Scooby Dooby Doo!
Halloween. At first glance, Halloween is a time of superstition. It’s a holiday steeped in the history of ancient pagan festivals. Halloween blurs the lines between life and death. It ushers in the dark, cold days of winter, and offers the chance to ward off ghosts and evil spirits. But Halloween is also a time […]
Reflections from the Class of 1969
By Columbia Home Blogger & Contributing Writer, Nellie Symm Gruender Reflections From the Class of 1969 Over the last weekend I had the opportunity to attend my 45th (gasp) High School Reunion in Decatur, Illinois. Our graduating class of 1969 had almost 500 people. During our celebrations some of my classmates and I had a […]
Life Gives you Lemons
Written By: Columbia Home Blogger, Jayme Dement Drink lemonade, it’s more fun! I wonder sometimes when I watch how people live their lives or hear them “discussing” the woes of the world if they are lemons or lemonade…and I also wonder do I which am I? I believe myself to be a lemonade maker most […]
Out of Office
By Kristie L. Wolfe This summer, I did something unusual. All at once, I increased my productivity, enhanced my creativity, and enriched my problem-solving abilities. My energy level increased and my tension decreased. It didn’t require a prescription or a co-pay. It cost my employer not a cent, but improved my mental and physical health, […]
Another Event
Another Event By Kari Laudano As a human, you attend a lot of events throughout your lifetime…A LOT of events. As we get older it seems the number of events we are invited to attend grow exponentially. Birthday parties, weddings, graduations, religious celebrations, anniversaries, holiday parties, funerals, inaugurations, ribbon cuttings, grand openings, black tie galas, […]
What’s in a name?
As a parent, choosing names for your children can be a difficult thing, especially when you don’t have any idea what type of personality they are going to have. My now 15-year-old son Alec was a Jake for eight and a half months until I freaked out because I knew many of my friends were […]
Clothing Rules
Do you ever feel old, or just think you’re getting older when you look around and see the way some younger girls dress? Well, I don’t think it has anything to do with our age! Kids in general are dressing older sooner, and with that comes lifestyle choices. I don’t know about you, but I’m […]
Cake
The issue of endless options in event planning is, well, endless. There are so many different topics I could focus on, so rather than try to touch several lightly, I am going to focus on one – cake. I don’t think I’m that old, however, I clearly remember going to birthday parties as a child, […]
Cake, shaving and other tough decisions
The fact that I manage to get dressed every day is no simple feat (and yes, I am counting the days that I take my pajamas off, shower and put a clean pair of pajamas on). It really should be recognized and rewarded (there are lamer awards out there). Why you ask? Because of the […]
Fear.
Fear. It doesn’t take most of us to reach adulthood before we have developed a fear of something: spiders, snakes, flying, pubic speaking, failure, being alone, water, fire, loud noises, dogs, elevators, closed spaces, etc. Fear is a completely normal response to dangerous situations. However when its irrational and keeps you from enjoying life, its […]
Wiener Apfelstrudel (Viennese Apple Strudels)
Executive Chef Daniel Pliska from the University Club at MU has launched a recipe book that showcases dessert techniques through well-illustrated, step-by-step instructions. Pastry & Dessert Techniques features 65 delectable desserts, including these delicious apple strudels on page 231 of the book. Pair them with the caramel or creme sauce, and your guests will be […]
Love Is All We Need
My mother recently lost her father. He was 90, frail in mind and body and by all accounts, probably ready to go. In the end, he didn’t suffer. He died peacefully surrounded by people who loved him. In the days preceding my grandpa’s death, the hospice nurse called my mom and suggested that she say […]