There is only so much we can do to avoid the sick days. As we head into this cozy yet germy time of year, it’s nice to have some books and activities ready to go to keep little kids comfy and entertained as we nurse them back to health! Here are a few of our favorite “sick day” books to get you started:

Just a Little Sick by Mercer Mayer

Little Critter might have the flu, but he still happily anticipates all the fun things he’ll be able to do with a day off from school. That is, until he realizes that being “just a little sick” might not be what he had in mind! Your kids will surely be able to relate to the stir-crazy feelings of our favorite Little Critter as he recovers from his sickness.

Get Well, Curious George by Margeret and H.A. Rey

Join George as he visits the doctor and discovers what it will take to feel better soon! He wants nothing more than to get back to his curious ways but he will first have to take care of himself with extra rest, some juice, and a few quiet activities. This story is perfect for little kids who might need to be put at ease about seeing the doctor!

The Berenstain Bears’ Sick Days by Jan and Mike Berenstain

Oh boy, is this one relatable! Mama Bear is trying to keep life chugging along as she breathlessly tries to care for a sick Sister Bear, while watching the baby, cleaning, cooking, and fighting off the germs herself. It’s an honest look at life with sick kids that both parents and children will find entertaining!

Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson

Our good friend Bear might be feeling under the weather, but his forest buddies are there to comfort him. Even if it means they might end up getting sick, too. This rhyming tale is a sweet and charming story with colorful, inviting illustrations that your kids will enjoy over and over!

A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead

This heartwarming story follows a faithful zookeeper named Amos and his quirky animal friends. They each rely on him in different ways, so when he doesn’t show up to work because he’s at home with a cold, they return the favor and pay him a visit! My kids love this book. The illustrations are amazing and it’s a beautiful story of friendship.

A few other helpful things to have on hand for when the inevitable sick days arrive are simple puzzles, drawing pads with new crayons or markers, an easy craft kit, fun stamps, or some inexpensive fidget toys that might brighten up your child’s stuffy, sneezy day! Wishing you lots of health this season and hoping that even on the sickest most exhausting days, you will find a few moments of peace.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

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Ingredients:

• 2-2.5 lbs. chicken breasts, sliced lengthwise
• ½ cup taco seasoning
• ½ Yellow onion, sliced
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 28oz can enchilada sauce (or homemade)
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 bag frozen corn
• 8 oz shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese
• Toppings (optional): Sour cream, lime wedges, cilantro, avocado, tortilla chips, shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, green onions, and sliced black olives
• Rice for serving (optional)

Directions:

Grease crockpot. Then add sliced onion, chicken breasts, taco seasoning, black beans, and corn. Cook on high for 3-3.5 hours or low for 5 hours.

Maria Magee

Place chicken breasts on a cutting board, shred, then return to the crockpot.

Maria Magee

Mix in sour cream. Sprinkle cheese on top, cover, and allow the cheese to melt on low for another 10-15 minutes. Garnish with cilantro or green onions.

Maria Magee

Serve on rice or in a bowl topped with crushed tortilla chips and your favorite extras!

Maria Magee

Tips: If you like extra sauce, add an additional 10 oz can of enchilada sauce to the crockpot along with the 28oz.

You don’t have to add sour cream at the end, but I find it helps cut down on the acidity and the creaminess is an upgrade from traditional enchilada recipes (in my opinion!)

I hope you enjoy this tasty, satisfying recipe and that it makes your fall just a little bit easier!

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I LOVE FALL!

Fall is my reward for making it through the summer.  The changing colors, sweaters, hot drinks, good books, rainy days, I love it all!

So, when I saw these cute little cinnamon pumpkins, I just had to try to make them for myself (and share the recipe with you!).

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 cup ground cinnamon
• Optional: pinch of ground cloves
• ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 Tablespoons Elmer’s glue (white or clear)
• Wood sticks (I cut them from my yard)
• Butter knife or skewer
• Parchment paper and cookie sheet

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 200 degrees F.

Mix the cinnamon, applesauce and glue together in a medium bowl. Stir until all the cinnamon is moistened.

Place parchment paper on a cookie sheet and roll the dough into 15 balls (they will be about a heaping Tablespoon in size).

Put a stick in each ball, make sure your stick is long enough to stay in when the pumpkin is dry.

Make “pumpkin grooves” around your pumpkins with a knife or skewer.

Bake your little gourds for 2-3 hours (I did 3). Rotate the pan every 30 minutes (I don’t know if this is really necessary, but I did it).

Remove from the oven and place the pan on a cooling rack to further dry for 24 hours.

Wait until the pumpkins are cool before you peel them off the paper. A little paper may stick to the bottom, but as my mom would say, “It will never be seen on a galloping horse.”

You could add these to a bowl of potpourri, line them up on a mantle, give them as gifts…  The possibilities are endless!  Wherever you use them, your house will smell amazing!

Note: Do a search on where spices are mentioned in the Bible and you will be taken down a sweet-smelling rabbit hole!

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So we send a text that says, “I’m thinking of you! Please let me know if there is anything you need.”

And we mean every word.

There is nothing wrong with that message. In fact, I think the heart behind it is lovely. It communicates care, opens the door for connection, and reminds someone that they have people who love them. But I have been thinking lately about how, sometimes, the very people we most want to help are the least likely to know how to ask for it.

When life gets hard, even the simplest things can feel overwhelming. The person caring for a sick parent may not have the energy to figure out what they need, much less coordinate help. The new mom who hasn’t slept in three days might desperately need a meal but feel uncomfortable asking someone to bring one. The family moving across town may be surrounded by boxes, paperwork, and a thousand little decisions, leaving very little mental space to come up with a list of ways other people could help.

Sometimes, “Let me know if you need anything” unintentionally gives one more task to someone who is already carrying too much: identify a need, decide whether it is appropriate to ask, reach out, and coordinate the details.

What if, instead of asking someone to figure out how we can help, we took the time to think of something specific we could offer?

Not because we know exactly what someone needs, but because we love them enough to make helping a little easier.

Galatians 6:2 says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ”. I love that picture of what it means to love one another. We aren’t asked simply to notice when someone is struggling. We are encouraged to help carry the weight.

And sometimes, carrying a burden looks less like grand gestures and more like mowing a lawn, dropping off dinner, or taking a child to the park for an hour.

Here are ten texts you can send the next time you want someone to know you care.

1. “I will mow your lawn every Friday afternoon this summer. No need to remind me!”

When life gets busy or difficult, the ordinary responsibilities don’t stop. The grass keeps growing, the laundry keeps piling up, and the garbage still needs to go to the curb.

Offering to take care of a recurring chore removes one more thing from someone’s mental to-do list. It also communicates that you understand their hard season might last longer than a few days.

You could offer to shovel snow, walk the dog, take out the trash, water the garden, or handle another regular task. The key is making a specific offer you can reliably keep.

2. “Dinner will be brought to you every Monday night until you ask me to stop.”

Food is one of the most practical ways to love someone, especially during a new season of life. A new baby, a medical crisis, a move, or a loss can make meal planning feel like an impossible task.

Instead of asking whether someone needs a meal, offer a particular day and a simple plan. If you are organizing meals with friends, you could even coordinate a schedule so the family doesn’t have to manage the details.

Be sure to account for any dietary needs you already know about, and let them know whether you’ll leave the food on the porch or stay for a visit. A little clarity makes accepting help that much easier.

3. “I’m picking up groceries tomorrow and will leave a bag of essentials on your porch. I’ve got milk, bread, eggs, fruit, and a few easy meals covered.”

Grocery shopping is one of those ordinary tasks that can feel enormous when someone is exhausted, overwhelmed, or spending long days at a hospital.

Rather than asking someone to make a list, take care of a few basics you know they use. You can also pick up prescriptions, diapers, school supplies, or other essentials while you’re out.

You don’t have to get everything perfect. Sometimes a gallon of milk, fresh fruit, and bread can make the next couple of days feel much more manageable.

4. “I’m taking the kids to the park Saturday from 10 to noon. I’d love to take yours along, too. I’ll pick them up and bring them home!”

This one is especially helpful for families adjusting to a new baby, a move, or a difficult family situation.

When one person is stretched thin, the children still need attention, playtime, and a little fresh air. Offering to take them somewhere fun can give a parent time to rest, make phone calls, unpack boxes, or simply sit quietly for an hour.

Making the plan specific, including transportation and timing, removes the work of coordinating the details. And if the parent prefers to keep the children close, you can always offer to come over and play with them in the backyard instead.

5. “I’m coming over Thursday to help unpack your kitchen. I’ll bring coffee, too!”

Moving is exciting, but it can also be exhausting. Between packing, paperwork, address changes, and trying to remember which box contains the coffee maker, even a happy transition can leave a person overwhelmed.

Rather than offering vague help with the move, choose a manageable task. You could unpack the kitchen, assemble a bookshelf, break down empty boxes, or help organize the pantry.

If a friend is going through another kind of transition, think about what a similar practical offer might look like. Maybe you can help prepare the nursery, organize paperwork, or tackle a small project that has been weighing on them.

6. “I’m dropping off your favorite coffee and a little treat tomorrow morning. No need to come to the door!”

Not every act of support needs to be a big commitment. Sometimes, a small reminder that someone is loved can make a difficult day feel a little lighter.

A favorite coffee, a homemade treat, a bouquet of flowers, or a handwritten note can communicate, “I remembered you today.”

This is especially meaningful for people experiencing grief or loneliness, when the initial wave of support may have faded but the hard days are still coming. You don’t have to fix their circumstances. You can simply remind them that they haven’t been forgotten.

7. “I’m coming over Tuesday afternoon to sit with you for a while. I’ll bring coffee, and you don’t need to clean or entertain me. We can talk, or we can just sit together.”

When someone is struggling, we can be so focused on the practical things they need that we forget the value of simply being present.

A person caring for a sick family member may need someone to sit with them in a waiting room. A new mom may want an adult conversation that has nothing to do with feeding schedules. Someone grieving may need to tell the same story for the tenth time without feeling like they should be moving on.

Offer your presence without requiring them to entertain you or pretend everything is fine. Sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is sit on the couch, listen, and let someone be exactly where they are.

8. “I’ll drive you to your appointment Thursday and stay with you throughout. I’ll be there at 9:00 to pick you up.”

Medical appointments, difficult conversations, and unfamiliar situations can be intimidating, especially when someone is already emotionally exhausted.

Offering transportation or companionship removes logistical stress and gives someone another person to lean on. You might drive a friend to an appointment, sit with a loved one during treatment, or accompany a neighbor to an important meeting.

Be clear about the details and follow through. When someone’s world feels uncertain, knowing that one practical thing is already taken care of can be a tremendous relief.

9. “I’m praying for you today. I’m asking God to give you strength, peace, and rest in the middle of everything you’re carrying. I’ll keep praying for you throughout this week.”

For those of us who want to love others through our faith, prayer is a beautiful way to offer support. We can make it even more meaningful by being intentional and following through.

Rather than offering a quick “praying for you” and moving on, take time to pray for the person by name. If appropriate, send a short text later to let them know you prayed. You don’t need to offer an explanation for their suffering or try to find a silver lining. Simply remind them that they are seen, loved, and being brought before God.

And remember, prayer and practical help are not competing ways to love someone. Often, they belong together. You can pray for a struggling family and bring them dinner on Monday night.

10. “You don’t need to respond to this, but I want you to know I’m thinking about you. I’ll check in again next week, and you don’t have to pretend everything is okay with me.”

Sometimes people genuinely don’t know what they need. Other times, they are so overwhelmed that even responding to a kind message feels like one more obligation.

This text removes the pressure to reply while making it clear that your care won’t disappear if they don’t respond right away.

And then follow through. Check in next week. Remember the date of the appointment. Ask how the move went. Reach out a month after the funeral, when the world may have returned to normal for everyone else but still feels different to them.

Consistent care often matters more than a single grand gesture.

A Little Less Asking, a Little More Showing Up

Of course, we can’t always know what someone needs. And a specific offer should never become another expectation they have to manage. We should always respect someone’s boundaries if they decline or prefer to handle things differently.

But I wonder how often we hold back from helping because we don’t know what to do, when the truth is that we don’t need to do everything. We just need to do something.

We can mow the lawn. Bring the meal. Pick up the groceries. Sit in the waiting room. Remember to check in when the initial flurry of support has faded.

Romans 12:15 reminds us to “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn”. It is such a simple picture of what it means to love one another well. We enter into the lives of the people around us, sharing in their joy and making room for their sorrow.

We don’t have to have the perfect words or know how to fix every problem. We simply have to be willing to show up in the ways we can.

So the next time someone you love is walking through a difficult season, by all means, tell them you care. Tell them you’re thinking of them. Tell them you’re praying.

And then, if you can, give them something specific to say yes to.

Because sometimes the most loving words aren’t, “Let me know if you need anything.”

Sometimes they’re, “I’m bringing dinner on Monday. I’ll see you then.”

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As I write this, we haven’t had our first frost yet.  But it is coming and it will catch me by surprise like it does every year.

I watch my garden as it struggles to keep up with the changing temperatures.  Some of my tender plants have already wilted and have been pulled up for the compost or burn pile.  The hardier ones are still flourishing and will continue to do so until the winter sets in.

It always makes me sad to watch my tomato plants go through this change.  They are the proud plants of my garden.  They grow like crazy in the good times.  They try to take over the entire garden, growing seven feet tall and spreading their limbs in every direction.  They pay no attention to boundaries and spill over into the neighboring beds.  They supply me with plenty of beautiful, shiny, red and orange tomatoes during the season.

Ann Kirsten

Then, the first frost arrives and the vibrant green vines instantly wither and turn black.  It makes me so sad to see all the green tomatoes that didn’t get their chance to ripen before the cold weather destroyed their vines.  What a waste.  I always feel guilty, like I let the green ones down somehow.  I should have planted earlier, or picked more often, or somehow saved them from the fate of the compost bin.

A few years ago I had so many large and perfect green tomatoes left over that I did some research.  Do you know that you can make SO many things with green tomatoes?  There are recipes galore out there, both sweet and savory.

Ann Kirsten

The first thing I made was green tomato and cheese muffins.  I figured cheese could make anything taste better and would hide any unripe tomato flavor.  Oh, my goodness!  The resulting muffins were delicious!  I raved about them here: Tomatoes Won’t Ripen? Make These Green Tomato Muffins!

The tomatoes mellowed into the most wonderful flavor.  Added bonus: your kids will never know there are vegetables in their muffins.  I promise you this is true.  It’s not like those black bean or spinach brownies people talk about.  Yuck.  No, these were quite simply the best muffins I had ever tasted.

So this year I decided to try making something sweet with green tomatoes.  I chose a bar recipe and once again I was impressed.  After cooking, the tomatoes tasted like apples instead.

Ann Kirsten

Green Tomato Bars

• 2 cups green tomatoes, diced
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/4 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a small pot over medium heat, combine the tomatoes, brown sugar and lemon juice. Cook until the mixture has thickened a bit, about 20-25 minutes.  You will be tempted to cook it longer because the tomatoes don’t break down at this point.  Don’t worry, they soften in the oven.

In a bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and mix well.

Grease a 9×9 inch baking pan really well and press 2/3 of the mixture into the bottom, pour the tomato mixture on top of that and then top with the remaining oat mixture.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until light brown. Yum!

The beauty of cooking with green tomatoes is that they end up taking on the flavor of the other ingredients you’ve added.  They lose all tomato taste.  They turn into the yummiest and sweetest ingredient instead.

You can find green tomato recipes for relishes, chow-chows, pickles, pies, cakes, breads, muffins, casseroles, and so much more.  There are enough recipes out there for you to use up all of your unripened tomatoes!

Today I added green tomatoes to my red and orange ones.

Ann Kirsten

I will slow roast them and make Tomato Confit (Recipe here at AllMomDoes: Easy Tomato Confit.  I will probably blend the confit to make pasta sauce.  After that, my next green tomato experiment will be relish.  I can’t wait to make a sandwich with homemade green relish piled on top.

As you can see, those green tomatoes that I always viewed as sad and useless actually have great merit.  How many other things (and people) have I viewed incorrectly?

Gentleness or meekness is talked about so many times in The Bible.  Green tomatoes have a meek, gentle nature to them.  Unlike their proud red brothers and sisters, they seem to have lost all hope of being called to use as they cling to frost-destroyed vines.

I love that I have found uses for them.  Now, instead of feeling sorry for them, I actually look forward to having some green tomatoes left over at the end of the season.

As God often called the lowly and unqualified people to do His bidding, I am using the lowly green tomatoes in ways I never dreamed of before.  And like those God used, they have risen to the tasks.

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I started the adoption process when I was 39 years old. I was matched with my daughter, Penny, when I was 41, just after she had celebrated her first birthday. Today, I am 48, and Penny is about to turn eight.

Let me just say that becoming a mom at this stage of life is a beautiful, unexpected, occasionally hilarious adventure. It is also an experience that comes with a few surprises, particularly when you realize that you are not quite in the same season of life as many of the other parents around you.

When the Other Mom Was Born the Year You Graduated

You know those moments when someone says something completely innocent, and suddenly you feel like you’ve aged approximately 47 years in three seconds?

I had one of those moments recently at a school event.

I was chatting with a lovely couple whose child is in Penny’s class. We were having a perfectly normal conversation about high school when one of them asked what year I graduated.

“1997,” I replied.

The mom looked at me and said, “That is the year I was born!”

I genuinely didn’t know whether I should laugh or cry.

I mean, what do you even say to that? Congratulations on being born the year I was taking my senior pictures? Would you like me to tell you about dial-up internet and the days before everyone carried a phone in their pocket?

I smiled, laughed, and carried on with the conversation, but internally, I was doing some serious math.

These are the moments when you become acutely aware that you are not necessarily the same age as the other parents in the room. And while I know age is just a number, it turns out that number can feel awfully large when you’re standing next to someone who was born the year you graduated high school.

Of course, this isn’t the only time I’ve noticed the difference.

Some parents seem to be in their physical prime. They can chase their kids around the playground, scale the climbing equipment, and probably outrun their children without breaking a sweat.

Meanwhile, I’m Googling perimenopause symptoms and wondering why my back hurts after playing LEGOs on the floor for ten minutes.

Getting up from the floor has become its own Olympic event. And don’t even get me started on how old I will be when Penny graduates from high school. Yes, I’ve done the math. It’s scary. No, I don’t want to talk about it.

While some of my friends are becoming empty nesters, I’m trying to figure out which of the seven apps Penny’s school uses for communication and whether the important announcement was posted in the classroom app, the district app, the email newsletter, or somewhere else entirely.

Apparently, parenting in your late forties requires both reading glasses and a strong Wi-Fi connection.

It’s a different season of life, that’s for sure. And I know I’m not the only woman who has found herself becoming a mom later than she expected, looking around at the other parents and wondering how she ended up on a different timeline.

Penny & Joanna | Photo: Amanda Parker

God Has Always Worked Through Different Seasons

When I think about becoming a mom later in life, I’m reminded of Ecclesiastes 3:1:

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

It’s a familiar verse, but I think it’s particularly meaningful for those of us whose lives haven’t unfolded in the order we once imagined.

We live in a world that loves milestones and timelines. We tend to picture life happening in a certain sequence: finish school, start a career, get married, have children, watch them grow up, and eventually enjoy an empty nest. When our lives don’t follow that pattern, it’s easy to wonder whether we’ve somehow fallen behind.

But Scripture tells a different story.

Sarah became a mother to Isaac in her old age (Genesis 21:1–7). Elizabeth gave birth to John the Baptist when she and Zechariah were advanced in years (Luke 1:5–25, 57–66). Their stories are different from mine, and their experiences aren’t a promise that every longing will be fulfilled in the same way. But they remind me that God’s work is not confined to the seasons we consider conventional.

God has always been able to bring about something meaningful in unexpected circumstances.

Psalm 31:15 says, “My times are in your hands.”

I love that reminder. My times are in His hands, including the years when I didn’t know whether I would become a mother, the long adoption process, and the seasons when I watched other women experience milestones I was still waiting for.

I spent years wondering when my season of motherhood would begin. I wanted to know how the story would unfold and when I would finally get to hold the child I had prayed for.

Looking back, I can see that God was present in those years, too. He was at work in my life long before I knew how my story would turn out.

And that brings me to something I have come to appreciate about becoming a mother later in life.

The Years Before Motherhood Weren’t Wasted

When I think about my life before Penny, I don’t look back with regret. I think about the career I established, the places I traveled, the friendships I cultivated, and the community I built. I think about the experiences that stretched me, the disappointments that strengthened my faith, and the lessons I learned along the way.

For a long time, I didn’t know how those experiences would fit into the bigger picture of my life. I certainly didn’t know when or how I would become a mom.

But now, when I look at my life with Penny, I can see how God used so many of those experiences to prepare me for motherhood.

The years of waiting taught me patience and surrender. My career taught me how to navigate challenges and solve problems. My friendships taught me the importance of community. My experiences gave me a perspective that I now get to share with my daughter.

Even the adoption process itself prepared my heart in ways I couldn’t have understood at the time.

I spent years wishing I could skip ahead to the part where I finally became a mom. I wanted the answer, the resolution, the moment when the waiting would finally be over.

But now I can see that the years before Penny came home were part of my story, too. They shaped me into the woman who would eventually become her mother.

Perhaps that is one of the gifts of becoming a mom later in life. You bring your whole story with you. You bring the experiences, the lessons, the relationships, and the faith that have grown through all the seasons that came before.

I know that isn’t everyone’s experience. Some women arrive at motherhood carrying grief, disappointment, or circumstances they never would have chosen. Not every season makes sense when we’re living through it, and not every difficult experience comes with an obvious explanation.

But I do believe God can meet us in every season and continue to work in us, even when we cannot yet see what He is doing.

Isaiah 46:4 offers this beautiful reminder:

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

His faithfulness isn’t reserved for one particular stage of life. He is with us in the waiting, in the becoming, and in the living out of the things we once prayed for.

Learning to Embrace the Season We’re In

Of course, understanding all of this doesn’t mean comparison never creeps in.

There are still moments when I look around at school events and feel the age difference. There are times when I wonder how I’ll keep up with Penny as she gets older. And there are days when I wish I had the energy of a 28-year-old mom rather than the desire to sit down with a heating pad.

But I’m learning that being a good mom has very little to do with being the youngest, the most energetic, or the parent who understands every new technology the school introduces.

It has much more to do with showing up, loving your child, learning alongside them, offering guidance, apologizing when you get it wrong, and creating a home where they know they belong.

Those things aren’t reserved for women who become mothers at a particular age.

And this lesson extends far beyond motherhood. Maybe you’re starting a new career while your friends are retiring. Maybe you’re rebuilding after a difficult season while everyone around you seems settled. Maybe you’re stepping into something new at an age when you thought you would have everything figured out.

It’s natural to look around and wonder why your life looks different. But Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that there are different seasons for different purposes. We don’t all experience them in the same order, and we don’t all arrive at the same milestones at the same time.

I want to be careful not to spend so much time looking over at someone else’s season that I miss the beauty of my own.

I want to be present for Penny’s childhood. I want to enjoy the little things, even when they come with tired eyes and an aching back. I want to embrace the opportunity I’ve been given rather than spend my days wishing it had arrived sooner.

Because this season, with all its challenges and surprises, is a gift.

If You’re a Mom on a Different Timeline

If you’re reading this and became a mom later in life, I hope you can find a little comfort in knowing that you’re not the only one navigating this experience.

I hope you can laugh at the awkward moments when someone assumes you’re a grandmother or when you realize the other parents at school were born after you learned to drive. I hope you can acknowledge the challenges that come with parenting at a different age without allowing those challenges to overshadow the joy.

Maybe you became a mother through adoption after years of waiting, as I did. Maybe infertility, loss, remarriage, or circumstances you never anticipated changed the path you thought you would take. Whatever brought you to this season, you don’t have to apologize for the story that led you here.

You can be grateful for the life you lived before motherhood and grateful for the life you’re living now. You can acknowledge that some things are harder while still recognizing the beauty of this season. And you can trust that God can use the experiences you’ve had, the lessons you’ve learned, and the years you’ve spent waiting to shape the mother you are today.

Philippians 1:6 reminds us:

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

God is still working in you. He was present during the waiting, and He is present now. Your story is still unfolding.

I don’t know exactly what the next ten years of motherhood will hold. I know there will be more school events, more conversations that remind me I’m getting older, more technology I don’t understand, and probably a few more Google searches about what is happening to my body.

But I also know there will be laughter, adventures, hard conversations, new traditions, and countless opportunities to watch Penny grow into the person God created her to be.

And when I think about it that way, I wouldn’t trade a single year of the life that brought me here.

I didn’t become a mom too late. I became Penny’s mom in the season that became our story, and I am so grateful for it.

So, if your life looks a little different from the one you imagined, perhaps you can give yourself permission to stop measuring it against someone else’s. You don’t have to rush through the season you’re in to catch up with someone else, and you don’t have to have the next ten years figured out to appreciate the day in front of you.

As Ecclesiastes reminds us, there is a season for everything. We may not always understand God’s timing, and we may not have chosen every twist and turn along the way. But we can trust the One who holds our times in His hands.

As for me, I’ll be over here trying to get up off the floor after playing LEGOs, reminding myself that my back may be getting older, but my heart is right where it belongs.

And honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Maybe it’s because I love summer so much. I love the freedom of it. The long days. The warm air. The fact that we can walk out the back door in the morning and somehow still be outside hours later. There are bikes to ride, sidewalks to chalk, sprinklers to run through, neighborhood walks to take, and approximately 7,000 rocks, sticks, leaves, and other treasures to collect.

Summer makes entertaining kids feel almost effortless.

Not that summer parenting is actually effortless. We still have the occasional “I’m bored” and “What are we doing today?” and “Can I have a snack?” approximately fourteen minutes after breakfast. But there is just so much available to us when the weather is warm.

And then fall arrives.

The days get shorter. The sun starts disappearing earlier. The temperatures drop. Suddenly, it is 4:30 in the afternoon and I am looking out the window wondering how on earth we are going to make it until bedtime.

This is usually when my mom panic begins.

How am I going to keep this child entertained all through the coming months?

Because while I absolutely believe kids need to learn how to be bored and entertain themselves, I also know that there are only so many times I can suggest coloring before I start questioning my own parenting abilities.

So, rather than trying to fill every single cold-weather afternoon with an elaborate activity, I have been reminding myself that we don’t need to spend a fortune or create something amazing to make an ordinary day feel special.

Sometimes we just need a change of scenery, a little creativity, or permission to turn something simple into an adventure.

Here are five of our favorite ways to pass the time when the weather sends us inside.

1. Head to the Library

Tashi Delek

Our public library is one of those resources that I don’t think we take advantage of nearly enough.

Obviously, there are the books. And lots and lots of books. But libraries are so much more than a place to check out a stack of stories.

Many libraries offer children’s programming, story times, craft activities, community gatherings, play areas, puzzles, games, and other events that can turn an ordinary afternoon into something to look forward to.

And sometimes you don’t even need a specific plan.

We can walk in, browse the children’s section, let Penny choose a few books, spend some time playing, and then come home with a bag full of stories to explore together.

There is something about going somewhere that makes it feel like an activity, even if the activity is simply looking at books.

And best of all? It’s free.

When you’re trying to stretch the family budget while also surviving several months of cold weather, the library is basically a parenting superpower.

2. Bake Something Together

People Images

When the weather outside is miserable, there are few things better than turning on the oven and making the house smell amazing.

And before you start thinking that I am suggesting you spend an entire afternoon making homemade cinnamon rolls from scratch, let me stop you right there.

A box of cake mix counts.

A package of refrigerated cookie dough counts.

Pancakes for dinner count.

Even letting your kids help make lunch counts.

Sometimes the activity isn’t really about what you are making. It’s about letting them be involved.

Penny loves being in the kitchen with me, and I’ve learned that she doesn’t need a complicated recipe to feel like she’s doing something important. Measuring ingredients, stirring batter, cracking eggs, sprinkling toppings, or helping set the table can turn an ordinary meal into an afternoon activity.

And if you end up with a slightly lopsided cake covered in too many sprinkles?

Congratulations. You made a memory.

3. Have an Unexpected Movie Afternoon

Tero Vesalainen

There are days when you just need to call it.

Everyone is tired. It’s cold outside. Nobody wants to put on real pants. Dinner isn’t going to win any culinary awards.

So why not have a movie afternoon?

And I’m not talking about simply turning on the television while everyone continues doing their own thing. Make it an event.

Put the kids in charge of setting up the sofa with every blanket and pillow they can find. Make popcorn. Let them choose the movie. Turn down the lights. Maybe even eat dinner in the living room.

An unexpected movie during the middle of the week can make an otherwise ordinary day feel completely different.

We’ve become so accustomed to thinking that special moments require planning that sometimes we forget how much fun it can be to surprise our kids with something simple.

“How about we have a movie afternoon?”

Instant excitement.

And if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, make it a movie-and-dinner night. Pizza on paper plates, pajamas encouraged, and absolutely no apologies for the crumbs in the couch.

4. Turn the Kitchen Table Into a Craft Station

Marina Cherentsova

I have a feeling most moms have a collection of random craft supplies somewhere in their house.

You know the ones.

A cardboard box that was definitely going to become something.

Three pieces of ribbon.

A half-used bottle of paint.

A handful of popsicle sticks.

Construction paper in approximately every color except the one you actually need.

Rather than waiting for the perfect craft project to come along, pull it all out and let the kids figure out what to do with it.

Clear off the kitchen or dining room table. Put down some paper or an old tablecloth. Pull out the cardboard, scraps, stickers, paint, glue, markers, and whatever else you have on hand.

Then give them permission to create.

I love this more than a perfectly planned craft because there isn’t really a right answer.

Maybe the cardboard box becomes a house.

Maybe it becomes a robot.

Maybe it becomes something that I absolutely cannot identify.

That’s okay.

The goal isn’t to create something worthy of displaying on the refrigerator. The goal is to give kids the freedom to use their imagination.

And honestly, sometimes I think we adults need that reminder just as much as they do.

5. Go on an Adventure Walk

Brian A Jackson

Just because it’s cold or rainy doesn’t mean we have to completely abandon the outdoors.

Some of our favorite walks have actually happened when the weather was less than ideal.

There is something about putting on rain boots, grabbing an umbrella, bundling up, and deciding that the rain is part of the adventure that changes everything.

Instead of saying, “It’s too cold to go outside,” try giving the kids a mission.

You have to jump in five puddles.

Find three leaves that are different colors.

See if you can spot a bird.

Find the biggest puddle.

Pick up a leaf and see if you can float it down a sidewalk “river.”

Look for worms.

Find something red.

Suddenly, you’re not just going for a walk in the rain. You’re on an expedition.

And yes, you may come home with wet socks.

You may have to wipe mud off the dog.

Someone may inevitably announce that they are freezing approximately four minutes into the adventure.

But you might also have one of those afternoons your kids remember.

And One More: Change the Scenery

Janine Lamontagne

Sometimes the answer isn’t another activity. Sometimes you just need to get out of the house.

One of my favorite cold-weather afternoon activities is heading to a coffee shop.

Nothing fancy. Nothing complicated.

Grab yourself a coffee, get the kids a small treat, and bring along some coloring supplies, books, a card game, or a little activity they enjoy.

It doesn’t have to be a three-hour outing. Sometimes an hour is enough.

Because occasionally the walls of our own house just start to feel a little too close.

A change of scenery can reset everyone.

And let’s be honest, having someone else make your coffee is never a bad thing.

Making Peace With the Colder Months

I know that this time of year can feel long when you’re a mom.

There are days when you feel like you’ve already answered 47 questions, made 12 snacks, cleaned up the same mess three times, and it is somehow only 2:00 p.m.

But I’m trying to remind myself that I don’t have to make every cold-weather day magical.

I don’t need a color-coded schedule of enriching activities.

I don’t need a Pinterest-worthy craft.

I don’t need to spend money every time we leave the house.

I just need a handful of simple ideas to pull out when we need a little something different.

Because maybe the magic of these seasons isn’t in keeping our kids constantly entertained. Maybe it’s in slowing down enough to notice the little things we wouldn’t have time for during the busy, beautiful chaos of summer.

A trip to the library.

A box cake with too many sprinkles.

A blanket fort and a movie.

A pile of cardboard and paint.

A rainy walk in muddy boots.

A coffee shop afternoon.

These aren’t big things.

But childhood is built out of little things.

And perhaps instead of looking at the cold months ahead and wondering, How am I going to keep everyone busy? I can look at them and think, I wonder what memories we’ll make.

That feels a little less overwhelming.

And a whole lot more fun.

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God knew that it would take a lot of tries and failed attempts before the Israelites were allowed to leave.  Studying Exodus shows us just how hard it was.  If you want to delve into Exodus with your kids in a fun way, read on.

We’re making a ten plagues candy mix!

Things started off when God allowed Moses to bring Aaron with him for support.  The first miracle performed was when Moses told his brother to throw his staff down and it turned into a snake (Exodus 7:8-13).  But Pharoah’s sorcerers did the same thing (I always wondered how).  So of course Pharoah was unimpressed.  This was not one of the plagues, but it is still worthy of mention.

Use gummy snakes (or worms) if you’d like to add snakes to your mix.

Ann Kirsten

# 1 – Nile river turns to blood

God instructed Moses to strike the Nile with his staff.  The water turned to blood and all the fish died.  The Egyptians could not drink the water and it smelled awful. Even water that was in containers turned to blood.  But Pharoah’s heart was still hardened and his sorcerers managed to mimic the same thing (again, how?). This was the first plague (Exodus 7:14-24).

Red Swedish fish represent blood and dead fish nicely.

Ann Kirsten

# 2 – Frogs

Seven days after the Nile incident, God sent Moses again to the Pharoah with the message that if he refused to let the Israelites go, He would send a plague of frogs.  He warned that the Nile would teem with frogs and that they would get into the palace, the kneading troughs, and on the people themselves!  (This would have been enough to convince my granddaughter.  She is pretty sure frogs’ very reason for living is to jump on her face). (Exodus 8:1-7).

Gummy frogs suit the purpose for this plague.

Ann Kirsten

AGAIN the magicians replicated the same thing.  The frogs were so annoying though that Pharoah promised Moses and Aaron that he would let the people go to worship if they would make the frogs leave.  Of course he was lying. (Exodus 8:8-15)

# 3 – Gnats

Next, God told Moses to strike the dust in Egypt and all the dust would become gnats.  If you’ve ever been attacked by a swarm of gnats, you know how miserable it is.  Imagine all the dust turning into gnats!  For once, the sorcerers and magicians could not conjure up any gnats and they recognized the hand of God.  (Exodus 8:16-19)

Sno-Cap candy’s little white sprinkles mimic gnats nicely.

Ann Kirsten

# 4 – Flies

Pharoah’s heart was still hardened and he refused to let the people go to offer sacrifices to God.  So God told Moses to confront Pharoah again and tell him flies would be sent next.  Egypt would teem with them except none would be in the land of Goshen, showing that God’s people were separate and belonged to Him.  The next day, flies were on the Egyptians and in their houses, in the palace, and on the land.  Pharoah tried to negotiate by offering that the Israelites could worship their God right in Egypt.  Moses refused and said they had to go into the wilderness.  Pharoah agreed that if Moses would remove the flies the Israelites could go.  But his heart was hardened again and he went back on his word. (Exodus 8:20-32)

Chocolate covered raisins are an easy representation of the flies.

Ann Kirsten

# 5 – Plague on Egyptian livestock

So God told Moses to tell Pharoah that a terrible plague would break out on the Egyptian livestock.  The animals would die, but none of the Israelite livestock would be affected.  Once again, God was showing who His people were.  This was a catastrophic plague as the animals were needed for food.  But Pharoah once again refused.  (Exodus 9:1-7)

Animal Crackers represent the livestock.

Ann Kirsten

# 6 – Boils

Next, God told Moses and Aaron to take handfuls of soot from a furnace and throw it into the air in front of Pharoah.  The dust would settle over the land and festering boils would break out on animals and humans alike.  The magicians hid from Moses because not only could they not do the same thing, but they were covered with boils themselves.  (Exodus 9:8-12)

Gummy berries are covered in tiny “boils” and are perfect for this.  You could also use Red Hots if you prefer.

Ann Kirsten

# 7 – Hail

It was time for God to really show His power.  He had Moses remind Pharoah that at any time He could have wiped the Egyptians off the earth.  He warned the Egyptians to protect the animals and people inside as hail unlike any ever seen before would arrive the next day.  Those who feared God protected themselves.  Those who did not lost their slaves and their animals. No hail fell in the land of Goshen where the Israelites lived.  (Exodus 9:13-26)

White gumballs represent the hail stones.

Ann Kirsten

Pharoah admitted that he had sinned and that he would finally let the Israelites go.  Moses knew that Pharoah and his officials still did not fear God.  But he stopped the hailstorm and once again Pharoah’s heart was hardened. (Exodus 9:27-35)

God told Moses that he had hardened Pharoah’s heart so that His power could be shown.  He said that children and grandchildren should be told of the plagues so that they might know that “I am the Lord” (and that’s what we’re doing today!).

# 8 – Locusts

The next plague was locusts.  The locusts would eat anything still growing after the hailstorm.  They would cover the ground and enter all the houses.  Pharoah’s officials had had enough and wondered how long Pharoah would refuse to humble himself.  Once again, Pharoah tried to negotiate that he would allow only the men to leave.  So Moses stretched out his staff and a wind came up that blew locusts into Egypt.  The locusts ate every living thing that was left.  Pharoah agreed to let the Israelites go.  The wind changed and the locusts were blown into the Red Sea.  Yet again, Pharoah hardened his heart and wouldn’t let God’s people go. (Exodus 10:1-20)

Locusts were hard to replicate in candy.  I used Mary Janes and made a few cuts into them with scissors.  Tootsie rolls would work too or you could simply use green Mike & Ike’s.

Ann Kirsten

# 9 – Darkness

God had Moses stretch out his hand towards the sky.  And darkness fell “that could be felt”.  Can you imagine such a darkness?  The darkness covered Egypt for three days.  The people couldn’t see anything or move about.  The Israelites had all the light they needed, however.  Pharoah tried to negotiate yet again and said the people could go to worship but they had to leave their livestock behind.  When Moses refused, Pharoah was furious and told Moses that the next time he showed his face he would die. (Exodus 10:21-29)

Black licorice represents the darkness.

Ann Kirsten

# 10 – Egyptian firstborn sons

God told Moses that one last plague would be done and then Pharoah would allow God’s people to leave.  The people prepared and gathered silver and gold from the Egyptians.  At midnight, the firstborn of all the Egyptians and all their animals would die.  (Exodus 11:1-10).

Sour Patch Kids represent the firstborns.

Ann Kirsten

Have you ever tried to eat a Sour Patch Kid?  I did and I spit it out before even a second had passed!  It represents a bitter plague indeed.

So there you have it; the ten plagues represented in candy form.  I found all the candy at the dollar store except the frogs.  After looking in four stores, I ordered the frogs online for a few dollars.

You could make a poster with the ten plagues candy, like this:

Ann Kirsten

Or, for a Sunday school class, treat bags with a sample of each candy would be fun.  Have the kids make labels listing the ten plagues (my grandson wrote this one).

Ann Kirsten

(To read further about the very first Passover, read chapter 12 of Exodus).

However you choose to do it, this is a memorable way for your kids to learn how hard it was to free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

For further sharing, this old spiritual, sung by Louis Armstrong, would be fun to listen to while the kids make their plague labels.

“Let My People Go…” – Louis Armstrong

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Maybe that’s why the little moments feel so special.

A warm drink before the house wakes up. A few quiet minutes in the car after drop-off. Stepping outside to soak in the crisp air before heading back to the next thing. Small pauses can help us catch our breath and remember that God is present, even in the middle of our beautifully busy and ordinary days.

If you’re looking for a simple way to add a little extra cozy to your week, here are a few fun fall drinks that go beyond the usual pumpkin spice latte.

 Honey Pear Tea

zi3000

This one feels like fall in a mug.

You’ll need:

• 1 cup brewed chamomile or herbal tea
• ¼ cup pear nectar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• Dash of cinnamon

If you can’t find pear nectar, don’t let that stop you from making the tea! A simple substitute is:

Caramel Apple Cider

Pamela D McAdams

Perfect for afternoon pick-me-ups.

You’ll need:

• 1 cup warm apple cider
• 1 tablespoon caramel sauce (Homemade caramel sauce recipe)
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Whipped cream (optional, but highly encouraged!)

Stir together and top with whipped cream for a drink that tastes like a fall festival.

Maple Vanilla Chai

Alvarez

Cozy, creamy, and surprisingly easy.

You’ll need:

• 1 chai tea bag
• 1 cup milk of choice
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• Splash of vanilla extract

Steep the tea in warmed milk, stir in maple and vanilla, and enjoy while pretending no one needs you for at least ten minutes.

Cinnamon Roll Steamer

Rafael Yebenes Alonso

A coffee-free treat that tastes like dessert.

You’ll need:

• 1 cup milk
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar

Warm together on the stove and whisk until frothy.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11

“God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” Psalm 46:5

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid… for the Lord your God goes with you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles…“ Isaiah 40:31

May this Fall bring warmth to your home, peace to your heart, and plenty of reasons to pause and savor the moments God has given you.

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Car trouble is one of them.

There is something particularly frustrating about handing your car over to a mechanic, hoping they will find the problem, fix the problem, and hand you back a vehicle that you can confidently drive without wondering if it is going to leave you stranded on the side of the road.

Unfortunately, that was not my experience.

After three days in the shop, the technicians couldn’t find anything blatantly wrong with my car. They had looked at it, checked things, run tests, and tried to figure out why it seemed to be stalling while I was driving. But there was no obvious answer. No clear solution. No little part they could replace and send me happily on my way.

Was I thankful that nothing major seemed to be wrong with my car?

Yes.

Was I incredibly frustrated that my car was still seemingly broken, with no apparent explanation or solution?

YES.

And sometimes those two things can exist at the exact same time.

I went to pick up my car knowing that I was getting back a vehicle that still had a question mark hanging over it. In the middle of an already heavy season, it felt like one more thing to figure out. One more problem to solve. One more responsibility to carry.

And honestly, I shed some tears.

Penny noticed.

She asked why I was upset, and I explained that it was hard not knowing what was wrong with the car or what we were supposed to do next. There wasn’t a neat solution to take home with us. There was just uncertainty.

So we got in the car.

We thanked the people who had spent three days trying to find an answer for us, and we drove home.

As I pulled into the garage, I heard Penny’s sweet little voice from the back seat.

“Aren’t you so thankful?”

I almost laughed.

Not a cute, spiritual, yes, sweet child, let us count our blessings kind of laugh.

More of a Are you serious right now? Thankful?! kind of laugh.

“Thankful?” I repeated.

Without hesitation, Penny began listing the reasons.

“The people who tried to fix the car were so nice. And they even gave us candy. And we made it all the way home without the car breaking.”

The reminder I didn’t know I needed.

Because while I had been looking at everything that was still wrong, Penny was looking at everything that was still good.

She noticed the kind people who had tried to help us. She noticed the strawberry candy they had given her while we waited in the repair shop lobby. She noticed that we had gotten into the car, driven home, and pulled safely into our garage.

None of those things fixed the car.

The problem was still there.

The uncertainty was still there.

But so was the goodness.

And somehow, my seven-year-old reminded me that I don’t have to wait for everything to be fixed before I can be thankful.

I think that’s one of the hardest things about gratitude.

It’s easy to praise God when the circumstances are good.

It’s easy to thank Him when the sun is shining, the kids are happy, the bills are paid, everyone is healthy, the plans are working, and life feels like it’s falling beautifully into place.

It’s easy to look around on a warm summer day and say, “God, thank You for this.”

But what does our heart posture look like in the middle of the storm?

Can we still find reasons to say thank You when the answer hasn’t come?

Can we be grateful when the situation is uncertain?

Can we notice the strawberry candy even when the car is still broken?

Being thankful doesn’t mean pretending that hard things aren’t hard. It doesn’t mean we have to manufacture happiness or convince ourselves that everything is fine when it isn’t.

We can be frustrated and thankful.

We can cry and still praise God.

We can admit that something is hard while also looking for the evidence of God’s goodness tucked inside the hard.

Sometimes gratitude doesn’t look like a grand declaration of faith. Sometimes it looks like noticing the person who was kind to you. Or recognizing that you made it safely home. Or accepting the piece of strawberry candy handed to you by a seven-year-old who somehow sees the world with more wonder than you did that day.

And sometimes we need God’s Word to remind us where to turn our hearts when life isn’t going according to plan.

5 Verses to Turn To When Life Isn’t Going as Planned

1. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Not give thanks when everything works out.

Not give thanks when you understand what God is doing.

Give thanks in all circumstances. We can bring our disappointment, frustration, uncertainty, and unanswered questions to God while still looking for reasons to praise Him.

2. Psalm 34:1

“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

At all times.

On the good days. On the frustrating days. On the days when the answer comes and the days when it doesn’t. Praise isn’t dependent on our circumstances; it’s a choice to remember who God is in the middle of them.

3. Philippians 4:6–7

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

I love that thanksgiving is tucked right into this instruction to pray.

We don’t have to choose between asking God for help and thanking Him. We can do both. We can say, “God, I don’t know what to do with this,” while also saying, “Thank You for being with me in it.”

4. Psalm 46:1

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Sometimes we don’t need another explanation. We need a reminder that we’re not facing the trouble alone.

God doesn’t promise that we will never have trouble. But He promises His presence in the middle of it.

5. Habakkuk 3:17–18

“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines…yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.”

This passage is such a beautiful picture of choosing praise when circumstances aren’t producing the outcome we hoped for.

Sometimes the fig tree doesn’t blossom.

Sometimes the car doesn’t get fixed.

Sometimes the answer doesn’t come when we want it to.

And still, God is good.

Maybe that’s what being thankful in the middle of hardship really looks like.

Not pretending the storm isn’t happening.

Not ignoring the things that hurt.

But lifting our eyes long enough to notice that even in the middle of the storm, there are still gifts.

There are still people who are kind.

There are still little moments of sweetness.

There is still laughter.

There is still a safe place to come home to.

There is still strawberry candy.

And there is still a good God who is with us in all of it.

Sometimes we just need a seven-year-old in the back seat to remind us to look for it.

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]]> https://www.allmomdoes.com/blog/5-verses-to-turn-to-when-life-isnt-going-as-planned/feed/ 0 https://www.allmomdoes.com/blog/grandma-hobbies-and-their-health-benefits/ https://www.allmomdoes.com/blog/grandma-hobbies-and-their-health-benefits/#respond Thu, 01 Oct 2026 17:00:19 +0000 Ann Kirsten 2026-10-05T18:36:10+00:00 https://d955.cms.socastsrm.com/?p=61443 New research has found that “Grandma Hobbies” provide powerful physical and mental health benefits.  How wonderful to find something healthy that is actually fun to do (goodbye kale!).

The online definition of “Grandma hobbies” says – “They are low-tech, tactile, and creative pastimes traditionally associated with older generations that are seeing a major resurgence among younger people looking to disconnect from digital screens.”

Whew, that’s a mouthful.

Grandma hobbies cover a wide variety of things to try. To name a few: knitting, crocheting, sewing, embroidery, cross-stitching, cooking, baking, puzzles, board games, quilting, gardening, canning, and anything else that encourages you to stop and focus on what you’re doing for a minute or two.

In this crazy world we live in, we have become overstimulated and under-nourished in so many ways.  We long for things that feel real and useful.  Creating things with your hands solves that.  Old-fashioned hobbies give us a sense of accomplishment not found elsewhere.  Finishing a paper online doesn’t pack the same punch that holding a ripe tomato or a finished sweater does.

Plus, doing these activities creates much-needed pauses during the day.  They give us permission to rest without a lot of guilt.  In these modern times, we often feel guilty if we’re not busy at all times.  Partaking in these pastimes gives us a feeling of accomplishment while also allowing us to rest along the way.

So, how do grandma hobbies help?

They Lower Stress Hormones – Repetitive movements, like knitting or crocheting, act as a form of peaceful “meditation” that actually lowers the stress hormone cortisol.

They Raise Feel-good Hormones – Working with your hands stimulates touch receptors, releasing calming oxytocin and elevating dopamine and serotonin to boost your mood.

They cut screen time – Trading digital devices for hands-on crafts helps your brain decompress and also improves your overall sleep quality

They improve neuroplasticity – Learning new patterns or techniques builds and strengthens neural pathways, keeping the mind sharp and flexible.

They give you better focus – These activities demand sustained attention, which trains your brain to filter out distractions and stay present in the moment.

They lower dementia risk – Studies associate regular creative hobbies and gardening with a lower risk of cognitive decline as you age.

They combat loneliness – Crafting circles, gardening clubs, or baking groups create a sense of community and strong social belonging.  Even online groups allow you to share what you’ve made and get support from other members.

They give us a sense of purpose – Finishing a project or sharing handmade goods with others fosters deep satisfaction and emotional joy.

They regulate the nervous system – The bilateral movement in knitting or kneading dough and the rhythm of the movements signal safety to our bodies.  That activates the parasympathetic nervous system and gets us out of the fight-or-fight system that so many of us are stuck in.

There are so many grandma hobbies to choose from that you are sure to find one that matches your unique personality.

My friend makes the most beautiful quilts.  Quilting is a linear hobby.  Pieces must fit together perfectly or everything is off balance.  I could never quilt.  I am far from linear and my inclination is to make wonky things.  But it’s the perfect match for my friend.

Ann Kirsten

In contrast, I make tiny little things.  I love embroidery.  I love the different colors of thread and the movement of the needle going through the material.  Sometimes I make up a pattern in my head as I go along.

Ann Kirsten

And sometimes I follow a pattern but make it my own with my choice of colors and fabrics.

Ann Kirsten

Either way, the rhythmic movements give me so much peace.

My mother-in-law always had a crochet hook in her hand.  She made blankets, ornaments, clothing and anything else that caught her eye.  The dress in this picture was made for my daughter and then her daughter wore it and it is now packed away for future generations.

Ann Kirsten

Cross-stitch saved me when I first became a mother.  My husband worked twelve-hour shifts, seven days a week and we only had one car.  I was stuck inside with a new baby.  Stitching gave me a concrete way to feel that I mattered.  I had something physical to show for those long and lonely days inside.

Ann Kirsten

Maybe your “thing” will be gardening.  There is nothing quite like growing your own food.  Talk about physical examples of your hard work!  The produce you provide your family will give you so much satisfaction.

Ann Kirsten

Canning goes along with gardening.  Whether you choose to can the old-fashioned way or freeze your produce, the sight of all those jars of yumminess will fill your heart with joy.

Ann Kirsten

My daughter has chosen sourdough baking.  The things she turns out of her kitchen are stunning and so delicious.  Her kids will remember them long after they’re grown.

Ann Kirsten

I love to bake as well.  A few years ago I baked cookies of the month.  The recipes are all on allmomdoes.com.  Simply do a search for “cookie of the month”.

Ann Kirsten

And grandma hobbies aren’t just for women.  When my husband was recovering from a terrible accident we set up a puzzle table.  Working on a puzzle not only gave him peace, but he could see his accomplishments right before his eyes as he put the pieces together.  He needed that encouragement at a time when he was physically unable to do much else.

So there you have it.  Grandma hobbies are here to stay.  They’re not only special ways to create heirlooms, they’re also healthy!

She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
Proverbs 31:13

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At the first sight of fruit flies each year, I waste no time. I immediately set up my DIY traps. I find it so satisfying to look in the little bowls each morning to witness how many fruit fly corpses are floating around. But last year, I became frustrated when my traps were getting some of them, but there were still numerous little bugs flying around our house.

I was complaining to some of my friends about it one night and my mind was blown at what one of them told me. She said there is something called a drain fly. I had never heard of this. Apparently drain flies, though basically harmless, like to lay their eggs in moist areas like a drain. Even more interesting, all the friends I was with that evening said they too were having an issue this year with tiny bugs that wouldn’t go away.

It didn’t appear there was an actual reason we were all having this problem. None of us had clogged drains with standing water or unused toilets in our house. We concluded that our neighborhood was just having some sort of random infest; there is no way to know if this is actually true. But what we did know is that we had to take care of it.

I immediately started looking up how to rid my house of these. Thankfully, the solution was simple and so far has been very effective.

If you have fruit flies but think you might also have drain flies, I suggest doing a combination of the vinegar dish soap solution and this new remedy I discovered. I have a hard time telling the difference between the bugs. But what was interesting was after I did this new remedy, I had triple the dead fruit flies in my soap solution than I had previously.

What you will need:
Measurements are per drain. I suggest doing one solution per drain in your house, including showers.

• ½ cup baking soda
• 1 cup vinegar (I used white vinegar)
• Very hot water (I read that boiling can be bad for pipes so I used the hottest I could get before boiling)

What you will do:

1. Sprinkle the baking soda in and on the drain opening (getting into the drain)
2. Pour in the vinegar
3. It will start to bubble like a science experiment (my kids loved it!)
4. After about 10 minutes, flush the drain with hot water (I put it into a large bowl then poured in)

WATCH TUTORIAL:

RELATED:

Your Three-Step Fruit Fly Battle Plan

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Enjoying the last bit of summer doesn’t come without the realization that fall is practically here which means our fall schedule is practically here.

I rely heavily on my Google calendar. It’s shared with my husband, and I always say, “if it’s not on the calendar, it doesn’t exist.” There are misses but overall, my husband is pretty good about ensuring that commitments get put into the shared calendar to help us stay aligned. I am sure I have also had misses, but I like to believe I too am when it comes to getting things on the calendar.

Knowing that we are coming up on the fall season, I decided to deep dive into the schedule come September to start preparing myself for what is ahead. Up until that point, we had enrolled the kids in things and crossed our fingers for as few conflicts as possible. I knew that everything would work as far as no two sports overlapping. That seemed like a small miracle, quite honestly.

Conflicts will arise as we get further into the season. We have practice times but not game or meet times yet so it’s inevitable that some sort of scheduling challenges will arise between the multiple extra curriculars that my kids participate in.

I can’t yet wrap my head around that because I am still in the stage of how to make it all work with just the practice schedule. Soccer, swim team, drums, basketball, flag football, youth group and three different types of dance classes. We are also throwing in drivers ed for my son who will be 15 soon.

Fall is already feeling like a lot, and it hasn’t started. Some of it is anticipation. I think once we get into the groove of the schedule, we will be fine. Having two kids and two parents means that we can divide and conquer which we are used to doing.

My kids really enjoy all their activities and my husband, and I think keeping them busy is a good thing. If they have good grades, we try to support the activities that they want to do. We love the community they have from each activity, getting to meet different people and we believe that staying active is really important.

As I look at the calendar and try to envision what the evenings will be every day after work, it is a little overwhelming. There are zero days Monday through Thursday that we’ll be able to have dinner together as a family. This also means very limited, if any, time to get dinner ready. Sundays will remain critical for me as I prepare for the week. Meal prepping of some sort will be important because there just won’t be time for it during the week.

It feels a bit like organized chaos even though the season hasn’t yet begun.  But I think I kind of thrive in it. I love routine and I love organizing. As I look to the fall, it brings me joy knowing that I can organize the days that will lead to the type of routine that I love.

It doesn’t mean there won’t be moments of stress or feeling like maybe we are overcommitted or moments where I feel like I am failing. But for someone like me who does thrive in routine, I have figured out that I prefer a little chaos over an open schedule. As long as I feel like I can somewhat organize and manage it.

Are you gearing up for fall? Do you too actually thrive in the organized chaos, or will you be longing for the days of summer where things tend to be a little more easy going?

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Recipes often claim to be “quick and easy” and then 45 minutes later I find myself still without dinner on the table. When I find a recipe that is actually quick and easy and something that tastes good, I keep it on hand.

This gnocchi soup is not only actually quick and easy but it’s also vegetarian which, for us with a vegetarian 11-year-old, makes it an ideal meal. It also has a ton of veggies in it but my kids loved it.

Warning- the finished product doesn’t look totally satisfying but I promise you it is delicious and the perfect fall meal.

PC: Stephanie O’Farrell

You will need:

• Vegetable Broth- about 2 cups
• “Holiday Vegetable Hash- this is chopped up butternut squash, sweet potato, celery, sage, rosemary and parsley. You could chop it up yourself, but this pre-chopped version made it incredibly simple.
• Boursin Cheese- 5.3 ounce box
• Gnocchi- I used pumpkin to make the perfect fall meal

Here is what you will do:

Sautee the vegetables in a lightly oiled pan until they are softened

In a blender add softened vegetables, Boursin cheese, 2 cups vegetable broth (I used about 2.5 cups)

Blend for about a minute

Pour mixture into a pot and bring to a boil

Add in gnocchi

Cook gnocchi as instructions call for (typically only a few minutes until they start rising to the top

I served my kids grilled cheese on the side but croutons in the soup would also be lovely.

Enjoy!

RELATED

• Six Things I Do On Sundays To Set My Week Up For Success

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In Fall, I am a squirrel too!

Further research backed me up on this weird thought.

For example:

Once fall arrives, squirrels start eating more.  They enter a “hyperphagic” phase (which basically just means overeating).

So do I!  Seriously, the weather starts turning cooler and I am suddenly drawn to heavier foods.  I trade my light summer salads for soups and stews.  And then baked goods come pouring out of my oven and of course they must be eaten with hot chocolate and decadent coffee drinks.

Every year I say to myself, “This year I am going to continue eating light foods even though Autumn has arrived.”  And every year, I head straight for pot pies, casseroles, and potatoes.  The squirrels have an excuse.  They need those extra calories to survive the colder weather.  But do I?  Probably not, but somehow I still start carb-loading.

All those extra calories are stored as fat to carry squirrels through the lean months that follow.

That’s awesome (for the squirrels).  Not so much for me.  I have no lean months.  I live in a nice warm house with access to all the food I need (and want).  Still, just like the squirrels, I store those extra calories as fat.  Yippee.

Squirrels cache what they don’t eat, hiding food for later.

You would think that this is where I differ from squirrels.  I do not.  I may or may not have a hidden chocolate drawer (is my husband reading this?).  I also have little treats hidden in my nightstand, end tables, etc.  And, yes, I forget where I put things.  It’s always a pleasant surprise to find a goodie I have forgotten about.

Squirrels collect acorns.

I do too!  I don’t know what it is about acorns, but I find them fascinating.  They’re such odd little things.  I am entranced by their shape.  I have fancy bowls of them inside my home in the Fall.  I paint them, glitter them, and pile them on tables.  (I don’t eat them though).

Squirrels sleep more when the weather gets colder.

Me too!  There is nothing like a cozy bed when the weather is cold. I keep my room cool and pile on the blankets.  The darker days make me look forward to napping and going to bed earlier.  So cozy!

They decrease their activity level to conserve energy.

I do the same thing.  The beautiful thing about Fall is that when it is dark and rainy I feel no guilt for staying inside and reading, or sewing, or napping again!

During the summer months it feels like a waste not to be doing something active outside.  Autumn holds no such feelings for me.  I can laze a bit without feeling bad.  Give me a blustery day, a good book and a pot of tea and I am a happy girl.  Once the chilly weather hits, you can usually find me under a blanket in my favorite chair.

Squirrels grow thicker coats for the colder weather.

Okay, I can’t grow a winter coat, but I do the next best thing.  I unpack my sweaters.  I love sweaters!  They’re like a hug for your body.  I buy mine big and soft.  Just putting one on makes me feel so happy.

Squirrels make “hibernaculum” dens (from the Latin for “tent for winter quarters”).

Oh, how I love to nest in the cold months!  It’s one of my favorite things to do.  I put out fuzzy blankets and soft pillows.  I fill the house with candles and light fires in the fireplace.  I stack books near chairs and put flannel sheets on my bed.  I love my hibernaculum den!

During their hibernation times, squirrels slow their breathing, their heart rate and even their metabolic rate.

Fall and winter are my times of peace.  My breathing naturally slows down and so do I, which calms my heart rate too.  Sadly, my metabolic rate also seems to tank.  I guess we can’t have everything.

So, there you have it.  Proof that I am part squirrel.  Fall is here and I couldn’t be happier.

As I looked into squirrels I found this cute little poem.  Written long ago and much shared and illustrated, the author is unknown.  Isn’t it cute?

Earl the Squirrel is a classic old book by the author of the Corduroy books.  In it, Earl’s mom decides it is time for Earl to find his own acorns.  He spends the night searching and meeting new friends along the way.

In conclusion, squirrels remind me to praise God for this coming season and all the joy that it holds.

Andrey Svistunov

What about you.  Are you a squirrel too?

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

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]]> https://www.allmomdoes.com/blog/squirrels-in-autumn-and-the-art-of-getting-cozy/feed/ 0 https://www.allmomdoes.com/blog/the-realistic-fall-family-bucket-list/ https://www.allmomdoes.com/blog/the-realistic-fall-family-bucket-list/#respond Mon, 21 Sep 2026 17:00:24 +0000 Joanna Gott 2026-09-22T15:14:14+00:00 https://d955.cms.socastsrm.com/?p=61381 There is a version of fall that exists almost exclusively on Pinterest.

It involves perfectly coordinated flannel shirts, a picturesque apple orchard, a wagon ride through the trees, pumpkins picked directly from the vine, homemade pies cooling on the counter, and children who somehow manage to jump into a pile of leaves without getting dirt in their hair, mud on their clothes, or into an argument with their siblings.

It’s beautiful.

It’s also…a lot.

And while I love a good fall outing as much as the next person, I’ve realized that sometimes our expectations for a “magical” autumn season can make the actual season feel a little less magical.

Because real fall looks a lot more like buying pumpkins at the grocery store because the pumpkin patch is 45 minutes away. It looks like raking the same leaves more than once because the trees apparently have an endless supply. It looks like making hot chocolate from a packet instead of homemade cocoa because you have approximately six minutes before everyone needs to be somewhere else.

And honestly? I think that’s okay.

This year, instead of creating a Fall Family Bucket List that requires reservations, matching outfits, a free Saturday afternoon, and a small miracle, I’m making one that is actually doable.

Because the goal isn’t to cram 25 fall activities into six weeks.

The goal is to notice the season.

To make a few memories.

To give ourselves permission to enjoy the ordinary things that make this time of year feel special.

So here is my Realistic Fall Family Bucket List—25 simple things you can do with your family without turning fall into another item on your to-do list.

Our Realistic Fall Family Bucket List

1. Make a pile of leaves in the front yard and jump in it.
   Yes, you’ll probably have to rake them again. That’s part of the fun.
2. Find five different fallen leaves outside.
   See how many shapes, colors, and sizes you can find.
3. Make hot chocolate at home.
   Bonus points for marshmallows, whipped cream, or a ridiculous amount of cinnamon.
4. Paint your pumpkins instead of carving them.
   Less mess. No pumpkin guts. Everyone wins.
5. Have a popcorn movie night at home.
   Pajamas encouraged. Blankets required. Cleaning up popcorn afterward is optional.
6. Go on a fall color walk.
   You don’t have to go anywhere special. Walk around your neighborhood and notice the changing trees.
7. Bake something with cinnamon.
   Cookies, muffins, bread, or whatever you can manage.
8. Buy a $5 bouquet of grocery-store mums.
   You don’t need a whole porch makeover to make your house feel like fall.
9. Drink something warm outside.
   Coffee, cider, tea, or hot chocolate. Put on a sweater and stay for five minutes longer than necessary.
10. Make a fall playlist.
    Let everyone in the family contribute a song.
11. Go for a drive just to look at the leaves.
    No destination required.
12. Make leaf rubbings.
    Grab some paper and crayons and turn those fallen leaves into art.
13. Eat dinner outside on a chilly evening.
    Wrap everyone in blankets and call it an adventure.
14. Make caramel apples—or just dip apple slices in caramel.
    The second option is considerably less sticky.
15. Have a family game night.
    Pick an old favorite and embrace the inevitable arguing over the rules.
16. Take a picture on the first really “fall” day.
    Not a perfect family photo. Just a picture of everyone as they actually are.
17. Make a simple fall craft.
    Paper leaves, painted pinecones, cardboard pumpkins—use what you already have.
18. Go to a pumpkin patch if it works for your family.
    And if it doesn’t? Buy the pumpkins at the grocery store. They still count.
19. Read a fall book together.
    Bonus points if everyone piles onto the couch.
20. Make a batch of soup or chili.
    Something that can simmer while your house starts smelling delicious.
21. Have a flashlight walk after dinner.
    It doesn’t need to be late. Kids think walking around with flashlights is exciting at almost any hour.
22. Make a fall-themed dessert from a box mix.
    There is no prize for making everything from scratch.
23. Collect a few beautiful things from outside.
    Leaves, pinecones, sticks, acorns—whatever catches your eye.
24. Do absolutely nothing “fall-ish” one Saturday.
    Stay home. Watch TV. Play. Nap. Wear sweatpants. Remember that rest is an activity, too.
25. End the season by talking about your favorite fall memory.
    Ask everyone what they loved most. You might be surprised by what they remember.

[DOWNLOAD BUCKET LIST HERE]

I love that this list doesn’t require a perfect autumn.

It doesn’t require traveling to the best pumpkin patch in your state or finding the most beautiful trail covered in golden leaves. It doesn’t require a camera-ready family or a calendar with endless open weekends.

It simply asks us to slow down enough to notice what is already happening around us.

Because someday, our kids probably won’t remember whether we went on the fanciest hayride or picked the perfect pumpkin from a field.

They may remember sitting on the front porch drinking hot chocolate.

They may remember Mom letting them jump into a giant pile of leaves.

They may remember painting a pumpkin purple because orange was “too boring.”

They may remember popcorn on the couch and a movie they watched a hundred times.

And maybe that’s the real bucket list.

Not How much can we do this fall?

But How much can we enjoy the fall we already have?

So here’s to grocery-store pumpkins, messy leaf piles, boxed brownie mix, chilly walks around the block, and hot chocolate made from a packet.

Here’s to a fall that doesn’t have to be extraordinary to be memorable.

And here’s to making a little room for magic in the middle of our very ordinary, very busy, very real family life.

Because sometimes the best memories aren’t the ones we planned.

They’re the ones we almost didn’t do at all.

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If you are struggling to find things to love about September, may I offer a few suggestions?

READ A BEAUTIFUL BOOK

I love to check out children’s books from the library.  The illustrations are so beautiful, and they get me and the kids in the mood for a new season.  My grandkids love Fletcher and the Falling Leaves.  The little fox is adorable.

DRINK SOMETHING COZY

One of the best parts of Fall is the cozy drinks!  Whether it’s pumpkin spice or hot chocolate, add whipped cream on top to make it extra festive.

GO FOR A LONG GENTLE WALK

I’m not talking about a power walk.  Instead, meander through the neighborhood or a park and look at all the changing leaves.  They’re gorgeous this time of year.

BAKE SOMETHING

Fall is just meant for home-baked goodies.  Not a baker?  Grab some rolls from the grocery store, add extra cinnamon and pop them in the oven.

Ann Kirsten

WATCH A SWEET FILM

This is not the time for hair-raising action movies.  Instead, watch a quiet story that feeds your soul.

BUY YOURSELF FLOWERS

Mums, anyone?  I can never resist the beautiful varieties that are everywhere this time of year.  Pop the whole pot into a container of water for an hour.  Afterwards, water them from the bottom.

VISIT A CAFÉ

I love people watching in a rustic café that serves simple foods.  I much prefer that to a gourmet spot.

LISTEN TO MUSIC

Have you listened to the music that was popular when you were a teen lately?  Do it!  You’ll be amazed at how it energizes you.

LIGHT A CANDLE

I love the spicy Fall scents of candles!  I just bought myself a soy candle that smells of clove and cinnamon.

PICK FALL FRUIT

Apples and some varieties of pears are ripe and ready to be picked.  Or buy a box of them from a farmer.  You can make pies, crisps, cobblers, sauces, and cakes.  There’s so much to make with apples.

Ann Kirsten

WATCH A SUNSET

This one is simple.  There are some beautiful sunsets this time of year.  My friend, Suanne, took this one from her window.  Isn’t it gorgeous?

Photo by Suanne

STEEP A NEW TEA

Many tea companies come out with Fall flavors.  Caramel Apple by Republic of Tea is one of my son’s favorites.

SWAP COFFEE FOR APPLE CIDER

Try this at least once!  You can order one at a coffee shop or make it at home.  Simply warm some apple cider in the microwave, top it with whipped cream and drizzle a bit of caramel sauce on top.  Yum!

PICK SOME LEAVES

Collect the last of the garden blossoms and the most colorful leaves you see.  Press them in the pages of a book or put a branch of them in water.

Ann Kirsten

READ A BOOK

Check out a cozy Fall mystery from the library.  There are lots to choose from and they have the cutest covers. Download our Harvest Bookmark!

PUMPKIN PATCH

Visit a pumpkin patch.  Even if you don’t plan on carving a jack o’ lantern, pumpkin patches are such fun places to visit.  They often have mazes to try and delicious food to buy.

Ann Kirsten

As you can see from these ideas, September is a month to be celebrated.  I am in awe that God made something to celebrate in every single month of the year.

Have you ever done a simple search for “harvest scriptures”?  You will be amazed at how many there are to study.  Wouldn’t it be fun to use a scripture in your fall decorating?  A framed calligraphy version, an embroidered sampler, or even a verse painted on a pumpkin would be a wonderful way to honor the Lord this time of year.

Here a few verses to get you started:

• Galatians 6:9 says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.“
• Matthew 9:37–38 states: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
• Proverbs 10:5 states: “He who gathers in summer is a wise son; he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.”
• Leviticus 19:9 – “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.”
• Exodus 23:16 – “Celebrate the Festival of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field.” “Celebrate the Festival of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field.”
• 2 Corinthians 9:6 – “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”
• Jeremiah 5:24 – “They do not say in their hearts, ‘Let us fear the Lord our God, who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, and keeps for us the weeks appointed for the harvest.”
• James 3:18 – “And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
• Galatians 6:8 -“For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”
• Matthew 13:30 – “Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.”
• Malachi 3:10 – “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”
• Matthew 6:26 – “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
• Leviticus 26:3-4 – “If you walk in my statutes and observe my commandments and do them, then I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.”
• Revelation 14:15 – “And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.”
• Genesis 8:22 – “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”

As you can tell, harvest is an important topic in the Bible, and September is a wonderful time to celebrate that.

However you choose to celebrate this special time of year, may you feel the blessings of God shower down around you.

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Christians have nothing to be smug about; we are not righteous people trying to correct the unrighteous. Just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread. -R.C. Sproul

Public schools often have a bad reputation, especially these days when it’s not uncommon for the environment to be increasingly hostile toward believers. Living in Western Washington, we’re no strangers to feeling a little out of place when it comes to our values and beliefs. My husband and I were raised in the greater Seattle area and went to public school there. It wasn’t perfect and we did grapple with swimming upstream when it came to many issues, but we were both confident in our faith and the foundation we had built. We are raising our four sons a bit south of there, which we have really enjoyed! It’s been a good fit for our family since my husband got out of the military when our first two were little. They each went to a private, Christian preschool, which we loved. Before we knew it, it was time to make the decision for kindergarten…homeschool, send them to private school, or brave the wilds of the public school system?!

“God didn’t call you to be liked. He called you to be light. And light, by its very nature, makes darkness uncomfortable. If you feel out of place…you might be doing something right.”- unknown

It’s a very personal decision for families to make, and there are a lot of variables! Location, finances, schedules, and environment just to name a few. We’ve had a few, short bouts of homeschooling over the years (our kids are now 4, 8, 13, and 15), but ultimately, we landed on public school. I know families that homeschool and love it as well as families with kids in private schools that they have great things to say about. So, why did we choose public school? The short answer is that we want them to be able to thrive in the world they’re going to be launched into.

That doesn’t mean kids who are homeschooled or go to private school won’t thrive. There are so many positives when it comes to homeschooling and private schools! Both of which we considered due to those pros. At the end of the day, we felt that nothing would prepare them as well as growing up with a wide range of kids and teachers from all walks of life. Being exposed to a diverse community in our school district reflects the society that they’re going to be a part of. Knowing that it was our influence and foundation in Christ that matters the most, we trusted this to be the path that our kids were going to travel down.

I know there are some very negative stereotypes when it comes to public schools. I understand if it fills you worry that they’ll be so influenced by those who believe differently from them, they might lose sight of who they are and who we’ve raised them to be. I know families who have homeschooled or gone through private school and had negative experiences and outcomes. Nothing is certain and we can’t know what the outcome will be. We can make the best decision with the information we have, and trust God with the rest. As long as our kids are thriving emotionally, socially, and academically, that’s what matters and gives us confidence in our decision. Daily communication with our kids helps us know where they’re at and what they’re seeing and hearing. Having those very open discussions when certain things come up has given our kids a lot of confidence in who they are and what they stand for. They aren’t afraid to question things, and I admire the way they’re already thinking for themselves.

They have gravitated to like-minded friends but also have friends from other religions, friends who believe different things than they do, and friends who come from very different backgrounds and families. Wealthy, poor, and everywhere in-between, public school has them all. As hard as it’s been for them to see their friends hurting who come from abusive or broken families, to hear kids say they have no food at home, to see kids who can’t afford shoes for the next sports season, or to know kids who don’t believe in God, it has already taught them so much and given us countless opportunities to have deep conversations. They have an understanding and appreciation for who we are as a family and also empathy for kids who don’t have the support they need. The potential for outreach is huge, and I’ve been so proud of their big hearts when they come home concerned about someone who needs help. It’s also been encouraging to see when they’ve made the decision to boldly wear their cross necklaces and “Jesus is King” shirts, knowing that it could be received with hostility by some of their peers.

 “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

For what it’s worth, almost every teacher our kids have had after eleven years so far in this school district, has been encouraging, supportive, and passionate about what they do. Many coaches and staff members at their schools are phenomenal role models and have been solid leaders for our children. Sure, our kids have witnessed and heard some crazy things, I’m not going to sugar-coat that. Things that my husband and I, of course, wish weren’t even topics or concerns for children, but it’s real and it’s the world we’re living in. We’d rather them have to stand up to adversity in these formative years when they have our support and guidance, than be sheltered from it until they are out in the world and we can’t be there.

We feel that any challenges they may face when it comes to public school are preparing them for their purpose and are helping shape them into strong, stead-fast, courageous men. We know that they will eventually face battles we can’t fight for them, but we trust that through faith, prayer, and our influence, they will know they are never alone no matter what adversity they face. (Isaiah 41:10)

We’ve had some bumps along the way and I don’t think any school year will be perfect (no matter what educational route you go), but I hope that if you’re considering public school or if you’re your kids are already on that path, you’ll feel confident in your decision. Believe that through prayer you will know what is best for your family. If public school is the best option, then don’t worry about the stereotypes and trust your influence in your child’s life. Look for the good, look for the opportunities to help them grow and to understand others, and lead by example. Show them what it looks like to have courage to go against what’s popular or easy, especially when it conflicts with their beliefs.

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

 Prayer for our children at school:
Lord, please protect them from all harm. Help them be a light to others and to honor you with their words and actions. Give them the confidence, wisdom, and strength that they need. Help them to feel your presence and rely on you always. Amen!

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The good news? Breakfast doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are three delicious options that are simple, family-friendly, and perfect for busy schedules.

Popover Soufflé: Feels Fancy but is Super Easy

Getty | Zoryanchik

If you want a breakfast that looks impressive but comes together with 6 simple ingredients, a popover soufflé is a great choice. Also called Dutch Babies, these are light, fluffy, and comforting; the kind of breakfast that makes an ordinary morning feel a little more special.

Now here’s the deal… when you hear the word ‘soufflé’ it’s easy to get intimidated. The reality of soufflé is that it puffs up beautifully in the oven BUT IT WILL DEFLATE… It’s science and I’m completely good with that because it doesn’t change that it’s still absolutely delicious.

Pair it with fresh fruit on top, and you’ve got a satisfying meal that the whole family can enjoy. There are lots of topping options for sure, and I’ll list them in the recipe below. It’s seriously a special option for breakfast, though I’ve whipped them up for dinner too. Sometimes gathering around the table for a warm breakfast is exactly what everyone needs before a busy day begins.

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
• 2/3 cup flour
• 1 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Optional: a squeeze of fresh lemon over the top

Directions:

Set the oven to 450 degrees.

Place a 9×13-inch baking dish in the oven while it heats.

In a blender or mixer, combine eggs, flour, milk, salt, sugar. Blend until smooth.

Carefully remove the hot baking dish and add the 2 tablespoons of butter. Swirl to melt.

Pour the batter into the hot dish.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown. Be sure to call the kids when you see it begin to puff up – It’s fun to watch! Bonus points if you turn it into a science lesson!

Add your choice of toppings and serve immediately.

Topping Options:

Sweet Toppings

• Fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• Cinnamon sugar sprinkled over the top and sliced bananas
• Powdered sugar
• Maple syrup
• Warm cinnamon apples
• Peach or berry compote
• Nutella and sliced strawberries

Savory Toppings

• Shredded cheddar or Gruyère cheese
• Crispy bacon crumbles
• Diced ham
• Sautéed mushrooms
• Spinach and feta
• Green onions or chives
• Avocado slices
• Smoked salmon with cream cheese
• Scrambled eggs

Family-Friendly Combinations

• Berry Bliss: Mixed berries + powdered sugar
• Apple Pie: Warm cinnamon apples + maple syrup
• Breakfast Classic: Scrambled eggs + Cheddar cheese + bacon crumbles
• Peanut Butter Banana: Banana slices + peanut butter drizzle

 Banana Muffins: Grab-and-Go Goodness

Getty | Straycat

When time is tight, banana muffins can be a mom’s best friend. Bake a batch ahead of time and keep them on hand for rushed mornings. They’re easy to grab on the way out the door and make a great addition to lunchboxes, too.

Not only are they a delicious way to use up ripe bananas, but they’re also a breakfast option that both kids and adults tend to love. Having something ready to go can make all the difference on those extra hectic mornings.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3 ripened and mashed bananas
• 1 3/4 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Optional: 1 cup of chocolate chips or nuts

Directions:

Set the oven to 350 degrees.

Mix the butter, sugar, eggs, sour cream, vanilla and mashed bananas together.

Add the dry ingredients and mix.

For muffins, bake for 20 minutes.

If you’d rather make banana bread, just pour the batter into a greased bread pan and bake for 1 hour, or until toothpick comes out dry.

Fruit Smoothies: Fast, Fresh, and Kid-Approved

Getty | Arx0nt

Some mornings call for the fastest breakfast possible. That’s where fruit smoothies shine. In just a few minutes, you can blend together fruit, yogurt, milk, or even a handful of spinach for a nutritious breakfast that’s easy to take on the go.

Whether you’re sipping one during school drop-off or handing one to a child on the way to practice, smoothies make it easy to fit healthy ingredients into a busy schedule.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup vanilla yogurt, Greek yogurt is a great option!
• 1 banana
• 1 cup berries (I love using strawberries, blueberries and mango)
• 8 ice cubes
• Optional: 1-2 tablespoons wheat germ or chia seeds, or both!

Directions:

Throw it all in the blender and blend it up. Enjoy!

Whenever possible, gather around the table for meals. The conversations and laughter are so good, and as the years go by, this time to gather together becomes harder and harder to do.

Debbie Sage

And on the mornings when everything feels rushed, remember that God’s mercies are new every morning.

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
-Lamentations 3:22-23

Take a deep breath, offer a quick prayer, and trust that He’s already walking with you through every moment of the day.

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We make the appointments. We remember who needs to be where and when. We know which child has practice, which bill needs to be paid, what needs to be bought at the grocery store, and approximately three thousand other details that somehow live permanently in the back of our minds.

We become the calm in the storm.

Or at least, we try very hard to be.

Because when something goes wrong, everyone looks to Mom. And I don’t necessarily mean that they expect us to have all the answers. But somewhere along the way, we have convinced ourselves that if we can just stay calm enough, organized enough, prepared enough, and caffeinated enough, we can keep everyone else from falling apart.

Most of the time, we can at least pretend we have it together.

But then there are days when life throws so many curveballs that you don’t even know which one you’re supposed to catch.

This weekend brought on one of those days.

It started with news that two people very close in our family would need biopsies. Two people we love. Two people whose names and faces immediately made our hearts hurt a little. And, as if one biopsy wasn’t enough to process, we learned that both would be happening on the exact same day.

There is something about the word biopsy that makes everything feel suddenly more serious. It is a word that leaves you sitting in the uncomfortable space between not knowing and knowing. You can’t fast-forward to the results. You can’t research your way into certainty. You can’t do anything to make the waiting go faster.

You just wait.

And apparently, waiting wasn’t going to be the only thing on our weekend agenda.

Because right around the same time we were trying to process the biopsy news, the batteries in my car and another family member’s car decided they had simply had enough.

At almost the exact same time.

I mean, really?

There are moments in life when you have to wonder if someone is writing a sitcom about you.

Two biopsies? Check.

Two dead car batteries? Check.

Emotional stability? Questionable.

At this point, we were all trying to keep track of who needed to be where, who was having what procedure, who needed a ride, and which car was actually going to start. It was the kind of day where you find yourself laughing because the alternative is sitting on the floor and staring at the wall.

So, naturally, we decided the best thing to do was to eat dinner outside.

I think we were all craving a little normalcy. Nothing fancy. Just sitting around a table, eating dinner, talking, enjoying the last bits of summer, and pretending for a few minutes that life was normal.

And honestly, it almost worked.

Until my brother-in-law swatted at a yellow jacket.

Now, I don’t know what the yellow jacket’s original plan was that evening, but apparently it had strong feelings about being swatted. Instead of flying away like a reasonable insect, it changed course and headed directly for me.

And stung me.

Right on the arm.

Of course it did.

At that point, we all just lost it.

We laughed. We cried. I think there may have been some yelling on my part. My arm hurt, our hearts hurt, and the entire situation had become so completely ridiculous that there was really nothing left to do but laugh.

Two biopsies.

Two dead batteries.

One angry yellow jacket.

It was almost impressive.

And maybe sometimes laughter is its own kind of grace. Not because anything is actually funny, but because sometimes your heart needs a tiny break from carrying the weight of everything.

Eventually, the waiting ended.

One biopsy came back negative, bringing an enormous wave of relief and gratitude. The other came back with a different outcome.

And just like that, our family found ourselves holding both relief and heartbreak at the very same time.

I think that is one of the strange things about life. We want everything to resolve neatly. We want the good news to follow the bad news, the problem to be fixed, and the story to wrap itself up before we have to go to bed.

But sometimes it doesn’t.

Sometimes one prayer is answered in the way we desperately hoped, while another prayer leaves us sitting in a place we never wanted to be.

And as a mom, I find that particularly difficult.

Because so much of motherhood is about managing the madness.

We become really good at anticipating problems. We plan ahead. We carry snacks. We have backup plans for our backup plans. We try to soften the hard things before they ever reach the people we love.

We want to be the calm in the storm.

But what happens when the storm is bigger than anything you can organize?

What happens when there is nothing to fix?

What happens when the person you love is waiting for an answer you cannot give them?

What happens when you can’t make the car start, can’t change the biopsy results, and can’t even keep a yellow jacket from attacking you during dinner?

You realize just how little control you actually have.

And, honestly, that is a hard reality for me.

I am a fixer. I like plans. I like knowing what comes next. I like believing that if I work hard enough, think carefully enough, pray enough, organize enough, I can somehow keep the wheels from coming off.

But there are moments when God gently—and sometimes not so gently—reminds me that I was never actually holding all of this together.

He was.

Maybe that is what Scripture means when it says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)

Not some of it.

All of it.

The biopsy we are afraid of. The diagnosis we don’t understand. The person we love and can’t protect. The car battery. The yellow jacket. The things we can fix and, perhaps more importantly, the things we absolutely cannot.

We are told so often that God won’t give us more than we can handle.

But I’m not sure that’s actually true.

Sometimes life simply gives us more than we can handle.

And perhaps those are the moments when we discover something important:

We were never meant to handle it all alone.

God doesn’t promise that we won’t have storms. He doesn’t promise that every biopsy will come back negative, every car will start, or every yellow jacket will leave us alone.

But He does promise to be with us in the middle of them.

Sometimes He allows us to reach the end of ourselves so we finally realize that we don’t have to carry everything ourselves.

Sometimes He brings us to our knees so we will finally put it all at His feet.

And maybe that is where faith becomes less about having answers and more about surrender.

This weekend didn’t end with everything neatly resolved. There is still uncertainty. There are still conversations to have, questions to answer, and days ahead that we can’t predict.

But there is also this:

• God was there for the negative result.
• God is there for the other outcome.
• God was there when the batteries died.
• God was there when the yellow jacket stung my arm.
• God was there around that dinner table when we were laughing and crying because, honestly, what else could we do?

Maybe that’s the reminder I needed.

I don’t have to be the calm because I have everything under control.

I can be calm because I know who is in control.

And maybe that is the difference.

As moms, we will always want to catch the curveballs. We will always want to protect the people we love and make the hard things easier. We will always want to keep the wheels on.

But sometimes life throws too many things at us at once.

Sometimes the batteries die. The biopsy comes back differently than we hoped. The yellow jacket stings you right in the middle of dinner.

And sometimes all you can do is laugh, cry, fall to your knees, and say, “God, I can’t handle this.”

Maybe that isn’t failure.

Maybe that’s faith.

Because when we finally admit that we can’t hold it all together, we make room for the One who never asked us to.

And on the days when life feels like too much—when the bees sting, the batteries die, and the news isn’t what we hoped—I can open my hands, give it back to Him, and remember:

I may not be able to control the storm.

But I never have to face it alone.

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]]> https://www.allmomdoes.com/blog/bee-stings-batteries-and-biopsies/feed/ 0 https://www.allmomdoes.com/blog/the-easiest-pumpkin-cookies-you-will-ever-make/ https://www.allmomdoes.com/blog/the-easiest-pumpkin-cookies-you-will-ever-make/#respond Wed, 09 Sep 2026 17:00:38 +0000 Joanna Gott 2026-09-09T17:18:35+00:00 https://d955.cms.socastsrm.com/?p=61114 Joanna Gott Somewhere over Labor Day weekend, I swear someone flipped a switch.

One minute we were soaking up the last bits of summer, and next it was 60 degrees and raining. I was suddenly craving cozy sweaters, candles that smell like cinnamon, football on the TV, and basically anything that involves pumpkin. The calendar may still technically say summer, but my heart has moved on.

And when that switch gets flipped in our house, there is one recipe I immediately want to make: our all-time favorite pumpkin cookies.

These might be the easiest pumpkin cookies you will ever make. And I don’t say that lightly.

There are three ingredients. That’s it.

No butter to soften. No mixer. No complicated list of spices. No carefully measuring out flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and seventeen other things hiding in the back of your spice cabinet.

Just a box of spice cake mix, a can of pumpkin, and chocolate chips.

In fact, my daughter Penny can now make these all by herself, which is one of my favorite things about this recipe. They’re the kind of cookies that are actually fun to make with kids because there isn’t much that can go wrong. Dump, mix, scoop, bake. Done.

And honestly, those are my favorite kinds of recipes.

The ones where you don’t have to spend the afternoon measuring ingredients while simultaneously answering questions, wiping up spills, and reminding someone for the fourth time not to eat the chocolate chips.

The 3-Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies

Download Recipe Card

Ingredients

• 1 box spice cake mix
• 1 15-ounce can pumpkin purée
• 1 cup chocolate chips of your choice

And here’s an important note: Do not make the cake mix! Just use the dry cake mix straight from the box.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. Mix the dry spice cake mix, pumpkin purée, and chocolate chips together until well blended.
3. Use a cookie scoop to place approximately 2-tablespoon scoops onto a greased cookie sheet.
4. Bake for 12 minutes.
5. Let them cool and enjoy!

That’s literally it.

And because the recipe is so simple, it’s also incredibly easy to make your own.

Our favorite is usually chocolate chips, but you can switch them up depending on what you have in the pantry—or what sounds good that particular day.

Try milk chocolate chips for something extra sweet, dark chocolate chips for a richer flavor, or white chocolate chips for a fun twist. Butterscotch chips are also really good and give these cookies an especially cozy, fall flavor.

You can even add chopped nuts if that’s your thing. Walnuts or pecans would be delicious.

And if you happen to have a bag of chocolate chips that’s been sitting in your pantry for months because you bought them for a recipe you never made, this is your sign to use them.

One Little Tip

There is one thing I’ve learned after making these cookies: they can get a little mushy if you immediately put them into a container while they’re still soft.

So I like to let the cookies sit out overnight before putting them into a Tupperware or glass container. You can also store them in the refrigerator, which helps keep them from getting too soft.

They’re not a crisp cookie. They’re soft and cakey and wonderfully pumpkin-y—which is part of what makes them so good. But giving them a little time to dry out makes all the difference.

I love recipes like this for so many reasons, but mostly because they remind me that making something special doesn’t have to be complicated.

You don’t need an entire afternoon. You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect kitchen. You don’t even need to be a particularly good baker.

You just need a box of cake mix, a can of pumpkin, some chocolate chips, and maybe a little helper standing on a chair beside you.

For us, that little helper is Penny, and I love that she can make these cookies herself. There is something so sweet about watching your kids gain that little bit of independence in the kitchen—especially when the end result is a warm cookie you get to eat together.

So if the fall switch has been flipped at your house too, pull out the pumpkin.

Put on the cozy music.

Let the kids help.

And make the easiest pumpkin cookies you will ever make.

Because sometimes the best fall traditions aren’t complicated at all. Sometimes they’re just three ingredients, a messy kitchen, and a plate of cookies disappearing a little too quickly.

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Welcome to September!

September often feels more like the start of a new year than January does.  Not only do kids head back for a fresh year of schooling, but moms feel a sudden urge for new beginnings as well.

For many mothers a new start comes with decluttering the house.  Garage sale signs pop up on every corner and the lines to donate are long.  It’s time for “out-with-the-old and in-with-the-new”.  Everyone could do with a fresh start in September. 

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

We’ve all heard that scripture verse.  It provides the perfect prompt to get rid of things.  But what if you’re not the decluttering type?

I recently saw a picture online of a woman sitting sadly in the middle of a huge mess.  The text said: “When the urge to declutter wears off and now you just made everything worse.”  I kept the picture because I have lived that moment so many times.  I tend to pull everything out of a closet or cabinet, look around at the mess, and want to cry instead of dealing with it all.  There are people who love to organize, and bless their hearts, I wish I could afford to hire one.

I recently read about yet another way to declutter and it peaked my interest.  It’s called:

“DECLUTTERING BURSTS”

Usually experts recommend that you take a slow approach to decluttering.  And that’s smart advice.  Rome wasn’t built in a day and you didn’t gather your junk in that amount of time either.  But what if you have trouble maintaining the focus and the motivation to keep at it?

This new method turns the expert’s advice on its head and is a perfect method for those of us who are sprinters and not marathon runners.  I get bored easily and any chore that takes too long drives me crazy.  I do fine in short bursts though.

Job 32:19: “Inside I am like bottled-up wine, like new wineskins ready to burst.”

Here are the instructions.

All you need are a donation box, a garbage bag, and a timer.  Once you’ve gathered your three items, you set your timer for one hour and hit the floor running.  Your goal is to get 100 things out of the house in one hour!

When my kids were little we often played the “beat the clock” game.  It was so much more fun to put away laundry and empty the dishwasher if we set a timer to see how fast it could be done.  So I figured this method had some merit.

Before you start, here are some helpful hints.

• Bathroom – Open the cabinet and toss out old make-up, old prescriptions, ragged towels, or products you bought and didn’t care for.
• Junk drawer – Move onto the junk drawer. Throw away random screws, dried pens, old receipts, take-out menus, and old keys.
• Kitchen – Open the fridge and throw out old condiments and expired food.  Whenever my kids visit they do this for me and then laugh at my “grandma fridge”.  Toss duplicate utensils, old spices, and extra cups or towels.  Look under the sink for dried up cleaning supplies. It all counts.
• Closets – Don’t freak out.  Closets can be stressful.  You are not trying to clean the whole thing out.  Just grab worn out sheets, itchy blankets, coats you never wear, clothes with tags still on that you’ve never worn, hats, scarves or gloves.
• Craft Drawers – This one is huge for me. I’ve bought so many art supplies that I thought I would use someday.  I didn’t have any idea what I already had and kept buying duplicates.  An artist in my local buy nothing group asked for supplies and it made clearing stuff out more fun because I knew it was going to someone who needed it.
• Living Room – My living room is my oasis but I still have books and knick-knacks that need to go.
• Your Closet – Again, do not panic.  We’re not doing an overhaul.  Just look for shoes that pinch, unworn clothes, things you “might” fit into someday, and accessories that are outdated.
• Garage and Attic – Donate any box you haven’t opened in years.  You’ve lived without it this long.  You don’t need it!

Of course I can’t recommend this method if I haven’t tried it for myself.  I was nervous and began to doubt whether it was possible.  One hundred items in an hour?  It felt a bit overwhelming, which was the feeling I was trying to avoid!

I enlisted my husband’s help and gathered my box, bag, and timer.  I set the alarm and we took off running.  My husband was saying things like, “We can’t do one hundred things!” and “I don’t think there’s anything else.”

The result though?  We found over one hundred things in twenty-three minutes!

Ann Kirsten

I wanted to take a picture so we put everything on the table.  You can skip this step and put yours right into a box or bag.

Things to remember as you work:

1. This is NOT about making an area look pristine and organized.  This is simply getting rid of 100 things in your house.
2. You will be tempted to finish cleaning areas you search.  Good.  Go back at another time and do that.
3. You may find this method so helpful that you will repeat it on a monthly basis.
4. Enlist your family’s help.  You’ll finish even faster.
5. On those days when you feel guilty for not wanting to do anything, a simple hour (or 23 minutes!) will get rid of that guilt.

I now have gathered a whole bunch of ways to declutter my house.  I am adding this method to my list and will choose ways to clean depending on how I feel that day.

And I look forward to the day when I will be in a place where there is no more clutter.

^“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:3

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]]> https://www.allmomdoes.com/blog/decluttering-bursts-the-surprisingly-easy-organizing-method-for-overwhelmed-moms/feed/ 0 https://purposely.com/podcasts/gospel-tech/for-youth-guarding-and-building-up-our-tech/ https://purposely.com/podcasts/gospel-tech/for-youth-guarding-and-building-up-our-tech/#respond Tue, 08 Sep 2026 07:05:19 +0000 Purposely 2026-09-08T07:05:19+00:00 https://purposely.com/?p=20444

This content is syndicated from allmomdoes: https://purposely.com/podcasts/gospel-tech/for-youth-guarding-and-building-up-our-tech/ Find more content at Gospel Tech Archives - Purposely Podcasts and subscribe to the allmomdoes Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, and more!

The good news? Connecting with your spouse doesn’t have to cost a lot. Some of the sweetest moments happen when you’re simply intentional about spending time together.

Remember: It’s About Connection, Not Perfection

Social media can make date nights look like fancy dinners, weekend getaways, and picture-perfect sunsets. But real life often looks more like frozen pizza, tired parents, and someone falling asleep halfway through the movie.

And that’s okay.

Marriage isn’t strengthened by expensive experiences. It’s strengthened by showing up for one another, laughing together, and making space to reconnect in the middle of everyday life.

Inexpensive Date Night Ideas You’ll Actually Want to Try

Take a Walk Together

After the kids are in bed or while they’re at youth group, head outside for a walk. Leave the distractions behind and simply talk.

You might be surprised how much easier it is to connect when you’re side-by-side instead of staring at screens.

Coffee Shop Date

Skip the expensive dinner and grab your favorite coffee or tea. Sit by the window, play a card game, people-watch, and enjoy an uninterrupted conversation.

Bonus points if neither of you talks about the family calendar for at least ten minutes.

Backyard Dessert Night

Put the kids to bed, grab a blanket, enjoy ice cream or cookies outside, and talk under the stars.

Simple? Absolutely.

Raining or cold? Have a carpet picnic inside!

Cook Together

Pick a recipe you’ve never tried and make it as a team. Even if dinner turns out less than Pinterest-worthy, you’ll probably gain a funny story to tell later.

Game Night for Two

Pull out a board game, card game, or even a puzzle. A little friendly competition can bring a lot of laughter into a marriage.

Just remember that “friendly” is the key word.

Recreate Your First Date

Think back to where it all began. Maybe it was coffee, a walk, a burger place, or a movie. Recreating those early memories can remind you how far God has brought you together.

Take a Drive

Sometimes a change of scenery is enough. Grab a snack, turn on your favorite music, and take a drive through town or a nearby scenic area.

No agenda. No pressure. Just time together.

Why Small Moments Matter

As moms, we’re often focused on meeting everyone else’s needs. But investing in your marriage is one of the greatest gifts you can give your family.

A healthy marriage creates security, models commitment, and reflects God’s love in the home. Even small moments of connection can help strengthen your relationship over time.

Don’t underestimate what God can do through a simple conversation, a shared laugh, or an hour spent together.

A Reminder

If your last date night was so long ago you can’t remember what year it was, don’t feel guilty. Life has seasons, and some are especially full.

Just start where you are.

A thriving marriage isn’t built on extravagant plans. It’s built one intentional moment at a time.

A Simple Prayer

Lord, thank You for the gift of marriage. Help us make time for one another, even in the busiest seasons. Teach us to prioritize connection, laughter, and love, and remind us that small moments spent together can have a lasting impact. Amen.

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]]> https://www.allmomdoes.com/blog/inexpensive-date-night-ideas-that-strengthen-your-marriage-and-your-budget/feed/ 0 https://www.allmomdoes.com/blog/im-sorry-im-not-apologizing-my-house-looks-like-love-lives-here/ https://www.allmomdoes.com/blog/im-sorry-im-not-apologizing-my-house-looks-like-love-lives-here/#respond Thu, 03 Sep 2026 17:00:50 +0000 Ann Kirsten 2026-09-05T14:52:05+00:00 https://d955.cms.socastsrm.com/?p=61074

In another video the husband screeches, “We have to set unrealistic expectations of how we live!”  And then as the company enters a perfectly clean home, the “wife” says, “I’m sorry it’s so messy I just haven’t had time to clean.”

Why do we do that to ourselves?

“My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14

I remember my mom and dad had friends and they would trade hosting each other every other week.  One week it was just too much for my mom and she didn’t clean like she usually did.  The other lady walked in and said, “Oh, thank goodness, now I don’t have to break my back cleaning for you anymore.”  It was a relief for both of them.

When I host people at my house I do run around like a mad woman and clean everything.  I used to think that it was because I wanted my guests to feel serene and peaceful in a tidy home.  I’m questioning that now.  Was that the whole reason or was I guilt cleaning?  It was locked in my brain that being a mom and a woman meant that you had to keep a clean and perfect house.

I dislike housework a LOT.  So, usually I let things slide in between get-togethers.  That means that I have to run around even more to present a fake front when company is coming.  It’s exhausting trying to show that I have it all together (I do not).

So when a dear friend announced that she was coming over for a visit this week, my first inclination was to start my crazy cleaning frenzy.  But not only did I not feel like cleaning, I had a leg infection and the meds I was taking made me feel exhausted and ill.

In the days that followed I sat in my chair and looked around at all the things I “should” be doing.  I waited for the pre-company energy to hit me and it never did.  And then a small thought entered my brain, “Could I actually have people over without making my house look like a tidy person lived in it?”  I decided to experiment.  And here’s what I did:

Nothing.  I did nothing!

The floors weren’t swept and mopped.  The garbage cans weren’t emptied.  There were no bouquets in the bathrooms, no artful displays on every table, and no baked goods to serve company.  I did not run myself ragged cleaning everything in sight.

And it felt great.

And guess what, she didn’t even notice.  We curled up on the couch and visited for hours.  She paid no attention to dust balls, used tissues or the sewing project that was piled around us.  If she did notice anything SHE DID NOT CARE!

To take my experiment further I didn’t apologize.  I didn’t say a word about the messes and piles.  Because this is where life happens.  Why should I try and create a false picture of how I live? Why should I be ashamed that a full and messy life goes on in here?  There are toys on the floor, partially finished craft projects on almost every surface, tomatoes ripening in windows, and folded laundry stacked on the dining room table.  And that is my life.

I recently came across a meme that said:

That spoke to me on a deep level because that’s how I live my life.  And I want more of that whimsy in my life, not less.  I keep every rock my grandkids give me.  I leave the toys out that they played with when they visited because the sight of them makes me smile.  I start new projects before the old ones are finished because I’m drawn to so many different things.

Should I feel ashamed of all that?  Should I hide it away when company comes?  Don’t my friends love me for who I am and not for how clean I can make my house?

There will of course be times when I do a frenzy-clean, but there will also be times when I don’t.

And I will work on feeling fine with whichever way the pendulum swings.  After all, living a Mom and Nana life is a full and wild ride and why shouldn’t I let that show?

 “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved.” Psalm 127:1-2

I allowed the rest and peace that only comes from the Lord to enter my soul this week.  And it felt great.

I’m not going to apologize for that.

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Read more of Ann’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.

]]> https://www.allmomdoes.com/blog/im-sorry-im-not-apologizing-my-house-looks-like-love-lives-here/feed/ 0 https://www.allmomdoes.com/blog/gluten-free-apple-cider-donut-bread/ https://www.allmomdoes.com/blog/gluten-free-apple-cider-donut-bread/#respond Wed, 02 Sep 2026 17:00:04 +0000 Maria Magee 2026-09-16T13:35:06+00:00 https://d955.cms.socastsrm.com/?p=61050 Maria Magee Sweet September is finally here, along with all the feelings of fall! Delicious baked goods are one of the best things about this season. There are so many cozy flavors to enjoy as the leaves begin to change and we wake up to that refreshing, crisp morning air. If you’re looking for a fall-flavored recipe this month, what could be better than a quick bread that tastes like apple-cinnamon donuts?! The cinnamon sugar topping adds a tasty crunch that pairs so nicely with the fluffy, spice-filled bread. It goes perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea and makes for a comforting after-school snack!

September might be full of schedule changes, new classrooms, and football games, but taking the time to bake up this sweet treat will definitely be worth it. Tummies will be full, your kitchen will smell heavenly, and hopefully it will even remind you to slow down a little and appreciate the simple things amidst the back-to-school chaos. Happy fall!

Ingredients:

• 4 cups Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Flour (or regular flour if you prefer!)
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp cloves
• 1 tsp ginger
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 1 cup apple cider
• ½ cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 eggs

Cinnamon Sugar Topping:

• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 ½  Tbsp cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease two loaf pans. (for easier removal, line the loaf pans with parchment paper that hangs over the sides by a few inches-I forgot this step today!)

In medium bowl, gently whisk the dry ingredients.

In a large bowl, cream the sugars and butter. Beat in one egg at a time. Stir in vanilla extract.

In a small bowl, whisk the applesauce and cider.

Maria Magee

In another small bowl, mix the cinnamon and sugar for the topping and set aside.

Maria Magee

Pour half of the dry flour mixture into the bowl with the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Then, pour in half of the apple cider/applesauce mixture. Once combined, repeat this step and stir in the remaining flour followed by the rest of the cider mixture.

Maria Magee

Pour the batter evenly into your loaf pans and smooth out the top.

Maria Magee

Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar topping on each loaf.

Maria Magee

Bake for 45-50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Maria Magee

Allow the bread to rest in the pans on a cooling rack for about 15 minutes, then turn out onto the rack.

Maria Magee

Enjoy!

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This content is syndicated from allmomdoes: https://purposely.com/podcasts/allmomdoes-podcast/getting-a-do-over-with-emerson-eggerichs-and-joy-eggerichs-reed/ Find more content at AllMomDoes Podcast Archives - Purposely Podcasts and subscribe to the allmomdoes Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, and more!