When it comes to cooking in our family, I'm the casserole queen. My prime cooking season starts in late October, when the North Carolina temperatures get cool enough for sweaters. It usually wraps up in March, when we break out the shorts for our long summer season. At least for us, casseroles usually coincide with cozy comfort. But, casseroles are so convenient when cooking for a crowd. Earlier this summer, we had friends come to visit from California. Their flight arrived late in the ... Read More about Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta Recipe
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Summer fun in the Raleigh sunflower field
A couple years ago, I never heard of sunflower fields. Thanks to Instagram (social media used for good), I learned about the Raleigh sunflower field at Dorothea Dix Park last year. It made our must visit list for this summer. Of course, nothing "MUST DO" is ever that easy to accomplish! Am I right? Yeah... I see you nodding your head. (Nah! I can't really see you. That would be creepy!) I bet you can relate, though! Back to the Raleigh sunflower field The 2019 sunflower field near me ... Read More about Summer fun in the Raleigh sunflower field
C is for Chaos, Cleaning and Communication!
The longer I'm married, the more I realize that successful marriages don't happen by magic. There is no Prince Charming or happily ever after. Real marriages, those that can withstand the pressures of real life adulting, develop as couples work their way through the big and little trials of life. Today's post is written by my friend, Rachel Heller. She is a blogger and teacher-trainer living in Groningen, the Netherlands. Raised in the US and educated at Yale, she met her Dutch husband when she ... Read More about C is for Chaos, Cleaning and Communication!
Easy Recipes for summer picnics and celebrations: A collaboration
When I was growing up, my dad's extended family always gathered in Painesville, Ohio on the 4th of July holiday. That tradition faded away as the members of the "greatest generation" passed on and younger generations moved away. But, I remember pulling into my great aunt's driveway each year, the sense of excitement building as we spilled from the car. I'll always remember sound of the screen door slamming as kids ran in and out all day, coolers filled with endless cans of soda, and Aunt Bettie ... Read More about Easy Recipes for summer picnics and celebrations: A collaboration
Flying high at TreeRunner Raleigh Adventures
When we got married -- almost 29 years ago (EEK) -- I was a timid girl. I was afraid of rickety wooden bridges, climbing ladders, just about everything but my own shadow. But, I'm intrinsically competitive, so as our boys grew, I had two choices: Remain a wimp who sat on the sidelines OR overcome those fears and participate in life. I chose adventure... and don't regret a single moment! That internal fire lit, I am a new person who loves adventure. I'd almost go so far as to say I crave it, but ... Read More about Flying high at TreeRunner Raleigh Adventures