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The Blog
Carrot Cake Cobbler
One of my favorite parts of sharing recipes is hearing from all of you. Every once in a while, someone sends me a recipe recommendation that immediately makes me stop and think, "How have I never tried this before?" That happened this week when someone suggested Carrot Cake Cobbler. First of all... carrot cake? Yes, please. Second... cobbler? Also yes! If you've been around here for a while, you already know that Annie the Porcupine and I have a bit of a carrot obsession. Fro
dneumann1972
1 day ago2 min read
Pez Dispenser ME
Some childhood memories are tied to the smallest things. A favorite book. A family tradition. A toy you treasured. For me, one of those memories is a PEZ dispenser. My mom rarely bought us candy, so I probably only owned one or two PEZ dispensers growing up. That may be exactly why I remember them so well. They were special. It was never really about the candy anyway. It was the character sitting on top. You would pull back the head, hear that satisfying click, and out popped
dneumann1972
Jul 152 min read
The Gift of Friendship
Sometimes the biggest blessings begin with the smallest moments. A simple conversation, a shared laugh, a chance meeting, or an unexpected adventure. Looking back, I realize the people who have changed my life the most didn't arrive with grand entrances. They simply became the people who stood beside me through celebrations, heartbreaks, ordinary Tuesdays, and all the moments in between. Over time, those friendships became part of who I am. I don't have hundreds of close frie
dneumann1972
Jul 42 min read
Inspiration Hits You Wherever
As a writer, I find ideas in the strangest places and at the most unexpected times. Sometimes I wake from a vivid dream and have to turn on the light before the story slips away. Other times, inspiration finds me on a walk, in the grocery store, or while simply watching the world. That's why I carry a pen and paper everywhere. Most ideas get written down, revisited later, and tucked away until the time is right. But every so often, the words refuse to stay on the page. They k
dneumann1972
Jul 21 min read
A Weekend of Joy
Sometimes the best weekends are the ones that would sound completely uneventful to someone else. This weekend, I'm headed to a cabin with a friend. There were no packed itineraries, no sightseeing schedules, no pressure to "make the most of every minute." Instead, there were books. Coloring books. Coffee. Conversations that wandered wherever they wanted to go. And naps. Years ago, I might have thought that sounded boring. Somewhere along the way, I bought into the idea that
dneumann1972
Jun 281 min read
Today I Choose To Rest
The world doesn't stop just because I need it to. People still go to work. Emails still come in. Life keeps moving at the same fast pace it always has. And here I am... trying to heal. It is disorienting. I find myself measuring my day in small steps. Did I rest? Did I take care of myself? Did I make it through okay? While the world around me measures in productivity, deadlines, and accomplishments. I feel out of place sometimes, like I am existing on a completely different t
dneumann1972
May 281 min read
In The Stillness
There's a strange kind of guilt that comes with sitting still. Not the kind where you've done something wrong, but the kind where you feel wrong... just for resting. I didn't expect that part of recovery. I thought the hard part would be the physical healing, the pain, the discomfort, the waiting. But no one really talks about the mental tug-of-war, the voice in your head whispering, "You should be doing more," even when your body is clearly saying, "Not today." I'll sit down
dneumann1972
May 281 min read
Carrot Cake Latte
There's something about an unexpected detour that turns into a little moment of magic. I went for a drive with no real destination, just needing a change of scenery and some time with the dog. And somehow, I ended up at Tim Hortons. And there it was. Not just coffee... but a whole carrot cake experience: Carrot Cake Latte, Carrot Cake Cold Brew, and Carrot Cake Iced Capp. I mean... excuse me?? When did carrot cake become the new craze outside of the Annie the Porcupine world?
dneumann1972
May 42 min read
Books From My Childhood
There are certain books that don't just sit on a shelf that they stay with you. For me, stories like Anne of Green Gables and The Chronicles of Narnia aren't just childhood reads. They're pieces of who I was... and, in a lot of ways, still am. When I flip through those pages now, I don't just see Anne with her wild imagination or children stepping through a wardrobe into another world. I see the girl I used to be, dreaming big, feeling deeply, believing there was always somet
dneumann1972
Apr 282 min read
Writing and Waiting
Everyone talks about writing the book. The ideas. The characters. The late nights when the story just flows and you can't type fast enough to keep up. That part? I love. What no one really talks about is the waiting. The waiting after the words are written. The waiting after you hit send. The waiting for someone else to take your story and bring it to life. Waiting for illustrations. There's something exciting about knowing your story is in someone else's hands, being turned
dneumann1972
Apr 282 min read
A Reflection on School: Then and Now
I started elementary school in 1978. Things were different then. Students with special needs didn't learn alongside us. They went to different schools, separate classrooms, separate experiences. At the time, it wasn't questioned—it was just the way things were. The norm was celebrating every holiday the same way. December meant Christmas music in music class. Halloween meant costumes, parties, and games. Everyone participated. Or at least, that's how it looked. But for me, it
dneumann1972
Apr 252 min read
Becoming Kids Again
As the kids get older, I find myself treasuring our time together more and more. Life gets busy, schedules fill up, and those simple moments of connection become even more meaningful. Add in that my grandbaby is four—truly one of the funniest, most joyful ages—and I knew I wanted to create something special this Easter. Something that would let all of us, no matter our age, be kids again. So this year, I tried something a little different. In every Easter basket—including my
dneumann1972
Apr 72 min read
Easy Carrot Cake Muffins (Shortcut Version)
There are days when baking feels like joy, measuring, mixing, creating something from scratch that fills the house with warmth. And then there are days when even that feels like too much. A while back, I shared a carrot cake muffin recipe that I absolutely loved. It was one of those recipes you could really play around with, and it felt special knowing everything was made from scratch. But lately, with some health challenges, I just haven't had the energy for all of that. The
dneumann1972
Apr 62 min read
Carrot Cake Playdough
If you have spent any time with Annie the Porcupine, you already know one important thing about her... She loves carrot cake! Not just a little. Not just sometimes. It is her favorite. The kind of treat that brings comfort, joy, and a whole lot of love. And isn't that what we want our classrooms to feel like too? Warm, and welcoming. Full of little moments that stay with our students long after the day is over. That is why this carrot cake scented playdough will become a quic
dneumann1972
Mar 272 min read
Joy-Filled Traditions to Carry Through the Year
For many, Easter has a way of bringing out the magic in simple moments, egg hunts, family meals, laughter echoing through the house. But what if that same sense of joy didn't have to be tucked away with the holiday decorations? What if we kept it going... all year long? Here are a few easy, meaningful traditions you can start anytime, no holiday required. Year-Round Scavenger Hunts. Who says egg hunts are only for spring? Turn any ordinary afternoon into an adventure. Hide
dneumann1972
Mar 252 min read
My First Michigan Reading Association Literacy Conference
This past weekend I attended the 70th Literacy Conference hosted by the Michigan Reading Association. Even though it has been bringing educators together for decades, this was my first time attending, and it was an incredible experience. I have always loved conferences where people gather because they believe in the same thing. There is something energizing about being surrounded by educators who genuinely love reading, books, and the power of literacy. This time I attended p
dneumann1972
Mar 172 min read
An Ode To Carrot Cake
Visit https://tinyurl.com/3tjb98a9 for more about Carrots! There are vegetables... and then there are carrots. Carrots are the overachievers of the produce drawer. They show up sweet, crunchy, colorful, and still considered healthy. They are the vegetable that says "You know what? I could be a side dish... or I could be dessert." And they mean it. Carrots are sweet without trying too hard. Great for soups and stews. Roasted too perfection. Crips and raw beside a bowl of ranc
dneumann1972
Mar 32 min read
Should I Go Back to School?
I have always dreamed of earning my doctorate. Because wouldn't Dr. Donna be a great name? But if I'm honest, it's more than that. I love learning. I always have but not just for the sake of adding another certificate to the wall. I want it to matter. I want it to serve a purpose. Why invest time and money into something that does not stir something inside me or make a difference? And lately, something has been stirring that has kept me up at night. I've seen a need that keep
dneumann1972
Mar 32 min read
Why March Is Reading Month Means So Much to Me
There is something magical about March in a classroom. March Is Reading Month isn't just another themed celebration on the calendar. For me, it's personal, which is why it's one of my favorite times of the year. As a teacher, I see firsthand how reading can quietly turn into a chore. It becomes something timed, measured, and tested. And while those things have their place, they can slowly steal the joy from it. March gives me permission to bring the fun back. We talk about bo
dneumann1972
Mar 32 min read
Indoor Adventures
What do you do when it's raining and your grandbaby says he misses you and just wants you? Well, of course that means an indoor adventure. But not just any indoor activity. The kind that entertains him, keeps him engaged, and builds the kind of memories that stick. He loves dinosaurs.He loves pretend picnics. So naturally, you combine them. You create a Dinosaur Rescue Picnic Adventure. Before I went to pick him up, I scattered dinosaurs all around the house — on top of furn
dneumann1972
Mar 12 min read
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