by Doug Desjardins After more than two years of empty tables and downsizing, casual-dining restaurants appear to be on the rebound with stronger-than-expected first-quarter sales. While many fast-food chains have fared well during the recession, casual-dining chains like Cheesecake Factory and BJ’s Restaurants saw sales plummet as diners chose to save money and eat at Continue Reading
ArchivesApril, 2010
30AprThe Mother's-Day Trap
I'd venture to say that Mother's Day is the single-most-difficult gift-giving holiday of all. It might even be tougher than Valentine's Day. And it's coming up--in just over one week! Are you ready? (I'm not!) In case you'd like some helpful hints about Mother's Day shopping, I figured I'd share these tips: If it's something Continue Reading
30AprIt's All About the Label
To a mom, the phrase "tidy up the family room" means things like: pick up your toys off the floor, put away the video-game controllers and CDs, and put books back into the bookcase. To an eight-year-old boy, the same phrase means: get a big piece of clear package-sealing tape, stick it on the (finished-wood) Continue Reading
29AprKid in a Candy Store
My mom still talks about the time she took my older son to the store and offered to let him choose a candy bar at the checkout stand. He was four or five years old at the time, and the ice cream Mom was buying was practically soft-serve by the time that kid narrowed down Continue Reading
29AprThe Lap of Luxury
It's that time of year again--my husband is talking about plans for our family vacation. Whenever vacation time rolls around, I start referring to him as "Clark." As in "Clark Griswold," the man behind the Griswold Family Vacation. If my husband had his way, the five of us would be crammed into a motorhome and Continue Reading
28AprKnit Two, Purl One
Several years ago, my mom began an ambitious project: knitting a twin-size afghan for each of her grandchildren. It takes her about a year to complete each one, and she's only about halfway through this project right now, with four grandchildren yet to receive one of these blankets. Usually she chooses colors that go with Continue Reading
28AprS'More Campfires
I haven't figured out what my kids like better: sitting around a bonfire with their friends, or making (and eating) S'mores with their friends. They're both good, I guess--and having both is even better. We've had a few potluck-style campfires around here in recent weeks. It's working out well. We provide soft drinks, snacks, and Continue Reading
27AprWe're Not All Like That!
Philadelphia has earned a reputation as a city with some really tough fans. Whether they're boo-ing Santa Claus or (as happened recently) vomiting on children in the stands, fans of pro sports in Philly have been known to cross the line at times. They've even been encouraged by then-mayor Ed Rendell, now governor of Pennsylvania, Continue Reading
27AprRead All About It
I keep a list a mile long of books I want to read. Since that list is so long, though, it takes me quite a while to work through it. Very often, by the time I get the chance to read the books on my long list, I've forgotten why I wanted to read them--or Continue Reading
26AprDivision of Labor
Around here, I try to assign chores based on things like age, ability, size and interest. For example, my eight-year-old might want to wash dishes, but he's too short to turn on the faucet in the kitchen sink. So that chore will have to go to someone else until he gets bigger. The same goes Continue Reading
26AprWeird Holiday Monday: Nuts about Kites Edition
April is National Pecan Month! Celebrate with pecan turtle candy, pecan fudge, pecan brownies, pecan pie, pecans on your ice cream, and even pecan chicken. The possibilities are endless--and endlessly delicious. Free shipping on orders over $75 at Stonewall Kitchen Use promo code E01436C0 at checkout. Valid through: June 30, 2010, 11:59pm ET See other Continue Reading