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Sometimes the best fun isn’t found in grand adventures—it’s tucked right into our everyday rhythms. Between planting seeds, raising small humans, and building community here in Wisconsin, I’ve learned that joy often hides in the ordinary moments we choose to notice.
When the WordPress prompt asked me to list five things I do for fun, I realized how naturally my favorite pastimes reflect the life I’m trying to build: creative, connected, and full of good food and laughter.
Reading: Pages That Connect Us
I love to read—both to my kids and for myself. There’s something magical about those bedtime moments when little voices beg for “just one more chapter,” and I happily oblige because I want to know what happens next too. Right now, we’re working through a beloved chapter book series, and I think I’m enjoying it as much as they are.
For my own reading, I recently joined a women’s book club here in town. It’s been such a gift—hearing other interpretations reminds me how stories have the power to connect us. One person reads about history; another sees deep family themes. That diversity of thought is what builds true community.
When I’m curled up with a good book, a cozy blanket, and a small light that doesn’t wake the kids, it feels like a quiet luxury. A few of my current favorites (plus the book light I love) are on my Book Club Reads (and Reading Essentials) list. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Writing: Turning the Ordinary Into Art
In the same way, I love to write. Writing helps me slow down and see the beauty in the everyday—the way morning light hits a mixing bowl, the satisfaction of flour-dusted hands, the chaos and grace of raising small humans.
My goal through this blog is to encourage others to find meaning in the daily work of nurturing families, cooking homemade meals, and building connection. Writing also helps me process this season of life and celebrate imperfect progress—both mine and others’.
Cooking: Where Chemistry Meets Creativity
Cooking is my happy place. I’m not a fancy baker (my pies are usually more “rustic” than refined), but I love experimenting in the kitchen. Cooking feels like both art and chemistry—mixing what’s in season or what’s grown in the garden, testing new flavors, and seeing what happens.
Recently I brined a sirloin tip roast to make homemade corned beef, and it turned out phenomenal. Watching everyday ingredients transform into something delicious always fills me with joy. Whether I’m simmering soup from scratch or roasting vegetables from the garden, cooking feels like a conversation between the land, my hands, and the people I love.
Having the right tools makes all the difference—I’ve gathered my go-to cookware and cast-iron favorites on my Kitchen Essentials list.
Movies: Finding Magic in the Details
I also love movies. Not just watching them, but appreciating the creative effort behind them—the lighting, music, and editing choices that tell the story even without words.
I once toured the Warner Brothers studio in California, and seeing behind the scenes gave me a deep respect for the teamwork and imagination required to create movie magic. Now, when I watch films with my family, I see them differently. Add a bowl of homemade popcorn (made with our trusty popcorn maker!) and it’s one of our favorite cozy-night traditions.
Playing and Exploring: Getting Down to Their Level
And finally, I play—and explore—with my kids. We build towering pillow forts, race toy cars, and make snow angels when Wisconsin winter delivers a fresh blanket.
I also make it a point to keep exploring myself. We visit the beach in summer, wander through new museums nearby, and plan one or two short trips a year. Those small adventures keep us curious and connected, reminding me that fun doesn’t have to be far away. It just has to be intentional.
There’s something humbling and wonderful about getting down to their level, whether that means chasing waves or lying in the snow laughing. When we share those moments, I’m reminded that joy grows in the same soil as gratitude.
These five (and a half!) things might seem simple. But reading, writing, cooking, movies, playing, and exploring together they create a life rooted in creativity, connection, and care. Whether I’m turning pages, turning phrases, or turning ingredients into dinner, every moment adds to the bigger picture. Growing food, raising kids, and building community here at home.
What are your favorite small pleasures that make everyday life feel fun? I’d love to hear what fills your family’s days with laughter and joy.
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