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Shell Plant's avatar

I am a bit late to reading the post Rebecca. I could tell it was one worth taking time over. So, I wanted to wait until the kids were at school and I was sat with a cup of coffee.

And I am very pleased to have done so. First up, that lemon and elderflower cake is spectacular! I love using whole fruit in batter.

Secondly, I love that concept around identity and that silent earthquake feeling. My children and I do something similar with 'identity islands', a bit like in the Inside Out film. We even made a little chart each. And when we add a new island, it becomes part of our identity. We are that 'thing'. (My daughter is a 'hot chocolater', that is quite a big part of her identity! Haha.)

Thank you for sharing, and for your beautiful recipes and photography.

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Lori Osterberg's avatar

Such a great post. Love the silent earthquake idea, so true. And a great reminder to change the way you approach everything. Something I need to think about lately as it’s time to change directions once again. Thanks for this.

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Rebecca Blackwell's avatar

The only thing constant in life is that everything will change, isn't it? I hope whatever is around the corner is better than what led you there. ❤️

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Charlene Hunt's avatar

This post. Speechless. ♥️

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Betty Williams's avatar

Oh friend, this is a great post! That silent earthquake that happens and causes seismic shifts in how we view ourselves and how we move in the world is profound. And that cake! You know I’m a sucker for citrus so that is gonna get made asap.

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Rebecca Blackwell's avatar

Thank you Betty! I can guarantee that you'll love that cake. I'm thinking you might even have a lemon tree?

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Betty Williams's avatar

Yes, I do!

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Claudia Byers's avatar

This was, no, is an excellent post. It took me into my 50's to finally begin to seek out my identity in life. Up to that point I was so busy navigating life that I really didn't know who I was. Now in my 70's, I can say I'm a full-time gardener, houseplant parent, and cook. And have my relationships and priorities in order. I'm tackling the cake first. This looks so melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Thanks for sharing.

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Rebecca Blackwell's avatar

I feel like it took me well into middle age to start to come into my own. At 50, I'm honestly just feeling like I'm getting there. We don't know who we are when we're young... at least I didn't! Figuring it out is what youth is for, I suppose. I cannot wait to hear what you think of the cake!!!

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Sheryl O'Connell's avatar

I think this is my favourite piece you have written. Silent earthquake … brilliant.

I love how you embrace new challenges and adventures - What your mind thinks about, your actions bring about.

Your food (recipes) and food photography is outstanding. I can’t decide what to try first.

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Sheryl O'Connell's avatar

Haha - I thought the same thing ! I’ll have the cake please 😁

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Rebecca Blackwell's avatar

Thank you Sheryl! "What your mind thinks about, your actions bring about." I love how you phrased that. It's so true. Immediately after deciding we wanted to move into an RV we started seeing RVs and RV parks EVERYWHERE. They had been hiding in plain sight. I think this must happen all the time... We are surrounded by solutions and ideas and opportunities if we only have the mind to see them.

And also, when in doubt, dessert first. :-)

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Lori Olson White's avatar

Internal talk is so important - and the words we use, those labels, are power! They determine what we are, but also what we are not. Thanks for a wonderful reminder to watch our words, and dream bigger.

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Rebecca Blackwell's avatar

So true, Lori! The stories we tell ourselves become our reality. We don't have to believe everything we think!

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Stephanie Hansen's avatar

Fellow Sailor rejoice! Cant wait to catch up and see how your classes are going!

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Rebecca Blackwell's avatar

We are hooked!

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Jenn Sharp's avatar

Thank you Rebecca, for reminding us to pause and channel that forgotten quake..the one that resides right outside of our everyday necessities. 💗

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Liza Debevec's avatar

I should never read your posts when hungry! So enticing.

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Rebecca Blackwell's avatar

Haha! Best compliment ever. Now go get a snack. :-)

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jess's avatar

oh, I got chillssssss reading this - and in a lighter yet savory sense - a keen interest in tracking down fruit resembling cherries to pair with some rosemary (and in my case, I admit, tempeh) <3

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Rebecca Blackwell's avatar

Oh, yes! Cherry sauce (or fruit resembling cherries 🙂) and tempeh would be marvelous! Keep me updated on that endevor!

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jess's avatar

oh, it will stay on my mind & will do!

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Mark Thomas's avatar

This is so beautifully put. That ‘silent earthquake’ feeling, when something shifts and you just *are* the thing. Reading this made me think that those moments are like sewing on another badge to the tapestry of who we are. We feel it in our bones. We recognise it. And then we stitch it on ourselves.

So, Rebecca - Traveler. Food writer. Nomad. Sailer… Thank you for sharing this, and for including my little moment in your big, beautiful one.

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Rebecca Blackwell's avatar

Your realization that you ARE a food writer came to mind immediately when I started thinking about those times in my life when I adopted something as a part of my identity. I think it's a common shared experience... for things like this but also realizations about our belief system, our relationships, our priorities, our values. Those times when you suddenly know something and can't un-know it. Anyway, your story of being on that retreat stayed with me. It's an important one. Thank you for sharing it!

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