Picky Palate: The Best Baking Blog, Ever

This is by far on of the best sites I've come across. I could eat just about anything on here and, honestly, I think this gal may be a genius.

Picky Palate

I don't really like pumpkin, but the the Double Chocolate Pumpkin Cake with Pumpkin Spice Buttercream made my jaw hit the floor. I think I know what I'll be bringing to Thanksgiving Dinner!

And another

Nap Time

They're so sweet when they sleep.

This Actually Happened

Me: What's Mom going to have for lunch, guys?
Jackson: You want a large Diet Coke? Hey Mom, you want a large Diet Coke?
Me: Yes, I do!
Jackson: Okay, it's still at McDonalds.

I love this kid.

Say Vandalay!

One of my favorite Seinfeld episodes involves George trying to hang on to his unemployment benefits by making up names of employers he’s contacted. One in particular, as you probably know, is "Vandalay Industries" where he’s claiming to be applying for a position as a Latex Salesman.

I can’t help but think about this scene every time I log into my unemployment benefits page. Ever been on unemployment? You can get up to 30% of your salary for 6 months, but you have to be seeking full-time employment and you have to contact 4 employers a week. Not a big deal…and I actually feel fortunate that I’m getting what I’m getting considering my husband has a job (although I still have yet to receive my first payment). I can’t imagine the stress a family would feel if they lost their main/sole income.

In self-pity, I just need to say that July was one of the most emotional months I’ve experienced. I probably shed more tears in a period of a few weeks than I did in all of 2010. Most of it was stress and job related. But some of it was just life too—it’s interesting how much stress from one area of your life can impact every other part.

As with other trials in the past, I've felt myself asking “what am I supposed to do now?”  Being let go from the place where I’ve spent the majority of my career, and where I’ve made many dear and long-term friends, is rough. I can’t believe how much of blessing it has been though--in fact, I'm glad it has happened.

I got to spend 3 days bumming around at Bear Lake with my kids in the middle of the work week. I’ve slept in past 8:00am most days and got a laugh when Brookie rolls out of bed at 10:00am. We’ve swam in the back yard, gone to the playground, had our first trip to Cowabunga Bay and spent countless hours watching our favorite shows and movies. Jackson turned three years old in the midst of all this too!

He's such a big boy now (more on that later).

We will see what the next few weeks/months bring in terms of staying home, new jobs or career changes. I've been contacted by a couple of people about different positions…but I’m not going to settle. I know it will all work out and Ty and I are confident/faithful that it will. So for now, I'm focusing my energy on the little, fun, random moments like these:

Jackson took these photos all by himself. He's quite the cameraman these days.

Here’s to a great summer (at least, what’s left of it).

Love,
Jill

Other Gems From the Photo Shoot

They're silly kids.

Turning Stress into an Asset

Turning Stress into an Asset - Amy Gallo - Best Practices - Harvard Business Review

This was published by the Harvard Business Review in the context of work-related stress. Check it out--it's a quick, easy read and I think it can be applied to everyday life.

Do:

• Think of stress as an indicator that you care about something, rather than a cause for panic
• Focus on the task, rather than the emotion
• Build relationships so that you have people to turn to in times of stress

Don't:

• Assume your stress is going to last forever
• Worry about things that are out of your control
• Spend time with people who are negative

Two things that have become 'therapy' for me in times of worry/stress are exercise and baking. I'm running a 5K on Monday (second of the season and second ever). And, I think it's time to pull out some of the favs from Joy the Baker or How Sweet It Is and try them out this weekend. Brownies, anyone?

JC