Bucket Lists, Cookbooks and a Little Bit of Love

You know those items on your “bucket list”? Those experiences you dream about crossing off someday before it’s “too late”? I mean, everyone has one, right? And if you don’t… you should. Having goals (big or small) is one of the best ways to keep life exciting and full of purpose. Because if you’re not living your life to the fullest… what are you even doing?

In my thirty-something years, I’ve been lucky enough to cross off a few things already:

• Oktoberfest in Munich (yes, the real one: beer steins bigger than my biceps and a lot of dancing on tables that I did not train for).

• Running a half marathon (the full marathon was the original goal, but let’s be honest… 13.1 miles was plenty).

• Graduating college and paying off all my student loans (a feat that deserves its own medal, thank you very much).

• Marrying my best friend (still my favorite checkmark of them all).

And most recently, I got to cross off something I never thought I’d actually do: become a published author. Well, technically self-published… but it still counts.

This past year, I started a passion project that has completely filled my heart: a cookbook dedicated to my Gramma Tizzy and Papa Bill. After my grandma passed away, family members would reach out asking for her recipes (like her famous No-Bake Cookies or her French Toast Casserole) and it hit me: I could put them all together in one place for everyone to enjoy.

But this cookbook isn’t just about food... it’s about family. My Papa Bill had stories to tell. He sent me emails and letters, told me tales over the phone, and my uncle helped record some of his memories before he passed. They weren’t all in order (as stories from a good storyteller rarely are), so I pieced them together, giving them structure and rhythm. I sprinkled his words throughout the cookbook like little gems... quotes about his upbringing, his love for my grandma, their life together, and the family they built.

And of course, I added photos - because seeing their smiles, side by side through the years, captures the kind of love most people only dream about.

During our family reunion, I brought a draft copy to share. Seeing everyone flip through the pages (smiling, tearing up, laughing) was one of those full-circle moments I’ll never forget. It wasn’t just a book anymore. It was our story.

Now, after a few final edits (and way too many formatting struggles... shoutout to Barnes & Noble Press for their self-publishing services), I can officially say it: I’m a published author.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think this would happen. But that’s the funny thing about dreams... they have a way of becoming reality when you pour your heart, your love, and a little bit of stubbornness into them.

So here’s my reminder to you: You are the only thing stopping yourself from reaching for the stars. Dream big. Lay your heart out. And don’t be afraid to turn a “maybe someday” into a “look what I did.”

Because sometimes, the biggest checkmarks on your bucket list start with the simplest idea… and a whole lot of love. 💛

BRB adding more things to my bucket list,

-CC