Christmas does not knock gently on our front door, it kicks it wide open like a tipsy old friend saying just a little too loudly, "Oh My God! I've missed you!!!" It comes at us like a bear hug in a crowded grocery store, the kind you see coming out of the corner of your [...]
Gratitude grows like an English popover, it spills over in a explosion of warmth and flavor and requires very few ingredients. I thought about that yesterday during our Thanksgiving dinner, which was missing some of our favorite people but still full of rich, buttery food and joy. We were thankful for moments -- a vigorous [...]
This year, I am especially thankful for persimmons and all they represent. My particular persimmons arrived unexpectedly, hand picked, dried and packaged from a brand new friend's backyard tree. They looked like little wheels of sunshine, all seeded and eager to please. "Hello there, little guys," I said as I opened up a little packet [...]
I wrote a piece about Appleton's kick off to the holiday season that took place Saturday. Light Up Appleton felt like a Hallmark Christmas movie come to life, complete with impossibly cute children, festive coffee stands, carolers, games, holiday markets and Mrs. Claus. I'm so grateful to everyone who worked so hard to put that [...]
They invited me to come along, but I honestly had more fun watching my two little sisters have a big night at the Phil Collins Genesis concert Tuesday night in Chicago. My sister Jenny (who also goes by Jenna) called it a Jenna-Sis night and they live-texted me throughout. As I've written about before, I [...]
