Annabel Monaghan's Blog, page 4

The Untold History of Thanksgiving

It’s important to remember the genesis of Thanksgiving, lest we all just start to see it as a stomach-stretching warm up for the actual holidays. The first Thanksgiving was a shared meal between the pilgrims and the Native Americans, one where they gave thanks for all they had and set the tone for who we […]

The post The Untold History of Thanksgiving appeared first on Annabel Monaghan.

Other People’s Problems

Sometimes, when I’m busy not writing my novel, I daydream about finishing my students’ novels. My mind floods with ideas to fill in their story gaps. I dream up surprise endings and pages of snappy dialog. While driving the other day, I decided that one of my student’s characters should have a heavy suitcase at the […]

The post Other People’s Problems appeared first on Annabel Monaghan.

Never Say Never

I’ve come to accept the fact that I should never say never. In fact, as I get older, it seems that every time I shun some activity with the words “I’d never,” I immediately go ahead and do it. Examples include getting my fourth grader his own phone, leaving my kids alone overnight and buying […]

The post Never Say Never appeared first on Annabel Monaghan.

Sports Niceties in Real Life

Spring sports are winding down and the whole thing seems like a blur of driving, costume changes and sandwiches eaten in the car. There was the requisite amount of elbow jabbing, name calling and blood letting. But there were also the niceties of sports, the repeated rituals, words and actions that sort of smooth out […]

The post Sports Niceties in Real Life appeared first on Annabel Monaghan.

The Homecoming

I wander around my unusually clean kitchen, killing time before I get to pick up my son from the airport. He has just finished his freshman year in college, and something that feels like relief floods my nervous system. I haven’t seen him in two months, so I try to imagine what he’s going to […]

The post The Homecoming appeared first on Annabel Monaghan.

Is Anyone Else Tired?

Remember when that new, zealous guy started work at your office? The one who thought it would be more productive to come in a few minutes earlier and stay a few minutes later? Next thing you knew, your nine-to-five job was eight-to-six, for the same pay. I wonder if this is what’s happened to motherhood. […]

The post Is Anyone Else Tired? appeared first on Annabel Monaghan.

Macabre Tales of My Mandoline

Fifteen years ago my mother-in-law gave me a mandoline for my birthday. When I try to talk to my friends about the mandoline, they think I’m referring to an instrument in the lute family, which actually might have been a better gift for me. This device is the culinary kind. The box says it’s supposed […]

The post Macabre Tales of My Mandoline appeared first on Annabel Monaghan.

Can This Book Get Any Lighter?

Why, yes. Yes it can! Does This Volvo Make My Butt Look Big? is now available in paperback. Click here to send one to your favorite mom (or other tired person.)

The post Can This Book Get Any Lighter? appeared first on Annabel Monaghan.

Notes for Next Christmas

I have a friend who has a very thoughtful way of living her life, and I try to pick up her habits when I can. She recently told me that every year after Christmas she takes a few minutes to jot down what worked and what didn’t, so that she doesn’t make the same mistakes […]

The post Notes for Next Christmas appeared first on Annabel Monaghan.

Does This Volvo Make My Butt Look Big?

I am thrilled to announce that my new book Does This Volvo Make My Butt Look Big? is officially out today. This book is a collection of essays for moms (and other tired people) about the mundane, beautiful and occasionally hilarious moments of parenting. Moms can sometimes feel like support staff, but we are just […]

The post Does This Volvo Make My Butt Look Big? appeared first on Annabel Monaghan.