The Annotated Aisle

08/03/2026

Wars are not started by nations, but by a small group of old men with power and something to gain.

30/12/2025

As the year ends, I'm creating space for what brings peace and real joy.
What’s one thing you’re leaving in 2025?

29/12/2025

A holiday reminder for my favorite people (and for myself). Grace over grandeur, every single time!

28/12/2025

Reminder #1 🫶🫶🫶

26/12/2025

Hello everyone! Give it a try!

There’s something deeply satisfying about a perfectly crispy, cheesy slice of toast at midnight. Add a few drops of Tabasco, and it goes from comforting to c...

25/12/2025

Merry Christmas, everyone! 🎄✨

Here is a little Christmas present from The Annotated Aisle to you and your family.

This isn't a gift you wrap—it's one you make. It’s my go-to, wholesome Homemade Roasted Vegetable Spaghetti Sauce, shared with love for your holiday table (or any cozy night in).

It’s made with simple, fresh ingredients, no jars in sight, and pairs perfectly with whole wheat pasta for a meal that feels as good as it tastes. I hope it brings as much warmth and connection to your kitchen as it has to mine.

Wishing you a season filled with delicious food, cherished company, and quiet, joyful moments.

From my aisle to yours, Merry Christmas. 🍝❤️

A Christmas gift from my kitchen to yours! 🎁 This wholesome, from-scratch roasted vegetable spaghetti sauce is my go-to for a cozy family meal. It's packed ...

23/12/2025

How many Christmas facts do you really know?

Test your holiday knowledge with 25 quick trivia questions—from movies and music to history and traditions. Answers pop up right after each question, so no cheating! Let me know your score in the comments. Happy holidays!
The Annotated Aisle

How many Christmas facts do you really know? 🎄 Test your holiday knowledge with 25 quick trivia questions—from movies and music to history and traditions. A...

23/12/2025

What you consume consumes you. Images, sounds, and stories shape the field of your consciousness. Choose wisely what you allow in.

22/12/2025

Shoutout to the husbands on active duty this Christmas: the last-minute shoppers, Santa's little helpers. Your effort is 🥰🥰🥰!

22/12/2025

Scrapbooking for Beginners (from one newbie to another!)

I’m still very much a beginner at this, but I’ve completely fallen in love with scrapbooking in my free time. There’s something so calming about turning a blank page into a little capsule of memories—no rules, no pressure, just creating.

Do you have a hobby you picked up just for the joy of it? Or is scrapbooking something you’ve always wanted to try?

P.S. All tips from experienced scrapbookers are very, very welcome!

I’m still very much a beginner at this, but I’ve completely fallen in love with scrapbooking in my free time. There’s something so calming about turning a bl...

21/12/2025

Our weekly grocery reality! This is what a normal haul looks for us, focused on fueling a busy family life.

We try to build every meal around fruits and vegetables, and our protein usually comes from chicken and fish. (You’ll spot the salmon this week!)

To make it useful, I’ve added the price conversions from Chinese Yuan (CNY) to Philippine Peso (PHP) and British Pounds (GBP) in the video. It’s always interesting to see how food budgets translate in different places. In this case, prices are approximate and based on current exchange rates not what they actually cost locally in specified countries.

What does a "normal" grocery run look like for your household? Are you team chicken-and-fish too, or do you have another go-to protein? Let’s swap tips in the comments!

20/12/2025

My First Post!

A two-year journey between the first page and the last.

I started Where the Crawdads Sing in 2023. I just closed the final chapter now, in 2025.

In between, life rushed in with its beautiful noise. The rhythm of swim practice lanes, the decisive snap of a taekwondo belt, the weight of track medals, the hum of full-time work, and the blurred scenery of family vacations. Yet, through every season, this book remained a quiet landmark on my shelf, a soft-spoken promise of the marsh waiting for my return.

Finishing it felt less like catching up and more like reuniting with an old friend who had patiently waited for me to be ready for its story of solitude, wonder, and resilience.

In the end, it’s a profound and lyrical love letter to nature, isolation, and the quiet strength of an outsider. Kya, a watcher of the tides, a student of the marsh, and a survivor against all odds, teaches us that true belonging is found not in a crowd, but in the quiet understanding of one's own world.

It makes me wonder: do books have their own perfect timing for us?

Do you have a book that took you years to finish? Or one you’re still slowly savoring? Let’s share our "slow-read" stories in the comments. No rush—we understand.