• happy list

    Happy List #12

    Hello, world! I had a first-ever experience yesterday. I was walking down the sidewalk minding my own business when a car driving by sped through a gigantic puddle. A huge wave of water sprayed out and completely, and I do mean completely, drenched me. I’m sure my reaction was comical to anyone observing the incident. But, really, Ireland is great. You should totally visit in February. On the blog this week I shared the most amazing, earth-shattering tutorial on how to turn a makeup bag into a hidden cell phone pocket in a fleece scarf. If you haven’t made one yet, what are you waiting for? I also shared our experience…

  • travel

    A Day in Malmö, Sweden with Kids

    During our New Year’s trip to Copenhagen, Denmark, we were able to spend a day in Malmö, Sweden. Being able to easily visit two countries in one trip is still a novelty for us and we were thrilled for the opportunity. Getting There Conveniently, Malmö is only a 20-minute train ride from the Copenhagen Airport. If you’ve been traveling around Copenhagen on the Copenhagen Card, you will need to purchase a separate ticket to Malmö at a kiosk in the airport. Kids go free. Keep your Copenhagen Card with you though because on the return trip, you’ll likely need to show both tickets. When you board the train to Malmö, there is…

  • clothing and jewelry,  Crafts

    Easily Add a Hidden Pocket in a Scarf

    I rarely have the most clever ideas, but holy cow, I can spot one! Then I proceed to stumble through recreating the idea and making it my own. When I come out the other side of the DIY tunnel, you can bet your bottom dollar I am immensely tickled with myself. Truly. Recently, my newsfeed served up a gem: adding a hidden cell phone pocket to a scarf. Such a good idea, right? The blogger made her own scarf using sweatshirt material. I pondered this “make a scarf from scratch” approach for a moment. Remember this about me: I spend a crazy amount of time daydreaming about how to never leave…

  • happy list

    Happy List #11

    Here’s to Friday! My children received positive feedback during our first ever parent-teacher conferences in an Irish school, so I’m quite happy with that. Apparently they are doing a great job learning to speak Irish even though I hear none of it at home. Go figure. On the blog this week I shared Valentine’s Day Card ideas that both boys and girls would like to receive and I also shared a recipe and story about making Dill Bread. Here are the other things making me all happy and humored this week. Does Being Pessimistic Makes You Happier? Food for thought. Alain de Botton’s premise is interesting. As a bonus, I found…

  • Crafts,  holidays

    6 Valentine Card Ideas For Girls or Boys

    Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Ready, set, panic! No, no. Don’t do that! Here are some fun DIY Valentine’s Day cards that I think both boys and girls would like. My kids would be content picking out themed Valentine’s Day cards from the store, but they also like to sit down and craft with mom, so I’ll take that time with them as long as it lasts. Balloon Card It doesn’t get easier than this idea for a balloon card! This idea is via A Pretty Cool Life, which is a pretty cool name for a blog. There is not a balloon in this world that my kids have met…

  • Food

    Recipe to Try: Dill Bread

    This post is all about delicious dill bread, but I have to tell you the back story first. There’s always a back story. Much to my utter dismay and disbelief, I have discovered that pickles are not big in Ireland. There is no section for pickles at the grocery store. There are not multiple shelves for pickles. There are not countless varieties of pickles: sweet, spicy, dill, stackers, hamburger chips, spears, etc. Nope. None of that delicious excess exists here. How do they survive? Each of the two grocery stores in my area carries one type of pickle. One single type and it can be found in the section with the Polish…

  • happy list

    Happy List #10

    Hello! I hope you had a great week. In case you missed it, this week on the blog I shared my creative use for a shower curtain and what to see and do if you visit Copenhagen, Denmark, with children. This was earth-shattering information, folks. I can wait while you get caught–oh, who am I kidding? I have the patience of a toddler! Let’s get on with it. Here’s what’s on my Happy List this week. As usual, it’s quite random…just the way I like it. Papadag – Daddy Day One day a week, dads in The Netherlands take the day off work to spend time with their kids. Say what??? Apparently, this…

  • Family,  travel

    Travel: Copenhagen, Denmark With Kids

    One of our goals when we moved to Ireland was to use our time here to explore as much of Europe as possible. We were able to visit two countries during the holidays: Denmark and Sweden. Since we spent the bulk of our time in the Copenhagen area, that will be the focus of this post. GETTING THERE Thus far, we’ve had good experiences finding relatively inexpensive airfare on the budget airline, Ryan Air. All 4 of us were able to fly round trip between Dublin and Copenhagen for less than what we have been used to paying for one roundtrip ticket on most any of our travels in the…

  • Crafts,  decorating,  DIY

    Hide Computer Cords With a Shower Curtain

    If you’ve ever met my husband then you’ll know why we have so many computers. I’m sure we aren’t the only family with this issue, but I could be wrong. We might be the only one using an outdoor dining table for a desk though and trying to make everything fit in one little area. It’s still not the worst problem to have. I’m well aware. When we moved to Ireland we sold our desks – multiple desks. Handy Husband told me this wouldn’t be a problem because he streamlined our computer situation. Uh huh. We’ll just go with that. I streamlined my shoe collection too. And that’s how a…

  • friday funnies

    Friday Funnies #3

    Well, we survived our first week back to school after the holidays. Just barely. Humor gets me through it all! Here, in this edition of Friday Funnies, are some moments, pictures and stories that made me laugh out loud recently. BUSINESS ADVICE FROM KIDS 6-year-old Son: How many subscribers do you have, mom? Me: On YouTube? I haven’t posted any videos, so zero. Son: What about on that other thing you do? Me: My blog? Probably 3? I don’t know. I don’t pay attention. Son: Wow. That’s bad. That’s really bad. You should work on that. Me: Thanks, kid. INTERVIEWING 101 If I ever go back to the corporate world… (source: @leahgay…