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Happy Go Stuckey

Tethering Grace & Togetherness

Search Results for: round up

Longing for Paris (among other things.)

November 6, 2015 by HappyGoStuckey Leave a Comment

For eight years, Lance and I have casually discussed taking a trip to Europe. We’ve dreamed of croissants in France and coffee on the sidewalks of Italy. I can nearly smell the rainy fog of London and feel the biting chill in the air as we make our way in and out of tiny book shops, finding rare books and pretending we are expats on holiday.

It may very well happen. One day. One day when our children are old enough to be without both of us and things stop going wrong in our quirky Blue House long enough for us to build a little trip fund– we might just make it.

I have always been a pretender. As a middle schooler I bought Celine Dion’s French album and danced around my bedroom to On ne change pas, pretending I knew that the words meant. I like to dream that we will one day look back over years of marriage with a few more laugh lines and a few more stamps in our passports.  But until then, there are pieces of countries I’ve never visited swimming around in my head. And until I read this book, all those pieces seemed just a little bit silly.

LONGING FOR-3

Sarah Mae and her lovely book, Longing for Paris gave me permission to dream about the silly, the maybe-it-will-never-happen, the over the top wonderful and to enjoy the dreaming almost as much as the reality of those things. She showed me that dreaming is not a last resort. It’s not just the thing we do when the reality is rough. Sarah Mae gently opens the door for our longings, helps us find the true source of them, and then allows the truth of scripture to weave with loving creativity to ENJOY THE NOW.

To not discount the desires of one’s heart but to allow them to point to Christ– and to still find ways to bring our dreams into today? That is a gift.

One thing I held in my hands after reading Longing for Paris was the remembrance that not having instant gratification is an insurmountable gift. NOT having all that we would choose immediately when we would choose it brings us so much more than gratefulness. Delayed answers, difficult seasons, and dreams of one day are all the building blocks of our true selves. Both our longing for tomorrow and our loving the today speak volumes about who we are as created ones. Both the beautiful life we have been given in Christ and the knowledge that tomorrow, the REAL tomorrow– when we are no longer longing for ANYTHING– and we find ourselves FINALLY HOME— preach to our souls about that which we are made for. Our longings for beauty, completeness, love, and community are all homesickness. The kind of Homesickness that makes you love your future home all the more.

[Tweet “Our longings for beauty, completeness, love, and community are all homesickness. The kind of Homesickness that makes you love your future home all the more.”]

I read this book alongside Julia Child’s My Life in France and they were a perfect Frenchy, bookish, couple. If you enjoy dreaming, if you love the “maybe one day…” conversations, if you sit in Starbucks with a croissant and a latte and wish you were 2,000 miles away– If you find yourself wanting a vacation from the every day and also wanting to find yourself freshly LOVING the everyday–  I highly recommend Longing for Paris by Sarah Mae. It’s a good one.

*I received a complimentary copy of Longing for Paris from the Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for my honest opinion. If you’ve visited before, you know that you always find honesty here.
Also, some affiliate links included. This helps me keep down the cost of this blog– X0X0! 

 

Savory Cheddar Scones

November 4, 2015 by HappyGoStuckey Leave a Comment

In college, one of our favorite hang-outs was a quaint british-inspired Tea room. Tucked between the shops on White Street, it was the appropriately fussy place where we escaped Wayne Grudem and ten thousand Greek flashcards. For four years we solved the world’s problems with a scone in one hand and a teacup in the other and though it seems uber-fancy pants, it really wasn’t. I haven’t been to the Olde English Tea Room since we moved away five years ago, but I hope to take my girls there one day– I think they would love it. Just before we left, I went on a last tea-trip with 18 month old Lucy and she teethed on a butterscotch scone and drank milk from a sippy cup while I took mental snapshots to carry with me.

More than just a sugar bowl brimming with good memories, that little haven gave me a love of good scones. Around here, we often like to get creative with our basic scone recipe (which came from a dusty old copy of Joy of Cooking.) A few of our favorite seasonal scones are Cranberry Orange Scones and Apple Oatmeal with Maple Glaze.

But let’s be real. Sometimes, you need a savory scone, especially after an October of Allume cupcakes and Halloween candy. (Not that I know.)

savoryscones

These Savory Cheddar Scones are just that type of scone– flaky and dense, they would be delicious with a big bowl of vegetable soup or chili. Or Tomato soup! They dress up a normal bowl of tomato soup as well. And they are the kind of recipe you can tweak based on what you have– Chopped Ham and Gruyere or Prosciutto and Fontina with a little bit of fresh Thyme would be perfect. Experiment and let me know what you come up with!

 

Print
Savory Cheddar Scones
Author: Cynthia Stuckey
Cook time:  12 mins
Total time:  12 mins
 
Ingredients
  • 2 cups All Purpose Flour
  • 1 tbsp. Baking Powder
  • ½ tsp. Salt
  • ¼ tsp. Dry Mustard
  • Several grinds of coarse-ground black pepper
  • 6 Tbs. Unsalted Butter, chopped into small cubes
  • ¼ cup plus 1 tbsp. thinly sliced green onions
  • 1 cup plus 2 tbsp. freshly grated Sharp Cheddar or Gruyere Cheese
  • Crumbled cooked Bacon, 4 regular strips worth
  • ½ cup Half & Half
  • 1 egg, slightly beaten together with Half and Half
Method
  1. In the large bowl of a food processor, blend together the dry ingredients (flour through pepper.)
  2. Add butter pieces and pulse together until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. Add half of the onions and half of the cheese and then pulse quickly once or twice.
  4. Add the rest of the onions, cheese, and bacon-- still reserving the extra Tablespoons until the end.
  5. Add the egg beaten together with the cream and then pulse 2-4 times.
  6. Take care not to over-mix. You can do this step by hand with a fork or spatula.
  7. Invert the food processor bowl onto a lightly floured surface.
  8. Work dough lightly into a rough circle.
  9. Once the circle is formed, cut into 8 large or 16 small wedges.
  10. Place wedges onto a sheet of parchment paper on a cookie sheet.
  11. Just before baking press the reserved cheese and green onions onto the surfaces of the scones.
  12. Bake at 425' for 12-15 minutes
Notes
To reheat: Wrap in aluminum foil and heat at 350' for 7-10 minutes. Microwaving the scones can make them tough.
3.5.3208

 

 

Sisterhood of the Traveling SWAG and What This Girl Learned about Difference-Making.

October 19, 2015 by HappyGoStuckey 6 Comments

IMG_6351

I am still reveling in the glittery glow of a whirlwind Allume. I am also still avoiding my packed suitcase and hoping I don’t trip over it while I stumble around in yoga pants, drinking coffee, and smiling to remember the worship, the words, and those macarons.

The Allume conference is a generous one and we walked away with these amazing SWAG bags from Persimmon Prints, brimming over with sponsor goodies, books and a whole lotta love. Incidentally, the bags all happened to look the same this year— annnddd…. segue, if you please.

Ten minutes after my tires crunched over leaves in my driveway, I noticed my awesome SWAG bag held my roommate’s journal, marked with a pen and partially open to reveal her copious note-taking skills. Seriously, if you ever find yourself needing explicit instructions about how to dismantle an explosive device, Amanda is the one who you want writing down the directions. This girl makes thorough look easy and she’s pretty rad. Then I saw a few other items that weren’t mine —clearly we had swapped bags.

No problem, she and I could just mail each other our stuff.
Except that our other roommate Taylor, who also happens to be one of those people you always hope you will be with in a crisis because she makes you snort-laugh in the very best way, well she had MY bag…. and Amanda had hers. We’re pretty much a hot mess of mixed up stuff.

smilebooth

For the first few hours, it was all texts and photos of what we have, what we’re missing and oh by the way— who does this thing belong to— and can you mail it to me? And a couple “How on earth did we do this??”
So funny. We are basically that movie with Alexis Bledel and Blake Lively with the teenage angst and the traveling pants… except without the pants and the angst. Ok, not really even a little like that.

Clearly when you live with other people for a couple of days, your stuff gets mixed up with theirs.

allume

Beyond the roommate antics, gracious swag, delicious food, and mind-bendingly-remarkable speakers, there is one major thing that we shared– Questions with hard answers. 

We questioned our influence…
what we could do to change our culture. To make a big difference to the people inside our homes and outside of them. To change lives… those with our eyes & same last name and also those who look, talk, and act nothing like us.

We had hard conversations…
and shared parts of our story that we often keep hidden. The messy ugly parts that point only to our need for Christ. The dark corners, the places where the seeds of doubt and discouragement seek to sprout to the surface and grow roots deep enough to remain.

We struggled…
through elements of our faith and belief that we know to be truth, but that often keep us distanced from others.

At the end of all our questions we found very few answers— except that God is good and we get to be His hands and feet. That we have to keep trying to right the wrongs and that it is worth it. People are worth it. The Gospel is worth it.

to change our world.
to be a light.
to swing the door wide.
to speak words of life.
to be different.
and to keep. humbly. asking. God. to. use. our. influence.

I can tell you one thing about my Allume. It was not at all what I thought it would be. And I LOVE that. 

This message, the message of “together” was not one I knew I needed until I heard it, but oh– how I need it.

I need it again and again and again. I applaud the Allume Team, and my sweet friend Logan for making this year a time for us to stop and be filled. To stop and look at all we can do to change this world when we do it together. 

Stitch Fix Reviews #4 and #5

October 6, 2015 by HappyGoStuckey Leave a Comment

Stitch Fix ReviewFor the sake of time, I’m combining my 4th and 5th Fix Reviews together in one post! If you’re new to Stitch Fix, you can hop over and Read some things I’ve learned about the process.

Fix #4

My 4th Stitch Fix was lots of fun. I had a new stylist this time–Stephanie, and she really listened to my feedback. I specifically asked for pieces in a lower price-range and she seemed to make every effort to do that for me.

Street Level Demi Fold Over Crossbody Bag

IMG_5585
Street Level Demi Cross Over Bag

This bag was an item I pinned and specifically requested because it’s such a great fall color and a fun style. I’m really a one-bag kinda girl and that one bag is almost always my Better Life Bags Brynnda but now that my girls are a bit older I don’t carry around as much kiddo paraphernalia and every now and then I want something a little smaller– however, one thing the Brynnda has taught me is the beauty of a cross body bag. I love having both of my hands free– and this Demi Fold Over Crossbody Bag is just the right size and shape! Verdict: Kept

Loveappella Cheyanne Printed Maxi Skirt 

Loveapella Cheyanne Maxi Skirt
Loveapella Cheyanne Maxi Skirt

There *may* have been a little squeal from me when I opened this skirt. At 5′ nothing– I’ve never found a maxi skirt that wasn’t way too long and I could tell immediately that this one would be perfect. _MG_8577

The fabric is so soft and the pattern is flattering. Verdict: Whole-heartedly Kept (And I’ve already worn it several times-Ha!) 

Le Lis Polli Lace Detail Knit Top 

Loveappella Cheyanne Maxi Skirt
Loveappella Cheyanne Maxi Skirt and Le Lis Polli Lace Top

Ok, this may be one of my favorite items I’ve received so far. (Do I say that often? I feel like I say that often.) The knit top with lace detail makes the perfect combination of casual with a little chic. I know it will be a great layering piece for fall. Verdict: Kept 

Le lis Polli Lace Sleeve Top
Le lis Polli Lace Detail

These next two items I really liked and I would have kept and technically I did in order to get the discount, but I ended up selling them new to someone who was looking for these specific pieces.

En Creme Mai Lace Back Cardigan This cardigan is light and airy, but the stripes would make it go well into Fall, especially here in the South. It was very pretty but way too similar to something I already had. Verdict: Pass 

IMG_5302

En Creme Cardigan

Le Lis Osage Scoop Neck Blouse The soft fabric and navy with orangey-red in this top tempted me to add it to my closet, but it was similar to the THML top from my last fix which I wear often. Verdict: Pass

Osage Top

FIX #5

In the past I have shared with you my policy on product reviews. 100% honesty while still maintaining respect for the company. I have to draw from that today and say that if my 4th Stitch Fix was a complete joy (and it was,) my 5th was a complete disappointment. I made the mistake of not mentioning my hope to have everything within my desired prince range again, and it was absolutely the most expensive fix I have received. The total to keep the entire box would have been $300 (with the buy 5 discount. yikes! Individually, the pieces added up to be nearly $400.)

That being said, I was not overly impressed with anything in the box. I know, #sad. I did keep one item, a pretty awesome pair of black pants– I’ll get to those in a minute– so it was definitely not a total loss.

Pixley Judson Utility Jacket, Dark Grey 

Pixley Judson Utility Jacket
Pixley Judson Utility Jacket

Okay. So. To be fair, I pinned a few utility anorak-type jackets in olive green. Sadly, this “jacket” wasn’t really a jacket at all but was really just the weight of a shirt. The color was every bit as drab as it looks, not really brown– but not really grey. At a price of $78– there was no way this little guy was staying. Verdict: Pass. 

Pixley Judson Utility Jacket detail
Pixley Judson Utility Jacket detail

Pixley Louie Open Drape Cardigan, Grey 

Pixley Louie Open Drape Cardigan
Pixley Louie Open Drape Cardigan

This Aztec Cardigan (which I asked for one specifically) was soft, cozy and warm. As in, the type of sweater you could LIVE in. It would look great with a dark skinny jean, or even white jeans and brown boots– It was quite literally the coziest thing in the box. So why didn’t I keep it? It was grey. Again. I have several grey sweaters and this one just didn’t speak to me. In any other color it would have been a keeper– but sadly this was $78 also, and that’s WAY too much for an I guess I like it.. Verdict: Pass

I know, I know– You’re probably all shocked that I’m being so brutally honest. But when I asked for and pinned pretty Fall colors like Wine, Red, Orange, and Mustard I received this:

_MG_8539

THML Bresee Scoop Neck Top, White This top from THML was flowy and soft, the print combined Navy with a few other darker colors and it had a fun gold zipper up the back.

THML Bresee Scoop Neck
THML Bresee Scoop Neck

I think it would be cute and comfy Fall layering piece. It went back because the fit wasn’t quite comfortable and I also have a lot of Navy and White. Verdict: Pass 

THML Bresee Scoop Neck
THML Bresee Scoop Neck

Market & Spruce Nanterre Herringbone Blazer, Brown — blazers just aren’t my thing. They remind me a little too much of all those bank teller days. Unfortunately the fit was really off too, very snug through the sleeves and shoulders. And brown, more brown. I’m not certain if it’s missing a pocket on the front, or if it’s a style thing. I think this would be super cute on someone else, it’s just not my stage of life. (Yoga pants jokes aside.) Oh, and you guessed it $78. Again. Sadly, It felt pretty thin and not substantial. Verdict: Pass Womp Womp Womp

Market & Spruce Nanterre Herringbone Blazer
Market & Spruce Nanterre Herringbone Blazer

Liverpool Rizzo Skinny Pant, Black

Ok–These were AWESOME. They feel like comfy leggings, they pull on with a stretchy waistband and yet still ahem, keep everything in. I love love love them. They are too long so I’m planning to get them hemmed–maybe even to ankle length because I think they will look very French with black ballet flats. THESE were wonderful and worth the fix itself. Even though everything else was drab, sad and slightly disappointing– these pants were a wonderful surprise. Verdict: Kept!!!!!  And I forgot to take a photo of these but here’s a photo of them on Pinterest. 

I know I’m rarely this negative about well, anything– but especially Stitch Fix. But I honestly felt like they sent me neutral colors when I pinned lots of Fall colors and then blew the prices out of the water. I was really counting on this one to give me a few Fall items–Fall clothes are my favorite.

Honestly though, that is the beauty of Stitch Fix— FEEDBACK IS EVERYTHING. I was as honest as I could be, and I’m certain they will listen to my feedback and my next fix will be much better. If not, I might be taking a little break– but I doubt that will happen. It’s just SO fun… even when it’s not– it is!

**If you’re interested in trying Stitch Fix, just hop over here to set up your style profile and schedule your first fix, easy-peasy! Even with an occasional bust-fix, it’s still such a fun way to add to your wardrobe. This post is not a sponsored by Stitch Fix–though I have included my referral link because they reward spreading the word about their styling service. As always, my opinions are 100% honest and 100% me.

Bringing Lucy Home (A Book Review.)

October 2, 2015 by HappyGoStuckey 2 Comments

In her book, A Million Little Ways, Emily Freeman tells us to “Listen to our tears” meaning in part, that we learn much by paying attention to those things that make us cry.

There are several things that tend to make me cry, but one of them– has been making me cry since 1997. The first time I traveled overseas and saw those precious ones– I cried. Their brown skin and big eyes captivated me and their big smiles shone brighter than their glossy black hair. So many sweet parentless children. No mommy to kiss them goodnight. No Dad to wrap them tightly in a big bear hug. And I just. couldn’t. stand. it.

I still cannot think of many things that make me cry like that does. Seeing a child brought home into a forever family, watching them bond and settle in– I know it’s a long process for some, but it makes me shed big happy tears.

Bringing Lucy Home Book

When my sweet friend Kasey (who just recently brought home her own sweet China Baby!) introduced me to Jennifer Phillips and her book, Bringing Lucy Home— I was anxious to read their adoption story. As I began to read Jennifer’s story of bringing their little Lucy home from China, I realized that orphans and adoption still very much make me cry. Lucky for me, Jennifer also writes with a hilarious wit so the two balance each other quite well. I mean, where else can you read about the anguish of waiting on very important paperwork that will bring your family together again— alongside quippy thoughts about Brangelina and Jackie Chan Lullabies? No where, that’s where. That’s just one reason I enjoyed this book.

Bringing Lucy Home is one family’s story of the obstacles, separation, and joy they encountered when they said an obedient yes to God’s pull on their hearts to adopt. Their first shaky step of faith led to another, and another as they made the journey to add to their family with a little girl who needed them badly. The return trip home wound around many curves and surreptitious detours before they were finally able to begin life together some time later. Through the entire journey, Jennifer shares her story with candid realism and a small dose of honest frustration– but through it all she keeps her face upturned to the true Master of the details. I throughly enjoyed walking through the journey with their family and I am grateful she chose to share her story in Bringing Lucy Home. There were many aspects of international adoption which I found myself learning in the reading of this book, but the most important reminder I walk away with now, is that there are more just like their Lucy. 

As believers, may we never find ourselves turning away from the heart-breaking reality of the orphan crisis– just because it causes us to hurt. The hurt is fruitful when it moves us to action. And it should move us to action. There are millions like Lucy. Alone and in need of a family. The first step for many of us, is open obedience. Available and willing is where I want to reside. What about you, friend?

Jennifer sent me a complimentary copy of Bringing Lucy Home so that I might read it and share it with you–As usual, all opinions are my own.

You can find a copy on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million and by request, your local bookstore.

What I Learned in September (Disney Edition)

September 30, 2015 by HappyGoStuckey 3 Comments

Every month we join together with Emily to share what we learned in that month. Because I know myself and I will likely lose track of time and never share about our recent trip to Disney World, I wanted to share what I learned while there. Enjoy!

DISNEYTIPS

  • To Zig when others Zag. One night, we attended the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary-Halloween-Party and it was tons of fun. However, since our girls are super “scary-stuff-sensitive” we ended up trick-or-treating for awhile (How fun is it to trick or treat in the Magic Kingdom?!) and then just riding rides all night– and we had the best time!! Because of the party, we walked- on most of the rides with no wait time and we did more that evening than a normal day in the parks.
  • Getting up early to see the Opening Show at the Magic Kingdom is 100% worth the missed sleep. (ok- so I already knew this one– but wow. So very fun. I even periscoped it this time.)
  • Sometimes simple fun is the very best. The Penny Pressing machines gave our girls just as much joy as any other attraction. We bought a little book to keep them in, and we will hopefully add to it one day. Best special souvenir ever. I hope Disney always keeps this simple little fun feature.
  • The only thing that would make the Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort ANY better would be if it were on the Monorail line.

    PicMonkey Collage
    The beautiful Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort… so serene and beautiful. The property itself makes for an immediate vacation-mindset.
  • A Rainy day at Disney World is still a great day at Disney World. We had rainy weather almost every day, but being prepared with rain jackets and a rain cover for our stroller made all the difference. AND, at one point, there was even a little show/ mini parade down Main Street with cast members in Rain Jackets and Boots. So cute.
  • The Electrical Parade and Fireworks show is absolutely the best way to end a day at Disney World.

    PicMonkey Collage2
    That time I rode Dumbo with Princess Snow White; Sweet Faces enjoying the Electrical Parade; Meeting Tinkerbell; and Extra Magic with Pixie Dust!
  • Stroller Rental for the Win. We rented a double stroller from Kingdom Strollers for just a few of the days we would be in the parks and the process was affordable and super easy. Even though our girlies are really past stroller age, having one at Disney World was a smart move. Kingdom Strollers dropped off our stroller (with a free rain cover) at the bell stand on the day we needed it and picked it up there a few days later. We even ended up needing it for an extra day and they gave us an extra day for a few dollars more. Easy-Peasy-Lemon-Squeezy! 
  • Favorite Non- Character Meal of the trip: Boma Breakfast at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Seriously. The Jungle Juice, the service, the food selections for both Foodies and their slightly less foodie-children– A-MAZING. This will be a don’t miss whenever possible in the future. If you ever have a chance to do Tusker House Character Meal at the Animal Kingdom Park– it’s right up there with Boma.
  • A Disney World vacation is one of the only places where Mom gets to relax too. I know, it seems crazy– with all the planning that goes into the trip itself– Dining Reservations, Fast-Passes, and just planning-period. But I would much rather plan ahead and then relax. Being able to arrive and have that wonderful Disney service is well worth the advance planning. (And by relax, I mean get up early- stay up late- have a blast every moment in between, but you know, Relax. 🙂
  • Realistic expectations are everything. In the past, we have had marathon trips to Disney– the trips where we go everywhere and attempt to do everything causing us to be 100% exhausted by day three. This time, we purposefully did less and it made a difference. The few days that we chose to spend at the Magic Kingdom (because, that’s the stage we’re in right now– and it’s our FAVORITE park.) were long and crazy fun. The other days we swam in the resort pool, took boat rides to Disney Springs (previously Downtown Disney,) and explored our resort and other resorts. We did different things, we did some of the free things and we enjoyed every minute. However long your trip can be and whatever you have to work with: take my advice, Don’t try to do it all and BE FLEXIBLE. It will make a difference for everyone in your family. When it’s 9PM and everyone’s losing their minds with tired alligator tears, give yourself the freedom to call it a day. I completely understand that whole, “We paid $$$$$ for this vacation and by golly, we’re going to do it ALL!!” but remember, the point of Disney World is a Memorable Fun Trip Together. Don’t miss out on that because you’re all exhausted and hangry. Stop to rest. Stop to Eat. Stop to eat a Dole Whip for crying out loud!!! And have a Magical Time!!! 

disney2015

**We had a wonderful experience, an all around fabulous trip. Much of the ease of planning was due to my friend and travel agent at Kingdom Konsultants, Jennifer. She is a dedicated Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and offers the free service of helping you plan your Disney trip. They also helped us get the Free Dining Plan which Disney was offering at the time. I really appreciated having a professional be in the loop with all the discounts and tips and tricks! Contact her at Jennifer@kingdomkonsultant dot com.

 

**This post is not sponsored, but is my own account of our super-rad time. Yay!

Free to Dance

September 14, 2015 by HappyGoStuckey 2 Comments

If you drive by our house between the hours of 6PM and 9PM you may think we just won a free vacation. We are a dance party family.

And I used to dance with them. But then a few months ago I saw a video Lance took of me dancing with the girls. Instead of noticing the joy in their faces or the fun we appeared to be having– I only saw several extra pounds dancing around my 5 ft. frame. You see, you can easily hide extra fluff with skinny jeans and long cardigan. But very little is hidden when you’re doing the lawn mower in grey yoga pants. Nothing, actually.

dance

The moment that I saw what I thought everyone else was seeing was the moment I vowed to stop dancing with such abandon, even in my own home. Basically I told myself, No more freedom for me, at least not in front of the camera. I kept it to myself and silently loathed the comfort I had in my own skin. No harm, no foul, I could just be the one behind the camera capturing their antics.

Last week at dinner the subject came up suddenly and the words that came out of Lucy’s mouth made my own jaw drop, “Mom’s don’t really dance. Not really ever.” 

What?!!! I thought, Yes I do!!!! We dance all the time!! My stomach lurched as I realized an inconvenient truth. We don’t. They do. I’m the one clearing dishes and smiling from across the room. And even though it’s only been a few months, that is a lifetime to a six-year old.

I know exactly the moment I became someone who stopped having as much fun as everybody else because I didn’t like the way I looked on video. That kind of self-shaming is the worst possible lesson I could teach my beautiful daughters. And it ends now.

I may drag myself out of bed multiple days a week for spin class but it isn’t to punish myself for last week’s pizza. It’s because I only have one body and it’s my responsibility  honor to keep it as healthy as possible. I track my water intake and eat from the outer edges of the grocery store because it’s GOOD for me. Shaking my head every time I look in the mirror is not good for me.

Ironically, the words Free Indeed hang on our living room wall.

Can I ask you the same question I’ve been asking myself? Are you Free? Are you living in that Freedom? Because if you are, fight against anything that would take away that freedom that Christ Himself has given you.

If you are free, STAY FREE. Don’t let what someone else does, says, or looks like take away the freedom that you have been given to be yourself fully.

I’m really not a very good dancer. It’s a bit of a cross between Phoebe Buffay running and Carlton Banks doing his thing… but I’m ok with that. Why? Because it’s fun.

So I’m dancing now. Every single chance I get. Of all the things I want my girls to see my doing, it is living free.

As tempting as it is to restrain myself to residing only in flattering positions… to wait until all of the good choices finally pay off a little bit, it’s simply not worth the sacrifice.

Waiting to dance with my children and the man I love is not worth the sacrifice. And frankly it is a sacrifice that I choose not to make. It’s not about guilt or self-awareness or pretending to be something we’re not. It’s about the freedom we already have.

It’s not about guilt or self-awareness or pretending to be something we’re not. It’s about the freedom we already have.

Live Free, friends. Let’s live free together.

After all, who will teach our children how to do the sprinkler if we don’t?

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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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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 winter 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!✨🎄 2021 has b 🎄✨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 No 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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