As another summer begins, it’s time to dust off those no-cook or low-cook summer recipes. Since spare time in the kitchen can be scattered during the summer, planning ahead and pre-preparing snacks and meals can be useful, as can planning for dishes that can be made in stages instead of all at once. Read on […]
Pamela Savage
Posted inHome & Garden
Easy refreshes for spring
According to the daffodils and tulips popping up outdoors, we made it through another Midwest winter! Now that we are surrounded by more green plants and sunshine, many people start to feel the urge to shake off those winter blues and let the bright light in. And while the impulse to do a full-blown spring […]
Posted inSpring Guide
Where to find spring flowers
While April showers traditionally have been said to bring May flowers, there are plenty of spring blooms on display beginning much before May. Whether it’s wildflowers or blossoming trees your tired winter eyes crave, there are a surprising number of opportunities to take in nature’s pretty spring flowers within easy driving distance of Springfield. For […]
Posted inCapital City Wedding
Bring out the beauty within
Though I was married in the aughts, I have a few vivid memories of my wedding weekend. In particular, I remember being in a salon in Philadelphia with my mom, my bridesmaids, my future mother-in-law, and my partner’s sister, grandmother and cousins. We had joined together early in the day for mimosas and bagels, and […]
Posted inCapital City Parent
Dealing with sibling rivalry
Imagine coming home from a long day of work or errands and meeting your partner at the door. Your partner gestures for you to take off your coat and sit down at the table. Would you like a snack or a glass of water? There is some big news to share with you! Would you […]
Posted inCapital City Parent
A parent’s guide to gaming
Growing up, my brother had a Game Boy that he let me use on long car rides. It simply wasn’t my thing. I remember not having any patience for leveling up in Zelda, often choosing to stare out of a window rather than take a turn on the device. As an adult, I am thus […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Tips to get through the winter
Winter is upon us and we are going to get through it. Here are ideas for ushering your family through the wintertime with some healthy habits that will hopefully promote peace and well-being in your homes. Indoor games The draw of the sofa/snuggle/screentime trifecta is strong this time of year. And while I have no […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Get the whole family involved in giving back
Supporting our community during the holidays reaps benefits for everyone. Here are some opportunities to donate, serve and give back during the month ahead. Springfield area Micropantries Food scarcity is a major issue all of the time, but especially during the holidays, and particularly in 2025. Many of our readers are already aware of micropantries, […]
Posted inCapital City Parent
Holiday movie and book pairings
Kids of all ages love to be read to, and reading together as a family can boost connection in so many ways. Books allow you to talk about all sorts of different topics and themes with your kids and teach empathy and compassion for different kinds of characters and circumstances. This is such a wonderful […]
Posted inCapital City Parent
Dealing with daytime darkness
Here we go again – daylight savings time. The changing of clocks. The unsettling reality of darkness at 4 p.m. While initially cozy, the drastic reduction in sunlight that our bodies experience during the winter can unfortunately cause mood changes, fatigue and a weakened immune system – not to mention, it’s just sort of a […]
Posted inFall Home & Garden
Take the 30-day decluttering challenge
As the seasons start to change, it’s time to put away swimsuits and goggles in order to find sweaters and slacks. Oftentimes, when you are looking for fall and winter items, you may notice that an abundant amount of stuff has somehow piled up in every cabinet and drawer throughout the course of the summer […]
Posted inSpecial Issues
Take a family camping trip
Growing up, my family were car camping people. Both my brother and I were involved with scouting, and my parents kept an up-to-date Kampgrounds of America (KOA) directory in the sideboard in the living room. I vividly remember one trip to the Outer Banks where it rained so much that the tent flooded and I […]
