Catz in the Kitchen

11/03/2025

October Wrapped 🎃

1. Sourdough pumpkin scones 😋
2. Pumpkin Patch Play-date with the cousins
3. A date with Dracula 🧛
4. First Image Gala with some of my favorite faces 😊
5. Hot cocoa and mini Jolabokaflod nights
6. Pumpkin Patch Cuties
7. Ninja Graduation 🥷 👨‍🎓
8. A dinosaur, a chicken, and Paddington Bear walk into a bar…just kidding. Trunk or Treat night!
9. Bought 1/4 of a cow 🐄
10. From white belt to warrior!
11. Autumn in New York 🍂🧡
12. Walking through Central Park for the first time with my best friend!❤️

10/27/2025

Spur-of-the-moment NYC trip with Josh ✈️

He worked, I played — breakfast in bed, Central Park walks, Peloton merch (and yes, spotted Adrian 👀).

We met up for dinner at Quality Italian, slept in, and before flying home, finally strolled through Central Park together for the first time since February 2006 — back then there was snow on the ground and we took a carriage ride.

This time, golden leaves, no coats, and a walk all the way to Belvedere Castle — just enough magic to make a work trip feel like a little getaway. 🍂✨

So grateful to my oldest girls and my sister for holding down the fort at home — I never could’ve done this without them. ❤️

NYC, you were a dream. 🤍

10/25/2025

“Just a few favorite frames from a September that felt really good.”

1. The whole family together in Sunriver
2. &
3. Spending time with best friends
4. Last hot summer night = tacos and ice cream
5. Chill Saturday mornings
6. Teaching the kids how to play Uno…again
7. Finally winning Catan
8. Art lessons in school
9. Date nights at the theater
10. Apple picking tradition
11. Fall baking

10/24/2025

📚 What I Read in September 🍂

September was such a good reading month — a total banger. Our annual family vacation gave me the perfect excuse to slow down, unwind, and dive into my TBR stack (I even finished almost two books on that trip alone!).
Now that fall is in full swing, it’s prime cozy-reading season — time for books that encourage, entertain, and inspire wonder. And let me just say: not a single bad book in this bunch. 🙌

✨ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
I finally read it! For years I heard the debate — some saying “don’t read it,” others calling it one of the best series ever written. I decided to find out for myself, and… it’s delightful. ✨
It gave me total Narnia vibes — whimsical, imaginative, and harmless. I even had Josh and Christian read it, and they both loved it too. I’ll definitely be continuing the series (reading ahead of Christian just to keep an eye on content 😉). So glad I gave this one a chance!

💌 Sincerely, Stoneheart
If you loved The Screwtape Letters, you’ll love this. It’s written from the perspective of a female demon mentoring her apprentice — showing how the enemy works to discourage and distract women. Convicting, clever, and deeply encouraging. This is a book every woman should read (and gift). 💕

📖 The Paris Library
I’m a sucker for WWII historical fiction, and this one is excellent. Told in two timelines — 1940s Paris and 1980s Montana — it weaves a story of love, loss, and friendship centered around the power of books. Sad, beautiful, and healing.

🌿 Beyond Mulberry Glenn
A read-aloud with the kids that we all adored. Adventure, courage, and magic — everything a family story should have. Perfect for cozy fall or winter nights. 🍁

📚
Four books, all wonderful in their own ways. If you’re looking for something new to read this season, any of these would be a great choice.
What’s the best book you’ve read lately? 👀

09/29/2025

As September fades into October… it’s time for all the cozy bakes. 🍂📚✨
This Pumpkin Apple Bread is the perfect fall treat — especially if you can’t decide between pumpkin 🎃 or apple 🍎 (why not both?).
Soft, spiced, and full of warm autumn flavors, with a cinnamon-sugar topping that’s just 🤌🔥
Bake a loaf, slice it warm, and enjoy it while you curl up with your favorite book. 🍞❤️

Save this recipe for your next fall baking day, and tag a friend who needs a slice! 🧡



Recipe link in my bio ➡️
https://catzinthekitchen.com/2024/10/pumpkin-apple-bread.html

09/25/2025

🌾 New Recipe Drop: Chicken & Broccoli Stir-Fry 🌾
Quick, easy, and packed with flavor 💥
No marinating, no fuss—just a simple, savory sauce made right in the pan with garlic, tamari, ginger & sesame oil.
Add chicken breast + fresh broccoli 🥦, toss it all together, and top with chopped cashews or sesame seeds for that perfect crunch! ✨
🍚 Pro tip: Let your rice cooker handle the rice while you stir-fry. Dinner = done in under 30 🙌
Save this one—you’ll want it in your weeknight rotation! 💛

09/12/2025

Happy 8th Birthday Ruby! What a fun and loving soul you are! ❤️
Ruby, I pray you always know your value because you are priceless! You can’t find your value or worthiness in a number on a scale, or a group of friends, a paying job. The world will try so hard to convince you that you’re not enough and you need to change in order to be happy, accepted, and wanted.
You already are all of those things and more. You’re an image bearer. You were always wanted. You were made perfectly, just as you are and by someone who loves you even more than I do. You are so valuable to our Almighty God and Father because you my dearest, are more precious than Rubies. Proverbs 3:15

I love you Ruester!

09/09/2025

Venice ➡️ Florence�Only a 2-hour train ride — which felt like a breeze after our 5-6 hour marathons earlier in the week. We thought about walking to the hotel since it was technically doable and then thought: NOPE, because it was HOT! If you take anything from this, let it be this — take the cab. Save your walking for the pretty stuff.

We checked into Sina Villa Medici, dropped our bags, and immediately headed to the Galleria dell’Accademia to see the one and only David. I’d told Josh early on this was a must for me — and WOW. He’s tall, dramatic, and basically greets you right as you walk in. You also get to see a few of Michelangelo’s lesser-known pieces, which were smaller but still so impressive.

After that, I had one mission: find a wine window. Josh thought it was silly. I didn’t care. I was committed. And I’m glad I was — we found one nearby, knocked, got our wine, took a photo like good little tourists, and then grabbed a bite to eat. 10/10 decision.

Explored the Duomo & wandered the charming streets — the colors and architecture gave such Mediterranean vibes that makes you want to stroll forever (or at least until the heat gets to you).

Dinner at Antico Ristoro di Cambi = unreal. Do NOT miss the fried zucchini blossoms stuffed with ricotta and the Florentine steak 🥩. Best. Steak. Ever.

The next day (our anniversary! 💕), we squeezed in a visit to The School of Leather, housed in an old monastery. Celebs shop there (hi, RDJ 😍). We picked up some souvenirs for the family and I finally got a real Italian purse — she’s beautiful and she’s mine.

Florence is gorgeous. Walkable, yes, but not sandal-friendly — your feet will hate you. If I could do it again, I’d come in early fall when it’s a little quieter. I didn’t get to see as much as I wanted, but that’s just more reason to come back.
Next up: ROME — where I can finally unpack my suitcase and stay put for 5 days! 🙌🏼🇮🇹✨

09/09/2025

What I read in August:

Welp, I only read one book in August, but to be fair, I was traveling and busy most of the month, so while I did read quite a lot, I only finished one book.

The Dean’s Watch - This was gifted to me from a friend and I have yet to be sent a book by her that isn’t a hit! This book is a period piece with a cast of characters that weave together and share a story. Is there a main character or a supporting cast? I would lean towards the supporting. It’s the story of trauma, kindness, patience, anger, and forgiveness.

Picture this, an older gentlemen is an horologist and has a deep love and appreciation for it. Many of his friendships transpire because he goes around to his neighbors setting the clocks and making sure they’re working properly. On one of his rounds, he has an encounter with the Dean of the Catholic Church in his village and they strike up an unlikely friendship, mostly because the horologist has childhood trauma associated with the church. Through this friendship a world opens up as he begins to get to know the people in the village and ends up being their encourager, gift-giver, hero, and peace-maker.

There is so much I could say about this book, about the intertwining of friendships and the courage of overcoming fears, trauma, and positions, but I don’t want to give much away.

Beautifully written - there are parts that read like poetry. Thought-provoking and smart. I wish more books were written with this kind of depth.

09/08/2025

It's apple season - hooray! One of the best (and easiest) recipes to make with your apple-picking bounty is this slow-cooker chai apple butter. Your whole house will smell amazing and it tastes even better. we love to spread it on waffles, pancakes, or even English muffins. But a bit on top of vanilla ice cream is divine too.

Slow-Cooker Chai Apple Butter is not only easy to make and delicious on almost anything, it makes a great seasonal gift for friends and family!

09/05/2025

Paris ➡️ Turin ➡️ Venice 🇮🇹
We left Paris for Turin (a chill 5-6 hour train ride), barely had time to sleep, then jumped on another 5.5-hour train to Venice. Spoiler: sleep deprivation + no breakfast = a very hangry me.
But then... stepping out onto the Venice platform? Wow. Total breathtaking moment. Venice has always been a dream of mine—there’s something so mesmerizing (and kinda haunting) about a city that floats on water. I’m still processing it.
Here’s a tip: Skip the water bus (trust me) and splurge on a water taxi. It’s a game-changer when you’re trying to start your adventure with a little peace and quiet. Then we dragged our luggage (carry-ons are life) through Venice’s maze of alleys to reach our hotel on a quiet island. And when I say "perfect"—I mean it. Our own two-story villa, surrounded by olive trees, with zero noise. Pure blissExcept for that pesky seagull - ask me about that later. 💖
After a much-needed shower and room service, we headed back into Venice for the classic gondola ride. Yes, it’s touristy—but I’m a tourist and I loved it. We took the quieter route past the Bridge of Sighs—which couldn’t have been dreamier at sunset. Dinner at Trattoria Due Forni was a full-on Italian experience— with mind-blowing food. Oh, and strawberries and cream for dessert? Here for it! We topped it all off with the best gelato at Suso. Seriously, it was next level and the best we had of the entire European trip!
The next morning, we soaked in a few last hours at our peaceful hotel before heading off to Florence. Side note: the breakfast buffet was unreal. We left via the Bond entrance, because why not feel fancy? Venice was magic, even though we didn’t have time to see it all. Can’t wait to bring the kids back for a longer stay.
My advice: 2-3 days in Venice is perfect. And stay a little outside the main touristy areas if you can. Venice feels a bit like Vegas—so busy and over-stimulating—but in smaller doses? It’s perfection. ✨

08/26/2025

London to Paris -

We landed in Heathrow after taking a redeye and it was smooth sailing through customs and Josh grabbed us some coffees before heading to the train that would take us to Paddington Station. Which of course we had to get a picture of for Ruby. Anyone see Julip? Julip is Josh’s tiny octopus Eden crocheted last year and is quite the world traveler. We’re thinking about making an IG account for him.

We easily found our hotel from the train station which was just a quick walk and after a brief 40 minute nap and shower, we were ready to get out and meet our dear friends Chris and Amy! Why did we forget to get a picture with her, ugh! We had dinner and then sense Chris knew how badly I wanted to go to Nottinghill since I didn’t make it there the last time we went, he led the way so I could get my tourist picture, lol!

The next morning we got up and got ready for breakfast and explore a bit more before we had to catch the Eurostar that would take us to Paris. We walked into Hyde Park to explore Kensington Garden and we saw the Palace and then quickly took a cab over to Westminster Abbey, saw Big Ben, and wandered around 10 Downing Street.

We caught our Eurostar train and enjoyed a meal plus a 2 hr trip that took us to Paris. We took the Metro and we popped out on Victor Hugo Place, a few blocks from our hotel.

We ate dinner at Café Du Trocadero, just down from our hotel - I’m sure a tourist trap, but who cares because it had a view of the Eiffel Tower. We walked over to the Trocadero to enjoy the Eiffel Tower And I finally got to see it light up! It was magical. I cried and face-timed my parents so they could see it. It was everything!

The next morning after breakfast in the hotel garden and ventured off to Shakespeare and Co. I have a tradition now that I get a new Agatha Christy book every time I come to Paris and wandered around the area. Found this beautiful, old church, walked to Notré Dame and then over to the Louvré before heading back to our hotel to pack up and take the Trenitalia to Tourin - which was about 6 hours away. If you ever travel via Trenitalia, go eat at Le Train Bleu! Just trust me on this!