Finding Joy in the Journey . . .

Life, believe, is not a dream
So dark, as sages say.
Oft a little morning rain
Foretells a pleasant day.
~Charlotte Bronte, "Life," 1846

I am sure you have often heard the phrase said that, "If it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all!" If you are like me, you have probably even said it on occasion! Sometimes life really does seem like that. It moves along like the ocean beating it's waves against the shore, with ebbs and flows . . . sometimes the waves crashing in tumultuously . . . and at others, gently lapping against the edge of the sand.



It's a lot like climbing up Mount Everest, only to be knocked down to the bottom again, after reaching the top . . . and then having to climb up it all over again. This can be discouraging . . . the monotonous pattern of taking three steps forward and two steps back . . .



I guess though . . . it's all in how you look at it. If you make the destination the whole journey, then . . . of course . . . we will always sadly be lacking. If, however, you make the fun in the climbing, well then . . . you've given the journey a whole new outlook.

It doesn't really matter then if we reach the top of the mountain or not . . . or even if we fall back down again once we get there . . . it only matters that we keep trying and that we enjoy ourselves along the way.



For every mountain we climb . . . there is always another one, just waiting for us to conquer it too. We must always remember to stop and smell the flowers, and to enjoy the sunshine on our faces along the way. That is the way to find joy in the journey . . .



I finally finished my painting yesterday. I think she turned out really sweet. Todd just loved it at any rate. I fell in love with the quote. I saw it on Julie's page the other day, and it struck a chord with me. Of course, as always, you can see the whole painting over HERE. Let me know what you think!

I made us a delicious and simple soup for our dinner yesterday. I love this soup. It uses the simplest of ingredients, and yet always tastes just wonderful. Just goes to show you that food doesn't have to be complicated to taste really good!!



*A Simple Soup of Onions*
Serves 3 to 4
Printable Recipe

This very simple, yet very tasty soup is one that I make often in the winter months. It's quick, easy, delicious and I always have the ingredients on hand. Don't let the simplicity of it fool you into thinking that it can't be very good. This soup is a real winner.

1 1/2 cups chopped, or sliced, onions (peel first)
2 cups boiling salted water
2 cups whole milk
2 TBS butter
1 cup grated strong cheddar cheese
salt and black pepper to taste
4 slices of buttered toast

Put the onions in a saucepan and cover with the boiling water. Bring back to the boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook until the onions are very tender.

Once the onions are tender, add the milk and simmer the mixture for at least another ten minutes, without boiling. Add the butter and freshly ground black pepper to taste. You probably won't need more salt, but taste just to make sure and adjust as necessary.

Put a slice of buttered toast in each of four heated soup bowls. Heap grated cheese on top of the toast and then ladle the hot soup over top. Serve hot.



Over on The English Kitchen today, a delicious Grilled Steak with Bearnaise Butter.