There’s something about a rainy day that slows everything down. The rhythm of raindrops on the roof, the gray light drifting through the windows, and the gentle hush that settles over the house—it's the perfect backdrop for baking something warm and comforting.

This morning, as the rain came steady and soft, I found myself reaching for overripe bananas and a mixing bowl. There's no better time to fill the kitchen with the smell of banana bread. It’s simple, familiar, and exactly the kind of small joy that rainy days call for.

One of my favorite things to do in the fall is stock up on apples—30 to 40 pounds of them, to be exact! There’s something so satisfying about spending a cool, crisp day peeling and slicing apples to make pie filling and applesauce. It’s a tradition I look forward to every year, and it always reminds me of the simple pleasures of homemade goodness.

My daughter recently asked me to make a "smash cake" for my granddaughter's 1st birthday party. I was thrilled!