Scenic sandstone cliffs rising above the Wisconsin River in the Upper Dells on a sunny summer day
Destinations, Great Lakes, Hiking, wisconsin

Great Lakes Loop Road Trip: Days 4โ€“5 โ€“ Exploring Wisconsin Dells and Mirror Lake State Park

Canyons, crowds, and concession stands... Wisconsin Dells reminded me that sometimes even the โ€œmust-seeโ€ spots are better seen once. Wisconsin Dells had all the makings of a highlight โ€” sculpted sandstone cliffs, winding river canyons, and the promise of adventure. But reality checked in fast. Two days of overpriced everything, endless crowds, and a campground… Continue reading Great Lakes Loop Road Trip: Days 4โ€“5 โ€“ Exploring Wisconsin Dells and Mirror Lake State Park

Hand holding a glass jar of dark homemade elderberry syrup near a window with plants in the background.
Clean Living, DIY, Lifestyle

How to Make Elderberry Syrup at Home for Natural Immune Support

Elderberry is a staple in this house, but as Iโ€™ve been on a quest to keep things as clean and homemade as possible, this year I decided to make my own. It turns out, elderberry syrup is super easy to make in your own kitchen. A handful of simple ingredients, a little time, and youโ€™ve… Continue reading How to Make Elderberry Syrup at Home for Natural Immune Support

Dessert display case at Milwaukee Public Market with chocolate mousse cakes and pastries.
Destinations, Great Lakes

Great Lakes Loop Roadtrip: Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan โ€“ Day 3 โ€“ Milwaukee, WIโ€™s Lakefront & Historic Third Ward

Day 3 brought us north into Milwaukee, and it didnโ€™t take long for us to realize this was our kind of city. The pace felt relaxed, the people were welcoming, and there was a balance of creativity and comfort that just clicked. Milwaukee reminded me a lot of Cleveland, which instantly made it feel like… Continue reading Great Lakes Loop Roadtrip: Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan โ€“ Day 3 โ€“ Milwaukee, WIโ€™s Lakefront & Historic Third Ward

Homemade powdered laundry soap in a green bowl with a scoop, made from Fels-Naptha, washing soda, borax, and baking soda.
Clean Living, DIY

Eco-Friendly Laundry Soap: Affordable and Customizable

Simple, affordable, and surprisingly effective One of my favorite ways to save money (and skip the wasteful plastic jugs) is by making my own laundry soap. It takes less than 3 minutes, uses just a handful of ingredients, and honestly, it works better than store-bought. Bonus, you can customize the scent so your clothes smell… Continue reading Eco-Friendly Laundry Soap: Affordable and Customizable

The Bean sculpture in Chicagoโ€™s Millennium Park reflecting the city skyline and a group of visitors gathered beneath it on a sunny day.
Destinations, Great Lakes, Hiking, illinois

Great Lakes Loop Roadtrip: Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan โ€“ Day 2: Chicago, IL Big City Icons & Butterbeer Dreams

A Big City Adventure Day 2 of our Great Lakes road trip was all about embracing the bustle. We landed in downtown Chicago early and crammed a lot into the day - iconic landmarks, a little fandom magic, overrated food, and topped it off with a perfect view of the lake a top the Navy… Continue reading Great Lakes Loop Roadtrip: Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan โ€“ Day 2: Chicago, IL Big City Icons & Butterbeer Dreams

Monarch butterfly with wings fully open, resting on green leaves in Cleveland, Ohio during fall migration.
Hiking

From Canada to Mexico: Monarch Migration Through Ohioโ€™s Lake Erie Shore

Every fall, one of the most magical migrations in the world sweeps quietly through Ohio: millions of monarch butterflies fluttering south on their 3,000-mile journey from Canada to the mountains of central Mexico. These tiny travelers weigh less than a single coffee bean, yet they cross a continent powered by instinct and the pull of… Continue reading From Canada to Mexico: Monarch Migration Through Ohioโ€™s Lake Erie Shore

Sandy trail flanked by dune grasses under a pastel orange and pink sunset sky.
Destinations, Great Lakes, Hiking, Indiana, National Parks

Great Lakes Loop Roadtrip: Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan โ€“ Day 1: Dunes, Wildflowers & an Epic Sunset

We kicked off our Great Lakes Loop with soft sand, sunset skies, and the perfect blend of peace and adventure. Indiana Dunes National Park gave us winding trails, wildflowers, and lake breezes that melted the stress of daily life right off. We ended the day with live music, ice cream, and a private view of the sun sinking into Lake Michigan. Not a bad start.

Hiking

๐Ÿ“… She is Wild and Free: Ohioโ€™s Seasonal Bucket List โ€“ Nature, Outdoor Adventure, and Events You Canโ€™t Miss

From wildflower blooms to lantern-lit walks, your month-by-month guide to Ohioโ€™s most magical moments outdoors. January๐Ÿฅพ First Day Hike โ€“ Any Ohio State Park (January 1)๐Ÿฅพ Grandma Gatewood Annual Winter Hike โ€“ Hocking Hills (Mid-January)๐Ÿฅพ Twin Sisters Frozen Waterfall Hike โ€“ Brecksville, OH (Mid-Januaryโ€“Mid-February)๐Ÿฅพ Tree Farm Trail Snow Hike โ€“ Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Januaryโ€“February)… Continue reading ๐Ÿ“… She is Wild and Free: Ohioโ€™s Seasonal Bucket List โ€“ Nature, Outdoor Adventure, and Events You Canโ€™t Miss

Large flock of purple martins swirling in the evening sky above Nimisila Reservoir, with reeds and water in the foreground.
August, Kayaking, Ohio, Wildlife

Purple Martins of Nimisila โ€“ Ohioโ€™s August Sky Ballet

If youโ€™ve never paddled under an August sky at Nimisila Reservoir while thousands of Purple Martins swirl above you, you are missing one of the most magical things our late summer skies have to offer. Forget Netflix โ€” this is the real evening show. By day, these little acrobats shimmer in the sunlight, scooping bugs… Continue reading Purple Martins of Nimisila โ€“ Ohioโ€™s August Sky Ballet