I began my first blog, Buzz In Around the Hive, about six years ago as a way to journal my experience as a caregiver to my parents, Earnie and Ray. Sprinkled in between stories of the joys and challenges of caring for aging parents, I shared recipes, ideas for home decor and entertaining, the milestones of being Miss Bee’s mother and a few stories including, Mr. Bee, my husband.

My mother, Earnie, was a big inspiration for my blog material.  With her permission, I would share comical things she said or did.  She always laughed and found the funny in most everything, even heartache. When Earnie died very suddenly in 2013 from a brain aneurysm, my world stopped turning.  I missed her daily presence in my home where we lived together as a family for six wonderful years.  She was my zip, which I wrote about here.  It took me a LONG time to find any reason to write. I had no motivation.  My muse was gone.  I’d post something and then weeks later people would ask me if I was going to write anything because they were tired of seeing the story about scented wipes. About two years later, I slowly found the desire to write.  But, even then, it didn’t seem like anything I was sharing was interesting.

2015: Mary, Kathy, Julie and me on the way to Orcas Island, Washington

When I was with my three best friends last fall on our mid-year retreat, I shared all these feelings I had and, with their help, I realized that my blog had revolved around a life I didn’t have anymore.  I had moved on to the next chapter of my life – a life yet to be lived with infinite opportunities to redefine who Melissa is and will be next.  However, it is really important to me that I stay close to those ties I had with Mother and the inspiration she gave me throughout her lifetime.

Hence, Home with a Twist.  A daughter’s twist on her mother’s traditions. I will still share the same ideas with you on cooking, home keeping, entertaining, my spiritual growth and whatever else I may find interesting.  It’s my twist in the tale.  I hope you will stay with me to enjoy what’s ahead.  It will be sweet, because my mother said so.