Bring On Lemons

   Such a storm..."don't leave home" ... We had a slow start, a big breakfast, and the plan was to stay in jammies all day long. Until the teenage boy called asking for a ride to work. So much for that! "Get dressed you guys" "we don't want to" "me either - but since I have to, you do too. Might as well take ourselves out for dinner too" "really mom?" "yes - really" "where are we eating?" "As long as we are taking Andre to the Waterfront Wine Bar, we may as well eat there. I love their wine and I could go for some prime rib" "count me in!" (the first thing the children agreed on ALL day!) We spent a cozy evening in my favorite restaurant enjoying all of the amazing Valentine things without the crowd. I fully expected to spend the day at home reading and catching up on work. This was WAY better!  Today's post was penned by Crystal J. Casavant with the help of her deep forehead wrin...

  If you read yesterday's post, you know I was a little befuddled when it comes to Valentine's Day this year. In past years, the gifts on the table were definitely chosen by mom, but the kids were always led to believe they were from mom and dad or sometimes just dad. Mom would pretend along with the kids to be completely surprised by all the sweet things.  I wasn't going to do anything. I really wasn't - but I couldn't help myself. I woke up Valentine's Morning and looked at the empty table and missed my Daddy oh so much and longed for that feeling again. You know the one, the warm fuzzy feeling you get when you feel loved unconditionally. The feeling you get when you know someone loves you with a sacrificial deep love that transcends everything!  I put sweet little gifts by everyone's spot at the table - even my own. There were cards and love notes and no mention of who provided the magic. It was simply there and everyone enjoyed exploring their gifts and ...

Well, tomorrow is the big day. I know I know...Hallmark Holiday and such. I bought the Valentine's for school, filled out the cards, made the snacks, filled the candy jars, and now I have to decide what to do at home. Carmen's gift will arrive and since she opens all my packages any way (like a good teen daughter always does) it will work out beautifully and I ordered exactly what she wanted from Ulta so I know she'll be happy. I'll give Andre some money to take his sweetie out, so that's not a problem. But what about the table? The table? You ask... Well - for as long as I can remember my Dad would place my Valentine gifts on the table so I could wake up and feel special Valentine's morning. It's a tradition I continued long after he went to Heaven to be with Jesus. This is the first year it's just me and the kids though. This sounds trivial, but all the years I was married I'd still put gifts on the table and usually just skip myself in hopes that ...

    About the Book:   A poetic memoir on living with and loving rescue dogs.  Barth started adopting dogs to heal after the loss of her husband in 2008. In nine months, she went from one dog to six, all older dogs needing love as much as she did. From larger dogs to downsizing to Chihuahuas over the years, always five to six dogs sleeping in her bed. Each dog with a unique set of quirks but finding its place in the pack. Barth has captured the essence of their personalities in her poems. Sadly, dogs leave us too soon. Barth believes in honoring a lost dog by adopting another, giving it a safe-haven.  Meet a few of the pups. Queen Chloe, the first Chihuahua who ruled the larger dogs in her leopard print dress. Annabelle, the grumpy, pudgy cocker mix. Dumb and Dumber, the bonded father and son Chihuahuas who quibble then make up. Carmella from Animal Control who doesn't like other dogs. And the PS as of publishing this, Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds, a two-year ...

  I saw this advertisement on Facebook and I was drawn to head downtown Manitowoc to one of my all time favorite restaurants! We were greeted warmly by the lovely Shannon and had a most relaxing and enjoyable evening! The food at Harborside is absolutely wonderful, the portions are ridiculously large (don't let your 11 year old son get the adult size burger...even my little manchild can't finish that bad boy)! The salads are delicious, the desserts are sure to please, and the drink menu is never boring. One of my youngest daughters swears by the bacon wrapped shrimp - and she's right - best appetizer in the world! All around this is a 5 star dining experience in Manitowoc - friendly staff, comfortable and clean establishment, and fantastic food! This is the type of restaurant you can go to as a family, or you can get a sitter and make it romantical ... I took the kiddos and as always, they were welcomed with open arms (and a lovely gent even treated them to a dessert becaus...

  I was recently told about snow shoeing - and what a great way to get in a workout without feeling like you're working out! Did you know if you truly enjoy your aerobic exercise you're more likely to stick with it? If you've never experienced show shoeing give it a try. You probably have a friend or relative who has the gear, or you can rent equipment. Check out the parks near you and see what's available! You're welcome!  Today's post was penned by Crystal J. Casavant Crystal Casavant writes. Everything. If you follow her blog you have likely laid eyes on every thought she has ever had. Her debut novel, It Was Never About Me, Was It?  is still a work in progress and shall be fully worthy sometime in 2025. She has written for WOW! Women on Writing , Bring on Lemons , and has been featured in several magazines and ezines relating to credit and collections as well as religious collections for confessional Lutherans. She runs a busy household full of intellig...