Boys like to shoot guns. I like children to remain uninjured. Airsoft, which involves shooting one’s friends but also involves plastic BBs and full facemasks, sounded like it might be a way to meet halfway. …

This has been a rough year for funerals. We are attending more than I wish to acknowledge. This past week it was a dear friend’s mama. Besides the usual flowers and meal, which feel sort …

Pay these people to banish the raccoons from your chimney.

My friend Lorraine has a golden soul. She’s the type of person who surprises you with coffee deliveries at that exact hour of need, who sends supportive texts throughout the day, who drops off mountains …

“The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed over 2000 pounds.”

It's not a bit like fall, but pick apples and pretend.

"At least half of the barbecues I work on have rodent droppings where the burners are, and/or nests, and/or actual rodents inside. People are cooking rodent droppings along with their food. "

“No matter what gravity does to your boobs, I don’t think you’ll ever go to Walmart with them tucked into your pants.”

Summer has the Kellys exploring the boom in gourmet ice cream sandwiches. “We are baking cookies all day long, so that we can serve you the absolutely freshest, warmest cookie for your custom ice cream …

Summer of Love. That’s what my hubby Patrick is calling it. We’ve been invited to eight weddings of friends and family. Eight. Love is in the air. But my poor hair, it’s not feeling the …

“Our ‘Endless Main Course Salads’ class contains a solid hour of knifing skills.”

Father’s Day. Didn’t we just celebrate 2014’s? That’s how I felt as my daughter and I discussed some options over cappucini and a quattro stagioni (four seasons) wood-fired pizza last week at Caffé Calabria in …

Urban Adventures Beach Town Suburban Ocean & Bay Backcountry Mexico

My oldest daughter has been thinking artisan ever since buying handmade coconut-milk soap at a farmers’ market. “Every time I use it,” she says, “I think, I could do this.” Besides soapmaking tools and ingredients, …

Celebrate Memorial Day like a Lincoln.

“A juice cleanse is when you drink only juice for some period of time, typically three days,” said Hanna Gregor, owner of OH! Juice in Downtown (619-760-1292; ohjuicecleanse.com). “It gives your digestive tract a break, …

“We turn off the main lights and turn on black lights, party lights, and fog machines.”

“Point your device at the sky and it will tell you what you see.”

“We teach people the PASS method, which stands for pull the pin, aim, squeeze, and sweep.”

“I am hoping the Easter bunny brings me new lingerie, chocolate, coffee, tickets to concerts, and housecleaners, all in that order.”

“We are a charity that educates people about planning when going out with groups of friends.”

“Juicy brightness dapples your palate like light filtering through a poppy parasol.”

“Word has it that the San Diego Ice Arena in Mira Mesa is the ‘it’ spot for tweens and teens on Friday nights.”

The school offers a stationary carpeted slope and a revolving carpet to help practice skills off the snow.

“We made butternut squash mac ’n’ cheese, with squash substituting for cream. The kids were blown away.”

New Year’s Eve festivities in the Kelly home bounce between ringing in the year at private house parties to lounging at home with appetizers, drinks, and movies. “We’ve never done the Downtown NYE party scene, …

“There’s an ocean-themed wreath that uses starfish instead of poinsettias. It looks very cool.”

You can choose and cut your own tree, or if you are not feeling your inner lumberjack, the farm will cut your tree for you.

Well-traveled stuffers Solana Beach This shop is a bargain-hunter’s paradise amid the fun (but pricey) shops of the Cedros Avenue Design District in Solana Beach. Stocking stuffers galore, and all with a touch of thoughtfulness …

I have joined the clumsy throng: I have cracked my iPhone screen. “I got into this by learning to fix my own phone,” said Dakota Claussen of Quick Fix Tech Repair downtown (619-702-8071; quickfixtechrepair.com). “Then …

“I’m a fan of subtle home decorating for the holidays,” offered pal Nancy. “Just not into plastic pilgrims and strobe-lit pumpkins. Thanksgiving in our home is pumpkins hollowed out and filled with succulents, tall clear …

“I might make a lasagna that uses vegetables instead of pasta noodles.”

“Gummy bears have a magical light-capturing quality to them that makes people smile.”

“I can’t afford a pool,” lamented my friend Shawn. “So what?” I replied. “Grown-ups just want to lounge in the hot tub. And it’s less water, and it feels great on your back.” Jay Gavin, …

“Look out for Mr. Stork, that persevering chap. He’ll come along and drop, a bundle in your lap...” My friend Bernice sat singing the song from Dumbo as we sipped cappuccinos one recent morning. The …

Landscaping and gardening in a drought is tough and expensive, so I started looking for ways to save water and money. “The first thing to do is evaluate the irrigation system,” said New Way Landscape …

Last week, I stopped by the new waterfront park at 1600 Pacific Highway with the kids and had a picnic by the enormous fountain and its “interactive” water arches. My little ones got drenched and …

My college roommate came to town, her first visit to San Diego since we graduated an undisclosed number of years back. “I have limited time,” said Crystal, “and I want to see it all, by …

“Oooooh, fancy,” said my youngest as I pulled a strawberry-orange juice popsicle from its mold. (Up until that moment, her pops had all been single-flavor.) Her comment reminded me of something I’d heard about gourmet …

My childhood friend Serena’s bridal shower is in two weeks. Our friend Lisa is preparing Spanish tapas. Bernice is bringing two gallons of her husband Frank’s amazing sangria. My job is to bring a few …

“Swing dancing is the happiest dancing around,” says Margie Adams, owner of 2 to Groove in Clairemont Mesa (619-291-3775; 2togroove.com). I like happy, so I asked for more info. “If you’re a newcomer, I suggest …

“My parents wanted me to travel to Europe after my college graduation, expand my horizons.”

“Anyone who does happen to lose their lunch while sailing will get it back with a gift certificate to a restaurant just down the street.”

I have no idea how I ended up with a $600 water bill, but it spooked me to the point where I was hesitant to put in a garden this year. Then I saw my …

“You’ve got to help me,” my brother William said sotto voce while glancing at his wife Beth across the room. “Mother’s Day is coming, and I’ve got nothing.” Little brother looked terrified. He’s a lousy …

Are your piercings medical-implant grade?

“It depends on where the itch is and the age of the person.”

“We have seven office dogs that eat the treats and play with toys all day.”

The invitations went out through Facebook. They included a photo of my man in a morphsuit: full-body stretchy spandex, red and white stripes over the face, stars down the right arm, the American flag. This …

“Curves are in, and I am going to work on making those curves look delicious.”