This week, Works-for-Me Wednesday is a backwards edition: Contributors are asked to post a question about something that isn't working, and readers can then comment on what works for them. Here's an issue that's been perplexing me: Too often, especially when talking to my family (partner Daniel and five-year-old son Nicholas), I realize that a … Continue reading How can I ask for what I need?
Throw the ball uphill!
As the playing-outdoors season is (slowly, teasingly) beginning, I've been repeatedly reminded of a really useful yet simple concept that a neighbor taught me two years ago: When a small child is involved in playing with a ball on a hill, throw the ball uphill. That way, when it hits the ground and starts rolling, … Continue reading Throw the ball uphill!
Balancing on the Ball
We've had an exercise ball for a couple of years now--one of those large, inflatable balls strong enough to hold an adult's weight, which can be used for lots of exercises. Daniel and I both love it. (Our five-year-old son loves it, too, but less for exercising than for rolling recklessly around the room and … Continue reading Balancing on the Ball
7 Lessons from Lent
It's 7 Quick Takes Friday at my favorite religious blog, and while my takes might not be quick, I'd like to share 7 things I recently learned: 1. I really, really hate flossing my teeth, and I do not get used to it. The reason I decided that my Lenten discipline would be flossing my … Continue reading 7 Lessons from Lent
Local Lent diary
UPDATE: Eight years later, I'm linking this Lenten inspiration to Hearth & Soul . . . and I'm thinking about how I can reduce the plastic coming into and being discarded from our home this Lent! I'm also going to make more of an effort to read the Bible to my three-year-old daughter, who has … Continue reading Local Lent diary
Excellent Educational Toy!
One evening last week, my five-year-old was in one of those moods where he makes unreasonable demands. "I have to have my own computer!" he said in an unpleasant tone. "You already have your own computer," I reminded him. He has one of those toy laptops designed for preschoolers; my uncle gave it to him … Continue reading Excellent Educational Toy!
Jeremy’s Stuffed Shells
Jeremy Halpern is a friend Daniel has known since grade school, who has some good ideas about food. He gave Daniel this recipe years ago, written on a tiny sheet of paper, which we have carefully kept ever since. These cheese-stuffed pasta shells have been our Christmas dinner every year since 1997. Once we'd tried … Continue reading Jeremy’s Stuffed Shells
It’s Only Monday.
I was invited by my pastor to present a "reflection" on the scripture readings for tonight's church service, like a short sermon. Our Episcopal parish has a service every day in this week before Easter, and we have a tradition of laypeople giving the reflections on the Monday and Tuesday--probably partly so that our pastor … Continue reading It’s Only Monday.
Chickicheesinara Sauce
A decade ago, my friend Alison posted some recipes online, and several times since then she'd mentioned her Chickicheesinara Sauce for spaghetti . . . but for some reason, I never got around to trying it until just a few weeks ago! Not only did my whole family like it, but also I noticed something … Continue reading Chickicheesinara Sauce
We Eat This. 8 Unusual Nutritious Foods
My mother has taken several trips around Japan, visiting many ordinary people and not just the tourist destinations. She says she's often been served an interesting food and asked what it is, only to get the reply, "We Eat This." Translation: "We don't know enough English and you don't know enough Japanese for us to … Continue reading We Eat This. 8 Unusual Nutritious Foods
Steel Kitchen Cabinets!
Our house was a bargain, priced about $40,000 less than similar houses in the immediate area. Our realtor said, "Well, it's a bargain to you because you like the kitchen. Most people would expect to spend about $40,000 totally redoing the kitchen." Yes, we're charmed by our kitchen decor, which dates from the 1950s: pink … Continue reading Steel Kitchen Cabinets!
A Reused Bin for Recycling
It's such a thrill when something that seemed old and ruined turns out to be useful! Here's an example that's really working for me: Back in 2005, when I was an assistant Brownie leader, the head leader got fed up with the amount of troop supplies she had to bring to and from every meeting--troop … Continue reading A Reused Bin for Recycling
40-Day Free Trial!
A note to non-Christian readers: Please don't think this article is not for you! The benefits of a free trial period for a lifestyle change can be yours, too, even without the religious significance. You can fast along with us for these 40 days, or choose a different time period. UPDATE: In 2020, Lent is … Continue reading 40-Day Free Trial!
Have an Adventure in the Afterlife: Play Ka!
UPDATE: "Ka" now has its own page, including a walkthrough that will help you if you need hints. I recently played the interactive fiction (text adventure) game written by my partner Daniel for the 7th Casual Gameplay Design Competition. It's called "Ka". It's fun, and it's doing well in the contest. Check it out! In … Continue reading Have an Adventure in the Afterlife: Play Ka!
Storing Cheese and Onions
Cheese and onions are the two foods I've had the most trouble storing in the refrigerator, after opening, without hosting a mold colony. I've tried various tips for safe storage and finally come across methods that work for me. They have one thing in common: glass jars, which are overall my favorite way of storing … Continue reading Storing Cheese and Onions
Handwashing Experiment
This would be a fun experiment for any group of kids over 3 years old. It is an activity for the Girl Scout badge Let's Get Cooking, combined with an activity I adapted from the Junior Girl Scout Handbook. My troop did it two years ago at the beginning of our work on the badge. It … Continue reading Handwashing Experiment
Girl Scout Snack Management
UPDATE in 2015: This article is about what I did with my Girl Scout troop, but it applies to any children's activity--and a lot of it also applies to adult activities where you might want to serve a snack! (I'm no longer a Girl Scout leader, but I expect to go back to it someday.) … Continue reading Girl Scout Snack Management
It’s 2010, and I still don’t need a cell phone!
Until last month, I had been carrying a 135-minute phone card in my wallet since October 2000. I didn't take it out because I'd used up the minutes. I took it out because the plastic is so old that it crumbled when I tried to transfer it to the new wallet I got for Christmas! … Continue reading It’s 2010, and I still don’t need a cell phone!
The Bluest Blue
A year or so ago, my church's assistant pastor began a sermon by saying, "You may never have really noticed our stained-glass windows." My jaw dropped. How could anyone not notice our stained-glass windows?! They're beautiful! They're very colorful, they depict a variety of Biblical characters and saints and symbols from obvious to obscure, and … Continue reading The Bluest Blue
Rambling Sprawl Estates
Due to the troubled economy on Mars, you've decided to break into the Earth pizza market. You've developed an assortment of brands that are nontoxic and nicely inconspicuous...you think. The next step is to test-market your wares in a controlled area where you can closely observe the results. Thus, you have dispatched families of Martians … Continue reading Rambling Sprawl Estates
The Earthling's Handbook 