In a Word...

Welcome to 2018!

Seriously?

2018?

What happened to 2017?

For me, much of it went by in a blur. Rotator cuff surgery, our big move, renovating the big house, TWO grandbabies...

Yes, I'd say 2017 was an eventful year. One filled with more blessings than I count.

Just a few of this Grammy's blessings.

So it seems only appropriate that my word for 2018 is GRATITUDE. 

An attitude of gratitude is something I need to exercise more often, instead of allowing myself to get bogged down in the pithy little things that seek to steal my joy. Not when I have so much to be joyful about.

Like this...

And this...

Brie is really is a wonderful thing. Especially when it's baked.

This one is topped with honey, pecans, dried fruit and bacon...

In a word...AMAZING!

Sweet, savory, melty deliciousness.

Now you'll have to forgive me, but I can't help throwing in a couple more photos of our sweet Taegan Olivia, our day-after-Christmas gift.

 She's just...

 So doggone cute.

 Now it's your turn.

Do you choose a word as you head into each year?

Or are you a resolution person? Maybe a goal-setter?

What are you hoping for in 2018?

Mindy Obenhaus lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, the youngest of her five children and two dogs. She's passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com  

Baked Brie - An Indulgence Fit for a Speedbo-er

It's springtime in North Texas!

We spent part of the weekend planting flowers. Saturday was absolutely perfect. One of those days that beckoned you to drop everything else and get outside.

Even my irises are in bloom.

A few years back, on one of my visits to Ouray, Colorado, we joined a friend at the historic Beaumont Hotel for dinner and did what often do. Made a meal out of appetizers. 

On this occasion, my friend said, "You have to try to fried Brie."

Fried Brie?

Well, it involves Brie, so sign me up.

Oh. My. Word.

The cheese was basted in honey, then coated in breadcrumbs and deep fried to melty, gooey perfection. 

Well, I have yet to attempt fried brie, however, with that amazing recipe in mind, I've come up with a baked Brie that is almost as good.

It's very difficult, though, so pay close attention.

Here's what you'll need:

Brie and honey.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Place cheese round/wedge on a baking sheet (I highly recommend lining said baking sheet with parchment for easy cleanup) and drizzle with honey.

Bake until cheese is melting, 5-6 minutes.

You can serve this with fruit--apple wedges are good--or crackers. I prefer a water cracker, simply because they have no taste, so they let the flavor of the cheese and honey shine through. 

Or, you could just dig in with a spoon, but only if you're alone.

Imagine spending hours hunched over the computer to reach your daily Speedbo word count, then rewarding yourself for a job well done.

Sounds like motivation to me. ;-)

Happy Speedbo-ing!