Fixin' Leaks and Leeks

The bow-on-the-butt-ship has long since sailed for me, but it’s trying really hard to make a comeback in various stores. At least, that’s the conclusion I’ve reached after shopping all last weekend. It could be that outfits with large bows and crazy dart-like patterns that somehow emphasize the nipples, really aren’t in style. They just… Continue reading Shop, Drop, and Roll: Clothing Sales and Cautionary Tales

If inspiring nuggets of wisdom can truly nestle into acts of “zoodling around” and “Prancercising,” then it’s with great humility that Fixin’ Leaks and Leeks accepts the Mystery Blogger Award nomination. Thank you, North Liza Lane—a truly inspiring blog absolutely full of gorgeous artwork and talent! This award is “for amazing bloggers with ingenious posts.… Continue reading Mystery Blogger Award

“Oodles of ‘zoodles’ come out the other end when I do this!” I shouted at Nate and Alex, when they came home from a swim meet Saturday night. Nate bought me a “spiralizer” for my birthday and I was using it to shove chunks of zucchini into the machine. That zucchini was then transformed into… Continue reading Zoodling Around and a Pad Thai Recipe

A bang up, rocking New Year’s Eve family blow out must include a “hold-onto-the-seat-of-your-pants” line up of high-octane fun. Reckless snoozing runs rampant on the eve before the new year and we wanted to do our part to avoid going down this slippery slope.  Since it was just the three of us—and the cat—we had… Continue reading Stay-Up-‘Til-Midnight New Year’s Party: Recipes, Predictions, and a Neighborhood Watch Stint

Eggshell carcasses and other culinary casualties dressed as menacing presents harassed me in my nightmares all last week as I charged my way to Christmas. I almost made a stop long enough to board the Good Ship Seasick, but I pulled myself together in a stellar display of “crazy holiday mom” who attempts to impress… Continue reading DIY Fits and Feats of Christmas: Wrap-Up (With Recipes and Links)

While dizzy and disoriented from all the holiday lights and spirited drinks that seem to pounce at me from every corner this time of year, I did something I knew I could have regretted: I watched mindless Youtube videos. However, I happily fell victim to this alluring Prancercise segment. In it, Joanna Rohrback, demonstrates steps she… Continue reading Festive, “Prancy” Pants

“Do not go in there, Dad. Mom’s a huge mess,” I hear Alex say from outside my home office door. “Oh! Oh, no! She’s watching that movie—the sad Christmas one.” “Yep.” “I’ll go check on her, “ I hear Nate say. When he knocks on the door and enters, the culminating scene from the movie… Continue reading Pageant-In-A-Box: Create Your Own Theatrical Holiday Memories

When the printer erupts into flames, I know it’s Christmas. Every year, I run off many, many newsletters for my many, many relatives (mostly on Nate’s side of the family.) In addition to receiving the gift of spontaneous printer fires, which are great for roasting marshmallows, I can give the gift of a crisp, neat… Continue reading Write a Hilarious Family Newsletter

The tree is lit and so am I, thanks to some Grinch-A-Ritas. This festive margarita is Nate’s invention. What can I say? I married well. He knows just how to take the edge off the stressful holiday season. All I have to do is follow these simple instructions for my own silent night: 1)  Pour… Continue reading Grinch-A-Rita Recipe

When the cranberry sauce on my Thanksgiving plate started to ooze over toward the mashed potatoes this year, I gave thanks instead of quickly shoving the potatoes down my throat before the sauce “ruined” them. Why am I so grateful? I’m grateful for many, many things including the new blogging community I’ve finally joined. Since… Continue reading The Cranberries Runneth Over: Award Nominations!