that’s where I’ve been
By Mary 8 Comments

Been thinking about you. Hope everything is well. My friend texted me this week to check-in. I've been quiet off and on the internet. She noticed. I have a handful of similar messages on Instagram, I can see the preview of DMs asking if I'm okay, telling me I'm missed, hoping that I'm … [Read More...]

Gift Ideas: For the Porch Mom…
This gift guide is a direct result of peer pressure on Instagram. This wasn't on the original list; I only had five gift posts planned, but someone suggested this idea and a surprising number of people were like, "yes, please" so here we are. I do have one more gift guide coming tomorrow and then … [Read More...]

Gift Ideas: For the Camper…
This week I'm doing gift suggestion lists and, if you didn't know anything about me, these lists would tell you everything you need to know: inexpensive house stuff, books, gardening, and, now, camping. I think you'll like things on this list even if you don't enjoy nature or leaving your house; … [Read More...]

Gift Ideas: For the Gardener…
If you've spent any time on my blog or social media, you know I moved to the country about five years ago and accidentally became a gardener. I say "accidentally," because I specifically told my family that even though my grandparents were prolific gardeners, I would not be continuing the … [Read More...]

Gift Ideas: Books…
I love books. I believe there is no such things as too many books. I think everyone should own and read more books. I love giving books as gifts as a way to shame people into reading more. If you feel the same way, you probably already know what books to give people. But maybe you need more ideas? … [Read More...]

Gift Ideas: Under $50…
By Mary 2 Comments
The truth is I'm not a good gift giver. If you just tell me what you want, I will buy it for you! But observing you and knowing what you want? I'm so sorry, I'm gonna miss all the hints and clues. I really like straightforward conversations, please and thank you. One thing that helps me buy … [Read More...]

Honey Creek State Park, Iowa…
We went to Iowa over fall break. Let me go ahead and say, yes, it was a surprising choice, and I can see your face through the screen. It looks very similar to the faces of people I know in real life when I shared this plan. Anyway, we went to Iowa for a week, and I think you should do it too. … [Read More...]

Returning to the banks…
My children have grown up with their hands in water. They are children of streams and creeks and lakes. I have hundreds (thousands?) of pictures like these. My two girls crouched on rocks or sand or mud getting as close to the tempting water as possible. We will tell them to not get … [Read More...]

A story about sticks…
Chris and I have different opinions on sticks. Our house sits on a few acres in the country. Our trees were planted decades ago by my grandfather, as he turned the farmland he bought in 1970 into a home for his family of seven. We moved here in 2017, a few years after my grandfather died, a few … [Read More...]

Losing the light…
Labor Day weekend means the end of summer and, for a short six weeks, my husband and I can say we’re only a year apart in the age department. Until I turn 40 next month and become the cougar I’ve always dreamt of being. Just kidding. My dreams mostly involve books, good food, and very few … [Read More...]

Let’s Eat…
It's the middle of August and the gardens are overflowing. Finally, after months of watering, weeding, pruning, and whispering sweet nothings into their little plant ears, we have buckets of produce coming from the gardens. But what do we do with all of it? I love a cheeseburger and a salad as … [Read More...]