My grandmother, referred to most as “Gramma John,” raised eight children during the 40s and 50s, all the while running a farm and managing a household. She was widowed when the oldest was 16, giving her a crash course in what it is to live within your means. One of her “claims to fame” was…
This is my son. This is my son high on books. Yes, our kids love to read. It is such a blessing. I remember not too long ago when my eldest and I would cry – both of us – over the process of learning to read. Not so anymore. The last two have practically…
For several years the kids and I hosted a 3-Day, afternoon movie shindig for friends and neighbors. It was a great way to break up the winter blahs as well as socialize with other families. It doesn’t cost much at all to have a good time. Invite your friends and neighbors – I made up…
Fancy Nancy and Breakfast!? These two themes were suggested by readers during FishMama’s Birthday Cake Challenge. They were chosen as the top two in a readers’ poll a week later. Both were definitely challenging. Breakfast because it was a unique thing to conceive in sugar. Have you ever heard of such a thing? And Fancy…
It all started because my siblings and I were grown, and no one wanted to hunt down twenty-something of those miniscule birthday candles. Or buy multiple packages every time we celebrated a family birthday. My oldest son was three at the time. I was expected our second child. A friend had suggested that the big…
Last winter our boys received this wonderful book as a Christmas gift. It is full of stories and projects, and well, dangerous things for boys to do. Timers and tripwires to construct, knots to tie, potato cannons to build, you name it, the directions are there. This book is the all-around BOY handbook. And since…
One of the beauties of having SIX KIDS is that birthday celebrations are frequent at our house. And I love a birthday party. Okay, not the kind of “party” that includes masses of sugar-hyped kids running around like monkeys. Thankfully, we don’t know enough people in our new town to have had that kind of…
FishPapa occasionally reads this blog. I never know when. But, I always get helpful feedback. That’s how he rolls. After reading my Monkey Treats post, he suggested that I tell you about The Game. I always thought it was called, The Choosing Game. But, he claims they’ve always called it the Monkey Treat Game. Since…
If you have ever watched a rerun of The Love Boat, you’ll be familiar with the character named Julie The Cruise Director. My husband has jokingly referred to me as “Julie” on more than one occasion. I love to plan big shindigs and entertainments. (I’m way better at the planning part than the execution, but…
Well folks, to make your own Indiana Jones cake start with this: Do a little mixing, baking, cooling, crushing, frosting, sprinkling and placing, and get this: This cake really was one of the easier ones to make. You can do this, too! Here’s a quick how-to for all you Indiana Jones fans. You will need:…