Avon Parlor

Merry Christmas ! Life is Wonderful.  Christmas always gives us time to consider all that is important. We reflect on why we work so hard for all that we acquire.  We ponder the real meaning of Christmas when all families gather around to share gifts, comfort and Love. Christmas is remembering the message that we are all God's children and we are all connected one way or other.  The message of Love is so clear when we're able to see our brothers as perfect no matter what our brother is perceiving at the time.  Our gift to him is to love him no matter what. We were all granted the Gift of Life.  We all share our goodness with one other with loving, tender words and deeds. Our thoughts reflect the Light that is in us. Our thoughts inspire us to learn about ourselves and to direct our course to Love. Merry Christmas to all.  It's that time of year that the world falls in LOVE!

My 88 year old Mom May Toro Friendships ! Who is your best friend?  What would your answer be?  Do you have a best friend?  My answer undoubtedly is my Mother!  The is no other answer for me.  I'm sure many of us  would answer the same way.  Christmas is a time of appreciation and gratitude.  I choose this moment to express the love I feel for my Mom.  I'm been totally unaware of all the wonderful things that my Mom was doing for me.  It's like this short story. A 5 year old asked his friend, "What's Friendship"? He replied, "Friendship is like when you steal my chocolates everyday from my bag and yet..... I still keep them in the same place". Now to share all my loves of other friendships I've enjoyed, a poem comes to mind written by Eleanor Roosevelt. "Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only True Friends will leave Footprints on your Heart!" I have enjoyed using Facebook to connect

Lentil Salad Recipe! Lentils, the pearl of goodness with high packed protein is a good lowfat food. Lentils are very versatile and can be used many different ways such as in a receipe for vegetarian burgers, in soups or added to any dish for more protein.  It simply can be eaten on it's own, which is so delicate and delightful. The potassium and magnesium levels in lentils are high and loaded with essential vitamins and minerals that will assist with overall ultimate supreme health.  Enjoy! Ingredients: 2 cups French lentils, or brown lentils 1 cup julienned lacinato kale 3/4 cup diced roasted red peppers 3/4 cup diced sun-dried tomatoes 3/4 cup diced cucumber 3/4 cup diced kalamata olives 1/3 cup diced red onion 4 ounces crumbled feta cheese 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley Lemon juice and zest, (optional) Dressing: 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon pure maple syrup (optional) 1

Fragrance of Loving! I sometimes get a swift smell of the fragrance of loving .  My heart opens wide and there is not a thing in sight that I'm not in love with.  These moments are however:  very fleeting!  It comes and goes and some moments are so intense that all I see is my own volatile state. Today is a day of beauty!  I feel and taste the sweet scent of life.  I wish that this day, this moment, this second could last forever.  I wonder why this feeling is so intense at times and lesser at other times.  I noticed that when I try to recapture these moments on my own accord, I feel uneasy and unnatural. Then one sweet morning, I awaken to such "LOVE" and "KNOWING" that it's almost impossible to describe!  I get the sense that if only this would last forever.  If only I could share with all the people that I encounter, for we are all brothers and sisters.  But words won't come, opportunities are stifled and the moment passes. I'