Sweet Simplicity

It’s the most wonderful time of the year — sweet summertime! Is there anything better than the vitamin D boost that summer brings us? Fresh produce, lazy days, and 9 p.m. sunsets are just a few things that make this such a wonderful season! If you are like me, you...

Last weekend, my husband and sons landscaped our front yard. It took them an hour or so to weed, rake, and apply fresh mulch. While it certainly did not yield the professional results of my favorite landscaping contractor, it saved us a ton of money and gave our yard...

As I type this column, the weatherman is predicting 70-degree temperatures. Spring is finally making an appearance! As much as I love the long hours of daylight and the boost to my daily Vitamin D intake, the spring season brings a lot of extra work and worry. Spring...

I don’t know why, but March might just be my most challenging month of the year. The hope of snow is virtually faded, and spring is not yet here — and for me, that makes for a long and slightly unmotivating month. It also reminds me of the dreaded day three years ago...

You may find this hard to believe, but whether you love to cook or prefer to keep a nice stash of take-out menus, meal planning for your family can truly simplify your life in ways you never imagined. You know that question “what’s for dinner?” that you must answer...

Welcome to the New Year! While many of us are still in post-holiday blues, January can be a season of happy beginnings and fresh starts. I always find myself in the mindset to make the changes that I neglected to make the previous 11 months of the year. Whether you...

Haul out the holly, deck the halls and get ready for a whole lotta jolly! December is here, and the holiday season is here — whether we are prepared or not! Every season, I have grand plans to cover my house from floor to ceiling with a combination of twinkling...

Every year when the calendar turns to November and the countdown to the holidays begins, I seem to enter a particular season of thankfulness. From the time the leaves begin to change color, I enter what I affectionately call “Hallowthankmas” season, and it has always...

I’m not sure how life gets so busy but no matter what I do, I feel like we are working more, playing less — and feeling the results of such an overscheduled existence with constant feelings of stress and chaos. While I love having a family to tote to various sports...

This summer went by so quickly I think if I blinked, I might’ve missed it! While we are embarking on my favorite series of seasons and the beloved (or dreaded depending on your perspective) “Hallowthankmas” series of holidays, September and the months to follow...