Only the Essentials
My neighbor advises me how to pack for an entire summer in one tiny little bag. Her family travels for months at a time with
June 15, 2011
Live With Flair
Enjoy the archive
Do You Know What’s Coming?
We leave to travel for nearly eight weeks today. (Don’t worry, Jack, Louie, and Snowflake have a family living in our home all summer.) I
June 14, 2011
Beautiful But Fatal
I’m relaxing in a neighbor’s backyard, and she leans my lounging chair back to make sure I’m comfortable. Then she exclaims, “Look! The delphinium!” I
June 13, 2011
Fling Wide Your Gate
Today in church, the pastor challenges me to “open wide the gate of my heart” to God. I know that verb. Open. It
June 12, 2011
If Nothing Changes, Then I Don’t Either
I hate change. It makes me anxious. This morning at Saturday Morning Pancakes, my neighbor (the one who showed me the lady slipper orchid) reminds
June 11, 2011
A Great Idea for a Dinner Party
Living with flair means cultivating the art of hospitality. I’m learning what it looks like to let everybody take part. You give up control, you
June 10, 2011
10 Ways to Laugh as a Family
Yesterday, the Italian Mamas reminded me of the importance of humor in a family. Later, I compile a list for myself of ways I
June 9, 2011
Perceiving Contrast Brings Pleasure
I learn today how sensitive the human eye is to contrast. In fact, perceiving contrast brings pleasure. We actually enjoy it. This explains why I
June 8, 2011
Nobody Likes Perfect People
My daughter’s crying in the backseat because of her horrible dentist appointment. She has cavities. The oldest daughter says, “Look at it this way: Nobody
June 7, 2011
This Could Be Your Shell of Protection
Well, it finally happened. I found an eastern box turtle! She was crossing the street, and after observing her in our backyard, we delivered her
June 6, 2011