of new books to read by my beside.

I pulled this book out of a boxful at my daughter's place. It is pushing near 100 years old since being published and chock full of fairy lore, mythology and classics like Tom Thumb, Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella. I'm enjoying this new read!

And of course, there will be new adventures ahead. Now adventures can be exciting but sometimes, not very comfortable. 

I happen to work in the healthcare field and well, looks like change is a coming (again) and I really don't know what the future holds regarding my job. My work family works hard, really hard, to support those in the community who are weak, ill and vulnerable, young and old alike. And the provincial government has determined there is likely a better way to spend the tax payer's money (again). This is old hat for us but there will be new processes and hierarchy put in place. 

This year, there will be lots of new things ahead for all of us. Some, like a good recipe or book or a new soul to connect with will make you wonder how you survived before. And some new adventures will be uncomfortable, even hard. 

I've rambled on long enough now, the snow has finally stopped and the real deep freeze is about to set in. Stay warm and safe everyone,  and try Something New.

RECIPE FOR COMFY-COSY-CANADIAN-HEAT-SEEKER

The dog wants out. The dog wants in. And out, and in...and every time I open the door this whoosh of cold air streams in. Frigid, icy, take your breath away kind of cold. The arctic air is making the rounds here in Canada. 

I thank God above that the furnace is working. It faithfully starts up with a grumble almost every 10 minutes. Still, my house is cold and the outfit de jour is sweaters, blankets, fuzzy slippers and socks. 

I want Comfy! I want Cosy! I want Heat! 

To the kitchen I go, where the stove gives off that extra boost heat seekers desire.

Breakfast is oatmeal, hot and comforting with dried cherries and pecans. Kinsip, a locally made product of Maple syrup infused with whisky makes it extra special! This stuff will spoil you when it comes to maple syrup. If you find it - buy it.

It was supposed to be a Christmas gift but at the last minute I heard that L'oreal commercial in my head that said "You're worth it" and I said "You're right" and I kept it. 

Oatmeal was the energy starter I needed and I got crazy in the kitchen making soups to stock up the freezer.

I started with a squash/sweet potato soup.

Squash, sweet potato, apple a drizzle of Kinsip (worth it) and seasoning. 

All blended up and topped with roasted sesame seeds - Voila!

Hadn't planned on the next one, but after a visit to the market the crazy mushroom dude was feeling particularly generous and gave me a LOT of extra mushrooms. So I made a cauliflower soup with mushrooms.

Roasted cauliflower is a very pretty thang.

Then I made a Thai Chicken Noodle, another fab recipe from the fab Marcus, my friend's hubby who is a kitchen wiz with the best recipes.

This one is a bit spicy with coconut milk, spinach, mushrooms (I've got a lot of mushrooms right now), red pepper and noodles. 

Another beauty from Marcus - vegetarian Shepherd's Pie!

So, here's my for all you heat seeking Canadians: Sweaters, blankets, working furnaces, slippers, socks, oatmeal, time in the kitchen, season with Kinsip and throw in mushrooms. 

You will feel comfy-cosy in no time!

IT'S POSSIBLE

There was a year when my daughter lived in Japan. I live in Canada, the other side of the world. And although the umbilical cord had been cut over 20 years earlier, the invisible one, the one that connects mother to child was and is, still intact. And it was stretched far too taunt for my liking. But I realized that if I really, REALLY needed to be with her, I could get on a plane and hold her in my arms within a day. 

Because it was possible. 

There are things we hope and dream for that seem impossible. But look again, try another view, consider the surprises and twists in life that you are not even aware of. Chances are those hope and dreams are indeed possible!

What if the worst happened? What if? Most of the huge mountains we perceive in our way are really only rather steep hills that may take the stuffing out of you in the process of climbing. But then you somehow make it to the top. You get a new perspective and take stock of your surroundings. Some things are lost, and unexpectedly some are gained. 

This coming year some of your impossible dreams can come true - So don't give up. Keep dreaming, keep hoping. 

It's Possible!

CHEERS TO A GOOD YEAR

Can you believe it - we are at the end of 2018. Whoosh, that one went by fast! This time business: It drags along like slowly falling snowflakes, and suddenly in the blink of an eye they land, melt and disappear. Boom! Another year over. 

I'm sure you've noticed the massive amount of advice on the internet. Just flipping through Facebook I came across these gems: 

or how about:

and this next one is chock full of wisdom!

Most of us tend to take stock of what the heck just happened in 2018 and consider how to take on 2019 with new goals, energy and fortitude. 

For me, 2018 was a year filled with many blessings and believe me,  they did not go by unnoticed. 

So, here's a few hi-lites: 
Sheldon and I went right to the west coast. We visited Adrian and Carolyn and for the first time I saw Victoria BC. 

I had a few amazing new additions!

DandyLion and of course, the Little Prince Soren

I got to go camping not once but twice 

Swimming, loons, roasted marshmallows, canoeing galore!

Then there was time at the cottage with family and friends, lots of great food experiences and rounded up the year with Adrian coming home for Christmas. 

Did I have my share of frustrations and disappointments? Of course, but not many. 

So here we stand on the cusp of 2019. I wish you (and me) a year full of adventures, blessings and welcome additions. In the midst of storms I wish you (and me) safe havens and peace. The next year will likely hold its share of each. 

Cheers Everyone to a good year - the one behind us and the one ahead!