Top 10 Life Lessons Learned in 2021
2021 was an exciting year. There were some highs and some real lows and lots of learning moments.
Judging the Bread Contest at The State Fair of Texas
As a Lifestylist®, I spend a lot of time observing and hopefully learning, so I thought I would put some of these experiences into words and share them with you. Here's to an even better 2022!
Just Breathe This was important in two ways. First, many of you don't know this, but I had a severe case of COVID in the early days that I still am having issues with. For over two months, I knew something was really wrong, but I didn't know what because, at that point, they didn't know what the actual symptoms were. I am so lucky that no one around me got it and that I was finally diagnosed thanks to a great doctor and ultimately slowing down. Second, I honestly started looking at things differently. I now appreciate more of the smaller moments instead of focusing on, the larger ones that, after everything, might not have even been worth it. I can honestly say that having COVID and living through it has been life-changing, and I appreciate more than ever every day that I am blessed with.
Turn The Television Off This is a new one for me. I am always afraid of missing something. In the last few years, I have almost always had the television on in the background and on SIRIUS in my car. My sister and her family were kind enough to invite me to their home in Arizona for Thanksgiving. For five days, I never turned on the television and didn't miss it at all. And it felt so good to not be worrying about things that I can't control. My nephew re-introduced me to Pandora and the Hipster Cocktail Party Radio - who knew I was a Hipster? It has really helped me get a lot more done, and I enjoy writing again. Get ready to hear a lot more from this Lifestylist in 2022!
Arizona Peaks
Live in the Moment It's incredible how many times I have had to stop and just take in extraordinary experiences all around me. You may not have seen me share as many of those as I would like to. Still, I finally realized that it is more important to enjoy and appreciate those special moments while they happen. Thinking about what would get me more followers on Instagram or TikTok was taking away from what was unfolding in front of me. This week I'm trying to organize the thousands of photos that I did take. It has been such a joy reliving those moments, and I can't wait to share them.
Don't Believe Everything You Read I should retitle this how I almost screwed up Thanksgiving. My sisters and their family are excellent cooks - we come from a long line of people who love to spend time in the kitchen. My younger sister and I are very much alike. We rarely plan and go with the flow, so when it was time (a few days before) to think about Thanksgiving dinner, neither of us had a plan. I wanted to introduce my family to sous vide cooking, which I have become a massive fan of thanks to Chef Nick and Signature Kitchen Suite. So I bought them a sous vide kit and went online to find some recipes for Thanksgiving classics.
Sous Vide Sweet Potatoes Chef Nick Style
Even though they are at the top of the Google searches, almost every one of them was horrible and had a huge flaw. I don't even want to talk about the mashed potatoes - that will be another day. From now on, I will go to sources I trust, like Chef Nick and his recipes on the Signature Kitchen Suite website. I tried doing the sweet potatoes over this week with Chef Nicks recipe, and they were perfect! I'll be sharing some tried and true recipes on my website that I have cooked and tested so you won't be wasting time or food.
Star Gazing with the Beko Healthy Kitchen Council at Primland Resort
Seeing Stars When I started writing this post, I realized how many events that happened to me this year have been centered around the stars, open skies, and space. First, spending time with my grandkids again at the beach was exceptional, and we also spent a day at the Kennedy Space Center. We all learned a lot, and it made me appreciate the space race a lot more. Next, Beko Appliances took its newly formed Healthy Kitchen Council to Primland Resort in Virginia. They truly practice what they preach. Taking nature walks in the woods, eating produce grown right there, and talking about sustainability really opened my eyes to what is possible at any price point. Finally, finishing up this fantastic journey gazing at the planets and stars in the Primland Observatory reminded me how much we all have to learn. It is so essential to be guardians and protect the earth that has been entrusted to us.
Spending time in Arizona again made me realize how much I miss those Arizona sunsets and star-filled skies. I found myself getting up every morning before the sun came up. Enjoying a serenade from the owl that lives in one of the Saguaro cactus and watching the mountains change color with the sun. I'm going to make sure that there are more of these sunsets to enjoy in 2022.
Coming Soon to the Home Idea Factory (Chef Not Included)
Precision Cooking There is always (hopefully) tomorrow, and there is always a new product and appliance to try. I am fortunate to be involved with several appliance companies. The International Builders Show and attending the Kitchen and Bath Show have me always seeing the latest and greatest innovations which can be a blessing or a curse. Trying to cook on a range I hate for over 10 years that doesn't heat evenly has had me dreading cooking a meal or my favorite recipe. My dishwasher has been used for storage only for about as long. That is going to change. The Signature Kitchen Suite wall oven with a speed oven and convection steam has won me over, and I can't wait to have it in my own kitchen. Beko proved themselves to me with the Turkish coffee maker that has finally solved all of my coffee-making dilemmas. Their new to market dishwashers are more than I have ever dreamed of. That kitchen makeover at the Home Idea Factory is about to come true. I can't wait to replace all of those obsolete appliances. I have been putting up with wasting food and time long enough. These new precision cooking marvels have me excited about cooking again.
Family Time at the Kennedy Space Center
Family Style Being blessed with a close, loving family is something that I have always treasured. Still, now I appreciate that more than ever. Having my parents in their 90s and still enjoying life is a true blessing, and they are incredible role models. There is nothing more important than family and spending more time with them.
It's Never Too Late My mother is the perfect example that it is never too late to try new things. Being honored to work on a kitchen design for Signature Kitchen Suite in Architectural Digest was a dream come true. I'm learning that I can do things that I never thought would be possible. Learning about accessible design and how we can all live a healthier lifestyle is a goal that will be rolling over into 2022. I can't wait to learn more about Beko Appliances and all of the ways that they help make this a reality.
Cadillac Ranch Texas
Discovering The Roads Less Traveled 2021 has been the year of road trips. I have been concentrating on styling clients that I can drive to, so there have been hours and hours spent driving back roads and through small towns, and I have loved with. I almost didn't take on a client in Amarillo because it was so far. Now Amarillo and Alexandria, Louisiana are two of my favorite trips. I have made many exciting finds and met many incredible people; I can't wait to return. Slowing down and not always taking the direct route has been a blast and the perfect time to wind down and enjoy myself for a change.
Horseback Riding at Primland Resort
You Be You: Being True To My Brand I realized this year that I have been trying to make The Lifestylist Brands about what I thought everyone else wanted it to be. Instead of leading, I was following and spending a crazy amount of time on things that would not provide a reasonable income. To be honest, I didn't enjoy it. Twenty years ago, I fired all of my employees and shut down my three offices because I finally realized I wasn't happy. I wasn't doing what I loved doing. I'm finally at the point where I'm okay with not being popular, Lifestylist not being a mega-million dollar brand. I can't spend every day doing social media or setting up events just so I can get photos to share. The family and friends I have are priceless, and I want to spend more time with them. Riding horses and showing a lopsided pot in my ceramics studio that I have to rebuild are things that make me happy. So 2022 will be a refocusing year, and I can't wait to get started! Happy New Year all!
December 30, 2021