I love my pantry. I can’t begin to tell you the drama and headaches it has saved me! Whether it’s a place to hide for a second and eat another mouthful of chocolate, or not stressing out when that late night realization hits that my kids somehow burned through a Read more…
No one likes being sick, and with a close family, sharing is not limited to just beneficial gifts. Microbials like bacteria and viruses get passed between people as one kid gives their cold to the next! During “flu season,” it is important to have many ways to fight back Read more…
With “flu season” upon us and the nightly news reporting frightening data about the novel coronavirus outbreak, we tend to look for information to comfort and reassure us. For me, the wealth of knowledge found in our herbal heritage offers both comfort and intriguing research topics. Sometimes the way to Read more…
One of my favorite childhood activities was getting to “organize” my mother’s spice drawer! Investigating the wide variety of pungent aromas hidden in its depths was always an adventure. And should I tire of smelling these mysterious aromatic powders, I knew asking the name of a particularly perplexing ground substance Read more…
The natural result of spending time thinking about my goals and the potential opportunities which the New Year holds, results in an eagerness to implement my multitude of ideas. One area where these ideas flourish is my garden. While the weather will not permit planting my garden at this time Read more…
I am great for dreaming up exciting adventures and educational activities that my kids will enjoy. Unfortunately, like most busy mothers, the logistics of making my ideas reality does not happen as often as I would like. In this season of making resolutions, I am reminded it is not the Read more…
Sitting down to supper on Black Friday I was exhausted, and I hadn’t even gone bargain hunting! As soon as I collapsed into the chair, my son tried to start a conversation on a topic in which I knew he had no interest. When challenged, he admitted that he only Read more…
As the weather in my neck of the woods grows colder, there is nothing like the coziness of being snuggled in a warm blanket near a crackling fireplace or the reassuring flicker of a homemade, unscented beeswax wooden-wick candle. Add a steaming hot cup of soothing tea or cocoa, mix Read more…
Have you ever tried to cook a complete meal without using a spoon for stirring, dishing out or tasting your creation? Where would professional chefs and home cooks be without this simple yet essential tool? Come along with me as we explore the history of the spoon. Spoons likely predate Read more…
When asking friends and relatives what they would like for Christmas, their birthday, or even Mother’s Day the gift that comes up time and again is hand-knit dishcloths. Simple, practical, and yet elegant, these timeless tools are used by women (and men) daily all over the country! No matter the Read more…
Be My Valentine With the coming of February our thoughts often drift to Valentine’s Day and visions of romance. For some these thoughts are along the lines of lovers and romantic dinners complete with roses and enticing boxes of chocolates. While for others these thoughts bring sorrow missing a past Read more…
3 Fun Ways to Reuse and Recycle Old Crayons This past week winter came to the Great Lakes area with frigid gusto and temps, causing my now cooped-up kids to start developing a bad case of cabin fever. After finding my work flow greatly interrupted by bored kiddos, I decided Read more…
Six Ways to Stay on Track with Positive Thinking When Conquering Goals Unfortunately, shortly after starting a new goal the excitement often wears off, making it is easy to get sucked down a tube of inadequacy and failure. We get plagued with negative thoughts like: can I do this, am Read more…
A New Year’s Challenge As we head into the New Year, I find myself thinking of fresh starts, new beginnings and even spring. Often, we enjoy this chance for a fresh start with resolutions in areas like our looks, health, money, education, or even personal goals like a new hobby. Read more…
