Shell's Sentiments

I am a firm believer you learn lessons when you are ready to accept the outcome. He prepares the way but uiltimately you have to take the lead. Also, you never know who will open your eyes. This story is an encounter I had while buying groceries at our local Publix. 

When you have a family member with a nut allergy, you learn to make recipes different. This is our favorite cheese ball recipe without the nuts.  And rarely rolled into a ball. If you have ever seen me cook, rarely do I measure ingredients, especially with spices. This recipe is a guide to get you started. But trust me when I say I add more seasoning to my recipe. I sprinkle until my heart feels content

If you need a quick and easy treat, try these homemade mini Twix bars. You need a box of Mini Nilla Wafers and a bag of Rolo's. Turn your oven on to 350 degrees. 

On my way to the store one morning, I observed a cow pushing its head through a barbed-wire fence to get a taste of the lush grass on the other side.I laughed out loud and wondered to myself if that cow realizes he has access to acres upon acres of green grass right behind him. A simple turn grants him limitless access. Yet his focus is on what he doesn’t have. He risks self-harm, choosing this method instead of taking advantage of what is already his. All to taste what is outside his reach. 

The first word that comes to mind describing 2024 is disappointment.I experienced some major upsets in all areas of my life, including family, friends, work, and even finances. At one point, I felt like my entire world was falling apart. 

Everything is nearly set on the night before Christmas. We have one gift that needs to be wrapped and placed under the tree. Christmas looked different this year. To make this holiday feel as normal as possible, I took traditions from our extended families and brought them to our house. We had warm ham sliders on King Hawaiian rolls. A crowd favorite that my children love and missed this year. 

We did Christmas Eve different this year. I wanted a fun drink for everyone to enjoy. This non-alcoholic mocktail was a hit at both family gatherings. 

On your birthday, I am reminded of all the wonderful times we had together. Some of my favorite memories and life lessons of you are as follows. You were an entrepreneur before entrepreneurship became known. You were talented beyond belief. There was nothing you could not conquer. You also were never afraid to try new things. A few of the adventures you I can remember. 

A kid friendly mocktail that brings the holiday cheer to another level. My children love a good shirley Temple. However, I am trying to limit the amount of red dye in our diet. I tried out this recipe and it tastes better than the orginal.

This is the first year in many years that I was excited about the elf on the shelf. This is how my life goes. It never fails at the beginning of the month. I am excited, ready to go. A few days in, I forget to move the darn things. Which starts the downward spiral. I end up stressing myself out, becoming resentful over an activity that should be fun and joyful.