December 21 marks the winter solstice, which is the shortest day of the year. In different places and in different families, the first day of winter might be called Yule or the Longest Night. If you are celebrating Hanukkah or Christmas, you are probably busily distracted, but if you have the chance, it might be […]
I know, New Year’s Day is still a couple of weeks away and you’re probably in the midst of celebrating other holidays at the moment. Still, this is a great time to start to think back over the previous year and decide what changes you might want to make after the ball drops, welcoming in […]
For most people, the best part of the holidays is not the food or the presents, but the time they spend with their families and the new memories created. Some of the best memories are from traditions that people celebrate together. These can be activities that have been part of a family’s holiday for years […]
December is bursting with festivities, and with those festivities are often alcoholic beverages. It’s fine for you to have a few drinks, of course, and drinking moderately can help set a good example for your children of appropriate and responsible alcohol usage. Of course, every year we hear of injuries and fatalities caused by drinking […]
We’ve been talking over the past few weeks about ways to make the upcoming holiday season more affordable. Most of us need to watch our holiday budgets, and starting to think about gifts early can make a big difference in your credit card statements come January! Many times, the extra time and energy you invest […]
Our family enjoys hosting foreign exchange students, and over the years, we’ve been able to experience some of the interesting observances and celebrations that other cultures participate in. One of our family favorites is one that a German student brought to our home several years ago: St. Nicholas Day.
In Germany, children place one or two […]
Our resident TopChef and cooking advisor has some Turkey tips for you this holiday season…… It’s just my husband and I in our household, so I rarely make turkey. Perhaps a turkey breast now and then, but never a whole turkey. Besides I never needed to. Thanksgiving was always celebrated at my uncle’s house with […]
October is Pizza Month! Almost all kids love pizza, whether they’re picky or adventurous eaters. I have one child who only eats cheese pizza, and one who eats everything from pineapples to anchovies on his Italian pie. While it takes some time, spending a fall afternoon making homemade pizzas is a great way to promote […]
You can find great deals on nearly anything, if you know when to buy. Shopping in April is no exception; by stocking up on the items you need that are on sale, you can save money without sacrificing quality or going without. Here are some things that tend to go on sale in April:
Raincoats. You […]
You know what they say about March: It comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. As the lion blows through, you can look forward to warmer spring days ahead. You can also look forward to some great sales, as there are items that typically are on sale this month. The good […]
