Today's Joy: Discovering Something New to Share.

Last night led me to a family revelation, Reader.  I stopped by for dinner with Mom & Brother and the evening turned into an impromptu cooking-fest. 

While Mom and I bond over trips to the flea market, antique shops and local garden centers, it's harder to find a common activity to share with Brother.  He's a kind, wonderful soul with a big heart and a strong sense of fairness.  Unfortunately, our taste in hobbies is pretty different.  He's an online, video game, techno-speak sort of guy, while I'm into artsy stuff, cooking and old jazz.  For several years, I took up the line of fantasy books he read and presented him with a hardcover of each new addition at Christmas.  This gave us something to talk about and it was literary--a win-win for everybody!  Until the author killed off one of Brother's favorite characters and he lost interest in the series.  Dadgum it! 

So I've been on the hunt for something new to share.  Then, last night, Mom says the magic words: Your brother has taken up cooking.  Hallelujah!  So we bought all the stuff to make Cilantro Lime Chicken and got in the kitchen.  What a ball!  I got to spend some quality time with him and he got to experiment with all kinds of new flavor combinations: cilantro, cumin, ginger, adobo, tomatillos and fresh lime.  His favorite, though, was the Mexican fresco crumbling cheese.  I really like this cheese, he said.  I reminded him, as a single guy, that all women love a man who can cook.  He laughed. 

So, we have a new family activity to share.  It works for Mom, too.  She doesn't have to cook but still gets to enjoy all the food.  Another win-win.  What about you, Reader? What does your clan love to do?  If you haven't already, go spend some quality time.  Add some Mexican crumbling cheese.  It just might work magic.

Today's Joy: Primroses. All week, as I come and go to and from work, braving the frigid temperatures outside, one little reminder of spring has kept me from falling into a winter malaise. These darling primroses.

A gift from Brother to welcome me home, four different colors of the happy little plants were presented to me. Not sure which one you'd like, he said. I love them all, of course.

Now they're clustered on a little tray in the kitchen where I can pass by several times each day and inhale the fresh scent of live, growing things. It's like having my own little spring indoors. And seeing as the real thing is still at least a month off, what a blessing! Reader, if you haven't already, go get yourself a little live color therapy. Happy Tuesday!