Saying Goodbye to the Cabin We’ve come to the end of an era—our family no longer has a cabin. My grandfather first bought the land, intending it to be a retirement spot. He built the original little square cabin, and my dad added onto it later. Like so many families in Minnesota, the cabin became […]

This week’s conversation was about what many are calling “grandma hobbies”—but let me just say right off the bat, that name is absolutely a compliment in my book. We’re talking about things like puzzles, knitting, canning, sewing, baking, reading cozy mysteries—those timeless, comforting activities that slow us down and fill us up in the best […]

Grief, Gratitude & Glitter: A Conversation Continued In this follow-up episode of Stamping on the Back Porch, we’re returning to a topic that deeply touched so many of you—grief and gratitude. After sharing Tim’s story about losing his ability to read after a stroke, we were overwhelmed by the heartfelt responses. So today, we’re reading […]

Tim’s story of enjoying the gift of reading for 30 years and then losing it! Vision therapy at age 40 allowed him to read his first book ever and then 30 years later, a stroke took that gift away. I want to share my deeply personal journey with you—a story about the day my world […]

In this episode, we talk about the hard struggle of learning to read that many people experience. We share these deep, honest feelings to show how hard it was for Josiah and Tim and to let you know you’re not alone in your struggles.  I remember feeling small and scared when the words on a […]

Creativity means something different to everyone, but it often becomes a powerful way to relax, express ourselves, and connect with others. We recently asked what creativity means to you, and the responses were so inspiring. Many shared how crafting, especially making cards, helps calm a busy mind and reduce stress. Whether it’s someone with ADHD […]

How can we enjoy winter, even when it feels so long and cold, especially here in Minnesota? We shared how the Norwegian way of looking at winter—embracing the season instead of fighting it—can make all the difference. They even have a saying: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” That got us […]

In this episode, we dive into the concept of the “Word of the Year,” exploring how words shape our lives and connections.   Hank kicks things off with his funny take on the Oxford English Dictionary’s annual word selection, leading to stories about how words evolve and take on personal meaning. From childhood games like […]