APRIL REFLECTIONS: ADVENTURES, ANECDOTES, AND THE TRUTH ABOUT “NORMAL”

While our home isn’t bustling with the pitter-patter of tiny human feet, it is certainly filled with the delightful presence of one incredibly cute cat: Salsa. He’s an absolute momma’s boy, and his affection knows no bounds – often manifesting in lengthy snuggle sessions. He even has a peculiar habit of sleeping right on my neck, which, while endearing, doesn’t always make for the most comfortable night’s rest! Our affection for him is so profound that he’s accumulated a whopping ten nicknames, each more whimsical than the last. From “Bean” to “Butters” to “Salsi,” or even creative combinations like “Salsi Bean” and “Beansies,” he responds to them all with characteristic feline indifference, but we love him all the same. His charming quirks and constant companionship are a constant source of joy and occasional challenge – truly, #catproblems are the best kind of problems.

Proof of his affectionate nature: Exhibit A showcases Salsa in full cuddle mode, nestled comfortably beside me. He truly cherishes these moments of closeness. Interestingly, Exhibit B captures a somewhat rarer sight – Salsa gracing Ryan with his presence for a snuggle. While I’m undoubtedly his primary source of comfort, these glimpses of him bonding with Ryan are always a pleasant surprise, demonstrating that even a momma’s boy can occasionally spread his love. These precious moments with our furry companion truly highlight the simple joys of our everyday life.

April brought a delightful visit from Ryan’s younger brother, who joined us for a memorable weekend. It was wonderful catching up, and we made sure to give him a comprehensive tour of our vibrant city and campus. He sported an impressive beard, which definitely added to his cool factor! Of course, no family visit is complete without the obligatory brotherly photo, snapped specifically for Mom’s delight. Beyond family time, Ryan also showcased his competitive spirit and remarkable athletic prowess by participating in a challenging racquetball tournament. His dedication and skill shone brightly, culminating in a fantastic second-place finish in the doubles category. We were all incredibly proud of his achievement, which perfectly capped off a weekend filled with laughter, exploration, and friendly competition.

We carved out some special time for a “Tuesdate” – our term for a mid-week evening out, just the two of us. The weather was finally pleasant enough to enjoy the outdoors, so we decided to sit by what some might optimistically call a “lake.” Coming from Minnesota, where true lakes are abundant and vast, we can’t help but chuckle when people refer to these smaller, often man-made, bodies of water as lakes. To us, they’re charming ponds! Nevertheless, it was a perfect setting for a low-key date: we grabbed some delicious treats from DQ and simply enjoyed each other’s company by the water’s edge. Later that week, we had another fascinating experience. Friends of ours recently acquired a robotic vacuum, and we were absolutely mesmerized watching it in action. This little marvel is incredibly smart, navigating around obstacles with ease and even reaching those tricky spots under furniture that are usually a nightmare to clean. Witnessing its efficiency firsthand has definitely moved “robotic vacuum” to the top of my wish list!

Life on a college campus is rarely dull, and April certainly delivered its share of unique moments. One day, we stumbled upon a truly extraordinary sight: a professor conducting his class right in the middle of a stream! Dressed impeccably in rain boots and a tie, he had set up an easel, demonstrating an impressive level of dedication and creativity. It was a wonderfully quirky and memorable academic scene. Later in the month, an exciting package arrived from our wonderful friends at Jet-Puffed! We received a HUGE box of marshmallows, which immediately sparked a flurry of recipe ideas in my head. I’m already envisioning countless delicious uses for them in the kitchen. As for Salsa, he was equally thrilled, though perhaps for different reasons – the empty box quickly became his new favorite cozy hideaway and plaything. It seems marshmallows bring joy to everyone in our household, in their own unique ways!

April also brought some exciting new recipe developments! I’m thrilled to offer a sneak peek at some healthier monster cookie bars I’ve been perfecting. They strike that perfect balance between indulgence and mindful eating, and I can’t wait to share the full recipe soon. However, working from home comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when you have a feline co-worker like Salsa. The second photo perfectly illustrates why my productivity often takes a hit when I try to work at home. Salsa seems to believe that my laptop is his personal sunbathing spot, and my notebooks are his chew toys, often shredded beyond recognition. His constant “help” can be incredibly distracting, even if it’s adorable. So, to maintain some semblance of focus and get important tasks done, it’s often necessary to leave Salsa enjoying his kingdom at home and retreat to the quiet sanctuary of the library. It’s a small sacrifice for a productive workday!

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the perfectly styled food photos you see online? This panoramic shot captures a truly fun and illuminating glimpse into my world during a typical baking and shooting day. While my camera is meticulously focused on capturing the beauty of the food, this wide-angle view reveals the controlled chaos that often surrounds me. You can see various props, ingredients, lighting equipment, and often a bit of a creative mess. It’s a testament to the effort and organization required to produce those seemingly effortless images. This panorama really pulls back the curtain, showing you everything that happens *around* the food, offering a candid and often humorous look at the reality of food blogging.

GETTING MORE PERSONAL: EMBRACING AUTHENTICITY AND OVERCOMING ANXIETY

“Ryan, I just want to be normal.”

This is a sentiment I voice far too often, a quiet whisper or sometimes a frustrated exclamation. It stems from a deeply ingrained, yet flawed, perception of what “normal” truly means. In my mind, “normal” people are those who effortlessly glide through life, seemingly untouched by the struggles and complexities that often consume my thoughts. They appear to navigate challenges with an invisible grace, never revealing the internal battles that I so frequently face.

My distorted definition of “normal” suggests that these individuals don’t have problems, or at least, they don’t *appear* to be actively working through any significant issues. They present a facade of calm and composure, making my own internal landscape feel chaotic and abnormal by comparison.

In this idealized vision, normal people are strangers to anxiety. Yet, the truth is, anxiety is a fundamental part of the human experience. It’s a universal emotion, felt by countless individuals, manifesting in myriad ways. To believe that one can be entirely free of it is to deny a core aspect of what it means to be human.

Furthermore, my “normal” implies a life where challenges are neatly singular, not a confluence of ten different things going wrong simultaneously. But again, human beings, in their complex reality, often grapple with a multitude of issues at any given time. Life is rarely a linear progression of solving one problem before another appears; it’s a messy, overlapping tapestry of triumphs and tribulations.

And then there are the specific anxieties, the seemingly trivial ones that loom large in my world. Normal people, I tell myself, don’t get anxious about simple acts like going out to eat, or the prospect of traveling. But the reality is that every human being responds differently to diverse situations. What might be a simple outing for one person can trigger a cascade of anxious thoughts for another. These are not flaws; they are variations in the rich tapestry of human response.

I’m sharing these deeply personal thoughts with you because I vehemently do not want anyone to fall into the trap of thinking I am “normal” while you are not.

I can almost hear the internal monologue: “She has a beautiful food blog with perfect-looking pictures; she looks so normal, so put-together!”

The camera, a powerful tool, is incredibly adept at concealing the parts of my life I choose not to expose. I simply don’t point it in the direction of the “ugly things” – the moments of doubt, the struggles with anxiety, the imperfections that are an inherent part of my everyday existence. What you see online is a curated glimpse, not the full, unfiltered reality.

But here’s the profound truth: going through those “ugly things” is not just normal; it’s an essential part of growth, resilience, and connection. It’s in these moments of vulnerability that we truly understand ourselves and others.

This realization resonates deeply with the wisdom I’ve found in spiritual teachings. As Lysa TerKeurst beautifully puts it in the Proverbs 31 Study: “It’s His presence plus His promise that chase away our anxious thoughts.” This powerful statement offers a beacon of hope and a practical pathway through the fog of anxiety.

Understanding His presence means recognizing that we are never truly alone:

• The Lord is near – Phil 4:5 reminds us of God’s constant proximity, a comforting thought in moments of isolation or fear.
• The Lord is near to the brokenhearted – Psalm 34:18 offers solace, assuring us that in our deepest pain and sorrow, God is especially close, ready to comfort and heal.
• I am with you and will keep you wherever you go – Genesis 28:15 is a powerful promise of divine companionship and protection, a constant anchor in an ever-changing world.

Coupled with His presence are His unwavering promises, guiding lights that illuminate our path:

• You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world – 1 John 4:4 empowers us, reminding us of the immense strength and divine power that resides within us, far superior to any challenge or adversary we might face.
• For I hold you by your right hand—I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. – Isaiah 41:13 is a tender and direct reassurance. It paints a picture of God physically holding our hand, guiding us, and explicitly telling us not to fear because He is our ever-present helper.

Through His Word, God has imparted a profound lesson: faith is not a singular event, a one-time decision made and then forgotten. Instead, it is a dynamic, everyday choice. Each morning, each moment, I am presented with the choice to either succumb to the perceived lies that anxiety whispers – lies about inadequacy, isolation, and an unattainable “normal” – or to stand firm in His truth about who I am. It’s a daily commitment to lean into His promises, to embrace my authentic self with all its imperfections, knowing that in His eyes, I am wholly loved and perfectly made. This ongoing journey of faith is what truly empowers me to navigate the complexities of life with hope and resilience.

—

For more glimpses into our lives beyond the kitchen, be sure to check out our previous out of the kitchen posts.