During my travels through Thailand, I was constantly struck by how spirituality is seamlessly woven into everyday life. One of the most beautiful and symbolic examples of this is the spirit house—or san phra phum—found outside homes, businesses, and temples all across the country. These [...]
On one of my many visits to Thailand, I came across an unforgettable scene—a group of young novice monks, their bright orange robes vivid against the early morning light, standing in a quiet line. Each boy rested his hand on the shoulder of the one [...]
Ball Toss Ice Cream: A Fun DIY Treat for Families Ingredients 3/4 cup whole milk (or flavored milk) 1 cup whipping cream 1/3 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract If you’re looking for a sweet way to combine family [...]
Tucked along the Indian Creek Scenic Byway in southeastern Utah is a sandstone cliff etched with hundreds of mysterious symbols, animals, and human figures. Known today as Newspaper Rock, it’s more than just a historical landmark to me—it’s a place deeply woven into the fabric [...]
Cornish Hen in a Backpack Ingredients (Serves 2) 1 Cornish hen 1/2 cup barbecue sauce 3 medium-sized rocks (about the size of your fist) 18-inch sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil 2-inch-thick stack of newspaper Optional: 2–3 small red potatoes + 1 [...]
By Julian Thomas Published in This People Magazine 1995 Intro by Dian Thomas This story is one of my greatest treasures. It was written by my father, Julian Thomas, as part of a series titled Father of Champions. In it, he reflects on my childhood growing [...]
Smoked Herbal Pork Roast Ingredients (Serves 6–8) 2 teaspoons dried oregano 2 teaspoons dried basil 2 teaspoons dried thyme 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 tablespoon coarse salt 1 (3- to 5-pound) pork picnic roast Aluminum foil (for resting) [...]
Campfire Apple on a Stick Ingredients (Per Person) 1 baking apple (like Granny Smith, Fuji, or Honeycrisp) 2 cups sugar 2 tablespoons cinnamon 1 3/4-inch dowel or long roasting fork There’s something magical about cooking over a campfire—and this [...]
The Temple of Heaven in Beijing—once a place where emperors gave thanks for the harvest, now a vibrant gathering place for community life. China is a vast country with over 1.4 billion people—constantly in motion. Though its landmass is similar in size to the United [...]
Tomato Mozzarella Plate – Fresh, Simple, and Elegant Ingredients 1 small head of lettuce or 4 cups of salad greens (spring mix, arugula, or baby greens) 4 ripe tomatoes, cut into 16 slices ½ pound fresh mozzarella, cut into ¼-inch slices 2–3 [...]
Adventure is Dian’s middle name, so don’t miss out on the opportunity to glean ideas that will pay everyday dividends. Keep-up-to date on the latest of Dian’s creations, travels, outdoor adventures, and fun and creative ideas to do with your family.
