Dear Reader,

I’m feeling like 2025 needs old fashion blog posts. Posts that give updates and share bits of this and that. Maybe a once-a-month check-in? We’ll see.

Here’s what’s going on these days.

Reading

I just finished reading Ina Garten’s memoir. I loved it. If you like her quirkiness, “How easy is that!” and enjoy peering into other people’s lives, I think you will, too.

I’m currently reading Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman. It’s the prequel to the Practical Magic series, which somehow I missed was a book series. I love the movie, but so far, the writing is by far better.

I’m also reading Creative ELA’s book club books, Astrid the Unstoppable and Max in the House of the Spies. There are novel guides for both in my Member Library.

I’m about to start Braiding Sweetgrass, the YAL edition, for a class I’m taking with Outdoor Learning School. I’m excited to see how I can use it to develop a new creative writing series.

Eating

I’ve kept a sourdough starter alive for the first time and made the BEST focaccia bread! I’ve given it as a gift and made it for a party. No one stops at one piece. I always believed I hated baking. It turns out I hate the mess. I started using a scale and measuring in grams; it made all the difference. One bowl! It’s so easy!

We’re also obsessed with the Good and Gather simmer sauces at Target—my son is, too. We all make them weekly. I can’t recommend one over the other; they are all our favorites.

If you don’t follow Catherine Newman, you must. Her recipes, writing, and humor are so good for the soul. She’s writing Crone Sandwich over at Substack, but if you Google her, you’ll find books, memoirs, and a ton of recipes. All sooooo good!

I’m over on Substack, too 🙂 but I’m not writing about food.

Homeschooling & Teaching

My ninth grader is pretty independent these days. She likes it when I sit with her, but she takes all her classes through Khan Academy or in person at our community college (I don’t sit with her there). She also spends a good amount of time each week interning at a children’s science museum. My kids have both had such great experiences volunteering regularly. They’ve learned more through those experiences than anywhere else.

I’ve added a bunch of new classes in Creative ELA and two new membership options. The Library Membership is for families who want to use my resources but don’t want to or can’t take my live classes. The Classroom Membership is for families who wish to access all my resources and live classes, and the Curriculum building membership offers ten months of individualized curriculum plus all my resources and live classes. Essentially, I create the English curriculum your kiddo needs.

Outschool creative writing classes will continue all through 2025.

For adults, you can find me at Kindred Explorers and Women Writing for (a) Change.

Life

One of my people just got a new car, and the other is headed to Cuba in a few days. Snow is coming (my nemesis), and as I write this, I have four more days off (though I’m teaching two of those days…)

My word for the year is Presence. Last year, it was Pause. I did okay, but I need more practice. I’m stepping away from social media (again) because every time I get on, my blood pressure rises. Even the good stuff makes me feel off. I’m also over all the ads trying to convince me to lose weight and get rid of my double chin. It’s here to stay.

Here is my list of hopes for the new year.

• My husband gets published and tenure.
• My son gets into the Porsche program.
• My daughter finds the answers she’s looking for in her autism/ADHD assessment.
• I take better care of my physical self.
• Everyone is healthy.
• Kindness and peace prevail.

My coffee cup is empty, and no one’s taken the dogs out, so this rambling post must end. If you’ve read this far, I’d love to know your hopes, words, or resolutions for 2025. What are you reading, eating, doing these days?

I hope the new year is treating you well,

xoKelly