Category Archives: In my happy space

Life is Better in the Coop: My Backyard Happy Place

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Chicken Coop surrounded by raised wooden garden bed and fig tree

Home Sweet Coop.

This chicken coop brings me so much joy! We’ve had chickens for at least nine years and have experienced several different types of coops. Unfortunately, we’ve also dealt with our share of chickens being senselessly attacked by raccoons.

A wild turkey standing outside a wooden chicken coop next to a raised garden bed

A Turkey came to visit our girls in the coop.

About two years ago, after a raccoon attack left us with only one surviving hen, Amir built a coop. We decided to give that remaining chicken to my mom, where she joined her new flock. Amir constructed the entire house and the coop inside it. This year, he added garden boxes, which helped complete the coop. I love it so much! We planted wildflowers in the raised wooden planter, and it brings me such joy to watch the flowers grow and bloom every day. Each morning, I discover a new little gem. The flowers are small but full of vibrant color. I absolutely love them!

Violet flower growing in raised wooden garden bed near chicken coop

Spotting hidden gems in the garden.

Colorful Petals and Leaves.

Wild flowers growing in raised wooden garden bed near the chicken coop

More hidden gems.

Our Little Peach Grove.

Two years ago, we planted two peach trees, and this year they are overflowing with peaches. The peaches are small, and we still have a lot to learn about how to protect and grow them so that we can actually enjoy eating them. I remember my cousin’s grandmother used to have a beautiful peach tree, and when I would sleep over at her house, we would wake up early in the morning, rush downstairs, and head straight to the screened-in porch in the backyard to sink our teeth into those juicy peaches. I also recall my father and all of my uncles adding sliced peaches to their glasses of red wine.glasses of red wine.

We also add little twinkling solar lights that make me giddy and joyous when they come on at night. Looks so beautiful and charming; I hope the little ladies love it as much as I do.

Solar lights draped around chicken coop at night.

Twinkling coop

I’ve wanted chickens my whole life. My aunt Ninfa used to have a flock in the garage of her Brooklyn home. And I always wanted my own. My dad did let my brother and me get baby chicks when we lived in our own Brooklyn apartment, but we didn’t have any yard space or a garage, so the little chicks grew up in our hallway until they got too big, and one day they were gone. I’m not sure where or what my father did with them. I know he gave them away; I just don’t know to whom. Anyway, since those early years, I always said I’d have my own flock, and Amir as usual, helped to make that dream come true.

Finding beauty in my bicolor petunia

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They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but during a Mother’s Day trip to the local nursery with my family, I found out just how subjective “beauty” can really be.
The moment I saw this striking bicolor petunia, I was totally captivated. I loved the high contrast drama of its deep, velvety purple black center bleeding into those pale, creamy yellow borders. To me, it looked like a moody, mesmerizing piece of living art.
My family, however, saw something entirely different.
In fact, they instantly called it the “bubonic plague!”
They were completely baffled by my choice, unable to comprehend how anyone could love a plant so dark and untraditional. But that’s the magic of gardening sometimes the most rewarding blooms are the ones that lean into the dramatic, dark, and beautifully unusual.
I’m officially embracing this plant! It makes me so happy and I’m still in love with its beautiful dark, rich color. The younger me would definitely have not fought for this plant. I used to be a people pleaser up to not long ago. I would have typically abandoned my love for the plant or had changed my mind to please everyone especially since I was the only one who liked it! Everyone else, my husband and four kids all hated it and I’m so proud for sticking to my guns on this one! It’s makes me so happy every time I see it!

1990’s Couture

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I found my old sketch book from my younger days. At the time, I was living in Brooklyn, and I had to be around 11 or 12, maybe a little younger, but definitely not older, as we moved from Brooklyn when I was around 13.

For the longest time, I wanted to be a fashion designer! I wanted to live in NYC and go to the Fashion Institute of Technology. I loved fashion magazines and remember seeing vendors selling them out on the streets, down in the train stations or in the local grocery stores. My mom never purchased any magazines, so I was very excited when I got my hands on my first copy of Cosmopolitan. Not sure how I got it, maybe an older cousin or my neighbor. I can still remember slowly turning each page with anticipation. I loved the texture of the pages, the smell, and I just remember feeling so fancy. These may have been bridesmaids’ dresses. I had lots of older cousins either having sweet sixteens or getting married. It was a time of festivities. These look like fun party dresses. I remember really liking the one to the right with my chain straps. I might have wanted to be a hairstylist too! I’m loving the wide-leg pants here to the left and my chain straps again!I still can’t believe I drew a cigarette in her hand. It must have been inspired by my father, who always had a cigarette in his hands! She looked cute in her outfit.I went to a lot of weddings as a kid! I had thirty cousins in total, twelve from my mom’s side and eighteen from my dad’s side of the family. 
I can still remember a time in my life when I spent hours drawing and dreaming of a career as a fashion designer. Although I didn’t pursue that path, I still enjoy drawing and creating. I have many sketchbooks that I plan to start filling again. They say that the things you loved doing as a child often come back to you as an adult.

February Rest

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I’ve been craving rest this February, and I’ve been surprised by how it has come to me in unexpected ways.
This house is full of life; it’s vibrant and active, filled with beautiful heartbeats that need different kinds of nutrients to thrive. A beautiful thing of course. They are the most precious things to me in this world. As their center, I sometimes feel like the dashboard or central station, responsible for keeping everything running smoothly. However, I realize I need a reboot, a new battery, a new charger to charge the battery! I need a new flow of oxygen so I can continue giving my loved ones the support they need to flourish. I’m slowly shifting my priorities this year to include rest in my list of things to do. I love my list, which includes tasks like doing laundry, cooking, cleaning, and food shopping. These are all privileges that come with the dream of having a big family. God has made my dreams come true, but there’s upkeep involved. The only way to avoid exhausting myself is to find rest in between and engage in activities that nourish me. This month, I’ve been intentional about adding those things to my to-do list. I’ve started reading a book, signed up for a watercolor class (I haven’t taken an art class since college), and I’m listening to an audiobook during my car rides. I even tried water marbling, which was so much fun! I’m definitely feeling more rested, and it’s so important to refill my own well-being.

 

Vision Board Night

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I hosted a vision board night with some friends and my four children to wrap up January and set our intentions for February. The evening is definitely one of my favorite memories from 2026! It was so enjoyable to combine three of my favorite activities: eating, chatting, and creating. I felt right in my element and, as a result, didn’t do much creating of my own; instead, I spent a lot of time observing the creativity around me and soaking in the atmosphere. Watching people create is one of my favorite pastimes, as it offers a glimpse into their minds. You can learn a lot about someone through what they produce, and it was truly wonderful to discover more about these extraordinary women—and my little boy, too! I actually didn’t have to purchase much for this event, as I had collected many magazines over the years, along with lots of collage paper and other embellishments for my guests to use. I provided boards, old empty picture frames, and spiral notebooks for them to choose as their base.
Having worked with young children and my own kids for many years, I had plenty of glue sticks and scissors suitable for little hands, which also worked perfectly for my adult guests! One item that I did purchase, and which was well worth it for the event, was the Lamare Vision Board Book from Amazon. It contained over 1,000 images and motivational quotes, which was more than enough for nine people to share, with plenty of images and pages left over. I also asked my guests to bring any clippings, photos, magazines, or their own journals or boards that they’d like to include. I laid everything out on a spare table and everyone was free to collect, cut, and dream away!
I loved watching my daughters and my son gather together, chatting, laughing, and dreaming together. The process to me is always more exciting than the final product. I did love seeing what images they were propelled to paste down on their boards. 
Isabel’s pink tones throughout her board show her planning from beginning to end. She’s going to bring this board to life from beginning to end! 
Melinas, I love her “MAKE IT HAPPEN AND SHOCK EVERYONE” quote, the funny thing is, she’s going to be the one shocked, not everyone else. We all believe in her more than she believes in herself!
Lias is focusing on getting straight A’s! Yeah! Looks like she’s got some traveling plans, fitness, and eating healthy. I love her “slow progress is still progress” quote. So true Lia! You’re wise beyond your years!I love the things you love!
and for my grand finale…
This board is so you, Liam! Money, basketball, sneakers, 2023 must have been a good year? Jesus! Love your visions, so precious!
I finally finished a page in my journal. I decided to do a journal versus a completed board. Committing to a board or feeling like I had to fill up space on a board and call it complete was too much of a commitment for this erratic, chaotic, uncertain, creative, ever-changing MIND!  I think I’m going to go month by month. I finally finished what I wanted to accomplish in January! I accomplished some of these goals, and whatever I didn’t, I can carry into February.

 

And that’s a wrap!

Winter Ambiance

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When I hear a snowstorm is on its way, I fantasize about experiencing a real-life winter ambience like those I keep playing on my tv. I think of pretty snow and the wind blowing and a fire roaring and a cappuccino on the coffee table steaming hot for hours and hours, a dog deeply breathing in and out and a random cat even though I don’t have a one. I dream I’ll be sitting cozy while reading a book and catching up on some creative project I’ve been wanting to start, but that’s not my reality these days and that’s ok. However, there were some magical moments like catching a snowflake on my jacket while walking over to feed the chickens. I put a candle I made at a friend’s house under my candle warmer. So pretty. I lit a candle in my living room, which was lovely to smell throughout the day.

Watched my kids frolic in the snow.Visited our free little libraryMade fresh tortillas. Drew pictures of a rooster and a chicken with Liam. and went on a winter night walk with Liam and Lia. I guess the day turned out better than sitting around inside a winter ambience.

Playing Dreidel

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Hanukkah’s beauty lies in its quiet simplicity, far removed from the rush of the holiday season. I love the ritual of lighting the menorah where the candles grows brighter each night. The joy is found in the small things like the playful thrill of a dreidel game around the kitchen table, and the savory, golden crunch of fresh latkes and jelly donuts called Sufganiyot. It is a celebration that doesn’t need much—just light, family, and the enduring comfort of tradition.
I especially love the simple game of dreidel. I would have loved playing this as a child! I’m sure my brother and I would have found a way to fight over it but I’m sure it would have brought lots of joy as well. It’s Nothing fancy, all you need is a dreidel and pieces of anything, traditionally gelt or chocolate coins. But you can use real coins or whatever you have on hand. I like to keep a little set up near by so at anytime anyone can enjoy a quick game.
Playing dreidel involves spinning a four-sided top to win tokens, such as chocolate gelt or pennies, from a central pot.
Setup
  1. Distribute Tokens: Give each player 10–15 game pieces (e.g., gelt, nuts, or raisins).
  2. Create the Pot: Every player puts one token into the center to start.
  3. Turn Order: Players spin the dreidel; the “highest” letter (Nun > Gimel > Hey > Shin) goes first. 
How to Play
On your turn, spin the dreidel once. Follow the action for the letter facing up when it stops:
  • נ (Nun): “Nischt” (Nothing) — Do nothing.
  • ג (Gimel): “Gantz” (Everything) — Take the whole pot.
  • ה (Hey): “Halb” (Half) — Take half-the pot (round up for odd numbers).
  • ש (Shin): “Shtel” (Put in) — Put one token into the pot. 
 Rules for the Pot
  • Replenishing: If the pot is empty or has only one token left, every player must add one token before the next spin.
  • Ending the Game: Play continues until one person has won all the tokens, or you can set a timer and declare the person with the most tokens the winner. 

 

Happy 104!

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If you were still here on earth you would have turned 104 years old today! Incredible the difference in age that we were! 46 years old and my father would have been 104, that’s a 58 age difference. If you had been younger when I was born I would have had you for a longer time here on earth. But that wasn’t the plan and 37 years was not enough time with you. In the middle of raising a family, I tried hard ro be very intentional with my time with you and Im very happy that we made all of those trips to homedepot together!! I miss you every single day and I know we will meet again one day!

 

Highschool flash back

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I created this piece for my highschool yearbook in 1996. 30 years and 4 kids later I almost forgot how much art was a huge part of my life.

I also almost forgot that I got my bachelor’s in visual arts communications! I worked in the field as a graphic artist for about 10 years and realized sitting behind a computer for sometimes over 10 hours a day was and is not for me. Art has always been a constant in my life. As a little girl I always had a sketch book a pencil and a box of crayons. I was obsessed with paper and the smell of paint. I loved that newspaper print and tempura paints I used to use in elementary school. I remember once while watching the Italian chanel with my parents there was an opportunity to draw a picture to be aired on the show. I drew a picture for my brother to enter and to my surprise, it got aired. I was very proud even though my brothers name appeared on it and not mine.

I also remember my classmates coming up to me and asking me to draw them dogs and bears to illustrate their stories during writing.

Creating covers for my book reports were always so exciting for me. And sometimes I’d put more work into my covers than the actual reports! I continued loving art all throughout highschool and having my artwork featured in the yearbook really built up my confidence.

With the guidance of my art reacher Mrs. Campbell, I decided to continue my education in art and long story short I majored in visual communication. I had created a sunburst in one of my art classes which was sent to a morning show and was picked to be aired. I never got to see it live but i got a copy of the show and again, felt proud of my achievement.

Looking back, I kinda wish that I had become an art teacher. I’m not sure why I didn’t, however during my years of raising my children there was always an art project or two ready to go almost every day. So, I guess in a way maybe I did get to teach art.

And now here I am. Working in a preschool and loving being a part of cute little art projects and it’s got me thinking that the next half of my life might be lesrning how to teach art to young children.

 

 

Love letters

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Valentine’s Day is behind us, and the month of love, which we all know as February, has paved its way into March. However, that does not mean the opportunity to write or send love to someone is over. There’s even more reason to reach out to someone you love or someone you don’t know because the truth is there’s never a good reason not to. Moreloveletters.com is an online organization started by Hannah Brencher in 2011 that allows people to nominate loved ones needing extra support and love. Strangers can then sign up to receive these requests and handwrite their letters, which are then delivered to the person in need. I love this organization and think how amazing it is for someone to receive love and support from even a stranger.