Welcome to a special combined edition of our “Out of the Kitchen” series, where we catch you up on all the memorable moments from March and April! We apologize for missing March’s update, but we’ve packed these past sixty days with an abundance of family joy, exciting culinary creations, meaningful personal growth, and delightful home projects. Get ready to dive into a comprehensive look at what’s been happening in our world, filled with stories, photos, and a peek into the everyday happenings that make life so rich.

Cherished Family Moments & Community Connections

The beginning of March brought immense joy as my wonderful mom and stepdad journeyed from Minnesota to visit us. Their presence filled our home with warmth and laughter, making for a truly special week. We delighted in showing them the charm of our town, exploring local boutiques, and discovering unique treasures together. Our evenings were spent immersed in friendly competition, playing a variety of engaging board games and card games, creating cherished memories and sharing laughter that echoed through the house. It was a fantastic opportunity to bond, create new memories, and send them back with thoughtfully chosen local goodies for my beloved nieces and nephews, extending the joy of their visit to our wider family.

Puzzles, Pies, and Playful Pet Antics

Our current shared passion, Ryan and I, has undeniably become the intricate world of jigsaw puzzles. It’s more than just a pastime; it’s our favorite way to unwind, challenge ourselves, and enjoy focused, quiet time together. We proudly showcased our fourth completed masterpiece in the photo above, a testament to our growing puzzle-solving prowess and the satisfaction of seeing hundreds of pieces come together. Speaking of masterpieces, March also brought the annual celebration of Pi Day! I couldn’t resist whipping up my renowned peanut butter cup pie for Ryan to share with his colleagues. A decadent blend of creamy peanut butter, rich chocolate, and a perfectly flaky crust, this pie is always a hit, spreading a little bit of sweet joy around the office on a fun mathematical holiday.

That week in the kitchen was a whirlwind of culinary creativity. I dedicated significant time to recipe testing various cookie formulations, experimenting with different flavors and textures to perfect new delightful treats for future sharing. Alongside this, I embarked on a mission to stock our freezer with a bounty of fluffy, homemade pancakes, ensuring quick and easy breakfast options for busy mornings. Beyond the kitchen, March took a more introspective turn with two weekend trips to Ann Arbor. Our primary purpose was to consult with a naturopath, seeking fresh perspectives and deeper understanding regarding some ongoing hormonal challenges. While we ultimately decided that particular specialist wasn’t the right fit for our journey, the trips were far from a loss. We thoroughly enjoyed exploring the vibrant campus of the University of Michigan, admiring its stunning architecture and lively atmosphere. Of course, no visit to Ann Arbor would be complete without a pilgrimage to Trader Joe’s, where we happily stocked up on an array of unique snacks and pantry staples, making the drive worthwhile.

Celebrating significant milestones is something we truly cherish. We curated and dispatched a truly delightful retirement and birthday box to Ryan’s amazing mom, a heartfelt tribute to her remarkable achievements and a joyful marking of her special day. The box was filled with carefully selected items designed to bring her comfort, joy, and a touch of well-deserved pampering. And then there’s Salsa, our beloved companion, who continues to be a constant source of amusement and affection. One memorable evening, just before settling down for the night, Salsa demonstrated his endearing vanity by gracefully lying down directly in front of the mirror. It was as if he was admiring his own handsome reflection, a true testament to his charming and often comical personality that always brings a smile to our faces.

Gourmet Grilling and Baking Bliss

My kitchen continued its flurry of activity as I delved into an extensive muffin recipe testing phase. It felt like every surface was covered in delightful muffin creations, each batch bringing me closer to perfection and ready for future sharing on the blog. I’ve already had the pleasure of sharing two of the standout recipes from this period: the wonderfully moist strawberry banana muffins and the classic, yet always satisfying, lemon poppy seed muffins. These baking endeavors keep our home filled with inviting aromas and fresh treats. Meanwhile, Ryan, ever the grill master, treated us to some exquisitely prepared steaks. While I don’t personally share his intense love for steak, he thoughtfully grilled up some juicy hot dogs for me, ensuring everyone enjoyed a delicious and customized meal straight from the grill, perfectly suited to our individual tastes.

Home Transformations & Creative Projects

As the weather gradually warmed, signaling the undeniable arrival of spring, we embarked on our annual garage clean-out mission. The garage, a notorious ‘catch-all’ space, had accumulated its fair share of miscellaneous items, forgotten treasures, and general clutter over the past year. It’s always a daunting task, requiring a full weekend of sorting, discarding, and organizing, but the satisfaction of decluttering and transforming this often-overlooked area is immense. Beginning the spring season with a clean, organized garage feels incredibly refreshing and sets a positive tone for the months ahead, making it easier to find tools, embark on new projects, and simply enjoy our functional outdoor spaces.

Our guest bedroom has been undergoing a delightful transformation, and Ryan and I have been thoroughly enjoying the process of decorating it and bringing our vision to life. We’re both thrilled with how beautifully it’s coming together, creating a welcoming and stylish retreat for any future visitors. One particular DIY project that brought a touch of nature indoors was turning a simple tree with a small base, sourced affordably from Hobby Lobby, into a stunning statement piece. By carefully propping it inside an elegant basket and artfully covering the top with faux moss, we achieved an effortlessly chic and charming look that adds personality to the room. It’s an easy hack that makes a big impact on a budget! On a lighter, slightly more amusing note, Ryan and I went for a run together one day and couldn’t help but laugh at our unintentionally coordinated outfits. We were so ‘matchy,’ it was a bit embarrassing but undeniably cute, adding a chuckle to our exercise routine and proving great minds (and wardrobes) sometimes think alike.

Spiritual Growth and Health & Wellness Journey

March also marked the beginning of a deeply enriching spiritual practice for me: bible verse mapping. This methodical approach has proven incredibly helpful in deepening my understanding and connection with scripture, moving beyond surface-level reading. The core of verse mapping involves meticulously writing down a chosen scripture in several different translations, allowing for varied insights into the text. Next, I delve into the original Hebrew or Greek texts to explore the meanings of key words and recurring themes across these translations. Documenting the definitions of these original words, alongside historical context and cross-references, has truly unlocked a more profound and nuanced comprehension of the Bible, making the scriptures come alive in a new, transformative way. In a moment of unexpected delight, Pinterest sent me the most beautiful bouquet of flowers as a gift! When the delivery driver arrived, my immediate thought was, “Awww, my husband is so sweet!” only to read the card and realize they weren’t from him after all! It was a funny, heartwarming moment, even if it wasn’t a romantic gesture from Ryan, a reminder of pleasant surprises life holds.

As April arrived, we fully embraced the joyous spirit of Easter by dyeing eggs with our wonderful besties, Steph and Neil. It was a colorful and fun-filled afternoon, a cherished annual tradition that always brings out our inner child. Ryan, it seems, has a particular affinity for the color blue, as four out of his six beautifully dyed eggs were various shades of the hue, standing out vibrantly among the other colors! Shortly after, I had the privilege of helping decorate for a women’s luncheon at our church. The theme, ‘Fill Up My Cup Lord,’ inspired a charming and thoughtful decor scheme. We adorned tables with elegant coffee cups overflowing with aromatic coffee beans, rustic wood slices, and fresh, vibrant flowers, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Each lady attending was also able to take home a sweet little bag of chocolate-covered coffee beans, playfully packaged with the message, ‘Thanks for bean here!’ – a memorable and delightful takeaway that perfectly tied into our theme.

Unfortunately, April also brought an unwelcome guest: the flu. I’m still puzzled how Ryan managed to catch it again, almost exactly a year after his last bout, which he then, of course, shared with me. This year, however, I was determined to take every preventative measure possible to avoid succumbing to it myself. I meticulously implemented a regimen of natural remedies, from boosting my vitamin intake with high-quality supplements to using essential oils for respiratory support and gargling frequently with salt water. While I did experience a persistent and unpleasant sore throat for three days, my proactive approach thankfully prevented any other debilitating symptoms from developing. Once we were both on the mend and confident we were no longer contagious, we opted for a cozy weekend quarantine at home, dedicating our time to yet another engaging jigsaw puzzle. During this recovery period, my turmeric smoothie became a daily essential. Packed with powerful anti-inflammatory ingredients like fresh turmeric, ginger, and a blend of fruits, these vibrant, golden concoctions were instrumental in helping me feel better and regain my energy and strength quickly.

Fun Experiments and Special Celebrations

A common kitchen myth I decided to test recently claimed that wearing sunglasses while chopping onions could prevent the dreaded tears. Armed with my most stylish shades, I bravely tackled a pile of onions, ready to debunk or confirm this age-old hack. I can now definitively state: that is utterly false. Very, very false. The attempt was comical, but the tears still flowed just as freely! On a much sweeter note, my youngest nephew, Jonas, celebrated his third birthday, and his sole request was for blue cookies. Naturally, I was delighted to fulfill this special birthday wish, baking and mailing him a batch of vibrant blue sugar cookies, hoping they brought a big smile to his adorable face on his big day and were the perfect treat for his celebration.

One of my favorite creative endeavors in April was crafting a stunning balloon garland for my dear friend Steph’s baby shower. This was my very first attempt at such a project, and I was absolutely thrilled with the outcome! The cascade of balloons, especially once the lush greenery was intricately woven in, looked incredibly beautiful and added a truly festive and whimsical touch to the celebration. The entire process, from planning the color scheme to inflating and assembling, was so enjoyable and rewarding that I can definitely envision many more balloon garlands in my creative future, perhaps for future parties, events, and special occasions, bringing joy and a unique decorative flair.

My Favorite Letter Board Wisdom

Here are some of the letter board posts I shared on my Instagram this month, offering a glimpse into my thoughts and humor!

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Explore More of Our Journey

Catch up on all our previous life updates and culinary adventures by visiting our Out of the Kitchen posts. There’s always something new and delicious happening!