I'm just trying to walk myself home.
This story was first published in September 2008 when my oldest son, Cole, started middle school. Actually, this story was also published in a story collection. I, of course, told no one about this because that was before I could say out loud that I Am A Writer. Tread Lightly When It Comes To Middle …
Don’t worry. This story has a happy ending. I feel like I owe you that much after yesterday’s story. And if you stay tuned through all twelve days, I also promise to redeem my father from Christmas Gambler to Mountain Hero. Deal? So like I said, a happy ending. I, myself, really enjoy happy endings, …
Friends, I have an announcement. I am giving myself a gift this Christmas. A big one. I am opening a gift this Christmas Eve that I should have given myself a long time ago. I am giving myself the gift of being a writer.
Last weekend, Taido and I went downtown by ourselves and we walked up and down Union Street and did just a tiny bit of shopping. Mostly we just enjoyed looking at the lights that are making Aberdeen’s city center shine so bright! LOVE! Then we went to a pub, where I had an ale that …
A dear friend of mine, Jerusalem Greer, wrote a book that was published last spring called A Homemade Year. It is a lovely book of of stories, photos, recipes and craft ideas for celebrating the Christian liturgical year. The recipes and crafts are wonderfully practical for giving your family ideas for celebrating some of these …
On one of our recent school holidays, we drove a bit of the Scottish Coastal Trail, a historical Heading north from Aberdeen, we thought we could make a few unplanned stops, end up somewhere fun for lunch and then slowly make our way back home in time for a late dinner. We stopped first when …
A couple of weeks ago, I introduced the Expat Stories Series here at the Chino House! It was so fun to watch as you all responded to Tina’s Expat Story! It reminded me what FABULOUS readers you are AND it made me look so forward to sharing more of these. So thanks y’all! Today’s Expat …
So we’re enjoying/slodging through (depending on who you talk to) our two week long Tattie Holidays. Some of us might be composing a letter in our heads that goes something like this, Dear Scotland, Your Tattie Holidays are TOO LONG. Sincerely, The Mother of Grumpy Teenagers. Actually there have been some great moments of exploring …
Perhaps you have been told at one time or another that the Irish people are friendly and warm. You might have also heard that Ireland is sometimes called the Land of A Thousand Welcomes (Cead Mile Failte). But before I actually went to Ireland, I didn’t understand that this phrase is not just a slogan. …
Pride and Prejudice for Wee Ones! Friends! We’ve discovered the most adorable series of board books based on English classics. Pride and Prejudice will always be one of my very favorite stories! We watched the 1995 BBC version recently and I fell in love all over again. Mother and I found this darling book in …
Our second week in Aberdeen has been full of cobblestones, pretty buildings, new discoveries and big adjustments. We’ve logged some miles seeing our new city, the center of which is a constant bustle of activity.
My dear friend, Sarabeth Jones, has graciously agreed to guest post today. She writes at The Dramatic, where you can read more of her great stories and see her gorgeous pictures! Hi there! It’s Sarabeth. While Alison is off gallivanting around the mountains, I’ve been preparing for our upcoming week at the beach. Getting ready …
If it seems like this Seven Project is lasting forever, well, that would be because… it is. Seriously, last month was Media, and I still haven’t caught up on all the things I missed. Of course, it’s possible that if I am trying to cram all the information back into my life after the screen …
A few weeks ago, we took advantage of a school break to go Spring Camping in Missouri. It rained for a lot of the time we were gone, but I still loved getting away. The spring rain has made the flowers and trees sparkle with color this year, and it always makes my heart …
Today I am super excited, because we are introducing our first Chino House Family Video: Family Cycling The Story Behind Our Video Simon and I frequently watch a sweet series of videos that Gabrielle Blair of Design Mom introduced of her family called Olive Us. (If you’ve never seen one, watch How To Visit A …
Last week, I flew to Chicago, where I had the wonderful privilege of spending a few days working with my sister, Anna, in her new restaurant, Blackberry Market. Anna and her husband, Robert, opened Blackberry in December. I spent a harried couple of days there in January and just got a small glimpse of the …
Today we are teaming up with Compassion International for World Malaria Day, to bring awareness to the fact that half of the world’s population, 3.3 billion people are at risk for malaria. Ben and Simon got involved to help me create a Diary Of A Mosquito. Some of my kids favorite picture books are the …
A Visit to The Doge’s Palace in Venice, Italy This post is part of a continuing series about a Mediterranean Cruise I took with my thirteen year old daughter in the fall of 2012. After wandering the city of Venice for several hours, we visited The Doge’s Palace. Overlooking the Grand Canal, Doge’s Palace was …
I just need a couple of hours to myself. Do you ever feel that way? Since Spring Break, it feels like we have been in catch up mode. Since my husband works at a church, sometimes Holy Week is really busy. I have to be super intentional to pay attention on Easter Weekend or sometimes …
We’re always sad to drive away from the mountains, but we made so many wonderful memories last week at Snowcamp in Taos! I am posting loads of pictures so I can remember our Spring Break in detail in the years to come! Here’s a rare moment at the top of a lift with Taido. Sometimes …