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Dine and Dish

Food blog with family recipes

September 1, 2012

Happiness Report #17 – Happiness Down to My Soul

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It’s a rainy, stay inside with a good book and cup of coffee kind of day. A snuggly, beautiful, happy day. What better kind of day then to share a little happiness with you all?

I am bubbling over with happiness today because Nick and I had the opportunity to bring recording artist, Shannon Curtis, and her husband Jamie, into our home last night for a private concert. Shannon’s soulful voice filled the air as our friends cozied up in our living room and kitchen to listen. Shannon’s music has depth and meaning and is delivered with such raw emotion. I was definitley in my happy place, filled with joy and love last night.

You’ve seen me write about my love for Shannon’s music before, and it was so surreal to see that love of her music spill over to a love for the person she is. Genuine, kind and beautiful to her core. Her husband, Jamie, is just as wonderful.

Night turned into morning, and we shared cinnamon rolls and great conversation around our kitchen table. Again… pure happiness to personally connect with someone you’ve had an online relationship with for over a year and to be able to share such intimate time with them. Thank you, Shannon and Jamie, for sharing your talents with us. Having you join our friends in our home was beyond special to me. Thank you!

If you haven’t listened to Shannon’s music yet, stop what you are doing and head over to her website now. Her newest single, Anti-Gravity, has become one of my favorites. Other favorites of mine are Before the Sun, Boomerangs & Seesaws, Waking Up With You… actually, I love all of her music. Please go check it out. Perfect Saturday and Sunday morning, lounging around, cooking and enjoying your coffee kind of tunes. You’ll love her, I know it!

More happiness… I started pillow journals with my kids. I can’t remember where I saw or heard about this idea but I think it’s a really great one. Each kid is given a journal and the first page is filled with a journal entry from a parent, asking questions, sharing praise, talking about silly stuff. The journal is placed under the child’s pillow and they then have just a few days to fill out the next page in the journal, answering questions, asking questions and sharing general silly stuff. They then place it under your pillow. It’s a back and forth way to journal with your child, and I am excited to see how it works. I’ve already received the journal back from Ella and Kelly and am loving the sharing it’s started between us.

Other things that have made me smile…

Gretchen Rubin’s new book, Happier at Home, releases this week. I can’t wait to read it!

Finding time to read… that makes me happy. I finished The Island today and am going to start Dare Me next.

My sister and three kind friends, chatting with me about specific parenting experiences when I was struggling. Thank you!

Reading comments about your best friends over on my Hallmark post.

I’ve had fun taking really cool iPhone panoramic photos with the DMD app. Have you tried it?

And, my pretty new red Blendtec blender (stay tuned for a giveaway next week!)

Now it’s your turn to share. What’s making you happy right now?
Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Filed Under: Previous Tagged With: gretchen rubin, happiness report, parenting, photography, reading, shannon curtis

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jenn Hethcoat says

    September 1, 2012 at 6:05 pm

    Meeting and listening to Shannon last night was amazing. Seeing you so filled with happiness…. made my happy rise.

    What else makes me happy? Hearing my nearly 3 year old yell “DAH DAT DA DAH DAT DA DAH” and then “BWAH HA HA” as he pretends he is Darth Vader. How can that NOT make you smile?

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      September 2, 2012 at 12:08 pm

      I love you!! 🙂 Thanks so much for coming and for just being you. You are an awesome friend.

      And oh my – the cuteness!

      Reply
  2. Kristi says

    September 1, 2012 at 6:08 pm

    It looks like you had a blast with the concert Friday evening!
    What’s put a smile on my face recently including today – spending the day hanging out with my boys – with the youngest we’ve watched part of a Swamp People marathon, with the oldest we’ve just talked some. Rain! Making time to put reading back on my plate on a more regular basis – almost done reading Bloom. My husband bringing home Starbucks today just because he knows I enjoy it!
    Also looking forward to the release of Gretchen Rubin’s new book!

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      September 2, 2012 at 12:08 pm

      It was such a great event.
      Ohhhhh – what a great day with your kiddo! Rain, reading and kiddos. Plus Starbucks? You have it made!

      Reply
  3. Kathy says

    September 1, 2012 at 6:40 pm

    I didn’t make it up for the concert, but I have purchased her tunes and I love them! Wish I could have made it, what a treat for you! And her. Your cinnamon rolls are amazing .

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      September 2, 2012 at 12:09 pm

      We missed you. You would have loved to meet her, Kathy. And I can only imagine the music you two could have played together! Next time 🙂 Love you!

      Reply
  4. Kathy says

    September 1, 2012 at 6:45 pm

    Oh, and what makes me happy….the video of your adorable kids dancing, precious Kennedy saying she would worry about her college so I don’t need to start fretting over it yet, the fact that my almost 18 year old boy still is willing to let me hang out with him and our crazy mom remembering….eventually…to take her meds because of first grade Kristen.:-)

    Reply
  5. Pat Wogan says

    September 1, 2012 at 9:55 pm

    The crazy Mom was happy today because she talked on the phone with Ginger, Kristen, and Kathy! The enchiladas turned out great and we will be eating them all this week. The salsa was hot enough for Dad….almost. I am also happy football season is starting!

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      September 2, 2012 at 12:10 pm

      I’ve been craving enchiladas ever since talking to you. I just need to make them… but it’d be better if I could just eat yours 🙂

      Reply
  6. Natalie @ Cooking for My Kids says

    September 2, 2012 at 7:54 am

    Sitting in my chair with a blanket, cup of tea, and my computer, while I wait for the littles to all greet me one by one is making me very happy this morning.

    Also, having my parents in town, the opening weekend of college football, and knowing that we successfully made it through the first week of school is pure happiness, too.

    Happy weekend!

    Reply
  7. Naomi says

    September 2, 2012 at 10:29 am

    Oy vey .. her music makes me happy. Happy and introspective and meditative all at the same time!

    Struggling a bit as some of the songs are NOT available on iTunes, yet I can’t get the CDs here in Singapore, via direct order … K, want to take delivery and then ship to Singapore for me? 🙂

    (LOVING the pillow journal concept!)

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      September 2, 2012 at 12:07 pm

      Girl – let me know whatever songs / albums you want and I will get them to you 🙂

      Reply
  8. Crystal @ Crystal's Cozy Kitchen says

    September 2, 2012 at 11:54 am

    I had a hard time coming up with something that is making me happy (currently we have a lot of negative going on…) However, my mom came to visit yesterday and I got to go shopping with her which was fun and a needed break!

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      September 2, 2012 at 12:10 pm

      Oh hon – I’m sorry 🙁 That brand new sweet baby has got to be bringing a bit of happiness, right? Plus exhaustion at the same time, I’m sure. Anything I can do??

      Reply
    • Kristen says

      September 2, 2012 at 12:11 pm

      And a haircut! I just saw it on your blog. Wow… LOVE your new look!!

      Reply
      • Crystal @ Crystal's Cozy Kitchen says

        September 2, 2012 at 12:19 pm

        The main problem right now is we all caught a cold (and hearing a stuffy nosed baby isn’t so fun!) However, he did sleep pretty well last night considering! He is still adorable to just stare at. Then there is some drama going on in my husband’s family and for some reason his sisters like to discuss their problems with me (nice to know they accept me that well, but sometimes it can be a bit much!)

        Yeah, I forgot to mention the hair cut! Plus we finally conquered the thrush (finally after 2.5 weeks!)… so I guess that is something to be happy about as well. I guess it is hard to see the positive when you’re focusing on all the negative (which is easy when you have a cold and are sleep deprived ;).

        Reply
  9. Kit says

    September 2, 2012 at 12:10 pm

    Waking up with an overwhelming sense of peace and joy as I allow myself a “lazy” Sunday on a beautiful morning in the Catskills !

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      September 2, 2012 at 12:13 pm

      A lazy Sunday preceded by a lazy Saturday is exactly what we are having. I’m starting to feel a bit guilty 😉
      Enjoy every minute!

      Reply
  10. SMITH BITES says

    September 2, 2012 at 1:17 pm

    my happy is being alive, being relatively healthy, having good friends who make me pause for a moment and think about what makes me happy!! life is full with activity, full with things that stretch me . . . really appreciate your happiness reports Kristen – always a joy!

    Reply
  11. Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says

    September 2, 2012 at 2:12 pm

    A pillow journal?! What a genius idea – I can’t wait to start that tradition with our first child who is turning one this month!

    Reply
  12. Christy Landry says

    September 2, 2012 at 3:11 pm

    Love your happiness report! It makes me happy to have someone out there sharing their happiness and inspiring us to think about ours and be thankful…we so often forget that. Thanks

    Reply
  13. Stacey says

    September 2, 2012 at 8:10 pm

    LOVE! Soul searching and looking for the way to genuine happiness. Always makes me smile when others share. Thank you! 🙂

    Reply
  14. Nicole says

    September 2, 2012 at 9:16 pm

    I find happiness spending quality time with my family. Great post, looking forward to hearing her music and doing that journal sharing with the kids, Fun!

    Reply
  15. mbt nederland says

    September 3, 2012 at 2:15 am

    I find happiness spending quality time with my family. Great post, looking forward to hearing her music and doing that journal sharing with the kids, Fun!

    Reply
  16. MikeVFMK says

    September 5, 2012 at 12:36 pm

    How fantastic that you shared such a wonderful night with a talent like this. And by the way, we don’t have any children but if we are blessed one day I hope to borrow this pillow journal idea. I think it’s truly wonderful!!

    Reply
  17. écharpe burberry says

    November 23, 2012 at 1:24 am

    May karaniwang ay lubhang ilang mga indibidwal na maaring magsulat hindi kaya madaling artikulo na malikhaing. Panatilihin ang magandang pagsulat!! Uy doon! Ako sa trabaho surfing sa paligid ng iyong blog mula sa aking bagong iphone!

    Reply
  18. sale north face jacket says

    December 18, 2012 at 3:02 am

    In fact your creative writing ability has inspired me.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Happiness Report #17 – Happiness Down to My Soul | Shelterholic Now Food says:
    September 1, 2012 at 6:30 pm

    […] Report #17 – Happiness Down to My Soul Dine and Dish Sat, September 1, 2012 10:30 PM UTC Dine and Dish Rate this Loading … Share (function(){var […]

    Reply
  2. Shannon Curtis » Happiness in Kansas says:
    September 4, 2012 at 6:33 pm

    […] wrote a beautiful and sweet “Happiness Report” blog post about the night. You can read it and see her photos here. function showPopup(url) { […]

    Reply
  3. Recipe: Cookies & Cream Magic Shell on Mini Ice Cream Cones | Dine and Dish says:
    September 5, 2012 at 9:10 pm

    […] a little party this past weekend… you may have recalled me gushing about it in my most recent Happiness Report. It was such a wonderful […]

    Reply
  4. Project 365 2012: August 26th - September 15th | Dine and Dish says:
    September 16, 2012 at 9:29 pm

    […] 31st: Remember Shannon and the Summer House Concert? Kelly was quite smitten (with very good […]

    Reply
  5. Happiness Report #18 - Share the Love and a special giveaway! | Dine and Dish says:
    October 2, 2012 at 9:00 pm

    […] tour today, and it is simply amazing. We had the pleasure of inviting our friends over for a private house concert with Shannon and her husband, Jamie, this summer and it was such an amazing, one of a kind experience. It makes […]

    Reply
  6. Project 365 2012 – Finishing Up the Year Part 2 | Dine and Dish says:
    January 3, 2013 at 12:05 pm

    […] 24th: A house concert at my brothers house in Illinois, ala Shannon Curtis […]

    Reply
  7. Project 365 2012 – Finishing Up the Year Part 2 says:
    January 4, 2013 at 7:25 am

    […] 24th: A house concert at my brothers house in Illinois, ala Shannon Curtis […]

    Reply

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Kristen-125Hi friends, I'm Kristen! Mom of 4, Ambassador of Happiness, Coffee Lover and Connection Seeker. Come say hi! Read More…
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happiness  HAPPINESS

I believe that in order to live a happy life, you have to make happiness happen through implementing simple things that make you happy into every day. Here are a few of the things that bring me happiness - I hope they do you too.

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Can’t believe we’re doing the college tour thing already with my second baby! 

So question for any of you who sent your kids to out of state schools or went to out of state schools...how did you do it? She wants to get the heck out of Kansas (I’d like to go with her!). We have money saved, she’ll most likely get a scholarship or two, she’s paying and has money saved as well...but even with that out of state tuition is a beast of an amount. So, did you just assume that student loans were going to be part of that life? And is that worth it to give your kids a shot at a new life outside of your home state? I wish I would have left Kansas for university, and have been here since I was born 😩. I want different for her if that’s what she wants but also just don’t have any experience with how people do out of state college! Any tips?

#collegetour #bestlifenow #outofstate #studentloans #junioryear #kansasstate #adviceneeded
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J is for...jam!
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My friend @wakschmale makes the best strawberry jam...and I completely forgot about a jar she gave me last year until this morning. Which then inspired me to make my favorite buttermilk biscuits. So so good. Are you a jam, honey, just butter or plain biscuit fan? I love biscuits allll the ways, except with gravy. I have super bad memories of biscuits and gravy growing up. 🤢
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I’m still slowly making my way through the alphabet for @kimklassen_innercircle a-z photo challenge. I’m bound and determined to finish. It may just take me a little longer than I originally anticipated 🤗.
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#homemadejam #eatcaptureshare #biscuitsandjam #homemadebiscuits #sundaybaking #easylikesundaymorning #foodphotograph #foodpics #slowsunday #breakfastathome #kimklassen_innercircle
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It took me 2 months to get this Crispy Chickpea Pantry Pasta recipe up on the blog. 🤦‍♀️But it’s there now! You can find the link in my Instagram profile.
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Also, just noticed Instagram took away the like count on posts. I kind of like that...what do you think?
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#pastarecipe #chickpeapasta #dinnerideas #dinnerrecipes #vegetarianrecipe #eatcaptureshare #slowblogging  #totallifechanges
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I is for Inspiration!
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The “long haul” effects of having Covid back in December are really presenting themselves lately. The continuous persistent headaches are taking a toll and the connection between the brain fog and word retrieval function of my brain has been extra challenging. I had no idea a couple months out, the cognitive effects would still be hanging around.
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With that said, when I get a burst of inspiration I’m grabbing on for dear life. I made our favorite chocolate chip cookies recipe yesterday and felt the desire to update the blog post photos from 2007! We make these cookies all the time, so I’m not sure why it’s taken me so many years to give that poor post some new photos.
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If you’re interested in the recipe you can find the link currently in my profile. Enjoy!!
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@kimklassen_innercircle #kimklassen_innercircle #chocolatechipcookie #cookiestagram #foodphotography #feedfeedbaking #plateofcookies #cookiephotography #eatcaptureshare #recipeoftheweek
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H is for...high!
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It was so strange being on a plane again. I’m so thankful I have the antibodies because the flights were full, which seemed wrong, but everyone around me did seem to keep their masks on, so that was good.
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I can’t wait until travel becomes a regular part of life again. I’ve missed it so much!
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 @kimklassen_innercircle @southwestair @windowswap #cloudphotography #cloudsofinstagram #flightview #iflyswa #imisstravelling #skylove #planepics #myviewtoday #beautifulviews
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G is for...oh so grateful!

I flew to South Texas yesterday to visit my parents whom I haven’t seen in 2 years. They live around 17 hours away from us. We typical get to see each other a few times a year but with the pandemic and other health issues it just wasn’t able to happen and I’ve missed them soooo much.

Grateful to have had COVID last month. Although it was not at all fun, it gave me the antibodies to make this trip possible. My dad is having surgery tomorrow so I’m helping with my mom so my dad can recover without having to worry about her.

Kansas is enjoying frigid temperatures and snow. I picked a great week to head south.
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#palmtrees🌴 #palmtreesfordays #blueskiesandsunshine #wintersun #texasskies #kimklassen_innercircle @kimklassen_innercircle #silverlining
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F is for...food photography.
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This time of year especially, food photography (and I guess all photography actually) is a tug of war with time and light. I had planned on making and photographing a delicious pasta recipe, but my grocery delivery ran a couple of hours late because of snowstorm. So, at the eleventh hour I decided to make a cake...that took over an hour to bake and I had about 90 minutes of natural light left...leaving me with about 30 minutes of ok light to work with.
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Anyway, this wouldn't work for a client shoot because the cake, although delicious, didn't turn out looking so great. But it will work great for today's F photo for the @kimklassen_innercircle A-Z photo project:) Lemon Citrus Yogurt Cake from this weeks @cabotcheese newsletter. So good!
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#eatcake #eatcaptureshare #eatcakebehappy #lemoncake #cakecakecakecake #foodiegram #yahoofood #dessertsofinstagram #sweettooth #kimklassen_innercircle #fisforfood
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E is for...Excitement!
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There’s a lot of excitement in Kansas City as our beloved @chiefs head back to the Super Bowl this weekend! #runitback 🏈
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It’s so strange because winning the super bowl last year was the last “normal” thing that happened before the pandemic hit. We went from a city full of excitement to shutting down and sheltering in place. Maybe when we win and bring the trophy home this year, it’ll be the start of something great. Let’s hope!
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Who are you rooting for Sunday? Chiefs, Buccaneers or tacos? 😂
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#chiefskingdom #superbowl2021 #kcchiefs #patrickmahomes #tattooideasforgirls #gochiefs #gameday🏈 #kimklassen_innercircle #eisfor #excitingthingstocome #excitingtimes #backtobackchamps
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