Happy Snow Day

Had a snow day today, which I wanted. I got what I wanted. So I should have spent the day happy, right? Why is happiness so elusive? I think it's my to do list (not necessarily filled with important stuff). I even read a Martha Stewart quote that went something like this: "I start every day with a fresh to do list." So create the daily to do list from scratch. Don't let things hang over your head. That's easier said than done.

I've read several articles/videos during the past year with a happiness theme. How to achieve it. What is it. Who has it. I'll share them now so you too can think about happiness. My conclusions? You can't have it all the time. Sometimes it feels good not to be happy. It's best not to think about it too much. Don't depend on others to make you happy and don't let others take away happy feelings when you find them. And most of all, a happy stamp works really well for wrapping paper decoration for all occasions. The stamp I made a few years ago is invaluable and makes me happy. Happy.

TED Talk Happiness for Parents video
Simple Living or Simply Living?  NYTimes
Find your ~ing & a happier you
Having a happiness emergency? The Slate to the rescue.
Recommended reading from the Happiness Project
More Parenting & Happiness (or lack thereof)
Stumbling on Happiness video
A couple from Being (Speaking of Faith) on public radio:
Happiest Man in the World
Pursuing Happiness with the Dalai Lama

Oh, and let's not forget that long walks outside make me happy. And I'm going to resolve to start and end each day thinking happy thoughts.

More Mooncakes

Really, I suddenly feel like mooncakes are everywhere. Happened onto this website, eSobi, curious about the product. Right now I use google reader but maybe that's enough. Back to the mooncakes though--eSobi uses the Chinese Moon Festival as an example idea of how to put the app to use. And you must make mooncakes for the autumn moon festival.

I talked to a friend studying in China yesterday who said that she tried several varieties of mooncakes and that they are generally terrible. I mentioned the Haagen Dazs and she said that HD ice cream is extremely expensive. Possibly because milk is so hard to come by in China. She's been warned not to trust most milk that she finds on the shelves in Beijing. There's a delivery option that she's exploring.

On another Chinese note, the BBC has apparently been censored. This friend can no longer access the BBC online though she could a few weeks ago. This is referred to as harmonizing. Sounds off key to me. Salut.

Not just any day

A new year, a new decade, and a new blog. Time to change direction and generate fresh ideas. I will find inspiration in nature (hopefully fueled by daily walks) and will share my musings with those who choose to follow along. Throw in some green shopping, a locavore's appetite, and a bit of ocd for posts that are sure to please.

Cheers to you on this 1.1.11--a very good place to start. Elevens are lucky, right? And number 1 is well....

On a different note and on my mind since yesterday:
I've been curious about mooncakes since reading an entry about mooncake molds in Wallpaper last year. I've thought that mooncakes just might take hold as the new cupcake. Or they might be a good complement to my ice cream business (business dream that is). Mooncake ice cream sandwiches sound good?

Admittedly I don't know much about mooncakes. So my ears perked up when this story was told on Marketplace yesterday. Of course I learned that Haagen Dazs is already making mooncakes. Maybe I'll skip making the mooncakes and just get in on the black market of mooncake vouchers. Ok the ice cream business is probably a safer way to go. If only the Food Network would call me back so I can pitch my ice cream related t.v. show.

Time for a bath.