Have you ever noticed that one recipe calls for olive oil, another says to use avocado oil, and a third swears by coconut oil? It can feel overwhelming, or even like it doesn’t really matter. But the truth is, the oil you choose can make or break a dish. It affects flavor, texture, and even…
Monthly Motivation, Fear of The Unknown:Brodie and the Grocery Bag
Monday Morning Motivation Fear of the Unknown Brodie and the Grocery Bag On your typical day, my dog Brodie is not afraid of bags. He is not fearful of handbags, grocery bags, or trash bags. He is not even scared of tea bags. But this was not your typical day. It was cold, and…
The Joy Series: When Joy Goes Silent
Post 1 of the Joy Series The day my husband of 37 years walked out, joy didn’t just fade. It vanished. Completely. Like someone had quietly switched off a light that I had no idea how to turn back on. I had no idea it would take me more than a decade to find the…
When the Heat Index Hits 100: A Practical Guide to Staying Safe This Summer in NC
When the Heat Index Hits 100: A Practical Guide to Staying Safe This Summer in NC Y’all, it is hot. And I am not talking about a regular North Carolina summer kind of hot. I am talking triple digits, humidity so thick you feel like you are walking through warm soup, and a heat index…
Dating Series: Meeting Someone for the First Time—The Perfect Coffee Date
Dating has evolved a lot over the years. Back when I was a teen, meeting someone often meant crossing paths at school or church, with a simple invitation to go out—easy and straightforward. Today, while some connections still happen face-to-face, many people are navigating the world of dating sites and apps. For those of us…
Books, Beverages and More: Vampires, Ghosts and the People Who Haunt Our Hearts
Have you ever finished a book and thought, “I wish I could actually live inside this story for a little while”? Same. That is exactly why “Books, Beverages and More” was born. This is the place where pages meet real life, where a recipe simmering in chapter three becomes something I am actually making in my…
Travel North Carolina: The Magic of the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park in Wilson NC
I finally made the drive to the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park in Historic Downtown Wilson, North Carolina. I had first heard about this place several years ago and it had been on my list ever since. Tucked into the heart of Wilson, this one-of-a-kind park is home to the whimsical, wind-powered sculptures created by folk…
Inspirational Quote “You Must Do the Things You Think You Cannot Do”
Inspirational Quote by Eleanor Roosevelt. You Must Do the Things You Think You Cannot Do “You must do the things you think you cannot do.” Eleanor Roosevelt There is something about that quote that stops me every single time I read it. It is so simple. So short. And yet it has a way…
Telling Your Story Through Journal Prompts: What Celebrity Would You Take to Lunch?
Welcome back to our monthly journal prompt series, Telling Your Story Through Journal Prompts. This series exists because your story matters. Once we are gone, there is no one left to tell it, and while the people who love us are busy living their own lives, our memories, opinions, and experiences deserve to be captured…
North Carolina Facts-Yes, There are Pelicans In North Carolina!
I have always loved pelicans. As a child, my family would make trips down to Florida, and I would spend the whole drive with my face practically pressed against the car window searching for two things: palm trees and pelicans. The moment I spotted either one, I was absolutely thrilled. So imagine my delight when…