It's Not Over Until It's Over

and what I made when I thought I had nothing

Happy Monday! Ok, this week’s newsletter is a little different. And if you’re a paid subscriber (thank you!) and you’re just here for a new recipe, feel free to scroll to the bottom and get cooking.

I’m a big football fan. This is not new information if you’ve ever sat next to me on a Sunday, or frankly, any day there’s a game on.

One of the phrases that comes out of my mouth more than my husband would prefer is: “It’s not over until it’s over.” He finds this deeply annoying, especially when I say it and his team is winning.

I’ll say it when a team is down by what feels like an insurmountable amount. I’ll say it late in the fourth quarter. I’ll say it when the body language on the field looks defeated and the commentators have already started talking about next week. And I’ll keep saying it even when everyone else has emotionally checked out.

Saturday night was a perfect example. We were watching the Chicago game with friends who are devoted Bears fans. At one point, it truly looked impossible. Not unlikely. Impossible. The kind of game where you start reaching for snacks out of pure stress or distraction. And yet they came back and won. In a thrilling, defying, heart‑pounding way that reminded everyone why we keep watching sports in the first place.

The same thing happened last week with my husband’s team, the Steelers, against the Ravens. Another win that seemed impossible. Another reminder that as long as there’s still time on the clock, strange and amazing things can happen.

This is why I never give up on a game if there’s still a sliver of possibility left. Not because I’m blindly optimistic but because I’ve seen it happen too many times.

And honestly? This mindset doesn’t stop at football.

I see it in the kitchen all the time.

A soup that tastes flat until the very last squeeze of lemon. A meal that looks like a failure halfway through, only to come together at the end. A fridge that seems empty until you realize you actually do have enough to make something satisfying. It’s not over until it’s over.

I see it in health, too. Bodies are not linear. Progress isn’t tidy. A bad week doesn’t erase months of good ones. A setback isn’t a final score. It’s just a moment in the game.

I see it in relationships. In conversations that start awkwardly and end in connection. In hard seasons that soften over time. In people surprising you, sometimes when you least expect it.

And I see it in life more broadly. The older I get, the more I believe that there is room for comebacks, pivots, second halves, and yes, even miracles as long as something is still possible.

Now, to be clear, this doesn’t mean ignoring reality or pretending everything will magically work out. It means staying present, acting with intention and putting wheels in motion (an expression my kids find annoying lol.) It means not declaring defeat too early. It means leaving the door open for the unexpected.

So yes, I will probably keep saying “it’s not over until it’s over.” My husband will probably keep rolling his eyes. And I will happily keep believing that sometimes, the most exciting part of the story happens right at the end.

Because whether it’s football, food, health, or life…you just never know what can happen if you stay in the game. xx

Let’s pivot from those thoughts. I post a lot of things on Instagram stories that disappear after 24 hours. Sometimes it’s hard to keep up with DM’s asking for links to sweaters, eyeglasses, frothers etc. I always feel bad if I miss a request, so I have been adding more items to my ShopMy page so that I can direct people over there.

This week I had questions about this cashmere fisherman sweater (I have in Ivory in S), the stainless steel sheet pan I used in IG live, my “positive vibes only” sweatshirt (such a cute gift), always this Black Cherry lip gloss, yes I take creatine AND amino acids (I do the mixed berry powder), but NOT collagen. These might be the most comfortable (and at the same time chic) ankle boots I have ever worn (I have in chocolate brown and they run true to size.) I also wore this contrast trim polo sweater.

Before we get to the recipe, a quick note: if you’re enjoying these weekly posts and recipes, I’d love to have you as a paid subscriber. I’ve been showing up here every single week for years, sharing full recipes and the kind of kitchen wisdom I don’t always put anywhere else. It’s just $5/month or $50/year, and it directly supports the work behind dishes like this Greek-inspired Skillet Chicken and Rice — a cozy, one-pan meal made from cheeseboard leftovers and pantry staples that make cooking feel easy again.