How I’m celebrating even though I don’t feel like celebrating

 ## 🎀 Today is My Birthday… and I Chose to Create Instead

Today is my birthday.

Fifty-nine years old.

And if I’m being honest… it didn’t start out feeling like something to celebrate.

There’s been a lot sitting on my heart lately—fear, uncertainty, medical appointments, and the quiet weight that comes with waiting on answers no one ever wants to hear. Oncology has a way of making everything feel louder and heavier at the same time.

Add in real life—money stress, an empty bank account, trying to keep a household running—and it would have been very easy for me to spiral today.

And for a minute… I did.

But then something in me shifted.

Instead of staying in that place, I got up… walked into my dining room—which, let’s be honest, is currently a whole situation—and I started creating.

Not because everything is okay.

But because I needed something to be.

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## ✂️ Chaos, Coffee, and a Couple of Dogs Supervising

Lincoln was nearby doing his usual “I am emotionally supporting you by existing” routine…  

and Tucker… well, Tucker was being Tucker—probably plotting snacks and blanket domination.

Nothing about the moment was perfect.

But it was real.

And right there, in the middle of all of it…

I made my very first custom notepad.

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## 💛 It Wasn’t Just Paper

When I held it in my hand… something changed.

It wasn’t just paper.

It was proof.

Proof that even in the middle of fear, I can still build something.  

Proof that even when everything feels uncertain, I can still create something steady.  

Proof that I am not done.

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## 💻 From My Dining Room… to Something Bigger

I have an upcoming surgery that will keep me out of work for at least a couple of weeks, and I don’t have the luxury of just “waiting it out.”

So this… this is me doing what I can with what I have.

Not perfectly.  

Not fearlessly.  

But faithfully.

And because of that, I’ve decided to start offering these custom-made notepads as part of my Dixie Dust Design Co. collection.

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## 🛍️ Birthday Pre-Release (Local First 💛)

Before these go into my shop, I’m doing a small community pre-release.

👉 Custom-made 5x7 notepads  

👉 30 pages  

👉 Personalized name option  

👉 Made to order  

Birthday price: $6 each  

(They’ll be $8 once listed online)

Local pickup available.  

Uber courier or shipping available (additional cost applies).

👉 Visit the shop: https://dixiedustdesignco.com/

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## 💌 Come Hang Out With Me (Freebies Included)

If you’ve been following along, you know this journey is about more than just products—it’s about faith, rebuilding, healing, and finding beauty in the middle of real life.

I’d love for you to be part of that.

👉 Join my mailing list for:

- Fun freebies  

- Printables  

- Behind-the-scenes peeks  

- First access to new drops  

(Sign-up info coming soon on the site 💛)

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## 🌿 If You’re Struggling Too…

Today didn’t become a celebration because everything is great.

It became a celebration because I chose not to quit.

If you’re in a place right now where things feel heavy, uncertain, or just plain hard… I see you.

Maybe today isn’t about fixing everything.

Maybe it’s just about creating something anyway.

One small thing.  

One step.  

One decision not to give up.

That’s where I’m starting.

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## 🙏 A Prayer for Today

Lord,

Today I come to You exactly as I am…  

tired, uncertain, a little afraid, and still trying.

You see the things I don’t say out loud.  

You know the weight I’m carrying, the questions I don’t have answers to yet, and the places where fear tries to creep in.

Thank You for meeting me in the middle of it.

Thank You for the strength to get up today.  

For the creativity to make something out of nothing.  

For the reminder that I am not done.

As I face what’s ahead—the appointments, the surgery, the unknown—  

I ask for peace that steadies my heart and quiets my mind.

Provide for every need.  

Open doors I cannot open on my own.  

Bless the work of my hands, even when it feels small.  

And remind me that nothing I create, nothing I go through, is wasted in Your plan.

Cover my home, my family, and yes… even the little dogs who never leave my side.

And if anyone reading this prayer is hurting too, meet them right where they are.  

Give them strength for today, and hope for tomorrow.

I trust You… even here.

In Jesus’ name,  

Amen.

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*Happy birthday to me. 💛

Prayers from the Porch Swing: Broke but not Broken

Alright… I’m just gonna say it the way I feel it 💛

I’m tired.

Not sleepy tired…

I’m talking about that deep, soul-level tired of trying to hold everything together while life just keeps life-ing.

Bills don’t stop.

Responsibilities don’t pause.

And some days it feels like no matter how hard you try, you’re still one step behind.

And somewhere in all of that… we’re supposed to “just trust God.”

But let me ask you something real:

Do we actually know what He promised us when it comes to provision?

Or are we just out here hoping for the best and stressing the rest?

Because I got tired of that cycle.

So I did something about it.

I created a 30-day workbook centered around God’s promises for provision—not the fluffy, feel-good kind… but the kind you can actually hold onto when real life hits.

This is about:what God actually says about providing for you

how to stop living in constant financial stress

• how to recognise when He’s already showing up (even in small ways)

• and how to shift from “I hope this works out” to “I trust God will handle this”

And no—this is not a “get rich quick with Jesus” situation 😌

This is about:

👉 discipline

👉 trust

👉 showing up daily

👉 and letting God meet you in the middle of your real life

Now here’s the part I really wanted to tell you…

I don’t want to do this alone.

So I’m putting together a small, real-life Bible study built around this workbook.

Not churchy. Not complicated. Not time-consuming.

Just intentional.

Here’s how it’s gonna go:

• I’ll send you the workbook (free—because this isn’t about selling you anything)
• You go through it during the week on your own time
• Then once a week, we get on Zoom for about 30–45 minutes

We’ll talk about:

• what hit us
• what challenged us
• where we’re struggling
• and most importantly:

👉 “How did God provide for me this week?”

Because I promise you… once you start paying attention, you’ll see Him moving in ways you missed before.

And let me set the tone real clear so there’s no confusion:

✨ Pajamas are welcome

✨ Blankets are highly encouraged

✨ Bring your coffee, Diet Coke, or whatever you sip on

✨ No makeup required

✨ No pretending your life is perfect

We are not doing fake over here.

This is real life, real women, real conversations, and real prayer.

I’m only inviting a few people I genuinely love, because I want this to stay small, safe, and honest.

If you read this and think

,

“Okay… yeah. I actually need this.”

Then come on.

But if not, no pressure at all.

And ...because sometimes we need more than a pep talk and a prayer whispered through clenched teeth, I made you a free printable God’s Provision Cheat Sheet with matching Scripture Cards. Something pretty, practical, and full of truth for the days when your faith needs a little backup.

Get your Cheat Sheet and Scripture Card Freebies Here!

Just know this…

You don’t have to keep doing life stressed, overwhelmed, and wondering how everything is gonna work out.

There is another way to live.

And I’m choosing to walk it out.

You can too.

Love Ya Fam

Maggs💛

Meet Esmi’s Box & Bougie Scoops: The Sister Company That’s About to Change the Game (and It’s Not Bulk Junk)

Okay… let me introduce you to something brand new that has my whole heart.

We’ve officially got a sister company to Dixie Dust Design Co., and she’s fancy:

Esmi’s Box & Bougie Scoops.

But before I say anything else, I need to make one thing crystal clear:

This is Esme’s company.

Esmi’s Box & Bougie Scoops is HER brand — her baby, her vision, and her name for a reason. I’m building this venture with her as a partner, and I’m honored to do it, but I never want there to be confusion about who this belongs to.

It’s a sister company to Dixie Dust… which means we’re connected, we collaborate, and we share a creative foundation — but Esmi’s Box & Bougie Scoops is Esme stepping into her own, and I’m standing beside her while she does it.

What we’re building (and how it’s going to grow)

We’re starting with curated boxes — themed, cozy, intentional boxes that feel like a hug, a deep breath, and a little sparkle all at once.

And once we get our rhythm, there’s a strong possibility we’ll expand into a monthly subscription box for women who want a surprise delivery of joy on a regular basis.

And then… once the foundation is solid and we know what you love?

We’ll graduate into Mystery Scoops.

Surprise bundles. Limited drops. A little more spontaneous. A little more “you never know what you’re gonna get,” but you DO know it’s going to be good.

What makes us different (this part matters)

If you’ve ever opened a “curated” box and thought…

“This is cute… but it feels like someone bought a bunch of bulk stuff and threw it in a box.”

Yeah. We’re not doing that.

No Temu. No bulk junk. No filler.

Every box will contain high-quality, handmade, custom items — and a huge part of what makes that possible is this:

All of our graphics and designs are created by me through Dixie Dust.

So when you see our shirts, totes, journals, notebooks, stickers, keychains, and other goodies — you’re not getting generic graphics that someone bought off Temu or copied from Etsy.

You’re getting original artwork I created specifically for our brands.

And here’s the key word:

EXCLUSIVE.

That means the graphics used in Esmi’s Box & Bougie Scoops products are only used in our boxes and our items and are not for sale anywhere else.

Not in a digital bundle. Not in a random Etsy listing. Not on some marketplace.

If it’s in an Esmi box, it’s ours.

Here are a few examples so you really get what I mean:

We may do keychains — but they’ll be custom with our exclusive graphics.
We may do journals or notebooks — but they’ll be designed with artwork you won’t find anywhere else.
We may do totes, shirts, stickers, cards — all with exclusive designs created for our brand story.

Everything we do is meant to feel boutique, intentional, and personal — not mass-produced.

And yes… we’re showing the process.

We’ll be doing TikTok Lives where you’ll actually see us producing items, pressing designs, assembling products, and packing boxes.

Because we’re not hiding behind a warehouse vibe. We want you to see the real work, the real care, and the real heart that goes into each box.

How I met Esme (and why she’s my God-given daughter)

Esme and I were coworkers at first.

And then life happened — hard.

Not long after I met her, she suddenly and unexpectedly lost her mother. And if you’ve ever watched someone walk through that kind of grief, you know it doesn’t just hurt… it rearranges you.

And I felt her grief deeply — because I know that kind of loss. I lost my own mother at the age of 15 in a horrific car accident. So when Esme’s world cracked open, it wasn’t something I could stay emotionally distant from. That kind of pain leaves a mark, and it also creates a tenderness in you toward someone walking through it.

Somehow — and I don’t say this lightly — God placed me in her life right when she needed someone steady.

I didn’t replace her mother. No one could. But I showed up the best way I knew how, and over time I became a safe place — a mother figure presence when the world felt like it had shifted under her feet.

And while I was being that for her… she became something for me too.

Because life can leave empty spaces in you — holes you don’t always talk about out loud. Places where love should’ve been easier, safer, more consistent… and wasn’t.

Esme filled one of those spaces with her presence, her loyalty, and her love — in a way that I will always be grateful for. She brought warmth into a place that had been aching, and she did it without even trying.

That’s why I call her my God-given daughter.

Because she wasn’t assigned by biology. She was assigned by God.

Where to find Esme

If you want to follow Esme and watch this brand come to life, here’s where she’ll be posting updates:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588259675322
Website: www.shopesmis.com (currently in production — coming soon)

What happens next

Right now, we’re in build mode: choosing themes, sourcing materials, creating exclusive designs, and building our first curated drops.

Our very first curated box is brewing… ☕✨
A little luxury in every box.

And when the time is right, we’ll roll into subscriptions and graduate into Mystery Scoops — with surprise bundles and limited drops that feel like joy in a box.

Final word

If you’ve been here a while, you know I don’t do fake.

So let me say it plainly:

This isn’t “just a business.”
This is a story.
A healing story. A rebuilding story. A God story.

And I’m honored you get to watch it unfold with us.

With love,
Maggie, Lincon, Tucker (uhm...introduction coming in a future post), and Esme 💜

Why I Created 50 High-Protein Single-Serve Cheesecakes (And Why You Don’t Have to Give Up Dessert to Get Healthy)

Let’s go ahead and say it out loud.

I am not giving up cheesecake.

I’ve survived too much in this life to sit in a corner eating dry lettuce while pretending I don’t want dessert. And if you’ve ever tried to “be healthy” while silently grieving the loss of sugar, carbs, and joy… you know exactly what I’m talking about.

That’s exactly why I created The Single-Serve Sweet Spot: 50 High-Protein Cheesecake Recipes.

Because I refuse to believe that becoming healthier means becoming miserable.

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The Real Reason Behind This Cookbook

This book wasn’t born in a Pinterest kitchen with perfect lighting.

It was born in real life.

In the middle of:

• Hormone shifts

• Weight loss attempts

• Medical wake-up calls

• Learning to care for my body instead of punishing it

I needed something that felt like comfort…
but didn’t wreck my progress.

So I started experimenting.

High-protein.
Lower carb.
Single-serve.
Southern flavor.
No guilt.

And slowly… one ramekin at a time…
this little cookbook came to life.

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Why Single-Serve?

Because discipline is easier when you don’t have a whole cheesecake staring at you from the fridge at 10:47 PM.

Single-serve recipes mean:

✔ Portion control
✔ Fresh every time
✔ No “just one more slice”
✔ Built-in boundaries
✔ Still feels indulgent

It’s not about restriction.

It’s about structure.

And structure sets you free.

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What’s Inside the Book?

FIFTY. Recipes.

From:

• Caramel Latte

• Brown Sugar Vanilla
  
  

• Blueberry Crumble

• Banana Pudding

• Key Lime

• Chocolate Cherry

• Maple Cinnamon

• And so many more

Every recipe is:

✔ High-protein
✔ Lower-carb
✔ Designed for real women
✔ Simple ingredients
✔ No weird health-food nonsense

You can have cheesecake and still respect your goals.

Both can exist.

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And Because I Love You…

I created a FREE 3-Recipe Sample Pack.

Yes. Free.

Three of my favorite high-protein cheesecake recipes so you can try them yourself before committing to the full cookbook.

You can grab it right here:

👉 Get the Free 3-Recipe Sample

Sign up for the Dixie Dust email list and it’s yours. Sign up at Dixie Dust Design Co.

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Ready for the Full Sweet Spot?

If you’re ready for all 50 recipes…

You can grab the full digital cookbook on Etsy right here:

👉 The Single Serve Sweet Spot

It’s instant download.
No waiting.
No shipping.
No excuses.

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Final Word (From One Woman to Another)

You do not have to choose between discipline and dessert.

You can be strong.
You can be healing.
You can be getting healthier.

And you can still eat cheesecake.

And that, my friend, is the kind of balance I believe in.

With love, sass, and a fork in hand,
Maggie 🍰✨

A Galentine’s Valentine’s Watch Party: Wuthering Heights, Besties & Buttered Popcorn(An update from Her Most Chaotic Grace, the Viscountess of Clear Lake & Buttered Corn)

I should begin with an apology.

Dear reader, it has been a hot minute since I last appeared here — and for that, I beg your pardon. Life, as it so often does, swept me up, shook me around a bit, and then promptly insisted I grow in the process. But fear not. I return bearing updates, popcorn plans, and a very dramatic Valentine’s proposal.

First — the life bits.

Since we last spoke, I’ve officially moved to Clear Lake City with my bonus daughter, and I am happy to report: no drama. Only peace, laughter, and the kind of calm that makes you realise how loud survival mode actually was. Life feels quieter now. Kinder. Like something has finally settled into place.

We also adopted Tucker, who has seamlessly assumed his role as Lincoln’s bonus brother. Lincoln remains the senior statesman of the household, but Tucker has brought youthful chaos, extra cuddles, and a noticeable increase in toy-related negotiations.

In other thrilling adult news, I am finally facing the dreaded dental situation (if you know, you know), and yes — I have an appointment on the books. Courage was summoned. Adulting occurred. Applause is welcome.

And perhaps the update I’m most proud of: nine days smoke-free and counting. No cravings. Not one. Which honestly feels like sorcery, divine intervention, or both — but I’ll take it.

So yes. Life has been moving. Quietly, steadily, kindly. And now that things feel lighter, it felt like the perfect time to return here — and to Valentine’s Day — with intention.

Before we go any further, introductions must be made, because no household worth its salt exists without a bit of ceremony.

Allow me to present Tucker.

Tucker is a King Charles Cavalier Cavapoo, a dog I have been politely (and not-so-politely) begging my daughter to gift to me for three full years. After much resistance, she finally succumbed — as one eventually must when destiny insists. Tucker is now the little brother, despite being nearly twice the size, of Sir Lincoln Floofaloof, the caramel-tipped Havanese who has long ruled this home with quiet authority, impeccable floof, and a gaze that suggests he is perpetually disappointed in our choices.

Tucker, meanwhile, arrived with enthusiasm, confidence, and the undeniable belief that he belongs everywhere, at all times. He has therefore been formally knighted.

Sir Lincoln Floofaloof, First of His Name — Caramel-Tipped Havanese, Keeper of Blankets, Guardian of the Couch, Supreme Floof of the Realm, Ruler of Side-Eye and Silent Judgment.

Lord Tucker James Pawsington — King Charles Cavalier Cavapoo, Duke of Big Feelings & Unreasonable Zoomies, Protector of Snacks, Heir to All Treats, Younger Brother by Title, Older Brother by Mass. Titles subject to expansion as his confidence grows.

The boys are adjusting. Lincoln pretends that he just tolerates him, however, despite his dignified protests, Lincoln appears quietly content to have Tucker as a cohort. Tucker adores him and assumes the cohort role with unquestioned enthusiasm and absolutely no respect for personal space. Balance, as ever, is being negotiated.

“The Lords of the Household, retired for a nap, after ruling the morning with distinction.”

And then there is Esmeralda.

She did not arrive in my life through family ties, but through something quieter and far more intentional. We met as coworkers. Not long after, she lost her mother — a loss that rearranges a person in ways words cannot fully capture. And while no one ever replaces a mother (nor should they), sometimes God places people beside one another so the weight is not carried alone.

Somewhere along the way, she became my bonus daughter, and I became her bonus mom — not by design, not by obligation, but by shared life, shared meals, shared laughter, and the simple decision to show up for one another. Now our evenings are filled with cooking together, lingering at the table longer than planned, movie nights, Bridgerton binges, and the kind of closeness that comes from finally feeling safe enough to exhale. It is not loud. It is not dramatic. It is deeply, profoundly good.

Which brings us to Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day has a way of insisting upon itself — couples, pressure, expectations, prix-fixe menus that cost more than your peace. And while romance is lovely, this year I found myself craving something different. Something softer. Warmer. Infinitely more buttery.

Enter Galentine’s Day.

A celebration of friendship, of chosen family, of women gathering not to impress but to feel. To laugh. To sigh dramatically. To whisper commentary in the dark like proper ladies with opinions. And if we were going to do this, we were going to do it properly.

If one is going to spend Valentine’s evening experiencing emotion, one must commit fully. Wuthering Heights — starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi (yes, that Jacob) — promises longing, obsession, romance, heartbreak, and what I can only describe as cinematic emotional damage. This is not background noise. This is a clutch-your-chest, dramatically-sigh, “why are men like this?” kind of film. Which makes it perfect for a Galentine’s watch party.

A movie watch party removes the pressure from Valentine’s Day entirely. No awkward small talk. No forced romance. Just shared reactions, synchronized gasps, and collective judgment of fictional decisions. There is something deeply comforting about sitting beside your people in a dark theater, knowing you’re all about to experience the same story — together. It turns Valentine’s Day into a shared moment, not a performance. And that, dear reader, is my love language.

Naturally, I created an invitation — because when the Viscountess hosts, she commits. I wanted it to feel romantic but not saccharine, dramatic but playful, celebratory without being couple-centric. Think roses, heart balloons, warm lights, and just enough sparkle to whisper: this is a night worth leaving the house for. Besties welcome. Feelings optional. Popcorn mandatory.

We shall be attending Cinemark Nasa & XD on Saturday, February 14th. The film begins at 8:15 PM, and yes — we will be seated in time for previews. This is non-negotiable. Tickets are available online at Cinemark, and here is your friendly Viscountess-approved tip: joining Movie Club earns you one free ticket and 20% off concessions, which feels like a gift from the heavens because snacks are not optional — they are essential.

Valentine’s Day does not have to look one particular way. It can look like friendship, laughter, healing, growth, and a bucket of popcorn drenched in butter. Love shows up in many forms. Sometimes it shows up as your best friend sitting beside you, whispering commentary while fictional characters make questionable life choices on a very large screen.

And honestly? That is a Valentine I will happily accept.

With affection,

The Viscountess of Clear Lake & Buttered Corn 💖🍿

Brother Amen’s Bomb-Ass Pecan Pie

Brother Amen’s Bomb-Ass Pecan Pie

A Southern classic with real-life sass, zero shortcuts, and no shame.

If you’re from New Orleans or Texas, you already know:
pecans don’t play.

They don’t whisper. They don’t “hint.”
They show up bold, buttery, and unapologetic — just like the women who bake with them.

This pie was born somewhere between a craving, a kitchen that smelled like heaven, and a stubborn refusal to water anything down for the sake of being “polite.”

And yes… it’s bomb-ass. 💁‍♀️🥧

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🌿 Let’s clear something up (because honesty matters)

The styled visuals you may have seen floating around this pie — those dreamy, cinematic moments — were created just for fun.

But the recipe card you see here?
That’s my real pie, baked on my real stove, in my real kitchen, with a recipe that’s 100% mine.

No shortcuts.
No “Pinterest lies.”
No shame.

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🥧 How to get the recipe (easy mode)

I didn’t type this recipe out for a reason.

Because sometimes you don’t want to scroll, swipe, or squint —
you want something you can print, save, or stick on the fridge.

👉 Right-click the recipe card image below to save or print it.
That’s it. That’s the whole system.

(If you’re on mobile, tap and hold.)

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☕ A few things I will tell you

• This pie pairs beautifully with coffee, strong opinions, and people who don’t apologize for dessert.

• Vanilla ice cream is optional… but encouraged.

• If someone asks for the recipe, you’re allowed to smile smugly and say,
  “It’s a family recipe.” 😌

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💬 From my kitchen to yours

This isn’t just about pie.

It’s about making things the way you like them.
About choosing flavor over approval.
About remembering that joy doesn’t have to earn permission.

Bake it.
Share it.
Guard the last slice if you need to.

Grace covers crumbs too.

— Maggs, Floof, and Brother Amen 🤍

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📌 P.S.

If you want more cozy, sassy, real-life goodness, you can always find me over at

Dixie Dust Design Co. — where faith, family, and a little audacity live happily together.

When God Whispers Through a Stranger

                                                                                                     Y'all

                                                                                               This is my first blog post in two months.

Not because I didn’t have words — but because sometimes life asks you to sit quietly and listen before you speak again.

This morning, before the day even really began, God showed up in a way so quiet and personal that I almost missed the weight of it.

My first phone call of the day was a routine work call. Nothing special. Nothing planned. Just another human on the other end of the line, frustrated and trying to get something done.

As we talked, the conversation drifted — as conversations sometimes do — into real life. Somewhere between problem-solving and small talk, I shared that I’m a breast cancer survivor.

She paused.

Then she told me she had recently lost her mother to breast cancer.

The air shifted. You know that feeling — when a moment suddenly feels heavier, softer, more sacred than it did a second before.

We talked for a bit. Not in a clinical way. Not in a “fix-it” way. Just two women acknowledging grief, survival, and the ache that lingers when cancer touches a family.

Before we hung up, she asked what I had done on my recent vacation. I laughed and told her the truth: I didn’t go anywhere. I stayed home and created. I poured myself into my Etsy shop, my blog, my art — what I half-jokingly called virtual therapy.

She asked if I would share my blog and shop with her.

So I did.

A little while later, I received an email from her.

She shared that she needed a moment after seeing the name of my store — because her mother’s name was Dixie.

She wrote that she felt God had brought our conversation into her life to reassure her that He’s got her mother — and that she’s okay.

I sat there stunned.

Because I didn’t plan that.
I didn’t manufacture that.
I didn’t even know.

I just showed up as myself.

And God — in His quiet, precise, deeply personal way — used something as simple as a name to speak comfort into a grieving daughter’s heart.

I’m sharing this not to say look what I did — because I didn’t do anything special.

I’m sharing it because it reminded me of something I think we all forget sometimes:

God doesn’t always shout.
Sometimes He whispers.
Sometimes He nudges.
Sometimes He reassures someone through a stranger who didn’t even know they were being used.

None of our stories are wasted.
None of our pain is pointless.
None of our creativity is random.

Even the things we think are small can become sacred in the right moment.

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A Prayer for the Weary & the Grieving

Lord,
This prayer is for the women who are grieving cancer —
those walking through it,
those who survived it,
those who lost someone they loved,
and those who are simply carrying grief that doesn’t have a neat name.

Wrap them in Your comfort.
Hold them when the memories come in waves.
Give strength to tired bodies, peace to anxious minds, and hope to heavy hearts.

For the women who feel alone in their grief — remind them they are seen.
For the women who are tired of being “strong” — let them rest.
For the women who miss someone deeply — hold their loved ones close and reassure their hearts that nothing is lost to You.

Be near, God.
Be gentle.
Be steady.

Amen.

---

And to My New Friend

God bless you.
Hold on.
You are not alone — and you never have to be.

I’m always here.

Love & Blessings,

Maggs & Lincoln

 

💀 When Life Gets Messy, Make Something Beautiful Anyway

Let’s be honest, sweetheart — I’ve been through it lately. Between biopsies, sleep studies, calorie counting, and trying to keep up with my fluffy little Havanese, Lincoln, I feel like I’ve earned a new Girl Scout badge: Survival, but Make It Sparkly. ✨

But even in the chaos, I keep learning the same lesson over and over — when life gets heavy, make something beautiful anyway.

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🎗️ The Breast Cancer Update

So many of y’all have been praying, and I can’t thank you enough. The biopsy came back NEGATIVE — praise God! 🙌

The mass in my breast will be removed during my reconstructive surgery in early December, and once that’s behind me, I plan to march into 2026 with a brand-new body and a stronger spirit. It’s not easy — but it’s healing. The scars will fade, but the strength stays forever.

😴 The Sleep Apnea Saga

Alright, Crazy Pants — apparently I’ve been auditioning to be the human version of a chainsaw. The sleep study showed I stop breathing 44 times an hour. Forty-four! That’s not “sleep”; that’s a nightly hostage situation with oxygen. 💀

The CPAP machine is forthcoming, and I cannot wait to not choke 44 times a night. I can only imagine the productivity that’ll hit once I’m finally getting actual sleep instead of nocturnal cardio.

💪 11 Pounds & 12 Inches Down, Baby!

I’ve been showing up — logging my food, building menus, and sticking with Wegovy like a woman on a mission.

• ✅ 11 pounds gone in 3 weeks
• ✅ 12 inches vanished
• ✅ Confidence: fully reactivated

Lincoln thinks it’s because we’ve been walking more. I think it’s because I’m finally choosing me. 🐾💋

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🕯️ Meet My New Baby: Creepy Chibis Coloring Book

In the middle of all that madness, I still managed to birth a little spooky masterpiece. My newest coloring book — Creepy Chibis — is officially here! She’s gothic, sassy, and full of personality — a mash-up of creepy, cute, and unapologetically me. Every page is a love letter to women who’ve survived chaos and still found their color.

🖤 Flip through the preview:
View on Artistly (Animated Flipbook)

Note: The Artistly flipbook is a creative preview showing the style and vibe of Creepy Chibis. The actual coloring pages in the Etsy and Amazon editions are exclusive hand-drawn designs created just for the real book.

🛒 Grab your digital copy on Etsy:
Creepy Chibis Halloween Coloring Book – Digital Download

📚 Paperback Version:
The physical book is in its final publication stage and will be available on Amazon soon! I’ll update this post with the link the moment it’s live — keep your eyes peeled, Hot Mess Express.

Color it. Gift it. Frame your favorite page. Heck, color one of Lincoln if you dare. 🐶💋

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🌸 More Books Are Coming, Love

Once the creative floodgates opened, I couldn’t turn them off. Here’s what’s next from Dixie Dust Design Co. — each one packed with heart, sass, and a little chaos:

• 🎂 Sweet Escapes – A dessert dream. Frosting, sprinkles, and zero guilt.
• 🧚‍♀️ Fairy Dreams – Whimsical little winged divas with plenty of opinions.
• 🐎 Magnificent Manes – For the horse girls with big hearts and bigger hair goals.
• 🐺 Spirit Wolves – Fierce, loyal, and free — for the women who refuse to be tamed.
• 🎗️ Her Name Is Brave – A tribute to the warriors and survivors still fighting.
• 🎃 Boo & Bloom – Cozy ghosts, autumn florals, and pumpkin-spiced peace.
• 🌺 Bloom in His Word – Scripture, flowers, and a whole lot of grace.

Basically? I’m coloring my comeback one page at a time.

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🍴 Freebie Time: The Wake, Water, Worship Meal Tracker

Y’all have been cheering me on so much that I wanted to give something back. So here it is — my Wake, Water, Worship Daily Meal Tracker printable!

It’s the exact one I use to log food, water, emotions, and devotion every day — and it’s free, Honey Britches. 💋

✨ Download your free tracker here (Google Drive)

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💋 From Chaos to Color

I’m not showing up because I’ve got it all together — I’m showing up because I refuse to quit.

If you’re out there fighting your own battles, trying to heal, trying to start over — hear me when I say this:

You can still create. You can still heal. You can still bloom. 🌷

Even if life feels messy as hell right now — there’s still beauty waiting to be made.

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🦋 Follow the journey: AshesToArmor.blogspot.com
🛍️ Shop the chaos: Etsy.com/shop/DixieDustDesignCo
🐾 Chief Encouragement Officer: Lincoln the Floof

Creepin’ It Cute: A Halloween Story, Memories, and Safety Tips for the Season

Halloween has always carried a strange mix of light and shadow for me. The laughter, the candy, the costumes—it’s all there, but so is the ache. As we move closer to Halloween this year, I find myself facing a reality I hoped never to revisit. Fourteen years in remission, and yesterday I underwent another biopsy. Now I wait—caught in that anxious limbo only survivors truly understand—knowing the mass sits in the same place as my first cancer. This alone carries its own heavy weight, but to face it again during October, the very month dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness, makes it even more sobering.

Prayer for Waiting Seasons:
Lord, in the waiting, give us peace. In the shadows, let us see Your light. In fear, remind us of Your presence. And in every uncertain moment, anchor us in hope. Amen.

When I drift back to childhood, the first glow that rises isn’t fear—it’s love. My mother hand-painted our trick-or-treat buckets every single year, with our names written carefully across the front. They weren’t store-bought or plastic—they were treasures made by her hands. She passed away when I was just 14, at only 35 years old, and those buckets have become one of the most tender memories I carry.

And then there was my Nana, Mary Margaret. Every Halloween, we made sure to stop at her house, because she always gave us the gift box of individually wrapped mini Reese’s cups—the real deal. I think that’s where my lifelong passion for Reese’s was born. Oh, how I wish she could see her great-great-grandchildren today. She would love them so.

Now, in my house, it’s my little dog Lincoln—Floof-a-Loof—who steals the show. If he ever went trick-or-treating, he’d skip the wrapped candy and dive straight into the unwrapped “evidence,” making a royal mess of the bucket. He’d be the dog-version of that kid who eats the loot before getting home. 🐾🍬

Let't jump for a minute to the important side of Halloween:  Safety Tips

Halloween isn’t all just cute and funny. Statistics remind us that children are twice as likely to be struck by a car on Halloween than any other night of the year (Safe Kids Worldwide). That’s why safety matters more than ever:

• 🚗 Be Seen, Be Safe: Add reflective tape to costumes, give kids glow sticks, and carry flashlights.

• 🎭 Choose Smart Costumes: Face paint over masks, flame-resistant fabrics.

• 🍬 Check the Candy: Toss anything unwrapped (sorry, Floof).

• 👨‍👩‍👧 Stay Together: Trick-or-treat in groups with an adult.

• 🏡 Plan the Route: Stick to familiar neighborhoods.

• Safe Kids Worldwide

• CDC Halloween Safety

Bonus Freebies:

💌 Want more spooky-cute fun?
Join our email list to follow along with the blog and get your free mini Halloween coloring book and a printable safety checklist delivered right to your inbox! 🎃👻 

One of the dearest memories I hold are those painted childhood buckets, my name “Celeste” brushed on by my mother’s loving hands. Something so simple, but it made me feel seen and special.
Halloween traditions stay with us long after the candy is gone. What about you? What’s one Halloween memory that always makes you smile, even on the hard days? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear it.

Life is fragile, and joy matters. Even in seasons of fear and waiting, we can still hold onto the sweetness. If you’re looking for a little lighthearted fun, check out my Creepin’ It Cute clipart set in the Etsy shop. Because creepy can be cute too. 🎃💜

                             Creepin it Cute Clip Art Bundle

🎃 With love & a little spook,

Mags & Lincoln — a.k.a. Sir Lincoln Morningstar 👑
Move over, Lucifer… Floof’s coming for your throne. 🐾🔥

✨ Glitter With a Purpose: Free Breast Cancer Awareness Stickers

 

Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference. A sticker on your planner. A reminder on your water bottle. A little sparkle staring back at you when the day feels heavy.

These 6 free stickers I’m sharing today? They aren’t just cute graphics—they’re part of my story.

I’m a 14-year breast cancer survivor. And right now, I’m facing the possibility of a recurrence. Yep. The words no survivor ever wants to hear again. I have a biopsy scheduled this week, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared. But here’s the truth I’m clinging to: glitter, grit, and God’s grace carry me every single day.

And that’s why these stickers exist. To remind me—and you—that hope is never out of style.

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🎀 Your Free Mini Sticker Pack

Because encouragement should be free and fabulous.

👉 Download Your 6 Free Glitter Stickers

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🛍️ Want the Full Set?

This is just the beginning! The complete 16-piece Breast Cancer Awareness Glitter Sticker Pack is now available in my Etsy shop. Perfect for planners, journals, tumblers, or digital scrapbooking.

👉 Shop the Full Collection on Etsy

Every purchase helps me keep creating hope-filled resources for warriors, survivors, and supporters alike.

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🥤 Sip, Sparkle & Survive: Chemo-Friendly Drinks That Actually Help

Let’s be real—when you’re going through chemo, nothing tastes right. Your mouth is dry, your stomach is staging a rebellion, and water feels like punishment. Been there. Twice. 🙋‍♀️

So, let’s make hydration and nutrition a little less miserable—and dare I say, actually tasty. Here are four drinks and smoothies that are gentle, hydrating, and packed with protein or antioxidants. Because healing doesn’t have to taste like cardboard.

🍓 Gentle Banana Berry Smoothie

• 1 cup almond or oat milk

• 1 frozen banana

• ½ cup blueberries

• 1 scoop unflavored or vanilla protein powder

• 1 tsp honey (optional)

👉 Easy on the tummy, but still gives you legit energy.

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🍋 Hydration Hero Lemon-Ginger Water

• 16 oz cold water

• 2 slices of fresh ginger

• 2–3 lemon slices

• 1 tsp honey or stevia (optional)

👉 Ginger helps with nausea, lemon makes plain water drinkable, and it looks fancy like spa water—because you deserve it.

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🍑 Creamy Peach Cheesecake Smoothie

• 1 cup frozen peaches

• ½ cup low-fat cottage cheese

• ½ cup almond milk

• Dash of cinnamon

👉 Trust me. It blends like magic. It’s cheesecake in a cup—protein-packed and indulgent.

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🍧 Popsicle Hack for Mouth Sores

• 1 cup coconut water

• ½ cup strawberries
  

• Squeeze of lime

👉 Blend, pour into popsicle molds, freeze. Bam. Hydration in disguise.

✨ Bonus Freebie: Chemo-Friendly Smoothie Recipes ✨
Because healing doesn’t have to taste like cardboard! I pulled together 4 of my favorite gentle, hydrating, protein-packed drinks to help soothe dry mouth, calm nausea, and sneak in a little energy boost.

👉 Download the Printable Recipe Card Here

Print it, pin it to your fridge, or tuck it in your journal—whatever makes it easy for you to sip, sparkle, and survive. 💕

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💡 Why These Work: They focus on hydration, gentle flavors, and easy-to-digest protein—all things your body craves when it’s working overtime to heal. And bonus—they don’t taste like chalk.

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🙏 A Prayer for the Journey

Lord, we lift up every soul touched by breast cancer today. For the women and men sitting in waiting rooms with fresh diagnoses—wrap them in peace that defies understanding. For those in treatment—strengthen their bodies, soothe their spirits, and remind them that they are not alone. For survivors—fill their days with gratitude and courage to keep moving forward. And for those we’ve lost—we honor them, we remember them, and we carry their light with us. May Your presence be felt in every hospital, every home, every heart. Amen.

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💖 Final Word

Whether you’re fighting, surviving, supporting, or remembering—know this: you are not alone. We are a community stitched together by faith, sass, resilience, and yes, a little glitter.

So take your stickers. Make a smoothie. Say the prayer. And remember—you are glitter and grit wrapped up in one.

With love (and dog hair, because Lincoln insists on sitting in my lap while I type),

Maggie & Lincoln 🐾