Better Than We Found Them

What if our purpose is merely to leave people and places better than we found them…❤️

I once found myself doing a few simple tasks that should have been a basic part of life but instead began to ignite embers of resentment in my heart.

I had just spent some time inside of our home fixing a few things and then moved on outside to tackle a real mess of a weed situation.

With each yank of a wretched tendril another seemed to appear before my eyes. Medusa’s never ending snakes seemed to be the ground with which I was working and suddenly the nastiness of her was in my heart. I found myself thinking, “could we ever live somewhere that starts out beautiful instead of always a place that needs to be rescued?!”

And then “she” appeared before my eyes.

I pictured the previous home we’d been in.

Rescuing Our Home

I imagined her old and depleted. Her feelings of being forgotten hung with every worn wall and broken hinge.

I felt her ache and depression; unneeded, unwanted, empty and ugly.

And then I saw us.

My little family happily working with small children running here and there as we gently began to love her.

Moving walls and brightening her shadows.

Lifting smudges and beautifying her surroundings with a few more plants here and a little weeding there.

Suddenly she was awakening. She began to straighten herself up when we were around, standing a little taller and almost giving in to a smile and giddiness as the children laughed and played.

Soon enough the gray shadows of nothingness were replaced with confidence and purpose.

There she was, loving us as we were loving her.

She had purpose once again and all because a little family showed her that she still had life left to live and something wonderful to become and offer.

Leave People and Places Better Than You Found Them

My heart completely softened as the sentence rang through my mind and heart with such clarity as the sun breaking forth through the morning haze:

What if your purpose is merely to ❤️Leave people and places better than you found them.❤️

What if that’s what it means to keep your covenants?

What if that’s your noble duty on earth?

People and places… better than you found them. ❤️

READ: Better Than We Found Them

Tender green beans, baby potatoes, smoky bacon, and sweet onions are perfectly combined in this irresistibly classic southern side dish.

Southern Green Beans

It goes without saying we are a meat and potatoes kind of family. Adventurous eaters with tastebuds that favor the southwest, but put a classic, filling meal on the table and my crew of boys are ready to dive in

I served these Southern Green Beans and Potatoes along with our favorite Crispy Oven Baked Chicken. It was the perfect pairing, because the chicken finished cooking just as the potatoes were tender. The meal was a hit with my whole family.

When my friend Melissa (of Melissa’s Southern Style Kitchen) told me she was writing a cookbook, I told her I wanted to be first on her list to review it. When I received my advance copy I couldn’t stop flipping through it and drooling over everything.

The cookbook, Melissa’s Southern Kitchen, was released a few years ago and you can find it here on Amazon or countless other retailers. I have loved cooking so many of the family recipes that she shared.

Whether you are looking for a full Sunday dinner or a casual weeknight supper, there is a recipe here for every occasion.

With recipes like Melissa’s unforgettable Buttermilk Fried Chicken, BLT Macaroni Salad, Pecan Praline Baked Brie, and so many others, I have had a lot of fun trying these recipes.

Read more

I’m not exaggerating when I say this Peanut Butter Fudge is one of the best fudges I’ve ever tasted. Rich, creamy, over-the-top fudge that is so easy to make, you might laugh.

Creamy Peanut Butter Fudge

My brother tasted this creamy fudge at my house years ago and called us the very next night for the recipe. He couldn’t stop thinking about it and needed to make it right away.

I gave him the recipe and he couldn’t believe this was all there is to it. With just four ingredients, this is one of the best peanut butter fudge recipes I’ve ever tasted, and it is also beyond simple to make.

I’ve been making this fudge recipe now for over 10 years now and it’s a solid keeper. Without fail, everyone who tastes it requests the recipe immediately.

Recipe for Peanut Butter Fudge

I was so excited to find Alton Brown’s recipe for Peanut Butter Fudge almost ten years ago and it’s become a family and friend favorite over the years.

It is an awesome way to impress someone with a gift that takes just minutes to put together. I can’t think of anyone who likes peanut butter and wouldn’t be excited to receive a box full of this during the holidays.

Put this recipe on your Christmas treat list now and skip the baking! It’s perfect to snack on while you’re wrapping gifts or for enjoying next to a crackling fireplace with the ones you love.

Peanut Butter Fudge

With all the attention we give chocolate fudge, I think the goodness of peanut butter fudge gets overlooked.

Don’t get me wrong, I love all kinds of chocolate fudge from Chocolate Almond Fudge  to this Read more

Mini Cadbury Chocolates Pumpkin Cookies

Just when I thought our chewy pumpkin cookies couldn’t get any better, I had the thought to add chocolate! And not just any ol’ chocolate, Cadbury chocolate!

You know those perfect little candy coated chocolate eggs that flood the grocery stores at Easter time? They are addicting! Now you can find them in the fall in their harvest mix and at Christmas time. It was hard enough to control myself at Easter time with the mini eggs but now fall and Christmas too?!

To heck with! Indulge! Cadbury, I see you! And I’ll add you to my favorite pumpkin cookies! Drooling!

Ingredients for Cadbury Pumpkin Cookies

You’ll need a few ingredients outside of your standard cookie dry and wet ingredients for this cookie recipe…pumpkin puree, of course, pumpkin pie spice, maple syrup, and the Cadbury chocolate. Here is your full shopping list:

Cookies

• Butter – we will brown the butter first thing, love that nutty flavor
• Brown Sugar – because of the molasses, it actually works differently in baking. The flavor is warmer, yes, but more importantly it is slightly acidic so the cookies will be moist and chewy versus straight white sugar. That’s why in things like quick breads or pancakes you might see a little white sugar but rarely brown as we want a softer, fluffier texture
• Dark Brown Sugar – has more molasses than light brown sugar and helps weigh the cookie down keeping it dense
• Egg Yolk – including only the yolk allows the cookies to be chewy and not cake like
• Maple Syrup – real maple syrup is ideal, the flavor and color make these cookies heaven
• Vanilla – flavor
• Pumpkin Puree – be sure you get plain pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling
• Flour – just regular all purpose flour
• Baking Soda – leavening agent
• Baking Powder – leavening

Strawberry Banana Smoothie is simple, easy, and refreshing as a snack or even a meal all on its own. It’s delicious with only four ingredients!

Strawberry and Banana Smoothie

Do you ever shake your head and just laugh at how we all complicate things sometimes? I have found that happens quite often in the kitchen. Whether that is ingredients or appliances. Do we really need an oven, a toaster oven, and an air fryer?

Now I have gotten myself off on a tangent. Back to one of the simplest smoothies ever. Sometimes the simplest things we make surprise us by being some of the best. I was in the mood for a smoothie, however, I was out of many of my favorite add-ins.

I usually like to pack my smoothies with lots of nutritious goodness like greek yogurt, spinach, or kale. This turns many smoothies into an entire meal and not just a refreshing treat. This smoothie, though, is a light and delicious treat.

This pretty pink deliciousness was the result of wanting something fruity and refreshing but not too sweet. Frozen banana gives a smooth ice cream-like creaminess. Add the strawberries and milk and you have a milkshake texture and flavor.

I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious a few ingredients in the blender can taste. It is easy to adjust the consistency with a little extra milk if you want it thinner.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie Recipe

• milk
• banana
• strawberries
• honey 

Combine milk, banana, and berries in the blender. Puree until smooth. Taste and add honey for the desired level of sweetness.

Frozen berries may be substituted for fresh berries in this recipe. If you choose to use frozen berries, you may want to use a fresh banana instead of the frozen one listed in the rec