"Favorite Things" Salad

Today marks Day One of a race with family to see who can lose ten pounds first! I’ve been pulling salad ideas out of the recipe box. For Christmas Eve dinner on my side of the family (where we made bets on who could lose the weight first) we ate a salad that was full of my favorite things. I went home and created my own version: (Click here to read more or leave a comment... Read More

Crocheted Infant Cap

My 19-year-old sister-in-law is staying with us for a while. She watched me write a few posts, and then she asked if I would like to post a picture of a project she just finished. I said YES! This post is written by her. (Click here to read more or leave a comment on Crocheted Infant Cap)  Read More

Grown-Up Chocolate-Dipped Sugar Cookie Variations

Annie came over a few weeks, ago, and we had fun experimenting with sugar cookie flavor variations. She started by making a basic sugar cookie recipe. (Click here for a recipe from Martha Stewart. Don’t forget to leave time to chill the dough.) Then we divided the dough and mixed and matched flavors. (Click here to read more or leave a comment on Grown-Up Chocolate-Dipped... Read More

First Father-Son "Construction" Project

In the aftermath of the Christmas chaos, I found my oldest boy sitting on a chair, cheeks wet with tears. “I wanted Daddy to build something with me,” he moaned. This kid has been mechanically inclined ever since he was a baby at nap time, when he removed most of the screws from his crib. Like a high-energy dog who eats shoes (Click here to read more or leave a comment... Read More

Baby Pictures!

I’m so excited to share these pictures of my nephew! (Click here to read more or leave a comment on Baby Pictures!)  Read More

Christmas Tree Decorating Party with the Kids

Our family has borrowed traditions from both sides of the extended family. Each year in my family, my parents have a Christmas tree decorating party, just for the family. There’s spiced fruit tea, popcorn, music, and lots of boxes of ornaments. This borrowed tradition works really well for our little family because we can plan the party any time – no worries about any... Read More

5 Love Languages

Have you ever taken the 5 Love Languages test? Which one was your top language? Do you find these things helpful? My husband and I learned about the five love languages early in our marriage, and we figured we knew each other pretty well. Recently, I ran across the assessment online, and we both took it. Although there wasn’t anything totally unexpected, we were a little surprised... Read More

Camera Shy Kid

My son is not a morning person. I wonder where he gets that… “Seriously, Mom…” (Click here to read more or leave a comment on Camera Shy Kid)  Read More

Who Can Refuse a Kitten?

My daughter finally got her long-awaited kittens: I mentioned almost a year ago that I’m not a cat person. But a couple months ago, our very nice neighbor walked over to our house and said, “These poor kittens will be given away at a fair tomorrow unless you take some of them tonight… and by the way, this kitten is my favorite ever…” And I couldn’t... Read More

Another Man's Treasure

This past Friday, my in-laws arrived from Colorado. They planned to close on their new house in Kansas at noon. Unfortunately, the bank didn’t have all the paperwork processed, and the closing was delayed until Monday… and then until Tuesday. I started to head to town for food for our weekend guests, when my husband went to the freezer and pulled out that vat of chili... Read More