The Treasures in My Travels

Hi everyone,

I seemed to be on a writing roll this morning...

As I look around at the treasures I have collected on my travels it is the stack of maps that my heart is drawn to. I love the look and feel of maps. We can tell so much about life and periods in time by looking at them. They remind me of my own life. God looks down from heaven and can see it all so clearly. We can stand at point A and feel in our heart that there is a point B, but the map of our life may still be waiting for the roads to get us to our new destination to be constructed. Let’s face it, road construction is never fast or easy, and it never seems to take place at a conscientious time....so why should we think that the construction of our road through life should be any different? Don’t we all hit pot holes every now and then? Don’t we all have some sort of car trouble at some point in life? Don’t we all encounter detours, and unforeseen obstacles in the highway, as we travel down this highway called life? 

Oh but the excitement! The excitement when He shows us the place that we truly know where we should be. It’s like a child waiting to go to Disney, they don’t ask if they are going to drive for 18 hours in a car or fly for just a few by plane. They don’t care how they get from point A to point B, they just know that they are going. For me this is the exciting part. I don’t know how He will take me from point A to point B. All I know is that I feel like a child with a new pair of Mickey Mouse ears as I wait to see His plan. And as I wait, as I write about this season of waiting, documenting my journey, I hope that one day it can serve as someone else’s map. I hope it can inspire others to look for their point B with the enthusiasm of a little child, and dare to pursue their dreams.

XO,

Jen

In the Stillness

Hi everyone,

Just my thoughts as I began my day... 

In the stillness before the dawn, the world sounds like a symphony. The crickets are the strings. Far off the rooster cries, like a horn, to add drama to the piece. The slow, steady conversation between the frogs in the freshly filled creek makes you wish you could understand what they were saying. Stars dot the sky, like white lights on a Christmas tree in a home filled with stillness before Christmas morning awakes. In the distance there is a hum on the highway as tires take people to their early morning jobs. Jobs that must be essential these days. I stop and pray for their journey. Pray for their day. Pray for their families. Because life can change so much in a day, in an hour, in a minute... 

Even my coffee tastes better this morning. As I switch on my string of Edison lights I couldn’t help but smile. It’s not that my coffee is different, maybe the light bulb has just come on in my own life, enlightening my senses even more to life around me. Maybe sheltering at home has allowed me to get some much needed rest, even in the midst of working. Maybe being alone with my thoughts in the quiet of my prayers, has allowed Him to whisper truth into my ears that I can feel in my soul.

To truly lean into the words that swirl around my creative brain, maybe I needed the stillness of this moment in time to bring them to light on the canvas of my computer screen. As I help my character find her way through life, maybe I too am finding my way. Maybe it’s okay to be a late bloomer after all, because in blooming late we have had time for life to fertilize our little parts of the world around us and feed into our souls....so when the light bulb turns on, and the world can see the bouquet of beauty we have become, then the beauty of God will also shine through, allowing the song of our testimony to be the symphony in someone else’s life...in the stillness of an early morning.

XO,

Jen

I Don’t Want to Be Left in the Hallway

Hi everyone!

I first started writing this piece on Monday, March 16^th – the day that our “New Normal” began. Never in my life had I been so happy to have a Monday show up!! We started teaching online that day to finish out the semester, and though I would miss interacting with my students and colleagues, I so welcomed this time. But life got busy, so my thoughts never made it to my site, or maybe this level of vulnerability was a much bigger step for me, so I wanted to pray about it a bit longer.

 

This morning I broke out another new coffee cup. I chose this one not only for the beautiful verse, but also because the words speak to all that is within me. 

Psalm 139:14 says, “You are fearfully and wonderfully made.” 

Notice the present tense. It doesn’t tell us we will be fearfully and wonderfully made when we reach our ideal weight. It tells us, it tells me, right now, at this very moment, I am fearfully and wonderfully made! I think it is a beautiful reminder that we need to be gentle with ourselves. I need to be gentle with myself.

The title of this piece has been weighing on my mind for several weeks, especially when we started seeing reports from Italy. When COVID-19 started having such a tremendous impact on New Orleans, which is literally just 3 ½ hours away for me, the reality of it all made me feel like I was standing at the end of a tunnel, watching a train barreling toward me, with its headlight blinding me. I know I’m not the only one in this position, so I thought I would send these thoughts out into the world. If I can help just one person, then it is worth putting myself in this vulnerable position.

The terrifying reality is that I am in my mid-50s. I have diabetes. I use a C-PAP. I am considered morbidly obese. If I get COVID-19, I would be one of the ones they leave in the hallway to save a vent for someone else. Someone who does not have the health issues that I have. For me this wakeup call could be equated to having ice water, a bucket of ice water, thrown at my face. 

How did I get here? Why did I let myself get here?

 

BUT. BUT. I am a “glass is half full” kind of lady. I have been calling this time my “New Normal”, and it is time that I lean into my fear and face it head on. Ironically, just 3 weeks before life turned upside down I joined Noom. I decided to try this system because of the psychology that they put within each step of the process. I am sure the creators of this program never entertained the idea that its members would have to face the stress and psychological toll of a pandemic. Isn’t it amazing how the creators of Noom may have never envisioned a time like this, but our creator saw it all along??!!

Over the years, as I leaned into my research and writing, I have discovered the why behind a lot of things in my life.

Why I made some of the relationship choices that I did.

Why I put everyone else’s needs ahead of my own.

Why I use food to deal with the stresses of life.

Why and how I got to the place that I am today.

Here I am, in the middle of a pandemic, and the thought that is a steady undercurrent in my mind,

“I don’t want to be left in the hallway”. I cannot magically correct my health concerns over night, but I don’t have to wait until this storm passes to begin working on changing my health. I don’t want my fears to become and undertow as I use this time to take my life into uncharted waters. The world may not know the girl that use to exist underneath the physical and emotional weight that I carry, but I know that she is still there. 

What is even more important is that my God knows she is still there. I feel like a caterpillar who is in her cocoon, but she knows it is time to start making her way out into the world. I have always felt that the right person would love me for me, despite the size of the clothes I wore. I still believe that person exists out there somewhere, but I now know that I don’t need to use weight and clutter to shield me from the rest of the world.

I now know that I have valuable life lessons that I need to share through my words to the rest of the world.  

I now know that red flags are great as party decorations, but should never be part of a relationship.

I now know that I don’t want to be left in the hallway because I am “fearfully and wonderfully made” and He has a lot of work for me to do.

As I keep sailing along on my journey, I will keep you posted on my progress!

Sending you a virtual hug…

Jen

Trying to Be Still

Hi everyone,

Several months ago I bought this beautiful coffee cup. It set in my home office, still adorning its price tag, until yesterday. I was drawn to this cup, not because of the words that were on it, but because the words were engraved within the very clay that was used for its construction. 

This morning I decided to wash it and use it again, and in the process of this simple act, I was reminded of how we must continually cleanse our hearts and minds each morning so we can truly prepare to "be still". It isn't just the stillness, it is also that fact that we must "know", that HE is God. 

In this stressful time in which we are living, to "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10) becomes more than words that are etched within the crevices of my coffee cup. These are HIS words, etched within the depths of my soul. They are a reminder that no matter what happens in our lives - the good, the bad, and the ugly - HE is here to carry us if need be through it all. He is here to send us God winks and comfort. HE is here to bless us with incredible teachers and mentors, even in the midst of a pandemic. 

As I looked around at the different items in my little home that remind me to "be still", I note the different mediums that are used, from metal wall art, to a white trinket tray, to a heart. Gentle reminders that HE is with me each and every second of every day, in different forms and fashions. To see HIM, I must slow down, and at times be still.

I couldn't help but smile as I came across each of these different objects because I am not one to normally sit still or sit home. Life has shown me on numerous occasions what an incredible sense of humor HE has, so it is very easy for me, as I sip my morning coffee, to imagine HIM saying, "Be still...Just chill...I've got this"!!!

He wants us to not just sit still, but rest in knowing that HE truly has us in the palm of HIS hands. Sometimes we just have to wash off the anxiety and stress, like a new favorite coffee cup, and gently remind ourselves. I'm am trying to be still in the midst of our "new normal", and listen for HIS voice in the midst of it all. All of us have found this to be stressful at times. With the care that must be taken to protect my precious granddaughter, kids working on the front lines, and my own health concerns, this is particularly true. But. But. In the midst of it all, we are also discovering within the stillness several things. Comfort. Creativity. Peace. Pride. Understanding. And so many other beautiful lessons that will forever change us, but in a deeply moving way. 

Sending you a virtual hug on this Good Friday!!

Jen

Bee Sweet Like Honey

Hi everyone,

I took some time this afternoon to explore and reflect on what is happening in the world around us. I couldn't help but look at the beautiful wild iris in the middle of my woods, and admire their beauty.

We've had so much rain this year. At times we didn't see sunshine for days. Though we grew tired of it, to look at my surroundings now, I realized it was exactly what was needed to yield these beautiful native flowers all along my little creek. A reminder that what we all looked at as an inconvenience and a nuisance a couple of months ago has ended up coloring the landscape with such beauty. We don't quite know yet what will come of this time that we are in, but we have to hold on to the hope that beautiful things will bloom when this time passes.

Even the thistle, though it has thorns, still brings a rustic beauty to the landscape. For me, it was nature's way of underscoring the fact that even when life brings thorns into our lives, if we give it time, life can bloom in the middle of it all. What can you see blooming in your own life at this time?

The highlight of my afternoon excursion had to be seeing the bee in the  blackberry blossoms. I started working on a new website last fall, that I will be launching this spring called "the Jubilee Bee". I love bees because they remind me of my own life. Like the bee, that should not be able to fly, I have survived trials and tribulations that I should not have. Not a day goes by that I do not acknowledge how very blessed that I am. I have purchased some bee stock images as I have gone through this new creative process, but seeing the perfect shot, and being able to capture it brought me so much joy.

I think it is important for us to remember in this time of uncertainty that some things in life may have thorns or may sting, but in the middle of it all, we can find beauty. We can bloom. Yes, a lot of things may rain down us before we bloom, but all storms pass. Life always comes back to the surface. Beauty can always be found from ashes.

As a gently reminder as I close this evening, and words that my Mimi use to tell us, "You get more bees with honey than you do vinegar." So when others start getting on your nerves, which is common in times like these, think of this last photo, and try your best to bee sweet like honey!

Sending you a long distance hug,

Jen

A Mother Prays

Hi everyone,

Tonight I write with a some what heavy heart. Like so many others I have children in the health care profession. My daughter is a nurse. My son-in-law is a fireman. They have my miracle granddaughter who was born with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia. My oldest son is a nursing student and nurse ex-tern at one of the local hospitals. 

Tomorrow they go to work, soldiers in a war against an enemy that we cannot see. As a mom, and a Christian I have to practice what I preach. Walk the walk, not just talk the talk. 

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

I have to hold on to my mustard seed once again, like I did when our precious Lily Claire came into this world. In terms of my own health concerns, I am trusting that God is not done with me yet. He has work for me still to do for Him on this side of heaven. Just like I did when we were waiting on Lily Claire's arrival I am leaning into God's Word. 

I am keeping abreast of the COVID-19 numbers, but I am staying away from television and social media as much as possible. The hardest challenge that I face is reminding myself that my children are gifts to me from God that I am blessed to have for as long as He sees fit. My youngest son is going to be an officer in the Army. My worry for him is only just beginning. BUT, BUT, I have always told my all three of my children that they are to go where they feel God is calling them...because they are His first.  

I know there are countless mothers throughout the world tonight that are also trying to settle their souls when the worry starts to creep in. I am trying to "be still, and know" that He is God (Psalm 46:10), and He has a plan for everything that we experience in this life.

So in the days ahead, please know that you are all in my prayers. 

Please know that I am praying for each and everyone of our precious babies. 

We may not know what tomorrow brings, but we know who is watching over us. And with that thought I can go to sleep placing my life and my the lives of my children and grandchildren in His hands.

I'll write again soon.

Sending you a virtual hug, 

Jen

While We Wait

Hi everyone,

I have been so busy, going in so many directions for so long, I haven’t updated my site on a regular basis. I think a good many of us are finding ourselves coming to that realization these days. It’s funny how we may have a list of things we want to do that is a mile long, but when life comes to a screeching halt, it takes us a bit to process it all and move forward in the new direction that is laid out before us. 

Waiting is never easy, is it? From the time we are kids this starts, but in our world where we have gotten so accustomed to life happening so instantaneously, having to wait can be challenging. This morning I reflected on a point in my life that feels like it was a lifetime ago.

In 1988 I moved to Germany. At that time we had no cell phones, and we could only call home once a week for about 30 minutes, because it was so expensive. Gas was rationed, because it was so expensive. We could only watch movies we bought, because the signal for the only American television station did not reach out village. We didn’t have PCs back then, so we wrote letters…we waited for letters…we waited for care packages that could often take weeks to arrive. I learned to sew then. I read a lot then. I made friends, and to this day we share an incredible bond. We were practicing social distancing before we even knew that would one day be a “thing”. So in this new time I find that drawing on my old experiences helps. Back then it would take me a few days to get my bearings during a deployment, and I find that the same is true today. I am a creative who loves alone time, so I know that I will have a routine down soon.

I am blessed that I can work from home. I am blessed that I have incredible family and friends. We practice social distancing to protect each other, and most importantly my precious miracle grand baby. While we wait I am writing, and working to finish developing my new website. While we wait I am working on some life goals that have been on my “to do list” for the last 10 years. While we wait I am doing everything I can to improve and protect my own health, because I know there is a lot of work that God still wants me to do while I am on this side of heaven.

So while we wait, what are you doing with your time?

I would love to hear from you!! 

Sending you a hug ~ Jen

Ending 2019 with Some SEO for Mom

Hi everyone!

I originally wrote about this post in January of 2017, but with the end of 2019 near, I felt it was a topic that deserved a revisit, because a New Year always brings new opportunities.  This post has been on my heart for a while, but it just seemed like this was the right time to share it with you.

Usually when people think of the acronym SEO, Search Engine Optimization comes to mind.  In fact, being a computer science professor, you would think that is what I would think of first as well.  However, I am not your normal computer science professor and as such, for me SEO has a different meaning.  For several months now when I have thought of SEO, Soul Enhancement & Optimization have come to mind.  Puzzled a bit?  Well let me explain. 

Yes, search engine optimization has helped us in terms of how we travel throughout the Internet, but as a mom I also want to optimize how I travel through life.  It isn’t easy being a mom in today’s fast paced world and a single mom at that.  So as I prepare to teach my own students about the Internet, this idea of Soul Enhancement & Optimization just keeps coming to mind.

Webster defines the soul as follows. 

The spiritual part of a person that is believed to give life to the body and in many religions is believed to live forever; a person’s deeply felt moral and emotional state; the ability of a person to feel kindness and sympathy for others, to appreciate beauty and art, etc.

To enhance something is to “increase or improve,” while optimization is “an act, process, or methodology of making something as fully perfect, functional or effective as possible.”  For the record, this mom knows she can never be “fully perfect” on this side of eternity, so that part of the definition I did not factor in. 

Though as a single mom and a computer science professor with a strong relationship with the Lord, the researcher within wants to dive in and investigate this concept that has been on my mind for a couple of months a bit further.  How, as a mom can I experience “Soul Enhancement & Optimization?”  With my background firmly rooted in academia at a Christian institution, I had to start with the definitions and as a student of life, acronyms always seem fitting.

S – SOUL

Anyone who knows me knows how deeply and emotionally I feel about things in my life.  As a creative person, beauty and art are things that I observe in places that quite often others do not see.  But is this just something that I was gifted with or do some people miss out on art and the beauty that surrounds them because of life’s circumstances.  Let’s face it, there is not a single mom out there that hasn’t been so overwhelmed with life at some point that they didn’t want to just tell me, “Girl, observe beauty???  I have forgotten what that even means in the midst of bills, homework and life.”  Even in the midst of my own life it would be so easy to throw in the towel and block beauty out. Sometimes as moms, not just single moms but ALL moms, we get so busy trying to take care of everyone and everything around us to the point that we don’t know which way is up and if we do look up we often aren’t praying to Jesus, but merely expressing “Help me Jesus!” just trying to survive.  We remember what a soul was, but we have forgotten what it truly meant to feel something from the depth of our souls.  But how can we find our way back?  How can we ENHANCE the seeds that were planted within our souls before life became too much.        

E – ENHANCE

As a mom, how can I improve my life so that I am using the gifts that God has blessed me with in such a way that it enhance my kids’ lives and the lives of those around me?

O – OPTIMIZATION

Let’s revisit the definition of optimization once more. It is “an act, process, or methodology of making something as fully perfect, functional or effective as possible.” 

So wait a minute here, if we can figure out how to take what we once valued so dear within our souls and enhance it, could it be that in turn, through the very act of doing this that we could become more functional and effective as moms?  Would this work for all moms?  Is there an age limit? 

Well let me share my own experience with you and then you can pick and choose what may or may not work for you. 

When I originally wrote this post I wrote of coming down with the shingles. For those of you who may not know what that is, it is the same virus as chicken pox, but very, very painful.  I am normally one who is moving through life so fast my best friend often tells me that it’s like my hair is on fire.  In the past year my family has gone through a life experience that has changed us forever and those who have followed our journey. Sometimes not so good things in life happen, not because we have done anything wrong, but merely so the Lord can slow us down and get out attention.  For our souls to truly experience an enhancement and thus optimization we have to lean in to the trials of life so that we can find the beauty in the midst of the chaos.  

Sometimes, in the midst of dealing with pain and uncertainty we are able to hear the gentle whispers that He sends to our souls and in turn we are enhancing our lives and watching every second of our day optimized, but not just for our sake.  It is through this process that He is allowing us to be a light for others in the midst of their own personal trial.  It also allows us to be examples for our kids and it has allowed by kids to be incredible examples to others. 

 The beauty of this all - when we are truly leaning into life through prayer, the study of His word, giving & doing for others when He leads us, participating in worship, and reading books by other Christian authors who have done the same, we do see that are souls have gone through an enhancement and optimization.  This doesn’t mean that it makes the pain of the trials any less, but what it does allow us to do, moms and dads alike, is take a deep breath and know that NO MATTER what comes our way, He will allow us to use it in a way to glorify Him.   

So as the end of 2019 draws near, I am leaning, dedicated to my own SEO experience. As new doors open and new opportunities appear I want to make sure that God gets all of the credit for the incredible things He has done and continues to do in my life.  The New Year will be here before we know it, time flies by so quickly, but it also reminds us once again to make every second count. 

Until next time…

Hugs!

Jen

Adding Color to My World

Hi everyone,

I have had so much fun in the Mood Board Challenge I just finished, I decided to step back a bit and make one for Curiosity Cottage. If I am going to see where I am going I think I need to reflect on where I have been, analyzing the colors and words that represent Curiosity Cottage. I am a work in progress, as are my different Mood Boards.

As creatives our minds can go in a million directions at once. Having both the creative & technical skills makes that more like a bazillion directions at once for me. It is a fun and exciting time for me as I plan out the steps I will take on this next journey in my life, but one that I am so ready for!!

Have a wonderful Monday!!

Hugs!

Jen

Editorial Note - the magnolia image is a stock image, only intended as part of an exercise for the Mood Board Challenge, all other images are mine or came from my own website. 

Change is Good

Hi everyone,

I am taking a course in which we create a "Mood Board" for our brand that will then be used on a website or blog. I am also teaching my students about "crowd sourcing" so I would like for you to vote.

Several weeks back I took a pole and two names tied, "The Jubilee Bee" and "Life at Curiosity Cottage"...so I have decided to combine the two. My new site will be  

The Jubilee Bee

my life at Curiosity Cottage

Many of you have followed my journey since I first created Curiosity Cottage, so I thought it would be fun to have you vote. Which Mood Board/color scheme do you like best? You may either comment on my post to vote, or head over to my Curiosity Cottage Facebook page!! VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!!!

I look forward to sharing the results with your soon and letting you come along on this journey with me!! Thanks so very much for you input & for taking the time to help me create a lesson for my class.

Hugs,

Jen

Baking My Bundts Off

Hi everyone!

Spring Break is FINALLY here and Easter is just around the corner, so I am using my week to take on several projects. In January I stumbled across some INCREDIBLE Nordic Ware Bundt pans and I have been having a ball baking for my friends and family.

My Louisiana roots made Nordic Ware's Fleur De Lis Bundt Pan a MUST buy!! I have scoured Pinterest for recipes, asked  friends for ideas, and sent my creations out into the world for my friends and family to enjoy! I have discovered several things with this new found hobby. For starters, I have learned that you can make a cake and it can sit on your counter for days and you do not have to consume it all. Second, if you are diabetic, you can taste wonderful things...the key is to have them in moderation. Creating cakes from scratch...well you can just taste the love in the homemade. I have also found that when you bake from scratch it does not make blood sugar spike like the box mixes do. It is true that different foods tend to impact those of us with diabetes in different ways, but this is what I have found works for me. My daughter likes to tell me, "You do you mom." Well baking these cakes is teaching me to take it one creation at a time.

For this milk chocolate bundt cake I decided to try a coffee glaze. Community Coffee's King Cake flavor seemed to be the PERFECT fit, once again drawing on my Louisiana roots!! This time though, my years spent living in Bavaria, made Nordic Ware's Bavaria Bundt Pan another must have! I absolutely loved the years I spent in Bavaria, so teaching the kids about where they were born and the Louisiana roots of their family is always fun and makes for a festive time.  

     

With each new cake I am learning new things about baking, trying new ideas, and allowing the process to slow down my life a bit. For example, when making a cake from scratch the order and process that must be followed is critical. I even came across a recipe recently that made sure to state that the process of creaming the butter and sugar should not be rushed. We have become such a fast paced society that the idea of slowing down or it could impact the outcome of something we are creating...well let's face it, we really don't give that much thought any more. We look at prep time, but do we ever stop to think about what we learn in the process when we are prepping food? While I carefully added one ingredient after the other into one of my cakes I could not help but think of the perfectly orchestrated steps God has for our lives, steps that sometimes we want to rush through or skip all together. Often times we want the prepacked, processed product to yield a homemade taste. In other words, we do not stop to savor each layer that He adds to our lives. Each lesson He is bringing our way shapes us and mold us, and turns us each into the beautiful creations that He designed for us to be.

Baking and teaching my kids to entertain made Nordic Ware's Heritage Bundt Pan a piece that not only allows me to bake incredible cakes, but also create desserts that can also serve an beautiful accessories for any table. It thrills me every time I use this pan. Because the beauty of this cake when I am finished. The gift, or heritage, that I want to pass down to my kids from my baking is that if we slow down enough to savor the simple things in life, like baking a bundt cake. We will find that we can savor the goodness of sharing beautiful thing with others and our own family. And that, in the simple things, we can find incredible beauty.

Until next time...

Hugs!

Jen

Celebrating Spring

Hi Everyone!

A new season is upon us, and with the new season, came the exciting opportunity for me to bring my Curiosity Cottage to 318Central. I have been writing about my curiosity for life for years and the opportunity to share this with you truly brings extra excitement into my world. Being a true creative at heart, you may find that my pieces are about everything from cooking to creating. You will just have to visit each month to see what I have decided to share.

Several months ago, there was an article on social media that talked about how people no longer know how to set a dinner table. I am right at the “empty nest” point in life, but both of my boys have developed an interest in cooking. This gave me the perfect opportunity to teach them how to set a table and prepare to entertain. My mom loved to make Crawfish & Saffron Rice Casserole, and it has always been one of our favorites. People always ask me for the recipe, so I thought I would share it, since this is crawfish season. It is super easy to prepare and can feed so many people. 

Crawfish & Saffron Rice Casserole 

1 large package of Saffron rice, cook according to directions 

Sautéed onions, celery, & garlic in olive oil.

Add the following:

2 packages of crawfish tails

1 can crème of shrimp soup

1 can crème of mushroom soup

1 can Rotel tomatoes

Combine mixture with rice. Add to casserole dishes and top with cheese.

Heat in 350 degree oven until the cheese is melted.

I recently purchased a GORGEOUS Bundt pan, which I used to make a Double Almond Wedding Cake. I have to admit, I was a bit nervous trying it out, but I was so pleased with the results; I thought it would complement this meal perfectly. When I make cupcakes, I use a traditional buttercream icing, but for the Bundt cake, I thought a glaze was in order.

Double Almond Wedding Cake

1 box Betty Crocker™Super Moist™white cake mix.

            Water, vegetable oil and eggs as called for on the cake mix box

1 tablespoon almond extract

Almond Glaze

2 cups confectioners’ sugar

¼ cup butter, melted

¼ cup evaporated milk

½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

½ teaspoon almond extract

Whisk ingredients together until smooth. Poor over cool cake.

Having my boys help with our meal not only passed down my mom’s tradition, but gave them a new addition to add to their recipes as well. Cooking together as a family definitely makes for a fun time, and in my world, it usually involves much laughter, singing, and dancing. So let our Spring Celebration give you new ideas for your family and friends too.

Hugs!

Jen

Busy, Busy, Busy

Hi everyone!

This is the semester I teach my Blog Creation course and I have been so busy helping my students and friends write their own blogs and books that I have not updated you guys in a while. In the next few days I want to share some of the amazing work from some of my students. I cannot even begin to express the excitement I feel when I see the beauty they are now bringing to the world with their own blogs. For some, it is has not just been about completing assignments for me, it has given them a new way to express themselves.

This first site really takes us into the heart of our service members who have paid a dear price for our freedom. His transparency with us all gives us a touching view into what our freedom truly costs our service men and women and their families. It has been such an honor to introduce him to blogging and to find they way it has touched his life...well that is why teaching is a vocation and not just a job. Stop by his site at Jim's PTSD Blog

My dear friend Pauline Reneaux has been working on her books and writing for the new digital magazine here in town 318Central. Make sure you take a look at her site. In October she started writing her monthly column with a spin on the alphabet using each month to bring something new and inspiring to us here in Central Louisiana. Her first in that series is A is for Adventure. I think you will enjoy her work.

As I finish up this semester this week and visit the final blogs for my students I will be passing them along to you as well.

Happy Holiday everyone!!

Hugs,

Jen

A Walk in the Woods

Hi everyone,

The fall semester is back in full swing and that often means I have to put my creativity aside for a while. Of course this is common for most of my friends as well and with my "baby" a senior so much more is added to my plate. I'm trying to find a way to work both into the equation of my life, because to create is to breath for me. The fall weather draws me to the outdoors. I find it helps me clear my mind and focus.

In a world that so desperately seems to be searching for something, I find that my quiet devotion time brings more to my life than money could ever buy. This time lets me not only reflect about life, but also look at the world around me, to try and see what He sees so that I might be able to use the gifts that He has given me to help others. The saying, "You can't see the forest for the trees" seems to come to mind, which is kind of ironic since I am sitting outside enjoying the trees that surround me. To me personally, what this quote means is that sometimes we can be so close to a situation that we can't see how best to maneuver our way through or how best to help others that may be going through something. For me, it is in this quiet time that I can read, write, pray, and reflect to see what I can do.


For me this sacred time in the midst of a very busy season of my life sometimes involves singing and dancing, cook outs with kids, and laughter with friends. For me it may mean marveling at the deer that appear out of the wood line in my back yard or cheering for my child as his last football season passes by so quickly.

Though I know without any certainty where I want to take my creative career, I am at peace with the pace that this journey is taking. I have reached an age where I know what it means to bloom where I am planted and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Until next time...

Hugs! Jen