It seems so noble to read biographies about the trials and victories of famous figures or to better ourselves by reading self-help books. Indulging in a romance or suspense novel, on the other hand, doesn’t seem like a particularly dignified use of time. If, like me, you tend to believe this assumption that non-fiction is somehow … [Read more...] about Reasons to Read Fiction
Archives for 2017
Unconventional Places to Shop for Christmas Gifts
Cyber Monday (which is today) is much more my speed than Black Friday. I’m not a fan of shopping with hordes of people, so I’m more than happy to do my Christmas shopping from my couch. Of course, popular brick-and-mortar department stores and online retailers like Amazon aren’t the only places we can shop for Christmas gifts. There are … [Read more...] about Unconventional Places to Shop for Christmas Gifts
6 Tips for Having a Successful Family Photo Shoot
We recently headed out to take family photos. We’ve captured some less-than-ideal photos when we’ve done this in the past, so I wanted to do everything I could to make sure we got great shots this time. Based on my experience, there are a number of pretty simple things we can do to increase the chances that our family photo sessions are … [Read more...] about 6 Tips for Having a Successful Family Photo Shoot
Book Review: Unwrapping the Names of Jesus
There are many things that I love about Christmas. What I love the most actually precedes Christmas Day: Advent. This period of preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth occurs each year in the weeks before Christmas. Because I value Advent so much, I was thrilled when I received an email about an opportunity to review a new Advent … [Read more...] about Book Review: Unwrapping the Names of Jesus
Thanksgiving Playlist
Most Americans, whether they’re Christians or not, celebrate Thanksgiving. However, for those of us who are Christians, the holiday has a special significance. Though I often listen to Christmas music in the weeks before Christmas in order to help prepare my heart to celebrate the birth of Jesus, I’ve never considered doing something … [Read more...] about Thanksgiving Playlist
The Best Baked Ziti
I often make this dish when we have guests over or when I take a meal to a family who recently had a baby. I’ve been asked for the recipe nearly every time I’ve made it. The flavor is so good that I’d ask for it, too! This recipe is an amalgamation of Baked Ziti recipes that I’ve seen over the years. I’ve taken a simple approach with … [Read more...] about The Best Baked Ziti
Pecan Pie Cookie Bars (Without Corn Syrup)
Pecans are one of my favorite nuts. Not surprisingly, I enjoy using them in baked goods. A couple of weeks ago, when I needed to make a treat to share with some other ladies, I had just one thing on my mind: Pecan pie. We were all going to have children with us, so I wanted to make a dessert that could be picked up easily and eaten … [Read more...] about Pecan Pie Cookie Bars (Without Corn Syrup)
30 Questions to Ask Around the Thanksgiving Table
While eating Thanksgiving dinner, many families take time to share about the things for which they are grateful. This is wonderful because it gets everyone thinking about gratitude. Family members sometimes find themselves repeating the same things over and over again. There’s nothing wrong with this—most of us are genuinely grateful … [Read more...] about 30 Questions to Ask Around the Thanksgiving Table
