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.
Tag: homeschool
🍂 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.
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,…
Coyotes in Texas: What They Eat, Where They Live, and How to Coexist
Not long ago, during a gathering at Babulya’s house to celebrate cousin Stella’s birthday, our family was unexpectedly serenaded by the untamed voices of the Texas plains coyotes. As dusk settled over the grass and trees, a chorus of howls echoed across the land. It was not a frightening sound, but rather something deeply stirring—a…
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…
How to Survive (and Maybe Even Enjoy) Life With 2 Under 2
If you’ve ever thought, “How hard could two under two really be?” I have news for you: you either already have them and are currently reading this while stress-eating a granola bar in the bathroom, or you’re still pregnant with your second and blissfully unaware of the storm that’s coming.
Moonprint Academy 