We had four children, age 6 and under. And the calendar said the birth of our 5th child was just a few weeks away. Tom had been putting in some long hours on a fix-n-flip project. And I felt like our family needed to do something a little “extra” special. Mid-August weather was steamy with humidity. …
When you’re repeatedly asked to bring a certain dish to family celebrations and gatherings, you know you have a winner. And that’s exactly the case with this pie. I top this pie with slightly sweetened whipped cream. Rich? Yes. Perhaps we shall call it Coconut Dream Pie because it’s like a sweet dream, topped …
Want to do something fun and creative with your children? Make paper dolls. After the doll is made, the fun has just began! Next come clothes, more clothes and countless hours of fun spent dressing and playing with the dolls.
The year of 2020 is progressing as none of us expected. Who would have ever thought that the word quarantine would become such a common phrase in our everyday vocabulary? We’ve never seen anything like it in our lifetime. But here we are. Flights are cancelled. Cruises are cancelled. Sporting events are cancelled. Schools are …
Making your bed is important. Here’s what Special Operations Commander, Admiral Bill McRaven had to say about soldiers making their beds: “If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another …
My grandparents came to stay with my three younger siblings and 11-year-old me while our parents were out of town for a few days on business. Weren’t we surprised when my grandma announced that we were having Porcupine Meatballs for dinner! Wow, with a name like that, what kid wouldn’t be intrigued! Dinner, of course, …
What is sibling rivalry? It’s jealousy, competition and fighting that occurs between brothers and sisters. But when you think about it, you’ll notice that jealousy, competition and fighting is not unique to siblings. Rivalry occurs among all subgroups of the population: relatives, neighbors, classmates, co-workers, competitors, political candidates, etc. Anywhere there are human beings, you’re …
Valentine’s Day can be an uncomfortable day if your child attends school or other groups where Valentine’s messages are exchanged. Even as an adult, we’re bombarded with advertising that tells us what we should expect from Valentine’s Day. Ads for restaurants, florists, candy shops, car dealers and jewelers are in abundance. Many people put together …
In November of 2017, my mother was hospitalized for a urinary tract infection and the medications prescribed to combat the infection accelerated her dementia, and she is now living full time in an assisted living facility. Nearly at the same time, Michele’s father was hospitalized for a heart arrhythmia and was prescribed medications that caused …
‘Before and After’ pictures…does anyone else get a kick out of them? What is it that is so captivating? Perhaps it’s the mini ‘rags to riches’ story the pictures tell, perhaps it’s the solution to a problem, perhaps it’s a life-long goal finally met that is appealing, perhaps, perhaps, perhaps… A few months ago, as …
Many might think that the Bright Cherry Red SUV Tom bought me for Valentines’ Day in 2012 would be the most memorable celebration of the Day. But that would not be so. The most memorable Valentines’ Day for me was in 2001…actually it wasn’t the exact day but rather a period of time. Let me …
It was the anniversary of when my mother-in-law came to live with us. When reminded of the fact, she said, “Do you feel as good about it as I do?” To which, of course, the answer was, “Yes.” And since happy celebrations call for a cake, and my mother-in-law likes any cake as long as …
