I can’t put off the Thanksgiving hysteria any longer, so this morning I’m dragging myself and my resistant children to the grocery store. I probably won’t be back on to blog until after the holiday, but I didn’t want to leave you for all that time without something interesting to read, so I’ve decided to [...]

Kassie over at Secret Vatican Spy wrote yesterday about her Rite of Acceptance experience and the pain and joy that went along with it. I could so clearly understand her pain, that sharp and sudden realization that she was turning away from the faith of her childhood and entering into something new. I knew what [...]

Disclaimer: This is a bit of a departure from my usual subject matter, but after all I can’t spend all my time considering the opportunities for grace one finds in a dirty diaper.  A while ago, Simcha put up a very interesting post about what English sounds like to non-English speakers. Even if you don’t [...]

The last two weeks have been, in the words of my brother’s generation, an EPIC FAIL. Not only am I still flipping sick, but in a seriously misguided and ill-judged attempt to stretch the meager food left in our fridge so I can use this week’s grocery  money for next week’s Thanksgiving feast, I made [...]

Eleven years ago today, I woke up at 5:30 in the morning, sweaty and terrified. I had been having a nightmare unlike any I had had before. In my nightmare, my older sister and I were at the traditional A&M; Bonfire. We were there visiting her close friend Jerry, a junior at A&M; and a [...]

I gave my kids cookies for breakfast this morning. I don’t really feel bad about, either. *striking combative stance* No really, I don’t feel bad. I’ve been trying to get myself to feel guilty about it since it happened two hours ago but it’s not working. My self-induced guilt machine must be broken. Hallelujah! I [...]

But I have fantastic kids and an amazing husband. The little irritations and occasional (or not so occasional) tantrums are so huge in my eyes that I let them overshadow the many wonderful, charming and hilarious qualities my kids have. Sienna is probably the most thoughtful and considerate five year old in the world. Every [...]

Thank you all so much for your wonderful recipes and suggestions. I’m planning on making Melanie’s pancetta and green bean salad (I love pancetta, it’s even better than bacon in my estimation), Andrea’s cranberry sauce, Rebekah’s buttered rosemary rolls, and I’m taking Katy’s advice and making Deb from Smitten Kitchen’s pie crust. I have to [...]

I know, my readers, that some of you are secret culinary geniuses. I know because I lurk on your blogs too, and I see things like Melanie’s artisan bread and chakchouka (if you’re thinking “what the hell is chakchouka?” you’re not alone) or Andrea’s lasagna, chicken noodle soup, Amish bread and apple pie (just typing [...]

I’m feeling dull and still flu-ish, though thankfully the vomiting has stopped, so these might be dull and flu-ish as well. Sorry.  #7 The Plague I’m not so sure that reading Connie Willis’ Doomsday Book was really a good idea for me. I have a horribly overactive imagination, particularly when it comes to my children, [...]