Posts

avocado toast passed bites (easy party appetizer)

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Growing up, food was often used to exclude people–especially kids with allergies or unfamiliar lunches. But discovering cuisines that were safe for my allergies changed everything. And almost overnight a whole new world opened up. Today, feeding people is one of the main ways I show care and build community. No one leaves my table hungry or wondering if there's something safe to eat. Lately I've been playing with ways to make even simple dishes feel joyful, including turning avocado toast into little passed bites that disappear almost as quickly as they hit the platter.    

support, community, and suppers: clearing our pantry one meal at a time

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This year is about support and community. So we’re kicking 2026 off by clearing out our pantry, one shared meal at a time. Here’s how to join us.   Unable to attend in person? We have grab-and-go meals too!  

the four pillars and five covenants every strong community needs

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What makes a community truly work—especially when caregiving or kids are involved? After two decades in intergenerational spaces, I’ve seen what holds communities together—and what quietly breaks them apart.   This post shares the simple but powerful framework I use to build trust, reduce burnout, and help people show up for each other with clarity and care. Whether you're leading a camp, hosting a gathering, or just trying to build better relationships, these four pillars and five covenants can help.  

Showdown: Determining Best Regional Dropshipped BBQ from Austin, Kansas City, and Memphis

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Thanksgiving isn't my holiday. My holiday is the day after Thanksgiving; it's a day to share my love of BBQ with friends and chosen family.     Which is your favorite: Central Texas, Missouri's Kansas City, or Memphis, Tennessee?  

when things don't go according to plan

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Every parent dreads receiving the news their kid’s school is going on lockdown. (More than 4.1 million students endured at least one lockdown in the 2017-2018 school year alone ( source )).   I got that text and email yesterday. Out of an abundance of caution, our child’s school along with seven others in the district went into soft lockdown due to a developing situation at the nearby university.   It happened during what was supposed to be a fun, uneventful morning picking out Gates' first pair of glasses--a morning that didn't quite go according to plan. Continue reading to learn what happened and see which four pairs of frames she's considering.  

gifting myself 100 days of being in the present

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Do you ever do something just for the sheer joy of it? Or, are you calculating in the back of your mind how something you're doing for fun can be used or repurposed so that you haven't wasted any time? Attempting a 100 Day Project can help you learn to let go, bolster your feelings of self-worth, and provide a sense of accomplishment.   Between February 13th and May 24th, I'm gifting myself 100 days of creativity. I'm participating in The 100 Day Project (follow @DoThe100DayProject or #DoThe100DayProject ) hosted by Lindsay Jean Thomson ( @LindsayJeanThomson on Instagram ). I'm planning on making 100 collages or mixed media pieces and will be posting my work periodically to Instagram at @RoadToGoodLife .     So far I've created eleven pieces and haven't missed a day yet! Read on to learn about this year's one hundred day project and how I'm approaching it.  

one-pot red beans and rice with andouille sausage

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Up until the COVID shelter in place order went out in San Francisco in 2020, I’d never heard of Aduki beans. And then, just like that I had a dozen cans. If you've never eaten them, you'll want to go out and grab some and make this one-pot red beans and rice recipe either on your stovetop or in a slow cooker.   NOTE: This post contains affiliate links, preceded by (*affiliate link) .