My sassy neighborhood has been seeing some impressive thunderstorms in the last few weeks.  When it’s summer, and the kids are home, and you’re all crammed under one soggy roof, it’s a perfect time to raid the game cupboard.  Especially if the storm has taken out your favorite babysitter, the tv/computer/game system.  Here are my tried [...]

Looking for a gift for the neighbors?  A rainy-day activity for the kids?  A cure for your sweet tooth?   How about some caramel corn?   Start by popping some popcorn.  I use an air popper, so I feel less guilty about all the goop I’m adding to it later.  This recipe is enough for one average [...]

The 4th of July means food, fun, fireworks, friends, family, and fattening festivities.  If you want to make a patriotic splash at the party this year, try these star-spangled ideas:   When it comes to kids (including this particularly adorable one, who happens to be mine), a little red, white and blue can go a [...]

Father’s Day is coming up, and it’s hard to find a gift that isn’t a) a tie, b) a shirt, or c) uh…a tie. Why is it so hard to buy for men? But not this year. Check out these groovy gifts: If your guy is going green, check out this great sale on solar [...]

(to the tune of “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad”) I’ve been driving on the freeway All the live-long night. I’ve been driving on the freeway But the end’s still not in sight. Can’t you hear the baby cryin’ Risin’ up so early in the morn. Can’t you hear the kiddos shouting, “Trucker, blow your [...]

Mother’s Day and I have a love/hate relationship.  I love being a mother.  I love having a mother.  I love being pampered on Mother’s Day, and the Sassy Husband does it well.  But I hate, in the most loving way possible, trying to find something for my own mother.  She and my dad have downsized to a [...]

My turn to host Book Club happened to fall on April Fool’s Day.  In the name of fun and foolishness, I made “Grilled Cheese Sandwiches” for dessert.  I wish I could say everyone was totally fooled until they took the first bite, but they all knew something was up.  Still, it was fun.  Here’s how [...]

If anyone out there is planning a trip to a Disney theme park, and you haven’t heard about this promotion, then you’re missing out.  You give a day of service, and get a day at the park for free.  What’s more, most of the service isn’t actually a full day.  It’s a few hours at [...]

Disclaimer:  this isn’t really a paper airplane, so much as it’s a paper….well, tube, really.  But it soars and glides and brings a tear to a cub scout’s eye, so your kids are guaranteed to love it.  And if you can resist giving it a whirl yourself, you’re a stronger grown-up than I. You will need a [...]

1. Duct tape 2. Bribery (“If you practice your piano, I will remove the duct tape.”) 3. Praise (“You are doing great! It’s amazing how well you can play with your legs strapped to the bench!”) 4. Threats (“Finish that song, or I’ll remove the duct tape verrrrry sloooowly.”) 5. Guilt (“Do you know how [...]