What's Putting the Shine in my Sun (And the Key to Happiness)

This weather is just kicking tail- so long WINTER!.  I can't get enough.   Deeds and I went to Ijams Nature Center Friday, then returned Saturday with Dell Harper.

For those of you who live around here, I can't recommend Ijams enough for kiddos.  We had the best time walking the trails to the river boardwalk, then playing in the play area and running around the field.  Caves, fish, lizards?  Doesn't get much better than that.

In other parenting wins, Dell Harper and I tried to make the Chocolate-Chocolate-Chip Skillet Cookie out of this month's Martha Stewart.  Side note- I love when you see a recipe that sounds delicious, and you actually have all the ingredients on hand.  Nothing like a little impromptu baking to win your daughter's heart.

(notice the turned around time-out chair in the background? ha!)

Ours fell apart, but still tasted "very, very good" according to my sous chef.

Unfortunately, while we were out to dinner Friday night Buddy got the tupperware of the leftovers off the counter, and pried it open- eating 2/3rd of a skillet of dark chocolate brownies.  He was cool as a cucumber by the time we  got home and finally realized what had happened.  I frantically used a dog chocolate consumption calculator (thank you internet!), and realized he would be okay.  Luckily, I knew exactly how much chocolate was in it since we made it ourselves.  Still, the rascal got to sleep in bed with us to keep a close eye on him.  Rewarded for eating my cake!  The injustice!

What turned out a little better was last night's dinner, thanks to a recipe from  Pinch of Yum.

Spicy Shrimp with Cauliflower Mash and Garlic Kale- find it here.  Delicious!  Picture obviously not mine- from Pinch of Yum.  So tasty!  We all had seconds.  Well, Deeds had seconds of ketchup (aka red dip), his primary source of food at dinner of late.

Now for more sunshine. . .

Morgan teased me the other day when I got super excited about something totally ridiculous- I can't remember- maybe he picked up some new garbage bags or something.  I laughed about it, but I truly believe that is the key to happiness.

Feeling joy at a plate of perfectly scrambled eggs, the first rose blooming on the bush, two children playing together, an empty laundry basket, or a stack of new magazines and a free hour.  How can you not be happy when you can experience stuff like that?

Excuse me while I get even cheesier, but one of my favorite jazz instructors said "optimism is a muscle- you have to exercise it every day for it to develop and grow stronger.  you choose to be happy every day".  Speaking my truth there!  We all have bad days, but we can choose to have faith in the goodness and joy in life.

I'll step off my Pollyanna soapbox now, before I start devolving into Bobby McFerrin territory.

(I just realized that I am posting this on 4/20.  I promise my cheery mood is not chemically induced!  HA!!)