“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
― A.A. Milne (Christopher-Robin to Winnie the Pooh)
I am grateful for the relationships I am developing with a few women that live in my neck of the woods. One of which is Linda. When we first met, it was only in passing as I stopped at our community mailbox to retrieve the mail. Though our introduction was brief, something stirred within me, recognizing the potential for a great friendship. I had recently been praying for this very thing, a connection with someone outside my insulated world, as I recognized that in my continual wandering over the years, I had missed out on making deep connections.
True friendship can be hard to come by, especially for one who tends to be comfortable being alone, happily going about their business without giving much thought to what they might be missing. This describes me pretty well, and has been both a comfort and a curse to me at one time or another in my life.
I am not talking about friendship that replaces my relationship with God, which is as necessary as the air I breathe, or the one in which I share with my husband, which is uniquely special. These are wonderful and satisfying relationships, but I have sensed that there is more I have to give and more I might receive, if only I make the effort to stretch myself a bit to find it.
I believe building deep connections with others keeps us invested in the world we live in, gives opportunity to drop the self-centeredness, and opens us up to see another’s need. It allows us to be vulnerable, remove masks, tear down walls, and connect in a way that feeds the soul.
The friendship has developed slowly over the past year with Linda. We are learning as we go the things we have in common, beginning to share more of our joy and pain, and ever so slowly building on these stepping stones for a deep connection. It takes time, effort, and availability, which is not always easy to come by, but stepping outside your comfort zone and investing in another’s life is oh so worth it.
Pate De Choux with Vanilla Bean Custard and Coconut Maple Cream was born out of my love for Creme Brulee. I was intent on finding a way to use my Madagascar Vanilla Beans that I purchased on Amazon a few days ago. I heard they were so much more affordable on Amazon than in the store, and they were. Anyway, I decided to do a Vanilla Bean Custard instead of a Brulee to change things up a bit.
My sister told me of how she used coconut milk for a light creamy frosting and I loved the idea thus the Coconut Maple Cream to top it all off. The choux turned out light and airy, the custard full of vanilla bean flavor and the coconut maple cream a perfect foil for the rich dessert. Unfortunately, this is not going to last until Valentines Day. What a shame. Tim and I will have to eat it now instead. I guess there are worse things in life. Buon Appetit!
Pate De Choux with Vanilla Bean Custard and Coconut Maple Cream
Recipe shared with:
*A Dish of Daily Life: Foodie Friday’s
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