January 2014

If you’re a fan of home improvements, budget-friendly decorating, and fun-loving, down-to-earth families, you’ve probably heard of Young House Love, the wildly popular blog in which John and Sherry Petersik track the creation of a stylish, comfortable Richmond home out of thrift-shop finds, craft supplies, and repurposed merchandise from the…

Few actions we undertake on a daily basis are as dangerous as just plain driving a car. If the driver is distracted – by eating, grooming, talking on the phone, or texting – the risk of harm or death skyrockets. A study out of Virginia Tech shows that around eighty…

Grand-parenting should be easy to figure out and carry out. After all, there are sixty-four million boomer grandparents in America, many of whom are quick to share their daily happenings across the world of social media. There’s no shortage of so-called experts online and on TV to tell them what…

I love my ex, and not in a pining, unrequited love kind of way. I really do. My friends think I’m nuts. In a way, I love him more now than I did when we were married, because now we don’t have to live together. In fact, we still celebrate major holidays…

You search my face for an answer, a reason, some meaning to what has happened, but I have no words to make things better, no way to make it right. I can only try to hide my sadness from both of you as I wonder just who and how and…

My hand will barely scrawl out that four in 2014 – wow, where did 2013 go? After the nice long Christmas break, this bright new year awaits us, brimming with possibilities. Do I dare take another shot at those elusive resolutions? Will this be the year I get back into…

“But I only eat yellow cheese,” the little friend at the kitchen table told my 6-year-old daughter. Moments earlier, I had placed a slice of marbled cheddarella (that yummy combo of cheddar and mozzarella) along with four round crackers on a napkin in front of each of the girls. I…

Join RMHC for a Virtual Family Sleepover During Valentine’s Weekend Pick a night during the weekend, February 11 through 13, to grab your pajamas and bring the family together for some good old-fashioned quality time. A brief pre-recorded program will be available to all participants. This event is all about…

About a decade ago, I bought my first home. It was a “sweat equity” fixer-upper, and I was a poor law student. The price was right, and I wasn’t deterred by the fact that the place came with no water heater and blank wall space where the kitchen cabinet had…

Resolution season is in full bloom, but unfortunately very few end up being successful. So instead of making half-hearted resolutions for your family’s finances, why not start with a simple tip and see if it works? If successful, you’ll have the momentum to tackle another – and another. Changing your…

Q. When my dad was in hospice, my husband insisted that our kids (six and nine) not be part of that experience. I thought then, and still think, this was a mistake and that the kids should have been able to say good-bye to their grandfather. What do you think?…

In any pediatric practice, second only to, Does my child have an ear infection? Is this question from parents: Does my child have strep throat? Strep throat is caused by a bacterium called group A betahemolytic streptococcus or GAS. It is spread by direct contact with the mucous of an…

As a mother, I can understand and sympathize with the frantic phone call from a client that begins, My dog nipped at my granddaughter! Or this concern: My dog got kicked out of daycare! Or this one: My dog can’t get along with my best friend’s dog. I understand how…

A traditional snow globe is a unique and colorful decorative accent for any room. You might also look into commemorating a special vacation or sports season by crafting a snow globe tribute. What you need: • Glass jar with a tight-sealing lid (try mason jars) • Small plastic figure or…

One-Pot Harvest Soup In a large saucepan, melt 1 stick of unsalted butter. Add one cup chopped onion, 2 peeled garlic cloves, and 1 cup each: peeled, cored, and diced Gala apple; peeled and sliced parsnip; peeled and chopped butternut squash; peeled and sliced carrots; peeled and diced sweet potato.…