It seems like there are memes galore about parents needing a drink during this shelter-at-home time of life. While I certainly don’t judge a parent needing a break at the end of (yet another) long day, alcohol just isn’t really that important to me. Honestly, the best way for me to unwind is like 45 […]

Even though we live in the middle of a big city, I still like to daydream about gardening. I grew up on a small farm in the country (complete with horses, sheep, geese, dogs and too many cats), and I fondly remember my dad’s large vegetable garden. I learned as a young girl that vegetables […]

It is Christmas! The house is a mess, the kids are happy and Chris and I are enjoying a day spent in pajamas. We had a big breakfast of homemade waffles, eggs, sausage, toast, hot chocolate and Irish tea. No lunch for us as we cruise towards our dinner of prime rib, twice baked potatoes, […]

A few months ago I read an article about the Danish tradition of hygge (pronounced HOO-gah). The word roughly translates to a feeling of coziness and warmth, of times spent snugly with those we love. Hard to argue with that on a cold Chicago night, right? I immediately wanted this tradition in my house. With […]

By my very nature, I don’t like to make a fuss. I don’t like extra drama. I don’t like asking for help. But, late last week I had to put all that aside when our twins tried to make their grand arrival. At 24 weeks and 1 day. I woke up Friday morning not feeling […]

2015. A hundred years from now, what will people say about this year? What will be remembered? Probably that this was the year when terrorism of all kinds took hold. Or that this was another year when politicians did absolutely nothing. Or perhaps the world will remember the countries and people who did nothing to […]

This rain! I know several parts of the country are enduring droughts and water shortages, but here in Chicago we’ve had rain, rain and more rain. We are all waiting not-so-patiently for summer’s arrival. Even with the clouds, there is always a bright side. Last night we turned an otherwise dreary and rainy evening into […]

My grandma died 48 hours ago. I am still processing the loss. I have never before had to say goodbye to someone so close to me. She was such a vital part of my childhood and always a familiar and comforting voice. To think that I won’t speak to her ever again…I can’t help but […]

One of the best parts about the school year that just ended is the friendship I formed with the mom of one of Evie’s kindergarten classmates.  Amy also has four kids, but her youngest is the age of my oldest, which means that she has tons of helpful advice to share.  She knows plenty of […]

Since Ben arrived back in March, life has pretty much been a blur.  For me, it is all about getting through the day keeping everyone mostly happy and well fed, while keeping myself mostly awake as I eat leftovers off the kids’ tiny plates.  Chris is working like crazy, and by the time he gets […]