Spring is FINALLY upon us. I love that fresh “after rain” smell, when the weather starts warming up and the sun is shining again after a long winter. Every year around this time, I get the itch to clean, purge, and reset our home—it’s just that season. If you know me in real life, you…
Daylight savings always gives me that “okay… it’s time” feeling. The days get longer, the sun shows up more, and suddenly I want my home to feel lighter too. Not perfect. Not Pinterest-perfect. Just… refreshed. When I say “spring cleaning,” I don’t mean a quick tidy or swapping pillowcases. I mean the stuff we don’t…
My morning has to include a few small habits that help me stay sane as a stay-at-home mom and homeschool mom. I’ve learned what helps me feel grounded and ready to take on the day—especially because our home is also our school, our workspace, and our “everything.” I’m very routine-oriented. I love having a rhythm…
There are some meals that just feel like home, and white beans and rice is one of those recipes for me. It’s simple, filling, budget-friendly, and the kind of meal that tastes like comfort in a bowl. Serve with some warm homemade cornbread with a pat of butter and you have a complete dinner. I…
The holidays were not as expected this year with my whole family being sick (except for me thankfully). Unfortunately a lot of family and friends that we talked with were also sick during the Christmas season. Although the excitement of Christmas wasn’t as it normally was, we spent a lot of time chilling on the…
I love the fresh start feeling of a new year, but I’ve learned that I don’t always want to set a long list of super-specific goals. Some years, I need less pressure and more direction—more of a “this is the kind of life I want to keep building” than a checklist I’ll feel guilty about…
I read 40 books this past year, which still feels wild to say out loud. My original goal was 24, and then halfway through the year I bumped it up to 36—and still managed to pass it. I’m convinced that my husband getting me a Kindle for Christmas last year was the game changer. He…
There are a lot of sugar cookie recipes out there, but this one is my tried-and-true, old-fashioned favorite—the kind that feels like it’s been passed down through generations and shows up every Christmas season. These cookies are soft, tender, and lightly flavored with vanilla and a hint of nutmeg. The secret ingredient is a little…
This post is the last of my toy and gift series where I’m sharing the things that actually get used in our home—not just opened once and forgotten, but reached for again and again. I’ve already posted about building toys, pretend play, comfort favorites, and creative, hands-on play. Now I’m wrapping things up with one…
It’s that time again! Time to change up our little bookshelfie—packing away the November books and bringing out all of our Christmas favorites. There’s something so cozy about having a shelf full of seasonal stories right at kid-height. It makes it easy to curl up by the tree, grab a book, and turn an ordinary…