Every year on October 12, we celebrate National Farmers Day, a day dedicated to honoring the hard work, resilience, and essential contributions of the men and women who keep our nation fed and clothed. Historically known as Old Farmer's Day, this tradition dates back to the 19th century and is intentionally observed in October to mark the culmination of the traditional fall harvest season. While modern technologies like climate-controlled greenhouses and specialized growing practices allow agri …

What if one small act of kindness completely changed someone's day? From sharing a homemade treat and giving a heartfelt compliment to helping a neighbor or simply checking in on a friend, there are countless ways to spread a little happiness. National Do Something Nice Day on October 5th is the perfect opportunity to put kindness into action and remind the people around us how much they are appreciated. Whether you're celebrating with your family, friends, coworkers, or community, these simple …

We already know that we don't need a National Day to remind us how important our families are to us, but someone knew how special this day could actually be!  This little saying came to my mind as I was thinking of what I'd like to write about to celebrate this special day:  "A family who plays together, stays together" National Family Day, celebrated on September 28, is a wonderful reminder to slow down, put away the distractions, and spend meaningful time with the people who matter m …

Manufacturers of solid braided multifilament polypropylene rope, it's the rope derby people love! "An All-Purpose, Utility Rope." The Troyer Rope Company began in 1965, when Andrew Troyer (Andy) and his dad went to a local auction to bid on a rope-twisting machine. While his dad made a bid for the machine, they were unable to get the highest bid, and it was sold to another family for $8.00. Even at this young age, the way the rope is made was still continuing to dwell in his mind. How can rope …

An Adventure Back to 1958 There was a time when a good mystery didn't begin with a glowing screen. It began with a book. For me, it was going to Stone Memorial Library in Conneautville, PA. Maybe it came home from the Scholastic Book Fairs, or perhaps it was waiting under the Christmas tree with your name written inside the cover. Then you found your favorite chair, stretched out across the living-room rug, or crawled into bed with a flashlight and started reading. Before long, yo …

You can always tell when fall is coming.. mornings are a little more crisp than what we have been used to, the dew on the grass takes a little longer to dry off, and the leaves are starting to show up on our lawns rather than just in the trees.  Fall always brings more yearning of comfort food to my mind, and comfort food can always be made in the crock pot!  Fall is my husband, Randy's, favorite time of year.  Not because of the things described above (he hates being cold) but be …

Celebrating Hard Work, Family, and the Simple Joys of an American Labor Day There is something special about Labor Day. Maybe it’s the smell of hamburgers sizzling on the grill, the sound of children laughing in the backyard, or a bowl of homemade potato salad sitting on the picnic table. Maybe it’s the American flag waving from the porch, a parade passing through town, or the feeling that summer is giving us one last warm hug before autumn arrives. For generations of American famili …

Easy Tips & Tricks for Making the Transition from Summer Days to School Days a Little Easier There’s something wonderful about summer. Bedtimes get later. Breakfast might happen at 10 o’clock instead of 7. There are afternoons spent at the pool, evenings around the fire pit, and days when nobody knows what time it is—and nobody really cares! But then, almost overnight, the school supplies are bought, backpacks are packed, new shoes are sitting by the door, and the alar …

There are few desserts that capture the flavor of summer quite like a homemade peach pie. With its flaky, golden crust and sweet, juicy peach filling, peach pie is a all time favorite that brings together everything we love about summertime: fresh fruit, family traditions, warm memories, and a delicious dessert shared around the dining room table. On August 24th, National Peach Pie Day gives us the perfect reason to celebrate this classic American dessert and enjoy a slice—or two! A Slice …

When a Family Vacation Became an Adventure Of all the Happy Hollisters books I read growing up, The Happy Hollisters at Sea Gull Beach was always one of my favorites. There was something about this story that made it especially easy to imagine yourself right alongside Pete, Pam, Ricky, Holly, and Sue. You could almost feel the ocean breeze, hear the seagulls overhead, and share the excitement of packing the family car for a long-awaited trip to the beach. For a child like me growing up in rural …