When, after forty, Carrie finds herself not only dating again, but also contemplating marriage to the cutest boy in the world, she realizes how much she must rely on her imperfect faith in her God, in herself, and in her humorous outlook on life's stumbling blocks. Though always one to scream "Go big or go home" to the world, a few of life's unexpected blessings bring her to her knees-dating, then marriage, when she's already decided she would never "do that mess" again; becoming a stepmother to a teenage girl when she can barely take care of a sink full of dishes herself; and ditching the bustling big-city life that offered her constant entertainment for the simple life in a small border town that offers her not even a good taco. Dedication, determination, and faith mixed with an extra big heaping spoonful of humor create this Southern woman's favorite down-home recipe to share with all women who look to forge ahead when it'd be easier to hide from the world. Always remember, from the grit comes a pearl.