If you’ve been curled up under a blanket with a pile of snacks and a TV remote for much of this punishing winter, maybe it’s time to venture outside for a little fun and sun.

As winter fluctuates between cold and less cold, one thing remains the same — the need for quick and easy meal ideas.

Muffins are great for grab-and-go breakfasts. If you make them yourself, they can be healthy, too. I have made many kinds of muffins, but normally just use quick bread batter baked into a muffin shape. This works great, but I do like trying real muffin recipes every now and then.

Elle Woods trades in her pink high heels for a briefcase in pursuit of love in the Abrams Spotlight Productions Inc. musical “Legally Blonde.”

Growing up on a dairy farm, us kids had a couple of favorite cows and a few kitties. Our dad, when he was a little boy, had gotten bit by a dog, traumatizing him, so we had but one dog, and that was after us four kids cajoled and convinced him we should do this.

Sacred Heart Parish celebrated the sacrament of holy confirmation Feb. 7, as 13 young disciples were sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and strengthened for their lifelong journey of faith. In front, from left, are Kendall Knope, Chloe Gilling, Brezeis Breaker, Andrea Walby and Eden Berns. Middle row, from left, are Caiden Cappert, McKenna Yeager, Gabrielle Gumieny, Isabella Martens and Addyson Kust.

During winter, many people living with osteoarthritis experience firsthand how cold weather may intensify their symptoms. Fortunately, there are steps people can take that may help ease those cold-related aches and pains, a sports medicine physician with ThedaCare said.