Life

Coming back to this series has been a great exercise. It’s given me the space to reflect on this year and to get back into writing. Thanks for being here.

DAY 22: A place you feel at home

My husband’s family owns some property with a cabin. For the longest time, I didn’t quite know what to do with myself when I went there. I felt like a guest and like I couldn’t just rummage around in the cupboards for a treat or wander around on my own. Those were all my own limitations (my husband was very open it about this place being shared from the very beginning).

Over the years, though, I’ve really embraced this as a second home. Reading on the back deck is one of my greatest joys. Lighting a new candle at night feels special. Inviting friends to join us for a fire is such a treat. I’m so lucky to share this place, and to have a family that welcomed me there from the very start.

Day 28: Love given or received

Holding my son for the very first time was the most intense and instant feeling of love. I’m so grateful that he’s here.

Day 24: Art that inspires you

I want to give a major thanks and shout out to Bobbie of Forage Art House. She photographed our son twice this year, and her work is stunning. She took the most wonderful photos of our little ham and all his expressions. Looking at some of the photos, I thought to myself I’ve never looked this happy before. Her work captured exactly how I feel as a mom. Thank you, Bobbie.

Day 25: A film you enjoy watching

Somewhere on the internet, someone pitched the idea that you can tell a lot about a person by their favorite Kirsten Dunst movie. Instantly, I felt that. Whoever that was, thank you for that framing!

For me, I waffle between Marie Antoinette and Drop Dead Gorgeous. Dick is also a favorite, but I think Michelle Williams really owns that one.

Day 26: The best kind of weather

I love the chill of a fall morning or even a snowy day that keeps me inside.

But every time I walk outside on a cool morning in late summer, I’m filled with joy. That sweatshirt-in-the-morning, shorts-in-the-afternoon weather makes me think of all my Augusts in northern Wisconsin and time spent with my family.

Day 27: Your favorite food to eat

It’s got to be frozen custard in a cake cone. That’s it. That’s the answer. Thankful to live in Wisconsin, the (I assume) frozen custard capital of the world.

Day 28: Wisdom that resonates

Over and over, I keep coming back to done is better than perfect. This maxim grounds me so often, especially when I devise lofty plans for everything from cleaning schedules to birthday decorations to holiday to-do lists. Not everything needs the be the most immaculate or unique. It can be good.

These words have helped me as a creative person, as a friend, as a mom.

DAy 29: A goal you’re working on

Since this is a busy season, I feel like I can’t commit to any major goals (or think critically about them). But right now, I’d like to make a few holiday crafts. That’s it. They bring me outsized joy, and they do a lot for my well-being. Maybe in a few weeks I’ll be sharing a Christmas quilt or some handmade ornaments.

Day 30: Reasons you love yourself

I love myself because I have not been broken. The past few years have been extremely challenging: I lost my mother-in-law, our two cats, my mom, and my great-aunt. I also gave birth to a little boy who is the greatest joy of my life!

If you had asked me a decade ago, I would have thought all of those events (the latter three all took place in 2024) would have destroyed me. They did not. I’m grateful for my resilience and strength.

Thanks for keeping up with this series this month! Share what you’re grateful for below!

Welcome back to 30 Days of Thanks! It’s almost Thanksgiving, and I’m not fully ready (but still excited).

Day 15: Your favorite memories

In a week, our son will be one! Naturally, I’m reflecting a lot on the day he was born. Holding him for the very first time is the most tender and wonderful memory I’ll have. I’m so, so grateful for this little boy.

Day 16: A book that made you think

I read The Secret History of Home Economics three years ago, and I think about it regularly. I have an extended rant in my review of the book, but know this: Home economics was likely one of the most practical classes in high school curricula, and now it’s fading fast. It’s the area of study that taught people how to – I hate this term – adult, and we all needed it.

Day 17: What you love about nature

While I have a lot of indoor cat hobbies, I feel very much at home outside. I think that has a lot to do with growing up camping and in Girl Scouts. I’m grateful to my parents for instilling this appreciation for nature in me as a child. I’m also thankful to my husband for committing to thoughtful stewardship and care of the natural world, especially in the spaces we’re lucky enough to own.

What I love most about nature right now is sharing it with my son. He loves being outside. He loves everything from a walk in the park to playing in the leaves to sitting out at the campsite. Seeing the world through his eyes is a joy and something I’m so thankful for.

Day 18: Tasks that bring you joy

My husband and I agree: Baby chores are the best chores. He loves washing baby clothes. I love putting them away. I love running baby errands. He loves washing baby dishes. Parenthood has unlocked a lot of joy for both of us, even in the seemingly mundane.

Day 19: Lessons you’ve learned

This year I learned how much the ordinary can be wonderful. I’ve learned how simple things, like a morning walk to McDonald’s with my son or a solo trip to Costco, can fill the metaphorical cup. Not everything needs to be Pinterest-perfect; I knew this already, but now I also feel it.

Day 20: Where you find beauty

We have an extremely small yard. It’s not glamorous, it’s not fully landscaped, the lawn is full of weeds and bumps. But as I sat in the back yard this fall with my son, I thought it really is beautiful out here. It’s small, but I’m grateful to have a small patch of ground that we call ours.

Day 21: What makes you laugh

We listen to a lot of Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend in this house. We had on the Chris Fleming episode recently and realized we had never seen any of GAYLE. So we’ve taken to watching an episode or two on occasion, and it gets me every time. Thankful to still be able to tap into the glory days of YouTube and discover something that keeps us laughing.

I’ll be keeping up with this series all November long. Share what you’re thankful for below! I’ll be back on November 30 with this month’s last installment.

Back at it! This has been a really fun exercise. I’ve taken a pretty long break from writing, and I’m glad to be back.

Day 8: Activities you have fun doing

I cannot overstate the joy that sewing brings me. I’ve tackled just a few projects this year, but each has totally filled my metaphorical cup. This summer, I made my son’s baptism outfit. I haven’t made a garment since the first few months of the pandemic, and sewing that little romper reminded me of the joy and challenges of the process. I’ve also worked on a few decorations for my son’s birthday party, and I am absolutely giddy at getting to stay home one day soon and make more. I’m grateful that I can find a few pockets of time here and there to sew (and I hope I can make more time in the future).

Day 9: Friends you’re lucky to have

I’m so grateful to my friends, and I’m lucky to have each of them in my life. Sometimes I feel like I’ve been swallowed a bit by motherhood — not in a negative way, but in a way that sometimes prevents me from prioritizing these relationships. I regret that, but I also am so grateful that I have those friends to return to when I come up for air.

Day 10: Animals that make you smile

First, I have to shout out our two cats Ember and Merlin. They are so fun, so sweet and only occasionally nightmarish. 

But outside of these two, I’m grateful for all the creatures that wander through our yard, despite living in the city. This includes deer, foxes, an opossum and, most recently, six turkeys.

Day 11: A time when you were fearless

I have a lot of feelings about giving birth. I had a really good experience overall. At the same time, I felt like I didn’t fully absorb the process and wish I would have done a few things differently. Labor and birth and all that goes with it is incredibly overwhelming, and I felt like I benefited a bit from that tunnel vision to work through it all.This being said, I felt like I went into the hospital and delivered my son with as little fear as I could muster. I had worry, but not fear. He was born perfect. I’m forever grateful for that.

Day 12: What (or who) uplifts you

When I was fairly far into labor, one of the nurses said to me that when things change in labor, it often can be a good thing or at least a sign the situation is progressing. I remember her saying something like, “No matter what, we’re going to tell you you’re doing a good job. You puked? Good job! You feel like you need to change positions? Good job! You need a sip of water? Good job!” I found that little speech to be really uplifting. I’m grateful to her and the other nurses who cared for me in the hospital. They are so compassionate and encouraging. I regret that I only remember one of their names, but Chanah, know I’ll always be so grateful to you and all your help.

Day 13: An act of true kindness

Early this year, my friend Gina came by to meet my son. I am so grateful to her for many reasons (including the crash course on babies she gave me last fall). During this visit, she snapped pictures of me and my newborn. “No one ever gets pictures of moms,” she said. It’s kind of true. That gesture was so thoughtful and kind. It’s one of the many, many kind things people have done for me this past year, but it’s one I’ll remember.

Day 14: What you’re proud of

On a professional level, I’m really proud of my resilience this year, and, for the first time in a while, I’m excited about the work I’m doing. I’m grateful to my new manager for understanding my strengths and giving me opportunities to shine.

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.

I’m pretty behind here, but I didn’t want to skip out on this tradition (though I never completed last year’s; I had a baby that last week of November!). As ever, I’m following @positivelypresent’s #gratitude30 prompts. The prompts are a bit different this year, and that’s fun for me!

DAY 1: Your favorite story

I’m taking this prompt as my favorite story from the past year. This year, I’ve slowed a bit on reading, but have found a few good reads along the way. I think my favorite in 2025 has been The Sentence by Louise Erdrich, one of my favorite authors of all time. Erdrich creates such endearing and dynamic characters, and she also manages to create slightly mystical worlds that feel so tangible. The Sentence is set 2019-2020, and it touches a lot on the early days of the pandemic and the events following the death of George Floyd. She reaches back to this not so distant history with a lot of care and manages to shed new light on it.

DAY 2: Clothing you love to wear

I packed a brand new pair of pajamas when I went to the hospital to have my son. They were nothing special — just a $30 set from Target. But putting them on after laboring and giving birth and recovering felt like real luxury. I still like to wear them on the coziest days.

DAY 3: Emotions you feel frequently

Seeing my son grow, I feel so much joy and awe. Seeing him roll over for the first time was something I gasped over. Now he’s on the verge of walking, and it’s really something that fills me with a lot of wonder and gratitude.

DAY 4: A color you enjoy seeing

I saw a woman at the mall the other day in a stunning emerald skirt, and I had to stop her. It was so loud an unexpected! I feel like there’s a lot of very neutral dressing happening right now, so seeing a bright pop brings me joy. For the record: I was in an oversized college sweatshirt and a navy hat with “Camembert” stitched on it. Fashion!

DAY 5: What you find comforting

There’s something I find supremely comforting about being in our home, snuggled up in bed or on the couch and watching the snow. We had an early snow this fall, and watching it come down made me feel so much ease.

DAY 6: The best season of the year

I love the transition of fall. I love spending the early weeks outside at farmers markets, orchards, and fairs, and as it gets later, I like to embrace staying in to bake something homey or just to relax on the couch with something that feels like fall. For me, that’s Twin Peaks, various ghost shows, and every Thanksgiving episode of Bob’s Burgers. 

DAY 7: Songs you love to listen to

During my maternity leave, I made a playlist of all the songs I liked to listen to with our son. That list captures a very particular moment in time. Our first months together, lots of bonding, lots of snuggles. I listen to those songs when I need a little comfort or want to reminisce about that time. I’m grateful to my past self for putting it together.

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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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.