It has been a crazy week around our house. Between work, a couple of family day trips, and our senior dog having some health issues, I haven’t had a whole lot of time for reading. In fact, many nights include me picking up a book, reading the same sentence about three times, and then putting said book down and falling asleep. But I have managed to finish a couple books. So I wanted to share what’s on my nightstand with…
Sometimes we all need a little pick-me-up. That mid-afternoon crash can come at you hard. Or maybe it is an after dinner slump that has you stuck. For several years now, I’ve been using Young Living Essential Oils & have found many of their products to be of benefit to me and my family. One of the things I use my oils for is an all natural energy boost. Below are five of my go-to energy boosters. I am not…
It is no secret I love to read. It is also no secret I am cheap thrifty. Combining these two things makes the public library my best friend. I love the library. I love using it personally and for the kids. Today I thought it might be fun to discuss five ways to make sure you’re fully utilizing your local public library. Check out ALL the libraries in your area. Depending on the size of your area, you may have…
Does this sound like your house? You’ve just had a long, hard day. You finally get home. You sit down to relax and, without fail, someone asks the question: What’s for dinner? And you forgot to get groceries. So you spend too much on takeout. Again. And think that you really have to get this whole meal planning thing in gear next week. If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. I’ve been right there with you. That’s why I want…
My sister, Lisa, and I had a little fun this weekend. We had a Sunday Sister Party (along with my three boys). The inspiration came from the Bakeshop Mystery books that we are both reading. We made three recipes straight from the pages of the books and then a couple of our own creations, inspired by the series. The Menu: Beef Stew (because we are Iowa girls like a little hearty food) Braised Green Beans Homemade Basic Bread Caprese Salad Chocolate…
We planted a garden for the first time this year. Not a big one, but it is a perfect size for our first attempt. We lovingly plowed up a small plot of land in the yard (with a little help from my Dad), planted our seeds, watered and cared for them, and have enjoyed watching them grow. While we are waiting and watching, I noticed a few friends posting pictures to social media of the bountiful harvest they are receiving from…
Recent reading recap. Try saying that fast three times! I love to read and want to make an effort to share a little more about all things reading on the blog. My hubby and I were recently discussing the merits of speed reading. He is excited to try a new speed reading technique he found online. I’m skeptical. For me, part of the enjoyment of reading is savoring the book. Picking it up and putting it down. Seeing what it challenges…
I love coffee. I love the fancy coffee drinks you get at Starbucks. But my bank account doesn’t like that they cost $5 each. That lead me to start making my own coffee drinks at home. And you know what? It was a lot easier than I thought it was going to be! Now, I don’t do anything super fancy. But I wanted to share with you my current favorite morning pick-me-up. Hazelnut Mocha 1 12 ounce cup of your…
I have a confession. When I have a few free moments of time, do you know what I do? I check Facebook. Or Twitter. I scroll through my feed and use it as a way to kill time. I use to as a way to feel like I’m doing something and not just sitting there “doing nothing.” Lately that got me thinking. What could I do, when I have a few minutes, instead of instantly reaching for my phone to…
I have been loving my home office lately. It is a space that was originally a formal dining room when we bought our house. But let’s be real. We have young kids. The room has light colored carpet. We are not in the years where a formal dining room makes sense. So we decided to turn the space into an office room. My goal for this space is to have a structured place where I can work from home. And…