Fill Your Cup with...a Smile!

If the weekend isn't enough to give you a smile, this post definitely will (with a possible happy tear to your eye, too)! While perusing Facebook during some downtime, I found a story that touched my heart. You may have seen it yourself because it's been pretty popular this past week, but when I found what I'm sharing with you today, it made me love the story even more!

So without further adieu, here's a smile to fill your cup on this Saturday!

Colin, a young boy from Michigan, was diagnosed with a disability similar to Asperger's syndrome. When his mom asked him who he wanted to invite to his 11th birthday, he told his mom he had no friends to invite. When EIU Pikes heard Colin's story about being bullied in school for his disability, they took matters into their own hands by sending him a birthday check and this letter. Way to go guys! #ProudPike Find out more about Colin's story here: http://dailym.ai/LS12L4

*Story and photo credit given to The Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity Facebook Page. 

Having worked for my sorority, I'm a huge proponent of Greek organizations and their efforts to make a difference in the world. This specific instance is particularly special because Joe is a Pike, so we enjoyed sharing this smile together!

This story shows me how easy it is to make a difference every day. Something as simple as writing a happy note on someone's Facebook wall may start a chain reaction to change the world. The note the Pike chapter wrote to Colin even inspires me, so just think of all the peoples' cups we can fill by a simple act of kindness J

May your cup always be filled with happiness, joy, and love!

Anna

Fill Your Cup with...a Beautiful Morning!

Happy Tuesday, and a beautiful one it is! I hope your week has started off wonderfully and that your cup is overflowing, which is exactly what mine is doing this morning because it absolutely gorgeous here right now! Not so much the scenery, as everything is still a little dead and recovering from the winter weather, but the weather is perfect!

I love exercising and do it for many reasons, but this morning, I just went on a 30-minute run for the simple pleasure of enjoying the wonderful weather. It has been quite sometime I've been able to run outside because it's been so cold, so I wasn't sure my stamina could last for a full run. When I started off, that uncertainty left me because I just decided to take my time and soak in the sweetness around me. Starting off the day by focusing on the beauty and simple pleasures around me was just what I needed to fill my cup today, and I hope you get to enjoy a little of this day's beauty as well, no matter what time of day it is!

I know that some people are still experiencing the woes of winter, but know that beautiful mornings are on their way for you! Until then, I'm sending some sunshine and warm wishes your way!

Something we can all enjoy -- honeydew melon is pretty much perfect right now! I bought one at Wal-Mart this past week and was so excited when I realized how ripe it was cutting it up.

Beautiful!

If you like melon, this is something that can fill your cup and add to your beautiful mornings right now :)

May your cup always be filled with happiness, joy, and love!

Anna

Fill Your Cup with...a Puff Pancake!

Well, I must say that it's been awhile (again). The busy schedule over the last few weeks has made me neglect my new hobby, as well as, focusing on what fills my cup. I've been able to tell this too, so I'm very thankful for a snow day that has allowed me to take a breath, recharge, and have some me time! I think it's important to take some time for yourself every now and then, and when I do, it usually always involves a new cooking venture! So brace yourself....here comes the first recipe post!

I love to cook and love finding new recipes to try. While I also love to eat, I unfortunately can't eat anything with gluten in it. I found out I had a gluten allergy over 2 years ago, but luckily, almost anything can be made gluten-free! My favorite things to try are sweets and breakfast foods, so today, I combined the best of both worlds and filled my cup with scrumptious chocolate chip pancakes! 

The recipe I used is a version of german puff pancakes, and what drew me to it was making them in the oven -- so simple! Since I'm still making meals for just myself right now (although Joe is a big fan of all of my gluten-free food when we visit each other J), I cut the recipe in half and added some flavor of my own! Here's my chocolate chip pancake recipe:

And here are my step-by-step (well there are a few missing) pictures...along with my amateur photography skills!

Ingredients!
You can make this recipe with any kind of flour or
additional flavors - more pb, bananas, blueberries, etc.!

Going in the oven....

...and voilà! The pancake will definitely "puff" up!

I ate mine
(or the "whole" pancake rather because
there isn't anything left J)
with more peanut butter, half a banana, and syrup!

You can double the recipe as many times as you want to make as much as you want, and I promise, these pancakes are delicious, satisfying, and so easy to make! If you try the recipe, please let me know how it turns out -- it will definitely be something that fills my cup!

May your cup always be filled with happiness, joy, and love!

Anna