Etsy – Roasted Tomato Feta Scones
Spring is here and I have blooming daffodils I planted two years ago on my porch to prove it. However, I’m struggling with the fact it’s April and feeling quite confused as to what happened to January, February, and March. The only conclusion I’m willing to concede is that grief is not a respecter of time or months on a calendar. In fact, I’m learning grief has a supernatural way of tricking my mind into believing we must still be in February because so much time has passed since the start of the new year. At the very least I should have more to show for it here on Savory Sweet Life. But I don’t.
As many of you know my dad died in a pedestrian – auto accident a few days after Christmas. He was crossing a street and a speeding car hit him. The trauma to his brain could not keep him alive more than a few hours after the accident. Just long enough for my family to drive to the hospital and allow the one part shock, one part denial, and one part reality of the moment sink in. I left the hospital that evening hugging and kissing him for the last time. We buried him New Year’s Eve.
Tasty Kitchen – Rocky Road Krispie Treats
My mom moved in immediately after his death and the first couple months I would spend each day, all day, helping her close their business and moving her belongings to my home. March was the first month all of us started to adjust back to our typical schedules. However, the number of posts I would publish each week dropped significantly. In fact, it’s still not as regular as I would like it to be but with so much happening here right now I’m just trying to do the best I can given the circumstances.
I know it may seem as though I’m being a little hard on myself but I can’t help it. Then it happened. I had a light bulb moment when I realized I had been producing consistent content, just not here on Savory Sweet Life. I needed to be reminded that the reality is, I’ve been working really hard producing great content for Etsy, Tasty Kitchen, PBS Parents, and Savory Sweet Life. A part of me rejoiced when I could hear myself saying, “Yes, I’m not a slacker”!
PBS Parents – Strawberry Spinach Bacon Feta Salad
If what I’m saying seems trivial, it is. But if I learned anything from my father it is this. Sometimes you have to encourage yourself because no one else will.
PBS Parents – Quick and Easy Egg Muffin Sandwiches in Under 2 Minutes
Lastly, I want to point out all these beautiful photos (and video) I shot of recipes I’ve published elsewhere. I hope these new posts make up for the lack of them the last few months. Feel free to click on each picture to be directed to the recipe. And if you want to say something nice to me below, I won’t stop you. Your encouragement has been a source of strength from me. Thank you so much.
thunja says
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Thanks for all you GIVE.
Whitney says
i am a quiet reader from the corner in the guest room, but i’ve been praying for you. every time i read your blog, i pray for you. i almost lost my father due to a ruptured 4 inch aorta aneurysm, and for a moment, a small moment, i felt the fear and trepidation – the sadness and the pain – that you now feel on a daily basis. don’t feel guilty. don’t put pressure on you. we’ll all keep clicking back for new content – WHENEVER it comes.
snippets of thyme says
I just found your blog. I was reading along and then my heart just sank when I read about what happened to your father. I cannot imagine. Truly. I cannot imagine what you and your family are going through. Thank you for sharing your pain with everyone out here. I hope we can show compassion to you and give you the support you must undoubtedly need. You have a wonderful blog here and your talent grabbed my attention. You will shine again but it will be with the brilliance of understanding deeper and more profound meanings of life. Take care and give your mother lots of hugs. – Sarah of “Snippets of Thyme”
alice says
Thank you so much friends. It means so much to have your words cushion me when I feel out of sorts. I wrote this really late last night and as I read it again, I’m reminded how emotional last night was. Just reading my own words about dad is hard. I’m a tough, thick skinned person and when I read your words of encouragement I find myself trying to fight back tears. I’m so glad for your friendship and this community.
xoxo,
Alice
Colleen says
You have me in tears. I am so sorry about your father. I only found this blog recently and had no idea. I know how difficult it is to lose a father. I also know you should be kind to yourself. You are doing an extraordinary job. You and your family will be in my thoughts.
Holden says
Those pork egg rolls looks so amazing, i’m a huge fan of creative spins on traditional favorites like that 🙂
Holden @ SUGARbijoux
jennie says
I’m so sorry for your loss.All I can say is that with time,it does get a better and your mind can go to the memories. It will be the first thing on your mind when you wake and the last thought you will have before you fall asleep. Bless you.
jennie says
I’m so sorry for your loss.All I can say is that with time,it does get a better and your mind can go to the memories. It will be the first thing on your mind when you wake and the last thought you will have before you fall asleep. Bless you.
MG Atwood says
Oh Alice, don’t beat yourself up. Nobody can do it all. Taking your mother in is so special. I am so sorry about your father. Such a tragic waste, but do take time to savor even the smallest wonder you might encounter.
Shanna says
I just started following your blog after seeing the scones on etsy. I am so glad I did. Your heart and soul show in those pictures of the delish food you make. Thanks for sharing even more of yourself in this post. I will be reading more 🙂
Carrie Beth says
Hi Alice,
I am a new reader to your blog and found you through Etsy. I just wanted to say that I really enjoying reading here and that I am encouraging you. Although far away, I understand what grief is and I know that things can be really difficult. Just know that people all over the place are encouraging you and believe in what you are doing… both on your blog and elsewhere. I pray that you’ll be encouraged by this and that even if just for a moment, you’ll realize that you’re touching lives in a great way.
Sincerely,
Carrie Beth
Holly Brown says
Dear Alice,
I have only been reading your blog about a month, but find myself returning to it frequently. It pops up on my facebook and I love it. You have a style of writing and cooking that is like comfort food.
I am so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. In such a time of sorrow and busy, busy activity, take time each day to listen to your own breath for a few minutes. It is very stabilizing and grounding.
With Love and Gratitude for all you share,
Holly
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Thank you for taking the time to even post, albeit your recent loss and everything that is going on in your life. I respect you for your strength and wish you all the best in future.
Danee Kaplan says
I lost my father almost exactly 4 years ago, on April 12, 2007. My experience taught me two things: Time FLIES and it will get better. A friend, who was in her 70’s and a widow, once she told me it is important to tell a grieving person that it will get better because sometimes you don’t think it ever will. So “It will get better”.
I found that the first year went quickly but I was dazed. I wanted my mom near me but then all I could think about was the last day in the hospital. Going to their house was extremely difficult for me. The 2nd and part of the 3rd year I felt like I carried death around on my shoulder all the time but the devastating sadness wasn’t as overwhelming. This least year…. well it has been much better. I still miss him but I don’t dwell as much on that last day. I’ve been able to remember other moments that really are much more important anyway. I still can’t listen to music from my childhood though.
I hope that as your family finds a new normal, you will continue to talk about your dad all the time. I think keeping my dad alive by sharing memories and stories has helped a lot as well. It is important to validate the importance of his life. Danee
Cassandra says
Dear Alice, Thank you for sharing. What I have learned about grief is that it will befriend you. I lost my father 32 years ago and I lost my mother 27 years ago. But oh they are still so present in my life! I am thinking that one day (soon I hope), the hollowness you feel will become more like a door, opening, helping you to see in a new light the bounties that surround you. And you will find that your relationship with your father is not cut off, but lively, like a flower, opening continually. If you are like me, maybe one day your grief will be more like a friend at your table. It will bring you little smiles when you least expect them. It will understand you, and it will have your father’s eyes. Thank you for your recipes!
Gerry says
I think you are doing an amazing job! Hugs, -G
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
I enjoy your blog very much. I started reading your posts just before the accident. I am very sorry for your loss and understand. I lost my father suddenly on December 21st many years ago. Anyway – love your recipes and your photos!
Marion says
Life is a gift from God, what you do with that life is your gift back to him!!!
I think God is very proud of you!!!!
P.S. I think your Dad is too!
Andrea says
good for you! keep kicking butt! and encouraging yourself is absolutely necessary even when people are encouraging you as well, your resolve matters the most to your success
Melynda@Moms Sunday Cafe says
Grief is the hardest work we complete. It is also a job than is never half done, only set aside to complete on another day or series of days. Your busy schedule is what made it all possible. As a doer you have completed many jobs at once, wife, mom, daughter, homemaker, life helper to those you love, and publisher of words. The daffodils on your porch are the proof that you have come forward and completed all you needed to complete, and now you can start returning to some of the things you WANT to complete. Take care!
kellypea says
The idea that you could remotely consider yourself a “slacker” as you continue with your lives after such a tragedy is ridiculous. I can only imagine the work you’ve done to stay on top of things, and to be a support to your mother. Amazing. The video is great! I make my husband a sandwich like that as a treat but no mayo. Thanks for the tip on adding the water to the egg!
The Poet Herself says
We’re our own worst critics. Glad that you’ve realized that you have accomplished so much–and so much more. Thinking of you and your mom.
annabelle says
I totally understand that this hard and we are 100% behind you. Your dad is in a better place, but that knowledge doesn´t makes it any easier. But we are here and will be waiting for you for when you feel more like yourself.
God Bless
Madison @ Espresso and Cream says
Thanks for sharing your heart, Alice! Truly, you should feel more than okay about a slower post schedule and less time to devote to SSL right now. If the rest of your readers are anything like me, we totally understand. And your other recipes look absolutely delicious!
Shawn says
I just don’t know how you did it all…Actually, I know that it was GOD’s Grace.
In the meantime, I’m glad that you’re aware of the beautiful work that you continued to produce during such a difficult period in your life. Thanks for sharing. Just so you know, even when your posts were thin, they were meaningful and worth reading. When you weren’t posting, I still enjoyed reviewing your previous postings…You have so many that I still haven’t covered them all.
Peace & Blessings Always