Exploring one of life's most valuable gifts
Ever since I read Marie Kondo's book The Life-Changing Art of Tidying Up a few years ago, I have tried to be more mindful about minimizing extra stuff and unnecessary purchases. It is very easy to become convinced in today's consumer-oriented culture about all of the "newest" and "best" things that we "need. " Even... Continue Reading →
Any time of year is a perfect time of year to savor friendships, but the holiday season offers a wealth of opportunities to create memories together with friends. Recognizing that schedules can be challenging to coordinate as the holidays approach, this week we share a variety of ideas for honoring friendships this season. Â 1.... Continue Reading →
The mood of the world feels heavy this year as Thanksgiving approaches, with wars raging abroad and divisive protests happening at home. The holiday itself may even feel controversial these days, as we consider more deeply the plight of Native Americans who populated U.S. lands before we were born. With these thoughts swirling through my... Continue Reading →
My husband and I embarked on a home improvement project a few years ago that was big enough to require the services of an architect. We began by collecting some recommendations from local friends who had been through projects of their own. One name that made its way to the top of our list was... Continue Reading →
When Sara and I launched this blog in early 2021, pandemic-disrupted friendships and everyday connections fueled our desire to write about the importance of friendship. Nearly three years later, life has mostly returned to ‘normal.’  While normal enables us to gather in person and hop on airplanes to celebrate milestones, normal can also be very... Continue Reading →
As beautiful as fall is in New England, and it is stunning, I sometimes feel a pang of sadness as the temperatures begin to cool. I know I'll miss some of the little things about the warm weather in the coming months, like leaving the house without a jacket, swimming outside and wearing sandals. Recent... Continue Reading →
There are no words to capture the many emotions we've all been experiencing since learning about the savage attack on Israeli civilians by Hamas last weekend. But in processing this, I am acutely aware of the importance of supporting each other as we collectively experience this unfolding crisis with thousands of innocent lives lost throughout... Continue Reading →
You've probably noticed the symbolic pink ribbons on social media lately, a sure sign that Breast Cancer Awareness Month is here and getting attention. The more support and attention paid to breast cancer, the better. Statistics show that 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetimes.... Continue Reading →
Fall’s arrival in Chicago is accompanied by many traditions. It’s a time to buy fresh apples from Michigan and watch the Chicago Cubs struggle to make the playoffs. One of my favorite fall traditions is cheering on the thousands of runners at the Chicago Marathon. This October marks the 46th running of the Chicago... Continue Reading →
Although reading is inherently a solitary activity, books can provide a strong foundation for conversation and connection with others. In one of LOF's earliest posts, I wrote about my own experience with a local book group. I also enjoyed facilitating a book group with a few other parents for my son and some of his... Continue Reading →
Language of Friendship 