Lifestyle

Q: My just-turned-4-year-old repeats things he has heard or has said before. For example, even though my brother’s family moved away nearly two years ago, whenever we drive by their old house he will say, “There’s Uncle Frank’s house!” He also asks questions when he knows the answers. For example, if I’m wearing a green dress, and even though he knows his colors, he will ask, “Is your dress green, Mommy?” Lately, when he asks a question of this sort, I ask him, “What do you think?” I want him to answer his own question, but he immediately becomes quiet. He’s obviously bright, but I’m beginning to think there may be something wrong. In any case, this habit of his has become very irritating. What do you think?

When you’re living in March and planning for October, it seems you have lots of time - in fact an entire summer - to plan your itinerary. It’s crazy how quickly a summer flies by!

Is it too early to think about leftover turkey? How about a different kind of turkey sandwich: a quesadilla? It’s a turkey-and-cheese-filled tortilla. They’re pan-fried and served with coleslaw. You can make them with leftover turkey or chicken, or buy roasted turkey breast at the supermarket deli. In fact, you can use this recipe for any type of leftover roasted or deli-bought meats.

Last year, Black Friday sales totaled over $8 billion. But what if you could get the perfect gifts while saving a little money? After all, no one wants to start the new year stressed over holiday spending.

The holidays are all about spending time with the people we care about. For those looking to level up their Christmas celebrations this year, there are a number of exciting holiday vacation packages available right now.

Front: Infant Julia Brynn Aldridge, great great grandmother Barbara Archer. Back (L to R): Great grandfather Michael Beckett, grandmother Patricia Watts, mother Hanna Aldridge.

The turkey trot is a holiday tradition celebrated by many and loathed by others. If you don’t want to don your running shoes and run a 5K this Thanksgiving, Coffee Mate has your back. The company is offering a special “$5K to Skip the 5K Sweepstakes” for those willing to take the pledge.

Q. My daughter is 13. Her mother and I have not been together for years. I am supposed to see her every other weekend, plus other times that can be arranged. I have always wanted my daughter to visit because she wanted to. I didn’t want to make her. When she calls and tells me she has something else she wants to do, I always say, “That’s fine.” But, recently, she has been saying that more and more, and it’s been two months since we have done anything. What’s good ex-etiquette?

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: Help! I have a (splurge) soft-sided Hammitt Oliver tote that has been sitting for a while in the fancy “dust bag” for storage that came with it. (I know, insert eye roll here.) Now the outside of the tote is wrinkled and I’m at a loss on how to get the wrinkles out. Any suggestions?

NONFICTION: A breezy, entertaining look at the similarities between two artistic greats, a 19th-century Brit and a 20th-century Minnesotan.