Feels Like Home Blog™

I Found My Bliss

Late last week, I saw Tweets from two of my favorite bloggers about missing Blissdom, the blogging conference going on this weekend in Nashville. There was pouting, disappointment. Much more than those two, blogger all over the United States are pining for the fun they’re missing. I understand the feelings. I was there a few [...]

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Chicken Parmesan featuring Barilla® Whole Grain Pasta

Several times over the last few years, Joe and I have tried to switch to whole grain pasta. There are so many reasons to switch. Whole grains are healthier in general. The USDA’s MyPlate guidelines recommend making at least half of your grains whole grains. Whole grains contain more fiber than processed grains, and there [...]

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Cheesy Cauliflower Soup

Grace is picky. I don’t actually call her picky (in my head or out loud). I would like to believe this is just a phase, and she’s going to grow out of it soon. At least, that’s what I tell myself. We aren’t desperate, but we do play tricks to coax her out of this [...]

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What We’re Reading This Week

Do you know any books about ________? I get asked that question (and “How are you teaching Grace at home?”) at least once a week. I do know lots of good books, so I’ve decided to start sharing what we’re reading with you. Here’s what my girls are listening to this week: Little House in [...]

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Coloring a Valentine

An hour past her bedtime, after an epic meltdown in a bowling alley, she opened a valentine from her grandparents. An hour past her bedtime, while watching Jake & the Never Land Pirates and waiting for her father to put the baby down, she colored the valentine from her grandparents. Look, Mom! They’re having a [...]

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

Grace made this beautiful Valentine on Sunday at church. She was so proud of it that she presented it to me as soon as church was over. It tickled me because it says, “Tweet Me!” and “Text Me!” and Grace really knows what those means. She’s forever asking me, Who are you texting, Mom? [...]

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Crockpot Meatloaf

Today is Old Grandma’s birthday. I wanted to write a post all about some fabulous recipe that she makes that I make now, but I couldn’t think of anything. When Grandma was a young woman, she cooked in restaurants. For most of her life, Grandma made everything from scratch. Everything. I remember very clearly the [...]

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Candy Heart Learning Activities

I hesitate to buy any candy at all these days, but this homeschooling momma’s brain ran away with the educational possibilities that a bag or two of candy hearts would provide. Grace and I went looking for some on our last trip to the grocery store. I was excited to find larger than normal candy [...]

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Have a Homemade Valentine’s Day

I like Valentine’s Day. A lot. I know a lot of people say it’s a made up holiday, that it’s meaningless, and that it’s too commercial, but I disagree. When you make homemade Valentine’s Day gifts and cards, the holiday can simply be about appreciating the people you love. That’s what it’s about to me. [...]

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My Beautiful Baby

Allie is a real character. Sometimes, I wonder whether Allie is more spirited, more independent, more strong-willed than Grace was at this age or if I’ve simply forgotten how charismatic and animated Grace was. I think Grace was bigger, more mature, more a little girl than a baby at 13 months. Was she more verbal? [...]