What Easter Feels Like

What Easter Feels Like

What Easter Feels Like

There was a time when Easter felt full.

Full tables.

Full laughter.

Dyeing eggs every year, hands stained with color, waiting to see what each one would become.

It was simple.

It was familiar but life shifts.

And somewhere along the way, holidays begin to feel different.

The table gets smaller.

Traditions change.

Family sadly fades away.

Some moments live more in memory than in front of you.

And you wonder…

Why doesn’t this feel the same?

But maybe it’s not supposed to.

Maybe it’s not about recreating what was but honoring what is.

Because holidays don’t lose meaning, they deepen it.

And even if you don’t understand the why of it all, this season still has purpose.

So, bet on you.

Believe in you.

Trust that even in the quiet,

even in the change,

even in the unfamiliar

there is something unfolding that’s bigger than what you can see.

Maybe this Easter looks different.

But you’re still here.

Still growing.

Still becoming.

And that alone, is something worth holding onto.

💛🥚🌿🌸

Cheese Tortellini in Brodo with Kale

Cheese Tortellini in Brodo with Kale

Cheese Tortellini in Brodo with Kale

My Cozy Twist on a Classic

 Ingredients

  • Olive oil
  • 1–2 leeks, cleaned and sliced
  • 3–4 celery stalks, sliced
  • 2 carrots, sliced
  • 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 cups broth (chicken or vegetable)
  • 1 package cheese tortellini
  • Handful of kale (or spinach)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Italian seasoning (optional)
  • Optional: diced ham or protein of choice
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for topping

🍲 Directions

  1. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
  2. Add leeks, celery, carrots, and garlic. Sauté until soft and fragrant.
  3. Pour in broth and bring to a gentle boil.
  4. Add tortellini and cook according to package directions.
  5. Stir in kale and let it wilt into the soup.
  6. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  7. Serve warm with freshly grated Parmesan on top.

💡Tip

Leeks add a mild, slightly sweet flavor—making them a beautiful, softer alternative to onions in this broth.

Crafty Weekend Project #8:  Ways With Trays

Crafty Weekend Project #8: Ways With Trays

Crafty Weekend Project #8: Ways With Trays

There’s something special about serving life on a tray. It gathers the moment, sets the tone, and makes even the simplest parts of the day feel intentional. This “Ways With Trays” flow carries you from morning espresso to bedtime tea.  Five trays, one gentle rhythm for the day.

Espresso Breakfast Tray

Begin the morning with a soft start. An espresso cup and saucer, a spoon, a napkin, and a few coffee treats create a cozy wake-up moment. Add chocolate-covered espresso beans, biscotti, or a citrus accent for brightness.

This tray is perfect for a bedside table, kitchen counter, or craft table before you pick up your yarn. It’s not about a big breakfast.  It’s about a peaceful beginning.

🧀 Charcuterie Lunch Tray

By midday, gather simple bites. A lunch charcuterie tray can include grapes, cheeses, crackers, and a refreshing drink. Add a small board and knife for slicing and a neatly folded napkin for style.

This tray works for a quiet lunch, a shared snack, or a creative work break. It invites you to pause, nibble, and enjoy color and texture.

🍤 Seafood Appetizer Tray

As afternoon turns to evening, bring in something special. A seafood appetizer tray with shrimp, lemon slices, small forks, and crackers feels fresh and festive. Add a chilled drink or citrus water for a bright touch.

It’s perfect for weekends, small gatherings, or simply elevating your day. Keep it simple and easy to enjoy.

🍝 Pasta Dinner Tray

Dinner on a tray is comfort made easy. A pasta bowl, bread or salad, utensils, and a drink create a complete and cozy meal. Add a sprinkle of parmesan, a jar of herbs, or a folded napkin to finish the look.

This tray is ideal for relaxed evenings, movie nights, or studio dinners when you want everything in one place.

🌙 Bedtime Chamomile & Wind-Down Tray

End the day gently. A bedtime tray with chamomile tea, chocolate-covered strawberries, and bath essentials turns night into a ritual. Add a crochet washcloth, facial bloom, or soap for a calming touch.

This tray signals rest. Warm tea, a sweet treat, and a moment of care before sleep.

The Heart of It All

Trays help us slow down and savor the day, morning to night, one moment at a time. They turn everyday routines into small celebrations and remind us that beauty can live in the details.

At Loop After Loop, creativity isn’t only in yarn, it’s in how we live, gather, and serve.

From espresso mornings to chamomile nights, it’s all styled loop by loop, day by day.

Which tray would you start with first?

LAL Creative Crash Club:  The Idea Wheel (January Topic)

LAL Creative Crash Club: The Idea Wheel (January Topic)

LAL Creative Crash Club: The Idea Wheel (January Topic)

The Idea Wheel

Sometimes we don’t need a plan. We need a pause.
Use this worksheet as a gentle check-in to support the idea or project you’re
holding.
There are no right or wrong answers, only awareness.

How to Use This Wheel
1. Choose one idea or project you’re currently working on.
2. Rate each area below from 1–5 (1 = low support, 5 = strong support).
3. Circle the area that, if supported, would move your idea forward the fastest.

Example Idea:  Owning Your Own Business

The 5 Support Areas
Time– Where will this take my time?  What will I have less time for? Rating: 1 2 3 4 5

Energy– Does this idea energize me or drain me?  What parts excite me vs exhaust me? Rating:  1 2 3 4 5

Finances– What does this idea need financially?  What pressure does money add to it?  Rating:  1 2 3 4 5

Pace– Am I imagining hustle or sustainability?  What speed feels honest for my life right now?  Rating:  1 2 3 4 5

Joy–What part of this idea still feels joyful?  What part already feels heavy?        Rating:  1 2 3 4 5

Reflection
Which area needs the most support right now?
__________________________________________________
One small action I can take next:
__________________________________________________
The pause is part of the work, not the plan.

Your Crochet Journey: From Start to Confident Crocheter

Your Crochet Journey: From Start to Confident Crocheter

Your Crochet Journey: From Start to Confident Crocheter

Learning to crochet doesn’t have to be confusing.

You don’t need to do everything; you just need to know where to begin.

That’s why I created this simple Crochet Journey Roadmap. It’s designed to meet you exactly where you are and guide you forward with clarity, confidence, and encouragement.

🧶 First Steps

Choose ONE to begin.

Start with any of these beginner-friendly options:

  • Beginner Crochet Workshop
  • Beginner I Virtual Workshop
  • Learn to Crochet I
  • 1:1 Beginner Crochet Course

This stage is all about learning the basics and building confidence, no pressure, no overwhelm.

🚦 Next Steps

Choose ONE to continue.

Once you’ve got the basics, you can move forward with:

  • Beginner II Virtual Workshop
  • Learn to Crochet II
  • 1:1 Intermediate Crochet Workshop

✨ You’ve got the basics, now it’s time to grow.

The Crochet Tune-Up Workshop is available at any stage if you need a reset, refresher, or extra support.

🏁 Final Steps

You’re almost there.

  • 1:1 Advanced Crochet Course
  • Granny Square Workshop

This is where confidence meets creativity and crochet truly becomes yours.

The Finish Line

The goal isn’t perfection.

It’s becoming a confident crocheter who enjoys the process and believes in their ability.

If you invest in yourself, I’ll walk with you, loop by loop, day by day.

👉 Learn more by visiting the Workshops and Crochet Course tabs on LoopAfterLoop.com.