It is almost here and it is time to take charge of you!

 

We are just a few days from the turning of a calendar page that will mark the beginning of another New Year. I thought when the calendar turned last year that maybe, just maybe we could breathe a sigh of relief.  I was wrong. I didn't think 2021 could outdo 2020 in shear stress, loss, fear, and plain out jumbling of life - but I was wrong.  I could write a post singularly on the things that went south in my life personally, not to mention so many people I care about, but I am not going to do that.

2022 is my year of hope, celebration, surpassing goals, and seeing personal success.  I am going to focus on what wonderful things I have.  This doesn't mean my life is perfect but it means I am going to find the perfection between the thorns. God has been so very good to me and I often forget that fact,  I am excited about what is to come.

I am going back to why I started blogging. I am going to celebrate life.  That includes my amazing, too good for me, husband. Why he loves me, I don't know but am so blessed he does.  Love after 50 is different and we are still technically newlyweds so I am sure I will share the struggles and triumphs of this season which includes blending families and lifestyles. My husband truly took a withered vine and nursed it back to health and continues to love me daily and helps me grow stronger.  He makes me feel like anything is possible. With him, by the way, his name is David, I have learned to dream and my creative spirit is being watered to life. Things I long had felt I lost the ability to do or the passion to pursue have bloomed and I am not afraid to share without shame. In a past life I was made to feel as if sharing the things that brought me joy was wrong and annoying, but the great thing I have learned is that it doesn't matter because it brings me pleasure.  I will be sharing the creation and evolving of our home and gardens, time with old and new friends, exploring food, entertaining and adventures...not to mention products I have tried, books I have read, life with children who are now young adults, and of course life with 3 big dogs.  Oh...and a liberal dose of fashion, shoes, and skincare/makeup just to round out life.

Transparency is a word I have often used in the blogging world but I am committed to it...the good, the bad, and the ugly - which, when you think about it is truly all part of the beautiful thing we call life.

Ultimately I have realized my greatest gift is that I am a Lifestyle Curator.  My greatest talent is helping to create lives that are not just beautiful on the outside but also the inside in the deepest part of one's heart.  We can have both and they can both be real and transparent.  You can be perfectly put together and have a day that is just off and that is okay. Tears are okay. A messy house is okay.  A beautiful life is one where you can be all those things and continue to strive for peace which is the basis of the ultimate beautiful life.

I love you for taking a few moments to read my words. Your comments mean more than you will ever know. I would very much like for you to leave a comment with your greatest hope for 2022. Let the best be yet to come!

Single Girl Can Cook: Rustic Fresh Peach Tart...

Last night was one of those "single girl" firsts...I had friends over for the first time to my new home. I opened my doors as just me...single.  It was strange because as a couple my husband and I loved to entertain and have a house full of people. We actually bought our last house because we knew it would be perfect for having parties! Doing it alone was just....I don't know.....just....

Needless to say, with the turmoil that has surrounded my life over the last year, I haven't done much entertaining or baking.  I used to love it. I especially loved trying new recipes, particularly when friends were coming over! I am not sure they ever knew how much they were my guinea pigs for new recipes. So....for last night I was determined to try at least one new thing and it turned out great if I do say so myself.  It was also easy, which put my nervous self at ease.  After DS2 and I went to the Farmer's Market and picked up some fresh peaches (they are just coming into season!) I made a Rustic Fresh Peach Tart which was topped liberally with whipped cream before serving.  It is definitely a keeper and I will be making it again! I actually made 2 of these to make sure we had enough.

Rustic Peach Tart

For each tart you will need:

1 Ready to use refrigerated pie crust
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 large fresh peaches, peeled & sliced (about 2 cups)
Whipped Cream

• Preheat oven to 400.
• Unroll pie crust on foil covered baking pan that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
• Combine sugar & cinnamon.
• Mix 1 Tablespoon sugar mixture into softened cream cheese.
• Spread cream cheese to within 2 inches of edge of crust.
• Reserve 1 Tablespoon of sugar mixture.
• Toss peaches with remaining sugar mixture and spoon over cream cheese mixture.
• Fold over edge of crust, overlapping peaches just a little.  
• Sprinkle remaining sugar mixture over tart.
• Bake 25 minutes or until crust is golden and fruit juices are bubbling.   
• Cool slightly before removing from baking sheet.
• Top with whip cream before serving!  Enjoy!!!!

Rustic Fresh Peach Tart

Do you entertain outdoors in the Summer?

Do you like to entertain (whether for friends or just for your own family) outdoors during the Summer months?  We do.  One of our favorite things about our house is that we have a wonderful back yard with plenty of space to have friends.  But even when we have lived in different houses without such space, we usually utilized what we did have (which even sometimes included the driveway!).  I think spending time outdoors just makes the time sweeter! 

Sandy, over at the Reluctant Entertainer, is doing a wonderful series called "30 Days of Summer Entertaining" which has been great and makes me want to take every opportunity this summer to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family!  Check it out:

30 Days of Summer Entertaining

Also, if you are like me and are alwasy looking for motivation and inspiration for simple ways to share your life with your friends and practice the art of hospitality check out Sandy's book, The Reluctant Entertainer

Fall Parties...

There is something in the air during the Fall that makes me want to plan parties! Big parties, small parties, dinner parties, what ever!

I know tons of you who are big on the summer bashes, but not me. Yes, I love to attend your fantabulous Summer Soirees, but I prefer my parties without sweat, you see. Maybe fall party planning helps me get in the groove for the Holiday season? Oh, who knows....anyway, I started getting my party inventory in order and have a few things I would really, really like to add to my line up. I am especially gaga over this great pitcher.

I am definitely getting one!

Celebrate Spring!

I am a magazine addict, yes, I am. But in the name of frugality, I have tried to wean myself away from most of them. Today though, I saw one that I just couldn't resist: Celebrate Spring! It is published by the same wonderful company that now publishes Victoria and Southern Lady. (oh, and you know Southern Lady is my Favorite!!!) www.southernladymagazine.com

Celebrate Spring is just fantastic! It is filled with wonderful party themes, decorating ideas and tons of yummy recipes. You will find ideas for everything from Easter to Mother's Day, not to mention some fun party themes for April Fools Day and even a plant swap luncheon. I really loved the Monogram Shower idea at which any bride to be would be thrilled to be the honoree. I can't wait until the Celebrate Summer hits store shelves! My hat is off to Phyllis Hoffman and her team...another wonderful mini-vacation lies between the covers of this magazine!

I picked up my copy at Sams Club (Sams has discounted magazines and this one is a bit pricey -though worth it- at a retail cost of $7.99. I got my copy for a very reasonable $5.58 at Sams). You can get one online at:

http://www3.mailordercentral.com/hoffmanmedia/prodinfo.asp?number=CEL%2DSP09

The week is here...

Yes, it is the week of Thanksgiving and preparations are under way here. I completed the shopping yesterday, (yippeee!), and even started some baking last night. Today I will continue assembling dishes to cut down on 'day of' prep. I love entertaining and having a house full of friends and family. This Thanksgiving will be really special because we will be hosting (for the 1st time) DH's extended family.

So, along with my pies to bake and turkey's to brine, I have also started the Christmas decorating! DD and a friend put her tree up on Sunday. Today I will do DS#2's tree and hopefully get started on DS#1's tree. I have a system where as I attempt to start the Sunday before Thanksgiving doing a tree (or more) a day that week. That way at least the upstairs trees are completed before Thanksgiving, which will only leave the 2 for downstairs to be done after Thanksgiving.

This year my family is so excited about the holidays! We are always big holiday people but this year it seems ratcheted up a bit. I am not sure why. Maybe it is all the dreary, depressing news we hear and we want something more positive to focus on (???). Last year I was sick during the holiday season so we didn't do alot of the little things we have always done and I do think they missed it. It isn't about gifts either because all three seem pretty hard pressed to come up with anything they really want (love that!). It truly seems to be that everyone is just looking forward to the traditions we have (and to have children actually verbalize this makes me so happy). Either way, I am not complaining, just enjoying the spirit of the season.

So, no matter what your plans are to celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope this week finds you feeling blessed and with a thanks filled heart.