2022 – My Year In Reflection

2022 – My Year In Reflection

Dec 30, 2022 | Faith, Family & Home

 

What a year! 

2022 consisted of many mountaintop, valley, and desert experiences. I began the year feeling content and ecstatic about so many new visions. Some of them may have been a little over the top, but others were certainly manageable. I was experiencing immense joy and felt on top of the mountain. 

I won’t lie and say that every smile was authentic and every yes was pure. Social media shows the highlights and I can’t say every photo or post accurately depicted where I was in that current moment – especially because my dream team plans months in advance.  

Somewhere in the middle of the year, I was hit with unendurable pain, falling into a valley. I will be honest in saying that I was shaken. I questioned God a time or two, and I’ve had to use every imaginable strength I possess to keep standing.

However, countless unique opportunities presented themselves, and now I’m keeping my head above water with a ridiculous amount of hope!

Life is a rollercoaster ride.

You either get on the ride with great anticipation of fun or nervousness about what could possibly go wrong. But once you buckle your seatbelt there’s no certainty of what your overall experience will be. Regardless of what you’re experiencing on the ride, you’re not in control of operations, so you can’t just jump off if you become uncomfortable. You have to allow the rollercoaster to run its course. 

The same is true in life. Nothing is certain, so all you can do is buckle up and make it through whatever comes your way. You must endure the good and the bad, all while putting your faith in God and trusting that He has a plan. 

So as I reflect on 2022, I beam, I weep, and I rejoice. I remember that although many of my circumstances and people changed, God never did! Even when I felt shaken, he reminded me why unshakable is in my DNA. The one thing I will forever cling to is Him. As I wait on Him I will praise Him because I’ve seen His goodness and His faithfulness!

I urge you to reflect on your 2022. Don’t minimize or maximize what the year was filled with. Write down everything you can recall about your mountain, valley, and desert experiences. The hardships make the good moments even sweeter. Everything you’ve gone through has helped you to grow. I assure you that not an ounce of it will be wasted!

Looking ahead to 2023.

I’m not sure what’s ahead in 2023. But I’m self-assured I will continue to pursue He who makes all things new and unconditionally loves me beyond measure. I will continue to give my people my best, but only after I’ve poured my cup first – affirming myself like never before. Finally, I will no longer dim my light for others to shine. There’s enough darkness in the room for us to all authentically shine!

Our Family’s Christmas Traditions

Our Family’s Christmas Traditions

Dec 23, 2022 | Faith, Family & Home, For The Holidays

I absolutely love Christmas, it is fascinating to me. Christmas has become one of the most magical seasons and loving on those dearest to my heart while learning more about them is so special. Most importantly, it’s a powerful time for reminiscing on the miraculous gift of Jesus! 

Years ago, I established an ample amount of Christmas traditions that my family cherishes! Some of our traditions include:

On Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, we host a party and cook everyone’s favorite appetizers. I get everyone (including our guests) matching Christmas pajamas and we play music, games, and have deep dialogue. 

The kids participate in a Gingerbread house competition where they each build and decorate their own Gingerbread house. But don’t worry, everyone’s the winner!  

Demario and I always sneak away at some point during the night for a special surprise. He dresses up like Santa and I dress up as his elf. We give everyone in the house a gift and then slip away, returning as ourselves again. The entire crew loves it and it is prosperous for us to make everyone’s eyes twinkle. 

Before bed, we bake cookies to leave as snacks for Mom and Dad when we are working on getting gifts out!

On Christmas Day 

On Christmas Day we begin the day by reading the birth story of Jesus. I want to make sure that my little ones understand what we are really celebrating. We exchange gifts, followed by a mouthwatering brunch. We end the day with a delicious Christmas Dinner!

Although we celebrate all the normal Christmas traditions, I DO tell the kids that Santa is a character (like Mickey Mouse), and he’s not capable of all the things we sing about. It is very important to me that they know the real history and facts about the reason for the season!

The Giving Manger

A couple of years ago, we added “the giving manger” to our Christmas traditions. This practice teaches the kids to serve others, be intentional about kindness, and prepare for baby Jesus to go on display in the manger. We read the book and lay out the manger. Each day they are able to add a piece of straw after doing an act of service for someone. Once we’ve added all the straw from serving others, we get to place baby Jesus in the manger. 

This is a great Christmas activity because it reminds the kids of the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of giving back to others in Jesus’ name. 

We did let go of the elf on the shelf. It was just too much to remember to move those things every night. But I may add them back this year! 

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, from our family to yours!

Christmas-Themed Dessert Charcuterie Board Recipe

Christmas-Themed Dessert Charcuterie Board Recipe

Dec 22, 2022 | Dessert, Food, Holiday Food

 

Prep Time:

10 mins

Cooking Time:

0 mins 

Serves:

6-8 people

 

This super easy recipe is a fun twist on a classic charcuterie board! Instead of meat and cheese, the board is dessert themed with a variety of sweet Christmas treats.

Ingredients

  • Peppermint bark
  • Chocolate covered pretzels
  • Christmas Oreos
  • Christmas M&M’s 
  • Christmas tree-shaped cakes, cookies, and brownies
  • Chocolate covered strawberries

Prep Instructions:

Step 1

First, find a large cutting board or platter as your base. Then, pull together all of the yummy desserts you want on your board. I recommend choosing treats with different flavors and textures. Feel free to mix up the ingredients based on your preferences! 

Step 2

Place the Christmas M&Ms into small bowls and place them on the platter. I recommend putting smaller ingredients or dips into small bowls and building the board around the bowls.

Step 3

The next part is easy! Assemble the remaining desserts (peppermint bark, chocolate-covered pretzels, Oreos, cakes, cookies, brownies, and chocolate-covered strawberries) around your board and serve!

 

This recipe is great for dinner parties and events where people will be mingling and snacking. I hope you and your family try and enjoy a dessert charcuterie board this holiday season! 

 

Daddy’s Favorite French Toast

Daddy’s Favorite French Toast

Nov 28, 2022 | Breakfast, Food, Tamela's Tailgate Treats

[It’s National French Toast Day! I’m re-sharing this post today to celebrate.]

When Daddy is home having breakfast with us during his offseason, we add one of his favorites into our weekly breakfast rotation – my special french toast! My little lambs aren’t crazy about this recipe. (It’s not always about them though, right?) Well, Daddy absolutely loves them, and when Daddy loves something, Mommy keeps it coming.

Weeks ago, I shared a list of five delicious dairy-free alternatives that my family and I enjoy. One of our favorites on that list was So Delicious Creamy Vanilla Oat Milk Creamer, which happens to be a major part of this French toast recipe.

Let’s get into it!

Ingredients

    • 8 slices brioche, or any bread you’d like

    • 2 tablespoons sugar

    • 4 tablespoons butter

    • 4 eggs

    • 1/4 cup milk of your choice

    • 1/3 cup of So Delicious Creamy Vanilla Oat Milk Creamer

    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

    • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)

Toppings 

    • 1 cup of sliced strawberries, bananas, and/or blueberries

    • 1/2 cup maple syrup, warmed

    • 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar to sprinkle

Directions

    1. In a small bowl, combine cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar and set aside.

    1. Whisk together cinnamon mixture, eggs, milk, creamer and vanilla.

    1. Pour into a shallow container, like a pie plate.

    1. In a 10-inch or 12-inch skillet, melt butter over medium heat.

    1. Soak each side of bread in egg mixture.

    1. Fry slices until golden brown, and then flip to cook the other side.

    1. Serve immediately with warmed syrup and other toppings.

Leave a comment and tell me how you and your family enjoy this recipe!

Choc. Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Choc. Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Nov 11, 2022 | Dessert, Food, Tamela's Tailgate Treats

 

Prep Time:

10 mins

Cooking Time:

8-11 mins 

Serves:

8

 

Ingredients

  • 1 stick of salted butter
  • 1 cup of brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
  • 1 jumbo egg, room temperature
  • 3 tbsps of vanilla extract
  • 1 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 tsp of baking soda & baking powder
  • 1 tsp of sea salt + more for sprinkling
  • 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
  • Ice cream brand and flavor of your choice

Prep and Cooking Instructions:

Step 1

Brown the butter over medium heat, constantly stirring until the butter begins to turn a golden brown. Make sure you only brown the butter lightly. Take the butter off the heat immediately and allow it to cool.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled brown butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until blended, then add the egg and vanilla extract.

Step 3

Mix the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a separate bowl. Mix half the dry ingredients into the wet until everything comes together. Slowly add in the remaining flour, a little bit at a time. Fold in the chocolate chips slowly, do not over-mix.

Step 4

Refrigerate the cookie dough for 30 minutes or overnight.

Step 5

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Use a 1-ounce cookie scoop to scoop the cookie dough into balls, placing them 2 inches apart on the prepared sheet. Bake for 11 minutes or until the edges are just golden brown. Top with sea salt.

Allow cooling before inserting ice cream into a sandwich. (See Assembling the Sandwiches below.)

 

Assembling the Sandwiches
Place one scoop of ice cream (about 1/3 cup) for each ice cream sandwich between 2 cookies. Gently press cookies together, and roll ice cream edges in sprinkles. Eat immediately; OR, to save for later, wrap sandwiches individually in plastic wrap. Place into a resealable freezer bag, and freeze until needed.