Tea With Honey

Some paths are quieter than others—but walking them together makes all the difference. Today reminded me of the quiet weight that comes with being the one others turn to. I spoke with both of my daughters—separately, at different points in the day. One needed advice, the kind only a mother can give when life feels uncertain. The other’s voice held something heavier, and when I asked, she let it spill: relationship strain, financial stress, the kind of ache that’s hard to name out loud. I listened. I offered what I could—words, perspective, a little steadiness. And later, I followed up. Not because I had to, but because I know how it feels to be left holding something alone. They each thanked me. They each made a move forward. And I felt that familiar flicker of peace—the kind that comes from knowing you were able to help. But beneath that peace, there’s a quieter ache. The kind that surfaces when you’re still navigating your own storm, and yet you find yourself pouring from a cup that’...

Because sweater weather deserves more than just pumpkin spice. As the leaves begin to rustle with change and the air shifts to that perfect blend of crisp and comforting, fall arrives with its gentle invitation: slow down, settle in, and savor the moment. For me, autumn isn’t just a season—it’s a soft-spoken friend who reminds me to nest, nurture, and sip my way through life’s transitions (with extra honey, of course). This year, between house renovations and preparing for a grandbaby, I’m embracing the season like never before. And just in case you need a nudge to add more cozy to your calendar, here’s my go-to list for a soulful, snuggly fall. 🕯️ Home & Hearth Delights Create a Cozy Tea Nook   Rearrange a corner with plush pillows, rustic mugs, and your favorite fall blends. This is your “permission to pause” station. Try a DIY Fall Wreath     Use dried florals, ribbon, or even leftover fabric scraps. Let it reflect the story your home is telling this season. ...

We thought we’d made it.   After the chaos, the heartbreak, the legal battles—we thought Dolgeville was our soft landing. Quiet streets. Trees that whispered peace. A house that felt like it had been waiting for us. But we didn’t even get that far into moving in.   We made it there. That’s all. Walking through the door was an immediate blow to the senses—animal urine, feces, and over twenty years of nicotine soaked into the walls, ceilings, floors. It was everywhere. In everything. Filthy furnishings still cluttered the house, untouched and reeking. We all piled into the living room to sleep, but who could sleep in that smell?   We felt sick. Overwhelmed.   There was no running water.   We had to use the toilet, spray it down with a hose, and plunge it just to force a flush. It wasn’t a sanctuary.   It was a health hazard.   And more than that—it was a heartbreak. We left.   And just like that, we were techn...

You don’t always recognize the turning point when you’re in it. Sometimes it looks like crumpled closing documents, tear-stained cheeks, or a house you loved becoming someone else’s. We spent years as “Mom and Dad.” Years anchored in the rhythms of raising kids—school drop-offs, bedtime stories, backyard birthdays. And slowly, beautifully, those chapters gave way to new ones: our oldest expecting her third child, our youngest engaged and planning a wedding, and our son, bold and ready, buying his first condo and launching a business of his own. Suddenly it was just Josh and Kim . Not who we were before the kids, but something gentler. Wiser. A little worn, but still full of hope. We contemplated selling our home—not out of whimsy, but necessity. We needed clarity. A place we could own outright. No mortgage. No weight we couldn’t carry. Just sanctuary. And it wasn’t easy. From confusing documents to inflated closing costs, we fought every step. We even almost bought a home in Maine—unti...

From swing disputes to teenage squabbles—sometimes you just need a grip on the situation.   They say siblings are built-in best friends. I say they're also built-in sparring partners. Whether it’s a tug-of-war over a cookie or an all-out emotional showdown over the TV remote, the sibling dynamic is as unpredictable as a toddler’s taste buds. In our house, I’ve learned that peace doesn’t come from perfect fairness—it comes from creative parenting. Exhibit A: the “hand-hold method.”  👐 The Method That Works Like Magic One day, in the middle of a loud, dramatic standoff between my kids about who touched the remote last (very serious business), I pulled out a wild card. I made them hold hands. Not just a quick grasp—I told them they couldn’t let go until they calmed down and talked it out themselves. There were groans. There were limp fingers. There may have been a few theatrical sighs. But somewhere between the awkward grip and reluctant giggles, something shifted. They tal...

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