Brazen Pastry

You Would Make a Great Wife!

2021-11-08T11:20:00.001-06:00

As I sit at my desk, in my new-to-me freshly purchased home, sun streaming in on this beautiful Autumn day, I find myself perplexed. I received a call earlier today from a call center asking if I'd like to have a short phone discussion with a local realtor to discuss possibly moving my license to their team. The caller ID said SPAM Call. I knew it was most likely a telemarketer but I took the call.

Anyway....this post has nothing to do with spam calls or real estate for that matter. After I told the caller I am not looking to switch brokerages, I decided to look up the agent's website.

Here's where the topic changes.

I'm reading the bio on the agent/team leader. He has a full page dedicated to his 'How I got here' success story. He tells us where he grew up and how he was working for a Fortune 100 company before deciding to make a change.

As the life story drones on, he goes into more personal discussion and states... (and I kinda gagged)

"I met Melissa (not her real name) and knew she'd be an excellent wife and business partner."

BLLEEECHHH!!!!!

This is where the reading stopped, the phone set down, my stomach curdled and my fingers hopped on here.

First...a disclaimer! I know not all men are this way.

Back to misogyny...

Has my singleness suddenly made me super sensitive or aware of this undertone of male superiority? Am I late to the game? Yes I know about the male ego...but damn! Are they really so oblivious to how they frame things? I'm guessing this guy loves his wife and they are a great team, but does he get how this sounds?

"I, the successful male, looked over the earth and, to my delight, I found a lovely and suitable woman that will meet my very specific qualifications."

Yuck. Am I overreacting?

As I type this, I am sitting in front of a dozen beautiful roses in my very favorite shade of pink. These lovely blooms were given to me several days ago by a guy I (was) seeing for just under two weeks. During this two week period, I was inundated with his
bold 'I' statements of 'this is who I am' 'this is what I'm looking for'. I met this man for the first time on a Saturday evening. We went to dinner and then dancing. It was a blast! He wanted to see me again the next day and I was up for it. As he walked in my door, he immediately announced that he had lots to say after much thought on the 45 minute drive to my home.

He said, 'I want to tell you three things"

1. Why I want to date you. 2. Why I like you. 3. What I want.

That was the beginning of the end. He had his mental checklist out and was looking at me and qualifying me. We were no longer two individuals. He was curating a future and pondering how I fit into it. He referred to his physical needs and how great he is in bed.
He may be a dream boat for many women! But all I kept hearing and continue to hear around me is this narrative of how I should feel 'lucky to meet so many of [his needs]' as if I am subject to qualifying.

Many women my age have ingrained in our minds that meeting a man's checklist is the golden ticket. And...in his defense, he's been taught that he needs to play a certain role as well. Be the big strong provider, be a protector, find a good woman that will make you proud to have her by your side.

But the man (real estate agent) that triggered this rant is not my age. He's much younger. I'd say at least 15-20 years. That's disturbing to me. I don't have a problem with men being protectors or providers, and I don't mind feeling protected and I'm totally fine if he wants to pay the bills! Chivalry is great. I'm okay with my femininity and gender differences as long as I am a 100% contributor to the decisions being made. We are a 'WE'! What I'm not okay with is the idea that women are still...in this day and age...being sized up and qualified for a role that is often viewed as being 'chosen'. Relationships are partnerships. Regardless of the role within the relationship, we are equals. Stay at home mom or CEO, our worth is not determined by another and especially by a potential mate. Partners should be chosen for compatibility, shared values, shared interests, and the magic that only those two can create.

We see it in movies...Oh she'd make a great wife or parents coaxing their daughters to look and behave a certain way to garner the prized bachelor. We never see this in reverse.

The man mentioned two paragraphs ago is not a bad guy. He's just stuck in a time warp and he believes in it with his whole heart. He's kind, handsome, and well meaning but his lack of awareness is allowing his to run the show.

We shared some kisses and hugs and lots of eye gazes, yet he complained that I wasn't giving him the reaction he needed. "I've never had any woman respond to me like this!" As he sort of throws his hands up, "You don't say the things I'm used to hearing." HA! There it is...His ego wasn't getting any love. I still have no idea what he needed or wanted. To me, a relationship that was less than 72 hours old might need a little time to bloom...call me crazy!!

Men like to call women complicated. Nah. We are simple. Straight forward. Don't touch me like that. Don't say that to me. Clean up your mess. Is that complicated? No. Not one little bit. It's crystal clear. But it is so clear that it hurts! Men like nuance. They like blurry edges. This is how some men get into trouble. We say 'No." Clear? Yes. But their selective hearing gives their ego permission to hear/see what they want.

We get complicated when we stop being true to ourselves and start trying to be some other version of ourselves. We aren't decisive, direct, or honest. Trust me, we actually know exactly what we want.

Every woman wants what she wants and she knows what it is. And he does too. It's just that he isn't the sole judge. You both are making the choices and the decisions.

Pay attention to the language. Listen to the narrative. No one gets to 'sum you up' or qualify you. You are a beautiful creation standing all on your own. No need to fawn in his gaze as he warmly tells you how you meet his list of needs.

No. Snap out of it!

You do not need approval from anyone to affirm your worth or value in this life.

xoxo

Christie

Bits of Wonder

2021-01-26T17:48:00.010-06:00

I sit here from my bedroom... watching restfully as silent snow falls delicately onto pine branches. I wonder how long before they give way to the seemingly weightless snow.

It’s January 1, 2021.

All around the world, we’ve suffered a long and arduous year of uncertainty.

What can we take from it into the coming year?

What have we learned? Gained? Lost?

For me, it's been a lot of change, unrest, a bit of chaos, and moments of sadness.

I moved, my kids moved, I moved again. I changed the way I live, where I live, and I chose all of it. I learned that I may gather help from others at times, but in the end, I have me. My mind, my body, and my spirit are ultimately what I must rely on. All of these bits of wonder reside within me, now, before, and forevermore.

Everything we need lives within us.

It’s always been there and always will be.

We must trust our mind, body, and our intuitive understanding of what we know to be true. There is a difference between the voice rattling around in our head and the innate voice. One belongs to the ego and one belongs to our spirit. Quieting fear is to quiet the ego.

Our bodies are merely vessels that carry our being, our consciousness. We can actually step out of our ego...our fear, our want, our anxiety and take back our ability to fully navigate this powerful ship we reside in.

Does this sound too esoteric? Too 'woo woo'?

There is this notion that we are controlling the world around us, but if we really look, we will see that all things outside of our bodies are going to happen regardless of how we 'feel' about it. We can study the weather and wish it to be warm, but it will be what it is and we will adapt.

I learned that I truly had no control of anything when my 9-day old son passed away. I had to just sit there and let it happen. I had to let the agony pass through me and overcome me. There was no other option. My mind wanted to 'fix' it...bring him back, stop the crushing pain of loss. I began experiencing anxiety attacks that were debilitating. Nothing could pull me out of it. I was given medication, therapy, I slept, I quit living. Finally, I looked at my other children and realized I had to get up. I wasn't aware of it at the time, but I stepped away from the physical affliction my body was experiencing and took control of my conscious mind and willed myself to get up, get moving, get a job. Live.

There is no place closer to God than walking in elevated consciousness. NONE. Many discuss the existence of God and toil over the way to prove the existence of this divine entity. Unless one is willing to take this walk into the divine, the triviality of daily life will be ever present.

Love is at its best here. Its tangible. When stepping into this light, we can see each human being for the precious and fragile soul they truly are. Judgement ceases. Believing that we have any conception of how God sees us is small minded and belittling of such a being. The benevolence that comes from God, this magnificent and sacred being, is a light we cannot fathom. But even so, we can experience the lightness of this love.

This light is at the center of our spirit. My beliefs may be unpopular among my Christian friends, but I believe that there is no God simple enough to be confined to our understanding. Whether it's the Bible or Quran or the Torah, these tools are here to bridge a gap. The gap between the simple and the complex. If we are taught that Jesus came to earth to save us from our sins, are we not believing in a super power greater than our own? Yet in our simple minds, we limit the extension and expansion of this power to a mere book. Seems counterintuitive.

Because it isn't true. It isn't.

Let no one influence you away from the intuitive knowledge of who you are, whom you desire to be and the past you wish to leave behind.

Inhale the reality that the last breath you exhaled is forever gone and with each new breath you can begin again.

And again...and again.

You are not permanent.

You are not stone.

You are soft, pliable, ever changing, evolving, learning, growing.

You are here. Now.

No matter the mistakes nor the triumphs of yesterday, the path before you is not made. Untouched and undisturbed, the ground awaits your first gentle step into the works you desire to manifest.

Today is another day, it was once tomorrow and will soon become yesterday...

You, my love, cannot capture the air, the moment, nor the choice that has expired and left this moment. You can, however, decide where, when, and how, you will your next adventure to transpire.

What a magical gift to know that what lies before you has yet to be determined!

You may take a giant leap into deep snow unlike the careful small steps you normally take or sip tea you’ve never tasted...

You might consider a new career leaving the expectations of others behind.

You may simply try your coffee without cream or sugar to challenge your palate only to find enjoyment in the bold flavor.

Consider confronting an old memory to sort out an old misunderstanding.

Simply said, point your feet in a new direction to disrupt an old belief and start to explore the ‘you’ you’ve yet to meet.

all my love,

Quieter, Softer, Simpler

2020-04-02T09:41:00.001-05:00

I sat down at my desk this morning...the ‘Big Table’ from The 4th Street Cafe and started to write a list for the day. My mind wandered to memories of the people that shared meals here back when this was the community table at my little bakery cafe in Manhattan, Kansas.

Total strangers became beautiful friends at this table. People gathered here to love on one another as they bellied up to this weathered piece of wood for food and conversation.

Those lovely memories brought me back to now. Where are they? How are they doing?

I started to think about our current state of affairs. I know many are worried about finances and health but we will be okay.

We. Will. Be. Okay.

I promise.

For the first time in maybe ever... our world is quieter, softer, simpler.
There’s a peace settling in. Do you feel it yet? Are you allowing it?

There are many people suffering as a result of this, yet, at the same time, our world has collectively come together like never before.

They’ve shut down consumerism, religion, and capitalism.

Technology that could divide us is bringing us closer.

A worldwide illness that could kill us, is uniting us.

At first, I was absorbing the anxiety of everyone around me.
Now I’m feeling a sense of peace and calm. What are you feeling?

I believe there will be a mourning when we return to the ‘noise’ we feared losing.

What lesson can we learn from this?

Our leaders continue to call the Covid-19 pandemic a ‘war’. On the hour, we are handed free tickets to the 'fear factor' show with the intention of stimulating our anxiety and uncertainty.

The funny thing is, if we disconnect from the sensationalism and fear mongering, the orders we have been given are actually drawing us closer together.

Our sensibilities and trust in what we know to be good and right will reveal the peace that lives within us and that will become the louder voice!

The peace that lives within us will become the louder voice!

People have started to value what’s most important and recognizing what they can

live without.

We are learning that we are a creative, kind, powerful, and intuitive people.

and much better together than we are apart.

Turn off the noise. Turn off the talking heads. Tune in to your gifts... Your people, your creativity, your healthy body, the quiet... find the beauty in this moment.

I love you.

Christie💗

Beneath Resistance

2019-05-06T11:33:00.000-05:00

Just as I discovered my reasons, my self evaded my mind.
So much longing for escape, but feeling caged within the cage.

The outline of my body like an empty vessel to fill.
Ideas and dreams, buried beneath fear that pours in like colored sand.

The loose creative bits are no longer accessible.
Baubles of colorful thought that once played freely in my mind

Now lie captive under layers of fear's heavy resistance.
Break this vessel I say! Can you see me buried inside?

Throw me with all your might to shatter this cage!
Set free the confined notions, whims, and intellect.

Unearth my truth

I Will Not Be Broken

2018-11-08T11:29:00.003-06:00

I will not be broken.

Say the ugliest of words to me and they will dissipate in my resilience.
Tell me I have no worth and I'll live each day with more meaning.
Chip away at my foundation and I will build a new one.
Diminish my purpose and I will plant my feet more firmly.
Question my resolve and I will show you my confidence.
Ridicule my joyful spirit and I will laugh louder.

♥

Home

2017-08-07T15:20:00.001-05:00

Where have you gone?
There's a dull ache that lingers low...
It's gray and purple with hints of yellow
It reminds me of you

Do you feel it? Under your heart?
I catch my breath but I'm not dreaming.
I see you... sailing away from this solid ground.

The treasures remain; vivid, in golden light.
The distance is greater.
The glow is fading

I remain here, swallowed in the gray
Seeking light and color
Through the cracks, the shards reflect bits of gold.

Briefly a radiant hue captures my affection
It's enough.
For now, I am content in the sea of indigo

Jars

2016-01-27T17:48:00.003-06:00

I have a problem.
I collect jars.
Not just pretty jars or vintage jars...I keep jelly jars and pickle jars and salsa jars.
It's a perfectly good jar. With so many possibilities. Glass doesn't break down, it's sturdy and unaffected by oil, glue, and even marker comes off of it.
You can pack leftovers in a jar.
You can put nails in a jar. Send a note in a jar. Fill a jar with happy thoughts...
I ♥ JARS!

What do I do with jars?

Store stuff, make salad dressings, fill with bulk spices and herbs, to name a few....

I've been keeping jars as functional storage for years.

I put nuts and bolts in them, tiny terrariums, clothespins, game pieces, miscellaneous tiny toys my kids would leave around...Legos, army men, marbles, micro machine bulldozers, barbie clothes,

doll shoes, hair clips, money...yes...lots of pennies!

But my favorite thing to do with a perfectly good jar is propagating tiny little plants to later transplant or put in my garden. Seven years ago, when my youngest son was in first grade, he gave me a potted impatien planted in a tiny little clay pot for mothers day.

I kept it in that clay pot in my

kitchen window for a year. It was tiny mind you, so it required lots of attention. Water, occasional visits to the shade, and a little tilling of the dirt in the tiny pot kept this lovely little gift continually blooming. It was the sweetest little flower sitting there. But this is an annual, right? Well, my little friend survived four seasons indoors and I had no plans to let it wither away like any other annual. So, I decided to cut a small shoot off the main stem and see if it would grow roots in a small jar of water in my window.And that it did.

Well, here we are, seven years later and that little boy is taller than me and in 8th grade! And I've been propagating that same little plant all this time. I have several potted in the house. I continue to take cuttings and place them in a jar of water and let them sit in my sunny window. I place them outside in the spring and summer and they really thrive, giving me more to add to my collection.

A few years ago, I started filling more jars with cuttings. I've now done this with coleus, sweet potato vine, geraniums, creeping jenny, a few herbs, and some terrarium plants that I have forgotten the names of. I still go out and buy annuals for my pots because I enjoy the vibrant colors.

I eventually fill a pot with dirt and transplant them or create a terrarium with them.
It's very easy to do this, it adds great color to otherwise cloudy winter days, and it's an inexpensive hobby that can be shared with your kids so they can watch something grow. And, Mom's...when your sweet little boy or girl brings home that lonely little sprig in their hand painted pot, guess what...you can keep it growing as long as you like!
xo

For the taking....

2015-10-04T16:07:00.000-05:00

There for the taking.

You offer it up to me and I am consuming it.

You've taken my breath...like a leap into frigid water.

You're touch is with me, somewhere beyond my skin, below my heart, deeper yet, you found me.

You stripped me of my layers, you came for me, broke in, yet now I'm strengthened and whole.

I am vulnerable and weak to you, but not afraid. I'm stronger than I was.

Raw and unbridled desire fills me. Boundless joy calms me.

You offer it up to me and I am consuming it.

You're there for the taking.

Pliability

2015-10-04T15:26:00.000-05:00

There are gifts associated with a life full of challenges. One of those gifts is the ability to ebb and flow with the curves and sharp turns life may throw at you. I've had my share of challenges and I'd like to think I'm very adaptable, but I'm realizing that in some areas of my life, I'm afraid.

But I am learning...to be more pliable...more courageous. What will you do if an unexpected circumstance arises? Are you prepared? I'm not talking about planning for retirement. I'm talking about illness, death, job loss, but also, and much better, the inner voice within yourself that calls you to become your truest self. Do you seek a better life? Are you willing to walk toward the changes required to achieve it?

Lingering and lumbering along in complacency while hearing an inner voice begging me to walk in a new direction is creating inner conflict. And the body will seek to find balance and calm itself. I attended a seminar recently where this concept was discussed...homeostasis.

HOMEOSTASIS

: a relatively stable state of equilibrium or a tendency toward such a state between the different but interdependent elements or groups of elements of an organism, population, or group

When I was in Anatomy and Physiology just three years ago, this was a term used to describe the balance the body is constantly trying to achieve by adjusting hormone levels, blood sugar, electrolytes, etc for survival. Our bodies want to live...so in order to keep the cells functioning, biology does what's necessary to keep our cells happy. So whether it's physiological or emotional, the body will seek to find the quickest way to this state.

In life, while encountering conflicting ideas, we are most likely to take the path of least resistance back to our comfortable place...and usually that is not where we want to be. How many times have we admired those brave mavericks that took the first step into something new and then we watch with awe as they discover a happier self?

Be a maverick of your own life. Don't linger over decision for too long. Walk toward what you fear and it will get smaller as you approach. Once you get there, guess what...you can change your mind. There may be a cost or a loss to try something and then think better of that decision but sitting still has costs too.

Be brave and courageous and daring!
XO♥

Walking with me...

2015-06-18T01:55:00.000-05:00

The fog called to me this morning.

Just me, my inspiration, and my camera.

Have a nice day.

A note from the Selfie Queen

2015-03-12T13:19:00.002-05:00

Shameless Selfie Queen

Hello from the Selfie Queen.

Recently I was admonished and questioned for posting a 'selfie'.
I was asked 'Are you having a midlife crisis? What happened to you...you used to care about others, and God...and, and....'
Well, there's nothing wrong.
I'm fine. Thanks for asking.

What should I post? A photo of myself at my worst? Is that more humble? Does that make others feel better? Whatever the reason, I have no regrets. It was a good hair day, So what?
Damn her! Right?

Midlife. Yes. Crisis. No.

It's quite the opposite.
But it often is perceived as a crisis to those afraid of their own truth and happiness.
"WHAT IS HAPPENING??? I'M STILL UNHAPPY, WHERE ARE YOU GOING? WHY ARE YOU LEAVING ME BACK HERE???"
Misery loves company...

When we're perusing social media...we all do it, admit it...and we stumble upon yet another selfie...what are you thinking? I personally encountered criticism...to my face. It seems some folks are uncomfortable with the confidence of others. They want to quickly knock them right off that high horse and bring them back to that quiet, shameful, hidden human. But I feel it's actually an act of vulnerability to put oneself out into the stratosphere. We take that risk when we ask for prayer, when we announce a new business endeavor hoping to grow it through our connections, when we need help, and yes even when we post a selfie thinking..."I like how I look and feel today". It's risky to be open to rejection, judgement and criticism.

So let's not shame someone for taking a little step toward loving who they are or are trying to be.
Shame fuels self loathing and begins to deconstruct a perfectly good human.
Why is it so easy to let negative words flow freely from our lips about others, and even about ourselves? Breathe goodness into your friendships. Affirm to your children, your loved ones and to strangers, that they are worthy of love, kindness, and greatness.
At the very least, stop the ugly words from ever forming on your lips or in your mind, and begin to replace them with something that propagates love....of self and others.

So, forget shame and celebrate you and your awesome self!
BE BRAZEN! (my most favorite word!!)
Get in the mirror and smile and then take a damn snapshot of your happy self! Keep reminding yourself that you're worthy and share yourself and all your gifts!
Get up on that tall horse and you'll see...it's not about being 'self-ie ish' or greedy or better than others!
It's all about finding inner strength and fortitude so you can put something amazing back into the universe.

So, my friends...stop cropping and filtering yourself out of the big picture...partake in your own awesome loveliness and embrace your beautiful self-ie..

xo

Morning expeditions....

2015-03-12T00:30:00.000-05:00

Daylight savings...the sun comes up a little later...perfect for my morning photo expeditions

After the boys shuffle out the door to school and work, with pj's and tousled hair, I slide on my green rain boots, throw the camera around my neck, round up the dogs, and we head out the door to the 75 acres of wild bliss behind my own little 2 acres. There's no time to waste, or we'll miss the sun about to rise over the horizon.

This is my morning meditation...walking around that field for an hour or more...alone...in the quiet...nothing but the birds, dogs, cats, and the click of the shutter.

Until the sun peeks over, I never know what I might see.

Morning dew sitting idle atop a single blade of grass, sun streaming through a layer of fog, or perennials pushing toward the light after the cold winter...always a surprise.

A friend recently told me that I see beauty in things that others don't...that's quite a compliment and still has me smiling... but still, I often wonder if anyone else sees the same beauty my eyes see.

Photos of random weeds, fence posts, cats and dogs flouncing about...these may be of no interest to anyone else but myself...c'est la vie....

Here are some photos from this March morning out here on my rustic and whimsy mini farmstead.

Have a wonderful week ahead!

Sun flare

This overgrown seedy grass looks like sparkles and glitter in the early light.

The other acre of my mini farm

The East

East

Little webs are woven here

Barbed and beautiful

Streaming sun

The view

Someone thinks they can't be found...

Let go...

2015-03-11T22:59:00.002-05:00

It's okay to pluck yourself away from order and expectation.

There is still weight and substance to you ~ you will not float away.

You will land and become stable. Your color will be just as vibrant.

The landscape around will have changed and be unfamiliar but the structure of your being will not be altered. There's nothing to fear.

Be rid of tethers and bindings. Let go.

You Gotta Try This!

2015-03-08T19:58:00.001-05:00

Okay...so I can't hold this in any longer.
This recipe is the bomb diggity of bomb diggities!!
And really, you're gonna say, 'WHAT?' That's not even a recipe it's so easy.

So, do yo-self a favor flave and make this!!

Throw together 1 LB of your favorite burger ingredients...all beef, high fat, turkey, low fat...you get to choose. Before making patties, sprinkle about 1 Tbsp of Greek Seasoning (no salt) into the meat.
GENTLY! Mix the seasoning into the meat. Unless you want tough hockey pucks, heed my instructions and mix gently.

Now make the patties...1 LB of meat should give you four patties. Gently form into patties with a slight indention in the center. This keeps the burger from swelling in the center and turning into a ball. Spread the patty out to about 4-5 inches in diameter.
Sprinkle each side lightly with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper.
Place the patties on wax paper, in a pan or on a baking sheet, cover, and let set out for an hour.
When cooking meat, it should be at room temperature. If the meat is cold when it hits the heat of the grill, it becomes tough.

Next, let's make My Amazing Cheddar Poblano Pimiento Cheese...

What's Pimiento Cheese?
Remember that yellow spread with the tiny red bits of somethings we had at funerals spread on celery? What was that? Well, a pimiento is a pepper. And this spread is made with roasted red bell pepper. So, no other pepper will do, it just won't. You can buy these in a jar near pickles. Roasted Red Bell Peppers...just get some.

Here ya go...

Heavy or Light

2015-02-25T11:12:00.000-06:00

What kind of day are you having?
Do you ever feel 'heavy'? Or perhaps your heart is light today?

There is much in the world today to be heavy about. I ask myself if I want to look at these things. The answer is no. I don't. Don't get me wrong, I will engage in deep conversation and thoughtful commentary regarding issues, but it still seems I am able to avoid the raw and ugly truths that still lie out there.

Crime, homelessness, abortion, poverty, terrorism, suicide, human trafficking, war....yuck.

As I contemplate these dark and heavy topics, my soul begins to hurt and ache and I feel helpless.
What can I do? Will the energy I give these thoughts help in any way? Will my tears somehow comfort a human being in need of solace?

If I remind you of these unfortunate happenings...those we all know exist...will you give it your thought?
Or, will you avoid it so as to not bring a cloud over your day?

I guess I would like to think, that if we all, collectively, give these suffering humans a bit of our time, a prayer, a tiny moment of our intention, there will be a grace that falls upon them.

It's my Lenten sacrifice, to suffer for a moment in thought each day, embracing the suffering of another, in sincere hope that a lightness will come over these innocents and fill them with peace.

September Morning

2014-09-29T12:44:00.000-05:00

There is something elegant and wistful out here on my raggedy little mini farmstead. I can't resist the morning ... donning rain boots and pj's with my tag-a-long friends, aka Daisy & Biscuit, we set out for a morning of musings in the dew and sunlight.

The $50 Puppy

2014-09-10T11:29:00.003-05:00

This summer we added a new member to our family. Introducing Daisy.

She's a Lab Coonhound mutt. I'm not sure what has happened to me because I was dead set against getting a puppy. On a warm summer day, as I was perusing the social media sale sites, I came across a listing on Facebook for $50 puppies...two of which were yellow!
YAY! WHAT? I don't need a dog! I totally don't need a puppy! So, how do I deal with this? I wasn't even in town at the time.
Well, of course I did what any good mom that doesn't need a puppy would do...

I sent the link to my 'weak for puppies' daughter! Yeah...I did that.

Shame on me, BAD MOM!!! But this takes all the guess work out of knowing what to do. You leave it to that one child who has never winced at a decision. Okay... maybe over clothing. But when this girl decides something, there's no fence sitting, no wavering. Nope...she's in the car, with a plan, and don't get in her way.

So, on this day, she was at work when my link was texted to her. And before her keys were in the ignition at the end of her shift, her server earnings were earmarked for 'The $50 Puppy'. She grabbed her big brother and off they went. And what's her dad going to say when our sweet daughter comes home with a puppy? Tell her 'No'? Of course not!

Welcome Home Daisy!

Here we are, a month later, everyone has left for college but the 7th grader and guess who's left with Daisy Dog? And her antics, her messes, and her sneaky trips to my closet for shoes! Yep! It's me!!

Wow! What a life change. I. AM. IN. LOVE!

I am now guilty of being a Puppy Post-er on every form of social media I can find. I'm so sorry Facebook friends and Instagram followers. Not really.

This little pup has become my newest obsession, hobby, and love.

I'm not sure if it's her wrinkly face with silly expressions or the way she just stares up at me waiting for me to look into her little doe eyes and embrace her, but whatever it is, I'm just smitten.

I could spend (waste) my entire day using every means possible to impart to any willing victim the sheer joy and entertainment this small creature brings to me.

She has some flaws (accidents). My 12 year old chastised her stating 'you need to be trained!' after discovering a boo boo in the laundry room.

I say, 'Need I remind you that it takes 2-3 years before tiny humans show any sign of potty training? She's 10 weeks old and whines when she has to go, so let's not throw rocks from our glass house.'

He laughs, thinking how funny and true that really is. As humans, we are so impatient. This little puppy already sits, lies down, and lets us know when she has to go. If we ignore her communication we pay the price.

We already have an older lab mix, Sasha, and she is not real keen on the newby.

There has been a serious increase in the barking in my house. And as Daisy grows, she is even more vocal about how dang mad she is that this old dog won't get up and wrestle with her.

We were just sure that Daisy would learn great manners and good dog protocol from the older and wiser Sasha, but Sasha just can't be bothered. She'd rather just saunter out of the room and take a nap. Daisy won't go away without a fight. She follows Sasha all over the yard and house, nips at her tail, tries to engage her in a good game of tug-a-war but so far, no dice. I'm not convinced just yet though. I've caught Sasha when she thinks I'm not looking...tail wagging, making eye contact...she's warming up to the little scamp.

Is this puppy a response to my almost empty nest?...as the mom of 5, why stop the madness?

Crazy Life = Mental Acuity - Right? I'm going with it.

Stay tuned for the follow up story about a little spotted pup that found a home!

Meet Daisy! Enjoy!

Mac-a-Hohns...? Yes, Please!

2014-09-08T10:38:00.001-05:00

This weekend I told my self I was going to make macarons.
Not coconut macaroons....Delicate, adorable, and perfect French Mac-a-hohns....just say it...with a little throaty gargly sound on the 'hohns'.
I had the house to myself, well me and the d.o.g.'s.
And what did I do with my aspiration...I squandered it. I played with the pups, took some walks, spent some time doing nothing, watched a movie, did some daydreaming...
But I needed to meet this goal. So, despite the fact that the kiddo would be returning Sunday evening, I wasn't detoured and got my act together finally and put it all together around 8pm.
Hey... at least it happened.
Anyway, I found several recipes and videos online and finally came to the conclusion that Martha usually doesn't mess around with 'just okay' and I used her recipe for simple macarons.
I'm pretty impressed with myself that I had some success with my first go around. I was a little disappointed with the raspberry but I attribute the failure to the addition of raspberry extract and coloring which changed the consistency of the meringue. Adding extracts intensifies the flavor, making the color come to life. It takes a lot to pack flavor into a two bite cookie.
I created my own flavor using Pumpkin Pie Spice in the meringue and the buttercream. I like it a lot!
I'm not a sweets fan so I think I need to run around town and drop them off to some unsuspecting folks and get some feedback...
I think that any experienced cook can make these. Today I'm going to give it another go. Here's the flavors I'm making ... vanilla bean, pistachio, mocha, and blueberry.
I wonder who will be my target for the pastry bombing today?
Comment on my Facebook Page if you would like a macaron! (But you have to pronounce it correctly when I get there) And no judgement...it's free, sweet, and I'm just learning! XO♥

But Mom, we want macarons too???!!!

Bad Day? Shake It Off!

2014-08-31T12:14:00.003-05:00

I ran across this new Taylor Swift video this morning on my Facebook news feed and frankly, after the day I had Friday, I'm going with it.

Are you having a bad day? Bad month? Bad everything? Just Shake It Off!

You're Welcome.

Summer Time Comfort Food

2014-08-29T14:00:00.000-05:00

It's been one of those days...
So, after a rough day, what do I do? I resort to what I know best...cooking.

It seems there is something that always calls me back to the warmth and comfort of my humble kitchen.
Today, before I set out, I had gone to my garden to pick these beautiful tomatoes.
I have four varieties - Early Girl, Beefsteak, Cherokee Purple and Sweet Red Cherry.
The cherry tomatoes have done really well, but the others have been slow to ripen, split on the tops and produced less fruit than usual. But nonetheless, I just cut away the bad and use what I can. They're still just as delicious as ever.
For me, on a bad day, this simple recipe I created is the ultimate comfort food. It can be made any time of year but summer time is best when fresh homegrown tomatoes, garlic and herbs are in season and readily available. This is my Summer Angel Hair Pasta with Roasted Garlic and Heirloom Tomatoes.

The yummy smell of roasting garlic and basil wafts through the entire house, bringing the kids around asking...'did you make pasta?' My kids actually request this dish a lot. They just refer to it as Angel Hair. I love making it. There are some recipes that have a therapeutic effect while in the making. This favorite recipe is effortless, healthy, and the aroma permeates my entire home. Once everything is cooked, I usually steal a clove or two of garlic that has softened in the oven and has soaked up the olive oil and spread it on a piece of sliced baguette. The other joy of making this dish comes from the gift of my garden. Walking out my back door to pick the ripe tomatoes and snipping off some fresh basil and oregano makes my heart swell with gratitude.
So, for a day that started off not so great...I'll say it turned out just fine.
I served up some love with a side of grateful and I'm back on my way.

Want the recipe? Visit my Recipes Page!

Be Brazen

2014-08-13T12:01:00.002-05:00

"Stop talking about everyone else's version of you and

just start talking about you...

What do YOU want?"

a gift from a stranger & a friend

The Yellow Table Recipes and Good Friends

2014-08-10T18:00:00.001-05:00

I started following The Yellow Table after hearing about it from my friend, Megan Hartford, a local photographer and blogger. The Yellow Table is written by Anna Watson Carl and has captured the hearts of many all over! Anna invites us into her small New York City apartment for dinner parties with her friends around The Yellow Table. Each time I visit her blog, I instantly feel taken away and inspired to write, cook, and share the experience of good food with friends and family. Anna recently began a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to self publish her first cookbook. You can read about her journey here. The cookbook did get fully funded which brings me to some terrific news!!! Anna asked several cooks to test recipes for the upcoming book and I'm happy to say I am one of them! YAY!!

I was given two complete menus, a summer menu and a winter menu. It was a challenge to complete with a busy schedule getting kids ready for school and college and a weekend out of town, but I did it!
After reading over the recipes, I decided I wanted to find as many local ingredients as possible.
Naturally, my first stop was our local Farmers Market. I picked up some beautiful grape tomatoes from
A & H Farms, heirloom Purple Cherokee Tomatoes from Derek Haug, and lucky for me, I found kale, garlic, and cherry tomatoes from Weiche Farms. The most difficult to find was skirt steak. Finally, I found it from a local rancher - (even better) -The Picolet Family's farm, Oatie Beef. Some of the produce was donated to me for this project! Thank you Andrea and Derek!

SHOPPING SUCCESS!!! I put together my list and it was go time!

I prepared the Summer Menu first and invited some good friends over to share it with us. The evening was perfect for a dinner outside. The weather in Kansas can be miserable in July but this year it has been unusually cool and rather beautiful.
Outdoor patio lights across our deck made it especially inviting on a summer evening. We all enjoyed the delicious food with some wine and good conversation.
Thank you Sean and Eileen for spending the evening with us!

Just two short days later, I prepared the Winter Menu and invited my wonderful and lovely writer friend, Allie, to partake in our next food adventure. She is a trooper! She was called to duty when it became clear extra hands were needed to get the timing just right! Bacon and chocolate were involved!
The weather had returned to typical Kansas...hot, muggy, and lots of biting creatures hanging around so we moved inside to the big table. Allie arrived bearing gifts...a bottle of some very (insert sarcasm) expensive red wine that we drank down like Kool-Aid as we enjoyed our desserts.

It was a wonderful and challenging experience. As a cook, I have a difficult time following recipes. It was important to follow procedure and take notes, no straying off the path for this girl. The recipes took me on a new journey discovering some flavors I had never tried, but I was open to try some new things...Detox Kale Salad? Yep! And sooo good!!
Sharing these meals with friends was by far the highlight. Cooking for and with friends is really a gift to my soul. My recommendation...don't let too much time pass between meals with friends! Gathering around a table sharing food and conversation is never a bad idea and should happen often.
My door is open...invite yourself in!

lotsaluv!
Christie

Just some stuff....

2014-07-01T12:20:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted in a while but I've been having some fun learning photography.
I even won a contest this past February! My winning photo will be used as the photo on the Kaw Valley Bank Calendar for all of 2015!
Here's a little sampling of my venture into photography! (No judging, I'm just getting started )
Here's the winning photo....

And the rest of these are just some of my 'photo ramblings'

Pastry Bombing!

2014-03-29T04:40:00.000-05:00

Since I closed my cafe, I've missed some things. Mostly, I miss my regulars. We loved them! But I also miss baking. We sold out nearly every day of scones, cinnamon rolls, and muffins. I rarely had much left. I was told on several occasions that we made the 'best' scones.
So, since baking is one of the few food preparations that can be done from home and sold, I have decided to give it a go.
I always tell my family I hate to cook, but the truth is, I just hate cooking when I have to. Recently I've been getting into photography and I often find beauty in the weird arrangement and mess created when I cook. This has become a win win for my family...I like making the mess for a great photo, food happens from the mess and so... they get food. Win-Win!
Of course, I must share my photos on Facebook and Instagram so that leads to very nice comments, thank's to my sweet friends...which then leads to some asking if I might make some delights for them....which makes me super happy!
So, I decided I may as well give it a whirligig!
I decided my best form of advertising might be to just give some 'love' away!
And this is where the title of this post, Pastry Bombing, begins!
Just an ordinary afternoon for an unsuspecting individual and BOOM! They're eating something delicious.
So, once a week when I'm out and about...there will be a lucky someone with a pink box of love at their doorstep.
YAY!

My friend, Steve at Brown's Shoe Fit in Downtown Manhattan, KS was the lucky guy this week! And that little box of love turned into orders! Thank YOU Steve! If you need shoes, he's the guy! Brown's is old school! The old fashioned shoe store where they actually help you, measure your tootsies, and help you find what you need. Who remembers sitting in the chair while a dapper gentleman fitted you with shoes and even tied them for you...and you were over the age of 5!? Well, that's what you get with Steve. When I delivered his goodies, he was doing exactly that.

I made some Cranberry Orange Scones for my sweet friend PC

Steve ordered a half dozen Brazen Sweet Rolls

And my sweet friend, Brooke, is getting a box of BIG Blueberry Muffins!

What can I make for you?

Are You Hungry?

2014-03-27T21:13:00.003-05:00

Would you like something sweet?