December 23, 2014 Dear Santa, I’ll be honest. This year has been tough here near home and out in the world in general. Some days it feels like the world will never be at peace. There’s too much hidden underneath, too much hatred and misunderstanding, too much anger. The TV is filled with bad news,…
December 24, 2015 If there’s one thing that people want most during the holidays, it’s time off from work. Unfortunately, things don’t always work out and some are forced to put in some hours while the rest of the world enjoys quality time at home. Rather than sink into despair, here are some tips for…
June 8, 2015 They are loud, bright and potentially dangerous but let’s face it – many people love fireworks! Whether it’s a professional display put on by your city or some smaller sparklers set off in someone’s backyard, fireworks are a huge part of the celebration of summer. For this reason, it’s great that June…
December 16, 2011 Soon after Thanksgiving, many old favorites like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Charlie Brown Christmas” and “Dr. Suess’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” begin to air on various TV channels. That’s one, of many, sure signs that the holidays are here. It’s great to be able to still see movies such as these…
August 18, 2014 You may not know this but, in 1988, President Ronald Reagan declared August 21st National Senior Citizens Day. This important occasion is, unfortunately, rarely recognized but we can do more to increase its visibility. We would not be here without our elders and they deserve to be celebrated, respected and remembered. A…
August 13, 2014 Labor Day is the last long weekend to enjoy summer. Kids are already headed back to school, the weather is getting cooler and that carefree feeling gradually takes a backseat to the rush leading up to the holiday season. For this reason, so many try people try to take advantage of this three-day…
June 4, 2018 Floaties are all the rage this summer season, thanks to a brand new trend in giant inflatables. There is perhaps no better way to celebrate summer than to enjoy the pool party action from the comfort of a floatie, icy cocktail in hand. For kids, floaties offer hours of entertainment and a…
November 17, 2014 I’m sure you already have your turkey purchased and your recipes all planned for Thanksgiving next week. But before you take the kitchen by storm, why not learn a few (or 10) random facts about the holiday?!? 1. It wasn’t just the colonists who created this holiday. Both the Pilgrims and the…
December 9, 2014 I’ll admit that I spent dozens of hours in November browsing online, forcing my kids to nail down specific items they’d like for the holidays, and shopping for the best discounts and deals! I thought Black Friday/Cyber Monday would’ve been the perfect time to finish my shopping, but sadly many of the…
February 11, 2015 It’s a familiar scene – the “most romantic day of the year” ends in a fight, hurt feelings and, possibly, tears. For whatever reason, many of us get upset because that special person in our life has failed to make us think that we are important or loved by them because (gasp) they didn’t…
September 10, 2020 It’s hard to know what Halloween will look like in 2020, but it’s reasonable to assume that many families will be skipping trick-or-treating this year. While it’s disappointing in many ways, it doesn’t mean that the celebration has to end. Here are some ways to celebrate Halloween at home and still have…
June 9, 2014 Within this nation and around the world, America is known for its Stars and Stripes. The flag is a huge part of our culture as it is used for so many things and can invoke a sense of identity, hope and community. It is fitting, therefore, that we have a day each…
November 28, 2011 With all the holiday festivities this time of year, it’s easy to get bogged down in the details. Between the office party circuit and informal get-togethers with family and friends, the holiday season can become a blur. Not only do you have to get you and your family’s schedule in order for…
May 15, 2020 In the past, you might have held a barbecue, planned a weekend getaway, or gone out to dinner for Dad’s special day, but your plans will probably be a little different this year. The coronavirus pandemic continues to impact our lives, so you may need to think outside the box. Don’t worry,…
October 26, 2018 Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to have gift giving without gifts? As much as I love the holidays, gift giving can be a challenge. There really isn’t anything that I want or need, so coming up with ideas for people to give me is tough sometimes. And, it’s not just…
November 24, 2015 This week, it would be hard to miss SNL’s Thanksgiving spoof that includes good ol’ Aunt Kathy who pulls out every politically incorrect or rude comment you could imagine from a relative. In case you haven’t seen it, the youngest family member makes convenient and increasingly hilarious use of Adele’s newest hit….
December 5, 2018 Looking for the perfect gift for the crafty, artsy, creative girl or boy in your life aged 8-12? Here are our picks for high quality natural and imaginative toys that help bring out a child’s natural curiosity and creativity. Crayon Rocks Kids love creating beautifully textured drawings with the pebble-like-shaped Crayon Rocks….
December 31, 2015 We’ve done it. Today brings 2015 to a close. And if you’re anything like me, you want to do something special to mark the occasion, but life has left you a bit behind in the planning department. Do not worry! I have tapped my sources to see what other moms do for…
February 12, 2014 Valentine’s Day rolls around every February and, with it, comes the pressure to produce a day filled with romance that your partner will remember and cherish forever. Of course, most people try and fail miserably but it’s the thought that counts, right? The holiday can be especially difficult for those who are…
November 14, 2013 Over the last few years, people have become more interested in learning how to save money. Times have been tough and everyone seems to be reevaluating the importance of material things. Still, it’s understandable that most of us still want to be festive during the holiday season while simultaneously hoping we can…
March 16, 2012 Have you ever thought to yourself that you wish you knew the history behind St. Patrick’s Day? Or ever wondered if there is more to the day than wearing green? Well read up and enjoy sharing your St. Patty’s Day knowledge with friends and family – maybe even stumping a few along…
December 29, 2014 Maybe you are planning to spend the last night of the year with your children huddled around the television set or perhaps you are tired from the holidays and simply want to stay in. Whatever the reason, there’s no need to think that spending New Year’s Eve at home is a bummer. There…
May 2, 2012 Bring your family together for a great fiesta. Cinco De Mayo is a festive time to bring the family and neighbors together for some fun mexican food, games and crafts. Games Games can simply be put together. Create an obstacle course for the kids to run through, kicking a ball through the…
October 26, 2020 It’s a common storyline in holiday films (and households) in our society. After family members gather together at the Thanksgiving table, all of the issues festering in their hearts and over their heads create tension that builds and leads a huge blow up. We might laugh when we see the antics unfold…
September 13, 2017 The kids are back to school and the air is turning a little brisker. Now is the perfect time to spruce up your home and make simple seasonal changes in your decor. Pumpkins and mums on the front steps? Sure thing! But there are many more steps you can take to add…
November 3, 2014 This weekend saw the celebration of the Mexican tradition of Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. We might recognize a few of the popular symbols or associate it with Halloween, But this festival developed from a history and a celebration very different from the Celtic origins of Halloween. Here are 10…
October 20, 2014 Halloween, the season of fright, is the perfect time for a well-timed prank. Creative people manage to pull off hysterical tricks involving their friends or unfortunate bystanders. Lucky for our funny bones, the reactions are sometime caught on tape! Here a compilation of fun pranks off the web. This guy got very…
May 9, 2014 Mother’s Day is this Sunday and, honestly, it feels like 2014 has been racing by. If this special occasion snuck up on you, you are not alone. Letting the day pass without any sort of commemoration will make everyone feel terrible, but what can you do when you have two days to come…
July 2, 2014 The Fourth of July weekend is arguably one of the most fun occasions of the year. There are so many great specials to watch on television, tasty recipes to try, crafts to make and gatherings to attend during the festivities. While it’s wonderful to feel carefree and euphoric, it’s also important to…
April 20, 2012 A few weeks ago one of my worst nightmares came true. As a parent of a child with food allergies (and having allergies myself) I always worry when we’re invited anywhere. Will there be anything we can eat? Will there be cross-contamination? Will the host be offended if I bring my own…
November 15, 2018 Much has been made in movies and pop culture about the downright craziness that can surround the holidays, particularly Thanksgiving. While it’s meant to be a day for showing love and gratitude, tempers can flare when extended family members—some of whom may be estranged—try to gather around the table for a meal….
October 1, 2012 Most children look forward to Halloween with great anticipation. For the parents of children with food allergies and other conditions requiring dietary restriction (such as celiac disease or diabetes) Halloween can be a cause of some concern. But there’s no reason to be afraid on Halloween. Even with dietary restrictions, children can…
July 23, 2014 I love cheesecake, it’s one of my favorite desserts. Whether it’s cheesecake topped with fresh strawberries, or a slice flavored with cookie bits and topped with chocolate curls, I could eat cheesecake every day! Apparently a lot of other people agree, as there is an unofficial holiday in celebration of cheesecake. July 30th is National Cheesecake…
December 14, 2012 Every year millions of people start off the new year with at least one resolution, or commitment toward better change in their lives. It could be losing weight, quitting smoking, taking up a new hobby , going to the gym, starting a long-put-off project or doing a daily random act of kindness. Unfortunately,…
November 14, 2011 Will the holiday season fast approaching; you may be considering hosting a party or family function at your home. Entertaining your guests doesn’t have to come at the cost of Mother Nature though. You can go green this holiday season when planning your functions. Here are a few tips to stay green…
December 14, 2011 The Holidays are here. (I hope you already knew that.) With the “most wonderful time of the year” comes a lot of headaches. However, making powerful plays to keep things simple can really create a fantastic holiday. Follow these tips to keep your season full of cheer and devoid of stress. Delegate…
April 10, 2014 It’s almost time for Passover, or Pesach, which is a beautiful Jewish holiday commemorating their freedom from slavery in ancient Egypt over 3,000 years ago. The eight-day festival is celebrated in the early spring, from the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan – which falls on April 14th through…
November 6, 2015 Every year, as the holidays approach, I hear people asking for a good place to let their kids volunteer. Perhaps a local soup kitchen or church. Not everyone wants to publicly help though and it can be difficult to find a good location and time that works with your schedule. It’s also good…
October 20, 2020 With the holidays only a few short weeks away, many people are adding pumpkins and fall gourds to their outdoor decorating plan. But, depending on where you live, they may not always last as long as you want them to. Here are some simple tips to make your outdoor pumpkin last longer…
December 8, 2020 What a year! As we roll into the final month of 2020, so many things look and feel different. It can be a bit depressing when we miss out on the activities we loved to do each year. It can be upsetting when traditions have to be left out or altered. It…
November 24, 2014 My mom refused to let my dad in the kitchen except to eat. For her generation, the kitchen was a woman’s seat of power and Mom wouldn’t even delegate dish drying to any male. Of course, she had no problem ordering me around especially during the holidays when company was coming. “Unload…
April 4, 2019 Have you wondered how to add Easter to your front yard? During the Christmas holidays, we see all sorts of Christmas lights and decorated front yards. It really helps make the holiday season much more festive. While there may not be Christmas trees and Christmas lights during Easter, there are a few…
April 15, 2014 It’s almost Easter (can you believe it!?) which means it’s time for a fun holiday filled with pastel colors, arts and crafts and a great opportunity for the family together and celebrate the special occasion. If you’re in need of tips for dyeing eggs or want a fun Easter game to pass…
December 24, 2014 Christmas Eve is spent decorating cookies, hanging out with family, and of course wondering where in the world Santa might be visiting. My children are still enthralled with the notion that during the day of December 24th, Santa is off in exotic locations, slowly making his way, home by home, to the…
December 19, 2015 If you’re anything at all like me, you still have a LOT of Christmas shopping left to do. I know. I was going to start in August and be finished by Thanksgiving, but I never got around to it and I just realized there are only a few more days until Christmas….