Welcome to our old family blog

Ben & Franci and co (sort of) in New York City

This was our place to post updates about our time in The Big Apple – we lived in or near New York from 2010 to 2020, with a gap in 2013. It was our attempt to keep in touch with loved ones far away, and it worked really well for that.

We’ve now returned to New Zealand, but we’re keeping this here for the photos and as a historical reference for us.

2019

Reviving a neglected blog (3)

Franci 9 Jan 2019 Updates

2018

Time travel into the past: July 2017

Franci 14 Mar 2018 Family Just life Kids Parks Updates

A cool video Marica made (5)

Franci 12 Feb 2018 Birthday Kids Uncategorized

2017

A little time travel into the past: June (2)

Franci 27 Oct 2017 Being tourists Family Museums

A little time travel into the past: May (2)

Franci 10 Oct 2017 Birthday Friends Weddings

A little time travel into the past: April (2)

Franci 24 Sep 2017 Being tourists Easter Family Jaunts out of NYC Travelling

Book review: Mercy Triumphs (3)

Franci 8 Sep 2017 Reviews

A little time travel into the past: March (2)

Franci 25 Aug 2017 Birthday Updates

General update (7)

Ben 28 Jul 2017 Just life Updates

Three little flower girls (3)

Franci 9 May 2017 Church Friends Kids

A decade old! (2)

Franci 2 May 2017 Birthday Family Food Friends Kids Parties

1920’s Day at co-op (4)

Franci 27 Mar 2017 Homeschooling Uncategorized

Making Marica Grate Again! (3)

Ben 8 Mar 2017 Funny things Thought-provoking

Book review: Door to Freedom (3)

Franci 3 Mar 2017 Books Reviews

Rambling thoughts

Franci 22 Feb 2017 Hospitality Thought-provoking Updates

Advent (7)

Franci 26 Jan 2017 Christmas Family Food Friends

2016

Merry Christmas! (5)

Franci 25 Dec 2016 Uncategorized

Beautiful autumn (2)

Franci 23 Dec 2016 Autumn Family Food Friends Nature Weather

The rest of the summer (2)

Franci 9 Dec 2016 Family Friends Just life Summer Trips

Our Veggie Garden (5)

Franci 18 Nov 2016 Uncategorized

The Greatest Gift

Franci 14 Nov 2016 Books Christmas

Banana Cake with chocolate cream cheese icing (1)

Franci 11 Nov 2016 Being creative Food Recipes

Roadtrip ’16: Six Flags (2)

Franci 4 Nov 2016 Being tourists Family Parks Summer Trips

Roadtrip ’16: Chincoteague (1)

Franci 21 Oct 2016 Uncategorized

Roadtrip ’16: Charleston, SC (2)

Franci 7 Oct 2016 Uncategorized

Roadtrip ’16: Hoyt Reunion (2)

Franci 30 Sep 2016 Family Summer Travelling

Roadtrip ’16: Camping in TN (2)

Franci 23 Sep 2016 Being tourists Camping Family Nature Summer Trips

Roadtrip ’16: Monticello (1)

Franci 9 Sep 2016 Museums Travelling

MeRF Getaway (2)

Franci 2 Sep 2016 Church Friends Jaunts out of NYC

Laurelin’s 3rd birthday (1)

Franci 26 Aug 2016 Birthday Family Friends Kids Parties

Finishing up the school year (2)

Franci 19 Aug 2016 Education Family Friends

The job front (2)

Ben 12 Aug 2016 Updates Work

A morning in the big city (2)

Franci 5 Aug 2016 Uncategorized

Random thoughts

Franci 10 Jun 2016 Education Family Just life Summer Updates

Co-op class pizza night (5)

Franci 20 May 2016 Education Food Homeschooling

A Spring Tea Party (4)

Franci 13 May 2016 Food Friends Parties

Easter 2016 (3)

Franci 6 May 2016 Church Easter Family Food Friends Hospitality

April Fool’s Day (3)

Franci 29 Apr 2016 Family Food

Some fishy characters (2)

Franci 22 Apr 2016 Family Pets

Holy bubbles (4)

Franci 15 Apr 2016 Funny things Potentially controversial Uncategorized

Quick, sticky snow (3)

Franci 8 Apr 2016 Friends Weather

The new GiftyWeddings.com (3)

Ben 6 Apr 2016 Culture Updates

Marica’s 9th birthday (2)

Franci 11 Mar 2016 Birthday Family Friends Kids Parties Recipes

This winter’s first snow (2)

Franci 4 Mar 2016 Weather

Visit to New Zealand, part 4 (2)

Franci 19 Feb 2016 Family Friends Travelling

A tad on the cool side (3)

Franci 15 Feb 2016 Weather

Visit to New Zealand, part 3 (5)

Franci 12 Feb 2016 Christmas Family Summer

Visit to New Zealand, part 2 (3)

Franci 5 Feb 2016 Family Nature Summer Travelling

Visit to New Zealand, part 1 (7)

Franci 29 Jan 2016 Uncategorized

Pie Day (5)

Franci 1 Jan 2016 Church Food Friends Recipes

2015

Merry Christmas! (1)

Franci 25 Dec 2015 Uncategorized

The twelve days of Homeschooling (3)

Franci 18 Dec 2015 Funny things Homeschooling

Tips on travelling long-haul with little kids (9)

Franci 11 Dec 2015 Being tourists Kids Parenting Travelling

Apple picking day (6)

Franci 4 Dec 2015 Food Kids Nature

Esther’s 6th birthday (1)

Franci 27 Nov 2015 Birthday Family Friends Kids

Beautiful autumn (4)

Franci 20 Nov 2015 Just life Kids Nature Weather

What we’re doing in homeschooling this year (8)

Franci 13 Nov 2015 Education Homeschooling Kids

CCEF’s 2015 conference (1)

Franci 6 Nov 2015 Church Friends

Marica’s newest yummy dish (9)

Franci 30 Oct 2015 Food Kids

Disclaimer (3)

Franci 2 Oct 2015 Blogging Blogging Family Family

Summary of summer, part 4 (3)

Franci 25 Sep 2015 Family Travelling

A summary of summer, part 3 (3)

Franci 19 Sep 2015 Family Friends Kids Nature Summer

A summary of summer, part 2 (3)

Franci 11 Sep 2015 Family Kids Summer

A summary of summer, part 1 (3)

Franci 4 Sep 2015 Family Summer

We’re still here…

Franci 31 Jul 2015 Uncategorized

Homeschool field trip (6)

Franci 10 Jul 2015 Homeschooling Museums Parks

A peek at spring (3)

Franci 3 Jul 2015 Uncategorized

Our new place (13)

Franci 26 Jun 2015 Just life

Changing things around (2)

Franci 8 May 2015 Blogging Updates

Win a copy of Side by Side!

Franci 4 May 2015 Uncategorized

Side by Side (3)

Franci 1 May 2015 Culture

Well done, good and faithful servant (3)

Franci 24 Apr 2015 Poetry Thought-provoking

Enjoying a spot of sewing (5)

Franci 17 Apr 2015 Being creative Easter

April Fool’s Dinner (3)

Franci 3 Apr 2015 Family Food Funny things Kids

Lego Tower version 1 (4)

Ben 28 Mar 2015 Being creative Family

Black and white trees (4)

Franci 20 Mar 2015 B&W Nature Photography Weather

She’s 8! (4)

Franci 13 Mar 2015 Birthday Kids Parties

A Medieval Feast (6)

Franci 6 Mar 2015 Education Kids

Beautiful snow (1)

Franci 3 Mar 2015 Photography Snow Weather

You can’t see me! (1)

Franci 20 Feb 2015 Funny things Kids

It’s been a decade (7)

Franci 13 Feb 2015 Being tourists Jaunts out of NYC

Baby, it’s cold outside! (2)

Franci 6 Feb 2015 Weather

Christmas 2014 (2)

Franci 30 Jan 2015 Christmas Family Food Friends

Joyous December

Franci 23 Jan 2015 Uncategorized

Homemade nutella (2)

Franci 16 Jan 2015 Food Recipes

The Entrepreneurial Fair (2)

Franci 9 Jan 2015 Being creative Education Kids

Autumn baby

Franci 2 Jan 2015 Kids Nature

2014

Merry Christmas from the Hoyts (4)

Franci 25 Dec 2014 Christmas Family

Thanksgiving (3)

Franci 19 Dec 2014 Family Food

Esther’s 5th birthday (2)

Franci 12 Dec 2014 Food Kids

In lieu of Halloween (4)

Franci 5 Dec 2014 Culture Friends Kids

Thanksgiving

Franci 28 Nov 2014 Updates

October Fest (3)

Franci 21 Nov 2014 Family Nature

Frog Pond Science Club (1)

Franci 14 Nov 2014 Uncategorized

Cooking with friends (2)

Franci 7 Nov 2014 Food Friends Hospitality

Some nice things (5)

Franci 31 Oct 2014 Being creative Food Just life Kids Recipes

If your daughter asks you for french toast… (3)

Franci 24 Oct 2014 Food Funny things Just life Kids

Marica the entrepreneur (8)

Franci 13 Oct 2014 Being creative Kids

Why I quit Facebook (for now) (5)

Franci 10 Oct 2014 Just life Potentially controversial

Camping in the wilds of New Jersey (3)

Franci 3 Oct 2014 Family Jaunts out of NYC Nature Parks

Fruit picking in Princeton (2)

Franci 26 Sep 2014 Family Jaunts out of NYC

Summer fun (3)

Franci 12 Sep 2014 Kids Updates

A prize-winning photo! (5)

Franci 5 Sep 2014 Being creative Photography

Enthralled by the TV (4)

Franci 29 Aug 2014 Funny things Kids

The squishy baby with the hair (3)

Franci 22 Aug 2014 Kids

Miss Communication (3)

Franci 19 Aug 2014 Funny things Kids

Fun day at the Fair (2)

Franci 15 Aug 2014 Family Kids

A hobbit comes of age (5)

Ben 8 Aug 2014 Culture Food Friends Hospitality

A visit from cousins (2)

Franci 1 Aug 2014 Being tourists Family NYC

A visit from the Baneks (3)

Franci 25 Jul 2014 Being tourists Family NYC

Marica’s recital at Steinway Hall (2)

Franci 18 Jul 2014 Culture Kids NYC

A bonus Laurelin feature (4)

Franci 15 Jul 2014 Funny things Kids Updates

Reaga (5)

Franci 11 Jul 2014 Funny things Kids

Pretty little gift (2)

Franci 4 Jul 2014 Kids Nature

A morning in Montclair (2)

Franci 27 Jun 2014 Jaunts out of NYC

Reflecting on a year (4)

Franci 20 Jun 2014 Just life Parenting

Laurelin’s first birthday (2)

Franci 13 Jun 2014 Family Kids

A general update. About time too (5)

Franci 6 Jun 2014 Just life Kids Updates

Mr Rubik’s back (3)

Ben 8 May 2014 Culture Education Kids

Elisabeth Elliot, you’re being milked!

Ben 5 May 2014 Culture Funny things

My daddy’s stronger than your daddy! (6)

Franci 2 May 2014 Family

Woody’s disgrace (2)

Franci 28 Apr 2014 Funny things Kids

Settling in. Or at least trying to (2)

Franci 24 Apr 2014 Apartment living Just life

Things I forgot (5)

Franci 16 Apr 2014 Just life

Everyday beauty (1)

Franci 10 Apr 2014 Family

Living with a veneer of glamour (3)

Franci 7 Apr 2014 Meditations

We’ve moved in! (3)

Franci 5 Apr 2014 Apartment living Just life Updates

Beautiful berries (1)

Franci 2 Apr 2014 Photography

Getting out of a tight spot (4)

Franci 31 Mar 2014 Funny things

Another birthday (4)

Franci 27 Mar 2014 Family Food Updates

East Wind Over Weehawken (3)

Franci 24 Mar 2014 Culture

Little Peach Fuzz (4)

Franci 14 Mar 2014 Kids

Life in limbo (8)

Franci 10 Mar 2014 Apartment living Education Funny things Kids NYC

The Aliens are back in the Apple (1)

Franci 26 Feb 2014 NYC Updates

Going, going, (almost) gone! (6)

Franci 19 Feb 2014 Christchurch Updates

Gearing up to go

Franci 10 Feb 2014 Christchurch Updates

The solution (7)

Franci 30 Jan 2014 Uncategorized

A little riddle for you (3)

Franci 26 Jan 2014 Funny things

Flights booked, date set! (5)

Ben 25 Jan 2014 Family NYC Updates

A weekend visit to Oamaru (3)

Franci 7 Jan 2014 Family Updates

2013

2013: A year in photos (4)

Franci 31 Dec 2013 Family Just life

Look how she’s grown! (1)

Franci 25 Dec 2013 Kids

Merry Christmas! (2)

Franci 23 Dec 2013 Uncategorized

Hacker Christianity (5)

Ben 22 Dec 2013 Christmas Culture Potentially controversial Thought-provoking

The empty pair of trousers (2)

Ben 4 Dec 2013 Funny things Kids

Presbyterians of the world, unite! (1)

Ben 27 Nov 2013 Church Culture

Doing a bit of catch up (3)

Franci 24 Nov 2013 Family Updates

Roadtrip: Los Angeles (1)

Franci 5 Nov 2013 Being tourists The Roadtrip

Roadtrip: San Francisco (2)

Franci 14 Oct 2013 The Roadtrip Uncategorized

Yosemite! (1)

Franci 9 Aug 2013 Being tourists Nature The Roadtrip

Roadtrip: Mono Lake (4)

Franci 30 Jul 2013 Nature The Roadtrip

What a lovely excuse! (5)

Franci 20 Jul 2013 Family Updates

Roadtrip: Lone Pine (4)

Franci 9 Apr 2013 Being tourists Family Funny things Photography The Roadtrip

Roadtrip: Las Vegas (4)

Franci 19 Mar 2013 Being tourists The Roadtrip

Kidnapped! (1)

Ben 6 Mar 2013 Culture Thought-provoking

Continuing the roadtrip posts: A visit to Phoenix (2)

Franci 3 Mar 2013 Being tourists Family The Roadtrip

2012

Why the blog has been rather neglected (5)

Franci 26 Nov 2012 Family Updates

The Grand Canyon

Franci 22 Nov 2012 Being tourists Nature The Roadtrip

Driving through Monument Valley (4)

Franci 7 Nov 2012 Being tourists The Roadtrip

A visit to Moab and Arches National Park (5)

Franci 25 Oct 2012 Being tourists Family Nature Parks The Roadtrip

Garden of the Gods at sunrise (3)

Franci 9 Oct 2012 Being tourists Nature Photography The Roadtrip

Visit to the Boonzaaijers’ (4)

Franci 19 Sep 2012 Family Nature Photography The Roadtrip

Manitou Cliff Dwellings (3)

Franci 11 Sep 2012 Being tourists Family The Roadtrip

Return to the Roadtrip: On to the Tschetter Reunion (4)

Franci 27 Aug 2012 Family Food The Roadtrip

On being home (5)

Franci 15 Aug 2012 Christchurch Family Friends

We’re back

Ben 4 Aug 2012 Christchurch Family The trip Travelling

On our way home (5)

Franci 30 Jul 2012 Uncategorized

Photoless reporting is not quite my style (2)

Franci 21 Jul 2012 Being tourists Family Friends The Roadtrip

Roadtrip stop 5: Hoyt Reunion in Georgia (7)

Franci 13 Jul 2012 Family Friends The Roadtrip

I’m in denial (9)

Franci 6 Jul 2012 Blogging The Roadtrip Updates

Roadtrip, stop 4: Atlanta (2)

Franci 30 Jun 2012 Friends The Roadtrip

More Knoxville and the Smoky Mountains (2)

Franci 28 Jun 2012 Family Nature The Roadtrip

Whimsical (1)

Franci 27 Jun 2012 Family Parenting The Roadtrip

The Knoxville Farmers’ Market (2)

Franci 18 Jun 2012 Being tourists Food Frugal fun

The Roadtrip, stop 2 (3)

Franci 10 Jun 2012 Being tourists Family Friends The Roadtrip

The start of The Roadtrip (4)

Franci 6 Jun 2012 Friends NYC The Roadtrip

We’ve hit the road! (3)

Franci 4 Jun 2012 Friends NYC The Roadtrip

Love poem to New York (11)

Franci 31 May 2012 Being creative NYC Thought-provoking

Today, two years ago… (6)

Franci 25 May 2012 Uncategorized

Packing up, cleaning out, giving away, selling… (4)

Franci 24 May 2012 Apartment living Friends NYC Updates

Wildflowers (4)

Franci 21 May 2012 Nature Photography

Helping to push (5)

Franci 18 May 2012 Funny things Kids Parks

Cool wood grain (1)

Franci 15 May 2012 Jaunts out of NYC Nature Photography

The 3-step guide for mothers who want to Do It All (4)

Franci 10 May 2012 Church Meditations Parenting Thought-provoking

Some people just can’t eat cake like normal people (1)

Franci 30 Apr 2012 Family Food Funny things

Spring is here! (and some going away thoughts) (8)

Franci 27 Apr 2012 Nature Parks Weather

Special time with Pappa (5)

Franci 24 Apr 2012 Family Kids Nature Photography Travelling

If llamas could get braces…

Franci 20 Apr 2012 Funny things Nature

The beauty of a farmers’ market (2)

Franci 18 Apr 2012 NYC

My daddy is stronger than your daddy (2)

Franci 16 Apr 2012 Family Kids Photography

Because your dog is worth it (5)

Franci 14 Apr 2012 Funny things NYC

Adventures with hippos (2)

Franci 12 Apr 2012 Friends Funny things Kids Parks

20 years of friendship, and still going strong (7)

Franci 10 Apr 2012 Being tourists Friends Jaunts out of NYC NYC Travelling

I met The Pioneer Woman! (5)

Franci 5 Apr 2012 Blogging NYC

Blessed hands, broken grammar (1)

Franci 2 Apr 2012 Funny things NYC

Droplets (3)

Franci 27 Mar 2012 Nature Photography

Books we’ve read recently (4)

Ben 24 Mar 2012 Books Culture Thought-provoking

A few post-earthquake photos (2)

Franci 22 Mar 2012 Being tourists Christchurch Jaunts out of NYC

Quantum Enlightenment Dynamics (8)

Ben 19 Mar 2012 Culture Funny things

Because we’re so normal (4)

Franci 15 Mar 2012 Family Funny things Kids

Marica turned 5 (3)

Franci 12 Mar 2012 Christchurch Family Food Friends Kids

Reconnecting with friends and family (3)

Franci 8 Mar 2012 Christchurch Family Friends Jaunts out of NYC

Lovely lavender, and a bee to boot (5)

Franci 23 Feb 2012 Christchurch Nature Photography

A Malboro Man sandwich (4)

Franci 20 Feb 2012 Food Recipes

More wedding pictures (3)

Franci 16 Feb 2012 Christchurch Family Friends Jaunts out of NYC Kids

Jeremy and Lillian’s wedding day (6)

Franci 14 Feb 2012 Christchurch Family Friends Jaunts out of NYC

Yellow Orchid (1)

Franci 13 Feb 2012 Nature Photography

Big Fat Bacon Sliders (3)

Franci 11 Feb 2012 Food Recipes

We’re back!

Franci 9 Feb 2012 Blogging Updates

Black and white, day 16 (4)

Franci 31 Jan 2012 B&W NYC Photography

Black and white, day 15 (1)

Franci 30 Jan 2012 B&W Nature Photography

Black and white, day 14 (5)

Franci 29 Jan 2012 B&W Nature Photography

Black and white, day 13 (3)

Franci 28 Jan 2012 B&W NYC Photography

Black and white, day 12

Franci 27 Jan 2012 B&W Photography

Black and white, day 11

Franci 26 Jan 2012 B&W Kids Photography

Black and white, day 10

Franci 25 Jan 2012 B&W Photography

Black and white, day 9

Franci 24 Jan 2012 B&W Photography

Black and white, day 8

Franci 23 Jan 2012 B&W Photography

Black and white, day 7 (2)

Franci 22 Jan 2012 B&W Photography

Black and white, day 6 (3)

Franci 21 Jan 2012 B&W Photography

Black and white, day 5 (1)

Franci 20 Jan 2012 B&W Photography

Black and white, day 4 (1)

Franci 19 Jan 2012 B&W Photography

Black and white, day 3 (1)

Franci 18 Jan 2012 B&W Photography

Black and white, day 2

Franci 17 Jan 2012 B&W Photography

Bygone days; black and white day 1

Franci 16 Jan 2012 B&W Photography

It’s been 7 years (4)

Franci 15 Jan 2012 Blogging Family

Pics from Jeremy’s bachelor party (2)

Ben 14 Jan 2012 Family Funny things NYC

A Christmas goodie report, with recipes (8)

Franci 6 Jan 2012 Christmas Food Recipes

Another wonderful Christmas (2)

Franci 4 Jan 2012 Christmas Friends Jaunts out of NYC

This little piggy

Franci 3 Jan 2012 Kids Photography

2011

Tips for new New Yorkers (4)

Franci 29 Dec 2011 Culture Funny things NYC Potentially controversial

Christmas in New York (3)

Franci 27 Dec 2011 Being tourists Christmas NYC

A Merry Christmas to you (1)

Franci 24 Dec 2011 Christmas

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (5)

Ben 23 Dec 2011 Books Culture Thought-provoking

Gingerbread House fun (2)

Franci 22 Dec 2011 Being creative Christmas Food Friends Kids

A Christmas craft afternoon (3)

Franci 20 Dec 2011 Being creative Friends Frugal fun Kids

Nanaimo Bars (7)

Franci 19 Dec 2011 Food Recipes

Lovely hair (2)

Franci 17 Dec 2011 Kids Photography

A visit to the New York City Ballet (5)

Franci 15 Dec 2011 Being tourists Christmas Culture Friends NYC

Getting excited about Christmas (2)

Franci 12 Dec 2011 Apartment living Being creative Christmas Family NYC

Advent is here!

Franci 10 Dec 2011 Being creative Christmas Culture Family Kids

Pizza! (6)

Franci 8 Dec 2011 Food Recipes

Getting into the homeschooling groove (2)

Franci 5 Dec 2011 Education Family Kids

Caring for Creation (11)

Ben 2 Dec 2011 Books Church Culture Potentially controversial

Esther’s turned two! (2)

Franci 1 Dec 2011 Family Kids

AliensInTheApple.com

Ben 30 Nov 2011 Blogging

Thanksgiving yumminess (9)

Franci 28 Nov 2011 Apartment living Family Food Hospitality Recipes

The beauty of gratitude (5)

Franci 23 Nov 2011 Culture Family Food Thought-provoking

Is Christianity sexist? (1)

Ben 19 Nov 2011 Church Culture Potentially controversial Thought-provoking

More good times (4)

Franci 17 Nov 2011 Being tourists Family Food Friends Jaunts out of NYC NYC

If looks could kill… (5)

Franci 14 Nov 2011 Funny things Jaunts out of NYC Kids

Stop 3 on the trip (1)

Franci 14 Nov 2011 Being tourists Family Friends Jaunts out of NYC Nature

Magnificent Niagara Falls (7)

Franci 10 Nov 2011 Being tourists Family Jaunts out of NYC Nature

Some nature shots from the Adirondacks (5)

Franci 7 Nov 2011 Being creative Jaunts out of NYC Nature Photography

October, a wonderful month with family (4)

Franci 3 Nov 2011 Being tourists Family Jaunts out of NYC Kids

A hairy theme at the Met (1)

Franci 31 Oct 2011 Being tourists Culture Funny things NYC

Some cool photos of the Guggenheim

Franci 27 Oct 2011 Being tourists Culture NYC Photography

Night

Franci 24 Oct 2011 Culture Meditations Photography

Where there’s a will, there’s a way

Franci 20 Oct 2011 Funny things Photography

Don’t mess with this guy

Franci 17 Oct 2011 Funny things

Accidental coolness (1)

Franci 13 Oct 2011 Being creative Being tourists Photography

Guess who’s visiting us? (5)

Franci 10 Oct 2011 Blogging Family

The night I met Daniel (6)

Franci 10 Oct 2011 Meditations Thought-provoking

Road trip report, Days 5 and 6 (5)

Franci 6 Oct 2011 Being tourists Friends Jaunts out of NYC

A Baltimore hotel window view (1)

Franci 4 Oct 2011 Jaunts out of NYC Kids

Road trip report, Day 4 (11)

Franci 30 Sep 2011 Being tourists Friends Jaunts out of NYC

Road trip report, Day 3 (5)

Franci 26 Sep 2011 Being tourists Friends Jaunts out of NYC

Road trip report, Day 1 and 2

Franci 24 Sep 2011 Being tourists Family Friends Jaunts out of NYC

What a great 2 weeks it has been! (4)

Franci 20 Sep 2011 Being tourists Friends NYC

The Person’s Prayer (3)

Ben 17 Sep 2011 Church Culture Funny things Potentially controversial

Travelling fruit (1)

Franci 12 Sep 2011 Funny things

Ten years on (1)

Franci 11 Sep 2011 Meditations NYC

Green and glorious (7)

Franci 9 Sep 2011 Being creative Food Recipes

A pre-engagement visit (2)

Franci 7 Sep 2011 Being tourists Culture Family Food NYC Photography

Your office is where?! (3)

Franci 5 Sep 2011 Funny things

Taking kids on a photo shoot can be interesting (1)

Franci 3 Sep 2011 Family Funny things Kids Parks Photography

Now for the black and white engagement pics (2)

Franci 1 Sep 2011 Family NYC Parks Photography

The last one bites the dust (5)

Franci 1 Sep 2011 Family NYC Parks Photography

Luth3r hacks iChurch, makes Bible open source (12)

Ben 30 Aug 2011 Church Culture Funny things Potentially controversial

We survived Irene (3)

Franci 28 Aug 2011 NYC Updates Weather

Hurricane Irene (5)

Franci 27 Aug 2011 NYC Weather

A little holiday

Franci 21 Aug 2011 Blogging

Baby loves babies (2)

Franci 21 Aug 2011 Kids

Perspective

Franci 19 Aug 2011 Photography

Three peas in a pod (3)

Franci 17 Aug 2011 Family Friends Kids

When the summer gives you heat… (10)

Franci 10 Aug 2011 Blogging Kids Updates

Turning 30 (6)

Ben 8 Aug 2011 Being tourists Friends Funny things Jaunts out of NYC

A quiet Saturday morning (4)

Franci 6 Aug 2011 Food Updates

Happy hammocking (6)

Franci 1 Aug 2011 Family Updates

A matter of the heart (11)

Franci 29 Jul 2011 Updates

How high do your kids rank?

Franci 27 Jul 2011 Culture Family Kids

Another beautiful zinnia (1)

Franci 25 Jul 2011 Apartment living Meditations Photography

Okay, so it’s just a teensy bit hot here (5)

Franci 23 Jul 2011 NYC Weather

Why I stopped reading a classic (25)

Ben 22 Jul 2011 Books Culture Potentially controversial

Lorraine, the not-so Divine (4)

Franci 20 Jul 2011 Being tourists Culture Jaunts out of NYC Photography

How Jeremy eats a mushroom (9)

Franci 18 Jul 2011 Food Friends Funny things

Visit to Mr. J (7)

Franci 15 Jul 2011 Being tourists Family Food Funny things Jaunts out of NYC Kids

Childlike trust (1)

Franci 13 Jul 2011 Meditations Photography

Blueberry pancakes worth eating (4)

Franci 11 Jul 2011 Food Recipes

The 4th of July! (2)

Franci 8 Jul 2011 Being tourists Family NYC

White Collar in Clinton Hill! (3)

Franci 7 Jul 2011 Funny things NYC

A garden grows in Brooklyn (8)

Franci 6 Jul 2011 Apartment living Being creative NYC

Visit to Connecticut (2)

Franci 4 Jul 2011 Being tourists Church Family Jaunts out of NYC

Photo fun (2)

Franci 2 Jul 2011 Being creative NYC Photography

Shenanigans with Sharon

Franci 1 Jul 2011 Being tourists Family NYC

Beautiful encouragement for the mothers among us (2)

Franci 29 Jun 2011 Blogging Family Kids Meditations

Glimpses into the last couple of weeks (10)

Franci 27 Jun 2011 Being creative Family Food Kids

Proof that we are Americanizing (7)

Franci 20 Jun 2011 Culture Food Funny things Potentially controversial

Summer is here! (5)

Franci 16 Jun 2011 Family Frugal fun Kids NYC Parks

Fish Parcels (5)

Franci 11 Jun 2011 Food Recipes

What Ground Zero looks like these days

Franci 7 Jun 2011 NYC

Did I tell you that Esther is now walking? (4)

Franci 3 Jun 2011 Kids NYC

Cheeky grin

Franci 31 May 2011 Funny things Kids

Who sped up time? (5)

Franci 28 May 2011 Being tourists Family Meditations NYC

When you don’t have a sandwich press… (7)

Franci 26 May 2011 Being creative Food Frugal fun

Beautiful Brooklyn Botanic Garden (6)

Franci 21 May 2011 Being tourists Family NYC Parks Weather

Marica the soccer player (3)

Franci 19 May 2011 Family Kids Parks

Long-distance running inside our apartment (4)

Ben 16 May 2011 Apartment living Kids

Brooklyn Bridge! (3)

Franci 14 May 2011 Being tourists Family NYC

Up to no good (4)

Franci 12 May 2011 Funny things Kids

About servants and serving (11)

Franci 7 May 2011 Family Kids Meditations

Where to find me

Franci 7 May 2011 Funny things NYC

Preschool poetry (1)

Franci 5 May 2011 Education Weather

Some other New York sights (and eats) with Hannah and Eva (3)

Franci 5 May 2011 Being tourists Family Food NYC

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder (7)

Franci 2 May 2011 Being creative Family Funny things

Easter (4)

Franci 29 Apr 2011 Church Easter Family

Musings on New York, the weather, and teeth. (6)

Franci 26 Apr 2011 Apartment living Family Meditations NYC Parks

The importance of a decimal point (4)

Franci 21 Apr 2011 Funny things NYC

Celebrating Easter (4)

Franci 18 Apr 2011 Being creative Easter Family

Up close and personal with Lady Liberty (4)

Franci 16 Apr 2011 Being tourists Culture Family NYC

How not to praise your kids (3)

Franci 14 Apr 2011 Education Kids

Don’t be late for class!

Franci 13 Apr 2011 Funny things NYC

Yummy muesli (6)

Franci 7 Apr 2011 Food Recipes

A too-short visit to The Met (2)

Franci 6 Apr 2011 Being tourists Culture NYC

Would you?

Franci 5 Apr 2011 Funny things NYC

An uncultured laugh (specially for April Fool’s day) (3)

Franci 1 Apr 2011 Being tourists Culture Funny things Potentially controversial

Revisiting The Cloisters

Franci 30 Mar 2011 Being tourists Culture Family NYC

Cheesecake and getting old (3)

Franci 28 Mar 2011 Family Food Recipes

Why Barbie is a big deal

Franci 24 Mar 2011 Kids Meditations Potentially controversial

Spring is knocking on Winter’s door! (2)

Franci 22 Mar 2011 NYC Parks

Marica’s self-photography

Franci 16 Mar 2011 Funny things Kids

Spring Salmon and Couscous Salad (1)

Franci 14 Mar 2011 Food Recipes Weather

Should churches care about branding? (4)

Ben 11 Mar 2011 Church Culture Potentially controversial

Franci the judge (1)

Franci 10 Mar 2011 Culture Jaunts out of NYC

Scaling down (1)

Franci 7 Mar 2011 Blogging Family Potentially controversial

Tuscan Pork with beans (4)

Franci 4 Mar 2011 Food Recipes

Oh yes, I have a blog. (6)

Franci 2 Mar 2011 Blogging Family Weather

Cute kids’ photos (2)

Franci 28 Feb 2011 Kids NYC

Just do the next thing (1)

Franci 24 Feb 2011 Christchurch Meditations

Another big earthquake in Christchurch (2)

Franci 22 Feb 2011 Christchurch

The beauty of bread (8)

Franci 21 Feb 2011 Apartment living Food Meditations Recipes

Is it vague, or is it lazy? (3)

Franci 18 Feb 2011 Culture Funny things

Marica is 4! (4)

Franci 16 Feb 2011 Kids NYC

The One True BDFL (7)

Ben 14 Feb 2011 Church Culture Meditations Potentially controversial

A joyful glimpse (8)

Franci 11 Feb 2011 Funny things Kids Meditations

Punta Cana! (5)

Franci 11 Feb 2011 Being tourists Jaunts out of NYC

Back to reality (3)

Franci 9 Feb 2011 Being tourists Jaunts out of NYC

Loving the Little Years (2)

Franci 7 Feb 2011 Books Family Kids

Who left the toilet open this time? (5)

Franci 4 Feb 2011 Funny things Kids

Getting creative with snow (3)

Franci 2 Feb 2011 Apartment living Funny things Kids Weather

Snowsational (5)

Ben 31 Jan 2011 Funny things NYC Weather

Sally Henny Penny (2)

Franci 28 Jan 2011 Funny things Kids

Cherry Delight on the menu tonight (7)

Franci 26 Jan 2011 Food Recipes

Have we mentioned it’s been cold? (4)

Franci 24 Jan 2011 NYC Weather

A visit to Wonderland (4)

Franci 21 Jan 2011 Food Kids NYC

Having a bad day parenting? Sue McDonald’s! (11)

Ben 19 Jan 2011 Culture Food Funny things

Time Clutter (4)

Franci 17 Jan 2011 Meditations

Glitches do happen (4)

Franci 15 Jan 2011 Blogging Family

Six blessed and beautiful years (2)

Franci 15 Jan 2011 Family Meditations

The Chocolate Monkster (2)

Franci 13 Jan 2011 Family Food Kids

The penny queen (4)

Franci 11 Jan 2011 Kids NYC

Food is so beautiful (6)

Franci 7 Jan 2011 Food

Our first snowman (5)

Ben 5 Jan 2011 Christmas Family Funny things Weather

Sight-seeing with Lillian (1)

Franci 3 Jan 2011 Being tourists Family NYC

2010

Our first New York Christmas (5)

Franci 30 Dec 2010 Christmas Family Food Kids NYC

2 Feet of snow! (1)

Franci 27 Dec 2010 NYC

Easy self-crusting pie recipe (1)

Franci 27 Dec 2010 Food Recipes

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! (4)

Franci 27 Dec 2010 Being tourists Hospitality NYC Parks Weather

Merry Christmas!

Franci 24 Dec 2010 Christmas Meditations

A New York Christmas (2)

Franci 23 Dec 2010 Being tourists Christmas NYC

Celebrating Advent (3)

Franci 21 Dec 2010 Christmas Family

The Cloisters (2)

Ben 13 Dec 2010 Being tourists Culture NYC

Time is like mercury (5)

Franci 11 Dec 2010 Meditations

A few lovely photos (2)

Franci 7 Dec 2010 Being tourists Jaunts out of NYC

Stereotypes, monotony and pain (10)

Franci 2 Dec 2010 Blogging Family

Another update (3)

Franci 29 Nov 2010 Family

Appendix-less Franci, an update (6)

Ben 23 Nov 2010 Family

Taking a little break (2)

Franci 23 Nov 2010 Blogging

Appendix: Franci won’t have one for much longer (8)

Ben 22 Nov 2010 Family

Thanksgiving

Franci 22 Nov 2010 Apartment living Blogging Family Kids Meditations NYC

Keep sweeping (6)

Franci 19 Nov 2010 Apartment living Meditations

More cereal box fun (1)

Franci 18 Nov 2010 Frugal fun Kids

Through Marica’s eyes (7)

Franci 17 Nov 2010 Apartment living Funny things Kids

Snug as a bug… (3)

Franci 16 Nov 2010 Family Kids

Enjoying Fall (5)

Franci 15 Nov 2010 Apartment living Being tourists NYC Parks

Silly Billy Elliot (5)

Ben 12 Nov 2010 Being tourists NYC

Well there you go!

Franci 11 Nov 2010 Funny things NYC

High class mac ‘n cheese recipe (done) (4)

Franci 10 Nov 2010 Food Recipes

Broadway and a birthday (5)

Franci 9 Nov 2010 Family Kids

If you’re ever feeling a bit glum… (4)

Franci 8 Nov 2010 Funny things

A little summary (6)

Franci 5 Nov 2010 Apartment living Family Kids NYC

Doing homework (2)

Franci 4 Nov 2010 Kids

Sugar snap pea salad (1)

Franci 3 Nov 2010 Food Recipes

Playing tourist again: Bronx Zoo (3)

Franci 2 Nov 2010 Being tourists NYC Parks

Grocery challenge: week 4. I’m done! (6)

Franci 1 Nov 2010 Food Frugal fun Grocery challenge

Not so many smiles at the moment (1)

Franci 29 Oct 2010 Kids

Does it get any cuter than this?

Franci 28 Oct 2010 Kids

Your feedback, please (7)

Franci 27 Oct 2010 Blogging

This is the way we wash our clothes… (4)

Franci 26 Oct 2010 Apartment living NYC

Grocery Challenge: week 3

Franci 25 Oct 2010 Food Frugal fun Grocery challenge

Esther’s new favourite toy (7)

Franci 22 Oct 2010 Funny things Kids

Hoyt Street, Brooklyn (2)

Ben 21 Oct 2010 Being tourists Family NYC

Playing tourist again: Little Italy (4)

Franci 20 Oct 2010 Being tourists NYC

Hugs

Franci 19 Oct 2010 Kids

Grocery Challenge: week 2 (6)

Franci 18 Oct 2010 Food Frugal fun Grocery challenge

Happiness in a box (2)

Franci 15 Oct 2010 Family Kids

Stronger than Circumstances: Contentment and joy (7)

Franci 14 Oct 2010 Meditations

Cereal box fun (2)

Franci 13 Oct 2010 Frugal fun Kids

Calculus for three-year-olds (8)

Ben 12 Oct 2010 Education Kids

October grocery challenge: week 1 (5)

Franci 11 Oct 2010 Food Frugal fun Grocery challenge

We’ve been a bit blah (4)

Franci 8 Oct 2010 Family

Weekend in Pottstown (6)

Franci 7 Oct 2010 Being tourists Family

Mmmm, white chocolate and Macadamia cookies (9)

Franci 6 Oct 2010 Food

My October grocery challenge (7)

Franci 5 Oct 2010 Blogging Food Frugal fun

Esther’s new shoes (2)

Franci 4 Oct 2010 Kids

Playing tourist again: Chinatown (4)

Franci 1 Oct 2010 Being tourists NYC

Little Firefly (2)

Franci 30 Sep 2010 Meditations NYC

What we’re doing and reading (2)

Franci 28 Sep 2010 Books Meditations

Sisterly love (2)

Franci 27 Sep 2010 Kids

Rubber ducky (2)

Franci 24 Sep 2010 Funny things

Really good fudge (3)

Franci 23 Sep 2010 Food Recipes

Meet our church in New York (3)

Franci 22 Sep 2010 Church NYC

Today I did a really crazy thing… (4)

Franci 21 Sep 2010 NYC

HannahHolder.com, fine art from a fine artist (1)

Ben 20 Sep 2010 Family Work

Lady Liberty (6)

Franci 20 Sep 2010 Funny things Kids

Tornado in Brooklyn (5)

Ben 18 Sep 2010 Apartment living NYC

Grilled chicken open sandwich (4)

Franci 17 Sep 2010 Food

Oops (1)

Franci 16 Sep 2010 Funny things

Who said there’s no such thing as a free lunch? (4)

Franci 15 Sep 2010 NYC Parks

Two nights + 14 people + 1 (small) New York apartment = Lots of fun! (4)

Franci 14 Sep 2010 Apartment living Being tourists Family NYC

Your comments, preschool and a jewelery hanger (2)

Franci 12 Sep 2010 Frugal fun

Marica’s sayings on Twitter (6)

Ben 10 Sep 2010 Funny things Kids

A brief history of Hoyt (7)

Ben 8 Sep 2010 Family NYC

First Day (2)

Franci 7 Sep 2010 Kids

Big earthquake in Christchurch (4)

Franci 4 Sep 2010 Christchurch

Tasty Recipe and more (5)

Franci 1 Sep 2010 Apartment living Being tourists Food Hospitality Kids NYC Recipes

Saturday at Coney Island (5)

Franci 30 Aug 2010 Being tourists Kids

Rainy day fun (3)

Franci 27 Aug 2010 Frugal fun Kids

Is smoking a sin? (2)

Franci 24 Aug 2010 Meditations

And then there was Texas (3)

Franci 22 Aug 2010 Jaunts out of NYC

Little bits of update (3)

Franci 18 Aug 2010 Funny things

Visit to Colorado (4)

Franci 16 Aug 2010 Being tourists Jaunts out of NYC

We’re back!

Franci 12 Aug 2010 Being tourists Jaunts out of NYC

My new book (3)

Franci 7 Aug 2010 Books Food

Working at Oyster.com (6)

Ben 2 Aug 2010 Work

From old to new (9)

Franci 22 Jul 2010 Frugal fun

I love my kids (5)

Franci 18 Jul 2010 Kids

Our very first dinner guests, and the second lot too (3)

Franci 18 Jul 2010 Food Hospitality

The 4th of July (1)

Franci 15 Jul 2010 Being tourists NYC

Visit to the New York Aquarium (3)

Franci 13 Jul 2010 Being tourists Kids

Our new place (with photo tour) (2)

Franci 10 Jul 2010 Apartment living

The Saga of the Air Conditioning (1)

Franci 8 Jul 2010 Apartment living

Out of action for a week (2)

Franci 30 Jun 2010 Blogging

Streets of Power (2)

Franci 30 Jun 2010 Being tourists

Weekend touristy fun (1)

Franci 30 Jun 2010 Being tourists NYC

The Statue of Liberty (4)

Ben 28 Jun 2010 Being tourists NYC The trip

We have an apartment!

Franci 28 Jun 2010 Apartment living

Subscribing to this blog

Franci 26 Jun 2010 Blogging

Weekend trip to New Jersey (3)

Franci 24 Jun 2010 Jaunts out of NYC Kids

Ye olde green cards (7)

Franci 23 Jun 2010 NYC The trip

Dear Roseola, thanks for not being Chickenpox (or worse, Measles) (1)

Franci 19 Jun 2010 Kids Meditations

Kids! (3)

Franci 16 Jun 2010 Kids

All Natural! (3)

Franci 13 Jun 2010 Funny things

Like a little child (1)

Franci 10 Jun 2010 Meditations

Quirky New York (3)

Franci 10 Jun 2010 Funny things NYC Parks

Showing you around (a photo post) (1)

Franci 7 Jun 2010 Apartment living NYC

Apartment hunting

Franci 5 Jun 2010 Apartment living NYC

The city that never sleeps (9)

Franci 31 May 2010 Apartment living NYC Parks

Balm for anxious thoughts (4)

Franci 28 May 2010 Meditations

Goodbye Christchurch, Hello New York (2)

Franci 28 May 2010 Apartment living NYC The trip

The Big Apple

Ben 24 May 2010 NYC

Packing and stacking (4)

Franci 13 May 2010 The trip

What you notice when you’re going to NYC (1)

Ben 4 May 2010 NYC The trip

Why and wherefore

Ben 27 Apr 2010 The trip

Welcome! (1)

Ben 26 Apr 2010 Blogging