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In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve attended a few cookie exchanges, but have never hosted one myself – until this year. In a couple of weeks, I will be hosting a Christmas cookie exchange with some of my closest friends. I am truly excited! Last year was hard for my family and this year […]
Here in America, it’s the day after Thanksgiving. The day when early-morning shoppers stand in line and rush about looking for the best deals (trying to work off a little turkey). However, once the packages are purchased and put away, it is tempting to let your satisfaction lull you into a state of complacency. This […]
Thanksgiving is nearly here. You’ve got the turkey in the refrigerator to thaw. You’ve chosen your recipes and purchased your ingredients. You’ve pureed the pumpkin for the pumpkin pie. Have you considered the table where your friends and loved ones will gather around? Creating an appropriate atmosphere for your feast, while by no means necessary, […]
Let me first start by saying that though everyone wants a clean house when their guests arrive for a big holiday, your guests are more than likely there because they want to see you. They are not (usually) there to give your house the white-glove test. In fact, my motto is. . .”Who will really […]
“Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother’s house we go. . .” or “I’ll be home for Christmas. You can count on me.” With a nomadic society, so many people find themselves living far from family. The idea of the holidays fills many with a deep longing to get home. Who doesn’t […]
I love recipes that have been generated from a relative. I have several of those. I treasure them and will make sure that each time I make something, I let my family know that “This is Grammy’s Yams & Apples recipe” or “What do you think of Aunt Vicki’s Cranberry Salad?” However, I also have […]
I have always loved making and receiving clever cards or letters for Christmas. My hope is that when people open a card from me, the $.44 that I spent on that stamp will not have been in vain. I love bookmarking creative cards I find on the web and clipping card ideas out of […]
I am extremely happy this fall. You may remember that last fall, my husband was newly out of the Navy and unemployed. As it would turn out, that period of little to no work lasted for 5 months. It was the most stressful time of our lives. This fall is a completely different story. I […]
Many families use the festive holiday season as a reminder to take pictures together. It is fun to document the stages and growth of a family. Sending a photo in a Christmas card is a great way to stay in touch with friends and loved ones. Whether you use your own camera for family photos […]
Holidays of all kinds are truly special opportunities to try new foods, visit friends, show caring and kindness, and have some fun. However, if you don’t plan ahead, or if you don’t take the time to budget your holiday spending first, they can be devastating to the bank account or credit card. Setting up a […]
Here in Maine, July is usually our first real month of summer. Other places seem to have started summer long ago, but we are really just starting to feel the warmth of the sun. Having such a short summer gives me the desire to want to make the most of it. I want to squeeze […]
For all of our non-American readers, you will have to forgive our very American post today. The Fourth of July is a holiday where we can show off our bold flag colors. We can shake our mini-flags (probably made in China) at friends and passersby. And, we get the opportunity to tell our children about […]
Happy Father’s Day to all of the Dads out there! Here is a sample of the contract that we signed in our own blood (just kidding – that’s gross), sealed, and delivered to the Daddy in our home this morning. Father’s Day Contract This document hereby entitles, [insert Daddy’s full name] – husband, father, son, […]
Having friends over for dinner is a fun way to socialize. It allows you to prepare something extra special and to have a more intimate evening with people that you love or would love to know better. For many people, having guests over seems an overwhelming prospect. The myriad of things to think about such […]
The official, unofficial start of summer begins this weekend. Many people get a long weekend to make it even more sweet. What I love about holidays is that it takes an ordinary weekend and gives us a reason to make it memorable – and how appropriate that this one is called Memorial Day! Don’t let […]
Being a mom myself has truly opened my eyes to the parent/child dynamic, particularly my role as the child. Although my parents told me they loved me on a daily basis, it wasn’t until I became a parent that I truly understood the unconditional, heart-wrenching love that parents have for their children. By the time […]
Most of you probably have dozens, if not dozens and dozens, of those plastic eggs from years past. They can be filled with items other than candy. I am trying to have a candy-free Easter this year. I will probably end up tossing a few jelly beans in their baskets for good measure, but my […]
I love the idea of having friends over. I like the planning and the scrambling. I think for me it is a bit like running a race – kind of painful preparing, but always worth it! It is easy to get overwhelmed with what may seem like a lot of details in the planning. If […]
For a great many people, the month of March offers hope for the end of winter. It has been another long and snowy one, and though I do not kid myself that it is over (snow is pouring out of the sky as I type this post), March offers hope that spring is around the […]
Weigh In Wednesday. . . Today, I could really use your help. Although I have had 3 babies, it doesn’t take long before you begin to forget what was really useful during those days (and nights) of constant feedings, diaper changes, and lullabies. What baby items did you use for your babies that would make […]
We spent all day on Sunday creating our Valentine cards.We went straight to one of our favorite resources for cool and easy crafts – FamilyFun.com! My oldest chose the Animal Lovers design. My son thought the V-alien-tine cards were “totally cool!” And my youngest girl fell in love instantly with Guppy Love. While we stuck […]
Valentine’s Day is just 1 short week away. Are you ready? Have you made any plans? I know that it is difficult to get into the mindset of holiday planning when we are still recovering from the intensity of Christmas. But Valentine’s Day is about demonstrating our love. It doesn’t have to involve fancy gifts. […]
The last couple of years, I took the easy route when it came to Valentine’s Day. I bought whatever box of popular commercial cards was on sale in the store and called it good. This year, I want nothing more than for my children to choose their own unique style of valentine card and make […]
If you caught my last post, you probably noticed that my baby boy has been under the weather this week, but I am happy to report that he has recovered just in time for his 6th birthday today! I have started working out of the home recently and so this has been the first birthday […]
Monday is Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday and a great day to thank him for all the good he accomplished in his years of service to America and the world. Because of his courage in trying to promote equality among all men and all women, we enjoy a greater emphasis on an individual’s rights. He […]