Is there anyone else out there who feels like being a parent can be a thankless job? So much value is put on achieving, on being seen as successful, on advancing in one’s career, and on making money. Never mind the problem of maternity and paternity leave! Compared to our European neighbors, the U.S. does … Continue reading Success that matters: how to be your child’s sure foundation
Perhaps because raising a child is so all-encompassing and life-changing, the pressure to do it “perfectly” feels equally intense. Being a mom is such an incredible experience. You simply cannot imagine what it will be like until you’ve lived it. At times the rewards of being a mom can feel so much greater than expected, … Continue reading The myth of the perfect mom
Isn't it funny how our perspectives change over time? I'm telling you: it wasn't that long ago when a month felt much longer. By the way, how is it February already? Now, in my thirties, the seasons seem to come and go much more swiftly than they did even five years ago. Never mind when … Continue reading Mom and dad need time-outs, too: “me” time for parents
Ever since I heard a coworker talking about the fiber festival about 3 years ago, I have wanted to check it out. Finally this October I had a chance to go and it was worth the trip. My mother and I went and brought my daughter. I decided that it would be best to let … Continue reading Attending the local fiber festival
I can hear laughing in the background. Well, not really. I can imagine laughter in the background. Why? To be honest, I am not always "okay with the everyday". While from my exterior I might simply appear sweet and kind (which sure, I am), I am actually a highly competitive person, too. A cabled sweater I … Continue reading Being okay with the everyday
Christmas has always felt special to me. As a child I lived in a very snowy area of the US and enjoyed the winter every bit as much as the other seasons. Each day after school I would excitedly bundle up in my many layers of pants, snow pants, sweaters, coat, mittens, scarf, hat, and … Continue reading The wonder that is Christmas
When my daughter was still a tiny little thing I knit her a matching cardigan and hat for the fall and winter. Being a daring lady, I chose baby blue as the color, ignoring the traditional girly pinks. The yarn is a super wash wool, very soft and warm. It really looks gorgeous on her! … Continue reading Classic children’s cardigan and matching winter hat
Last night was the first night I spent away from my daughter since she was born two years ago. It wasn't exactly a vacation, as I spent the night in the medical clinic. No worries, though! Nothing terrible happened, unless you can call being hooked up to about 25 or 30 wires all night terrible. … Continue reading Time apart bringing us close
A stay-at-home day Yesterday was a stay-at-home day. The weather is getting colder here, and we just went through the daylight savings time change last weekend. I would say that we were tired, but I'm not sure that my daughter was. I definitely was. So, she and I stayed home all day and found things … Continue reading Lemon yogurt drizzle cake
It's been a little while that I've wanted to try my hand at puff pastry. For a lady with a toddler and a husband busy with medical school, rough puff pastry seemed to be the better one to start with. I say it's better because it is less time-consuming than traditional puff pastry, but not … Continue reading Simple puff pastries with jam
Susy's Home and Hearth 