Blooming Rose Martini – Rose Parade 2009!

“All of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon – instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today.” –Dale Carnegie

I love collecting quotations and this particular one really strikes a chord. When I’m not dreaming about the rose garden over the horizon, I’m usually having anxiety about all of the thorns on the path ahead – the upcoming work presentations, the school projects we still haven’t started, or the Christmas Visa bill that will appear in my mailbox any day now.

This past weekend we went to see the floats from the Rose Parade on display in Pasadena. It’s a family tradition started when I was younger and one that we’re continuing with my son. One of my girlfriends and her girls came with us for their first time. As we started moving down the parade route, I couldn’t help but notice I was usually a few steps ahead of my girlfriend. She trailed behind in absolute awe, seeing the details of the floats up close. TV doesn’t do it any justice. She spent time trying to figure out what types of flowers were used and asked volunteers questions whenever they were nearby. Even my son (who hates the camera) had to take pictures by all of the floats. Had I been there that day by myself, my visit would have been much shorter. I would have enjoyed seeing the floats, but would have spent too much time focused on what was ahead.

What a metaphor for my life! As this new year gets underway, and I get back to my naturally frazzled state of mind, I’m going to try and stop looking over the horizon and take time to enjoy the roses within my view. And Monday afternoon (I know I’m a day early for martinis.), when I’m back in my kitchen I will be savoring this sweet Blooming Rose martini.

Blooming Rose Martini