How to Grow Sugar Pie Pumpkins in Texas

A few years back, I grew two little pumpkins that changed everything about how I look at fall. They weren’t just any pumpkins — they were Sugar Pie Pumpkins, the small, sweet kind that bakers love for their creamy texture and rich flavor. I planted them in our raised hugelkultur beds here in Texas, and five months later, I was turning those homegrown pumpkins into the best Brown Sugar Brandy Pumpkin Pie my family had ever tasted.

🍂 10 Cozy Kitchen Essentials for Fall Baking Season

The mornings have finally turned misty again — that gentle, sleepy fog that curls around the house like a shawl. Out back, our pecan trees are shedding their golden leaves one by one, and the air smells faintly of cinnamon, woodsmoke, and something sweet baking in the oven.Inside, the kitchen hums softly — a pot of tea steaming by the window, a pie crust cooling, and two little boys in their pajamas standing on stools, faces dusted in flour.

DIY Crescent Moon Phase Macramé Dreamcatchers

Some projects begin as simple crafts, and others grow into something much more — a story, a keepsake, a legacy. This crescent moon phase macramé dreamcatcher wall hanging began as an idea for my firstborn son Neil’s nursery, before he was even born. I wanted something meaningful, not just store-bought décor, but a piece that would hold layers of love, intention, and memory.

10 Adorable Family Halloween Costumes You Can Get on Amazon 🎃

Halloween isn’t just about candy — it’s about stepping into a story together as a family. The crisp air, the glow of jack-o’-lanterns, and your kids giggling as they knock on doors become even more magical when everyone is dressed in a themed costume.

Kusudama ~ Folding Art of Paper Blossoms

“The beauty of origami will make you feel like a kid again. To fold the paper is to enjoy life.” — Akira Yoshizawa There’s something profoundly simple and joyful about turning a flat piece of paper into something round, floral, and full of life. Kusudama folding, one of the oldest forms of Japanese paper craft,…

Hearty One Pot Picadillo Ranchero

Some recipes feel like they were made for sharing, and Picadillo Ranchero is one of them. It’s the kind of dish that doesn’t just fill stomachs—it fills hearts. This Mexican-inspired classic is hearty, comforting, and surprisingly simple to make.

Lamb Rose Dumplings

Some meals leave your belly satisfied, others leave your heart full. This one did both. On March 8th—International Women’s Day—I was surprised with one of the most creative, thoughtful, and downright delicious gifts I’ve ever received: lamb rose dumplings. Dedulya and the boys worked side by side in the kitchen, carefully folding wonton wrappers into…

All Natural Lemon Chiffon Cake

When we were planning our daughter’s baby shower, I knew I wanted something extra special for the dessert table. The theme was “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” and I thought, what better way to celebrate than with a star-shaped cake glowing with sunshine-yellow lemon flavor?

How to Make a Sculpture with White Clay

There’s something majestic about a statue, and something beautiful about capturing a moment in time with your hands—especially when it involves your children. Photographs are wonderful, but creating a sculpture brings an entirely new dimension to preserving their personality and smallness at a certain age. Recently, I set out to make a statue of my son Neil, who was three at the time.

A Magical Birthday in the Forbidden Forest

When I was nine years old, my world shifted forever. My parents gave me a copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and I devoured it in a single weekend, sprawled on my bedroom floor with a flashlight long after bedtime. Those pages weren’t just a story—they were a portal. Suddenly, my childhood imagination…