^{Posted by: ShopandTell}

Holidays are especially tough if you and your family are going through a life change. If you are dealing with a death in the family, divorce or chronic illness, the holidays can be brutal. Holidays are a time to dream and wish. If your life is not exactly like the family in It's a Wonderful Life this season, don't let it get you down.

Major life shifts can leave you depressed and the holidays make any feelings… Read More

^{Posted by: IronJessica}

Everyone says they try to avoid the crowds in the malls and shopping areas at Christmas. But if that were really true, wouldn't those places be empty?

Seattle is an incredible place to live around the holidays - there are just so many great activities and events to choose from. In my family, we don't do the same things every year, but instead, we try new things and every few years return to old favorites.

So this year, for some reason… Read More

Five moms take the plunge and divulge the goals they hope to achieve this year. Click on the links to read more about why and how they plan on shaking things up.

^{Posted by: CallMeMama}
1. Go hiking, fishing, and just good ol' play in the dirt
2. Turn off the TV more (and curb the obsession with certain television shows)
3. Cut back on snacks and processed foods
4. Throw out the busy routine and do something new
… Read More

^{Posted by: Princess_Peg}

One of my favorite holiday pasttimes is baking. Well, that and candymaking. If only I had a little elf to follow me around and clean up after me. Actually, I could use that all of the time, not just during the holidays. Sigh...

Regardless, December marks the time of year when I pull out all the stops on my baking and candymaking. The aromas in our home this time of year are so tempting that sometimes, my neighbors even… Read More

^{Posted by: CallMeMama}

A friend of mine called herself a "tradition junkie" the other day. I laughed when she said it because I can so relate to the phrase. I love traditions. I love the traditions that I grew up with, and I especially love creating new ones with my husband and kids. When I was growing up, one of my favorite things was to go and pick out our Christmas tree. My mom and I would bring it home and decorate it with our special… Read More

^{Posted by: Princess_Peg}

OK, I haven't actually counted... but there are at least that many Christmas cookie recipes on this list! This e-mail has been making its way around, and I thought I'd post the links here. Just click on the name of the cookie, and SHAZAM! The recipe is there. Good to keep handy! Listen to me now, and believe me later, you will thank me if you do this. Save this post in your favorites. You will want… Read More