Hello, Reader.

This week, I'm writing to you from South Korea where I'm visiting my son's family who've been stationed here with the army for the past two years. It's our first time to Korea. Fifteen hours in the air to get here!

I brought along several books to read and some hand crafts to keep me busy on the plane. I already finished two of the books and have made good progress on the crafts, as well. Good thing I stashed extra in my luggage for the return flight. Ha!

Since March is National Craft Month, and crafting is obviously a penchant of mine -- and, as it turns out, is very beneficial to mental health (who knew?) -- I'm dedicating this week's link list to the topic. Enjoy! And send me a photo of any personal crafts you're particularly proud of. I'd love to see them!

Free resources for you this week:

• ​Handmade Mushroom Garland - my daughter uses Cuties to make these cute little mushrooms
• ​7 Savvy Ways to Recycle Tin Cans - these adorable tin can crafts are super cheap to make
• ​Clever Ways to Repurpose Paper Bags - a great way to upcycle grocery sacks and lunch bags
• ​Pinecone Crafts - 17 of the prettiest pinecone projects ever
• ​Cute & Clever Leaf Crafts for Kids - I use these ideas to keep kids happy while we camp
• ​9 Ingenious Uses for Toilet Paper Tubes - fresh ideas for another kids' craft staple

What I'm reading this week:

In Homeschooling, Ginny Yurich uses wonderful real-life examples to encourage parents to let kids study whatever interests them most, insisting they'll learn what they need to know when they need to know it. While I see value in many of the ideas presented, I believe there's still a place for parents to require some things (chores, math, spelling, personal hygiene, etc.) that may not particularly delight or interest children at the time but will nonetheless help establish good habits that will serve them well in the future. ​Homeschooling will help you think outside the box of contemporary classroom-based education--and that's a good thing. Just be careful not to use this book as an excuse to avoid teaching your kids things they need to know but may struggle to learn.

What we're eating this week:

American Airline's Flagship Lounge served the most delicious fresh asparagus salad I've ever eaten. The linked recipe is the closest I could find online -- and one I plan to try as soon as we get back home -- although the airport version used walnuts instead of pistachios.

What we're watching this week:

Last summer, my husband and I listened to an audiobook of Project Hail Mary while we were traveling with our two youngest children. Now the movie version is in theaters, so the four of us saw it right before we left town. It was really well done and followed the book to a T. If you like sci-fi (and maybe even if you don't) you may want to add this one to your watch list.

This week's reader request:

A reader whose young children like to make cards for widows and elderly neighbors wrote to ask if I'd be willing to publish some Cute Cards for Kids to Color, which of course I was. Here are the four black-line designs I sent her:

On the podcast this week:

I didn't get my newest episode published, but am sharing one from the archives in honor of Holy Week, which will begin next Sunday.

Loving Life at Home: Episode 37 ​OUR FAMILY'S FAVORITE EASTER TRADITIONS​ In honor of the upcoming holy week, I ‘m sharing a few of our family’s favorite Easter traditions today. Although we love baskets and bunnies and colorful candy as much as anyone, we’ve always tried to place the main emphasis of this season on the sacrificial death and bodily resurrection of Jesus. ✝️ Listen Now

Progress on last week's goals:

I finished 5½ of my 7 stated goals last week: I ✅ started piecing together a new crocheted cardigan, ✅ prepared 3 dozen jelly bean bags for our co-op bake sale, ✅ made two week's worth of samples for my co-op craft class, ✅ went over substitute lesson plans with my daughter, and ✅ flew to Korea to visit my son's family.

I also ✅ recorded a new podcast (although I ❌ haven't edited or posted it yet). And I left town without ❌ cutting any of my sons' or grandsons' hair.

Personal goals for this week:

• see the sights in Korea (I'll try to post updates on Instagram)
• finish cross-stitching Christmas sampler
• work on a new sequined Christmas stocking
• submit swag bag item for upcoming Under God Summit (register with my affiliate link to attend this online event for FREE with fantastic speakers like Eric Metaxes, Mike Farris, and more!)

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Thanks so much for all your help! I'll be back next week with more links, reviews, and resources. If you have any special requests, please let me know. 😊