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Lifestyle Blog Anniversary

I am excited that I am sharing my first lifestyle blog anniversary with you today! I have to tell you, looking back at my pictures I can’t believe the transition and knowledge I have learned this past year. Not just about “lifestyle blogging and social media knowledge” but more about my journey of self discovery. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do a blog and didn’t really know much about it or what I was getting myself into. I just knew I wanted to have fun and share things I enjoy.

Well, sometimes that is easier said than done. I had been so busy with work and raising my kids that I kinda forgot about what I enjoyed doing. I knew I loved riding horses but beyond that I couldn’t remember what was fun for me, I’m sure some of you women can relate. We get so caught up in our responsibilities and our daily stresses. When we are given the chance to slow down, collect our thoughts and process things, it gives us a opportunity to reflect. What do I enjoy doing? Is it exercising, cooking, crafting, entertaining, travel? My creative director, Rachel, kept telling me to be myself. What was that? Sounds simple but for me it took some time to dig deep and figure those things out.

One thing I knew for certain when I started my blog was I hated getting my picture taken. LOL! I asked myself, “why on earth did I decide to have a blog?” I told Rachel and my photographer that I just wanted to be a hand model. Lol! Why couldn’t she just take pictures of my hands? Well, as you can see in my blog, it didn’t go that far. I am in just about every picture. I know it sounds trite but I didn’t like the way I looked in pictures. Over time, I began to accept my flaws and just get over it and not worry about it anymore. Hence the fact that I am putting some of my bloopers on this post!

Fear. Fear is something I have had to power through. This last year I have had to power through so many things that have been scary for me. Public speaking, riding horses competitively, taking risks, and even finishing my scuba certification! Each time I powered through one of my fears I got stronger and stronger. I encourage you to face your fears head on, forget about failure and “just do it”! It can be so enriching and rewarding. I am hoping to share more of my journey in my blog this year.

I also have learned to laugh more and make a conscious effort to be light hearted. The previous years have been so serious. I was experiencing so many changes in my life that I forgot the laughter. My goal for this next season is to bring in more humor and more of my goofiness. I think so many of us need more laughter in our lives. They say, “The best medicine is laughter.” I want more laugher in my household. More laughter in my life.

As I look ahead to this next year, I am excited. Excited to see what the future holds for A New Day Lifestyle. Excited about the opportunity to share with you more laughter and more joy. I am excited to face more fears and power through them! I look forward to sharing this with you in the hopes that you will be inspired to be your best self, live a fulfilling and enjoyable life and to just BE YOU!

June 12, 2018 by She Bakes The Heat

Recipes

Boozy Lemonade Ice Pops

A few months ago I shared a post with a couple of Spring Spritzer recipes. In one of the recipes I used Elderflower Liqueur, it was the first time I used it and it was so good! It was light and refreshing and not too sweet. I don’t like super sweet drinks of any kind and I loved the ones I made up for that post. Needless to say, I wanted to find a way to use it for entertaining that would be fun and refreshing this summer. Since adult ice pops are all the rage right now, I created this yummy boozy lemonade ice pop recipe for you.

I like the idea of making them ahead of time so when you have friends over for a last minute boat ride or bonfire this summer, you have something refreshing ready to offer them. I found the zipzicle bags really reasonably priced on Amazon, 100 for $13. The drink has vodka, Elderflower liqueur and lemonade. I used Country Time Lemonade. I think it is the best! For the complete recipe use the following:

Pour Country Time Drink Mix level with 2-quart line inside the cap and add cold water and ice to make 2 quarts (8 cups). After I mixed the lemonade, I then I dumped out two cups of the lemonade and set aside. I then replaced that same amount with the following portions. This made it so it froze but also had a better taste.

Add 1 1/2 cups of Tito’s Vodka or your choice

Add 1/2 cup of Elderflower Liqueur

Mix together and using a funnel to pour to the line on each zipzicle. Seal the zipzicle and place upright in freezer for 18-24 hours. When ready to serve, serve immediately or place in a cooler or bucket of ice.

We enjoyed these recently sitting around the pool. Our friends loved them. I am sure I’ll come up with some other easy recipes to use your zipzicles! They are fun and make entertaining easy for the summer! Enjoy!

June 4, 2018 by She Bakes The Heat

Lifestyle

Father’s Day Gift Guide

Well, it’s that special time of year when we get to celebrate our fathers. I am so blessed to have a father who is supportive of me and always shows how much he cares. I grew up with some fun memories of my dad. I remember going on motor cycle rides with him. It was always so fun and such a great time together. I also remember my dad alway putting his arm around me and telling me how proud he was of me. It’s something that I will always cherish and warms my heart. I heard once that a mother always loves you but a dad gives you your identity. For whatever reason a mother’s love is sometimes taken for granted (I mean this in the best way, I am a mother too) but a father defines you. Your relationship with your father is so important to your overall feelings about yourself. Some may disagree and I am just passing on some food for thought. I do feel personally that my dad gave me a confidence that I couldn’t have gotten anywhere else. He has always been a no non sense kind of guy and I have grown into being a frank and forth right women. I guess sometimes it may come across as harsh but in the end you always know where I stand and what I am thinking. I thank my dad for his honesty.

Anyway, this post was supposed to be about a Father’s Day Gift Guide! Haha! I am getting to it! I am excited to share with you some of my favorite things to get your dad to show him how much he means to you. I broke this down into different categories for the griller, the golfer, the fisherman and many more ideas. I hope that you can find something special that resonates with you. Most importantly it does matter what you get your father but rather a reflection of the thought that you put into the gift. This year I am giving my dad a Tagine. It is something I think he will really enjoy. He loves to cook and there are some fabulous recipes that LeCreuset provides for this wonderful piece. Last year I did a post about the Pistachio Pedestal I got him from Uncommon Goods and he still uses it. It wasn’t too pricy and I am glad he loves it. I actually bought one for myself and every time they come up from Nashville to visit I get it out! It is such a great piece!

For those of you that do not have a father present in your life, I wish you peace and love. I know that there is a God that loves you and He is your eternal father. Dig deep and you will find him… He is waiting. Blessings to you! xoxo

May 30, 2018 by She Bakes The Heat

Lifestyle

CMU Commencement; My Tidbits Of Advice

This past fall I got a call from the president’s office from Central Michigan University, my alma mater. They asked me if I would give the commencement address this coming spring 2018. My first response was to laugh out loud. My second respond was gratitude AND fear! I actually took a couple of days to think it over, this would be a huge undertaking! I’d be speaking publicly to thousands of people! I must add that public speaking has always been one of my biggest fears. I have since gotten much better at it through practice and perseverance. Well, I ended up taking on the challenge as it was an honor that I could not possibly pass up! Shortly after the call, I received a letter formally congratulating me on a Doctorate of Public Service they wanted to give me the day of graduation. I couldn’t believe it! My eyes welled up at the thought that someone would think I deserved this esteemed privilege.

I started to get to work on my speech. As I reflected on the 25 years since I left CMU, I was a bit overwhelmed to think how my life has been shaped and all of the things that had happened. I wanted my speech to be relatable, funny and inspiring. Once my speech was done I practiced over and over again. By the time the commencement address rolled around, I was ready. I was excited and anxious for the day’s events.

As I sat in the chair waiting to give my speech, I was reflecting on my life and what I was going to say to the soon to be alumni. There was so much that had happened since my time at CMU. Some of the most profound changes in my life came from when I took a risk, opened myself up to new experiences and never gave up on my dreams. Tidbits of advice that I wanted to share with these young adults. When I approached the podium all fear and anxiety left me. I was so grateful to be there. I wanted to embrace the moment. I was ready to share my experiences in hopes of inspiring them. It was wonderful being able to look them in the eye and tell them that life is going to be okay. I told them to be patience with themselves, take risks and follow their dreams no matter what others may say. I believe taking risks is what makes life richer. I wanted them to know that no matter how scared and afraid you can be, it is important to not let it swallow up or paralyze you from reaching your fullest potential. I also shared that they have to look around them and help others where they are called and it can be a wonderfully healthy addiction.

Getting my Honorary Doctorate in Public Service and giving the commencement address at my alma mater will be a day I will never forget. I look back on that day as a gift. As I continue to move forward in my life I will always take risks, follow my dreams and never give up… because it is always worth it! With graduation and open house season upon us, what tidbits of advice would you offer to young people?

May 29, 2018 by She Bakes The Heat

Recipes

Baked French Toast Casserole

I hosted a Ladies Brunch recently and my friend Kim brought this Baked French Toast Casserole for dessert. The delicious smell came through the house before we even saw her come in! Needless to say, it was a hit and I had to get the recipe and share it with you. You can make it with or without pecans. I love that I can use the eggs from my chickens and this syrup is my favorite! This weekend my son is having a bunch of his friends over and I’ll be whipping it up for them for breakfast.

Baked French Toast Casserole

Ingredients

1 loaf French Bread 13 - 16 ounces
8 large eggs
2 cups half and half
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
dash salt

Praline Topping

1/2 pound butter (2 sticks)
1 cup light brown sugar packed
1 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

Cut French Bread into 1 inch slices.
Arrange slices in 2 overlapping rows in a generously buttered 9 x 13 baking dish.
Combine eggs, half and half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and whisk until blended but not too bubbly.
Cover bread evenly with mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices.
Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
Combine all praline topping ingredients and blend well.
Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden and serve with maple syrup.

May 18, 2018 by She Bakes The Heat

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