10 Things You Didn’t Know About Me

How to live a joyful life

“Learn to light a candle in the darkest moments of someone’s life. Be the light that helps others see; it is what gives life its deepest significance.” ― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

There is a common thread in my life: exploration. I love to try new things and learn through experience. One thing is for sure I am not a one-career person. Through the twists and turns of my journey, it has been a joy to go with the flow.

I have owned four businesses.

I am a joyful explorer when it comes to life and careers. With each business venture, I learned something about myself and others.

Here are my fun adventures:

Farmer’s Tea: For four years, my mom, sister-in-law, and I had a farmer’s market booth. For six months out of the year, we baked together for 8–10 hours on Fridays and brought our delicious goodies to the market early Saturday morning. Our popular items included scones, pies, cookies, cakes, cinnamon rolls, and biscotti.

It was fun to buy local produce for our baking, and at the end of the day, we traded our leftovers with other vendors. I often came home with fruit, veggies, goat milk soap, and more!

Cheery Pies:

For about two years I struck out on my own and concentrated on making pies. I enjoyed this business because I learned how to market myself and be creative with the flavors and decorations on each pie.

Thanksgiving was crazy because I had pies covering every surface possible. After two years, I decided to stop because I felt like a human pie factory. I desired variety and creativity in my work.

The Cheery Chef:

Another experiment came along when I joined a startup concept called Josephine. It aimed to have home cooks sell unique dishes out of their homes and sell them on a platform.

I even got to meet the lovely founders of this project, and many of the other cooks. Their love of people and food was evident in everything they did. It was such a fun adventure to post different meals every week and get to know my regular customers.

Sadly, their project lost funding and had some difficulties due to local health laws. We did go through an inspection process, and I had been previously certified for my pie business.

Joyful Minimalism:

After many ups and downs in the realm of food, I decided to become a certified professional organizer. Every time I tried a new business or job, I donated a lot of stuff and got my home organized again.

I studied both organizing and aging in place. It was a lot of fun helping clients tidy their homes. My business gained momentum for a while, but then the pandemic hit. That is when I started to write. I am so very grateful I did.

2. I once wanted to be a geologist

I have always had a love for rocks and crystals. When I was young, I would search around for agates and other special rocks. It was fun to find different shapes and colors.

In middle school, I ended up doing a career report on becoming a geologist. It seemed fun at the outset, then I discovered at the time most of them only helped people search for oil.

My love of rocks has never ended, and I still have many on display in my garden from when I went to a science museum auction. I love my large piece of petrified wood!

3. I met my husband on match.com

After a six-year long-distance relationship ended, I was ready for a major change in 2001. It was the very beginning of online dating, and I signed up for one month on match.com.

I was so very lucky to meet my husband through the site. Something about his thoughtful essay caught my attention right away.

It has been a beautiful journey ever since!

4. I wrote a brunch cookbook

Back in 2016, I took on the challenge of writing, producing, and self-publishing a cookbook in around 100 days. I was so lucky that my friend’s daughter took the photos and my brother did the book design.

My book is called: Recipes for a Cheery Life: Gluten-Free Brunch.

The cookbook has brunch recipes that are all gluten and dairy-free. Many of the recipes are vegetarian or vegan. I loved every minute of creating this book, and it shows me that I can do anything I put my mind to.

5. I love cats

I grew up with lots of different cats, and I have always loved them. My last cat was named Toonces and she was gray, white, and fluffy. She passed away many years ago, and we never got another cat.

At this point, my husband and son are not keen to get a cat, but maybe one day we will. Once in a while, I see my cat’s doppelganger walking around our neighborhood and it makes my heart happy.

6. I grew up in the countryside

I was lucky to grow up on twenty acres of land, most of which was a large forest. It was beautiful to be able to roam about in nature to my heart’s content. I can say outside is where I belong.

When I was a little girl, I headed outside nearly every day, to explore everything around me and let my imagination lead. I am slowly coming back to that place deep in my soul.

7. I don’t like cucumbers

For some reason, I have never liked cucumbers. I don’t like most pickled things either, so I always say I am a bad Scandinavian. There is something about the smell and the squishy seeds inside that does not appeal to me.

Luckily, there are so many other vegetables and fruits I love, so I no longer feel guilty for not liking cucumbers.

8. I once took flamenco dance lessons

In college, I signed up to take a flamenco dance class. I had very little experience with dancing at the time, but it seemed like a fun idea.

I loved the music and the beautiful style of movement. However, I have very little rhythm. I am so grateful the instructor was very patient with me. She took me aside and we went over each step together.

At the end of the class, I danced well enough to be in a small performance with my classmates!

9. Our family doesn’t like museums

This is a big secret! My husband, son and I love to travel together. However, we mostly like exploring new towns or restaurants.

Once in a while, we might visit a specialized museum, but for the most part, we prefer to do other activities. However, if the museum has Egyptian artifacts, I am all-in.

10. My dream is to serve afternoon tea once a week

There is one meal I love above all others-afternoon tea. It brings such joy to my heart to serve and savor every treat on the plate.

Once or twice a year I host a small tea gathering in my home with friends. I also love to go out to afternoon tea around town. Every time I am enchanted by the offerings.

My dream is to serve tea to clients once a week in a charming and beautiful location. I imagine partnering with others on this project and enjoying every moment as it unfolds. I believe putting your dreams out into the universe is the way to call them in.

Thank you to all of my lovely friends here on Medium, and especially Julie Gaeta, who inspired me to write this fun piece about myself.