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It’s approaching that time of year when many of us acknowledge the special people in our lives by giving them Valentine’s Day cards, organizing small celebrations, or preparing other small loving [...]

As a writer of historical fiction, I am happy to own Social Etiquette: or Manners and Customs of Polite Society, published in 1878.* Books like this serve me well as useful references for [...]

Is it any surprise that people are having trouble knowing who or what to believe anymore? The public seems polarized on contentious issues (i.e., decisions about whether or not to wear masks or [...]

I’m having trouble imagining the holidays without a house filled with friends and family. I’d happily restrict myself to just having our son come home but I know that as an essential worker it is [...]

Ingredients: 2/3 cup peanut butter (creamy or with chunks) 2/3 cup butter (melted) 1 cup brown sugar 1 egg 1 tsp. vanilla 1-1/4 cups flour ½ tsp. (heaping) baking soda

Yes!  That’s what the title says—my butt is apparently dead. Dead butts are a real thing. Who knew?! Like many of you, I intended to age gracefully. I consider myself to be a reasonably [...]

Ingredients: Crust & Topping 41-1/2 cups all-purpose flour ½ tsp. baking soda 1-1/2 cups quick quaker oats 1-1/2 cups brown sugar 1 cup butter Filling 1 pound pitted dates ½ cup hot water ¼ [...]

I love old things -- dishes, silver, furniture, jewellery, and books. I love that they represent bygone times and the lives of people who once owned and used and cherished them. I have several [...]