When most people think of Arabs and Jews, they usually don't think of the American South as the traditional settling place for these very two ethnic groups. Yet it may come as a surprise that several Arabs and Jews call Kentucky home. Even more interesting is the fact that as...

When nine-year-old Jana Klingseis began taking ice skating lessons at the local Iceoplex rink in Escondido, Calif., she never dreamed she would one day be a member of one of the most popular touring ice skating shows, let alone a Disney princess. Yet 11 years later, she is skating across...

Several years ago, we were the recipients of an "Elf on the Shelf" kit. Let me just say that the elf scares me! It scared me three years ago when I was given the kit, and it scares me today.

You've all seen this and know the concept, right? It's...

Imagine you were a little girl and one day dreamed you would grow up to be Cinderella. While she is not cleaning cinders from an evil stepmother, Kate Gauthier is living the fairy tale dream as she tours the country with Disney on Ice playing none other than Cinderella.

Gauthier...

There is quite a bit of talk in the United States and in media these days about Mormonism. But regardless of where you swing on the political pendulum, this post is not meant to discuss presidential candidates or religious arguments. I am very excited to introduce to you

My 4-year-old daughter, Sophie, and I love music. We're always listening to different genres and artists -- everything from country to classical -- in the car. My inquisitive backseat driver has the habit of asking me, "What is she signing about?" Or "What does he mean when he sings that?"...

It's political convention time, ladies and gentlemen! The "magical" events that occur every four years just weeks after the Olympics end. Over the years, I've had a hard time bringing myself to watch the convention speeches -- too much rhetoric from both parties. Quite honestly, the conventions haven't been the...

Anne-Marie Slaughter caused a national debate when her piece, "Why Women Still Can't Have it All," was recently published in the Atlantic Monthly. The piece argued that while progress has been made over the decades, career-minded women still find themselves struggling to achieve a balanced life that includes...

Next year will be my milestone high school reunion. It will be 20 years since I was an awkward teenager graduating with the Class of 1993. Quite honestly, I'm probably still awkward. But it's now been 19 years, and I've at least mastered the art of being awkward (I think).

Like so many people, I was saddened to hear the news that writer and director Nora Ephron passed away this week. Not only is her death a loss to the written word, it's also a loss to women everywhere who aspire to use words to tell stories, make people laugh...

In honor of Mother's Day, here is a heartfelt tribute to my mother.

My mom is one of the most creative people I know. She can take an ordinary box, jar lid or toilet paper roll and turn it into something magical. With a little paint, scissors and pipe cleaners,...

There are certain mother-daughter activities that many of us moms think will be filled with bliss. Shopping is one of those activities. More specifically, shoe shopping. Well let me be the first to tell you that mother-daughter shoe shopping is not necessarily all it's cracked up to be.

A few...

"It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both."

- E.B. White, the last line of Charlotte's Web.

We've all read E.B. White's classic children's story, Charlotte's Web, or at least seen one of the movie versions. I remember...

Many of you have heard of the December Dilemma -- the conflicts that arise when interfaith families need to chose how to celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas. But few talk about what I'm calling the Spring Dilemma -- Passover and Easter.

I hesitate even mentioning them in the same sentence because...

Recently I was lounging on my couch, reading blogs and Facebook, while trying to find something to watch on our abundance of television channels. I landed on the TV Land Channel and settled on an episode of The Wonder Years.

How many of you remember The Wonder Years? The show...

We're just barely into 2012 and already the world is in turmoil. Republicans are vying for a November White House win. The economy continues in a slump. And probably worst of all, Girl Scout Cookie season is in full force and it's more political than ever.

It used to be...

It was 10 years this past July when Bryan and I said "I do." It was a beautiful wedding. We stood under a chuppah that was adorned with flowers and there was just enough of a breeze to keep the July evening from being too warm.

While the wedding was...