Dear friend, Hello! I’ve been meaning to write you for quite some time to share a little bit about what’s happening around here. There’s so much I want to tell you about, but I’ll try to keep it as short as possible so not to take up too much of your day. I’m just going…
Category Archives: Family
A Friend for All
As of last week, when Kelly turned 13, I officially have 2 teenagers in the house! Everyone tells me that teenagers are tough…but so far my experience has been uniquely positive and I sure hope it stays that way!
It’s Time to Show Up
I was sitting at my kitchen table on a Sunday morning, reading the newspaper and drinking my coffee. It was a quiet morning, the kind I absolutely love. I felt happy and loved, but overshadowing this feeling was a simmering feeling of discontent. I couldn’t put my finger on where that feeling was coming from, because…
Our 1 Second Everyday Video Project
How I’ve documented the past 365 days using the 1 Second Everyday Video App and why I have loved every second of it! Check out the images from our year as well as the entire video, below. Exactly one year ago May 1st, I started a journey of a lifetime. Yes, I got my very first…
The Joy of Choosing Experience Gifts Over Things
Choosing experience gifts over things could make you happier this holiday season. Like many of you, I have spent much of the past year following the KonMari Method of decluttering my home. What I learned from reading The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up has been a constant theme in my life. “Does this item spark…
The Summer of Yes {In 1 Second Everyday}
Our summer is officially over and the kids have been in school now for a whole week. It was so hard for me to let summer go this year because it was one of our best, yet. I intentionally didn’t do my typical Summer Bucket List, but instead deemed the summer of 2015 “The Summer…
Share Your Beauty
8 years ago we brought a tiny little twig of a lilac bush home from my husbands grandmas house. As soon as the Iowa snow would melt away, Grandma Doyle’s lilac bush would flourish in the most stunning way, bidding goodbye to the harsh winter. Beautiful, fragrant blossoms gave everyone hope that warmth and new beginnings were possible….
Reclaim the Kitchen
Now, more than ever, it’s time for us to Reclaim the Kitchen. When I was a kid, eating out was a special and very rare affair. We ate together as a family most nights, created the meal together and cleaned up after dinner together. My siblings and I were involved in sports and other activities,…
2015 Focus Words – Be Happy
Today I’m sharing my 2015 Focus Word(s) as well as how I plan on using this phrase to shape my year. Plus, I’m giving one lucky Dine & Dish reader the chance to win an Etsy gift certificate! Instead of making resolutions each year, I always choose a focus word. This word or phrase is…
Cookie Secrets
I’m sharing the secret behind a family favorite cookie recipe, and making traditions with the youngest members of the family. This is a Hallmark Life is a Special Occasion story. The holiday season, especially, seems to be prime time for sharing family recipes. Loved ones gather together, over food, and before the end of the…