When my late husband Ericlee and I were newlyweds, we invited my Grandpa Frank to come live with us. Several years earlier my Grandma Cora had soared to heaven, and our family knew it wasn’t good for Grandpa to be living alone anymore — far from most of our family. My generous husband offered up our guest room. He knew this was important to me. [...] Keep Reading
COVID-19
Building a new nest: New practices born out of pandemic
Angled light makes it way quietly across the hardwood floors in my bedroom. I am still heavy with sleep when I hear the fluttering of wings and the low cooing of a Mourning dove building a nest on my balcony. We sleep with the windows open. Cool air sashays in, gently beckoning me to arise, to enjoy just a few minutes of quiet, before my kids [...] Keep Reading
Instant Pot Mac & Cheese: Comfort food at its best!
During this time when so many of us are "sheltering at home," it's a good time to get out new recipes and some of the old family favorites. This homemade Mac & Cheese made in the Instant Pot is one of our go-to lunches for feeding a crowd. Kids, groups and even our running teams love this Mac & Cheese, especially with fun toppings they can [...] Keep Reading
How to talk to your kids about COVID-19
My 8-year-old arrived home last week in tears. Lip quivering, she came to me with a heap of questions about the coronavirus. “Is my daddy going to get coronavirus because he’s Chinese?” I looked at her dumbfounded – my heart walking a thread-bare tightrope between sadness and anger. “Who told you that, Baby?” “Oh, kids at school are [...] Keep Reading
