Rebecca LeVake 9/22/21 Rebecca LeVake 9/22/21

“The Luck of the Buttons” & The Love of Iowa

The Luck of the Buttons introduces us to a host of delightful characters living in small town Iowa in 1929. You might call them gullible or naïve, but I call them innocent, trusting, and blessed to live in Iowa. Because regardless of what Soren thinks, Iowa is one of the “cool” places.

Rebecca LeVake 9/17/21 Rebecca LeVake 9/17/21

Romeo and Winifred

This hilarious parody makes me laugh, and the teenagers bringing it to life on the stage make me proud.

Rebecca LeVake 8/31/21 Rebecca LeVake 8/31/21

August Impressions

The art work of Monet (and my kids) encouraged me to take a step back in order to look for the beauty in an August that up-close looked dark, dusty, and full of decisions.

Rebecca LeVake 8/25/21 Rebecca LeVake 8/25/21

Pesto Salad

The purpose for which I believe God created iceberg lettuce is this Pesto Salad.

Rebecca LeVake 8/17/21 Rebecca LeVake 8/17/21

Green Beans

Green beans: healthy, colorful, and, if you cook them this way, you just might get a compliment worth remembering.

Rebecca LeVake 7/31/21 Rebecca LeVake 7/31/21

Peach Crumb Pie

Can’t decide between fruit crisp or fruit pie? The crumb topping is the answer!

Rebecca LeVake 7/26/21 Rebecca LeVake 7/26/21

PIE: A Tale Full of Sweet Inspiration

An inspiring role model, lots of laughter, and fourteen pie recipes to try...who would have thought that all of that could come from a title so short and sweet?

Rebecca LeVake 7/19/21 Rebecca LeVake 7/19/21

Five Nature Journaling Methods: Which One is Best for You?

Enjoying nature, art, and my kids all at the same time?...It doesn’t get much better than that. Here are five methods to get you started on your own nature journaling adventure.

Rebecca LeVake 7/9/21 Rebecca LeVake 7/9/21

Me? An Artist?

I have defined myself in many ways over the years, including by what I was not. One of the things at the top of the “not” list?

I was not an artist.

Art was for confident people. For the creative, talented, and bold. Art was for those willing to take risks. I was not one of those people.

Or was I?…

Rebecca LeVake 6/28/21 Rebecca LeVake 6/28/21

Kale & Quinoa Salad

I usually consider cooking to be an art form, but the creation of this particular salad recipe was pure science! A big bowl of it makes a perfect summer lunch, or serve it as a delicious and nutritious side dish to something coming off the grill…

Rebecca LeVake 6/18/21 Rebecca LeVake 6/18/21

“The Raft” and the Wonder of Drawing Close

“When you draw something, you get closer to it and know it better.” - Jim LaMarche

Even before I put my colored pencils to paper, this statement, tucked in the foreword of The Raft by Jim LaMarche, resonated with me. It just made sense. It made so much sense in fact that I found myself buying notebooks and colored pencils and telling the kids we were going to “go outside and draw stuff.” As we thus stumbled into the world of nature journaling, I quickly realized that we had come upon a powerful study method that would indeed draw us closer to the wonders of God’s creation…

Rebecca LeVake 6/9/21 Rebecca LeVake 6/9/21

My Tree and My Kids: Journaling to Capture the Wonder and Growth of Both

This spring, I came across the “My Tree” nature journaling idea, and I jumped at the opportunity for us to celebrate the trees that withstood the winds of the derecho. Little did I know that a monthly check in with a tree would also serve as a reminder for me to stay on top of “My Kid” journaling efforts as well…