Bloom Where You're Planted - and evidence of my whipped cream addiction

I'm 24, married, and living with my parents. One of these things is not like the other...Hmm.. (it's the living with my parents part - for those of you who don't like games, or being married, or being 24 for that matter) 

I'm not complaining. Really.... 

No, really I'm actually not complaining! I feel like you probably read that last one as sarcastic. 

No? Oh well, moving on. 

I know I'm blessed to even have a bed to sleep in at night, but even on my most positive day I have admit that staying in my childhood room directly across the hall (a whopping 4 feet, people) from my sister is not exactly the ideal situation for a young married couple. Wait! Don't even go there in your heads. Ew! Well...that was kind of my fault huh? I lead you right to it. Meh, sorry.... but that's reality of it. And that's simply logistics. I won't even delve into the rapidly shifting mental state of a post-grad-over-achiever-living-with-the-parentals (my poor husband). That story is for another day and probably a recipe with A LOT of butter.
But I digress...

So yesterday I was again confronted with reality - of living with my parents and of living in Maine. We have this saying here, which if you are reading this from a 207 area code you've probably already said it out loud just to beat me to the punch (weirdos). It goes like this: "You don't like the weather? Well, just wait 5 minutes and it'll change!"

Example: Last week it was a sweltering 86 degrees in the shade. Within two days? SNOW. and more snow..and..Oh let me check... yup, still snowing.

So instead of launching into this blog thing with the EPIC entrance I had planned - at least it was epic by my estimations - by making margarita frozen fruit pops (YUM)  I was left contemplating baked goods and feeling rather overwhelmed at the prospect. (Did I mention I'm a roller coaster of emotions?) But then I saw them.

The ugliest bowl of apples I have ever seen. 

I did my best to make them look presentable in my photos, but honestly..YIKES. 

I looked at them. I thought about my life. My $40k per year college degree. The 4 ft hallway. The slanted ceiling over my bed that I routinely smash my head into. My impressive resume. It doesn't really add up.

However, something very Hallmark that my mom had said to me earlier rang out in my head. "Lily, calm down (R-O-L-L-E-R C-O-A-S-T-E-R). Sometimes you need to take a breath, look around, and bloom where you're planted." Now let it be known that sappy cards are one of my least favorite things in the entire world (unless handwritten by the husband). I have to admit it though, she got me there.

So my life isn't exactly where I thought it would be. I don't have a lot of things I thought I would have right now - like my own bathroom, but I also have a lot of things I didn't expect to have -like husband and the ability to watch late night Food Network with him and my sister - who is luckily only 4 ft away. As if a bazillion wise people haven't already said it enough...It's all about perspective.

I now looked at those apples like they were old friends. 

Apples, you might be little worse for wear, but you've got character. You might not be where you thought you'd end up - like on my walnut, cherry, apple tart (coming soon!) but you've got plenty of potential. So - you will be the BEST applesauce EVER! Seriously...this applesauce tastes like the middle of the best pie you've ever had but minus the extra sugar/calories/soggy bottom crust. Bonus: it's easy as pie! (oooh unintentional pun..ouch..)

Step one: Peel apples, slice. How many apples you ask? As many as you want! (I know, rocket science.)

Step two: Place into pot. No other ingredients. For real.

Step three: Turn to medium high heat, stirring occasionally until the apples are pliable and steaming.

Trendy Internet Caption: "HEY KEWL KIDS! CHECK OUT MAH POTZ!"

Step three: Turn down to low heat until apples are desire texture. This of course will differ depending on your chunky vs smooth preference. 

Step four: Add cinnamon to taste. Don't be stingy if you want the pie filling flavor. Turn off heat. Stir until cinnamon has dissolved.

Step five: Eat. Or ... Let cool. Refrigerate. Top with whipped cream. Top with more whipped cream...etc...EAT

So friends, no matter where life has taken you. Bloom where you're planted. Make the most of what you have been blessed with. Even if it's a slanted ceiling, a March snowstorm, and wrinkled apples. Bloom.

(And if you really want to make things better in a hurry. Put whipped cream on it. All of it.)