Sledding!
Not long ago we took advantage of one of the few weekends thus far this season with snow. I even wiped out myself (auspiciously to avoid a child or two but truly because of my poor steerage of plastic death traps). Is there more fun in life than laughter, snow down your neck and friendship? All that and a child so worn out he conks out after just one bedtime story (followed swiftly by his parents).
Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
Although I've been trying to eat mostly plants this winter, this past weekend I made
a meal my family occasionally requests on cold, winter Sunday afternoons.
Chicken and Dumplings are so easy to make and yet one of the ultimate comfort foods. You can leave out the dumplings (or give to someone else's bowl) for a healthier version.
Here is my "go to" recipe:
(shortcut tip - use the ready cut containers from Trader Joe of onions, carrots and celery to save time)
Dumplings:
Directions:
- Saute the vegetables in a tablespoon of olive oil for five minutes before adding the chicken, broth and all other ingredients. Cover and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Meanwhile, combine flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in milk and parsley. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls into simmering stew. Cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes or until the dumplings are tender.
Note: This recipe is adapted from Ms. via AllRecipes. Thank you, Ms. Durance!
Being Lucky
Like many people, I've spent a lot of time considering why I never win the lottery. First of all - I almost never play. Secondly, I never really think I am going to win.
I typically calculate my chances and end with the same decision- a dollar saved is a dollar earned. Although I do understand that it's just fun to play with the anticipation that one might win.
This same philosophy can be applied to just about anything. Yet who is to say that we are not ALL the "lucky ones"? Taking a chance on something meaningful is never a waste when you focus on the best possible outcome. Lottery aside, most success is a result of preparation and hard work. Anyone who has read Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell will get that.
So when I became my household's Knock Hockey champion today, I knew it was the result of a decade of dedicated play time that won me this coveted title. My son called me 'lucky' and I had to agree. Call it kismet, call it fortune...or one could just call it life. Anything worth doing is worth doing well - whether earning the Nobel Peace prize or a champion right flip of a hockey puck.
Hibernation
This strange time of year between the holidays and Spring has captured me completely. While insanely busy at work, my weekends and nights have been divided between family and...more work. It seems that I am surrounded by women who feel just like me. And women are magic - somehow able to recharge our batteries in the stillness between moments. In the quiet of giving backrubs at bedtime, in the routine of folding laundry, in the shared glass of Belgian lager with one's spouse as our young splash nearby in the bath. We find it in the hour before sunrise and in between the craziness.
Of course a month in Bora Bora would really help out - until then I'll slip in a personal day for yoga, coffee and silence. Who said finding one's bliss was easy?
People are strange...in a very good way!
I love having a diverse group of friends with varied tastes, perceptions, interests and backgrounds. It makes life interesting and it means that there is always someone there for you when you need them. This week I've called on several friends that I am grateful for. Whether to answer astronomy questions, give tutoring advice, meet up for bowling playdates, remind you that exercise can be fun or to listen non-judgmentally as you relay the plot of the last Twilight film (ahem), interesting, cool people rule. Wouldn't it stink if we were all the same?
And I just had to go back and edit this post thanks to my editing friend, Ellie, who pointed out that I misspelled the word "advice". See!?
Holiday Music Has Arrived!
Here we go! Christmas music is floating around everywhere and even our local diner has switched up its selections. Radio, car and outside spaces are no longer safe from holiday tunes. In fact I am actually enjoying it (for now).
If you don’t have something nice to say…
I was recently having a conversation with a very bright (female) colleague when she made the following remark about someone she was having a challenging relationship with outside of work: “Everything she does with her hands she un-does with her words.” I was struck by just how appropriate this comment was in describing so many situations.
How many of us have worked hard to produce something (whether it’s a work project or a home/family project) only to shoot ourselves in the foot with an impulsive or ill considered criticism/remark? Sadly, I know that I have. It is a humbling experience.
In my case, it was in pushing others to my own standards, believing that my own way is the very best way. I may get an A for my efforts but if no one wants to celebrate the achievement with me (for being an overly critical snoot) then what joy is there in the result? For those of us who are our own worse critic, this is a very challenging life lesson.
If you do suffer it, be eternally grateful for the experience. Acceptance without ego opens a lot of discoverable, middling ground.
It does not matter how hard a person works to deliver results if they fail to treat other people with respect and with an open mind to another person’s dignity. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our heads that we don’t always step outside ourselves and into someone else’s shoes. Ever been there?
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