We are still enjoying excellent October weather. We’ve had some stressful weeks as a family, so the warm temperatures and sunny skies are a wonderful distraction. The impact Mother Nature has on our well being – emotional and physical – should not be ignored. I believe she gifted us this fine fall so we could […]

This is a ridiculously simple, fast and healthy lunch. I always have all the ingredients on-hand, and it is comforting to know that I’m always three minutes away from a truly delicious meal. Plus, I love tacos. In all forms. With any filling. And heating the tortilla in some butter or bacon grease adds an […]

Now that we are in the thick of summer, we are outside ALL THE TIME. Seriously, we don’t come in every evening until 5:30, which makes dinner prep almost impossible: by the time we are in, the kids are hungry but dinner hasn’t even been started! Whenever possible, I make dinner in the early afternoon. […]

I think one of the simple, great joys in life is a homemade hot lunch. There is something so quietly indulgent about carving out a few minutes in the middle of an otherwise busy day to prepare a healthy meal from scratch. I don’t do it everyday, but that’s what makes it so special, right? […]

I need a weekend after this weekend. I love holidays – and I love three day weekends! – but with four kids these special days create a lot of extra work. If I want memories to be made, I have to help make them. So, Chris and I organized a neighborhood party that included classic […]

Ahhhhhhh! This summer has gone by waaaaaay too fast.  After the terribly brutal winter we endured, I hoped for a hot, steamy, slow summer…but what we got turned out to be kinda cool and super fast.  I could use another three months of lazy days and sunshine. Perhaps one of my most favorite days this […]

I happen to think that one of the great, simple joys in life is a hot homemade lunch. There is something so calming about taking a few extra minutes to prepare a special midday meal.  When food is enjoyed properly – at a table, in real dishes rather than in front of a laptop or […]

On Saturday my Aunt Sheila invited the ladies of the family over for a holiday cookie swap party. We all brought 3 dozen of a home baked treat, and we all left with several varieties.  It was such a nice way to spend a sunny afternoon.  I wish we could all get together more often, […]

I’m posting this Broccoli Cheddar soup recipe at the request of my cousin Monika, who is spending the month with our family.  I prepared this soup for dinner last night, and she wants to make it once she returns to Poland in September.  She’ll be heading off to university in Krakow, and this is a […]

Ahhhhh…mid August. The last gasp of summer. The final push to check off all the “to-do’s” we put on our list back in June. It always comes to an end too fast, doesn’t it? We’ve had a wonderful summer, but I still feel a pang of guilt. Kids only get a few summers as children, […]