H2O

So... I think I've finally found a way to get me to drink more water.

Trickery!   

This stemless wine glass + limes + sparkling water = awesome!!!!!  Refreshing!!! Not daunting at all.  I've already had two this morning!  So basically, if I have half a pack of La Croix everyday, I'll be a properly hydrated woman.

Also, my kids are growing up.  Oh, where did the time go?  I came home last night to discover this:

How cute is my little basil and cilantro?  Side note:  so crazy, the basil smells so basil-y, and the oregano smells like pizza.  Already?  That's awesome!

They've grown!

I mentioned The Happiness Project a while back and how it has really helped me to achieve daily happiness.  The thing that has helped me the most is writing down daily goals as well as long term goals.  It's amazing the changing of perspective I have had.  Instead of looking at my daily tasks as daily chores, I look at them when they are completed as little successes.

One of my long term goals was to plant a little herb garden.  One of my daily goals was to actually plant the thing!  So a little over two weeks ago I planted the seeds in pots while on the phone with my mom.  She's a seasoned gardener and thought it was hilarious that I didn't know how to do anything.  (I didn't know that you weren't supposed to put all of the packaged seeds in one pot.  Oops)

My little plant babies have started sprouting up.  We thought they might like some company aka I'm actually keeping stuff alive so we added three more potted plants.

Now I actually wish I had more space to plant a real garden.  Someday, I guess.  The fact that I would like a little plot of land to plant things shocks me.  I've always been a hardcore city girl.  I moved there as fast as I could. Ha!  How things can change.

From this...

To this!

Tomato

Spearmint

More tomato

Happiness

Lately I've started so many of my sentences with, "I'm reading this book, "The Happiness Project." And then I explain the wonders of this book and how it has helped me. I guess as I become happier, I can't help but want to talk about it. Happiness is a state in which so many of us want to be. And for me, I never realized that the simplest things achieve the greatest results.

I will say, I haven't finished the entire book. I am almost finished with just a few more chapters left. I'll be sad when I've finished the whole thing because each time I read a sentence, a paragraph or a whole chapter I'm left feeling invigorated and a little bit more wise.

In the beginning of the book, the author lays out simple commandments for herself. For each reader, these commandments will vary. I have taken a few of hers and used them as my own. Certain commandments like, "Do it now," or "Act the ay I want to feel" have inspired me to begin my own happiness project.

"Do it now" is where I've begun. I am an endless procrastinator. Whether its doing my taxes by April 15th, putting away that last dish, or avoiding a heaping pile of laundry (altogether, honestly), I seem to put things off. "Do it now" has such an amazing effect. I do one thing and enjoy the reward of literally crossing it off my list (I have to do this!) that I end up doing another and another. As the very last item has been checked, I'm left feeling so accomplished. Accomplishments make me happy.

I actively try to "Act the way I want to feel." Positive thoughts, forcing a smile, or looking for good in a not so stellar situation lead you to feeling better. It's amazing and so simple. Instead of saying to my inner self, "Oh I can't do xyz." I stop myself and say "Yes, I can do this!" And then of course, I think back to my completed goal list.

Here are some things that have been making me happy lately...


Zucchini and onion tart. So easy, healthy, and delicious.


Chopped salad with leftover roasted mushrooms and carrots.




Herb Garden


And of course, this guy...