10 Ways to Use Ranch Seasoning Mix
What’s your favorite way to use ranch dressing? Ranch dressing is a hit with kids and adults, but it isn’t the healthiest topping when you buy it premade. Making your own ranch seasoning mix without preservatives changes the game. Highlights: Making your own ranch seasoning mix without preservatives improves your ranch dressing. Get 10 new ways to use your ranch seasoning mix, plus the recipe. Jump to Section This year I’ve made dozens of jars of Season’s Greetings Ranch Mix for my friends and family and listed this post on the tag. While I’m happy stirring a few spoonfuls into my plain Greek yogurt or cottage cheese, here are 10 new ways you can use Ranch seasoning mix. Ways to Use Ranch Seasoning Mix Ranch DipMix a few spoonfuls of Ranch mix into a cup of plain yogurt or sour cream. It won’t be very flavorful until it’s sat for a couple of hours in the fridge. You can vary the recipe by using half mayo and half sour cream. You can thin the recipe with a spoonful or more of milk. Top your chips, baked potatoes, veggies, or pizza with Ranch dip. Or put a scoop of Ranch dip…
Two New Reflection Templates to Help Small Businesses and Students Start the Year with Clarity
What is your plan for doing a yearly reflection for work or school? The end of the year is the perfect time to pause, but too many small business owners and educators head into the new year without a clear plan or the tools, such as reflection templates, to create one. That’s why I designed a small business retreat planner paired with an annual business review template, as well as a yearly student reflection template for teachers and tutors who want to help students reflect with purpose. With just a few printable pages, you can turn the end-of-year overwhelm into clarity, direction, and renewed motivation. TL;DR: I’ve created two new $5 printable, editable reflection templates, one for small business owners to use during a simple, powerful business retreat and annual review, and one for teachers and tutors to guide students through meaningful yearly reflection. Both are perfect for December or January planning. Download your templates now to start the new year with clarity and confidence. Jump to Section December is one of my favorite times of year, not just for the cozy lights, warm drinks, and celebrations, but because it’s the perfect natural pause in our busy lives. It invites…
Rhythms of a Happy Home: Peaceful Habits From a Retired Great-Grandma
What simple rhythms can help create a peaceful home in the retirement years? Home doesn’t magically become peaceful, even in retirement. It’s shaped by the small things we choose to do every day, including peaceful habits and joyful home rhythms. This week, Sheli (a retired great-grandma!) shares the simple rhythms that bring calm, joy, and connection into her home. Her wisdom is gentle, grounded, and so inspiring. Read her story and discover rhythms that bring peace in any season of life. Welcome to Rhythms of a Happy Home, a 7-part series exploring the intentional routines that help us create peace, order, and belonging inside our walls, no matter who lives there or what season of life we’re in. I recruited guest posts from family and friends: women from a wide range of life stages, including a retired great-grandma, a part-time working grandma, part-time and full-time working moms, stay-at-home moms, single working women, and a married working woman. Each post offers practical wisdom and personal stories about the daily, monthly, and seasonal habits that make home feel grounded and joyful. Together, these posts will help you reflect on your own rhythms and inspire you to craft routines that tailor joy into…
Thankful: Free Printable Art for Thanksgiving and Christmas
Do you give more hostess gifts at Thanksgiving or Christmas? I’m thankful for you! Here’s some free printable art for Thanksgiving and Christmas! As the holidays approach, I find myself reflecting on all the things I’m truly thankful for this year. I’m thankful for a business that gives me the freedom to set my own schedule and the chance to meet so many wonderful families. I’m thankful to live in a country where women can dream big and start their own businesses. I’m thankful for my amazing family and friends, for exciting travels, and for the opportunity to explore some beautiful corners of the world. I even created a little entryway display to showcase my thankful heart! I’m also thankful for my incredible clients who have taken my business course and launched their own ventures, and for my newsletter subscribers and blog readers who share such kind feedback and encouragement. (I personally read every email!) You make this journey so rewarding—I’m thankful for you! Free Printable Art & Holiday Resources As a small token of gratitude, I’m giving away free printable art and festive resources for Thanksgiving and Christmas to all my newsletter subscribers and blog post readers! 🎉 Use…
5 Reasons to Build Communication Skills in Kids
What is one benefit of improved communication skills in kids? Kids don’t automatically grow into great communicators; they learn it through practice, guidance, and example. Every chat, question, and story shared helps shape how they’ll express themselves, connect with others, and thrive in school and life. Building communication skills in kids comes with great benefits. Summary: Communication isn’t just talking. It’s thinking, relating, and leading. When we intentionally nurture these skills, we give kids confidence, empathy, and a voice that will serve them for life. Use these easy activities to build communication skills in kids. Jump to Section Communication skills in kids are one of the basic foundations of life. It’s the exchange of information to tell us they are hungry, tired, worried, or excited, and all the nuances in between. We often assume kids will “just pick up” how to communicate as they grow. After all, talking seems so natural. But strong communication isn’t automatic; it’s a learned skill that shapes how children think, connect, and succeed. From their first words to their first job interview, parents are helping kids build bridges and skills in communication. Every conversation is a building block for how a child learns to express…
10 Tips for Setting Up a Tutoring Space
Would you rather tutor in a home office or the dining room table? Setting up a tutoring space that’s organized, quiet, and comfortable helps you teach more effectively and create a professional learning environment for your students. Here’s how it can look. TL;DR: Setting up a tutoring space that’s quiet, well-lit, and organized helps you create a professional environment where students stay focused and learning thrives, whether you tutor at home, online, or on the go. Jump to Section If you’re starting or growing your tutoring business, one of the first things to consider is where you’ll teach. Whether you’re meeting students in person or working online, setting up a tutoring space that’s organized, comfortable, and professional makes a huge difference, not only for your students’ learning but also for your confidence and focus as a tutor. Below are some of my favorite tips to help you create a tutoring environment that supports success, wherever you teach. Setting Up a Tutoring Space at Home 1. Choose a Quiet, Distraction-Free Area Find a spot away from TV noise, traffic sounds, or busy family spaces. A quiet environment helps both you and your students concentrate and stay on task. 2. Prioritize Good…
Christmas Wish List
Are you wishing you had more time at the holidays? If your Christmas wish list includes more time to enjoy the holidays, this post is for you! Now is a great time to start planning the small things and big things. Christmas dreams really do come true! Summary: If your Christmas wish list includes more time to enjoy the holidays, start making your plans and purchases now. Jump to Section Christmas Wish List Starter Don’t wait to get started. Write your to-do list. Plan your budget. Start the gift list for big gifts, stocking stuffers, and little joys for friends. Begin shopping. Make a spot in your attic for the gifts ahead or the napkins you find on sale. Begin writing your Christmas cards. Purchase stamps. Little Gifts Here’s a round-up of my favorite little gifts – spice mixes, printable art, pjs for kids, pretty napkins, and table talk card sets. Gathering these ahead of time allows you to have stocking stuffers and hostess gifts ready to go. Purchase a few gift bags and ribbon, and you’ll be ready to wrap them. You can do many other things ahead. Plan the menus. Write the grocery lists. Purchase the paper products…
Brain Games for Senior Adults and the Whole Family
Would your rather play Quirkle or Scrabble? If you are in the sandwich generation or living in a multigenerational arrangement, you may be looking for fun and meaningful ways to support the older adults in your life. One of the best tools? Critical thinking activities and brain games for senior adults. Highlights: If you’re part of the sandwich generation or living in a multigenerational household, brain games for senior adults can boost memory, problem-solving, and social connection. From puzzles and strategy games to creative arts and family-friendly activities, these engaging options improve cognitive function while strengthening relationships. Jump to Section Statistics show that brain games for senior adults enhance memory, problem-solving skills, mental flexibility, and concentration. Even better, they provide laughter, conversation, and multigenerational connections. Types of Critical and Creative Thinking Activities Puzzles Sudoku, crosswords, and jigsaw puzzles Strategy games Chess, bridge, Quirkle, checkers Word games Scrabble, Wordle, Bananagrams Creative outlets Learning a new musical instrument Painting, drawing, knitting Exploring a new language Social activities Book clubs Game nights Debate clubs Family dinners These activities are not just pastimes. They increase neuroplasticity, improve cognitive function, enhance mental flexibility, and support overall mental well-being. Most importantly, they bring people together. Getting…
Advocate for Your Child at School: Questions Every Parent Should Ask
What questions can you ask to advocate for your child at school? Being an advocate for your child at school can feel overwhelming. You want to give them the skills to speak up for themselves, but at the same time, you may not know what to say, what to ask, or how to navigate the school system either. The good news? You don’t have to have all the answers. You just need the right questions, a willingness to listen, and the confidence to use your voice as an advocate for your child at school. Summary: Knowing how to advocate for your child at school helps parents partner with teachers, counselors, and principals. Across U.S. public, private, and charter schools, using your rights under IDEA, Section 504, and FERPA ensures your child gets the support they need to succeed. Jump to Section This guide breaks down what to ask and how to advocate for your child at school during the elementary, middle, and high school years. Each section includes practical questions you can take to teachers, counselors, or administrators, along with suggestions to help you partner effectively with your child’s education team. Elementary School What Questions Can You Ask to Be…
The Surprising Benefits of Online Tutoring for Tutors and Families
Would you rather have an online tutor or in person? Do you ever feel like you’re running a taxi service for your kids? From school and sports to after-school activities and tutoring sessions, the endless driving can leave you exhausted. But what if you could get all the academic support your child needs without ever leaving the house? Online tutoring isn’t for everyone, but for me and my clients, the benefits of online tutoring have been a game-changer. My full-time teaching job wasn’t flexible enough to accommodate the demands of being in the “sandwich generation,” a role many of us find ourselves in today. I was constantly balancing the needs of my older kids and my aging parents, needing an hour here and there for a doctor’s appointment or a school performance. I didn’t need to take a full day off, but that was often my only option. Online tutoring has been the perfect solution for me, and I’ve found it’s a solution that works for busy families, too. So, what are the benefits of online tutoring for everyone involved? I’ve seen them firsthand, and they’re more than just convenience. For Busy Families: Less Stress, More Flexibility No More Commuting:…