This year-of-staying-home has found me doing lots of things I never used to do, like gardening and learning to play chess. It's also led me to expand on the things I already do. I love baking, but I like quick stuff. Don't send me to a complicated recipe. I like baking muffins, bar cookies and brownies. But, all those sweets -- well, they're only good in moderation. Ya know? So, inspired by an episode of the Great British Baking Show, I decided to try my hand at Irish soda bread. ... Read More about Irish Soda Bread recipe without buttermilk
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Best books for kids and teens in 2020
When the year started, I didn't know it would become THE year. The benchmark. The one that defines the all the years in my lifetime. Our kids, too, are facing challenges they might never face again in their lifetime. (We can hope. Right?) kids need to know we can do hard things! When facing challenges or new experiences, we have turned to books. Whether reading storybooks about places we might be visiting or stories about getting tonsils removed, books helped us bridge understanding. ... Read More about Best books for kids and teens in 2020
Lessons from my daughter: The power of resilience
This post is sponsored by iMedX. All opinions are my own. Since March, the world sure has changed. Honestly, as our daughter starts her sophomore year, I didn't expect us still to be here. At the lake. Together. Yet, here she is. And here I am. And, finally, I think we're starting to figure it out. It only took 155 days. "Yay, us!" When the pandemic first turned our world upside down, we went through the honeymoon phase, approaching our month of captivity with some bravado. We saw the ... Read More about Lessons from my daughter: The power of resilience
What are the benefits of water?
A few years ago, I finally committed to living a healthier lifestyle. I started with some dietary changes, eating plenty of healthy foods like these every day. I also made a commitment to exercise regularly, focusing on yoga for core strength, dance for cardio and some weight training (mostly using body resistance) for overall strength. It worked well... But then, 2020 hit -- and we all know what that means! My healthy eating has dwindled as this year drags on. And the Gym? Well, that's a no ... Read More about What are the benefits of water?
Home remedies for fire ant bites that really work
We've been doing lots of yard work at our home in South Carolina. Unfortunately for me, that led to experiencing the pain of fire ant bites first-hand, not once, but twice. The first time wasn't too bad, though I asked friends on Facebook for home remedies for fire ant bites. The second time was horrific! I had 37 fire ant bites on my feet and ankles. At 3:00 a.m. with severe pain in both feet, I forgot the good advice of friends and went online instead to research home remedies for fire ... Read More about Home remedies for fire ant bites that really work