My husband and I started a family tradition, 30 years ago, of hosting a Shenanigans Party to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with our Murphy relatives. We served Irish stew along with a variety of green foods. We drew names to exchange gag gifts - I remember my sister-in-law giving me a copy of Cowsmopolitan Magazine … Continue reading Shenanigans
Bucket Lists are great, but they can also be a bit overwhelming. It takes a great deal of planning, not to mention a mountain of cash, to go skydiving, take scuba diving lessons, climb the Eiffel Tower, and run with the bulls in Spain. These are not the things on my Bucket List, by the … Continue reading Streamlining That Bucket List
Most of us tend to measure life's journey in milestones - weddings, births, graduations, job promotions, retirements. We invest a great deal of time and planning into celebrating these things, as it should be, for they are, indeed, joyous occasions. There are, however, many ordinary days in between those special occasions. Sometimes, if we aren't careful, … Continue reading Simple Things Matter
June is such a beautiful time of year in Kentucky. Marshmallow clouds float against a crystal blue sky, swirling and dancing ever so gently. The season is filled with lots of fun outdoor activities, but the long days also provide adequate time to just relax and take in the sensational sights and sounds of summertime. … Continue reading June Bugs Under Beautiful Skies
All of the events and activities of spring are winding down to make room for the fast-approaching relaxing days of summer. It's a time for celebrating many milestones for my family, and I'm grateful for each and every one of them. Another Kentucky Derby in the Books The state of Kentucky gets many visitors this … Continue reading Milestones in May
New Harmony, Indiana is one of my all-time favorite small towns. I've been there on several occasions, with my daughter, with my sister, and even on a couple of solo trips. I got one of the best massages I've ever had in New Harmony. The food is always delicious, and I come away feeling stress-free … Continue reading Perfect Harmony
I recently read an article which appeared to encourage women to disengage from the church, stating that the Bible depicts God as believing women are second-class citizens on this earth, that they are somehow "less than" their male counterparts. The author of the article even went so far as to add several facts regarding the … Continue reading God Loves Women
I find myself sorely missing the sunshine by the time February rolls around. Sometimes it's necessary to combat the blueness of the season by making a little sunshine of our own in our hearts. These are the things that top my gratitude list this month: SOUP'S ON! I like to make a lot of soups … Continue reading Warming Up to February
Being angry, at someone, over anything, seems to be somewhat of a fad these days. I can't put my finger on who instigated this fad, but it doesn't have to be this way. We don't have to automatically dislike everyone who disagrees with us. We don't have to look for flaws to point out in … Continue reading I Choose Joy
I was in my mid-twenties, attending a business function in Kansas City, MO. I sat down for breakfast with several other women whom I had just met the day before. They were discussing a conversation that had taken place with another woman, mocking her for her "overzealous" religious beliefs. I sat quietly, eating my breakfast. One … Continue reading Like Peter
