100 Happy Days: A Midpoint Assessment

100 Happy Days is a movement to see if people can be happy for 100 days in a row. 71% of people who attempt the challenge fail. Check out the website if you're curious: http://100happydays.com/  it is definitely interesting.

I just wanted to take some time to look at why I decided to accept the challenge

I thought it was crazy that 71% of people fail this challenge, citing lack of time as the leading cause. And then I asked myself, "Can I be happy about something for 100 days in a row?" I thought, of course I can. I have a lot in my life to make me happy, but this is also a time of year that I generally deal with a lot of negativity and tend to let myself get down about life. So, then I thought it would be a great way to force myself to find some positivity each day.

So, I filled out the form and gave them my Instagram handle to track it (jrghanson if you'd care to follow me) and I starting snapping and posting those pictures.

Right now I'm on Day 44 (I know, I know, I'm not exactly halfway through, but I'm close enough, ok?) and I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the challenge thus far and whether I've noticed a difference in my outlook or my mood.

Some days, it is kind of a challenge to find something that makes me happy, and other days it is a challenge to pick just one. But most days, I wake up in the morning and think, "What am I going to be happy about today?" And I think that is a really positive way to begin my day. Its a little forced, maybe, but isn't there a study out there somewhere that says if you force yourself to smile long enough it becomes a real smile? Same concept, I think.

I don't think that the challenge is necessarily for everyone, for some people it would just be an unnecessary inconvenience, and some would find it silly and forced (as I said before). However, I came upon this challenge at an interesting point in my life. I'm in a position of transition in my life, and the transition brings with it all of the warring emotions of hope, excitement, a whole lot of fear, and even more heartache. So, I cannot think of a better time to have come across this simple challenge, Find something that makes you happy each day for 100 days and share it with the world, and maybe, just maybe, you'll share a little bit of the happiness that you've found with others.

I included some of my highlights

Stay happy, readers!

Christmas Cookies!!!

14 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!

Only two weeks left until Christmas! Isn't that great?!? This past weekend, my step-sister and I decorated our Christmas cookies, and I also baked a number of other cookies for Cookie Trays.

We are pros with our Christmas Cookies, we do them every year and we have perfected both the cookie and the frosting recipe.  We also bake and decorate these for a number of other occasions, we had them at my wedding reception, we had them at my mom's graduation party, I made some for Thanksgiving, etc. No, I will not be sharing the recipes here (I'm still have my bakery pipe dream floating in my head). BUT I will share pictures with you :)

 I also baked Spritz cookies, Linzer Cookies, and Molasses Cookies. I might be making macrons a little bit later on, but I'm still not sure about it. Both my Spritz and Molasses recipes come from the Betty Crocker Cooky Book - its the best cookie cookbook ever! Seriously, if you love baking cookies you should get it. The cover has been the same for decades and many of the recipes are old-fashioned, but they are all delightful.

Anywho, that is all! Happy Holidays!

My Favorite Time of Year!

IT IS HERE! IT IS HERE! IT IS HERE!

CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE!!!!

I look forward to the Holiday Season all year! I usually start listening to Christmas music after Halloween, and I never get upset when I see Christmas decorations at stores before November. Ever.

I love everything about the Holiday Season. I love Christmas Music, I love that people are taking extra time to think about giving and helping others, I love that it means extra time with my family, I love that everyone is baking cookies and other goodies, I love the first snow of the year (but it can go away after January 1...), and I love, love, love, Holiday Specials on TV and Holiday Movies!

Another thing I love is putting up the Christmas Tree with my husband. We always watch a Holiday movie and spend the whole evening putting up and decorating the tree (we are perfectionists...). In past years we have watched Die Hard while we complete this beloved and festive tradition (Tim insists that it is a Holiday Movie), but this year we watched on of my childhood favorites "Santa Claus is Coming To Town" followed by "A Charlie Brown Christmas."   

If you haven't watched "A Charlie Brown Christmas" do it. Do it right now.

Anyway, I am just bubbling over with excitement and the Christmas Spirit, and I had to share some of it!

 

Happy Holidays from the Hansons!

Up next: Christmas Cookies!

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Today I am thankful for my job. It may not be where I thought I would end up, and it may not pay as much as I would like, but it is still a job. And many people don't even have that. It is also a job that has excellent benefits.

Furthermore, I have wonderful coworkers. I am surrounded by such a variety of people from all walks of life, but they are all united in their mission to help the students (current and prospective) achieve academic success at NIU.

Its also nice that I get 2 weeks paid time off at Christmas....

Catching Up... Again

I feel like I had a crazy weekend! So much going on, so that is why I am a few days late with this again.

On Saturday, I ran my first ever 5K race! And I ran it in 30 minutes and 34 seconds, which is about a 10 minute mile pace. This probably isn't that fast, but I have not been able to run a 10 minute mile (much less three in a row) since high school! This is also the furthest I've ever run at one time before. So, I guess I'm thankful for determination (and for Run, Zombies 5K).

Then, Tim and I spent Saturday cleaning our apartment, so I'm thankful for a clean home as well. And we celebrated his dad and sister's birthday's on Saturday night, so I am also incredibly thankful for my In-Laws. I could not have asked for a better family to have married into, and I feel very lucky that they have welcomed me into their inner circle :)

Sunday, I was thankful for lazy days. Tim and I just hung out on the couch with the dog and cat, I made some beer bread and I also made some Chipotle Butternut Squash Soup (recipe below).

Today, I am thankful for Twinings Chai Spiced Apple Tea. It is the perfect cure for snowy day chills.

Chipotle Butternut Squash Soup
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil (or Grapeseed Oil)
1 Yellow Onion, chopped
2 Cloves Garlic, minced
2 Teaspoons Cumin
1 Teaspoon Nutmeg
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1 Medium Butternut Squash, cubed
1 Chipotle Pepper in Adobo Sauce
2.5 Cans Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth (you could use vegetable broth to make this vegetarian)
Salt and Pepper to taste
Light Sour Cream, for serving
Cilantro, for garnish

In a Dutch Oven, heat oil on Medium High heat. Add chopped onions and salt and pepper and cook for about 7 minutes or until starting to brown (stir regularly). Add cumin and garlic, cook until fragrant, stirring constantly (about a minute). Add broth, squash, chipotle pepper, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Stir and cover. Let simmer on Medium High heat for about 25 minutes or until squash is very soft. Using a blender in batches, or an immersion blender, puree the mixture and then return to Dutch Oven. Keep warm until ready to serve.
Serve with a dollop of sour cream and cilantro leaves.
Makes about 4-6 servings.

Catching Up From Yesterday

I realize that I forgot to post what I was thankful for yesterday. Get off my back! Maybe I wasn't thankful for anything!

Sorry... That escalated quickly... I just forgot. My deepest apologies for neglecting to inform you all what I was thankful for yesterday.

So, I'll make it up to you by being thankful for two things today! What?!? Two?!?! This is crazy!

Today, November 8, 2013 I am thankful for this little bundle of joy...

 

Isn't she beautiful? (yes, she is chilling in the bathtub)

In case you didn't know... that is my cat, Sabrina (also known as BeeBee or Sabrina T. BeeBee - the T stands for either "the" or "trouble" depending on the day). Tim and I adopted her from Tails Humane Society the week we moved in together two years ago. She stole our hearts at PetSmart... As soon as we walked into the adoption center she reached her paw out of the cage and meowed at Tim and I. We are so lucky that we got this cat. She is sweet and silly, cuddly and cunning, feisty and full of love. She is also the most beautiful cat in the entire world - its a fact. 

I am also thankful that today is FRIDAY! (I don't believe an explanation for that is necessary)

Good Day! I must prepare for tomorrow: 5K in the am, Katie's birthday, and Hanson Birthday Dinner Extravaganza at JMK, so a whole lot to be thankful for tomorrow as well!

November 6, 2013

Today I am so grateful  for warm blankets and hot chocolate. After a cold fall rain and the temperature drop I was just feeling cold to the bone, so after my run I bundled up in a blanket and made a cup of cocoa and now I just need to curl up with a good book and it will be an ideal night :)

As long as I've got my blankets and cocoa I can Handle winter, so bring it on Jack Frost!