Bonjour! After slogging through the pandemic and pregnancy, I was ready for a new creative outlet. I happened to find an online art journaling workshop hosted by the campus wellbeing services center at the university where I work. Today's post introduces art journaling and its benefits for self expression and mental health and wellness. My… Continue reading What Is Art Journaling?
Bonjour! Well, dear reader, it finally happened! After three years of pandemic-era lockdown, L'Husband and I took our first trip. We rented a house and spent two whole nights in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, just a pleasant three-and-a-half hour trip north by car from our home in central Illinois. This post shares some tips for traveling… Continue reading Road Trip with Baby – Tips for Sanity
Bonjour! It's good to be back at Joyful Living! After an intentional pause from writing to focus on health and home, I’m ready to get back to the keyboard. Thank you, dear reader, for joining me and supporting my blog. A dachshund on a sunny spring morning It's about Damn Time It's been a long,… Continue reading Back from Hiatus and Ready for Summer
Bonjour! Last year, during the throes of another COVID winter and pregnancy, L'Husband and I celebrated Valentine's Day at home with romantic homemade mini pizzas followed by chocolate fondue for dessert. Today's post shares some photos of our meal and ideas for your very own fête à la pizza. We all know chocolate is traditional… Continue reading Romantic Pizza for Valentine’s Day
Think for yourself, or others will think for you without thinking of you.” – Henry David Thoreau Bonjour! Let me preface this post by saying that when I entered the wet and wild world of parenting, I knew nothing about children and child-rearing. Scratch that: I knew less than nothing. The learning curve was steep,… Continue reading Why Do We Make Parenting So Complicated?
Bonjour! Thank you for being a part of Joyful Living this year! I started 2022 with some bold plans and a commitment to posting once per week - which I mostly did. I also revisited and revised my Joyful Living Mission Statement to reflect my personal values of authenticity, sustainability, and joy. As we say… Continue reading 2022 Blog Year in Review
Bonjour! It’s officially autumn. The leaves changing colors. I got out my thick socks from Vermont, my cuddly blanket from Germany, and my hot chocolate mug. (What, you don’t have a dedicated hot chocolate mug? Mais pourquoi?) Sliding into Winter This time of year always has me hankering to decorate, bake, make chili, and wrap… Continue reading Come at Me, Winter: It’s Hygge Time
Bonjour! October is Depression Awareness Month. While I typically focus on food, fun, and family on Joyful Living, I also like to write about self-care and wellness. As I’ve learned over the years dealing with my own anxiety, and especially after pregnancy and giving birth, caring for mental health is just as important and diet… Continue reading Postpartum Depression and My Cry for Help
Bonjour! October is Depression Awareness Month, so amid posts on recipes for Halloween candy bark and Halloween decorations, I would like to share my experience with the baby blues and postpartum anxiety. As I’ve learned over the years trying to deal with my own anxiety issues, and especially after pregnancy and giving birth, caring for… Continue reading Baby Blues: I’m Not Sad, I’m Tired
Bonjour! Today’s post reshares my recipe for Halloween candy bark, originally published in fall 2020. Enjoy! Halloween candy bark As summer slides into fall, leaves change color, and Halloween approaches, I start to anticipate all the fun planning, decorating, baking, and gift wrapping I get to do in the coming months. Not only is Halloween… Continue reading Halloween Candy Bark (Repost)
Joyful Living with Katie Kritikos 