My New Year’s Resolution: Be Soap
Before we leave to drive home from our holiday travels, we fear enduring the horrific smell in our minivan. On the trip down, both girls get carsick all over the seats, the floor–everything in sight. Have you ever been in a situation that was so unpleasant that it becomes comical? Picture us pulling off of […]
Doing Everything Exactly Wrong
I’m reading a book to my daughter that mentions a bunny with a nose that wiggles. I learn that a bunny wiggles her nose for a very curious reason. It’s not to help her breathe, smell, or provide any obvious help. Apparently, a rabbit wiggles her nose only when she’s attentive. The more interested a […]
What America Cannot Lose
Elliotts Pharmacy since 1914 Yesterday, I encounter flair in a drugstore. My husband’s family owns the independent pharmacy in the honest town of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. If you’ve lost faith in good people and genuine community living, come visit downtown Fuquay to inspire your heart. The folks in this place live with the kind of […]
Sledding in My Pearls
Our Saucer Sled It’s late afternoon, and I’m all fixed up for a night out. I even have my pearls on. My youngest daughter stands by the door and says, “Mom, can we go sledding real quick? Real quick?” She’s already pulling on her snow pants, and as I look out the window towards the […]
When You Feel Like Burnt Toast
When you burn food, you apparently ruin it by overcooking. Too much time, too much heat, and the thing burns. This morning, I nearly incinerate the bread in the toaster oven as I attempt to make toast for my daughter. I’m not paying attention, and before I know it, the bread loses that delicious browned […]
Will Eating Snow Kill Me?
Holiday Snowfall Traveling south, we emerge into a winter wonderland. Every direction you turn, you see white fluffy frosting, pure enough to eat. So we actually eat it. I stand by a tree, lean in, and lick like I’m eating from a kind hand. My children shovel snow into their mouths like it’s vanilla ice […]
What We Most Want
Finally, at 6:00 AM, we agree to open presents. This is only after the 2:00 AM squeal alert that presents had arrived under the tree. My living room sparkles with shreds of wrapping paper, bows, and tissue paper. By now, the little girls play happily with their new dolls, and I drink coffee–lots and lots […]
Light in the Darkness
In the hustle and bustle of this Christmas Eve day, I pause to think about my electric candles set in every window of our home. Within the core of these candles, the builder placed a photo sensor that automatically responds when the light grows dim outside. As soon as it’s dark enough, the candles light […]
A Christmas Gift to Yourself
I’m sitting around a table with other couples, all in their 30’s and 40’s. As we talk about the different activities we’re encouraging our children to try–voice lessons, dance, musical instruments, acting–one mother suddenly announces how much she wishes she could take ballet lessons. “Why don’t you!?” we all exclaim just as another mother confesses […]
Christmas Disorder (This Place is a Disaster!)
Gingerbread Disaster I’m decorating gingerbread cookies with my 5 year old and her little friend. A blanket of frosting and sprinkles covers the counter tops, and as I observe the smear upon the floors, the walls, and probably the ceiling, I exclaim: “This place is a disaster!” The small child before me, the one shaking […]