My favorite thing to cook … ??? Hmmmm … this one is hard to narrow down! I love to cook. And, I love to bake. I’m known in my family for my potato salad, bbq, lasagna, breakfast pizza, french toast casserole, party chicken wings, chili and chicken noodle soup. I love finding new recipes to make and love creating my own.
I’m equally as passionate about baking. I bake hundreds of cookies each Christmas for my family and friends; chocolate chip, peanut butter, sugar cookies, shortbread cut-outs, oatmeal, jam-filled thumbprint and ninjabread men (gingerbread men, but their little ninja guys in different kicking stances – I got them as a gift when my sons were little). I’m often asked to make my brownie-bottom cheesecake recipe for special occasions, as well. I’ve also taken over making my Dad his birthday Apple Ring Cake that my grandmother made him each year for his birthday before she passed away.
Pretty much, preparing food for others to enjoy is one of my love languages. Always made with love as it is my main secret ingredient. <3
Woah. This is a very loaded question for me. Simply put, I’m most scared to finally take a leap of faith of cutting the final string from my old life – the only life I ever knew – and set myself free to now live my new life. To redefine it all. Including myself & my purpose.
What would it take for me to do it? So many things, I suppose. Mostly, though … it would require me to simply continue on this journey. One day at a time. One step at a time. To silence my negative self-talk & self-limiting beliefs. To walk in my strength and continue this journey of healing. So. Much. Healing. I’m getting there. Xo!
I enjoy watching football the most, as an overall sport. I looooooooooove high school and college level sports – before pro level – while the passion is greater than the performance! I do watch NFL, though. And enjoy it.
I also enjoy watching basketball, due to the the fast pace nature of the sport.
I enjoy watching just about every sport on a little league/high school/college level; from baseball, basketball, track to wrestling.
The only sport I’m not overly fond of is hockey. Mostly because I can never find the puck! Lol. And, because I’m not a fan of the fighting. Otherwise, it’s cool … just not my favorite.
As for playing a sport, I played softball growing up and LOVED it! And have always missed it. Also, I was a decent sprinter. It’s been a long time since I played a sport competitively or with an organized team, however, I would LOVE to find an adult softball league to play with again.
I’ve also dabbled in football. I was my son’s backyard QB for years (he was a WR on his middle school/high school team)! So, that has been – hands down – my favorite position to play throughout my life thus far. We made many memories for which I will be forever grateful.
If I could make my dogs understand one thing, it be that while I technically rescued them, they actually rescued me. (One already crossed over the rainbow bridge.)
I made these bagels this morning & wanted to share the recipe for any of you that are looking for homemade protein-packed bagels.
I used to make my boys egg sandwiches before school every morning & when my youngest was active in sports (before he graduated and went off to college), I used to make him an egg sandwich about an hour or two before practice and/or games.
They were perfect for him because they sustained his energy for the whole game or length of practice, without being too heavy on his stomach. I always served with a glass of orange juice to help keep his sugar levels up, as well.
Just thought I’d share for anyone that may be kicking off your spring sport seasons with your young athletes. Or, for anyone that loves bagels & enjoys trying new recipes. This particular article and recipe idea was inspired by our local opening day for little league baseball yesterday, in which I attended to go cheer on my nephew.
I wish I would have known about these bagels before now! I recently saw them online and only made them once before. This recipe, however, is a combo of the recipes I found and today, I put a lil flare on it – just for a lil extra pizzazz! 😉
I definitely found the WINNER & will be making them like this going forward, while experimenting only with the topping combinations.
They are soooooooo delicious!! Substantial, yet light ‘n fluffy. Incredibly simple and quick to make AND can be made ahead of time & even frozen.
They took me about 15 mins to prep – start to finish! (Minus baking time) And, this included taking these pictures & going outside twice to ask my dog to stop “talking” to the neighbors who are currently making a patio. 😬
This recipe makes 4 full-sized bagels: 1 1/4 cup plain, full fat greek yogurt 2 cups all-purpose flour (I use the unbleached) 3 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt (I used iodized sea salt)
*Parchment paper for lining cookie sheet. (optional)
(You can also sub out the all-purpose flour, baking powder & salt with self-rising flour. I have not done it this way, but it can be done.)
Mix together & knead (with hands) in mixing bowl until well mixed. (I always sift flour, baking powder & salt into the mixing bowl, then add the greek yogurt.)
Once thoroughly mixed, knead on lightly floured surface about a minute more until smooth & roll into ball. (I form a longer, rectangular “ball” so I can cut into more even sections.)
Cut & separate dough into 4 equal sections. Knead each section of dough for about 30 seconds & roll in palms (or out on floured surface) until stretched out to approximately 6 – 7 inches. (I rolled these out to about 7 inches – just depends on how thick you’d like them to be.)
Form bagel into open circle on a cookie sheet. (I line my sheets with parchment paper.) I also dabbed the ends of dough with water to close bagel shape.
Brush top with egg wash or water. Add seasonings at this time, as well, if you’d like to kick up the recipe a bit!
*Todayyyyy, because I was feeling extra ambitious & fancy, I topped with an olive oil mixture with a pinch of water, butter, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes & a splash of parmesan cheese. (I didn’t measure a thing – just added to lightly warmed olive oil/water/melted butter mixture until my baking ancestors told me to stop!) 😉😂
Bake at 350° for approximately 22 – 24 mins. Cool for about 2 – 5 minutes & enjoy! 😋😍😋
So far, I have only eaten them plain, however, they would make some AH-MAZING egg sandwiches!!!
Please feel free to share the love subscribing to my blog & sharing this recipe with your friends & family.
I started this blog over three years ago with the intention of sharing my thoughts, stories and experiences as a mom, a wife, a business owner, a service provider, a woman and an observer of life.
Three. Years. Ago.
And, here I am. Just now offering my second article. ((I could cry at this reality.))
Three years of what feels like missed opportunities and many moments that are impossible to relive, remember and share.
Life came in like a tidal wave shortly after I started this blog and now I’m living my life through a completely different lens. I wish I would have prioritized documenting life along the way, in the form of this blog.
After all, this was meant to be – in part – an outlet for me to release thoughts as well as create content for others to read, connect with and enjoy.
My life in February of 2022 looks nothing like the life I’m living today – April 1st, 2025.
It’s okay, though. I’m learning to offer myself grace as we all are simply navigating through this life to the best of our ability.
So, today … today is my reset.
My new commitment to myself (and my readers) to go back in time, find the moments of significance to share, all while honoring my love of writing by sharing this portion of my life’s journey – which is now, a life in transition.
I would love for you to join me on my renewed journey – it would mean the world to me, in fact.
I hope you read on & enjoy! Sending gratitude always …
I’m beyond grateful that you have found me here – now, spending some quality time with you.
Welcome.
Welcome.
Welcome, my friend.
This blog has been created for the Mamas, Entrepreneurs, Domestic Engineers, Lovers, Movers, Doers – and, everyone and everything in between! Drawing from life’s simple moments in efforts to stay grounded in heart-centered inspiration and gratitude.
This lifestyle blog includes all the things I wish someone would have shared with me throughout my life’s journey of motherhood and entrepreneurship.
All the things I’ve learned through trial, and mostly, error.
All the things that were shared with me by those with a much more impressive level of wisdom and that gracefully showed me the way.
All of the influences and experiences that resulted in me losing my way. And even, losing myself.
All the things that have instilled sources of inspiration into my life.
And, all the things that have guided me in gratitude as I have walked my path of healing and growth. In all things. In all ways.
A journey of finding my voice and inner-strength, embracing my many flaws and learning to offer myself grace along the way.
If my words resonate with you, offering even the smallest level of inspiration, hope or bring a smile to your face, I will have accomplished what I have set forth to do.
We are all diverse human beings. Our lives are simply journeys of transformation and of evolution.
I whole-heartedly believe in the power of practicing gratitude and stopping to enjoy the simple moments in this life.
More so, I believe in the power of sharing our story and authentic voice with others. It is how we connect with one another as human beings. It is how we learn, and therefore, it is how we grow.
Life is simply too short to not notice the things, both big and small, that offer us genuine, deep-down-in-our-soul, levels of joy. If it speaks to our heart and feeds our soul, it is worth noticing, embracing and sharing …
This blog is my way of sharing with you – Authentically, unapologetically and with passion & gratitude.
I hope you read on, find value within my blog and enjoy … Xo!
With gratitude, always.
Yours in “Blooming”,
💛 Erin
P.S. If you would be so kind, I welcome you to help spread the love by sharing with your friends, family and within your community.
