How To Be Happy

Preparing food and
festivities for family and friends can be more than just an entertaining task. We can magnify the occasion when we look at the ordinary as a blessing, a gift.   

It brings to mind a bon mot that I've lived by for like forever.  It is entitled, "Life Is 100 Percent."

"Life Is 100 Percent" 

"Life is 100 percent.
10 percent is wonderful,

 mountain-top experiences.
10 percent is bad,

devastatingly-horrible.
80 percent is boring,

 every-day, regular life.

"It's what we do with the 80 percent, boring,

every day, that determines how happy

we are in life." 

It is so true.  Do something fun, go out of your comfort zone and invite some friends to your home,  Do something that helps determine how happy you are in life, ordinary or extraordinary.  Just do it.

 Click here to continue reading article and for Pecan Pie Muffins Recipe. 

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How To Entertain And Spinach Balls Appetizers

About entertaining:  I have often thought, as I prepare the house for a party, that I am doing more than I know I am doing. Something about the laying of the tablecloths, setting out of candles, and fixing flowers in vases has a sacramental quality to it - as if I am turning a house into a tabernacle - to be filled with spirits that enlarge my own.

Here are some ideas, some secrets to entertaining well.

• Keep your guests happy, keep them entertained
• Use the largest space available, play music there, place your food table there and provide places for people to sit, to play games and dance! Open the curtains and the windows, weather permitting, this helps set a nice atmosphere.
• Provide food and drink. Present it attractively - people - all people - love good food.
• Play music.  It adds to the ambience, helps your guests get in a more relaxed, festive mood
• Provide party games.  If you don't have your own, buy or borrow (or google search) for fun games. Keep them simple. The simpler the party game is, the easier it is for your guests to get enthusiastic - and, competitive.
• Introduce your friends to one another.  If it's a large crowd, consider name tags.
• Talk to everyone. Thank them when they arrive; pay a few minutes of personal attention to each and every guest. If there are too many people, then talk to groups.
• Consider a theme for your event. "Hippy Generation: Peace, Love and Flower People" is easy and fun.  Vintage-era themes like, "Gangsters And Flappers," aka, "Speakeasys," also work well. Or, opt for a particular piece of clothing to serve as your theme, like a hat.  Make it as silly or as strange as you like. Click here for a fabulous link of party theme ideas.  
• Remember, you can lessen your own load by making it a "Pot Luck," or another version is a "Pie Party" (each person brings a Meat Pie, Vegetable Pie or a Dessert type pie - quiche also works here).

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Spinach Balls Appetizer Recipe By The Kitchen Is My Playground Bonus Recipe

Ingredients:

2 10-oz. packages frozen spinach, thawed and well-drained
2 small onions, very finely chopped (I use a food processor)
2-1/4 cup stuffing with herbs (I use Pepperidge Farm)
6 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
2 tsp. garlic salt
1 tsp. black pepper

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients until well combined. Form into about 1" balls; place on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray.
2. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Makes approximately 60 balls.

Notes:  Spinach balls may be frozen, either baked or unbaked.  (I always freeze mine pre-baked.)  For pre-baked balls:  remove from freezer about 30 minutes prior to reheating.  Reheat in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes.  For unbaked balls:  remove from freezer 30 minutes before cooking. Bake as directed (350 degrees for 20 minutes).

Enjoy!  Spinach Balls Appetizer Recipe is from The Kitchen Is My Playground, with Tracey Harrelson.

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Click Here For More Something Beautiful Journal Bonus Recipes:

How To Be Happy (Cont'd)

Article continued. Click here to return to original post.

Preparing food and festivities for family and friends can be more than just an entertaining task. We can magnify the occasion when we look at the ordinary as a blessing, a gift.   

It brings to mind a bon mot that I've lived by for like forever.  It is entitled, "Life Is 100 Percent."

"Life Is 100 Percent" 

"Life is 100 percent.
10 percent is wonderful,

 mountain-top experiences.
10 percent is bad,

devastatingly-horrible.
80 percent is boring,

 every-day, regular life.

"It's what we do with the 80 percent, boring,

every day, that determines how happy

we are in life." 

It is so true.  Do something fun, go out of your comfort zone and invite some friends to your home,  Do something that helps determine how happy you are in life, ordinary or extraordinary.  Just do it.

Try a new recipe like this one from the Pampered Chef, "Pecan Pie Muffins."

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A Bonus Recipe For You:

Pecan Pie Muffins Recipe
by the Pampered Chef

Ingredients:

1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups chopped pecans
2/3 cup butter, softened
2 eggs, beaten

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease mini or regular muffin cups generously. Grease them well or they will stick.  In medium bowl, stir together brown sugar, flour and pecans. In a separate bowl, beat the butter and eggs together.  Stir in dry ingredients just until combined. Spoon batter into muffin cups about 2/3 full. Bake for 12-13 minutes for mini muffins or 15 - 17 minutes for regular size muffins.  Run a knife around the edge of each muffin and pop it out.

See more recipes in "The Pampered Chef, All The Best, From Our Kitchens To Yours"

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More Something Beautiful Journal Bonus Recipes:

Heirloom Tomato Tarts Recipe
Spinach Balls Appetizer Recipe
Pecan Pie Muffins Recipe
Tuna Apple Mini Melts Recipe