Holidays

It is sakura (cherry blossom) season, and that means a number of holidays are upon us here in Japan.  Japan has plenty of holidays that are only celebrated here. That means when things are closed or we see a lot...

Always the hustle and bustle with our past trying to see both families on the East Coast. I thought it was so hard and easy at the same time. Renting a car to fit our family of 6, plane...

'Twas the night of St. Valentine, and all through the house, Mama was stressing and rushing around. Dishes were dirty, the baby’s tooshie was bare, While the pre-teen screamed over gum in her hair.   The children refused to get ready for bed, “We want...

I love pie and turkey but want to learn a more accurate history of Native America people and the Thanksgiving holiday. The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian states:  "We encourage you to celebrate the vibrancy of Native cultures...

The older I get, the less I like gifts: holiday gifts, birthday gifts, "just because" gifts, that thing where your neighbors leave an anonymous basket of items from the dollar bin at Target with a poem about how you...

Our second Christmas in the desert is quickly approaching and I'm eagerly awaiting the delivery of two holiday scented candles and the second and third book from A Boy Called Christmas series. I'm quite pleased with how the change...

When I give a gift I want there to be thought behind it. When it comes to holidays and figuring out gifts for our boys, I usually will ask advice from my other friends (especially my special needs moms), the...

Looking for a new addition to your annual holiday cookies? Cookie Butter cookies are sweet, creamy, and easy to make. Ingredients: 2 large eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract ¾ c granulated sugar ¾ c packed brown sugar 1 stick unsalted butter ½ c vegetable spread (such...

How many meals do you fall asleep dreaming about? As kids, my brother and I grew up eating my mom’s secret recipe breakfast casserole on holidays and special occasions; it was one of the few things that got a couple...

I know what you’re thinking and no, this is not a post about Spider-Man’s Thanksgiving (although I did debate spinning a tale about just that - see what I did there?). This is about Thanksgiving, one of my favorite holidays,...

If you don’t have food allergies and don’t know anyone with them, be thankful. And, if you have food allergies or love someone who has them, like I do, be thankful. Because of continuous research and education, food allergies...

It’s October and the cusp of the holiday season. The decorative pumpkins have been sitting on your bookshelf for weeks. The wooden “thankful and grateful” plaque leans against the wall. You even changed your outdoor welcome mat to the...