This fall, both Caroline and Carter are playing soccer. Which means this:   is now a permanent fixture on my countertop. And I’m okay with that. The crock pot did get a break this summer. Summer schedules aren’t quite as crazy, and the grill gets a work out this time of year. The crock-pot was sent to its bottom cabinet space behind the waffle maker and the back-up toaster. But now it’s out again, and probably will stay out through the...

I am definitely a list maker. Every morning my day starts with writing down on a small yellow legal pad my to-do list for the day. I also make grocery lists, Christmas card lists, and lists of present ideas. You name it, I probably have a list for it. But one thing I haven’t put into list form — my plants. That is, until now. I’ve always thought keeping a garden journal would be a good idea. It would probably help me remember the names of...

“It was so interesting to me that a ride could make me so frightened, so scared, so sick, so excited and so thrilled, all together. Some didn’t like it. They went on the merry-go-round. That just goes around. Nothing. I like the roller coaster. You get more out of it.” Grandma, played by Helen Shaw, Parenthood, 1989. Parenthood is one of my favorite movies. I love it all, but I really love the roller coaster scene with Grandma. Ever since...