Gratitude

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In less than a week it’s Thanksgiving. What a month! One thing I’m grateful for that’s not on this list is that I get to spend the holiday with my family this year (provided our baby doesn’t make an appearance!) and that I get to get a break from all of the work. Don’t get me wrong, I love making Thanksgiving treats, but right now I think I love sitting on a comfy couch even more!

Day 16: Food

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After I left Taste of Home, there were still bits of me left behind, including my mom’s paczki recipe that was featured in the February/March 2024 issue.

My mom was really proud to see her recipe in the magazine, and I’m glad she was able to appreciate it. We celebrated by making a batch to share with the family for Fat Tuesday.

Day 17: Seasons

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I’m grateful that the timing of my pregnancy aligns a bit with the seasons. I spent spring and summer watching this life grow in incredible ways. Now, in fall, I’m starting to wind down. I’m moving slow, doing less, and preparing to settle in for the winter.

(Above is a photo looking out at Lake Michigan from my doctor’s very nice waiting room. When I first started to visit, the trees were full of new leaves and flowers. Now, it’s deep into fall – and deep into the third trimester.)

Day 18: Adventure

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Despite only living about an hour away, I’d never spent much time in Lake Geneva. This year, I visited twice! I spent a weekend with my family back in February, and then Michael and I had a short babymoon there this summer.

It was fun to explore somewhere new in very different seasons.

Day 19: Love

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After her mom dies, Fleabag turns to her friend and says, “I don’t know what to do with it… with all the love I have for her. I don’t know where to put it now.”

I felt like that for a while after losing my mom and my great-aunt. But as time goes on, I realize that all that love is still there and it isn’t going anywhere. I’ll love my mom (and aunt!) for the rest of my life.

Day 20: Books

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I hit my goal of reading 40 books this year with over a month left! I’ve read more duds than usual this year, but I’ve discovered a few new reads that I cannot stop recommending, like Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks and anything by Grady Hendrix.

Also, I’m grateful for finding a new reading buddy at my workplace. It’s always good to have someone to get recs from!

Day 21: Hobby

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While I might have slowed down on crafting this year, I’m thankful I always have a needle and thread to come back to.

Day 22: Memories

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About this time last year, I finished up a major quilt project: a memory quilt for a family friend. This friend dropped off a heap of Christmas sweaters with my mom, but my mom wasn’t ever up to the task. I was, though!

This project of preserving memories in a practical and festive way was really soothing for me. I found a lot of meaning in the project (and I love how it turned out).

Now, I’m finding meaning in making memory-based items using my mom’s old fabrics and clothes. My dad has already been the recipient of a pillow made of her favorite shirts. Certainly there will be more on the way!

I’ll be keeping up with this series for another week. Share what you’re thankful for below, and stay tuned for more!

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I’m a little slow on the updates this year but know that I am still counting my blessings.

Day 9: Friendship

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This year has been wildly challenging. I am so grateful to all of my friends for supporting me during all the twists and turns that 2024 threw my way.

I can’t express the immense gratitude I feel for friends who reached out after my mom died or showed up for her funeral. I feel the same way now for the friends who have been helping me out as we prepare to welcome our baby.

Even though I may not be on top of my text game or able to drag myself out of the house, I appreciate all the kindness and grace my friends show me.

Day 10: Nature

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Even though we live in Milwaukee, I feel like our home is very outdoorsy. I’m grateful that our neighborhood gives us glimpses into nature thanks to some overly friendly deer and foxes (not the turkeys, though. I’m also thankful for the rare days we get snow like this. I feel like our house is at its most homey.

Day 11: Health

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This is what advanced maternal age looks like! Despite being in that category, I’ve been very fortunate with my pregnancy so far. It hasn’t been without some hiccups, but I’m thankful to have a really great healthcare team and family to support me.

Day 12: Work

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Preparing to welcome a baby is a lot of work! I am extremely grateful to Michael, my dad and my father-in-law for getting the baby’s room ready. Painting, installing lights and unpacking all the heavy stuff is no small feat. I’m grateful to them for making sure it all happened in time for our baby’s arrival.

I also know that taking care of me and readying the rest of our home, yard and garage for this baby is a lot of work. Michael put in so much effort, and I’m so thankful (and happy that we’re more ready than ever!).

Day 13: Kindness

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I’ve been on the receiving end of a lot of kindness this year, and assure you that even if I wasn’t in the headspace to fully express my gratitude, all your efforts were not unnoticed.

To the friends who wrote my mom touching birthday cards earlier this year, thank you. To colleagues who delivered dinners after my mom died, thank you. To family who brought us baby gifts (even before our shower!), thank you. To the strangers who have made room for me in public to sit down, to skip the line, to take up more space, thank you. To my newest sister-in-law, sisters and aunts who put together a spooktacular party to celebrate the baby brewing, THANK YOU.

Day 14: Change

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2024 has changed my family and me irrevocably. Over the course of a few months, I lost my mom, my great-aunt, and our cat. These are losses that have changed me forever.

And at the same time, this year is full of positive change. Despite mourning, I’ve also been able to embrace the absolute joy (and anxiety and hope!) that comes with expecting a child.

I am not grateful for the losses this year wrought, but I am grateful for the positive changes that help temper them.

Day 15: Music

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Michael and I have seen the Decemberists every time they’ve come to town since we first met. In May, we saw them again.

This was our first big outing after my mom died, and it was nearly a spiritual experience for me. I felt joy for the first time in weeks, I felt optimistic, I felt hopeful. It was probably the first evening I had where I didn’t feel completely burdened by grief.

I’m grateful to have this memory, and to add it to the list of great experiences we’ve had at these shows. Almost every concert we’ve seen of theirs has preempted some wonderful change, like starting to date or getting married. We can also add expecting a baby to that list!

I’ll be keeping up with this series all November long. Share what you’re thankful for below, and stay tuned for new editions every Friday.

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I’ll admit it: This week doesn’t make me want to jump up and down with gratitude. Life feels unbearably heavy, and the dread I feel thinking about the political landscape over the next four years is insurmountable. I know that feeling is shared by (and is so much more pronounced for) others. Know that I feel the difficulty of this moment and those to come acutely.

That all being said, I know there is still a lot of good to be cherished in the world (Tammy Baldwin will still be representing Wisconsin in the senate!). To help me put one foot in front of the next in terms of gratitude, I’m going to continue a November tradition of mine: the @positivelypresent Gratitude Challenge.

Since 2018, I’ve dedicated space on this blog to reflect on the year with this gratitude series. As hard as this moment is, I don’t want to stop now. I know there are still wonders to behold and moments to be grateful for. So let’s start.

Day 1: Comfort

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In hard times, in busy times, in times when you need some rest, take your comforts where you can get them. Lately, those comforts have been very literal (like finding a pair of very cushy Allbirds shoes at Nordstrom Rack), but sometimes those comforts are nice routines like picking up a mint mocha and taking a minute to read. I try not to let these small treats to myself go unnoticed.

Day 2: Animals

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Each year I am thankful for our pets. I still am! But this year, I want to extend my feelings to Daisy, my mom’s cat. After my mom passed away, there was a lot of discussion about what would happen with Daisy. My dad wasn’t up to keeping her, but we all wanted her to have a good home.

I’m very grateful to my aunt who took Daisy in. I’m so glad that Daisy is still part of our family, and that I get to see her whenever I visit (even if she never wants to sit by me).

Day 3: Time

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A thousand years wouldn’t be long enough to spend with the people you love, but I’m grateful for every minute I spent with those I love best this year (especially my mom).

Also a major thanks to my friend Brianna of Alternative Bride Photography. She gave a major gift of her time to make lovely photos like the one above happen.

Day 4: Routine

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I have off every Friday with my current job. It allowed me to create a routine, for a while at least, of visiting my parents every Friday.

Until my mom died, I spent Friday afternoons playing cribbage with them. While this routine didn’t last as long as I hoped, I’m really grateful that I got this time to enjoy with both of them.

Day 5: Hope

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This year has been so so hard. But expecting a baby is giving me a lot of hope for what is to come.

Day 6: Weather

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This summer, I had one mission: to float on a raft in an outdoor pool with a good book. That was it!

To make this happen (and to get some much-needed time away from work), Michael and I went on a short trip to Lake Geneva. While it was a pretty rainy trip overall, I’m so grateful the weather held out enough for me to check a good float off my list. I’m also very grateful for taking the trip in general. It was a really good way to spend some time together.

Day 7: Creativity

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After my mom passed, I really struggled with creativity. Without my mom around, who was I going to make things for? Who would I talk crafts with? Who would look at what I made with such kind eyes?

But having a baby on the way has re-energized that part of me. After the tiresome work of the first trimester, I felt really excited to tackle all kind of baby sewing projects, like burp cloths, a receiving blanket, and a small patchwork quilt.

Making will never be the same without my mom here, but she definitely still inspires me. I’m grateful that her spirit is never far!

Day 8: Growth

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I’ve found a certain amount of calm in surrendering to the physical changes of pregnancy. So much of the process is beyond my control, including the size of my belly and how much rest I need. I’m grateful that during this stage of life, I can just sit back and be grateful for what on its way.

I’ll be keeping up with this series all November long. Stay tuned, and please share what you’re grateful for in the comments.

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Welcome to the last installment of 2023’s gratitude series. Following these prompts is immensely helpful to me, and I hope you’ve taken some time to look back on your year with fondness as well.

Day 25: Comfort

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I’m wonderfully lucky to have a spouse who values creature comforts and cozy times as much as I do.

Each Sunday, Michael and I make coffee and enjoy an episode of SNL or Bob’s Burgers or something equally as silly along with the cats. This is one ritual that we’ve kept up for years. It’s a small one, but one that’s incredibly comfy and one I’m grateful for.

Day 26: Fun

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While Michael and I planned a lot of our trip to Ireland—including touring the Cliffs of Moher, kayaking Dalkey Bay and seeing some James Joyce hot spots—we left plenty of space for wandering and taking in the sights as we saw fit.

On an open-ended evening in Dublin, we checked out The Brazen Head. At the pub, we made friends with a few folks from Germany, Norway and Ireland. That night, we all laughed, danced and saw a part of Dublin that was off the beaten path (though what is pictured above is on a very well-beaten path). It was tremendously fun, and a part of our trip I’ll never forget.

Day 27: Dreams

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This year, we made a lot of our dreams come true. Michael and I managed not only to travel to Ireland (a dream years in the making) but also remodel part of our home. I landed a new job too!

All these dreams took time—and much more time than I ever anticipated. I think this waiting was definitely a lesson for me. But no matter the timeframe, I’m so happy and grateful so many dreams came true in 2023.

Day 28: Happiness

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I have so many moments of happiness to be grateful for this year, but this photo seems to encapsulate a feeling of unexpected joy.

This was taken in Nashville at the Gallery of Iconic Guitars. I visited back in February as part of a press trip. Now, I’m not a guitarist by any stretch of the imagination (yes, even though I got an A in my guitar course in college 1,000 years ago), but it was so much fun to play around a bit. This trip was full of so many unexpectedly wonderful moments like visiting the Grand Ole Opry, eating at Chauhan Ale and Masala House and catching live music, well, pretty much everywhere.

Day 29: Family

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I am so grateful for my nearest and dearest. They make life fun and interesting and rich and warm.

I get an extra dose of this each summer when my mom, sisters, aunts and I visit northern Wisconsin. We spend the week gossiping, playing games, eating great food and floating in the pool. It truly doesn’t get better.

Day 30: Growth

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I spent so much of this year thinking about work. I can’t stand that it occupied so much of my mental space, but here’s a little background on why that was:

As the year dawned, I felt excited to take on more work on Taste of Home’s print edition. When spring came, there were major shifts that eliminated so many parts of my job that I loved. I spent the summer searching for new careers in publishing.

But when fall arrived, I realized that my heart didn’t lie in the publishing or food spaces anymore. Recognizing that shift within myself was really significant for me.

So even though I will miss many aspects of my old job, I’ve grown beyond it and hope to grow even more in my new role (more later!). Even though the journey was challenging, I’m grateful for where it took me.

Thanks for keeping up with this series. I appreciate you for reading!

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It’s Thanksgiving week. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday full of good food and a bit of relaxing.

Day 18: Rest

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I’m so thankful that I get to take a bit of time between jobs.

While I’m planning to tackle some tasks around the house (like deep cleaning pre-Christmas and painting our bedroom), I’m also planning to unwind with some Great British Bake Off and Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK. I’m thankful that I’m able to take a little rest before rolling into the holiday and a new job.

Day 19: Laughter

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One of my favorite parts of working for Taste of Home was writing print headlines. Typically the more niche ones never made it out of brainstorming meetings—with the exception of this one.

This one from the October/November 2023 issue is the peak of my headline writing career—even better than “The Way We Stir” for a mixer review. I’m thankful to Rachel and Annamarie for humoring me so often (and for letting this one go to print).

Day 20: Seasons

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I’m doing my best right now to appreciate all seasons of life. Some seasons are for growth or change or worry or joy. “To everything, there is a season,” as they say.

And this photo is Michael’s pumpkin from Halloween. We had snow, and it was delightful!

Day 21: Color

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We ditched our green carpet earlier this year. I had a lot of feelings about it.

In the end, though, ridding ourselves of some very old, very green carpet did very little in terms of draining color from our home. I think our home is as colorful as always—maybe more so! We have a lovely orange rug now, more art than ever and a fresh green bathroom. I love that our home is so vibrant.

Day 22: Technology

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This year, I’ve been craving being online less. I’ve realized that the internet doesn’t have as much to offer me. Instead, I’ve been trying to focus on more analog activities, like stitching, quilting and reading. It’s been good for me.

So let’s just say I’m thankful for technology, but just as grateful to be drawing some healthy boundaries for myself with it.

Day 23: Home

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2023 was a big year for our home! This year we finally got to remodeling our bathroom and stairwell (and by we I mean 95% hired professionals and 5% Michael and myself).

It is a major change and it has totally improved our life here. Our bathroom is stunning and functional. Our steps are no longer a death trap. In fact, they’re now a beautiful focal point when you walk in the door.

Thank you to Pekel Construction & Remodeling and the team of talented craftspeople who made this all happen. And a special shoutout to Jerry from Jerry’s Tile who who did phenomenal work and got the job done right and to Jen from Colorwheel Painting who took such care with our home.

Day 24: Inspiration

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This July, Michael and I visited Ireland, and it was better than I ever thought possible. This trip hit on all the marks for me: nature, city, relaxation, adventure and learning. It also was incredibly inspiring. I came home from Ireland with plenty of creative energy and inspiration.

This trip took some time to tackle (we were originally planning on summer 2020), but it was absolutely worth the wait. I’m so thankful we were finally able to go and that our time there has provided us both with inspiration galore.

I’ll be keeping up with this series for the rest of the month. Stay tuned and please join in if you’re so inclined!

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It’s been a big week here! Today is my last day at Taste of Home and tomorrow I’m gearing up to sell holiday hoops at the Walker’s Point Makers Market and Bar Hop. I have a lot of wonderful things going on, including these things I’m thankful for.

Day 11: Memories

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My great-aunt’s religious order is selling their motherhouse and convent and much of what’s inside. My family and I saw this as an opportunity not only to visit with my charming aunt, but to visit the convent for perhaps the final time.

While this space belongs to the Sinsinawa Dominicans, I have plenty of lovely memories here. As a child, I got to visit the orchards and farm on the grounds. When I was a bit older, we all celebrated my aunt at her 50th jubilee. Later, we’d come to visit my aunt and take tours of the old chapel and the stunning 60s-era church. Michael and I even got married at the Mound back in 2017.

I treasure all of these memories, and I’m so glad I got to enjoy this space while I could. I’m also thankful that I was able to take home a few small pieces of the place (I purchased some art and a small holy water font at their estate sale). I know it held so much meaning for the nuns who lived, worked and prayed there. They have been nothing but gracious in its transition. I hope to embody a bit of that spirit in my own way.

Day 12: Beauty

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On top of a fantastic vacation in Ireland this year, I also got to visit France! This trip was sponsored by Fromage from Europe, and it was really delightful. Besides tasting an absurd number of cheeses, the folks who put the trip together coordinated a visit to Chateau de Chenonceu.

While I loved seeing the castles in Ireland, this chateau definitely had all those fairy-tale vibes. Seeing the facade as I walked up the driveway felt downright magical.

Press trips of all kinds, but especially this one, are a huge privilege and one I’m so thankful I got to take advantage of during my time at Taste of Home.

Day 13: Kindness

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I am grateful for so many acts of kindness this year. Small and large gestures of kindness and thoughtfulness filled this year with ease and light.

One small act of kindness that I think of fondly, though, is when a man saw Michael and me taking photos of Dublin Castle through scaffolding and construction. He was kind enough to show us a better view and took lots of photos for us (including many on kooky angles like this one). He also shared plenty of jokes, stories about Irish history and where to get a good order of fish and chips. Gerald, you’re a gem, and thank you for giving us such a warm welcome to Dublin!

Day 14: Love

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There is nothing better than being loved by (and loving) my mom.

Day 15: Emotions

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When we packed up to leave our home during renovations, I turned all sorts of mopey. But when I checked in on the progress just a few days in, I was totally overcome in the best way.

The work all the craftspeople did was astounding. I teared up the first time I walked down our new stairs (shortly after I took the photo above). Seeing this work filled me with joy and appreciation, and I’m so thankful for the folks who had the skills to make this happen.

Day 16: Music

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One of the best parts of visiting Ireland was the music. Everywhere you turned, you’d hear someone playing guitar in the street or hear an Irish trad band from a nearby pub. It made so much of the trip feel magical.

I think one of my favorite moments of our whole trip was walking the streets of Galway our first evening and hearing a trio of girls playing “Dreams” by the Cranberries, one of my favorite songs of all time. It’s a memory I’ll treasure for ages to come.

Day 17: Animals

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Each year with this prompt, I mention my wonderful cats. These two are what truly make our house feel like a home. I am so thankful for Mukki and Ember—even when they’re being naughty.

I’ll be keeping up with this series all November long. Stay tuned!

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It’s been a beautiful and very exciting start to the month. Let’s dive in and see what I’m grateful for this week (and always).

Day 4: Work

I will be honest: For the bulk of the year, work troubled me. Despite being passionate about writing, baking and food, I just didn’t feel like Taste of Home was a good fit for me anymore.

However, I have recently accepted a new opportunity, and I couldn’t be more thrilled! I’m so excited about what this change will bring.

Day 5: Quotes

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I love Baba Yaga. I’ve been a fan of this folktale figure since I was a kid, and my adoration has only grown with time. In my home, you’ll find a few pieces of Baba Yaga art and a copy of Ask Baba Yaga, a collection of advice columns from the eponymous series on the Hairpin.

Over the years, one letter has stuck with me: “What Is Missing?” In a strange way, this specific column has helped guide me over the years. I think of it often.

Dear Baba Yaga,

I feel like I’m forever missing something inside myself. With people, without people, wonderful job, jobless. I always feel like there’s a gaping hole. What is missing?

BABA YAGA:

By rooting in the hole you make the hole wider; you scrape , its walls you open fresh soil — the earth of it smells blacker & blacker, you see the hole & the hole only, you live within it always; if you find yrself eating fruits in the good forest you remember the hole & go to look if it is still there dropping yr fruit-meat all the whiles. & if you think think think only of the hole it will become the great work & mystery of yr life, & you will die in the hole as you lived in it.

—Ask Baba Yaga

Day 6: Time

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Over time, working in the food space has robbed some of the joy I used to get being in the kitchen.

However, as I begin to untether myself from that career, I’m finding I want to be back in the kitchen for fun again. I’ve been flooded with recipe ideas, and I can’t wait to spend more time bringing them to life.

Day 7: Creativity

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I’m still working the world’s lowest-stakes side hustle: Kaminski Handicraft. And I’ve been finding new ways to love embroidery all the time. You’ll see below I’ve started combining watercolors and stitching (I love it!).

But I like to work on other smaller crafts and creative projects. These ugly sweater ornaments were my favorite craft from last year. These were so much fun to make and to share with my family on Christmas. I’ve got another holiday idea up my sleeve for 2023 and I’m dying to start. I’m glad that even though I’ve been working with a needle and thread for 25+ years, it still holds just as much appeal.

Day 8: Health

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I’ll put this simply: I hope that my family remains in good (or as good as possible!) health. I am so thankful for the doctors who help with this, especially for my mom.

Day 9: Friendship

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Last month, Michael and I hosted Stocktoberfest at our home—the first party we’ve held in at least three years. It felt so incredible to have a home full of friends.

A huge shout-out goes to my friend Amanda and her husband for making a serious trek to come see us. Seeing them walk through the door was a total surprise and filled me with so much joy.

Day 10: Books

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If you’ve been around here for a while, you may have noticed that this blog has turned into a list of book reviews more than anything. Since 2020, I’ve made more and more time to read (or listen to audiobooks). I find reading a few pages before bed or listening to a book while I sew relaxes me tremendously.

I’m so grateful for Libro.fm (as always: not sponsored, just a fan), for making listening to audiobooks and supporting small booksellers so easy. And I’m so happy to support the Milwaukee Public Library System! Where would I be without their Libby app and their top-notch Instagram account?

I’ll be keeping up with this series all November long. Stay tuned and please join in if you’re so inclined!