Seeing as how it's the last day of 2008, I figured I would finally get around to something I should have taken care of already. First off, my apologies for barely posting at all these past few months. The holiday season is always insane and crazy, and even more so in this new coupon-concious economy. Continue Reading
ArchivesDecember, 2008
30DecBlenders and Mixers and Crockpots...
One of my favorite things about cooking is trying out new recipes. I have a big collection of cookbooks (over 100) and a large pile of recipes torn from magazines that I want to try. I could make a new recipe every day for ten years and probably never get to the bottom of that Continue Reading
29DecOffice Space
During this very busy week of visiting, partying and eating way too many goodies (Christmas cookies for breakfast, anyone?) we have planned to spend a day cleaning up the room we want to use as our home office. In addition to keeping our old financial files in this room, my husband has a desk and Continue Reading
26DecYou're Never Too Old to Learn
One thing that amazes me about small children is the ease with which they learn new things. I think that learning can get harder as you get older. Little kids just seem to soak up knowledge like sponges, and it's fascinating to watch them. As a teacher, I have worked with students from first-grade through Continue Reading
25DecVery Merry
If your house is anything like mine, by this hour the children under the age of ten have woken up the adults and informed them that, indeed, Santa has come and everyone had better see what's under that Christmas tree right now. The empty cookie plate and pile of gifts are evidence that the Continue Reading
24DecWinter Sports
The house where I grew up had a deep backyard bordered by woods. It was great to play back there all year long, but especially on snowy days. If we wanted to go sledding, all we had to do was trek out back and work our way up to the top of the steep hill. Continue Reading
23DecFashion Sense
It's only a matter of time before my daughter stops wanting to be seen with us. I can see it coming. My first-grader has always wanted to wear things belonging to the Big Kids, or things that look just like the Big Kids' clothes. (Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, after all). When he Continue Reading
22DecSunglasses at Night
The most surprising thing I noticed about this year's election season was the huge amount of attention to the eyeglasses worn by vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Who knew that a pair of glasses would cause such a sensation? Women all over the world suddenly wanted those glasses, and there was even talk of people buying Continue Reading
19DecDelicious Memories
Mr. and Mrs. Wagner were a retired couple who lived next door to my family during my childhood. They became like "extra grandparents" to us. We'd visit them, banging on the back door and looking for homemade cookies, and enjoy much more: the company of two retired people who patiently let us peek in the Continue Reading
18DecIt's Down to the Wire
This is the point in December when I start to break out in hives if I'm not 90% done with my shopping yet. I start compulsively checking the tracking numbers for the items I've purchased online, watching them inch ever closer to my corner of the world, and wishing I'd sprung for the gift-wrap Continue Reading
17DecI'm with the Grinch
So much of Dr. Seuss's book How the Grinch Stole Christmas rings true with me. One section that I can really relate to is the part in the beginning when it says: "...girls and boys Would wake up bright and early. They'd rush for their toys! And then! Oh, the noise! Oh, the noise! Noise! Continue Reading