I went on a girl’s trip to Savannah at the beginning of December. We explore savannah’s culinary scene during our time there.

We had brunch at 700 Drayton, right off of Forsyth Park. The Deviled Egg Mousse caught our eyes immediately, so we ordered. In some ways, this turned out to be one of the most memorable dishes of the trip. It was a simple dish, yet so sophisticated and delicious. We cleaned the bowl – they brought us two rounds of veggies (all of which tasted extremely fresh). For me, this might have been the dish of the trip. After eating it, I kept thinking about it (and I am not typically a fan of deviled eggs).  

Over the last couple of weeks, I kept researching different ways to make something similar. Yesterday, we had friends over dinner; I attempted to recreate the recipe. My creation came pretty close.  

Deviled Egg Dip

Ingredients

For the Dip:

• 6 hard-boiled eggs
• 4 oz cream cheese
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon Tabasco sauce (more if you like hot sauce)
• 2 “shakes” of ground white pepper
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon cooking oil

Garish

• 1 hard-boiled egg
• A few shakes of paprika

1. In a small frying pan, add the cooking oil and minced garlic. Cook until the pieces of garlic begin to brown. Remove from the pan and set aside.
2. **Peel the hard-boiled eggs and cut them into fourths. (You will use both the egg white and the yolks – they do not need to be separated.)
3. Add the chopped hard-boiled eggs, cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, Tabasco sauce, and white paper. Pulse about 5 to 8 times until you see the mixture starting to come together (smooth). Add the garlic and scrape down the sides of the bowl. Then process at the low speed for about 20 to 30 seconds until the mixture is smooth.
4. Transfer to a storage container or storage dish. Refrigerate for 30 minutes (or longer) before serving.
5. Before serving, garnish the top of the bowl with a chopped-up boiled egg and a few shakes of paprika.

Note… the dip should stay cooled for freshness. If you do not have a chilled (dip on ice) serving bowl, fill a resealable plastic bag with ice and place it into a larger bowl. Nestle your serving bowl on top of the bag of ice. As the ice melts, dump out the water and replace more ice as needed

Crackers, pretzel sticks, or veggies (carrots, radishes, peppers, pickles) make for good dipping options.

** it is best if the eggs are cooled. After chopping, I covered and placed them back in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.

I was finishing up the “dip” as our friends were coming in the door, so I forgot to take a picture of the finished product. A picture of the leftovers is below.

While yesterday was the start of the new year, it was also the first chapter of 2022.

I spent the first day of 2022 doing two things I love – cooking and visiting with friends. After cleaning up the kitchen and preparing food, and then eating and visiting, I did not have the time to do much else.

Cooking or preparing is when I can often think or reflect (which is why I prefer to cook alone). I kept thinking yesterday that it was the first day of the new year; thus, a blank chapter was upon us. How will the 2022 chapter play out? So many different things crossed my mind. Yet, as the day ended (and I crashed on the couch after “doing” all day long), I realized that I was starting to fall into whole habits. Habits such as doing things for others, other than doing simpler things, give me more time for the things I need to do or not completing things entirely, so I don’t have to revisit them.

The first part of my chapter will be about BALANCE – balancing what I want to do, what I need to do, and what others expect from me. While I always get things done, there has to be a better or more efficient way.

One of the bad things about the new year falling on the weekend is that the workweek is right there to follow. This week education programs begin back at church, the winter dissertation camp begins, progress needs to be made on the conference website, I have various appointments, and I have a pile of laundry that needs to be put away and more laundry to be done. Knowing what is ahead of me this week is both exciting and sickening. I would like just another week to merge into the new year and figure out how to do things (again). While figuring it all out is exciting, it also overwhelming at the same time.

So, here to 2022 and balancing between the expectations of life and the wants of life.

I have a blog, but recently I have not blogged a lot. I have thought about blogging but have not taken the time or initiative to write. On the eve of the new year, I am committing to blogging again.

Getting back to blogging means regaining consistency in my life. The last year and a half have been the most inconsistent in recent memory. Getting back to living a productive and successful life not only takes hard work but it takes consistency.

Blogging or writing is a way to sort things; it is also a way to document and remember things. Not writing consistently for over a year has left my mind weak, unable to slow down, and unable to remember various things. For some of us, we can go from moment to moment, dabbling in different events and handling various situations with no issues. For myself, I need a way to reflect on what has happened. Blogging/writing consistency helps me to do this on a daily basis.

Consistency (for me) means continuing to add to the foundation already in place. Within my life, particularly within the last few years, several significant projects have broken ground, and the foundation for success is there. It is now time to see that the foundation fosters development and growth.

I started blogging as an outlet to help rediscover who I was after my life abruptly got turned upside down. Since I started blogging all almost ten years, I have discovered that I am constantly changing and evolving – continually finding myself over and over again. One of the biggest things I have found is that consistency and hard work produce results and get you where you want to be. When let you let up – don’t work as hard – and are not consistent, you only get okay results. The last year, in particular, has been good – but I am tired of settling for good and want the best results I can produce.  

I want the coming year to be about consistency and getting back to my best self. While I know success might not occur in all areas of my life in 2022, I want to work towards it and put forth a consistent effort (my best effort possible).

Daily blogging or writing will help center me in that consistency I strive for. Writing in many ways is meditative, but my writing also needs improvement (development). I don’t expect this blog to be read by many people. That is not the point. The point is that I take time to write and reflect on things daily. If others stumble upon it and it helps them somehow, that is just a bonus.

When the clock strikes midnight, a new year starts. Within that new year, I hope to improve on myself, live in the present – the here and now. The past is the past, and I need to focus on what I am doing now (and in the future) to accomplish my goals and to live my best life.  

Cheers to 2022!

I am writing a dissertation…this is a statement I have been saying since September. Those words seem impressive and powerful and may make you sound like you are some type of genius, but, in reality, you are just an ordinary person, working toward a goal. Just saying these words put you in an elite group – one in which you have mastered 6 plus years of college, passed board or qualification exams, and now just have one more task to complete before you are in an even more elite group of people – those with PhDs.

While a lot of my friends and family know what I am doing, I don’t think they fully understand the dissertation process. I often get asked the question – so what is a dissertation? I often find it is hard to explain the dissertation process to non-academic people. Yes, it is a really long paper, but it is unlike any term or research paper you have ever written.  On the other hand, it is not really a book. A dissertation is much deeper than a traditional research paper. While it is mainly in the form of a book, the dissertation engages a set of key research questions, on a given topic. Through research, you form arguments that you support, explain, and defend throughout the work. Since it is an academic work, it engages previous (academic) literature on the topic but also challenges and makes new contributions to that same body of literature. During the dissertation process, as a researcher, you define your methodology or the procedures and methods used to collect and analyze data for the project. A large part of the project is about researching a subject and analyzing the data you find. The key to a good dissertation is the ability to develop your findings into a cohesive and readable narrative, that not only tells a story but also proves your arguments, answers the research questions set forth at the beginning of the research project and makes a contribution to a given field or subject matter.

Successfully writing and defending a dissertation is what turns an individual into a scholar.

The process of “doing” a dissertation is an emotionally draining process. Upon entering the dissertation phase of the Ph.D. process, one of the first things you learn is how to cope with the stressors of a long term project (one that can last several years). Some people resort to regularly crying. So far, I have not done that, although I am sure it is coming!!! I cope by changing to another project or activity that I find relaxing – i.e., gardening, exercise, or something related to photography.

The last few months have reinforced what I thought about the dissertation process long before beginning the dissertation or even entering the Ph.D. program. Mastering a dissertation is like running a marathon. You have to pace yourself and push yourself every day. Given that I have run a few marathons, this is something I often reflect upon.

The same mental training and preparation methods I relied upon when running very much apply to the dissertation process. Two of the most important elements I have found are rest and a clear mind. The brain is one of the largest and most complex organs in the human body. To function fully and best, it needs rest. So when you are tired and cannot push anymore, walking away to get rest is vital. Rest helps to rest your mind. Trying to write or do research when you are exhausted decreases your ability to think, analyze information, and write. Like running, the process of writing a dissertation is very lonely and self-isolating. While no one else is working on quite the same dissertation project as you are, it is still essential to find people to connect with and talk to that are also engaged in the same process. Also, like running, you need a support system to cheer you on. I am lucky to have a supportive husband, mother, some close friends, and peers/friends in the Ph.D. program. Each of them, in their own way, offers the support I need to sustain myself in the process.

Low moments in the dissertation process will occur, but you have to keep pushing. While pushing through the process can be difficult, it can also be rewarding. The research (and the dissertation process in general) helps me to see the world and myself differently. Through research, I am learning so much, and learning is something that drives and excites me. Most of all, I keep pushing because this is something I have always wanted.

While I am researching a focused topic, I am learning about people and places (of the past), and that excites me, but it also helps me understand who I am. It also helps me to keep growing as a person. Some times this growth is in terms of improving my writing or research skills, while other times, it is more analytical or mental.

The dissertation process is transformative. Since beginning the Ph.D. program three years ago, I have seen myself change in many ways. One of the scary yet exciting things about this process is that you do not know how you will be transformed. I often wonder what and who I will be like as Dr. Amy.

When I did my last post in late March, I intended to follow up with another post and start regularly blogging again. Well, obviously, that did not happen. So here goes my second attempt.

59 days ago, our area was placed under a stay at home order (quarantine). Thus I have been at home, only venturing out a few times to go to the store.  When quarantining began, I thought I would have much extra time on my hands, but I was wrong. Between continuing to keep up the house, work on a dissertation, and do a few side projects, I have found myself almost busier than before quarantine began.

Over the past 59 plus days, I have cook countless meals and continued to keep the house up.  Each day I have kept up the routine of dissertation research and all of the fun stuff associated with completing a dissertation. Allyn has made the dining room into his office. And I think our cats – Sammy and Sophie – keep wondering when we are going leave so that they can have a quiet day.

Balance has become a key to survival.  Balancing how much time I spend in front of the computer. Balancing home chores with working from home and being at home. Balancing dissertation work and project work. Then learning to balance home space… not just physical space but the noise produced in those spaces from conference calls.

Along with balance has become acceptance. Accepting that even though you are home, you are still going to be exhausted at the end of the day. Accepting that the house is not going to stay totally clean and organized because you are continually moving around it and using it. Accepting that you cannot do everything just because you are home.

While being home is not easy, it has allowed for several things needing attention around our house to get done or get started (and hopefully done one day).  Yard work has been one such thing. To break away from the inside of the house, I have begun working in the yard. Getting outside has allowed me to clean up all of the flower beds, plant flowers, and even clean up the back porch area. The cats have also begun to enjoy the benefits of outdoor time. Yard work will never go away, but for the first time in years, it is now manageable.

Hello, old blog. I think about writing a blog post often but never take the time to sit down, write the post, and post it. I figured there is no time like the present to begin. And, I just thought that I would start with a recap of what has been going on.

• Beginning in November (of 2019), I made three trips to Texas, and my mom came up to Kentucky twice.
• My first trip to Texas in the fall of 2019 included attending my cousin’s “I Do BBQ” reception. He got married a few weeks prior in Hawaii, and they had a reception once they got back. I am so excited for him and his new bride – they complement each other nicely.

• While in San Antonio, I discovered that the Blue Man Group was premiering a new show, and we were able to get tickets. Allyn had seen the Blue Man Group before, but for my mom and me, it was a first.

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• My mom came up for Thanksgiving. I cooked Thanksgiving dinner for a good friend of mine and us.

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• The weekend after Thanksgiving, we took my mom to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. She had always wanted to go, and since they were in town, we decided this was a good opportunity.

  

• In the middle of December, I decided to head down to San Antonio to do some Christmas shopping with my mom, celebrate Christmas with my great-uncle who is in a memory care center, and attended a cousin’s 40^th

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• My mom came up for Christmas this year. I did a lot of cooking, we went to midnight mass, then watch movies, slept, and ate – all in all it was a good few days of relaxing family time.

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• 2020 was rung in with no celebration this year – Allyn and I just spent the night at home. The next day I flew home to Texas to celebrate the holidays with my grandmother’s family. It was a quick trip, but I was glad I went back and got to see everyone.
• I decided not to “teach” this semester. It was a hard decision in many ways, but also an easy one. Saying yes to teaching meant I was saying yes to a 3-hour drive daily, which was in the opposite direction of the research I needed to do for my dissertation and in the opposite direction of some medical stuff we needed to explore. So, Allyn and I decided that it was best for me to focus on other things and not teach this semester. I am still not sure if I will return in the fall.
• In January, we attended our IVF education meeting and officially kicked off our IVF journey.
• In mid-January, we attended a tour if of the Rookwood Pottery Company’s archives. Rookwood Pottery was founded in Cincinnati in 1880 and has been producing art pottery and architectural tile since (over 130 years). In recent years the company has relocated its facility to the heart of downtown Cincinnati in the historic Over-The-Rhine Neighborhood. As a cultural historian who is interested in art, it was fun to walk through the pottery’s archives and see their collection and even some recent work. Many of their pieces are tied to the culture and events in Cincinnati, which to me, is fascinating.

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• At the end of January, I finished up my prospectus for my dissertation, sent it to my committee members, and officially started my dissertation research.
• The beginning of February was kicked off by celebrating our 6^th wedding anniversary. We didn’t do anything fancy this year.
• Also, at the beginning of February (on our anniversary), we attended the Cincinnati Region SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) annual award dinner. For the 2019 season, Allyn won first in his division – driving a Tesla, of course!

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• Before it left the Cincinnati Museum Center, we went to see the traveling exhibit “Destination Moon,” which commemorated the Apollo Space Program and the moon landing. We ended up going twice, during our second visit, we got to hear Marion Lee Johnson talk. Johnson was one of the mathematicians responsible for the calculations to simulate vehicle piece impact trajectories during the Apollo missions. It was interesting to hear her speak about her work, but most of all, it was wonderful to see how she encourage the youth.

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• In mid-February, we met up with friends from the Scirocco (Cincy) group for Spring-Fling. We did an outing to the Franklin Park Conservatory. The Chihuly exhibit was still up at the conservatory, which was fun and a treat, given I am a big Chihuly fan.

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• The end of February brought a lot of frustration and disappointment. To deal with this frustration and disappointment, I started going back to the gym. Going to the gym really helps me to clear my mind and focus better.
• Shortly after the beginning of March, I headed back to Texas to see my mom and help her celebrate her birthday. While there, we did a lot of things together – cooked, visited family, did yard/ranch work, shopping, bunco night, and took a road trip to Kerrville, Texas, to visit the James Avery Headquarters’ store and museum.

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• The concern over the Coronavirus surfaced when I was in Texas. Flying back to Cincinnati was a little eerie – my flights had an average of 20 people on them, and then when we were landing at the CVG airport, you could see almost all of the parking lots were empty. I cannot say I was nervous about flying; it just felt strange.
• Concerns over the Coronavirus brought the religious education program I teach at our church to an end, which was a real bummer, because I really enjoyed the group of students I had this year. I am also going to miss the other catechists and our fellowship.
• Since Monday, I have been doing my best to confine myself to the house. I have been working on the dissertation, cleaning, readings, cooking, and watching TV/movies. I don’t mind staying in and doing my part to ward off the virus; I just miss being able to see friends, being able to go to the store regularly, do research in person at archives, my daily trips to the gym and traveling.

When I was in the hospital a few weeks back, our wing had a common area with tables for games and puzzles. During the day I spent a lot of time around the table working on various puzzles. Over my four day stay, I notice how puzzles were both a conversational piece, a tool for decompressing, and a way to observe differences and characteristics in people.

Working on puzzles became a way for me to not only pass time and relax, but also made for some interesting people-watching time. Throughout the day, people would walk up and quickly find a piece or two before moving on to whatever they were doing next, while others spent hours focusing on how pieces went together.

In general puzzles have a way of bringing people together. Around the puzzle table I met many great people and had many interesting conversations. Above all I made some key observations about different kinds of people – particularly in regards to puzzles. There are the hunters who love to scour, dig and look for the hard-to-find pieces. There are competitors, who always seem to be racing against some imaginary clock to complete the puzzle. Then, there are strategists, who spend much of their time sorting pieces into piles by color. There are also the achievers, who are discontent until every piece has found its rightful spot. And finally there are the leisurely folks, the ones who are just happy to play a part, content to sit and talk for hours while unhurriedly perusing the pieces. Although every person’s process varies, the end goal is the same – to take a bunch of seemingly random pieces and fit them together until the picture of what you’re building comes into focus.

Reflecting on the different ways people approach puzzles helps me to begin to understand the different ways people approach life, especially when we encounter problems or go through difficult times. Additionally, putting puzzles together and watching others do so helps me to think about my path in life. Life is segmented into pieces. On a daily basis we are constantly trying to get our pieces to fit together. Sometimes the pieces fit perfectly into your daily path, while at other times it takes a lot of work to figure out how the different pieces (of life) fit together. At times you have to put a piece aside because it is out of place, or you don’t have time for it, or other pieces become more important. Each of the pieces – our relationships, careers, education, interests/hobbies – fit together to make us who we are. With both puzzles and life, getting those pieces to fit together is an emotional process. Sometimes we feel excited, overwhelmed, happy, hopeful, and confused. As we experience those emotions, we learn about ourselves.

Puzzles have always been part of my life. When I was young, I enjoyed putting all kinds of puzzles together. Then during my teen years, I discovered 3D puzzles. By the time I graduated high school, completed 3D puzzles filled my bedroom, until I moved away from home. My former husband was not impressed by puzzles or by my love of puzzles. Puzzles regardless if they were traditional or 3D or Lego sets, brought me, mom, grandmother, and in more recent years, Allyn, together in the evenings.

After my stay in the hospital, Allyn and I decided to make it a Lego weekend and put together several sets of Legos we had but had not had time to put together. As we were putting the Legos together, I noticed many of the same patterns. I was the leisurely participant while Allyn was the strategist.

The Lego set I put together was the NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Lander. (I have a slight obsession with space exploration and things NASA related). Then Allyn put together the Lego Technic Bugatti Chiron set, which I got him for his past birthday.

While the Lunar Lander set was a typical Lego set, the Bugatti Lego set was a challenge for even Allyn. The Bugatti set consisted of 900 plus steps and is based on a full-scale model of a full functional Bugatti. It has a Lego functional engine, transmission, axles, and wheels.  And of course, it moves.

For me Legos and puzzles represent life… we often take on or are given pieces and we have to figure out how and where they fit into the path we are on. Figuring out how all the pieces fit together can bring out an array of emotions, but it is what makes life exciting.

Now I know I sound like a broken record, but seriously how is it May already? The first four months have completely flown by, and while I am more than ready for summer, I am also not ready for the year to be almost half over. However, I am excited for the month, for summer, and to get back to blogging!

May already has brought the end of the semester, and not just any semester, but possibly my last semester ever as a graduate student. May marked the completion of the course work for my Ph.D. program and the beginning of studying for qualifying exams, which will take place this August. In a few days, I get to go home to the ranch to see my mom, to celebrate Mother’s Day and have some much-needed downtime. Then at the end of the month, we will be getting together with some friends we have not seen in a while. All exciting things!!!

Although I am studying for qualifying exams, I am looking forward to being home more and not having to do the daily hour and half drive to campus. Being home more means that I get to cook more, it means that I might actually be able to go to the gym. It means that I can do things at my own pace. It also means warmer weather and that I get to wear shorts, dresses, sandals and not have to bundle up when going out. It also means that I get to pick up my camera again. Plus it means baseball games and weekend adventures.

So here is to May…