Tag: feel good

The Soundtrack of May: Finding the Melody in the Transition

by Mothersense, posted in Mental Health Recovery, Reclamation


There is a specific frequency to May in this part of Texas. The “blackland” is vibrant, the mornings still hold a lingering coolness, and the world feels like it’s humming a brand-new tune. As a songwriter, I can’t help but listen for the rhythm in it all—the way the wind catches the fence line or the steady, rhythmic chirping of the birds before the afternoon heat settles in.


By May 1st, we aren’t just “planning” for growth anymore; we are living right in the middle of it. If April was about the quiet work of the roots, May is the full-blown chorus.


Listening to the Layers


In a good song, the layers have to work together. You have the steady beat of the drums (the daily chores, the family schedules, the “must-dos”) and the soaring melody (the dreams, the creative sparks, the “could-bes”).


Lately, I’ve been practicing the art of listening to those layers without getting overwhelmed by the noise.
The Steady Beat: The familiar sounds of a full house—the laughter, the front door swinging open, the clatter of life. It’s the anchor that keeps everything else grounded.


The Creative Counterpoint: That sudden lyric that hits you while you’re folding laundry or the melody that starts to form while you’re out walking. It’s the reminder that even in the busiest seasons, there is room for a new song.


Changing the Key


Sometimes, life asks us to change the key. Maybe the pace is picking up, or the “sound” of your season is shifting from a quiet acoustic ballad to something a bit more upbeat and demanding. That shift isn’t a bad thing; it’s just a transition.
I’m learning that you don’t have to fight the change in tempo. You just have to find your footing in the new rhythm.

Whether you are navigating a career shift, a creative milestone, or just the changing needs of your family, there is a melody there if you’re quiet enough to hear it.


What is Your Song Today?


Take a second today to really listen—not just with your ears, but with your heart.


What is the “hook” of your life right now?


Is it a song of peace, a song of hustle, or a song of quiet resilience?


As we step into May, I’m keeping my notebook close and my heart open to the music of the everyday. There is so much beauty in the transition if we just stop to hear it.


I’d love to know: if your life had a soundtrack right now, what would the genre be? Let’s talk about the music of our lives in the comments!

The Second Half of the Season: Finding Our Bloom

by Mothersense, posted in This Life


There is a specific kind of quiet that happens right before spring really takes hold. In the songwriting world, we talk a lot about “the hook”—that moment where everything clicks and the story finds its rhythm. Life has those moments, too, but they often come after a season of being dormant.


As we move into late April, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to enter the “second half” of a journey. Whether it’s a creative project, a career shift, or just a new chapter in a family’s story, the transition isn’t always loud and flashy. Sometimes, it’s just a steady, quiet reclaiming of who you are meant to be.


Resilience in the Roots
In this part of the country, the earth is tough. It takes a certain kind of strength for a seed to push through that heavy soil. I think we’re a lot like that. We carry the weight of our past seasons—the winters that felt a little too long or the storms that shook our fences—but we still find a way to reach for the light.


Defining Your Narrative
One of the most powerful things we can do is decide how our story is told. For me, that’s happening through music and words, finding the melody in the transitions. But you don’t have to be a songwriter to rewrite your rhythm.
Listen to the change: What is the “new song” in your life right now?


Honor the growth: Even if you aren’t exactly where you planned to be, look at how far the roots have gone down.
Accept the timing: Some things bloom early; some take their time. Both are beautiful.
Looking Ahead


As the days get longer and the “Mother-Sense” kicks in, I’m leaning into the gratitude of being right here, right now. The heaviness of winter is lifting, and there is a lot of music yet to be written. And I am preparing for the worst and hoping for the best. ❤️


How are you finding your rhythm this month? Is there a part of your story that is finally starting to bloom?

Do you have things you need to protect if the storms do come??

Let’s chat!

Email me!

Scraps, Spirals, and the Strength of a Rolling Pin

by Mothersense, posted in Mental Health Recovery, Reclamation


**Amazon affiliate links included**

If you walked into my kitchen today, you wouldn’t find a Pinterest-perfect setup with high-end gadgets. You’d find a dusting of all-purpose flour on the counter and me with a rolling pin in hand.
I’ve never been much for the “easy way” out. Whether it’s pressing out tortillas by hand or hand-stitching a memory quilt for my son, I like to feel the work. There’s a rhythm to using a pastry blender to cut the fat into the flour—a steady, grounding pace that helps clear the “topsy-turvy” noise of the week.


The “Spiral” Songwriter
While the dough is rising, I’m usually reaching for a notebook. But you won’t find any fancy leather-bound journals here. My catalog of 180+ songs started on the back of index cards and old student spirals left over from my teaching years.


There’s something about a scrap of paper that makes the lyrics feel more honest. It doesn’t have to be pretty to be powerful. It just has to be true.


The Tech Pivot: KitchenIQ
Even with my “old school” heart, I’m still a believer in moving forward. That’s why I’m building KitchenIQ. I’m taking all those scratch-made traditions and my “Grandmama” hacks and putting them into an app that actually understands a busy household. I’m learning FlutterFlow the same way I learned to bake—one step at a time, failing until it’s right, and not being afraid to get my hands a little dirty.


Living the “Second Half”
I spent a long time throwing myself into projects as a distraction. But today, whether I’m studying for my General Lines license, coding an app, or rolling out dough, I’m doing it with intention.


Life is too darn short to wait for the “perfect” tools. You use the flour you have, the scraps you can find, and the rolling pin your mama probably used. You just start.
Julie’s “Old School” Kitchen Favorites:


The Pastry Blender:    — This is the workhorse of my kitchen. Simple, effective, and doesn’t need a plug. I had to replace my old one I found at a thrift shop, it had a wooden handle…But I do enjoy the upgrade with the biscuit cutter and dough blade for splitting tortilla dough or making rolls.

Pastry Blender set


A Solid Wood Rolling Pin:  — Sometimes the simplest tools are the ones that last a lifetime. I do enjoy a good thrift find but the best is marble for tortillas and pie crusts, but that wood for the biscuits and breads. Either one works well or if you can have both, why not?

Marble Rolling Pin
Wooden Rolling Pin


Bulk All-Purpose Flour: — Proof that you don’t need fancy ingredients to make something people love. You can get a great 25 lb bag on Amazon, but I also get it from HEB or Wal Mart in 10lb bags, depending on how much baking I intend to do in any given period of time.

As Cody Johnson sang so well :

“If you got a chance, take it, take it while you got a chance
If you got a dream, chase it, ’cause a dream won’t chase you back
If you’re gonna love somebody
Hold ’em as long and as strong and as close as you can
‘Til you can’t”

Go chase dreams, be the light, change the world, protect the children…..

Always Julie

Comfort foods for the cooler months

by Mothersense, posted in This Life

Heartwarming Recipes to Cozy Up With From Mothersense

As the temperature drops and the days get shorter, nothing feels quite as comforting as a warm, hearty meal. Comfort food is all about nostalgia and warmth, evoking feelings of home and togetherness. This season, let’s embrace the deliciousness of comforting dishes that nourish the soul without straying too far from healthy eating. Here are three classic recipes—Round Steak and Rice, Chicken Soup, and a Cheesy Casserole—that strike the perfect balance between indulgence and nutrition.

1. Round Steak and Rice

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs round steak, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup brown rice
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup carrots, sliced
  • 1 cup bell pepper, diced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and garlic, sautéing until softened.
  2. Season the round steak pieces with salt and pepper. Add to the skillet and brown on all sides.
  3. Stir in the carrots and bell pepper, cooking for an additional 5 minutes.
  4. Add the brown rice and beef broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 45 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the steak is tender.
  5. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Nutritional Information (per serving, serves 4):

  • Calories: 350
  • Protein: 25g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Dietary Fiber: 4g
  • Total Fat: 10g

2. Classic Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups carrots, sliced
  • 1 cup celery, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

  1. In a large pot, bring the chicken broth to a simmer. Add the chicken breasts and cook until fully cooked, about 15-20 minutes. Remove the chicken, shred it, and set aside.
  2. In the same pot, add the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are softened.
  3. Stir in the shredded chicken, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Simmer for another 10-15 minutes.
  4. Remove the bay leaf and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Nutritional Information (per serving, serves 6):

  • Calories: 220
  • Protein: 28g
  • Carbohydrates: 10g
  • Dietary Fiber: 2g
  • Total Fat: 8g

3. Cheesy Vegetable Casserole

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 2 cups cauliflower florets
  • 1 cup carrots, shredded
  • 1 cup shredded low-fat cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté garlic for 1 minute, then add broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots. Cook until just tender, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the sautéed vegetables, Greek yogurt, and half of the cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Transfer the mixture to a greased baking dish. Top with remaining cheese and whole wheat breadcrumbs.
  5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.

Nutritional Information (per serving, serves 6):

  • Calories: 210
  • Protein: 12g
  • Carbohydrates: 20g
  • Dietary Fiber: 4g
  • Total Fat: 10g

Just a reminder

Comfort food doesn’t have to be an indulgent treat that derails healthy eating habits. With these recipes, you can enjoy hearty meals that are both satisfying and nourishing, perfect for those chilly evenings at home with the family and friends. Each dish brings its unique flavors and comforting qualities, making them ideal for sharing. You can even take it a step further and have everyone help prep, even in a small kitchen area, kids or friends can help with preparations. So, gather around the table and enjoy the warmth and love that comes from good food this season and help keep the blues at bay!