Music is an integral part of our lives. I, alone, listened to 47,000 minutes of music on Spotify last year. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that there’s a touch of Christmas in our music room this holiday season. And I don’t mean from the holiday carols being played at the piano. Although, you can bet your holly jolly that’s happening regularly too. When I say there’s a “touch” of Christmas in our music room, that’s code for “I got carried away folding origami trees and they needed a place to go.” Do you know how many origami trees you can fold while watching a movie? Since this is…

Nothing says Christmas like pink and blue, right? Ha! It might not be traditional, but my pink and navy Christmas tree is certainly making our home feel festive this Christmas season. The best part, to me, is that other than the ribbon, every single ornament on the tree is handmade by yours truly. I’m the only elf in this workshop and I’ve been busy. I painted the mini wood trees. I cut the paper snowflakes. I folded the origami trees. Tis the season to be crafty! If it isn’t abundantly clear by now, let me lay it out very plainly. I really just like to make things – all different…

A forest of origami trees has sprung up on my Christmas mantel. Teach me how to fold paper into origami trees and I won’t stop until I run out of paper or my mantel is all decorated for Christmas. I’m not even exaggerating. What else does one do with an ever-growing collection of origami trees besides decorate a Christmas mantel? Was there any other choice? I suppose… I know this might sound far out there but hear me out. I suppose I could have learned how to fold something other than trees. Nah. That’s crazy talk! I’m content to be the one hit wonder of origami. While I may only…

Hello! This Thanksgiving week, as I reflect on the world around me, I realize I have so much to be grateful for. At a very basic level, all of my needs are truly met. I’m warm, safe, fed, and surrounded by the people dearest to me. Not everyone can say that right now and it reminds me to not take my present state for granted. I’m also thankful to every one of you. Your most precious resource is your time and the fact that you spend 2 minutes of your day here does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. I’m hoping I didn’t just make you reconsider how you spend your…

I have the best 2023 advent calendars for kids and adults to share with you. After all, the holidays should have a little magic for all of us, don’t you think? We are definitely a chocolate advent calendar family, but sometimes I add in an advent calendar that is not food related too. Oh, and I did just buy an advent calendar for the cat. Yes, the cat. I’ve become that person now. Here are some 2023 advent calendars that would go over BIG in our family and maybe yours too. Elf™ Advent Calendar  | Williams Sonoma Any Elf fans out there? This Elf advent calendar has maple syrup, chocolate,…

Is our house haunted? I am asked that question fairly often. Why do they ask? Is our house throwing off creepy vibes? Well, I don’t think our house is particularly creepy, except for the basement. And the attic. And that spot..oh, never mind. I think people ask the question because the oldest part of our house dates to the late 1700s. I couldn’t even begin to guess how many people have died in this home in the last 250 or so years, which could lead to some hauntings if you’re open to that sort of thing. Am I open to it? Heck, yeah! Not in a scary, horror film sort…

Hi! Happy 4th of July to my fellow Americans! The older I get, the more interested in history I have become. Learning seems to be a lot more enjoyable when you’re not being tested on it. Have you found this to be true as well? I feel very fortunate that so far in my life I’ve spent quite a bit of time perusing museums in the U.S. and Europe. I’ve visited many historical sites. I love history podcasts and, believe it or not, I read history books from time to time…for fun. 15-year-old me would be shocked! Perhaps like some of you, I grew up with a romanticized version in…