Danie Branch

  It’s been three months since I officially became an empty nester—a journey filled with new beginnings, quiet moments, and learning to embrace this new stage of life. But this past weekend, my heart couldn’t have been fuller. All three of my kids were home at the same time, and for 24 wonderful hours, the house was alive again. The sounds of their laughter, the conversations spilling into the kitchen, and the simple joy of being together as a family reminded me of all the reasons I loved our home being so full for so many years. It was a weekend of shared meals, memories, and love—a gift I’ll treasure for a long time to come. As I continue adjusting to this new chapter, moments like this remind me that while our day-to-day may look different, the bonds we’ve built are unbreakable. I’m learning to hold these moments close, even as I step into this season of letting go.

  A New Hobby That’s Rising: My Journey Into Sourdough Baking If you’d told me a year ago that I’d be spending my evenings feeding a sourdough starter, I might have laughed. But here I am, measuring flour and water with surprising excitement, watching as this living, bubbling mixture slowly comes to life. What started as a curiosity has quickly become a passion—and maybe even a little obsession. It all began with a desire to create something from scratch. I’d heard about the magic of sourdough—how it’s not just baking bread but nurturing a living culture. So, I did what anyone does these days: I dove into a rabbit hole of YouTube videos, blog posts, and tips from seasoned bakers. Armed with a mason jar and a simple mix of flour and water, I began my journey. Each night, I feed my starter, watching it transform from a lifeless paste to a bubbly, tangy mixture by morning. It’s fascinating to see how it changes—proof that something so simple can hold so much potential. But sourd...