Smile…
There’s a song that I never really understood until recently. “Smile, though your heart is breaking. Smile, even though it’s aching…” I used to wonder how anyone could smile if their heart hurt? When I realized my marriage was over, my heart hurt. It was the deepest hurt I had ever felt. It was a hurt that I couldn’t understand or reason away. I thought after I grieved it would go away but instead it lingers. I tried to think of it as a break up but it is much more than that, it is the end of the life you built and the future you thought you had. I…
Favorite Things – Summer Picks
Even if you can’t grow a large garden this summer you can grow an herb garden! I love cooking with fresh herbs all summer. Did you know 1 branch of basil will grow roots in a glass of water so you can multiply your plants? Check out these herb starter kits! Heirloom Herb Garden Get the kids outside and growing in the garden! It feels so good to instill the art of growing your own food in your children. And while they are too small to use the heavy tools, this little kit is the perfect size to enable them to help in any type of garden! Then watch how…
Summer Salads For Your Next Picnic
With summer weather and longer days comes outdoor gatherings! I love enjoying the summer outside with good food and good company. Here are some summer salads that are a great addition to any outdoor gathering.
Lessons I’ve Learned From Quarantine
During our time in quarantine, I learned several things about myself, my family and what was our normal, everyday life. As we are going into green and restrictions are easing, I am hoping to hold on to what I've learned and use it to make our lives a little better than they were before quarantine.
Breakfast Cookies
We are not a breakfast cereal family. Don’t get me wrong, I love cereal and have been known to eat a bowl for dinner when I am on my own (shh… don’t tell). My kids munch on cereal instead of popcorn on movie nights. But for breakfast, when my kids eat sugar, I mean cereal for breakfast they are hungry again within an hour. Most mornings I am making eggs or pancakes but there are mornings that I don’t have time for that stuff. Instead, I make what I call “Breakfast Cookies”. Cookies for breakfast makes me an awesome mom according to my kids but it’s quick and healthy when…
Get Your Finances On Track
I have always been a person that loves numbers and money. I started keeping a checkbook register as a kid to keep track of what I made and what I spent. I didn’t have a checking account and my bank was a pink teddy bear that sat beside my dresser. I loved to save money and I loved to budget my money. My sisters used to call me “The Bank of Jody”. That said, I carried on these practices as I got older and they served me well, until unfortunate events turned my life upside down. As a result of these events, my finances were wrecked. It made me sick…
Be Part Of The Solution
I don’t understand. I am sad. I am fearful. This is how I feel about our world. We can tell ourselves that there have always been groups of people who were in unrest, easily provoked, violent, unjust, and cruel. That there is just more media outlets to make us more aware of it. This may be true but our reaction to becoming aware is abysmal. We answer violence with violence. Outrage with outrage. We allow fear to control our actions. We become mean and hateful towards others. We all see it and acknowledge it but we do nothing about it. We make comments. We have become experts at taking to…
Love+One International
This week I was made aware of an organization with the goal of providing medical care to the children of Uganda. The organization took root after Suzanne & Mike Mayernick adopted their daughter from a Ugandan orphanage. When they went to get her, their 3 year old weighed only 15 lbs, had malaria, tuberculosis, and tested HIV positive. Left in Uganda this little girl would not have lived but with the proper medical care she is thriving. After their experience, Suzanne couldn’t ignore the reality in Uganda so she founded Love+One International. Love+One’s mission is to ensures that critically ill children in Uganda receive life-saving medical treatment and rehabilitative services.…
Mini Waffle Maker | Things We Love
I love to share things I find that I think are great (for one reason or another). This time, it’s the Mini-Waffle Maker. I gifted these this year for Christmas. They make perfect, eggo-shaped waffles that are not only great for breakfast but for making desserts. Try making brownies or using cookie dough then add a scoop of ice cream! There are also two special mini-waffle makers! One that makes heart-shaped waffles and another that makes pumpkin shaped waffles. These little guys are under $15. Such a cute and fun gift! Need a great waffle recipe? Check out Sugar Spun Run’s Favorite Waffle Recipe! This girl is my go to…
Your Favorite Non-Profits Need Your Help
Normally, this time of year is filled with 5k runs, golf outings, and other events that non-profit organizations depend on to fund a portion of their mission and operations. However, like so many other things that are being affected by COVID-19, many non-profits are unable to hold these events this year. Not only are they unable to hold their events, many are having to refund registration fees and lose deposits they paid to vendors that they now have to break contracts with. While some organizations may reschedule or get creative and find a new way to fund raise, others are struggling. If you are in the position to give, I…
