A number of years ago I was invited to a birthday party for a friend. She asked us to bring something that makes us happy. It was her hope to find ideas that could help her in her own search for happiness. 

I knew exactly what to take. I have a book that I have kept cards and letters from people who have had nice things to say about me over the years. Whenever I was feeling bad I could just think of this book and feel better about myself, knowing there were people out there who loved me.

One of the attendees spoke of a happy skirt she has. It has bright and cheery colours that made her feel happy when she wore it. 

I have a friend now who has a Happy Book. She has others write their happy thoughts in it as well. I believe she is on volume 7.

We all have different ways to be happy or find positivity in our lives. Here's what I've been doing for the past couple of weeks....

I've been clicking. That's right, clicking. What? You haven't heard of clicking? Watch the video to understand more.

Billionclicks.org sent me a clicker and wanted me to take it for a 'test drive'. I'm all about thinking positive thoughts and finding happiness so I agreed. I waited for my clicker to arrive. What colour would it be?

There are eight colours to choose from and each colour has a special meaning.

The day arrived I was excited to see what was inside. Awwww even the outside makes me smile. "Think Happy...BE HAPPY"

I quickly opened the box.....

PINK! I have a pink clicker! I quickly looked up the meaning behind pink: 

"Pink - the color of self worth, order and love. There is a place deep in your soul where these qualities live. Each time you breath, think, click you nourish and feed each one."

I love it. I'm all about people recognizing their self worth and loving who they are. So pink is perfect for me.

Now to decide how I want to use it. Watch for my next post to see what I decide.

How will you use your clicker?

During the month of November Billionclicks.org has a great deal for you. When you order your Clicker Kit, enter in the code WENDY345 and you'll receive an extra clicker with wristband and sticker that you can use for a gift (HELLO....Christmas is coming), share with a neighbour, keep in the car or many other uses. Just remember the more you order the more you get.

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I was just sharing this with a friend and thought why not share all my favourite, funny Hilary Weeks songs with you. So here they are.

Hilary Weeks sings about her favourite things. See if you can relate...

Does this 'To Do' list sound anything like yours?

"I think therefore I am. I am a woman therefore I do laundry....."

Do you have a teenager in the house? Here's some language help....

I love Hilary Weeks. She is one lady who can make me quite literally, laugh out loud. She is quick witted and positive influence.

I first met Hilary on the set of her music video 'Beautiful Heartbreak'. Of course after speaking to her for maybe as long as...oooo...30 seconds or so, I claimed that we were now BFFs. 

We'd bump into each other here there and everywhere. Most of the times it was places Hilary was giving a presentation. At each presentation Hilary would both make me laugh and also inspire me.

In one of her presentations Hilary asks us to think of a word or phase that we can say to ourselves on a daily basis. One that will lift us and get us to stop thinking those negative thoughts about ourselves. We are invited to think of our word/phrase while listening to a beautiful song she sings and suggests that if we can't come up with anything the first line of the song is a good one. The song is "I am a Child of God". 

Last night while listening to this presentation yet again (there are some people that you can listen to over and over again even if it's the same topic.) I thought of my words. "Yes...BUT..." are my words. 

Strange I know but stay with me.

We tell ourselves negative things all the time. When I look in the mirror and see blemishes, wrinkles or those pesky hairs on my chin, I don't like what I see. When I look at the dishes in the sink or the toothpaste splatter on the mirror, I don't like what I see. I could dwell on those things and get really down about myself. About my appearance. About my poor homemaking skills. The list goes on...and on...and on...etc. Rather than do that I say 'yes...but...'

Yes I have those blessed chin hairs now, BUT, my husband still thinks I'm beautiful.

Yes I have big bouffy feet and can't wear cute shoes, BUT, I am comfortable in what I wear and how many people can say that about their shoes?

Yes there may be toothpaste splatter on my mirror, BUT, I have indoor plumbing.

Yes the vacuuming hasn't been done in awhile, BUT, people still like to come visit me and we always have a good laugh.

Yes I sing horribly, BUT, my kids loved me singing to them at bedtimes and I expect when the grand-kids come along they'll also be OK with me singing to them.

Think of what positive words you need to tell yourself everyday that will snap you out of those negative thoughts. Write them down. Stick them on the bathroom mirror. Say them over and over again until you start believing them...because you know what....they are TRUE. You ARE beautiful. You ARE strong. You ARE brave. You are ........ 

Yes I just may be all the negative things I hear in my head BUT I am loved, I am kind and I am fun to be around.

October 15th is 'Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day'. This is close to home and here's why. I recorded back on July 29th 2008.....

Angel (as recorded back on July 30th 2008)
Last night I got to hold an angel.

I have never seen such a teeny tiny nose. Her hair was thick and black. She looked just like her mother with a chin that was undeniably like her dad.

My sisters and I shared this time with our niece (the mother) and her husband. Holding and loving this precious little one.

Her birth certificate says that she came into the world on Tuesday July 29th around 3 pm. Her death certificate says the same thing.

My dear niece was due to give birth on Monday July 28th. When she went in for a check up she was told the baby had died. She had been to the doctor on the Friday and all was well. Little M. Rose was delivered by cesarean on Tuesday surrounded by much love.

There is beauty and happiness through all this sadness. One of the beautiful things is the understanding that babies/children are perfect and pure. When you look at a precious little one you can't help but know that. But there is scripture to back it up. Moroni 8

Another beautiful thing comes from the blessings of being bound (sealed) as a family forever. We read in the scriptures about this also in Matthew 16:19 and again in Matthew 18:18.

Those who have the correct authority (Hebrews 5:4) on earth today, meaning, those who have been given the 'keys' to 'bind on earth' can seal families for eternity.

What a kind and loving Heavenly Father who blesses us in so many ways that even through our sorrow we can find peace, and joy. There are 'tender mercies' all around us (1 Nephi 1:20) if we just take the time to notice them.

Joseph and Emma Smith felt the pains of losing a baby. Kenneth Cope wrote a song about it called "Tiny Hands"

So last night I held an angel and the next time that I see this little angel, she will be smiling and the tears we shed will be tears of GREAT JOY!

I love trying interesting recipes. This is a recipe I tried back in 2010 while living in Australia. When I made it I felt like Willy Wonka (in the original not the remake) when the the visitors were trying the flavoured wallpaper and they were surprised that it actually tasted like what it purported to be. But....This recipe REALLY does taste like A&W Cream Soda!

A&W Cream Soda

1 1/3 cup sugar
1 cup very hot water
1 cup corn syrup (Glucose)
1/2 tsp PLUS 1/4 tsp vanilla
10 cups cold soda water
1/8 tsp Lemonade Kool-Aid powder (unsweetened kind) Don't worry my non-US friends I'm working on a substitute recipe for this.

Dissolve the sugar and Kool-aid in the hot water.

Add the corn syrup and vanilla. Stir well.

Cover and chill syrup until cold. When the syrup is cold, pour 1/4 cup syrup into a glass and add 1 cup cold soda water. Stir gently, add ice, and serve.

Corn Syrup/Glucose in Australia costs about $5 for the size of two cups so it wasn't really economical. I found a recipe for a corn syrup substitute that I have also tried and it really WORKS. 

CORN SYRUP 

2 c. white sugar
3/4 c. water
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
Dash of salt

I love family traditions. One of our traditions is making cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning and also when we sit and watch General Conference.....as well as other times through the year when I have time to make them. Many friends have enjoyed eating these and have always asked for the recipe. Here it is:



Wendy's (world famous) Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients:


2 1/2 cups Very warm water (not hot)
3 TBL sugar
1 TBL salt
2 TBL oil
6 cups plain flour
2 TBL yeast
1/2 cup powdered milk (optional)
1/4 - 1/3 cup butter or marg (I of course like butter)
2-3 TBL cinnamon
1/2 - 3/4 cup more sugar

Into a large, 'warm' mixing bowl pour warm water, then stir in sugar, salt, oil, half the flour, powdered milk and yeast. Beat vigorously for 2-3 minutes until smooth. (I use a whisk) Stir in remaining flour until all dry ingredients are completely mixed in, leaving spoon right in the heavy (sticky) batter. (I cover the bowl with a tea towel. Leaving it in a warm area is also good)

Allow dough to rest for 10 minutes, then stir down. Allow dough to rest another 10 minutes, then stir down. Repeat this process until dough has been stirred down 5 times. (I keep paper and pen along side the timer so I can mark each 'stir'. I also keep the bowl with me while I'm checking emails or watching a show.) Dough may be sticky. Can sprinkle flour on top before you stir it to help it come away from the sides of the bowl.

Turn dough onto floured surface (I actually spray my CLEAN counter top with cooking spray...no extra flour. You will be surprised how easy the clean up is) Divide into 2 parts. Roll each part of dough into a rectangle about 1cm thick. Spread with melted margarine (or butter) and sprinkle generously with combined sugar and cinnamon mix. Roll up like a jelly roll, rolling from long side. Cut dough into 2cm lengths. Arrange 1 cm apart in a baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray or greased some other way. Cover lightly and let rise at room temperature for 30 minutes. They will also rise in the oven. Bake immediately at 200 degrees Celsius (395 F)or until they have a light brown colour on the top. I wet (and wring) a tea towel and cover the rolls as they come out of the oven. This gives them the nice soft top. Allow to cool then frost with butter frosting or glaze as desired.

To make Orange Rolls, eliminate the cinnamon and sugar. Sprinkle with grated orange zest and sugar and make the butter icing with orange juice instead of the milk. YUMMO!!!!!!!