Welcome to Wise Owl Living
Hi, I’m Carol — aka Mimi — and at the heart of Wise Owl Living is my family. I’m married to Dan (aka PopPop), my kind, patient, endlessly giving husband of nearly 37 years. He’s the calm in every storm, and the steady hands behind the camera, the measuring tape, and many of the heartfelt projects we share here. I’m just as hands-on — painting, sawing, sanding, hauling, and creating right alongside him. We make a pretty great team.
We’re proud parents to two creative daughters. Laura, our oldest, is married to Joe, and together they’re raising our sweet granddaughter Olivia Grace — lovingly known around here as “OG.” Our youngest daughter, Olivia, lives in LA and is a gifted flame artist with a true creative soul. Both girls have inspired so much of the spirit behind this site — Wise Owl Living is a family effort at its core.
Our life has had its share of beauty and battles. I’ve spent over 20 years navigating complex health issues — including a massive heart attack just shy of my 42nd birthday, and nearly two decades of searching for answers. In 2025, I was finally diagnosed with two rare adrenal conditions: Subclinical Cushing’s Syndrome and Conn’s Syndrome. Surgery that spring marked the beginning of real healing — and a new chapter in how I live, cook, and create.
Cooking, baking, and building have always brought me joy, and now they’re also part of my recovery. I’ve become intentional about reducing chemicals and preservatives in our kitchen and home — not perfectly, just purposefully. That care and thoughtfulness now shapes everything we share here.
Wise Owl Living is our home online — a place for trusted recipes, meaningful home projects, and honest stories from real life. You’ll find affiliate links throughout the site to the tools and finds we actually use (including my favorites from Pampered Chef), but always in the spirit of sharing what’s truly useful — our Owl’s Essentials.
We’re not here to chase perfection or trends. We’re here to offer something real. We’re so glad you’re here.