By Emily Schilling For most of us, 2020 has been the year of getting organized. I know the quarantine certainly ramped my spring-cleaning tendencies into overdrive, and my closets, drawers, pantry and refrigerator were weeded out, reconfigured and tidied up as never before. The organizational adventure continues for me into the fall. I’m just now… Continue reading.

By Emily Schilling James Dean truly was the man, the myth and the legend. The Fairmount, Indiana, native may have lived fast and died young, but even after his death on Sept. 30, 1955, his iconic presence endures. I’ve been intrigued by Dean since my freshman year of college. I fell under his charismatic spell… Continue reading.

By Emily Schilling Does your everyday life get in the way of your “best life?” I know I’m usually taking care of multiple demands, deadlines, appointments, and other responsibilities — you know, that day-to-day stuff — and not focusing on what’s really important. So, to help me realign my priorities, I’ve come up with a… Continue reading.

By Emily Schilling One of my favorite Christmas traditions is watching Hallmark Channel Christmas movies.  Typically, these movies are “happily ever after” flicks that also provide viewers with the holiday of their dreams: small towns decked out to the nines, festively decorated homes, plates of cookies and mugs of hot cocoa, Christmas caroling, snowman building… Continue reading.

By Emily Schilling Self-isolation and quarantining — which are now part of everyone’s lexicon — have changed our habits, our lives, our physical health and our mental health. Here are some of my random thoughts about staying put at home after a long career of “going to work.” Not having to set the alarm clock… Continue reading.

By Emily Schilling Though each month of the year is significant in its own way, what with holidays and special events peppered throughout our calendars, diehard race fans live for May. The Indianapolis 500 is such a big deal that the entire month is filled with other events and race-related activities — not just at… Continue reading.

By Emily Schilling They look innocent enough: tiny, smooth, brightly colored, sweet nuggets that rest so invitingly in Easter baskets amid cellophane “grass.” Why then do they threaten me so? Evil shouldn’t lurk within a jelly bean! OK, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit when I say “evil.” But since I remember when the only dangers… Continue reading.

By Emily Schilling As someone who spent her school years with paper, pencils, canvases and paint at the ready for whenever inspiration hit, I’m especially excited about this month’s issue. It explores the artistic aspects of the Hoosier state. I love art. Seeing works by renowned masters like da Vinci, Monet, Van Gogh, Degas, Matisse… Continue reading.

By Emily Schilling For all those who complain that time passes by too quickly, good news! We have an extra day this month. It’s a leap year and there are 29 days in February this year! But here’s something I’ll bet you didn’t know: at least twice upon a time, February consisted of 30 days!… Continue reading.

By Emily Schilling Ever since my Barbie moved into her homemade cardboard dream house years ago, I’ve dreamt of having my own tiny house.  Wouldn’t it be cool to be a real-life Alice in Wonderland, living large in a diminutive storybook abode? Furnishings would be sparse and intentional but, of course, super cute, and clutter… Continue reading.

By Emily Schilling One of my favorite Christmas traditions is spreading some holiday cheer to a lucky reader. In the past, I’ve given out ornaments, Christmas CDs, one of my favorite holiday movies and a gift basket of Christmas goodies. This year, I’d like to share something meaningful as well as practical: the gift of… Continue reading.

By Emily Schilling Thanksgiving and food go hand in hand.  I pull out all my necessary recipes weeks in advance and not only make a shopping list but check it twice. Thanksgiving Day is not the time to suddenly realize you forgot to get an important ingredient!  Good cooks may know how to improvise when… Continue reading.