A Case For and Against Detox

As you might know, Brandon and I planned to detox throughout the month of January after happily indulging in all things sweet and fermented for the month of December.  It only seemed right to respond with the same or more fervor about diet as we had given toward gorging ourselves with holiday treats.We started offContinueContinue reading “A Case For and Against Detox”

Status Update: TLDR

I learned a new Internet abbreviation this week, TLDR, as in “too long, didn’t read,” which has me all kinds of sad because, well, here you are on my blog that by design goes “on and on and on.”  I am the definition of “long-winded.” Before you click away from this page after adding “TLDR” toContinueContinue reading “Status Update: TLDR”

Resolution Time!

Here’s a tip for next holiday season: It’s probably a bad idea to eat leftover pierogies every day after Christmas through the New Year. Maybe this wouldn’t be such a big deal if it wasn’t also coupled with nut roll. And baklava. And buckeyes. And other delicious calories consumed the last two weeks, all ofContinueContinue reading “Resolution Time!”

Advent Day 24: Empty Tree Syndrome

I fought the impulse to keep buying things for our kids this year. They have so many toys and so many family members who love them and want to buy them gifts, too, but at the same time, we don’t want to seem like the Grinchiest parents on the block.Last night as I wrapped theContinueContinue reading “Advent Day 24: Empty Tree Syndrome”

Advent Day 22 and 23: Seasonal Weed and Feed

Even though there are plenty of ways we abuse the Christmas holiday with Black Friday and doorbuster sales and buy one get one and layaway and credit card debt, I can’t imagine ever abandoning the tradition of giving gifts at Christmas.Last Christmas, I had something akin to superhuman energy and assembled a dozen or soContinueContinue reading “Advent Day 22 and 23: Seasonal Weed and Feed”

Advent Day 21: We Are Outraged!

It is the darkest day of the year.  Folks in the northern hemisphere will see just nine hours and thirty-two minutes of daylight today, and if you are here in Ohio, that light is blocked by a thick layer of clouds and rain. Time is short to spread the light, to let the light shineContinueContinue reading “Advent Day 21: We Are Outraged!”

Advent Day 19: How Long, O Lord of the Universe?

Written some 700 years before the birth of Jesus, the Book of Micah records this prophetic statement for today’s advent verses: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancientContinueContinue reading “Advent Day 19: How Long, O Lord of the Universe?”

Advent Day 18: Treasure These Things

Building off of yesterday’s post on sharing the good news, today’s verses are encouraging to me because of the “but” that begins the passage:”But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were justContinueContinue reading “Advent Day 18: Treasure These Things”

Advent Day 17: Sharing the ‘Good News’

If you’ve been alive for at least 18 years, it’s likely that you’ve heard once or twice or more the Good News of the Gospel about Jesus, Son of God, come to take away your sins.  You’ve probably heard or been led through or been offered the sinner’s prayer to ask Jesus into your heart soContinueContinue reading “Advent Day 17: Sharing the ‘Good News’”

Advent Day 16: From Above and Below

One night this summer while Brandon and I were at the beach with his side of the family, we sneaked out the patio doors of our bedroom and sat in the tall wooden beach chairs to watch the ocean and the sky as yet another meteor shower began.  The ocean pushed rhythmically against the shoreline,ContinueContinue reading “Advent Day 16: From Above and Below”