Fixin' Leaks and Leeks

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

Precisely one Kraft caramel and one Hershey’s Kiss will fit into an artfully folded paper cup, which is terrific news if you’re planning a children’s birthday party. The children will be so distracted by the delightful paper cup that they won’t notice that they’ve been limited to two treats for an obvious reason: Any more… Continue reading Origami Madness: One Paper Cup and Two Paper Airplanes Later

  A thick pink blob of strawberries hit the mall when I was eleven years old and I willingly threw myself in its path every chance I got. After slipping quarters into the Ms. Pac-Man game, adjusting my leg warmers, and spraying my hair with an entire can of Aqua Net, I was ready to… Continue reading Make a Scurvy-Slashing Strawberry Smoothie

If mermaids and unicorns frolicked wildly in pixie-sprinkled waters, AND I dipped my nails into the aftermath, the results would be stunning. In fact, I’d venture to say that they’d be very similar to the effect you see on my nails here, in this photo: No, I didn’t get a professional manicure. I did my… Continue reading DIY Manicure: Sparkly Nails and Mermaid Tales

When clogged toilets and swim meets threaten to ruin the romance between you and your loved one, make scented heart-shaped soaps—fast. This project will have you gazing into your lover’s eyes in no time and saying things like: “This is easy and fun!” “Should we put it in the freezer?” To start steaming things up,… Continue reading Romantic Heart-Shaped Soap for Valentine’s Day