Life, Loss & A Midlife Catch-Up: Europe Travel & Update

It’s been a minute since I’ve written here. When I left for Europe on July 14, I thought I’d be blogging all along the way… but life had other plans.

This summer was full of big moments—traveling through Poland with Krzys’ family, wandering the streets of Rome, taking a cooking class in Italy, and sipping wine in Venice. Those trips were unforgettable and I can’t wait to share more about them.

Then August hit, and I was back to school mode—new routines, new little readers, and the usual whirlwind that comes with teaching.

And just last week, my family was hit with heartbreaking news: my 51-year-old brother passed away unexpectedly. We are still processing and holding on tight to each other.

So yes, it’s been a season of joy, chaos, and loss all at once. Midlife really does hold it all. Thank you for being here and giving me the space to wander, cook, sip, and share—even if I fall behind sometimes.

This is just a little Europe travel & midlife update. I’ll be back soon with recipes, wine pairings, and more stories. But for now, I just wanted to say hi, I’m still here, and I’m grateful for this community.