International Women's Day

Today is International Women's Day.  International Women's Day celebrates the achievements of women in social, political and economic fields.  It began in 1909 in the United States however during the period from 1930's to 1960's due to the increased popularity of feminism, International Women's Day took a back seat.
This year the focus for International Women's Day is on women trying to escape armed conflict, facing intimidation and violence. (Taken from website; Only Kent).
Today is a perfect opportunity to think about all the amazing women who have been in your life and have made a positive impact in your life.  Who are they?  How have they made a positive impact on your life?  Would today be a perfect opportunity for you to say thank you to those amazing women?  Take a few moments today to say thanks for those amazing women.

Family

Over the weekend, my brother, his wife and one of their daughters came to visit.  For me, I really got so much joy from their visit.  We all get along so well and they are really great people to be around.  When we spend time with extended family , mostly it is my husband's family.  I do love those family get togethers too.  As my parents have both passed away, I guess we don't have the big Christmas celebrations and other family get togethers that my husband's family do.  They also have farms so for them to get away, it means there has to be so much rain that there really is nothing they can do around the farm.  So when they come to visit or when we go to visit with them, it is always fun.  It's the same with my sister and her family as they live in Western Australia.
I love just hanging with family.  My goal of committing to spend positive time with family and friends is the easiest goal I have I think.  To have such great family and friends make it's easy.  Thanks for coming to visit, guys.

Create and Heal

Today, while I was waiting for my computer to start up, I was sitting here (in a bit of a daze mind you as I have not long woken up) loosely planning my day.  I was thinking mostly about my free time this afternoon.  Through the week I purchased the ingredients to make Choc Cherry Ripe Muffins so I'm going to make some of them as a treat for my family.  Then I will have a couple of hours to myself, after dinner so I plan to create and scrap.  Anyway, in my dreamy, just out of bed kind of way, I looked at my Louise Hay Desk Calendar which still had yesterday's date page and affirmation on it and I leaned over to rip it off to see what today's affirmation is.  The universe is a funny old thing really, isn't it?  Today's affirmation is:  I am peaceful when I am creative.  I let creative juices flow through me as a healing force.  Beauty just naturally manifests itself.  It still amazes me every time life and the universe line up like this.  It exhilirates me and leaves me knowing that at times like this I have definitely found the path that was meant for me.
Anyway, by now your mouth is probably watering for the Choc Cherry Ripe Muffins so I thought I would include the recipe.  I haven't yet made these but they sound easy and divine.  Enjoy!
1 1/2 cups of SR Flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 cup castor sugar
2 eggs lightly beaten
90g butter, melted
1 cup milk
1/2 cup white choc bits
2 x 55g(there are actually 53g now I believe) Cherry Ripe Bars finely chopped
Melted chocolate and extra chopped Cherry Ripe bars to decorate
Method:
Preheat oven to 190 C.  Line 16 holes of 2 12 hole muffin pans with paper cases (1/3 cup capacity).  Combine sifted flour and cocoa with sugr in a large bowl.  Stir in egg, butter, milk, Choc Bits and Cherry Ripe until just combined.  Spoon 1/4 cup of mixture into each paper case.  Cook for 20 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer in the middle.  Remove from pans and cool on a wire rack.  To decorate muffins, spread some melted chocolate in the centre of the muffin (when cooled completely) and then top with a piece of chopped Cherry Ripe.
I would like to give credit to someone for this recipe however I'm not too sure where this recipe is from as it is one I have collected over the years.  I tend to cut them out of magazines.  It looks like it could be from a New Idea magazine (as it's titled New Food) and there is a lady by the name of Barbara Northwood featured throughout the article.

Vision board Up

Well, yesterday saw the completion of my visionboard.  Can't stop looking at it.  Not a fantastic photo I know.  This sits on my wall right in front of my computer. 
Many things came to light over the period of creating my vision board.
I have decided to join a new gym this year.  The gym I was going to (although hadn't actually 'gone to' for a fair few months) has gone unisex.  I found the atmosphere there had changed since the new owners had taken over and that is why I had stopped going (or that is what I told myself anyway).  There were other reasons too, so now I am on a mission to find a ladies only gym with hours that suit and a speedy yet effective program or a 'new' 24 hour gym.  Will weigh up the pros and cons.
I also decided this year might be a great year to update my car.  I have already done some research and am excited about the prospects. 
And last night, I spent a wonderful few hours with a friend.  We went out for mexican and had some great laughs.  It really was a fun time.  I am very grateful for the fun times with my friends.