Gretchen Pierce
Gretchen is a former communications manager turned stay-at-home mom to son Shepherd (Dec. 2016) and daughter Rosemary (Oct. 2019). She grew up in Minnesota and the D.C. area but is so happy to call Austin home, even in the summer. Gretchen and husband Ryan also have two high-maintenance fur babies, Hank and Gracie. She is a wannabe minimalist who enjoys tennis, creative projects, lake time, and spending time outdoors with her kids as much as possible.
I Want My Kids to Be Race-Conscious, Not Just Kind
When my son was six weeks old, I wrote him a letter for his baby book. “I know that you will grow up to be the kind of person the world needs,” I wrote....
14 Favorite Eco-Friendly Products
I recently made a resolution to reduce the amount of waste we’re producing in our house, particularly single-use plastic. I have a long way to go on my journey to zero-waste living, but I’ve...
I’m Over Being Productive During the COVID-19 Quarantine
Shortly after social distancing and the COVID-19 "quarantine” began, I started getting inundated with ideas. And lists. And lists of ideas for filling each endless day that stretched before me.
There were ideas for activities...
Best Farms in and Around the Austin Area
Warmer weather in Austin means it’s almost berry picking season and we have no shortage of awesome farms in the Austin area! There are several farms in and around Austin where you can pick...
50 Simple Outdoor Activities for Kids
We may be staying home right now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go outside and enjoy some time in nature. (Just stay close to home and follow social distancing guidelines.) While time spent...
Best Ways to Enjoy Winter in Austin
When I first chose to write this post, I chuckled a little because unlike some other cities, it’s not hard to enjoy winter in Austin thanks to our mild weather. We’re lucky that we...
There’s No Hierarchy For Pain (And Other Lessons From The NICU)
Ten weeks ago, I sat in my then three-day-old daughter’s isolation room in the NICU, sobbing to the head nurse.
In between the sobs were apologies:
“I’m sorry you have to waste your time comforting me....
60+ Things to Do This Fall Season
When my son was 10 months old, we took him to the Barton Hill Farms Fall Festival in Bastrop for the obligatory pumpkin patch photo. We had lived in Texas for over 2 years...
14 Best Playdate Spots In Austin
Sometimes I wish that life was more like the carefree “olden” days my mom describes, when she could walk down the street at any time and find a mom to chat with and neighbor...
Guide To Walking Around The UT Campus
When friends or family visit, I usually focus on bringing them to the best restaurants, live music venues, and outdoor destinations I know, since to me that’s where Austin really shines. But when it...