Author: Warm hugs and coffee mugs

About Me Hello, I’m Diana! I’m a wife and proud mom of two beautiful girls. I’ve always had a passion for writing, baking, and caring for my family. There’s nothing I love more than creating a cozy home filled with love, laughter, and, of course, delicious food. Autumn is my favorite season—there’s just something about the crisp air, the changing leaves, and all the comforting recipes it brings that make me feel at peace. I started this blog as a way to share my daily experiences, the highs and lows of motherhood, and the little moments that make life so special. You’ll find a mix of stories about family life, easy recipes, and the things that make our house feel like a home. Whether I’m baking up a storm or just navigating the chaos of everyday life, I hope my journey resonates with other moms out there. I’m so glad you’re here, and I hope you find something that inspires or makes you smile. Feel free to explore my posts, leave a comment, or connect with me on social media. Let’s embrace the beautiful, messy, and joyful ride of motherhood together! Thanks for visiting, Diana

Christmas Eve, Snow, and So Much to Be Grateful For ❄️🎄

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It’s Christmas Eve, and for the first time in many years… we’re actually expecting snow.

We get snow almost every year, but usually not during Christmas. It usually waits until January or February. But this year snowflakes are finally coming right on time, or so they said. 

There’s such a beautiful kind of happiness that comes with that, not just for the kids (though my girls are beyond excited), but for us adults too. There’s something about snowfall on Christmas Eve that makes everything feel softer, calmer, more magical.

The girls are waiting for the snow, waiting for Santa, and the whole house feels wrapped in excitement but the gentle kind. Not the rushing kind. We’re just spending a peaceful evening at home, the four of us. No stress, no last-minute chaos, just quiet joy.

Tomorrow we’ll head to my parents’ for Christmas lunch. My grandma will be there too ,the girls’ great-grandmother, and my in laws, and we’ll gather around the table, eat together, and soak in all the beautiful, ordinary moments that make this time of year so special.

From our little home to yours: 

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you peace, warmth, love, good food, long naps, laughter, and maybe even a little snow.

Wherever you are and however you’re celebrating I hope you feel the magic.

Slow Mornings & Christmas Lights

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Today is the first official day of the winter holiday for my eldest and let me tell you, it feels so good to not wake up at 6 am. 

No lunchboxes to prepare, no school bags to pack, no rushing around trying to beat the clock. Just quiet… 

It’s a little after 7am now and it’s still dark outside. But the Christmas tree is glowing softly in the corner and the lights we’ve strung outside are casting that beautiful warm glow into the room. 

I’m downstairs with my baby, who’s been up for about 15 minutes now but my eldest is still sleeping, probably enjoying her first morning without alarms and uniforms and schedules and she deserves it. She’s worked hard this term, and now we have three whole weeks to rest, reset, and just be.

Later this morningI’ll make some banana oat pancakes. Nothing fancy, just something warm and comforting that fills the house with that cozy homemade smell. We’ll stay in our pajamas a little longer than usual. Maybe watch a movie, no rush.

Most of the Christmas prep is already done. I have presents ordered and ready for my parents, my in laws, my grandmother. I’ve been slowly checking things off my list, and it feels good to be ahead of things for once. I’m still waiting on one last package to arrive today and then I’ll need to find a quiet moment to wrap everything up ideally without little hands trying to help.

But overall, I’m breathing easier today.

The pace has shifted and the season feels fully here.

Here’s to slow mornings, glowing lights, warm pancakes, and being home.

The holidays have officially begun.

From Pumpkins to Christmas Lights

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I blinked and just like that autumn has come and gone.

Now here we are, it’s December, Christmas is just around the corner, and I realized I haven’t posted in quite a while.

Life got busy but not in a bad way, just full as it usually is with two kids, school days, routines, and everything in between. But in the middle of all that busyness, I actually managed to enjoy my favorite season. And I mean really enjoy it.

There were pumpkin pies and pumpkin spice everything. Crisp air and cozy sweaters.

Cool evenings, roasted chestnuts, and that golden autumn light I love so much.

We even had a lovely little Halloween party, my eldest was thrilled. She went trick or treating with her friends, running through the streets in costume and coming back with a full bucket and a full heart. The baby, of course, was too young to really understand what was going on, but she smiled at the costumes and loved the lights.

And now… fall is behind us.

We’ve stepped into the dark days of winter, the kind that get quiet early and stretch out long into the night. But there’s something I really love about this time, too.

The early sunsets invite us to slow down and to gather together, to light the candles, turn on the twinkly lights, and let the magic of this season fill the room.

We’ve decorated the house, the tree is up, and the Christmas movies are officially on rotation.

And today, even though it’s Thursday, it’s the last day of school for my eldest. She’s off on winter break until the 12th of January, a full three weeks of slow mornings, no homework, playtime,baking, and hopefully some snow.

We’re also in a completely different phase now. The baby is no longer just a baby, she’s walking, running, climbing, chasing after her big sister, always into something. And while it’s a lot, it’s also a joy.

So yes life has been full.

But it’s been good.

And I’m hoping to show up here a little more often over the holidays. Writing is something I love, and this season gives me plenty to write about.

Until then, thank you for still being here.

Wishing you a warm, peaceful December filled with twinkling lights, hot drinks, little joys, and moments that matter.

Hello Fall (My Favorite Season Is Here)

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Today is the fall equinox, the official first day of autumn and I can’t tell you how excited I am! This is my season. The one I wait for all year long. The one that feels like home in the most comforting way.

Yes, it also comes with runny noses and the start of cold season (we’re already in it, as you know if you’ve read my last post, the baby is still sniffling away). And yes, school germs are already making their rounds. But even so… my heart is full. Because fall is everything I love.

It’s candle season, cozy blanket season, dark mornings and golden early evenings, Gilmore Girls on repeat, pumpkin everything (yes, please), soup bubbling on the stove and warm drinks in hand

And on top of all that? I’m a fall baby myself, proudly born in October! My mom is also October born, my dad is a September baby, and even my grandmother is born in October. Maybe that’s part of why this season feels so familiar, so special, so rooted in love and tradition.

Of course, I married a summer guy, and we’ve got one daughter born in summer and one in spring so I’m outnumbered in this house when it comes to birthday seasons. But autumn still holds a unique place for me. It’s the season that shaped me, that always feels like a new beginning and a quiet celebration all at once.

The temperatures are finally starting to drop, and it looks like they’re going to stay in that lovely crisp range, no more heatwaves, no more sticky afternoons. Just sweater weather and pumpkin picking days ahead.

And yes I’ve already started the baking. I made a gingerbread cake (I know, more of a winter thing), but I shaped it like a pumpkin, so now it’s officially fall approved. It made the whole house smell like cinnamon and comfort.

Soon I’ll be decorating, lighting more candles, maybe picking out a few pumpkins for the front step. These are the little rituals that make this season feel so magical. Even when the kids are sick or the laundry is piling up or the to do list is long, fall somehow makes me breathe a little deeper.

So here we are , the season of cozy, of birthdays, of slowing down.

Happy first day of autumn! 🍂 

Let the golden days begin.

Sniffles and Sleepless Nights 

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School has only just started and the colds have already made their grand entrance.

It didn’t take long and my eldest brought one home just days after school began, and as much as we tried to protect the baby, she caught it too. It’s that time of year, I suppose. New routines, shared classrooms, weather shifts, all the perfect ingredients for runny noses and scratchy throats.

And it hasn’t been easy.

The baby is having a tough time with it. Her nose is so congested that it’s hard for her to breathe, especially at night. We’re using saline drops and suction, but if you’ve ever tried to aspirate a baby’s nose, you know it’s a mission. She’s been fussy, sleeping poorly, needing extra cuddles and rocking and patience, all while I’m running on coffee and hope.

But she’s still eating well, and that alone gives me peace of mind. We seem to be on the tail end of it now, those last lingering days where the nose won’t stop running but everything else feels mostly okay again.

To help boost their immune systems, we’ve started giving them a little vitamin C on top of their usual daily vitamin D (which we never stopped, as per our doctor’s advice). I’m also starting to look into some multivitamins, just something gentle and age appropriate, as an extra layer of support.

And, of course, we’re going strong with fruits and veggies, especially seasonal ones. Apples, pears, plums, roasted squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, cauliflower and cabbage. Even pumpkin, which I’m slowly starting to sneak into soups and muffins.

Anything that gives their little bodies a natural boost and also feels like autumn. 

And while we’re talking about this, how is everyone else doing? Has the change in season hit your home too? Are your kids adjusting well?

It’s always comforting to know we’re not alone in these moments and if you’ve got any tricks for getting through the early autumn bugs (especially with babies), I’m all ears.

Because this season may come with sniffles, but it also comes with soup, cuddles, golden leaves, and warm mornings in pajamas. And we’ll take the beauty with the chaos as we always do.

Why I never leave without the baby bag (even for a short drive)

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Yesterday, someone asked me why I still carry my baby bag with me every single time I leave the house, even when I’m just going to pick up my eldest from school.

It’s a fair question, I guess. The school run is about 20 minutes each way, so 40 minutes total. My baby doesn’t get out of her car seat during that time, and honestly, most days she doesn’t need anything at all. She eats before we leave, or if it’s not her mealtime, she’ll have a little snack and I always make sure she has a clean diaper before we head out.

So technically, I could just hop in the car without the big bag. But I don’t.

Because here’s the thing, anything can happen.

We drive on a busy, fast moving road. And while everything usually goes smoothly, I’ve seen what happens when it doesn’t. An accident can turn a 20 minute drive into 90 minutes stuck in traffic, or even longer. And when you’re stuck in the car with a baby, especially a baby who’s hungry, wet, or uncomfortable, those minutes stretch forever.

So yes, I bring the bag.

Even when I think I won’t need it.

Even when I’m 99% sure everything will go just fine.

My baby bag is always packed with the essentials:

-Water

-A snack or two

-Diapers and wipes

-A change of clothes

-And anything else she might need, just in case.

It gives me peace of mind. It makes me feel prepared. And honestly, it makes those short trips feel a lot less stressful because I know I’m ready if something unexpected happens.

So no, I’m not overdoing it. I’m just being a mom.

Because when you’re traveling with small kids, even a short trip is still a trip. And being prepared doesn’t make you paranoid , it makes you practical.

Settling Into September

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It’s almost mid September now, and I can feel the change in the air. The mornings and evenings are finally chilly, and the scorching summer heat is behind us. We’ve even had a few rainy days, the kind that make you want to curl up with a blanket and a warm drink. And little by little, the leaves are starting to fall.

The first week of school is officially over, and I’m happy to say we’ve adjusted well to our new routine. Of course, it’s always an effort to get back into the rhythm after summer’s slow days, but there’s something comforting about structure returning.

What I love most are the mornings. When it’s still dark outside, the house is quiet, and I get a few peaceful minutes to myself. I make my coffee, prepare breakfast, and start packing lunch before the rest of the house wakes up. It feels like a gentle way to set the tone for the day.

And I can’t go without mentioning how grateful I am for my husband. Every morning, he takes our eldest to school, a huge help that makes everything so much easier. That way, I only have to do pick up at 3 pm, which has become a little highlight of my day.

September feels like a fresh start. Cooler weather, new routines, the smell of autumn slowly arriving. It’s a season of change, but one that feels grounding too.

The Last Weekend Before School Starts

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Tomorrow is the last weekend before school starts and my heart feels a little heavier with each hour that passes. Monday marks the beginning of a new routine, a new grade, and another chapter. And while I know she’s ready, I can’t help but feel a bittersweet ache as summer slowly slips through our fingers.

I know a lot of parents are counting down the minutes until the first school bell rings. And I get it. Truly, I do. There’s no judgment from me. We all need quiet sometimes, time to think, breathe, hear our own thoughts. I’ve had those moments too. But this year, I find myself dreading that first Monday morning more than usual.

Because the truth is… I’m going to miss her.

She’s my little sidekick, my helper, my partner in crime. She’s my coffee buddy in the morning while the baby is still half asleep. She plays with her baby sister so I can whip up pancakes or sneak in a quiet sip of hot coffee. We have slow, cozy mornings where time doesn’t rush us, just us, the cartoons humming in the background, the stroller waiting by the door for a midday walk.

And now, that pace is about to change.

School mornings are rushed, chaotic, full of missing socks and packed lunches and half finished cereal bowls. And while they have their own charm, I’ll miss the soft rhythm we’ve had these past few months. I’ll miss her chatter, her laughter, her “mom, look at this!” every two seconds. I’ll miss the way her baby sister lights up when she walks into the room. And honestly? I think the baby is going to miss her the most.

Of course, we’ll adjust. We always do. But the first few weeks are always the hardest. The house will feel quieter. The days will stretch just a little longer. And 3 p.m. will never feel like it comes soon enough.

So this weekend, I’m holding on to every second. We’ll squeeze in all the cuddles, pancakes, and cartoons we can. Because come Monday, we step into a new season, not just the school year, but the season of letting go a little… and cheering her on as she grows.

A Leap Into Gymnastics (And a Little Leap of Faith)

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This summer my eldest started gymnastics.

It’s something she’s wanted to do for a while now. I’ve seen the signs, the handstands against the wall, the cartwheels across the living room, the way she bends into a split on the rug like it’s no big deal. She’s watched gymnastics on TV and mimicked every move with a kind of quiet focus that only comes from passion.

But I’ll admit something, and I hope I can say this without being judged…I hesitated.

Not because I didn’t believe in her. I did, completely. I knew she had a natural talent. But gymnastics is no easy sport. It’s physically demanding, time consuming, and incredibly disciplined. And she already has a full plate: school, piano (which she’s truly gifted at), and everything else that comes with being eight years old and curious about the world.

I was just afraid of adding too much. Of pushing too hard. Of overwhelming her.

But I also didn’t want to hold her back. I could see how much she wanted this and how ready she was to try. So we said yes. We took that little leap of faith together and two weeks ago she started her first gymnastics class.

Today, something happened that left us speechless. After class the coach pulled my husband aside and asked: “Where did she train before this?”

And my husband smiled and said: “She didn’t, she just learned at home.”

The coach was impressed and just like that, they moved her to the advanced group.

We’re so proud of her. I can’t even describe how it feels to see your child step into something they love and be recognized for it.

We still don’t know how we’re going to balance everything. Piano, school, gymnastics, family life, it’s a lot. But when you see your child light up like this, when you see their joy and natural ability come together, you find a way to make room.

Because she’s not just learning routines or techniques, she’s learning confidence, perseverance, and what it means to pursue something that sets her heart on fire.

And that’s something worth nurturing.

Baking Bread, Finding Calm

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It’s been three weeks now since we stopped buying bread and I’ve been baking it myself ever since. And you know what? I don’t think I’ll ever go back.

What started as a little experiment quickly turned into a quiet ritual I’ve come to love. There’s something incredibly grounding about baking bread. The measuring, the kneading, the waiting, it’s therapeutic in a way I didn’t expect. And the smell, it fills the entire house, wrapping everything and everyone in this homey feeling. Even the baby seems calmer when the bread is in the oven.

I make simple whole grain buns with just five ingredients. That’s it. Nothing fancy, no additives, no preservatives. Just real, good food that nourishes us and lasts for about three days, though to be honest, they rarely make it past the second day.

Here’s the recipe I use, in case you’d like to give it a try:

Whole Grain Buns (makes about 8  buns)

 500g whole grain flour

 300ml warm water

 a pinch of salt

 7g active dry yeast

 30ml extra virgin olive oil

( a beaten egg for a nice golden colour) 

That’s the base but from there you can get creative. Add sunflower seeds, chia, or flax. Stir in some chopped olives or herbs, make it your own.

The process is actually really easy. Just mix everything together, knead a little, let it rise for about an hour, shape your buns, let them rise again while the oven preheats, brush them with a beaten egg and bake at 200°C for about 25 minutes or until golden.

They’re crunchy on the outside, soft and fluffy inside, and they pair beautifully with everything from breakfast spreads, soups, even just a swipe of butter while they’re still warm.

It’s such a small shift, but it’s brought a lot of joy into our home. A small act of care that turns into something we all share around the table.