Happiness Is...

For fun, I took an online quiz titled What Type of Woman Are You? According to the results, I am "The Mother" and my biggest accomplishment is my beautiful family. I don't like to pigeon hole myself into categories, but the results are correct. My life is filled with joy, but nothing comes close to that feeling I get when I look at my own family.

More happiness:

• Ottawa's secret pond.This city beach paradise is a perfect playground for toddlers. I took Henry to the mystical oasis for a playdate earlier in the week, but we packed a picnic and went back on Saturday because we didn't want Mike to miss out on all the fun.

• This black bean and corn salad I made. So fresh and delicious.

Ingredients for the salad:

• 2 ears fresh corn
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1 can organic black beans
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/3 cup fresh chopped cilantro
• 1 avocado

Ingredients for the dressing:

•  1/4 cup olive oil
• fresh lime juice, from 1-2 limes
• 2 tbsp organic honey
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 1/4 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp pepper

Directions:

1. Boil corn for 10 minutes. Remove corn from the water and let cool. Cut the kernels off the cob in strips.
2. Rinse beans well and set aside.
3. Add beans, corn, red onion, red bell pepper and cilantro to salad bowl.
4. Make the dressing by combining all ingredients in a mini food processor; process until smooth.
5. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss. Cover and refrigerate for a couple of hours.
6. Before serving, add advocado and toss salad.

Serves: 4

• The July issue of Today's Parent and a Laura Secord chocolate bar. The perfect rainy day activity while Henry naps.

• My article Oakpark Resident Marks Unique Milestone: 90th Birthday has been published in the Riverview Park Review. Page 18! You can read the local newspaper here.

• Novelty pregnancy shirts. This is my new maternity workout top!

Wishing you all a week of happiness!