Giving Thanks.

"Gratitude is a flower that blooms in noble souls." 

Pope Francis 

Cultivating gratitude is such an important task.  Parents first begin this cultivation in the simplest of ways such as encouraging their little ones to say "thank you".  But after our parents plant these seeds how do we continue to cultivate gratitude in our grown-up lives and how do we, as Pope Francis so beautifully says, foster a "noble soul"? 

I suppose I've been thinking about this question given that the holidays are swiftly approaching. During this time of year when we are encouraged to give thanks for all we have been given, we focus rather on what we don't have.  I find myself thinking much of the time, "oh we need that," or "oh I could use that," or "I wish that wasn't so expensive."  But this desire for more money or more things gives way to a darker type of desire, an acquisitiveness not limited to money or material goods. Now we desire talents we don't have, gifts others have been given that that we have not; our desire is not merely for a thing now, but for a thing someone else has.  This scares me, frankly.  It scares me because I know I fall victim to this train of thought so much myself.  Of all the times I've counted other peoples blessings, how often is it that I count my own?  How often do I focus on the positive in my life rather than the negative?  When I stop and think about this, I feel so embarrassed.  I know that the good in my life far far outweighs the bad.  And that being said, shouldn't I spend my days being grateful for every beautiful good gift I've been given rather than wasting time lusting over J. Crew catalogues and Pinterest boards, and wishing I was a world class pianist, athlete, and artist?  

Yes.  Yes I should.  

I'm not pulling a holier than thou card here.  I know that I'll always want to have more than I do.  I know that I will always struggle between being grateful and being ungrateful, and there will be many times when gratitude won't win out.  I know that just because I've written this trite blogpost, I'm not suddenly going to cast off my desires and become a Noble Soul in the blink of an eye.  But it's the struggle that counts.  

One of my goals from now on is to stop, at least for 60 seconds every day and think, "what do I have to be grateful for?" Not, "how am I luckier than other people," or "what gifts I have that others don't," but what should I be grateful for in my own beautiful life?  I have not answered all my questions;  I still don't know what a foolproof way to cultivate gratitude, or how to best foster a noble soul, but I know that I want to make an effort to pray more and through prayer open my eyes and recognize the  limitless love and generosity God showers upon me every day.  I want the flower of gratitude to bloom rather than wilt.  

Breakfast in Bed.

Breakfast is one of my favourite things.  Breakfast in bed is one of my most favourite things.  Al and I got up a few hours before he had to leave for work today (last day in the office before Thanksgiving in Phoenix with family!), and I decided to make scones with the time to spare.  Mmmm, scones.  Soft and warm and delicious--just what this cold, early morning needed.  I used Bon Appetit's Blueberry Oat Scone recipe, which is super super delicious, but substituted fresh cranberries for the blueberries (to get in the holiday spirit) and added chocolate chips for Al.  

They look kind of funny...I think it was the chocolate chips and the fact that they are dropped scones rather than cut (and also because I was just too sleepy still to snap a decent photograph).  Don't let the appearance tell you they weren't delicious.  Because they were amazing.  

Here is the recipe, but I'll write it out for convenience: 

INGREDIENTS

·    3 cups all purpose flour

·    1/3 cup (packed) golden brown sugar

·    1 tablespoon plus 1teaspoon baking powder

·    1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

·    3/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt

·    11 tablespoons (1 stick plus 3 tablespoons) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

·    1 cup plus 3 tablespoons old-fashioned oats

·    1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (about 5 1/2 ounces)

·    1 3/4 cups chilled half and half

·    1 teaspoon vanilla extract

·    5 teaspoons raw sugar*

·    *Also called turbinado or demerara sugar; available at most supermarkets and at natural foods stores.

PREPARATION

Position 1 rack in top third and 1 rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 350°F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.

Combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and coarse salt in processor; blend 5 seconds. Add butter. Using on/off turns, blend until mixture resembles coarse meal. Transfer mixture to large bowl. Add 1 cup oats and blueberries; stir to blend evenly.

Stir half and half and vanilla in small bowl. Gradually add to flour mixture, tossing until dough just comes together (dough will be very moist).

Using 1/2-cup measuring cup for each scone, drop dough in mounds onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 3 inches apart. Sprinkle tops with remaining 3 tablespoons oats, then raw sugar.

Bake 15 minutes. Reverse sheets and continue baking until scones are golden and tester inserted into center from side comes out clean, about 12 minutes longer. Transfer scones to rack and cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Enjoy snuggled up in bed with hot black tea and someone you love.  

       

Chicago Date Passport.

Chicago is overwhelming.  Overwhelming in the best sort of way.  In the sort of way that there is so much to do, to see, to experience, to learn, and you know that you won't ever have the time to enjoy everything there is to offer.  However, we're bound and determined to make the most of our time here, however long it may be, and stuff our days as full as we can of this lovely city.  (Of course, it's easier said than done, with Al's job, and my own homemaking busyness, but we fit things in where we can.)  In order to organize our travels a little more, I spent a good few days researching local haunts, festivals, best museums, most delicious restaurants (and not just on the "top 10 places to go in Chicago" websites...).  I combined my findings with all the wonderful advice from our city friends and family, and have compiled quite the little book of things to do in the city.  Think a Chicago Bucket List mixed with Date Night ideas mixed with an Activity/Guide book for visitors.  Al and I have already visited many of the places in this little book, and not one of them has disappointed.  We are going to add little notes about our experiences on our visits (as well as surprises, hidden fees, best things on the menu, etc.)  to the different pages to make it more thorough.  It will also service as a nice little memory book of our time here if we keep it up!