To Grateful Beginnings!

    Today is the 5 year anniversary of this blog!!! If you are a fan you know that I am not one for New Year's resolutions. I will remind you to begin again the book Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach. Since the first entry is January 1st it is always a wonderful way to begin the New Year. The second would be to sign up for Mike Dooley's Notes From the Universe & then sign up for the free 30 day workshop to Love Your Life beginning New Year's Day. See end of this blog for link. ***

   This year I am determined to master the essence of one of my favorite Mike Dooley TUT Notes from the Universe 'quotes'. These are the messages awaiting my inbox in the morning & help get my day off on the right 'note' This one note, though it sounds simple, has not been simple at all for me to master.

"Little else fires up the old turbines of manifestation like gratitude given in advance."

     So why is this such a toughie? I feel most of us have been practicing our gratitudes on a regular basis. Remind yourself or write down daily three things that you are grateful for. Well this note has an extra step to it if you read closely. If one is to give gratitude for something in the future, then you must begin to dream big on a regular basis. You must look to the future & be grateful for something that hasn't even happened yet! We are taught not to be presumptuous or to jinx ourselves on any future luck that may be in store for us. That's hogwash, rubbish & ridiculous! So yes, it is difficult visualizing that dream then thanking the Universe for its fruition. That is why this will be my goal for the coming year to master the ultimate of gratitudes. For instance, Universe I am so grateful for the years of service my car has given me but I am so grateful for this newer, beautiful model (that isn't falling apart around me!) Woo Hoo! Not so hard after all; it will just take some practice. But what a way to start a new year, dreaming of lovely things to happen & saying 'thank you'.

     Happy New Year to you & remember to dream big and be forever grateful!

     *** Go to http://www.tut.com/index/tut30days to register for the FREE Love Your Life 30 Day workshop. All Mike Dooley's workshops are fabulous and for only minutes a day your year will be off to one filled with infinite possibilities!

The Day After Christmas

Twas the day after Christmas

And all through the house,

Not a present is left unwrapped

Not the perfume nor the blouse.

The wrappings are strewn;

The tree's getting dry.

You reminisce of the 24 hour whirlwind

And let out a big sigh.

This blogger says to herself

"I did fine this year,

I was a productive little elf."

There were smiles & frowns,

Many good tidings all around.

We were healthy and happy this year,

And the many laughs I could hear.

And as I remove my virtual Santa hat,

I say, "I can't ask for more than that."

Now with nothing to bake, cook or wrap,

A very happy post Christmas to all

Now you deserve a long nap!

What's New Cookie?

   Cookie baking is synonymous with Christmas. So check out my previous cookie baking blogs (search on this blog Holiday Baking Tips - there's a favorite recipe tucked there too!) and utilize these tips from cookie master Dorie Greenspan found in this month's Better Homes and Gardens. Remember, you pay a lot for your quality ingredients;  maximize your success by reading ahead!

    ~ ALWAYS preheat the oven to required temp then wait 10-15 more minutes. This accommodates for heat loss when you open the door to insert that first tray.

~ Line baking sheets with parchment paper (This is the best tip EVER - makes it all so much easier come cookie removal & cleanup! MP50) or use silicone baking sheets.

~ Properly softened/room temp butter will leave an indent when you press with your finger.

~ Don't cheat on cool down time. A cookie's true texture develops when cool.

~ Freeze scooped, rolled & cutout cookie unbaked! Freeze them on a parchment lined sheet until solid. Then transfer to a baggie or airtight container for up to 2 months. (I did this last night for my chocolate chips & it worked like a charm! See pics below. I will have others too & will bake thawed cookies for those holiday visitors for the freshest cookies ever. Think how amazing the house will smell! Especially beneficial for those cookies that don't hold up as well after a few weeks no matter how airtight your tin or how many slices of bread you throw in said tin to keep them moist! - MP50)

    Finally, Nestle is helping us get imaginative with our Toll House recipe by reinventing the morsel. Last year I used the semi-sweet & the milk chocolate caramel filled morsels. This year they have a trio of dark, milk & white chocolate morsels mixed together in various sizes for interest. Also, slightly under bake those cc's for the chewier texture. Go crazy, Ladies!!!  Most of all, enjoy the baking experience with family & friends. HoHoHo!

Decorate with Mindfulness this Holiday

   How quick the season is upon us & we suddenly realize time is running out and we have to shop, wrap, clean, cook, bake, oh and yeah decorate. (all the while being merry & happy & NOT exhausted). Not an easy time of year for all us Give a Mouse a Cookie women but it can be better. (For starters for every yes you say to something, say a no to something & for heaven's sake just breath)!

   What this blog is about today is to remind you (and myself) to be mindful of those special things that make Christmas amazing for you; the things that bring a warm and fuzzy feeling to your heart. For this blogger it is decorating and especially my live greens decorating & putting up and adorning that fragrant, amazing tree. If nothing else got accomplished - I would have a tree. When my daughter was in Australia for Christmas two years ago - not many decorations made it out of their ten month hiding places, just a few favorites but I most definitely had a tree.

   The lights of course bring your tree to life but it's your ornaments that give it the heart, soul & joy. Mindfully - take the time to reflect on them and carefully give them their special bough. I love the ornaments I have collected from places that have been visited or ornaments that came from a special place or remind me of a special time or person in my life. My friends (of over forty plus years!) and I did an ornament exchange for many years when we were out of college & even some were exchanged before. These are always so precious to unwrap. I even have an ornament I made in the 4th grade; just a simple red ball with my name glued and gold-glittered onto it. What precious times those were with many more to come!

   This year I am starting a new tradition. We will each print out a picture of a 'big dream' destination or wish in words and tuck it among those balsam fir branches. I can't think of a better place for a dream to begin its journey to realization than at Christmastime. This is something that takes thought & mindfulness. Take your time & enjoy your trip down memory lane...

    Alas, I know someday when my daughter has her own tree, all her ornaments (and some family ones too) will graduate to that next tree. Hopefully, I will have done my job right and she will mindfully decorate and reminisce on each and every one too. This is the time of year for ornaments & the most extraordinary memories of dreams, faith, hope & love they bring.