0 In 2021/ Product Recommendations

9 Things I’ve Fallen for this Fall

1. My Space Heater

Fall feels like winter in Minnesota and this little heater makes my bathroom toasty while I get ready in the morning. This also works well at keeping your feet warm by placing it under the desk in your office.

2. Unkers

Do you remember Vicks Vaporub? This is the upgraded version. It’s a menthol rub for aches, pains, congestion, and more. We use this for everything – sore throat, sore muscles, and cough/congestion.

Buy this now, then when you get sore muscle, you’ll be so glad you have it in your cabinet.

3. Kohlrobi Noodles

Allow me to introduce you to the vegetable you never knew you loved. Crisp, fresh, and crunchy kohlrabi is a turnip-like cabbage rich in fiber, vitamin C, B vitamins, and potassium.

Ted and I call it our favorite “pasta.” It’s a vegetable full of flavor and makes a delicious spaghetti substitute. We sauté it with a little olive oil, add sauce and its oh. so. good.

We get our Kohlrabi (and an amazing Superfood pasta sauce) delivered through Hungry Root, a subscription-based food service.

Why we like Hungry Root:

great tasting food
organic
pre-made or can be cooked in one pan
makes eating healthy a little easier.

If you want to try it, you can get $50 off your first order by clicking here: https://www.hungryroot.com/r/F01URFFC

4. Watching my kids play ball

I’ve never been very athletic, and didn’t grow up playing or watching sports, but seeing my boys work hard and compete is pure joy.

We just finished the football season for Clark and Luke, the soccer season for George and Paul, and now all four boys are playing basketball. I love basketball because (1) it’s inside and you don’t have to worry about weather and (2) it’s so active and up close!

5. Brandon Lake and Maverick city music

Those two are my go-tos lately for a morning, afternoon or evening ‘pick-me-up’ music!

Brandon Lake’s Gratitude – Click here to listen

Too Good to Not be True – Click here to listen

Jirah by Maverick City Music – Click here to listen

Maverick City Christmas Music – click here to listen

6. Teaching

I’ve been subbing in our school district a couple of days each week. I teach grades Kindergarten and all the way up to twelfth grade. Each day is a new adventure – but what a joy to get to love on, invest in, and encourage kids each week.

My current favorite is teaching middle school – specifically if my kids are in one of my classes.

When I was teaching 6th grade this week, a student saw “Mrs. Egly” written on the board and said:

“Are you Clark’s sister?”

That, right there, is why I LOVE teaching 6th graders, and how you earn “teacher’s pet status!”

7. Target’s Good and Gather brand

There are so many delicious Good and Gather Products, but my two current favorites are:

Jalapeño Avacado hummus and Cranberry Jalapeño dip.

8. Plugged in online

This website is a great resource for parents. When my boys ask to watch a movie and I don’t know much about it, I look it up on PluggedIn. They write comprehensive reviews of movies, TV shows, and music.

9. The Children’s Book: What do you do with a problem?

Rating: 10/10

Review: A simple and entertaining children’s book that helps you look at problems in a new way!

Always so many books I’m loving. Click here to read about those.

Click here to read about my favorite winter items.

Several of these items are affiliate links which means if you purchase one, I may get a small commission. TIA!

November 26, 2021 By Kathryn

2 In 2021/ Book Review/ Inspiration

Five Fascinating Books I Finished in October

I’ve been in BOOK HEAVEN this month and can’t wait to tell you about it! Here are five fantastic books I devoured this month:

The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 by Garret Graff

Rating: 10/10

Review:

This book was captivating. Since the twentieth anniversary of 9/11, I’ve been binging on shows and books about this day in history.

What I loved about this book is that it gives so many different stories of the people who were directly impacted that day.

Love Does by Bob Goff

Rating: 10/10

Review:

I read this book about five years ago and loved it SO much. I saw it on my free Hoopla app and decided to listen to it this time. Bob Goff reads the book and it’s fun to listen to him tell such fascinating stories about growing up, his teenage and college years, meeting his wife, adventures with his kids, and interesting stories with friends. Each chapter has a little life lesson as well – all about living a life of LOVE.

Clara Barton by Janet Benge

Rating: 10/10

Review:

I’d heard of Clara Barton in connection with the Red Cross, but never knew much about her. Wow, what a fascinating life!

She was a SUPER SHY young girl, so her parents encouraged her to become a teacher. Though she was INCREDIBLY nervous at first, she learned that she was really good at it! She quickly learned how to connect with her students, and they loved and respected her. Clara taught for many years, and even helped get free public education started in states that didn’t have it yet.

Reading (or listening to) stories like this gives me hope for each human. Clara was a simple girl that noticed a gap/problem, then filled the gap and helped solved the problem. We can do great things by starting small.

I’m thankful for women like Clara. She carved the way for a woman like me! She was a leader before women were allowed to lead. She was hard-working, creative, respectful, but bold.

I listened to this book on my free Hoopla app and recommend it for moms and their daughters. Listen to it together.

Anonymous by Alicia Britt Chole

Rating: 10/10

Review:

As I closed this book, I held it in my hands with deep appreciation. I am so grateful for this author and her words. Oh, how I needed to hear them. I wish I would have read this book 3 years ago when I moved to Minnesota and felt completely…anonymous.

Jesus lived 90 percent of his life anonymously! And yet, look at the impact He made in the world and for eternity.

Don’t despise anonymity. Learn during that season, grow in that season. God has not forgotten you.

I underlined almost half of this book. It was so incredibly powerful. I was in tears many times.

This is one of the best books I’ve read all year. I read it slowly to savor the words. It’s a book I’ll go back to because the message is so important and so beautiful.

Read this if you feel anonymous, if your dreams haven’t been realized, or if you are in a new town and feel unknown.

Here are a few points that I loved from this book:

Why would Jesus announce the birth of his precious son with a full angelic choir, then hide this priceless gift for three decades? Because what is hidden is not unimportant.
God’s first public words to Jesus were not directional (go there) or instructional (do this) it was relational: THIS IS MY SON! And He spoke affirmation before Jesus had ever done any good works.
Every day, we invest in a future we cannot see. Time is not really spent. Instead, it is invested in a future we cannot see.
Choosing what is right not only makes a difference today, it makes a difference that compounds exponentially to bless our future.
Jesus could stand strong in public because he stood still in private. He intentionally pursued quiet places.There is healing in stillness.
Strength is not given, it is grown.
Savor the anonymous season. Respect it’s potential.

Funny How Life Works by Michael Jr.

Rating: 10/10

Review:

WOW! What a funny, yet powerful book! I couldn’t put it down. Michael is such a great performer and storyteller. Each chapter tells a (usually funny) story from his life with a POWERFUL life lesson or action step for the reader.

Micheal Jr. included great quotes throughout the book:

Sometimes, would tell a story, then say, “Scan this to watch it.”

Thanks for reading the reviews of these great books! Have you read any of these or another good one? Leave a comment and let me know what to read next!

Click here to read my favorite books of last year.

Each of these books are affiliate links which means if you purchase on, I may get a small commission. TIA!

October 31, 2021 By Kathryn

0 In 2021

A peek into our home updates: WALLPAPER

Anyone else staying home for weeks on end, staring at their walls and wanting to make changes?

We decided we needed wallpaper.

For the last twenty years, the only thing I wanted to do with wallpaper was TEAR IT DOWN! Evidently quarantine messed me up enough to want to put it up – in more than one room!

I’ve never picked out wallpaper. I didn’t know what a big and overwhelming job this could be.

I walked into a wallpaper store that was almost as big as my house. Every wall had bookshelves. On every bookshelf were wallpaper books. In every wallpaper book were a hundred different option.

The first day I just walked in … then just walked right back out. I wasn’t prepared.

My second visit involved pulling random books off the shelf and scanning through them.

Thankfully, a sweet lady who worked there sensed that I was a bit over my head. She asked me to describe what I envisioned for my home, then pulled about six different books for me to look through.

Amazingly, several of those books had something I liked, so I brought them home to get Ted’s input, and see how it looked inside our home, with our stuff.

We finally chose one! …And then found out it was out of print.

Back to the books.

We chose another one. This time it was available! We ordered it and (for the sake of our marriage and sanity) found a man to hang it for us.

Here’s our new dining room wall:

We also added a grasscloth wallpaper to our family room and found artwork from the PosterStore.com.

Have you made any home modifications since quarantine? Leave a comment and let me know!

October 22, 2021 By Kathryn

0 In 2021/ Games/ Memories/ Raising boys/ Things to do in Minnesota

Minnesota’s Largest Indoor Nerf Gun Arena – Tactical Urban Combat

If you live in the Twin Cities and are looking for something fun to do with your family, or perhaps, needing a birthday party idea – you should check out Tactical Urban Combat.

It’s a huge, super fun, indoor nerf gun arena!

The boys, ranging from age 10 to 14, battled it out for a birthday party and had so much fun (and burned so much energy).

You can come with just yourself – and join other players – or bring a group of up to 20 people!

When you arrive:

Sign in
Go to your designated battle ground
Pick your nerf gun from a large display on the wall
Get your ammo and safety gear
Break into teams
A staff person will go over rules and instructions…. then …

The Battle Begins!

They had an amazing time running around, hiding together, ducking behind and peeking out from the obstacles placed strategically around the arena.

They could switch out nerf guns if the one they were using wasn’t ‘accurate’ or ‘powerful’ enough!

The kids had an hour to play – during that time the party host lead them in several games and battles – including Team Elimination and Capture the Flag.

It’s a great place for kids, or for adults that want to feel like a kid again. It’s also a unique way for parents to engage and make memories with their kids.

We went as a family on a separate day and had SO much fun. Here’s a peek:

Check out one of their two locations:

Mall of America: 340 West Market, Bloomington, MN 55425 – or –

Eden Prairie: 8251 Flying Cloud Dr. #1020, Eden Prairie, MN 55344, USA

Would you like more ideas for fun things to do around town?

We loved the Crayola Experience! Click here to read all about it.

Click here for some money saving ideas for Nickelodeon Universe, the amusement park inside Mall Of America.

Click here to read about our FlyOver America experience inside the Mall.

And lastly, here’s the Minnesota Bucket List!

Thanks for reading! Have fun playing and exploring with your family.

October 4, 2021 By Kathryn

0 In 2021/ Book Review

This month’s book recommendations and reviews (September 2021)

Here are reviews of the books I finished recently:

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasa

Rating: 9/10

Review: A beautiful, yet heart breaking story that follows generations of African Americans from Africa to the United States. You follow generations of families as they endure (and sometimes conquer) the tragedies of war, slavery, drug abuse, and discrimination.

I listened to the audiobook and because the book shares the stories of so many characters over so many generations, it was a little hard to follow. If you are listening, I recommend you have a pen and paper nearby to help you keep it all straight.

Before you Split by Toni Nieuwhof

Rating: 10/10

Review: This is one of the best marriage books I’ve ever read. I picked it up, not because I was ready to ‘split,’ but simply curious on the advice she’d give from the perspective of a divorce attorney, why NOT to split!!!

I had no idea how truly insightful and helpful this book would be to EVERY SINGLE MARRIED PERSON!

Do yourself and your marriage a favor and read this book!

I took SIX PAGES OF NOTES!!! Here are some highlights:

Your marriage can go from that bad to this good. No matter how troubled or even chaotic your marriage may seem, you have more control over its future than you think.
Ask yourself and people you trust: “What is it like to be on the other side of me?“
Your spouse can’t make you happy. Happiness is something you bring to a relationship, not something you get from it.
There’s danger in allowing the emotions you’re experiencing right now to lead you to make long-term decisions. Yes, your emotions are real. Examine them. Learn from them. But don’t give them the lead role.
Marriage is two broken but loveable people.
Find friends who will help you WIN in your marriage. Surround yourself with WISE, trustworthy, and objective friends who help you make better decisions. Your friends help you lean into or away from your marriage.

If you are married – READ THIS BOOK!

Brother Andrew by Janet Benge

Rating: 9/10

Review: I’m so fascinated by the life of Andrew Van Der Bijl – just a regular man who wanted to make a difference in the world! He decided to smuggle Bibles into countries where people could not get them. Some churches were without any Bible, other churches were sharing just one single copy. The things Andrew saw and other things that happened are beyond explanation – a truly fascinating story!

Because “God Smuggler” by Brother Andrew is one of my favorite autobiographies, I decided to read this biography about him. I really enjoyed it because it shares stories I had not read in his book, as well as a different perspective on the stories I already knew.

Help Club for Moms: The Wise Woman Stays

Rating: 10/10

Review: A great devotional book for moms of all ages. Inspiring and helpful!

I’ve just started the fall edition, The Wise Woman Knows. Click this link to buy the book and join in our Facebook group by clicking here.

Books I read with my boys:

I survived the attacks on September 11, 2001 by Lauren Tarshish

Rating: 9/10

Review: This short chapter book gives kids a glimpse into what it must have been like to survive the terrorist attack on 9/11. It’s a fiction story that felt so real I thought it was non-fiction. The ‘I survived’ books are a little ‘harrowing’ with heavy topics, so I would only recommend them for kids ages 10 and up. Overall, it was an excellent story.

Three Keys by Kelly Yang

Rating: 5/10

Review: My son and I couldn’t get enough of Book 1 (Front Desk), but we had to force ourselves to finish Book 2. This one felt like the author was trying to lecture the reader and push an agenda with a topic that is above the heads of kids reading it. Unfortunately, I don’t recommend it.

Thanks for reading this post! Have you read a good book recently? Leave a comment and let us know!

Each of these books are affiliate links which means if you purchase on, I may get a small commission. TIA!

October 1, 2021 By Kathryn

0 In 2021/ Family/ Free stuff/ Games/ Memories/ Motherhood/ Raising boys

Five Free Ways to Have Fun with your Family this Fall

Most of our kids are back in school, sitting 8 hours a day, often times wearing a mask. Getting out in the backyard, enjoying fresh air and family time is perfect for fall.

The temps are more mild and kids are ready to burn some energy after a long school day. Playing together not only helps you and your children ‘de-stress,’ but also strengthens the bond with your kids!

Here are FIVE free games to play with your family!

1. Dog tail:

Pull out the longest socks you own.
Everyone tucks one sock into the back of their shorts, like a dog tail.
The object is to grab everyone else’s “tail” (or sock) while keeping your own.
Say GO and the last one wearing a sock wins!

2. Mr. Fox, what time is it?

Select one person to be Mr. or Mrs. Fox. This person will stand with his or her back to the rest of the players.
All other players line up on the other side of the yard/field. The players take turns asking Mr. Fox what time it is. (“Mr. Fox, what time is it?)
The fox will then respond with a time, such as 3 o’clock. The players must then take the same number of steps forward (in this case, 3 steps). These steps may be as large or small as the players wish, no matter how close they get to the fox.
When Mr. Fox is ready, he will respond to “What time is it?” with “LUNCHTIME!”
When the kids hear ‘lunchtime,’ they will run back to the starting line and try not to get “tagged” by Mr. Fox.

3. Create an Obstacle Course

Work with your kids to design an obstacle course in the backyard and time each other to complete the course.

4. “Vote with your Feet!”

This is a take on the “Would you rather?” game, except your kids have to run to one or the other side of the yard.

If they “vote” for the first one, run to the right. If they vote for second, run to the left.

Would you rather….

Be Superman or Batman?

Eat Pizza or Hotdogs?

Ride a roller coaster or a water slide?

Go to Target or Walmart?

Laugh or cry?

Jump high or run fast?

Have summer all year or winter all year?

Be really smart or really funny?

Drive a truck or a sports car?

Go back in time or go to the future?

Be able to fly or be invisible?

Have ONE great friend or 20 pretty good friends?

Be in the Mountains or at the Beach?

Take a ride in a speed boat or helicopter?

Go Skydiving or Swim with Sharks?

Build a Sand Castle or Play in the Waves?

Go Skiing or Ride a bike?

Watch a Movie or Read a Book?

Go Rock climbing or Swimming?

Own a Cat or a Dog?

Write a Story or a Draw picture?

Clean the Bathroom or Vacuum the carpet?

Ice Skate or Roller Skate?

Drink Pop or Water?

Play Inside or Outside?

Take a Shower or Bath?

Take a trip to Australia or Italy?

Go Fishing or Make slime?

Play a Video game or Board game?

Have more time or more money?

5. Be creative with sidewalk chalk:

Lay down and trace each other – then decorate with clothes, faces, etc.
Write a word of encouragement for passers-by
Use tape and color in the spaces like stained glass

What game will YOU play outside this fall? Leave me comment!

Thanks for reading!

Love,
Kathryn Egly

September 20, 2021 By Kathryn

0 In 2021/ Book Review

Four books I finished in August: Reviews and Recommendations

I read some really great books this month, and I can’t wait to tell you about them. The first one was…

Front Desk by Kelly Yang

Rating: 10/10

Review: This book is so entertaining, you won’t want to put it down. All summer, my son would ask: “Can we read another chapter?”

It’s the story of a girl and her parents who moved to the US from China. They get jobs at a motel in California. Mia, only 10 years old, runs the front desk. The book tells interesting stories about the guests who come to the motel, and gives insight into what it’s like to be an immigrant. The stories are endearing and you will fall in love with the characters!

My son said: “I wish this book would never end.” I felt the same. We were thrilled to learn there are two more books that follow Front Desk. We are currently reading book 2, called “Three Keys.”

Because Clark is such an active kid, he doesn’t usually want to sit and read. This is one of the first books where he actually loved sitting with me and reading together. It’s been one of my sweetest memories of the summer.

Parent tip: Keep trying new books until you find one your kid loves!

Thomas Edison by Janet and Geoff Benge

Rating: 9/10

Review: This book gave a good overview of Thomas Edison’s life. He was an interesting character and reminds me a little of Steve Jobs or Elon Musk. He was an amazing creator, inventor and scientist, but not so much a people person.

Reading this book made me so grateful for the things I take for granted – like making a phone call and talking to someone on the other side of the country and flipping on the lights in my house. I loved hearing how the ‘lightbulb’ was invented and how much ‘trial and error’ Edison put into creating it. His quote that: “Genius is 1% Inspiration and 99% Perspiration” comes to life in this book. Edison wouldn’t give up working on an idea or problem until he solved it!

What I love about Janet Benge’s “Heroes of History” books is that she writes biographies that are entertaining and don’t get overly detailed with too much information.

Someone on amazon said: “I learned just enough about Edison’s life to be both enlightened and entertained—without having to endure the insufferable sludge of detail that weighs down most biographies.” I completely agree!

If you want another recommendation of Janet Benge’s books, read Harriet Tubman OR George Washington. I loved both of these!

Row the Boat by PJ Fleck

Rating: 8/10

Review: The author of this book was born and raised in the same area of Illinois where Ted and I spent many years. When we were moving to Colorado, we used a bit of his “Row the Boat” philosophy (click here to read about it). PJ Fleck is now the head coach for the University of Minnesota football team.

I was excited to see he had published a book about his “Row the Boat” philosophy, which he uses in life and coaching. Coach Fleck is known for turning losing teams into winning teams with his approach.

The book was short and easy-to-read. The beginning is a quick synopsis of PJ Fleck’s life. In my opinion, the best part of the book starts in Chapter 6 when he outlines exactly what “Row the Boat” means!

Here are 10 of my favorite parts of the book:

You are the captain of your boat. You decide to row or not.
The ‘oars’ of the boat represent your energy. Your energy is contagious and the energy you invest and share with others determines the quality of your life.
There will be times when rowing is extremely hard and will require powerful work. Other times, efficiency will be utilized.
The boat represents sacrifice. The more you serve, give, and make your life about helping others, the better and more fulfilled your life will be. The more you do this, the bigger your boat gets.
The compass is about the vision we have for our lives, how we speak to ourselves and the people we surround ourselves with help create the dream.
When rowing, your back is to the direction you are traveling – the future – which you cannot control, nor can you see. You don’t know what’s ahead of you. You’re rowing in the present, which is the only thing that you can impact and have control of.
You can either choose to keep rowing or put your oars back in the boat and stop. And while rowing, you are looking in the past, which is the only thing that you can actually learn from – but can’t change.
The dream is the journey and the journey is the dream. You will make your biggest impact where it will be the hardest.
Cadets prayer “make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong. “
Coach PJ Fleck wants to set the standard academically, athletically, socially, and spiritually.

Unscripted by Ernie Johnson

Rating: 9/10

Review:

Ted and I had a 6 hour drive to Chicago, and I suggested we listen to an audiobook together. He picked this one. I didn’t know who the author was before reading this, but truly enjoyed the book. The author is a sports commentator and a fabulous storyteller!

I loved what the author shares about:

adopting four of their six kids,
wins and fails in parenting, and
how he came to faith and how that has impacted his life and sustained him through chemotherapy and other life challenges.

This book is easy-to-read (or listen to). It’s filled with great life lessons and it’s very entertaining.

Thanks for reading! Click here to see the best books I read last year!

September 2, 2021 By Kathryn

1 In 2021/ Family/ Motherhood/ Raising boys

5 Tips to Start the School Year Strong!

This post was originally written for the Help Club for Moms group, but I thought I’d share it with you as well!

Starting the new school year can be a little crazy if you are a ‘fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants’ or overly laid back person like me. Lots of rushing, perhaps some yelling, maybe tears, and forgetting important things (like lunch) have all been a part of our mornings because we had no systems or routines.

So, here are some changes I’m making this year to start the school year strong.

1. PRACTICE your Morning Routine.

If you want to prevent a super stressful first day of school, begin your ‘back-to-school’ routine a few days beforehand. Slowly start going to bed earlier and getting up earlier. In the morning, “play” like you are going to school. Work out the kinks and see how long it takes everyone to get ready. Mom tip: Take the kids to the park when everyone gets ready on time!

2. Prep the Night Before

Have your children get in the habit of prepping for school the night before:

Clothes laid out?
Ipads charging?
Backpacks and shoes by the door?

3. Get out the calendar

Whether you use a paper calendar (like me) or a digital one, take time to add activities right away – school breaks, conferences, parent-teacher night, and even testing dates. Put important dates on the calendar NOW, so you have time to plan ahead.

4. Email the teacher

As soon as you get the teacher’s email address – send him or her a short and quick note, letting them know how thankful you are that he/she will be investing in your child this year!

The benefit of this is two-fold:

– You establish a positive relationship from the beginning.

– The teacher’s email is now in your contacts, so when you need to email the teacher during the school year, you aren’t scrambling to find the paper that contains the email address.

5. Set the Tone

You set the tone for the attitudes in your home. If you keep a positive attitude, it’s more likely that your child will as well. Focus on the positive and share what you are excited about regarding the new school year. If your child is feeling stressed or anxious, listen to them and pray with them. Remind them that you are available, and God is always with them.

Hope those tips will help you this year! Praying this year is a great one for you and your children.

Click here for a Back-to-School Gratitude practice.

August 19, 2021 By Kathryn

1 In 2021/ Product Recommendations

Ten Summertime Favorites from Amazon

Here are a few of my favorite things for summer:

1. Quick Dry Beach Towel

This is one of my favorite products of the summer. It’s thin and dries fast. My son used it at the pool the other day, and let his friend use it afterwards because he forgot his – he said it didn’t even feel wet!

Look how small it folds up compared to the standard beach towel:

Standard beach towel on the left, Quick Dry towel on the right

2. Italian Ice

These are our favorite summertime treat. These popsicles stay soft and slushy and are so delicious!

3. Alba Face Wash

This is my favorite face wash of all time. I love the pump on top – it’s easy to use and not messy! It makes my face smell so good, and feel soft and moisturized.

4. Crystal Light Packets

I pour a packet into water bottles and my kids love it. It’s a great alternative to soda, and keeps your kids getting all the liquids they need during summer. There are yummy flavors like Raspberry Lemonade, Cherry Pomegranate – and more!

5. Doggy Waste Bags

I’d never thought I’d have an opinion on ‘poop bags,’ but now that I’m a dog owner, I suddenly care about these things. There’s only one kind of waste bags I like to buy – and it’s this one from Amazon! Not too thin, not too small, and easy to tie up!

6. Blank Books for Journaling

The teacher in me wants to keep my kids writing over the summer. I ask my boys to write or draw their favorite thing from the day, the trip, etc. These are fun to look back on from year to year, summer to summer!

7. Zees Zees Lemon Blueberry Bars

I have these on my “subscribe and save” list because I can only find them on Amazon and also because they are:

yummy!
Quick and easy!
Loved by my boys and me!

If you have to leave early and don’t have time for breakfast, or if you are going to be gone for several hours and need an easy snack – these are great!

8. Bluetooth Speaker

I bought this one for my husband for Father’s Day and it’s been great! It’s a much better price than some of the other wireless speakers, and works just as well. These come in handy if you are going to the pool, playing in the backyard, or sitting on the patio and want to listen to music or a podcast.

9. Under eye gel pads

My mom and I love these collagen eye patches. They are so easy to use – just open the package and stick them under your eyes. The moisture from the patches and the flexibility helps them form and stick. There is an instant cooling effect that I feel which probably helps with any eye puffiness. (Putting them in the fridge before hand makes them even better)! They have a moisturizing effect that really plumps up my fine lines in only 15 minutes of wearing them. I like that they are indivdually packaged to maximize the moisture in each patch and reduce any contamination. The patches are large enough to cover my under eye are well. I think it provides better and longer-lasting results than eye cream.

10. Plants

I would have never considered getting a plant on Amazon until I asked my neighbor where they found this fabulous plant: “Amazon” they told me!

So those are my current ‘top ten’ favorites. Do you have any favorites? Leave me a comment!

Need a summertime book recommendation? Here are 5 suggestions for you:

The Sun Does Shine,
Where the Crawdads Sing,
God Smuggler,
The Gift of Being Yourself and
Front Desk are some of my favorites for summer!

Do you have a great summer read recommendation? Let me know!

Thanks for reading, enjoy the rest of your summer.

Each of these items are affiliate links which means if you purchase on, I may get a small commission. TIA!

August 7, 2021 By Kathryn

0 In 2021/ Family/ Minnesota/ Peek into our Week

Peek into our Weeks: 3 years of Minnesota living

If summers are for making memories, we made a TON OF THEM in July. Here are some highlights!

July started with a vacation:

A week in Indiana is better than a trip to Disney

**My mom and all of her grandchildren!**

A letter my grandmother received from her uncle during WW2.

We had a wonderful dinner and date night at Kelly Jae’s in honor of my sister (in pink) and brother-in-law’s 21st anniversary. My sister and her husband (in white) joined us, as well as childhood friends (on left).

I got to spend a morning with childhood friends. Only one still lives in town. The rest of us happened to all be there for the 4th of July!

My dad took us for a boat ride down memory lane. These homes on Lake Tippecanoe used to belong to my grandparents. My mom and dad lived in a small cottage behind these two homes, and it’s where I was brought home from the hospital. I grew up swimming, tubing, and learning to ski on this lake.

My grandparents sold this property when I was in high school, and this was the first time I’d been back!

Wrigley’s World

While we were in Indiana, some good friends took the BEST care of Wrigley.

Though the boys had a blast in Indiana, they were SO happy to see Wrigley when we got home.

My chauffeur:

I put Wrigley in the car and ran in to grab my phone. I came back out and found Wrigley ready to drive Miss ~~Daisy~~ Egly.

Pan-o-Prag – our local fair

I’m not sure how the fair in Lakeville got the name “Pan-o-Prag,” but that’s what the locals call it and we spent a hot afternoon enjoying it all – carnival games, rides, fried food, and a parade! To keep the cost from getting out of control, I told the kids they could ride two rides, play two games, and pick one snack.

A trip back to the Biggest Candy Store

Click here to read more about this place!

Three Years in Minnesota

July 2018 – our first day in our Minnesota home

We have a tradition of eating breakfast at Jensen’s on the anniversary of our move to Minnesota. The boys are thriving and happy. They love all the lakes and fishing. They also love our neighborhood and the many friends they’ve met.

Date Night Re-make

Three years ago Ted and I went out on our first Minnesota date night. We went back on the same night to celebrate!

A night away and all alone

For the first time since being a mom, and possibly the first time ever (?), I spent the night at a hotel all alone. After a busy summer, I was craving some peace and quiet, so I booked a night at a Bed and Breakfast in Stillwater, MN and had a glorious 24 hours to myself!

I explored, did a little shopping, a lot of walking and reading. I slept 10 straight hours and was awakened by a knock on my door with a tray of breakfast and hot coffee!!!!! What an absolute delight! I could have stayed in bed all day, but I had an 11am check-out. I asked for a later check-out and was awarded an extra FIFTEEN MINUTES! Woot. woot.

Thanks so much for reading about our busy July! What have you been up to? Leave a comment by clicking that little comment box next to the title.

August 4, 2021 By Kathryn

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