Aromatherapy rope coaster

Another craft idea that didn’t make the cut. I was playing around with coasters and added the leftover quilt block piece to it to hopefully soak up the essential oil. This idea didn’t work. On another one, I put lavender buds between the fabric and the rope. Again, it didn’t do much to add any aroma to the room.

These are the sorts of things that don’t make it to social media. I thought this could be a great idea at the time and used up bits of rope that were too small to use in the baskets and bannetons that I was creating that year. Now, the coaster works and makes a good barrier between furniture and a hot mug. The aromatherapy idea in the coaster, didn’t work.

But, it also didn’t really matter to me that it was a failed idea, because my best times are always when I’m making something, whether it becomes something or not. I loved those carefree days in my studio, where I could get so absorbed in playing with the materials I had at hand that nothing else mattered.

I still love using cotton rope, but don’t have a space to make big, creative messes yet after my move. Some day!

I’m always looking for extra ways to use my cotton rope coasters and came up with this one morning while I was preparing my cup of tea.

The fabric is a trimming from a quilt top that I finished. After making the rope coaster, I trimmed and stitched the block to the coaster. I put a couple drops of a favorite essential oil on the coaster and enjoy the subtle aromatherapy when I set my warm mug on top.

Subtle aromatherapy rope coaster

I was trying to see if I could make a coaster that would throw aroma when a hot mug was set on it. Seemed like a plausible idea, but didn’t work out as planned!

Cinnamon Swirl Sourdough with Raisins and Whey

I found a multitude of blog post drafts that I started during the time I was my husband’s full time caregiver, and just never got back to finishing them. Here’s one of a particularly tasty sourdough loaf with raisins and whey leftover from making yogurt.

Anne’s Favorite Molasses Crinkle Cookies

This recipe is one I have used for over 30 years. It’s a simple recipe, but if my boys could request only 1 type of cookie, it would be these molasses crinkles.

Ingredients

1 cup butter

1/2 cup blackstrap molasses

2 cups sugar

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/4 tsp salt

4 tsp baking soda

1 3/4 tsp cinnamon

1 3/4 tsp allspice

1 3/4 tsp ginger

4 cups unbleached flour

**approximately 1/4 cup additional sugar in a shallow bowl to roll cookie dough balls in before baking

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.

2. Melt butter over low heat just until melted. Remove from heat and pour into mixing bowl.

3. Add molasses and sugar to butter and mix. Then add the eggs, mix to combine.

4. Combine dry ingredients (except the additional sugar) in a medium bowl. Add to the butter and sugar mixture, combine well.

5. Use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop (or measuring spoon) to scoop the dough out and roll it into a ball. Coat with sugar and arrange on a parchment lined baking sheet, spaced about 2” apart.

6. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until firm to the touch. The dough you see through the crinkles, will look wet just before the cookie is ready to come out of the oven. Cool on a rack.

Anne’s Notes

Regular molasses will work, but the flavor will be milder.

Don’t overbake. Because the dough is so dark to start with, you’ll have to test a batch to get your preferred baking time.

This recipe works really well with whole grain flours.

Beachbody was a blessing, even if I don’t like how it closed.

I would do it all over again.

3 weeks ago, I found out from a social media post, that the business I had built with Beachbody (Million Dollar Body, Team Beachbody, then BODi) spanning nearly 2 decades, was done. It took me a couple of days of shock and disbelief before I could even say the words out loud to my husband, followed by days of reaching out to people who were in my team, people who had mentored me and had been mentored by me, to check in and help process.

You’ve heard me say this before, but nothing on this earth is permanent.

It stinks and was like a punch to the gut. If you read this whole post, don’t get me wrong, I’m not a Pollyanna. I was angry and frustrated. I hurt for all my friends. But, I’m making the choice to not let bitterness take hold. I’ve had reasons and opportunities to lead elsewhere off and on over the years. But my people were here, deep relationships were here.

During all the presentations I did from stage, in living rooms, and in coffee shops, I always shared, ‘I’m taking this across the goal line, and you can come with me.’ I never knew how far ahead the goal line was, but now I can see it, now I can cross it and know that I kept my promise to myself, my family and the team of people who became like family.

Even though the last 3 weeks have been a little rough, and I don’t like how this chapter was cut short, I would do it all again, because it was never just about a product. We built relationships. We led with passion and purpose. We loved, worked and played hard.

In the beginning, I had to grow myself before I could grow a team and then an income. And, God’s hands were all over this journey. I didn’t always like it that I was the income earner in our family, I even complained once in awhile, but 5 years ago it became clear why God had led us down this path, why he had put the people where he did in my life to help me be successful. [How young Alzheimer’s took my husband.]

I’m so grateful for the company and for the opportunity I was given nearly 20 years ago. I’m grateful for the incredible friends, the corporate staff, the friends who have come and gone, and those who stuck in with us, as we navigated all the change over the years.

I understand the stigma of network marketing so well. But, it was a huge blessing for me and my family. One of the greatest personal assets coming out of Beachbody, was that I had been given the gift of a safe space to learn leadership. The lessons I learned, the opportunities that came my way because of what we built, and the skills I practiced, will all stay with me, will help me lead going forward.

I’m staying in the network marketing space, even after the traumatic way our company ended our BODi careers. I know I could get a lot of traffic if I went onto tiktok or instagram and slammed my prior company, or slammed network marketing. But the truth is, it changed my life. I’m looking forward to working on some more personal projects, including a couple books and some creative pursuits.

I know it sounds crazy, but I really would do it all over again, even if you told me 18 years ago, that it would end this way. I’m proud that I didn’t quit. I’m proud of the people I called my team. Beachbody coaching was my vocation, but not my identity!

So, I choose to bless and release Beachbody, known as BODi, and see what the next chapter has in store, without harboring any resentment. And, that’s not a Pollyanna viewpoint. That’s a decision to lead with integrity and say goodbye to something that was good, that had many great things come out of it, and not carry any bitterness with me into my next chapter!

Your friend,

Anne Dovel Morris