The LCD of Happiness

Let’s face it.  In the ongoing spate of bad weeks, last week really took the cake.

 I wish I had a nickle for every time I shut off the television or radio in frustration.  Anger.  Sadness.  Only after yelling, “Oh, shut up!”  at the commentator or guest or whatever.

  Come Sunday, I decided I needed to pull myself of the Rut of Desperation.

  I took some of my own advice and concentrated on the LCD of Happiness.

 What is the LCD of Happiness, you might ask?

 It's the Lowest Common Denominator (and Determiner) of Happiness.

 I teach that we are responsible for finding, celebrating, feeling grateful for the smallest things—the lowest common denominator—in our lives.  It's not always easy; life is strange that way, isn't it?  But it is possible.

 The following is a sampling of what bubbled up when I mulled over what factors were contributing to my personal LCD of Happiness.

  • A bra fitting.  This would fall into the "Never Have I Ever" category and I decided getting measured for a properly fitting bra was a way overdue LCD of Happiness.  I'm pleased to report that this went very well and continues to contribute to the LCD of Happiness.
  • Cleaning the family room windows, which were sorely in need of same.  The end result will be to push me forward to finally purchase light filtering blinds for the rooms.  That will be a pricey LCD of Happiness but when we're able to watch TV during the day without a significant glare, it will morph into a priceless LCD of Happiness.

Of course there were other bubbles.  Halloween.  Fall colors.  Good fires in the fireplace.  Time with the Grands.  A couple classes that went particularly well.  But the emphasis of this post is a focus on the small things, those LCDs, which can fill our hearts if we just encourage ourselves to allow them to do so.

Cooking:  Baked Ziti
This recipe doesn't come from the NYTimes, although I noticed they do have a recipe for Baked Ziti.  Thanks to my sister, Barb Compobasso, for this recipe, a Compobasso family favorite.

 Spaghetti sauce--or use your own
1-16 oz. carton ricotta cheese (buy a good grade of ricotta)
A couple handfuls grated Romano cheese (same thing here)
A couple handfuls grated Parmesan cheese (same thing here--best, of course, is to grate it fresh yourself)
2 eggs
Chopped parsley (fresh)
Chopped rosemary (fresh)
Oregano
Chopped basil (fresh, optional)
1 lb. ziti, cooked to al dente
16 oz. (or less) mozzarella (again, good quality cheese)

 1. Mix ricotta, a handful or two of the Romano, a handful or two of the Parm, the herbs and the eggs.
2. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta mix and the ziti.
3. In a 9 x 13 pan, layer sauce, ziti, slices of mozzarella.  Sprinkle additional Romano and Parm, if you wish.  Repeat two times.  End with sauce and sprinkle of Romano and Parm.
4. Cover and bake about 45 minutes at 350.  Let sit for 10-15 minutes before serving.

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