I Brake for Moms

When Transient Global Amnesia strikes, the past three months become hard to remember. (Jennifer Bardsley)

The Friday I forgot is one to remember

A sudden — thankfully, temporary — episode of memory loss gave me an opportunity to reflect.

When Transient Global Amnesia strikes, the past three months become hard to remember. (Jennifer Bardsley)
A pile of shoes by the front door can be annoying, but it is also evidence of loved ones living together under one roof. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Remembering to cherish the things a mom takes for granted

Here’s to the noise, the mess and the laughter that fills life between now and when the kids are grown.

A pile of shoes by the front door can be annoying, but it is also evidence of loved ones living together under one roof. (Jennifer Bardsley)
Pizza, cake, crepes and ice cream — a day trip to Kingston is sweet bliss. (Jennifer Bardsley)

A delicious spring getaway is a lot closer than you think

Taking the ferry from Edmonds to Kingston, even if it’s just for ice cream, can be a memorable trip.

Pizza, cake, crepes and ice cream — a day trip to Kingston is sweet bliss. (Jennifer Bardsley)
You’ll never guess who planted these potatoes. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Their backyard crop of potatoes has a squirrely backstory

They planted a bag of Yukon Gold potatoes 10 years ago — yet spuds have been growing steadily ever since.

You’ll never guess who planted these potatoes. (Jennifer Bardsley)
After a year of social distancing, this family is ready to post up their tent trailer and make new memories that will last a lifetime. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Cooped-up social distancers come down with wanderlust

Now what? Last year’s visit to Glacier National Park in Montana was canceled it due to the pandemic.

After a year of social distancing, this family is ready to post up their tent trailer and make new memories that will last a lifetime. (Jennifer Bardsley)
Take-home activity kits help a local Girl Scout troop stay engaged over Zoom. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Where are the cookies? Girl Scouts different during pandemic

The girls aren’t camping, horseback riding or hiking because of COVID-19. But they’re still Scouting.

Take-home activity kits help a local Girl Scout troop stay engaged over Zoom. (Jennifer Bardsley)
The parenting journey takes you on an adventurous path at each stage of your child’s development. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Growing up: The ages and stages of raising your children

One minute your child is the baby in your arms, and the next minute, they’ve just landed their first job.

The parenting journey takes you on an adventurous path at each stage of your child’s development. (Jennifer Bardsley)
Can houseplants make you happy? We think so. (Jennifer Bardsley)

A love letter to houseplants during a long and lonely pandemic

A year of social-distancing is like living in a hothouse, but at least her plants provide good company.

Can houseplants make you happy? We think so. (Jennifer Bardsley)
From cash to credit cards, the pandemic has changed how this family shops. (Jennifer Bardsley)

The fantastical world of credit card online shopping portals

Thanks to the pandemic, she’s discovered a way to triple her points to get cash back on purchases.

From cash to credit cards, the pandemic has changed how this family shops. (Jennifer Bardsley)
What random ingredients does your refrigerator have in store for you? Leftover almond butter could be turned into a delicious dessert. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Back to basics: Some home economics tips for difficult times

She’s spent a lot of time thinking about cleaning this month, so you can benefit from her ah-ha moments.

What random ingredients does your refrigerator have in store for you? Leftover almond butter could be turned into a delicious dessert. (Jennifer Bardsley)
Trapped in her room by a tricky doorknob, a sixth-grade girl relies on her brother to hear her cries for help. (Jennifer Bardsley)

A family comes together to solve a middle-of-the-night crisis

She was grateful that her son had heard his sister’s call for help. His late-night hours had proven useful.

Trapped in her room by a tricky doorknob, a sixth-grade girl relies on her brother to hear her cries for help. (Jennifer Bardsley)
This pantry makeover was inspired by moths. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Careful organization turns small cabinets into a pantry

A moth infestation inspired her to break out the Tupperware and label maker for a well-sorted kitchen.

This pantry makeover was inspired by moths. (Jennifer Bardsley)
Freezer-to-table recipes — plus a little help from the kids — makes putting dinner on the table easy. (Jennifer Bardsley)

When families cook together, dinner is ready in a flash

Here’s how you, too, can assemble 14 freezer-to-table recipes in four hours for two weeks of easy meals.

Freezer-to-table recipes — plus a little help from the kids — makes putting dinner on the table easy. (Jennifer Bardsley)
In Edmonds, playgrounds remain closed due to the pandemic. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Mom: Pandemic safety restrictions are hitting children hard

Kids can play on playgrounds in Everett, Lynnwood, Mill Creek and Arlington — so why not Edmonds?

In Edmonds, playgrounds remain closed due to the pandemic. (Jennifer Bardsley)
Hitting a major milestone in the middle of a pandemic is still cause for celebration. Twenty years of marriage brings joy and reflection. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Twenty tips for a happy marriage — especially during a pandemic

Two decades of as husband and wife brings joy and reflection. Here are 20 life lessons they’ve learned along the way.

Hitting a major milestone in the middle of a pandemic is still cause for celebration. Twenty years of marriage brings joy and reflection. (Jennifer Bardsley)
2020 was a great year to be a dog — just ask Merlin. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Merlin the poodle takes ‘paws’ to reflect on 2020 in holiday letter

It’s been the best year of this dog’s life — especially because he gets to work from home with his best friend.

2020 was a great year to be a dog — just ask Merlin. (Jennifer Bardsley)
Extensive safety measures at the Woodland Park Zoo include markers that help keep you 6 feet apart. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Safety measures at the zoo help you forget about COVID-19

The Woodland Park Zoo limits capacity to 150 guests at a time, and you need reservations to enter.

Extensive safety measures at the Woodland Park Zoo include markers that help keep you 6 feet apart. (Jennifer Bardsley)
From tea parties to dumpsters, 2020 has redefined suburban living. (Jennifer Bardsley)

2020 may be a dumpster fire, but it made her appreciate dumpsters

This mom sticks to her chore chart, but it’s not enough — not when the house is lived in, with a capital L.

From tea parties to dumpsters, 2020 has redefined suburban living. (Jennifer Bardsley)
When it comes to flocked Christmas trees, everyone has strong opinions. (Jennifer Bardsley)

We need a little Christmas — no, make that a lot

It doesn’t matter if your tree is real or fake, pure or flocked. It just needs to fill your home with joy.

When it comes to flocked Christmas trees, everyone has strong opinions. (Jennifer Bardsley)
"Bookstagramming," the hobby of taking pictures of books and posting them on Instagram, is one of many activities that combat boredom during the pandemic. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Have you adopted odd enteratinment habits because of COVID-19?

Unloading the dishwasher can be fun — but mostly because fun is hard to come by during a pandemic.

"Bookstagramming," the hobby of taking pictures of books and posting them on Instagram, is one of many activities that combat boredom during the pandemic. (Jennifer Bardsley)