I love that August is National Wellness Month.

Even though I'm writing this as the “official” month is ending, it’s a good reminder: wellness doesn’t live in one month. But it can feel like we may need it most in these shifting seasons, when routines speed up and life asks more...

I was enjoying a quiet morning at home, sipping coffee, basking in the silence and stillness, when I heard intense barking from the backyard - like, jolt you from your seat and make you spill your coffee barking.

Sadie, our sweet rescue dog, was in full-on alert mode - barking, ...

I’m sipping coffee out of my favorite holiday mug that says: “All Mama Wants is a Silent Night.” It’s a playful reminder of what so many of us crave at the end of a busy season - peace, quiet, and a little breathing room.

For lawyers and legal professionals, the end of the yea...

As I glanced out at the backyard deck the morning after our first freeze, my plants seemed fine. From the kitchen window, they looked just as vibrant and lively as ever. But when I stepped outside and touched them, I realized they were frozen solid. What looked perfectly okay fro...

 When the fall season kicks into high gear, many lawyers and legal professionals find themselves dealing with increased stress. Workloads often ramp up with new cases, deals closing, budget and compensation planning, onboarding new associates and laterals, and so on, and so on. O...

The Minnesota State Fair (the “Great Minnesota Get-Together”), is an annual tradition for our family, filled with all the sensory delights you could imagine—mouth-watering food, endless activities, and a vibrant atmosphere. 

The State Fair is a quintessential celebration of ever...

 There’s something truly magical about stepping away from the daily grind and immersing yourself in a new place. Whether it was learning about the rich and complicated history, wandering the streets of Wittenberg, or soaking in the vibrant culture (and lots of authentic Berlin/Ge...

I wrote this note while traveling in Berlin, the city was still quiet, and my husband and daughters were fast asleep after a long and unexpectedly eventful journey. I had the lovely chance to enjoy some coffee and muesli as I thought about you! 

We anticipated our trip to Berlin...

Growing up, I always worked hard in the summers. As a first-generation college student who paid my way through college and graduate school, I had to have multiple jobs every summer (and throughout the school year). 

One of my many summer jobs was a lifeguard. I worked at public ...

Every year, my family and I have a tradition of watching fireworks from our pontoon on the lake at our cabin (a very Minnesotan thing to do!). Once, all five of us together with my husband’s father, cooler weather, and (almost) no mosquitoes - a small miracle. 

As we all sat tog...

I’m on my phone … a lot. I’ll admit it. I try not to use it when I should otherwise be present with others, but even then, I’m guilty of a quick under-the-table email glance. I’m working on it, really I am.

Even recently, this came up in our family. Our daughter will be travelin...

 The church I used to play the organ at always held an annual “Blue Christmas” service on the equinox. At first, when I heard about it, I didn’t get it. Weren’t we always supposed to be full of holiday cheer during the holidays, or at least pretend we were? 

But this was a small...