Feeling Zen During Moving Times

Transition is hard on everyone! Change can be scary because you can’t see the other side. So I lean on faith to believe it will all be OK and it’s all happening for a reason. I love when I can actually visualize two forks in the road. Two starts to two different chapters. This has happened many times in my life. But it’s how you handle it, how you grow from it, how you push to see the light, jump through the hoop and not look back that changes you.

Moving can be very tough. Everything you’ve touched is turned upside down. I’ve moved so many times that the longest address I’ve ever had was 5 years in San Francisco. 5 years… can you imagine? I know many people who have moved twice in their life or their children live in the same house they once lived in.

What are the benefits of moving so many times…there are some I promise! I know how to build a home, I can put pictures up fast, how to learn from each move and appreciate where I settle. We loved our community in Marin, California. And then the call came about 9 months ago to get International work experience.

At first the talks were about Australia…this threw me on a loop of wow we can do this, what an incredible adventure, but so far away from everything we know. Since we had recently traveled to Singapore and Thailand, with our then 3-year-old, to visit our expat NorCal friends, we had an idea of what their experience had been like and they even learned to speak Thai.

Just as I was wrapping my brain around that move the words Canada and Toronto and Montreal came up. No way I thought! And of course, this job opportunity was back in my hometown.

And so, we all jumped…

We moved outside of Toronto a week ago and we’ve been working hard for about a month to make it happen. It still feels like a new country move, but also familiar as I was born here, but have been gone for so long. It keeps hitting me that I’ve missed the Canadian way, as they are friendly, wonderful, courteous, smart, people, and how my friends and family keep welcoming me home. And yet, I look over at my husband and daughter and I feel like things are new.

What an incredible opportunity for all of us. Saying goodbye to California was difficult and I questioned it many times, but then we jumped with both feet. Tell me Bella how are you at making big changes? Do you have any advice?

Wishful Wednesday: Calm and Positive

On Wishful Wednesday, I wish to stay calm and positive. I also wish this for you my blogging friends. So much seems to be swirling around me right now due to my loved ones health and jobs. It helps during my gratitude walks, to remind myself that there's so much to be grateful for. I love the above picture for her serene and peaceful look.

This room would make me smile, after I returned from a long day because of the open feeling. What's the favorite room in your house?

Assisting me in staying calm, I would sit on the edge of this pier and breath deeply while watching the sky and water.

I should frame this and keep it in my house. Ah yes Bella, the lovely bubbly would help me too!

The Palace of Fine Arts is THE place in the city that calms me down. When I visit, I feel like I've escaped to Europe because of its columns, architecture and ponds. If you get the chance to visit, remember to bring bread to feed the swans!

No need for words. I could stare at this picture for hours and it would remind me of love and positivity...

This picture was taken at the Japanese TeaGarden in Golden Gate Park. Can you feel your stress melting away? On foot this garden can be hard to find, but trust me so worth it.

I could sit down and stuff my face with these precious desserts for calm. What do you wish for on this Wishful Wednesday?

French Madeleine Recipe

Have you noticed that French Madeleines are popping up everywhere? You can get them at coffee shops, supermarkets and at children's birthday parties. Not really...maybe just at San Francisco ones. Recently, young Bella was invited to a preschool buddies house for a Madeleine cooking party. I'm sure your asking yourself, that seems a lot for 3 & 4 years olds to make? But, her French Daddy was lovely, had the children put on paper chef hats and taught all of us his French secrets. Can I share them you?

There are many kinds of Madeleines, but below is my favorite recipe. (I usually add half of the lemon zest.) You an also make olive oil & sea salt,  jasmine tea, peanut butter, lemon shell, one side dipped in chocolate, orange zest and with a raspberry center.

Recipe makes 20 French Madeleines:

3/4 cup butter

1 2/3 cup wheat flour

2tsp baking powder

1tsp of vanilla bean (or extract) 

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

zest 1/2 lemon

1/2 cup of powered sugar

Madeleine non-stick pan

First,  preheat your oven to 425F. Next melt the butter - let it cool on the side. Spray cooking spray on the madeleine pan *the trick here is to butter and flour each tray so the Madeleines puff up and brown nicely. Using an electric mixer stiff the flour and baking powder. In a separate bowl, mix the vanilla, eggs and sugar. Now add the flour mix to the wet ingredient bowl,  add the melted butter and finally the lemon zest. 

Breathe your creation in deeply!

Quickly reduce oven heat to 400F and bake your deliciousness for 7-9 minutes. Cool madeleines on a wire rack. Once they've cooled sprinkle them with powered sugar.

Try to eat all of them within 3 days. I find that they lose their freshness if kept any longer, but I know you can complete this task...no problem. So let's go make a cup of tea while our Madeleine's are cooling. Ah, you've worked so hard today Bella. Do you have a favorite kind of French Madeleine's? 

Ah Spring Must be in the Air!

Can you feel Spring in the Air? Was there an extra spring in your step this weekend? Oh I hope so. Last Friday in San Francisco, our weather welcomed in Spring. I left my jacket at home and dare I say out loud, changed my boots to ballet shoes. It was lovely and warmer and all I wanted to do was walk through the city. "It's nice to wake up to birds tweeting instead of the President tweeting." Jimmy Fallon

Pinterest popstreetkidz trends 2016.

Get ready for shedding some layers by eating one of these Spring Quinoa bowls.

Tobias Sørensen Goes Retro for Siviglia Spring/Summer 2013 Campaign.

SLUGS Fleece Rain Boot liners with Watercolor Cuff. 

I have always been a sucker for Cadbury Easter Creme eggs. As soon as I see them in the store I know Spring is right around the corner.

Check out Sprinkles on Sunday's gorgeous blog!

Spring fever equals spring cleaning. She looks like she's having so much fun with all her pink. NowI feel the bug to clean. Watch out! Ah Spring must be in air! Which season do you love the most and how much do you love cherry blossoms?