3–4 Years : Your Toddler’s Wider World (part 1)

Time flies when your child is a toddler and before you know it you will be planning for her first day at school. If she has been getting used to spending time with other children, you may also notice an increasing hunger to try new things or a need to be constantly stimulated by new … Read more

Planning the Perfect Wedding

  When planning a wedding, important decisions must be made well in advance. Countless people will become involved in the planning strategies, including family, friends, church staff, florist, photographer, caterer and too many others to list. It is vital that each one knows what is expected and what he or she can expect from the … Read more

Furry Friends – Family Forever

  When I was growing up, I distinctly remember the day my family got a dog. We went to a local humane society where my sisters and I picked him out. His name was Charlie. He was a great dog. I think he was a mix of cocker spaniel and something else. For all intents … Read more

Come Spring: Music and Family traditions

  Melinda Bryan might best be described as a young woman with an old soul At least when it comes to music and family traditions Since childhood, Melinda’s heart strings have been pulled tightly by traits she inherited from her ancestors such as a love for gospel music and a deep compassion for others. She … Read more

School Starters Out into the World : The Odd One Out? Making friends (part 2) – Friendship skills A complex activity

Friendship skills A complex activity It may seem that making friends just happens, an effortless side effect of your child playing with others and having fun. However, underneath this apparently simple activity, a host of personal and social skills are being tried and tested. Give and take Your child’s ability to share, developed gradually between … Read more

School Starters Out into the World : The Odd One Out? Making friends (part 1) – Stress-free children’s parties Ensuring a good time for all

Q: My child keeps coming home crying, telling me he’s been left out. What can I do? A: Not knowing whether he’ll be welcomed or rejected by friends can be both upsetting and anxiety-provoking, since each day brings uncertainty about what he’ll face. While falling out with friends is common at his age, the situation … Read more

Flavors and Ingredients : Regional and Traditional Method (part 2) – Rice, Wheat, Grains ≅ Congee, Cream of Wheat, Porridge

1. Rice, Wheat, Grains ≅ Congee, Cream of Wheat, Porridge A billion people eat congee daily, but you’re unlikely to find it on many restaurant menus in the United States, for the same reason that “porridge” and “gruel” don’t appear very often: it’s a dish meant to stretch the filling power of a few cheap … Read more

Flavors and Ingredients : Regional and Traditional Method (part 1)

Say your Aunt Suzie sends you a jar of her famous (or is it infamous?) homemade quince jelly. What to do with it? Someone suggests that you try it with Manchego cheese and crackers and, sure enough, the combination is delicious. But why? One potential explanation can be found in the history of the ingredients: … Read more

Flavors and Ingredients : Adapt and Experiment Method

You’ll have an easier time cooking as you learn about more flavors and the ingredients that provide them. Take time to notice the odors in the foods you are eating, taking note of smells that you don’t recognize. Next time you’re eating out, order a dish you’re not familiar with and try to guess its … Read more

My best friend‘s children

When my best friend passed away, her children and I both wallowed in despair. Afterwards, we found that we need the heal each other. Barrie and I met each other in the line of people queuing for lunch at school in the autumn 1975, two 3rd grade pupils united due to the mutual antipathy towards … Read more

Family – Q & A: The consultant for your relationship

The consultant for your relationship is showing up here! And she is waiting to answer your toughest questions… My husband and I both work at home. However, he thinks his job is more important; therefore, I have to run the errand and take care of the children. How to divide these works equally? It is … Read more

A Ride to Remember

Winters in the High country can be a lot of fun for young, and young at heart, as well. As some of us get a little age on us, however, we’re not as brave and adventurous as we once were. When my husband, Sam, and I first moved our family to the mountains, we played … Read more

Washington, D.C.’s Top 10 : United States Capitol (part 1)

From the elevated site that Pierre L’Enfant described as “a pedestal waiting for a monument,” the dignified Capitol has stood unwavering as the symbol of American democracy throughout its 200-year history. From the legislative session called by President Jefferson in 1803 to approve the Louisiana Purchase through to the House of Representatives’ vote in 1998 … Read more

3–4 Years : Managing Behavior (part 3) – Positive consequences

Positive consequences Rewards for good behavior do not need to be elaborate. Giving your child a hug, praising her, playing a game that she likes, letting her choose a book to read, or collecting beads or stickers  is often enough. The most effective method is to reward frequently, but not necessarily for everything or every … Read more

3–4 Years : Managing Behavior (part 2) – Behavior and consequences

Behavior and consequences The previous sections have explained the principles of “praise good behavior; ignore bad behavior.” This section introduces “time out” as a more extreme form of “ignoring.” It should only be used occasionally, but can be extremely effective. Remember, also, to keep an eye on the A,B,C, of your child’s behavior. Look at … Read more

3–4 Years : Managing Behavior (part 1)

In many ways the task of helping your toddler to manage her behavior should become easier during year 3–4. Now that she has more ability to understand and reason, you will be able to explain, rather than simply state, that she should or shouldn’t behave in a certain way. “Jamie feared ‘the monster’ who lived … Read more

Rome’s Top 10 : Vatican City (part 2) – Sistine Chapel Works

Sistine Chapel Works Plan of the Sistine Chapel Adam and Eve God imparts the spark of life to Adam in one of western art’s most famous scenes, then pulls Eve from Adam’s rib. Creation God separates darkness from light, water from land and creates the Sun and Moon. Michelangelo veers towards blasphemy by depicting God’s … Read more