During a Halloween blitz through Epcot just a few years ago, inspiration struck me as I watched a woman stumble through the streets of the World Showcase. She had a beer in one hand and was wearing a shiny tiara. In that moment, I thought to myself, “I should really wear tiaras more often. They… Continue reading Craft Alert: “Everywhere” is Special When You’re Wearing a Crown, So Make One for Mother’s Day

If it hurts, don’t do it, unless it involves a spicy gauntlet of the Bongos Café fiery shrimp and black beans plate, which I believe must measure at least 100,000 units on the Scoville Heat Scale. Then, in that case, I suggest that you do it again, and again and again with plenty of yucca… Continue reading Black Bean Salsa Dreams

“Mouse Hunt’s”  funky synthesizer churns a chunka-a-chunk, bump, bump beat for a solid hour while a cartoon mouse darts across our 44-inch television screen–and SeaTac the cat is hooked.  Really hooked.  If I suddenly switch to the Food Network, he gives me the nastiest look and starts shaking.  The withdrawal symptoms are strong. Very Strong.… Continue reading Real Cat TV: A Hummingbird Feeder

Shouting, “Hey, Sexy!” into the phone, to test out the newly installed video doorbell system is a risky move—even if the man on the other side of the door is your husband. Apparently, the intercom system is really loud and, at 9 a.m. on a Sunday morning, neighbors might post to the neighborhood Facebook page… Continue reading You Can Ring My Bell: Video Doorbell System Installation Fun and Follies

Culinary creations of our wildest imaginations happen when I crack open a beer, pull out the spice drawer, and announce to the family, “The weekend has arrived. I’m letting loose!” The cat then makes a run for the safety of Nate’s lap because he has no idea what will happen next when I blindfold myself,… Continue reading “Wild Card” of Spices Stew

Sometimes a ferry ride to the San Juan Islands, for celebratory shopping at the Pelindaba Lavender store, takes the edge off of a grueling 2-hour-a-week blogging hobby. In a magnificently purple and lavender-smelling store in the town of Friday Harbor, I find lots of things I didn’t know I needed before. “Oooh, Nate! Let’s splurge… Continue reading Spritzing with Lavender and Awards Nominations

If squiggly, bubbly things ooze from an egg, while it’s still boiling, don’t despair. Yes, the eggshell has cracked and the egg therefore, should not be dyed for Easter, but you and your family can have endless fun, snapping pictures for Instagram while saying the following things: “Poke it. I dare you.” “Ooh! Look! It… Continue reading It’ll-Be-Funnier-In-The-Morning-Easter-Brunch

There’s a junk drawer in my kitchen that’s stuffed to capacity and it just might jam when I really, really need a mint, which has probably been rolling around in Canadian coins and pencil dust for several months. The thought of this junk drawer sometimes keeps me up at night. However, the thing that really… Continue reading The Closet “Needs” a Chin-Up Bar

Potluck Panic Syndrome strikes when an email glides into the mailbox overnight to announce something to the following effect: “The High School Parents’ Swim Board is organizing the Awards Banquet. In the past, the dishes have been very, very good. Bring your best.” “Nate! What will I do? It has to be good. It has… Continue reading Curry Dressing Salad and Other Things to Bring to a Swim Potluck/Banquet

A shamrock-studded foam roller just lifts my spirits when my Irish thighs aren’t smiling. In fact, these days my thighs, legs, feet, and calf muscles aren’t “smiling” a lot because I make them run, pedal the stationary bike/elliptical machine, and do squats during the week. St. Patrick’s Day will be no exception. I’ll probably start… Continue reading Decorate a Foam Roller for St. Patrick’s Day