Planting Little Surprises for Spring

This afternoon felt like the right time to get our tulip bulbs into the ground. The weather was perfect for November. I thought this would be a quick little garden task, but wow, I seriously underestimated how much work it would take to dig out a whole row. Isaac wanted to help, so we grabbed the shovel, a trowel, and about 200 bulbs, and headed outside.

After we dug the trench, we laid out the bulbs so we could see the spacing. I love how they look against the mulch and dirt. Little hints of color before they ever bloom.

We planted a mix of tulips, hyacinths, and alliums this year. I’m excited to see how all these different bulbs look together in the spring.

Planting bulbs always feels like an act of hope. You do the work in the fall and wait months to see what shows up. And this year it was a lot of work. I was so thankful to have Isaac helping me. He helped dig, placed the bulbs gently, and checked that each one was pointing up. Planting together feels like another way we’re settling into our new home. We’re putting things in the ground without knowing exactly what will bloom or how it will all look in spring. It just feels like a small step toward the future.

Now we wait, and hope, and look forward to see what grows!

Smallish Adventure- A Sky Full of Wonder

I was sitting at my computer working when my phone started blowing up with neighborhood texts “Go outside!”

So I did.

And there it was.
The Northern Lights(!!), glowing right above our quiet Chicagoland neighborhood.

Tonight as I walked through the neighborhood, looking for the best view under a pink and green sky that quietly glowed above the rooftops, I was able to take a few photos with my phone. How amazing!

It felt like the world was gently reminding me: you don’t always have to go far to find wonder. Sometimes, the adventure finds you.

Welcome to the First Sip Club: A Morning Ritual for Quiet Minds

It’s 6:15 am and I’m sitting out on the front porch of our new house, listening to the sounds of the neighborhood waking up, holding my hot cup of freshly brewed coffee. There’s something sacred about that first sip. Before emails, before the morning chaos, before my son’s crazy energy launches the day into full speed—I sit, I sip, and I breathe.

I call it the First Sip Club. There’s no membership card, no secret handshake. Just a quiet space, a warm cup, and a few moments that belong to me.

This isn’t about maximum productivity or perfect morning routines. It’s about claiming a small piece of the day to ground myself—to feel the warmth of the mug in my hands, the weight of the pen on the page, the stillness before the world (or my son!) asks anything of me.

How to Start Your Own First Sip Club

1. Pick Your Sip
   Whether it’s coffee, tea, lemon water, or even a smoothie, pick something that feels warm, nourishing, or simply enjoyable.

2. Claim a Spot
   Find a corner, a chair, a window with morning light—any place that feels like yours. No clutter and, most importantly, no chores staring back at you.

3. Set a Timer if Needed
   Give yourself 5-10 minutes. Long enough to slow down, but short enough to feel doable even on busy days.

4. Silence the Noise
   No phones, no scrolling. Maybe some soft music or the sound of the world waking up outside. This is about presence, not distraction. (I struggle with this one.)

5. Add a Companion Habit (Optional)
   A journal, a sketchbook, or simply staring out the window—pair your sip with a quiet activity that connects you to yourself.

6. No Expectations
   This isn’t a productivity hack. Some mornings you’ll feel peaceful, others restless—that’s okay. The point is that you showed up for yourself.

Welcome to the First Sip Club. There’s no wrong way to show up—just a sip, a seat, and yourself. Try it for 5 days and let me know how it went, and how you feel afterwards. Is this something you enjoyed? Will you keep going? Was it hard for you to show up and just sit for a few minutes? Let me know in the comments below!

smallish adventure- orchid show at Chicago Botanic Garden

February is almost over, and man, it's been another doozy of a winter month. The weather folks are reporting that this could be the coldest February on record. And winter isn't over yet... I don't know about you, but around this time of year, I get the itch to see green + growing things.  The Chicago Botanic Garden is having it's second Orchid Show which is the perfect shot of spring/green that I needed!

These are just a few of my favorite shots. I hope to finish editing the rest of them soon (and maybe add a slideshow/gallery?) If you are in the Chicagoland area and have a chance to go, please, do! It'll be just the right amount of green + growing things to help combat the winter blues!