Joy Shantz
Joy is a wife, mom, friend and neighbor who lives in the City of Lansing and loves it! She gets excited about the outdoors, cold brew coffee, international cuisine and meeting new people. You can follow her Lansing area adventures at her personal blog @hometownfound on Instagram.
Get Thrifty in Lansing Thrift Stores This Spring
A few years ago our family was on a strict budget as we repaid the last of our student loans. We tried to avoid eating out, I made coffee at home, and we only...
Things To Do In Lansing This Spring
Spring is just about here, and I know I'm excited for better weather and more color in the trees. This change of season brings some of my favorite things: magnolia blossoms, floral print dresses,...
Celebrate the Chinese New Year in Lansing
As a teenager my family moved to Penang, Malaysia, a beautiful tropical island famous for delicious street food. There were many things that made Malaysia different than our home in Michigan. One memorable change...
Have a Date Staycation In Lansing
We recently received the greatest gift -- the grandparents offered to take our kids for the weekend! After looking for a hotel or cabin to rent and finding them all really expensive, we decided...
Cozy Crockpot Recipes to Warm Up Your Week
It's cold outside. Like, real cold. Enter the Crockpot, the kitchen's best answer to warm, filling, and simple meals for the whole family. I know I lean on this dear appliance more in these...
Capture Your Year, One Second at a Time
I was hesitant to make big resolutions for 2024. The many challenging events of this last year were fresh on my mind and I had less than two months to go in my pregnancy....
Use Your Five Senses to Enjoy the Winter Season
I grew up in the tropics, where the weather never got below 65 degrees, ever. Fast forward to now, and I am raising my family in cold, snowy Michigan. I’ve been in the state...
Shop Local for Used Books in Lansing
Cooler weather is here, and with that comes the draw of spending the evening snuggled up in a blanket with a good book. Stocking up on enough great reads to get you through the...
Teaching Your Kids About Holidays Around the World
It's still fall, but my mind is already on the holiday season. I just can't wait for Christmas! As I get ready for my favorite holiday, I want to make sure my kids are...
4 Hikes to Take in Lansing this Fall
I am not the most athletic person. A childhood eye problem left me with poor hand-eye coordination, and, truthfully, I’m afraid of most sports-related activities. That is why hiking is the perfect exercise activity...