Toffee Bars With Some History
When I asked my friends and readers for some chocolate recipes, my dear friend Cathy gave me one that has some really cool history behind it.
When I asked my friends and readers for some chocolate recipes, my dear friend Cathy gave me one that has some really cool history behind it. It is a bar recipe and wouldn't you know I am terrible at making bars. Full disclosure, for whatever reason mine NEVER look pretty, but when she told me the story behind the recipe and how she came about it, I was like, "Amy you are going to have to figure this out because this is just too cool!" More full disclosure, you kind of have to live in our neighborhood to get it, but think small town, think roots, think history and everyone kind of knows everyone....especially if you are from here. I am not, but I am from an AMAZING small town and this recipe makes me want to find one from home so I can share from my own roots.
So the story is short and simple, but I found it cool. Cathy, my friend, came across a garage sale in our hood. This particular sale was at a woman's house by the name of Mimi McKnight who had passed away. Cathy loves history and knew there would be some in this house so she went in and checked it out. She ended up buying a ton of cookbooks, which really is ironic yall because she does not even cook, but she did and they ended up being chalk full of recipes from back in the day. And the even cooler part of the story is that it appears Ms. McKnight was an amazing cook and a caterer. This particular recipe comes from a book that was put together for tastings for the Junior League Garden Club Committee's Creative Arts Show, on Saturday, March 19, 1966. How stinking cool is that! So of course I had to make this! And yall it is so good.....mine are not pretty by any means, but oh my they are soooooooo good! You can do all kinds of variations, like add sea salt, sprinkles, or m & m's, do whatever your family likes, but for today's post I made sure that half my pan was just like Ms. McKnight's recipe. One thing I would suggest, make sure to spread the chocolate when it starts to melt before adding whatever toppings you are adding. This was the mistake I made because I did the recipe just as it was written, but I think Ms. McKnight assumed people are smarter than I am! :) So spread your chocolate! And place them in the refrigerator to harden....other than that.....these babies are awesome! Hope you enjoy them as much as my family and I did!
TOFFEE BARS.......LORA SPITLER
MIX TOGETHER: 1 CUP MELTED BUTTER
1 CUP BROWN SUGAR
1 EGG YOLK
2 CUPS FLOUR
1 TEASPOON VANILLA
Spread on cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 18 minutes. While hot sprinkle on 1 pkg of chocolate chips. Let set for moment before spreading ground nuts on top.
They got the thumbs up from this cutie pie!
Easy Peasy and oh so good! Hope you like them!
Bon Appetit!
xo,
Amy
Hello, World!
A Love Letter to Trey
When I started my blog and my writing I made a pact with my husband I would not air any of our dirty laundry. I am very open as most of you know by now and Trey's one request is that I would respect our "stuff." I agreed with him, but with the knowledge of knowing at some time I would have to make it very clear that our marriage is not a story book marriage.
When I started my blog and my writing I made a pact with my husband I would not air any of our dirty laundry. I am very open as most of you know by now and Trey's one request is that I would respect our "stuff." I agreed with him, but with the knowledge of knowing at some time I would have to make it very clear that our marriage is not a story book marriage.
No marriage that I know of is and we are no different. We have our ups and downs. Our good times and our bad times. We have our scary moments and our moments of sheer joy. What I think sets us apart from some marriages is that A. we never forget who is at the center of our marriage, God, and B. We never quit on each other. I mean seriously people, if we did not have God at the center of our marriage, our marriage would of been over so long ago. Promise. It is just too hard in this broken world and without God we would be so lost and it would be so easy to just quit. But we don't. So today I want to thank my husband for not quitting ever.
Dear Trey,
It's Valentines Day! A day for love and romance. After 17 years of marriage and really almost 26 years together since we met, I realize how lucky I am and that it is not just about the love and romance. The romance comes and goes in a fleeting moment, but what you and I have....well, that has stood some test that would shake any relationship to it's core and we have managed to somehow come out of it stronger. Why? I firmly believe it starts with our faith in God and I know I have you to thank for that. Sure my parents did a great job while I was growing up to get me to church and Sunday school. They prayed over meals with me and at bedtime and I do think that set my foundation, but being married to you has been what has really challenged me in my faith and I mean this in a good way. I will never forget when I got really sick in college and you wrote me a get well card that said, "I will be praying for you." I thought that was weird! A junior in college is going to pray for me? Little did I know that was a glimpse into your passion for Christ. As we got to know each other more and I got to witness first hand your love for God and I too began to grow in my faith. Watching you made me want to be better. Watching you made me want to know God more. Watching you made me want to really have a faith and really trust in God. You pushed me in my faith in times when I was frozen or had my back to it. You never gave up on me in my walk and if I fall short again I still don't think you will give up on me. Through you I have learned so much about grace, about forgiveness, about true love, and about faith. For this I will forever be grateful. I grow to love you more everyday and I did not think this was possible, but it is true. Naturally we have difficult moments where I wonder, "how are we going to make it through this time?" And I know unfortunately there will be more of those moments in the future, but I would not trade any of it for the world because I do think it is part of our love story and part of our journey. There is no one else in the world who I would want to travel this path with but you, because Trey Berry, I love you and I am proud of the husband you are and so very proud of the father you are. I love you more today than I did yesterday and less than I will tomorrow! I love you big!
LYMSIL,
Amy
Hello, World!
Hello, World!
What Do You Radiate?
It's all about the law of radiation and attraction....You get what you give in life....give love.
It's Valentines Day in a few days! Have you even wondered where on earth or who on earth came up with this day? I know I have, so I took a few minutes and researched it a bit and I found it very interesting and ironic really. Did you know it started as a Roman tradition many many many many years ago?! And it was said to have been in mid February to signify the coming of spring. Unfortunately for us this year, our dear friend the ground hog saw his shadow.....so we are out of luck, but with that being said that is one of the reasons Valentines Day was first started.
However, did you know Valentine's Day has a dark side to it as well? It is said that way back when, Emperor Claudius II executed two men-both named Valentine on February 14 of different years in the 3rd century A.D. The Catholic Church, believe it or not, deemed February 14 the day of romance named for their Christian Martyr's. I find this so odd and ironic seeing that priest cannot even get married, but hey that is beside the point. The point is, these poor guys were beheaded for helping Christian couples wed. So Valentines day was not made up by some genius who is making a ton a money, which is what I originally thought. No, February has been celebrated for many a years as the month of romance, and Valentines day as we know it today contains traces of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition.
After learning the roots of Valentines, I do understand now why we celebrate it the way we do. I also understand however, that it still leaves some people feeling empty. That makes me sad. I remember many a Valentine where I was left feeling empty thinking I had no one to love me romantically. I was very blessed in I knew my parents, family, and friends loved me, but think of those who feel alone all the way around? It is my guess in this broken world and in this world that feeds us so many lies, there will be a lot of people hurting Wednesday February 14. Maybe even those who have someone to love them. You never know what is going on behind that smile or in someone's heart.
It's the law of radiation and attraction my dear.....
So I want to challenge myself and all my readers to really embrace something I was raised on. My dad always said to me, "Amy, it is the law of radiation and attraction, you get what you give in life.....you give love, you get love, you give hate, you get hate."
I want to challenge us all, on this Valentines, to do a few things. Dress the part if you can. Wear something pink or red. This is the easiest way to spread Valentine's cheer, but I want us all to pay it forward somehow. Whether it is a smile to a stranger, letting that aggressive driver in, paying for the car behind you's coffee, or just giving a hug to your bagger at the supermarket. Do something kind for someone outside of your circle today. You will be surprised at the feeling that wells up inside of you. That feeling is called love.
If you are alone on this day, treat yourself to the spa, or that piece of cake you would never eat. Take a long walk or drive and look at the beauty of the world. Love yourself and be kind to yourself. After all you too are worthy of love. We all are and we are all in this day together so let's spread love. Remember....whatever is going on in your mind is what you are attracting....Let's all love.....love hard....love pure....because people are worthy of love.
xo,
Amy
Hello, World!
Grandpa's Favorite Dessert!
It's February and if you are anything like me you think of chocolate! Check out this amazing recipe that just happens to be my father's favorite dessert! And It is oh so good!
For whatever reason, and let's face it... we all know the reason, I associate February with chocolate. Which really is not all that bad if you think about it. We are talking about chocolate. It could be worse we could be talking about Spinach or Kale! Anyways, point is, I associate February with chocolate and this month my plan is to share one chocolate recipe with you a week. I have a ton, because I do love me some chocolate! So if you like chocolate as much as I do, tune in every Wednesday and see if you like what I am cooking! I bet you will.
I would also LOVE for you to send me any chocolate recipe you have that you love. I would love to try them all and I will highlight you and your recipe sometime this year! It's a win-win! I get to add more recipes to my collection and you can share your recipe with my readers! I love that! I hope you do too!
See how it floats in the syrup....trust me, when you are putting the batter into the syrup it is even weirder!
So for today's chocolate recipe, you should know this recipe is very near and dear to my heart. It is my dads absolute FAVORITE dessert in the entire world. My mother use to make it for him for every birthday and anniversary. Full disclosure, it looks odd (and that is being kind with my words) while cooking, but I promise it is delish! It is just not real pretty! As a matter of fact, my baby brother Paul made fun of me in December when I made it for our father. He was placing bets that it was a flop because yall it looks that bad! BUT! It was not! EVERYONE loved it, but most importantly my Dad loved it and loved that I took the time to bring a little bit of mom to him on his first birthday without her. This recipe is perfect for any special occasion or if you are having a special valentines dinner with your kiddos or someone you love. Remember....keep going even if it looks weird or just not right.....it is.....I promise!
Me rubbing it in my baby brother Paul's face that I had actually nailed the dessert!
Irene's Devil's Float
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups water
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup of flour
3 tablespoons coco
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup whole milk
PREP:
Preheat oven to 350 and grease a square baking pan 8 x 8
combine 1 cup of sugar and water in a pan and boil for 10 minutes
cream the butter and remaining sugar together, add the vanilla
sift the dry ingredients together
slowly add dry ingredients with creamed butter, sugar, and vanilla as well as milk
pour your syrup mixture of water and sugar in a square pan and pour your baking mixture on top of this. (This is wear the looks go downhill.....keep going....you are doing great!)
Keep Calm and know everyone will love this!
Trust me!!!!!
Bake on 350 for 40-45 minutes
You can serve this with homemade whip cream, or cool whip or ice cream. Our family prefers homemade whip cream which I will share with you how I make this below. If your family likes nuts you can fold in 1/2 cup chopped nuts to baking mixture before you pour onto the syrup. My dad does not like the nuts so we leave those out.
Homemade whip cream:
1 Cup cold heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Put glass bowl in a freezer for 10-20 minutes to chill. Pour heavy whipping cream into bowl and add vanilla and whisk or beat on high speed....slowly fold in sugar and keep whisking or beat until medium to stiff peaks form
Simple and oh so good!
Even the little ones loved it!
I am telling you EVERYONE loved it! And my dad was so proud of me..I like that!
Can't wait to hear how this turns out for you and hope you love it as much as our family does! Enjoy and Bon Appetit!
xo,
Amy
Who was I?
Can you remember who you were, before the world told you who you should be?-Danielle La Porte
Do you remember who you were before the world got a hold of you? Think about it for a minute. Meditate on it.....Now think about who you have become. Do you like what you see, what you feel? I know I do now, BUT it has been a long time coming that is for sure.
Life is hard and the world is hard on us, which makes us become hard on ourselves. For some reason we stop opening our hearts and we stop being who we are meant to be and we become frozen in who the world tells us to be. Why? I believe there a lot of reasons and I am old enough that I cannot fall on the blaming the "technology train. " There was T.V. back when I was growing up and magazine stands and somewhere along the line, the beautiful Marliyn Monroe faded into the sunset and our idea of beauty and power became the cover of every magazine.
We have lost touch of what beauty on the inside is because we are so focused on what beauty on the outside is and how maybe that could bring us power. I know I was terrified of life and being who I am really am on the inside. Which honestly is so much more beautiful than what is on the outside. Think about it. How many people have ever said to you, "Your outside beauty brought me so much courage and strength, that I know I can get through this situation!" SAID NO ONE EVER! Well maybe someone has, but I can assure no one has ever said that to me.
I know I use to think if I was just pretty enough someone would love me, but guess what, how could they if I did not love myself? Loving myself had nothing to do with the size of my jeans or the tight tummy I had and could show off in bikinis. Believe it or not, I am more confident now in my bikini and I have little jiggle in each every step! You know why that jiggle makes me happy? Because I have three miracles to show for it and one in heaven. I could lose that jiggle if I really wanted to. That would require some extra work and honestly I am ok not being a size 2-4 anymore, as long as I am healthy, fit and happy. I truly am, but it is because I am going back to my roots
What was I like? I can tell you I was creative, I was spontaneous, and I had a sense of adventure in me. When I look back over the years and try to discern how I lost it, it always seems to come back to outwardness. If I was this size, if I wore this, if I had this skin care, if I have this friend, if I do this volunteer job or committee, if I get invited to this event.....if....if....if.....when I look at all those if's I see sadness, fear, loneliness, and doubt written all over my face, even when I was smiling. I see a little girl trying to live up to the world's expectations and not to who she was brought to this earth to be. Sure I thought I was a badass and beautiful, but I was honestly terrified and frozen and probably did not even know it a lot of the time.
Then mom got sick and my world went upside down, but a beautiful thing happened....she and I would talk about the past and remember things I did and loved. I started remembering my roots.
I started to realize how much I miss that girl, the one I tried to hide because the world might think she is strange, different, or no fun. I realized I needed her. I needed her confidence, her free spirit, her passion, her fire, her creativity and sense of adventure. I needed her to show me that I did not need the next drink to be fun and people to like me. I needed her to show me that yes going to bible study actually was a fun thing and very healthy for my mind. I needed her to say, yes go to a dance class. Have fun, you can do it, and you will love it! I needed her to remind me of what and who my priorities are and that my friends will love me regardless. I needed her to remind me, when my priorities are in tact, I can say no because I don't need affirmation from others just because my name was on some committee or because I got invited to some event. I needed her to remind me that while I do have many responsibilities in life, I need to make space for myself....whether that is through, dance, writing, spending time alone, or with others, I need to remember to love me. Then and only then can others love me. I want to bring back the good parts of my old self!
I want to mold my old self with the wisdom I have gained in my new self over the years through good times and bad, sad and happy times, healthy and not so healthy times. I want to be more open and passionate about my life. I want love and respect who I have become. I have decided to bring back the best of the old me and blend it with the best of my new self and even though I am no longer a size 2-4 I am happy and confident and I am ready to love me.
So my challenge for you my dear reader is, during this beautiful month of February. let's all remember who we were before the world told us who we should be. Let's bring back the good parts of us and mold them with the beautiful parts of who we are now and let's watch the miracles unfold when you really do become our true selves.
For as Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "To be true to yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."
xo,
Amy
Valentines Day? Who Came Up With This?
Who came up with the concept of Valentines Day? And Why? This year I am determined to look at valentines through a different lens! Won't you join me?
I use to hate the month of February! When I was single that is and at the beginning of our marriage due to ridiculous expectations! I mean who made up Valentine's Day anyway? Whoever did, they were really smart and I am jealous because the idea of Love is one everyone understands. Right?
Let's face it, we all want to be loved and if we are really being honest we all want to be loved in a magical, romantic way. I know I do, but full disclosure here, I married a man whose love language is not romance and definitely not gift giving. Mine is, maybe that is why I get caught and wrapped up in it. However, I married a man whose love language is time. It took a lot of years for me to embrace this and not get my feelings hurt. That is why I use to hate this month. The month of February puts so much pressure on anyone and everyone who wants to be loved romantically. So I decided to take this month at a different angle and embrace the word love, but take out the word romance in my head. This is hard when hallmark like commercials are on TV, but I can do it and so can you if you are anything like me.
I have decided this month, I will focus on love, but what I love and why I love it. I mean everything from my family to food and anything in between. This month, you guys will learn what really makes me tick and why. Some of it might be funny while some of it might be serious, but maybe you will get to know me a little more and maybe through it we will get passed the notion of Valentines has to be for lovers only and make Valentines fun for all!
I want to start off with talking to you about my new found love for writing. I LOVE writing. I love pouring my heart into what I write and sharing my stories, thoughts, pains, passions, and dreams, as well as others dreams and desires. There are so many good people in this world doing good that I really get a kick out of highlighting them and their passion. It feels good to help someone else pursue their dreams even if it only touches one person. And let's face it....it is so much better to hear feel good stories or stories about people doing good than what the daily news provides us! Right?
I love talking openly to you about my hurts and my disappointments. Why? Honestly, it is cathartic in a weird way, but inevitably someone usually, not always, ends up touched by what I am struggling with or they offer me some good advice or my pain might help that person if they are walking in my shoes to know they are not alone. It is really a magical thing when you feel like you are all alone in your hurt and you open it up to the world and someone says, "hey you are not alone." Something happens on the inside that makes you say, "I can do this and everything will be ok." After all, isn't that what we all want. To know we are ok?
I know it is what I needed when I was walking (I still am walking) through the grief of losing my mom. It helped me to hear stories from others in my shoes. It helped me to know that yes it does take a stupid long time to get through it. It was my mom and she was my best friend. I use to feel guilty for playing the dead mom card (terrible wording I know, but it is truth) months after she had passed. Then one reader messaged me and said, "hey this a long process when you lose a mom. Text books tell you give yourself 12-18 months, but I would tell you give yourself whatever you need." That helped me. That helped me see it is okay to still miss her EVERY day and once I gave myself that permission, I was able to live joyfully even in one of my greatest losses.
I love writing to you about my three greatest joys! Will, JP, and Graeme. I love sharing what I am reading and what I am cooking! I just love sharing! Not that I am that interesting, but I will say, when I do share something, whether it is positive or a trying situation, just the simple act of me writing about it and sharing it helps me grow! I realize every time I write a story how blessed I am. Blessed in general, blessed with you as an audience who can lift me up or offer advice, and blessed to have the ability to even do just that, write!
So this month I am choosing to write about love, not the romantic kind, but the kind that makes you happy like chocolate, or the kind that helps you heal, like writing, or the kind that makes you want to get up daily and see what the day shall bring, like my kids....This month I will share with you most of my loves! So grab a box of chocolates and sit back and enjoy!
xo,
Amy
Healthy Chicken Feta! Oh So Good!
I don't know about you guys, but being a mom of three growing boys who are VERY busy doing ALL kinds of activities I am always looking for two things when it comes to dinner...well, really three. Is it healthy? Is it easy? Is it good? Ok I lied! Four! Is it quick!?
I don't know about you guys, but being a mom of three growing boys who are VERY busy doing ALL kinds of activities I am always looking for two things when it comes to dinner...well, really three. Is it healthy? Is it easy? Is it good? Ok I lied! Four! Is it quick!? That is key in my household! I need to be able to make something that is healthy, easy, good, and pretty quick to make. I have to say I don't usually nail all four, but today I have one for you that I nailed it! It incorporates all of those requirements and I am just giddy about it because it is so easy and so good! Now I spun this recipe off of a recipe I got from primal mom and I promise if you take the time to check her out you will find some pretty tasty dishes. All of which are good for you! You can check her out here: www.primalmom.com
CHICKEN FETA
INGREDIENTS:
4-6 Chicken Breast
8 Tablespoons grass fed butter divided
1 -2 garlic cloves minced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons dried parsley
2 teaspoons dried basil
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2-4 avocados depending on your family's needs
1 bag of spinach
1 cup of cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup feta cheese
PREP and INSTRUCTIONS:
Cut your chicken breast in half, length wise
Slice your avocado and tomoatoes
In a plastic baggie put all your dry seasonings and 4 tablespoons of butter melted and your minced garlic. Place your chicken breast in the baggie and shake until coated nicely.
Place your chicken in a greased pan
Preheat oven 400 degrees
Bake Chicken at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until cooked thoroughly
While Chicken is baking place the rest of your butter in skillet on medium heat. When the butter is melted add your spinach and saute the spinach until it is wilted, approximately 2 minutes.
Once wilted divide spinach on each plate, place a chicken breast on top of spinach and sprinkle with tomatoes, avocados, and feta.
So easy and so good!
Another option is making a sandwich and my kids love me to get the Hawaiian rolls and fill the roll with all the ingredients that you put on your plate. Not quite as healthy, but oh so good!
What are you cooking these days that is easy, healthy, quick, and good? I would love to know as I am always searching for new dinner ideas!
Bon Apetit!
xo,
Amy
January Book Review
It's here! My January book review! I have to say not one book disappointed me this month! Take a look! I know you will find something!
It's here! My first book review of 2018! Well kinda, seeing that I actually did an entire post on two of the books I read this month! But that is because they were so good! It also helped that I actually knew the authors and it was so cool to read my friends books! I will recap both those books here as well, but if you did not get a chance to see those post you should check them out. My friends are amazing and their stories are even more amazing! So grab a cup of joe and sit back and read. I have read FIVE books this month and not one of them disappoints!
My first book to pick up this month was Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan and I loved, loved, loved, this book! Now I will not lie, when I bought it, I was quite uncomfortable carrying it to the counter to check out. I mean look at the title! But then the nice lady checking me out told me not to worry that the man who wrote it is Asian and that solved that! This book will grab your attention immediately and have you rolling in your chair! It is hysterical and just like the title the book is about crazy rich asians! It opens with a cute little asian couple dating in New York City and they are going back to Singapore to meet the boyfriends family. She has no clue what she is walking into and let's just say it is what I imagine The Housewives of Singapore on steroids would look like. I kept asking my friend Shirley, who is asian, is this stuff for real over there? Apparently it is which has me even more intrigued. Now I kind of want to put Singapore on the bucket list! I mean that good yall! This book is light and funny, but I think anyone who picks it up will get a kick out of it! I highly suggest this book to any and all readers!
For Christmas, my amazing friend Lyndsy got me the best gift you could ever give a friend who loves to read! Four books and a candle! Thank you Blizzard! The first one I opened I could not put down! It was so cute and charming and had my attention from the get go! It is The Wedding Bees: A Novel of Honey, Love, and Manners by Sarah-Kate Lynch. This is a sweet story of love, manners, a difficult mom, and friendships that you cultivate over time. It really teaches the idea of you really don't know someones story until you take time with them and just love them where they are. I love that! And I love the main character in this book, Sugar. Sugar is a bee keeper who let's her bees dictate where she will live and low and behold because of her bees she finds love and beautiful quirky friends in an apartment in New York City. She learns to forgive herself and her past and she teaches people how to truly love themselves all the while they are teaching her how to let others love her. This book is a great book to pick up on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, cuddled up on the couch, and just let yourself go! I loved this book and I know you will too!
My next book to complete this month I actually started a while back and started as a study by myself. It is Let God be God: Life-Changing Truths from the Book of Job by Ray C. Stedman. Let me say this book was life changing for me. I actually started it because I was struggling with the question of, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" When I googled, (yes that is how I found this book) that particular question, this book popped up and I thought what the heck! And boy am I glad I listened to myself and ordered it. Yall, I dove into this book every morning and I mean dove! It was talking to me on so many levels! Levels of pain and fear I did not even know were in there and then something else happened that was nothing short of miraculous, I began to change and I mean really change. I could feel the Holy Spirit and I could feel myself being drawn to Him. This is a wonderful feeling when you have been wallowing in your sorrow or whatever it is. I was actually finding joy in my pain and I was actually thankful for it! No this does not happen every time something goes wrong, but you can bet your bottom dollar this book stays by bed as a constant reminder to let God be God both in times of pain and in times of joy. If you are looking to grow in your relationship with Christ or if you are looking for answers to why is this happening to me or to my loved one, then this book is for you! Let Job be your example like he is for me as to Why Bad Things Happen to Good People. Get this book, dive into it daily, and I mean deep, and watch the Holy Spirit take over and the miracle of peace overcome you. What do you have to lose?
My next two books I actually blogged about this past month so I will just do a quick recap and link you back to the original post. I will not lie, both books are tough true stories, but both books have beautiful outcomes, and both books might inspire you to be more than you ever thought you could be.
First one is Same Kind of Different as Me: a modern-day slave, an international art dealer, and the unlikely woman who bound them together written by Ron Hall, Denver Moore, and Lynn Vincent. In a nutshell this story is about forgiveness and redemption and seeing and loving people for who they are. No matter who that is. Whether they are an adulterer, murder, poor, rich, you name it. It is about love and it is about giving back. It is a story that will move you to tears and teach you that even the unlovable is lovable. It is a story that will change how you see the world. I highly recommend reading the book and if you can seeing the movie. It is truly amazing. If you missed my post on it and would like to read it click here: https://worthyheart.com/blog/2018/1/8/same-kind-of-different-as-me
www.tovasido.com
For my last book this month I read Borrowed Courage by Tova Sido. Want to talk about a story that will move you. My friend Tova is one of the most courageous, beautiful, kind, and loving individuals I know and boy does she have a story! I have learned so much about faith, courage, and strength from her story and I know you will too. If you missed my post on it this month you can read that here: https://worthyheart.com/blog/2018/1/24/1xolteatcmaifb165qpkcdjzxft6q2
So as you can see I read a lot this month, but every book I read was amazing. Not one disappointed me and all of them were page turners. Some made me cry for sure, but they all made me laugh at times. I think you guys will enjoy them all!
Would love to know what is in your line up of books. Thinking for the month of February I might do all LOVE stories, but the one I am reading now is pretty dark...did not mean for that to happen, just did, so give me some ideas please! Always love to hear your suggestions! Happy reading my friends!
xo,
Amy
Jesus, A Red Ball, and A Puffer Fish
Have you ever stopped to think that everyone has a story? I mean my bagger at Tom Thumb Kennith has a story, my boss Alana has a story, my friend Ginger has a story, you have a story, I have a story....we all have a story. Today I want to introduce you to one remarkable lady. A lady who let me tell you has a story! A story that will at first fascinate you, then drive you to tears, then laughter, then amazement! But in the end, her story will leave you knowing you are loved. We are all loved. God loves you! God has the courage and strength you need in any and all circumstances. We just need to borrow some courage from Him and watch what happens.
Meet sweet Tova! Tova has a smile that will light up the room and Tova has a story that will touch your heart at it's core. That is what happened to me when I first met Tova in 2010 at Highland Park United Methodist Church and I remember thinking, "I like this chic. I get her! I need to be her friend! She gets me! Or at least she will once she meets me! Ha!" Fast forward to literally the morning of our anniversary a couple of weeks ago and I found out she wrote a book. I looked immediately ordered the book and reached out to her and asked if she would write a guest post. I explained to her that all those years ago she really touched me and really brought me out of a dark place. I had lost a child and she had no idea, but I had actually borrowed courage from her. You see she was a pastor at the church when we decided HPUMC was our home. So I will forever be grateful for her inspiration, her teaching, and her love. So as I was saying earlier....Meet Tova.....
TOVA SIDO
For years close friends, family - quite frankly, a lot of people would say to me – “T, you HAVE GOT to write a book and tell your story!” I would internally roll my eyes and politely respond by saying, “Oh I would never do that!” The truth was, I had never really been comfortable with “my story” – and well so many things were so damn sad that the thought of sitting down and reliving it while writing it sounded absolutely miserable. For years – with a lot of therapy and even more of Jesus - I had worked through so much of that pain, why on earth would I ever dig up those dry bones and bring that pain back to the surface?
But the undeniable truth is this – in January of 2014 the Lord woke me out of a dead sleep (this is often how He choses to speak to me) and told me, “T, it’s time to write that book. It’s time to tell people what I have done in your life.” I had to admit that this wasn’t just my story, this was God’s story – and I had to be obedient.
Some people would call themselves authors or writers. I am neither one of those. In fact my spelling and grammar is dreadful. I use WAY too many dashes and dots, have to spell check everything, and most of my sentences are run ons. So you can imagine me sitting in front of my computer the next day. I just kinda stared at it. For a long time. How would I start? WHERE would I start? What was the title? What would even be the point? I had no idea. So I said a prayer, took a deep breath and just started typing.
My deepest fears about writing my story were actualized. It was hard. And I cried and cried. And cried some more. I cried because well, here’s the cold hard truth about my story…..I :
Grew up in an abusive home
Have a mom who fought cancer for 14 years and died at the age of 53
Have a dad who left my mom for another women while she was in the hospital
Had a stillborn
Had a miscarriage
Buried my son Charlie who lived 8 months
Buried my daughter Louisa who also only lived 8 months
Am divorced
I mean is that sexy or what? Some resume……
But here’s the deal. It’s not the WHOLE story.
As I was writing the book I remembered when I was a little kid how incredibly petrified I was of storms. When I was in the second grade I had just moved from New Mexico to Texas and a terrible storm ripped through my school and stole my playground. I was so scared in tornado position that day I actually peed my pants (for good reason I left that part out of the book). After that I was never the same with storms. At the first crack of thunder or lightening I would race in to my parents room – anytime of day or night – and say to my dad “Daddy, I’m scared”. My daddy would crawl out of bed, put on a shirt and come and sit at the front storm window with me. We would count lightening and thunder and would watch the storms roll through. All those spring nights full of Texas storms I would borrow courage from my daddy until it was safe for me to go back to bed.
When we are young we are lucky because when we are scared or lost or sad or broken we have big people from whom we can borrow courage – a mommy, daddy, teacher, coach, grandma, grandpa. If you fall they will help you back up – if you were sad – well, they wipe tears – and if you are afraid, they will count the space between thunder and lightening until you’re not afraid anymore.
Adults oftentimes aren’t so lucky. The dreaded storm often rolls in and because we no longer have anyone to borrow courage from – we crumble. Jesus was so dang smart He actually warned us that this could happen in the gospel of Matthew. He said this, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
It fell with a great crash.
That’s what happens without Jesus.
You know the amazing thing about what Jesus promises us is what the storm will look like with him – and what the storm will look like without him. I guess the whole thing strikes me because Jesus is telling us…….the storms will come…….
Some people think storms shouldn’t come with Jesus. It’s kind of a silly thought when you consider the storms that Jesus endured. Even Jesus. Why should or would we ever be exempt?
The storms will come. And when they come, our life resumes can take a hit. Those “hits” are different for all of us. For some it’s cancer, infidelity, bankruptcy, or addiction. For others it’s death of a loved one, infertility, depression, chronic illness or pain, divorce or loneliness. Some parents are estranged from their children. Some children are estranged from their parents. And so much more……
But we do not have to fall…..with a great crash.
I believe it is in these moments God’s story is written in us. This is when He can show up and do some of His best work.
And so is the rest of my story…..
Someone on the outside looking in on my life would put their hand over their mouth and the other on their heart while shaking their head and thinking, “Bless her heart.” I would say different. And it’s ONLY because of Jesus – and the courage I have learned to borrow from Him.
I know, with every single thing inside of me, that our God already has or will redeem all the heartache, loss and pain in my life. I know that even though the storms have and will continue to come – that my life – and more importantly, my spirit, will NEVER fall. Every single day I wake up I ask my Savior to be with me. Walk with me. Light my path and show me the way. And He never fails me. Never. Tova Sido alone is weak and sinful and has very little courage. Tova Sido with Jesus is courageous and strong and can do anything. And I mean ANYTHING. I am not afraid. And I never have to be because Jesus has already promised me that “Perfect love casts out all fear” – and well, HE is perfect love. As long as I am walking with Him – I never have to be afraid.
One of my favorite worship songs is called “Great are you Lord” and the lyrics say this,
You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken
Great are You, Lord
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
To You only
You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken
Great are You, Lord
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
To You only
All the earth will shout
Your praise
Our hearts will cry
These bones will sing
Great are You, Lord
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It’s Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
To You only
These lyrics are based off of Psalm 51:8 where King David says this, “Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.”
Joy and gladness can come from darkness and pain. These bones WILL SING – Great are you Lord…….
We are promised that one day – when this earth is gone and we are reunited with our Savior in His kingdom, “‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
I tear up thinking about that perfect day. I just can’t wait.
Until then my friends, Borrowed Courage.
If you want to learn more about Tova's story you can order her book at https://www.tovasido.com
A portion of the proceeds of this book support children with special needs and Dream on International.
I promise her story will stir something in you, you never knew was there and you will walk away appreciating what God has given you because after all we need is Jesus, a red ball, and a puffer fish! (Got to to get the book to know why you need a red ball and a puffer fish and of course why we need Jesus!)
xo,
Amy
Sister Up with Salad!
In keeping with the theme of my week....Sister Up...I decided to share with you all a recipe I got from my FAVORITE SISTER in the whole world. My big sister Robin. Robin and I are from the same parents, but, I will tell you, anyone who knows us would say we are polar opposite.
In keeping with the theme of my week....Sister Up...I decided to share with you all a recipe I got from my FAVORITE SISTER in the whole world. My big sister Robin. Robin and I are from the same parents, but, I will tell you, anyone who knows us would say we are polar opposite. My sister has a air about her that exudes perfection. I have an air about me that exudes hot mess! When it comes to fashion she nails it every time....me....not so much. Her house is impeccable and always on par with what is chic.....mine....not so much. She LOVES yoga. I HATE yoga. She is happy with one or two good friends, me... I like an army.....So as you can see we are very different, BUT when it comes to family we love fiercely and we love each other. We worked well as a team when it came to decisions with our mom and we are still working well as a team when it comes to decisions with our dad. Yes we disagree and yes I annoy the heck out of her, but we love each other and we would take a bullet for each other! (But then again I am bulletproof! wink! wink!)
Another area we are so opposite in is cooking. I LOVE cooking. My sister does not. So for me to even have a recipe from her is funny, but yall this is Trey's favorite salad I make and we got it from Robin. I will never forget the first time we had it. It was our first mother's day without mom and it was a tough one so I was not eating much. Trey kept saying, "Go back and get more of that salad." And the next day when I went to pick up Dad from Robin's house Trey was like, "hey if any of that salad is left over grab it!" I thought, man, what is it with that salad? So of course I had to try it and yall....this salad is so good and you can do so many different things with it! Do what your family likes and play around with it....Trust me...there is plenty of room to experiment with this one! But I know your family will like it because mine does and they are not big on the greens. So try it and let me know your thoughts!
Robin's Kale Salad!
ROBIN'S KALE SALAD
DRESSING:
1/2 shallot, peeled and chopped (I get mine in the deli section of Central market already peeled)
1 or 2 tablespoons of crushed jarred garlic
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon ground cumin (I have been known to leave this out at times and it is still so good. My family is not big on cumin)
1/2 tablespoon Kosher Salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
SALAD:
Here is where you see me really cheat from the published recipe, but I am a busy mom of three so I like shortcuts!
Shortcut that will save you time!
I get 1 to 2 bags of Taylor Farms Sweet Kale Chopped Salad (Any bag of pre-made kale salad will do, but I really like this one because it has brussels sprouts in it) I throw out the dressing and if I don't want I use the extra seeds or whatever they have to dress the salad I throw that out too, but most of the time I use the cranberries and pumpkin seeds to add a little more pizazz to the salad.
2 cups cooked quinoa
3/4 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
3/4 cup fresh, raw corn kernels
1/2 cup thinly sliced radishes
1 cup salted, roasted almonds (I have used pistachios here)
1/2 cup dried crandberries
kosher salt and pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS:
To make the dressing, place all of the dressing ingredients, except the olive oil, in a blender and blend on high until smooth. On a low speed, add the olive oil in a slow, steady stream. Once the olive oil is incorporated, bled on high for an additional 15 seconds.
To assemble the salad, place all of the ingredients, except the almonds, in a large bowl. Toss with the dressing and season with salt and pepper. Top with the almonds and serve.
So good and so good for you!
Bon appetit!
xo,
Amy
Sister Up!
Do you ever find yourself feeling inadequate? Overwhelmed? Anxious? Just not good enough? Or..... just plain scared? I know I do....
Hello, World!
Do you ever find yourself feeling inadequate? Overwhelmed? Anxious? Just not good enough? Or..... just plain scared? I know I do. It is unfortunately, just part of being in this broken world. Life is not easy. Especially when you throw in three kids, a husband, a dog who needs to be walked constantly, a house you have to maintain, and the list can and will go on and on. It's Life!
How do you cope during those times? I turn to God and to dance, but, I also turn to my friends. I am so blessed to have so many friends and not just acquaintances. I mean really, really good girl friends. We women need each other. We need someone who is walking in the same shoes we are in and who can say, "hey, it's ok! I have felt that way too." We need friends who we can cry with, laugh with, or just sit and say nothing with. Women need friends.
Do you have those kind of friends? If you don't may I suggest you join a church or a bible study? I promise you will be amazed at what happens and I promise they will love you right where you are. That is what happened to me.
Little story.....I was raised Catholic. Now I am not about to bash the Catholic Faith, because I was raised by very faithful parents who made sure we were part of the church, involved, and present and I always knew Jesus loved me. Matter of fact, I use to joke that my dad thought he was the pope and my mom could have been a nun. I mean very catholic! We were married in the Catholic Church, but shortly after Trey and I decided to leave the faith for a number of reasons, which was odd because when I met Trey he was contemplating the priesthood. So he too was VERY catholic. I can honestly say FOR ME, leaving the faith was hard. It was all I had ever known. It was rich in traditions and a big one for me was Catholics have communion EVERY Sunday. I liked that. But, I also knew that my husband was the head of our house and I needed to follow his lead as long as he did not take me to some Snake Charming Church! Just kidding! Kind of! I really had no idea where we were going and it was a point of contention in our marriage for a while. Believe me when I say this....if you are not on the same page with faith, marriage is at least 30 percent harder than it already is! I promise. Especially if you are both seeking and wanting faith to be a part of your family. We were. So it was a tough long process. I am happy to say we came to an agreement and we now are so happy and have found our church home, but that was just the beginning for me.
Trey was raised going to Catholic School and I was raised going to public school. Trey literally has read the Bible cover to cover at least three times...me? BIG FAT GOOSE EGG! NADA! ZERO! Still haven't and I am in it almost daily! So to join a protestant faith can be a bit intimidating! I promise you I get it! And I was raised going to church EVERY Sunday for crying out loud! So I know it has to be hard if you were not raised going to church! But, I promise you, when you find the right church you will find the friends I talked about previously.
Another little story...I was asked by my friend Alexis to come to bible study at our church for a while and I kept thinking, "No way, no how! I don't want these people to know my demons. I don't want them to know I don't know the bible. I don't want these people to know I cuss. I don't want these people know I drink! Or worse the ones who did know that about me I did not want them to judge me or talk about me!" You get the point. I did not want to join because it was too close to home and I felt inadequate. I felt like I was not good enough, and I felt like if my friends really saw me they would not like me. Well I can tell yall that is silly now, but back then it was how I felt. So what did I do? I got creative!
I joined another bible study at another church! Funny I know, but it was what I did and yall....It was and is amazing! I don't go to church there, but I do still go to bible study there and what I learned is, we are all the same! We all have STUFF! ICKY STUFF! SAD STUFF! GOOD STUFF! And if you surround yourself with women like me just trying to be better you will find they love you right where you are! They love you, they love your family, they love your stuff! It is so freeing too! You would not believe how freeing it is! And the friends you make are amazing! And I am doublely blessed (is that even a word) because I go to Church at one Church and Bible Study at another! I just can't leave either because I love them both so much!
What is my point to all this? My point is, We women need to Sister up! We need each other! And I have just the opportunity for you!
February 23-24 Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas is offering a women's retreat! I want you to join me and 200 of my friends! I want you to surround yourself like I do with woman who will build you up and women who will love you right where you are. They love me right where I am and Lord knows it can be messy at times!
If you are like me and you're in need of inspiration, rest, or spiritual renewal, this weekend is for you. We'll be focusing on the gift of sisterhood and working to strengthen our bonds with one another. After all, we are stronger together! The keynote speaker is The New York Times best-selling author, Rachel Held Evans and I promise you she will not disappoint! Promise!
If this is something you might be interested in please go to this website:
http://www.hpumc.org/event/1035435-2018-02-23-2018-womens-retreat/
I would love to see you and grow with you! I promise it will be such a great weekend and for those of you with little ones they do have affordable childcare.
Please let me know if you have any questions or if you need help getting registered. It would be such an honor to spend time with you and I promise you will walk away feeling loved, renewed, and inspired. Won't you join me?
xo,
Amy
One year! Just try it! Document the day you start and how you feel and look back in 365 days and see where you are! I dare ya!
Top Three
What were your favorite books in 2017? Here are mine! If you have not read them I highly suggest you do! They are soooooooooooo good!
Hello, World!
It has been a while since I wrote a book review and there are a number of reasons why, but first and foremost is life. It just happens sometimes and I just don't get to read as much as I like. Bum Deal! I know those of you who love a good book just as much as I do get this. It can be tragic actually. A good book to me is ALMOST as good for the soul as dancing is.....ALMOST. I just love to get lost in another world and a world I get to dream and imagine! So after a few friends approached me asking me where is my next book review, I thought I would recap my TOP THREE favorite books of 2017. One of them I STILL keep trying to imagine what is happening next! For real it was that good! I think you will LOVE it too! So here we go!
Third Place: Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
People! Do you want a book that will make you think? Do you want a book that will make you angry? Want a book that will make you cry? Want a book that will make you smile? Want a book that will show you people can and do change?
Then this book is for you!
I mean seriously, some nights I found myself wanting to jump into the book and shake the daylights out of some of the characters and then other nights I sat up and really thought about some serious topics that are VERY real in today's world. This book had a profound effect on me and in a very good way...maybe it will on you too.
Second Place: Class Mom by Laurie Gelman
This book was down right knock your socks off funny! The book was actually PERFECT for me! I too, like the main character, have a kindergartner and two in high school so I could really relate to her and her thoughts.
This book is an easy read about a mom who has taken on the task of room mom. This is not her first rodeo either as she has two in College and little Max in Kinder. She makes no bones about what she expects from her classroom moms and dads and she is downright funny about it! GREAT book to read! ESPECIALLY if you have a desire to be a room mom, have been a room mom, are a teacher, a principal, or just want to laugh! I mean OUT LOUD laugh! HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book!
DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!!!
First Place: It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
This book was AMAZING! Remember the one I mentioned above...the one where I am still dreaming stuff up....This is it!!!! Oh my, I was in tears at the end and honestly I could NOT put this book down.
If you like a good love story, you will like this one. It's just you find that sometimes Love comes with a price. Oh my, I did not want this book to end.
I am so proud of Lily the main character, and I know you will be too. Do yourself a favor an order the book. I promise it will not let you down!
So there you have it! My top three books for 2017! What were some of your favorites? I would love to know! Please share and comment and maybe I will read your favorite book of 2017 in 2018!
xo,
Amy
Meet Sarah....A Little Girl With $14 and a Heart the Size of Heaven
Today I want you to meet an extraordinary ten year old girl. A ten year old that inspires me to be better and maybe she will inspire you too.
Today I want to introduce you to an amazing little girl. A little girl who is teaching me about love, forgiveness, acts of kindness, hope, and most of all faith. Her name is Sarah. Sarah is 10 years old and just the yummiest 10 year old girl. At first glance she seems like any other little girl her age, but dig a little deeper and you are sure to see why she is not.
Sarah is the youngest of four. She has three amazing big brothers. Two are in college and one is in high school. She is like any other kid in the fact that she loves her friends, school, and gymnastics. The thing that sets Sarah apart from most kids her age, is from a very young age she has had a love for the homeless. When Sarah was young, she, her Mom, and her siblings passed a (presumably) homeless man asking for help on a corner near their home. To her Mom's surprise, she realized this man was a friend of hers from high school who had suffered from a traumatic brain injury. Her mom was able to tell his story and they began to pray for this friend and help him whenever they saw him working that corner. Though not homeless, he was obviously struggling, and it gave them an opportunity to talk about loving others right where they are, whether you know all the facts or not.
Sadly, I found out that Sarah's parents are going through a divorce, but this is what I love: even though she is struggling, and having to process a lot in her own little life....God is helping her notice the needs of others and she is doing what she can to help someone else in their time of need. This to me is so beautiful!
The reason I am even sharing all this....Friday I wrote about the homeless and the movie/book The Same Kind of Different as Me. When my girlfriend read my blog, she called to tell me how that book played an integral part in Sarah coping with what was going on in their world. Together, she and Sarah read the book this summer and talked about everything that book offers: Hope, Faith, Forgiveness, Redemption, and the list goes on and on. She sent me a picture of a little baggie of coins Sarah had been collecting and had put on the refrigerator to give to the homeless ever since she finished the book. A sweet little 10 year old whose life was being turned upside down was collecting coins for others. WOW! That really spoke to me and touched me.
When I let my friend know that Ron Hall, the author and one of the main characters of the book would be there on Monday, of course she brought Sarah. Do you know what Sarah brought Ron? You guessed it! Her baggie of coins! $14 BIG ONES and she was so proud! I was so proud! My friend was so proud! Ron and Beth were so proud! It was quite a moment.
Sarah's baggie of coins for the homeless.
Ron spent some time with Sarah, which really touched my friend and I, and especially Sarah. I know that this little girl has such a future ahead of her. A beautiful future. Her struggles are real, but Sarah is not giving up hope and Sarah believes just like I do in the message of loving the unloveable, forgiveness, and redemption. So today as you think about my sweet little 10 year old friend would you pray for her family and pray that God will bless that $14 beyond measure.
One proud and happy little girl.....
If you too would like to give to this foundation alongside Sarah please go to https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/help-for-the-homeless9
Any amount is not too small! They are in a huge push this January to raise funds so anything helps.
If you would like to learn more about Ron and Beth's foundation please check it out at https://www.samekindofdifferentasmefoundation.org
To learn more about the book and movie, check out my post from Monday or go to https://worthyheart.com/blog/2018/1/8/same-kind-of-different-as-me
It is an incredible book, incredible movie, incredible foundation, and an incredible story of forgiveness and redemption which should give us all hope and help us all realize we are all worthy of love.
xo,
Amy
Forgiveness, Love, Acts of Kindness, Loving the Unloveable....Good Stuff!
The season of giving has ended, but the need still remains....Let us not stop giving. Let us keep the Wins coming in 2018! And let us remember, everybody is worthy of love!
In keeping with my Theme of "Winning in 2018" I wanted to talk to you all about a movie I watched in 2017 that really touched me. Some of you may have read the book, some of you may have seen the movie, and others might be like me and you like to read a book before you see the movie. I can tell you I did both. Both the movie and the book were incredible. My FIRST recommendation before I go any further is you get the book NOW and you read it and you go to see the movie. It will stir something in you. Something that is tremendous and maybe life changing.
The Book and Movie I am referring to is, Same Kind of Different as Me. It is a true story based on two men from two entirely different backgrounds. One is Rich and One is Poor. One is married, lives in a mansion in Ft. Worth, and one is alone living in the streets of Ft. Worth. One is an art dealer and one is jobless. One is an adulterer and one is an ex-felon and murderer. Both are bound together by one spectacular lady. A lady you or I will never meet, because her life was taken too soon by cancer. However, I promise you if you read this book and watch this movie you will wish you had known her and you will learn so much about love, forgiveness, acts of kindness, loving the unloveable, patience, and the list goes on an on by what we can learn from her.
Who does she remind you of? She reminds me of Jesus. Not saying she is Jesus by any stretch of the means, but I am saying we can all learn a lot from her. Her name was Debbie Hall and she had a mission and after reading her book and seeing the movie I would like to help when and where I can to see to it that her dream continues.
I have the fortunate honor of knowing Beth Hall, who is now married to Ron Hall. Ron is the adulterer I spoke of above. You have to read this book and watch this movie to understand why it is okay to say this. You see, Ron made a mistake. We all make mistakes. Some bigger than others. It is what we do with our mistakes that determines who we are. This is what I like to think. What did Ron do? He asked for Forgiveness. He asked for Forgiveness from God and from Debbie and from his family. You might be saying is that all it takes? In God's eyes I believe yes, however, on this earth I do believe when we hurt someone, and we all have in some capacity or another, when you ask for forgiveness and you receive it, what you do next is very important.
Debbie accepted Ron's forgiveness, but for a price. Not money, not jewelry, not trips, not anything material. She asked Ron to come spend time with her in her "Happy Place" as I like to call it. The Union Gospel Mission in downtown Ft. Worth. She asked him to feed the homeless with her and try to look into their eyes and see them. It took some time, but God works in mysterious ways yall and it happened! And it happened probably with the scariest homeless man there! Denver. He is the ex-felon and murder I spoke of above. As the book and movie progress you see a beautiful thing happen. You see someone learn to love the unloveable and the unloveable learn to open up and be loved. You see forgiveness. You see the power of forgiveness and you see what forgiving someone who truly wants to be forgiven can do for everyone involved and people you never ever imagined would be involved. You see the world change. And it is a beautiful site to behold. This movie is powerful and this book is incredible.
Both Debbie and Denver have gone to be with Jesus, but Debbie's mission and dreams of restoring the homeless, hungry, abused, and hurting still lives. I highly suggest you check it out at https://www.samekindofdifferentasmefoundation.org
JP was so excited to attend the Premiere of Same Kind of Different As Me and then to meet Ron....well that was just pure icing on his cake! He is on cloud nine in this photo!
While you are ordering your book and checking out the movie you can also help out by attending or donating to Dallas Dance Fitness donation-only class benefitting Same Kind of Different As Me Foundation on MLK Day in honor of MLK Day.
So many members of DDF and their families were moved and inspired when we had the opportunity to see the movie and hear the author, Ron Hall, speak about his experiences. The associated foundation, run by Ron and his wife Beth, who is by the way a DDF member, I am proud to say, has a stretch fundraising goal for January. Their foundation provides emergency support for those experiencing homelessness and the agencies that serve them. Alana our fearless leader and all of our team hope our fundraiser class will help them meet their fundraising goal and allow them to continue their great work in our community and throughout the US. Please join us for this family-friendly dance fitness class on Monday, January 15 from 9:30-10:30AM at Dallas Powerhouse of Dance. If you cannot attend or would like to make your donation in advance please do so here at https;//www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/help-for-the-homeless9
My dance family and friends along with Ron and Beth at the Dallas Premiere of Same Kind of Different as Me. Excuse the swollen eyes! Trust me, the movie will pull at your heart and your tears.
Thank you in advance for your support of this wonderful organization! An organization that truly understands Everybody is Worthy of Love!
Let's keep Winning in 2018!
xo,
Amy
Do you BulletProof Your Joe?
I know some of you have seen my morning instagram stories of putting butter in my coffee and I am sure you are like what is she doing? Matter of fact I am positive you are saying that, because I took a poll and the statistics said it all. Take a look at todays blog and see why I do this. Not only is it yummy it is VERY good for my brain and body and guess what?! It is good for you too!
I know some of you have seen my morning instagram stories of putting butter in my coffee and I am sure you are like what is she doing? Matter of fact I am positive you are saying that, because I took a poll and the statistics said it all. I only have a few friends out there who know and understand the benefits to this powerful morning cup of Joe. Today I wanted to share with you why I started and who knows maybe you will want to "Bulletproof" your cup of joe too!
About three years ago, my brother Chuck wanted to make me a "Bulletproof" coffee and I was like NO WAY! That just sounds GROSS! He told me to just try one cup and see if I like the benefit of how it suppresses my appetite. WAIT! It suppresses your appetite!? Sign me up! He knew EXACTLY what to say to me to get me to try it! So he made me my first cup and yall it was so creamy, yummy, and frothy! Bonus! Frothy! FANCY COFFEE! SOLD! So I decided to start drinking my coffee that way. What I began to notice was incredible.
A. Yes it does suppress my appetite
B. My energy levels rose
C. My thinking was sharper
Now I am no expert by any means in this coffee, but I can tell you it has worked for me and I will explain why In "Amy's Terms," but if you would like to dig deeper into the science behind it yourself, I HIGHLY suggest you checking out the following website: www.bulletproofexec.com
First let me tell you what EXACTLY I put into my coffee:
2 tablespoons Kerry Gold Grassfed Butter Unsalted (Silver Packaging)
1-2 tablespoons MCT oil
1 scoop of collagen peptides
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Sprinkle some Turmeric
Dash or two of Cayenne Pepper
dash of Black Pepper (this helps your body absorb the turmeric)
****And now I add one scoop or packet of my Revitalu coffee or cocoa depending on my mood*****
YES! This is what goes into my coffee and I love it! The key here is to have a hand blender and blend it up REALLY good and it is DELISH! Promise! The other note I would like to make is when you are starting out on BP coffee you will want to go slow. Only 1-2 teaspoons of butter and oil or trust me you will be making a lot of full on sprints to the bathroom! So start slow! Besides, slow and steady wins the race!
Now let's get into the nitty gritty of why and what this coffee REALLY does for me and CAN and WILL do for you. FIRST off, I DID NOT lose mega weight drinking this coffee AND I DID NOT GAIN ANY weight! I did lose maybe 5 pounds total. What I did start to see happen was my appetite was suppressed, my energy level went up, which increased my performance level in my workouts, which in turn brought on......guess......You GOT IT! Weight loss! Another thing I noticed was our mornings seemed to be running smoother. I am no longer waking up and getting my normal cup of joe that literally was helping me put one foot in front of the other. I am now getting my brain fed with these healthy fats and my thinking is sharper which in turn makes mornings a little easier and smoother. I am not about to sit here and say the Berry morning's are unicorns and roses, but they do seem to be easier to handle. So as you can see the butter in your morning joe is a good thing!
I will try to explain to you my understanding of why this coffee is so incredible, but again, I HIGHLY recommend you taking the time to research my brother Chuck's friend, Dave Asprey, and his web page and podcast I referred to above to really understand the science behind it. But, for today's purposes, here is the Amy Berry Scientific explanation of BP coffee.
Butter: Now YOU CANNOT USE JUST ANY OLD BUTTER! It MUST be Grass fed organic unsalted butter and all I have found is Kerry Gold. It is the one in the silver packaging. Benefits: The butter actually helps to turn off food cravings and provides MUCH needed HEALTHY fats to your brain AND this particular butter has extra anti inflammatory ingredients that normal butter does not. I am sure we will see that this alone will help ward of many inflammatory diseases if not help prevent them. Grass fed butter has all the extra healthy fats that have been proven to help sustain energy, balance your hormones, and boost your cognitive function. If you are ANYTHING like me, the balancing of the hormones is LIFE SAVING! Just saying!
MCT oil: this is basically a blend of coconut oil and palm oil and has incredible healthy fats that keep you going for hours! So that normal crash you feel around 10:30 does not happen! MCT oil is digested faster which boost energy and this can increase your chances of losing weight. It does, however, depend on how you expend this extra energy! Wink! Wink! The MCT oil is also what helps give you that "laser focus" and your mental clarity. MCT will helps raise your keytones which in turn helps you to burn off bad fats and sugar faster.
Collagen is the protein that our body relies on. It is so good for everything from your hair, nails, skin, tendon’s, cartilage, bones, and joints! When you dance as much as I do this is a huge game changer in helping to keep my body strong! Especially at such a YOUNG AGE! Ha!
Cayenne Pepper: This little spicy spice has been proven to help speed up your metabolism, stimulate circulation, eliminate acidity, helps regulate your blood sugar levels, and helps the digestive system move bacteria and toxins out of your system. We could all use that with what they are putting in our food these days!
Black pepper: I use a dash of black pepper because it has been proven to help in the absorption of the Cayenne Pepper.
Turmeric: This bad boy is natures ibuprofen and is a strong antioxidant. If you have achy joints and bones and inflammation this is an incredible spice to put in your coffee and in your food. We ALL need to ward of inflammation! This nasty stuff is what causes MOST if not ALL of our diseases.
Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a miracle worker for the body. In my opinion, cinnamon is the most delicious and healthiest spice on the planet. It can lower blood sugars, reduce your risk of heart disease, it is a high source of antioxidants, contains anti inflammatory properties, helps to ward off mental and cognitive decline, protects brain function, helps to fight infections and viruses, and can lower your risk of cancer. That is alot of good right there in a spice that oh by the way can freshen your breath!
And here is where I add the magic! My Revitalu coffee or cocoa. It honestly depends on my mood as to which I will add. The coffee is not nearly as sweet, but somedays I just need the chocolatey sweetness! Either way you cannot go wrong! But, why do I add? Because I believe in bullet proof and I believe in this product. The mental focus and the energy I gain is unbelievable. Yes I do add it to my coffee! Do you have to? NO! It was actually designed just for water which makes this a win-win because when I am on the road all I need is a packet of my revitalu and I know I am bullet proof! And I love that! I do tell my friends if you are sensitive to caffeine not to add it to your coffee until you know how you react, but I am telling you guys, when I add this to my bullet proof recipe…..well….all I can say is “WATCH OUT WORLD BECAUSE HERE I COME!” If you would like to try it you can buy it here or you can ask me for a free sample and I will send out to you. I promise you will love it!
So as you can see, this cup of joe I drink everyday truly is Bulletproof worthy! It is literally designed to resist the penetration of toxic bullets to the body! Who would not want to do this! And if it helps raise your energy level, you may or may not start to exercise and with that might come even more weight loss, a happier self, AND a healthier self! It's a beautiful thing I tell ya!
So won't you join me in this new year and make Bulletproof Coffee one of your staples in your life and see what happens! I bet it is a lot of good and a lot of wins!
Cheers to Winning in 2018!
xo,
Amy
PS. This blog was updated as I have added two new things to my recipe. The collagen peptides and my Revitalu! I hope you will give them both a try! GAME CHANGERS!
Hello, World!
Guest Post: Brett East...friend and oily guru
This month, to kick off your new year and new you and some of Amy's wins, I asked my friend Brett to chat with you about her experience with oils and how they have changed her family's life. From cleaning supplies to health benefits.
This month, to kick off your new year and new you and some of Amy's wins, I asked my friend Brett to chat with you about her experience with oils and how they have changed her family's life. From cleaning supplies to health benefits.
Believe it or not, I am a big believer in oils and we do use them in the Berry house. I can't say I am 100 percent Chemical free like Brett, but I can say we use the oils and they work. When I was looking at my wins I discussed with you, one was health. Believe it or not and knock on some major wood, we were healthier in 2017. Less doctors visits and our pharmaceutical bill went down. I am sure there are a lot of reasons why, but I firmly believe one is that I have incorporated oils into our lifestyle. It took about 8 months, but now even the men, ALL THE MEN, in the Berry house believe in the power of the oils. So I asked Brett to share her story with you all in the event someone out there is looking to up their wellness game. Maybe this will be one of your wins for 2018!
Brett's Story:
I began my chemical-free journey a few years ago when I started wanting my kids to pitch in with the household chores. Being a mom of 3, I felt like this would be a wise move for my sanity. Every time they cleaned the bathroom with the cleaner I’d been using for years, they would complain about how the yucky fumes made it hard for them to breathe. It had never occurred to me that what I had been using could potentially be harmful to them (or me)! So I started looking around for cleaning supplies that were chemical free, or at least, safer for kids. I found some that I was mostly happy with, but I still felt like something was lacking. It took a while, but I finally found something I could be happy with when I unexpectedly encountered Young Living Essential Oils.
Cleaning products aside, a whole new world opened up to me of possibilities for my (and my family’s) wellness. I wasn’t really open to thinking that oils could “work.” I had no basis for my negative opinion—I had never even tried them! I guess I was simply happy with how my life was moving and how our wellness was being taken care of through traditional, albeit potentially dangerous, methods. The first time I tried a Young Living essential oil I was blown away at its effectiveness.
From then on, each time I tried a new oil for a wellness conundrum, I was amazed at how they actually worked and did what they said they could do. I still find myself wondering if there is, indeed, “an oil for that.” And each time I seek, I seem to find. I am so happy with what Young Living is doing for us. Not only is Young Living providing a way for us to have a chemical free way of life through each of their wellness lines, it is providing me an opportunity to stay at home with my kiddos and still earn some much appreciated mad money on the side! And a total bonus that I NEVER expected to come from it? I meet the most spectacular friends, like Amy. I am inspired daily by the amazing people who have come into my life through this oily endeavor.
I hope you can, like me, allow yourself a space where every tiny change made is a change for the better. And I certainly welcome any change-seekers on this oily journey of mine!
Brett
http//oily.life/oilypeopleoftheworld/
www.myYL.com/BrettEast
I hope you have enjoyed Brett's story and if you have any questions or would like more information as to how to join the oily train you can find her at: instagram: @oilypeopleoftheworld or her webpage is: https://oily.life/oilypeopleoftheworld/
xo,
Amy
How's That Working for Ya?
Got a New Year's resolution brewing? I don't and I have to tell ya I just can't. If you are like me and just can't set the resolution read on. If you have one....still read on, something might stir in you! You never know!
Happy New Year everyone! I can't believe it is 2018! Wow! The older I get the faster time moves! Does anyone else feel this way?
So it's a new year! How many of you have set your resolutions? How's that working for ya? I don't set those things! I hate those things! I mean seriously! Did you know that 80 percent of the population who set resolutions have already failed by this point! 80 percent! That is really sad considering all the negativity in the world today. Why add another layer?
Why do people set them? All they are doing is setting themselves up for failure in my opinion. I use to beat myself up when I failed on mine. So I decided a while back, "NO RESOLUTIONS!" Do you know what happened? It was freeing! It left me room to breathe and grow!
For example, I use to say, "Amy, this year you will go on a healthy diet. You will eat little to no carbs and you will take out sugar." I don't know about you, but the minute I say I want to go on a diet I EAT! EAT! EAT! I eat anything and everything I can put or find to put into my mouth! The word diet I swear triggers some chemical in my brain that says, "Amy, you are STARVING!" And when I throw in words like, little to no carbs, no sugar, healthy eating, what do you think happens? I run straight to Sonic and get a vanilla cream coke and a hamburger! I swear! It's the craziest thing! So I stopped dieting! Now my approach is eat what you are craving when you are craving it, but don't over do it. For me, it gives me permission to be bad IF I want. Want to know something even crazier. Now that I allow myself this freedom I don't want the bad stuff! Swear!
Exercise is another example. When I would set this as a resolution anything and everything that could be a roadblock would happen. I would get to the gym with the rest of the world and there would be no equipment available because it was all being used, classes would be jam packed, parking would be a beast, or I would work out like a bangee and be so sore the next day I could not walk! What did that leave room for? You know. It left room for me to say, "Screw it! I tried!" Want to know a crazy thing that happened when I took exercise resolutions out of my life? I became a dance fitness instructor! Crazy!
Spend less money and save more. This was a big one for me in the past and every time I set it, something big would happen that required money! NO LIE!
Hello, World!
The list as you see goes on an on. I don't know if it is because we set these resolutions and it is so set in stone that it makes it impossible to stick to because LIFE HAPPENS or if I am just lazy. But, what I do know is they did not work for me so I took them out of my vocabulary.
Did you know that the definition of resolution literally is a firm decision to do or not to do something? So what happens to our psyche when we go against it? For me it is not pretty and I realize this so I just don't do resolutions anymore.
Now every January, I sit down and really think about the past year. I write down my wins. NOT my failures or what I can improve on! We all have enough of that! For example my big win this year is I have stayed pretty solid with my 5:45 am wake up call. Monday thru Friday I get up at 5:45 and spend some time in the word. From this other wins have happened. I am more grounded. I feel more at peace with myself and my life. My children have witnessed my time with the Lord and I found my love for writing. I would say this is huge! With these wins in front of me I feel good about myself and I feel good about a new year! I feel like I can enter it with a purpose. I know life will happen and I know I will get knocked down, but it won't be because I set my mind to do something and I failed. So from now on it's about Wins in the past! Wins that I can improve on! Wins I will share with you and wins that I might even have a guest blogger or two to expand on and motivate you to add some wins in your life!
So Who is with me? No Resolutions Anymore! Only Wins! Try it for a year and see what happens! You might just open yourself up to a whole new you!
Happy New Year!
xo,
Amy
I miss you. Do you miss me?
Today marks the first anniversary of my mother's death. I have dreaded this day. Not near as much as the day I buried her, but I have dreaded it. To get through it, I decided to write her a letter. Dear Mom....
Dear Mom,
It has been 365 days since your last breath and it still feels like it was just yesterday. You know I still try to call you sometimes at 3:00 and I think to myself, Amy Irene, what on earth? I can't help it. I miss you so and I miss our talks. Boy do I miss our talks. And why didn't you have a personalized message on your voice mail? I hate that automated message! It would have been so nice to have your voice! I miss your voice. I miss our talks!
You were always there for me whenever I called. Never judging me and only giving advice if I asked. I so appreciated that about you. No matter how bad it was, you NEVER gave me advice unless I said, "Mom, what would you do?" or "Mom what do I do?" That is such a special gift you know. It seems like the rest of the world feels that they have to give you advice. I don't know why, because sometimes I just need to talk. You knew this about me. You knew me mom. You knew me inside and out. You knew what made me tick, you knew what brought me joy, you knew what brought me hurts, you knew my heart. I miss this. I miss you. Do you miss me?
The cardinal sitting outside the window while I was talking to Robin....is this you?
I feel you sometimes. I really do. Just the other day, Christmas morning actually, when I was on the phone with Robin I felt you. We were talking and crying about you. Was that you in the window? The red cardinal? I felt this strange peace wash over me and I told Robin I felt you. Was that you? I wish I knew.
One of your many prayer list.
There is a lot I wish I knew. Like did you know how much I loved you and still do? Do you know how proud I am of you and how proud I am that you were and are my mom? Do you know how amazing you were? Do you know that I think you were the funniest and prettiest red head? Do you know how much I loved your eyes? Do you know that you taught me the gift of forgiveness and kindness? Do you know you taught me the gift of prayer? Do you know this mom? If you don't I hope you do now.
Just the other day I was praying in my quiet time and started to chuckle as I looked down at my prayer "hit list." You know I never had one of these. Seriously! And it was around your birthday I started to take my friends and families prayers seriously. Sure if someone asked me to pray for them in the past I would. Right at that moment actually in case I forgot. Now, because of you, I write the prayers down until they tell me they have been answered! I learned this from you! And it is so amazing when someone calls to say the prayer has been answered. Sure at times I get not great news and the mystery is there as to "why God?", but, since I have started my daily ritual of prayer I have this peace about me. I have this because of watching you. Thank you Mom.
One of my prayer list.
One of your many recipe cards....I will cherish them always.
I wish I was as organized as you. Maybe you could sprinkle some of that down on me from heaven. Lord knows Trey would appreciate that. I do have the gift of cooking for my family that you had. Man you could cook! And this year I plan on tackling your recipes and trying the ones I remember out on the family. I will report back to you what we love and what we don't! It will be fun! I love looking at your recipe cards and seeing your handwriting. I miss your hand writing! I miss you!
I know Dad misses you too. We had a good cry yesterday. I went to Michaels to get fake hydrangeas for your grave. You loved blue hydrangeas and at this time of year I know they will die so Dad and I decided on fake. I hope you don't mind. I can hear you now, "Save your money, they will collect dust." But, I don't care. I am bringing them to you. I think it turned out nice. Dad loves it. He cried when I showed it to him after I made it. He misses you, but I promise we are all taking good good care of him. He is getting all kinds of attention and we keep up with his meds and doctor's appointments. Robin does a great job of getting him to Graham to get his hair cut, he still won't get it cut here, and he and I have a date once a week for lunch and I bring my friend Cathy. I think he really enjoys it. He comes to a lot of his grandkids activities and Robin brings him to church on Sunday and they brunch and I think he is very happy.
The fake flowers for your grave...sorry...real ones will die at this time of year.
Christmas was hard for him. Especially when we did Grubba Guitar. He would cry some, laugh some, and sing some. I know he wishes you could have been with us experiencing it and honestly I think he is scared he will not be able to experience it next year. It has to be scary knowing your wife is gone and you are aging. I promise we are all doing a good job of keeping him busy and making memories. You would be so proud of your kids and how we are all doing our part. That is because you taught us by showing us how important family is. Thank you.
Robin taking very good care of Dad on Christmas night. He is in Good hands mom. I promise.
Paul is taking great care of Benji too! He has to kennel him whenever blonde boys come over. That dog has a thing against toe heads, but for the most part he is content. I know he misses you too, but Paul has kept up his word and Benji is still alive and kicking and happy as can be. He actually has been good for Paul's dog Beau. Paul's cat might think otherwise, but Beau and Benji enjoy each other. I asked Erin if he sits with her in the mornings like he did you while she drinks her coffee and he does! She even keeps him pretty and groomed! So Benji is happy and pretty!
The house is in great shape! Vahid and Jeanette have been amazing in helping us with this as well as your cleaning lady, Magda. I still call her and she always says it is an honor and a privilege to clean for you. You had such a way with people mom. I think it is pretty special!
Will turned 16 on December 9 and Dad gave Will your car for his birthday. What a gift that was and is! Thank you!
So as you can see, life is still going on, but you are still very much a part of our lives and we all miss you so, especially me. You were my rock and my best friend. Life is not the same without you, but I feel you and sense you at times. I am still pretty sad, but I know you would want me to continue on and I do. I have found joy in my blog and maybe through it I will touch people like you use to touch people. It does bring me peace when I write, especially when I write about you. I am still dancing and that brings me so much joy. You know how much I love to dance! And I have discovered the gift of cooking for my family like you always cooked for us! Thank you! I know now how much work and thought you put into it. Life is not and never will be the same without you, but I will carry you in my heart always and I will look for you! I will look for your beautiful eyes in the bright blue sky. I will look for your smile that was radiant as the sun when the sun is out. I will look for your huge heart in the massive sky at night with all the beautiful stars that shine like you do. I will look for you everywhere mom and I will love you always!
All my love,
Amy
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year! I just love it! I love the magic it brings! I love the hope it brings! And I love the Love it brings!
I LOVE Christmas! I always have and I pray I always will! My friend Cathy use to make fun of me and say it looked like Santa puked in my house! I am serious! I just can't help myself!
Even last year, when my mom was so sick and dying, Christmas brought me joy, but when mom died on December 29, I honestly thought, well there goes Christmas. My best friend died during the holidays. How will I ever be able to enjoy Christmas again?
You guys! I am happy to report I do still LOVE Christmas! Do you know why? Because it truly is the most wonderful time of the year. Sure I miss my mom, and yes I have cried a ton this holiday, but, with each tradition that we Berrys carry on, I get a little spark of magic. A little spark of faith. A spark of hope. A spark of joy. And most importantly a little spark of Love. And I know that is what my mom would want. She would want me to feel the magic and the love. She would not want me to wallow in my sadness. She would want me to live and carry on all our fun traditions.
So today I am going to share with you some of what we Berrys do to keep the magic alive. It all starts after thanksgiving when our elf, Felix, comes to visit. He always brings a pair of pajamas for the family as a little, "I am back!" The kids love it, especially Graeme!
My beautiful wreath my mom made me with a little touch of Graeme's art from his preschool years.
Once Felix makes his presence known, that is our signal that the decorations can go up! Trey handles the outside and I handle everything inside. This works best for our family. This has probably been the hardest thing for me this year. When I went up into the attic to start bringing Christmas down, the first thing I got was the wreath my mother was making for me when her water broke and she went into labor with me! Yup you heard me! This wreath is 47 years old and it is a labor of love that I will ALWAYS cherish! So that kind of froze me a bit. Thank God for good friends. My friend Sarah, happen to call when I was in my rut and I had a good cry and she came over and I knocked out Christmas with her guidance and love! For this I will forever be eternally grateful!
Once the decorations are up and December 1 hits we to participate in our favorite Berry tradition! Gumdrop Picking! My Dad even got to this year and he LOVES it! He actually was quite confused and amazed at the same time! But once it slowly settled into his noggin, he got it! And he LOVED IT! So you might be asking yourself, "What is gumdrop tree picking?" Let me tell you.
When Trey and I moved back to Dallas in 2005, we were amazed by all the AMAZING lights! At that time Will had just turned 4 and JP was almost 3 and we use to take them to look at lights often. Trey kept calling the multi color trees, "Gum ball trees." The next year, I got the idea to hide gum balls in my glove box and when we saw a tree, one of us would jump out and pick one or two. What we learned here was gum balls is not a good idea! Trust me, but gum drops! BRILLIANT! So we switched it to gum drop trees! The kids loved it and still do! Even the teenagers love it now! Disclaimer: we have set ALL kinds of rules and if you start this tradition, you will want to too. For instance, if it is a busy street, the tree is not magical. If the tree is close to a window or house, not magical. A big rule is: 3-5 trees only per night! Santa does not want you to get sick! Trees are not magical until December 1 and only until Christmas! You know in Texas they start putting lights up in October! So as you can see, you MIGHT have to make rules that conform to your family and your needs, but I promise this is a fun tradition! So for us now we pick at least one night when all 5 can go, we go in our PJ's and we have a ball! My teenagers might not think so, but someday they will look back and be glad! Heck they may carry on the tradition with their kids!
Another tradition we have is the North Park Santa. This tradition started with my sister Robin. She and her husband took their kiddos there and they are in there 20's and would you believe it is the same guy! So we use to fly home for the holidays and go to see what we call "THE REAL SANTA." Now we live here and guess what, SAME GUY! I have all kinds of pictures to prove it! WE LOVE HIM! I have to say it is not an easy process because he is famous! Now how it works, which is actually MUCH better than when Robin and Ralph did it, is I go get in line at 8:30 am on the day I want to take Graeme to see him. I get my number and head back when they say is a good time. So the tradition has turned into: Whatever day I decide, I go to the mall at 8:30. Get my number. Surprise the kids at school (now it is just Graeme as the bigs are in high school) and take him to lunch and to see Santa and bonus....You miss some school! Shhh.......don't tell! He loves it! I have even roped one of my dearest friends Shirley into the tradition! So it has kind of turned into our thing!
Our Elf tends to carry on a lot of our traditions. He does all kinds of things from bringing an advent calendar every December 1, toilet papering the tree, zip lining in the kitchen, sledding down the stairs, to sitting in the manger Christmas Day to remind us that Jesus is The reason for the season. After all, it is Jesus's birthday! The day we were given the gift of eternal life along with many other gifts! What a wonderful day Christmas is! This is why I still LOVE Christmas!
So you see, Christmas is such a wonderful time of year even in my darkest moments. I do miss my mom so much and sometimes I do feel guilty for enjoying the holiday magic, but I know she would want this for me. She use to get a kick out of our daily calls and the stories I would tell her of what we were doing so I know she is now too! I might not can call her to talk about it, but I do feel her with me at times. Not always, Lord do I wish it was always, but I feel her when I need to! And that is what matters!
This was my mom's absolute favorite picture of Graeme! I can hear her giggling still when she would look at this and saying, "That Graeme is something else!"
So if you find yourself in my shoes this holiday season....mourning the loss of a loved one, know they are with us. They are in our hearts and they want us to feel and experience all the faith, hope, love, and joy the holidays bring.
Christmas Morning 2016
Merry Christmas my Friends!
xo,
Amy
Mrs. Andrea's Kings Ranch Chicken
Looking for a recipe that is easy, delicious, and you can double or triple and freeze for a later date? If so, check out Mrs. Andrea's Kings Ranch Chicken. It is soooooo good!!!!!
Do you ever have one of those days where you just need a go to, easy, comfort food kind of recipe for dinner? If so I have just the solution. Mrs. Andrea's Kings Ranch Chicken. Yall this casserole is like crack. I am not kidding. It is so good! Every time I say I am going to make it for dinner, the kids AND Trey request that I make extra and freeze it so we have it on hand. No Lie! Just tonight I made three! Which is a bonus for those times when you have a friend in need, you can be there for them and drop off one of these babies with some salad and brownies! BAM! You have done your good deed and they will LOVE it!
My dear friend Andrea did just that for us when we were in a time of need and it brought us so much comfort and EVERYONE loved so I asked for the recipe. When I saw how easy it was, I was like, "JACKPOT! EASY AND DELICIOUS!" So the next time you are having one of those days like I did today, pull this recipe up and give it a whirl. I promise everyone will thank you!
INGREDIENTS:
1 Chopped onion (I literally buy the onion that the store chops up for you in the deli! So easy and no tears!)
1 Can of rotel (we like the one with lime juice and cilantro)
1 can each of cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soup
2 cups of chopped up cooked chicken (again I take the easy road and buy the rotisserie chicken already cooked at the store and cut it up)
Corn Tortillas
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Prep:
Grease a 9 x 13 casserole dish. Cut your corn tortilla's into strips. In a mixing bowl, mix your onion, rotel, soup, and chicken. Next layer your strips of tortilla's, soup and chicken mixture, and cheese, repeat. On the cheese my family LOVES their cheese so we use a ton so I always tell people use what your family likes.
Bake in a preheated oven on 350 for 25 minutes covered. Take the foil off and cook 5 more minutes. IF you miss this step, I promise it is no big deal. Trust me I have missed it a number of times!
Serve with a salad.
For those of you who want to double or triple the recipe you will freeze your casseroles and if cooking frozen you will cook on 350, covered with foil, for the normal 30 minutes plus add 45 minutes. During the final 15 minutes you can remove the foil.
If you do freeze, I highly suggest you allowing it time to thaw, but it is not a problem if you cannot. Just cook like I stated above. If you have time to thaw you will cook as if you just made it.
So there you have it! Mrs. Andrea's Kings Ranch Chicken! Give it a try! I would love to know if you like it!
xo,
Amy