Baking Things....

...I felt creative, so I made some massive cinnamon rolls.

 I used a slightly healthier version of the 

Maple Cream Cheese Frosting...

and thought...hmm....

I bet that would be good on a sliced apple too.

So I tried it.

And. It. Was. Delicious!

Healthier version of Cream Cheese Frosting:

3 Tablespoons unsalted butter, room temp.

1 cup full-fat cream cheese, room temp.

4 Tablespoons Pure Maple Syrup

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

A squeeze of lemon or orange juice (1 tsp.)

Beat it all together, and chill for 10 min.

Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

be well...

xoxo

💝

"There are days when I am unaccountably happy,

and, in fact,

that is usually the reason for it."

"Most happiness, like most worry depends

pretty much on small a thing you can make important."

"It is still possible to be a cockeyed optimist these days-

you just have to be a little more cockeyed."

Inner Voice

....a year ago I was not painfully aware

 of how every choice I made...

could either keep me spinning...

or help to set me free.

A year ago I didn't believe, that the quality of my life

 was only, truly, up to me.

"When we break up with a few of the distractions that

have been drowning everything out,

we create a beautiful, quiet spot 

where God can meet us once again.

Find that place."

Journal notes...

Deny the strongholds of fear & control.

When you have what you need spiritually,

all else falls into place.

Be honest about where you are.

Stay focused & develop a plan.

'Fight for the right to be happy,

and fight will emerge from your soul.'

Break free from oppression and victimization.

'Big decisions seem scary.

If you know the answer but can't seem to jump,

harness your bravery to jump with confidence.'

Trust your intuition.

He reveals what is important for you to know.

In His Presence you receive what you need.

You won't know what's waiting on the other side of a decision

until you move forward.

Be brave and know that everything will be okay.

He will sift out everything without a solid foundation

so that only unshakable things will be left.

Hebrews 12:27

People grow where they are loved...

be well...

xoxo

💝

" Intuition is a spiritual faculty, and does not explain,

but simply points the way."

"Going after what you want is an opportunity to 

honor your soul and take action toward fulfillment.

If you have a desire in your heart, you have the choice to 

do what it takes to make it happen.

When you decide to go after a dream,

be prepared for the work it takes to make it come true.

It will all be worth it in the end.

Welcome the hard work it takes for you life to change."

I wanted something new for breakfast this morning....

So I made a Pumpkin Smoothie...

1/2 cup pumpkin puree canned 

I frozen banana

1 cup coconut milk

1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 scoop Vanilla protein powder

(My #1 Ancient Nutrition)

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Mixed it in my Ninja...( a blender works too).

You can sweeten with honey or maple syrup if needed.

Try it first. I tried both with and without. I like it better without.

Protein powder makes it creamy, plus I need the added

protein.

Pumpkin is a great source of fiber, potassium, and 

antioxidants, and is nutrient dense. Yes please....!

December 29, 2025

Listening to an audio book on mindfulness.

Just squeezed my lemon into it's container,

instead of my mug. I need it.

I had 4 solid priorities today.

Learned a few more moves with my Tai Chi buddies.

Wowed by  

my mama. OMG!

I am so stinking proud of her right now.

I better copy my recipe, so I have it for next year.

Our Christmas French toast

1 loaf of crusty sourdough or French bread

8 eggs

2 cups whole milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 Tbs. vanilla extract

Topping:

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/2 cup cold salted butter cut into pieces

Serve with:

warm syrup 

1 cup blueberries for serving

(note: also used bananas, raspberries and strawberries and whipped cream)

Grease 13 x 9 baking dish

Cut French bread into slices and place in dish.

(or cube. I did both)

Whisk in a big bowl:

eggs, milk, cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla

pour over bread

cover tightly and refrigerate over night,

or  bake right away.

( I overnighted it)

For topping:

in a small bowl, stir with fork...

flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg.

Add butter. Mix until crumbly. (pebbles)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Sprinkle topping over the top

Bake 50 min.

Note: you can use 1/2 and 1/2, or unsalted butter...

however, the heavy cream and salted butter are

the tweaks I mad this year...and nope. I won't go back.

Scrumptious.

Yummy leftover too.

be well...

xoxo

💝

'Life is full of distractions-

some positive, some menacing.

Prioritizing your you life keeps you track.

Determine your priorities then write them down.

Writing is a powerful tool, because you can go

back and see if you're still on the right course.'

"This is your daily reminder:

Do not absorb other people's 

whack ass energy."

"May the tears you cried in 2025

water the seeds you plant in 2026."

Serenity

Summer, simplicity, calm, peaceful, refreshment,

joy, health, slow, mindfulness, experiment, create,

tranquility.

 

Today....I thought I would try a new recipe, and 

start adding in some healthy treats.

Spread a quilt under the shade tree and finish a book.

Listen to the sounds of Summer.

Practice yoga.

Call my mom.

I used to think I needed to live an extraordinary life,

now I know being content with an ordinary, simple life

is a real accomplishment.

No Bake Lemon Coconut Protein Bites

Ingredients:

1 c. almond flour

1/2 c. shredded unsweetened coconut

1/2 c. protein vanilla powder

1/4 c. honey or maple syrup

1/4 coconut oil, melted

Zest of 1 lemon

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/4 tsp. salt

additional coconut for rolling

Combine almond flour, coconut, and protein powder.

Mix.

Add honey or syrup & coconut oil to dry mixture.

Stir together well.

Incorporate lemon zest & juice into mixture.

Combine well, to form a sticky dough.

(add more oil or honey/syrup if too dry)

Using hands, roll small portions into 1 inch ball.

Roll in coconut if desired.

Place balls on parchment paper plate and refrigerate 30 min.

Enjoy!

Sore leftovers in airtight container in refrigerator

for up to a week.

I give it a thumbs up!

Be well...

xoxo

💖

"If your life is not going the way you'd like it to,

you have the power to change it.

Sometimes it may seem impossible to produce

the changes you desire.

As you choose your own path every day,

be clear about what it is that you truly want.

Each day, you can move closer to the life you want

with intention and focus.

Welcome all the wonderful things life has to offer.

Take control and decide to focus on what you want

and not on what isn't working."

~Sunrise Gratitude~

Growing

....Basil.

I grew it from a seedling that my Mom gave me as a gift.

It's very pretty, fragrant,...

 and it's a wonderful addition to my kitchen.

I had no idea (until today),

how good it is for us too!!

Thanks Mom.

xo

My notes on Basil:

'Rich source of vitamins & minerals like

Vitamin K, Vitamin A, and manganese,

calcium, magnesium, and iron.

Contains antioxidants like lutein,

and beta-carotene.

Basil seeds are a good source of dietary fiber.

Helps boost the immune system.

Basil oils have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Compounds in basil may aid digestion, reduce bloating,

and soothe gastrointestinal discomfort.

Compounds may have calming and stress-reducing effects.

Inhaling basil as aromatherapy,

may increase mental alertness.

May help reduce high blood sugar levels,

improve cholesterol,

and support liver function.'

~Google~

'Helps prevent chronic disease.

Has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits.

May boost mental health.

"There is a growing body of evidence that basil

could be a powerful cancer prevention tool."

~Cleveland Clinic~

These are just my notes.

There are different types of basil, 

and health conditions it could effect negatively.

It's always best to do your own research.

be well..

xoxo

💖

"It's basil-ic to say that herbs make everything better."

"I'm basil-ly in love with this herb"

"Basil has a way of leafing an impression."

 

Feeling Hyggely

" Gratitude is the key to happiness.

When gratitude is practiced regularly and from the heart,

it leads to a richer, fuller and more complete life...

It is impossible to bring more abundance into your life

if you are feeling ungrateful about what you already have.

Why?

Because the thoughts and feelings you emit as you feel ungrateful

are negative emotions and they will attract more of those feelings 

and events into your life."

Lately I've been focusing on all I have to be grateful for, 

and loving my hyggely life.

With that said...it makes me think of a moment I had recently during my trip back home to NY.

I keep a set of twinkle lights there in a drawer, and put them up when I stay.

One morning, Dad and my brother were going to drive up to the hunting camp

 to put on a new roof. 

I decided I wanted to go along.

I threw my journal & morning reads in a bag, 

and Dad stopped to get me coffee 

along the way.

A morning with the guys just tugged at my heart

and sitting on the deck in the woods....count me in!

As I listened to the guys work a light sprinkle started hitting the trees,

and the bull frog belted out a tune from the pond.

I sat there soaking it all in and thought to myself,...

"all we need now are some twinkle lights."

So later when we were all sitting in the camper having a chat,

I looked at Dad, and said " You know what you need out here Dad?

Twinkle lights! If you hung some twinkle lights around the camper,

it would look so-cozy out here!"

*Dad look*

" I don't do twinkle lights."

Which cracked me up. 

End of story.

However, before I left, I told him where I kept them stashed...

y'know, just in case. 

Anyway....

gratitude and Hygge just seem to go together for me....

where there is one, there is usually the other.

It's the way I like to live.

Hygge is....

the best homemade chocolate pudding.

Chocolate Pudding Recipe:

(organic is an option....I just had it)

1/2 cup sugar

3 Tbs. unsweetened organic cocoa powder

1/4 cup corn starch

1/8 tsp. salt

2 3/4 cups milk (whole)

2 Tbs. room temperature butter

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1. In a medium-sized saucepan, stir together sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt.
2. Over medium heat, stir in milk. Bring the pudding mixture to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly, until the pudding thickens enough to coat the back of a metal spoon.
3. Remove pudding from the heat. Stir in the butter and vanilla until butter dissolves.
4. Let cool. Chill in the refrigerator until serving.

xoxo

💖

 

Treat

I cleaned out some messy cabinets,

and made treats from the recipe on the back of the cereal box.

Grape-nuts flakes

Power Bites

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Grape-Nuts Flakes cereal

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1/2 cup preferred nut butter spread

2 tablespoons honey

(optional toppings: crushed Grape-Nuts Flakes, cocoa powder, shredded coconut)

Directions:

Mix all the ingredients together.  

Shape tablespoons of mixture into small balls. 

Roll into topping.

Place bites in refrigerator to allow them to firm or freeze for later.

Results: 

I doubled the recipe and made about 20-25.

My treats were about the size of a  meatball...so not small.

I used sugar-free peanut butter.

I rolled half of them in cocoa, and half in coconut.

A little messy to handle.

I put them in the freezer, and eat them from there.

They make a Very tasty treat.

Hubby likes them too.

Will definitely make these again!

Tip: if you roll the treats in cocoa powder...and you go in for a bite...

eat over something! Especially if you are wearing white! 😉

xoxo

💗

 

Muffins

My love for muffins started when I stopped by and grabbed one from my favorite deli one afternoon.

I . Was. Hooked.

Best . Muffins. Ever!

When Covid hit, and the deli closed...

I started baking my own muffins.

A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do.

I told you I'd share my favorite muffin recipe.

So far this one has been a hit with family and friends.

They have just made life a little sweeter.

Raspberry Lemon Muffins:

1/2 cup plain yogurt

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

(I use 1/2 lemon...all the juice...and ...) *mine

2 egg whites

1/2 teaspoon lemon extract (optional) 

(I use a drop of lemon flavoring) *mine

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup white sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon of grated lemon zest

(...all the zest from 1/2 lemon) *mine

1 cup frozen raspberries

(we like more berries...so use 1 1/2-2 cups) *mine

Preheat oven 400 F.

Grease or line 12 cup muffin tin

Mix yogurt, lemon, egg white and lemon extract in a small bowl.

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and zest in a large bowl.

Mix yogurt mixture into flour mixture.

Gently stir in berries.

Sprinkle sugar on top of muffins (optional)

Bake 16-17 minutes.

(*side note: you can use other berries in place of raspberries)

I baked a batch today, while I was also attempting to make

frozen custard for the first time.

Cause...custard calls for egg yolks,

and the muffins call for egg whites.

So why not?

Did you know you can freeze egg whites?

I looked it up.

I think Covid is making me do weird things.

My girlfriend called me Martha Stewart this morning.

I didn't get the custard finished.

There are steps to follow...

and it is now ready to put in the ice-cream maker.

I'll let you know how it turns out. 

I hope you are having a good weekend!!

Stay safe and well !!

" To be happy at home is the ultimate result of all ambition."

💗

Brownie

Because....I was in the mood for something

chocolaty.

Have you ever found yourself wishing...

there was something like brownies or some cookies in the house ?

I do...but I also know, that if there were...

I wouldn't stop munching on them till they were gone.

[ask hubby what happens when I get out his box of vanilla wafers]

I have bad impulse control when it comes to sweets.

So I TRY to keep them out of the house.

Except for the aforementioned wafers...

and Dove Chocolates for me.

I am only human.

I had a craving the other night for something

...and it wasn't just a piece of chocolate.

Oh no. I wanted to indulge !!

So I tired this little recipe I had tucked away. [SUPER EASY]

[*temptation comes...you're welcome !]

MUG BROWNIE

4 TBS. Flour

4 TBS. Sugar

2 TBS. Cocoa

2 TBS. veg, oil

2 TBS. water

pinch of salt

Stir well in a mug

Microwave 1 minute. [gooey-ish]

I did mine for 1 1/2 min.

The recipe also said you can sprinkle chocolate chips on top...

I didn't.

I sprinkled Vanilla ice-cream on top !! :)

It. Is. Yummy.

There is plenty to share...and I did.

Hubby had a couple of bites...

and that was enough.

Not because I wanted to hog it all.

He's just not that into sweets.

Which works out well for me !

Have a sweet day !!

XOXO

Soup

Sometimes I like rainy, do-nothing days.

Today I stayed in my comfy sweats,

 turned on some music, and made

Potato Soup.

3 1/2 cups peeled and diced potatoes

1/3 cup diced celery

1/3 cup chopped onion

3/4 cup diced cooked ham (or bacon) *optional

3 1/4 cup water

2 tablespoons chicken bouillon granules

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper (ground black)

5 tablespoons butter

5 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 cups milk

Combine: potatoes,celery, onion, ham, and water in pot.

Bring to boil. 

Reduce to medium and cook till taters are tender :)  (about 10-15 min.)

Stir in bouillon, salt & pepper

In a separate pan: melt butter over med./low heat.

whisk in flour

stir until thick

slowly add milk, stirring till thick.
Mix both pots together, and you have soup ! 

It's easy and SUPER yummy !!! 

It's one of our favorites ! :)

*loving...

a rainy day

cozy sweats

smell of homemade soup

XOXO