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holidays

Yarn Wrapped Wreath

December 4, 2014 by Edie Wadsworth 10 Comments

Preppy_Yarn_docx

We are so enjoying Advent and a very SLOW move toward Christmas. In other words, I still have pumpkins in my kitchen and on my front porch.

I’m obsessed with all things yarn right now so as we speak, I’m knitting some cool bracelets and a cowl or two.  I made these wreaths last Christmas and I love them SO MUCH!  This project is so easy and takes a little over an hour.  I love to craft during the holidays because it forces me to slow down, to SIT DOWN.  I can listen to music or podcasts or I can eat Grannie’s fudge but I can’t run myself ragged while I’m doing it.  It’s a great way to teach yourself how to relax.  Or at least it is for me.  Yarn bracelets coming soon!  I also made a pom pom wreath last year which I then converted to a  pom pom garland, so check it out too!

What you’ll need:

  • Foam/Straw/Styrofoam wreath (sold at craft stores for $2-$3)
  • Yarn – any kind, I used a #4 medium weight
  • Felt or linen flowers or your choice of embellishments
  • Spray adhesive
  • Scissors
  • Ribbon/string for hanging

 

What you’ll do:

  • Do not remove the plastic wrapping from the wreath, especially if you’re using the straw kind.  It’s easier to just wrap the yarn right around the plastic wrapping.
  • Cut four strips of yarn the same length, about two yards.
  • Hold those four pieces together and after spraying a little adhesive onto the wreath form, begin wrapping.  Wrap it in such a way as to cover up the ‘tails’ of the four strands of yarn.
  • When you’ve wrapped those four strands, make sure you leave the ‘tails’ of those strands on the back side of the wreath.  You’ll use the next set of four strands to then cover the ‘tails’ of the previous strands.  (I illustrate this is the video, if that’s confusing!)
  • Continue spraying and wrapping, until your wreath is covered and full.  It took me about an hour to finish one wreath.  The reason I use four strands at a time and cut them to a manageable length is because a) it’s way faster and b) you can avoid trying to wrap a whole skein of yarn through the wreath form.
  • When you’re finished, use a piece of coordinating ribbon to hide the last set of ‘tails’ from your yarn.
  • It looks wonky from the back unless you’re a perfectionist which I AM NOT.  But it only shows from one side, right?

And may your crafting force you to slow down dear friends!

openhouse

p.s—I’m joining my friend Myquillin’s wreath party so head on over for more homemade wreath goodness!  And in case you’re in need for some colorful quirky Christmas cheer, head over to my Christmas tour from last year.  And by the way?  The crazy mannequin with the evergreen bough is coming back!!

 

MY NEWEST BLOG SPONSOR:

 

This post is generously sponsored by my YL. I am into natural choices for my family, and this is the main way I help boost our immune systems and alleviate lots of minor aches, pains, and injuries.  Read more about how we are using them everyday! My Young Living essential oils are also my newest business venture, and the oils are so well loved that they sponsor my blog!!! Thank you, friends!  Enroll by clicking here.

Filed Under: DIY, holidays, homemaking, tutorials

Hosting Thanksgiving {Without Losing Your Mind!}

November 21, 2014 by Edie Wadsworth 30 Comments

how to host thanksgiving

First let me say, I have a confession to make.  I haven’t totally recovered from book writing.  Otherwise known as, I’m not on my A game right now.  Otherwise known as, I’m tempted to order Thanksgiving from Popeye’s.

Second, if you haven’t watched my video on bullet journaling, it will make planning events like this SO MUCH EASIER!! You can get the video here!

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I’ve lost a good portion of my mojo and it’s taking its sweet time coming back. [Read more…] about Hosting Thanksgiving {Without Losing Your Mind!}

Filed Under: holidays

How I Plan the Perfectly Imperfect Staycation

June 28, 2014 by Edie Wadsworth 25 Comments

staycationing

This is our 3rd year of official stay-cationing and we have come to LOVE IT.   Home is actually our favorite place to be so stay-cations are our love language.  But even if you’re not planning a full vacation at home, this might encourage you for the occasional summer company.  Here’s are some tips on preparing for some festive time at home!

Ready the House

 

Do your cleaning ahead of time just as if you were about to leave on vacation.  I don’t know about you, but when I leave for vacation, I like to leave my house pretty spotless.  You know, in case the plane crashes and my mom and sister have to come and sift through all my chotch-keys, I’d at least like the place to be clean.  And I find that giving yourself a few hours of focused cleaning (on the bathrooms, kitchen, and places where guests will stay) is usually enough.  I rally the troops and we clean like there’s no tomorrow so that it has that welcoming vibe and smell!  Then,  next week when it all looks like chaos?  Who cares?  We’re on staycation, remember?

And while you’re readying the house, don’t forget to ready yourself.  Maybe you need a pedicure? Some new flip flops?  A cute sundress?

Prepare as if you were headed to Key West.

Change Your Mindset

 

You have to keep reminding yourself that you’re on stay-cation, because it’s easy to slip into your old routines.

Can’t the laundry wait?  Maybe we should ditch dinner plans and go out?  Leave the dishes til morning?

YES, yes, and yes! YOU ARE ON STAYCATION.  Don’t forget.

Kids wanna stay up late and eat popsicles at midnight? Well, of course.

Momma wants to get up early and read all morning?  I can’t think of anything better.

Everybody sleeps in til 10 and we decide to start the day at Waffle House for brunch?  Sure, we’re on staycation.

Staycation is like vacation—low on rules and high on fun, rest, and relaxation.  You’ll have to keep reminding yourself, trust me.

 

Pencil in Your Festivities

 

lakelife1

We’re lucky to live on the lake so we have very little planning to do.  Hang out at the lake everyday—that’s our plan.

But.  I do like to festive it up by having some fun photo booths, by having festive food, and by RELAXING enough to enjoy it all!

Maybe you’ll do a day trip or two.  Maybe you’ll stay up late and star gaze.  There’s always homemade ice cream and picnics and campfires and (if you’re at our house) plenty of corn hole.

Have a loose schedule and then follow your stay-cation whims wherever they take you.

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Plan Your Food

 

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Don’t like to cook?  Order out all week.  We’re foodies, so part of the fun for us is planning ahead and enjoying some  good food together.

Also? We live in Bean Station, not exactly a metropolis of delicious eateries, although there is that one gas station where Stevie sometimes takes me for a date.

Anyhoo, I love a good menu plan and it gives us a guideline for the week.  We ditch it whenever we feel like it but you have to start somewhere.

Sunday

  • Brunch—Quiche Lorraine, Chocolate Banana Bread, Cantaloupe and Berries
  • Supper—Boat to Marina (yay!)

Monday

  • Breakfast—Dutch Babies with berries, Sausage Hash
  • Lunch—BLT’s with eggs over medium on the sandwich because WINNING
  • Supper—Shrimp Boil, Bake Monster Cookies for the week

Tuesday

  • Breakfast—Bagels,  Lox, and Egg Sandwiches
  • Lunch—Picnic on the boat
  • Supper—Smoked Ribs and Homemade Pizza, and homemade ice cream

Wednesday

  • Brunch—Quinoa and Egg Casserole, Tomato Tart
  • Supper—Puffy Taco Bar, Homemade Guacamole and Homemade Salsa

Thursday

  • Breakfast—Blueberry Coffee Cake, Omelettes
  • Lunch—Paninis and Summer Vegetable Soup
  • Supper— Bruschetta & Leftovers and prep for the 4th

Friday (the 4th)

  • Burgers, Brats, Hotdogs
  • Cowboy Beans
  • Grilled Potato Salad
  • Pasta Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
  • S’mores Bars
  • Rainbow Cake

Saturday

  • Breakfast—Waffles
  • Lunch—Chopped Thai Chicken Salad
  • Dinner—Marina

Okay, so tell if you’ve ever tried the stay-cation.  I’d love to know all about it!

(p.s. I had to make a quick road trip with my sister for family illness so the podcast is coming, just late.)

(pps. I’ll be taking some time off from blogging beginning some time next week to dive into book writing and enjoy my people for the summer.  I’ll be sending out some short updates via my newsletter, so subscribe here if you haven’t.  I’ll also still be on Instagram and Facebook, if you want to follow me there!)

Filed Under: holidays, homemaking, hospitality

Best Ever Blueberry Coffee Cake {with Lemon Glaze}

June 25, 2014 by Edie Wadsworth 40 Comments

Best Ever Blueberry Coffee Cake {with Lemon Glaze}

Well.  I’m 3 days into recovering from food poisoning.  I no longer wish to die, so that’s always a plus. I got out of bed almost like normal for the past two days.  I’m still slightly nauseous but am overall on the mend.  I haven’t been able to exercise all week, which usually negatively affects by writing, but I have to say I had way too much fun yesterday writing a few pages about camping with my family in the 70’s.  I laughed until I cried and thought how overly cautious and over involved we seem as parents compared to our parents back in the day.   You know, back in the day before sunscreen, healthy snacks, water bottles, and picture perfect campfires with s’mores.  Before Pinterest, when camping trips actually had very little to do with kids at all.  Back when nobody gave a hoot about whether or not the kids were having a good time.  I have to say that I’m actually not sure we’re doing our kids any favors.  But, I digress.

(Side note:  If anybody has any slightly traumatizing camping stories from the 70’s, I’m all ears.  You’ll have to wait a year or so to hear mine!)

Which somehow brings me to coffee cake.  Maybe because I’m finally hungry?  Who knows.

My girls were headed out this morning to a friends house to swim and I made them whip up some homemade goodies to bring to the family before they left.   They’re used to this from me so they didn’t complain and got right to work.  One of my friends had recently made this so it’s been on my mind, especially with all the berries so fresh and plentiful in the house lately.   I was looking up the recipe and noticed how very bad the photo was so I decided to repost it with better photos and with the capability of easy printing.  My very delightful youngest daughter made it with almost zero help from me and I had a few bites and must say that it is all shades of DELIGHTFUL.   Hope you’ll try it this summer!

Best Ever Blueberry Coffee Cake {with Lemon Glaze}

What you’ll need:

For the cake—

  • 1/2 cup butter,softened
  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 2 ounces almond paste (or 1 t. almond flavoring)
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 1/2 c. flour
  • 1 1/2 t. baking powder
  • 1 1/2 t. salt
  • 1 3/4 cups blueberries tossed in 1 T. flour and 2 T sugar

(Hint:  I added about 1/2 cup of blackberries from our blackberry bush in addition to all the blueberries and it was divine!)

Best Ever Blueberry Coffee Cake {with Lemon Glaze}

For the lemon glaze:

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 T. lemon juice
  • 2 T. heavy cream
  • 1 T. softened butter

What you’ll do:

  • Preheat oven to 350.
  • Combine butter, cream cheese, almond paste and sugar; beat until fluffy.
  • Add eggs and then flour, baking powder, salt and mix well.
  • Then fold in blueberries.
  • Bake in a well-greased bundt pan  for 40-50 minutes or in 2 loaf pans for 40-50 minutes.
  • While it cools, combine ingredients for glaze and stir until smooth.
  • Drizzle over pound cake and enjoy!!

Print
Best Ever Blueberry Coffee Cake {with Lemon Glaze}

Best Ever Blueberry Coffee Cake {with Lemon Glaze}

Ingredients

    For the cake
  • 1/2 cup butter,softened
  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 2 ounces almond paste (or 1 t. almond flavoring)
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 1/2 c. flour
  • 1 1/2 t. baking powder
  • 1 1/2 t. salt
  • 1 3/4 cups blueberries tossed in 1 T. flour and 2 T sugar
  • For the glaze
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 T. lemon juice
  • 2 T. heavy cream
  • 1 T. softened butter

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Combine butter, cream cheese, almond paste and sugar; beat until fluffy.
  3. Add eggs and then flour, baking powder, salt and mix well.
  4. Then fold in blueberries.
  5. Bake in a well-greased bundt pan for 40-50 minutes or in 2 loaf pans for 40-50 minutes.
  6. While it cools, combine ingredients for glaze and stir until smooth.
  7. Drizzle over pound cake and enjoy!!
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https://www.lifeingraceblog.com/2014/06/best-ever-blueberry-coffee-cake-lemon-glaze/

blueberrycoffeecake4

Don’t forget the camping stories.  I need some comic relief.

Filed Under: Desserts, from my kitchen, holidays, hospitality

How We Do Holidays Around Here

April 21, 2014 by Edie Wadsworth 44 Comments

spring
Good morning, Gorgeous!  I hope your Easter weekend was beautiful and restful.
I have a holiday weekend strategy that you might find helpful.  It comes from years of trial and error where I needed a vacation from my post holiday/over-stressed blues.  Besides my weekend strategy, you also might want to adopt my Easter basket philosophy, which is— if you can’t get it at the grocery store, you’re not trying hard enough.
Also?  It helps if the baskets are small, which the grocery store can most certainly help you with.  Amen and amen.  #easterbasketslackersunite
What I lack in Easter basket finesse, I make up for in food.
(Please see exhibit A.)
spring10
And after years of Pinterest-like Easter basket prowess, I’ve given it up for greener pastures.  Gift cards and grocery store sundries are where it’s at.
Trust me on this.)
I do make a pretty serious commitment to keep the schedule light and the food over-the-top.  And not the other way around.
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I celebrate spring victories, like tulips……
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and dogwoods
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and perfect (unedited) sunsets.
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I try to savor this…….
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and this…….
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and this…..
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I give myself the gift of a good book and some poetry and some much needed perspective.
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I try to remember the magic that every single day holds if I care enough to stop and notice.
The world IS charged with the grandeur of God.  And morning comes again.
The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
    It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
    It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?
Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;
    And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;
    And wears man’s smudge and shares man’s smell: the soil
Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.
And for all this, nature is never spent;
    There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And though the last lights off the black West went
    Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs —
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
    World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.

Are you working toward holidays that really reflect your hope for your family?  What is one thing you would change if you could?

Me?  I’d hire The Avett Brothers  to play music on our porch all day.

 

Filed Under: family life, holidays

Christmas Brunch Menu and Jam Thumbprints

December 23, 2013 by Edie Wadsworth 10 Comments

christmas brunch

My mother passed the baton to me a few years ago, so now I host Christmas Eve Brunch for my family.  It’s one of my favorite traditions.  I thought I’d share our menu, in case you might hosting breakfast or brunch yourself. Also at the bottom is my recipe for Jam Thumbprints.  Besides fudge, they’re my favorite Christmas treat.

Here’s what we’re having:

  • Homemade Waffles ( I have changed this recipe a little to make it my own, but it’s a wonderful waffle and pancake recipe.  It’s a little labor intensive to make the baking mix, but once you make it, it’ll last for a couple of months, depending on how much you make waffles.  We’re on a nearly every Saturday schedule!)
  • Biscuits and Gravy—we’re Southern, what can I say.  I have no apologies to make.  I use equal parts bacon fat and flour (usually 1/2 cup of each) and brown the flour until it’s medium brown.  I then add a little sugar (maybe 1 t.) and a little nutmeg, salt and pepper.  Then I add a can of evaporated milk and probably 2 cups of regular milk.  Stir  over medium heat until it thickens a little.  I make these biscuits and then I cheat and use frozen biscuits.
  • Quiche Lorraine—if you haven’t tried this one yet, I beg you, BECAUSE ham cooked in bacon fat will change your life. Amen.
  • Dutch Babies—aka German pancakes.  They’re amazing and I can’t get enough.
  • Ham and Swiss sliders—everybody in the South makes these.  If you haven’t tried them, do yourself a favor!
  • Bacon, Sausage, and Ham—(I try to precook the meat the day before and then reheat Christmas Eve morning, otherwise, my whole house smells like bacon.  Not that there’s anything wrong with that, mind you.)
  • Variety of sweets, including Grannie’s fudge, Jam Thumbprints (recipe below), spritzer cookies, chocolate crinkles
  • Mimosas and wassail
  • 24 Hour Cherry Salad—THIS? Is my favorite food of the day.  Here’s how my mom does it.  Take 1 can of pineapple tidbits, drained, and mix with 1 jar of chopped marachino cherries and about 12-15  large marshmallows, cut into twelth’s—each piece being about the size of miniature marshmallows.  Why can’t you use miniature marshmallows?  Because my grandmother says it doesn’t turn out right and grannie’s know best.  Let that sit overnight and then in the morning, whip up about 1 1/2 cups of heavy whipping cream, adding 1/2 cup of sugar and 1 tsp of vanilla.  Fold the fresh whipped cream into the fruit and marshmallow mixture.  I use about 3/4 of a 20 oz can of pineapples and a ten oz jar of cherries.  This is how we cook around here, what can  I say!?
  • Challah or Swiss Braided Bread or Santa Lucia Braided Wreath—this is a great breakfast recipe, and the one you see in the above picture.  We make it for St. Lucia’s day on Dec. 13, but I’m making for brunch as well.  It can be served plain with butter and jam on the side or served with a citrus glaze, as shown above.  There are lots of recipes for this out there, but I use this one, usually.

Yes, I must get busy.  But, first I wanted to leave you with my jam thumbprints recipe.  The key to these is good jam.  Don’t skimp. Use all fruit or some other good brand of jam.

jam thumbprints

  • 3 sticks of  butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • your favorite good jam

What you’ll do:

  • Mix together the butter and sugar until just combined and add vanilla.
  • Add the flour and salt to the creamed butter and sugar.
  • Mix until the dough starts to come together.
  • Dump on a floured board and roll together into a ball.
  • Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
  • Pinch off the dough into equal sized balls, sized how you want.
  • Place the balls on an ungreased cookie sheet and press a light indentation into the top of each with your finger.
  • Drop 1/4 teaspoon of jam into each indentation.
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until barely light brown around the edges.

*****************************

In response to the controversy lately in the news regarding our Christian faith and culture, I wrote a very long piece about Why Theology Matters.  You can read it here.

Blessed Advent to you and yours.

xoxo,

edie

Filed Under: DIY, from my kitchen, holidays, homemaking

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ediewadsworth

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Instagram post 2185709449818144382_27826134 The first time I hosted Thanksgiving was the only year I was ever a single mom, the year after my Daddy died.  I stayed up all night the night before, working  like crazy woman, probably trying to prove to myself that I was resilient and capable and industrious.  I listened to Counting Crows cranked up high,  made everything homemade, followed Martha Stewart’s Thanksgiving recipes to a T, down to the homemade cranberry/apple reduction sauce. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Y'all, I even constructed the Mayflower as a centerpiece for the kid’s table, with indian headdresses for all the littles. I made the Mayflower with my own TWO HANDS.  I’m just sayin, I think I get extra points for that?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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When my family showed up at the door, I started sobbing.  Because sometimes I’m not so resilient and I’m not so strong. Sometimes I’m fragile and sad and so completely human. Sometimes even a handmade Mayflower can’t cover up what I’m hiding. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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One thing I know and love about Thanksgiving is that I want my people to be here. I need them to be here. Not so I can cook the best food and set the best tables but because I know how desperately we all need each other. I am so thankful for their love, their support, the gift of their presence in my life. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Mama friends, love your people HARD this Thanksgiving. Love your people when they've lost their way and when their mashed potatoes are runny and even when they stand at the front door and sob. This is what it means to take care of each other. This is the way of hospitality.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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My family responsively reads a beautiful Thanksgiving Litany  every year written by Pastor Bill Cwirla. It's so beautiful and I'm linking to it in my stories. Print it off and be blessed.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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LOVE YOU. Happy Thanksgiving week!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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And tell me in the comments ONE side dish you can't live without.
Instagram post 2185135133997569155_27826134 We got back from Disney yesterday and had the hardest evening we've had with Tom Tom to date. It was ugly.  His outbursts and anger are always directed toward me and I was crushed under the pressure.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I cried as hard as I've ever cried for close to an hour.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Stevie said in 20 years he's never seen me so broken.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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We finally got him to sleep then we prayed, we talked for hours, we didn't sleep much.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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But I woke up this morning with a fire in my belly that won't quit. There is NOTHING that little boy can say to make me go away, to make me stop loving him, to make me do anything but STAY RIGHT HERE until the storm passes.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I decided to fast and pray today and tomorrow. To beg God for a miracle, for healing, for redemption, for His precious little child to KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that He is loved and CHOSEN.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I prayed against spiritual warfare that wants to do damage to this family and to our son. I prayed for heaven to come down, for Christ to be near.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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And I hold tight to the promise that the sufferings of this life do not compare to the glory that will be revealed. Sometimes life is not what we thought it would be, but I am HERE FOR ALL OF IT.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This warrior mama will NOT STOP fighting.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I invite you to join me for the next 50 days (which will end right between my 50th birthday and the day one year anniversary of Tom Tom coming to live with us) at 6:50 every morning for a wake up call—a reminder for all of us that what is happening in our lives is happening FOR US and that no matter what, we will show up for our lives, fully present and awake and ready to take back what has been lost. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I linked the first live stream from this morning in my stories today and I also thought you might need a CUP OF JOE for this wake up call series, so scroll through my stories and you'll find a bar code that you can use at Starbucks to FUEL UP for what's to come. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This is my little reminder to you that YOU WERE CREATED for this battle. Bless you. Love you. xoxo
Instagram post 2183860274505911539_27826134 For two non-theme park, homebody geriatrics, Stevie and I rocked this Disney weekend.  In full disclosure, I got a teeny bit nauseated on Dumbo😂😂😂 And My favorite line from our boy, “I didn’t come all the way down here to jis keep stoppin and eatin.”😂😂🤩🤩😳😳😍😍 (in my defense, it was my only chance to sit down🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️) There was magic, to be sure.  The lighting of the castle by Elsa, the character lunch at Chef Mickey’s, all the trinkets we said yes to, and the safari today at Animal Kingdom.  So amazing.  But All in all, I think our buddy would rather be home hauling something.  I think I’m with him. Although he did say, “Next year when we come...”😳😳😳😳 Make me laugh with your fave emojis that describe your relationship with Disney. Here are mine. 🆘🆘🆘🆘 K love ya, bye.
Instagram post 2181341008934204821_27826134 I woke Tom Tom up this morning and surprised him with the news that we are headed to Disney World!! I’m not sure the actual trip can live up to his excitement this morning.  But I will tell you this—for as hard as this year has been at times, having him in our home has been pure magic.  Also? Any last minute tips would be appreciated.  We’re not really Disney people but we can’t wait the spoil him rotten. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Instagram post 2177752273329668716_27826134 Two men in my life celebrated birthdays in the last month, and to say they were different celebrations is an understatement. Tom Tom welcomes ALL the birthday fun, and Stevie just wants a normal night and dinner.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I used to get SO hurt that Stevie didn't care about all the work I put into a big celebration. I made his birthday all about me and I let it be an excuse to prove the story in my head—that he doesn't appreciate what I do.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I've learned a lot about love and relationships and Stevie since then.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I used to blame him for my emotions. I used to tell a different story about us. Until I realized that I'm in charge of the narrative of my life.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Here are 7 ways to take responsibility for your relationships and write a better story...⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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1. Stop blaming others for how you feel (your thoughts cause YOUR feelings, so nobody can make you feel anything!)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
2. Stop making excuses for why your relationships are struggling⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
3. Give yourself what you need⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
4. Stop chasing happiness in temporal, external things (Your contentment and peace of mind is YOUR work)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
5. Stop complaining about the people in your life⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
6. Stop resenting and start forgiving⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
7. Take action TODAY to make every relationship in your life better⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Your relationships are up to you.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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You can write the story how you want.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Your life is your responsibility and you lose all your power when you blame other people for how it's turning out.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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YOU are the ONE. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Which of the 7 above do you want to work on? I have mine!!!
Instagram post 2177034122979865055_27826134 Reminded of an article @paigeknudsen contributed to my blog years ago and was thinking that some of you may need to hear her words about the space where your dreams and callings collide.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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"teaching preschoolers. mentoring young mamas. creating art. advocating for the poor. going back to college at 52. opening a coffee shop. writing a book. staring a new career. saving pennies for a mission trip. buying a car. restoring economic opportunities in a haitian community.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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i obviously have no idea what your dream is. but I believe that He, the giver of all good gifts, has placed a dream in your heart. He’s not only placed a dream in your heart, He’s gifted you to walk into that space where the dream & the calling join hands and welcome you in. maybe you’re already there. maybe your sweet spot, the place where you are effective and confident and thriving, is already a part of your everyday."⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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YES & AMEN.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Those nudges that you’d like to do this or that? Those desires are God given and what a privilege to be able to create more love and kindness and good and beauty in the world.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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If you want a very FUN kick in the booty toward the goals and dreams, check out my stories today and GET YOURSELF to my live event, YOUR BEST BEAUTIFUL YEAR!! It's amazing and you'll be so glad you decided to make your GROWTH a priority. Your whole family will benefit!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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WILL I SEE YOU THERE?!?!????!
Instagram post 2172738485744456617_27826134 I think the path to living the life you were created to live often looks like being willing to suffer the pain of exposure, being willing to admit, at least to yourself, that things are not as they should be—that you often fail to measure up to the standards that you or society or your church has set for you. That you’re still a mess of epic proportions.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Often what we do instead is hide away. Hide our emotions, hide our sins, hide our stories, hide somewhere safe behind the thin veil of religion, pride, status, wealth, a job, a degree, an addiction, or the self-obsesssion that often comes with trying to so hard to be what we think the world wants.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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And we all do it.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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But friends, you’ve been given work to do, a story to tell, and people to serve.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Don’t let fear keep you from doing in the world what only you can do. Yes, there will be fire and yes, there will be pain.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The alternative is to stay closed and stuck.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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BUT. If you open yourself, your mouth, your heart up—in the process, you will learn to live fully alive in your giftings, free from what has shamed you and caused you to hide yourself, free to finally love and serve the people God has put right in front of you with everything that is in you, free to walk through fire to find your way home.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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XOXOXO⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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p.s. If you're local, I'm speaking at Arrowhead Church in Morristown tonight and would love to see you there! Dinner is at 6 and I'll .be speaking at 7! Link to grab tickets in my stories!!!
Instagram post 2172009200287359414_27826134 Thursday morning chronicles with Tom Tom—

7am Wake him up in plenty of time to get dressed, eat something, play with the dogs, finish his math and ride his razor.

7:10 Get him dressed in his school uniform and smooch his face all over because he’s so darn cute.

7:20  Give him his 15 minute warning and remind him we have to finish his math before we leave.

7:30  Five minute warning while I finish my chores.

7:32 He yells upstairs that he has pee all over his shirt, so I go downstairs to investigate.  Sure enough. A dinner plate sized pee stain on the front of his uniform shirt.
“Tom, what in the world happened to your shirt?” He looks surprised, “All I did was go outside and pee and it got all over me.” I take a deep breath, bite my tongue and tell him that I’m going to get clean clothes for him and he better meet me in the car in 30 seconds because we have to leave.

7:35 I get in the car with his clean clothes and  his unfinished math homework and start slowly pulling out of the driveway.

7:37 I drive slowly past the front door at which point I spot him getting on his razor. “Tom, get in this car right now or I’m leaving.” He doesn’t. I drive slowly away.
He gives me a good headstart and then starts chasing me, half nekkid, down our long drive.  I stop to give him a chance to get in.  He makes a quick turn to the right and yells, “I’ll dis meet you at Becky’s by the horses.” 7:40 I spot him running as fast as he can through the fields and back yards and long grass. He opens the door and jumps in, with a grin a mile wide, just as proud of himself as he could be. He gets dressed and buckled in no time flat, breathing heavy and asking me why I’m so mean.

7:41 I tell him that if he doesn’t finish his math on the way to school, he may have to miss recess. (Blatant LIE but at this point, I AM TAPPED OUT.) He keeps handing me his math sheet, while shaking his head and asking me to read it to him and telling me he “ain’t too good at math. Or readin either." He finishes just in time to jump out of my car and barrel into school with all the pride of a boy who has conquered the world.

Just curious? How was your morning?
Instagram post 2170650350363663481_27826134 They don’t call me an Appalachian medicine woman for nothing.😂🤩🤠 Tom Tom told me last week that I needed to bring oils to his teacher. “She would like ‘em cause she’s jist like you.” Not sure what that meant but I have some miracle stories with my potions.  One of my fave things lately? Slathering my knee in Marjoram. (ACL tear in April doing a race). That combined with the magic of my gym @10experience  and the brilliance of @absolute_tx and Zac’s amazing therapy, I pr’d my deadlift yesterday at 253 pounds!!!! MAMA IS GETTING STRONGER.  I may have done the happy dance. 💃🏼💃🏼💃🏼💃🏼 What amazing results have you had with these unicorn tears?!?
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