Joy Shantz
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...
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...
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...
Cozy Crockpot Recipes to Warm Up Your Week
It's cold outside. Like, really cold. Enter the Crockpot, the kitchen's best answer to warm, filling, and simple meals for the whole family. I...
Capture Your Year, One Second at a Time
A few years ago, I was hesitant to make big resolutions for the new year. The many challenging events of that year were fresh...
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...
Plan a Friend Trip in the New Year
Last spring I spent the day with one of my best friends in Grand Rapids. We had a delicious brunch, went shopping, got our...
Go Out For Girls Night in Lansing This Fall
I had two babies in the past four years, which made life wonderfully busy. Amidst the beautiful, messy, and noisy days parenting toddlers, there...
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...
Lansing Mom’s Guide to the Manistee River Area
A few weeks ago my husband and I left our kids with their grandparents for the first time and headed Northwest toward the Manistee...