There is something magical, sometimes even transforming, about a goal.  Little goals lead to bigger goals, and bigger goals are built by achieving the little ones.  So naturally, as a lifelong runner, inspiration was flooding out the door when I flipped to the back of this month’s Runner’s World magazine and read about Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, a NASA astronaut.   I couldn’t lace up my Asics fast enough to run outside.  I was filled with inspiration from an incredible woman who had a very big goal.   There is nothing quite like seeing this brilliant, modest, fun mother achieve her lifetime dream of going to space.  And the things she has accomplished along the way, including an incredible level of fitness, are mind-boggling!  Read the rest of the story...

While swapping recipes, the Flying Hen and I found out that we had a favorite cookbook in common, the Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book.  Our mothers used older editions of the book and my Rooster even admits to being impressed with the wide range of topics covered in this timeless kitchen reference.  So on a recent trip to the bookstore, the familiar red and white checkerboard cover on a kids cookbook caught my eye.  It was Better Homes and Gardens Snack Attack!  Read the rest of the story...

If you have young kids, you can’t help but appreciate the unbridled joy that follows a visit from Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny or Tooth Fairy.   There is a small window of opportunity as parents to let kids’ imaginations run so freely, to believe in these “magic” beings.  So, why not extend the magic with Liam the Leprechaun on St. Patrick’s Day?!  Our chicks received their first visit from Liam three years ago, and he was a major hit.  He leaves little things about the house or outside – the kids have a blast and we get a chance to talk about St. Patrick’s day, which obviously holds a place of significance in U.S. as well as Irish culture.  So, here are few suggestions if you want Liam to visit this year!  Read the rest of the story...

Several days ago, my sister-in-law sent me an email, a forwarded message from her neighborhood email network. A little girl in her neighborhood had lost her beloved stuffed animal, a brown rabbit named Bun-Bun. The author of the note was looking for any information on the whereabouts of Bun-Bun to help out the “very broken-hearted little girl.” The message broke my heart, too. My son has a beloved stuffed animal, a pink rabbit who’s name is also Bun-Bun.  Read the rest of the story...