November is National Adoption Awareness Month, a time to be thankful for the joys adoption has brought to countless families and mindful of the many foster children in this country still waiting for families to call their own If you or someone you know has been fortunate enough to build a family through adoption, now is the perfect time to celebrate

The holiday season is looming, the economy is still tanking, and your list of family and friends who need gifts just keeps growing What’s the secret to finding unique gifts for everyone on your list without spending a bundle

One of the best gifts I ever gave was a ceramic plate Given to a dear friend on the occasion of her daughter’s baptism, the plate was hand-painted in pink and pale green and featured a cross, just as I had specified