Entries from January 2010

Why should our homes be fun?

January 27th, 2010 / 5 Comments

I  noticed that I talk quite a bit about having fun and laughter in the home. I suppose this is because I hear too often from teenagers that home is not a place they want to be.  They are bored at home; their parents nag them; they would rather be out with their friends. It […]

The priorities of a mother

January 26th, 2010 / 1 Comment

Can you identify with this? Excuse This House author unknown Some houses try to hide the fact That children shelter there; Ours boasts of it quite openly; The signs are everywhere. For smears are on the windows, Little smudges on the doors; I should apologize I guess, For toys strewn on the floor. But I […]

Keeping laughter in the home

January 20th, 2010 / 2 Comments

One of the impressions I want to leave with my children is that the home is a place of fun and laughter. I want them know that family life is enjoyable, not just tolerable. There is enough bad news in the world that we don’t need our home to also be full of solemnness. Isn’t […]

Building a warm and loving home

January 19th, 2010 / 1 Comment

What do you remember about your parent’s home when you were growing up? Was it a warm and loving place to come home to? Was there laughter? Did you enjoy being with your family? Do you remember kind and loving words said to you by your parents? Or was there negativity and criticism, shouting and […]

What can we do for Haiti?

January 18th, 2010 / No Comments

Everyone is talking about Haiti. Is it enough to just talk about Haiti? My son reminded me yesterday that it’s possible to feel strong emotions about a devastating situation and that in itself somehow gives us the impression that we’ve done our part. Our mere sympathy for Haiti shows that we are compassionate people, and […]

Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day

January 16th, 2010 / No Comments

Do you love the smell of fresh bread? And the tenderness and flavor of bread just out of the oven? Unfortunately, I am not much of a bread baker. Fortunately, the book Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day answered just about every question I have about making bread. And yes, you really can bake […]

What parents should do everyday

January 15th, 2010 / 1 Comment

My friend asked for advice as a new mom. There are volumes written on being a parent.  But if I have to simplify it all down to 5 points, because no one likes to read a long post, here is the advice I would give to a mom. Do these 5 concrete action items everyday. […]

Advice for a new mom

January 11th, 2010 / 2 Comments

A friend of mine had her first baby last week. On her Facebook status, she said, “Bring on the new parent advice!” What advice would you give her? Photo by ephotography

The $5 Dinner Mom Meal Cookbook Winner!

January 8th, 2010 / 1 Comment

Congratulations to Leslie S., the winner of The $5 Dinner Mom Meal Cookbook! Thank you to you all for participating. I recommend you visit the $5 Dinners Mom website for great cooking tips and more opportunities to win the book.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs review

January 5th, 2010 / No Comments

I am always looking for good wholesome family entertainment. With a barrage of junk out there, even those supposedly kid-friendly shows, I am very careful. When I saw Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, it met with my approval. (Click on the image to watch the trailer.) When my children were little, we read the […]