Back-to-School Blackberry Scones

For most of the country, school is going to be back in session - IN PERSON - at least as we begin this new school year. I don’t know about yours, but MY kids are ecstatic!

Gone are the moans and groans I’ve grown used to over the nearly 40 years I’ve been at this motherhood thing, and in their place is such joy and enthusiasm over in-classroom learning I’ve never seen before! It’s got me excited too! (Yes, I DO realize the learning aspect has little to do with the anticipatory glee - it’s all about seeing friends again!!)

If you still have some plump juicy blackberries hanging around begging to be picked before the falls rains set in (Oh please, oh please, we NEED the fall rains!) all you need is a cup of them to mix up a batch of these scones and make your kids first school morning even sweeter than they could have imagined! If you go the extra step and add the lemon glaze, you’ll be so glad you did! It adds a touch of sweetness and the citrus is a nice crisp contrast to the soft warm sconce.

There are two main points to remember when it comes to making scones - one, it’s ALL ABOUT THE BUTTER. The colder, the better! And, don’t over-work the dough; give it a light touch, pat gently into place before cutting into wedges.

Give ‘em a try!

Blackberry Scones with Lemon Glaze

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 2/3 cup sugar

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup butter, cold and cut into cubes or you can use frozen butter and grate it in.

• 1 egg, beaten

• 1 1/4 cups heavy cream

• 1 cup blackberries

For the glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• zest and juice of 1/2 lemon (about 1 Tablespoon of each)

• splash of cream

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Whisk the dry ingredients together in a large bowl: flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. Next, add the cold butter. A pastry cutter works great if you’ve used cold butter cut into cubes. If you’ve grated in frozen butter, just toss it to coat well. (All butter should be no larger that pea-sized.)

4. In another bowl, whisk egg and cream together. Combine with dry mixture, and mix with a fork, just enough until dough comes together.

5. Add the berries to the dough, gently turning into the dough, trying not to squish too much juice out of the berry.

6. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and pat into a round shape about 1” thick. Using a sharp knife dredged in flour, cut the round into about 8 wedges of the same size.

7. Transfer to a a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown on top.

8. Serve warm or continue with the next step to add a lemon glaze.

9. While the scones are baking, make the glaze. Mix 1 cup powdered sugar with the zest and the juice of 1/2 a lemon. Add a splash of cream if glaze is not thin enough. (Conversely, add more powdered sugar if you want a thicker glaze.)

10. Brush warm scones with half the glaze, wait until they have cooled a little bit (10-15 minutes) and brush again. Serve.

The Merchant and The Rogue | August Book Club

The Merchant & The Rogue

I’m about 30 pages into my August Book Club choice, The Merchant and The Rogue, by Sarah M. Eden, and it’s soooo good! (The book isn’t available until the 17th, but the publishers sent me a copy early!)

This is another one of the Proper Romance books I’m so fond of. I’ve shared a few of them with you before, if you’ll remember, Miracle Creek Christmas, Promised, Lakeshire Park…

The Merchant and The Rogue, has the same sensibilities; historical detail (1865 London), intriguing plot line, fascinating characters, and nothing so risqué that you’d mind your teenager picking up and reading it themselves - in fact, you’d recommend they do so!

This is the story of Vera Sorokina, someone who loves reading the Penny Dreadfuls and all the adventure, mystery, and romance they contain, while her own life is relatively mundane working alongside her father in his book and print shop.

And it’s about Brogan Donnelly, an Irishman living in London, who coincidentally is a Penny Dreadful writer. He has a satisfactory life, yet still feels a bit lonely and much like an outsider.

It has all the right elements of a perfect romance - attraction, distrust, confusion, and a common threat this duo must work together to defeat, overcoming obstacles in their pathway to love in the process.

You might be asking how in the world I find time to read between my never-ending art installation, gardening, wrangling kids and grandkids, and radio work… but the answer is this, I ALWAYS find time to read! It is not so much one of life’s pleasures, as it is one of life’s necessities to me.

Losing myself in the pages of a good book - even if it’s just for 30 minutes or so a day, helps me to relax, unwind, and refresh. The Merchant and The Rogue does the job exceptionally well!

Pre-Order your copy today HERE!
(And be sure to watch the trailer too!)

Oodles and Oodles of Zoodles!

Zucchini growers know this truth, there are always waaaaaay too many zukes.

Most of us end up resorting to a sort of “ding dong ditch” with our over-abundant harvest - we hang bags of them on neighbors doorknobs and fence posts, place them on car hoods, and we put them in mailboxes; anywhere we know you’ll find them and hopefully EAT them! They are gladly given “gifts” from the garden (and relief from the constant worry of “what do we DO with them all????”)

Fellow produce producers, I’m here to help. When you’ve baked your last zucchini loaf, broiled your last zucchini spear, fried your last zucchini medalian, zoodles is the answer to all your, “what do I do with them now?!” zucchini questions.

There are many different “zoodle” makers out there and prices vary, but most are under $20 and come with a variety of attachments that can be used with other veggies too. Find them at any store that sells kitchen goods (Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, Fred Meyer’s, etc.) I love mine, and the kids get a kick out of turning the little crank handle and watching it spit out long twisting threads of zucchini noodles.

We quick fry them in hot oil and either eat them as a side dish, or sometimes I’ll add shrimp, chicken, or pork and it becomes a meal-in-one. It’s got none of the carbs traditional noodles have, and loads more nutrients and fiber, so I feel pretty good about eating them along side a thick slice of homemade sourdough bread. (How’s that for rationalizing bad behavior?)

The best part is, we can go through pounds and pounds of our prolific little problem and save our bewildered neighbors the consternation of what THEY are going to do with the dozens of donations they’re finding on their doorstep daily!

Here’s a quick recipe if you’d like to try it out:

Ingredients:

• Oodles of zoodles

• Enough oil to coat the bottom of a fry pan - I’ve been using avocado oil, but you can use olive, coconut, or sesame oil - whichever you prefer.

• Your favorite seasonings; salt, pepper, garlic, or any ethnic blend. (I like to pair Tex-Mex with shrimp, Italian for chicken, and Asian with pork.)

Directions:

1. Heat oil in a fry pan large enough to hold your portion of zoodles * Note - the zoodles will reduce in size by about 1/2, you may want to work in batches for a large serving.

2. Gently drop zoodles in hot oil, so that you hear a definite “sizzle”, allow to brown/caramelize before turning - approximately 2-3 minutes.

3. Season with your favorite mixture. It can be as simple as salt and pepper, or you may decide to spice things up a bit with garlic, cayenne pepper, or an Italian, Mexican, or Asian blend.

4. Turn gently once or twice, until zoodles have become translucent and are cooked through - less than 5 minutes.

5. Serve as a side or add grilled shrimp, chicken, or pork for a satisfying all-in-one main.

Your zoodles, your way. Oodles of ‘em! I hope you enjoy!

It's Christmas - In July - With Balsam Hill!

Christmas comes but once a year… OR DOES IT? Don’t tell the folks at Balsam Hill, they celebrate - and decorate - all the year through!

Their special Christmas in July Sale runs from the 1st of July through August 2nd. You can save up to 50% on trees and décor plus get FREE SHIPPING!

It’s always the right time to be thinking of the miracle of Christmas and I’ve never been able to pass up a Christmas shop - or sale - no matter the month displayed on my calendar.

Bring the joy of the holidays to your summer with the steals and deals you can find at Balsam Hill’s Christmas in July Sale!

(Psst: It's also the perfect time to buy a Christmas tree to avoid shipping delays during the Holiday Season!)

There’s a woodland wonderland waiting to arrive on your doorstep from Balsam Hill.com!

"Living Brave," A Book We All Need

Living Brave

Life throws us many curve balls. Why some of us have to duck, dodge, and deal with far more than others is a mystery. How does one stay hopeful? Resilient? Happy, even?

Shannon Dingle, writer and disability advocate, helps us to understand in her new book, “Living Brave.”

She knows a thing or two about survival in times of trauma and upheaval, and has learned how to embrace the preciousness of life amid it all.

After surviving sexual abuse and trafficking as a child, Shannon was left with lasting disabilities. And yet she rose. She blossomed. She thrived. She married and became a mom - six times over. Life was good. And then it wasn’t. A rogue wave hit her husband while their family was on vacation tragically ending his life, leaving her a widowed mother of 6, deep in grief.

“The grief of the aftermath of losing her love and life partner sits at the heart of Living Brave, where Shannon’s searing, raw prose, illustrates what it looks like to take brave steps on the other side of unimaginable loss.

Through each challenge, she reveals the ways she learned to walk through them to the other side, and find courage even through the darkest moments. Living Brave gives women permission to wrestle with difficult topics, to use their voice, to take a stand for justice, to honor the wisdom of their bodies, and to enact change from a place of strong faith.”

This is a book anyone who has ever wondered “How do I get through this?” needs. Which means it’s a book we ALL need. To live, it is said, is to love. It is also to experience loss and pain. For some, like Shannon, there are other elements, abuse, trauma, and disability.

Image by Amy Paulson Photography

Let her invite you into her life and share her experiences with you, so that you might find some insight and inspiration on how to deal with whatever curve ball life has thrown at you and remain hopeful still.

Here’s where you can get your copy of LIVING BRAVE.

Sisters Of The Resistance & Island Queen | July Book Club

I don’t know if it stems from our “year of restrictions” or if there are just too many good new releases, but the last couple of months I’ve found it impossible to limit my book club selection to a single title!

“Sisters Of The Resistance,” by Christine Wells, and “Island Queen,” by Vanessa Riley, are the two I’ve chosen to share with you during the month of July!

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Sisters Of The Resistance

Here’s an incredible story, inspired by real-life people, places, and happenings. “Sisters of the Resistance” by Christine Wells, tells of the bravery of Catherine Dior, sister of the fashion designer, Christian Dior, whose label we all covet to this day, and her heroic movements near the end of WWII in occupied France.

“Paris, 1944: The war is nearly over, but for members of the Resistance in occupied France, it is more dangerous than ever before. Twenty-five-year-old Gabby Foucher loathes the Nazis, though as the concierge of 10 rue Royale, she does her best to avoid conflict—unlike her bolder sister Yvette, who finds trouble at every turn. 

Then they are both recruited into the Resistance by Catherine Dior and swept into a treacherous world of spies, fugitives, and intrigue. While Gabby risks everything for the man she is hiding from the Nazis, Yvette must decide whether to trust an enigmatic diplomat who seems to have guessed her secret. As the threat of betrayal draws ever-closer, one slip could mean the deaths of many, and both sisters must make choices they might regret. “

We hear so little of the remarkable women who helped to defeat Nazi forces during WWII, that I find stories such as these completely engrossing and absolutely jaw dropping.

"As dazzling as a Dior gown! With a gorgeous blend of fashion, heartbreak, heroism, and love this book will transport you to France...” —Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author of “The Paris Secret.”

Immerse yourself in Catherine Dior’s Paris spy network by picking up
your own copy of SISTERS of the RESISTANCE.

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Island Queen

From what little I know of the colonial West Indies, a story about a woman of color who rose from slavery to become a wealthy and powerful landowner, would seem rather extraordinary. And that’s exactly what “Island Queen,” by Vanessa Riley is! Extraordinary.

In this stunning historical novel, Riley draws upon the true-life story of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas to weave a fascinating, page-turning adventure.

”Born into slavery on the tiny Caribbean island of Montserrat, Doll bought her freedom—and that of her sister and her mother—from her Irish planter father and built a legacy of wealth and power as an entrepreneur, merchant, hotelier, and planter that extended from the marketplaces and sugar plantations of Dominica and Barbados to a glittering luxury hotel in Demerara on the South American continent.

Island Queen is a sweeping epic of an adventurer and a survivor who answered to no one but herself as she rose to power and autonomy against all odds, defying rigid eighteenth-century morality and the oppression of women as well as people of color. It is an unforgettable portrait of a true larger-than-life woman who made her mark on history.”

I absolutely could NOT put this one down. It is rich in historical details, transporting me to a hot tropical climate in a time without air conditioning or any other modern convenience, and where survival for most was tied to incredible physical labor and discomfort. How anyone survived the circumstances baffles me, and how one woman could rise, and rise, and rise, is astonishingly inspirational!

“Richly detailed, vividly depicted, and sweeping in scope, “Island Queen” is historical fiction at its absolute finest. A stunning must-read!”—Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author of “The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba.”

Here’s where you can get it: ISLAND QUEEN

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Before you head out to the lake, the beach, or the backyard, grab your sunhat, shades, a tall cool glass of iced tea, and these two great reads!

Enjoy!

Fresh Corn, Tomato, & Cucumber Salad

This colorful salad recently appeared at a family gathering.

Amongst delicious, but not the healthiest choices, (yes, I’m talking to you, bratwurst, Doritos, and potato salad!) it was a fresh, welcome addition to the early summer banquet table.

It’s easy to mix together, and you can adapt it to whatever you’ve got in the fridge.

Use the olive oil and vinegar you’ve got around. Regular, extra-virgin, rice, white wine, red wine, whatever. Try the recipe’s “secret ingredient” of Montreal Steak Seasoning (a dry mixture of salt, pepper, paprika, garlic, and who knows what) or substitute your favorite seasoning blend. Add avocado, rinsed and drained black beans, scallions if you don’t have red onion, mozzarella cheese, or feta crumbles… Add sunflower or roasted pumpkin seeds just before serving if that tickles your fancy. Your salad, your way.

Here’s the recipe for the one pictured!

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup olive oil 

• 3 tablespoons rice vinegar

• 3 generous tablespoons McCormick’s Montreal Steak Seasoning (or salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste)

• 2 cans of whole kernel corn, drained, or 6 ears fresh corn cooked, cooled, and cut from cob (about 4 cups)

• 2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, halved

• 2 large cucumbers, peeled, and diced

• 1 large red bell pepper, seeds removed, diced

• 1/2 large red onion, diced

Directions:

1. Whisk together the oil, vinegar, and seasonings in a small bowl.

2. Combine corn, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and red onion in a large bowl.

3. Pour the vinaigrette over the veggies and toss to coat.

4. Let stand for about 10-15 minutes then give a taste test and adjust seasonings if needed, adding salt, pepper, garlic or others (Italian blend) to your likings.

5. Serve.

Fresh, light, and healthfully delicious. Go ahead and indulge in the other picnic favorites, but leave a little room on that flimsy paper plate for some of this goodness!

Perfect for your Father’s Day, 4th of July, or any summer gathering.

Father's Day Gift-Away!

Last month I put together some pretty Mother’s Day packages and gifted them away to some very deserving moms. So it only seems fair that THIS month I do something similar for a few lucky dads!

My Father’s Day Gift-Away includes some good reads, good eats, and a gift card that’s good to go (on your own little shopping excursion.)

I’m including both books from my June Book Club, The Immortals and In Times of Rain and War. Both stories take place during World War II, one being non-fiction and the other an historical novel.

The first is titled, The Immortals, by Steven T. Collins. This is well-researched work of non-fiction tells the story of the four famous chaplains serving the SS Dorchester, (known as “The Immortal Chaplains”) and a previously unsung fifth hero who risked his life to save others when the ship with over 900 men on board went down in World War II.

The second volume in this Father’s Day pack is a phenomenal work of historical fiction, In Times of Rain and War, by Camron Wright, author of the best-selling novel, The Rent Collector. It is a story of a German citizen trgubg trying to keep herself and her secret alive during the Blitz in London, and Lt. Wesley Bowers, an American soldier training with a London Bomb Disposal company…

It is described as “a gripping and heartbreakingly beautiful story about the strength and resilience of the human heart and spirit, reminding us there is always hope in hard times.”

You can learn more about each on my June Book Club page, HERE.

Choose which volume you’d like to read while the grill is heating up, because I’ve recently made a new discovery that I’m sharing in my gift-away package, Oshēn Salmon.

Oshēn Salmon is vibrant, DELICIOUS, and sustainably raised Atlantic salmon that has a perfect combination of healthy omega-3s (DHA & EPA). Guaranteed seven days fresher than your local retailer. No hormones or heavy metals are included so you're eating salmon and only salmon.

An insulated package of fresh Oshēn Salmon will be delivered to your door. Each box will contain two (2) packages of 2 steaks each, or 4 total servings. A special treat for a special dad!

And, if that’s not enough, I’m tucking in a $25 gift card to The Home Depot so you can buy yourself some new grilling tongs to turn your salmon - or anything else that catches your fancy!

A long-time sponsor of mine, The Home Depot has it all. Which department you spend it in is your choice, Patio, Gardening, Tools. Lumber, Paint… the options are practically limitless!

The Father’s Day Gift-Away sweepstakes
will run from
Wednesday, June 2, through Friday, June 11.

Simply write to me HERE and tell me who and why you think should receive this gift-pack of goodies. I’ll choose 5 winners at random.

Thanks dads for the important job you do. For all the love, support and guidance, YOU RULE!

The Immortals & In Times of Rain and War | June Book Club

You know how sometimes you’re out to dinner and at the end of a delicious meal, after you’ve eaten so much you think you might simply burst… they roll out that desert cart??? And once presented with all the delicious options, not only can you not indulge, but you can’t even limit your choice to just one of possibilities in front of you?  

Well, that’s what it was like when it came time to pick this month’s book club title…

So let me introduce to you not one, but TWO terrific reads for the month that summer, sunshine, and some long lazy weekends (perfect for lounging, picnicking, and reading) present themselves, “The Immortals” & “In Times of Rain and War.”

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BUY LINK

The first of the two, The Immortals, by Steven T. Collins, is an incredible work of non-fiction that tells the story of the four famous chaplains serving the SS Dorchester, and the previously unsung fifth hero who risked his life when the ship went down in World War II with over 900 men on board.

“In 1943, German U-boats lurked in the icy waters of the North Atlantic, anxious to bring down Allied ships. 

By the time the four chaplains aboard the Dorchester descended into the lower holds, the troops knew something was going on; an announcement had blared over the loudspeakers. It was vague. The ship was entering into troubled waters. Submarines were estimated in the vicinity. They were told to put on their life jackets and clothes just to be safe. Tensions were rising. 

For the first time in print, this gripping narrative features the largely untold story of a fifth hero, Charles Walter David Jr., a young Black petty officer aboard a Coast Guard cutter who risked his life over and over again, even with hypothermia setting in, to try and rescue the men from the torpedoed Dorchester. 

Page-turning and inspiring, The Immortals explores the power of both faith and sacrifice and powerfully narrates the lives of five heroic men who believed in something greater than themselves, giving their all for people of vastly different beliefs and backgrounds.”

More information, the buy link, and a lovely video book trailer
for The Immortals can all be found HERE.

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BUY LINK

The second volume in this Father’s Day pack is a phenomenal work of historical fiction, In Times of Rain and War, by Camron Wright, author of the best-selling novel, The Rent Collector.

“In September of 1940, during the Blitz in London, Audrey Stocking is blending in with other civilians who are trying to survive the nightly bombings, but she has a secret. She’s not British; she’s German. Her fake passport and nearly perfect English allow her to blend in as she works hard to help evacuate British children into the countryside. Audrey longs to reunite with her family in Germany, but her double life, the bombings, and the watchful British Military Intelligence have forced her to stay put. And then there are the paralyzing nightmares . . .

Lieutenant Wesley Bowers, an American soldier training with London’s Bomb Disposal Company 5, meets Audrey when an air raid leaves an unexploded bomb on the floor of her flat. She is attractive, intelligent, and compassionate, and there’s an immediate connection between them. As they get to know each other, Wesley realizes Audrey is the one bright spot amid the war’s unending bleakness and constant threat of death. But will he still feel the same if he discovers the secrets she is hiding? Secrets even Audrey is unaware of?"

In Times of Rain and War is a gripping and heartbreakingly beautiful story about the strength and resilience of the human heart and spirit, reminding us there is always hope in hard times.”

You can find additional information, the buy link, and a great video
book trailer for In Times of Rain and War HERE.

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Memorial Day having been so recently commemorated, my thoughts and emotions have been with all the brave men and women who have served our country so valiantly, some paying the ultimate price for our freedoms.

These two books, both from the World War II era, seem the perfect match to my mood and musings, and perhaps to yours as well. Each are steeped in rich historical narrative and resplendent with tantalizing characters.

Go ahead, immerse yourself in the decadent delight of The Immortals & In Times of Rain and War, I won’t judge you because you couldn’t choose just one!

Building Happy Families with Annie's Kit Clubs

I’ve found a new friend and ally in Annie’s Kit Clubs!

Summer is winding down and soon we’ll all be spending more time INDOORS than we are outside. I’m so glad I have Annie’s Kit Clubs packages arriving regularly! With crafting kits for every member of the family, it’s one more reason to avoid screen time, and make something we can be proud of instead!

Annie’s is a subscription service. Sign up and receive craft kits in the mail on a regular schedule. They have something for every member of the family and every interest; textiles, knitting & crocheting, paper crafts, beading & jewelry, woodcrafts… There are subscriptions tailored to a huge variety of skills and interests and many seasonal projects too!

I’m especially fond of their Young Woodworkers Kit Club - a woodworking craft kit series designed for children from 7-12 years of age. Paul Adam is still a little young but he can complete many of the steps with a helping hand from me, Papa, or his older sisters.

He feels so proud when he’s finished a project - like this catamaran destined for the duck pond - and I know he’ll carry a love of woodworking and the skills he’s learning well into adulthood.

This fall is a great time to get back into something you once loved or try something new. Kits are delivered to your door with all the supplies you need to get creative.

Check out Annie’s Kit Clubs and the incredible crafts they have to offer HERE
and receive 75% off your first Young Woodworkers Kits
with the promo code “RADIO.”

May is Foster Care Awareness Month!

Since 1988 May has been recognized as National Foster Awareness Month. 

While children in foster care deserve love, support, and recognition every month of the year, and every day of their lives, this designation helps to bring awareness to the 400,000 children living in temporary situations outside their family of origin.

That's why I chose THIS month to invite Jennifer Perry to join me on my podcast, LOVE SOMEONE. Jennifer, and the organizations she's associated with, Children’s Action Network and FosterMore, work tirelessly on behalf of vulnerable children in the system in the hopes of enriching their lives and building a better future for them, and for all of us. (It's important to remember that the youth of today become the leaders of tomorrow.)

Becoming involved with the plight of foster care is also a gift you give yourself and to the society we all live within.

From the CAN website

Children’s Action Network (CAN) uses the power of the entertainment community to increase awareness about children’s issues and make them a top priority in everyday life.

CAN is currently dedicated to raising awareness about and finding homes for the more than 100,000 youth in foster care in the United States who are waiting for an adoptive family and improving outcomes for the more than 400,000 youth in foster care.

I can't tell you the number of people who call my evening radio program, who write to me, or leave comments on my social media platforms lamenting the fact that they are LONELY. Loneliness is a disease, and I'm happy to tell you that becoming involved in supporting foster kids is a sure-fire cure! There are a myriad of ways to become involved in this critical need, and it doesn't have to mean being a foster parent (tho I encourage you to do that if your heart is leaning in that direction!) 

Becoming a mentor, an advocate, or volunteer at events that support foster kids... Stuffing duffle bags with essential items to their many, many transitions from home to home, building a shop-free closet in your community... creating an internship program if you're a business owner or manager... these are just a teeny tiny sampling of how you can help these kids and fill however many hours of your day that you might otherwise be isolated and feeling lonely.

From the FosterMore website

FosterMore is an unparalleled coalition of media and entertainment companies, foundations, non-profits, businesses and philanthropic organizations working to create greater understanding, empathy, and action to improve the future of youth in foster care. The approach falls into three categories:

1. Entertainment & Media Engagement – FosterMore works to unleash the assets of the entertainment and creative communities to change the narrative for foster youth and families.

2. One-Stop Web Presence and Foster Care Hub – FosterMore brings together businesses and non-profit child and family service organizations in collaboration. Their website and social media platforms serve as a conduit for anyone looking to get involved with foster care. The website offers a clear “ladder of engagement,” which allows site visitors to take action as they see fit.

3. National Education Scholarship for youth in foster care – FosterMore believes in the promise of all children and funds raised benefit our nonprofit partners with scholarships for youth in foster care. The scholarship fund is a way for many companies and individuals to be involved in realizing the amazing potential of youth in foster care.

I know that I become quite frustrated with the situation and the systems that are currently in place, but I have to remind myself that it's important to give credit to those things that ARE working and the people who are giving so much of themselves. So May is also a time to show appreciation and gratitude for foster parents as well as the people and organizations that ALREADY supporting foster youth and the progress that's been made.

For example, when I was talking with Jennifer on my podcast, I asked how many states had programs that assisted kids who were 'aging out' of the system. (The last time i checked, the number was 12 .) Jennifer did get back to me, and with good new too - that number has risen to 32! 32 states now provide some kind of assistance to kids after they turn 18 years old to help them become self-supporting. I am so thrilled to hear this! I'll be happier still when all 50 are on board, but hopeful that the time is coming.

From the Point Hope website

The number of ways the organization I founded, Point Hope, supports kids in foster care is limited only by your own imaginations.

From Teenistas, a day of day of dress-up, pampering, and dining for teen girls, providing shoe-boxes of school supplies, duffle bags of necessities, and free closets, Points of Hope Chapters are sprinkled all over our country, started by folks who want to get involved using skills and talents they possess. You can too!

There is still so much work to be done, and that's where I hope all of you will come in. Do you have it in your heart to help a foster child? I hope so! Because each state’s foster system operates a little differently, here’s a great starting place:

The National Foster Care & Adoption Directory which offers contact information for State child welfare officials, programs, organizations, and services with a focus on foster care, permanency, and adoption.

Daughter Briar’s adoption!

You can search their directory to find foster care and adoption agencies, support groups, training- and youth-specific associations, State offices, and State-sponsored information lines. Links to websites and agency-specific details are also provided, if available. It provides details on

• How to become a foster parent

• How to adopt

• Contact information for local and county child welfare agencies

• Accredited/approved adoption services providers for inter-country adoption

Please help in whatever capacity you are able, remembering that THEIR future is also YOUR future and we can all play a part in making it better and brighter for everyone!

DeVon Franklin | "Live Free: Exceed Your Highest Expectations"

I’ve been a big big fan of all things DeVon Franklin for a long while now. That’s why I can heartily recommend his new book, “LIVE FREE: Exceed Your Highest Expectations.”

As you may already know, DeVon Franklin is an award-winning film producer, NYT bestselling author, and motivational speaker. He was a guest on my podcast, LOVE SOMEONE with Delilah, along with another one of my favorite people, Chrissy Metz, after directing the heartwarming, faith affirming, film, BREAKTHROUGH. And before that, I was fortunate to have a small, (ok tiny… ok, teeny tiny) speaking part in THE STAR the sweet animated film he also directed.

DeVon is committed to uplifting global communities through entertainment and has leveraged his 20-year Hollywood career and experiences to become a leading authority on inspirational personal and professional development with millions of followers worldwide. Perhaps this is why Variety Magazine named him one of the "Top 10 Producers to Watch,"

DeVon is also the author of multiple bestselling books including THE TRUTH ABOUT MEN, THE SUCCESS COMMANDMENTS, THE WAIT (co-written with his wife, award-winning actress Meagan Good) and PRODUCED BY FAITH.

His highly anticipated fifth book, LIVE FREE: Exceed Your Highest Expectations was just released this month!

He helps teach us how to live free from unnecessary stress and anxiety and lead happier lives by learning to set our own expectations rather than accepting those imposed upon us.

Everything DeVon touches is full of lessons and wonderful advise helping us live more joyful lives. This one will be on my night stand for a long time to come. I want you all to get a copy, and heed the advice he sets forth within! I can assure you that any advice DeVon has to offer is positive, powerful, and empowering, and nothing but good things will come of you following it.

Pick up your copy through DeVon’s own website: LIVE FREE

Dandelion Jelly (Sunshine in a Jar!)

A few weeks ago I shared a post about dandelions to my Facebook page - It garnered over one thousand comments! Many of them were about dandelion jelly. I was intrigued.

I looked up a few recipes and sought the professional services of one of the top dandelion pickers in the country, (my almost three-year-old granddaughter, Rosalie,) to gather the necessary ingredients. Dandelion heads, lots of them.

Rosalie acquired her picking skills very early on and knew, by some deep intuition, that stems were absolutely unnecessary to the task, because she’s never bothered with them. It’s the big beautiful yellow bloom that we’re after, and wow, did she deliver!

If you have no interest what-so-ever in dandelion jelly, you’ll still delight in the photographs my daughter Shaylah took of her pretty little dandy plucker. They make my heart melt.

But if you ARE interested in how to make dandelion jelly, or as i like to call it, Sunshine in a Jar, read on:

Ingredients:

• 1 Large Bowl of Dandelion Heads

• 4 cups Boiling Water

• 4 cups Granulated Sugar

• 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice

• 1 packet Fruit Pectin

• Steril Jelly Jars, Lids & Rings

• Water-Bath Canner (and all supplies necessary to making jams and jellies: funnel, ladle, jar lifter, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Pick a good sized bowl of clean, fresh, dandelion heads - no stems needed. (Make sure these are from an area free of herbicides, pesticides, animal droppings, and auto exhaust.)

2. Next, cut or pinch off the bottom of the flower - the green bit that holds the petals together - until you have two heaping cups of dandelion petals.

3. Place in a jar and pour 4 cups of boiling water over the petals.

4. Let cool then put a lid on the jar and place in refrigerator over night.

5. The following day, strain the dandelion tea from the petals, squeezing out all the liquid possible. Place the liquid in a stock pot on the stove, and dispose of the petals.

6. Add the lemon juice and packet of fruit pectin to the tea and bring to a boil.

7. Next, add the 4 cups of sugar to the mixture and bring to a boil again, boiling 1-2 minutes.

8. Using a funnel. ladle the hot mixture into clean, sterile canning jars, place clean, sterile lids and rings on them, and tighten to just finger tight.

9. Place in a water bath canner and process 10 minutes.

10. Remove from water bath and place on kitchen towel. letting rest and set for the next 24 hours.

Keep and enjoy some for yourself and distribute the rest as springtime gifts to family and friends.

Everyone will love a little bit of sunshine in a jar!

It tastes a lot like honey with a hint of citrus, and is great on toast, english muffins, or scones!

And it’s sooooo much fun to make with little ones!

Special thanks to Rosalie for her pro picking skills, to Shaylah for the beautiful photographs, and to baby Alice, for cooperating long enough for her mama and big sister to complete the job!

Raised In The Kitchen | May Book Club

I looooove cooking for my large crazy crew!

Seems like I’m always in the kitchen with kids underfoot, over foot, beside me, betwixt me, on stools, and perched on a counter. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Cooking and eating is more than simple nourishment, it’s a time of togetherness; bonding, talking, laughing, and loving.

That’s what popular cooking blogger and author, Carrian Cheney, and I have in common! But the similarities end there, because I am anything BUT organized and thoughtful about my processes. She, however, is! And it’s our good luck that she has the ability to break things down into easily understandable steps, write it out, and share it with all of us. On her blog, and in her new book, Raised In The Kitchen, my May Book Club pick.

Carrian knows that cooking together as a family is the secret to not only raising children well prepared for adulthood but also to mixing ingredients beyond just the dough for cookies--love, unity, and combined hearts. She is well aware that family and memories are made one recipe at a time.

Raised In The Kitchen is a step-by-step guide that covers food prep to clean-up. It includes ingredient lists and easy-to-follow recipes as well as “dollops of heartwarming family stories, insights, and kid-friendly food activities to keep everyone from the tired and overwhelmed mom to the littlest of picky eaters focused on deliciousness in the kitchen.”

It’s got a whopping 75 recipes from basics (like fried eggs & baked potatoes) to beyond (like steak fajitas and chocolate cake,) with a natural progression as cooking skills are developed. Recipes include tips and tricks in the kitchen to build capabilities and confidence.

“Raised in the Kitchen is a cookbook for parents and kids about much more than learning to love to cook. It's about bringing families together and then one day sending those little hands off to their own kitchens, where they will teach their own children the recipes, laughter, and love that shaped their lives.”

Tips on Salt * Breads * Breakfast
Meat 101 * Side Dishes * Knife Safety 101
Main Dishes * Family Bakeoffs * Desserts

Raised In The Kitchen deserves a place in your cookbook library and will become thumb-worn with use as you and your children or grandchildren bond, and grow, and eat your way through every page!

Get Your Copy of Raised In The Kitchen!

Mother's Day Gift-Away

What deserving mom do you know that would love to have this gorgeous collection of pretty, pampering items delivered to her doorstep this May?

I reached out to some of my favorite radio sponsors to see if they would help me bless some mothers - the most difficult and most rewarding profession there ever was - and they all responded with an enthusiastic YES! Each of them have generously contributed some of their top-selling most sought-after products to make this an incredibly special package.

To win one for a special mom that deserves every good thing that comes her way? Write to me at D@Delilah.com between April 30th and May 7. Be sure to tell me about the mom that you want to receive this, as well as CONTACT and MAILING INFORMATION. I’ll select 5 entries at random.

Here’s a run-down of everything in the package - follow the links and pick up some of these fabulous products for yourself!

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Laura Geller is a recent addition to my family of fabulous sponsors, and I fell head-over-heals the moment we met! I’ve been using all their products daily, and my Facebook Live watchers have been generous with their compliments. I love every single product I’ve tried, and especially the two they’ve added to this package:

Say farewell to dry, flaky skin with Hydrate Skin Perfecting Spackle Primer: Quench your skin’s thirst with this two-in-one moisturizer and primer and save time on your beauty regimen. Featuring a blend of sodium hyaluronate, glycerin and antioxidant botanical ingredients, this nourishing formula brightens and replenishes skin for a healthier, suppler complexion. Create a smooth canvas for improved foundation application and wear, and keep your face feeling fresh all day!

Nothing But Neutrals Baked Eyeshadow Wardrobe: 31 baked eyeshadows feature a mix of matte and shimmery shades ranging from beige to brown to gray, and everything in between. The velvety-soft shadows deliver high pigmentation and all-day wear. Worn alone or mixed together, wet or dry, as shadows, liners, or even brow fillers, pull off your everyday eye looks with these universally flattering neutral hues that work for all occasions. Neutral doesn’t have to mean boring!

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Balsam Hill and I have had a long, happy relationship! Their gorgeous faux florals brighten and beautify my home and studio year-round. In addition to the most realistic faux Christmas Trees on the market, they also offer a sophisticated and breathtaking selection of fall and spring products.

My friends at Balsam Hill wanted to add this French Market Wreath  to our package so that our winners would be able to enjoy a little bit of beauty and romance of springtime in Paris. It includes an array of faux flowers including purple cattails, white lilacs, and thistle with mixed greenery. Each one is handcrafted and therefore unique. Find it and so much more when you visit Balsam Hill!

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Cooking with and for our families is something successful food blogger, and author of Raised In The Kitchen, Carrian Cheney and I have in common. Unlike me however, Carrian has the ability to break everything down into easy-to-follow steps, write it out, and share the process with you!

That’s what she’s done with her new cookbook, Raised In The Kitchen. It’s a cookbook for parents and kids that’s about much more than learning to love to cook. It's about bringing families together and then one day sending those little hands off to their own kitchens, where they will pass down the recipes, laughter, and love that shaped their lives. From fried eggs to simple fail-proof dinners to killer chocolate cake, it’s all in here (and so much more!)

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I started using {save} skin care products a few years ago. I don’t think I could live without it now! It’s name says it all! And lucky for you, they are providing a large selection of full-size products so that you can experience what I do.

This package contains everything needed for the perfect routine to strengthen and rejuvenate the skin!

Hydrating Facial Cleanser - neutral pH and includes super hydrating Trehalose - a nature-derived ingredient found in plants and other organisms that let them survive through drought seasons. Gentle Gommage Exfoliator - with hydrating Shea butter and Corn bioferment, and soothing Matcha, a very gentle way to get rid of dead skin cells and refresh the appearance of your complexion without irritating the skin. Leaves your skin smooth and vibrant. Ultra-light Moisturizer - extremely light but nourishing formula. Does not clog the pores, absorbs immediately. Shea Butter will lock the moisture in your skin for maintained proper hydration level. Anti-pollution Sleeping Mask - rich and moisturizing but sinks right into the skin without any greasiness. It will gently exfoliate and deeply hydrate your skin while you sleep, so easy

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ALMOND ROCA®, from Brown & Haley Confectioners, has a special place in my heart and memories, having been one of my mother’s favorite indulgences.

There was always a pink tin of these delectables tucked away in my childhood home to be brought out on special occasions. And now it’s a long-time beloved sponsor of the Delilah program (and sampled by yours truly a little too often if truth be told) But Oh How I Love This Stuff!

They are providing two tempting treats for our give-away. Their Classic ALMOND ROCA® Buttercrunch combines premium California almonds and pure vanilla with fresh local butter and their signature blend of cocoa beans for an irresistible taste sensation of buttery goodness, and a package of their new ROCA® Bites; Little bite sized pieces with a buttercrunch toffee center , also covered in their signature blend of cocoa beans and almond pieces.

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There you have it, a big beautiful basket I’m ‘gifting-away’ to five (5) lucky recipients.

Remember, to enter, you must write to me at D@Delilah.com between Friday, April 30th and Friday, May 7th and tell me about a deserving mom in your life. In order to get a package anywhere, I’ll need Contact Information, including a MAILING ADDRESS!

Best of luck my friends, and THANK YOU for being a part of my life!

In Love with Laura Geller

WATCH a Special Greeting from Laura Geller!

If you've been tuning in to my Facebook LIVE's I do most afternoons, you may have heard me mention an incredible new radio sponsor, Laura Geller, a makeup line specially formulated for women over 40.

I am absolutely in love with the look and feel of it on my skin! (And not unhappy at all with the generous compliments I've been receiving!)

I chuckle at the name, but the serious hydration of their Spackle Perfecting Primer, a two-in-one moisturizer and primer, is no joke! Featuring a blend of sodium hyaluronate, glycerin and antioxidant botanical ingredients, it's a nourishing formula that brightens and replenishes skin for a healthier, suppler complexion. It creates a 'smooth canvas' for improved foundation application and wear, and keeps your face feeling fresh all day! I now use it before doing my LIVE feeds and have received thousands of comments about how fresh and young I appear!

There's a whole range of Spackle Skin Perfecting Primers, for every type of skin:

• Original Clear: Natural and invisible, works for everyone!

• Original Champagne Glow: A soft golden sheen that gives a luminous candlelight glow.

• Mattify: Transparent, non-greasy formula, an oily gal’s best friend.

• Original Ethereal Rose Glow: Rose-tinted pigments deliver instant radiance while hydrating, soothing, and preparing skin for flawless makeup application.

• Hydrate: Brightens and replenishes, Sodium Hyaluronate attracts moisture to skin cells improving foundation application and wear.

It's a simple little gift you can give yourself this spring, to put your best foot and your best face forward! And, Laura Geller giving the gift of a 25% discount to all my friends and listeners. Use code "LAURA25" at checkout for 25% off products site-wide!

Find it HERE.

Their exceptional powder foundations glide on like creams, never caking, cracking, or seeping into fine lines or wrinkles, because ( let's be honest) while I'm proud of every crease I've earned, I hardly want to shine a spotlight on them!

I particularly love their Balance-n-Bright foundation, which feels light and refreshingly cooling, brightening my face and my mood!

Oh! And FREE RETURN SHIPPING is also offered. Because even though they make it as easy as possible to chose the correct shade online, they know it's not a fool-proof system.

I'm already loving this relationship, and I know you will too!

SHOP LauraGeller.com

Music Notes | Tim McGraw & Carrie Underwood

Sharing music with you is one of my greatest joys. This month I have the pleasure of introducing you to two wonderful new projects I think you’ll be excited about.

Each of these multi-talented writers and recording artists have joined me on my podcast, each are truly gifted and giving individuals, and each have hearts that match the radiance of their smiles.

Three-time GRAMMY® winner and country superstar Tim McGraw has two digital deluxe versions of his #1 album HERE ON EARTH: HERE ON EARTH Ultimate Edition & HERE ON EARTH Ultimate Video Edition available TODAY, April 16!

The Ultimate Edition features six new tracks, including “Undivided,” McGraw’s latest collaboration with Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard, and two additional bonus movie tracks: “Keep Your Eyes on Me” with Faith Hill from the 2017 feature film The Shack , and “Gravity” from the 2018 OSCAR winning documentary "Free Solo."

The Ultimate Video Edition will include all tracks on the Ultimate Edition with the addition of videos for six songs: “Here on Earth,” “I Called Mama,” “Gravy,” “Undivided,” “Thought About You,” and “Neon Church.”

Both albums are available today HERE.
Listen to my podcast with Tim HERE.

(Additionally, a special edition 12” vinyl of “Undivided” will be available on June 12 for Record Store Day.
An acoustic version of McGraw’s hit single “I Called Mama” – originally released in May 2020 – will be on the B-side of the vinyl. The song has continued to serve as a reminder of the importance of home and human connection, especially in the toughest of times.)

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Seven-time GRAMMY® winner and three-time ACM Entertainer of the Year Carrie Underwood, recently released her new album, My Savior, debuting at #1 across the Country and Christian charts.

My Savior consists of covers of some of Carrie’s favorite traditional gospel hymns in a unique pastiche of musical styles from classic country to folk, bluegrass, and gospel.  The album is available digitally and on CD now, and will be available on vinyl April 30.  

Carrie says, “This is an album I have always wanted to record and I’m thrilled to be able to bring these uplifting, inspirational songs to life in this special way” . 

 She goes on to say, “When I set out to choose these songs, I wanted to include the beautiful, familiar hymns I grew up singing in church,” says Underwood.  “There are several songs I have performed in the past, like ‘Softly And Tenderly,’ ‘How Great Thou Art’ and ‘Amazing Grace’ that mean so much to me and I knew immediately we needed to record for the album.  This music shaped who I am as a person and is the foundation of my career as a recording artist.  I feel so blessed to get to share these songs with generations of people who love them as I do, as well as others who might be experiencing them for the first time.”  

Here’s the order LINK.
Listen to my podcast episode with Carrie HERE

(My Savior CD, vinyl, and limited-edition t-shirt/CD boxsets are available Here. )

I hope everyone’s spring season is off to a wonderful start. It’s the time of new beginnings and second chances, of reminders that light will always defeat the dark, and of course, the perfect time for music.

Mercy Ships

MERCY SHIPS

So many years ago now that it’s difficult to remember exactly when, my eyes and my heart were opened to the people of Africa. A magical place of great natural beauty, culture, resources, and, unbelievable need. Since then I’ve worked with Point Hope and countless other worthy organizations to help create pathways to better education, services, nutrition, and health for those in Africa and well beyond.

I often say, “It’s when the sky is night-est, the stars are brightest”; there’s nothing quite like the luxury of star-gazing and reveling in the wonder of our heavens on a crisp clear night. It’s a metaphor for life. Those of us privileged to have access to the goods and services to meet our every need live in a state of clear skies and immense possibility, free to dance in the radiance of twinkling celestial bodies. But for many in our global community it’s difficult (to impossible) to see the light through the fog of very real hardships.

For over 40 years Mercy Ships has been serving as a beacon of hope, changing people’s lives. They turn ships into floating hospitals and journey to some of the poorest countries in the world, providing free surgical procedures — over 100,000 — to those with no access to medical care, aided by volunteers who come from all walks of life.

In doing so, they’ve also helped transform entire communities in Africa by training local doctors who continue the work long after the ships leave port.

The hope that Mercy Ships creates goes well beyond patients and their families. It also inspires the surgeons, nurses, and entire team of volunteers and donors who make this mission happen.

For everyone involved with Mercy Ships, from medical and administrative personnel, to engine room assistants, galley workers and housekeeping, the world gets a little brighter.

Over the next several weeks you may hear me mentioning Mercy Ships on my radio program, or see posts about them on my social media platforms. I’m also working on a podcast that includes the stories of volunteers who have served aboard these floating medical miracle-makers. I guarantee you won’t be able to listen without a box of tissues nearby.

The reason? Because I want you to know of this incredible group of medical professionals and ship volunteers who’ve joined a high-seas mission to hand deliver gifts of hope and healing.

If you’re looking to make a difference in the world, all it takes is to become involved with an organization like Mercy Ships. It’s one way ordinary people like you and me can do extraordinary things - one heart at a time – by helping to change the life of someone in need.

So be listening and watching as I do my best to tell the Mercy Ships story… I know you will be as inspired to become involved, just as I have!

Get Involved!

Come, Sweet Day | April Book Club

We’ve been waiting, haven’t we, for our sweet day to come?

2020 dished out it’s fair share of disappointment and despair. The isolation many endured (and are still yet enduring,) made tough situations even less bearable. Pressures mounted, support systems collapsed, and our physical, emotional, and spiritual health was assaulted. Julianne Donaldson, bestselling romance author of Edenbrooke, knows the longing all too well. Come, Sweet Day, a collection of poems and essays, reminds us that we are not alone.

Donaldson went through a period of time when things were happening in her personal life that many of us like to believe only happen to others; conflicts, challenges, and upheavals led to depression and despondency. Come, Sweet Day, was written to let others know they are not alone, that there is a light in the darkness, and days will be bright again.

”Compiled from years of inspirational words of encouragement to herself on social media and even bits and pieces of random musings written on scrap paper, this is a unique writer's journey through a life passage marked by cancer, a bitter divorce, legal battles with her ex-husband, mental illness, and persistent feelings of rejection and abandonment which also rendered her unable to pick up her career as a writer to support herself and her family.

Overwhelmed by sadness and almost paralyzed into inaction by despair, she slowly finds her way back to her writer's toolbox, unpacking the pain and sharing her innermost feelings as if revealing a character's thoughts in a novel. In her writing she begins to find rays of understanding and acceptance and eventually finds strength from knowing that God's love and His grace and guidance give greater meaning to our suffering and light the way to hope.”

A slim little book, with a bright happy cover, Come, Sweet Day, is suited to all of us that have known troubling times and might have wondered if things would ever get better. They will!

It’s a thoughtful gift for a friend or family member that you sense could do with a bit of inspiration and absolutely perfect for Mother’s Day. Here’s where you can get a copy (or ten):

Buy Link: Come, Sweet Day

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New Movie | YES DAY

Do you have kids at home? I mean AT HOME, like so many do right now, with most schools in the country still using a distance or hybrid model of teaching…

If the answer is YES, you’re probably somewhat familiar with the feeling that you’re always in the position of saying NO! No, you can’t have friends over. No, you can’t eat on the couch. No, No, No! If that sounds and feels and familiar, you’ve got something in common with film parents, Allison and Carlos.

But would you give your kids a “Yes Day” - where THEY get to make the rules for the next 24 hours?

Jennifer Garner, who stars in YES DAY, said she would, has, and will do so again!

A fan of Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s books, she and middle daughter fell in love with the book, Yes Day! many years ago. Her daughter asked for a ‘Yes Day’ for Christmas and this fabulous mom delivered, and has continued the tradition every year since.

They’ve had so much fun with it, Jennifer wanted to bring it to the big screen, and we’re so lucky that she did!

YES DAY releases globally on Netflix today March 12.

It stars Jennifer Garner, Edgar Ramírez, Jenna Ortega, Julian Lerner and Everly Carganilla, as a family who said YES, kicking off a whirlwind adventure around Los Angeles that brought them closer to each other than ever before.

Say yes to YES DAY and join this fun-loving family on their wild ride! (And then make an effort to say Yes more often. Our kids have had to give up so much lately, they more Yes! in their lives!!)