I love throw pillows. They’re unequivocally my favorite decor item. I like to change them out with the holidays and seasons to make my home feel more festive and cozy. I love building myself a pillow nest to snuggle up and watch movies. I’m pretty frugal, so I consider throw pillows an investment, and I…
The holiday season is quickly approaching and, unfortunately, opportunities to fall into the traps of need-to, should-do, must-have, and must-do come with it. Trying to keep up with everything we think we should do during the holiday season just leads to stress and steals the joy of the holidays. While we may not be able…
As the hustle and bustle of schoolyear activities were beginning to overtake our days, my oldest child approached me and said, “I want to talk about dance.” She then pulled out a pros and cons list she’d created. My daughter has been dancing with this studio since she was in first grade, and now she’s…
Theater was so important to the ancient Greeks that the state would appoint a wealthy person to support the chorus of a troupe. Twice a year, the state held a contest for the best tragedy and the best comedy. Of course, the playwright received credit for his writing, but the prize officially went to the…
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:11 NIV) On a normal Thursday evening a couple of weeks ago, my daughter and I arrived at her piano teacher’s house…
Farming is unpredictable. Four years on our farm in East Tennessee, and that is probably the major lesson I have come away with. Rain is good. Too much rain is bad. Sun is good. Too much sun is bad. Predators are needed to keep the ecosystem in check. Unless they come after the animals you…