♥ - WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD... 04/01/2013 - ♥

April was the second month 

in an early Roman calendar,

 but became the fourth when the ancient Romans 

started using January as the first month. 

The Romans called the month Aprilis. 

It may come from a word meaning 'to open', 

or it may come from Aphrodite, 

the Greek name for the goddess of love.

╢  BIRTHSTONE:  Diamond

     ╢  FLOWER:  Sweet pea, Daisy

  ╢  SYMBOLIZES:  Innocence

Advice from others may share 

the benefit of experience. 

But, not trusting your own wisdom

can hold you back.

 Even though the intentions of others are good, 

sometimes their views and words are negative. 

They may even encourage you to believe 

that they know your needs better than you.

When you hear advice that makes you 

doubt your dreams and abilities, stop! 

Believe in yourself first,

and see all other viewpoints 

from that perspective.

Your situation can always change for the better 

and what you want, though ambitious, is possible.

Wisdom offered by others may be absolutely right,

but it doesn't make it right for you.

You know your strengths and capabilities. 

You know your ability to hold on to an idea 

and make it work despite the odds. 

In the end believe in your own wisdom first, 

and thank others for theirs.

 Marcella

The best part of life 

is not just surviving, 

but thriving with passion 

and compassion 

and humor and style

and generosity 

and kindness.

 ~Maya Angelou

Remember that 

happiness is a choice,
so don’t allow anyone 

to steal it 

from you. 

~ Anonymous

There is a wonderful,

mystical law of nature

that the three things we crave
most in life –

happiness, freedom, and
peace of mind –

are always attained
by giving them

to someone else.

~ General Peyton Conway March

If you observe 

a really happy man,
you will find ... 

that he is happy 

in the course of living life 

twenty-four
crowded hours of each day.

~ W. Beran Wolfe

"The air is different today
the wind sings with a new tone
sighing of changes
coming
the harvest gathered
a flower, a nut,
some mead, and bread
a candle and a prayer
returning the fruits
in thanksgiving
to the grove
and receiving
it's blessing
again".

-   Rhawk, Alban Elfed

Welcome life as it comes

What you fight against, fights back.

What you’re able to welcome and embrace,

you’re able to influence and direct.

When you welcome the day with genuine enthusiasm,

you’re already on your way to putting it to valuable use. 

When you welcome the challenges,

you’ve already begun to transform them into achievements.

Welcome the complaints and criticisms,

and you’ll discover pivotal avenues for improvement. 

Welcome the beliefs and opinions of others,

and you’ll markedly strengthen

and focus your own beliefs.

Welcome life’s beauty,

even in the most ordinary things,

and that beauty becomes a part of you.

Welcome the unexpected surprises,

and they’ll lead you to unexpected treasures.

Get in the habit of welcoming what life brings,

 and you’ll get out of the habit

of fearing what might come.

Choose to welcome both the ups and the downs,

 and even the setbacks will eventually

lead you forward.

Instead of figuring out ways to run or hide or fight,

 welcome life as it comes.

Welcome life,

 and you’ll find great richness

 in what it brings.

Ralph Marston

625g (1¼lb) thick fish steaks (or thick skinless fillets) 

such as halibut, salmon or swordfish

1tsp garlic pulp

1tsp chilli powder

½tsp ground turmeric

2tbsp lemon juice

Pat the fish dry and place on a plate. 

Put the garlic, chilli powder, turmeric, 

lemon juice in a bowl, season to taste, 

and mix well to combine the flavours.

Smear the fish with this mixture and set aside 

to marinate for 30 minutes.

Preheat a grill to very hot and then lower to medium heat. 

Grill the fish for approximately 10 minutes on both sides 

until cooked through.

Splash Island in Binan, Laguna Philipppines.

 SINIGANG NA HIPON

SILI-FLAVORED ICE CREAM

Have you tried Pilipit yet?

Pilipit, Tagalog word for twisted or twist,

 are hard crunchy sugar-glazed bread twists...

 My favorite snack!