I’ve written often about grabbing all life has to offer and making the most of this short sweet ride. While believing in the thrill of defying gravity, I get that life changes are not always easy decisions; the messages or “signs” we look for while weighing options can be confusing, hard to read and often conflicting. When tossing and turning over such changes many questions stomp
around my head like Irish step dancers: Does this really make sense? Am I crazy? Will I look back on this with regret?
So far I’ve found that the only real regret is not trying or shrinking away from something that I really want simply because it seems hard to accomplish or because others might not like my choices. That doesn’t always serve me well and, I’ve certainly gotten my heart broken. For the most part though I still adhere to this philosophy: Dive deep into the heart of life, make bold decisions with confidence and always leave a drop of grace with every forward footstep taken. Trust the journey. Carry on.
So that’s how I went from living in Chicago and working downtown on Michigan Avenue with all the hustle and bustle of big city life to a pretty little farmhouse in Wisconsin flanked by the rolling hills of the Baraboo bluffs. I traded my window office for a chicken coop…my gorgeous Burberry trench coat for a pitchfork.
Am I crazy? Does this really make sense? You bet it does because I’m now the nanny for my sweet granddaughter and that decision is one that I’ll never regret. She’s a toddler so everyday there’s something new she discovers, something new she will try. Oh how she works diligently at sounding out words, drawing shapes, making mouse stew (um, that’s her secret recipe, I’ll not tell!) It’s thrilling to experience the wonders of watching a person blossom into her full potential. Like the hungry caterpillar, she is slowly transforming herself into a beautiful butterfly. Every day for her is a journey…and always will be, just like it still is for
her old Nana. I’m thrilled to be here and hope to teach her to live boldly, trusting the journey and trusting herself.
Cheesy BBQ Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms
When too busy to fuss in the kitchen, sometimes you have to wing it. A favorite recipe is stuffing portabella mushrooms with whatever leftovers are on hand. This version used leftovers from Smoque BBQ in Chicago with curds from Wisconsin!
1 onion, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
6 BBQ ribs, deboned and chopped finely
2 cornbread muffins, crumbled
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
1 egg, beaten
1 cup cheese curds, chopped
3 portabella mushroom caps, stems removed and chopped
Saute onions in olive oil until tender. Combine rib meat, cornbread crumbs, BBQ sauce and egg mixing well. Stir in curds. Stuff mushroom caps and place in 9×13 pan. Cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes, until bubbling. Uncover and bake for 8-10 minutes until tops are brown and cheese is melted.
Mouse stew! How inventive. There’s another generation of cooks on the way. Her great greats greats, nana and mom. And anything with BBQ ribs and WI cheese curds can’t go wrong. Looks delicious!
Thanks Mo – She comes from a long line of good cooks and it’s fun to see her starting young, even if her mouse stew isn’t the most appetizing for us (her toy red-tailed hawk however is delighted with this concoction!)
Oooo that recipe sounds deliosious I’m going to try to make it and ur story is beautiful honey always take the risk cause if u don’t ul never know life has a lot of risks and ur one of the brave ones that have it in u to do so I’m so SRY that uve been hurt I wish that would’ve never happened cause ur too sweet of a woman for that to happen to❤️
Thank you Christine for your kind words. I’ve made many missteps in life and the kitchen – but I guess that’s part of figuring out what works and what doesn’t!! 🙂