Over the last few years, my husband and I have really worked to find practical ways for lowering our winter electric bill. Fortunately, we live in a reasonable climate that doesn’t often go below freezing. We don’t have the challenges that some other people might. Even so, after a couple months of electric bills that…
House to Home
Inexpensive Table Setting Ideas For Entertaining
Inviting guests over for dinner can seem overwhelming if you aren’t used to it. Sometimes you can feel as though your home isn’t good enough but no one’s house is perfect. You don’t need to spend a lot to make people feel welcome. There are all sorts of inexpensive table setting ideas that use what…
Frugal and Fabulous: Guide to an Affordable Skin Care Routine
Having healthy, glowing skin doesn’t have to break the bank. There is no denying that as women, we feel so much pressure to look youthful. The average female spends between 5 to 10% of their income to do just that. With all of us feeling a push to save more, how can we do that…
Managing a Home Budget
For years, my husband and I struggled to save money. We would go over the bills, plan out a budget and then slowly slip back into our old habits. Resentment started to build and it was easier to keep our heads in the sand and avoid another argument. Something had to change. We wanted better…
How to Save Money on Laundry
We are all more focused on being more intentional with how we spend our money. Often the best way, isn’t one major shift but small changes made over time. If those choices are healthier and better for the environment, then that is a definite win. Learning to save money on laundry can do just that….
Curtain Calls
My favorite thing to purchase at thrift stores are vintage fabrics. I instantly visualize them as the most luxurious drapes, cushions or perhaps a tablecloth. Unfortunately, most of these beautiful fabric have yet to fulfill their destiny. Why? Well the thought of sitting in front of the sewing machine once filled me with anxiety. Oddly…
How to Make Elderberry Syrup
During a morning walk I saw these clusters of small berries in different patches on the side of the road. The leaves looked like Water Hemlock but those don’t produce berries. I also remembered reading that elderberry plants resemble hemlock. After taking pictures of the plant to double check, I confirmed they were elderberries. I…
Corn Casserole: A Potluck Favorite
Growing up my family was very involved in our church. It very much felt like an extension of our family. It was a wonderful part of my childhood and I have many cherished memories. We moved when I was fifteen, more than thirty years ago, and I can still picture the people that left an…
Planting A Fall Garden
By the end of August most of us start to lose our enthusiasm with gardening. The sun is scorching and there hasn’t been much rain at all in the last couple months. That doesn’t seem to stop the weeds and garden pests from thriving. I have canned all the green beans and tomatoes I want…
Peach Perfect
When my family immigrated to America, we moved to Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. My parents had worked long hours and sacrificed to buy a small farm. As grateful as we were, it was at times lonely to be so far from family and friends. It was especially hard for my mother to leave my grandmother. They…