I love long weekends and the extra time with family. And if your family is anything like mine, they’re always looking for something good to eat. If you want to feed your people well without spending all your time in the kitchen or breaking the bank on groceries and take-out, then this post is for…
How to Paint Your Front Door
Have you ever wished you could paint your front door? Well, you can! And it’s easier than you think. The hardest part might be choosing the color but I’d love to share how I did it and how you can, too! I love the results and I’m pretty sure my house has the happiest front…
DIY Painted Armoire
Our homes should be a happy haven and I believe that’s easily achieved without a lot of money or design expertise. But it took me years to settle into my decorating style. Notice I didn’t say “settle on” but “settle into” because for years I tried to be “in style”. I was never quite happy…
An Outdoor Spring Garden Party
We like to party and by party I mean hang out at home with friends and family and eat. Home is our favorite place to party and since indoor space is limited we decided to take advantage of the mild weather and gather outside. Our yard normally looks like this. Pretty but not very party-like.…
How to Make Your Favorite Curtains Work as a Shower Curtain
It’s not the house I love but the life that’s lived in it. I love this quote and the house that we call home. But sometimes I just want to gut the old bathroom and start over. In my dreams Chip and Joanna rip it out to the studs while I’m sipping a cafe au…
Easy {Cinnamon Sugar} Waffles
We love breakfast foods and these Easy {Cinnamon Sugar} Waffles are at the top of our list. Since we rarely have time in the mornings for a big breakfast (who does?) we try to do Sunday night breakfast each week. I rotate several recipes on our breakfast menu each month but pancakes and waffles are…
Dancing with December
Time can be rude and pushy, demanding “Do this” or “Go there”. If your inbox and social media feeds are anything like mine they’re filled with “Fixes” and “Challenges” and “Ultimate Planners” for weight loss and house cleaning and life. But I’m being stubborn this December. I’ve squared my shoulders and planted my feet firmly…
A Dog in the House
I love dogs. I’ve always had a dog. (Except when we lived in a tiny apartment in New Orleans. ) My dogs live outside where dogs are free to run and play and sleep and poop. Dogs are happy outside. I said I’d never have a dog in the house. Never. Never ever. Then this…
When Pie Happens
Monday morning rolls around and so begins the self-torture. I step on the scale to confirm what my jeans already know. Too much eating plus too little activity equals too tight jeans. I turn over the worn out leaf again and vow that carbs and sugar will never pass through my lips again. Then pie…
For When God Redecorates The Heart
I really enjoy reading blogs dedicated to DIY home décor/design. I’ve learned so much and have been inspired to make my home a beautiful haven for my family. But I’m not a DIY home décor/design blogger. I’m a faith blogger. I feel certain you don’t come here to learn how to decorate. Which leads me…
A Reminder for When You Feel Overwhelmed
I am overwhelmed. The clock says 10:00 am but the day’s frustrations and disappointments are already piled as high as the clean laundry on the sofa. I want to run away. So I d0. The Blue Chair The corner of the bedroom is a sanctuary of sorts for me. Our room is small and the…
When Being a Stay at Home Mom Doesn’t Seem Like Enough
There are times as a stay at home mom when I think: “What I’m doing isn’t enough”. Mothering and homemaking is hard work that can be all-consuming and very gratifying; but a quick scroll on social media or a stroll through the mall can leave our soul wondering. For many years, I was in full-time…
{Best} Buttermilk Pancakes
Breakfast for supper is one of my favorite comfort meals especially when it includes pancakes. My family never frowns when pancakes are on the menu! With a few ingredients from your pantry, you can have a tall stack ready in no time. Best Buttermilk Pancakes* 2 Tablespoons, melted and cooled 1 cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons…
Homemade Tomato Soup
Thanks to gardens, green thumbs, and generous friends we’ve had plenty of tomatoes this summer. Last week a friend from church called and said, “Call your husband and tell him to meet me in the church parking lot on his way home from the office and I’ll give him a bag of tomatoes.” I expected…
Frugal Friday {Crockpot} Recipe
Sometimes I get to the end of my grocery budget before I get to the end of the month. While it wouldn’t hurt any of us to miss a few meals I’m not sure that would be popular around my house. So as the grocery line item begins to dwindle I pull out my recipes…
BEST {MONSTER} COOKIE EVER!
These delicious, no-flour cookies have become one of our family’s Christmas baking traditions. But please don’t wait for Christmas to make these heavenly treats! The recipe is actually 3/4 of the original recipe but I’ve found that 5 dozen of these cookies is more than enough for any family—even mine! When you see the ingredients you’ll…
Fired, friend, fried chicken
The three youngest teens went to the Big Stuf camp at Panama City Beach with our church the first week of June. From the smiles and stories I would say they had a large time. Out of respect for their privacy and to protect the innocent I will refrain from sharing their stories here. The…
Penuche, where have you been all my life?
Hello, my new favorite sugary goodness. I had never heard of this delicious concoction until yesterday and it has definitely made it into my dessert recipe binder. (Yes, I have a special binder for dessert recipes. It’s my favorite food group!) Penuche (pronounced \pa-noo-chee\) very much resembles the caramel frosting that my grandmother used to make.…
Cheer-full
It was a long week. Last Monday, Eric’s grandmother was buried. He and 4 of our kids made the trip to the service. I wish I could have been there. I cheered thinking of her in heaven. Caleb was very, very sick. (The next day we found out he had the flu.) He and I…
GIFT IDEAS FOR THE COFFEE LOVER ON YOUR LIST
Eric and I have spent many hours sipping coffee and talking in our favorite coffee shops. But the truth is: Eric loves coffee and I love coffee shops. I mean, I like coffee but I really, really like coffee shops. The kind with good music, comfortable seating, cozy decor, and of course, the smell of…