Tag: rituals

Spring garden, part 1: the herbs

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, fitness, gardening, health

In honor of National Herb Week (first week of May) we're starting to get our herb garden into shape for this year. A quick tour of the raised bed revealed a nice surprise: some of last years perennial herbs have greened up already and are looking pretty edible. The first ones I noticed were the chives. As Stephen … Continue reading Spring garden, part 1: the herbs

Post Easter Post

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, family, Holidays, tweens

Easter is one of my favorite holidays, having somehow escaped the drama and bad memories with which  many of the other major holidays are fraught  for me. Although the bunny is now known to be Mom and Dad by both kids, we continue the traditions that we started when they were little. We fill a basket … Continue reading Post Easter Post

Lunch on the lam

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, books, Life in the cube, quest for the best, restaurants

Sometimes life in the cube can get overwhelming. Have you ever been at work and just wanted to take a break? I mean, really, take a break. Change the scenery for a half an hour? Not make small talk? Not force positivity for just a little while? This is when an audio book can come … Continue reading Lunch on the lam

Expanding the flock~(revised)

by Karen, posted in chicks, family, local fun, raising chickens

...is proving to be no easy task this spring. My husband anxiously anticipated the arrival of the chick catalogues, nad contacted some new (to us) hatcheries for their catalogues, and planned to get some chicks from New Mexico in March and from Texas in June. At the end of February they wouldn't accept the March … Continue reading Expanding the flock~(revised)

The ides of March~Grieving my dead relatives part 5

by Karen, posted in family, good grief

John I always liked the sound of "The Ides of March" from when I'd first come upon the phrase in my reading of Shakespeare. In 1998, it took on a new meaning: the day that my father died. He was on hospice so his death was no surprise. My mother's (who had died 2 years … Continue reading The ides of March~Grieving my dead relatives part 5

“You are my sunshine” (Grieving my dead relatives, continued)

by Karen, posted in family, good grief, health

So, it's that time of year again; when the anniversary of the day a relative died rolls around and you try to remember without being too sad. This is my mother. At the time this picture was taken, she was a sister, a daughter. At the time this picture was taken, she was not yet … Continue reading “You are my sunshine” (Grieving my dead relatives, continued)

National Homemade Soup Day

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, health, Karen's Kitchen, Pantry Project, tweens

This year, it's this week (yesterday, actually) but hey, soup is forgiving! So....here's some reasons to dive in: Top 5 reasons to make some homemade soup: You've got some leftover turkey (or chicken)  bones from your Thanksgiving (or Christmas or New Year's Day) dinner in your freezer. You are living in New England, it's winter, and you are freezing … Continue reading National Homemade Soup Day

The first harbinger of spring

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, family, local fun, restaurants

I have some  happy news for all of you that live here in southern Maine. Spring is nigh. How do I know this?  Because: THE DAIRY QUEEN IS OPENING TODAY!!!! If your family is anything like mine, you've been counting the days until the DQ reopened...well count no more. Now, after Memorial Day weekend and … Continue reading The first harbinger of spring

My new year’s word: Part 2

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, books, Holidays, Karen's Kitchen, Pantry Project, writing

I finally did choose my one word for 2011; my word is:  EDIT. I'm loving this word for many reasons. I can actually remember it! It works its way up from my unconscious with very little effort on my part. Bam! It's there, remember to 'edit'! It applies to my Pantry Project: use the food I have … Continue reading My new year’s word: Part 2

My New Year’s Word

by Karen, posted in (it's all about the) food, fitness, Holidays

I'm sorry, but I have to ask: is there a more thankless job than deconstructing Christmas? I mean, touring the house, scavenging all the nooks and crannies for the little Santas, Nutcrackers, and whatnots that have been stashed hither and yon, all in the name of festivity, inevitably finding one or two refugees after all … Continue reading My New Year’s Word