Category: Family life
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On Turning 50: Discoveries and Delights about God, Myself, and the World
Big birthdays provide opportunities to celebrate and reflect. In honor of turning fifty on Monday, I thought it would be fun to share with you my list of 50 discoveries and delights as I reflect on my life at this point. May they bring a smile to your face, and perhaps, a nod or two…
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A Postscript and a New Word (Expression?) for 2020
First, an update. Brad’s back is much better! After spending nearly two weeks on his back (almost our entire Christmas Break!) he received a helpful nerve-block injection that made it possible for him to stand, to walk, and basically to do normal life again without severe pain. In some ways, we are still reveling in…
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Caregiving For All Seasons
These days, my role as a caregiver looks different than it did ten years ago. I have two young-adult children who can basically fend for themselves. But, I can still recall with vivid detail the season of life where my caregiving duties were in much more demand. From chauffeuring my kids to games and practices,…
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What I’m Up To This Summer
It’s hard to believe July is almost over. As August approaches, I know my days of summer and free time draw to a close. With the couple of weeks I have left before school responsibilities begin, I plan to enjoy and savor each day. Today, the lingering humidity of the past couple of weeks lessened.…
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A Sane Approach to Food
Yesterday, while returning from a family weekend in Michigan, I read my latest copy of Real Simple. To my delight, I discovered a refreshing piece entitled “Balance: The Clean Eating Rules to Follow and to Break.” Finally. An article that handles food in a way that doesn’t heap loads of guilt on the reader and…
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A New Chapter, 2018
How is it possible that it will be mid-January next week? Wasn’t Christmas just a few days ago? It’s been a while since I’ve posted to Always Orange. I started a post several times, but never made any progress. But here it is. 2018. And I’m determined to post with more regularity in the…
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Late-Fall Shorts
Adjusting to an Empty Nest Anna left for her year abroad on September 3rd. Nothing quite prepares you as a parent for leaving your youngest at the airport, knowing she will be across the Atlantic for the next year. As I watched her make her final steps through security, I felt my smile start to…
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La Belle Province, par deux
Next week, our family will visit la belle province—otherwise known as “the beautiful province”—a nickname often used for Quebec. Last summer, Brad and I spent a week exploring Montreal, loving the European-charm-meets-modern-city feel of the place. During our stay, we found ourselves repeating the phrase, “the kids would love this city.” As we began to…
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Road Trip Manual
Summer has arrived in full force on Long Island. The parking lots to the beaches fill before noon. The blooms on the hydrangeas are so plentiful that the branches droop to the ground, trying to bear the weight of the blueish, purple-flowering globes. All of my favorite summer flavors—basil, tomatoes, corn, fresh mozzarella, and berries…
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Slow Cooking: A Magical Transformation
It could be because it is winter. It could be because whatever is “old” is now “new.” Or it could be because cookbook writers and others have been singing the praises of the humble crock pot for the past several years. Whatever the reason, slow cooking is enjoying a revival. The latest issue of Better…
Alicia Brummeler 