Large households are my familiar.  Commotion, busyness, antics, animals, things falling apart, and music are the chaotic and colorful setting to which this author finds mountains of inspiration.  Some of the things written about in "Adventures of Chip and Charlie" have actually happened.  I won't say which, I'll let the reader imagine.  
I've always loved the retelling of a good moment.  Imagination is the gateway into a land where anything can happen.  Combine the two and you have the potential for a great story.  I like the kind where people can laugh and say, "I can relate to that," or "Thank goodness that isn't my house! Those poor souls!"