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Happy Go Stuckey

Tethering Grace & Togetherness

5 weeks to go…

April 28, 2009 by HappyGoStuckey 1 Comment

Well, tomorrow marks the 5 week mark. We are officially just over a month out from the due date! May I just take this post to say a very verbal THANK YOU to my sweet husband? Good.

He has been so incredibly great this entire pregnancy (well our entire marriage, really) as he has taken such good care of me through every crazy stage. From the morning sickness that lasted waaay to long (oh that fateful New Years’ Eve) to the current state of emotional surprises. “Hormonal Pregnant Rollercoaster– party of one and whomever happens to be standing nearby, please.”

Anyway,
He has been absolutely wonderful. Thank you, babe for all you have done and sometimes not done to make this easier on me.

Thank you for never minding my strange food cravings.
Thank you for never making fun of me for baking a cake at 9:00pm (well not too much fun anyway.)
Thank you for taking time you do not have out of a busy schedule to pitch in around the house and lighten the load.
Thank you for the foot massages, the head scratches and never ever minding when I fell asleep at 7pm on the couch.
Thank you for reminding me to take care of myself and rest.
Thank you for being excited to look at baby clothes every time we go somewhere.
Thank you for making me feel cherished and loved and beautiful– despite how I may think I look.
Thank you for helping me cook dinner and clean up when you have other things to do.
Thank you for singing cheesy Hall & Oates songs to me in the kitchen. (I really didn’t know you could jump that high. Really, hon- you’ve got some moves!)
Thank you for thinking of me far more than I deserve.
Thank you for loving me and this little baby girl and letting us both know it.

I love you so much Babe!

7 1/2 weeks to go!!!

April 13, 2009 by HappyGoStuckey 3 Comments


June 3rd– HERE WE COME!!!

Wordless Wednesday

March 25, 2009 by HappyGoStuckey Leave a Comment


I love this picture. It’s from the Easter after we were engaged. Ahh. Good memories. I love this guy even more today than I did on that day.. and look at me.. I’m beaming.
That says love for sure.

(For the record, I hope to wear this dress again one day… haha–not this Easter I’m afraid.
No way. ) Oh well. She’s worth it!

A letter to an inanimate establishment

March 20, 2009 by HappyGoStuckey 3 Comments

Dear Produce Stand,

All through the cold, long winter I have cast forlorn glances in your direction as I drove by a hollow empty booth wherein no life was present. No beautiful bins of brightly colored fresh vegetables and fruits. No long wooden table of bright red tomatoes and bountiful piles of onions and potatoes. No smiling person to greet me as I step out of my car and approach your small open air establishment. Nothing but empty shelves and hollow buckets. For months I have made particular trips to specialty stores just to purchase over-priced vegetables flown clear across the world that weren’t always that great. Let’s be clear, I appreciate having a tree-ripe nectarine flown in from Chile just for me in January. I enjoy my little “Market of Fresh” with its tiny shopping carts and classical music. And I would much rather pay a little more for good produce in the winter from said Market rather than buy sub-standard veggies from a grocer who does not care one bit if my produce will begin to go bad the moment I step out of the store. But let’s face it, Produce Stand, there is absolutely no substitute for what you offer my family during the warmer months. You offer convenience. You offer excellent value. You offer the satisfaction of making pleasant conversation with the other patrons. Conversations which lead me to believe, I am not the only one in Wake Forest who loves you and your fresh vegetables.

That being emoted, I cannot convey the over-whelming elation which my heart felt when I drove past you this week to see that you were finally open for the first time. Your bins were no longer empty and hollow, but were overflowing with abundant fruit and veggie goodness. Of course I stopped immediately and pulled into your gravel parking lot.

I say “parking lot.”

It’s really just the area between you and the interesting aquarium store which is utilized as a parking area. Perhaps that is some of what I love about you. The sound my tires make as I drive over the rocks and hop out. It’s charming and very small-town. But, I digress.

I walk towards you, trying not to reveal my utter excitement to the woman behind the register. There are those trusty plastic grocery bags, hanging from a nail, blowing in the breeze. I pull one down and begin selecting my purchases for the day. (I say “the day” because I definitely came back a few days later.)

I would like to say “Thank you” Produce Stand. Thank you for making it possible to feed my husband and my unborn child beautiful, local fruits and vegetables without taking out a small loan. Perhaps I felt your emptiness more keenly this winter, as I was craving fruits and vegetables all during these last 7 months of pregnancy. But as we have known so well and hopefully do cling to in these economic times, I recited to myself this too shall pass. And thankfully, so did Winter. Welcome Back and Happy Spring, Produce Stand.

Recession Proof Meals Part I

March 18, 2009 by HappyGoStuckey Leave a Comment

Lance and I have recently had a great time trying to cut our grocery bill without cutting taste or nutrition from our meals. We have made somewhat of a game out of re-creating dishes (which we might normally order as take-out) on a shoestring at home. Here is the first installment in our own version of “Recession Proof Meals” Hopefully this will inspire you, as we have been inspired, to cook smarter, tastier meals without breaking the bank!

Here’s how we took one package of chicken on the bone and made it last for more than 2 yummy meals with minimal added ingredients.

It started with Chicken which we grilled and basted with barbecue sauce

My Grill-Master Husband cooked it to perfection!

$ 4.50 for the Chicken (Four Large Leg/ Thigh Pieces)
$ 1.00 for the ears of fresh corn
$ Seasonings and Sauce: (we already had.)

Meal #1: $5.50 (Dinner)

*********************************************************************************

A few days later, we made a homemade pizza crust, added a cup of the chopped chicken, additional sauce, caramelized onions and Skim Milk Mozzarella for a delicious Friday Night alternative to spending 15-20 bucks for a pizza out!

We both ate leftovers of this for lunch the next day…

Pizza Crust Ingredients:
*Flour
*Yeast
*Salt
*Sugar
*Olive Oil

Cost of Crust Ingredients (which we had): $2.00
4 oz. Part Skim Mozzarella Cheese: $1.50
Half an Onion: $ .60
Seasonings: Less than $1.00

Total Cost of Pizza Meal #2: $5.10 (We ate dinner and then both had lunch from the leftovers.)

In addition, we still have at least one cup of cooked barbecue chicken in the freezer for future use!

**********************************************************************************

Because the pizza crust recipe makes so much, we were able to save half of the dough for use a few days later. It may seem labor intensive to make your own pizza crust, but it really is not. It helps if you have a strong mixer (Kitchenaid, etc.) but the main thing is that it takes very few common ingredients which you probably have on hand and is much tastier than a ready-made or canned crust. Although, if you are especially short on time, they make a nice substitute.

A few days later, we made a veggie pizza using olive oil and a few different vegetables we had on hand. It was pretty good as well! And it lasted for two meals for the Stuckeys. 🙂


All in all, Lance and I have really enjoyed the challenge of making fresh and tasty meals on a budget. It is quite satisfying to enjoy a meal and to know that we used mostly all things we either already had or were able to use more than once!

What ideas do you have for dealing with the current financial situation while in the kitchen?

Maybe you’re trying to get started with this little avenue of cutting your grocery bill but are unsure where to begin…

**Remember that different things work for different people– but don’t be afraid to think outside the box. When you purchase meat, try to think of how you can cook once and eat twice. Try getting two meals from the meat. When you have the leftovers that you plan to use in the next few days or weeks then….
**Utilize your freezer! If you aren’t certain you will use something before it has even a chance of going bad, put it in the freezer until you decide. Bringing me to my next point—
**Make the investment in good freezer bags. There is nothing worse than using cheap freezer bags only to discover your meat, veggies, fruits, have been burned. I.M.H.O, Good quality freezer storage bags are worth the expense and you can usually get a coupon!
**Many times, we have found that fresh produce is an excellent use of money, but only if you plan your meals ahead of time and know exactly what you need. If something is pricey and not in season, frozen veggies are an excellent alternative and often they have a very high nutritional value!
These may seem like simple ideas, but hopefully they will be helpful to some!

I am.. what about you?

March 17, 2009 by HappyGoStuckey 1 Comment


Bethany
had this fun little game, and since I really need to have SOME kind of post… here it is:

I am… wishing I could convince myself to like yogurt. It’s so healthy but I hate it!
I think… that one of the most beautiful sounds on earth is a child giggling uncontrollably.
I know… that I know very little about a lot of things.
I want… to be a good mother.
I have… no memory of what it was like to not wear maternity pants. 🙂
I wish… that I could remember more of what I read in college.
I hate… Nutella.
I miss… my family.
I fear… that I will take my blessings for granted.
I feel… like my feet are looking a bit large and swollen. 🙂
I hear…absolutely nothing. I love occasional silence.
I smell…Soap and a Cherry Blossom Candle.
I regret… not always being such a great judge of character.
I love… J. Lance Stuckey
I care… a great deal for some close friends who are hurting or struggling.
I always… revel in the fact that I have had the privilege of having such dear friends who mean so much.
I am not… always as patient as I should be.
I believe… that God is Faithful.
I dance… with Lance in the kitchen when we cook dinner.
I sing… when I’m all alone in my car.
I write… and wish I could make a career out of it one day.
I win… very little.
I lose…at games.
I never… drink my milk from a bowl of cereal.
I listen…to many kinds of music.
I can usually be found…these days? sleeping. Or falling asleep. (Or trying to be very productive until I get sleepy.) 🙂
I’m scared of…losing my husband too soon.
I read…all kinds of books—especially classic children’s books.
I forget…whether or not I turned off the oven and locked the door.
I just…cannot wait to tell Lucy in person how much she is loved.
I am happy about… the next stage of our life!

What about you?

Time with my Bridge!

March 13, 2009 by HappyGoStuckey 1 Comment

Tomorrow I’m heading out for a quick, over-night trip to South Carolina to fit in a little time with one of my dear friends, Bridget, before Baby Lu comes in two and half months. Since she moved back home a couple of years ago, we have had to resort to quick weekend trips and “meet in the middle” trips. Suprisingly enough, we have actually been able to spend a lot of time together this way– and I just want to squeeze in one more “girls weekend” before things get a little more busy here. It’s always refreshing to spend time with a close friend– and she is definitely that for me. Love you-B!

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Hey There!

I'm Cynthia and I'm so glad you're here. I am an introvert with an extrovert's love of gathering people together. I love good books and capturing moments. Whether you visit me here or on my own front porch, I'll be the one holding the Iced Coffee for us both.

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happygostuckey

Truth: I am not the best cookie baker in our house Truth: I am not the best cookie baker in our house. It is hands down @friar_stuck — Today he added a pinch of fresh orange zest to Oatmeal Scotchies and they taste just like childhood.

My grandma used to make these and serve them to me on a pink plate with a small glass of sprite with ice. At 39, I now realize two things— 1. She would have adored my husband and 2. these cookies go best with coffee or tea.

What cookie makes you feel eight years old again?
There’s something unusually long about the winte There’s something unusually long about the winter months when we’re in a season of slow growth and imperceptible change.

The landscape outside your window TODAY can feel like it’s your landscape forever but it’s actually not.

If the view from where you stand looks rather bleak and not at all how you hoped, can I remind you to look up? 

These trees in my own backyard, captured this morning, last March, and last August, will continue changing in their own rhythmic way whether I’m watching them or not. There’s a comfort in that for me today— and perhaps for you.

Whatever looks slow and unmoving, with change almost too gradual to detect— is still very much in a pattern of forward transformation.

And these quiet days in the midst of our January-ness— we can be reminded that growth never really stops, especially in the hidden places.

#wonderfortheweary #feastingandforaging #bluehousebackyard
Not moving from this spot, except to boil the kett Not moving from this spot, except to boil the kettle for more tea.

This is the first complete weekend that we’ve been home since Thanksgiving. 😳 It sounds awful, especially for this homebody, but really what it means is, we’ve celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas with family, attended one beautiful family wedding (Hey, Shelby! 👋🏻❤️) one 90th Birthday party for our beloved Granny, and had a family trip. They were all such sparkly gifts. Ones I don’t take for granted and so very different from last year.

But I do love home— and am happy to spend the second half of the day right here with this book which I’m truly enjoying. 📚❤️
The inhabitants of the Dickens Village wanted me t The inhabitants of the Dickens Village wanted me to tell you three V. important things. 1. After years of having one pub and no church, they are *finally* getting a church tomorrow, thanks to FB marketplace. And all the people said, “Amen & Huzzah.” 2. We’re still keeping Christmas over here — Though we’re slowly bending towards back to normal. The tree still lives and we’re celebrating the tenth day of Christmas with a fire & coziness before we pull out the pencils tomorrow. And finally, 3. Everyday Affogato. You might need this tiny pick me-up in your life. One shot of hot espresso poured over a tiny serving of vanilla ice cream. Please and Thank you.✨ #merrymerrystuckeys
2021 was a year of change for nearly all of us. Mu 2021 was a year of change for nearly all of us. Much of which we are happily taking with us into 2022.🥂

Nine squares is not sufficient to reflect the ways we’ve grown and changed, but it is a glimpse of the graces of the year behind us.

Not pictured: waking up to find our children taller and suddenly at our eye level, new laugh lines on our faces, sweltering pool days, fireplace dinners, Marco Polo chats with friends, family weddings & visits, mountain air breathed, books read, new jobs begun, school days, approximately 52 pizza nights, new rhythms & schedules, house repairs, car issues, and God always before us, behind us and within us. Soli deo Gloria. #thebestisyettocome
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave t On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… 🍦Four Honeymoon milkshakes from the Dreamette. We’re going out with a bang, at the spot where their Grandparents grew up eating their ice cream. It’s absolutely the GOAT.
🎄✨Merry Christmas from Team Stuckey!✨🎄 🎄✨Merry Christmas from Team Stuckey!✨🎄

2021 has been full of new things— but I’m grateful we have walked through them together and in God’s sovereign hand. 

Pro (🤣) -Tip: if your Christmas cards say Happy New Year, you have longer to mail them… 📮🥂
Okayyyy @smittenkitchen ‘s Gingerbread Bûche de Okayyyy @smittenkitchen ‘s Gingerbread Bûche de Noël was fun and delicious. 4 out of 4 Stuckeys agree we have a new Christmas dessert! 🎄❤️

Happy Christmas Eve, friends— especially all you midnight merry makers! Hope you find all the stocking stuffers you hid.🙈
Do these Mince Pies make me look One-Quarter Briti Do these Mince Pies make me look One-Quarter British?

Truth be told, my grandma always used the jarred mincemeat and I wasn’t a fan as a child. Only last year did Lance and my Mom collaborate in the kitchen to try out homemade mincemeat filling and let me just say, we are never quitting these! 😍

The filling we use is from @bonappetitmag and it’s really good. It’s a gorgeous blend of apples, dried fruits (cherries, apricots, sultanas, figs, currants) with apple cider, spices, and a few other things. No meat, though.

Happy Christmas from the Jolly Old Stuckeys! 🇬🇧🎄❤️
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