Amanda Hamilton
Preparing for Passover with a Puffs Addict
Passover is one of my favorite holidays and also the one I am most likely to observe haphazardly. Don’t get me wrong - I love a rousing rendition of “Dayenu” and will absolutely eat...
What You Need to Know About the Jewish High Holy Days in the Midlands
Every fall, Jews around the world celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, followed ten days later by Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Here in the Midlands, we have a vibrant Jewish community...
Tips for Survival from a Hot Mess Mom
I have been a mom for more than two years, so I guess you could call me an expert at the parenting thing. Or at least an expert in all the ways the simplest...
The Hard Truth About Toddlers and Dogs
I have a pit bull. I have a toddler. No, I am not insane.
Let’s start at the beginning. In June 2013, on a bit of a whim and without a ton of forethought, I...
The 5 People You Meet in a Neighborhood Facebook Group
Ah, neighborhood Facebook groups. A great place to get to know your closest neighbors, trade recipes and share stories. Or a place to air all your dirty laundry, complain about anything and everything and...
5 Reasons Why I Love Living in Rosewood
There are so many great neighborhoods in and around the Midlands, but my heart belongs in Rosewood. Though there are many, many reasons why Rosewood is the best neighborhood, here are my top five and...
Dads Need Villages Too
There have been countless articles, think pieces and blogs about the importance of finding your mama tribe and solidifying your village. From curbing the feeling of isolation to commiserating over typical toddler behavior to...
The Breastfeeding Milestones I Wish I’d Marked
In a few months, my toddler-beast will turn two and with that, I will have officially made it to my breastfeeding goal of at least two years as recommended by the World Health Organization....
Tardy to the Party
A scant two years ago, I was on time and even occasionally early when going out. I knew what time we had to leave the house to get somewhere, and amazingly, that’s when we...
The Instant Pot :: A Hot Mess Mom’s One True Appliance Love
You all know her, the mom who is always late, who is over-committed and over-scheduled and over-trying to make sure her kid's socks match. Maybe you are her. I know I am. I am...
More Than Meets the Eye :: Eliza’s Story
I’ve always assumed that any child of mine would need glasses. I come from a long line of people with “bad” eyesight. Add in the amount of time I spend on a computer or...
You Should Be Wearing Maternity Clothes Right Now (Yes! You!)
It doesn't matter if you’ve never been pregnant, if your youngest child is 19 years old, or if you don’t even want kids – you should be wearing maternity clothes.
Now before you dismiss me, hear...
A Year of More :: Taking #TreatYoSelf Seriously in 2017
I am a big fan of Parks and Recreation, the NBC comedy that ran from 2009 to 2015, featuring Amy Poehler, Nick Offerman and Chris Pratt before he was insanely buff. One of the...
Celebrating in an Interfaith Household
Growing up in an interfaith family, we celebrated. A lot. Always with lots of family, food and gifts, festiveness abounding. Now, as I enter into my second holiday season as a mom and with...