One of the icons of summer fun is the pool noodle. Nearly everyone who has a pool has one or even several. We all know their purpose and usefulness there. But did you know there are many more uses for the common pool noodle? Read more
We are most grateful to Karen, one of our dear chums, who shared this “Savvy Secret” with us for making sure your vegetables not only blossom but then fruit. Read more
You have probably heard us talk about our love of American Girl Dolls. Both of us have granddaughters that have, and love, their American Girl dolls. They are special treasures. Read more
Do you have a beautiful card from someone special that you can’t throw away, but aren’t sure what to do with besides keep it shoved into a drawer? We’ve got a terrific idea for you! Read more
What is a BLTA you ask? Good question…iit is a BLT done one better. It’s a bacon, lettuce, tomato AND avocado sandwich. And today we will show you a simple way to make this perfectly delightful sandwich even better! Read more
For those of you who we are blessed enough to have as followers, you know that our website is built on the fact that we are Two Chums who have been chums for a very long time and cherish our relationship deeply.
Gratitude is a quality we talk about a lot …… Read more
Today we want to share with you some handy dandy items for under $15 that might just make your life a little easier, more comfortable, cleaner, or more organized:-) Read more
You may have heard that last Sunday was dubbed National Ice Cream Day, in celebration of that favorite dessert of all ages. If you ask us, your Two Chums, we would tell you that everyday could be considered “Ice Cream Day”! Read more
“We Are the World,” a song written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Ritchie, hit an all-enveloping chord when it was sung in the U.S.A. as the ending to the world-wide Live Aid concert, on this day in 1985. Read more
What ever else may be on your agenda this coming weekend, it would be well worth your time to take yourself to see the recently released documentary, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”. It is the story of the philosophy and life of Fred Rogers, known affectionately to generations of children and their parents as “Mr. Rogers”. With our world in the place we find ourselves today, with all the fighting, angry words and actions towards others, uncivil behavior by so many that gets reported daily and a media that thrives, and even delights, in telling us about all the garbage out there, this film is a soothing balm for the mind and an oasis for the heart and soul.
Unless this is your very first visit to TwoChums, you know we exist to promote “Love, Joy and Abundant Living”. This isn’t just a tag line to us, it is the way we strive to live our lives and hope to give some encouragement to others wanting lives filled by the same.
Mr. Rogers understood the overwhelming need for such encouragement to be at the center of everything we do, especially as it relates to children. He understood that at the core of each of us there is still a child who needs to be nurtured and respected, loved and encouraged.
This film isn’t sappy, corny, or some sort of deification of Fred Rogers. Instead, it is a reminder of the power of a life well lived. An admonishment to each of us to recognize the power of a life where one is true to his or her calling and convictions, can make on a generation. Not just the life of Fred Rogers, but our lives as well. We have opportunities every day to live up to what our calling and purpose is. And we can all do what Mr. Rogers aspired to do “help someone know they are loved and capable of loving”.
Make time to see this film. It will touch you in places you may have forgotten you had. Both men and women were heard sniffling in the theatre and tissues were seen out in abundance. As one critic put it, “It’s not a matter of ‘if’ you’ll cry in the movie. It’s about ‘where’ and ‘how many times’. ”
We don’t say it often..not sure we’ve ever said it before, but this one is a “must see”. It is really all about “love, joy and abundant living”.
If grilling or BBQing isn’t possible for your celebration this 4th of July, we have a delicious and easy alternative for making those ribs we all love to eat! These are so simple and will travel well too in your slow cooker if you are taking them to a 4th of July celebration.
Bon appetit!
Slow Cooker Ribs*
3 lbs. pork ribs (we like St. Louis style or baby back ribs)
Rub made from 1 tablespoon each: salt, pepper, paprika, chili powder
5 cloves of minced garlic
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup honey
Rub the ribs on all sides with rub and place in slow cooker. Mix together soy sauce, brown sugar, honey and garlic and add to slow cooker. Cook ribs on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Remove ribs and slice between bones. Pour additional sauce from slow cooker over ribs and serve.
* For traditional more smoky BBQ style ribs, replace soy sauce with apple juice or cider, and cover the ribs in hickory BBQ sauce after removing ribs from slow cooker.
Today we have an easy and simple way to make your 4th of July dessert festive! Buy your favorite ice cream cones, any size or kind that suits you or your guests. Read more
We are frequently asked how many servings a cake will make. Of course that answer depends on the size of your cake, and the size of the pieces you want to serve. But today we have a guideline we think will be helpful. Read more
This spring the ABC hit comedy series “The Middle”, ended after 9 seasons and we said goodbye to the Heck family, Mike (the dad), Frankie (the mom), Axel (oldest child) ,Sue (middle child), and Brick (the youngest). If you were a fan, you know there were some very funny and very poignant moments that most families could relate to in one way or another. But one of the most significant scenes in the 9 year run came in the final episode. It was a scene in which the three siblings on the eve of Axel, the oldest, moving away, were reminiscing and discussing their feelings for the family and each other. Read more
If you happen to be a fan of caramel, chocolate, and peanut butter, you are going to love these Gooey No-Bake Crunch Bars! These are easy to make and even easier to eat 🙂 Read more
On Sunday, dads will be the guests of honor at celebrations of Fatherhood all over the country. We have a wonderful dessert for your family’s celebration. It’s a great way to remind your father, grandfather, Godfather, or husband just how “sweet” you think he is 🙂 Read more
Sometimes your Two Chums are not sure which heading a Post should be under. This is one of those. We started to put it under “Savvy Secrets” but think now that it is a “Favorite Find”! Read more
Every June, Britain celebrates the birthday of the monarch, in a parade and event known as Trooping The Colour, just as they have done for the past 260 years. More than 200 horses and 1, 400 soldiers made their way around the Mall in this grand celebration. Read more
School is out in many places and it’s summer vacation for most already. Maybe now there is a bit more time for breakfast and we have a fast, easy and very economical way to make breakfast fun for your family. Read more
You no doubt heard about the sad news of the death and apparent suicide of designer, Kate Spade, yesterday. It was a shock to be sure. It was a also a reminder. Read more
This gentle-man needs no long introduction. He lead the people of India to independence in 1947. Here are 10 bits of advice he has for us all to help to change the world. They have been written by Henrik Edberg. Read more
There are about as many ways to make this Mexican classic as there are people making it. Suffice it to say there is no right or wrong way to make this Mexican treat. We have actually made it a number of times and it is usually a little different each and every time. Why?…. you may ask Read more
A week ago today, Royal watchers everywhere were preparing for the big wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and planning their own celebrations to mark the occasion. Our Royal wedding festivities included a cake like the one the happy couple and their guests were going to enjoy…a Lemon Elderflower Cake. Read more
We mentioned a variation of the above quote yesterday in our post as one of Fred Rogers’ questions. Mr. Rogers was a much-loved and often-watched television show for Littles and there was an absolute purity about the production each day. It was filled with love. For sure ….. Read more
In general, our lives are filled with more ordinary kinds of days, punctuated by those extraordinary ones that stand out in our memories because in one way or another they changed us forever. Today is one of those days. It was 25 years ago today my darling chum Jackie, and her wonderful husband Dennis, were married! Read more
What day you might ask? Why, it’s the day of that very special wedding of Harry and Meghan, the now, Duke and Duchess of Sussex of course! We just had to do a recap of all the day’s festivities and fun…both ours and theirs 🙂 Read more
Eggs are a staple of many breakfasts, but cooking them, especially soft boiling them, can be a frustration. No one trying to cook a soft boiled egg wants a runny white or a hard yolk, yet that is what we often get. That is until now! Read more
That word, “fascinator”, could mean many things, we understand. One who is fascinated with something could be a fascinator. Or, on the other hand, one who fascinates could be a fascinator! But neither of those is what we mean! Read more
The ‘Instrument of Consent’, which is the Queen’s historic formal consent to Prince Harry’s forthcoming marriage to Meghan Markle, photographed at Buckingham Palace in London, Friday May 11, 2018. Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II signed, top right, the Instrument of Consent, her formal notice of approval for the wedding in elaborate calligraphic script issued under the Great Seal of the Realm. The Succession to the Crown Act 2013, requires the first six people in the line of succession to the throne, to obtain the Queen’s permission to marry.(Victoria Jones/Pool via AP)
It is almost here! The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will take place this Saturday, May 19th, at noon local time at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. Do you plan to watch? Read more
This salad, or a version of it, is served at one of the most popular restaurants on Los Angeles, The Ivy. Often seen in magazines because it is favorite celeb hangout, the restaurant is always packed! Read more
If you are a mom-on-the-go, or a grandparent with little ones who visit at mealtimes, we have a favorite find for you today that you are going to love! Read more
Tomorrow is the Kentucky Derby. What has come to be known as “the run for the roses” and “the greatest 2 minutes in sports” will take place again on the first Saturday in May, as it has since 1872. Read more
We just couldn’t let the day go by without a heartfelt Happy Birthday to this adorable little Princess who celebrated her 3rd birthday yesterday! Read more
Prince Harry and his soon to be wife, Meghan Markle, will be married on 19 May, 2018. The wedding will take place at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. And later that day a select few people have been invited by Prince Charles to an evening of dinner and dancing and celebrating at Frogmore House. Read more
Most of us have had some version of Pigs in a Blanket along the way. It’s one of these foods you always seem to enjoy but frequently forget about when you are looking to make a snack for your children, or a simple and casual hors d’ouvres. We’ve got a really simple version of this classic for you today. Read more
Your Two Chums have written previously on compliments, both paying them and receiving them. But we saw this on unstuck.com and definitely felt that our chums would appreciate it.
Saturday, the memorial service and celebration of the life of Barbara Pierce Bush was held in Houston Texas. Perhaps you saw it televised, and heard all the lovely, touching, humorous stories of her life told by family and close friends. There were numerous remembrances of her life and her character and the things and people she held dear, most noted again and again, faith, family and friends. Read more
Tomorrow will mark the occasion of the 92nd birthday of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. But it will be slightly sad for her as earlier this week, there came the end of an era when her beloved Welsh corgi, Willow, died on Sunday at Windsor Castle. Read more
Britain’s Prince Harry and his fiancee Meghan Markle pose for photographers during a photocall in the grounds of Kensington Palace in London, Monday Nov. 27, 2017. Britain’s royal palace says Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle are engaged and will marry in the spring of 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
In about one month’s time, the world will watch with joy while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle unite in marriage at Windsor Castle in England. But, Read more
These two are both “little girls”…they are just from different generations but they both know how to have fun! Look at the joy on their sweet, playful faces 🙂 Read more
As if having a couple of days at the end of each week to enjoy yourself and your family weren’t sweet enough, today we have a cookie that can make your weekend even sweeter 🙂 Read more
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will marry on May 19th. One of the central features of any wedding celebration is the cake. While we don’t know what the couple’s cake will look like, we do know what flavor it will be and who will make it. We got some good info from the British publication, Hello. And we have some fun photos and info about the cakes of other members of the royal family. Read more
Most people think of eggs and bunnies when they think of decorating, or preparing food for Easter. Today we’ve got some fun ways to use carrots as well. Read more
A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud lady, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o’clock, with her hair fashionably coiffed and makeup perfectly applied, even though she is legally blind, moved to a nursing home. Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary.Read more