HAPPY (almost) SPRING!!!
While it might not feel like it, the oncoming of spring in the Northern Hemisphere has been creeping oh-so-slowly into our lives. Daylight has lengthened, the temperature has slowly begun to climb, and the anticipation for brighter and warmer days ahead is reaching a crescendo.
When I think of SPRING, I am inspired by the symbolic RENEWAL of this season. The trees begin to bud, eventually filling the bare branches with the bright greenery of the leaves that will fill the gaps … flowers begin to poke through the soil, eventually sprouting their leaves of distinction with the beautiful blooms that identify which Spring beauty they represent … and with all of this REBIRTH, the various scents and fragrances that are associated with all of the outdoor growth and splendor provides the invitation to spend more time outdoors. THIS SPRING SEASON gives me HOPE of what is yet to be, and my personal SELF-CARE includes Travel!
WHAT DOES THE MONTH OF MARCH REPRESENT FOR YOU???
MARCH IS WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH ~ CELEBRATE HER!
Since 1987, the United States has formally recognized the month of March as National Women’s History Month, a time when the nation shines a well-deserved light on the amazing accomplishments of strong, determined women in the U.S.
Think about Harriet Tubman, Amelia Earhart, Eleanor Roosevelt, Gloria Steinem, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Kamala Harris — just a sampling of famous women in the United States who have spearheaded groundbreaking moments that have impacted lives forever. From Susan B. Anthony’s groundwork in the Women’s Suffrage movement and her fight for women’s right to vote to famed “firsters’ like the first woman on the United States Supreme Court, Susan Day O’Connor; the first woman to rocket into space, Sally Ride; and the first women CEO at General Motors, Mary Bara. Every day women continue to amaze us with their ability to blast upward and outward.
American women are unabashedly standing front and center in every aspect of our history, our culture, and our society making large contributions in business, education, the arts and sciences, sports, politics, the workplace, and the home. We celebrate not only the famous newsmakers but the “extraordinary everywoman” — the mothers, daughters, sisters, friends who are shaping the future. Who is your SHERO?
MARCH IS SPRING BREAK TRAVEL SEASON
Getting ready to renew your spirt and warm your heart after a long winter!!
Spring break is a vacation period including Easter holidays in early spring at universities and schools, which started during the 1930s in the US (but already existed in Europe since the late 1800s) and is now observed in many other countries as well. The concept of spring break began in 1938 with a swim forum event in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. By around 1960, however, students had begun to come to the town in great numbers, and local businesses took advantage of this influx.
Today, the tradition continues with numerous fun & exciting destinations and experiences for Families and Friends … from Beaches, All-Inclusive resorts and European journeys. It’s not too early to begin planning your 2023 Celebra-cation® with awesome family spring break ideas!
MARCH IS BASKETBALL MADNESS
A little trivia – the first March Madness tournament was held back in 1939, with only 8 teams participating. The tournament was created by the National Association of Basketball Coaches & spearheaded by former Ohio State Basketball coach Harold Olsen.
March Madness includes a women’s tournament bracket, as well as men’s. March Madness refers to the excitement of the final few weeks of the college basketball tournament in the United States that features many major schools. It is called madness simply because there are so games going on throughout the country, usually during the same time … the country’s best 68 college basketball teams!!
MARCH IS SYNONYMOUS WITH ST. PATRICK’S DAY
Celebrated annually on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day is a holiday known for parades, shamrocks and all things IRISH. From leprechauns to the color green, including an assortment of adult libations and sharing a ‘traditional’ meal of corned beef and cabbage.
Perhaps the best-known legend of Saint Patrick involves the shamrock, the little plant that has gone on to become famous throughout the world as a symbol of Irish heritage. After training as a priest and bishop, Patrick arrived in Ireland in 432AD and immediately set about trying to convert the pagan Celts who inhabited the island.
LASTING WELLNESS happens when attention is paid to your body, mindset, and spirit.
EATING WELL ~ what’s your plan to nourish and energize your body & be spring-ready?
YOUR MIND MATTERS ~ it houses our thoughts, ideas, and memories.
Does your mental health and wellness deserve a reset with routine & rituals that support a shift in mindset?
RESTORED SOUL ~ if your spiritual tank is on E, it might be time to integrate joy & creativity to cultivate meaning in everyday life.
We Believe That Kindness & Caring are Contagious
With every season and for every reason, our hearts remain with those in UKRAINE who are experiencing unimaginable challenges.
We hope you have chosen a humanitarian resource to make a difference for those who are in need.
“Strong people stand up for themselves, but stronger people stand up for others.” ~ Unknown
There are few greater luxuries in life than spending time with family, and nothing brings the family together quite like exploring a new destination together.
Travel provides so many opportunities for meaningful interactions and memory-making experiences.
Travel Bans have been lifted and modified – travel is happening!
Remember, there is always something to celebrate ~ we remain grateful to have served clients globally for over 25 years!
Wishing you peace, health, happiness & love ~
Denise, Ashley & Annika
Though social work has not always been a formal profession, some practice of it has long been in place in the form of charity work. It is based on casework, social administration/poverty relief, and social action. A single social worker can influence an entire life and generations of them have shaped all of us. The legacy of social work includes so many wonderful aspects of the society we live in, which, if you ask us, definitely deserves a celebration.
Bean and Cheese Toasterdillas
INGREDIENTS:
2 (10 inch) flour tortilla
1/2 cup refried beans
2/3 cup shredded Mexican four-cheese blend
Directions
Lay tortillas flat on a clean work surface. Spread refried beans down the middle third from top to bottom, leaving a 1-inch space halfway down to allow for a fold. Sprinkle cheese on top, lightly pressing into the beans. Fold the left side over the beans, then the right side on top, so the two sides are overlapping in the middle. Fold in half vertically so the bottom edge meets the top edge. Place the quesadillas into the toaster slots and set the toaster to medium heat. Toast for 1 cycle. Carefully remove quesadillas and reverse the vertical fold, so that the inside is now the outside. Return to the toaster and toast until lightly browned, about half a toasting cycle. Carefully remove the hot quesadillas to a plate. Cut in half at the fold to make 4 pieces.
