The Real Meaning of Halloween
In the chaos of holiday traditions, it’s common to overlook or forget the true reason for celebration. But at Smiles For All we are always mindful that holidays are not just about overeating, getting...
View ArticleSome Halloween Love For People Without Costumes
Dear Secret Diary. Today was Halloween, and I know folks enjoy being complimented on their costumes. But this doesn’t mean that those not wearing costumes can’t also feel some love. Tonight, I ran...
View ArticleThe Realist Guide To Holiday Nutrition
Let’s face it. The holidays are coming, and with them come feelings of joy and merriment, nights spent round the fireplace and tables piled so densely with delicious food that they seem to have their...
View ArticleBeyoncé Shows Up To Friendsgiving Empty-Handed (In Four Acts)
You just know Beyoncé would never bring a dish to a potluck. I. Diva Ego Emotion Beautiful Liar Naughty Girl Why Don’t You Love Me II. Grown Woman Love on Top What’s It Gonna Be Check On It Waiting...
View ArticleThe Thankfulness of Children
I’m thankful, don’t get me wrong, but to be honest I never think about what for specifically. When my uncle cops out of making a toast at Thanksgiving dinner again, each member of my family will have...
View ArticleThanksgivingkah Menorah
Did you know that this year will be the first and last in our lifetime when Thanksgiving collides with Hanukkah? My cousin Joe Ihns, an amazing artist, wood worker and furniture maker took on the...
View ArticleA Toast
When I was four-years-old I had Thanksgiving with my family, as per usual. Nothing truly ground breaking about that. For the three years prior I also had Thanksgiving dinner with my relatives instead...
View ArticleThanksgiving with Dad
So the beautiful time of Thanksgiving is once again upon us. It is a magical time of family, friends, being thankful, and stuffing your face like no one is watching. Thanksgiving is big in my family,...
View ArticleHoliday Gym Reminder
This gym has some great advice. I’m still holding out for a secret 3rd option… The post Holiday Gym Reminder appeared first on Smiles For All.
View ArticleWhy Carol Doesn’t Cook
Now first it is important to let you know that I am not known for my expertise in the kitchen. I am more known for not being relied on if one is looking for a home-cooked meal. Being from Long Island,...
View ArticlePresents That Made Me Laugh
November 30, 2013– In the past two weeks, I heard about two hysterical birthday presents. A gentleman told me his wife didn’t care what he got her for his 70th birthday so long as he got her something...
View ArticleA Christmas Present In Thailand
When I first arrived in Thailand years ago, I promised myself I wouldn’t get locked into a relationship, for many reasons. I had travel on the mind, and there were so many cultural differences, not...
View ArticleHoliday Shopping: Some Rules For The Road
Here we are again! It’s that time of year for credit cards and fruitcakes and bright and shiny lights! No one is excluded and all checkbooks are welcome everywhere! If you are wondering what to buy...
View ArticleHannah and I
I am Hannah’s father and Hannah is my daughter, and that’s the way we like it. When she was five years old I took her to see Santa Claus at a local store. She was so excited; her smile looked like it...
View ArticleMagic Time
I’m no longer twelve. Not by a long shot. My allowance dried up long ago and they don’t even let me off school for two weeks at the end of the year—school’s another thing I’ve outgrown. Sometimes, I...
View ArticleLittle Shy Felipe
Driving a school bus in a growing community presents some unique opportunities, especially when one of your routes involves an ethnically diverse mix of four and five-year olds. When the school year...
View ArticleHoliday Sweets: So Many Traditions
When and why did the candy cane originate? How many different religions and cultures enjoy gingerbread and marzipan during the holidays? How do these traditions make us more the same than different?...
View ArticleChristmas With the Lovable Jokers
One December my family sat in the dining room, enjoying our Christmas dinner. I was probably nine years old at the time. Unbeknownst to me, I was also the object of a sinister conspiracy cooked up by...
View ArticleA Christmas Surprise
I have always gotten endless joy out of all the arts and crafts my kids have brought home from school. The best part is seeing how excited they get about their macaroni necklaces, finger paintings,...
View ArticleThe Scarf
A family Christmas gathering is fertile ground for humorous stories…especially when a “white elephant” gift exchange is involved. If you aren’t familiar with the custom, it involves utterly useless...
View ArticleTime To Open Presents
Santa had barely made it up the chimney before my brothers and I would tiptoe down the stairs. “Behold the magic” isn’t too silly a phrase to describe the way we viewed the scene. The lights glowed on...
View ArticleQUIZ: Christmas Gift for 3-Year-Old or 23-Year-Old?
A Christmas quiz that also serves as insight into what to get your (2)3 year old. 1. iPad 2. Personalized Name Puzzle 3. Decorative Personalized Name Puzzle 4. Cat Calendar 5. The Giving Tree 6. Big...
View ArticleCustom Ornaments
Being from a family of four, most of the ornaments hanging on our family’s Christmas tree are handmade. Frumpy looking Santa Claus’ made out of pop cans, doves made out of construction paper, the...
View ArticleToday Is My Birthday… But I Have A Better Idea
I was thinking about my birthday and I was thinking about the relevance of the day. What did I do to deserve a celebration on my birthday? After all , my wonderful, kind, beautiful mother did all...
View ArticleLet Skating Boys Lie
Let it be known that I am neither sportsman nor outdoorsman. When it comes to winter pastimes, I have never in my life skied, snow-boarded or snow-shoed, and even after the events shortly following...
View ArticleA Romantic Gym
This gym really knows how to find the silver lining for all the single people on Valentines Day. The post A Romantic Gym appeared first on Smiles For All.
View ArticleClik here to view.
Valentines Day At The Aquarium
While recently visiting the Toronto aquarium, I couldn’t help but notice all the “fish couples”. So, being a bit of a romantic (but by no means a marine biologist), I named some of the unique couples...
View ArticleThe Amish Woman with the Victoria’s Secret Bag
I worked in a mall when I was in my early twenties and everyday I would always get the same sandwich at the food court. One Saturday, I’m standing in line to get my lunch, and an Amish woman, wearing...
View ArticleThe Holiday Spirit
Our first baby was due to be born the middle of September. By a coincidence my wife had invited her younger brother over for dinner on Labor Day. She really wasn’t due for another two weeks. As soon...
View ArticleBrussels Sprouts Investment Opportunity
Would anybody like to join me in purchasing for investment purposes the below item as offered on EBAY? ——————————————- ITEM: TWO LEFT-OVER BRUSSELS SPROUTS (actual item pictured below. Sprouts will...
View ArticleThe Little Man Costume [VIDEO]
Mikey describes his unimaginative costume he wore repeatedly as a child. This was performed at Smiles For All presents Funny Story Night on 2/18/14. The post The Little Man Costume [VIDEO] appeared...
View ArticleA Shaving Kit For Boys [PODCAST]
Megan Mac tells a funny true story about the time she bought her son his first shaving kit for Christmas. (image courtesy of Sira Anamwong/freedigitalphotos.net) The post A Shaving Kit For Boys...
View ArticleAn Easter Egg Hunt
Growing up in a Christian home, I spent many an Easter Sunday dressed in my finest attending church service and partaking in the time honored tradition of searching for Easter eggs on the church...
View ArticleIt’s My Party
In my sixth year, I had two birthdays. This was a nicety on my mother’s part, you understand. I had slept through the first one. The night before I was so excited that I couldn’t sleep. I kept...
View ArticleMy Husband’s Birthday
The husband’s birthday. I knew I did well this year. I got his present and found THE best hiding place. He will never accidentally find it this year, I thought. The day of his birthday, I was...
View ArticleWaiting in Line [VIDEO]
Mark never appreciated waiting in line until a trip to Cuba. Find out what changed his mind! The post Waiting in Line [VIDEO] appeared first on Smiles For All.
View ArticleFun with Turkey Basters
Turkey baster crafts…. This is what we did after dinner. The post Fun with Turkey Basters appeared first on Smiles For All.
View ArticleThe Thanksgiving That Almost Wasn’t
I don’t know how to cook much, but I do know how to cook a turkey. That’s why, when I was studying abroad in Prague, I was happy to take on the role of turkeysmith and event organizer for our great,...
View ArticleItch, Itch, My Goodness An Itch
By mid-August, I generally have bought and wrapped my holiday gifts. I start shopping for the next year right after this year’s BIG day. When I see a gift that is perfect for Uncle Pete, let’s say in...
View ArticleThe Flying Turkey [podcast]
Rachael tells a one of a kind Christmas story about a turkey that became a legend! (photos courtesy of Idesign2000/Dreamstime.com and noppasinw/Freedigitalphotos.net) The post The Flying Turkey...
View ArticleElf On The Shelf [PODCAST]
On Christmas Day, Mary Ann helps an elf in peril! (photo courtesy of Tarog8/Dreamstime.com) The post Elf On The Shelf [PODCAST] appeared first on Smiles For All.
View ArticleI’m Ready For Valentines Day
February 14, 2015– Dear Secret Diary, Valentines Day is here. As you can see below, I shaved and am ready. The post I’m Ready For Valentines Day appeared first on Smiles For All.
View ArticleQ&A Tuesday*: Why Does The Easter Bunny Carry Eggs?
Today on Q&A Tuesday, I will address an incisive question about the Easter Bunny posed by AlpacaLover <3 a number of months ago. AlpacaLover politely challenged: Question: “So I have a...
View ArticleThe Cake Thief [PODCAST]
Mary tells the story of her adventure of getting the perfect birthday cake for her sister. Unfortunately, a few laws may have been broken in the process. (photo courtesy of Nohead Lam/Dreamstime.com)...
View ArticleHalloween is Around the Corner
You know it’s almost Halloween when signage like this starts appearing almost everywhere. The post Halloween is Around the Corner appeared first on Smiles For All.
View ArticleThe Trick-or-Treating Dogs
Just last Halloween, Mallows, Simi, and Remi had their first trick-or-treating session. They’re my cousin’s dogs. The post The Trick-or-Treating Dogs appeared first on Smiles For All.
View ArticleHalloween Trick
A friend had a tree blow down by the storm two days before November 1st, so she got a little creative with it. Just in time for Halloween! The post Halloween Trick appeared first on Smiles For All.
View ArticleCannibal Pumpkin
This was some of the Halloween pumpkin aftermath. Pumpkins at our market are not as big but we sure make the most out of it! The post Cannibal Pumpkin appeared first on Smiles For All.
View ArticleUncle Jeremy’s Christmas Car
I remember Uncle Jeremy used to drive his Christmas-themed pick-up truck to our turf on Christmas. The post Uncle Jeremy’s Christmas Car appeared first on Smiles For All.
View ArticleTwenty-one Hot Dogs
On my twenty-first birthday, I received twenty-one hot dogs. Nice! The post Twenty-one Hot Dogs appeared first on Smiles For All.
View Article