June 2015

It was all I could do to contain myself when I discovered that the luxury hotel chain Four Seasons was building a resort at Walt Disney World Resort. Most people who know me understand my unabashed obsession for everything Disney, but they may be surprised to learn that I feel…

There was a certain panic in that voice that made me stop and look around. A middle-aged man was standing in front of the theatre; his head darted from person to person as the crowd made its way to the exit. As I came closer, I heard him explaining to…

Personal debt is deep-sixing college degrees at an alarming rate according to a study by Teenage Research Unlimited, as more students drop out of higher education not because of failing grades, but failing finances. The Virginia Board of Education is helping to reverse this trend, requiring all high school graduates…

They had a plan. My oldest daughter Sam, who was just shy of twelve at the time, and a neighborhood buddy wanted to go on an adventure, a mile-long walk to the ice cream shop that had just opened down the street. These two had had relative autonomy in the…

One of my favorite TV shows growing up was Franc White’s The Southern Sportsman. I’ll never forget how he signed off each episode with, “Do yourself a favor, take a kid fishing.” I liked it so much, I used it as one of my senior quotes in high school. Most…

I was introduced to Rachel Macy Stafford, also known as Hands Free Mama, through a blog post she called “Six Words You Should Say Today.” I immediately developed a deep appreciation for her parenting style. She’d read an article about how when college athletes are asked what kind of encouragement…

Summer is upon us, and for many, it’s a time of celebration. There are graduations, weddings, birthdays, and end-of-school parties left and right. Being the mom of “advanced maternal age” that I am, (thank you OB-GYNs everywhere for that moniker) I have friends who are at every end of the…

As spring blooms start to diminish, here’s a crafty way to make some gorgeous flowers of your own. It’s perfect timing for gift giving, too, with Father’s Day and graduations on the radar. Plus, these will look fresh all summer long!   What you need: • Colorful paper (origami paper…

Q: My husband and I have recently separated and are headed toward divorce. While we disagree on many things, the one thing we both want is to lessen the negative impact of the divorce on our 8-year-old daughter. Any suggestions? A: The choices parents make as they move on with…

Barbara Cole is a wife and mother, a career woman with a master’s degree in business, an overachiever, and a self-proclaimed optimist. “Some have called me a force of nature,” Cole explains. “I’ve never met an obstacle I could not get around, overcome, or power through!” In 2010, at 53,…

Over the past twenty years or so, there has been a dramatic rise in food allergies diagnosed in children.  There are likely many factors involved in this increase, but as a parent of a child with one or more food allergies, the reasons aren’t that important. It can be a…

Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Peach Glaze For the glaze, blend 1 cup peach preserves, 2 teaspoons grated lime peel, 2 tablespoons lime juice, and salt and pepper. Cut pork tenderloins crosswise in half, and then cut each half lengthwise down the center. Brush pork with glaze. Heat grill to 350…

We all know how much our dogs and cats love to eat. But based on recent veterinary surveys, more than half of our pets are overweight. Overweight pets are at a higher risk for developing arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and some cancers. If you think your pet…