Sweet Spot….

Sweet Potato Bread Pudding & Coffee

Sweet Spot! 

For the first time in weeks I was home alone in the early afternoon. I needed to get some more protein in for the day, so I was about to whip myself up a frothy chocolate-almond flavored shake. I rushed to an appointment a few hours earlier and left more than half of my morning coffee on the table. I looked at it and smiled. I said to myself, “I will have my coffee first”, so I headed to the microwave when I remembered...I had stashed a serving of the sweet potato bread pudding I made for my weekend guests. I heard a lot of good things about it and when I tasted it briefly over the weekend, it was delicious! I felt like I would enjoy my sweet secret stash better if I were sitting down and relaxed.

The beautiful fall sun was beaming into the kitchen. My coffee was nice and hot and my sweet potato bread pudding was talking a sweet language to my soul.  I sat in silence and I mean absolute silence. There was no music, no TV, no distractions. I sipped and savored every bite. I am on a healthy living journey that won't end until they throw dirt on my face but in this moment, it wasn’t about calories or macros… it was about me taking time for myself and enjoying this precious moment of solitude. I allowed myself to find a sweet spot in my own busy world. It was what my soul had been longing for days and it was more than the hot coffee and the sweet potato bread pudding. It was about me choosing me for just a few moments.  Finding your sweet spot is a necessity for your own peace of mind.  My sweet spot lasted all of 15 minutes and I was good and went back to my work. Find your sweet spot and enjoy the moments in this life and be sure to only dedicate that to you. 

BRING ON THE JOY

Bring on the joy! 

The joy behind my peace is indescribable.  It’s not based on my circumstances but it is based on my state of mind. The mug in this picture was a gift from a friend and the moment I saw it, I smiled because it literally filled my heart with joy. The color was bright and at the time I received it, I was a little down. It was at that moment I decided to be happy, not because I really was...but because I really wanted to be.  The funny thing was, about a month later I received another mug with the same word on it. I laughed and decided to boldly display it in my kitchen as a daily reminder that I have a choice to be happy regardless of my financial status, marital status, whether or not my children are doing great or worrying about if I’ll be the perfect weight again.  

The joy that fills my heart is based on my relationship with Jesus and that is enough for me. It is always the same because HE is always the same. I know whatever my circumstance, I choose to trust Him and that is what fills my heart with joy. Now make no mistake, my morning coffee comes in a close second for giving me great joy. My joy level is even higher when I can sip it slowly. 

In this 2020 season, which has been such a joy killer for so many, I encourage you to make the choice to find joy in everyday life. Find that joy even if you have to purchase a sign with the word on it and strategically place it where it’s a constant reminder. Bring on the joy...

Good and Tired

Tired and so happy about it, that is exactly how I felt and loved every minute! A dear sweet friend of mine captured a picture of me at the end of a very exhausting day. I wasn’t tired and cranky,  I was happily tired because for the first time in my life I was living my dream that I had suppressed for so long. With all the aches and pains I was experiencing, you would have thought I would be ready to curl up under the bed but instead…I was ready for the next round of my surreal opportunity.

I remember turning to my future daughter-in-law Allyson, saying to her, “It is good to be tired sometimes. Too much rest means you are not making moves!”  We smiled at each other and for the rest of the night my spirit was happy, my soul was elated, and I had a new respect for the people who grind, grind, grind.  Do not get me wrong, I have worked hard my entire life. After all, I worked a full-time job during the day and would spend my nights baking cakes and cookies for local restaurants.  The baking was also a good kind of tired. I loved it!  Watching the finished cakes boxed and heading out the door for delivery was so satisfying.  I didn’t mind going to bed at 11:30pm and being up at 4:30am trying to get the boys off to school and me to my day job.  In the last few years, I missed the excitement of doing what I really loved to do…the very thing that drives my heart and not what someone else wants me to do, what I love to do. It’s what I do the easiest and what brings me joy…helping others, cooking and entertaining.  I am a good and tired, good and tired.

COOKING WITH KING JULES

My Mom and I are cooking together! Enjoy! Song: Spanish Joint by Singularis _____________ Pulled Pork Sliders with Honey Mustard Coleslaw Ingredients Pulled ...

Here we are cooking our favorite pulled pork sliders!