Last year, K-Hubs and the girls talked me into doing a staycation. And I say “talked me into” because last year, I didn’t really want to do one. The thing is, as a WAHM, every day feels a little like a staycation. Where are we going today? Do we have enough snacks? Did everyone actually go to the bathroom before getting into the car? All fair questions that are part of the daily routine, no matter what day of the week it is. So I had no interest in doing more of the same old, same old for ... continue reading...

Twinkle turned 6, y’all. And I don’t even know how that happened because I’m pretty sure we brought her home from the hospital just yesterday. But, apparently, time flies while you’re having fun, and here we are. For her birthday, Twinkle said she wanted to “be with the butterflies.” And normally, that might be a tall request that’s hard to accommodate in a literal sense. But it turns out we’re not far from Reiman Gardens in Ames, Iowa. And wouldn’t you know it, they have a butterfly garden ... continue reading...

Friends, where have we even been this whole time? Honestly, right where we’ve always been. Smack dab in the middle of right here. Yet, this portion of the blog has been quiet for a handful of months. So, we’ll just combine everything into one nice round-up of shenanigans and whatever else we’ve managed to get ourselves into.  How does that sound? First, it started with the polar vortex, which kept us inside for what seemed like EVER, and for which I never complained even once. And by ... continue reading...

Long time, no side notes! Yet here we are in all our spring glory. But don’t worry, like many a previous Side Notes, I have a snow picture for you in this edition. Phew! Glad that’s taken care of.  Where are you these days? Out planting new bulbs? Dusting off the lawnmower? Walking the block to get your 10,000 steps in for the day? We are all over the place and kind of loving it. K-Hubs and I snuck in a few date nights and took exactly zero pictures, which I totally get. Because ... continue reading...

Welcome to the January edition of Side Notes & Shenanigans, where I’ll take you behind-the-scenes of the blog and show you the latest culinary crazes in our kitchen, pictures of the 2019 Polar Vortex, and our attempt to KonMari the house (on a bit of a whim, no less).  So grab some tea or coffee, pull up a chair, and let’s chitter-chatter away! WHAT WE’RE EATING: If you find yourself wondering what food bloggers really eat when they aren’t photographing food, then wonder no ... continue reading...