The Cookie Critic

Every Monday, while I give piano lessons, my kids go to my parents’ house. And every Monday, when they arrive, there are freshly baked chocolate chip cookies waiting for them on Mom’s stove. All three of my kids have said that just knowing those cookies will be...

We Can’t Even Order Bagels Together

Last Sunday morning, Ken and I made a spontaneous stop at a bagel shop. As we waited in line, we chatted cheerfully about our plans for the day–happy to be together. But when it was our turn… well, that’s when the happy-go-lucky turned to...

Dear 17-Year-Old Me, (re: the MIRROR)

Dear Seventeen-Year-Old Me,Let’s talk about the mirror. Sometimes when you look in it, you’re disgusted. You think you’re fat or ugly or covered in pimples. You’ve already started to experiment with your eating habits and your hair and makeup.  You spend hours in your...

Dear 17-year-old Me, (re: BOYS)

Dear Seventeen-Year-Old Me,Let’s talk about boys. It’s going to be rough for a while. You’re going to crave the attention of boys, but mostly because you want to know that you’re OK. You want to know that you’re pretty enough, smart enough, and fun enough… And...

When My Family Gets the ‘Leftovers Menu’

My friend recently told me about being part of the meals ministry at church.She would be tying polka dot ribbons around her tidy tinfoil packages of steaming hot, delicious food, and tucking her added gift of little kitchen towels strategically into the basket to keep...

Neighborly Worm Slinging

Here’s a conversation I had one summer morning, with my nine-year-old son: Me: Honey, did you open the side door in the garage this morning? Him: Yeah, I went outside this morning while you guys were still sleeping. Me: What??! What were you doing outside? Him:...

He Kept Propping his Blueberry Bucket Next to Mine

Here are the blueberries we picked yesterday. And this is only the half that my mom didn’t take home! Over 85 pounds in two hours–definitely a record for us!Our success was due, in part, to one particular picker. In years past, he filled his tummy more...

“The Joy of Cooking” is not a Book I Own

For this story to have full effect, you must understand that my mom is a fantastic cook. I am not exaggerating when I say that complete strangers have walked to me up and asked, “Are you Judie Berry’s daughter? She makes the best rolls in the...

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