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Dear Other Mothers

August 7, 2013 by HappyGoStuckey 8 Comments

Dear Other Mothers, aka Veteran Moms who put their kids in school last year and saw that they survived just fine:

You should know something. Today was an isolated incident.

I promise I’m not crazy. I’m not emotionally unstable. I assure you that you won’t see me stone-faced and stoic, hiding behind my dark sunglasses (in the building!) every day that I drop my daughter off for Pre-School, whilst biting my lip and hoping no one speaks to me so I can escape to my car before I totally lose it.

Today was new. Today was scary. Today, I literally DID have movie-clip type flashbacks to different scenes in her short little life thus far. The night she was born. The way she felt wrapped in a receiving blanket when they laid her in my arms. The days she learned her numbers, (well, after she learned that they did not go, “One-uh, Two-uh, Nine-uh, TENNNNN!!!!” )

Today she faced a brand new adventure with all the bravery and excitement that she should have. As we walked down the hall to her room, I felt her grip tighten around mine and her steps slowed a little bit. Just before her class door, she looked up at me with wide, uncertain eyes. I recognize that look, because I woke up with it on my heart this morning. I fought the temptation to say, “QUICK! Out the side door! Let’s make a run for it!!!!” and instead I smiled into her little green eyes and said, “Are you ready?! This is going to be SO much fun!” Then she hugged me tight, put her little hands on my face and said with all resolve and courage, “Mommy. I’m GOING to miss you. But I’m GOING to have fun. I Lud you. See you later.” And then turned and ran headlong into her new little world.

And as I drove away, (slowly– so that the teary vision wouldn’t cause me to hit another emotionally-wrecked motorist.) I knew that this was just one little step in her big life. I knew she would be fine. I knew she would LOVE school and that school would LOVE HER. And, I knew I’d be back in a few hours. Most importantly, I KNEW that Her Creator was holding her in His capable hands, far better than I ever could. And that a little bit of letting go is 100% necessary to watching HIS PLAN for their lives unfold.

4 Things I Love Right Now, and 1 That I Do Not.

August 5, 2013 by HappyGoStuckey Leave a Comment

Happy Monday!!!

We had a great weekend and I hope you did as well.

Monday always means getting our act together: laundry, grocery shopping, and meal planning, etc. But, as you’re going about your business today– here’s a little “Product Love” for you!

1. Flat Out Flatbreads

These were recommended to me as great (QUICK!) pizza crusts, and after trying them–I’m a believer! Each crust has only 140 calories–which means you can load it up with healthy ingredients and it makes a delicious and satisfying meal. They can also be grilled, which I cannot wait to try. We made them last night with a little bit of roasted peppers and onions (EVOO, S&P and 425′ for about 15 min.) and then added a bit of shredded pork from the freezer. Very good!

Here’s what ours looked like:

Once baked, I drizzled with a bit of balsamic glaze, which brings me to #2!

2. Colavita Balsamic Glaze– this is not the same as Balsamic Vinegar, but is a reduction made from that Vinegar. It is a bit pricey, about 10.00 for this bottle, but I’ve been using it all summer and still have more than half left. It is extremely flavorful so you only need a little bit. It goes great with many things, Caprese Salad being one of the best! Also, think, roasted veggies, grilled steak (perfection!) or pork, and it will jazz up a pasta or risotto very nicely.

Caprese Salad (See? A little goes a long way!)

3. Smaska Children’s Plates from Ikea

These are excellent, non-breakable, dishwasher safe plates for little ones. They also come in bowls. We have had both for years, and they are just as nice as the day we got them. They nestle together, saving space; and they are the perfect size for littles! And at $3.99, they are a steal! Put them on your list next time you visit an Ikea!

4. Meadow Showers Candle from Yankee Candle

We love the quality of Yankee Candles around our house! They are a great product and even though we wait until we can stack a coupon with a sale and get a really good deal, they are still a luxury item for us. This scent is a nice, light springy scent that will carry into that awkward time between summer and fall. Still too hot to break out the pumpkin candles, but still “fall.”

And, now for #5. Something I do NOT love. This sweet baby is starting school on Wednesday. Pre-K 4, only three days a week, but still. This fact had me reduced to a puddle of tears last night when I thought about not being there in case she gets cold and forgets she has a sweater in her backpack. I know. I’m such a baby. But I better get it out of my system while she isn’t looking. She’s going, ready or not.

And she is going to have a fantastic time.

Still, SIGH.

Iced Coffee Recipe and Techniques

August 1, 2013 by HappyGoStuckey 3 Comments

I’m not sure how I became the spokesperson for all things Iced and Coffee, but I LOVE the stuff so much that it just seems fitting. Even in times when I’m seriously counting calories, I carefully budget (and measure) in my one Iced Coffee per day.

There are basically two major ways to make Iced Coffee. By the pitcher, and by the glass. I prefer by the glass, but I’m going to give you instructions for what goes into both. You should not, I repeat should not take hot or warm-ish coffee, pour it over ice, add sugar and call it a day. The coffee will melt the ice, and you will end up with a nice glass of tepid, watery coffee. Not good. But try one of these and I might just make a believer out of you! (those of you who know how to do this, please excuse the step by step instructions.)

Iced Hazelnut Coffee (Large Batch)

(Great if you can consume it within a few days.)

One large 8-cup pot of strong brewed Hazelnut coffee (or any flavor you like– check out the Fresh Market for some excellent flavors!– My current favorite is Hazelnut– )

Sugar (to taste… start with about a quarter of a cup for 8-cup pot)

Milk (I like to use a bit of half and half to make it slightly rich and then the rest 2% or Whole Milk)

Pour the coffee in a large pitcher, add sugar and stir. Add Milk until it’s the desired color you like. Taste for sweetness, add more sugar if needed. Stir again until sugar is disolved and then place in the fridge for several hours or overnight. Serve over lots of ice in a glass, if you have a a mason jar, even better.

Keep in mind, whenever you have a partial pot of coffee left over in the morning, don’t throw it out!!! You can do this and have a delicious treat the next morning instead of having to talk yourself out of swinging by Starbucks!!! This is WAY more cost effective and you can drink it in your P.J.’s!!!

Method 2: Making a Coffee Concentrate.

I make up (or more accurately, my moonlighting barista husband makes up) a small batch of very strong coffee. He makes his daily coffee on the strong side anyway, so I can basically take that, chill it and it makes perfect iced coffee. But usually, we will make a batch of strong coffee, either by french press, espresso pot, or in the regular old coffee pot. There is also this method of Cold Brewing your coffee. It’s pretty good too.

Step 1: Brew your Strong Coffee and place it in the fridge over night or for at least a few hours.

Step 2: Prepare your Sweetener, usually a Simple Syrup like this one. I always do 1:2 ratio of water to sugar. Raw Sugar works nicely too. I recommend keeping this in the fridge, if you don’t want to, buy it. At times, I will visit my friendly neighborhood Starbucks, and they will sell me a large bottle of flavoring syrup in Vanilla, or Hazelnut or whatever for around $8.00. (Reasonable vs. several lattes at said Coffee Shop.) And no refrigeration needed.

Step 3: Using a small glass, preferably a different one than you will drink from, measure out the concentrate you want. Add your syrup to taste. Add a small splash of half & half and then add a bit of milk until you reach your desired color. Pour into another glass full of ice and Enjoy!

I like this method especially for entertaining because others can truly customize it to their tastes.

Now grab yourself an Iced Coffee, a muffin (or a cookie!) and a good book!

MeetCynthia

Dear Friend,

Are you hoping for a place to be welcomed? There is a cozy spot for you right here.

I grew up at a large Pine table the color of cold coffee grounds. There with my parents and four brothers, I learned the goodness of being together long before my Mary Janes grazed the floor. Family meals were a satisfying rhythmic circus which planted deep within me a love of togetherness.

Togetherness. I love the reverse creak of my front door bringing in friends for coffee. The smell of homemade soup simmering is enough to make me not loathe winter quite as much and I firmly believe that many of life’s problems can be solved with a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet.

I believe that we are a people created for community with God and with others and that we burst into this world with the innate hunger to be known well. When we bend inward and share life together, we may further turn upward to the true Giver and Sustainer of life. This life together tethers us like long branches to the trunk of a mighty oak. When we lean into the tethering and create community, we honor our Creator.

Family. I am a mom of two twirling girls and the happy wife of a blue-eyed man with mad latte-making skills. We live life from the front porch of a blue house in the modern deep south. We own too many books, never waste good coffee, and try to teach our girls the importance of an impromptu dance party.

Grace. I am daily reminded of how much I need Christ. I need Him in my mothering, in my marriage, and I need Him each and every time I pick up a pen to write. Every moment of every day I am aware of my lack and of His plenty. As long as I draw breath, I will keep telling the story of how He rescued me.

This online space is the same as if you visit me on my front porch with the white lights, in my kitchen with the creaky floors, or curl up on my well-broken in couch. I hope it will be the place where you can exhale and know that you are wanted. I want you to leave refreshed and filled and with an armful of leftovers.

I’d be so happy if you would join me here. May I invite you look around a bit? Check out the featured posts or maybe even sign up to receive all future posts by email? Enter your name and information right over here in the sidebar. Easy-Peasy. Oh, and your email is always safe with me. Pinky promise.

XOXO,
Cynthia

https://happygostuckey.com/starthere/

Happy Birthday to the Court-ster!

May 31, 2013 by HappyGoStuckey 2 Comments

She’s been by my side through some of my best (and worst) moments.

We have almost always lived in the same town since we were small children.

After high school, we both found ourselves at the same college in beautiful NC.

She made me many a bowl of oatmeal when we were both broke college students, and somehow made it taste like a 5 star brunch.

During/ After college, we watched each other meet, date and marry our husbands.

She was there when I found my wedding dress.

We gladly donned bridesmaids dresses and watched the other become a wife.

Soon after, our husbands got on board and also became best friends.

We lived 5 and then 30 minutes apart during our respective first years of marriage and spent many weekends eating good food and loving life!

She was there the night Lucy was born. She came back the next night and the night after that.

She brought me her classic chicken and rice casserole and sweet tea to help me in the throes of a nasty bout with PPD when Lucy was only a few weeks old. (Is there anything better than your best friends and comfort food when you’re sad?)

She helped us move. They actually followed us to Augusta and helped us move in. She helped me set up my kitchen while I stood back and thanked God for such a blessing.

She and her love moved back to our home state around the time we moved to Georgia, thus solidifying several years of frequent visits!

She was with me the day I found out I was pregnant with Abby.

We’ve shared a love for Le Creuset, travel, relaxing with our loves, cooking good food, making our houses homes, Mason Jars, Anne of Green Gables, Friends, good music, and great coffee.

I HONESTLY don’t know where I’d be without her and SHE TURNS THIRTY TODAY!!!!!!!

Welcome to the club, Courtney! I love you and am so honored to call you part of my adopted family.

(Courtney, don’t be mad. I HAD to post these pictures. Are you mad?! Love me!)

To miss or not to miss, that is the question. (Thankful Thursday)

February 2, 2012 by HappyGoStuckey 2 Comments

Being that we are about to meet our 2nd daughter next week (yay!) I already find myself torn between wanting just a little more time of being pregnant and wanting her to come now, TODAY and not next week. I wouldn’t say that this pregnancy has been easier or harder, just different for different reasons. But as I sit at the end of a 9-month road, about to enter into a new season of life, I cannot help but ponder what things I will and will not miss. Funny how big changes always prompt that in us. I had to write this all down for myself so I remember!

To miss:
* The movements. All the little kicks and feelings that remind me of the beautiful one God has created in His image in my growing belly. From the first little flutters months ago to the full-on conga line the last few days, I have LOVED being constantly reminded from our little girl, “Hey mom! I’m in here! Take good care of me!”
* The affinity for food. This sounds funny, but any currently pregnant woman will attest, you either hate food or you LOVE it. As ferociously as I despised having to think about cooking, eating, meal planning in the beginning, the 2nd half of the pregnancy has brought with it, a fresh appreciation for all things culinary! There are only a few things I really cannot stand but mostly, there are so many things I liked before that I can’t get enough of now! Luckily, they are (mostly) all healthy things. 🙂
*My time with Lucy though I know I will still have this to some degree, we have been just inseparable the last little bit, as I have been soaking up the time with her. We have made some great memories and I though I greatly look forward to time with TWO little girls, I will miss the “just she and I” time.
*Having clothes that fit like they’re supposed to. This may seem like it’s in the wrong category but I have really enjoyed Maternity clothes this time around– much more than last time. And I was reminded of the awkward stage that comes immediately after when your clothes don’t fit right yet but the maternity clothes look a little strange without the cute belly sticking out. BUT, we have a double stroller, and this mama will be hitting the pavement as soon as the Dr. gives me the ok. 🙂
*My predictable time with Lance as much as this is no where what it was before we had kids, every night we know bedtime for the little one is coming and as soon as it does, we can sit and be uninterrupted for as long as we like, usually until we both fall asleep these days. 🙂 I will enjoy getting into a new normal and establishing our new routine of “us” time.
*My rockstar parking spot at the Grocery Store. Really. Once I got big enough to really show, I have completely used the “stork” parking every time we go–especially when I have little Lu with me. Lifesaver!

NOT to Miss:
* My lack of gracefulness. Seriously, I have never dropped so much, knocked so much over, and spilled things in my life.
* The many embarrassing, uncomfortable, and very often painful symptoms that remind you, “By the way– you are growing another life and you probably won’t feel normal until you are finished doing so.” These are the things that you forget about from one pregnancy to the next. That’s the selective memory that allows us all to keep having children. 🙂
*Sleeping propped up. Honestly, I’ve never had Heartburn or anything else that always seems like something your grandpa gets, but this pregnancy, whoa buddy.
*My energy level decline. Though I know this will only sink further over the next 6-9 weeks– I look forward to being able to do things all day long without having to take multiple breaks.
*Not being able to pass a bathroom without a visit. The funniest thing about this is, Lucy recently became potty trained and so every time she goes, I go just in case. So between my having to go every 15 minutes, her going every 30 and all the time in between, we don’t get very much done when we leave the house. HA! Too much information? sorry.
*Expecting some weight gain on a regular basis. I mean really, who WANTS to keep gaining weight? Thankfully, I have gained WAY less this time than last. Chasing a toddler vs. sitting at a desk will do that to you. 🙂

All in all, this has been a great pregnancy and I’m just so happy to be having another Healthy baby that I think I should be rejoicing no matter the discomforts. Praise God for sustaining us and for my wonderful Husband. He has been a true knight in shining armor through the whole experience and I am SO very thankful to be able to ~~walk~~ WADDLE this road with him at my side.

And just for fun, let’s take a brief look at where the PREVIOUS 9 months of pregnancy took us:

From Here… 05/26/09

To here…

To here: 11/2009

To here– 05/2010

To here 04/2011 (Sassy Pants)

To here! 01/2012

Contentment Lessons from a Toddler

December 17, 2011 by HappyGoStuckey 3 Comments

It’s nothing new that children as small as Lucy can hear something you say once, and then repeat it at the appropriate (or inappropriate!) time. But during the last few weeks, God has used her to remind me of a very important lesson just with the simple fact that she has been repeating something I say.

Often when we are grocery shopping together and we get ready to finish up and check out, I say, “Okay! We have everything we need.. we can go now!” I never realized how often I say it or how much she is understanding.

A couple of days ago, I was sitting, making a list of the gifts that we had bought and the ones we still had yet to buy while she was playing in her playroom. I must admit, I was slightly stressing over all that we still “had” to do on the budget we had. Don’t get me wrong, we drastically cut back this year… mostly out of necessity. I was worrying that by making a simple Christmas budget this year, we would leave someone out or hurt someone’s feelings… I worried that I wasn’t doing enough for my own parents and in laws when they have all done so much for us… I was thinking that maybe we should buy Lucy another small toy…

Enter Lucy with her pink shopping cart and a purse on her shoulder.
“Mommy! Look! I have EVERYTHING I need! I have everything I need, Mommy!”
I look down in her shopping cart and I see her sippy cup of milk, her favorite doll, and a book–and a hot dog bun from her kitchen set.
At first I just smiled at her in disbelief, knowing she couldn’t possible be reading my mind but still knowing that the One who made her did.
Luckily, I recovered and said something like, “You sure do! are you having fun?!” to which she replied, “YES.”
And she wheeled around, happy as can be, and went about her playing in the other room.

In the past couple of days, she has said this phrase several times and each time, I try to really HEAR her and be reminded, that “YES, she does.” SO DO I. SO DO WE ALL. This year, we have enjoyed several new, fun experiences with Lucy since she is a bit older and more able to understand–but even with all of this, I realize, “Enough is enough.” Meaning, we have enough. What we can afford to do is enough. Praise God, she is not quite at that point where enough does not feel like enough. But she will be soon, because she is human. My prayer is that we will continue to reinforce the fact we are happy and healthy and loved with what God chooses to PROVIDE for all of us. And we have enough. And if we were to be totally honest, enough is kind of an understatement. We have more than we NEED.

Because massive amounts of stuff or not, (preferably not!) we have Everything we need!

Dear Other Mothers

4 Things I Love Right Now, and 1 That I Do Not.

Iced Coffee Recipe and Techniques

Iced Hazelnut Coffee (Large Batch)

Method 2: Making a Coffee Concentrate.

Happy Birthday to the Court-ster!

To miss or not to miss, that is the question. (Thankful Thursday)

Contentment Lessons from a Toddler

happygostuckey

Miss Something?

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Search Results for: round up

However, if you see me tomorrow, and you think to yourself, “Is that that same crazy mom who looks like she just lost her best friend?”

Just go easy on me. Because, that little, big, ponytailed girl I just dropped off?

She was just a baby, like 5 minutes ago. And I’m going to have to get used to the idea of her being as big as she clearly is. But I’ll get there. Just not tomorrow.

Iced Hazelnut Coffee (Large Batch)

Method 2: Making a Coffee Concentrate.

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