This has been a winter to remember.  I say this with some diplomacy as there are certainly better adjectives I could use, but this is a respectful blog, so I’ll leave it at that.  I will say, however, that I am always amazed at nature’s sheer power and fury.  I…

January can be a particularly difficult time, especially when the weather is as brutal as it has been and knowing we have, minimally, another two months ahead.  Winter blues and cabin fever can wreak havoc on our psyches, so breathe some life into the home and brighten your spirit with winter flowering plants. …

We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and took advantage of Small Business Saturday on November 30th, which is dedicated to supporting small businesses across the country.  We did, and patronized our local florist, gift shop, movie theatre, and bakery, although I tend to patronize the latter on a very,…

As storms ravaged the Midwest on Sunday, devastating our Central and Southern Illinois neighbors, our hearts and prayers go out to them as we drop to our knees and bow our heads in reverence and gratitude.  We are lucky… Thanksgiving approaches and is an ideal time to count our blessings and…

In honor of Halloween, and all things cryptic, dark, and evil, I offer you a frightening tale.  A tale so horrifying and blood curdling, the faint of heart may want to read through the safety of their cuffed hands.  Scarier still, the tale is true… Lurking in just about every…

Wow, what a spectacular weekend!  As luck would have it, our first annual, family camping trip was met with perfect weather, and the most beautiful, wondrous fall back drop imaginable.  The landscape was dotted with dramatic fall color, from the hard wood forests to the rolling prairies. The brazen trees reflected…

    The weather has been, um, just impossible.  I cannot think of a better term to describe the preposterous, ridiculous high temperatures and humidity.  Sure, September is a fickle lass, but she’s starting to get on my nerves.  Thankfully, the remainder of the week looks decent, but where is…