As children age, life gets busier. That is hard to explain, but I feel a lot busier now than I did when my kids were younger, and with me all day. Now when they get out of school, the evenings are short plus we have dance class, karate, ACRO, and scouts thrown into the mix. What gives with this type of  hectic schedule? Time in the kitchen. We need quick and simple meals most nights...

About a year ago, my friend Katja Presnal with Skimbaco Lifestyle told me she wanted to develop a jewelry line to go with her new Enjoy Life business. Katja is quite stylish. I've been in her company in Toronto, Italy, and in my own home in Raleigh. She is Finnish-born and has a very elegant, and Scandinavian style. We are quite different, but yet we have many similarities, too. When she told...

Do you remember that old Trisha Yearwood song, "The Song Remembers When"?  I feel that way about food and how it can trigger memories. I associate my vacations with what I ate while on my adventures. For example, I'll never forget this special trattoria in Italy that was just a few steps from our hotel where I had the best antipasti ever or the carrot soup I had in Ireland in a pub. My mind...

When families start planning vacations, many look beyond hotels and turn to VRBO properties or timeshare rentals because hotels just don't work as well for their needs. Vacations can be expensive for families, especially when you are eating out for every meal and scheduling activities to keep everyone entertained all day. You know I love a hotel more than anyone, but I have never stayed longer than...

I woke up this morning very happy. The boys went camping this weekend and when Will is gone, I let Liza sleep in Daddy's spot as you soon as she goes to bed. Unfortunately, she ends up in bed with us when he's here practically every night about 2:45 a.m. on the dot, but that's another story for another day.  I looked at her little face and just felt at peace with life. You see, my bloodwork...

With summer coming up, your skincare needs are going to change. Instead of layering on the product to protect your skin from stinging cold rain and wind, you’re going to need to protect yourself from the sun and the heat. So how do you do that? We are big sunscreen people in our house now because my husband was diagnosed with melanoma last year. He's in remission, but we take no chances...