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!

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.

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.

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.

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. 🦉💛