Finding joy, flavor, and meaning in the everyday mess
Ah! Christmas Joie Cookies! T’was the night before Christmas 2024, and the atmosphere didn’t feel quite festive. Joe, feeling a sense of determination to bring back the Christmas cheer, came down the stairs, rummaging through our pantry in search of the perfect ingredients. He found leftover peppermint bark chocolate and Oreos too, but nothing that would satisfy his cravings. Then,…
A year ago, we packed our lives into boxes and headed to Alabama. Like many families, we had hopes. Dreams. Plans. We believed we were stepping into a new chapter and trusted that everything would fall into place once we got there. And in many ways, it did. We met kind and fun people. We learned new things. We experienced…
There are seasons where everything just feels off. Not completely falling apart. Not a full crisis. Just enough chaos to make you feel behind, overwhelmed, and slightly annoyed with yourself all day long. That was me.I wasn’t failing at life, I was just…not showing up the way I knew I could.My routine was inconsistent, my goals felt far away, and…
The car was packed like we were fleeing the galaxy — snacks galore, chargers + extras, wired earbuds, hoodies, and blankets. I told Joe, mostly as a reminder to myself, this was a scouting trip, but honestly, it felt more like a reality show. We were on a mission. Our mission? To spend a few days in Huntsville, AL, the…
Achieving a delicious, yet healthy slice of banana bread with a chocolate chip topping is possible with the use of carefully chosen and balanced ingredients. This low-calorie, high-protein breakfast can be ready in less than 30 minutes, combining nutrition and quick preparation.
Christmas is quickly approaching, and even though Thanksgiving hasn\’t happened yet, it\’s never too early to start preparing for the festive season. In our household, we have two elves (one for each of us), blending our two families together. We love to come up with clever and funny shenanigans that the elves can get up to, and this year we\’ve…
Fall is near the corner, and I cannot help but feel the excitement for fall: decorations, family time, and football. Every so often, I like to look back and see how far my family and I have come and overcome, and I can\’t help but feel thankful for every blessing we have been given and every challenge we have been…
I am hoping by now you have read some of my blog post stories; so far, you have gathered I am from the South. Way further down south of the border. And now, living in South Carolina has taught me more things the more I explore. We live about 30 minutes from Clemson, SC. On every corner, you can find…
Here we are, weekend during mid-fall in South Carolina. Just watching leaves fall with the wind, wondering how long it will take to rake up our new backyard. When Joe comes around and tells me, what is better than the restaurant salsa you just made? Some green salsa, like the one for chicken enchiladas. It has taken me some time…