July 2, 2009

Tracy Porter Video: Goddess Savory Bread Pudding

I realize my passion for food seems to have no end. It is a journey of delectable bite after scrumptious bite for me. It’s a continual search for my want to alter, revise, and luxuriate in it more. Little nibbles at a time… and slowly over the years my passion has become more obsession-like. Searching for the tastiest little bite on the plate… in the fridge… anywhere my fork or fingers will lead me. Bread pudding is a marvelous way to lose oneself. It allows for endless opportunity of tinkering… it’s the lonely pantry’s best friend… and even an empty larder has something for a bread pudding. Magical in its intensity… old-fashioned and familiar. I adore a savory pudding equally to a sweet one… perhaps two pans side by side might tempt me the most… I could just savor a bite from one pan then relish in the other, dragging my fork back and forth. Are you lost in this as I am? Are you salivating at the thought of all this goodness? Inspired to claim your senses right to experience this bountiful thought? When you taste this shamefully decadent bread pudding… you’ll find pleasure to no end. Delightful for any meal, really… a simple salad on the side… oh, blissful day!


(Click here for Tracy Porter’s printable recipe!)

GODDESS SAVORY BREAD PUDDING

3 leeks
1 lb. asparagus, trimmed on diagonal into 1 inch pieces
3 Tbsp. butter
1/2 tsp. salt
freshly cracked pepper
1 lb. mushrooms (shiitake, button… whatever you have available to you)
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 C. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 C. freshly grated Gruyere cheese
1 (1 lb.) loaf of French bread, cut into 1 inch cubes (should equal about 10 cups)
1/4 C. balsamic vinegar
1/4 C. dry white wine
6 eggs
2 C. milk
2 C. cream

Preheat oven to 450F. Arrange the bread in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake until browned, 10-14 minutes. Occasionally shift pieces around to ensure browning on all sides. Remove the bread from the oven and let cool. Reduce the oven temperature to 350F once bread is removed from oven.

Heat 1 Tbsp. butter in a large skillet. Saute leeks & garlic until soft; season with a bit of salt. Set aside. Melt another Tbsp. of butter in the pan. Add mushrooms, season with salt and pepper; saute until the mushrooms have released their juices, 5-7 minutes. Continue to cook until the mushrooms begin to brown. Add balsamic vinegar and white wine to pan of mushrooms, cooking to let some of the liquid reduce. Combine mushrooms with leeks and set aside. Cook asparagus in boiling salted water for about 3 minutes or until just tender. Remove from water and plunge into an ice bath to cool. Promptly remove and dry well.

Whisk eggs, milk, cream, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. pepper, Gruyere, and Parmesan. Add in mushroom leek mixture, asparagus, and bread. Mix gently but well. Let all ingredients sit for 30-40 minutes, or until bread seems to have absorbed the custard. Pour mixture into a buttered 9×13 pan. Bake uncovered on the middle rack at 350F for about 1 hour and 20 minutes. It should look puffed and nicely browned on top. If it still needs cooking and is getting too brown, put foil over the top. Let bread pudding cool for 10 minutes before serving.

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June 29, 2009

Tracy Porter Video: In recognition of all magpies… a jewelry drawer reorganization

Do tell me it has happened to you too? You know, your jewelry drawer starts to look more like the junk drawer from your mudroom (now I am just praying you all have junk drawers?). I know you know I am the queen magpie, a stasher of sorts, a squirrel, a pack rat… yes… all that. If it is shiny or feathery or stringy or glittery or… quite frankly any texture at all… I keep it. Sick… but true. My jewelry drawer is made up of stuff I have had since I started shopping vintage in my teens. Then we designed our own jewelry, so that’s now layered in. I don’t own anything of much monetary value as jewelry goes, more pull at your heart strings sort of stuff. I know I have shared with you that I have always told John from day one… No jewelry gifts for me… Trees, yes… Boxwoods, indeed… More animals, surely. No fancy jewelry. Maybe at some point in my life that tune’ll change…… who knows. For now I like my mish~mash of fun stuff!

Well now that we’ve shared all that… and you know my jewelry drawer was all a-shambles and in need of some serious TLC… I’ll be on with it. I had this thought about how pretty it all is, and then it’s all tangled up in that sorry drawer, really… shame on me. I am always wanting to pull the “pretty”out of the drawers… so I did. Check out the fun twist in our video… Mine is an armoire in our bedroom, now all decked out with found objects from our home… Where will you put yours?

A few thoughts to consider…

* Small statues or sculptures are great for necklaces… Have anything from your garden that you could use?

* Bracelets are spectacular in a big silver bowl.

* Teacups or other small pantry dishes are ideal for rings, brooches and the like.

* Lamps… always try to squeeze a small lamp into your vignette.

* Be inspired by a fanciful, extraordinary woman… I keep thinking, what would Coco do?

Kisses,

T.

Tracy Porter

Dream delicious!

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June 25, 2009

Tracy Porter Video: Art Under Glass

Don’t you think… that anything at all, captured under glass… seems to take on more of a dreamy air?! A bit like a treasure, I suppose. There it is, suspended for eternity… safe and lovely. Paperweights have always been something to fancy in my book… I’ve always admired, collected, and even hand-made them. I love that sometimes the simplest image can become extraordinary when anchored under a heavy little slab of glass. A few of my favorite ideas for you to consider for your own little gems…

* Sepia-tone photos

* Artwork or photos taken from magazine pages

* The backside of a vintage postcard… stamps and all…

* Artwork from children

* A love note, a poem, a sonnet from your sweet…

* A loose page from a beautiful book

* Images from the covers of all those greeting cards you just can’t part with… I know you do this too!!

* An oversized monogram… oh, I do love it!!

* Embellish the tops if you’re feeling really inspired… baubles, tattered trimmings, vintage jewelry…

Kisses,

T.

Tracy Porter

Dream delicious!

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June 22, 2009

Tracy Porter Video: My passion for flowers

Extraordinary from ordinary… it’s just my thing, I guess… You know me… always looking for yet another outlet to mess around and be creative. Flowers. Glorious flowers… Such an indulgence… so simple… so simply divine. Allow a beautiful sprig of posies to be transformed into wonderfulness… No magic wand required…

A few tips to lusciousness…

* perfume bottles
* teacups… I do love them so…
* a box, a basket, a bowl, or urn
* secret ingredient: Spanish moss darlings, Spanish moss…
* a spot of water…
* …and a heart filled with beauty

Kisses,

T.

Tracy Porter

Dream delicious!
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June 18, 2009

Tracy Porter Video: Do You Ever serve veggies in your ramekins?

Do you ever serve vegetable side dishes in your little sturdy ceramic ramekins?! Its the only way we function in the Porter household with four busy boys. Easy, easy, easy!!! Everyone has their perfect portion and each of the kids feels like its a special treat (since its not just another scoop of something on their plate). In the morning, we serve fresh fruit salad the same way. I actually think it tastes sweeter when you get to eat out of a petite little ramekin! No fuss. Easy to serve special treat for everyone. And why not?!!!

Don’t you want to live life as beautifully as you can..(I sure do)?! Sometimes its the simple little things that make the experience more delicious!

Kisses,

T.

Tracy Porter

Dream delicious!

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June 15, 2009

Tracy Porter Gardening Video: Easy Container Gardening Tips!

Container gardening is one of my favorite ways to garden. Easy, fun, and allows for creativity to flourish!

I love that each season my containers can change along with the temperature. Heat-loving herbs, flowers, branches, evergreens. Such a treat to have options!

I had to share with you a marvelous tip that I’ve fully-embraced this year. You see, our beloved country property is blessed with windy conditions most days. For years, I tucked colorful annual flowers into all of my containers only to see them get snapped off and dried-up during the first warm breaths of summer. My creative challenge has now become a new passionate solution. Lavender, darlings!!! Lavender!! I love lavender. I have it tucked in and about my gardens. But never before have I nestled it into containers! Rapture! Easy and beautiful. They don’t need to be watered twice a day like petunias. And they crave the sun and heat (more time for me to be barefoot with the kids)!!

Sweet lavender kisses,

T.

Tracy Porter

Dream with your eyes open!!

Tracy Porter’s Tips on Container Gardening
- Pick a size that’s right for you…find a color and shape you adore!!
- Think about year-round durability when purchasing a container… Find one made out of a resin/cement mix
- Take the wind into factor when choosing your plant…choose something you love that won’t bend or break off…
- Lavender… lovely, small, easy to grow, delectably scented bliss
- You don’t need to keep it outside all year round… drag it in and flank your fireplace!
- Indulge in the low-maintenance beauty…. enjoy the extra time to frolic in the sun

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Alan Titchmarsh How to Garden: Container Gardening

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June 11, 2009

Tracy Porter Inspiration Fascination Video: A fresh summer purse for you!

Girls! Isn’t it time to freshen-up that summer purse?! We find ourselves with bruised shoulders and weary souls…as we tend to lug treasures from six months ago around with us everyday…how barbaric!!! Where’s the fresh summertime fashion in that?!!

So alas, Sarah and I fish through our cluttered purses and pull out all of our essential summertime goodies with you. Everything a girl needs to look and feel smolderingly-fabulous inside and out!!

Now, get busy, dump out all the untidiness…and refine your summer repertoire (such a needed accessory with bare feet and dreamy afternoons..)

Kisses,

Tracy & Sarah

Tracy Porter

Embrace the sweetness of Life!

Tracy & Sarah’s Tips for Freshening-up Your Purse

  • Clear a spot & dump all the chaos from your winter purse…let’s see what’s inside!
  • Grab a bright summer tote & be ready to load up some fresh ideas…
  • Include the key essentials…
    • lip gloss & chap stick…can’t live without it!!
    • organizer & cute wallet for foreign travel…dream of getting away!!
    • a bag full of goodies – zip lock bag, Kleenex…fresh pack, perfume….sample size works great, Advil, SPF 60 sunblock…perfect for the kids or fair skin, disinfectant wipes….a must-have for moms & travel, lotion, travel-size makeup, mints or gum….whatever you prefer, Eau du Sarah (i.e. Benadryl spray)…to zap those itchy bug bites!
    • Pony tail holder
    • Jewelry
    • Phone & small video camera for capturing on-the-go moments!
    • Shades!!
  • Don’t forget the odd-balls
    • Clippers, nippers, or scissors…for Sarah’s weed cutting fetish on the go!!
    • Clear folder with pens, pencils & paper….a pretty folder to keep the good parts of life… a magazine clipping…important papers…a must-have for Tracy!!
  • Keep it simple….keep it fresh…

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June 8, 2009

Tracy Porter Fashion Video: Versatility is the spice of life!

Whether shopping or designing… I’m ever-craving versatility in everything I touch. After all, a girl needs to know that a favorite piece can become anything and everything!!! My questions are simple and truly help me decide if a splendid piece of fashion can be as versatile as I need it to be: Can I dress it up; dress it down… can I wear it alone or over jeans…. will it look darling with a snappy pair of heels; and just as fun with colorful flip-flops? Cost-per-wear darlings!!! Make sure that you’ll love it today… and have plenty of tricks up your sleeves to ensure that you can wear it again, and again!!

Happy girl…. Happy wardrobe!!!

Kisses,
T.

Tracy Porter

Embrace the Sweetness of Life

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High Fashion Sewing Secrets from the World’s Best Designers

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The Handbook of Style

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June 4, 2009

Tracy Porter Video: Do You Ever make a salty snack medley?

Do you ever?. Pull a nice little mix of salty snacks together to accompany your summertime cocktails? What are you waiting for! No need to wait for an evening with guests? do it for YOU! What could be better, really?. Sip, bite, sip, taste, sip, sip, bite, sip?. Oh what a splendid vicious circle!!!

Xoxox

Tracy

Tracy Porter

Embrace the Sweetness of Life!


Tracy Porter Salty Snack Medley

· Salted almonds

- Pretzels (with a pot of good mustard for dipping)

- Olives (lusciously marinated in garlic and herbs)

- Salt + vinegar kettle-cooked potato chips

– Gourmet popcorn loaded with butter, grated parmesan + seasoned salt

 

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June 1, 2009

Tracy Porter Summertime Spaces Video: Enhance your Outdoor Living this Season!

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Oh the summers. They’re like warm golden nuggets of loveliness… (breathe it in). I’m always on the quest to take full advantage of our outdoor spaces… dragging the indoors out, adding comfort and charm wherever I can. Challenge yourself; delight yourself. Is there a perch that could be enjoyed more if you added a little table and something soft underfoot? Is there a little taste you can add that makes you smile (say, an urn full of kitchen herbs for quick snipping)…. A chandelier that is casually hung for nothing more than whimsy’s sake? What’s your summer wish….

Kisses from the back steps!

Xoxox

Tracy + Max

Tracy Porter

Embrace the Sweetness of Life!

Tracy Porter’s Tips for Personalizing Outdoor Spaces

  • Identify the little spots you enjoy being around. Discover new
    escapes!
  • Take advantage of these little luxuries..make your spot beautiful.
  • Add charm.bring interior pieces & turn them into fabulous outdoor
    beauties
  • Oversized urns..fill them with delectable herbs..a must-have added
    deliciousness for cooking..rosemary, basil, cilantro, YUMM!
  • Find a coziness all your own..your little hideaway

- or -

  • Relax & enjoy watching the kids play!
  • Bring your favorite books, magazines, some sunglasses, an iPod
    with..Ahh, slide into total comfort!
  • Refresh with lemonade..Relax with the perfect cocktail.pick your
    mood.it’s all yours!

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May 28, 2009

Tracy Porter Be Extraordinary Video:Believe in Yourself!

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Such a good mantra to live by: Believing in yourself! I am continually reminding myself… telling my children… trying to live by it. Such a simple rule for you… in all that you do. No matter who you are, what you do, where you live, what you’re striving towards….we all can do a better job sometimes in simply believing in ourselves! Close your eyes… envision your goal,.. the result… the outcome, the finish line… it’s the power of positive thinking. It has always helped me in every way… grab hold of it, believe in yourself, it can make all the difference in the world. Here’s to you.

Be extraordinary!

Kisses,

T.

Tracy Porter

Tracy Porter’s Tips for Believing in Yourself

· Remind yourself often. You can do anything you set out to do.

· Close your eyes and envision the outcome.

· If you want something… grab hold and start working towards it. Believe in yourself. Believe in your dreams.

· Inspire others, your kids, your spouse, your friends. What a gift to let them know that you believe in them. So simple. So powerful.

· No matter who you are, what you do, where you live, what you’re striving towards… Believe in yourself. It’s the least you can do.

· If you’ve fallen… no worries… get up and get going. Believe in yourself.

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May 26, 2009

Tracy Porter Cooking Video: Steamed Sugar Snap Peas Recipe

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One of our family’s favorites… steamed sugar snap peas. Such an easy recipe; such a tasty, healthy side dish vegetable for casual summer dining! The best thing about these snappy, crunchy summer peas…. Is that they are done in an instant…. And…. If dinnertime gets busy (like our bustling house seems to )… you can serve these delicious peas at room temperature! Now, how snappy is that?!!

Kisses,

T.

Tracy Porter
Dream delicious

(Click here for Tracy Porter’s printable recipe!)

Tracy Porter Steamed Sugar Snap Peas Recipe

Tracy Porter  Steamed Sugar Snap Peas Recipe

  • 4 cups fresh sugar snap peas
  • 1 bunch chives (or scallions) chopped
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  • Toasted sesame oil

Clean peas if needed, pull strings and remove any tough stems.  Steam peas for 4-5 minutes. I usually check them at 3, do not over-cook.   Peas should have a nice bite to them… snappy, sweet and crunchy. 

Remove from pan and plunge into an ice bath to stop cooking and to preserve color and flavor.

Drizzle generously with toasted sesame oil.  Add chives, salt and pepper to taste.

Next time… consider doubling your batch….. couldn’t you just eat the whole thing yourself!!!  

 

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May 22, 2009

Tracy Porter Homemade French Fries Recipe Video: Easy Homemade French fries YOU can make!

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Oh, I do hope you love homemade French fries as much as I do. My family loves them; my kids love them… and they’re a classic treat that I like to serve for casual entertaining. So entirely easy… a girl has to love a recipe that only calls for three ingredients… summertime bliss!!

As tasty as these French fries are…. They are truly the vehicle for all the dipping options. Have fun with this all-American side… all the sauces, dips, dressings, herbs and saltiness makes them all the finer. Isn’t it time to have your way with some delicious homemade French fries!??!!

Xoxox,

T.

Tracy Porter

Delight in the little things!

(Click here for Tracy Porter’s printable recipe!)

Tracy Porter Homemade French Fries Recipe

- 4 large russet potatoes

- Canola oil

- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

- Wash potatoes and cut into strips… they can be any size you choose, really (tip: the fatter the strips… the less oil they’ll absorb).

- Set the cut potatoes into a pan of cold water with ice and leave for at least 30 minutes (tip: this simple process helps eliminate some of the starch from the potatoes… crispier… tastier fries)!

- Remove from water and dry completely.

- Heat at least 2 qts. oil in a large heavy pan to 350-375 degrees F. (tip: I love my cast iron skillet…. 3-4 inches of oil works beautifully). Use a thermometer (deep fry; or candy thermometer work great).. to ensure the temperature.

- Place a handful of potato strips carefully into the hot oil and cook until golden brown, approximately 5-7 minutes.

- Remove from the oil using a spider skimmer or tongs. Set fries onto paper towels or a ripped-open paper grocery bag to absorb oil.

- Place remaining potato strips into oil (tip: make sure the oil temperature always comes back up to 350-375 degrees before the next batch goes into the oil)… repeat process….

- Season generously with salt and fresh-ground pepper.

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May 21, 2009

Tracy Porter Best Margarita Recipe Video: John Porter’s Potent Margaritas!

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I can’t remember specifically when it occurred, but at some point my moniker transitioned from “Sweaty Man” to “Uncle Margarita” (not an unwelcome segue). When Tracy and I first moved to Wisconsin together, our drink of choice when entertaining family and friends was naturally the margarita. We started with the prepared margaritas in a bottle – Chi-Chi’s – which was more than adequate for imbibing copious volumes and the ease of preparation. But as we grew up so did our tastes, and the battle of quality vs. quantity was won by hand-crafted drinks using quality liquors.

In our travels we have indulged and tested more than our fair share of margaritas but none compares to what we make at home. I have crafted them in many a home and even in a few bars where they just didn’t understand the expectation. Once, in rural Ireland, the barkeep admitted that he’d never made a margarita and invited me behind the counter. As one might expect, I made more than one. Now, they didn’t have Limeade but I was able to MacGyver[i] my way through their ingredients to make a reasonable facsimile (“Eye thar, m’lad, ‘tis a mighty fiyne drank ye make; per me anudder!”).

My Irish sainthood is pending.

John Porter, Margarita Mixologist

a/k/a “Mr. Tracy Porter”

Live Responsibly: Do Not Drink And Drive

[1] The term “MacGyver” refers to the popular television show starring Richard Dean Anderson. The context is that, in the show, MacGyer was famous for being able to construct complicated things from ordinary objects, i.e., a homemade bomb using a toothpick, some wheat flour and a stick of Dentyne® gum.

[1] Tequila is a highly regulated Mexican liquor produced only in certain regions of Mexico. That said, there are 901 registered brands of tequila from 128 producers list with the Consejo Regulador del Tequila (report here). For more info on tequila, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tequila.

(Click here for Tracy Porter’s printable recipe!)
Porter’s Potent Margaritas Recipe
On The Rocks With Salt

(serves eight people one each or one person eight)

A Porter Proven Recipe™

Ingredients

- Twelve ounces (12 oz) of tequila[ii] (Patrón® Añejo [recommended], Sauza’s Hornitos® Reposado or 1800® Reposado, if budget allows, or Jose Cuervo Especial®)

- Six ounces (6 oz) of triple sec: (Cointreau® [recommended], if budget allows, or Triple Sec by Hiram Walker, Mohawk or Mr. Boston)

-Grand Marnier® [recommended] (if budget allows)

-One (1) 6 oz. can of Limeade®

-Water

-Six (6) Limes

-Ice

-Kosher Salt

Process

Place ¼ cup of Kosher salt on a small salad plate or in a bowl a little larger than the diameter of your glasses. Prepare up to eight (8) glasses – the “right” margarita glass is a highly debated subject. For me, it’s a glass that holds liquid, with a rim. Begin by running ¼ of a lime around the rim of each glass and dipping upside down into the salt such that the rim of each glass is crusted with salt (for those who do not like the salt – too bad, this is the way they are to be done; I’m kidding, of course). Cut remaining limes into quarters.

In a large pitcher mix the tequila, triple sec, the contents of the Limeade can and one and one-half (1½) cans of water and stir until Limeade is dissolved. Saving aside eight (8) quarters of limes, squeeze the juice of remaining limes into the pitcher as well. Tap each glass over the sink to remove loose salt and fill each with ice. Stir the contents of the pitcher (uh, the margaritas) vigorously and pour over ice. Into each glass then add a splash of Grand Marnier, a quarter of lime (squeezed) and serve. It is imperative – for your safety and the happiness of others – to immediately begin to remake the entire recipe…they will want more, fast.

Tracy Porter Top 10 Tips for the BEST MARGARITAS

1. Salty snacks are a must. (warm salted peanuts in petite silver bowls certainly are nice)

2. Work your way around the rim… a taste of the kosher salt with every sip is essential

3. Lime is Key. Get your hands on that wedge and sqeeze!

4. Mix thoroughly. We always tend to like our drinks “round”… meaning “full”… meaning “all notes hitting the tongue at once”…. You catch our drift here, right?!!

5. Sit back. Relax your neck. Find a good chair… you may need one soon.

6. Use quality ingredients… life is short…. It’s time for you to have a grown-up margarita (they’re still good with chips and salsa)

7. Make it a double. (some days… this simply is a reality)

8. It’s all in the glass. No need for a stem…. Who needs their drink suspended in the air? We like our margaritas to fit right in the palm of our hand….

9. Golden color. Need we say more.

10. When out and about…. This is how we recommend you order for an ideal margarita experience (with hand motions, of course..): Margarita on the rocks with salt…. Wedge of lime… splash of Cointreau… splash of Grand Marnier…oh, make it a double… please!

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Market-Fresh Mixology: Cocktails for Every Season

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May 20, 2009

Tracy Porter Be Extraordinary Video: Let your Passions Lead!

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I find that I am at my best when I let my passions lead me!!! I’m a passionate person by nature (happily Type A)…. most things in life intrigue me… there’s always something more to explore. What life has taught me over and over again is to give time and attention to the things that really call to me….. and to let those passions lead me. We are all better when we are spending WORDtime doing the things we love… it has a way of making this wonderful experience that much sweeter!!

Tracy Porter tips for letting your passions lead!

* What do you dream about… well then, get busy!
* What are your favorite hobbies… do you spend enough time with them?
* Be honest with yourself…. be honest with others
* What makes your heart beat a-flutter?
* What makes your palms sweaty!!!?
* What makes you jump out of bed in the morning?
* Life is full of options… try as much on as you can!
* Stop fretting… start doing!
* Who cares if you haven’t tried something before – the time is now.
* No regrets. if you live this way… your passions will naturally lead you!!!

Embrace Your Passions!!!

xoxox,

T.

Tracy Porter

Find something… anything to sink your teeth into… allow yourself to dream… to evolve…to be passionate. Joy is the key to life!!

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