Autumn has arrived and ushered in some cooler temperatures. This means that we can be a little more comfortable as my little one explores outdoors. Here are 12 age-appropriate outdoor activities that we hope to try in the coming weeks. Outdoor fall activities for infants Go for a walk and look at the bright fall foliage. Rake … [Read more...] about 12 Outdoor Activities for Babies to Enjoy During the Fall
Baked Chicken “Fried” Steak
Chicken fried steak is an incredibly tasty comfort food. Unfortunately, it’s not particularly healthy. Tasty and healthy don’t have to be mutually exclusive, so I tried a recipe for a baked version. The result was so good that I’ve added the recipe to my collection of favorites! Ingredients (Adapted from this recipe.) 6 beef eye of … [Read more...] about Baked Chicken “Fried” Steak
14 Gratitude Activities for the Whole Family
Though I do try to be grateful throughout the year, I really appreciate the general air of gratitude that pervades the month of November. I want to take advantage of this to boost my family’s focus on thankfulness. One easy way to do this is to engage in gratitude activities. These take many forms, so there’s bound to be one or more … [Read more...] about 14 Gratitude Activities for the Whole Family
5 Incredibly Easy Ways to Serve Your Community
When I think about serving my community, I often conceptualize it as another activity that I need to add to my already busy schedule. Thankfully, there are actually many easy ways that we can serve our communities. Consider these five approaches that are practically effortless. 5 easy ways to serve our communities Pick up litter. … [Read more...] about 5 Incredibly Easy Ways to Serve Your Community
Penne Festival
It has been years since I’ve eaten at a Johnny Carino’s Italian Restaurant, but I recall there being a number of incredibly tasty items on the menu. I’ve recreated a few of these at home, including the Grilled Chicken Bowtie Festival. As you’ll see here, I use penne pasta instead of bowtie pasta, but the taste is still … [Read more...] about Penne Festival
Easy Ways to Enhance Your Femininity
I didn’t spend that much time thinking about femininity until I had my daughter. Femininity is one of many things I want to model for her. I’ve never fit the stereotype of a “girly girl,” so this is a little intimidating. Thankfully, I don’t think that being feminine is about wearing lots of pink or painting your nails. Femininity is … [Read more...] about Easy Ways to Enhance Your Femininity
Why and What to Read to Babies
It felt very natural to read to my daughter throughout her first year. Though she didn’t understand many of the words in the books, I figured that reading provided an opportunity to cuddle, to instill in her a love for reading, and to foster her intellectual development. It turns out that I figured correctly. The American Academy of … [Read more...] about Why and What to Read to Babies
Rampant Reusing: License Plates
As I changed the license plates on my car a few weeks ago, it occurred to me that I’ve gone through several sets of plates in the last decade and a half. There has to be something creative I can do with the old plates instead of tossing them in the trash or letting them collect dust in a storage shed. Indeed, there are a number of … [Read more...] about Rampant Reusing: License Plates
