We all know them. Friends who never need an excuse to host an enjoyable get-together. These are the people who have a ready-made party in their pantry, complete with ingredients for a perfect martini and gourmet olives of every origin and flavor. They have plastic cups personalized with their monograms and cute pink and green [...]

It was several years ago when my then-6-year-old daughter Caroline was dropped off by her carpool from the very last day of kindergarten. I met her at the door, anxious to hug her and ask her about her day, when she marched past me into the kitchen. She very purposefully set her backpack down on [...]

By Kim Fox
Holiday Season, 2008. It goes something like this: Thanksgiving sneaks up on you like it always does. You extend the invitations, plan your menu, and make a list. Take a breath, make another list. Clean your house. Do you have enough place settings? Is this the year your 21-year-old nephew who just graduated [...]