Don’t Eat the Dog Food

Our second-youngest child, Daniel, has always been pleasant and easy-going, even as a baby. His eyes are still twinkling and a slight smile graces his face. Most troubles seem to just roll off his back, and his small smile often changes into a mischievous grin as he sits back on the fringes of our family……

What Ingredients Are Mothers Made Of?

Feature image by Brian Kershisnik | Painting From Life How about a little taste of eight-year-old reasoning to act as a reality check to balance all those manipulative commercials and sentimental Mother’s Day cards flooding the market as we get closer to Mother’s day? A warning. The following true comments are not politically correct. So simply laugh and……

Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures

  Imagine this scene. Eight children sprawl limply on chairs, a Chesterfield and on the rug surrounded by pillows, comforters, and favourite stuffed toys. Everyone is moaning on and off with fever, lethargy, and itchy spots that are driving them crazy. I dole out acetaminophen, rotate who gets an oatmeal bath (that brings temporary relief),……

Firecrackers and Exploding Cow Pies

We expect playful pranks from boys in their early teens because they delight in stretching the boundaries. Firecrackers offer many exciting possibilities to a creative thirteen-year-old. My son, Joseph, along with a neighbour wondered what would happen if they lit a couple of firecrackers and threw them into the family’s country-style mailbox. The result was……

Reflections of a Mother After Spending Hours Locked in a Chicken Coop

I have always heard the mother is the heart of the family, especially a stay-at-home mother with a crew of kids, who also helps with a hobby farm. So why was I not missed when I spent hours locked in the chicken coop? You must first understand that even if this was a subconscious belief, I……

A True Story: The Baby and the Dogfood

Once he learnt to crawl, Daniel was into everything and made sure that he reached his destination with great speed.

My Dog Is Brilliant Enough To Act Dumb

If we could only outsmart our intelligent chocolate lab, all would be well.

Humour: The Key To Sanity

I have always managed to keep my large families difficulties in perspective through humour.

A Solution to Morning Mayhem, With Hilarious Results

With limited funds, surrounded by lots of little people on a hobby farm, I had to discover innovative ways of coping. When I relaxed, often an unusual, creative or even funny solution to a problem popped into my head. I just needed to keep everything in perspective and listen to my own inner voice as……

When Little Kids Swear

I faltered slightly as I managed to stutter to my husband,“Do you want to know what Claire just said to me?…”.

Unpaired Socks, Teachable Moments and Pure Flix

I was recently inspired by Christian movie company Pure Flix, to discuss an experience that I would like to share with a loved one, so they might better know how to handle it if they were ever faced with something similar. These experiences are often referred to as “teachable moments” or valuable lessons.  So here……

Kids Think Outside of the Box

My kids often solved their own problems. As part of a large family and busy household, they often came up with their own solutions to problems before I could help them.

Elizabeth and Allison Both Interviewed Melanie on BreadBox Media

Last year in 2015, I recorded two interviews for Catholic radio shows. Now you can actually hear my voice and learn more about my faith and life as a convert. Here is a radio interview I did with Elizabeth Reardon, last year on her show on Breadbox Media: An Engaging Faith Featuring Melanie Jean Juneau……

The Day Cow Pies Exploded

What did this fun-loving father do to amuse the throng of children who surrounded him? Why he lit firecrackers and placed them in the middle of manure plops!

Laugh For Mother’s Day: Hilarious Opinions from Little People

A little taste of  eight-year-old reasoning.  A reality check to balance all those manipulative commercials and sentimental Mother’s Day cards that are flooding the marketplace. Warning. The following true comments  are not politically correct. So simply laugh and enjoy, no need to flog me with feminist remarks. The following are answers given by grade two……

Dowdy, If Not For Daughters

My sense of fashion withered while raising nine kids on a hobby farm. I did not have time to do more than throw my hair up in a quick updo and pull on pantyhose in our big van on the way to Church. Then my daughters slowly embarked on an ongoing,  long-term fashion intervention project. Now……

Worth Revisiting: The True Story of the Sly Fox

Remember those fables you were told as a child about the sly fox and the dumb chicken or goose? Well, they are based on fact, hard, cold facts. No word better described our intelligent, resident fox. Red consistently fooled our dumb guard dog by laying his foxy scent in pointless circles. He knew  Shadow, our dog,……

So,You Want to Shave Your Head and Pierce Your Ears

Does this disagreement really have to do with morality, common sense or responsibility or is it simply a matter of taste, choice or opinion?

Revisiting: All I Ever Needed to Know …

All I ever needed to know, I learned in Kindergarten, from my mum, from God…and from Dr. Seuss.(Dr. Seuss quotes are in blue) If  leaders of countries  and the  heads of corporations practiced what they learned as small children, the world would be happier, healthier and more peaceful. Perhaps people in power should listen as Dr.……

Growing Old: Funny, Heartwarming Pics and Quotes

a strange thing happens when you turn 100 !