Making Every Day Count . . .

“Today a new sun rises for me; everything lives, everything is animated, everything seems to speak to me of my passion, everything invites me to cherish it.” ~Anne De Lenclos

I’ve often heard it said, that you should live each day as if it were the last day of your life, making every moment count. We shouldn't squander one thought, one moment, one sunrise . . . we should try to live each day in every single way that will make us feel good about it, so that even if it were all over tomorrow, we’d be content and say to ourselves . . . well done.




Right now I am sitting here in front of my computer, and all around me the earth is awakening to face a new day . . . it first started as little chirps and peeps, invading the darkness that was beginning to creep away as daylight crept in along the horizon, and now is a cacophony of the sound and music of birdsong, that is echoing thru the early morning light. It is my favourite time of day. My head has not long left my pillow, and the whole day stands before me . . . fresh and clean, like a new page waiting for me to write upon it. What words will I write today, what new things will I find to cherish? Will I spend it wisely, or will I waste it in a frenzy of activity and fog, not stopping to cherish all the small blessings that are mine to experience and appreciate . . . Will I take every luminous moment that is mine, each “everyday epiphany” and see them for what they are, precious gifts not to be taken for granted, small pockets of joy and awakening? Will I stop to cherish the ones I love, and the ones who love me back, and even the ones I don’t love so much? Will I try to do my best in all that I do? Will I sing a little louder, a little stronger, the song of my heart and weave a song of promise and joy around the fibres of my life today?



Will today be not only the first day of the rest of my life . . . but indeed . . . the best day of my life thus far?

This is what I tell myself each morning. Today is the best day of your life. Today you will stand a little taller. Today you will rise up and conquer every challenge that comes your way. Today you will cherish every moment, every smile, every heartbeat, every teardrop . . .

Know what? It works . . . coz every day is, indeed, the best day of my life . . . and every day counts as never before. May you today recognize the poet within your soul and register every precious moment of your life, before this too, passes . . . and it is once again . . . too late.



I made the cookbook challenge recipe yesterday afternoon. I have to confess right now, that neither Todd nor I were overly fond of it. I thought the pears were lovely and the vinaigrette wonderful, except the garlic in it was quite overpowering. If I make it again, I won't put that much garlic in it. It's raw and so it has a distinct kick and one fat clove was far too much in my opinion. The cheesecake, well, it just wasn't to our taste, but that doesn't mean that it won't be to yours! I found it to be more eggy and quiche-like rather than creamy like a cheesecake. I did cut the recipe in thirds so that I could make a smaller amount. There's no way Todd and I could eat enough for 8. I am wondering if I may get into trouble by posting her recipe from the book, so have decided that I shall give you the link where you can get the recipe on her page and just show you the picture I took from it. Here's the recipe LINK.

To make up for it I shall give you the recipe for a delicious steak though. Here's one to put in your file that you can bring out on one of those special occasions, such as an anniversary or some such, or maybe you just want to celebrate life. It doesn’t have to be a special day, like an anniversary or a birthday, but just a celebration of being. There is no finer way to cap off a day of joy and celebration than this, and if you feel like you have to wait for a special occasion to enjoy it, then so be it . . .



*Blue Cheese Crusted Filet Mignon*
Serves 4
This is the ultimate celebratory meal. I love the tang of the blue cheese against the richness of the perfectly cooked steak. I could eat this every day, but then . . . It wouldn’t be so special anymore I guess. Make this for the love of your life, just because . . .

1 TBS olive oil
4 filet beef steaks
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
3 TBS butter
2 shallots, peeled and minced
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
¾ cup red wine
2/3 cup beef stock
1 TBS chopped fresh rosemary
1/3 cup dry breadcrumbs (I use panko)
6 ounces blue cheese, crumbled and divided
1 TBS chopped fresh parsley
4 TBS pine nuts, toasted

Pre-heat your grill. Mix together in a small bowl, the breadcrumbs, 4 ounces of the blue cheese, and the chopped parsley. Set aside.

Melt the oil and 1 TBS of the butter in a small skillet. Season the filet steaks with salt and pepper on each side to taste and then sear in the hot pan, cooking for about 5 minutes on each side for medium rare. Remove to a baking dish.

Add 2 TBS of butter to the skillet and sauté the shallots and garlic in the pan, cooking until softened, but not coloured. Add the wine and the beef stock, scraping up all the brown bits in the bottom of the pan and stirring. Add the rosemary. Bring to a boil, and cook until it is reduced by half. This is your sauce. Once reduced, stir in the remaining 2 ounces of blue cheese and keep warm.

Top each filet with an equal portion of the bread crumb mixture and place under the grill. Grill for about 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the crumbs are lightly browned. Remove.
Spoon a portion of sauce onto each of four warmed plates and top with one of the grilled steaks.

Sprinkle pine nuts over and serve.