Writing Letters To Military Recruits During Basic Training

Photo VIA

When our loved ones are away at Boot Camp or Basic Military Training, we want to show our love and support by keeping a steady stream of letters or emails coming their way. I know the whole idea of a blank piece of paper or an empty email with only the To and From fields filled in is intimidating, but don’t be afraid.... your Airman, Soldier, Guardsman, Sailor or Marine will be so happy to hear from you! After all, this is going to be your main form of communication.

Flower Garden Essentials

I. LOVE. CHARLOTTE. MOSS. She is my go-to style guru. From the soap in the bathroom, the flowers in the garden, the book on the bedside table, her attention to detail is unsurpassed. All are strong symbols of a life in progress. You look at these details and a beautiful world unfolds. Even though it is planned, Charlotte makes it look effortless.

Cookies and Cream Icebox Cake

What makes a cake? Flour, sugar, greasing and lining pans, whipping and beating and spending all afternoon in the kitchen? I'll admit, I have a few cake recipes that are labor and time intensive — but this wouldn't be one of them. Containing all of four ingredients, and no bake time, this is the quickest and easiest cake I've ever made. Not to mention one of the best!

Bacon Florentine Pasta

Traveling through Italy taught me how quick and easy it is to cook pasta with fresh ingredients. Of course sitting at a side walk trattoria off of the Piazza Narvona gives GREAT inspiration! If you've never cooked with fresh spinach you will be surprised at how much it wilts and cooks down - so don't be intimidated by the 3 cups used in this recipe. Top this pasta dish with a couple of grilled chicken breasts, or the oh so very Italian bistecca, and you've got one fantastic speedy meal! ENJOY!

Inspiring Bookshops Around The World

My mother shared her love of reading with me. I grew up loving to read. I married a man who loves to read. We gave birth to two children who love to read. We are a family of readers and bibliophiles — book lovers. I am extremely grateful for this. 

A good date night for Mr.P and me is dinner, a trip to one of our favorite independent bookstores, a little late night music and maybe a trip to a coffee house or the frozen custard shop — depending on the weather!

HOBONOCHI or FAUXBONICHI?

Have you heard of it? A cross between a scheduler, notebook, art journal, diary...the Hobonichi planner has unlimited possibilities for uses. Hobonichi journaling originated in Japan in 2002 and has grown in popularity during the last decade. I really don’t know much about it other than it seems to be a page a day journal that focuses on visual journaling, which is right up my alley. It screams Susan Branch to me - whom I LOVE!