Working and learning from home is the new norm for millions of American families. They’re engaged in a daily juggling act, making sure everyone has the bandwidth and privacy to complete their work, whether it’s the latest algebra assignment or the monthly all-staff meeting. Add in streaming services, online shopping and an assortment of other […]
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Design Trends in 2021 — Advice from the Experts
So many new trends coming our way for 2021. It’s been exciting to watch design ideas evolve. See what’s new in designs — from colors and furniture to flooring and surfaces. Every year, we gather our panel of design experts to discuss some of the hottest design trends. In 2021, expect to see more high-performing […]
How to Build Creativity in Children — Online and Offline (Part 2)
Parents play an important role in fostering creativity in their children during childhood and beyond — and you can do this not only with offline play but also by encouraging the right online activities. Some of the world’s leading researchers and educators have weighed in with their suggestions on how to encourage behavior that develops […]
How to Build Creativity in Children — Online and Offline (Part 1)
Creativity is a fundamental building block of our humanity. It’s the relentless engine that’s driven progress since the dawn of time and propelled us toward so many of our greatest achievements, from democracy and Darwinism to the Mona Lisa and the moon landing. And yet, parents often misunderstand creativity, treating it as something relevant only […]
The Ol’ Garage Door — From Functional to Smart and Classy
National Curb Appeal Month (apparently, it’s a thing) was in August, and this year the focus was on garage doors. And for good reason. Once the sole domain of the family car, today’s garage serves a multitude of purposes. People play in them, work in them, store belongings in them, keep supplies in them. The […]
How to Welcome a New Puppy to the Family
Introducing a new puppy to your household can bring many rewards. However, getting the hang of things can take some time, especially for first-time pet owners. It takes the average pet owner almost four months to get into the flow with a new four-legged family member, according to a survey by Royal Canin. Eight in […]
Want to Jump on the Real Estate Boom? Start Here.
Over the past several months, everyone’s lives have been upended, with consequences nobody predicted. One unexpected result of the pandemic? A real estate boom. With so many more people working from home, people are reevaluating their living spaces, including those who need to factor in homeschooling. Some families are realizing they need more bedrooms, larger […]
Cooking from the Pantry — A Quick Pasta Puttanesca
There always comes that day sometime between the holidays or shortly after when cooking another meal seems to be just too much. We are tired after a day out on a fresh air hike or putting away all the holiday decor, and the thought of planning and preparing dinner is the last thing we want […]
SunDog Ranch
SunDog Ranch received its occupancy permit five days before the COVID-19 lockdown began. Dean and Sherri Church, owners of Liberty Bay Auto, were both delighted and shocked to find themselves virtually home alone with their two teenage sons. Where did the contractors go? They hunkered down to learn the intricacies of their new home, with […]
