Haley McManigal
Hi there, I’m Haley, a middle-aged-momma to Lukas and wife to Dan. We live in northeast Knoxville with our boston terrier Ali and cat Maxi. I was born and raised in east Tennessee and I love Knoxville and the Smoky Mountains so much, I can’t imagine living anywhere else! I am happiest when I’m reading, writing, exploring, and making things. When I’m not here, you’ll find me sharing my thoughts about creativity and facing fear on my blog.
Learning to Let Go
I’ve been going to dance fitness classes for about a year now. I don’t go regularly, sometimes a few times a week, sometimes only once or twice a month. But I absolutely love this...
Honoring The Loved Ones We’ve Lost During The Holidays
My Thanksgiving table will have two more empty chairs this year. My Christmas festivities will never again include my Dad reading the Christmas story from his bible, turning paper-thin pages, worn from earnest study....
Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice
Fall is finally here. There is a chill in the morning air, the leaves are starting to turn, and of course there is pumpkin EVERYTHING! I love all things pumpkin and I look forward...
A Season of Change
Next week, my family and I are moving across town to a new home in Hardin Valley. We’ve lived in our house in North East Knoxville for the past 4 1/2 years, and although...
Easy DIY Cupcakes for VOLS Fans
It's almost that time of year again. The countdown has begun, an orange haze is descending upon the city. Practice is underway, the hype is in full swing. We love Tennessee football in my...
When 9 to 5 Meets Motherhood :: 5 Tips for Balancing Career and Family
All my dreams are finally coming true. After years of struggle and longing and frustration and self doubt, at long last, I’m at a place in my career where I feel like I’m using...
They’re Watching Us
My two-year-old son said his first curse word recently. It was Easter Sunday and we were on our way to church, of all places, when he shouted out the S-word. My mom, his Mimi,...
Easy Easter Cupcakes
I love to bake, especially around holidays, and Easter is no exception. I try to make simple and easy designs that my son will love. So when I found him sneaking into the kitchen...
Surviving Spring as a Fisherman’s Wife
It’s mid-March. The weather has started to warm, the sun shines after a cold, wet, and dreary winter. These first few weeks of sunshine make me giddy with excitement and anticipation for spring. I...
A Letter to My Son on His Second Birthday
To my dear, sweet Baby Boy:
I can’t believe you’re turning two! It seems like just yesterday your Dad and I brought you home from the hospital. The past two years have flown by with...
Chocolate Cherry Cordial Cupcakes for Your Sweetie
I am always very health conscious during the month of January. I set my resolutions to be healthy in the new year. I don't eat sweets, I exercise, and I drink all the water....
The Holidays I Never Had
Picture it: 6:30am, Halloween morning, my son’s room.
I woke up early -- couldn’t sleep I was so excited. I’d been planning my 20-month-old son’s Halloween costume for weeks. He was going to be Luke...