Lifestyle Archives - Page 2 of 3

Theo’s Gift Guide for Toddlers

I can’t wait for Christmas this year! I’m writing this over the Thanksgiving holiday from sunny Arizona, where we are here visiting friends. But as soon as we get home, we’re launching into full Christmas mode. Many of my favorite childhood memories come from Christmases past, and few of them involve presents, except for the Christmas kitten I found meowing under the tree when I was seven. I just have this visceral memory of joy, of music and laughter and the smell of pies baking and the warmth of the wood stove warming the kitchen. Christmas is magic.

by Lisa Samuel August 1, 2017June 20, 2018.

Before Theo was born, I did zero research on baby clothes. I was too focused on the birth to think much about what came afterwards, other than having the nursery set up. Plus, since I didn’t know if we were having a boy or a girl, I didn’t want to waste a lot of time…

Special Surprise Birthday Dinner

by Lisa Samuel March 21, 2017January 27, 2018.

When it comes to husbands, I hit the jackpot. Elie wakes up every morning with a smile on his face and fills our life with his joyfulness. If God loves a cheerful giver, then God surely cherishes my sweet husband, who gives of his time and talents, his love and his resources, to Theo and…

2017 Intentions

by Lisa Samuel January 8, 2017January 27, 2018.

If you visited our home last year, the floors were probably less than sparkling, the dinners simpler, there was probably a basket of laundry waiting to be folded and put away, and I was likely wearing yoga pants and sporting a ponytail. Elie probably made you a delicious coffee, and I hope you got a…

10 Essentials for New Mamas

by Lisa Samuel May 2, 2016June 20, 2018.

When I was in labor with Theo, Elie timed my contractions for me on an app we had downloaded to our iPhones–how long they lasted and how far apart they were. At some point, well into labor, our doula suggested that we might not need to time the contractions anymore.

The Nursery

by Lisa Samuel April 5, 2016June 20, 2018.

I can’t believe little Theo is already almost eight weeks old! Everyone says time goes by so quickly, and they are right. I thought it was time to share all of the details of Theo’s nursery. I love the serenity of this room. Although Theo does not yet sleep here, he started taking naps in his…

2016: Intentions

by Lisa Samuel January 10, 2016January 27, 2018.

I still have the first diary I ever received, a small, red, leather-bound book sealed with a gold lock and key, sitting under the tree on Christmas day in 1983, a gift from Santa. I wrote in that one sporadically, and in the dozens I’ve kept in the years since, sometimes faithfully writing every day…

29 Weeks: Babymoon in Austin

by Lisa Samuel November 25, 2015June 20, 2018.

I had to go to Austin last week for one day of meetings for work, so we decided Elie would join me and we would turn the trip into a mini-babymoon, one last vacation with just the two of us before the baby makes us a family of three.

The Friday List

by Lisa Samuel March 27, 2015January 27, 2018.

I love reading the lists that other bloggers share–what they’re reading, eating and thinking about. It’s a great way to discover new books, articles or recipes, or nudge me toward new ways of viewing the world or myself. I’ve been working on a blog post about turning 40, but I haven’t yet been able to articulate…

The Best Olive Oil Granola

by Lisa Samuel March 9, 2015January 31, 2019.

The world probably doesn’t need another granola recipe. There are certainly enough out there to choose from. But, here goes anyway, because you never know when the next one you make might become your favorite. And, because this is what we’re eating this week as we sit in the hospital and wait for Moe’s heart…