Forty years ago when I was growing up on our dairy farm in Wisconsin, my mother always saved the Christmas cards she had received in the mail. In those days, people sent many more Christmas cards than they do now.Today, I still find myself saving the cards that I get... Read More

"Wouldn't you just know it," muttered my husband, Randy.We had already been driving for a couple of hours in a pickup truck that we had borrowed from a friend, and now it was completely dark."What's wrong?" I asked sleepily. I had dozed off only a few minutes ago."It's starting to... Read More

Country Christmas Idea: Milkweed Pod Poinsettia OrnamentsAt first glance, milkweed plants and poinsettias don't seem to have much in common. If you live in an area where milkweed grows wild, however, you can use the dried milkweed pods to make poinsettia ornaments for your Christmas tree. Here's how:1. Collect some... Read More

Remember when no one started Christmas shopping until after Thanksgiving?Wisconsin author LeAnn R. Ralph remembers it very well."When I was growing up on our dairy farm forty years ago, the stores didn't put up Christmas displays until the day after Thanksgiving. No one was really thinking about Christmas shopping before... Read More

Some time ago I received a gift from both of my children. It was spontaneous and had nothing to do with Father's day. Yet, at the same time it had everything to do with Father's day.My son, Kai, - he was 17 at the time - was attending a private... Read More

Candy canes are everyone's favorite holiday treat. Just think about how versatile they are. Not only do candy canes look great hanging from Christmas trees, but their versatility makes them perfect for all kinds of decorative uses.Candy canes can be crushed or used whole in holiday arts and crafts projects.... Read More

One of my fondest childhood memories is of my mother helping me make a Valentine's box to take to school. We pulled out white paste, an old shoebox, scraps of doilies, and construction paper. There was a flurry of activity as I cut and pasted, and imagined my box filled... Read More

Ah, the start of another year! In a groggy haze on New Years Eve, I promised someone (or was it myself?) that I would be good this year. I said I would draw up my New Year's Resolutions ? particularly after the roller-coaster year I had last year. Well, a... Read More

If your diet is making you a humbug this season, there's some good news. Turns out dark chocolate, that decadent confection, may actually be good for you!Yes, recently conducted studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition have shown that a dose of dark chocolate will heed all sorts... Read More

While war and poor economic conditions begin to affect people all over the world, more and more people suffer with depression. The more we focus on news events and the business climate, the more we are depressed. Whatever the reason you feel is the cause of your depression, the following... Read More