You know that saying, “Stop and smell the roses”? Well, in Seattle it’s more like, “Stop and see the tulips.” Because Seattle is crazy about spring. We are outdoors people, and being cooped up inside for four months is quite enough, thank you very much. That’s why in April, we blissfully exit our rain caves to … More Free Seattle: Tulip Festival
This is Lupita Nyong’o. You may know her as the Oscar winner from 12 Years a Slave. But it was her speech on beauty that many of us found more Oscar-worthy—especially us moms already battling the pretty princess phenomenon with our little girls.
As more people are having kids later in life, many find themselves navigating the unchartered waters of parenting without the guidance of their own parents to help light the way. When I lost my adored mother-in-law, Sue, and grandmother-in-law, Shirley, mere months after having my first child, the thought of raising my daughter without them was, well, … More Parenting Under the Influence
There has never been a home owner who has said, “Now everything here is done… forever!” There have been and are and always will be more projects to tackle. Come to think of it, same goes for parenting… But at least with the home projects, I’ve found a solution that (dare I say it?) is genius. … More To-Do To Done
One of the most magical things about books is their ability to transport us into other places, lives, and experiences. This is especially important for kids, giving them a larger context of the world beyond their backyards—thus paving the way for creativity and acceptance. Here are some our family’s favorite multicultural children’s books. I would love … More Multicultural Children’s Books
Did you know parades were originally a chance for rulers to display their military might and authority? Eventually they became associated with festivals and holidays. People used them for a chance to socialize, witness a spectacle, and have fun (as they still do). They say the original Macy’s Day Parade (1924) was the first to … More Free Seattle: Parades
Every recipe in my recipe album has a reason for being there. Most are passed on by family or created in our own kitchen. But a select few (some of our favorites) are from friends. On each recipe I make sure to note who passed it on to us, when they first shared it with … More Food and Friends
Did you happen to catch Matthew McConaughey’s Oscar speech? Sure, it had your typical Hollywood elements of narcissism, divine shout-outs, and a complete disregard for larger matters that his own character brought to light. None of that impressed me. What did impress me, however, were the questions he posed regarding the three things a person should … More What Are Your Three?
“What? You’re not going to find out the baby’s sex? I couldn’t do it!” That is the single most common response I get when people ask me what I’m having. So let me clarify: It’s not that I don’t want to know. I don’t want others to know. At least not yet. From the moment … More It’s a Boy! It’s a Girl! Who Cares?
My Castle Heart Publications 