Body Image: Will the Issues Ever End?

During rehearsal on Monday, the company I dance with tried on costumes for our next performance. 

Now, if you've been reading this blog for a while then you know the self-deprecating mess I have turned into before when it comes to costume time. But I made a promise (to you, myself, and Mr. Branflake) to stop that nonsense and appreciate the body I've been given.

Shockers of all shockers, Monday night I was actually very kind to myself. 

I didn't make one negative comment about my body. 

Even when I tried on a dress that was oh so not flattering at all, I was a big girl and just said, 

"This dress sucks." 

I told myself that my body was fine, it was the dress that had the issue.

photo of me taken by the lovely Susan of En Pointe Photography

I admire all of you who have healthy body images.

I'm also grateful for those who have opened up and shared their experiences on this blog.

As I tried on costumes on Monday I kept thinking of all those comments and emails that have helped me open my eyes about the beauty of a healthy body image.

So, yes, I've come a long way since I've made a goal to love my body.

I have many people to thank for it.

Mostly you.

Thanks for understanding and helping me see a greater light.

I'm not gonna lie, I still weigh myself daily and keep tight tabs on my measurements.

But my attitude about my body has greatly shifted since I started this blog.

So thank you.

You're awesome.

More body image posts and their amazing comments here.

If you're interested in seeing my perform, email me and I'll give you the details.

Andes Chocolate Cream Pie

I once had a coworker who loved to cook.

She would always stop by my desk 

(yes, I had a desk job once)

and we would talk about all the foods she cooked for her husband and two young daughters.

I was newly married and would ask for her cooking advice on a daily basis.

One day I was going crazy trying to find a perfect dessert for a barbecue we were holding at our apartment that weekend.

She gave me a recipe for a cream pie and my life was changed.

It was so easy and everyone loved it!

The basis is whipped cream, sour cream, and instant pudding.

I know it sounds strange, but it really is amazing.

1. Whip 1 cup whipping cream with two tablespoons of sugar and a dash of vanilla.

2. Add 1 cup sour cream

3. Stir in 1 3.5 oz packet any flavor pudding.

4. Pour into graham cracker crust.

5. Garnish with whipped cream, cookies, chocolate shavings, or whatever suits your fancy.

I made this for St. Patrick's Day so I chopped up some Andes mints and threw it in the filling as well as put it on top for garnish. I also put a dash of mint extract to enhance the mint flavor.

A year after she gave me this recipe, I found out her husband passed away unexpectedly. 

I never saw her again, nor did I ever get to tell her that every time I make this pie I think of her, her sweet family, and the husband she lovingly cooked for every night.

Thank, Janie, for passing along this recipe. 

Your love for cooking and your family has not been forgotten.

Green, Pink, and Chocolate Pies

Remember this coat?

It's the coat I found at H and M a year ago and said,

"I want to wear this coat in the British Isles."

So I bought a plane ticket to the UK and went a few months later, coat in hand.

That's why I thought this coat would be appropriate to wear to a St. Patrick's Day Dinner Party.

Can I say that St. Patrick's Day might be my new favorite holiday?

 To celebrate the Irish, we ate soda bread, lamb stew, corned beef and cabbage, and pies.

Coat H and M, dress Shabby Apple, bag Nine West

No, I wasn't awesome and I didn't make those potatoes.

But I did make a few pies and I'll be sharing one of the recipes in tomorrow's post.

It's super easy and the story that goes along with it still makes me a little emotional.

Happy Monday!

Hope you had a brilliant weekend!
I also call it this my Duchess Kate Coat because I really think if she saw it in H&M she would have squealed in delight like I did.

Can't you see her wearing this?

Adventures with Irish Soda Bread

In 8th grade I did my country report on Ireland. 

Part of my presentation was baking Irish Soda Bread for the entire class. 

I'm pretty sure I got a really bad grade on the presentation, 

BUT my teacher, Mrs. Newman,  (who was from England) said the bread was really good.

She then asked me why I chose Ireland for my country. 

I said it was really pretty and I liked the green hills. 

What I wanted to say was that I hoped one day I'd marry a hot Irish guy and I was preparing culturally for our marriage.

Fast forward many years later.

I am seven years into my marriage with said hot Irish guy and I have yet to make him Irish Soda Bread.

So this week, I made a loaf using this recipe from iVillage.

It had only six ingredients so I thought, "Eh, why not?"

I did it all by hand.

I felt like a pioneer woman.

Or a country Irish woman making bread for her family.

It was actually fun crumbling the butter into the flour and kneading dough.

At one point I thought:

"I can't wait to have little kids. We would make this together every Saint Patrick's Day."

Real talk:

It took me three times to get the soda bread right.

Turns out that the iVillage recipe wasn't the hottest girl at the party.

So I went with this one from All Recipes.

Much, much better.

I liked it. 

Hot Irish Husband liked it.

We slathered on some butter and seedless raspberry jam and really liked it.

 8th grade assignment = complete.

Mrs. Newman would be proud.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day, My Friends!

photos by Dancing Branflake

A Fun St. Patrick's Day Dessert

How stinkin' adorable are these St. Patrick's Day petit fours?

They look like potatoes but they are, in fact, 

cake covered in marzipan and coated in cocoa powder.

I'm going to a St. Patrick's Day Dinner Party this weekend and 

I'm in charge of the dessert. 

If I put on my big girl ambitious panties then maybe I'll be making these. 

And I love the presentation. 

Total fake out!

Do you have any good St. Patrick's Day desserts?

I'd love any suggestions in case I chicken out and don't make these 'potatoes.'

Thanks to Heather Baird of SprinkleBakes for the photos and recipe. 

You are amazing!

Visiting Castle Leod, Its Lord, and His Lady

One day while staying in the Scottish Highlands,  I hopped on a bus and headed for the small town of Strathpeffer to see Castle Leod, one of the many Scottish castles in the Highlands. 

It's a smaller castle and perhaps not as famous as Cawdor or Stirling castle, 

but its size allowed me to get a sneak peak into the life of a Lord and Lady.

The castle itself is tucked away, nestled among tall trees and rolling hills.

 Once entering the castle gates, you walk down a beautiful grove of trees until you are greeted by this delightful castle on a hill.

 You are also greeted by the Earl of Cromartie, who is also the chief of the clan Leod.

His family has owned this castle for centuries and he kindly spoke to me about its history and his life living in the castle. 

I also met his wife, who was absolutely charming.

 We had a very nice chat about her life as Lady Cromartie. 

She's a medicinal herbalist so we spoke a great deal about traditional Scottish herbs and remedies. 

She was so sweet and humble.

After my tour of the castle, I went on their 'tree walk.' 

The Earl is a lover of trees and plants them as a way to celebrate events of his clan. 

Since I was alone, I took my time meandering around this beautiful tree walk. 

At one point, a small flock of butterflies flew in circles around my feet.  

No matter how fast or slow I walked, they hovered around my ankles like charming cherubs in greeting.  

Yes, I was taking a walk around a castle and butterflies flew in circles around me. 

Definitely another one of those magical moments you dream about.

And, if I were to go back to visit the Lord and Lady,

 (because I'm sure they are expecting me, haha!),

this is what I would wear...

Satchel, necklace, dress, hat, earrings, wedges

Do you all love castles as much as I do?

Have you ever met castle owners?

What were they like?

I'd love to hear stories!

From... Anonymous: Death

Have you ever lost someone close to you?
If so, how did you grieve?
What helped? What didn't?

What are your beliefs about life after death?
How does this belief change your views about mortality?


Comments can be left anonymously by clicking 'anonymous' in the comment box.
But, as per usual, they certainly don't have to be anonymous.
But, for those who really want to get personal without the trail,
anonymity is always an option.
photo from a weekend trip in Lake Tahoe