thanks – Long walks and dark chocolate

November 4, 2014 1 Comment

The Prompt: What is your favorite holiday memory?

My favorite holidays are definitely Thanksgiving and Christmas, but I have so many glorious memories! As I was trying to remember my favorite holiday memory, I searched the recesses of my brain for that favorite gift or that one special memory, but to place one above another just doesn’t seem right.

The memories all fit together like pieces of one big jigsaw puzzle. One piece brings me to another and without some, others wouldn’t have fit. They are all different, yet together they create a beautiful picture. Some lay the framework so that all the pieces in the middle will have a nice snug border. Some are in muted tones and others share vibrant colors.

I have memories from early childhood of opening that easy bake oven on Christmas and feeling like the whole world had been handed to me on a silver platter. A few years later, that Ultima 2 makeup set would rock my world. Somewhere between teenage years and adulthood, the giving became more fun than the getting and it was about finding that special something. With my own children came teaching them the true meaning of Christmas and baking together and surprising them with that one thing they just had to have.

Thanksgiving always reminds me of cooking with my Mom, with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade playing in the background. After losing her, I had to learn to cook from her recipes and carry on the family traditions. Sharing the food and fellowship at Thanksgiving has always warmed my heart and the season reminds me more than ever of how much I have to be thankful for.

We are truly blessed and I am grateful for each and every memory and looking forward to making more in a few short weeks.

A year of blogging

November 21, 2013 12 Comments

Happy Anniversary to me! Today is November 21, 2013 and it was exactly one year ago today on an evening much like this one after church that I started my blog. It read:

I’ve been contemplating starting a blog for a very long time. It’s been easy to put it off because I lead a busy life, but today I decided it’s now or never. Procrastination isn’t going to win the battle this time. The hardest part is deciding the “one” thing I’m most interested in, or what genre my blogging will represent. I can’t do that. So, I decided that this will be a mixture of interests, a conglomeration if you will.

Since this is my first ever entry, I will strive to keep it short and sweet and then let my eldest daughter know it’s done, so I can quickly obtain my first follower.

Something is changing and it isn’t just the weather. My interests are and somewhat dramatically at that! Whereas I used to loathe all things crafty, I found myself in Michael’s on Saturday searching for felt, buttons and ric rac. My mantra was always, “Why make it when you can buy it?” But now, laid out on my dining table in all it’s glory are the materials for my newest project; making these cute little felt owl ornaments I found on Pinterest.

Stroll a few feet further and you will find the kitchen. This used to be a place I barely tolerated. The greatest thing about it was that it housed my coffeepot and that of course is essential. Now, I have recipes galore, new ingredients in my pantry that I’ve only just learned existed and I have a desire for new cookware, bake-ware and am seriously contemplating buying one of those expensive mixers.

My hope is that this journey deep into the heart of middle age (or am I already there?) will prove enlightening at the very least. Hope you will join me!

My hope was to bring encouragement, smiles and yes, even the occasional tear to the eyes of my followers. You see, if I could accomplish this, it would prove to me that my writing could move people.

My eldest daughter has been brutally honest with me. If a post was lacking in emotion, content, creativity or purpose, I have been able to count on her to tell me. Thank you Ashley!

I’ve met new friends and gained much insight from fellow bloggers. They have been very helpful and willing to share knowledge of writing, technology or whatever assistance I needed.

For those of you who read or share my posts, visit my facebook page regularly and shower me with input and encouragement, I am sincerely thankful.

I look forward to continuing on this journey and hopefully make strides in my goal to write that book and be published!

Thank you and God Bless!

Lisa