From sweet treats and Christmas lights to murder mysteries and Mary Berry’s recipes, our family navigated a calm, low-key Christmas season. How did you spend yours? What delicious recipes did you enjoy? How did you stay connected during the season? Not only to others but also to yourself? Grab your fave beverage, pull up a chair, and tell me all about it! In the words of my 11-year-old, “I’m just dazzled to know!” BAKING OUR WAY THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS: Usually baked goods are the ... continue reading...

Happy November, Spiriteds! What happened in your month? Did you get outside for fresh air? Did you remember to drink water throughout the day? I, for one, cut back on my coffee consumption. And mostly I like how much better I feel, in spite of the fact that I do love a good cuppa joe. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage, pull up a chair, and sit for a minute or two. There’s room for you here. WHAT WE’VE BEEN DRINKING: K-Hubs and I have been all over Vegan Golden Milk and Dairy-Free ... continue reading...

Ahh, October, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Seriously, all the months are my favorite months, but October holds a special place in my heart, my birthday notwithstanding. Even though I miss the longer, bright days of spring and summer, I do so love the changing colors, the crisp mornings, and the promise of holidays to come. We’ve settled into a routine that has served us well so far in the pandemic, doing what a lot of people are doing: going outside and soaking up nature, even ... continue reading...

This post contains links to our Spirited Learning store on Teachers Pay Teachers. Friends, I do not even know where to begin. The last Side Notes & Shenanigans I wrote was almost a year ago. I fully intended to write a fall-into-winter-into-New-Years post, and then the pandemic happened and everything went haywire. Admittedly, there are days or perhaps daily moments when things still feel haywire. Navigating a pandemic is hard. Navigating a pandemic during an election year is even ... continue reading...

Oooh, it’s cider + sweaters + puffy jackets + blanket scarves + colorful socks season! I cannot tell a lie. October was a blur. So all that cider? I barely drank any. Sweaters? Do sweater cardigans count? Blanket scarves? Bought one. Haven’t worn it yet. Sometimes you’re just needed elsewhere, and the cute socks have to wait. Family members were ill throughout the month, and our foursome prioritized that over pretty much everything else. Ooh, and because nothing says “good decision” like ... continue reading...