Lisa M. Buske's Blog, page 8

Snow is Melting = I Can Get to THE Cottage

I miss my writing cottage! My Dad and husband insulated and put in a small heater BUT when we have feet of snow in a few weeks it makes the short journey to the entry a challenge. Up until this weekend I would have needed a hiking stick, cleated boots, and gear to climb the mountain of plowed snow.

While I'm happy there is a place for snow removal at my father's house, allowing him to get in and out of his garage...I miss the ease of going to the cottage to write. Would you like to hear the good news? The sun was out this weekend and the temperatures neared 30 degrees, which means, snow is melting. I dropped some treats to my Dad today and peeked at the snow bank to realize that after a few more warmer days, I might be able to go to my writer's cottage THIS coming weekend! Yippee!

I'm spending the week mentally preparing for what I'll work on. I know I'm changing my "drawing board" out for my next book. I'm excited! I've been puttsing on my writing at home but I'm not as focused or productive because I struggle to ignore the things needing my attention. At the cottage on the other hand, all I feel and see is...creativity!

If you live in a colder climate, what do you look forward to doing as the weather warms up and the daylight hours are longer? In addition to writing, working in the garden and going for walks outside are on my list.
What is the first thing you
plan to do when the weather warms up?

T.O.P.'s Tuesday: Writing is A Journey In Itself

In 2011 when I attended my first writers' conference I left with a desire and energy to write and publish my first book, Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey . My mission and passion was to reach the sister grieving the loss of her sister. My desire was to encourage at least one sibling to know they weren't alone.

The response to Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey was overwhelming and the feedback I received blessed me and encouraged my family. The goal to encourage one was magnified yet it wasn't until last year that I understood God has more for me to write. He has more for me to share.

The idea to write a devotional was not on the top of my to do-list yet when God places it on your heart, you obey. A Journey to Easter, birthed pre-Covid, was fun to write and healing. As I wrote some of the devotionals it was evident there is still a lot of work to do within me. I hope you'll order this and let God speak to your heart. The feedback I'm receiving from current readers is one of blessings, encouragement, and hope. You can order the devotional in print form or on Kindle. A goal for 2022, is to have Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey and the devotional available on Audible. I haven't looked into the process of doing this yet but it's swirling in the back of my mind. Is this something you might be interested in or would utilize?

As we move into the final weeks before Easter, have you found it possible to let go of a bad habit (or two) and start some new ones? Are the new habits and routines drawing you closer to Jesus? Do you have an accountability partner? If you could add one thing to your daily agenda today, what would it be? Why?
How are you drawing closer to God
this Lenten Season?

Selfie Saturday: How Are You Staying Fit?

Okay peeps, it's Saturday and a great day to share your #StrongSelfieSaturday. I share this selfie from last week to encourage, motivate, and inspire you. You are amazing, strong, and determined. Instead of using the filters on your social media apps, turn them off. 

Our children and grandchildren need to know it's important to embrace who they are on the inside and have the courage to let others see this side of them too.

​The next generation looks up to us and if we aren't sharing our #StrongSelfieSaturday, then how can we expect them to. Instead of turning on the filters, let your sweat be your sparkle and the smile be evidence of the hard work you spend each day to be the positive role model the next generation needs. Let go of the filter and hold onto the traits that endure and make you who you are...
Do you have the courage to share a #StrongSelfie 
with no makeup, workout or work clothes,
and your beautiful/handsome smile?

Thankful to Learn New Things

Have you heard of an 8 braided bread before? It was new to me until I started watching The Great British Baking Show. I saw the braided bread and thought, I've made that BUT then they said it was an 8 strand braid. Oh my goodness! It was so interesting and I started looking up recipes and how to braid with eight strands.

I used my tried and true challah bread recipe and instead of the normal 3 strand braid, went to work with 8. I recorded live on Facebook. The first loaf has a much looser braid but the latter end looked much better and I was excited to try the second.

The pictures on today's blog are mine and of the my first attempt of the eight strand bread and I plan on trying this again and experimenting with some of the other braids now that I know there are such a thing, and the tutorials to help me learn. It's exciting to learn new things and be creative with food, as much as with words. I found a video that shows how to do the braid. I hope you enjoy and in case you are wondering, the bread was delicious and is a family favorite whether it has three or eight strands.
Have you made a
braided bread before?

What is the most number of strands you
​have attempted?

T.O.P.'s Tuesday: Organize the Creativity

Happy Tuesday everyone! Many of you know my favorite place to write and prepare for speaking engagements is in my "cottage". If you are new, my writer's cottage is my daughter's playhouse revamped with a major upgrade. It's the perfect little getaway and work space for me and my writing. 

I live in Central New York and it is March 2, 2021. Are you asking yourself, "What does the date have to do with my writer's cottage?" Good, let me tell you. The location of my cottage is in front of where the snow is pushed to allow for the driveway to remain clear. We have had SO MUCH snow this past month, unless I want to dress for a hike and climb a snowy mountain, the cottage is closed until the snow melts. Here's the deal, the snow may last until April and there are writing projects and deadlines to meet.
Life is about choices, we all have them. Here are my options when it comes to my writing: 1) Quit writing until the snow melts in April or 2) Figure out a way to organize a time and space at home to get some writing done. I chose #2. 

I had an idea for a shelf to organize the coffee table  of my "piles". Some people would call it clutter yet I prefer piles, lol. I shared my idea with my Dad and he made it a reality in less than forty-eight hours. He is amazing! He made a couple upgrades: tilting it back a little more and adding side panels. I hadn't thought of those and I'm thankful he did.

To the left are my notebooks and paper, followed by a few Bible translations, journals, devotionals, and the books I'm reading. Underneath is a binder with PD I'm working through, a couple portfolios with books/writing projects in progress, and my podcast log on top. To the right are my Bible highlighters. My pens, pencils, regular highlighters, ruler, sticky notes, and white out are in my organizer on the table between my favorite chair and the couch. Everything I need to be creative are at my fingertips.

On the right hand side of my coffee table has books for school and my Epicure business. Between these two organized areas are my favorite hand lotions, tissues, and fresh flowers. In the past I wasn't a fan of fresh cut flowers yet lately, they are something I look forward to seeing everyday as I relax, read, write, and recharge. It was empowering this weekend to organize our coffee table. Some people don't need things picked up to be creative yet this is how I'm wired. One of the most important things for your creativity genius to be successful, you need to know your limitations and what motivates you. 

As I move into the week, I'm thankful for my Dad and his ability to understand my crazy sketches and more importantly, for his willingness to use his creative genius to make mine come to fruition. We make a great team! As you use your creative talents, if you need help or something to help your success, look around you and see who might have a talent that can help you. They might just need a reason to get creative.
What is your creative genius?

You CAN Have Enough

I don't know who said this quote yet when you grasp its message, you will be empowered. "Gratitude turns what we have into enough." Do you have an attitude of gratitude? Today's blog is interactive. Find a piece of paper and a pen. Make a list of all the things you HAVE, just the ones that come quickly to your mind, only take a minute or two. Don't overthink this.

Now create another list. Write down all the people, places, and things you are thankful for. Again, make it your quick list. 

When you look at your list of things you have, do you believe you have enough? If you have a resounding "Yes", is your gratitude list a long one? If you find answering, "not really", is your gratitude list on the shorter side?

It's important to focus on all the things we can be thankful for each day and not on material items. If I was to do this exercise, one of the first tings I'd list that I have, is a loving family and great hubby. We have a home, heat, running water, hot water, food, vehicles, and good health. I encourage you to go back and make a list of all the things you have again, or add to your first one. What new items will you add to the list?

After you complete your lists, take time to reflect on what, and who, you are grateful for. Does this help you focus on all you have to be grateful for? I pray you are able to recognize you will always have enough when you have a heart and life full of gratitude for the big things and the little things. I'll share a truth I've learned, sometimes the  special things, are the littlest of things, and the same things you'll be grateful for the most. Keep your eyes open! What are you grateful for today?

T.O.P.'s Tuesday: Taking Time to Read

Hello and Happy last-week-of-February! Last week's vacation helped restore my energy, clarity, and vision. My typical February break has a major list of things to-do for each day. This year, I spread out one a typical vacation day over the week. It was wonderful. I accomplished the important items and let go of those that weren't.

Instead of setting an alarm to bang out the lists and go to bed exhausted, I found myself sleeping hard and waking up before the alarm. The only reason I even had an alarm set was to make sure I made it to the YMCA each day. I tried new classes and benefited from extra workouts in some of my favorites. The Cricut was kept busy cutting my new logo so I can make some new swag. I hosted live cooking demos, posted new videos to my YouTube channel and on TikTok, and enjoyed time snuggled in with a good book, or two. 

One book I've read each day is, A Journey to Easter . Yup, my very own devotional. You might find it odd that I'm enjoying this but to write a book is totally different than reading it for enjoyment. A Journey to Easter , is a devotional to help you draw closer to Jesus during Lent.  I've shared a couple of the devotions on my Keeping it Real Cooking with Lisa Facebook page as part of my Sustenance Sunday: Live Devotionals , if you want to watch one, click here.

I also started Eat, Pray, Love and Plan B: Further thoughts on Faith for fun reads. I'm reading Badass Habits: Cultivate the Awareness, Boundaries, and Daily Upgrades You Need to Make Them Stick with my Monday evening book club. I re-listened to Uninvited and Atomic Habits. BUT the most important book I read each day...my Bible. I'm trying something new this Lent. I'm going to read a few chapters (minimum) of the New Testament each day, starting with the book of Matthew. I'm reading with my new Bible, The Passion Translation.

It's empowering to let go of the lists (for a few days, lol) and enjoy life, creating, and reading. I'm still the first-born organized and planning person yet it feels good to know I have the strength to let go and relax for a week. We all need to relax and take time to "sharpen our saws" to recharge who we are. The Friday before break I was on an emotional low and near burn out. I'm returning to school with renewed energy and determination. I pray and hope you take this necessary time too. We all deserve, and need, this time. It's taken me decades to figure it out, maybe someone reading this will be saved from years of overworking and start incorporating weekly blocks to recharge.
Will you share a great book for
myself & others to read?

Passions Collide: An Epic Experience

Hello and happy Saturday everyone! In case you didn't know, I am an Independent Epicure Consultant. You know I'm passionate about sharing with others through my writing and speaking. Another passion and way I share joy and love with others is through cooking and baking. I'm thrilled to share that with Epicure, my passion and enjoyment to share with others has collided with the passion and joy of being in the kitchen. It is #epic!

I joined Epicure in July 2020 with the intention of hosting enough parties to earn the price of my starter kit back. Within two weeks of using Epicure's cooking grade silicone, utensils, and seasonings, I was ready to continue beyond earning my kit back. Since July I have hosted 36 cooking classes for others. In addition I do a LIVE COOKING DEMO EVERY MONDAY, at 5:30 EST, on my Facebook page, Keeping it Real Cooking with Lisa. I'm known to jump on randomly during the week or on the weekend, just for fun, to share a live cooking demo.

On Sundays I do a LIVE devotional, the time fluctuates but tomorrow will be the sixth one and my followers enjoy it. It is a Christian devotional, applying the Bible to life in today's world. I am a Christian author, podcaster, speaker, and cook. It is a joy to share all my passions in one place. I look forward to traveling and sharing with women's groups, churches, retreats, events, and libraries in the future. I've missed sharing my faith and encouraging others, I use this time Sunday, called, "Sustenance Sunday" to synergize my passions. This is something my soul & heart have missed. I record all my LIVE cooking demos and devotionals so you can watch again or at a later time in case you can join us. Epicure is a successful, women run company, with 25 years of experience and dedication to sharing healthy seasoning and cooking alternates for families. Their motto and mission, "Raw to ready in 20 minutes or Less, Good Food, Real Fast."

Their products are 100% Gluten Free (and taste delicious), NUT FREE (except coconut), 90% GMO Free, 80% Vegan, Kosher checked, low and no sodium, low sugar, NO high fructose syrup, NO artificial colorings and flavorings, and 91 other things they don't use or have in the factory. Epicure prides themselves on offering the purest seasonings to enhance you meal time, while saving you time in the kitchen.

I'm located in Central New York yet if you wanted to host a cooking class, we can do it virtually via Facebook or Zoom. I do all the work and you reap the benefits! It's a win-win. You could also do a "catalog" party by sharing your shopping link with your friends and family. One of my favorite aspects of hosting with Epicure, your guests can order anytime and their order processes the same day they order, NO WAITING! Yup, I've had guests sharing their orders a week before the hostess even had her LIVE demo. Epicure values their customers and your experience, so you don't wait.

When you opt for the Facebook party : I create the Event page then share recipes, fun facts, and more for the two weeks leading up to your event. The day of the event, I'll do a LIVE cooking demo for you and your friends. I do the grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning. Of course, this also means I have a delicious dinner or my family when the party ends. What do you need to do? Invite everyone you know: family, friends, coworkers, neighbors then share the posts I put on the event page to your social media pages. Share the ordering link with a little ditty about why you decided to host a party. The party closes 5 days after we go live. 

What is a qualifying cooking class (party)? $250 minimum in sales & 4 ordering guests to earn 10% of the sales and 1 half-price item. If you have a $125 order, consider ordering something smaller from your friend then book your own party, you'd only need 3 more guest to order $125 (that's like $42 a person) and you'd earn 10% of the sales and a half-price item. When you reach $500 in sales, you earn 15% of the sales and 2 half-price items. With a $750 party, you'd earn 15% of the sales and 3 half-price items but you want to strive for a $1,000 party - then you earn 20% of the sales and 4 half-price items. The benefits to hosting are amazing and I enjoy sharing good food, real fast with you, your friends, and family. Email me today to schedule your party.
Email to host a cooking class:
livinwithlisa.keepingitreal@gmail.com  CLICK HERE TO VISIT MY EPICURE PAGE CLICK TO VISIT MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL If you want to check out a LIVE cooking DEMO:
Join me tonight at 4 p.m. EST

Menu: Ranchero Chicken Burger, homemade potato chips,
and a delicious cherry dessert.

My husband is joining as my assistant, it will be fun! Setting goals higher!
Goal:  My first $1,000 Cooking Class

If you can't make the LIVE
and want to place an order:
CLICK HERE TO PLACE AN ORDER

You are welcome to do a "watch party" and invite your friends and family to join us for this LIVE cooking demo! The more the merrier!
I hope to see you online tonight at 4 p.m. EST!

Thriving on Thursday: Exercise is Key!

It's nearing the end of February and I've finally determined my word, well, words, for 2021. Last year I focused on my "mindset". This year, I'm focusing on "Healthy Habits and Balance". Have you chosen your one word, or phrase (LOL), for 2021?

Now that I have my word/phrase chosen, it's time to choose my Bible verse to support my one-word. Only God knew in January how important it would be to focus on mindfulness in 2020. Like you, there were times when the quarantine and working from home tempted to drain me of positive energy and thoughts, I'd look up and see my white board, "~Mindful 2020~".
I started to think and pray about my word for 2021 early in December, in hopes of having my word selected for January 1. I didn't accomplish my goal until last week yet it's through the prayerful process that I find the clarity and discernment to select the right word to lead me through the next year. The words, "Healthy habits and balance" were some of the first words I journaled in December. As I prayed and reflected on these words, I didn't have a sense of peace about them. 

Now, in the second month of 2021, I can tell you these words, this phrase, seems to be the thought and focus. Gosh, if I would have listened to God in December, I'd have reached my deadline. I know this is the direction to take this year. Now onto selecting my Bible verse for 2021. I enjoy this process because it allows me the opportunity to read and study a variety of verses that will help me support and focus on my words. I write them out, type and print them, and make it a positive affirmation for 2021.

Have you selected your one-word & Bible verse(s) for 2021 yet? If not, what are you waiting for? Share you one-word and Bible verse in a comment...

T.O.P.'s Tuesday: Happy Start to Lent!

Today, Tuesday, February 17, 2021, is the start to the Lenten Season. It's Shrove Tuesday, a day when many binge on food, sweets, and what they plan to give up for Lent. Tomorrow, Wednesday, is Ash Wednesday. A day to reflect on why we celebrate Lent and focus our attention.

With the COVID restrictions, our church purchased ashes in little vials for families to administer at home. Our pastor is thoughtful and ordered extras in case we had family or knew someone who was unable to receive their ashes at their home church. I took one and shared with my auntie and family.

In case you have ordered your copy of A Journey to Easter, it's not too late. I am blessed with the feedback others have sent via messenger and text. My prayer when writing the book was for God to use this devotional to draw others closer to Jesus.

May He be glorified through this devotional and your relationship established, renewed, or energized this Lenten season. Here are the links to order online now.
To order a print copy, click HERE.
To order on Kindle, click HERE.

If you need a signed copy, email me: livinwithlisa.keepingitreal@gmail.com and I can sign and dedicate the book to whomever you desire. You can pay via Venmo or Paypal. Thank you in advance. If you are kind enough to write a review on Amazon.com, it is much appreciated, this helps others find my book.7 months agotodayHow are you drawing closer to Jesus this Lent?