Wednesday 30 July 2014

How Blessed I Am

•*¨✿ℒ ℴ ν ℯ ✿ℒ ℴ ν ℯ ✿ℒ ℴ ν ℯ ✿¸.•*¨✿ how blessed I am that with each farewell it gets only harder and harder thanks for the month long visit and all our glorious times shared. Good luck on your new beginnings in China I love you all and miss you all so very very much indeed. Family faces are magic mirrors. You say hello and I say goodbye once again. Until we meet again.





Now onto a new chapter in their lives
life in Shanghai China
this photograph courtesy of my niece Michelle and her husband Rob
who are visiting there now 
They love Asia as I do and my son and his family do.







✿*´¨)*
¸.•*¸.• ✿´¨).• ✿¨)
(¸.•´*(¸.•´*(.¸. •*Enjoy your beautiful day, and remember
how blessed you are! Have a blessed Wednesday!!
═════════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═════════════


Just want to throw out a HUGE thanks to all our wonderful family and friends in North America for making our travels here a truly splendid one. We've had quite an adventure and are (nervously) looking forward to our new life in Shanghai (which starts tomorrow at noon). Thanks for all the love and good times! Until next time... — with Ahram Seo Ouellette.



⊰✿░K░E░E░P░⊰✿░S░M░I░L░I░N░G░⊰✿
You are a blessing....
It's easier to build a boy than to mend a man



Jet plane



Keep true to the dreams of thy youth.
~Johann Friedrich von Schiller

“Without you in my arms, I feel an emptiness in my soul. I find myself searching the crowds for your face - I know it's an impossibility, but I cannot help myself.” 

― Nicholas Sparks, Message in a Bottle

My beautiful family my golden trio

⋰⋱ಌ⋰⋱ಌ⋰⋱ಌ⋰⋱ಌ⋰⋱ಌ⋰⋱ಌ⋰⋱ಌ⋰⋱ಌ⋰⋱ಌ⋰⋱ಌ⋰⋱ಌ⋰⋱ಌ⋰


¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪

May all of your days begin and end on a happy note
Our days were enriched and enchanted with your love and visit




I believe I can Fly

ಌ⋰⋱ಌ⋰⋱ಌ⋰⋱ಌ⋰⋱ಌ⋰⋱ಌ⋰⋱ಌ⋰⋱ಌ⋰⋱ಌ⋰⋱ಌ⋰⋱ಌ⋰⋱ಌ⋰⋱ಌ⋰


If I had my life to live over,
I would start barefoot earlier in the spring
and stay that way later in the fall.
I would go to more dances,
I would ride more merry-go-rounds.
I would pick more daisies.
~Nadine Stair




"Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light."
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBZ8ulc5NTg

Hello China here they come


•☆*´¨`☽¸.★*´♡¸.★*´♡
( ☆* The Best Is Yet To Come….. 
´`★.¸¸¸. •°´♡¸.★*´♡¸.★*´♡

One never knows just when a chapter will begin or end...
Life is a series of new beginnings.
Enjoy your life in China
My life is so much better with you in it♥
Love you all and miss you all so very very much


Sunday 27 July 2014

Have a Soulful Sunday

“The most sacred place dwells within your heart, where dreams are born and secrets sleep, a mystical refuge of darkness and light, fear and conquest, adventure and discovery, challenge and transformation. Our heart speaks for our soul every moment while we are alive. Listen… as the whispering beat repeats: begin, be…gin, be…gin. It’s really that simple. Just begin… again.” by Royce Addington


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUvvJOg6jXI

So thankful for all the beautiful family gatherings this summer

Family faces are magic mirrors

10 things to remind yourself of daily

Bad days can be extremely overpowering sometimes. When we're having a bad day, everything feels wrong and the day seems to get even worse as we sink further into frustration and despair. By the end of the day, all we want to do is pull the covers up over our heads and block it all out.  

When I clawed my way out of a depressive phase last year, it was a daily challenge to keep myself from falling back into that phase again. I had to go through a process of re-building my self-esteem and re-evaluating my life. But there were days when I was not very successful with these things and the negative thoughts that stayed with me for so long would interfere again. 
 
It sort of felt like climbing up and over a steep hill and every time I let a negative or discouraging thought sink in, my foot would slip and I would roll all the way back down to the bottom of the hill and have to start all over again.   

On the bad days, I would feel like it would never end and that I would always be unhappy.  

To achieve mental balance, I have to make a habit of reminding myself of a few important things that I think we all tend to forget when there is a black cloud looming over our heads.  

1. Do not lose sight of what truly matters. Does that clogged sink signify the end of the world? Are you going to remember or even care that the stranger you smiled at in the coffee shop didn’t smile back? When we’re having a bad day, we seem to zoom in on petty things and complain about them. Next time you’re pulling your hair out over something, ask yourself if it really matters. 
 
2. It is okay to be alone or pull back from the world. Sometimes we just need to step back and re-evaluate a situation, a relationship, or just life in general. When I went through my healing period, I spent a lot of time alone as I tried to become my own best friend again. If you need to go into hiding for awhile and work on stitching yourself back up, take the time to do that. It is so important to pull back and spend quality time with yourself every now and then.
 
3. You are not always in control. You cannot predict when certain things will or should happen, or how everything will turn out. Sometimes you just have to stop pushing and let go.
 
4. What other people think is irrelevant. I was a miserable slave to the opinions of others. It got to a point where I was trying so hard to please everyone but myself. Don’t let your immediate reaction to criticism be to change whatever it is you’re being criticized for. Do whatever feels right to you, regardless of what other people have to say about it.
 
5. Don’t give up. If you’re fighting for something that means a lot to you, do not stop fighting whenever you happen to fall short. Remember why you are fighting for it.
 
6. You don’t have to know all the answers. No one ever has life all figured out. We are always learning and growing. Life itself is a mystery and it’s okay to feel clueless sometimes.
 
7. You are enough. All of us have had times in our lives where we have thought, “I’m not smart enough or pretty enough or strong enough or exciting enough to do _____.” Give yourself a chance instead of forming limiting beliefs.
 
8. Stay present. Try not to dwell on the past or worry about the future. Take everything one day at a time.
 
9. Your feelings will not kill you. I know that heartbreak, grief, depression, or resentment might make you feel like you’re dead and breathing, but you have the strength to get through whatever life throws at you. Hold on and see yourself through it.
 
10. You are human. This is probably the biggest reminder of them all. You will make mistakes. You will hurt other people and other people will hurt you. You won’t always feel happy and positive. Next time you feel the urge to beat yourself up over any of these things, remind yourself that you are an imperfect human being instead.

Wednesday 23 July 2014

Treasure your many blessings



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Q6veM83IKs



The great trees, which had looked shrunken and bare in the earlier months, had now burst into strong life and health; and stretching forth their green arms over the thirsty ground, converted open and naked spots into choice nooks, where was a deep and pleasant shade from which to look upon the wide prospect, steeped in sunshine, which lay stretched out beyond. The earth had donned her mantle of brightest green; and shed her richest perfumes abroad. It was the prime of the year; all things were glad and flourishing...  

~Charles Dickens.

Both from the beautiful blog The Dutchess
Thank you 


Here’s a yummy recipe for you. I just love mashed potatoes, don’t you? the quintessential Holiday comfort food. The browned butter makes this particular recipe sing. Caramely and rich and oh- soooooo good!
(serves 6)
3 to 4  lb. unpeeled, red potatoes, quartered
1/3 to 1/2 cup sour cream (adjust as necessary)
3 oz. Romano cheese
1 to 2 teaspoons fresh, minced garlic
2 teaspoons horseradish
1 Tablespoon dried parsley leaves
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 stick of butter, cooked in a skillet until golden brown
coarse sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
Bring large pot of potatoes, covered with water, to boil. Cook until tender (about 45 minutes.) Drain well. Place in a large mixing bowl. Mix with the sour cream, cheese, garlic, horseradish, parsley and onion. Mash with a potato masher or electric mixer. Add a little buttermilk or whole milk if the potatoes seem too thick, and to make the mashing a bit easier, if you wish.
Transfer potatoes to individual serving bowls and drizzle some of the browned butter over each serving. Salt and pepper to taste.
Enjoy!

Recipe courtesy of Chin Deep

"Dreams are the touchstone of our character." ~Henry David Thoreau

Tuesday 15 July 2014

Logan Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqOoGe9Kp0I

Thanks for all of you who put a song in my heart♥







Grand Canyon
Summer 2014

✿*´¨)*
¸.•*¸.• ✿´¨).• ✿¨)
(¸.•´*(¸.•´*(.¸. •* ✿
Love this picture



3 amigo's best friends since high school
now they party but with their own wives and children




"An invisible thread connects those who are destined to meet regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break." ~Chinese Proverb




At my cousin's place in Grand Bend
Best Ice Cream
Logan had bubble gum flavor





Memories of Grand Bend
July 12th weekend summer of 2012


Beautiful visit with Grandma
99 years young


✿*´¨)*
¸.•*¸.• ✿´¨).• ✿¨)
(¸.•´*(¸.•´*(.¸. •* ✿
Love this picture

Sunday 13 July 2014

Now and Zen

Sunday's ZEN TIP: “In today's rush we all think too much, seek too much, want too much and forget about the joy of just Being.”
~ Eckhart Tolle



You two are like champagne
bright sparkling and bubbly 
and always reason to celebrate





When we're together or when we're apart, you're first in my thoughts and first in my heart.


Our loved ones having fun in Grand Bend

✿*´¨)*
¸.•*¸.• ✿´¨).• ✿¨)
(¸.•´*(¸.•´*(.¸. •*Always let your beautiful Light Shine.
Beautiful Summer Sunday to you and Happy Sunday!!
═════════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ═════════════





"I've never seen a moon in the sky that, if it didn't take my breath away, at least misplaced it for a moment."
~ Colin Farrell ~

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRqmGmV7T5o&list=PLwr4fBxScIc5OWv6JMZfpjj4Nfy78rBJp

Your Soulful Sunday soundtrack



Saturday 12 July 2014

Have a Beautiful Saturday

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQKZU5el5Nw

Today I send you to this beautiful guest house to rest, relax and rejuvinate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGtWWb9emYI&app=desktop

Cannot wait to watch the world cup game tomorrow



Beautiful asian treats





I love this song♫


Love the Cheesecake Factory
Photograph taken by my beautiful daughter of the soul



The golden trio at a friends home



Having fun at Cedar Point

“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” 

Marcel Proust





panzanella {italian bread salad}


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panzanellasalad
We like to make this traditional Italian salad using day old baguette or Italian boule. You’ll need the equivalent of one whole loaf for this, so if you don’t happen to have that much, it’s easy enough to dry out your bread cubes in the oven or on the grill. If you like bruschetta, you’ll love this. It’s got all the fresh, summery flavors of bruschetta, but all in one bowl!
1 loaf Italian bread or baguette, cubed
3 large cloves garlic, minced
6 medium, perfectly ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 cup cucumber, chopped
1 cup red, yellow or green onion, chopped
1 and 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 Tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped
2 Tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 Tablespoons dry white wine (optional)
sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
If your bread isn’t already dry, spread cubes on a large baking sheet in one layer. Bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes or just until dry. (OR… if you have your grill going, slice the bread and lay it on the cool side of the grill until toasted. Watch closely so your bread doesn’t burn. Grilling the bread adds tremendous flavor to this salad! Cut grilled bread slices into cubes.) Set aside.
Combine bread, vegetables and herbs in salad bowl.
In a small bowl, combine oil, vinegar and wine. Pour dressing over salad and toss well to evenly coat everything. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve.
Enjoy!

Recipe courtesy of Chin Deep thank you

(˘ڡ˘ )

How to Make a Beautiful Life

Love yourself.
Make peace with who you are
And where you are
At this moment in time.
Listen to your heart.
If you can’t hear what it’s saying
In this noisy world,
Make time for yourself.
Enjoy your own company.
Let you mind wander among the stars.
Try.
Take chances.
Make mistakes.
Life can be messy
And confusing at times,
But it’s also full of surprises.
The next rock in your path
Might be a stepping stone.
Be happy.
When you don’t have what you want,
Want what you have.
Make do
That’s a well-kept secret of contentment.
There aren’t any shortcuts to tomorrow.
You have to make your own way.
To know where you are going
Is only part of it.
You need to know where you’ve been, too.
And if you ever get lost, don’t worry.
The people who love you will find you.
Count on it.
Life isn’t days and years.
It’s what you do with time
And with all the goodness and grace
That’s inside you.
Make a Beautiful life…
The kind of life you deserve.

-unknown

From the beautiful blog