Lately the kids are really in to kid-themed cooking shows. I don’t even know the names – Kids Baking Challenge? Chopped Kids? Top Chef Junior? – but it doesn’t matter because I am just so relieved to find a show they are watching that I can actually somewhat enjoy with them. Cartoons and Disney live […]

At least three times a month I prepare a roast chicken for dinner. I think many people think a big roast chicken is best reserved for a special Sunday supper, but in reality a roast chicken is one the easier dinners to make, even on the weeknights. It can be made a few hours ahead […]

I hate coffee. I genuinely think the taste is gross, and caffeine leaves me jittery and thirsty. I start most mornings with a giant glass of ice water, but when I want to share in the universal ritual of a warm drink in the wee hours I often make a matcha latte. But, lately I’ve […]

Winter in Chicago has been fairly mild this year, but I’m still so totally OVER IT. I really hate the cloudy skies. And I really hate how long it takes to get the kids ready to walk out the door. And I really really REALLY hate feeling cold all the time (especially when I step […]

It has been six whole days since the CDC issued its warning to women of childbearing age regarding alcohol and birth control, and in the life of the internet that makes this story officially old news. But, I’ve been thinking about it for the past few days so I want to get my thoughts out […]

I found this recipe on today.com several weeks ago, and ever since I’ve waited for the perfect morning to bake it. Today I woke up extra early to an especially dark and quiet house – just the peace I needed! I got about 10% of the way through the recipe before Ben toddled town the […]

February is now upon us, but based on today’s fine weather it’s easy to think it is April. When my Grandma told me that February 1 is St Brigid’s Day, the Celtic celebration of the arrival of warmer days and the early signs of spring, I felt my spirits rise. Winter will end soon enough, and […]

Ever since ordering our Christmas cards from Minted.com last year I occasionally browse through the site. When I saw the classroom Valentine’s pop up, I was immediately intrigued. Normally I ask the kids to create their own Valentines, but this year I thought it would be fun for them to design on-line. Plus, these photo […]

Ugh. For the past month we’ve all taken turns with the same nasty virus. It started right before Christmas with Vivian, moved through Ben around New Years, hit Evie when school re-started, and last week it settled on Chris and me. Mack is the only one who hasn’t been slammed with it (yet?). The pediatrician […]

Every month we receive not one but TWO notices in the mail from ComEd, our electricity supplier. The first is the monthly bill, which I always promptly pay. The second is a home energy report. The report sums up how our energy usage compares to 100 nearby occupied homes that are similar in size to […]