York, the Sommelier

The other day I stopped at World Market to pick up hagelslag*, otherwise known as chocolate sprinkles. They’re not crappy chocolate sprinkles like you get at the grocery store, they’re real European chocolate sprinkles and that’s what my kids like to put on their toast and bagels. While we were… Read More

July 16, 2015April 25, 2016

Are You A Night Person or Morning Person?

I grew up surrounded by Night Owls. Everyone in my family stayed up late all the time, particularly on weekends. This was mostly due to the fact that my mother has always been a chronic napper. We all knew that every afternoon was quiet time and there was no reason… Read More

July 11, 2015

The Book That Has Blown My Mind

This book has been blowing my mind over the last couple of days. Every few years I’ll find something that rocks my world, but none as done it quite like Chasing the Scream by Johann Hari. The use of word “revolutionary” is kind of my pet peeve, being applied to almost… Read More

June 30, 2015

Lovely Week in San Diego

This year we got our Big Summer Trip out of the way early on. We had a family reunion with most of Mister’s family out in San Diego. Mister’s Mother turned 80 this year and we all got together to celebrate. We rented a bunch of condos right on Mission… Read More

June 8, 2015April 25, 2016

High School Graduation (AKA Three Hours of My Life That I Won’t Get Back)

York just graduated from High School over the weekend. It was . . . how shall I put this? Less than interesting? I’m certainly glad he graduated. I know high school was a big ordeal and lots of work and we are very proud of York for making his four… Read More

May 27, 2015

The Kids Get Mission Calls

As you probably know by know, we’re Mormon. And one of the rites of passage for Mormons is going on a mission when young adults turn 18 or 19 years old (it’s strongly encouraged for boys–being the fools that they are–but optional for girls). Part of the reason is to tell… Read More

May 13, 2015

Teenagers (or Why Weekends Aren’t Fun Anymore)

I remember when I had little kids. There was nothing quite like a Friday afternoon when I would anxiously count down the hours until the babysitter would arrive and then I would be FREE! I didn’t even care where I went as long as no children came with me. I… Read More

May 1, 2015

Time To Get a Job

No, no, I’m not the one getting a job. Mister likes to tell me I ought to start winning the bread around here, but I’m much too good at being a stay-at-home mother. It’s time for the children to start looking for jobs! India has just returned from college in… Read More

April 13, 2015

Held Hostage by Bath & Body Works

Remember being a young teenage girl and realizing that you might just maybe, possibly smell bad? One day you’re spending your babysitting money on Wacky Packs and Hubba Bubba and the next day you’re riding your bike to the drug store to buy some Love’s Baby Soft, because what if… Read More

April 8, 2015January 9, 2017

Mud and the Zamboni of Doom

We live in a cul-de-sac which in real-estate terms is the equivalent of living in a wonderful dreamland. I don’t know why. When you live in a cul-de-sac there is never enough parking. We, and our guests, are all left to wonder do I park against the curb like a… Read More

March 25, 2015

Decorating Pet Peeves

I thought by now I’d be tired of Pinterest. But because there are infinity cool/pretty/clever things out there, I still remain powerless once I log on. I spend a lot of time looking at decorating and house decor. Not everything is groovy, though. There are lots of things that I… Read More