The Benefits of Laughter

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I recently joined the Signature Women networking club.
We have been learning about, "Beauty and the Brain."
Very interesting and powerful stuff!
In the last meeting I heard the phrase, "The Benefits of Laughter".
I decided to study it for myself.

 Who doesn't like benefits?
Laughter2picmonkey
"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."
Proverbs 17:22 NIV
"A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired."
Proverbs 17:22 The Message
God created this truth.
A cheerful heart and disposition will definitely include some laughter.  Therefore, laughing is good medicine.
Laughter3picmonkey
There is a time for everything, 
and a season for every activity in life.  
There is a time to cry.  There is a time to laugh.
(taken from Ecclesiastes 3)
 There will be seasons of learning, progress, and growing in life.  Those seasons will involve some tears.
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Simple Gnocchi Soup

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I recently tried working with Gnocchi for the first time in years.  It was also my second date with the potato stuffed pasta – and I'd definitely go out with it again.  This soup was very good.  Shawn always demands I save some if I cook it when he's not home and Madelyn snarfs it down.  It's a winner recipe.  I looked up a basic recipe online to find out what flavors went well with Gnocchi as, the last time I'd just coated them with butter, cinnamon and sugar.  Thyme was a common pairing so, I went with it.  The base for this soup is chicken stock and heavy cream, which you could certainly substitute for half-and-half if you're of the mind to save some calories.  I took liberty with a few shortcuts because I was pressed for time with the baby, Madelyn rough-housing and Shawn's schedule – I substituted fresh garlic and onion for powders.  It saved me prep work and calories with no butter for sauteing.  I prefer fresh ingredients but it just wasn't happening that day.  Feel free to substitute them!  This soup is wonderful and so filling.  We love it. 

Simple Gnocchi Soup

4 Cups Chicken Stock
2 Cups Heavy Cream or Half-and-Half
2 Tbsp Corn Starch
1/4 Tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 Tsp Onion Powder
1/4 – 1/2 Tsp Dried Thyme
1/4 Tsp White Pepper
1/2 Tsp Salt
1lb Gnocchi

Whisk all ingredients but for Gnocchi together in a saucepan over med-high heat.  Bring to a boil.  Check and stir enough to keep the cornstarch or cream from sticking to the bottom of the pot or boiling over.  Once it boils add the Gnocchi and lower to a simmer.  Simmer for 10-13 minutes depending on how tender you like your Gnocchi.  We like them soft.  That's it.  It serves wonderfully with garlic toast and feeds 4-6 people. 


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Sweet & Sour Meatballs

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I think this has become a 'big party' standby in my family.  I'm not completely sure how this recipe articulated into the family, it may have even been my Aunt Jean's originally.  It's written in my grandmother's hand, but I'm certain it's not her's and her's alone.  (smile)  Anyway, a vintage recipe post is overdue and Sweet & Sour Meatballs was the first one I grabbed off the top of the pile.  Now that the craft room is almost entirely situated I can scan things easily and don't have to 'dig' for the recipe binder.  It's a winner too, this binder.  It's big and heavy.  As far as the meatballs go – they're wonderful as a side dish for a get-together or as the main attraction with a side of potatoes and a vegetable. More vintage recipes are posted here.

 

Here's another shot of the 'recipe savers' as I've nick-named my mother and grandmother.  That's Marilyn, she may have been thirty there, with Lynn who was no more than two.  I'd date the photo no later than 1952.  The family still lived in Queens, that's the Ridgewood/Brooklyn area in the background.  Isn't the car something?  I'm a fan of my grandmother's fashion too.  People just dressed so nicely back then.  I like some modern fashions quite a bit then, I look in another shop window and wonder what in the world some designers are thinking.  (smile) But each one to their own, right?  Anyway, enjoy the Easter weekend as we celebrate Jesus.  He's ALIVE!

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Thrift Store Wonders

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It’s been awhile since I’ve shared a Thrift Store Wonder post.  Back when they popped up more frequently we had yet to move into our new home and since, I’ve made use of lots of the items.  I picked up these pretty glass pieces the other day and already set them to work in my craft room holding odds and ends.  You may remember the little green lamp in this photo from a past Thrift Store Wonder post… and it fits just right here, next to my sewing machine.  Soon, I’ll post more pictures from the craft room.  It’s almost done and as of right now, is my favorite room in the house.  Next, we’ll be working on the attic in preparation for Madelyn’s school beginning this Autumn.  The Craft Room Endeavor has been good practice for me to gear up for the school room.  That’s going to be a BIG project – but not impossible.  Anyway, these little beauties cost me about $3 and add a glimmer of charm when the sunlight graces them each morning.  It’s hear repurposing old things into new treasures seems an art to me and sparks my imagination.  Once I’ve painted the table and sewing cabinet you’ll see the rest of the room.  I’m experimenting with Chalk Paint.  More on that soon…

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A Craft Room Endeavor {Part 1}

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Well, it’s finally getting somewhere.  The craft room, that is.  If you look at our home image in the sidebar, the craft room is situated in the upper, back, bay window on your left.  The shelving went together this past week ($27 each at Walmart) and everything came out of the closet.  There’s still more work to be done – my husband is hammering more shelving together as I sit here and type.  I was so happy with how it came out, I decided to show you what we’ve done so far and attached some good close-up’s.  The rest I’ll save for a final reveal… unless, like today, I just cannot stand to wait.

Of course, he’s done all the grunt work (smile) but I’ve done all the organizing.  I’ve never been much of a decorator but have discovered this week; if I pretend it’s all organizing… the final product isn’t too shabby.  So, here’s some images from the first two shelves. All of my storage containers came from Dollar Tree (some old, some new) but for the Ball jars (from past canning years), pattern baskets and coffee chugs (those were clearenced out for a dollar each anyway).  Hope you like it as much as I do.  Nothing beats a pretty place to play!

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Smartphone Dish

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What a busy week we had around here over the last seven days.  I’ve not been on here to post and just a week seems like a very long time.  Thank you to Amanda for such a beautiful post about Easter.  It was my birthday week.  (smile)  I’m now thirty-eight.  I had such a wonderful time.  Yes, we do birthday weeks around here.  It only comes once a year, you know?  So, we stretch it out.  Presents only happen on the big day, sure, but we do special things for the birthday person all week to celebrate and be thankful for them.  Which brought us to this… and I know we can’t be the only ones: a Smartphone Dish.

You know what I mean, we sit and tap, click and text away minutes – and memories – never looking up into the eyes that love us.  Mealtime is a sacred time in our home though, my husband and I were raised very differently.  I was brought up to sit at the kitchen table for all three meals and fellowship with my family without distractions.  He was raised to gather around the coffee table for meals and watch television together.  Since we married, we’ve gravitated towards the way I grew up and we both decided it was time to corral the Smartphones.  All it took was one phrase from Madelyn on a busy morning full of emails, ‘Look at me.  Please?’ The dish went out the next day and you can read about how I made the dish here.  I thought it important to share.  Think about it, pray about it and if the shoe fits; hey, wear it.  I know we can’t be the only ones.  More vintage recipes coming this week, along with some information about homemade lotions and a tentative peek into some of my Silhouette projects.  Didn’t know I had one of those, did you…

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