Hi, I'm Colleen

I've spent way too much of my life worrying about what other people think.

Spoiler: I'm over it now.

For years I was the person who said yes to everything, worked myself into the ground, and forgot that life was supposed to be enjoyed - not just survived.

Then one day I looked around and realized: the moments that actually mattered? They weren't in the hustle. They were around the table—laughing with my kids, watching my granddaughter lick brownie batter off the spoon, or arguing with my husband about whether butter is a food group (it is, fight me).

That's what Family at The Table is all about. Less stress, more joy, and maybe a plate of warm cookies.

How I Got Here (The Highlight Reel)

I've done a little bit of everything — owned a café and a bakery, sold baking supplies, run a cottage baking empire, a cleaning business, flipped thrift-store finds, vended at flea markets for years, and somehow fit in project management and event coordination along the way. If it could be hustled, I've probably tried it, twice. I learned how to make a dollar stretch further than it has any right to go, and I collected stories, recipes, and a stubborn belief that family time — simple, messy, delicious — is worth protecting.

I've also survived a long list of medical diagnoses that would put most people down for the count. My body is basically a group project where nobody is pulling their weight. So I went looking for answers — saw more doctors than I think this town actually has, deep dived into every health and wellness rabbit hole the internet has to offer, and eventually landed in Panama for stem cell treatment. (Yes, really. Panama — where I learned to say "la cuenta, por favor," which is "please bring me the check" in Spanish).

But here's what I know now: you don't need a perfect life to have a good one. You just need good food, people you love — blood or chosen — and the guts to keep showing up even when things are messy.

What You'll Find Here

Food - Frugal recipes, scratch cooking, baking side hustles, and meals that taste expensive but aren’t (and a few that ARE, because balance matters). Expect cake mix hacks, pantry creativity, and practical tips that save money without sacrificing flavor. Plus, I toss in a little bougie now and then for fun, because every kitchen deserves a touch of indulgence!

Family & Friends - Time with the people who matter, traditions that actually stick, and finding joy in everyday chaos. Heartfelt stories, small rituals that make life feel rich and real, and yes — tales about my green cheek conure Buddy, because he's a whole vibe frankly runs this household.

Fun - Crafts, travel, adventures, and the little things that make life feel less like survival mode and more like actually living. We're talking hot cocoa bombs, glitter, weekend projects, and always a bit of mild chaos tossed in for good measure.

Fair Warning (No Really)

I'm neurodivergent (ADHD + autism), I manage a long laundry list of health conditions (POTS, MCAS, EDS, diabetes, etc. —basically I'm held together with duct tape, determination, and spite), and I've survived many years of therapy that slowly transformed me from someone who hated herself into someone who finally realized she was loveable all along — she was just surrounded by people who couldn't appreciate the masterpiece that is me!

That's not nothing.

So if you're hunting for perfection? Wrong table.

But if you want real, messy, honest, and often unexpectedly funny — served with baked goods and warm encouragement — Pull up a chair. You're home!

Colleen (Baker. Crafter. Grammie. Chaos coordinator. Conure wrangler, & Professional overthinker.)