Brooke Romney Writes
It's Time to Stop Just Being Friendly and Start Being a Friend
Today I lost a friend. She was a widowed mother of two, working full time to provide a life for her son and daughter. She was kind and energetic. She was happy and involved. We chatted as we picked up our boys from each other's houses and exchanged greetings over the back fence. She took my son to the splash pad and I had hers over for movie night. She was a good mom who loved her kids, but now she is gone, and I am left wondering...did she know I was her friend? I was planning on getting closer to her. I wanted to have her family over for dinner. I thought about stopping by one ... more »
100 Great, Current Reads for Boys of All Ages!
My boys love to read, but it is difficult, as a woman to find books that especially interest boys. We have done lots of trial and error, so I wanted to share some of the books that my boys have loved. The list starts with a few of our most current favorites with summaries and descriptions, then the list goes from early readers (Kindergarten), all the way up to teen fiction. All of the books on this list have been read and recommended by boys of all ages with varied interest and reading levels. It includes both fiction and non-fiction, and the 100 titles come from the book listed p... more »
Teacher Thank You Note Prompt
Every year seems to go by more quickly...we are already at the end of school and I wish I could freeze time. This year has been especially wonderful...amazing teachers, good friends and boys growing into more of the men I hope they will become. At the end of the year, we always get our teachers a little thank-you gift, but more importantly, my boys write a heartfelt note of thanks to them that is specific and honest. Sometimes it is hard for them to think of exactly what they want to say, so I created these prompts for them. They have to choose 3, but they can do as many as they wan... more »
The Blessings of Being Raised by a Low-Maintenance Mother
My mom has a little curve on the tip of her nose that she affectionately calls, "The Cullimore Hook." She also has wrinkles on her face, a flat chest, a great smile and incredible legs. She is capable, kind, smart, low-maintenance and beautiful. In today's world, full of over-processed, over-done, over-glammed out women, I will be forever grateful that I was raised by a mother who has always been too busy with important things to scrutinize every inch of her body, to obsess about fine lines, to turn herself into something she isn't. For her, low-maintenance has never been Birkenstoc... more »
Tropical Strawberry Pineapple Salad
I am looking forward to salad season, and this one will be a new favorite at our house. It is light, sweet, and refreshing, like a little luau in your mouth! Tropical Strawberry Salad INGREDIENTS 4 hearts of romaine, chopped 1 1/2 cups FRESH pineapple, chopped into small pieces 2 cups chopped strawberries 1 lb. bacon cooked and crumbled 2 avocados, chopped 2 cups grated Asiago cheese (you could also use feta or parmesean) 1 bunch green onions, chopped 1 cup cinnamon almonds (Place one cup almonds in a skillet over med/hi heat. Add 2 tbsp. brown sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon. Mix and sti... more »
The Rouge Factory Tour at the Henry Ford Museum
I want to thank Janice Richardson for another wonderful guest post about her experience at the Rouge Factory Tour. It was one of our favorites too!! If you live near or visit Southeast Michigan, you have to stop at America's greatest manufacturing experience, The Ford Rouge Factory Tour. [image: Displaying image.jpg] The tour takes you to the historic Rouge factory where Henry Ford first began manufacturing automobiles from start (raw ore) to finish in one location. (The name Rouge comes from the Rouge River that the factory was built next to.) Not only will you be able to see a v... more »
Introducing KAT & LOU shop
My blog has been a bit neglected lately because my sister and I have been busy launching an online shop! We are incredibly excited to introduce you to... KAT & LOU Most of the time, having boys is all I need...until I walk through the clothing section and find myself wistfully wishing I could have a little more floral, ruffles, and lace in my life. Well, now I can! At KAT & LOU we work to carefully stock classic, funky and fun items at a great price. At the moment we have fabulous swimsuits, dresses, shorts, tops, rompers, and accessories for girls sizes 18 months-10 years and wil... more »
The App That Simplified My Life: Square Cash
A few months ago, a friend was paying me for a deposit on a condo. I usually wait for the check to arrive via mail, but he messaged me, "If I can send you money through Square Cash then I could more easily send now." He sent me a link to read up on it, but I was still skeptical...after all, I am a bit technically challenged and nothing ever seems as easy as it sounds. But, ready for this? It is that easy!! You quickly input your debit card info into the app and you can pay and receive money in an instant through email or text message, and it is completely free (both ways); in fact, ... more »
Bookworm Wednesday: Me Before You
For all those about to head out on a fantastic spring break vacation, I have the perfect book for you: Me Before You. I sped through the engaging prose in 3 days, sneaking in daytime reading (which I never do), and staying up way too late. The story was compelling and thought provoking but the writing was simple and clean with lovable characters and interesting family and relationship dynamics. It wasn't perfect, but I enjoyed every second I spent with it. Some language, but otherwise a pretty clean read. Highly recommended! *Goodreads.com summary: Lou Clark knows lots of things.... more »
Good Eats: Super Simple Caramel Brownies
These brownies were my dad's favorite growing up and they quickly became my husband's birthday treat of choice. I love them because they only take a few ingredients and are super simple (and dangerously addictive)! Caramel Brownies Ingredients 1 box German Chocolate Cake Mix 1 stick of butter, melted 1 small can 8 oz. evaporated milk 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 bag (14 oz.) caramels Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Mix the cake mix, butter, and 1/3 C. evaporated milk together in a medium size bowl. 3. Press half of cake mixture into the bottom of a greased ... more »
What the Memphis Grizzlies Can Learn from A Few Kids
Two weeks ago, my parents took my 11 year old son and me to a Utah Jazz game. It had been years since I had watched the NBA, and boy had things changed. The beginning was spectacular with fire, motorcycles, cheerleaders and a crazy mascot. The players were pumped and the crowd was ready. I was impressed. Until the national anthem. The woman singing was pitch perfect. The National Guard was serious, strong and reverent. The children on the court were in 2 lines, standing still as could be with their hands over their hearts. The crowd was mostly quiet and attentive. My eyes drifte... more »
Help the March of Dimes help Babies in Michigan!
If you or someone you love has ever had a baby that needed special care, you know how scary it can be. The March of Dimes has been helping babies and families through difficult situations for years. This month, in Michigan, you can help too! See below for all the details! *Ann Arbor/Hudson Mills www.marchforbabies.org/event/hudsonmills* *Date: Sunday, May 17, 2015* Start time: 11:00 AM Registration time: 10:00AM Hudson Mills MetroPark 8801 N Territorial Road Dexter, MI 48130 (734) 761-6331 *Oakland (formerly Troy) www.marchforbabies/event/oaklandmi* *Date: Sunday, April 26, 20... more »
Books Your Boys Will Love Right Now
The Young Samurai Series: This is my 4th grader's favorite series ever. He likes it even more than Harry Potter and Percy Jackson (I know, hard to believe). Every time he gets a new book in the series, we don't see him until he is finished. Highly recommended! Great for ages 10 and up. 8 Books in the series. *Summary: Shipwrecked on the shore of Japan, twelve-year-old Jack Fletcher is wounded and alone. His father and the entire crew have been slaughtered by ninja pirates. Jack's last remaining possession is his father's rudder, an invaluable book of maps and notes about the world... more »
Thanks to Family Share, Bon Bon Break, and Power of Moms!
Recently, a few of my articles have been reprinted on sites that I absolutely adore and feel so blessed to be a part of. They include: Family Share which is an amazing, uplifting site that gathers and produces really stellar content. I love being a part of it! You can see the article HERE. Bon Bon Break which is a great, online magazine that dabbles in the important, fun, and funny parts of womanhood. You can see my article HERE. Power of Moms which has been an inspirational virtual destination for many years as women gather together to empower each other. I should have a few artic... more »
10 Ways to Show Gratitude for a Working Spouse
It's the month of LOVE! Last February, I wrote 15 Ways My Husband Makes Our Marriage Work. After reading it, a friend asked me, *"How do you show gratitude for your husband? I definitely like it when he notices the things I do at home, but it seems much harder to acknowledge his contributions to our family since he is gone all day."* I thought a lot about her comment. I used to have the same issue. For a long time, my job at home seemed so much harder than going to work every day, and I expected to be praised for everything I did, without ever showing gratitude for how my husband... more »
The Winter Storage Solution that Saved My Sanity
For two cold, Michigan winters we lived in a tiny student housing apartment with 5 or 6 of us (baby was born the second year). It was tight and there was absolutely no usable storage space besides the unfinished basement. After about a month of no one being able to find their hats, gloves, or scarves on the way to school, and dumping the entire basket of winter items on the floor of the family room every single morning, I knew things had to change. This $15 over the door shoe holder changed our lives! Instead of shoes, each person had one row to use for their winter items, the y... more »
I Love You Too Much to Get You a Phone
According to my 4th grader, we are the only parents who don't let their kids have their own phones, iTouches or tablets. When he asks why, my answer is constant: "I love you too much to give you one." I am not opposed to phones for conversation, but I despise them as tools of mindless occupation, dangerous gateways, confidence breakers, and accidental (or intentional) bullying. Kids everywhere are experiencing life with their heads down. They are missing the best parts of living while locked into a screen. I would hate for my boys to know the inner workings of their cyber world ... more »
Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
Hope you have a wonderful holiday with those you adore! At this time of year, I am especially grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, who directs our lives and consistently shares His love and goodness with us.With Him, all things are possible. This video perfectly sums up my own feelings today. Take a moment to watch, you will be glad you did! Merry, Merry Christmas!
Great gift: M is for Me Personalized Book from I See Me
My friend ordered the CUTEST book for her little girl, and I was absolutely smitten. It is called M is for Me from I See Me books. It is a personalized book just for your child that goes through the ABCs with them, highlighting the very best qualities each letter has to offer like: A is for Active E is for Extraordinary I is for Imaginative O is for Optimistic U is for Understanding, and more... [image: New! M Is for Me Personalized Book] You will also see his or her name appear multiple times in the book. The illustrations are absolutely darling and I imagine it will be a cherished... more »
Bookworm Wednesday: Lizzy and Jane and a Giveaway!
[image: 19167656] This book just made me smile! *Lizzy and Jane* reminded me that clean, contemporary, well written novels can still be relevant. I enjoyed the characters and relationships and liked suspending my reality for a bit while I delved into this book. There were faults (some story lines that were not fully flushed out or themes that reached a bit), but I was excited every night to pick it up and stayed up way too late to finish it. When it ended I had a smile on my face and wished that there were still a few more pages to go. Highly recommended to those who like *Dear Mr... more »
Family Games we love!
I love games. Mike thinks they are okay, and my kids range from thinking they are mediocre to amazing. But, it is so much more fun to play games than watch movies, so I have had to be very particular about the games we play. One thing I have noticed with my boys is that they like playing games that keep moving...if we have to wait too long for anyone to decide on strategy, they are wrestling when it is not their turn or throwing a ball to each other and I get frustrated very quickly when that starts to happen. So, these are the games that have passed the Romney boy test. They all mo... more »
P.F. Chang's Opening in Ann Arbor!
I have had a love affair with P.F. Chang's since I was a little girl and got to go on my first "adult dinner" in San Diego with the grown ups. They always dined at P.F. Chang's and they always ordered Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Mongolian Beef, Orange Peel shrimp, and Brown Sticky rice. I had never eaten anything so good! I remember savoring every single bite and stuffing my belly until it couldn't hold one more morsel. As years and careers took us to D.C. and Arizona, we continued celebrating special occasions and regular date nights at my favorite Asian spot. When we moved to Michig... more »
Have a Heart: One Way Heart Assist Valve Indigogo
I think crowd funding is the most amazing invention. I love that consumers can have a voice in what they think is worthy of their dollars and support. A new campaign on Indiegogo is close to my heart and incredibly revolutionary for those who suffer from heart disease. Take a minute to watch the video on the One Way Heart Assist Valve , donate, share it, and see if it can save someone you love!
My Favorite Christmas Traditions
Christmas is my very favorite holiday, so we have quite a few traditions we enjoy. I thought I would round them up here for you! Christmas Advent Chain: This list includes all of our favorite "little" traditions including a Christmas Carol dance party, hot chocolate with candy cane, treats to firemen, and wrapping up a gift for Jesus. Scripture Advent Calendar: This has been such a blessing this year. I love that if we are busy, we can do it on the go. Candy Bar White Elephant Game: We have played this on Christmas Eve and it is a great alternative to the White Elephant game. Dol... more »
Why Santa only brings ONE gift
This is a post from last year, but it is an important one for me to remember every year. image via Wikipedia When I was writing for an Arizona newspaper, my paths crossed with a family life coach named Keri Maughan for a few articles, and I was always amazed by her wisdom and techniques. However, one thing she said floored me..."My children only get ONE gift from Santa at Christmas time." I was shocked! Was she the Grinch? Who has every heard of Santa only bringing ONE gift? Then I sat back and listened to her reasoning: - Santa brought what was most wanted. It could have been... more »
FREE Photo Christmas Cards!
Our friends at Vistaprint got wind of THIS POST about how much I love using them for Christmas cards, and they are generously giving away $100 to one lucky Mom Explores Michigan reader to use towards their Holiday cards. To enter, read my post on Vistaprint HERE and visit their site. Then, comment on my Facebook page and tell me which Vistaprint design you will use or maybe you plan on creating your own. If you don't have a Facebook account, comment on this post and I will enter for you! If you haven't had time to get photos no worries, just pull out your phone and smile! Vistap... more »
Great Gifts for Moms, Wives, Friends, Sisters, Daughters...Women!
It is tough buying gifts for women. They have either purchased everything they really need, or they have a strong opinion about everything they really want. Here is a little list of "home run" gifts for the mother/sister/wife who has everything! *For Everyone* Kate Spade Gold Initial Necklace: If you are looking for the perfect piece of jewelry, this is it. This simple gold pendant necklace is my very favorite thing; I wear it almost every day and it goes with everything. It is sturdy, classic, and easy to care for. I love that the chain has an adjustable length so it can layer wit... more »
Scripture Advent Calendar Including Deeper Questions and Discussion Prompts for an Older Family
I love bringing Christ into Christmas and having an advent calendar focused on Him, really helped us at the end of each day last year. This year, I wanted to keep the focus on Christ but dig a little deeper and add some self reflection and good discussion to our nightly advent scripture. I hope these scriptures and questions help get your family (and mine too), focused on the true reason for the season. You can copy and paste these into a Word Doc, cut them in strips and stuff them in your advent calendar. They would also work really well for a Sunday School or Youth lesson around ... more »
Personalized Christmas Cards at Half the Price!
I LOVE Christmas cards. We have moved around so much and have made so many friends along the way, that the highlight of the season is receiving correspondence from all those who have changed our lives for the better. With each move and each year, my Christmas card list keeps growing and postage keeps going up. I wanted to find a more affordable yet still personal way to stay in touch. I started using Vistaprint for Christmas cards and I have been so impressed. What I love most is that you can customize your card with your own words and pictures on the front and back without havi... more »
A Perfect Thanksgiving Menu (Recipes Included)
Thanksgiving is my second favorite holiday. Even as a kid I looked forward to a delectable meal and time with grandparents and cousins. Since having my own family, and living away for most of our married life, I always tried to recreate that busy, happy, and full feeling on Thanksgiving for my own little boys. If the table was packed with food I couldn't wait to eat and friends that had become family, I never finished the holiday empty. After trial and error, I think I have decided on my perfect Thanksgiving menu. Turkey: You are on your own for this one ;). Best of luck. Corn... more »
Creamy Swiss and Cauliflower Bake
My mind is on Thanksgiving, so I wanted to share one of my favorite non-traditional recipes with you: Mom's Creamy Swiss and Cauliflower Bake. Vegetables have never tasted so good! Ingredients 2 large heads of cauliflower 1 stick of butter 1/2 cup of flour 2 cubes of chicken boullion 4 cups of milk 1 lb. Swiss cheese, grated Directions 1. Break the cauliflower into bite size pieces and steam until crisp tender (just a couple minutes, not mushy!!) 2. Make a white sauce: Melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour so it forms a rue. Slowly whisk in the milk and buillion and ... more »
Great Gifts for Little Boys (No Electronics)
It's been awhile since I have had a little one in the house, but it has been such fun to watch him get excited about new things! I feel like most of the best little boy toys are the classic ones like cars, trains, and balls, but we have discovered a few new favorites that your little guy might love this Christmas! KidKraft MegaRamp Racing Set: This racing ramp is #1 in my eyes! Our 3 year old loves cars, but it was difficult to find something sturdy that would work with matchbox cars. Ths KidKraft set is fantastic! It has a winding slide, an elevator, and best of all, two side ... more »
Great Gifts for Boys 2014 (No Electronics!)
Last year, I gave you over 60 ideas for electronic-free, great gifts for boys, and this year I am adding to that list with a few of our new favorites! If you need more than this, check out the list from last year here! Here are a few new discoveries to keep your boys happy, excited and UNplugged this Christmas: [image: set image] PLEY: This is an incredible new monthly concept for your Lego lover. Pley allows you to "rent" Lego sets. For a fixed price each month ($15-$39 depending on the complexity of the sets you check out) you can receive a Lego set, complete it, then ship i... more »
Good Eats: Grandma's Chocolate Marshmallow Pie with an Oreo Crust
Our family is not a big pumpkin pie family; quite frankly, we can do Thanksgiving without it. What we cannot do without, is Grandma's Chocolate Marshmallow Pie. I remember looking forward to it every year! After we moved away and had to do Thanksgiving without Grandma, I missed a lot of things about her fantastic cooking, but I knew I had to get her recipe for the pie. She makes hers with a traditional pie crust, but as a new cook, that was a little daunting for me, so I went with the pre-made Oreo crust and loved it even more! Chocolate Marshmallow Oreo Pie is now the dish my kids... more »
Thanksgiving Tradition: Grateful Pig
This weekend we are going to get our Grateful Pig out to start our Thanksgiving gratitude tradition. But our old sparkly one might be replaced with a new and improved version! I found this darling Pilgrim Pig at Old Navy (in stores only, not online) and fell in love. If you are looking for a fun idea to give to grandchildren or a great new tradition to start, grab this cute Pilgrim Pig and counting your blessings together this November! "GRATEFUL PIG" is just a piggy bank that was given to us by my mom a few years ago to keep track of our blessings. Most years he sits in a promin... more »
Good Eats: The Best White Bean Chicken Chili, ready in 30 minutes or an easy Crock Pot Option
I love fall...for the leaves, the football, the slight nip in the air and especially because it starts soup season! This White Bean Chicken Chili recipe has given me first prize at a handful of chili cook offs, but more importantly, it's a healthy recipe my entire family loves! This recipe feeds a TON...so invite a few families over and eat together, take it to someone who is under the weather, or freeze half for a day when life is too busy to cook (it is also very easy to cut in 1/6 for very small families or 1/3 for an average group)! This recipe is so easy and incredibly econo... more »
Bookworm Wednesday: The End (Almost)
My boys think this book is HILARIOUS. I must admit, I didn't totally get the humor, but it had them all in stitches as they read it together. My 2nd grader took took it to school for a read aloud and they all loved it just as much. So, if your kids are looking for a book that makes them giggle, this is just perfect! (Shout out to Jim Benton, a Michigan author!) [image: The End (Almost)]
Halloween Ghost Suckers!
This last weekend we did our annual ghost suckers with Grandma! Such a fun and easy Halloween tradition! For the step by steps, click here!
Eating My Words
Can I take you back 7 years? Seven years ago, my children were ages 4, 2, and 1. Seven years ago, I had things all figured out for "older" children. See, once diapers and whining and incredibly long bedtime routines were over, it was going to be smooth sailing for me and my kiddos. And here is my confession: I judged the crap out of parents of "last children" or 3rd, 4th and 5th kids with older siblings. I had a few bones to pick with all of you. I was appalled by many things, including but not limited to: - Your children's access to inappropriate shows like Sponge Bob Squa... more »
Bookworm Wednesday: Edenbrooke
[image: 12820360] Have you ever read a book that is just so lovely and enjoyable you find yourself smiling every time you pick it up? That is how Edenbrooke was for me. It was such a joy to read, it is hard to be much of a critic. In 2 days I devoured the English countryside, likable characters, and quick story which was just what I needed after a lot of heavy reads. The ending was rather predictable, there were a few hokey moments, and I think it could have been so much more complex but the sweet love story allowed me to look past the book's minor flaws. It was squeaky clean and wo... more »
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