42 Comments

Yummy sounding!! I have a container of risotto and have never used it. Now I will! Thank you. I do not like the "time change." But, it is what it is, and I will adapt. I applied for two different jobs, and so far, my applications are still "in progress," which means they haven't rejected me yet. (My answer to adapting to change-creating my own) Both are in education (my wheelhouse). We shall see. Thank you, Holly as always for your welcoming ways.

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Oooo--good luck with those applications. Hoping you’ll land in the perfect spot for Mary McKnight!

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Holly! What an amazing March Collection, so much goodness in here. :) I love to read so will add those books to my list. I'm currently reading books about homeschooling as I have just taken that on... So these longer days I'm using to make lesson plans. :)

The quote resonated deeply with me and I'm grateful you shared it. It helped me on the days I was nervous to hit "publish." Keep telling your stories and I will be here to listen. Take good care.

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Homeschooling is quite the task--hats off to you, and wishing you the best.

I just started My Road last night and had to make myself put it down and go to sleep. Can’t wait to read more in a bit! Thank *you* for your stories. I laughed out loud when I read the first sentence of the last paragraph on page 9. Mike asked what was so funny, so I had to read some of that chapter to him! 🤣

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Thank you so much Holly! We are transitioning well and I contribute that to my children's desire to be homeschooled. Oh yes...the cow and her flying poop! LOL! I'm so happy to hear you laughed and thank you. I hope reading my story leaves you somewhere else—more alive, more aware, or just a bit richer in some way. Have a beautiful Sunday. —Julie

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Homeschooling mom here! We're in the middle of grade 7 and have been homeschooling since the beginning. Congrats to you on making the switch and best of luck! :)

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Wow Kerri! Thank you so much for the message and good to know. :) My son is grade 4 and daughter grade 3. We are transitioning but they are loving it and their light of learning is coming back...makes my heart happy.

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That's so awesome, Julie! Homeschooling has been one of the greatest experiences of my life and I wouldn't change it for anything. Here's to many years of learning adventures for you and your kiddos! :)

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Hi Kerri, You're message made me smile. Thank you so much! I really do pray these next few months will show me direction and if this is the right path for our family. Thank you for sharing your experience.

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Holly!! I cannot thank you enough for including me in this month's collection!! I was gobsmacked when I scrolled and there was my name staring back at me. 🤯 I am honored and deeply appreciate the support. I'm thrilled to know that you're enjoying following along on my impossible adventure.

Loved the rest of this collection, especially the update on Sam (I'm forever in awe of your intention and ability to connect with your community), the reflection on connecting with grown children (I'm not there yet, but that day will come all too soon), and the closing quote. Inspired and moved as always! ❤️

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So happy to return the inspiration that you give me each week! ❤️

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Oooh, risotto is one of my go-to meals when I don’t know what else to cook. I’ll give this one a try, but the pork belly addition makes me want to go to TJ’s first. How are you logging what you read? I use One Note, but sporadically. Thanks for another great collection.

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I use Evernote, Julie. I do log my books there in individual notes, but for my daily perusing on the web, I have a single note called “What I’m reading” that I append. I always make a note of the date, URL, and my thoughts on why it struck me as memorable.

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I'm definitely trying to eat clean. Besides a small hiccup here or there, it's been a successful five weeks of doing so.

I guess my "impossible" dream is to make a living writing. It's not necessarily impossible, hence the quotation marks, but it is hard. I'm working on it, though.

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The things that are easy usually return the least satisfaction, in my opinion. Keep doing the hard thing! We’re rooting for you!

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👏👏👏

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Love is in the listening. So true, Holly! That’s been the gift from spending quality time with my brother and cousin.We’re back to indoor rowing and eating clean again. Still jet lagged so not 100% yet. 😀

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So glad you’ve had a great time with them!

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I love longer days, but the night we spring ahead is always tough for me. I get up at 2:30 for work, and even though I KNOW my phone adjusts automatically (I use it for my alarm) I can’t help but over think it. I spend the day doing sleep math, get a bit of fitful rest, and finally say “forget it” and get up around 1. You’d think after this time I’d know better. Lol.

My failure proof dream? Retire today, and write full time. Try and figure how to marry that with a modern day (music) version of CBS’ “On the Road.”

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Kevin, I know exactly what you mean about not being able to sleep worrying you won’t wake up in time for “x.” When we have late night events at our venue, we go to bed around 8 and sleep for a few hours before we have to get up around midnight to go close up. I *always* worry the client will need something and will text instead of calling me (I sleep like the dead!).

That impossible dream is one to keep striving toward! Mike and I have been looking at van conversions and wondering if we can pull off our own DIY campervan. I think I would love living on the road a few weeks out of the year!

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I mainly cook for my wife and myself. We have two friends in the neighborhood who we have "supper club" with. Each week, it's one household's turn to make a meal to share: so if it's our week, I make 6+ portions. Nik gets 2, Ji gets two, and we have 2+. We

all try to cook pretty plant forward. It's a nice way to provide for loved ones and also keep myself making vaguely interesting tasty food. On weeks that we receive meals, it's lovely to have at least one meal already sorted out!

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Neil, this is genius! So it’s just a meal drop-off? Or do you actually have dinner with each other?

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Almost always just dropoff, but at least that sometimes turns into a quick hangout. Even though they live close by, it's funny how we don't see (these/any/dear) people as often as we'd think!

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Holly, thank you so much for your kind words about my book! The series was so much fun to write, and I am especially glad to share it with a fellow Mississippian and Stacker.

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Looking forward to the second in the series!

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So glad to have read this, Holly: "...the excitement of entering Daylight Saving Time (DST) this weekend." We don't change our clocks from GMT to BST until the 26th! I'm happy I know to check time differences for any international Zoom sessions I'm planning to participate in (I missed one by an hour back in the autumn for this exact reason!) 🤣

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Why can’t we all just get onboard with this one thing?! It’s insane, really. Glad I could tip you off to the potential pitfall!

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🤣 I'm very grateful! 🕰️

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Another fabulous Collection, Holly!

I was always such a fan of cooking risotto in the oven - it would just do everything itself, and I never found it any less creamy than a traditional one. (Past tense is only because I don't eat rice now.) I'm going to try the Caroline/Holly hybrid with shredded cauliflower instead of rice - my mouth's already watering. Thank you so much for the recipe!

Great recommendations throughout - I'm going to have a busy weekend of reading! I'm already enjoying Kerri's journey to Broadway - such an inspirational lady! 😊

Loved reading about Sam's soup - his smile says it all!

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Please let me know how the cauliflower “rice” version is. I often sub that for rice--especially the Mexican-style of it found in Trader Joe’s freezer section.

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I'll certainly report back!

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Thank you, Rebecca!!! 🤗

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😊😊😊

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So glad you enjoyed The Magician’s Elephant, Holly!

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So good! But I’m definitely checking out the others you recommended by DiCamillo.

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Another great collection Holly!

I'll be interested to read your future alcohol story. I have a story as well but it's probably not going to be what you think. That should intrigue you. I'll try to get it prepared for next week's newsletter.

As far as best meal, this is kind of hard. I want to say anything with Mahi-Mahi. I've had it numerous times at local seafood restaurants. It's always scrumptious. And this one place has the best green beans I've ever tasted to go with it.

Creating a Hall of Fame inside your house seems kind of odd or goofy. Ha ha ha. If it's a piece of paper, I guess it's okay. If you're going to write on the wall, I would say NO! 🤣

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Looking forward to that story, Matt! And I also love Mahi Mahi--such a great flavor!

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Best meal I’ve ever eaten was food in Paris - I can’t even remember what it was but it was the best! I remember it being really late and I didn’t even know if I was hungry any more but then there was food and it was just all incredible!

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I love those types of experiences, Claire! Sometimes it’s not about the specific food but the whole dining experience. And something when it’s late and you’re really hungry, a very simple meal can be the best you’ve ever tasted!

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Woah this sounds seriously good! I’m going to try it this week - I love making risotto! My husband is dairy free but I love to pop a lump of cream cheese or Boursin in the middle yum!!!

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Oooo...cream cheese or Boursin sounds like a very yummy addition! For me the cheese was an afterthought. I wasn’t going to add any because I’m trying to determine what is causing some inflammation and digestive issues, but I had it in the fridge and needed to use it...so I figured a little wouldn’t hurt. But I’d love to have less dairy in my diet.

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Ah isn’t it interesting! So there have been a few times (like after giving birth) where oranges/ citrus make my joints hurt. I definitely have a mild intolerance to gluten but I do still have cake and bread sometimes. With my husband it’s just not worth it for him - dairy and gluten make him really sick. He used to be able to have some dairy but since covid/ post covid fatigue it’s just completely no go.

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