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Photo by Sarah Finnegan.
Add a little sweet to your spooky spread with Rice Krispies pumpkins
Need a quick Halloween treat for a party? These Rice Krispies pumpkins are a fun and easy dessert that can be made in an afternoon, with help from your kids. more
Ordinary Days: Beating back the critical beast
Not long ago, I was rushing out the door to go to a book event and Kate stopped me as I put on my shoes. more
Ordinary Days: Strength and self-confidence … for adults
As Book 4 hovers in front of me, it’s possible a yearly membership at the climbing gym may be in my future. more
Ordinary Days: Coming to terms with the curse of indecision
As an adult, I’ve discovered something about myself that either wasn’t a trait of mine when I was younger, or I just wasn’t perceptive enough to realize it: I am a pretty terrible decision-maker. more
Ordinary Days: ‘You have to cling to the truth’
I overheard the most amazing thing at Target the other day. I was in the toy section with my daughters, looking for birthday presents for a variety of friends, when I heard someone in the next aisle giving an earnest pep talk to someone on the phone. more
Ordinary Days: On self-promotion and vanity
Of all the things I’ve learned so far on this publishing adventure, the one that keeps rearing its ugly head is the fact that self-promotion is weird and uncomfortable. more
Ordinary Days: Sela and the art of choosing your path
My 5-year-old daughter Sela recently caught a lizard in our backyard and begged to bring it inside so it could be cozy. more
Ordinary Days: Our children and the internet
There’s a pledge floating around Facebook called “Wait Until 8th.” Maybe you’ve seen it. The idea is that parents pledge to not give their children a smartphone until they’re in eighth grade. more
Mayor’s Minute
The City of Homewood continues to be blessed. At the end of January, I had the opportunity to present my Annual State of the City Address at The Club. more
Ordinary Days: Return to your rest, if just for a moment
Before I had kids, one of my favorite things in the winter was to have an afternoon — or even just a couple hours — with absolutely nothing to do. more
Ordinary Days: Flipping the script to focus on the good
Whether we consider ourselves glass-half-full or glass-half-empty, I think many of us flawed humans are naturally hardwired to negativity. more
Ordinary Days: Lessons from a life of writing
When I tell people I’m a writer, that it’s what I do with my time when I’m not holding up flashcards or cooking dinner, they tend to get starry-eyed. more
Ordinary Days: On failure and courage
On my way to publishing “The Hideaway,” I sent out 70 query letters to literary agents. Of those 70, I received 41 rejection letters. more
Photo by Angie Davis.
Ordinary Days: Reflecting on marriage, 12 years later
Lately, my kids have been curious about and interested in the idea of falling in love, getting married and what my and Matt’s wedding was like. more
Photo by Angie Davis.
Ordinary Days: Learning to run your own race
For seven years now, we’ve been able to mostly avoid cable TV shows for our kids. more
Ordinary Days: Time flies and kids grow up
Usually by this part of the summer, I’m ready for the start of school — or at least the coming of a new season. more
Layton Dudley
My First Internship Experience
Olivia Rouse, a rising 10th grader at Homewood High School, interned with The Homewood Star and its sister papers this summer. more
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