Today, you are here! I’m so happy you are here ♥. Say this to your loved ones today. Don’t think about any other time but right now. This very moment in time, this very day is a gift. The time you have with those who fill your heart is more precious than anything else. Don’t take it for granted.

See life through the eyes of someone who knows their time is limited. Through your eyes. What do you really, truly want to accomplish today? Do it! Don’t wait!

Life is now. Only now. You are an important part of this wonderful world. Cherish it with an open heart.

Cheers to living!

You have great purpose.
You are loved.
You are cherished.

Feel these words of truth with all your heart. Live in the space of gratitude for love and life.

Lately, it has been like living in a snow globe. Gentle snow falls, and the ground is covered in a soft white blanket. The kids have thoroughly enjoyed playing outside in the snow under the big skies we have in Idaho. Smiles, laughter, rosy cheeks, lots of snow angels and hot cocoa of course!

A few days ago I overheard my husband exclaim that he liked shovelling snow, because he enjoys the exercise. Inside my heart smiles thinking what a great attitude he has toward our winter wonderland.

The local red barns covered in snow look gorgeous and take my breath away. Icicles hang from many of the rooftops. A feeling of excitement and magic lurks in the air.

All the beauty reminds me that life is meant to be enjoyed. Here in our own corner of the world in the very northern United States I’m taking it all in with a big smile and a warm heart.

What a beautiful world we live in!

“Inside the snow globe on my father's desk, there was a penguin wearing a red-and-white-striped scarf. When I was little my father would pull me into his lap and reach for the snow globe. He would turn it over, letting all the snow collect on the top, then quickly invert it. The two of us watched the snow fall gently around the penguin. The penguin was alone in there, I thought, and I worried for him. When I told my father this, he said, "Don't worry, Susie; he has a nice life. He's trapped in a perfect world.”                ~Alice Sebold, The Lovely Bones

Take a leap of faith that you are where you are meant to be. Whether you perceive it as good or bad, there is something for you in this space and time. What is the universe asking of you? What lessons need to be learned? Are you resisting them out of fear?

When the lessons knock on the door to my heart, I often see and hear them. Sometimes I feel like shutting the door and saying come again another day. And they do, only louder, harder and more difficult. Invite lessons in, as you would a close friend.

Trust there is a reason. Trust that the universe is all-loving and cares about your best interest as a soul. Live in the space of that belief. It is normal to feel like the lessons come in ways you do not prefer. Every one of us wonders why sometimes. However, peace comes in accepting what is and moving forward from there.

You are exactly where you should be. Have faith as you take your next step forward.  

Celebrate life with peace and love in your heart!

Your life is a gift of love.

Feel that. Own it.

Play today. Have fun & laugh. Don’t take things too seriously. Break the rules worth breaking. Make your life a joyous celebration. Be careful not to get trapped in should-dos.

Find what makes you happy & rejoice in it. Throw a snowball or sit by the fire. There is no better way to celebrate the holiday season than by sharing your infectious gift of joy.

Smile as many times as you can. Stay in the now. Love this moment in time, for it will never be here again.

Treasure today.

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**If you or someone you know does not have a CO detector in the home, enter the Give the Gift of Safety: Giveaway I’m hosting on ModernMom.com!

You are connected. You are special. When you can see light in another, even amidst their negativity, you are sharing the gift of love with them.

Today, and especially this holiday season, let go of all that you don’t have and see what is right in front of you. Your life is a gift. There are many blessings looking you in the face as we speak. Look at them. Notice them. Acknowledge them, and feel grateful for their presence in your life.

You don’t need more! Everything you need is already inside of you. Feel the warmth and contentment that is your eternal soul.

This Holiday Season I invite you to not want more, but to love more. That is where the joy and the spirit of the holiday season awaits you.

Let love warm you from the inside out.

♥ Happy Holidays ♥



p.s. I'm hosting a Giveaway on ModernMom! Please be sure to check it out and enter to give the Gift of Safety to someone you care about. You could save a life! 

Click the link below:

Don’t let the feeling of not being good at everything stop you from living out your dreams. Decide I’m not good at everything...SO WHAT! And move forward. Not being good at everything does not make your message and purpose in the world any less important. You are here for a reason, so don’t let insecurities about weakness hold you back. Embrace them and say, who cares I’ll do my best anyway!

When I first started writing this blog I was both excited and full of fear. Slowly I pushed through the fears and watched it grow every day. Every day slowly I learn. Slowly I get a little bit better (as evidenced by some of my earlier posts!) Now I have some amazing friends (YOU!) that support and accept me anyway. Thank you!

There was a whole list of things I worried about. Proper grammar, spelling, and careful proofreading are NOT strengths of mine! I had my teachers fooled receiving 100s on my spelling tests after busting my butt all week learning the words (thank goodness for a patient Mom!). Numbers were my thing. I loved math and science, not English and History. In fact, I found English and History a drag and looking back I actually think I put way too much effort in. Seriously, why take AP classes in subjects you don’t even like, and stay up way too late trying to do everything? A lesson I learned the hard way.

Now I’ve learned I actually LOVE the written word, and I LOVE reading but it is because at this stage in my life (unlike school) there is SO MUCH FREEDOM! I can choose to write about things I am passionate about. I can read WHATEVER I want to read. And yes, I believe that freedom makes us a better person, better able to fulfill our purpose on this beautiful planet.

If only teachers were given more freedom from strict guidelines, rules, and testing and were allowed to take cues from the children themselves. If teachers were allowed more time to nurture the innate passions of their students I think everyone would be a lot happier, kids and teachers! Sometimes I feel like shaking the globe and saying “Wake-Up! Life is short!” Is this really what you want for your children? To be miserable so many hours of the day, so many days of the week?

This post is to show you that it doesn’t matter if you are not good at everything! You are no less of a person for having strengths and weaknesses. Love what you do, and say who cares if everything isn’t perfect! Just go out there and DO IT ANYWAY!

Much Love ♥

When you are lucky enough to find someone who is living a similar purpose to your own, support one another. That is love!

Resist competing. There is no better you and no one better to do your work. You are unique but having parallel purpose is a gift. A joining of souls. We are all here together for a reason. We can compete against one another, or we can love and provide support.

Reach out your hand to another. Lift each other up as you rise out of love. Appreciate the light in others. Instead of trying to outshine, be confident in who you are and your glorious purpose on this planet.

We are all here to help each other. To love one another. To learn from each other. Let that be the focus of your interactions.

Love is all that is real.

The rest is a facade.

Spread love, support & happiness!

One of my favorite things about the Holiday season is baking! I’ll admit I 100% agree with Santa that the best cookie around is a Chocolate Chip Cookie. Hands down my favorite thing to make.  However, I have a close second...  BROWNIES! Yes, I’m shouting because I love them so much!

Over the past 7 months since starting a vegan diet I have struggled to find a brownie recipe I really like. One that was good enough to share with those most dear to me, my family and friends. There were a lot of mishaps in the kitchen and one time my attempt to make vegan brownies resulted in something as solid as a rock. I cannot lie. I still ate them anyway (I was desperate!). Fortunately, no teeth were lost from the ordeal, but I’m certain my husband would not have been surprised if that happened! There was a lot of loud crunch crunching, which reminded me of the dinner scene on National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. 

LOVE that movie!

Finally, I got with the program and tried a recipe from the best Vegan baker/cook I know- Oh She Glows. Angela Liddon, founder of Oh She Glows, also came up with my favorite recipe for Vegan Chocolate chip cookies. Therefore, it was no surprise that her brownie recipe is also the best one I’ve found to date.

Little Helpers, with No Shirts because that is how we roll!

Now doesn’t that make you want to try one right now?!

To Angela’s recipe I only made two slight adaptations.
  1.       I replaced the almond milk with soy milk
  2.       I left out the walnuts. Going for pure chocolate goodness!

Angela is so kind in allowing me to share her fabulous recipe with you here.

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 350◦F.

Line pan (approx. 9x9) with parchment paper.

Grease pan with baking spray.

In a large bowl mix dry ingredients (almond meal, flour, cocoa powder, salt, & baking soda)

In a medium microwave safe bowl add ¾ cup chocolate chips and earth balance. Microwave for 45 seconds (or until melted); stir.

To the melted chocolate whisk in vanilla, soy milk, and sugar.

Poor melted chocolate mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until combined.

Add remaining ¼ cup chocolate chips, stir.

Poor brownie batter into prepared pan.

Bake for approximately 35 minutes.

Tip: *Let cool completely (2 hours), before gently removing from pan and cutting.

Enjoy!

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For those interested Angela also offers a Gluten-Free recipe option as well.


Happy Baking, my lovely friends!