Life and What's New
Hi! I feel as if I should reintroduce myself. It has been awhile, but honestly when I look back it has not been too long ago. I did do a book review in April, but blogging, well, that has been awhile.
A lot has happened since we last talked. Graeme graduated 4th grade and gets to move along to 5th! Praise God! No, in all seriousness he is a great student and loves math and reading.
Graeme and his amazing teacher Mrs. Oliver. True story….after graduation walking to the parking lot he was in tears and I said, “What’s wrong buddy?” His response….”Mom Mrs. Oliver is the first teacher to believe in me since Kindergarten…I am really going to miss her.” (cue the tears)
JP finished his first year at Carnegie Mellon and while it was a rough year I know he is loving every minute of it and really learning a lot about film, voice, theatre, dance, lights, sounds, camera, and action! It is so fun to watch and hear about.
JP and Grubba as we celebrated me kicking Lil B!
Will just finished up his second year at The University of Arkansas where he is loving life! He is loving his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE), and still figuring out what road he wants to take for his future. I know whatever he decides he will do GREAT! He is such a hard worker and I know that boy will do GREAT things.
Will and Gramzee celebrating….
Trey has moved into an instructor position at Southwest Airlines and as I am writing this, I am realizing now God has had his hand in all of this. What is this? Well, I have been diagnosed with a prolactinoma.
My hottie aviator!
What is a prolactinoma? So far this is what I know. A prolactinoma is a benign (noncancerous) tumor of the pituitary gland that produces a hormone called prolactin. I know that the pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain and it controls the production of many hormones, which makes this real fun seeing I am 51 and in “Peri Menopause”! Hell, I might be in full blown menopause but this little bitch (aka lil b) is wreaking so much havoc nobody REALLY knows yet. (More about this in future post)
Good news is this is benign. Bad news is… like I said before it is wreaking havoc on my hormones. I show that I am a lactating and my vision has been affected. Hopefully once we eradicate this lil b or at the very least shrink it my vision will correct itself. God willing as my Grandma Foley used to say. And from what I am learning, if you shrink the tumor you consider that a win! Not sure I like that, but it might be what I have to accept.
This Wednesday we will be meeting with a specialist to discuss options to get rid of or at the very least, shrink this thing. As I know more I will keep you updated, but know this. I am a fighter. This lil b will not win! I know God has me and I know he has a plan for me. God is bigger than this lil bump in my head and God will carry me through. I know he will.
There is so much to be thankful for in my diagnosis.
My tumor is benign
My husband is an instructor and home at nights which will be a huge blessing if this medicine makes me sick or I have to have surgery.
There is medicine, if that does not work there is surgery, and should that not work there is radiation…I have three options and I have three friends with me at all times carrying me through…The Father, The Son, and The Holy Ghost.
So like I said….SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR.
I have decided after visiting with another gal who has a “noma nuisance” like me, I will use my blog as a way to keep you updated. She had suggested a caring bridge, but I thought, “You know, I really miss writing so why not take it to Worthy Heart.” So here we are….on another Journey of Faith and Worthiness Together…..
Until next time,
XO,
Amy
aka Worthy!
Still You
Long time no Read! Not really….actually, long time no review. I have been reading but not reviewing and the book I just completed deserves a review. My prayer today is that, after reading this review, you will consider picking this book up at your local library or bookstore and reading it as well.
Why, you ask? Well, this is a subject very near and dear to me. You see I have a gay son. My beautiful JP is gay. Does this define JP? Nope! Does being heterosexual define you? No! JP is still JP no matter who JP is in love with ,drawn to, or desires. Nothing changes. Unless, of course, you think you are God, and here is the hard truth….nothing changes for God.
He made JP as JP is. The beautiful, talented, caring, young man, who is a light in this world. And if you are gay, trans, bi, heterosexual, pan, lesbian…heck, I have to be honest I don’t know all the labels because they don’t matter…what matters is who you are as a human. Bottom line, what REALLY matters is, God made these humans with all these labels as they are and loves them as much as he loves the beautiful blonde drawn to the fat bald man….we don’t decide who is drawn to who.
Today’s blog is not primarily about JP and his story. However, now that JP is over 18 you will see more talk of this, simply so we can be a source of hope for anyone who feels alone, different, full of shame, full of questions, and not loved.
Rather, today’s blog will dive into the book Still Stace by Stacey Chomiak. What a book! So beautifully written. So much so that I found myself crying and praying JP never had these feelings she so poignantly described.
Feelings of, “Why me God?” Feelings of, “Can I pray this gay away, and when I do continue to pray, and the gay doesn’t stray, why?….what does that mean?” Was my JP thinking, “Does God hear me? Does God see me? Does God care? Why am I different?” So many unanswered and weighty questions.
Have you ever thought, “Why me God? Why did you put this on me?” Can you imagine being a kid realizing raised in a Christian home, where it is taught that God is a God of love, yet because you are attracted to the same sex you fear you are considered a disappointment to God? Your attraction is an expression of love, so can you imagine how confusing that must be? Why is it not ok to love someone of the same sex but it is ok to love a drunk, a prostitute, a gambler, a broke, uneducated fisherman, a leper, a tax collector….sound familiar….this is who Jesus loved. Don’t you think he would extend the same love to all! I do. I believe it with all my heart and soul.
It breaks my heart that kids are bullied by their peers, by adults, even by those they love, because of who they love. If it breaks your heart too, grab this book! This book will show you things you probably have not taken the time to think about. I know it did for me. It will show you how people who are attracted to the same sex really struggle with the fear of being alone or isolated. It will show you how they are not harmful they just want to love like you and I do. This book will show you the true heartache that comes with growing up gay and being gay in a world of self-righteous people who THINK they know what God would do. God created the gay, the drunk, the prostitute, me, JP, you, Stacey, and all of us. God sees each of us and loves us right where we are no matter who we are attracted to.
So this book, this book is GREAT book for you to read if anyone in your life is gay. This book is a great book for you to read if you have a friend who is gay. This book is great for you to read if YOU are gay. This book is great book for you to read if you have a friend with a child or a loved one who is gay. Everyone should read Still Stace so maybe we can, collectively, find a way of discipleship and love for all.
This book opens your eyes to the many emotions one struggles with when being gay, such as confusion and loneliness. While you will never walk in their shoes, I firmly believe this book will give you a taste of how isolating it can be when you think the loved ones, friends, and worst of all God does not see you for who you really are, and if they did they would be disgusted, ashamed, and appalled. There can be an absolute fear of them not loving you, truly loving you.
Can you imagine what it is like to go through life being something you are not just to please those who are suppose to love you unconditionally? I, for one, cannot and my heart hurts for those who are out there living like this.
I want to challenge you to go and get this book. Read it. Pray on it. And what you will find is while you may never agree on the gay Christian issue, there is a way to still love one another and do life together the best you can. As Stacey so beautiful said, “Some relationships are worth holding the tension and learning what it means to love each other while strongly holding different beliefs.” That right there is a good dose of medicine I think our entire world needs…
So Stacey, thank you for this heartfelt, vulnerable, story. One that opened up even more conversations for me with my beautiful JP and one that has me even more ready to love harder. Thank you for this gift!
To all who read this, I will put a link to the book here and my prayer is you get yourself a copy and anyone in your life who you think could benefit. I bet there are more than you know…..
Until next time,
XO,
Amy
Link to the book here: Still Stace and if you want to get to know the Author you can follow her on instagram She has been so amazing and kind to me! So much so, that, I think we might even do some lives here in the very near future! So go give her a follow and show her some love!
Where Were You?
Where were you two years ago today? Think back...
Probably at home...
I know where we were.
March 23, 2020 Dallas, Texas was ordered to stay at home, so there we were. At home. Just the 5 of us. And life was....
Well....life was good if I am being honest. Of course when I think back to that time I have mixed emotions.
Why?
The fear for starters. I remember being so scared of the unknown. So scared of touching things and breathing around people, but I also remember truly enjoying our time at home as a family of 5. The boys were forced (for lack of a better way to put it) to stay with us. We had great talks. Long walks. Played games. And life slowed down.
Lots of porch talks with this one….and they were so good for my soul….
Sure homeschooling absolutely sucked! So much so that I put in my two weeks notice! No lie!
I have a new found respect for our teachers!
While homeschooling was not simple and God willing I will NEVER have to do it again, I remember loving the slow down and the simple things, but I also remember missing simple things I took for granted....toilet paper, going to a restaurant, going to see a friend or have my dad over, shaking hands with someone you meet for the first time, seeing a smile.
The day my sister surprised me and brought dad to our porch so I could see him….my heart was so full…..
But…as time went on….
I settled in nicely and I really enjoyed the quiet pause. So much so I remember vowing to not go back to the way it was pre pandemic and that I would be grateful when the simple things of life came back.
You can’t tell in this photo, but we were grooming the pooches and poor Zoe was a hacked up mess….bahahah…good times for sure!
And here we are 2 years later.....
Life is becoming more normal and my question is have you allowed your life to go back to how it was pre pandemic? Fast paced, hustled, not noticing smiles, taking for granted being able to sit down at a restaurant with a family member or friend? Have you lost the gratitude of being able to get four rolls of toilet paper and not have to worry if more will be there next week? Have you gone back to letting your priorities of family and friendship slip because of ONE MORE THING YOU MUST GET DONE OR THE WORLD WILL STOP SPINNING?! Have you lost the awareness of how sweet life is when it is simple and slow?
Do you want to stay in the sweet and simple?
If the answer is yes, are you maintaining the slow with gratitude or have you slipped back?
If you have slipped back…..
What do you need or need to do to stay grateful for the simple things and to stay present in the still? A pandemic? Think about that? I for one say, “Hard pass on that!”
So let me ask you…..
Are you still going to see your mom or dad because you can or are you too busy and you will go tomorrow? News flash…tomorrow always becomes today.
Brothers…making time for family
Are you dropping off the kids in a mad and angry rush when two years ago you would have given ANYTHING to drop them off and not homeschool!
Where were you two years ago today? And Where are you today?
Let’s all remember the simple things and be grateful for them. EVERYDAY be grateful for the slow and simple things of life. How?
Slow down.
Get quiet.
The world will keep spinning I promise….
I want to challenge you….I want to challenge you to remember what you loved in the slow. Remember how you felt. And try to go back to a simpler way of life. You will be better for it and so will those who matter most to you.
When life slows down it is a lot easier to listen to those who matter most and really get to know them and what lights them up! It is pretty cool actually!
So are you in on the slow or are you out?
Until Next Time,
Xo,
Amy
aka Worthy
Need help in the slow down….order my GOOD LIFE journal and remember who you are and whose you are. Take time with God, Yourself, pray for others, and watch the Holy Spirit move you!
Where Is Your Happy Place?
What a week! We just got back from a week in Florida and I have to say a week at the beach did this girl good!!!!
The Beach is my Happy Place
It is the place that I feel the most at peace with myself and with the world. Watching the water, feeling the sand in my toes, the magnificent sunsets, the blue sky, dolphins, and the list goes on and on…the point is I am at peace and a place of total surrender.
BACK STORY
Wednesday, March 16, Graeme’s sunburn was doing a number on him. Side note, the tips I got from you all were incredible and I will share them in the future, but I decided to stay close to the house so I was close to him. Luckily the house was on the beach so I was able to sit on our porch and watch the water. While sitting there, God and I had a few chats. One in particular really stood out to me.
A SUNBURN THESE TWO WILL NEVER FORGET
My Conversation with God
“God, as I sit here listening to the sounds of the seagulls, the water, the wind, and watching the waves all I can think is how amazing your creation is.”
It was in that moment I felt God say back to me while smiling:
“Yes, Amy I am looking at my creation too….You! You are amazing and I created you too….I created you on purpose for a purpose and I want you to stop holding back out of fear and I want you to share what is on your heart….”
What is on my heart?
Worthiness and how EVERYONE is Worthy and Worthy of LOVE!
EVERYONE!
You know what happened that day on the beach? I tuned into God’s radio platform and listened and realized God has a purpose for me.
What is that purpose?
Worthiness!
God showed me that day how he is going to use me to show you and anyone who wants to join me how worthy you really are! So if you are someone who struggles in the area of worthiness or you struggle in truly believing you are worthy of a GOOD Life, I want to challenge you to follow along. Share this blog with anyone who could use a little dose of worthiness and love in their life as well!
Because, God and I both believe EVERYONE IS WORTHY OF LOVE.
XOXOXOXO,
Amy
aka…Worthy
2022 The Year of OVERFLOW
As we walk into a new year many of us will set intentions, resolutions, or goals. I used to do this, but what I found for me personally was when I slipped up, failed, or just gave up, I would beat myself up. Anyone know what I am talking about?
As a coach and as a forever optimist it goes against my very core to set myself or you up for failure. Am I saying I know I would fail? No. I don't think we can say that, but I am saying life happens and when it does, well, things slip, change, or just don't work for us the way they use to.
Case in point. I LOVE COFFEE! Yall know this about me. I post a cup a day normally. Well, now thanks to fluvid....my tastebuds cannot stand the taste of it! True story. Sad story because I really looked forward to that cup of joe daily. And hear me when I say this, I am still making coffee every morning hoping against all hope I will love it again, but it ain't happening...so I pivot, and I am learning to drink something else with God in the morning during my quiet time. It is not as fun, but it is life. Did I fail? No...my tastebuds changed thanks to fluvid. Am I failing you by not posting my cup of joe? No, but dare I admit I felt I was at first? Then it hit me, "Amy, this is life. Constantly everchanging life. Yesterday you loved coffee, today you abhor it, tomorrow we will see, but just for today be thankful you are able to pivot and drink something else while you spend time with God.”
Point here is life is ever flowing and ever changing. Like a river. A river never passes the same place twice. Just like a river, we never pass the same moment twice. There will be obstacles. There will be dams that stop the flow. There will be quiet moments and rushing fierce moments. There will be moments in the cold dark and moments in the warm sun. There will be patches of dry land that the river slowly fills and while it is filling the hole it does so with patience. We can learn from the river. We can be like the river.
How? When life throws us a twist, a turn, an obstacle, death, job loss, illness, or anything uncomfortable, think of the river. What would a river do? It would keep flowing. It finds ways to flow. Over, around, under, and that is what we should do as well. Be open, flow like a river, and just see where life takes you. You might find that you when you go with the flow you actually overflow.
Did you know that in a contest between a river and a rock the river always wins? How? Because the river is willing to answer the natural call of God, gravity, and life to go over, under, around, or maybe even through the rock, to its destiny, which is as it is with all water, to merge with the ocean.
What is your destiny? Are you the rock? Stuck, relentlessly, pushing against the flow of the river…the flow of change? What do you think happens to that rock? It gets worn down over time, until one day it is a pebble and it is eventually swept away.
OR
Are you the water, going with the flow of life without trying to force or manipulate it?
Going with the flow is the obvious course, but for some reason we are scared. We don’t like change and we think we know what is best for us. But the truth is, if you can surrender to the journey, the reason you were created, your purpose, the one HE, God, created you for, the journey that is yours and only yours to take, when you can surrender to that and do it with grace and ease it is then that you will begin to flow like a river and you will become the water.
Don’t be the rock. The rock represents your past and your attachment to it. Your resistance to change and your fears of the unknown. Tomorrow is unknown, the next hour is unknown, let go of the fear and be present in the moment and just go with the flow of now, this present moment. I know this is so much easier said than done, but this year, each morning when you wake, decide, will you be the rock or will you be the river. If you feel you are needing to control something, fearing something, what is it? What are you trying to manipulate or force before its time? Journal on that and decide what else might be true? Peel back the layer until you get to the root and when you do get to the root, decide what you will do with it. Decide right there if it is something you will release and surrender to the flow of life. I promise you this. When you learn the habit of surrender, true surrender, and you learn to go with the flow, you will sleep more soundly, love more fully, think more clearly, and you and everyone around you will feel the overflow of peace that comes with trusting the river to know where it is going and just let go and let flow.
So as we enter into 2022 may we enter into it with flow.
May we be patient in adversity.
Thankful in prosperity.
AND may we have a firm trust in God and His ultimate will for each of us.
May 2022 be the year of overflow….
Overflow of
Love, Peace, Joy, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
May 2022 overflow with all of these blessings from above.
Cheers,
XO,
Amy
Do we Need a National Grief Day Really?
National Grief Day? Are you kidding me? Do we really need a day set aside for Grief in the world we live in today? I would argue yes.
One reason is because, honestly, I feel our country is grieving. What are we grieving? Well, considering there is so many changes daily to what is going on with the pandemic, not to mention what is happening over in Afghanistan, from where I sit, I believe this country is no longer what it was. Will we ever get back? My heart wants to think so, but my head says no, so it is a loss and we are all experiencing it.
Which brings me to my next point. We will all see loss of a person, thing, or situation differently. We will feel it differently and we will experience it differently, which means we will grieve in our OWN WAYS.
Grief is funny. There really are no rules on how to grieve. No step by step guide. No time line. No do’s and don’ts. The only common denominator is someone or something was lost, and with that loss comes a void.
It might be the loss of a person, job, friend, someone moves, someone leaves, a diagnosis that causes your life to change, or a tragedy that changes your lifestyle. Whatever it is, the list can go on and on. The overarching theme remains, something is gone or different and will never be the same. That void, no matter how great or small, will effect each person differently.
Some people are lucky and adjust easily, for others it takes time and that timeline is different for everyone. Adjusting to a new way of life without someone, or a new routine is awkward and can be triggering. But, the good news is, over time a person will become better equipped to deal with the triggers. How much time, again, is anyone’s guess.
There are seven stages to grief and, like I said before, some will get through these stages quicker than others.
Shock and denial….disbelief and numbed feelings
Pain and guilt
Anger and bargaining
Depression
The Upward turn
Reconstruction and working through it
Acceptance and Hope
Do any of these sound and look familiar? Think of a time you experienced loss. Can you identify the stages in that loss? I know I can and I realize we all have to go through each step at our own pace and our own order. What is important is that we acknowledge this and give ourselves the grace to do it our way and in our own time to get to our acceptance and hope.
And there is HOPE!!!!!
Whatever type of loss you have suffered or are suffering know this; there is no right or wrong way to grieve. But by understanding the stages and the types of grief, you will find ways to cope and you will get through it.
How do I know this? Well, I, personally, have experienced it too much and I have found that Psalm 34:18 brings me comfort.
Psalm 34:18~The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
It is very clear from this verse that God understands if we are going through a trial or a loss we are going to be hurting, broken, and crushed. He wants us to know that is why He sent His son. Because there will be trouble and there will be loss, but He will not leave us. He is right here. He will not let us down. People, circumstances, things, well, those can and will let us down, but God is close when they do. He is right here with us in our suffering and in our losses. Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow! God is right here. When you can grasp that, you can then go through the stages of grief knowing you are not alone and He will give you the strength that only God can. From that strength will come a peace that this world will never comprehend. A peace that no matter the obstacle, no matter the block, no matter the loss, it will keep flowing just like that river that flows around and over obstacles….peace like a river….that is the peace I want, and that is the peace God wants for you too.
So on this National Day of Grief hold tight to God knowing that while this world is ill and will never be the same, God is. He will not forsake you and He is right here with you and with me. Even in the chaos, confusion, hate, distrust, and the loss…..God is with you and you can take all the time you need to grieve because you are not and never will be alone.
XX,
Amy
Almond JOY Mocktail/Cocktail
It’s HAPPY HOUR WEEK and this week our mocktail/cocktail is so yummy! It’s a little more on the dessert side, but hey, it’s so good!!!!! Last week, I opened the refrigerator searching for something sweet to eat. I found some coconut, coconut milk, and dark chocolate and thought….OHHHHH Almond Joy and started playing around! Here is what I came up with:
Ingredients:
3 ounces of chocolate milk dairy or nut milk
7 ounces of almond, coconut, or almond/coconut blend milk (You can do whole but I was “trying” to keep it on the lighter side.)
Chocolate syrup
Unsweetened shredded coconut
Instructions:
To rim the glass and make it fancy, pour some chocolate syrup into a bowl. Pour coconut shreds into a second small bowl.
Place the rim of your glass into the chocolate syrup and twist to coat the rim. Lift and allow it to drip.
Place the rim into the coconut shreds and twist and allow it to cover the chocolate syrup on the rim.
Fill a glass with ice, about ¾ way full. Then fill your glass about ⅓ to ¼ way with chocolate milk and the rest with your nut milk.
Add a straw and stir.
Another option is to blend it and make a shake and if you would like spirits. I’m thinking of Kahlua and vodka or Baileys Irish cream. I think you can’t go wrong with whatever you add because this drink is so dang good! And who doesn’t love a bit of chocolate syrup and coconut fringe?!
The Birth of Differences
Day 3
Genesis 4: 1-8
Awe! The first true birth of a child from a woman on record. Think about that? Adam came from God and Eve came from a rib! The rib of Adam. Together these two humans became one, and from them we have the birth of Cain followed by the birth of his baby brother Abel. It did not take long for Satan to sink his pitchfork in these two brothers and Satan began his birthing of sibling rivalry, jealousy, different personalities, different gifts, different interests, different beliefs, and different feelings. Satan was literally crouching at the door of these two brothers waiting to pounce and boy did he. He pounced so hard into the mind of Cain that he actually took the life of his brother, Abel, out of jealousy and resentment. Death…all over an offering to God. Genesis 4:5 states God had no respect for the offering Cain brought, but did he really not respect Cain's offering? I don’t know, however, the bible clearly says that God had no respect. There are a number of reasons that come to my mind:
1. It could be it was fruit...what happened in the fall? Adam and Eve ate the fruit, but I would argue you still have to till the ground and that was Cain’s job, so I really don’t think it was because it was fruit.
2. Could it be that fruit is not a blood sacrifice? All throughout the old testament you will see blood sacrifices from animals.
3. The wording in Genesis 4:3 suggests that Cain might have dropped the ball if you will...It states, “And in the course of time.” This suggests that once he saw Abel had brought his sacrifice he ran and grabbed some fruit, not really putting much thought or prayer into it. And last but not least...
4. Abel's sacrifice was that of a lamb and not just any lamb, the firstborn. Think about that. It was the blood sacrifice of an animal, it was a lamb, and not just any lamb, the firstborn. What does this remind you of?
Reflect: Sometimes, we as humans have a hard time when people are different than us don’t we? Differences make it hard to relate at times. When there are differences do you find yourself in the trap of comparison? Jealousy? Is it hard to connect with someone different than you? How do you respond to those who are close to you, yet different from you? Whether those differences are personalities, thoughts, beliefs, gifts, or pursuits, does it affect your response?
Prayer: Today ask God to help you when you are tempted to resent, compare, or dislike those who are different from you. Ask God into your heart so you can see them the way He does. Ask Him to help you understand them and love them as He does.
How to walk it out: Daily, ask the Holy Spirit to be your eyes so you can see what you need to see. Your ears so you can hear what you need to hear and truly listen to understand. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak through you so you speak in love, and lastly to open your heart to all who are different.
Blood Orange Strawberry Mocktail/Cocktail
This month the topic in our SOUL GOAL’S SISTERHOOD was LOVE!!!!! When I think of LOVE I think of the color red…so I decided to do something with red strawberries and blood oranges for our Sisterhood Happy Hour! You might ask, why blood oranges…to remind you that you are covered in the blood of Christ…God loved you so much He sent His one and only son to die on the cross for you my beautiful friend! Here is to LOVE!!!!!! And here is to our SisterHood Happy Hour!
June 30, 2021 at 6:30 PM CST!
Will I see you there? Don’t know what I am talking about? Message me for details! Or Join our SisterHood here: SOUL GOALS
BLOOD ORANGE STRAWBERRY MOCKTAIL/COCKTAIL
Ingredients:
1 Cup of Strawberries, stems removed and sliced (but save one for a pretty garnish)
1 can of grapefruit sparkling water or 1/2 cup of grapefruit juice
1/4 cup or a little less of juice from and orange or some orange juice
3 tablespoons honey
Top with Ginger Beer
OPTIONAL TOPPINGS
Sliced Strawberries
Sliced blood orange
mint leaves (IF like minty drinks muddle some of the leaves with the strawberries below)
NOW, IF ADDING SPIRITS
One shot of vodka or tequila
DIRECTIONS
In a bowl or pitcher, add together some of your fresh strawberry, your orange and grapefruit liquids, and mull everything which is basically crushing the strawberries until they are full broken down. (Add mint leaves here to if like minty flavoring).
Next add your honey and stir together well.To make your mocktail get a glass and add crushed ice and 1-2 strawberries at the bottom of the glass and muddle them down. Add your strawberry citrus mixtured over the ice But if adding spirits add your shot of vodka or tequila then add your citrus mixture. For additional garnish, add sliced strawberries, sliced blood oranges, and mint!
To make your mocktail get a glass, add crushed ice, 1-2 strawberries at the bottom of the glass, and muddle them down. Add your strawberry citrus mixture over the ice, but if adding spirits add your shot of vodka or tequila first, then add your citrus mixture. For additional garnish, add sliced strawberries, sliced blood oranges, and mint!
Sip and Enjoy!
Ignorance is Bliss
Day 2
Genesis 3:6-22
Have you ever heard the term, “Ignorance is bliss.”? I honestly think that came from Genesis 3:6-7. Eve, LITERALLY, could not help herself and was enticed by Satan saying, “You won’t die. God knows that the moment you eat from this beautiful tree, with its juicy fruit, you will see what is REALLY going on. You will be just LIKE GOD…..(things that should make us go hmmm….but in reality make our pea brains think power), knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil.” I don’t know about you, but from where I am sitting….I think sometimes ignorance is bliss. Here is the GOOD NEWS...God redeeming us tracks all the way back into the garden, back in the very beginning of time, God was showing us compassion, mercy, and love. Everything about God’s plan is connected to what happened in this very moment in the garden. The moment Eve made the choice to eat the delicious, juicy, beautiful, plump, rich, red apple….but was it worth it? All that juice, all that beauty, all that plump and juiciness? What did all that juicy beauty bring? It brought about awareness and it brought about the fall. OUCH!
Reflect: Again this human desire for power, more, shiny, bright red, beautiful, rich, juicy things brings us to our knees WHEN it separates us from God. BUT the GOOD NEWS is No matter what the devil entices you with, he is doomed. Did you hear that? He is doomed. Not you. Satan is doomed to defeat, and you, my friend, are redeemed. How? Genesis 3:15~Do you see it? Right there, in the Garden~God announces from the man and woman’s seed, (Jesus) will take away Satan’s authority! FROM THE BEGINNING GOD KNEW AND GOD HAD AND STILL HAS A PLAN TO DESTROY SATAN! GOD HAS YOU MY FRIEND and He is redeeming YOU through His son Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Ask God to come into your heart. There is no better way to get to know God than to sit in silence with Him and ask Him to help you understand our separation from Him because of sin. Let Him into your heart. Let Him know you are ready to reconcile and confess any areas you have turned away or rebelled against Him.
How to Walk it Out: When do we hide? When we are ashamed or embarrassed. We don’t have to hide from God. In Genesis 3:22, God shows us his compassion when he clothed Adam and Eve. God made tunics of animal skin for them so they would not be ashamed. God was not ashamed. Adam and Eve were because they went against the ONE THING God told them not to do and what happened? They became aware that they were naked. It is as if they lost their “covering” and protection from God. But God shows them compassion and covers them in skin from animals and he does the same for me and you. He covers us in the blood of His son. So today, if and when you fall short, repent and know that God is covering you. He is protecting you. Don’t hide from God today. Today run to God. He will protect you.
A Force
My Father was a force…..A beautiful, mysterious, yet humble force….one I will so miss.
Definition of Force: Strength or energy as an attribute of physical action or movement.
Definition of my F A T H E R
F-Fearless
A-Accomplished
T-Teacher
H-Hard-working
E-Empowering
R-Resilient
My Father,
F-Fearless. Not afraid to do anything. Not afraid to be anything. Not afraid to take an idea, start a company, feed his family, and provide a life for us that was so rich and full of love.
A-Accomplished. Married the woman of his dreams and stayed married to her for over 50 plus years. Four beautiful kids all grown, all successful, all happy. Thirteen beautiful grandkids, and five amazing great-grandkids.
T-Teacher. It is the law of radiation and attraction my dear. You get what you give in life. Best lesson he ever taught me!
Empowering-You can be or do whatever you want…it is your choice.
Resilient-He withstood any difficulty thrown his way and he did it humbly and with pride and always recovered from whatever difficult situation was present….and recovered with class. My father was one classy guy!
When I think of my father I think of a Fearless, Accomplished, Teacher, who was Hard-working, Empowering, and Resilient. That was Bob Foley! The man who always provided a safe a place for us. A place where we could learn and grow. An environment where we could be or do anything we wanted. A place where we felt loved.We always felt at home…. A home where we were safe to be anyone we wanted to be and do anything we wanted to do without judgement, maybe pushback, but no judgement.
My father was my first knight and shining armor. He was the man I looked up to and admired up until he took his last breath March 13, 2021. A day that will forever change me. The day my knight left this earth.
A day I never believed would come and a day I never saw coming. He was doing so good! He was so strong! He had survived a serious car wreck where he brushed death’s door. He survived raising four kids, and not just any ole kids, we ALL have big personalities! He survived a heart attack, the death of his wife, a broken neck, covid, and honest to God I really thought he would survive more! Why? Because he was a force! A force who will be sorely missed on this earth. A force who left his mark and what a mark he has left.
Four beautiful children who are all alive and thriving. Thirteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren, a company or two, and so many beautiful memories and lessons.
My dad was my first love and my forever hero. I will miss him but I know his energy is still here. It is in my heart. It is all around…I just have to be open and aware to receiving it, feeling it, and by God sharing it! I will too! I will shine brighter because my dad taught me too….
XO,
Amy
It Is Good...Now Rest
DAY 1
Genesis 1
Literally, the first six days of creation ended with God saying, “And it was good.” EVERY DANG DAY and then He rested. Took a break! Did not think about it because it was good and He was pleased. On the sixth day He actually said after creating humans, “it was very good and He validated it completely.” (Genesis 1:31) I see a theme….It is good, now enjoy it, and relax. Something we are basically told not to do. The lie we are fed is, success is the amount of money in your bank, the size of your home, the car you drive, the trips you take when in all reality is that success? If you are always working and not taking time to enjoy the fruits of your labor what are you even doing? We get caught up in this idea if we are busy, if we are doing something, then we are successful. Yes God was a busy little bee those first six days, but every night He looked at the fruits of His labor and said, “It is good and rested.” If He had had an iPhone or a computer He would have put it away. He would have relaxed and enjoyed His time. Probably with the Son and the Holy Ghost too.
Reflect: In your desire to possess more and more, have the perfect home, or kids, do you fall into the trap of working, working, working -and never enjoy the fruit….enjoy the now, the home you have, the kids, your spouse, yourself?
Prayer: Ask God to work on your heart. Get to the bottom of why you feel the need to work so hard at whatever it is, your body image, your home life, your job, whatever it is, and ask God to help you learn to relax and enjoy His blessings, His presence, and those around you. Ask Him to help you enjoy the gift of today.
How to Walk it Out: Today decide that you will put the computer and the phone away and spend time with those in your presence. The phone will not be on the table at dinner with friends, or by your side wherever you are. I challenge you to “Lose” the phone for a period of time daily and silence the watch while you are at it. Can you do it?
A JOYRIDE THROUGH THE BIBLE
INTRO
Getting to know the Living Word
Have you ever wanted to understand or at least just feel comfortable picking up the bible? I know that is how I use to feel. Not sure if I did not feel worthy enough or smart enough but there was definitely an element of “not enough” for me when it came to the bible. As I have grown in my ministry I am finding I am not alone in the world of “not enough”.
I don’t want that for anyone and I especially don’t want that for you~The sister who is taking the time to learn and grow with me. I have decided to do something for you and I am definitely not “qualified” to do so, but I feel I am “called” to do so.
QUALIFIED VS CALLED
Qualified-officially recognized as being trained to perform a particular job….Well, seeing that I was raised in the Catholic Church in a small west Texas town, smack in the middle of protestant country…let’s just say I am far from qualified.
Called-Cry out in order to summon them or attract their attention….I can say I feel the Holy Spirit is crying out to me to share what I am learning. So am I qualified? No, but I do believe I am called.
What does this mean for you? First and foremost it means I DO NOT have a theological education by any means. I have church on Sundays, Sunday School, mission trips, Bible studies, quiet times, and literal moments where I felt the presence of something, (now I know that was the Holy Spirit) with me. In other words, I have my story, my journey, my ideas, and my thoughts. If that is ok with you, then keep reading, if not, I understand.
What will you gain? My true desire is that you will learn and truly embrace the love of our heavenly Father. A Father who is so compassionate and one of many chances….many! One who knows you inside and out because He created YOU!
The real question is, do you know Him? He wants that! He wants a relationship with you no matter how messy your life has been up until this moment and no matter how messy your life might become after this moment. No mess is too big for your Father to help you through. Will you get to know Him and let Him in? Will you let Him fill you with the gift of the Holy Spirit?
One thing I am 100 percent qualified to say….once you allow the Father to penetrate your life and fill you with His Spirit you will FOREVER be changed! Are you ready for that? If so put on your seatbelt and get ready for the ride of your life!
Day 1-Beginnings and the roadmap for our journey
Genesis, the definition literally means the origin or mode of formation of something. Every morning you and I open our eyes and we begin a Genesis; the beginning of a new day. Every morning the alarm goes off. We literally get a chance to form a beautiful gift. The gift of living our lives in love. A fresh start! Whether it be in a situation of everyday life, such as relationships at home, the office, the way we choose to spend our time, or issues of personal integrity, we get a chance to make a difference in this world. The world is desperate for love and light. What an opportunity!
As we begin our 365-day journey together always remember this; “Today is an opportunity to love, yesterday is gone, tomorrow may not happen, so today I choose truth over deception, faith over fear, peace over strife, forgiveness over bitterness, patience instead of forcing something to happen, I choose to hope in Jesus even when it seems impossible, and I choose love.”
I will ask you to read from the Bible daily, nothing too long. Then, ask you to reflect on what we read. I will offer you a prayer and a prompt on how you will apply it. Each day will be tied to a chapter in the Bible or a verse. It is highly encouraging to read that from your bible, but not necessary. I want this time for you to come to know God on your terms. Take your time. My prayer is at the end of our 365 days you will be changed, you will be moved, and you will be full of the fruits of the spirit. Are you ready for it? I know I am!
Read:
Reflect:
Prayer:
How you will walk it out:
Are you ready? I think you are….if you have made this far that tells me your decision to join me on this journey is a yes, you have your map above, and you have me, and God as your compass. The rest is up to you to take each day as it comes. Read, sit in it, pray in it, and decide how you will walk out this beautiful journey!
May your journey be eye-opening! May angels fly with you wherever you roam and guide you back safely to family and home!
XO,
Amy
Mother's Day is coming...How do you feel about that?
Mother’s day is coming…How do you feel about that?
I am having ALL kinds of emotions.
On the one hand, my mom is gone which makes it hard, but honestly, each mother’s day gets a little easier. You know the old adage, “time heals". It really does, although I freaking hate that saying. With that being said, I have so many friends that this is their “first” and my heart hurts for them. I remember like it was yesterday. The first is the worse!
I think I feel more pain for my friend’s hearts this year than my own. I remember that pain. It’s like an open wound that is bleeding and you pour hydrogen peroxide all over it and it just foams with pain. I know you know what I am talking about and to my friends that are going through this pain I say write your mom a letter. I know it sounds crazy, but I promise you this, it works! It truly works. Get yourself a beautiful candle, a cup of hot tea, find a quiet spot and just write your heart out to your mama. Everything you wish you said, everything you know she knows, and anything else. Tell her how things are going, just like she is here. It sounds crazy but there is something so healing about journaling.
Another emotion has sprung up this year….
This year I find my heart is breaking for the woman who has miscarried or lost a child. I had the privilege of speaking this past week to the women of Twelve 12 Ministries. While this was such an honor it brought back so many feelings. Feelings from when we lost our angel baby.
I remember thinking will anyone remember I am a mom of three. At the time we lost our baby I only had Will and JP and I wanted people to remember I had an angel baby and I was a mom of three. Nothing has changed in those emotions except that now I am a mom of four and I can’t help but think of the beautiful women out there that have no babies on this earth, but they have angel babies and I am sure they are thinking the same thing. Or the woman like me who is blessed with children here on earth, but she too has an angel baby. I know what they are thinking and feeling…. Will anyone remember and will anyone see me as a mother? My answer to them is YES! I DO! I see you and you are a beautiful mom! You are not invisible.
I see you and I want to celebrate with you! I want you to celebrate you. No matter if your child was in your womb 6 days, 6 weeks, 16 weeks, born but not living, or born but left us too soon…No matter how long, they still lived and you still loved them, YOU ARE STILL A MOTHER, and Mother’s Day is for you too!
So, how are you going to celebrate? You can celebrate even if those around do or not.
I have an idea or two. First, write your sweet baby a letter. Just like I told my friends above writing is the key to opening up your heart and soul. Writing is therapeutic and can take you to places of freedom no one else can. Trust me on this. So write your beautiful baby a letter. Tell them how much you love them and let them know you are ok knowing they are watching over you. After writing your letter go outside, move your body, connect with nature, and look for your sweet baby in the sun, the flowers, and the trees. Maybe plant a tree or flowers in honor of your child. If creativity lights your soul on fire, get creative. Paint something, make something, choreograph a dance in your babies memory. Whatever creative outlet you choose, do it in honor of your baby. Getting creative can be so therapeutic.
Wherever your pain is on this mom’s day, pull out those photos and remember. Where ever those keepsakes or photos are, pull them out, look at them slowly and remember. Maybe start a keepsake box as a beautiful way to remember and celebrate those you are missing.
Buy flowers! Flowers always make a room brighter.
Visit wherever you use to go with your mom and remember those precious moments….or visit a place you wish you could have taken your child go….sometimes leaning into the grief is more healing than avoiding it.
And finally, if you know someone going through the same pain….text them, call them, or write them. You might know how they are hurting or feel forgotten. Tell her, you love her…you see her….listen to her….you both will heal.
But hear me when I say this…There is no guilt or shame if you do NONE of these things…I want you to feel the freedom to do one, none, or all of these things. Maybe for you, it is best to stay in those jammies all day and under the covers. If that is the case, I get you and I see you. You are loved and so is your mom and or your child. You do whatever is best for you on mother’s day. You don’t need anyone else’s permission to celebrate mom’s day their way. You do it your way. Whatever your pain is. Don’t wait for someone to do something for you. You choose how to celebrate this first mom’s day without mom or baby.
Just know you are not forgotten. I see you and I am here for you.
XO,
Amy
PS…if you are looking for a community that can build you up and support you during your grief journey, join me and my amazing friends for free in my Facebook Group SOUL GOALS
19 Years Ago Today
Dear Will,
Holy Cow! 19 years ago today I became a mom. Not just any mom….your mom! What a gift you are, even to this day, to your father and me. 19 years ago today you came into this world. 19 years ago today you breathed your first breath, made your first sound, and 19 years ago today I held you in my arms and called you son.
This is the first year you are not here with me on your birthday. Will, I have some questions for you….and this is a test…a test to see if you even read this and a test for me……(Ok that just made me laugh! But I need you to answer these questions.)
Have I been a good mom?
Do I make you proud?
Do you believe in me?
Will you have been an incredible son! You ARE a leader! You never disappoint….yes, we have had challenges and yes, I have questioned some of your decisions, or behaviors, but I know who you are at your core. At your core, you are a good person. You have a heart for Christ. You have values. You have a hard work ethic. You are a leader and you are my firstborn. Do you make me proud? Oh, my stars….over the moon proud! Goo goo proud! Will Berry, I am so proud that you are who you are and the thing I am most proud about it is that YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE! That, my son, is half the battle! Never lose that! Do I believe in you? Will Berry, I believe in YOU! I believe you can and will be whatever you choose! I know you will choose wisely! I know it! But one thing I want to say is….make your choice with your heart….not with what you think will make you the most money! YOU BE YOU AND DO YOU! Go for what you are passionate about Will and the rest will fall into place. LOOK UP to God….ask Him for guidance. He created you and He has a purpose for you. Follow His lead my son and you will be blessed abundantly! I promise you that!
Happy Birthday, My Boy!
I love YOU so!
LYMSIL!
Mom
How A Christmas Card began the journey of The GOOD Life
It’s the most wonderful time of the year….so they say….but for some it is the loneliest time of the year. The holidays can be a big ball of yuck for a lot of people. It might be that it is their first holiday without a loved one, their last holiday with a loved one, or it could be simply self induced pressure to be “WHATEVER” they think they are suppose to be (the best mom, the best elf on the shelf creative, or the best entertainer)…and the list goes on. Point is the holidays can be a real suck for a lot of people.
I fall into the camp of I love the holidays, but, I use to get so stressed out about the dang family christmas Card. That dang card, every year, darn near ruined the holidays for me, that is until I would get it into the mail. It was then and only then I could enjoy the magic.
Then my mom got sick and was put in the hospital on December 9, 2016, my first born’s birthday. The card had yet to go out and I was super stressed about it. I started writing in a journal, mainly to deal with taking care of my kids while being at the hospital with mom, helping to care for dad, making sure the house was cheery and decorated, and the damn card. I remember clearly writing one day, “Who do you do the Christmas Card for Amy?” And I really was brutally honest. Then I went further and asked, “And why do you do the dumb card?” Lastly I asked myself, “Do you even enjoy doing the card?” Here is in a nutshell what came out of it….and this is the real honest answer.
I do the card to prove to the world that me and my family are GREAT! We are MORE THAN GREAT! We are pretty, we are good, and we are loved! HMMMM (with a cough I will say, “Bull shit!”) We are good and we have a good life, but we can be down right a mess at times, but by God I wanted to make sure that everyone saw, including the neighbors and kid’s friends families who saw us all the time, the “highlight reel” of how wonderful our life is so that I felt good. But the real crazy thing about this is I HATED doing it! It was downright miserable for me. If I liked sending the darn card, it might be a different story, but I hated doing it and I was doing it for the wrong reasons! This all jumped out on a piece of paper one night in my mom’s hospital room. I think it might have been one of my first realizations of how wonderful journaling is! That night I literally was able to answer for myself, with myself, why sending the card was actually harming my mental health. I was literally trying to prove something to anyone who would receive it while encouraging the sick comparison game, and making sure I kept up with whatever everyone else was doing. The stress from getting the perfect picture, to the perfect card, to the perfect envelope, hell even the perfect stamp….all to prove The Berry’s are GREAT! Ha! And pretty much all to prove to myself, literally by lying to myself, we were…. I decided that night no more! And I have NEVER looked back and I am ok with it and I am ok with others not ok with it, because believe it or not I have had people tell me so. But hey, it is ok.
Look I am not saying Christmas cards are this way for everyone. I have plenty of friends who LOVE to do them. From getting the family picture all the way to the perfect stamp. It brings them joy. And hear me when I say this, “I get tons of joy from receiving them!” I actually put them by your name in my contacts on my phone so I see them all year! But, the process of doing them, well, for me it is like fingernails going down a chalkboard, I get my joy others ways. And that is quite alright.
Point to all this is, that night was pure evidence of how journaling can improve your mental state, which in turn improves your physical state, and my self confidence started to be put back together. It was the beginning of Amy Berry figuring out who she is again, what she likes, what she does not like, why she does what she does, what she wants to change about some behaviors, what she wants to improve on, who she wants to become. It was the beginning of The GOOD Life and I had no clue. All over a Christmas Card.
Journaling does this. Journaling helps us to begin to understand ourselves better and helps us to clear our thoughts and unload our emotions. It’s a free space to process your feelings and promote healthy dialog with your beautiful self. When you are able to do this you begin to improve your mental state and gain back your self worth.
2020 has been quite a year why not make it the year that you decide to take back you! Why not start a daily practice of journaling and see what you discover about yourself. You might be surprised like I was and you might free yourself from chains you had no idea were there. I had no idea how destructive that tiny card was to me and those who had to put up with me. I do now and I am so glad I was able to say no.
Until Next Time,
XO,
Amy
The Good Life
Have you ever had a dream that you knew deep in your gut you wanted to do, but you had no clue how you would do it?
Have you ever had a dream that you knew deep in your gut you wanted to do, but you had no clue how you would do it? That is such a vague question I know, but I can’t even figure out how to ask it, so I am going to tell you a story.
When I was in my twenties I had this feeling that I wanted to write a book. I thought it was going to be a children’s book. True story. I even have books at my house that were given to me by my bestfriend Ginger to encourage me along the journey. I would talk about it and I would have ideas, but nothing ever really happened.
In my thirties I started having kids. Anyone who has ever raised kids knows what happens to MOST moms, not ALL moms, but most. We put our dreams on hold for those precious children of ours. I did and I know many a woman who has. And hear me when I say this….there is truly no right or wrong decision to that situation. I think we all do the best we can where we are when we are there. I know, another vague statement…..Kind of full of those today! Just go with me.
Point is, we start having kids. Their lives, along with our spouses lives, leave little to no life left for us. At least that is the lie we buy into. I bought into it BIG TIME! Until my mom got sick. I remember sitting with her on her hospital bed and we were talking about heaven. I was asking her if she was scared to go and we got into a very beautiful conversation. So beautiful I started taking notes. She asked what I was going to do with those notes. I remember shrugging and saying, “I don’t know, but maybe I can write a book for Graeme about death so he is not scared when you leave us.” She said even if I did not write “THAT” book, she knew I had a book in me and when the time came I would write it.
This is the day my mom said I should write a book. I documented it because I wanted she and I to remember this day when the book came out. Sadly she is not here to see it, but I know she is in spirit. As you can see by the look on her face she was not thrilled with me wanting to take this picture! Ha!
You know what? She was right! I did have a book in me. Not a children’s book, not a fictional book, not an autobiography, but a journal! A journal that she played a part in inspiring me while writing it. Even after she had been gone from this earth 3 years, she inspired me! How cool is that?
I am so proud and so excited to announce that The Good Life Journal is here! It is really here and it will be ready to ship this week! I can hardly believe it! But it is happening! And it is happening because:
First, I had a thought: “I want to write a children’s book or do something to help other’s”.
Second, I dreamed about it and spoke about it. I spoke it into the universe. I circled it in prayer, all the while not really knowing what “IT” was. Just persistently circled “It” and persistently asked God to reveal “It” to me.
Third, I surrounded myself with like minded people who believed in me and encouraged me.
Fourth, I got the courage and I pursued the heck out of “It”!
Lastly, I did not stop until I was proud!
I AM SO PROUD OF ME! I DID IT! AND IT FEELS GOOD! The Good Life is Real!
Here is the coolest thing about what I did! I developed a journal that is my own four step process to The Good Life. It is the four steps I have been doing daily since 2017. I firmly believe because of these four steps my life is better, I am a better person, and my dreams are coming true, because I know I am loved, I love me, and I am able to spread that love to others, all the while being filled with the Holy Spirit.
If you have a dream, if you feel you have put your dreams aside, if you have lost yourself, if you are sleep walking through life, if you feel alone, or if you just want to get to know you better, then I want to encourage you to buy my journal and take the next 66 days to get to know yourself and the One who created you more. Miracles will begin to happen. I promise!
What do you say? Want to start your journey to The Good Life? First step: Click here!
XO,
Amy
Simple Supper Suggestions #23
Super Simple Meals for your week!
Happy Monday! I am so sorry I am a day late, but unfortunately I have been under the weather with some weird GI issues. Hoping to get back to normal this week, but I am not gonna lie, this was a hard one for me to do because food just sounds blah to me! But I did it! A day late and a dollar short….But by God I did it!
So here is what I THINK I will make this week. Who really knows as I am just not in the mood.
Monday-Amy’s Tortilla Soup This delicious recipe I got from my amazing neighbor Amy, I like to call her Pei Wei, and it is so good! I love making it on a Monday night for the family and eating on the left overs all week with a side of avocado! So good and the thought of soup with my stomach makes me happy.
Tuesday- Tuesday is always Tacos of some sort! This week they will be baked!
Wednesday-JP’s pick of Chicken Feta. Again super easy and you can even make it super duper easy by going to the grocery and getting their whole chickens that are already roasted if you are crazy busy with kid activities or if you are like me and behind or under the weather!
Thursday- we will finish the week out with one recipe that is silly easy and one that both JP and Graeme love! It is so great to use at tailgates like my friend Lyndsy does or brunches or anywhere you have a crowd! And it is B for D! Hawaiian Rolls with Ham and Cheese!!!!!!
So there you have it folks! Four meals and one that is a little bonus recipe for your future tailgates! Will we even have those this year?!
Bon Appetit!
Amy
Simple Supper Suggestions #22
Simple supper suggestions for your week.
I am so excited to report that I have been getting all kinds of positive feedback on my Simple Supper Suggestions that I have decided I am going to keep on keeping on with the the process! You guys have made it clear that this helps your home life and in reality it does help mine to plan! So I owe you all a HUGE THANK YOU! This week in the Berry Home we will be doing something a little different on Sunday simply because it is a holiday weekend and I do not want to “really” cook! Anyone feel me? If so you will totally understand, if not, I promise it is still good! What is it you ask? Check it out below!
Sunday-Stouffer’s Lasagna! You cannot go wrong with this bad boy! Just add a salad from a bag, frozen garlic bread, and the entire house will be thrilled! Trust me!
Monday-With it being Labor Day the Berry’s will be grilling, but I do have some excellent salads to go along with anything on the grill. Check them out here: Asian coleslaw that is so good and so easy! My friend Laura’s Beau Monde salad is to die for! And you can never go wrong with some Mexican Corn!
Tuesday-Taco Tuesday! Who doesn’t like Tacos on Tuesday? This recipe offers a little twist! Take a look!
Wednesday-Christmas Morning Casserole! B for D is always a hit in my house! Don’t let the title scare you! It is just what we eat every christmas morning at the Berry house!
Thursday-Day 4: Grubba’s Meatloaf: So my father in law was in the Air Force and legend has it when he would come home from being away and he would send my mother in law to her parents for a little time away to rest up after being with three crazy boys ALONE for long periods of time. 20 Years in the air force will do that! Thank you Grubba for your Service! Point is he got REALLY good at meat recipes….Boys love their meat and potatoes! This recipe right here is super easy, super good, and if you have children that are scared of meat in a loaf, trust me it is a thing, just call it meatball meat! For some odd reason wording it differently does the trick! Who knew?
That is what I will be cooking this week! What will you be cooking?
OH! BIG NEWS!
I am also cooking something else up! My JOURNAL is finally going to print and my pre order link is up and working! Here is the deal….it has not printed yet so I have zero examples to show you, BUT what I do have to show you is the cover! The art was done by Will! My oldest son! This mama could not be more proud!!!!!! Take a look! And the first 50 to order will be invited to a night with me and some of my favorite gals! It will be zoom of course so even if you are in Africa, you can still join us for some fun, wisdom, love, and a little dance party! Are you in? If so, order here The Good Life Journal Pre Order link!
Until Next Time!
Bon Appetit!
Amy
Simple Suppers #21
Simple meals for the busy family.