Live in the moment whatever that may look like – weather need not interfere! Today I had an unexpectedly special day with my son and daughter. The day before Kenton had a low-grade fever that kept him home with his little sister Ruby, and me today.
After slurping down a peanut butter smoothie for breakfast, the three of us couldn’t wait to adventure outside and enjoy the warmer temperature. With the wind blowing and the sunlight peeking through the clouds, we explored our backyard by digging holes, admiring fungus growing on fallen trees, and pretending we were pirates aboard a great ship. Ruby walked the plank.
Do you want to know what I love most about being around kids? Their imagination is limitless and contagious. They aren’t bitter from yesterday’s hardships, and they aren’t worried about tomorrow’s unknowns. They live in the present. They see the world through a clear lens that simply accepts what is while allowing wonder and creativity to paint their reality. It’s beautiful. It’s life giving. And it’s what I want for myself.
Once inside, we ate chicken noodle soup and grilled cheese for lunch because if you had a similar upbringing to mine, whenever you were feeling unwell chicken noodle soup was the remedy. One thing different this time, however, is that there was no 7UP drank. Do you remember when it was a thing to drink 7UP (pop) when you had a cold or was that just me? Honestly, as a kid I was excited to have a fever because I knew my mom, God bless her, would give me “white pop.” I can still see myself laying on my parents brown coach in the green carpeted living room after I just spilled my guts in the bathroom. The cold, sugary pop (not “soda”) would flow down to my now empty stomach making me smile despite my sickness. Oh, how things have changed!
After lunch we decided to do a St. Patrick’s Day themed craft: Rainbow Pot of Gold! This craft is easy, fun, and colorful.
Rainbow Pot of Gold:
- Construction paper, cut into long strips
- Glue stick
- Scissors
- Clear Tape
Instructions:
Begin by cutting out your “pot of gold.” We used black construction paper to create our pot. Brown would work well too! Next, cut out strips of rainbow-colored construction paper. You will create a paper chain link using the strips of rainbow colors. Once your strips are cut, tape each color to the next making a paper chain link. Next, cut out circular coins using your yellow construction paper. Glue each “coin” to the top of the pot making it look as if coins are within. Once you fully line the pot, you will have your very own pot of gold! Next, take each end of your paper chain and tape it or glue it to the pot. If you want to add more detail, have your child draw faces or write messages on each gold coin.
After we completed and cleaned up our craft making fun, the rain began to fall outside. Big gusts of cold wind blew, and the rain hit our window in a load hum. The once bright day turned into an overcast, water colored blur. I told my children as we looked through the window, “You can tell spring is coming!” We decided the best thing to do in a moment like this was to bake cookies. Again, if you had a similar childhood to mine, when the weather was overcast baking somehow filled the time and space in the best way possible. Once seemingly endless hours would pass by in a furry of sugary fun! Some of my favorite memories from childhood happened right in my parent’s kitchen on days that appeared to be unmemorable but ended up staying with me. For us today, our cookies filled it with satisfying delight! The cookie recipe we chose is simple, yummy, and gluten free. It has my two favorite ingredients: peanut butter and chocolate. I hope you try it and enjoy it! It really is a great addition to any rainy afternoon.
Gluten Free Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup smooth plant-based butter. We used peanut butter.
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips
Instructions:
Begin by setting your oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine all of your ingredients and mix completely. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop generous amounts of cookie batter onto the baking sheet leaving a little space in-between each cookie. Place cookie tray in oven on the middle rack and cook for 10-12 minutes. Depending on how large your cookies are, you may need an additional minute or two. Cookies are done when the outside edges are golden brown. While cookies bake, have your children participate in the “clean up” process. My oldest did the dishes while my youngest helped to put ingredients away with me. Once the cookies are out of the oven, allow them to rest for a few minutes to cool and firm. Enjoy!
Life is unexpectedly beautiful and fun. But the best part about life is living it while it happens. Stop looking to your past or looking towards your future. Both do little to add to your happiness. Life exists only in one place and that place is right now – this very moment! Most of us spend the majority of our time living in the past or worrying about the future. Unfortunately, there is no action we can take for either scenario because they are not happening presently. Past and future thoughts are just that – thoughts. If this is where you are living, you are missing out on your life. Why? Because no action can ever be taken in the past or future. What is important is that we allow ourselves the freedom to simply enjoy. Simply be. You don’t have to have all the answers, no one does, and you don’t have to get it right all the time. If you truly want more peace, productivity, and fulfillment you do that right now by making space for life in this present moment. My children have taught me this and they remind me that what I am and who I am right now is great. In fact, it’s better than great, it’s amazing because it’s my story and my world. I accept what is knowing that what I possess is enough for what will eventually be.
“Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling.” Margaret Lee Runbeck
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