bring joy

5 ways to make a good marriage, better

marriage

I can’t/don’t sing–except at church where my voice is comfortably drowned out by other voices, or lullabies to babies who don’t mind an off-note. I don’t play a musical instrument–other than very simple songs on the piano.

I can dance a little better now than I did in high school (6 years of teaching aerobics has a way of improving coordination–a bit), but you’ll never find me on “Dancing with the Stars.”

I was always smart “enough” to get into the top classes, but I was never at the top, and if I was, it was only due to an inordinate amount of willpower & work. I took art classes in college but I my professors always had a “I have no idea what to say” look on their face every time they looked at my mediocre watercolors & sketches.

Let’s just say, I have been deeply, painfully aware...

pumpkin caramel dark chocolate shooters

All your great comments on facebook & on the blog about yesterday’s post about simple gifting & Christmas has gotten me excited about this holiday season. Super excited.

(If you didn’t get a chance to comment, add your thoughts here. I’ll be using your comments & ideas on next week’s Frugal Tuesdays post.)

Specifically, parties. I live for parties.

Funny thing, I don’t actually get around to throwing or attending many. But, I entertain when I can, & I really enjoy it.

I’m gearing up for our Christmas party this year–we didn’t have one last year since we were in the process of moving, but the year before that I threw quite a memorable party, if I do say so myself. Great food, so many wonderful friends.

In my brainstorming, I thought of how lovely it would be to offer a mini-dessert,...

Frugal Holidays: simple gift giving

frugal life, frugal holidays

Every Christmas, I think: “This is the year I’m *finally* going to make the holiday season extra special.”

I think of all the things I can make, the traditions I want to start with the kids, the cookies & festive foods I will prepare. I get a little (a lot?) carried away with ambitious daydreams of hand crafting everything– the garlands I’m going to hang from every doorway, the wrapping paper (with homemade bows, of course), the frosted sugar cookies & peppermint fudge I’ll give to neighbors & friends, down to each perfectly executed DIY gift I’ll give. My holiday aspirations resemble something along the lines of Martha Stewart on steroids. It’s unrealistic, but I can’t help myself. I’m an optimist at heart, which makes me ever so slightly impractical (or crazy, either one).

We...