Getting diagnosed with stage 3 cancer in my 30s was never part of my plan. In a season of life where I was supposed to be building, growing, creating, and dreaming — everything suddenly shifted. But along this hard, unpredictable road, I’ve learned some things I never would have understood otherwise. Today I want to…
Back in 2009, if you were a brand trying to reach moms, there was one golden strategy: mommy blogger product reviews. During the rise of personal blogs between 2009 and 2017, thousands of stay-at-home moms, part-time working moms, and passionate lifestyle bloggers built huge followings by sharing honest, relatable content. Product reviews, sponsored posts, and…
When you’re going through something as physically and emotionally intense as cancer treatment, the smallest gestures can feel like lifelines. A warm smile, a thoughtful message, or in my case—seeds. Zinnias. Dahlias. Snapdragons, etc. More than I could count, all gifted by someone who barely knew me, but somehow knew exactly what I needed. That…
What It’s Like Living with Lymphoma — and Why Medical Research Gives Me Hope I never thought I’d be writing this. Like most people, I went about my life assuming that things like cancer happened to other people. Not me. Not now. But life has a way of shifting in the most unexpected ways. A…
Hand-Picked Essentials from Independent Makers The day I heard “Diffuse Large B Cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, Stage 3,” my world tilted on its axis. The shock, the fear, the endless questions – it was a whirlwind. But then came the practicalities, like preparing for my very first chemotherapy treatment. I remember feeling so lost, scrolling through…
I never imagined I’d be writing this post—especially not at 37. But here I am, doing something I feel compelled to do: share my story, not just for myself, but for my children, for those silently struggling, and for those who might one day find themselves in this terrifying unknown. How It Began: Panic, Pain,…
Car seats. Cribs. Strollers. These are not “extras” for parents. They are must-haves. In fact, in many cases, they are legally required to keep our children safe. We buy them not because we want to, but because we have to. Because keeping our kids protected is the most important thing we do. But right now,…
There’s something truly special about that first planting of the season, especially when it’s something as magical as dahlias. This week, I tucked my very first dahlia seedlings into the soil, and I couldn’t be more excited to see what unfolds in the months ahead. I picked up these little green beauties from a local…
There’s something so satisfying about making tortillas from scratch — the smell of toasty flour, the soft dough in your hands, and that first warm bite fresh off the skillet. This week, I decided to try making homemade tortillas with a very special sous-chef: my 9-year-old! We snapped some photos along the way, and I’m…
In the fertile embrace of the Puyallup Valley, where the majestic silhouette of Mount Rainier often graces the horizon, the vibrant colors of spring once spoke volumes about the enduring legacy of Van Lierop Bulb Farm. Founded in 1934 by Simon Van Lierop and his wife Beatrice, this farm became a beloved symbol of the…