Hey all. Feeling so much better after such a long week of being so sick with COVID. I have never slept so much in one week all my life. Looking back, you don’t realize how sick you were until you think about how much you slept. The fact that I slept all day and still slept like a baby at night speaks volumes. During the beginning of the week, I lived life in a fog. Watching TV was even too much effort. It was horrible.

I definitely picked it up when I was in the hospital the week before. I’m not surprised with how slammed the ER was, and all the hacking and throwing up people were doing sitting around me. I guess getting up, using hand sanitizer on the wall next to me every 30 minutes, and covering my face with my hoodie didn’t help. That whole day was a disaster, and I’ll certainly share all about it, but before I get into anything this month, the first thing I must do is to express my gratitude.

As most of you know, last year my goal was to put out my second cookbook. I worked so hard and vigorously. Anytime throughout the year I would want to just sit and watch a movie, my mind told me, “Uh, uh, you need to work more on your cookbook.” It was hard to allow myself any time because any extra time I had, I knew I needed to work intensely for those ten months to put it out by the holidays.
I had spent countless hours making my cookbook not just a cookbook, but a book people can grab to feel good. I wanted it to be unique, with special elements on each page. Even if I sold a dozen, and that dozen was loved, then it was worth the countless hours I had put in. God and I worked on it together. He inspired me as I wrote, and ideas poured into my heart, making this book not just a cookbook.

When it was time to release my cookbook, I was blown away by the presales I generated before it was even released. Then, I had my premiere at Rust & Shine, and you all just left me speechless. I was overwhelmed by your support and moved beyond words. So humbled by how you showed up, so I have to start by thanking you. So many of you came out to see me and purchase my cookbook.

I met so many wonderful people! Each one of you made my day. I hope you know that. I wish I could share about every single one of you, but there are a couple of moments I’d like to share.

This sweet Amish family brought a van in on Friday night. A mom and all eight of her children just came to meet me. They were so excited and kind, and after visiting Rust and Shine, they even went up Candy Cane Lane together. Not gonna lie, it was tough for me not jump in the van with them and head over to my favorite street! Meeting them was such a gift, and their warmth and joy just filled my heart. They shared that the father wanted to come, but there wasn’t enough room in the van for him. He wanted his children to have the opportunity to come, which I thought was so sweet. He was home doing chores, and when I found out they had donkeys and all kinds of animals, I was lucky enough to be invited to visit their farm someday!
I look forward to seeing this wonderful, special family again. The children were an absolute joy, and I must say, just so well-mannered. It was an honor to meet this special family.

Then there was a gentleman who came in and told me, with tears in his eyes, what my writing has meant to him. He said I was an inspiration, that sharing about the Lord and bringing joy to a really dark world mattered more than I knew. He was so sincere, and I could feel how much he meant every word. It’s moments like these that remind me why I do what I do.

I hear how many of you read, and how it brings joy to your week, but meeting so many of you and hearing how different articles have affected your lives left me speechless. I can do this because of God. He gives me the words and ideas. I give him all the credit and am so thankful for the joy he puts in my heart. I am so thankful for a job that allows me to do what I do. The freedom to write. The way I can give just a little light each week in this dark world we are living in. But life is what we make it. You can choose to be mean and miserable, or you can choose a smile and have joy. That choice is yours.

I am smiling extra this coming year because of all of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for selling out ALL of my cookbooks. Yes, I sold out. I will be getting more soon, but for now, I am genuinely humbled by what I sold. Thank you for making a girl feel so loved!

It’s that time of year when people are trying to eat healthier and eat more fruits and veggies. I love green beans, and could eat these like candy.

Garlic Green Beans

Ingredients:
• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 lb. washed and trimmed fresh green beans
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup water
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Add green beans and cook over medium-high heat until the color of the bean starts to change to a bright green. About 2-3 minutes or so. Next, add in garlic and cook for an additional minute.

Pour in water, cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 2-3 minutes or until the beans are tender and water is absorbed. Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper.