Simplicty: An Avenue to Happiness

Last weekend, I took my girls to see Up, the gorgeous new Pixar film that just came out. We laughed and laughed and adored the movie. Halfway through the film, the adorable, chubby boy scout named Russell talks about going out to ice cream with his dad after a scout meeting. He describes the flavors they'd get, and the special curb they'd sit on as they ate it. Then Russell says, "It may seem boring to you, but I really liked that curb."

I loved that the movie took the time to focus on the beauty inherent in sitting on the edge of the sidewalk eating ice cream. I think Russell even says something like, "It's the everyday things that mean the most in the end" and I believe that is so true.

There is so much value in small things like staying at home and making an evening of it by preparing a meal together, playing a simple game of cards or taking a walk in the neighborhood and capping the night by snuggling up on the couch and watching a great movie. When we take the time to enjoy these kinds of moments, we learn that we can in fact find joy in the textures of our everyday lives. Evenings like these cost little and mean much. Enjoy what you have in your own backyard. Enjoy the wonderful array of gifts right in front of your eyes. You'll be amazed at how far it goes in making you feel closer and more connected to your partner and/or your children.

I can't emphasize this phenomenon enough: When we truly take a moment to look around us and become conscious of all the wonderful things we have right at our fingertips, that elusive feeling of contentment magically alights on our shoulders.

This related quote about the topic really resonates with me:
"Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world I feel like I can't take it, like my heart's going to cave in."



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A Recipe For Happiness: $2.99, a Loaf of Bread, and a Day With The Ducks.

Much of what we do at Rosanna and what I talk about on this blog is with the intention of exploring ways to help us live well and happily in the world. However, living within the constraints of this recession, we have all had to reassess what it means to live well. Lately, I've been thinking about this a lot. For inspiration, I've revisited my own childhood when times were simpler and slower and having fun didn't require spending a large amount of money, or any money at all.

Time and time again I seem to return to the same theme. Cultivating happiness and peace, often times means taking time to enjoy small pleasures that don't cost a thing, like taking a walk in nature...or feeding the ducks.

Last weekend I was out with my family for a stroll through Fremont, one of our favorite Seattle neighborhoods. We blazed through our window shopping faster than expected, and were left with nothing "to do." Again, I thought back to the things I loved doing as a child...playing make believe games for hours, exploring the natural world in a pack of neighborhood kids, or dancing in the living room around my parents to the smooth sounds of Sergio Mendes and Brazil 66. I wanted to do something that would elicit that same feeling of simple delight for my family. Then I had an idea.

We went to the grocery store and bought the cheapest/healthiest loaf of bread we could find. Then we walked over to the canal and looked around for some ducks. When we found some, we sat down and got to work on the bread. At the risk of sounding like a geriatric, I have to say that the hour we spent with the ducks was the best hour of our day. We laughed together watching the ducks interact with their different personalities, that made up the dynamic of their flock. As silly as it seems, just spending an hour as a family feeding the ducks was a sweet experience that made us feel closer, happier, and more peaceful.

It's quite the revelation, no? You don't need to spend large amounts of money to be entertained. You don't need a day at the spa to relax and you don't need to go on an expensive vacation to have quality family time. All you need is a loaf of bread and some ducks.





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Warehouse Sale

Chelsea Flowers, Parisian Wallpaper and Beach Bottles have all recently been discontinued and will be on sale while quantities last!! The pricing at the warehouse sale is wholesale or better.

SHOPPING TIPS

During the first 2 hours you will have the best chance of finding something amazing or one of a kind. If we do have cake stands they usually sell out in the first hour.

After the first 2 hours you can avoid the crowd. You will still find great things, but you won't have to fight for them.

We provide boxes to store and move your purchases in. If you own a small cart you are welcome to bring one.

Print one page of this blog and present it at checkout for 10% off the sale total of your merchandise.

DATE & ADDRESS

Saturday, May 30th: 9am to 4pm - Open to the public.

440 South Holgate Street Seattle, WA 98134 (between 4th and 6th Avenues).





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It's Time For Rosanna's Summer Warehouse Sale

*Saturday, May 30th: 9am to 4pm

* Open to the public all day.

We start receiving our new Fall/Winter collections as early as July and we need to make space. We have many overstocked and recently discontinued items that we must clear out. You do not want to miss this summer's sale.

Please note that our credit card machine is sooooo slow, being in the "cash" line will save you time at checkout. All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.


What To Expect

The pricing at these warehouse sales is WHOLESALE or BETTER. Cake stands & teapots from $12 to $20. Dessert plates, mugs, serving platters, vases, pitchers in ceramic and glass! Some Italian Deruta will also be priced to move.

Take full advantage of this bi-annual event to get your teacher, graduation, bridal shower, wedding, and birthday gifts to last till we see you again in December. And maybe a few things for those fabulous summer events you're planning. See you there!








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Spring Is Here!

Spring is here! What a relief, after such a dismal winter. The arrival of Spring is an instant balm to the weary soul. The sun shines. The plants sprout and the flowers bloom. Nature is telling us that it is time to wake up and recognize the changes in the environment. The new plants and the birth of new life signals a change. The changes in nature offer us an opportunity to change old ways of doing things. Spring presents an opportunity to evaluate our own lives and see how we can "freshen up" old patterns of behavior. Have you noticed how everyone changes in the Spring? How one's attitude about life becomes more hopeful and positive. Take advantage of this magical season. The rebirth in nature can echo a rebirth within ourselves. Start a yearly tradition of doing something new to effect change in your life. Here are a few examples of how to "freshen up" your life.

*Change your menu...lighten it up. Eat vegetables that are in season. eat less meat and try to eat only local produce and food. You will be amazed at the difference in taste. It is good for the body and environment. See my favorite Spring pasta recipe, made with fresh Spring vegetables.

Pasta Ortolano (Green Grocer style pasta)

Ingredients:
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 lb organic spinach, washed and chopped in long 3 inch pieces
1 lb very skinny asparagus (chop off the ends, about 2 inches, and discard) cut the rest of the asparagus in 2 inch lengths
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1/2 lb Spring Peas, shelled
1 tsp sea salt
1 box Penne Rigate Pasta
1 oz Parmesan Cheese, grated

Directions:
Bring the oil to a med-high heat. Put all the ingredients in a low pan and saute, stirring constantly until the spinach is wilted and the asparagus is soft, but not wilted, and the peas are tender but not mushy.
Cook the pasta until al dente (with a little give to the pasta, about 12-15 minutes.) Make sure to boil the pasta in salted water with 1 tsp of sea salt.
Drain pasta.
Save the pan that the pasta was cooked in. Put 1/2 of the vegetable mixture at the bottom of the pan. Then pour in all the pasta and pour the remaining cooked vegetables on top. Toss the pasta and sauce, adding a grinding of sea salt to finish.
Grate fresh Parmesan cheese over the top and serve with a light sparkling white wine like Italian Prosecco.

*Do a light Spring cleaning. Clear out excess furniture and things that crowd your living space. The Victorians changed their decor every season to be in tune with the environment. Pare down and keep the interior light and clutter free. Bring in fresh flowers and plants from the outdoors. Make small displays of living, flowering plants and the lovely branches of freshly bloomed fruit trees. The effect is uplifting and positive. It will make you feel fresh and invigorated. Living in harmony with nature creates a sense of well being and balance.

*Go outside. When the weather is nice go outside and enjoy the sun. Let the vitamin D permeate your skin. The body needs vitamin D for many reasons. Vitamin D helps keep bones strong and protects against hypertension (high blood pressure), cancer and several auto-immune diseases. Only 10 minutes per day of sun exposure is enough to give you the vitamin D you need. Besides letting the sun keep you healthy, nice weather encourages exercise and walking. If you cannot run or bike, simply walk around your neighborhood for 30 minutes. Keeping active is very important for a healthy state of mind a fit body. Being outside helps you connect with people in your neighborhood.
The Spring makes connecting with people a natural way of life. Enjoy the outdoors, It is good for the body and soul.

*Play music. Some of my favorite CD's are oldies from the 60's & 70's. The Beatles, James Brown, Al Green, Marvin Gaye. The soul of these artists comes through in their amazing music and makes you want to dance. If you feel like it, dance. It does wonders for a sense of well being.

*Listen to children at play. One thing I love about Spring is that children are back outdoors and playing. I open my windows and listen to the laughter of children at play and I know all is right in the world.

*Be cheerful and smile. Smiles lead to laughter and nothing makes you feel better than a good laugh. Follow the lyrics of the song "Don't Worry...Be happy."

I hope you enjoy my favorite springtime pasta recipe!





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Start the New Year out Right; Follow Your Dreams!

Please join Rosanna in Chicago on Saturday, May 30th to learn about how she started Rosanna Imports. This is a great conference for anyone who has ever dreamed of owning their own company.







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What the World Needs Now...

These days, America is in a funny place. Hope floats though the air as we stand poised on the verge of a new presidential administration. On the other hand, we have no choice but to acknowledge the economic recession currently affecting all of us who live in The United States. We've come to this crossroads by a convergence of events that, despite their complexities, give us a great opportunity. We can use this moment to reevaluate our priorities, and to reflect on what is truly important in life. Not money, status, or power, but community. Relationships are key, providing great support in times of great difficulty. Taking care of ourselves is sometimes as simple as taking care of the people who mean the most to us, and receiving their love in return.

The most precious gifts we can give this holiday season-- and throughout the year-- are time and energy. Historically, our country has shown greatness during times of immense challenge. It's ingrained in our identity as a nation: diverse, multicultural, and willing to work hard together to achieve our dreams.

Let's make it our personal goal to do our part to bolster our national well being in whatever way best suits our individual situations.

Share what you have with others, whatever the means to you. Love costs nothing; it is a powerful emotion that spreads throughout a community. All we need is a few people to make a change. It will ignite a spark inspiring the rest of us to do the same.





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