Leanne Every year I look forward to reading holiday gift guides as much as I look forward to creating one. I love reading about what others are excited about this year, finding new products, and seeing old favorites make the list. This year, I was especially excited about a very specific brand releasing their holiday picks … Read more
It’s a rare activity that keeps a 4-year-old, 12-year-old and 30-{something}-year-old entertained for hours, but I think I’ve finally hit on the holy grail of all ageless activities – building stuff. I figured this out this Thanksgiving with the help of Zometool and our holiday gatherings will now never be the same again. Thanksgiving up … Read more
My son almost always has a car in his hand, and that goes for all waking and sleeping hours. For the past year, everything has been all about “vrooms”, and his love for miniature cars seems to grow each passing month. At first I had strict rules for keeping them out of his bed and … Read more
A few weeks ago I got to go see chef Tom Douglas speak in Seattle and prepare a holiday meal. Watching him slice and dice all the ingredients was mesmerizing and I spent most of the time staring at his cutting board trying to remember his technique. As he was cooking, he said that he … Read more
This week, the kids got a surprise when they found our Elf Magic elf, Ryan, sleeping outside in the milk delivery bin. Although they knew he would be coming to stay the holidays with us again, they didn’t expect him quite this early as he usually shows up some time after Thanksgiving. Also a surprise … Read more
With Thanksgiving a mere days away, I know many of you are putting the finishing touches on your menu and getting all ready to celebrate the holidays the way it was intended – by hanging out with friends and family eating too much turkey and fixings. With prep in full swing at our house, I’d … Read more
Last week we got to have a Seattle date to see a film I have been excited about for months, the new Steven Spielberg film, LINCOLN. As an avid Lincoln fan, I have read dozens of books throughout the years about what I believe to be the best president of all time and I was … Read more
Recently, my daughter has gotten very into Barbies. Maybe this is because my mom just cleaned out her house and gave us all the ratty-haired dolls my sister and I played with {for the record, my sister is 100% responsible for the ratty hair}, or maybe it’s just because all girls like Barbie at some … Read more
Sometimes when I’m snuggling with my daughter, she will put her hands on both cheeks, look into my eyes and say, “I never, ever want to turn you to a bear!” The reference, of course, is the DisneyPixar movie, Brave that we saw last spring and she has been talking about ever since. A heartwarming … Read more
Please tell me I'm not the only one who's scared of cooking for others. Yes, I cook for my family every day, but I don't really entertain over dinner. If you come over around dinnertime I will come up with clever ways of not cooking that don't involve ordering pizza, or I will throw something together … Read more