It's that time of year, my friends! Cool weather, changing colors, fall parties and flickering luminaries. I know I'm not the only one who swoons over those lanterns from Pottery Barn, but who says soft autumn light has to cost a fortune? For less than five dollars, you can create your own seasonal luminary as a fall craft. They bring coziness to late night chats on the porch, dim light after dinner and festivity for the all-important trick or treat. All you need are a few simple household ... READ MORE
How To Chalk Paint Furniture
Have you ever wanted to change up your furniture? Let me show you how to chalk paint furniture. We received a cherry vanity from dear friends cleaning out family treasures. At the time, I didn't have a specific need for it, but its reminder of my own mother's vanity (where she put her makeup on every morning) along with its ornate look and character, I knew I could find a need! The top was bit scratched and stained, so before we displayed it in our bedroom, my husband refinished the top and I ... READ MORE
Homemade First Aid Kit
You would be amazed at the number of people I know who religiously carry things around like tissues and breath mints, but don't have access to a simple homemade first aid kit. The thing about emergencies is that we never know when they will occur. My husband and I were convicted of this when we visited a friend with cats a few years ago. Our two year old daughter was with us and unbeknownst to us, she was allergic to cats. Within a few minutes, her skin started to break out and itch. If only ... READ MORE
Easy Washable Drawstring Bag Tutorial
Easy Drawstring Bag Tutorial A few years back, a friend gave my daughter a homemade drawstring bag made out of a pillowcase. It had her name sweetly painted on the front and bright pink shoelaces to pull it closed at the top. At first, I wasn't quite sure how to use it... but then we went camping! We used that bag for our dirty clothes and when we got home, I just threw the entire bag into the wash. Cleverly simple, eh? Drawstring bags the size of a pillowcase were just the beginning for me. I ... READ MORE
Four Questions To Ask Yourself Before Planting Your Garden
I married a man who spent his last bachelor year on his grandparents farm eating fresh homegrown vegetables at the dinner table. So when we moved into a little cottage in the country after the wedding, he wanted us to have a garden of our own! If you've ever wondered how to plant a garden, this post is for you!Here I am pictured with our old friend John, a county fair winning preserver and expert gardener. He had just shown me how to make my first two rows of tomatoes and peppers. John ... READ MORE
How To Create Superhero Lollipops (Free Template)
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Hershey Company for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.My boys are already planning their birthday parties. It doesn't matter that they are months and months away. My kids are obsessed with who's party they are attending and when their party will be planned. And let me tell you, I've only hosted one party for one of my kids and the oldest is six years old. We typically do the simple family get together. But last year, our six year ... READ MORE
How To Make Your Own Spring Wreath
How to make your own spring wreath in less than 1 hour!Step on up to my front door. Do you see the tired ol' wreath that has lost its spring? For umpteen years, it brought cheer to those who entered, but after losing half of its flowers in a rainstorm and with mold gathering on those that were left, it is time for a change. Blooming season is upon us, my friends, and I'm in the mood for zippy color, wildflowers and perhaps some burlap roses?Now, I am by no means an expert on the art of ... READ MORE
Naturally Dyed Easter Eggs With Beets, Onion, Cabbage and More
Colored eggs have been around for thousands of years. Even though we most often see the plastic version next to a large stuffed bunny, the origin of the Easter egg goes back to the early Christians of Mesopotamia. Eggs became a symbol of the tomb of Christ, a reminder that Jesus rose from the grave during His resurrection. Anyone else not realize Easter eggs were meant to be spiritual?! The most commonly dyed color at that time was red in memory of the blood of Christ, but other colors like ... READ MORE
Easy Lunch Idea For Spring Break Adventures
Spring break is just around the corner for my kids. I'm already thinking about how I'll fill the time with them at home. I love spring break for the fact that I don't have to pack a lunch every day, get the book bags ready and have everyone out the door by a certain time. That being said, with a four year old and six year old they're used to being busy, and while we'll have moments of quiet (and even boredom) I do plan one activity for each day. We're not going anywhere this year, and so ... READ MORE
How to Make Glass Cleaner: Homemade Glass Cleaner Recipe
How to Make Glass Cleaner With spring cleaning season around the corner, there are loads of homemade, green cleaning solutions in blogosphere. Recipes using distilled vinegar, essentials oils or squeezed lemons are all the rage. But when it comes to window and glass cleaner, I have not found a natural homemade alternative that does a better job than Original Windex. Sorry, but that's the truth. Windex is king and "if it ain't broken, don't fix it" right? However....I'm not a fan of the cost of ... READ MORE
