School is finished and summer break is here! Check out a few of my favorite things for summer — sunscreen, bike accessories, screen doors, and more!
Blog
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!)
We Switched Our Living Room and Dining Room!! (The Video Tour)
7 Sanity-Saving Tips for Introvert Parents
Our Master Bedroom Turned Cozy Farmhouse Den!
In an effort to create a more functional living space for our growing family, we recently transformed our previous master bedroom into a cozy farmhouse den!
This mini-renovation took roughly 36 hours and resulted in a fantastic spot for family game nights, movie marathons, afternoon naps, or just curling up with a good book without a crowd of people around.
Back to Normal – The Silver Lining You Don’t Want to Miss
Instead of trying to get “back to normal”, consider what parts of normal are worth getting back to…
If I could wave a magic wand and return life “back to normal” I would do it in a heartbeat. However, there are some really good and amazing things that have come as a result of my “new normal”. I share more in this post!
My 5-Minute Semi-Homemade Bread “Secret”
Tour Our Tiny 100 Sq. Ft. Master Bedroom
How to Create a Family Emergency Binder (Free Template!)
Do you have a Family Emergency Binder with all your most important documents and information, available for “just in case” situations?
If not, I hope the detailed instructions, helpful information, and FREE workbook in this post motivate you to take action and create your own Emergency Binder once and for all.