Planning a family getaway to Erie, Pennsylvania this summer? Add these 5 kid-friendly attractions & experiences to your must-do list while you are in the area... This post was created in partnership with Visit Erie. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own. This is our second summer (and sadly our last) living in Erie, Pennsylvania, and summertime is when this area most comes alive. The lake glows a bluish-green. The beaches at Presque Isle State Park open for swimming. All the rooftop bars and restaurants on the bay re-open. And every week ..read more

 Platterful takes the guesswork out of creating the perfect charcuterie board, thus saving you so much time and effort. From the artisan meats to the unique cheeses to the accompaniments, their charcuterie kits are thoughtfully paired and curated. This post was created in partnership with Platterful. As always, all opinions & thoughts expressed below are 100% my own. Over the past few years or so, putting together tasty and somewhat epic charcuterie boards has kind of been my thing. Whether to provide a little light snacking before a holiday dinner or for family ..read more

Chockfull of rainbow sprinkles, this dense and fudgy Chocolate Funfetti Sheet Cake is topped with the most airy & light chocolate whipped frosting. A little slice of happiness on a plate! I have been contemplating the meaning of happiness lately- the complexities of it, the things that enhance our own personal happiness and the things that seem to hinder or take away from it, and the various ways that we sometimes seem to get in the way of our own happiness. I mean, when do we know that we are truly happy?  When we stop reaching for the next big thing? The better thing? W ..read more

 This time-saving Easy Chicken Ramen Salad uses pre-cooked chicken, canned mandarin oranges, & crunchy ramen noodles to make a tasty, family-pleasing dinner salad in under 20 minutes... One thing that I do love and can rarely pass up is a good salad with crunch. There is just something about a good crunch factor that takes a hearty salad to the next level for me. Give me a a salad with crisp kale or cabbage and some crunchy nuts over a delicate salad with spring greens and soft fruit any day of the week.  It's not that I can't enjoy a softer salad as the s ..read more

 These perfectly chewy and soft Oatmeal Raisin & Dried Berries Cookies are packed with sweet golden raisins, dried mixed berries, and crunchy walnuts... Add a cold glass of milk, and you are set! This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them helps support this website. I will be the first to admit that, in general, I am not a big fan of raisins in my baked goods. I also get kind of salty when a trail mix includes regular raisins, and then they happen to make up at least half of the actual mix.  The one exception to my "no raisins in baked goods" r ..read more

This one pot Parmesan & Veggie Quinoa Skillet combines fresh veggies with Parmesan cheese & hearty quinoa. This vegetarian-friendly recipe is the perfect dish to whip up when you are craving a little healthy comfort food...   As many of you know, I donated a kidney to my fiance in October of 2021. If you follow me on Instagram, then you may also know that we have had our struggles and setbacks since our surgeries a little over 1 year and 3 months ago.  While his kidney function and numbers are better than they have been in over 15 years, the reality of life post-tra ..read more

 A classic summertime cocktail gets a delicious autumn makeover with the addition of apple cider in these crisp and refreshing Apple Cider Mojitos... This post may contain affiliate links. Purchasing through them helps support this website. Okay. I know, I know.... Mojitos are cocktails that are usually associated with summertime, and backyard BBQ's, and beach vacations. Not with fall time or apple season. But hear me out, you all.... It works. The white rum with your favorite apple cider and a little fresh mint and lime really works. Even I was surprised by how delicious thi ..read more

 Crunchy pepitas & dried cranberries lend a little crunch and tart sweetness to this moist (and healthy-ish!) Pumpkin Banana Bread... My most favorite time of the year has finally arrived here in Erie, Pennsylvania- fall!  I have to admit that when we first decided to move here a couple of months ago, I had a few reservations about living here. Yes- my fiance, my daughter, and I would be hours from our hometowns and families. And we would have to adjust from life in our small hometown to living close to a bigger city (which actually wasn't all that difficult to do ..read more

 This light and healthy Mahi Mahi with Pineapple Salsa is the perfect quick and easy summer dinner idea! You can have this on the dinner table in just 20 minutes, folks... So, life has been a little on the crazy side for me lately. In case some of you all haven't picked up on the little hints I have left here and there on my social media lately, my daughter, fiance, and I are moving to Erie, Pennsylvania in just a couple of weeks.  Colin has already been in Erie since the end of June starting his new career opportunity, but he has unfortunately been living out of a h ..read more

This Spicy Almond Cold Soba Noodle Salad is full of flavor and amazing textures- crunchy almonds, cucumbers, and red bell peppers, soft and slippery noodles, all tossed with a spicy almond butter sriracha dressing... This is a sponsored post by Babbleboxx. I am all about easy and simple when it comes to cooking and entertaining in the summertime. I love quick and effortless pasta salads and dishes that work well not only as a light and healthy lunch idea, but also as a flavorful, make-ahead side dish for a backyard BBQ or a summer potluck. The Spicy Almond Cold Soba Noodle Salad recipe I ..read more