It’s Thanksgiving. This means that around the country, people are sitting with family and friends, sharing food and family time. Perhaps that family is a family of two, or it might be a family of twenty and counting. Perhaps that family is a family of friends and neighbors, of people who are dear to you. It may be that you are alone today, sharing this time with your own thoughts. Sometimes it can be hard to feel thankful. We live in a time of great change, when families are challenged to live within their own means and the means of … Continue reading →

The carols are blaring and the decorations are out, and I am tempted to put my head under something minty-scented until January. Although I love the giving aspect of the Christmas season, its commercial bent gives me a strong desire to flee. But then there’s the problem of homemade. In this world of busy and this world of “but I don’t know HOW to make things,” how can you create homemade Christmas items for teachers, friends, and family and have them delight in what you have made? Over the next two weeks, I’ll explore some super simple ways to create … Continue reading →

In the toy box, Little Red Riding Hood is having a fight with the Big Bad Wolf, and Superman’s trying to step in and break it up. Halloween is a time when we tend to accumulate a lot of new costumes. What can you do with those old Halloween costumes? Of course, the kids will likely be into them for a while. Choose Halloween costumes that are durable, and they may be a hit in the dress ups for years. But after the attraction wanes, where will your costumes find a home? Choose costumes that are made out of reusable … Continue reading →

Today we were at a large local thrift store. We love this store, and most of our clothes that aren’t hand-me-downs come from there. Yes, even my clothes once lived at this store, and I’m perfectly happy with that. We get other goodies from this store too. Kitchen items, sports items, and baskets for cookies are all there. Today I got some yarn for our Brownie group’s project, a parrot for my daughter’s Halloween costume, and shirts for my daughter. I also got Christmas gifts. This might seem tacky. Perhaps it is tacky. I am likely quite tacky without realizing … Continue reading →

I’m feeling the need for some sun here in the Pacific Northwest. Next week is the summer solstice, so perhaps if I celebrate that, summer will enter with a bang? One can only hope. Like many of you, I have been lurking and pinning on Pinterest. I’ve been collecting simple summer crafts and decorating ideas to brighten our home. When it comes to crafts, I go dead simple. I’m not a strenuous crafter by any means! Here are a few of the highlights that I’ve discovered. Centerpieces: creating vases full of fruit. If you’re having a summer party for the … Continue reading →

When it comes to home storage solutions, I am not particularly gifted. Desperation and a desire to be clutter-free tend to guide my thinking. It is in the spirit of seasonal desperation, otherwise known as “where did that important family ornament go … and oh dear, I just stepped on it!” that I bring you these tips for putting away the Christmas ornaments. We used to store our ornaments in boxes. We’d surround them with tissue paper and nestle them away. This still works, but it does make it challenging to find ornaments. Before you pack your ornaments away, discard … Continue reading →

It was Christmas evening. The kids were nestled all snug in there beds after a busy and fun filled day of opening presents, going to church and celebrating Christmas day with family and friends. The house was half picked up–at least the new toys and gifts were neatly stacked in a corner near the Christmas tree, if not exactly put away. The gift wrapped had all been recycled, and the dished loaded. My husband and I had settled down to relax and watch about 30 minutes of television and reflect on the day. But what to our wondering eyes should … Continue reading →

Is it just me, or is there anyone else out there that is overwhelmed by the fact that tomorrow is Christmas Eve?!? I’m not ready. I could use another week or two… It isn’t that I am not ready in a practical way, although I confess that I feel guilty for not baking as many cookies or decorating as well as I would like this year. I haven’t attended enough parties or visited with friends and family or taken advantage of all of the local holiday events and celebrations. I did get my shopping done early–how could I not with … Continue reading →