Berrie suggests you enjoy this beautiful weather today, receive some love, and find joy in the little things! Hope you all have a great day!

I saw a post on Instagram the other day that I thought Avery would like, so I sent it to her! It is a healthy alternative to a sweet treat, and since she was coming home this weekend, I thought we could give it a try.

Ave did the majority of the making of this simple recipe, she discovered to get the right peanut butter consistency, it was was best to microwave the peanut butter for 30 second, stirring after 15 seconds.

Can’t remember the last time the muffin pan saw some action.😅

Got a bit creative with our swirls…

Here we are, Vegan No Bake Peanut Butter Cups! Super delicious, extremely filling and satisfying! We will definitely make these again!! Give the recipe a try! I even included the Pinterest link for you! Drop me a line and let me know if you would try these!

https://pin.it/7tpQL6Q

Happy Earth Day, Earthlings! Bill is getting all the credit today, as he took this lovely photo flying over the Colorado Rockies today! Hope you have all had a terrific day celebrating our wonderful shared home!

See you humans tomorrow!

What you want and what you get are two things entirely different. It is what you do, with what you have that makes the difference. This applies to all areas, facets and situations in life.

Growing up as one of four brothers, I am sure my dad was disappointed that he did not have a son. Despite what we like to tell ourselves, there is a difference between boys and girls, their physical capabilities, their thought processes, their attitudes and more. No matter how some want to pare down the sexes to say we are equal in all ways, it is certainly a factual lie that sadly many believe. But this story is not about our sexes and equality, it is more about humanity and necessity, farm life and finding a bond where you can.

It seems to me that my dad has always had a soft spot of sorts for me. Maybe because we are a lot a like, maybe because we would gang up at times on my mother. Perhaps it is simply because I am his child. I even contemplate that maybe none of this is true, too. I think he is just a kind person, truly. Despite all of the shit things he has ever done in his life, I see his kindness, that and other attributes are what I choose to see, and focus on.

I have had many issues with my husband over the course of our years together, and the one thing I recently admitted to him was that I realize my dad raised me to be a better man than most.

A man must have a sense of honor. In some way shape or form. Whether that is being as good as your word, or a handshake, or carrying out what you committed to do, your honor as a man says more about you than most other things. People know they can trust and depend on you, if you have honor.

Despite the times my dad was totally not dependable, he is a very dependable man. He carries out what he says he will do, what he is responsible for, those he is responsible for. My father is very protective of those whom he cares for. Though that seems elusive at the moment to think about who those people are, it was definitely my grandma, it is his community and friends, his family, his cows. He takes his responsibility to others very seriously, and that goes back to being honorable too.

Responsible and dependable are two different words to describe my dad. He is dependable, in his responsibilities, and responsible in his dependability. I am sure some of his friends would die from laughter reading that I think I he is responsible. He has some very interesting stories that speak of how irresponsible his youth may have been. Oddly enough, he was still always responsible, he might have just balanced that out with (too much)fun.

He is a humorous person, seems to be able to laugh at his own mistakes and those of others. If no one died, and we survived, it can become laughable. This not only relieves the stress of the moment, but alters how we see the danger we escaped. I read a conversation between my dad and cousin on Facebook recently. They had a good laugh about a tractor incident with her driving, and him running to go catch said tractor after she jumped off, being unable to stop it. Needless to say, I was glad to see they found humor in that incident!

My dad is always willing to get creative and find solutions to problems. He will think outside the box, and see things from differing angles. If all else fails, he will create a solution from simplistic ways and ideas. He truly is a proponent of K.I.S.S.-Keep It Simple Stupid. I mean, I have seen him over complicate things, but as a general, he take simplistic measures to make things work.

He has a lot of love to give. When I was growing up, he would make the effort to hug me and tell me he loved me daily, or every day we saw each other if our schedules did not allow. As an adult, this is huge to me. This was the very first thing I ever said I would do as a parent. I think this is a key to raising children, and is probably the foundation of my relationship with my father.

I told you a lot of great things about my dad, and I told you how I am sure he wished he had a boy. I say that because I am sure he wished he had someone to carry on the family name, to have been a bigger part of the family farm, and to have been able to pass on his knowledge of cars to. I did not tell you what I learned, other than certain ways in which to be a man. I also learned how to use tools, to use my brain, to be effortless in trying, knowing I may fail but trying again and again until I get it. I learned how to sell things to make money to provide for myself and my family. I learned that I must be a warrior to protect and help those in my care, my shoulders are strong enough to carry so much. I learned that it is better to have a good attitude in the face of adversity or an obstacle, and laughing would be best. I learned that fear is the enemy, it can and will rob you of so much, so mustn’t allow it. I learned that not every man is a man, and only some women can be better than a man, but I don’t have to lose my parts for that. I am whole, as I am.

I have climbed the hay mows, crushed my thumb with a hammer. I have sworn as a sailor and got mad about nothing worth being mad about. I have corrected my children harshly at times, so they may do, and be better than me. I have taught my husband things his father did not. I try to do the responsible thing, to be dependable, to do it all with humor and honor. I try to be kind, even when I am feeling I should not. We’ll sing’em to us, you and me, dad. Our whispers are heard by many.

I have been fortunate to grow up and see all the positives my dad has taught me, but I am more fortunate to have had a man in my life that showed me things he would have shown his son too. Thank you for teaching me how to be a good man dad, my kids and I appreciate that greatly.

For as you are, I am.

Just another ordinary day today, nothing to report, nothing to talk about. I don’t mind. See you tomorrow!

Some days I am at a loss for words. It is my way of keeping my thoughts to myself, but also a way of honoring what I need. Dealing with unpleasant things in life, makes you more introspective, more thoughtful, maybe even more deliberate. If I have learned one thing over my last 67 days of blogging, it is that I don’t listen to, or honor myself enough. Even if you think you are doing those things for yourself, are you really listening to those deep inner words? I am taking the rest of this week to do just that…and from here on out.

Today feels like it has been a day of reminders…of things that irritate me, things I like, things I want, things that need boundaries, things that need work from me, things that need work by others, things that affect me, things I can affect, etc..

BUT, it is also a day of vision, personal power, and clarity. Sometimes you need to take the pause. Sometimes you need to be patient. Sometimes you need to have faith and sometimes you need to remember who you are.

Are you in tune? Are you taking steps to aide yourself? Are you allowing your lack to affect others? Are you standing strong within yourself?

Self awareness is key, in all aspects of your life. I am getting where I want to be, and I had to come to a complete stop in order to get there. I had to isolate myself to hear me, to see exactly what I needed. I had to shore up my boundaries because my peace is too often disturbed, and that is a problem, a key problem. I am learning and leaning down in to what I need, but I had to pause. Are you taking the pause when and where necessary?

So many people say that we cannot understand the pain and sacrifice that Jesus Christ has undertaken for us, but I think we should endeavor to understand that deepness of love, service and sacrifice. We should put ourselves in Jesus’ sandals and walk a mile, gleaning an understanding of what the purpose of Christ’s life was. Whether you are a believer or not, the lessons are paramount to humanity thriving, for without it, we are surely doomed to fail.

If you could do anything artistic, what would it be? Would you shred a guitar like Eddie Van Halen, paint like Picasso, or sing like Adele? Would you capture landscapes like Ansel Adams, or would you play a trumpet like Louis Armstrong? Maybe you’d paint murals like our local Pamela Kellough? What would you do artistically if you dedicate your time and life to studying it?

A couple months ago, I told Bill that I felt like I needed to paint. I kept feeling this burning desire to put paint to a canvas of sorts, and I ended up painting my massage office in to a photography studio. This scratched the itch, but I still felt something was missing. Bill and Brooke both said some weird things to me, that really weren’t that weird, but harkened to the whole painting idea. They both not only implied, but explicitly said that I have always been a creative, using my hands for a creative outlet. I agreed, I have always made things with my hands, painting, crafting, repurposing, transforming items into something new and exciting, something more. Somewhere along the way, I lost that outlet, or maybe I translated that need and desire to photography…and then I started charging money and photography became a job. Did I ruin that passion?

I don’t think I ruined it, but I don’t think I have figured out how to harness my creative need and the job quite yet. Yes, I shoot some creative things, but often time, I am getting a shot of a subject, and while there is gold there, I don’t think I have married my full creative with photography quite yet. This makes me feel that I still need one or five creative outlets in addition, outside of that?

Bill keeps encouraging me to paint, and I can tell you, I am no painter, wouldn’t even know how to begin with making a painting. I am shut off to the idea, that is accurate, but I think because I know it is not what I yearn to do. Painting walls, yes, I think I need to do that, and soon I will probably do that, as Bill is moving his office to our partially finished basement. With his move, we are changing the purpose of several rooms in our house, or rather we are assuming the intended purpose for several rooms. This is a process, yet satisfying to me.

I feel that I am on the precipice of a breakthrough of sorts, and the more things change, the closer I get to the breakthrough. Have you ever felt that way, that you need small changes to lead to massive amounts of change for the natural progression of things to shape it all to the way it is meant to be? Whew! This definitely is a long and winding road, paved with one Beatles reference after another.

Kind of random thoughts today, but oddly specific. I will follow where this leads, I am feeling some shape finally starting to form, I trust the process and am willing to go where I am lead. How about you, where are you on your path, where do you need to veer, and can you see a horizon in sight? Drop me a line, I’d love know!

Woke up this morning, anticipating a partial delivery of some new furniture and was informed that I was 6th on the list. Okay, that gives me plenty of time to sweep, dust, mop, pick up, it should all work perfectly! It is 10:38 and I figure I have at least another 3 hours for my delivery. Bill asks if I see Avery’s post, it’s good. No, I haven’t seen it but will look. Holy cow! It is 10:41 and delivery will be here at 10:48!!! I don’t even have a bra on yet!! The good news is that I did manage that, to harness the girls, but next thing you know, we hear a beep beep as the delivery truck backs up. It’s go time!

I have had these same guys deliver before, they are pros, efficient, friendly and gone in a jiff! Now it is time to finish my tasks so I can lay my furniture out! Yes, well, you get no pictures of that today because I had to let my rug rest and I am still trying out chair/loveseat combos. I will post about that soon though!

After a day of moving furniture all around, we were bushed! Bill wanted to surprise Brooke with a short jaunt, so we set out on a local adventure…

I have followed Crosstown Creamery & Diner on Facebook for a while, and a few weeks ago, Bill and I stopped in for lunch. We loved the food, the atmosphere, the staff, and the proximity to home. I should have taken a photo then, but failed to do so before digging in. Yeah, today wasn’t much different.

The Smokey Burger was so good, queso, caramalized onions, fried pepper rings…and handmade fries, please! Brooke’s salad had fresh strawberries, feta cheese, Russian dressing and sesames, woooo! Yummmmm. Bill had a Classic Double Burger, and it looked superb, he said as much!

Bill and Brooke had eyed the ice cream board the whole time we were there, going over the merits of each selection, back and forth over their top two choices. they finally settled on a scoop of Coffee ice cream for Brooke, and half coffee ice cream and half chocolate in a shake for Bill.

Me, I had a banana muffin. This was no average banana muffin, it had some cream cheese icing on top and a bit inside. The muffin itself was so moist, creamy tasting, streusel on top…perfection!!

We didn’t stop with dinner and dessert, we headed to Circleville to visit one of my favorite stops, Rhoads Garden Center. Brooke said she hates to go to two places: garden centers and antique malls. I don’t know, those are pretty nice places if you ask me?!

It’s really too early for annuals to be outside, buuuut, we had to get a couple of geraniums to look at until we plant our flower beds.

And as we were walking out of the greenhouse, back past the succulents, we twisted her arm again…

And this is what we left with…

It was a busy day all day, but ended with quality time well spent with two of my loves! If you haven’t explored our hidden little gems in our area, I suggest you do! Drop me a line, let me know if there are some places you think I should visit, I am always good for a new adventure!