Garden Produce Markers

I won’t pretend to be a professional gardener, or even a hobbyist, really. But each year we’ve been at this house, we’ve tried our hand at some garden produce to see what grows for us. 

This year, we are limiting mostly to the things we have had previous success with. And, because I was craving a little creative outlet, I decided to do a little springtime garden craft: hand-painted plant markers! 

We went to a local landscaping and nursery and bought about 15 3-5 inch river rocks. We did have to speak with the staff – their insurance doesn’t let folks grab from the truckload piles, so they let us grab from a different spot instead, which worked just fine! 

I used craft paint and sharpies to draw on and paint little renderings of the plants as well as their names. 

Once they were dry enough, I went ahead and placed them. 

They’re not perfect – but they’re adorable, and the process (and being outside while I painted) brought me a great deal of joy.

I’m going to have to do something different for the potted mint and the hanging planter strawberries… so I’ll keep you all posted with a new blog post when I do those next! 

How have you creatively labeled your own garden plants? I’d love to hear in the comments! 

WWJD: Biblical Perspectives on How to Treat Others

This is a different kind of blog post… Admittedly, I don’t have a lot of perspective to offer – just scripture to share.

I have been praying over and reading these passages lately. They have popped up in conversations and situations, and it hasn’t felt coincidental. In the midst of divided communities and difficult situations, I have struggled with how people treat one another, and, seeking answers, I have gone to the Word.

In case anyone else is struggling with similar issues, I wanted to share a couple passages about how we are supposed to, as believers, treat one another. These are taken from the New International Version.

JAMES 2, verses 1 & 8-9
(1) My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.
(8-9) If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

MATTHEW 7, verses 1-5 & 12
(1-5) “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
(12) So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

EPHESIANS 4, verses 2-3 & 32
(2-3) Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
(32) Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

What other passages offer meaning to you when you’re struggling with how people treat one another? Or how you’re being treated or how you’re reacting? I’d love to hear your favorite verses on the topic in the comments!

Valentine’s Day Teacher Gift Idea 

It’s ONE night till Valentine’s Day! If you are scrambling for a last minute teacher gift or childcare gift, I have a cutie patootie idea for you. 

At Walmart, grab one of these $1-2 Hershey coated candy tubes with the heart on top. The heart is the tie-in to the cute saying on the tag, so the heart-topped one really is the best for this gift. 

Use a notecard (or any other card-type paper) to write the following note: 

Teaching is a work of HEART. 

You can replace “teaching” with “childcare” if that’s more appropriate. 

Use twine to attach with a cute bow, and gift for a sweet treat to a sweet teacher! 

Valentine’s Day Thumbprint Magnet DIY 

I wanted to share this little DIY I did with my kiddos tonight. I created three of these heart magnets – one for our house, my parents’ house, and my in-laws’ house. They’ll serve as Valentines from my three boys to their grandparents. 

If you’re looking for a non-edible Valentines gift from your child, this is a perfect and simple DIY. 

They won’t look professional – they look rustic and homemade, and that’s just exactly what a grandparent or parent wants when it comes to saving little crafts as tokens of the childhood years! 

You’ll just need the following items, which can easily be purchased at Walmart: 

  • Wooden hearts 
  • Red and pink craft paint 
  • A q-tip 
  • A sharpie 
  • Magnet stripping 
  • Super glue 

I put red paint on a disposable plate, dipped my boys’ thumbs in it, and used two thumb prints per boy on each heart to make an attempt at a heart shape. The thumb prints should make a V shape so that they do form a heart-like shape. 

After all three boys’ prints were done and as they were drying, I used a sharpie to trace them and make them more obviously heart-shaped. Because I have three boys, each wooden heart had six thumb prints, which formed three painted hearts. Once traced into hearts, I also put their first initial by each heart to identify which boy belonged to each set of thumb prints. I also wrote in the year on each wooden heart. 

Then, for some additional Valentines-themed color, I used a q tip to dab on pink polka dots all over. 

Once the paint was dry, I used super glue to fasten on some magnetic stripping on the back. 

Finally, once the entire project was dry, I added my own to the fridge and wrapped the heart magnets for my parents and Jake’s parents. I wrapped them in tissue paper and cellophane bags I already had on hand. 

Like I said, these are in no way professional – they are meant to be a keepsake, a snapshot in time with little thumbprints, a cutie pie DIY for the fridge. 

Have you done any kid-friendly DIYs for this Valentine’s Day? I’d love to hear from you in the comments! 

Favorite Books Read in 2024

I realized, at 4 AM today whilst nursing my youngest baby, that I hadn’t yet shared my 2024 reading list or favorite books. 

I read 14 books in 2024 that I recorded in my virtual shelf on my bookshelf app. However, I also taught a few Bible studies that are paired with books, and I read tons of children’s books with my kiddos. For 2025, I am likely going to count all of those books, too, so that I can really measure my reading more accurately. 

However, out of those 14 books I recorded as “read,” I wanted to share a little about my top two favorites! 

Run Rose Run by Dolly Parton and James Patterson: This book was SUCH an amazing read. It’s a mystery, a romance, and (in a way) a coming-of-age novel but with an adult protagonist. You can see Dolly Parton’s input and influence in the main characters – specifically in the women – and you get the pacing and literary genius that is James Patterson all in one. What an awesome combination! If you enjoy a story where you gather pieces as you go, but still end up a little surprised at the “big reveal” – you will thoroughly enjoy this story. And there’s just enough flirtation and relationship building for this to count in a “subtle romance” category for me. I loved it! 

Beyond the Wand by Tom Felton: I am a huge Harry Potter fan, and so I knew I’d have to read the book authored by the actor who brought Draco Malfoy to the silver screen so very well. Tom Felton writes as he speaks, and comes across as genuine, funny, charismatic, and humble. He writes as though he’s telling stories to a friend, and I feel like, by reading this book, I’ve gotten to know him. His appreciation for the Harry Potter films and sets is matched by his willingness to share parts of his non-Potter life – including fond family memories and young adult hardships. This was easily a 5-star read, in my opinion, and will keep a spot on my bookshelf for years to come! 

Did you read either of those titles? What was your top read of 2024? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

I have a ton of books on my TBR (to be read) list for 2025, and I hope to tackle around 20 books for my own interest list, a handful of chaptered Bible studies, and lots and lots of children’s books with my sons. Maybe next year, I’ll be able to share favorites in each of those three categories! 

Happy reading, friends! 

Extra Chocolate Cookies

So proud of my eldest son, AJ (6), who made these cookies! We love being in the kitchen together, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to build memories one-on-one with him.

While I gave him the recipe and managed the oven aspects, he did all of the other steps of baking delicious cookies to take to dinner at GiGi and Pop-Pop’s house! 

We thought these were super yummy and extra chocolate-y, so it seems like it might be a recipe worth sharing here. 

First, AJ got together these ingredients: 

  • 1 box dry chocolate cake mix
  • 1/2 cup oil 
  • 2 eggs 
  • 1/3-1/2 cup M&Ms 

We preheated the oven to 350F. 

AJ stirred together the first 3 ingredients, blending until all of the batter was dark brown. I explained that when the batter is dark, it’s wet, and that means all the parts have come together to make the cookie dough! We don’t want any of the mix to still be lighter, dry cake mix. 

Then, AJ added in the M&Ms. 

Once the M&Ms were stirred in and evenly distributed, we made ping-pong sized dough balls, set them on baking sheets, and smooshed them down some. (The smooshing step is very scientific – haha – I basically just use my palm to flatten them a little, which helps them not rise into puffy cookies, since they are made with cake mix.) 

We baked these in a 350F oven for 12-13 minutes. 

Then let them cool, and enjoy! (You may want a big glass of milk, because they sure are chocolate-tastic!) 

Ladybug, A Poem

It’s World Suicide Prevention Day, and September is Suicide Prevention Month. I can’t let this day slide by without acknowledging the terrible void that suicide has left in my life and in my family. 

In May of 2023, one of the most important people of my childhood committed suicide. 

My cousin Rachel was one of my first best friends – she was only three and a half years younger than me (and only a few months younger than my sister Samantha). So the three of us, plus my second cousin Amber who is just a little younger than the others, made up “The Ladybug Club.” 

My aunt offhandedly called us that once and it stuck – we were at the age where belonging is important and clubs are cool. Just four girly girls, forever known in our family as the Ladybug Club. 

I’m not sure why Rachel is gone – I ache at the thought of her having felt alone, but I also know she was (and continues to be) so loved by our whole family. I know that our minds can sometimes cause us to feel isolated even when the reality is that we are more cared for than we know. 

I posted about Rachel on this blog around the holidays last year (see here), and I think about her often. All week I’ve shared posts on my Instagram stories from 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 

It’s been over a year, but I think I’ll grieve Rachel for a lifetime. I want so badly to be here for my family and don’t plan to go heavenward until the Lord calls me, but I long to see her again, to hear her laugh. 

I wanted to post today in remembrance of her. 

About a month and a half after her passing, I had a visitor on my windshield – a ladybug – and I wept on my ride home at the memory of Rachel. When I got home, I wrote this poem, and shared it on my personal Facebook that day. In the preamble to the poem, I called it “half journal entry, half poem.” I think that description remains fitting.

So here it is, my original poem, first penned on 6/30/2023.

I believe in a God who dearly loves his creation, who doesn’t leave us or forsake us, who waits for us at the doors of eternity with open arms. And I believe that Rachel is at peace there – feeling loved and waiting on the rest of the Ladybug Club’s arrival. 

I’ll see you then, Ladybug, and I’ll miss you everyday on this side of forever. 

SPECIAL NOTE:

If you are struggling with your mental health – you are not alone. 988 is a resource for you. Your life is worth living, and I will remind you of that any time you need me to. 

Pizza Quesadillas

Dinner tonight sure was good! Pizza quesadillas are a new fave in the Miller house! 

I figured I should give this recipe a spot on the blog so it’s permanently posted for anyone who wants to give it a shot. 

Here’s what you’ll need: 

  • 6” Flour Tortillas
  • Pizza Sauce 
  • Shredded Pizza Cheese (or mixed Italian cheeses) 
  • Pepperoni 
  • Italian Seasonings 

I heated my electric griddle, but you could just as easily use a pan on your stovetop. 

I laid out the bottom tortilla of my quesadilla on the heated griddle, layering it with sauce, cheese, pepperoni, and then more cheese. I sprinkled on Italian seasoning, and then added my top tortilla. 

I let this cook on the griddle for a few minutes, then used a spatula to flip it. I flipped until I was happy with the color on both sides and until I was certain the cheese had melted inside. 

While these cooked, I put some sauce in a small serving dish, sprinkled in Italian seasonings, and simply heated in the microwave. This served as our dipping sauce. 

Also while the food cooked, I cut up fresh fruit to go along with this – to help me feel better about the salt intake with pepperoni and sauce, ha ha! 

I cut the quesadillas into 4 pieces each and served them on a big cutting board with the dipping sauce. 

This is a perfect game day dish, movie night snack, or weekend lunch! I hope you’ll love it, too! 

Jake and I ate them while we watched the first episode of the new season of Rings of Power.

If you try these out, let me know how and when you enjoyed them in the comments below!

Note: You can add any other toppings you enjoy – olives, peppers, mushrooms, etc., in addition to the pepperoni, cheese, and sauce.

Treating Others As You Wish to Be Treated

Bear with me, as today’s post is one I felt called to share, but is not my usual home decor hacks, recipes, or parenting tips.

This is not about your politics; this is about your humanity.

You cannot claim to support “family values” (however you may define that) and then laugh in the face of a child who is overcome with pride and love for their father. Furthermore, you cannot claim to support family values and to value life and then mock someone with diagnoses.

I don’t care who you’re voting for – any political post of mine won’t change your mind and your comments won’t change mine – but the way you treat other humans continues to matter after ballots are counted. The way you treat mankind, as a whole and individually, determines how others perceive your character. Your actions ARE related to your character, and a “delete” button on a mean-spirited post doesn’t solve that.

Ann Coulter should be ashamed of herself for mocking Gus Walz, a son who was moved by seeing his father on a national stage, a father who had just expressed his love for his family as he accepted the nomination for VP by the DNC. If it were me in the chair and my dad on the stage, I’d be proud and emotional, too. If it were me at the podium, I’d be moved to see any of my children emotional and proud as I did my job. And, no, her explanation that she “didn’t know” about his diagnoses is not enough – that’s not an apology and, frankly, mocking someone for being transparent about their emotions (even with no diagnosis) is shameful.

What happened to the golden rule? Treat others as you wish to be treated – or as Jesus said it in Luke 6:31:

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. (KJV)

Do to others as you would have them do to you. (NIV)

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. (ESV)

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: as an adult, many children are watching you. MY children are watching you. Choose to model compassion and kindness.

This post is not in support of any political candidate; this post is in support of a child showing unbridled pride in and love for his parent, which is a beautiful thing to witness – and a far cry better than the usual nightly news stories we usually see on our screens in America.

Screen shot of the original post by Coulter on X (formerly Twitter).

Also, please do not post how you’re voting in the comments. My website is not a front yard for you to stick your corrugated campaign signs into, and if you try, such comments will be removed. However, I welcome your comments on the topic at hand.

Theological Ramblings on Philippians 1 & 2

I’ve been reading Philippians daily with one of my youth group members, and Paul has a lot to say about how to treat one another and a lot to say about joy despite circumstance.

When I scroll through social media, I see an awful lot of complaining. What’s interesting is that it seems that well over half the time, the complainers are NOT the people struggling to make ends meet. Rather, many of the complainers are folks who have ALL their needs met and MANY of their wants satisfied.

Perhaps spiritual joy has a lot to do with choosing to be content and a lot less to do with what we have.

Some spiritual food for thought.

Philippians 2:14 (first part) in a few different translations – take your pick:

  • NIV – “Do everything without grumbling or arguing”
  • NLT – “Do everything without complaining and arguing”
  • ESV – “Do all things without grumbling or disputing”
  • KJV – “Do all things without murmurings and disputings”
  • The Message – “Do everything readily and cheerfully – no bickering, no second guessing allowed!”

Philippians 1:27 (again, first part)

  • NIV – “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”
  • NLT – “Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.”
  • ESV – “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ”
  • KJV – “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ”
  • The Message – “Meanwhile, live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ.”

My church-worker heart wants me to add: I am not a cherry picker of verses – these verses sum up a reoccurring theme and therefore are worthy of being used in this manner. If you’re curious about this topic, I encourage you to read all of Philippians to see what I mean.

Have you read Philippians, fully, recently? What do you think Paul is saying about joy, contentment, how we treat others, and grumbling? I’d love to hear in the comments!