Letting October Be October

October has been different. As I sit here reflecting on the month, I realize that I’ve only published five blog posts, with my last one being October 17th, when I shared those delicious cottage cheese eggs. And the interesting thing is, it wasn’t because I didn’t have content or couldn’t find the time. I just didn’t post. For the better part of this year, I’ve challenged myself to write and publish as many days of the month as possible. So naturally, there were moments when I’d look at my blog and think, Ooh, I haven’t posted. If I publish a few posts each day, I can still make it to 31. But somewhere along the way, I decided not to chase the number. I decided to let October be what it was.

And what a month it has been. I finished reading The Gift of Rejection by Nona Jones. I traveled to the University of North Carolina to watch my son and his team play basketball, an experience that meant more to me than I can put into words. I spent time with my mom, started helping someone bring their book to life, and enjoyed moments that didn’t require a photograph, a caption, or a blog post. Some days were simply for family, watching HGTV, or sitting quietly and thinking about the goodness of God. None of those moments were wasted just because I didn’t write about them.

I think that’s what October has taught me. Just because I have the time, the content, or the ability to do something doesn’t mean I have to do it. There’s a difference between being consistent and feeling obligated to constantly produce. And perhaps this month wasn’t about producing more but appreciating what was already happening around me. I didn’t reach 31 posts, and I’m okay with that. I lived, I learned, I rested, I celebrated, and I made memories. Maybe that’s the beauty of this October. I didn’t need to document every day to know that each day mattered.

I Finally Made the Baked Cottage Cheese Eggs From Social Media

I had been putting this recipe off even though I already had everything I needed to make it. You know how that goes. The ingredients are in the refrigerator, the idea sounds good, you fully intend to make it and somehow you still keep walking past it. 😂

Well, today I finally made the baked eggs recipe, and I am so glad I did.

The original recipe called for two eggs and quite a bit more cottage cheese than I thought I would enjoy, so I adjusted it to fit the way I normally eat. I used three eggs and ½ cup of cottage cheese because when I make eggs for myself, I usually make three anyway.

The consistency turned out so good. The best way I can describe it is almost like a little loaf of scrambled eggs.

I kept this first version pretty simple. I added some dry sun-dried tomatoes and seasoned it with garlic and herb seasoning along with a Kinder’s buttery onion-style seasoning I already had on hand. I also added Colby Jack cheese.

After eating it, though, I immediately knew what I would do differently next time:

More vegetables.

Fresh onions would have been delicious. Mushrooms, spinach, peppers—any combination of those would have taken it up another level. This is definitely one of those recipes where the basic version works, but once you understand the foundation, you can really make it your own.

I baked mine in the small glass baking dishes I recently purchased at Kroger. I had seen similar dishes at Target and Walmart, but Kroger ended up being the better price when I found mine. I sprayed the dishes really well before adding the egg mixture, and that made a big difference. Once baked, the egg bake released easily and didn’t stick to the glass.

I actually made two individual egg bakes at the same time. For me, that’s probably the sweet spot for meal prep. I’m particular about leftover eggs, so I don’t see myself preparing four or five days’ worth at once. Two gives me breakfast for today and another serving that I can have tomorrow—or honestly, maybe even dinner tonight. Breakfast for dinner is always an option.

I served mine with maple sausage and orange juice, and it made a really satisfying breakfast. But while I was eating it, I kept thinking that sweet potato tots would have been so good on the side. I could even see myself skipping the sausage altogether and enjoying the egg bake with sweet potato tots instead.

And then my mind went one step further.

If someone wanted to make this feel a little more special, I think some type of pastry or dough added to the baking dish could give it that Panera soufflé kind of feel. That may require a little experimenting, but I can definitely see the vision.

What I love most is that this recipe doesn’t have to be complicated. Eggs. Cottage cheese. Cheese. Seasoning. Whatever vegetables or additions you enjoy. Bake it, and breakfast is done.

And sometimes that is the reminder I need—not just with food, but with life.

I had everything I needed. I just needed to stop putting it off and actually do it.

Today, I did.

And it was good.

Super grateful. 💚

Looking Back With Grace

Looking Back with Grace

October 13th is the day I remember coming to myself.

On that day, in the Fall of 2024, I remember sitting on a hospital bed, looking outside at what seemed like nothing but forest. There was no familiar street or hills to help me figure out where I was. 

I wondered several things. How long had I been there? And why were all these doctors asking me questions?

“Do you know what happened?” one doctor asked.

“No.”

I remember responding in a voice that sounded like my nine-year-old self. I don’t know where that voice came from, but it stayed with me for days. So much of that time still feels strange to look back on.

As people began telling me, I sat in disbelief. Nearly two weeks in ICU. Two brain procedures. Emergency blood clot surgery. I was stoic, trying to take in a story about myself that I couldn’t remember living.

Today, I honor how far I’ve come since my illness. I still live with some of the effects of that illness, slight mobility challenges, changes in spatial awareness, and cognitive things I continue to navigate. And I am still grateful. Grateful that we finally reached a hospital where people went the extra mile to figure out what was wrong. Grateful for the care I received. Grateful to be here, able to tell this part of my story.

In Resting While You Wait, reflection makes room for looking back with grace. Tonight, I’m giving myself that room. I can acknowledge what happened, what remains difficult, and how far I’ve come.

It could have been worse. I know that. And as I look back, Romans 8:28 remains my anchor: it all worked together for good.

Have You Ever Loved Somebody - Freddie Jackson

 

I Didn’t Know If I Was an Alto or a Soprano. I Just Knew I Could Sing Freddie.

 

Today I learned that Freddie Jackson passed away.

I’ve spent part of the day listening to his music, watching tributes and remembering. And somewhere between You Are My Lady, Jam Tonight, Have You Ever Loved Somebody and Tasty Love, I realized that I wasn’t just remembering Freddie Jackson. I was remembering a particular time in my own life.

I was remembering 17-year-old me.

Tasty Love was released in the fall of 1986, during my senior year of high school.  And let me just say this now: at 17 years old, I had absolutely no idea what that man was singing about. 😂 It didn’t matter though  

There was something about Freddie Jackson’s voice. The tone. The smoothness. The music. I knew that voice as soon as I heard it.

Now, if you had asked me whether I was an alto or a soprano, I probably couldn’t have told you.

But I knew I could sing Freddie Jackson.

And I still think I did a pretty good job. 😂

I can picture myself coming home from school. I probably ate something, although I don’t really remember that part. What I do remember is doing homework with music around me. I had my records playing. I had music videos going because Video Soul with Donnie Simpson was important. Music was simply part of the atmosphere.

But if the Tasty Love video came on? We had to stop. Because not only was Freddie singing one of my favorite songs, Beverly Johnson was in that video and she was stunning.

Around that same period, I had written a research paper on Black supermodels, so seeing her in that video connected two things I already loved: music and fashion. Billboard even noted at the time that Beverly Johnson starred with Freddie in the video. 

There was an elegance to her that I remember even now. Looking back at images from that period reminds me of something else I loved about the late ‘80s. The women were beautiful, fashionable and glamorous, and Beverly didn’t have to compete with the music to command your attention.

So when Tasty Love came on, I was watching.

I needed to hear Freddie.

I needed to see Beverly.

And apparently whatever homework I was doing could wait. 😂

That’s what music can do. A song doesn’t simply remind you of another song. Sometimes it opens an entire room in your memory.

Suddenly, I can see the records. I can see the television. I can remember being a senior in high school, getting ready to step into whatever came next. I can remember loving music and fashion without knowing that almost 40 years later, a song would bring those pieces of me right back to the surface.

Freddie Jackson’s music became part of the soundtrack of that time. His first album, Rock Me Tonight, arrived in 1985, and the music kept coming. Tasty Love, Have You Ever Loved Somebody and Jam Tonight would all become No. 1 R&B songs from his follow-up album. 

Today, those aren’t simply song titles to me. They’re memories.

Freddie Jackson died October 5, just days after celebrating his birthday. That’s part of what makes today feel both sad and strangely beautiful.

I’m sad that another voice connected to my youth is gone. But I’m grateful that the music remains. I’m grateful that hearing a few notes can still take me back to a girl sitting at home after school with records playing, music videos on and a whole life ahead of her.

And I’m especially grateful that almost 40 years later, I can hear Tasty Love and remember that 

I loved music.

I loved fashion.

I loved a beautiful visual.

I was getting ready to graduate from high school and step into adulthood.

And I still didn’t know whether I was an alto or a soprano.

But baby…

I could sing Freddie. ❤️🎶

Hello October!!!! 🍂

 

Hello, October. 🍂 

A new month, a new season, and another invitation to notice the beauty in what is changing. 

As the leaves begin to turn and the days feel a little different, I’m welcoming October with gratitude for what has been, grace for where I am, and expectation for what is still unfolding.

I don’t have to know everything this month will bring to believe there is goodness waiting for me in it. Here’s to embracing the shift, making room for what’s next, and trusting the beauty of the season. 🧡🍁

September 30th - Same God. Today. Always.

 

September 29 - Same God. Today. Always.

 

September 28 - Same God. Today. Always.

 

September 27 - Same God. Today. Always.