Like the elves in the South Pole Santa series, I have a fondness for staying home. Living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, there is always something to do. However, like the elves, I also love to explore. Our planet is filled with stunning and interesting places to visit with cultures that are different and people just like us. Reflecting on our travels, both within the US and abroad, I honestly can’t think of any place we didn't enjoy. There are some destinations I might not revisit (this...

It's February and I made it through my month of not buying groceries with ease! I really "cheated" only a couple of times—once, buying my husband's favorite cereal, and once, mindlessly picking up a four pack of muffins at Trader Joe's as I checked out. Otherwise, I stuck to veggies, fruit, eggs, and dairy (plus a loaf of bread, some parmesan, and olive oil that might be considered optional), but that was it. I spent a total of $112 on groceries. Go me! Who knew surviving without cereal could...

Can you believe it’s already just a month until Valentine’s Day? Time really does fly—one minute it’s the holidays, and the next, we’re seeing heart-shaped everything in every shop window!

Valentine’s Day brings out a lot of feelings for people. Personally, I’m not a fan of the expectations that often come with the day, and I know how tough it can feel for anyone wishing they were in a relationship. (For the record: it’s my least favorite day, next to Mother’s Day, to go out for dinner—...