Today is special. Today I let go. Today I started living. Today I asked God to lead. Today I finally see what Life is all about……….
This is my new home. I’ve made the long journey here (to self hosted) and for many reasons. I will spare you the details…….for now. Here’s a sneak peek.
- To Live out my Passions
- To support my husband (aka hubs) in his career, and hopefully get to be by his side while doing so.
- To encourage and to be encouraged
- To share our Journey (because we are going places, soon, very soon!)
- To connect more with YOU
- To expand my collection of Gluten Free Recipes
- To get to know my “creative” side (if that exists, haha)
- To grow more in each area of my life and embrace self-confidence
- And oh so much more!!!!!
You see, it all looks exciting, right? But I found myself hesitating, almost at a stand still. I was standing still not going anywhere because of fear. Fear of the unknown! This fear festered inside until I was about to explode!
It was then that the hubs and I had a good sit down. We started talking about how our fears are holding us back from living life. From embracing certain opportunities and we had had it! DONE! NO MORE!
We’re going to LET GO of fear! We’re going to SIDE STEP the DANGERS. We’re going to LIVE for the NOW!
So thank you! Thank you for sticking with me these past few weeks. Thank you for holding my hand. Thank you for accepting us COTTERS and this CRAZY life we lead.
Now let’s start this new site off right with a little WIAW.
Thank you Jen for making my Wednesdays DELICIOUS!
Featured Recipe
“Shrimp and FAUX Grits with Edamame”
This is quite simple. For the shrimp, just boil, drain, and then season with sea salt, pepper, and a little lemon juice.
For the FAUX GRITS:
- Use 1 cup GF oat bran. Toss it in a pot with about 1 to 1.5 cup water and. Bring to a boil then quickly reduce and add in 1 cup frozen edamame and a few dashes of sea salt.
- Add a tbsp. of oil and stir. Let it simmer for about 3-5 minutes on low until edamame is thawed.
- Then throw in spices and 2-3 tbsp. of either nutritional yeast or GF brewers yeast. Stir again and season some more with 1 tsp. garlic and 1 tsp. paprika.
- If you want real buttery flavor, add in more brewers yeast/nutritional yeast and use butter instead of oil. I also added in sautéed grape tomatoes and mushrooms last-minute.
- Serve up with your shrimp!
This recipe is FEAR FREE!
Tell me, what are you LETTING GO today?
Cheers,
LC
p.s.
A HUGE HUGE THANK YOU to Jenny over at PB and Jenny! She is the master behind this new site. Working with her was the most fun I’ve ever had on a computer, haha. Jenn really has a true gift when it comes to web designing. And she was so patient with me. That’s talent! Jenn offers offer header design, website design, and transferring to self-hosting .
Again, HUGE THANKS JENN! I’m still learning to add in new features to the site and I actually am enjoying it! Maybe I’m not technologically challenged after all!
This is such a beautiful post, Linds! Very inspiring to this Bird. I remember several years ago, one of my friends gave me a card that read, “Let Go, and Let God.” And it’s stuck with me ever since! I’m so excited for you and James’ future. I know God has many beautiful and fulfilling things in store for the Cotters. 🙂 xo
and I can’t wait to “update” you on it all! but for now, I am have been worried sick about you! Hope you and Billy are okay.
p.s.
We’ll be in Dallas for a whole 5 days in October!! I really must update you! and vice versa.
Love the new site!
thank you friend. I am excited!
Your new site is BEAUTIFUL, Lindsay!! I’m so happy that you chose to kiss fear goodbye and pursue your dreams! Your journey is truly an inspiration, and I feel incredibly fortunate to to share it with you. Your insights always make my day a little bit brighter. Thank you for that!
I love the faux grits recipe! Cheese grits have been a favorite food of mine for as long as I can remember, so I can’t wait to try these!
Happy Friday! xoxo
Gosh, and I feel the same towards you. A blessing to follow life together! Still waiting on that Quote book to come out. I’d buy it!
LOVE THE NEW SITE
it love YOU!
WOOHOO! I LOVE the new site- it looks FANTASTIC & I know that it will only get better 😀 Can’t wait to get my daily dose of Cotter Crunch!! Xo
oh thank you HOlly. You make my day! I get my daily does of Greek Yogurt too. hehe.
I love this post, Lindsay! Isn’t it the most comforting thing to know that “God will never take us anywhere He has not already prepared for our arrival.” (Beth Moore) Praise Jesus. 🙂
I’m letting go of living for our future dreams…the present is so sweet I don’t want to miss out on it by planning!
oh I love Beth Moore and I love that quote! The present s so sweet Soo, go enjoy!
🙂
yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!! so happy for you <3 this was a great post and a great recipe AND jenny did a fabulous job with your design! lurv.
Thank you JULIE!!! So good to hear from you. and yes, jenn is amazing, lets brag about her all the time. well deserved!
Oh my goodness your site looks gorgeous!! Congratulations, I love it so much and your blog is wonderful as usual 🙂
thank you Tessa. You are too kind. Can’t wait to catch up with you!!
YAYAYA the site looks GREAT!! CONGRATS!!
BRITT! I made it! Its done, no more switching domains. hehe. Not we can finally stay connected, right?!!
😛
I will not fear this next chapter in my life! It’s going to take confidence, dedication, passion, and lots of hard work. Life is too short to not go after what you love and do the things you want to do. Have a great rest of the week and love the new site! xoxo
oh you so did that Katie! I love it. You are fearless and it will take you to great heights!!
No fear!! I love it! So glad you made the switch 🙂
The new site looks great.
And the recipe, Yum! The shrimp look really tasty too 🙂
Thanks raina. Now I can breathe. And now I can catch up on reading!! yea!
Crazy or not, I love reading your blog and connecting with you. Way to go for letting go and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the Cotters!!
One of my best friends once told me something that I’ll never forget: “Being brave is not, not being afraid, being brave IS being afraid, but doing it anyway!”
oh I love that quote Sabrina! I need to plaster it on our wall! haha. Glad you are back in blogworld.
Wow…great work to you and Jen on the site! I am so curious about self-hosting and don’t really understand it…do you think Jen would ever simply entertain some of my questions (like why one would switch over and what that entails)?
Fear of the unknown is the hardest thing…we have faced it so much and continue to back down in the face of it and are reminded that in Christ we can face it head on! Mikey and I try to view life changes and the unknown as more of an adventure than a thing to be afraid of (“so much could go wrong!”) but it’s tough to keep that perspective! Can’t wait to hear about the changes coming up, the places you’re going, and to see how your site (and life!) evolves. 😀 Love you friend!
Bonnie, I wish you lived in Austin so we could meet for coffee, some good accountability time, prayer, and of course RUNNING! you always have the words to say. thank you!
Aww!! This is so beautiful!!! LOVE IT LINDS!
thanks Lauren. How’s that detox going? I think you need to open a wellness center in CA! Youre amazing!
So exciting! Love your new space / home, it is absolutely beautiful! So fresh and light, like a room full of sunshine. Sending you so much encouragement…thank you for yours! Big smiles <3 xyx
i like bright! Yolie, so glad have found each other. You are a sweet drop of sunshine in my life.
<3 aaah, thank you so much, Lindsay…ditto 🙂 have a beautiful day! xyx
Hey girl, loving the new site!!! 🙂
thank you Katy! good to hear from you.
<3
hurray for new blog! and that i can leave comments now!
i love the “let go” post 🙂 hurray for new journeys!
its about bloody time you can comment. I missed your sarcasm!! The kiwi misses the entertainment from last weekend. haha.
okay, I love your eats as usual, but even more so, I LOVE your new layout!
thank you friend. I think we both can that Jenn is pretty amazing, eh?
Your new home on the web looks marvellous! I’ve always been a pretty fearful person and haven’t taken many risks in my life. I’m going into my last year of undergrad and I’m pretty fearful of not knowing what I want to do after I finish! But I’m letting go of the fear of the unknown and living in the moment 🙂
oh this is the best year for you! Embrace is and feel the power to do big things sarah!
okay I am a little behind on blog reading, but wow new site looks amazing!! and so happy you took this leap, and faced your fear 🙂
you continue to inspire both of us other here
well you two inspire me, so lets keep it going. K? Strong and fearless!
Wow, the site looks great!
This is BEAUTIFUL!!! Congrats my love!!!
I just had the talk about Fear with my mentor during my Life Coaching journey and we both agreed that fear now excites us, we can’t wait to see what is so magical behind the fear as we only grow when out of our comfort zone.
I can’t wait to live your journey with you!!
xxoo
I like that approach! Fear can drive us towards our dreams. Thanks Kris, always full of great wisdom!
YAY!
Your site looks gorgeous…great job!
And I am so inspired by you as well. I always come here when I need a pick me up – which I did today. Thank you for your enthusiasm.
PS : I am searching for my creative side too!
well I am glad! cause when I need some good sarcasm, I go to you! hehe. It eves out, right?
<3
Congratulations on the move Lindsay! The site looks amazing! I’m so happy for you! Sounds like you are getting to your happy place! Thank you so much for always being there. You are such in inspiration!
we’re gettin there! now we just need to get you there!
😉
Yay!!!! It looks so great!!!!
I think Jen gets all the credit there. I just claim the sunflower, hehe.
Your site looks BEAUTIFUL! I’m doing my best to let go of stress. I KNOW that my fall is going to be busy and it’s better to just roll with it instead of freak out!
Youre so good at rollin with it. I am always impressed! Keeps us rollin too Madeline.
Big Congrats for your wonderful site and for all of the exciting things in your near future 🙂 So happy for you two! 🙂
I’m so excited to be following you at your new home! I love reading your posts and wish you and the hubs all the best! Fear has definitely paralyzed me from moving forward in many aspects of my life so it’s encouraging to see that you are no longer allowing fear to hold you back! Always here for you!
Love!
yes, it really limits you doesn’t it. Katie, you are one amazing woman who never has never given up on me. Love that!
Woot woot! Congrats! The site looks WONDERFUL and I am sure all good things are going to come out of this!
i sure hope so Diana! thanks for the uplifting words!
LOVE IT!!! So worth the hardwork and the wait 🙂 Going places?! whereee? fill a sista in 🙂
oh you will have to wait for that. Maybe next week we can catch up??
yay! Sounds good ma’am 🙂 Froyo date?!
I think I am the only one who doesn’t like froyo. I’d go for ice cream or wine! haha.
I LOVE YOUR NEW HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! its GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!! i absolutely love love love ittttt<3333
and your faux grits LOOK SO GOOD..where do you get your GF oat bran?
and i am letting go of my FEAR that the doctors wont be able to fix my hips….i know that in time i will be back to running and be an EVEN BETTER, FASTER, and STRONGER RUNNER! heck i am young and have plenty more years of running ahead of me!!!
you will be fixed, i just know it!! And you will come back stronger, faster, and HEALTHIER both mentally and physically. Keep me posted friend.
GF oat bran is from Bob Redmills I think.
🙂
I am soo happy for you. The new site looks great and I love your mentality. There are amazing things in store for you. I am sure!
oh girl, you held my hand through this for sure! you deserve a gold medal! haha.
my pleasure….you are leading the way! i wish i could do it as fast as you! yay so long disqus
I’m happy to have found your blog, the site looks awesome and I’m excited to follow along!
oh yea! thanks Katie. I look forward to “connecting” more friend.
i’m letting go of your old site & embracing your new one! you’re awesome & i’d follow you anywhere! 🙂
you are freakin awesome T! I will follow you anywhere and EVERYWHERE too!
Ahhh, I love the new blog design! So clean and friendly. Mine is in the process of being re-done, I’m so excited!
The faux grits sound and look delicious! I haven’t had edamame in weeks.
oh I can’t wait for yours. It better be filled with lots good pictures of your treats! I drool every time!
Woo hoo! I LOVE your new look :). And this post is so inspiring- I really need to learn to live more in the “now”! Today, I let go of my fear of running for a reason and pushing myself to go farther…I decided to sign up for a 10k!
you did!!?! AWESOME! Oh i can’t wait for you to run it. You will love it Linds.
The blog looks AMAZING! I just gave Jenny mad props! She did a wonderful job!
Awww what a great post, just live life to the fullest and each day like its your last : )
you and your husband are so cute!
i know, Jenny is so amazing! thank goodness for wonderful creative people. LIKE YOU TOO!
<3
Yay for your new site! It looks great!
thanks Meg! so glad you still follow. Yippee.
Of course! The summer has been a little crazy, but I’ve been reading all along! Which reminds me that I finally have pears for those protein pops!
LOVE the new site! That shrimp & “grits” recipe looks like a winner.
I had an almost awkward moment today – I thought I saw you in Sunflower and literally had my mouth open to say a surprise hello when I realized it wasn’t you. Haha. Let’s hang out soon.
haha, too funny. It was not me, wish it was! yes, lets hang soon PLEASE!!
Friend, the new site is fabulous! I love the design/colors – so fresh & light!
AAAH YAAAAAY Lindsay your site looks AMAZING!! 😀
And I’m so happy to hear you’re letting go of the fear!! Your posts always speak to me so much!! I WAS nervous and afraid of some events happening tomorrow, but no more!! We don’t need fear when we have God!! Perfect love casts out all fear 🙂
LOVE you!! <3
yea, so glad to hear how God is working in your life. Let go and Let God friend.
Love the re-design! It’s gorgeous, very cheery 🙂
One note: you have “triathlete’s” spelled as “triathalites” up there 😉 (And if you care to, gluten-free is generally hyphenized.) Sorry, grammar nazi here D:
ahh, thank you! i didn’t even catch that. Grammar nazi to the rescue!
Love the new look, girl! I see you made the switch to WP, how do you like it compared to Blogger?
oh its a whole new world from blogger, but good!! Thank goodness for windows live write too!
Whee, you’ve done it! Congrats! 😀 😀 😀
finally! Thanks for the smileys!
love the new site- i was trying to figure out how to follow, but not sure how. I don’t use twitter and didn’t want to just add you as a friend on facebook since it looked liek ti was a personal account. How do I add to google reader or subscribe to email updates?
Hey Lisa! Yes, you can still follow through google reader. Just copy the website into your subscriptions on google reader or hit subscribe in the upper corner here. Hope it helps! yea!!
HELLO beautiful new site!! Linds, look at you! 🙂 LOVE IT.
Letting go of Stress & concern today! Our “secret” is out and I couldn’t be happier / more relieved / more excited!
yes, secrets out! So excited for you! We’ve got a secret too, but must wait a bit.
<3
I love it! It looks like sunshine and happy :).
Welcome back, I’m excited to watch where you go 🙂
Lets follow each other in our adventures!
so excited for you and your new adventures! I hope the transition is a smooth one, the Lord will reward you for your faith.
its was smooth with such great help!
I am so happy for you!! :):) Love the new site and love you. I will be following forever.
and I love you! Now if only we could meet soon. That needs to be the next journey.
It looks awesome! I love it!I love everything about it. Way to take the leap.
Jen
What a great post, I definitely agree with living out your passions! Loving the new site 🙂
thank you Jenny. Its wonderful to live out our passions with such support, right?!
LOVE it, Lindsay!! it looks great, and I KNOW the WHEW relief you feel now! 😉
there’s something I have been wanting to tackle in the kitchen, and have always avoided it because of difficulty. I researched and prepared yesterday (once again your topic is timely!) and early this morning, I DID IT! I let go of the intimidation of the project and – YAY – I pulled it off! 🙂
You are one amazing chef in the kitchen. DON’T EVER DOUBT THAT! I cannot wait to see this recipe.
🙂
LOVE the new site!! LOVE LOVE LOVE! And Jenny seems to be a master, I’d love that kind of help! VERY cool. And I LOVE your attitude about everything and am REALLY excited to hear your next steps. I have every faith in the world you two are a FORCE to be reckoned with 🙂 XO!
thank Jo!! You are so supportive and I can’t thank you enough. How’s the move going?
Whohooo!! Love the new site!!! 😀
thank Gen! Happy Wednesday to you.
oh i love your new site! and here is to lettin go of fear and doing it. i love this lindsay…what a fabulous step 🙂
good! we are in it together! Thank you for always stinkin with me Kalli.
Ahhh, love the new look!!! i’m a little jealous 😉 I’ll get there someday… the hard work definitely paid off!
i’m letting go of my stress for sunday’s race, it was supposed to be my first oly, but irene might have other ideas…
oh you will do it and it will pay off! Good luck sunday, you got this! so excited for you.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the new site!! So proud of you and SO jealous because I totally want to do this but have NO idea where to even start. See? I sound like you – fear of the unknown over here, I fully admit 🙁
oh Jess, if I can do it, then you can FOR SURE do it! Youre so crafty!
As someone who isn’t into God, I’m interested to hear you speak to how you personally decide how much you will let God lead (your words) vs how much you will work to get what you want? I find the topic interesting.
Letting God lead to me means following my heart and knowing he is in control of the outcome. I will work towards my dreams and passions knowing that God might lead me else where. It takes a lot of faith and hope and trust. Hard yes, but so worth it!
YAY!!! Looks great – totally worth the hassle I hope 😉
yes, worth the hassle! Well now that is. haha
LOVE the new site! It all looks great, girl! 🙂 And your WIAW eats look yummy too! 🙂
thanks rach! Its nice to have it all done. phew.
The new site looks fantastic – congrats!!! That recipe also looks delicious 🙂
Today I am letting go of stress about all the little things I need to get done and instead coddling my body a little so it rests up for the things I need to tacke later this week!
yes, you need your rest for that upcoming half IM! feet up!
IT REALLY LOOKS INCREDIBLE!!! I absolutely love it!! GIRL…I am so so happy about this!! Today I am letting go the fact I can’t control other peoples actions:) LOVE YOU and this makes my day!!
and I am so happy you can comment now! Gosh I missed my Janae!! Thank you for stickin with me.
<3
I love your new look! I’ll bet you’re breathing a huge sigh of relief–such a big project behind you. 🙂
Today, I am letting go of unrealistic expectations. Ahhh feels good.
yes, it is nice to finally breathe! Unrealistic expectations, thats a good one! I will follow you on that.
😉
Today I’m letting go of my to-do list. I am going to do exactly what I can, when I can, and if that means that my home gets a little dirty, so be it!
I love the new site Lindsay!
“To grow more in each area of my life and embrace self-confidence” — this is what I love about your blog, seeing you GROW and allowing that to push me to grow as well.
we can grow together. I like that better, don’t you?
🙂
Beautiful Lindsay! The new site looks AMAZING! 🙂 Congratulations! I’m happy for you. I’m excited to continue following along on your journey and I’m looking forward to reading about the adventures, stories and recipes that are yet to come! Much love to you darlin! <3
thank you Alaina! And I am excited to continue to follow yours. Full of life and adventure EACH and EVERY day!
Faux Grits! That looks incredible. I will be making that soon. Thanks for the great recipe.
oh let me know when you do! Its delicious!
Love the site, love the attitude, love the Faith, love the woman!
Insert Happy Dance HERE.
and girl do I love you! Happy dance all around! Thank you friend, for all the encouragement you give!
<3
amen to that!!! 😀 And I’m excited to see what’s to come~~wowww Jen is really talented!! This looks great 🙂
she is talented beyond words and so patient. Love her!
looks nice!
thanks stephen!