Seasonal Sentiments April 2026 Rewind

April was a very busy month for us—filled with family time, a little travel, and a few behind-the-scenes things that made it a bit more challenging than usual.

As always, I’m grateful to be able to share both the highlights and the real-life moments with you.

First, let me apologize because this newsletter is later than usual!

I also slowed things down to one post a week in April because that’s all I could manage with everything we had going on.

So thank you for your patience—I truly appreciate it.

I have quite a bit to catch you up on, so let’s jump in.

WHAT WE DID BEHIND THE SCENES IN APRIL

A Personal Update on Rich

One of the hardest things we’ve been walking through this month is a health update with Rich.

If you’ve ever read our “About Us” page on the blog, you’ll know that Rich was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had surgery back in October 2020.

He’s been doing great since then, so we were understandably concerned when his PSA numbers recently doubled.

The good news, his PET scan showed no signs that the cancer has spread anywhere else in his body.

However, the next step is meeting with a radiation oncologist in a couple of weeks.

He will need radiation treatments to target any remaining cancer cells in the prostate area.

We are standing in faith that this treatment will be fully curative and that he will have little to no side effects.

If you’re the praying kind, we would truly appreciate you keeping Rich in your prayers.

cELEBRATED eASTER

It’s hard to believe another Easter has already come and gone.

We had such a lovely day, starting with church and ending with a delicious meal at home filled with all our favorite dishes—especially the deviled eggs!

When we lived in Kentucky, we always hosted our extended family and had an egg hunt for the littles.

I sure do miss having everyone together and all the fun that went into such a special day.

Traveled to South Carolina

We took a quick trip to visit my brother in Columbia, SC, and it was such a treat to spend time together.

He lives in a beautiful home in the historic district, and I always love seeing all the charming houses in the area.

We also strolled through the University of South Carolina campus, where he works—it’s absolutely gorgeous and full of classic Southern charm.

One of the highlights was visiting the Riverbanks Botanical Garden…

And the Zoo…

We tried their new skyride—a gondola that carries you across the river between the two areas.

It made getting around so easy and was such a fun experience!

It was a short visit, but we truly enjoyed every minute of it.

Spent time with family in Kentucky

After leaving South Carolina, we headed on to Kentucky to spend time with family and friends.

We traveled along I-40 and were honestly shocked by the damage that’s still visible from the flooding during Hurricane Helene in 2024.

It’s hard to believe how much was impacted, and from what we could see, it will likely take a couple more years before everything is fully repaired.

Our first stop was visiting my dad and our oldest son, who lives with him.

We spent some quality time together and helped with a few projects around the house.

It breaks my heart because my dad can’t do all the things he used to.

We’re glad we can help, but we were so busy that I forgot to take any pictures at his house.

From there, we made our way to western Kentucky to visit Rich’s side of the family and celebrate our great-nephew’s fourth birthday.

It was such a fun time and so nice to be together with everyone.

aTTENDED A wEDDING

While we were in Kentucky, we also attended a wedding.

If you’ve been around the blog for a while, you’ve probably seen lots of pictures of me and my two besties!

One of their daughters got married, and here we are with the beautiful bride!

It was such a wonderful ceremony followed by an absolutely fabulous reception.

The best part was getting to see so many friends and spending time catching up with everyone.

The reception was held at The Olmstead, a gorgeous venue.

We are so happy for the sweetest couple and couldn’t be more excited for them as they start this next chapter together!

Had to Have Eye Surgery (Again)

Some of you might remember that last spring, I had to have eye surgery for a condition called Anterior Basement Membrane Dystrophy.

The procedure to fix it—called Superficial Keratectomy—was definitely not a fun experience.

The doctor scraped my cornea and then placed a special Prokera contact lens in my eye for three days.

It was very uncomfortable, and I really couldn’t do much since I felt best keeping my eye closed most of the time.

The surgery was successful, but about a year later, my vision became blurry again.

Unfortunately, this time there were even more affected areas than before.

We tried treating it with eye drops and antibiotics to reduce the inflammation, but I still needed to have the procedure done again.

Let me just say I was dreading it… since it feels like having something stuck in your eye for days!

However, I made it through, but when I went back to the doctor to have the contact removed, there was still one spot that hadn’t healed.

So, he placed a thinner bandage contact lens, and I’m scheduled to have that removed tomorrow (seven days later).

The good news is that this has been much more comfortable.

I’d appreciate any prayers you can send my way—that everything heals completely, my vision returns, and this doesn’t come back again.

April Was Sjogren’s Awareness Month

I just wanted to take a moment to mention this because Sjögren’s Awareness Month is something that’s very personal to me since I was diagnosed with it in 2019.

Sjögren’s is an autoimmune condition in which the body mistakenly attacks its own moisture-producing glands, often causing symptoms such as dry eyes and dry mouth.

But it can also cause other serious complications, including profound fatigue, chronic pain, major organ involvement, neuropathies, and lymphomas.

It’s one of those conditions that can be easily misunderstood, which is why I appreciate this time of year to help bring a little more awareness and understanding to it.

I’m so thankful to have a wonderful support group here in central Florida!

To find out more, go to the Sjogren’s Foundation website.

WHAT WE DID ON THE BLOG IN APRIL

April was such a crazy month that I haven’t gotten to any organizational projects.

Instead, we’ve been spending a lot of time out in the yard clearing out shrubs that didn’t survive our winter freeze.

However, I did share several DIY projects and some simple spring decorating ideas.

If you missed any of our posts, here’s what went up on the blog this month.

DIY

Create a Tulip Bulb Arrangement for Spring: This tulip bulb arrangement is one of my favorite ways to bring a fresh, spring feel indoors. I used DIY bulbs and real-touch tulips to create something that looks incredibly realistic but lasts all season long—no green thumb required.

Make a Scalloped Tray with a Wallpaper Sample: Don’t toss those wallpaper samples (or leftover wallpaper) just yet! In this project, I turned a leftover sample into a pretty scalloped tray that’s perfect for a bathroom or bedside table.

Round-up of DIY gift ideas for Mother’s Day: It was so fun sharing thoughtful, handmade gift ideas to help you celebrate Mother’s Day. If you’re the creative type, be sure to save this one for next year!

Decor

Easy Spring/Easter Centerpiece Using Thrifted and Vintage Finds: This centerpiece came together using a mix of thrifted and vintage pieces layered for a soft, collected look. It’s a great reminder that you don’t need to buy all new decor to create something beautiful to display for the season.

Spring Kitchen Decor Ideas You Can Copy: I shared how I refreshed our kitchen for spring with a few easy updates—simple swaps, seasonal touches, and a mix of items I already had on hand. These ideas are easy to recreate at home to add a seasonal touch.

INSPIRATION FROM AROUND THE WEB

I always love sharing a few things that have caught my eye lately—whether it’s something helpful, inspiring, or just plain fun. Here are a few great finds to check out this month:

Ceramic Butterfly Specimen Display – This creative project is a unique way to bring a touch of nature-inspired beauty indoors. It’s a great reminder of how Dollar Store materials can turn into something really special.

19 Thoughtful Mother’s Day Activities– Still looking for something to do on Mother’s Day? Here are some meaningful ways to celebrate beyond the usual gifts. This list is full of thoughtful ideas that focus on quality time and making Mom feel truly special.

10 Things I’d Tell a First-Time Gardener (That Nobody Actually Tells You)- If you’re new to gardening (or even if you’re not!), this post shares honest, practical tips that you don’t always hear—but definitely should. Such a helpful read this time of year!

Why an Organized Home Benefits Your Mental Health-A great reminder that organization isn’t just about having a tidy space—it can truly impact how we feel day to day. This one really highlights the “why” behind all those organizing projects.

39 Patriotic Things to Do to Celebrate Memorial Day – Believe it or not, Memorial Day is right around the corner. This list is packed with fun and meaningful activities—perfect for kicking off summer while honoring the holiday.

FAVORITE SEASONAL FINDS

If you’re ready to gear up for a new season, here are some of my favorite early summer finds from the Hearth & Hand with Magnolia line from Target.

Click on the blue links below the photo to see each item!

Wooden bowl | Soft-sided cooler | Drink dispenser

Beverage tub | Cheese board | Picnic blanket

Throw pillow | Picnic basket | Deck of gingham cards

Travel mug | Rickrack trim charger | Table lamp

HOME ORGANIZATION WEEKLY TASK

May is the perfect time to get a few simple systems in place before summer gets busy.

This month, we’re focusing on quick, practical organizing projects that will make getting out the door so much easier—whether you’re heading to the pool, the beach, or your favorite theme park.

Tackle one task each week, and by the end of the month, you’ll feel so much more prepared (and a lot less frazzled) for all those fun summer outings.

• Week 19 – Transition clothes seasonally. Swap out cooler-weather pieces for your warm-weather wardrobe so everything you need is easy to see and grab. This is also a great time to declutter items you didn’t wear last season and make a little extra space.
• Week 20- Organize a pool bag. Create a grab-and-go pool bag stocked with your essentials—think towels, sunscreen, goggles, and a change of clothes. Keeping it packed means you’re always ready for a quick afternoon swim without scrambling to find everything.
• Week 21- Organize beach essentials. Gather all your beach must-haves in one place, like a large tote or bin. Include items like chairs, umbrellas, sunscreen, and a small first-aid kit so nothing gets forgotten on beach day.
• Week 22- Organize amusement park bag. Set up a dedicated bag for theme park days with things like portable chargers, ponchos, snacks, and refillable water bottles. Having this ready to go makes those early park mornings so much smoother.

POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE FROM OUR ARCHIVES

If you’re new here—or just missed a few of these the first time around—I love sharing a few favorites from the archives that are especially helpful this time of year.

DIY

Unique DIY Wall Hooks Made From Wood Molding -A simple project that turns basic materials into something both functional and decorative. These hooks are perfect for adding a little character while creating extra storage space.

Decor

Choose the Right Size Rug Under a Dining Table -Not sure what size rug works best for your dining space? This guide breaks it down in an easy, practical way so you can get the look just right.

Organization

Clever Ways to Organize and Store Grill Tools -With grilling season here, this one is a must! These ideas will help you keep all your tools organized and easy to grab so you can spend more time enjoying those summer cookouts.

Closing Thoughts

Thank you so much for being here and for taking the time to catch up with us.

Your support, kind words, and prayers truly mean more than you know—especially during seasons like this.

I hope you have a wonderful month ahead!

Blessings, Donna and Rich