Submitted by Columnist Tina Specht
Well, here we are my friends, summer is ending and we are trying to find a new normal and get into the fall.
What comes in the fall? School, football, fire pits, hunting and pumpkin lattes or coffee. Fall is a time for us to refocus and get ready for winter and Christmas.
During this COVID-19 and lock down, I have discovered a lot of things. I am finding me and what is possible in my life, and in my family’s lives. I am rediscovering what truly makes me tick. I am reconnecting with God and focusing on what He wants in my life.
It’s okay that many don’t like me or are jealous of me. I am not here to please everyone. We only get one life and I am in pursuit of finding the best me, and in that, help others who want help find their best selves.
I used to get upset when others would say such awful things about me and my family. But I have come to the realization that most that do this are just hurting themselves. They generally need help and they don’t know how to fix things. So, I hold my head up high, and take the narrow road and pray for them.
What I have found in the last few months was that I have been given permission to dream and to go after my dreams.
I was always taught growing up to work hard and if you want anything done do it yourself. I have that down. In all this, I have realized you can’t do it all yourself. It is great to dream, but you need to find those who are walking above the line and are looking for the same things. Then, link arms with them.
I have found doing things alone leaves you very lonely. Find people that encourage you, but are real. People that push you to your dreams and help get there, that can call you out when need be, but in love not hate.
I am a truthful person. You ask me and, for the most part, I will tell you. I am learning how to do it in love instead of just being blunt.
This world is changing at a rapid rate. We don’t know what is going to be here from one day to the next. We need to learn to change with it.
I encourage you to set new goals and put yourself first and dream big. Try something you have always wanted to do. If it doesn’t work, then pivot.
Once you have these things in place then you do the work and work hard. Stop blaming others for what is happening to you. Take ownership of your own life and dig deep.
When things go wrong or you mess up, own it. Obstacles are the way. Just because it doesn’t run smoothly doesn’t mean it wasn’t meant to be. Dig deeper to correct and move forward.
Life is hard and, even harder when you don’t take responsibility for your own life. The only one standing in your way is you. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone else but yourself.
Do something for you and prove to yourself that for once in your life you will follow through and get it done. Put a smile on that face. Work hard, but have fun while doing it!
Pumpkin Magic Cake
Ingredients
1 box yellow cake mix PLUS ingredients needed to make – eggs, water, oil
15 oz can pumpkin puree
1/2 c evaporated milk
1/2 c heavy cream
3 eggs
1 c brown sugar
Frosting
1 box white chocolate instant pudding mix 3.4 oz
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 c cold milk
1 c cool whip
white chocolate curls
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare cake as instructed on package and pour into a greased 9×13 pan. Set aside.
In a medium bowl add pumpkin, evaporated milk, cream, eggs, and brown sugar and whisk until smooth. Pour all over the cake mix in the 9×13 pan.
Bake for an hour (or until it not longer jiggles in the middle).
Let cool and make frosting by whisking together the white chocolate pudding mix, pumpkin pie spice and milk until smooth.
Fold in Cool Whip and mix well.
Spread over cooled cake and top with white chocolate curls.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.