Joyful Living

Embracing Sustainability

Bonjour! Welcome to the third installment of my ruminations on my personal mission statement, where I explore the meaning of sustainability. Today's post shares tips for embracing sustainability. I recently shared my approach to embracing authenticity and embracing joy. A late-summer visit to an Illinois sunflower farm 🍃 What Is Sustainable Living? Sustainability focuses on… Continue reading Embracing Sustainability

Joyful Living

Embracing Joy

Bonjour! As I wrote recently, I've spent some time lately pondering my personal mission statement and the meaning of joy. I much prefer life when it feels natural, not forced; when it feels serendipitous, not overengineered. Today's post shares tips for embracing joy in everyday life. I recently shared my approach to embracing authenticity and… Continue reading Embracing Joy

Family

My Pregnancy Portrait

Bonjour! Being pregnant was weird and amazing. Mostly, I was in awe of the magic + science taking place inside my body that creates another actual tiny human person. But I also was - am am still - amazed whenever I read any of the current Big Maternity propaganda online about what pregnant people should… Continue reading My Pregnancy Portrait

Joyful Living

Embracing Authenticity

Bonjour! I've spent some time lately pondering my personal mission statement and the meaning of authenticity. I much prefer life when it feels natural, not forced; when it feels serendipitous, not overengineered. Embracing authenticity helps me remember to follow my heart, march to the beat of my own drummer, and any other number of appropriate… Continue reading Embracing Authenticity

Joyful Living

Joyful Living Has a New Look!

Bonjour! Dear reader, I am excited to share my blog's new name and look with you. After months of pondering and weeks of tinkering (why is the internet so hard? le sigh), I finally landed on a new design and esthétique for Joyful Living. I've wanted to update my blog for a long time and… Continue reading Joyful Living Has a New Look!

Family, Travel

Road Trip with Baby – Packing List

Just a sampling of the baby toys and gear for our two-day road trip to Wisconsin! Bonjour! As I wrote recently, L'Husband and I finally took our first family trip with Le Bébé. We rented a house and spent two whole nights in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Find my tips and gentle suggestions for traveling with… Continue reading Road Trip with Baby – Packing List

Joyful Living

My Favorite Music Streaming Channels

Bonjour! I love music. Mes Parents got me hooked on music from a tender age, whether it was jamming to oldies and classic rock with my mother in the car on the way to school or playing Guess the Classical Composer with my father after dinner (I’d get an M&M for each correct answer!). Photo… Continue reading My Favorite Music Streaming Channels

Joyful Living

What Is Art Journaling?

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?

Family, Travel

Road Trip with Baby – Tips for Sanity

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

Joyful Living

Back from Hiatus and Ready for Summer

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