Kari Kronicles

Kari Kronicles: Fair Food Edition 🎡🍕

There are 17 new foods at the 2026 WV State Fair and while there is absolutely NO chance I’m making it through all 17 😂, I do feel obligated to sample a few while I’m here.

First two down:

🍋 Key Lime Pie Lemonade — creamy, tart and surprisingly good!

🍕 Hot Honey Pepperoni & Ricotta Pizza — sweet, spicy, cheesy and definitely a YES.

Still on my must-try list: Corn in a Cup, the Garlic Parm Pretzelroni Roll and the Korean Corn Dog. And I have a feeling that Banana Pudding Ice Cream may find its way onto the list too.

Which one should be next? 👇🎡

🏖️☀️ What’s In My Beach Bag — The Things Actually Worth Packing

I love a good “must-have” list, but I want to know if something is actually worth taking up precious suitcase space. 😂

These aren’t random internet finds. These are things I actually packed, took to the beach, used and would take again. Some are practical, some are definitely a little bougie, and most are easy to pack if you’re flying. ✈️

Swipe through my pictures for my tried-and-true beach favorites. I’ll tell you what I love about each one — and I’ve put the shopping links below in the comments for anyone who wants them. 👇

Nothing here was sponsored or gifted. I bought these myself and genuinely use them. Some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

And PLEASE tell me what I’m missing — what’s your one beach must-have? 🏖️

Kari Chronicles…with a K. 💕

Somewhere along the way, life got busy and I stopped posting. Not because I ran out of stories—I just ran out of time.

This page is my little corner to share life as I figure it out…travel finds, products I love (or don’t!), family traditions, life after 50, wellness, and the everyday chaos that comes with trying to do it all.

Mostly, it’s a place to save the memories before they fade and hopefully inspire, help, or make someone smile along the way.

I’m hitting reset…and I’m glad you’re here.

🍩 Krispy Kreme Fundraiser! 🏈

Support the Buffalo Bison Football Boosters with a $16 Krispy Kreme dozen certificate—good at any location nationwide and never expires!

📅 Order by Friday, July 10.
Venmo below! Local delivery or U.S. mailing available.

Thanks for supporting Mark and the Bison! 💙💛🍩

One of my favorite things about high school football is the community that comes with it. Tonight, we’re excited to be part of that tradition with the Buffalo Bison.

If dinner plans are still up in the air, let McDonald’s do the cooking! Stop by the Winfield McDonald’s, grab your favorite meal (and yes…those famous fries 🍟), and help support the Buffalo Bison football program.

Every meal purchased helps provide opportunities for these young men, and every show of support means more than you know. We’re excited for this new season and grateful to be part of such a welcoming community.

Hope to see you there! 🦬💙💛

At 52, I realize more than ever how blessed I am to still have my mom. Even though life gets busy and I don’t see or visit as often as I’d like, I know no matter what is happening in my world, I can pick up the phone and call her. When life feels heavy or the world feels against me, she always has my back. That kind of love is something I never take for granted.

Being a mother has been the greatest joy of my life… and also the hardest.

Motherhood changes with every stage. First it’s sleepless nights with babies, then sleepless nights with teenagers — worrying if they’re okay, hurting when they hurt, getting angry when life disappoints them, and realizing that no matter how badly you want to fix everything, sometimes all you can do is love them through it.

With a 17-year-old and a 15-year-old, I’m feeling the reality that time moves fast. I’m staring down my last year before my son leaves for college and starts chasing his dreams, and while I still have a few more years with my daughter at home, I know those years will fly too.

More than anything, I hope my kids always know this: no matter how old they get, they can always call me. I will always be their biggest cheerleader. I will always be on their side. I will always have their back.

Because motherhood doesn’t end when they turn 18. It doesn’t end when they move away, get married, or have children of their own. I know my parents still worry about me at 52, and if I’m blessed enough to live that long, I’ll still worry about my children when they’re in their 40s too.

So today, I’m especially thankful for the strong women in my life — especially my mom — and for the privilege of being “Mom” to two incredible kids.

I hope all the moms out there loving, worrying, praying, cheering, sacrificing, and showing up every single day had a wonderful Mother’s Day.

He is risen… and three days later, this mama is still in recovery mode ✝️💛

Easter recap… from one tired but very grateful mama.

If I’m being honest, as much as I love the holidays… they wear me out. The older I get, the harder it is to do all the things in one day—but somehow we still do, because those moments matter.

This year started with a little road trip to see the tulip fields (Elle’s absolute favorite 🌷), something we’ve been trying to make happen for two years. It was the perfect kickoff to the weekend—sunshine, smiles, and flowers we brought home for our Easter table.

Then it was full speed ahead… groceries, baskets, prepping meals, a quick change into my Easter dress, and off to Easter Vigil—the most beautiful (and longest 😉) service of the year. Back home to finish baskets, a little sleep, and then up again for Easter morning.

Brunch, cleanup… dinner prep, cleanup again… and yes, even though I was completely exhausted, the bunny pretzels still made an appearance. Because some traditions just feel too special to skip—and seeing them smile (and my husband appreciate them ❤️) made it worth it.

We didn’t get to dye eggs this year, and we didn’t manage a single family photo (because let’s be real… everyone was over it 😅), but we were there. We showed up. And it was good.

The kids may say they’re “too old” for baskets—but I think we all know better. Even the pups had their own Easter surprises 🐾

It was a full, beautiful, meaningful weekend. A reminder of how blessed we are—and the true reason for this season.

So yes… three days later, I’m still tired.
But my heart? Completely full.

I hope your Easter was just as wonderful!