Haley McManigal
Hi there! I’m Haley, a middle-aged-momma to Lukas and Laney, and wife to Dan. I’ve lived in East Tennessee my whole life, and I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else. After moving all over Knox County and surrounding areas, my family has settled in Hardin Valley where we intend to stay at least until the kids graduate from high school. My son was born in 2017, changing my life forever, and my daughter completed our family in 2020. I work as an architect and project manager at a global design firm. I think it’s pretty cool that I get to meet with people from all over the world from my home office on a daily basis. I am happiest when I’m able to strike just the right balance between home and work life. But my family is my greatest treasure and my most fulfilling role in life so far is Mommy. My favorite things are reading, writing, cooking, exploring, and making things. I don’t have much free time these days but when I’m able to squeeze in a few of these activities it really pays off. I love being a part of Knoxville Moms and I cherish the opportunity to share this journey of motherhood here with you!
Nailed It! Simple Steps for a DIY Kid’s Birthday Cake
I taught the Wilton Method of cake decorating for many years, and on the first night of class, I always asked my students what they hoped to learn. Why were they taking the class?...
Kids and Creative Hobbies: Can We Have Both?
My dining room table is where all my creative projects go to die.
In a sudden burst of inspiration, I run to my special closet, drag out all of my art supplies, bring them into...
Handling the Hard Stuff
Every now and then, life throws me something that I really don't want to deal with. It might be something that scares me a little, or intimidates me, or maybe it's something that I don't...
Simple Dinner Rotation
I came home from work one day a couple months ago, frazzled and exhausted. I went through the motions of putting my stuff away, changing the baby's diaper, feeding the baby. I asked my...
Confessions of an Introverted Momma
I sit on the cool grass and watch the other moms on the playground. I don't know any of them; I'm new to this whole mommy gig. I listen to them laugh, swap stories...
Knoxville Architecture & Design – Want to Learn More?
I started jogging in January, on my lunch breaks, at the gym above my office in the old Tyson School Building on the corner of Neyland Drive and Cumberland Avenue. I had been mostly...
The First Birthday Blues
Since the moment my son was born, I've had this strange, otherworldly feeling like I can't believe he's real. I catch myself gazing at him wondering how the heck I was ever so lucky...