As a county attorney, mother, and committed community member, Sharon McIlquham knows the importance of giving back to those around her. A lifelong member of the Chippewa Falls community, McIlquham’s involvement and dedication–both professionally and personally–are a testament to her values of working hard, caring for others, and believing in the power of following your dreams. Chippewa County Attorney Sharon McIlquham’s ties to the area run deep, (having spent most of her life near Chippewa Falls) and many will recognize her name from her work as a Chippewa County attorney. While she didn’t always know she would be an attorney, …

Breathe in…and out. Ok I needed that. Do you ever have those “everything that could go wrong does go wrong” type of weeks? I can’t find my drivers license and I’m getting ready to board a flight.  I have orientation for a new job but my car won’t start. I am getting sick, and realizing that things were not going to work with a boy I was excited about. And oh yeah, the chaotic start to spring semester is here.  I started to feel down. It is safe to say this past week has been a tough one folks, but …

Luck is what happens when preparations meet opportunity.  ~ Senneca Friends, this issue is all about love and luck. While I do believe that on occasion lucky things happen, my personal premise is that if you work hard, are dedicated, and are committed to a cause or goal, then you are going to encounter far more opportunities than if you had just shown up hoping for a lucky shot. Now I am a gal who has a lot of faith. So I also believe in “God winks,” and my crew has gotten a lot of mileage from me saying “God …

Friends, this issue is all about love and luck. While I do believe that on occasion lucky things happen, my personal premise is that if you work hard, are dedicated, and are committed to a cause or goal, then you are going to encounter far more opportunities than if you had just shown up hoping for a lucky shot. Amid the constant changes in our lives, I hope that as we move through this year, you’ll turn to 5ive for a bit of creativity, innovation, support, and joy. The journey continues in faith, family, friends, fitness, and finance. DOWNLOAD THIS …

Welcome to December, my beautiful readers! This is the final issue of 2019, so please indulge me as I share my gratitude list with all of you. In the past few months, I have been trying to lean into things I am grateful for; writing them down has allowed me to be more present.  I am beyond grateful to have been able to share another year with all of you. I promise we have incredible things in store this upcoming year, so hang on. DOWNLOAD THIS ISSUE BELOW TO READ MORE! 14 Branches of Gratitude 16 Thankful for the Scars …

Hey, there! I’m Cole. I’m a wife, mom, Registered Dietitian, yoga instructor, and entrepreneur.  Like most of us, I wear a lot of hats. After years of moving around the Midwest for my husband’s medical training, we settled in Eau Claire about 6 years ago and have loved making this place our home.  Like so many, the story of who I am is anchored in family, Midwestern values, and a pull to continuously evolve myself. When it comes to the 5 Fs, there is one that is a bit of a sticking point for me — but we’ll get to …

Merry Christmas to all! As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us all gather with loved ones to celebrate Generosity and Gratitude. My wish is that you all enjoy a peaceful moment during this holiday season — perhaps a walk on a snowy evening, hot cocoa around a fire or great conversation around Christmas Day brunch. Here are a couple of recipes that I hope you enjoy. God Jul, Bon appetit, Lanette Crabby Benny Ingredients 4 English muffins split in half 2 cups fresh crab meat 8 poached eggs 16 Spears asparagus(grilled) Hollandaide sauce (recipe to follow) Toast English …

The Cold Dish By: Craig Johnson My nephew visited me from Washington this summer and presented me with a copy of The Cold Dish. Having been a long-time fan of Craig Johnson, he wanted to share his enthusiasm for this author. The Cold Dish is the first book in a series about Walt Longmire, a sheriff in Wyoming.  The book starts out with the murder of a man by the name of Cody Pritchard.  Two years earlier, Pritchard and three of his high school classmates were accused of raping a mentally-challenged Native American girl.  The group was convicted, but received …

Today as I stepped outside, I saw my breath for the first time. My UGGs and my parka will be my outfit of choice until April (maybe even until May?!). My local Target store is filled with cute holiday décor that I didn’t know I needed until I walked into the store.  And so begins that special time of year…   The holidays? Well yes, but I am talking about “Cuffing season.” Now, for my non-millennial friends, I will define “cuffing” as the cold and dark months when someone who normally would rather be single finds themselves desiring to be …

Welcome to December, my beautiful readers! This is the final issue of 2019, so please indulge me as I share my gratitude list with all of you. In the past few months, I have been trying to lean into things I am grateful for; writing them down has allowed me to be more present. My tribe.  The fantastic 5 will always be the best thing I ever did. I am grateful to watch and learn from them daily. The kids aren’t little anymore. With bigger kids comes more significant problems and simultaneously much to be grateful for. What an honor …