Our family yearned for a London/Paris trip as long as I can remember, but there’s something about being outside, sitting in quiet, listening to waves, stargazing, and dreaming that made it happen. We were home, planning, gathered round a roaring fire with crisp winter evening’s faint bite of cold brushing our cheeks. Voices carried our dreams across our back yard, across the water to London Bridge, The Eiffel Tower and beyond as tides moved gently under fading sky to make mag

New Year’s resolutions have long been meaningful traditions, offering time to pause, reflect, and look ahead. With the blog being developed these past few months, we’ve considered where we’ve been and where we hope to go, with a desire for growth, balance, and purpose. I’ve had so much fun working with our team, writing, gardening and cooking, which have dominated time. My favorite pics: Some of my resolutions concern health and choices I make every day. Like many people, I a

It seems like New Year’s Eve has always been with us, and it kind of has, at least since the 1800’s, where Americans gathered and celebrated, often influenced by European traditions of partying and merrymaking. By 1907, Americans welcomed and anticipated fireworks and feasts on the eve of the new year, and the resulting New York Times Square Waterford crystal LED ball drop in Manhattan has become a mainstay that we enjoy to this day.  By the late 19 th  century, drinking cham

It was a near perfect lazy October day in Galveston, Texas; we’d traveled there to celebrate a very special family birthday dinner. Motoring along the seawall, as always, we were entertained by amusing laughing seagulls, willet and sandpipers diving and running as water ebbed and flowed, supping on shrimp and crabs. The beach’s roiling waves and sand whipped into a blustery huff as we unrolled our windows, gulping briny sea air. We couldn’t wait, watching for the humongous cr

Every year, we have a Fall Costume Contest & Pumpkin Carving Halloween Party.  Here, please come to ours with us. It's informal, fun and everybody gets creative about what they want to come dressed as and what their carved pumpkin at the end of the night should look like.  We ordered from The Original Mexican Café  in Galveston and made some dishes of our own. We often do this combo for parties, cook some and order food delivered to the house, that way it’s not overwhelming.

You know Marilyn , my friend from nursing school and fellow ER nurse that worked with me. Yes, that Marilyn, that totally insanely crazy friend of mine had somehow talked me into taking an art class, convincing me that we could hang our pictures proudly in our homes, people would admire  them when they came to visit, stare  at them fondly.  Marilyn thought she had real promise as an up-and-coming artist, as for me, neither of us held out a glimmer of hope. I couldn’t draw if

Holidays or unexpected popover guests don’t need to be stressful, anxiety-provoking, or expensive. Even if it’s an impromptu Halloween party, a cozy fall evening with friends, or Thanksgiving company that pops by, a few simple touches can make your home feel warm and welcoming. With just a few quick tips and ideas, see what works for your group or family. Keep a few items in a box or area of your home for quick access season to season, and let the good times roll! Holidays  o

Marilyn is an original, I’ll give her that. More than outspoken, more than verbose. She is one of a kind, when they made her, they threw away the key. When she was around, if you heard laughter, it was coming from somewhere in her vicinity. She was funny, but I liked to tell her she was funny looking. I hurried across campus, taking the stairs two at a time to Old Red, also known as the Ashbel Smith Building, on the University of Texas Medical Branch Campus in Galveston, Texa

Getting your garden ready for fall planting needn’t be a headache or overwhelming. A few simple tips and techniques can help you start a tradition that will give you and your family years of healthy eating and untold joy in the future! Karen's vegetable garden 1. Start a tradition of gardening for Fall & Spring  planting to enjoy year round vegetables, fruits and herbs. Karen's goodies from her garden Keep it simple, mind you, we’re not experts, we’re just sharing what works

Three weeks before the Halloween party or event, send out invitations via mail or text or email: Let guests know if costumes are required Plan Food and Drinks Menus Choose & buy pumpkins that are medium-large. Too large of ones can be difficult to carve. If you wait too long, pumpkins get sold out!  Go together as a family to pick out pumpkins for your fall carving party and start a tradition.  The local pumpkin patch Several days before party , buy inexpensive Trophies with

Karen Hand Allen has always had an active imagination. When she lived in the orphanage, her only companions seemed to be Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox!

Life at the Galveston Children’s Home wasn’t easy for Karen Hand Allen, but it was full of imagination and small joys. From quiet moments of reflection to adventures sparked by her vivid imagination, this is the story of a childhood shaped by resilience and wonder.