A Lively Fancy

“Being a parent is the greatest responsibility you have right now.” My husband and I were in the grocery store on a three-way call with my parents and my sister a few years ago when Dad had cancer. She was pregnant and really wanted to drive the few hours to visit Dad, but Dad insisted she stay home and put her baby first. His whole life Dad had prioritized us and even as adults he showed us the…

“The Danish flag fell from heaven” – Copenhagen

One year ago Dad went to be with the Lord. Many people use that phrase to nicely say someone died. But when I say “Dad went to be with the Lord,” I mean it literally. He left this earth went to be with his Father and Jesus his Savior in heaven.Dad died on palm Sunday. His last hours on earth were spent praising God and worshipping. We played his favorite hymns all through the night.Three days…

Today we woke up to thankfully minimal storm impact. The storm passed in the night and we didn’t even get any rain during the day or flooding. We ate breakfast at a local brunch chain, Toast, which I belatedly realized is not just a reference to hot bread, but also mimosa toasting. I thought this mug at Toast was funny, but I just had coffee and an omelet. The biscuit was amazing! 😊 After, we…

A Quick Trip to Charleston, South Carolina

It’s kind of strange to be back blogging. A lot has happened since my last post, but I am finally on my first big trip since Covid! Most vacations I spend chock full of activities from viewing historical sites and museums to getting up at the crack of dawn to go on tours. This is pretty much how my family always traveled and to be honest I wouldn’t have it any other way. In my opinion why pay…

Christmas 2020 – Tidings of Joy Amidst the Darkness

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Luke 2:10 As we close out the dumpster fire that has been 2020, I can’t say that I’m sad to see this year go! On a macro level there’s been a lot going on. It’s been a challenging year for many of us from the coronavirus outbreak to social injustices to civil unrest to the…

Staying at Home for the Holidays - How to Make a Classic Christmas Cookie Board - #christmascookies #baking

What do you do when you can’t go to a Christmas cookie swap due to COVID-19? Make one batch of cookies like a normal personBuy several different kinds of cookies from the storeSpend all weekend baking six different cookies from scratch If you said it option 3, then you’re like me; you love baking and have way too much time on your hands while quarantining about home. (By the way, all of the…

#Halloween is looking a bit different this year...

A few years ago (or perhaps a lifetime ago) I made these chocolate monster cookies for Halloween from scratch…but 2020 + grad school call for a few short cuts and I am completely OK with that!

Something’s Got to Give

I was recently reading Meg Whitman’s book The Power of Many which was written in 2010 about her experience leading eBay. A quote that struck me was “She’s frumpy, but she…

Fortune's Cove - Sometimes the Unpopular Hikes are the Best Ones #hiking #fall #piedmont

“Turn around, I think we’re lost.”

“Wait!” I pointed at the wood sign, “Fortune’s Cove!”

We had driven along a gravel road past several wineries and a wedding venue to find this nature preserve, Fortune’s Cove in the Piedmont region.

I was looking for a short hike – one with beautiful views, but one that wouldn’t take the whole day to hike (being in grad school means homework on the…