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A Day in New York City With My Kids

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The kids and I took a 2.5-hour drive into New York City for our first visit together. Even though the round-trip was five hours total, every minute was worth it. My kids had been to NYC once before, about six or seven years ago with their father.

I grew up visiting my east coast family who lived just 12 miles from the city, and I honestly couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve been there. Yet somehow, I never had the chance to go with my kids, until now.

We spent the day exploring the city by hopping on and off the tour buses, letting them guide us through the energy and chaos of NYC. Times Square was our first stop since that is where I garaged my car. It was bright, loud, and everything you expect it to be. From there, we made our way to the Empire State Building, standing beneath it and just taking in the scale of it all. We spent a great deal of time at the Empire State Building. It was way more commercialized than I remember it was back 30+ years ago. Due to this, it took a lot longer to get to the overlook on the 86th floor.

Later, we visited the World Trade Center Pools. The shift from the noise of the city to the stillness of that space hit me deeply. Watching my kids take it in so quietly… it’s a moment I won’t forget. We ended our time by wandering through the WTC Mall before making our way back to Times Square for dinner and then starting the drive home.

It was a long day, but it was filled with memories that I will hold close. Seeing New York City through my kids’ eyes made the whole experience feel new, magical, and worth every mile.

Support the Journey – If this post resonated with you or made you feel a little less alone on your own path, you’re always welcome to support my writing with a cup of coffee. Your kindness helps me keep sharing real stories and new chapters, one step at a time go to: coff.ee/smalltownmichele

Review: Seacrets: Jamaica USA – Ocean City, Maryland

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Ocean City Memories & Seacrets for Dinner

The kids and I drove two hours to Ocean City, Maryland, a beach town that holds a special place in my heart. I lived here in the late 1990s during an internship at a local advertising business, so returning felt nostalgic – it felt like I was returning home. We arrived around 3 PM on a slightly gloomy day. Since it’s off-season, the town was peaceful and uncrowded, though many shops were closed. My kids loved seeing where I used to live.

We kicked off our visit with a barefoot walk along the beach, hunting for seashells, then warmed up at Java Beach Cafe • Bakery. I enjoyed my usual hot chai latte (it’s my go-to wherever I go). The Ocean City Boardwalk is impressively long, about 30 blocks, but with night falling, we only made it to around 10th Street before turning back.

For dinner, we went to Seacrets, which I hadn’t visited in nearly three decades. The food was outstanding, and the menu clearly marked gluten-free options. Since I’m allergic to chicken, I swapped the Cobb Salad’s chicken for shrimp, and it was massive and delicious. I ate almost the entire salad, except for two halves of a hard-boiled egg that my daughter cheekily stole!

We’ll definitely return, especially since my older son wasn’t with us. He would have loved it just as much.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
5 stars for: food, quality, and service. It was a bit pricey, but the quality is well worth it.

Seacrets
117 49th St
Ocean City, MD 21842
(410) 524-4900
seacrets.com

November is Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month 🌾✨

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Did you know November is Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month? For my family, this month is more than just awareness; it’s a reminder of how far we’ve come on our gluten-free journey.

My children and I were diagnosed with gluten allergies back in August 2013, and we’ve been living gluten-free ever since. At first, it felt overwhelming, reading every label, asking endless questions at restaurants, and trying to recreate all our favorite meals without gluten. But over time, it became second nature. We discovered new foods, learned how to cook differently, and realized that a gluten-free lifestyle can still be full of flavor and joy.

Living gluten-free isn’t a trend for us; it’s a necessity. It’s how we stay healthy, energized, and balanced. However, I also know how challenging it can be, especially for families just starting out. That’s why Gluten-Free Diet Awareness Month is so important – to spread education, understanding, and support for those who are navigating this lifestyle for the first time.

Here are a few ways you can get involved this month:
🍞 Try a new gluten-free recipe via my blog — you might be surprised how good gluten-free recipes can be!
🍕 Support restaurants that offer safe, gluten-free options.
🛒 Read ingredient labels carefully — gluten can hide in sauces, snacks, and even vitamins.
💬 Share your story — your experience might help someone else who’s struggling.

Being gluten-free isn’t about what we’ve had to give up, it’s about what we’ve gained: better health, awareness, and the appreciation for the foods that truly nourish us. 🌿

From Farm to Freezer

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Splitting a Half Steer from Sunnybrook Farm & Apiary

If you know me, you know I like to keep my freezer stocked and support local farms whenever I can. There’s just something satisfying about knowing exactly where your food comes from — and that it was raised with care.

Recently, my cousin and I decided to go in on half a butchered steer from Sunnybrook Farm & Apiary in Elkton, Maryland. Their beef is processed and packaged by ClarkCo Meats in Pennsylvania, and the quality really shows. Everything came vacuum-sealed, clearly labeled, and ready for the freezer. My cousin and I split it evenly, and now I’ve got about 115 pounds of fresh, local beef stuffed in my freezer.

Sunnybrook Farm & Apiary is a gem in the area; they sell beef, pork, eggs, and honey, all produced right on the farm. You can truly taste the quality and care in their products.

The first cut I decided to try was a tri-tip, and oh my goodness — it was delicious! Tender, juicy, and full of flavor. There’s nothing quite like grilling up a piece of beef that was raised just a few miles away. It feels great to support local farmers while stocking the freezer with something wholesome and genuine.

I love the sense of self-sufficiency that comes with this — knowing I have a good supply of quality meat for the months ahead. If you’re near Elkton, MD, I definitely recommend checking out Sunnybrook Farm & Apiary. Local farms like theirs are what keep communities strong, healthy, and connected.

✅ What Caught My Eye

Sunnybrook Farm & Apiary really stood out to me for several reasons:

  • They offer grass-raised, grass-finished beef with no hormones or vaccines.
  • The farm is located right here in Elkton, Maryland.
  • They also raise heritage pork, produce honey from their own apiary, and provide animal feed and farm supplies.
  • Founded in 2018 by Chris and Stephanie Dodds, along with their son, they’ve built a strong family-run operation rooted in quality and care.

Sunnybrook Farm & Apiary
360 Williams Road
Elkton, Maryland 21921
(302) 650-4688
https://sunnybrook.ag/

A New Chapter: Helping Students Shine

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It’s been four months since I made the cross country move to Maryland, and what a whirlwind it’s been! I had hoped to start school, aka work, back in August, but a series of interview delays had me close to tears at times. Sometimes life has a funny way of testing your patience, but finally, everything aligned, and I was able to finally step into the interview process.

Starting a new position at any elementary school is both exciting and a little nerve-wracking. This is new territory for me since I’m used to being an Instructional Para, but every day is a chance to learn, grow, and sharpen my skills in my trade as a one on one Paraprofessional. Meeting new co-workers, connecting with students, and learning the ins and outs of this new environment will shape up to be an adventure I know I’ll be grateful for.

As for extra cash, DoorDash will be my little side gig, and just when needed, probably more during the summer months when school is out of session. It’s a small way to supplement my income without taking away from the focus I want to put into my work at the school.

Here’s to a successful school year filled with learning, laughter, and new connections (both with the students and my new colleagues). New beginnings are always a little scary, but there’s nothing quite like stepping into something that challenges you and helps you grow.

☕ Support the Journey

If this post resonated with you or made you feel a little less alone on your own path, you’re always welcome to support my writing with a cup of coffee. Your kindness helps me keep sharing real stories and new chapters, one step at a time: 👉 coff.ee/smalltownmichele

🌾 A Day at Kincaid’s Ranch in South Jersey

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The kids and I spent the day with our friends, Jim and Beth, at their beautiful ranch in Bridgeton, New Jersey, recently, and what a blast it was! It’s the kind of place that makes you instantly breathe a little deeper. Wide open land, blue skies stretching forever, and that peaceful South Jersey calm that stays with you long after you leave.

Their ranch produces soybeans, stretching across acres of rich soil that shimmered golden-green in the afternoon light. I’ve always admired the work that goes into growing something so simple yet so essential. All around the property were walnut trees (the big, old ones) dropping what looked like green tennis balls scattered across the ground. I had no clue they were walnuts at first until Jim laughed and explained it. The kids wasted no time turning them into a makeshift baseball game, cracking a few open in the process and learning something new without even realizing it.

The 4-wheeler rides were another highlight — the sound of laughter chasing behind them as they zipped along side the fields. And the kittens… they were plenty, each one friendlier than the last. It took every ounce of willpower to leave without one tucked in a jacket pocket.

We spent the afternoon talking, laughing, and soaking in that quiet, easy rhythm that comes with life on a ranch. My grandfather was a produce farmer in California, so I know and deeply admire the hard work and dedication it takes to run a farm. Watching Jim and Beth care for their land and crops reminded me of the same kind of heart and grit my grandfather carried — something that never leaves you once it’s in your roots.

Easily a 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ afternoon of fun and laughter; the kind that fills your heart and reminds you why small-town life on the East Coast is something special.

☕ Support the Journey

If this post resonated with you or made you feel a little less alone on your own path, you’re always welcome to support my writing with a cup of coffee. Your kindness helps me keep sharing real stories and new chapters, one step at a time: 👉 coff.ee/smalltownmichele

When the Universe Closes a Door, You Learn to Trust the Path

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There was a time I wanted the Universe to give something back to me, a love I wasn’t ready to lose. I kept hoping the door that closed would open again. But it never did. And for a while, that hurt more than I could explain.

It took me a long time to realize maybe the Universe wasn’t being cruel. Maybe it was protecting me. Maybe it knew I needed time to find myself again, to stop pouring so much energy into trying to understand someone else and start putting that same energy into healing my own heart.

When your heart breaks, it changes you. It makes you look at things differently. You start to notice where you gave too much, where you accepted less than you deserved, and where you confused chaos for connection. You start to see how often you held on when you should’ve let go.

I used to think healing meant forgetting. Now I know it’s more about remembering, remembering who I was before I lost myself in someone else. It’s learning to sit with my feelings instead of running from them, to find peace in quiet moments, and to trust that every ending has a purpose, even when I can’t see it yet.

There are still days when I miss what I thought my life would look like. That’s okay. Healing doesn’t mean the memories stop showing up. It just means they don’t control you anymore.

Now, when a door closes, I don’t chase it. I pause. I breathe. I remind myself that not everything that ends is meant to be lost. Sometimes, it’s just the Universe making room for something better, peace, clarity, and a deeper kind of love that starts within me.

Trusting the path isn’t always easy. Some days, it’s just one step at a time. But even in the hardest moments, I can feel something bigger guiding me forward. And for now, that’s enough.

If a door has closed for you recently, maybe it’s not the ending it feels like. Maybe it’s the Universe quietly shifting things to protect your peace, even if you don’t understand why just yet. Be gentle with yourself while you wait for what’s next. Sometimes, the hardest goodbyes lead to the most peaceful beginnings.

☕ Support the Journey

If this post resonated with you or made you feel a little less alone on your own path, you’re always welcome to support my writing with a cup of coffee. Your kindness helps me keep sharing real stories and new chapters, one step at a time: 👉 coff.ee/smalltownmichele

Getting Back to Canning and Sourdough: My New Kitchen Adventure

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I’ve recently found myself wanting to dive back into two of my favorite kitchen pastimes: canning and sourdough bread making. There’s something so satisfying about creating something from scratch, whether it’s preserving fresh fruits and veggies or crafting a perfect, tangy loaf of sourdough.

To make this journey a little easier—and a lot more fun—I’ve started collecting some gadgets and kits to help me along the way. One of my first purchases was the M11 Electric Mason Jar Vacuum Sealer Kit. It comes with wide and regular mouth mason lids and makes vacuum sealing my jars a breeze. Perfect for keeping my canned goods fresh for longer.

For my sourdough adventures, I grabbed the Gluten Free Sourdough Starter Kit. This is a 100+ year old dehydrated heirloom-style starter that promises to give my bread that authentic, tangy flavor I’ve been craving. To help manage and stir the starter, I got the Skinny Spurtle Teak Wooden Kitchen Utensil—perfectly crafted for sourdough enthusiasts.

And for shaping and proofing my dough, I invested in the Wood Pulp Banneton Bread Proofing Basket Set. This set comes with everything I need: a 9” 2.2LB round banneton basket, proofing bowl, cover, dough whisk, lame, and scraper.

Now that I am no longer living at high altitude, making gluten-free sourdough should be a lot easier at sea level here in Elkton, Maryland. Here’s hoping that having the right tools—and a little lower altitude—helps me achieve the best sourdough bread yet.

Here’s to getting back to the joy of canning and baking, and to a kitchen filled with the warm smells of homemade goodness!

The Scary Pork Rib Bone Incident & Why I Now Keep PawMergency on Hand

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The other day I had one of those heart-stopping moments every pet parent dreads. I looked out into the backyard and saw my dog happily munching away on something. When I rushed over, I realized it was half of a cooked pork rib bone she had somehow found. My stomach dropped.

Cooked bones are dangerous for dogs because they can splinter into sharp pieces and cause serious injuries, like intestinal punctures or blockages. The bone she had was already splintered, and I freaked out. I immediately took it away from her and started thinking fast about what I could do to help.

I mixed some wet food and pumpkin puree in with her Freshpet dog food, hoping to soften her stool so the bone fragments would pass more easily through her system. For the rest of the day, I watched her like a hawk—checking her comfort, her behavior, and (yes) her poop—just to be sure nothing was wrong.

That scare made me realize something: emergencies happen, and sometimes you only have minutes to act. That’s when I decided to order PawMergency, an Activated Charcoal First Aid Kit for Dogs, Cats, and Pets. Activated charcoal can help absorb toxins in certain emergencies, and I wanted to make sure I had something on hand if my fur babies ever got into something dangerous again.

Now, PawMergency lives in my cupboard—ready for the “just in case” moments. I truly hope I’ll never have to use it, but knowing it’s there gives me peace of mind.

If you’d like to have PawMergency on hand too, I found mine on Amazon here: PawMergency Activated Charcoal First Aid Kit.

Because when it comes to our pets, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Bringing Tahoe to Maryland – One Room at a Time

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Yes, I miss living in Tahoe. How could I not? I spent more than half my life surrounded by the beauty of the Sierra Nevadas, and Tahoe will always hold a special place in my heart. But when it came time to move, Maryland was the right choice. Financially, it was the best decision, and truthfully, I love it here too.

Still, I wanted to keep a little piece of Tahoe with me. That’s why I decided to turn my half bathroom into a Tahoe-themed space. Some of the items hanging on the walls actually came from my home in Tahoe, which makes the theme feel authentic and personal.

The only challenge? The bathroom already had shelves, and I haven’t quite figured out what to put on them yet. If you have any Tahoe-esque ideas, send them my way. I’d love to complete the look!

To really tie the room together, I ordered artwork from Headwaters Studio on Etsy. Their Lake Tahoe Snowboard Wood Art Print immediately caught my eye. I had been browsing posters and prints, but the snowboard spoke to me, and it reminded me of my sons’ love for snowboarding, their one true passion back in Tahoe. The best part is that the piece could be personalized, so I chose the phrase: “Home Sweet, Lake Tahoe.”

Now, every time I walk into that bathroom, I smile. It’s more than just décor;7 it’s a reminder that while life has taken me across the country, Tahoe will always be a part of my home.

☕ Support the Journey

If this post resonated with you or made you feel a little less alone on your own path, you’re always welcome to support my writing with a cup of coffee. Your kindness helps me keep sharing real stories and new chapters, one step at a time: 👉 coff.ee/smalltownmichele