A Thrifty Christmas Tree
When JD’s Grandma Davis passed away, we inherited several items from her home. One of these was a Christmas tree that she has always placed on top of an end…
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I Believe, Virginia
From the moment I first read the New York Sun editorial written in 1897 by Francis Church in response to an 8 year-old’s question about Santa Claus, I was in love….
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The Christmas Heart
Over the weekend, a friend from college posted a Christmas memory on Facebook about being “dirt poor” … his words … as a child and how that impacted Christmas for…
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I wish I could have met her
In honor of Wishful Wednesday … Have you ever been asked, “If you could sit down with anyone in history and have a conversation, who would it be?”. I have…
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Happy Birthday, Daddy
Why is it that people remain a specific age in our minds no matter how old they really are when we lose them? My grandpa was 89 when he died in…
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Pumpkin Picking
September in Southern Illinois can be hot or cold … or both on the same day! Autumn approaches, regardless, and pumpkins and apples are ripe for the picking. Noodle, Grandma Debbie,…
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Salted Caramel Applesauce
This was the view at Flamm Orchards in Cobden, Illinois last weekend! The Flamm family has owned this orchard for over 120 years… six generations! It’s one of two of…
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A ghost in the clock?
It stormed really bad this morning and well into the afternoon. The kind of storm that makes you wonder what’s coming next. When it quieted down a bit, Mom, Noodle…
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52 Ancestors #29: My Heroes
I’m writing about something a little different for my 52 Ancestors post this week. Earlier this summer, a brick honoring three men in my family was placed at the veteran’s…
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Table Etiquette: The Place Setting
Even though we might not set a formal place setting at everyday meals, it is important to do so – to the extent possible – for family get togethers and…
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Etiquette behind the RSVP
I’m beginning my table etiquette series with a post that has nothing to do with actual table etiquette. However, I feel the need to address the issue of the…
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Reflections on a WWII SeaBee
We’ve just passed the 70th anniversary of D-Day. My family has been watching WWII documentaries on the History channel, including The World Wars series which is one of the best…
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Table Etiquette for Kids
Table etiquette is just as important for kids as it is for adults … we have to learn somewhere, and at home is a safe place! I have been teaching…
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Strawberry Picking Adventure
One of our first adventures this summer was to Blueberry Hill Farm this past weekend where Noodle was able to pick strawberries for the first time! She also took advantage…
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Kid Friendly Summer Photo Project
When Noodle was about 3 years old, we bought her a VTech Kidizoom Camera for Christmas. She loves it. It doesn’t take the best photos, but for a toddler who’s…
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A Reason, Season or Lifetime
My grandpa was a firm believer that people come in and out of your life when you need … or no longer need … them the most. Sometimes they’re around…
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Friday Food Finds
Easter is around the corner … literally. Now, I’m an only child, but I’m fortunate to have women in my life who are close enough they might as well…
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Friday Food Finds – Party Food!
It’s Friday! We’ve been drenched for 3 days here. Between snow and rain, I’m ready for a warm weekend to clean my backyard and get ready for summer BBQs. In…
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Friday Food Finds
This has not been a good winter here in southern Illinois. It snowed about 12 times, which is 11 more times than our normal winter and 11 more times than…
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Friday Food Finds
Is it Friday already?! This week flew by! I am so thankful that we didn’t have any snow this week (except Sunday) and it has been warmer and sunnier! Here’s…
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Friday Night Pizza and Movie
Sometimes the smallest of things turn out to be the most remembered traditions. When I was growing up, one of the things my dad and I shared a love…
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Friday Food Finds
It’s been a full week of reading and researching, and I’ve come across a few blogs and other food-related sites that I’ve shared below. Enjoy lurking and linking … and…
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How a 1946 ‘The Joy of Cooking’ added to my family tree
My mom and I frequent the antique stores in Murphysboro, Illinois. We’re almost never looking for anything specific … but almost always find something interesting. On our most recent trek,…
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Product Review: Dash Egg Cooker
My mom bought me this cute little egg cooker for Christmas … it’s made by Dash. I wanted to use it for awhile before writing a review and, come to…
