Editor’s Note

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 …

You can choose courage, or you can choose comfort, but you cannot choose both. ~Brene Brown Ladies, happy fall. It’s officially here, and we are in full swing. This issue is so beautiful and brave, and I am so excited to share with all of you. Our Courageous Women issue is beyond what I could have expected. I am blown away by the extraordinary, courageous stories each of these women has chosen to share. I had to read the above quote about 50 times, to grasp its magnitude. So much simple truth from my new best friend, Brene Brown! Brave women …

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. Th e credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, …

Hey ladies, summer is starting to sizzle, and everything I love about Wisconsin summer is almost here. I love the lazy days at the lake. I love late night fires and early morning runs, followed by quiet cups of coffee while my tribe still sleeps. As I am writing this, I am reflecting on summers past. It seems like just yesterday I was spending lazy afternoons at the pool with my tribe. As much as I love this time of year, I always get a little melancholy as I feel the nostalgia of summers past. Life seemed crazy then, but …

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. –Matthew 18:20 Ladies, I am so excited to share yet another inspiring issue. I think it is safe to say spring has finally sprung; it’s time for gardens and gathering. We’re sharing wonderful ways to connect with friends and family, essential conversations for couples, and fresh ideas for gardens and yards. Be sure to check out new tips to take care of you, and whip up yummy recipes for all those spring gatherings. I am writing this smack dab in the middle of Lent. Years past, …

Hey, friends, it’s sweetheart month trailed by the luck of the Irish! I have several sweethearts, and I am Irish, so we celebrate love and success for the next two months (and beyond). This issue’s theme is Find Your Happy. It sounds ridiculously cliché, I know. I initially thought that, too, but I have come to realize that happiness is not just something we feel; happiness is something we can choose. This life is challenging, and it is so easy to get caught up in the craziness. Every day we face choices. Let’s choose to focus on all we have, rather than …

My beautiful ladies, today I chose not to listen to yet another chapter of my strategic management audiobook while I chugged along on the treadmill, and yes I did say chug—that’s what today felt like. Instead, I decided I would run while listening to my music on shuffle, no playlist. I know; getting crazy, right? My lovely friends, I am not sure why, but the song that came on caught me completely off guard. I’m so glad no one else was with me, as I was a hot mess that last mile. The tears streamed down my face, and they …

“You can gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt Ladies, this quote describes many of the women in this issue. I am so honored to know their stories. This was supposed to be our Fall into Fun issue, but all these extraordinary women’s stories made it impossible to publish anything other than a Courageous …

As I write, outside these office walls four loads of unfolded laundry, unmade beds, a sink full of dishes that never wash themselves, and a yard looking like something straight out of a horror film beckon me. Let’s not even discuss the garage. A friend stopped by the other day and happened upon my garage; she nearly furnished her entire cabin with the contents of our overstuff ed garage. I’ll just call my current situation controlled chaos.” Throughout the years I have often heard, “Jen, I don’t know how you do it all.” Well, ladies, I’m not doing it all. …

May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home. May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam. May peace and plenty bless your world with Joy that long endures May all life’s passing seasons bring the best to you and yours. ~Irish Blessing Sitting down to write this month’s letter from the editor, fresh cup of coffee in hand, just as the writing juices began to flow I got a much-welcomed interruption. My beautiful daughter Grace phoned, talking a mile a minute, sharing every detail of her day. “Mom, I need a car. …