Dear Sandy:  Our family life can be so helter-skelter.  Is there anything you do to help keep your family “together” not just physically, but also mentally and spiritually?

On Sunday our family gathered in the living room to talk about business.

Not work-related business but family business.

We came to do business with our leader. Yes, my husband led the discussion but the One who led the spirit of the half-hour discussion was God.

I am the Real Vine and my Father is the Farmer …

I looked… Read More

Dear Sandy … There’s a family with a long-term health need near us right now that I’d like to help out with a meal or two, but I don’t know how many other people have been bringing them meals already, if any.  I’m also not a great cook. Can you give me any practical insights on showing love with food to those in need?

Hospitality isn’t just about fun and partying. A truly hospitable attitude touches the whole range of life experiences and emotions. And some of… Read More

When I think of hosting in our home, the first thing that comes to mind is all the cleaning I’ll have to do.  Sometimes it’s hard to get beyond that issue, so that I just end up dropping the idea of having people over.  How can I change my attitude about cleaning so that it doesn’t hinder hospitality in our house?

Last week we had friends over for a dinner, and I didn’t clean my house!  It was an internal war inside - do I vacuum, dust and… Read More

Recently I’ve heard from several readers saying that their heart’s desire is to entertain, but their husbands just do not enjoy it. Some don’t like kids, and some just don’t enjoy people in general.

Dear Sandy,
I love having people over but my husband really does not. Or rather he is okay with having ‘adults only’ over but finds other people’s children very challenging to be around. We have three children of our own but we seem to raise our children differently than a lot of people. Anyway I… Read More

In March we begin work that will yield something great in just a few quick months!

It’s about delicious food being grown with our own hands – which we will be sharing with others.

The increasing number of gardeners in the United States stands for something. It says that people are interested in organic. People are tired of paying the prices and they want to know where their produce is coming from! The lost art of gardening is returning! I can… Read More

Last month many of us made New Year’s goals (lose weight, exercise regularly be happy, save money, get organized, eat healthier), because quite honestly, we jumped at the opportunity for a fresh start. 

We love new. We want discipline. We want to wipe the slate clean–especially in the areas in which we know we’ve fallen short.

When a reader wrote me this question, it made me think that many women have experienced these exact feelings.  Because we women know how to give, and give, and give… until our… Read More

Is Constantly Being Late a Fact of Life?

I remember all too well how I used to rush around to get somewhere on time.  There was always something distracting me from my mission - dishes, morning routines, feeding the older kids and nursing the baby,  phone calls, waiting for naptime to finish – as my mind was darting around, multi-tasking to get in the car and on the road … on time!

Do I have everything?
Do I have the dish that was delegated to me?
Is everybody in the car?
What’s the time we’re… Read More

The holidays are approaching—quickly!

When it comes to “wrapping up,” I’m not talking about wrapping up the gifts. I’m talking about how to end a holiday party (or even a dinner party) on time! 

I mean, how do you send your guests out the door in a time frame that works for you?

Is it ok to end a party when your guests are having a good time?

After I held a Fall Neighborhood Luncheon in October, a couple of my readers asked me these questions:

Sandy, I want to know how… Read More