It is so hard to imagine finishing a large goal when you are looking at it as this huge task. By breaking it down into many smaller goals, that way you have a better chance of completing and keeping your soul intact!

I am currently working on my second book, probably even harder than writing your first book as you have been through it before. My first book took me 3 years, mainly due to my insisting that what I experience what I am writing about and not just preaching about it.

This book however, I have lived with already and so makes it a lot easier. However, when I was starting, it was all too easy to look at the mountain and think I can never get up it. So I have broken it down into a line a day. How hard can writing a line a day be? Before I knew it, I had half a book!

So break your goal down and take it a step at a time and most importantly, ENJOY IT!

Stay adventurous,

Siobhan

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Siobhan Sims must be contacted before any duplication of this blog in print or post.

With more television shows and books about cooking on the market than ever before, there is just no excuse for not cooking.

Why cook for yourself?

• Proud feeling of cooking something for yourself
• You will eat better
• It is a life skill. Essential for survival
• It will impress the ladies and gentlemen!
• You will have the choice of eating healthier
• It is a great stress reliever. You really cannot be thinking about something else when you are busy trying to chop vegetables and not your fingers.

Why not pick a meal and learn from scratch. For those who are just strating out, trying something simple such as baked potatoes and coleslaw. For those who cook but don't, try something new and get passionate again about cooking.

Let me know how you get on with your cooking adventures and I'll keep you posted on mine!

Stay fed,

Siobhan

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I once read that a mountain climber would choose his team based on the look on their face when they reached the top of a mountain. If they look disappointed, they were the ones he would choose. he knew they enjoyed climbing at that it was done not simply to gain an achievment story. It was for sheer joy.

So what is life for you? Is it the joy of getting to where you are going? Are you enjoying everyday and all you do? Or do you enjoy getting to your goal and don;t care how you get there or what you miss on the way?

I enjoy the journey and hope you do too as you will have a lot more to tell your grandkids and times to share with friends and family.

Stay positive,

Siobhan

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Siobhan Sims must be contacted before any duplication fo this blog in print or press

Today is my husband's birthday so I am afraid this will be short as I am going to cook his favourite dinner and bake him a cake.

My only message today is to be grateful for your husband/wife/partner/boyfriend/girlfriend, and to never take them for granted.

Do something special this week for your significant other. It doesn't have to be their birthday or a special day. Make their day special with your love for them.

Happy Birthday Brian!

All my love,

Siobhan

I love to look at art. Any art. I fell in love with Banksy, a grafitti artist who creates more than squiggles of names in fonts you didn't know existed. He creates art that makes you think and look twice. Here are some of my favourites.

One of Banksy's main themes is that violence does not prevent wars. That people should protest against those starting the wars instead of fighting the wars. It is through his art that he expresses this opinion.

Have you an opinion that you feel very passionate about? If you don't think you do, think again!

How would you express this opinion in a creative non-violent or illegal way?

have a go at creating something this week that express your passionate opinion. You may surprise yourself!

Stay passionate,

Siobhan

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Siobhan Sims must be contacted before any duplication of this blog in print or post.

Anyone can be creative. You don't have to be able to do a Van Gogh or write a bestseller, it is all about finding something that you enjoy doing. So I challange you for the next week to try at least 3 of these creative activities and see what you find. You may have an unfound passion for painting (I personally found this out when being a kid, see previous blog).

• Painting. Anything
• Make something from modeling clay
• Plant a garden
• Cook a new recipe
• Bake a dessert you love to eat in a restaurant but could never make
• Write a poem/short story/a letter
• Sew something such as a bag/dress/skirt/pillow cover
• Make a video documentary of your day
• Photograph everyone you talk too
• Read a book and write a review
• Create a super hero
• Decorate a room
• Make chocolates (give them as a gift..to you!)

Have immense fun. Don't give up unless you are completely bored and misserable!

Stay creative and fun,

Siobhan

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I don't think anyone gets as excited about their birthday as I do! I always have and I always will! I don't care about age and I just love the fact that people give you gifts and it can be used as great bargaining power too! It's a reason to party and there is something quite powerful about it too.

What will I do today? I will eat cake. Lots of it. I will take a really long bath complete with candles, bubbles and a face mask. I will wear my favourite dress and go grocery shopping(I love grocery shopping more than is normal). I will thank my parents for being in love and making me! I will watch my favourite film, Pride and Prejudice. I will eat my favourite meal cooked by my husband. I will buy myself a birthday gift which I know I will love.

I will feel grateful to be alive and love everything about this day.

Stay cheerful,

Siobhan

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Ok, so life has been pretty serious lately and so this week we are going to be kids again!

Now I would hope you will not give your boss a wedgy and steal your co-worker lunch, I was thinking more along the line

of the following:

• Watch an animated movie or your favourite cartoon
• Build, make or draw something every day
• Bake cupcakes. you have got to put icing on and decorate with sweets
• Lie in the grass and find shapes in the clouds
• Say what you are thinking. Very liberating!
• Make aphabetti spagetti on toast for dinner....at your dinner party!
• Have a sleepover complete with eating sweets and chocolate till you feel sick
• Skip and hop everywhere
• Buy yourself 100 penny sweets
• Water flower with a watercan...that has a flower for a nozzle!
• Read a fairytale before bed or get someone else to read it too you
• Buy a onsie (It is a full suit like a playsuit you used to have as a child) and wear it

I am sure you can think of a million more but the importance is following through with them.

Stay positive,

Siobhan

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Hey, we all need a bit of positive eye candy!

Here is mine for this week.....

When you are busy with work and meeting friends it is all too easy to take for granted the time you spend with your loved one. So, once a week, my husband and I have a date night! Why? Well, it means that it is not a matter of us just spending time together but paying attention to doing something together away from the house and having a bit of a treat.

Here are a few suggestions for cheap date nights:

• Each pick your favourite DVD(that you already own) and take turns watching them. Bit of microwave popcorn and a frozen pizza in the oven and a glass of wine and no having to put up with poeple kicking your seat and talking through the film.
• Early bird! Early bird meal deals are the most economical way to eat out. Normally between 6 and 7pm and can be between €10 and €20 for 2 courses! Shop around for the best deal.
• Picnic under the stars.
• A night dancing. Ok, the two of you might have left feet but it never is about the dancing
• Keep an eye out for free music weekends or bands playing in bars. Free admission and sharing a memory!

Hope this helped to get you in the mood and feel free to give any suggestions you have.

Stay positive,

Siobhan

Copyright - Siobhan Sims

Siobhan Sims must be contacted before any duplication of this post in print or post.