THIS is my all-time favorite cookbook.
I snagged this treasure at Goodwill for $1.29 years ago, and I’ve adored it ever since. It’s absolutely terrific! Published by The Mother’s Club, this was the seventh printing—and only 7,500 copies were made. I truly treasure this book.
I’m a cookbook addict (down to just four favorites now), and the other two are just like this—compilations of beloved recipes from various donors.
What’s your favorite cookbook? Where did you find it?
I’ve been asked several times: How can you help a friend fighting cancer? Here are some things that come to mind:
1. Keep it positive. Avoid sharing scary stories like, “My grandmother died from cancer three years ago.” It doesn’t help her stay hopeful.
2. Help with communication. Assist her in making a list of people she wants updated on her treatment. Managing calls and emails can be overwhelming, so offer to send updates after appointments if she wants.
3. Offer to go to appointments. Driving her and taking notes during consultations can be a lifesaver. Chemo brain can make it impossible to remember what the doctor said.
4. Pay attention to her mental health. After my first chemo, I became depressed and even had scary thoughts. Medication adjustments helped immediately. Keep an eye out and encourage her to speak up.
5. Run errands. Chemo brain and fatigue make even simple tasks hard—help with bills, groceries, and school commitments.
6. Laundry help. Offer to take it home and do it for her, especially after surgery when moving and lifting are painful.
7. Childcare support. Help with bus pickups, homework, and playdates, especially the days following treatments.
8. Meal support. Provide freezer meals, delivered dinners, or groceries for her to cook. Keep smells mild to avoid nausea triggers.
9. Coffee runs. A simple cup of coffee the day after treatment can prevent caffeine withdrawal headaches.
10. Respect her rest. Make a “Do Not Disturb—Resting” sign for her door.
11. Personal boundaries. Ask if there’s anyone she prefers not help her out—then kindly run interference.
12. Household help. Arrange for housework, lawn work, and even taking the garbage to the curb.
This list isn’t exhaustive—there’s always more ways to help. If you have ideas, leave a comment! Let’s make this journey a little easier for our friends.
I was 37 and pregnant with my fifth child when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Five years later, one of my biggest regrets is that I have almost no photos of me during that time—no pictures with my kids, not even of my newborn. Well… technically I have two photos, and neither is great.
Cancer doesn’t define me, but it certainly shaped me. It’s a part of the journey that made me the woman I am today. And looking back, I wish I had documented it more—photos, journals, anything. They help you celebrate the steps that make you stronger.
So, if you are—or ever have to—take this difficult yet empowering journey through cancer treatment, here’s my advice: take photos. You might not want to look at them right away, but eventually, you will—and you’ll be glad you did. And if you’re afraid you won’t survive the fight, take them anyway. Your loved ones will treasure them.
Here are the two I have:
One taken by my now-stepdaughter with her Polaroid wristband camera in October 2006, just after my last radiation treatment. (Yuck—I gained so much weight!)
The only reason I have these two photos is that other people took them. I had completely forgotten about the one from Miranda’s teacher until it was sent home at the end of the school year.
So, take my advice: snap away, journal, document, start a blog—even a private one just for yourself. These memories are part of your story and will help define who you are.
Good luck on your journey.
—Tammy
This morning we had a blast at the Build & Grow workshop!
Check out three of the kids’ awesome police car creations—proud little builders in action!
Miranda just celebrated her 11th birthday this weekend—Yay, Miranda! 🎉
One of the things she wanted with her birthday money was a feather extension. We headed down to the antique store, she picked out the perfect feather, and had the worker crimp the bead into her hair. She looks adorable—and now I kind of want one too! 😍
It was $12.99 for one little feather
Sad day for me… we just dropped Josh, my oldest, off at college. Eighteen years already! I couldn’t hold back the tears.
We love you, Josh! Have an amazing freshman year—you’re going to do great!
Glass doors, glasses, screens, drinking glasses, ATM machines, public countertops, tape, glue, windows, cell phone screens, mirrors, remote controls… what do these all have in common? FEAR.
One of my weirdest fears is using tape at work. How do you use it without leaving fingerprints? You can’t.
I may be the only person on Earth with this fear. I’ve researched it for years. I’ve never committed a crime—my worry isn’t about getting caught. I fear people retrieving my prints and using them for… something. With a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Law/Justice Studies (emphasis in Criminal Justice), I understand fingerprints—but that doesn’t stop my fear.
I admit I have some OCD tendencies. I’ve joked about them here on my blog. But I wasn’t always like this.
It started with trauma. After 17 years of marriage, I divorced. My ex began stalking me—breaking into my home daily, peeking through windows and doors, tampering with light bulbs, leaving knives in the kids’ rooms, hiding a baby monitor under my dresser, unlocking and sawing bolts off windows, going through our laundry, monitoring my calls, and following me everywhere.
One day I came home from lunch to find him crawling across my kitchen floor, window cut open, screen off, blinds down. Scared me to death! I called the police as he climbed out to the backyard. He begged me not to call, pleaded, stripped off surgical gloves, and hid them behind the fence post while he sat on the ground.
When the officer arrived, he cuffed him and pointed out the gloves. I had to swear never to drop the restraining order. The officer told me, “That man would eventually kill you.” Surgical gloves while breaking in? That wasn’t a prank—he planned bodily harm.
Why didn’t I connect this before? I used to love wrapping presents and working with my hands. Fingerprints never bothered me—art is full of fingerprints! But this trauma changed me.
Today, I’m declaring: this phobia is over. Now that I know the cause, I can control it. I refuse to let fear win.
Lord Jesus, give me strength to not allow fear to control me.
2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
Psalm 56:3-4 – “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”
The other night I was typing up some review posts when my youngest (5) came up and asked, “Mommy, why do you do that?”
I explained, “I like to tell other people about things I like.”
She pulled up a chair, crawled onto my lap, and said, “Mommy, you like me. Put me on there.”
Hugs and cuddles immediately took over. Okay… come on—sweet!
Pool Party Fun: 15 Swimming Games You’ve GOT to Try!
I’ve been scouring the internet for fun swimming pool games for the kids, and here’s a roundup of the best:
Atomic Whirlpool – Everyone lines up along the pool edge. Walk, jog, then spin in a human whirlpool! Bonus: Try it in reverse.
Battleships & Submarines – Two teams, two bases. Battleships try to taunt subs into chasing them; subs swim underwater to tag battleships. Hilarity (and splashing) guaranteed!
Belly Flop Contest – Judge contestants on form/creativity, splash factor, and “pain.” Applause wins prizes!
Bottle – A 2-liter bottle is tossed in the pool. Teams have to get it to the opposite chair for points. First to 3 wins. Eyes closed until splash!
Bumper Boats – Like bumper cars, but in tubes. Kick, bump, and try to knock everyone off their “boats.” Last one afloat wins.
Chicken – Pair up: one rides on the other’s shoulders. Push other teams over. Last pair standing wins!
Crocodile Hunter – Give volunteers 60 seconds to wrestle an inflatable croc. Judge creativity, rolls, and flair.
Rubber Ducky – Push ducks with your nose (or blow them) across the pool. No hands, feet, or biting allowed. First duck across wins.
Gator – One person is the gator in deep water. Others try to swim across without being tagged. Tagged? Join the gator team!
King of the Tube – Champions sit on a tube while opposing players try to tip them off. Longest-standing champion wins.
Noodle Joust – Two players joust on rafts with pool noodles. Knock your opponent off, then face the next challenger.
Pool Volleyball – Water version of classic volleyball. Teams hit the ball over the net. Miss? Opponent serves!
Water Freeze Tag – “It” tags players, who freeze in place. Others can unfreeze them with creative moves. Keep the game moving until everyone’s tagged!
Safety first: Adult supervision is a must! The most important part of any swimming game or pool party is swim safety.
Crispy, Tender Chicken Strips – So Simple!
Breading Mix:
1 box Jiffy Cornbread mix
2 cups flour
Cajun seasoning, to taste
Salt, to taste
Dip Process:
Coat thawed chicken strips in the flour mixture.
Dip in an egg wash (eggs + milk + salt + optional dash of hot sauce).
Back into the flour mixture.
Cooking:
Flash fry on medium-high heat until golden.
Transfer to a wire rack on a cookie sheet and finish in the oven at 350°F for ~25 minutes.
Tips:
I always double the batch for my tribe – 5 pounds at a time!
Result: crunchy outside, tender inside.
Serve with honey mustard, naturally.
Pro tip: Your family will beg for seconds.
Spring Break Fun!
Spring Break is here! I have to work, so I thought I’d be nice to Kevin and keep the kids entertained with a new zip line from their treehouse out in the field.
(Yes, ignore the slightly dilapidated barn in the background—hey, rustic charm, right?)
Some of the kids are even camping out in a tent nearby. Lots of laughs, screams, and pure outdoor fun. I might have just earned “Parent of the Week” points… maybe.
