Peanuty-sweet, just enough spicy, crock-pot simple family dinner! Hi Friends!! It's been way too long since I've shared a recipe post. I've have a bunch of them on my mind to share, and fall inspires me to get back to them! This time of the year I get extra excited about cooking anything that is warm and hearty, but also healthy. I love root veggies, pumpkin-everything, and today-- sweet and spicy! The recipe I am sharing here is a great fall crock-pot meal, but I actually
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End of Summer Coffee Date + Giveaway! 2022
A summer photo-dump coffee date and an Anthropology Giveaway!! Heyyy Friends! It's that time of the year again...time to catch up on the last few months of life over a cup of something yummy. I'm just hanging out here, hoping you'll pull up a chair and join me... 😉 I'm at least starting this post from a sweet little spot at the Honolulu Coffee Co. at Ala Moana Mall in Honolulu. I took a rare afternoon downtown to do some returns (and ok, hit the sale rack at Anthropology!)
3 Reasons Your Child Might be Treating You Disrespectfully (and How to Respond.)
How to respond when your child treats you disrespectfully I receive some version of this email or message often... Dear Monica... My son is so rude to me... My daughter is disrespectful... My kids don't listen... My teenager hardly talks to me... Please help. If any of these complaints resonate with you, then you're not alone. It's a terrible feeling to be disrespected by the kids you love and -- let's face it -- lay your life down for, every single day. And it's
Swanson Family Homeschool Updates, Fall 2022
Heyyyyy Friends. Remember me? I used to write blog posts. A lot of them. And oh how I miss it. If I didn't need to do certain other things (like sleep) I would absolutely be blogging every day. I actually have so many blog post ideas (it's like a habit after soooo many years of blogging regularly!) I have recipe ideas, and parenting posts...I have random silly things (my favorite perhaps?) and spiritual encouragement... But alas. I've begun writing
Spring coffee Date, 2022 – with Giveaway. ❤️
Hi Friends! Wow, we have some catching up to do! Do you want to join me for a cup of coffee? Ok let's do this! First: Happy Spring! Isn't it fun to say that? Does it feel like spring where you live? Or does winter linger on...? I thought I'd start with some family updates, since we are in a big season of transition. Beginning with...TWO GRADUATIONS!! My firstborn is about to graduate from college! 😲 What the what...? Truly though, I
What Your Kids Need Most this Easter Weekend.
You may have read some of my blog posts on the topic of What your Kids Need Most (see the original, and one for elementary and middle school ages.) Well, after my son learned a most difficult lesson in a golf tournament last weekend, I saw how the experience pointed us to the heart of Easter, and what we all really need most. I thought I would share the story with you here, with hopes that it might inspire some good conversations with your own children this weekend. (I'm
My 2022 New Year, Blogiversary Post! Looking back and Looking Ahead!! 🥰
Hey Friends! I have always loved sharing a New Year's post here...For the past 11 years (!!) it's been a fun way for me to reflect on God's goodness over the past year and talk about some of the things I hope to share with you in the year ahead. Also...since I began blogging on January 1st 2011, it's extra special to celebrate this site's BLOGIVERSARY here! Some of you have been with me from nearly the very start, and that...well, that just blows my mind! While less people
Holiday Coffee Date 🎄 {with a Gift-away 🎁}
Photo updates, links + last-minute gift suggestions, and a gift-away for YOU this Christmas season! Hey Friends! There could not be a more special time to meet up for coffee than during the holidays! Crank up your favorite Christmas music and let's share something warm and caffeinated. ❤️ ☕️ 🎄 (Thor and I have The Chosen Christmas Special Playlist on Spotify going on here...) I love love love this time of the year, so I'm smiling even as I imagine catching
