Where has the first half of this year gone? Somehow July has crept up on me! I imagine that December—and Christmas—will do the same. Thankfully, I take time each July to plan and prepare for Christmas. As I’ve explained previously, this is not an attempt to usher in the Christmas season prematurely; it is one way my family avoids a chaotic … [Read more...] about Christmas in July: Celebrating Christmas with Family Members Who Live Far Away
Tips for a Budget-Friendly Move
The expenses associated with moving to a new home can add up quickly. This is especially true of long-distance moves. Though some expenses are unavoidable, others can be avoided or minimized with careful planning. Here are some of the frugal strategies my family is using as we move across the country this summer. Strategies for a … [Read more...] about Tips for a Budget-Friendly Move
Italian Penne Bake
We eat spaghetti with meat marinara each month because it is an affordable and easy-to-prepare dish. When I saw a recipe for Spaghetti Pie on a fellow blogger’s website (see the link below), I thought it was a neat alternative to traditional spaghetti with meat sauce. I made a couple of tweaks to the recipe (including changing the type of … [Read more...] about Italian Penne Bake
25 Outdoor Activities for Babies to Enjoy During the Summer
After being cooped up indoors for a good portion of the winter and spring, my daughter and I are loving the summer sunshine and warm temperatures. She’s not capable of running and jumping yet, but that doesn’t mean she can’t enjoy playing outside. There are a number of age-appropriate outdoor activities that infants can take part in … [Read more...] about 25 Outdoor Activities for Babies to Enjoy During the Summer
Meatloaf Parmesan
Every now and then I come across a recipe that I immediately know will be a hit in my household. When I saw a recipe for Meatloaf Parmesan—moist, flavorful meatloaf topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese—I knew it was one of these recipes! Ingredients (Adapted from this recipe.) 1 lb. ground meat (I used turkey) 1 egg … [Read more...] about Meatloaf Parmesan
Why It’s Good for Kids to Roughhouse with Dad
When I leave them alone for a time, I often return to find my husband swinging my daughter around and tossing her up in the air. Though this is sometimes scary for me, my daughter’s smile and giggles indicate she absolutely loves it! Dads often engage in this sort of roughhousing or horseplay with their children. This is challenging for … [Read more...] about Why It’s Good for Kids to Roughhouse with Dad
Supporting Your Husband Through Job Changes
Job changes are common throughout the careers of most men. As wives, we are uniquely positioned to support our husbands as they experience both positive and negative changes in their work. My husband recently found himself at a crossroads in regard to his career. When this happened, I began considering how I could best encourage him as … [Read more...] about Supporting Your Husband Through Job Changes
Chicken Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese
I’m always eager to try new flavors of macaroni and cheese. For our current menu, I wanted to make a variety that contains a vegetable. I was taking a chance when I chose broccoli because my husband doesn’t like it that much. To my surprise, he was very pleased with the flavor of this dish. Ingredients 3 cups macaroni pasta (precooked … [Read more...] about Chicken Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese
