Author Archives: Ellen Sewell

A Dozen Spring Daytrip Ideas

12 FAMILY-FRIENDLY DAYTRIP IDEAS IN THE CHARLOTTESVILLE AREA THIS SPRING Take advantage of the warmer weather and get out and about in the area this spring! Before the heat of summer comes in hot (no pun intended) plan a few fun family outings. Enjoy this list of a dozen ideas that offer a variety of […]

Allens Scottish Shortbread family baking in kitchen

A Mompreneur and the Family Cookie Business

Laura Shares Her Typical Mompreneur Day I wake up at 5 am, and make sure that within that still block of time before the girls join us, every thought pertaining to the cookie business gets recorded in my planner. Something about early morning, prayer and copious amounts of cold brew coffee that ushers in a […]

Valentine DIY: Easy-Peasy Card & Doily Envelope

DIY VALENTINE AND DOILY ENVELOPE I love making “pretty” things, but as a mom and publisher, I don’t have a lot of time for crafting. So, I’m always dreaming up easy projects that pack a lot of punch. I think this Valentine DIY doily envelope is a great example of this. They are seriously so […]

TinkerTar guitars created by Charlottesville VA Brian Calhoun

Brian Calhoun, Creator of the Famous TinkerTar

Meet The Founder of TinkerTar and Chickapig Charlottesville area native, Brian Calhoun is perhaps best known to local families as the creator of the popular game, Chickapig. Others may recognize his name as the co-founder of Rockbridge Guitar, a company that has crafted instruments for artists such as Dave Matthews and Keith Urban. Calhoun’s latest […]

I (Heart) Pancakes

HEART-SHAPED PANCAKES: A DELICIOUS WAY TO SAY “I LOVE YOU” When I created this recipe, we were on strawberry overload at home, and I wanted to get creative on how best to use them all while they were fresh. I love pancakes, and we were eating them pretty regularly at the time. So with Valentine’s […]

Family reading together

Black History Month Books for Kids

CHILDREN’S BOOKS FOR TEACHING ABOUT BLACK HISTORY MONTH Reading with your children is one of the best ways to engage with them on important issues. This February, honor Black History Month by taking time to read with your family, and encourage your kids to learn and talk about diversity and our country’s history. Check out […]

Girl with laptop doing homework

Tips on Being A Great Homework Parent

CHARLOTTESVILLE TEACHER SHARES TIPS WITH PARENTS ON HOW TO HELP WITH HOMEWORK In the book, The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, Ivan, a silverback gorilla, watches his human friend Julia consistently agonize over homework and remarks, “Homework, I have discovered, involves a sharp pencil and thick books and long sighs.” Sometimes, but not […]

Organized table with books and other decor

Easy Organizing

4 FUNCTIONAL & FREE OF CLUTTER HOME PROJECTS Our home is our oasis and personal space, where we love to show off our style, tastes and even family history. It’s our opportunity to create a place that exudes comfort and love, and one that displays our unique personalities and irreplaceable memorabilia. You want there to […]