Sneak Peek at our upcoming Love Where You Are Challenge!

 Love Where You Are Challenge! Coming February 1st!

February can be a month of love and “shoulds,” mismatched expectations, guilt, and begrudged gifts.

But it doesn’t have to be. 

Instead of buying into “artificially chocolate flavored” and corn-syrup laden gestures, I’m hosting a

Love Where You Are Challenge.

15 Mantras and Mindset Tips for Encouraging Healthy Change

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We all know things we could be doing to be happier, healthier, and more financially savvy. Whether it's turning off the computer, going for a walk, going to bed a little earlier, or eating more vegetables, there are things we all know about doing, perhaps even tell ourselves that we should do them, and then...

“All know the way; few actually walk it.” -Bodhidharma

Announcing Penny Bun Press!

Many of you have already peeked behind the curtain at the magic I've been working on since October.  While there have been a lot of bumps in the road, I'm excited to announce: 

Notes from the Atelier - 1/12/2021

   at·el·ier

/ˌadlˈyā/

1: an artist's or designer's studio or workroom

With the close of the semester and finishing my Bookstudies Capstone Project, 

I assumed I'd take a break. 

Nope. 

From XL to XS - I broke up with eating things that aren't good for me.

I have a secret to share with you all. I didn’t mean it to be a secret, but when you don’t actually see anybody in your life for nine months, sometimes things just don’t get out. 

First I have a little story to tell...

Word of the year: Devotion

While I've read about people who've advocated for picking a "word of the year" for many years, I never felt drawn to pick on for myself.  People would rave about how it helped them to focus their priorities, align their inner compass, and to help them get back up when they fell. 

My life is in constant flux and has been for as long as I can remember - regular moves my entire life (seven states), grand and small adventures, starting a family, my husband's undergrad, grad-school, and military career, and now my own degree. As each of these major changes arises, I reorient, reassess, and move forward.

However, for a couple of weeks, I've been hearing a whisper of inspiration to claim a word for the coming year. While much good has come from this past year, I long for more clarity, direction, and fulfillment. I've been feeling inklings of inspiration for about a week and then last night felt clear that I would choose a word of the year. It is: 

(click through for calligraphy of one of my favorite poems and more!) 

Book Studies Capstone Project for Fall 2020 - Smith College Ada Comstock Scholar

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I am proud to say that I have completed my Book Studies Concentration Capstone project. I was the happy recipient of the Rosenthall Fellowship for Book Studies Capstone projects and am so grateful for all the support I received from my advisor, Barry Moser. 

Make Ahead Cranberry-Orange Relish and Maple Walnut Pie

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Tomorrow is Thanksgiving here in the US. Many of us will be spending Thanksgiving away from our loved ones. My wish is that each of us is still able to spend time focusing on how much we can be grateful for - we are all surrounded by reasons to be thankful, to hold on to hope, and to know that life has many joys in store.