For many women this day specifically designed for feminine springtime joy, often triggers grief, anger and tears instead.
Category: Holidays
Enduring Love
Valentine’s Day 2024 is my first Valentine’s Day in 44 years without my husband. Please do not feel sorry for me. I’ve received unexpected cards, chocolates, and other expressions of love. And I have a dinner date with the cutest, sweetest 6-year-old little man, who looks a lot like his Bop. Our first date was…
You Are Never Too Old to Take a Joy Ride!
As 2023 ends, what I simply want to convey to this “Living Your Best Life” Sixty Plus audience, is that I am going to continue to look for, abide in, cling to, bring as much as possible to others, but mainly, choose JOY in all circumstances as I am barreling through my sixth decade—and, I pray, for several more beyond.
When Happy isn’t in Your Holidays
You won’t have the energy of previous holidays because loss depletes us emotionally, mentally, and physically. Stop and ask yourself what is most important? What can you do this year? Maybe instead of baking dozens of cookies for friends and relatives, you focus on meeting the basic needs of your family.
Illuminate Your Christmas with Faith and Joy
At the juncture of the Christmas season and family celebrations lies a potential treasure of tradition. Old handwritten recipes carefully written by a long-gone grandmother are resurrected as you prepare her memorable dish. The holidays are a season of fondly recalling prior Christmas memories while building new ones to cherish. Nothing remains static or stays the same. Life moves forward like a living mural, transporting memories and traditions and creating something new. Traditions are fluid—they only seem static from a distance.
About Being Grateful
Shifting to an attitude of gratitude keeps us focused on what we have. I think it also helps us believe in the abundance all around us and pull more of those good things into our lives. I know I need a reminder every once in a while, so as we rock our way into the holidays, it seems like a good time to share some of my favorite gratitude tips.
Holidays in a Step-Family
“I feel badly for my kids and stepkids during the holidays,” Amber, a stepmom explained. “They are shuffled between homes, unfamiliar traditions, and new stepfamily members. I can tell it’s stressful for them. I wish there was something I could do to make it easier.” Amber recognizes the complexities and tension the holidays can stir…
Did You Know Cranberries Float?
Mary Clare, my oldest granddaughter who is now 9 and has been making cranberry relish for years, recently reflected: “Oh yes, that’s the best part of making cranberries because they float even though you don’t expect them to.”
Perfect Thanksgiving Dinner
Invite family and friends over, make the old-fashioned turkey dinner and top it off with the perfect pumpkin pie. This menu offers all the parts you’ll need without being so full of vegetables, pies and extra work that you’ll have to start on it a week ahead. Additionally, I’ve included the timetable here so even a novice cook can have everything come out on time.
St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Party Menu
The day of the party, make the Dark Chocolate Guinness Cake with Bailey’s Icing. Start with the cake. You do not want to serve it hot as it will melt the icing. This makes it a good choice for baking earlier in the day. One note on the recipe. It says to butter and line the springform pan (also known as a cheesecake pan), but the recipe doesn’t say what to line it with. I checked other similar recipes and they did not suggest lining the pan. I buttered it, but didn’t line it. It worked fine. I suggest making the cake in the morning and the frosting later, early afternoon. Once frosted, I put the cake in the refrigerator so the frosting sets up. As the recipe indicates, the frosting should look like the froth on a glass of Guinness. So, just spread it over the top. Bring it back to room temperature before serving.