At Zestful Productions, custom merchandise is what we do best! From witty one-liners to bold, creative designs, we turn your ideas into wearable art. But not all tees are created equal—so let’s break down the Good, Better, and Best options for your custom style.

Here I am, gearing up to publish my third book, and instead of celebrating, I’m questioning if Amazon will one day send me an email saying, 'Sorry, we made a mistake. You’re not actually an author.' It’s classic imposter syndrome, folks—like Oliver the Owl losing his button and wondering if he’s still a real chef without his apron. But, spoiler alert: the only way to quiet the doubts is to keep writing, keep creating and hitting the darn button!

Step onto the sidelines of nostalgia with me as I share the journey from my Mandan Braves cheerleading days to launching the vibrant Varsity Collection at Zestful Productions. Designed with pride in mind, this spirited line of custom senior swag and fan merch celebrates tradition, creativity, and a whole lot of fun. With standout items like our heat-triggered color-morphing mug featuring school song lyrics and bold senior designs, this collection is all about making memories and showing off your school pride in style.

👉 Ready to rep your school spirit?

You won’t believe what just happened. Picture this: I’m cozied up with a bowl of knoepla soup, chatting with a friend, when they casually mention spotting a book on Amazon with a character eerily similar to Oliver the Owl. Naturally, I had to investigate. Lo and behold, there it was—an enchanted-world-living, owlish-looking character that made me do a double take. Will the real Oliver please stand up?! I don’t know whether to laugh or grab a cookie for emotional support. One thing’s for sure: this little detour has lit a fire under my feathers. The real Oliver is ready to shine, and trust me, you won’t want to miss his next adventure!

Discover the newest Oliver the Owl merch, made with 💛, 🍪, and a dash of whimsy in North Dakota! From cozy hoodies to charming pint glasses and more, these playful designs bring Oliver’s magic into your everyday life. Shop now and celebrate your favorite owl, author, and brand!

This year has been a gift in so many ways, from turning a wild creative dream into the Oliver the Owl series to sharing my parents’ legacy with you. But as the holidays approach, my focus has shifted to something even more precious—creating meaningful memories with my mom, who has always been the heart of our family’s Christmas magic. This season, every day feels like a new chapter in a bittersweet story, filled with love, gratitude, and the quiet strength of family.

It started with a friend’s dream about my brand in a big box store—and now, Zestful Productions is turning dreams into reality with foodie-inspired merch! New whimsical designs are added daily to my Etsy shop, so be sure to bookmark it, give it a heart ❤️, and check back often. The fun is just getting started!

Oliver the Owl was never about making millions—unless we’re talking about millions of memories. For every book sold, I make about $4.19 (yep, enough for a coffee without the fancy extras). But what really keeps me going is hearing from families who’ve bonded over my stories or kids who’ve tried their hand at the recipes. I’m building more than just books—I’m creating a legacy for my kids and a community of little chefs who see cooking as an adventure.

Let me set the scene: holiday meals at my house were like something out of a movie—except with way more food and way less table space. We didn’t just host big family gatherings, we hosted epic ones. Picture this: my mom in full culinary command, whipping up trays of 'pigs in a blanket' (the real kind, with cabbage, not hot dogs), while I tried—and failed—not to spoil my appetite with peanut brittle and glass candy. Add in a few jokes from my older siblings, a card game with Grandma (who always won), and a Christmas tree that never left the room (yep, year-round), and you’ve got yourself a holiday.

At Zestful Productions, we believe branding is more than just logos, social media content or advertising—it’s about creating experiences that stick. Whether it's high-quality branded merchandise, creative onboarding kits for your team, or standout promotional items for your next big event, we've got the full toolkit to make your brand unforgettable. With our branding and promotional consulting services, we’re blending creativity with strategy to help your business grow. Let’s build something magical together!

Looking to add some extra holiday magic to your shop this season? 🦉✨ Meet Oliver the Owl—the star of heartwarming stories, family-friendly recipes, and crafty fun! Whether it's stocking a few copies or offering a unique gift, our flexible partnership levels make it easy to bring Oliver's charm to your shelves. Ready to join the fun? Let's chat and make this season unforgettable—one book at a time! 🎁

Did I ever imagine creating a children’s book series about a chef-owl? Not exactly. But when life leads you through restaurant kitchens, childhood memories, and creative chaos with four kids, the pieces start falling into place! Inspired by my dad, the real "culinary pro," and my own food-filled adventures, Oliver the Owl was born. From leftover borscht to spaghetti tacos (don’t ask!), it’s all about mixing fun with family and bringing young readers into the magic of cooking.

Who needs expensive marketing when you’ve got a bit of creativity and a Saturday night free? When my book launch banner outlived its retail life, I knew I had to get crafty. Armed with a power drill, some paint, and a lot of determination, I turned my dining room into a DIY workshop and transformed that banner into a one-of-a-kind sandwich board sign. Spoiler alert: it’s big, bold, and totally eye-catching at events!

Today, I’m celebrating two BIG milestones—400 books sold and my birthday! 🎂🎉 What started as a fun conversation after my 50th birthday photoshoot has turned into an incredible journey with Oliver the Owl flying into homes everywhere. And I couldn’t have done it without you!

To say thank you, I’m giving YOU a gift! For a limited time, enjoy a FREE digital download of Oliver the Owl: A Sweet Season Read-Along Book! Just use code 13NL6B8 at checkout. 🦉💛

I didn’t always dream of becoming an author, but turning 50 had a funny way of sparking new ideas. It all started with a puffy tulle skirt, a crown, and a photo shoot. As my mom and I reviewed the pictures, the photographer said, “You should write a book!” And just like that, a seed was planted. Fast forward two years, and I was knee-deep in rhymes and children’s stories, trying to figure out how to bring Oliver the Owl to life. It wasn’t easy—there were plenty of challenges and moments of doubt—but turning that dream into a reality has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done.