Are you falling short (by your own standards) in every area of life… barely treading water, trying to survive as opposed to thrive?
It’s time to bring balance back to our homes, families, and lives (I promise, it’s easier than you might think!)
Blog
Don’t Let Housework Hurt Your Relationships
The Easy Bundt Cake Recipe They’ll Never Guess Came From a Box!
This easy bundt cake recipe is simple enough for kids to help, it can be tweaked based on your personal preferences (or whatever ingredients you have in the pantry), and it freezes wonderfully.
It’s basically the perfect sweet treat for any occasion — and it’s one of our family’s most favorite desserts!!
Short Years… the parenting milestone I almost missed!
Easy 4-Step Wood Furniture Restoration
Want to give your furniture an updated look without spending a dime or throwing your back out in the process?
The super-simple, 4-step wood furniture restoration system I use breathes new life into grungy dull furniture in just a few minutes (using supplies you probably already have in your pantry!)
A Few of My Favorite Things {June 2020}
How to Have a Hobby When You Don’t Have the Time
Do you wish you had more time for hobbies and other leisure activities? The 6 ideas in this post offer practical tips you can implement in your own daily life.
I also share several examples of how Dave and I make time for our hobbies — even with 2 full-time jobs, 4 kids, and an ever-growing list of home and yard projects! If we can do this, you can too!
Red White and Blue: Our Patriotic Home Decor
Over the last (almost) 10 years, I’ve had so much fun infusing our home with my own personal style (frugal farmhouse decor, handmade treasures, primitive finds, and a whole lot of red, white, and blue!)
Since we’re coming up on a patriotic holiday, and since we most likely won’t be doing anything special to celebrate (no parades, no big parties, etc.) I figured I’d share a little patriotism on the blog instead!
How to Start Saving for Retirement (the simplified plan!)
I’m not an investment expert, but I am pretty good at simplifying overwhelming ideas and topics. I’m also good at laying out a plan and taking the first (slightly overwhelming) steps to get started.
This post is for you if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed with the idea of saving for retirement and don’t know where to start, you don’t think you can afford to save for retirement, or if you’re just curious how Dave and I handle our retirement savings. 🙂
5 Easy Rhubarb Dessert Recipes for Spring
Simple Ideas To Support Your Favorite Small Businesses and Make a BIG Impact
I’ve recently been thinking of ways my own family can support our favorite local and online small businesses in this downturned economy. I know money is tight for some, but there are many no-cost ways we can ALL help!
Whether it’s a brick and mortar shop in town, a favorite coffee joint, an in-home service, or even a favorite blog or website, there are countless SIMPLE ways we can all do our part to keep necessary small businesses afloat during these trying times.
The Powerful Proof of Written Goals
I recently stumbled across a piece of scratch paper I had used to write various simple living goals more than 10 years ago.
Interestingly enough, most of those goals are now a reality for me and my family… thanks in part to a lot of hard work, many sacrifices along the way, AND the fact that I actually WROTE them down! Read my story (and snag your FREE goal-setting printable!)
DIY Foaming Hand Soap: My Simple, All-Natural Recipe
In 2020, our family switched to using all-natural cosmetics and personal care products — including bars of all-natural goat’s milk soap.
Many of you mentioned that your kids have trouble with bar soap, so I thought I’d share my super simple ALL-NATURAL recipe for homemade foaming hand soap (it’s much easier for little hands)!
We Bought a Costco Pool: Here’s Everything You Need to Know!
Our Bestway brand Costco pool has been the perfect addition to our backyard for the past few summers. Our family spends HOURS in and around the pool each day!
If you’re in the market for an inexpensive above-ground pool, this is the pool for you — get ALL the details here BEFORE you head to the store to buy!
A Few of My Favorite Things {May 2020}
Spring is trying hard to make it’s arrival here in West Michigan — although it’s not trying hard enough as we’ve used snow pants and winter coats more than sandals and t-shirts the last few weeks.
Today I’m sharing a few more of my “spring favorite things” — many of which would make nice Mother’s Day gifts! (feel free to share this post with your significant other with a few hints!)
How to Substitute Dry Milk For Your Favorite Dairy Products
Did you know that dry milk (or powdered milk) can be used as a frugal, shelf-stable alternative to so many dairy products?
Curious how you might substitute dry milk for your favorite dairy products? Keep reading! I share 6 simple ways you can use dry milk in your kitchen (and a free printable recipe card!)
