I love the festivities, the family gatherings and the togetherness that usually accompany Christmas. But I’ll never embrace the pressure – whether perceived or real – to shop until you drop. Senseless consumption is environmentally unsustainable and flies in the face of everything I stand for. And I really don’t want my two girls to think that Christmas is just about… Read More
Annual #ThankfulForFamilies Instagram Contest
The holidays are quickly approaching and with that, things are about to a little craaazy. I have a Thanksgiving meal to plan, a kindergarten Christmas party to host, a house to decorate, a holiday gift guide to write and of course some holiday shopping for my own family to get done. I’ve got a feeling many of you can relate…. Read More
Create Your Own Valentine’s Day Nature Art
A couple of years ago I created some DIY valentine cards for my daughter’s class using rocks, but this year we’re going in a completely different direction, and are instead creating Valentine’s Day nature art. But what exactly is nature art? Nature art can be many things and the only “rule” is that it is art that in one way… Read More
How to Celebrate the Winter Solstice
Because of its proximity to Christmas the winter solstice tends to get overlooked, but there is a lot to love about this astronomical event. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and occurs in December every year. The 2016 winter solstice takes place on Wednesday, December 21 at 5:44 EST. (You can check… Read More
5 Ways to Beat Holiday Stress and Actually Enjoy the Season
The other day I was talking to a good friend who is moving out-of-state in mid-December, and she said that we should get together before she leaves. Then she added an all-too familiar caveat: “But I totally understand if you’re too busy during the holiday season.” She meant well, of course, and wanted to give me an easy way out…. Read More