Why is she so happy?

In the past few weeks I've had two different people comment on how happy I look.  

One was a visiting Priest from Florida who talked to me after service and said "There's the happy drummer!" and the other was a new friend who's Mom had seen a picture I posted on Facebook and said to her "Your friend looks so happy!"

These should be compliments right?  So I don't know my first thought is embarrassment?  Why is it so bad for me to be happy?  To show how happy I am in my demeanor, the way I act and talk?  

It bothered me that I thought this and kind of worried me, my old habits tell me that happiness doesn't last, if you're too happy it's basically tempting fate to screw with you a bit and make sure it doesn't happen again.  

Maybe its a happiness I have finally found in God.  Its a lightness of burdens I don't have to carry anymore.  My instincts tell me I shouldn't be happy because not everyone is, but happiness takes work for sure, it is something given to us and I CHOOSE to be happy.  To see the good in my situation instead of the complaints.  To do what I need to do to make things better if they're bothering me.  

I choose to live a life thats low on funds but big on time.  

Time with my husband, time with my kids, time to learn, time to teach, time to birth babies, 

and even....sometimes.....time by myself!

That's not to say I never get depressed, angry or upset about things in my life. But I am trying to learn that I can be ok with being happy, that it doesn't mean that I think Im better than someone else.  My happiness is for myself and not to prove anything.  I have no reason to fake my emotions, no one to impress and I have found that living my life the way I feel God is calling me to just naturally makes me a happier person.  Less guilt.  Less anger.  Less wanting for things of this world.

More joy.  More peace.  More love.

And one day I hope, that one that I can't quite get a hold on yet....more forgiveness. 

We started working on a Character Building book with the kids during homeschooling and today's lesson was about being content.  I think a big part of being happy is simply being happy with what YOU have and not comparing it to what others have and what they need to be happy.

I have what I need to be happy.  It might be less than others, it might be more.  

But there should be no shame in happiness, hopefully soon I can believe that myself. <3

5 Simple Things That Make Me Happy

1.  Outside after it rains.

2.  New cleaning products, I bought some Bon Ami Citrus Thyme spray today. Woo-hoo!

3. Sleeping children.

4. A kiss from my husband.

5. My blog. 

And so of course, a recipe!  Food makes me happy.  Oh yes it does.  

Until recently I would consider myself a cook much more than a baker but the weight I am gaining this pregnancy proves that I eat more than enough of both food & baked goods!  

Creamy Polenta w/Mushroom & Sausage Ragu

and Roasted Asparagus

Polenta:

1 cup Polenta

1 cup milk

5 cups water

1/4 cup butter, cut into cubes

1/4 cup Heavy Cream

1/4 cup grated Parmesan

Salt to Taste

[1] Boil the water & milk.  When it comes to a boil add your polenta.

[2] Stay close!  Whisk your polenta, it will thicken quickly.  Reduce heat to medium-low.

[3] Keep whisking, allow Polenta to soak up liquids.  It doesn't need to be constantly stirred but keep an eye on it!  Do this for about 20 minutes.

[4] Once Polenta has absorbed all the moisture add your cream & butter.

Whisk for another 5 minutes.

[5] Add Parmesan & salt to taste.  Sooo creamy and good.  Tip: Not low calorie. ;)

Ragu:

1/2 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce

2 mild Italian sausages, out of their cases

1 cup sliced Crimini mushrooms

1/4 cup Red Wine

Olive Oil

Salt to Taste

Crushed Red Pepper

[1] Take sausage out of their casings by cutting a slit down the side and squeezing the meat out.  Fun!

[2] Brown sausage in olive oil on medium heat.  Cook until sausage is fully cooked, break it apart with a spoon as you go.

[3] Add mushrooms to pan and let them brown.  I like a good golden color on my mushroom so use a decent sized pan so they don't just steam.

[4] Pour in your spaghetti sauce & red wine.  Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer while you cook your polenta.

Roasted Asparagus:

1 lb. asparagus woody stems removed

Olive Oil

Salt & Pepper to taste

[1] Lay asparagus on a baking sheet.

[2] Drizzle with the olive oil and season with salt & pepper to taste.

[3] Cook in a 375 degree oven until doneness you prefer.  About 15-20 minutes.  

I like my tips charred but asparagus not too soggy.

Assemble & eat!