Product Review: Qwirkle
What game can you play as a multigenerational family? There are so many games on the market that it is hard to know which ones to add to your family collection. One fun game we were introduced to a few years ago was Qwirkle. My aunt was surprised we did not own it, so she purchased it for our family vacation. It was a hit, and we have since purchased it for others. What makes Qwirkle a hit? It is easy to learn how to play, even with nonreaders or those who do not enjoy complicated games. As many as 4 people can play but you could do teams for larger families or younger kids. The game consists of 108 square tiles with 6 different colors and shapes on them. To play the game you create rows of like colors or like shapes. Points are scored for the number of tiles you play with additional bonus points being given for a “qwirkle” which is when you complete a row of 6 with no duplicates. This game is part chance and part skill! The game can take from 30-45 minutes depending on how contemplative the players are. I am not a…
Home for the Holidays
What strategies do you put in place when your college kids come home for the holidays? With spring break just around the corner, here are 4 tips for not just surviving but thriving in the holidays when your kids come home. Whether they are in college or beyond, things are bound to be different when your adult kids come home to visit. Open communication of expectation is key to enjoying time when your kids come home for the holidays, whether it is spring break, winter break, or summer. While it is nice to have help when everyone is home, a short visit probably is not the time to load them up on chores unless it has been stated ahead of time that it is basement cleaning time. Tips to Help Your Family Thrive Schedule some mutually agreed upon family time before the calendar fills up Discuss expectations and respect each other’s space Choose an activity or two to do together (see list below) Get to know each other as adults To balance out the time at home, consider choosing an activity or two to enjoy together. You could even share this post with them and have them pick the…
Love Is
What is love? Love is a phone chat with a best friend who lives far away. Love is smores on Sunday nights when you really want smore weekend time together with family. Love is a peaceful home that is a refuge from the storms of life. Love is a walk on the beach or a 4 mile therapy session with a friend. Love is coffee! Love is a card in the mail or a good morning text. Love is a Family Fiesta, with crafts, of course. Love is a birthday scavenger hunt. Love is shakshuka and naan bread. Love is cold brew coffee. Love is saying yes. Love is saying no. Love is a good book in a quiet nook. Love is forgiving and forgetting. Love is always remembering. Love is a charcuterie board or a sushi picnic. Love is an empty sink and dishes in the cupboard. Love is a coffee shop work date. Love is vegan pesto, Peruvian roasted chicken, a chocolate mug cake in a unicorn cup, and a Danish dough whisk. Love is laughter. Love is libraries. Love is family. Love is friends, both far and near. Love is new friends and new adventures. Love…
Style Your Storage Spaces
How decorated is your closet or laundry room? Styling your living space is a natural step when moving into a new home, but what about styling your closet or laundry room? These storage spaces deserve a little bit of character that reflects your style, too, and makes you smile when you open the door. In my workshop Clean the Chaos, I talk about styling your spaces, even the closets and laundry room. You can check out Pinterest for closet organization systems, but often just decluttering and organizing your space is all you need to reset the calm. Adding a small bit of styling is icing on the cake. Do you smile when you open the closet door? Most people do not think about styling their laundry room, but I put up a pretty wallpaper border in the tiny laundry closet at one house I had. It was a simple and inexpensive way to brighten the space and make me smile when I opened the doors to do a chore I did not like, especially when the kids were little and the laundry piles were large. Consider using wall space in your closet or bedroom for small hooks, racks, or shelves.…
