Since I don’t like to use chemicals in the garden, I have been trying to find natural treatments for poison Ivy prevention so that I don’t have to use poisons We have a patch of poison ivy that seems to keep re-appearing in one of my garden beds every so often. You have all heard…
If mealtime is stressful for you, these recipe substitutes and replacements will be a big help in getting your meals on the table in no time at all. Are there times when you are missing just one ingredient and can’t make a recipe? Perhaps you are following a meal plan or trying to lose weight…
Growing great tomatoes doesn’t happen just by putting a few plants into the ground and turning on the hose. But anyone can master growing great tomatoes by following a few simple dos and don’ts. In the world of vegetable gardening, there is nothing quite like the taste of fresh home grown tomatoes. The flavor of…
These Composting Tips will take the mystery out of making compost for you. If you enjoy vegetable gardening or growing flowers, adding organic matter formed by composting will give you great results. Did you know that forgetting to compost is a common vegetable garden mistake? Have you always thought that making compost is difficult? The…
Mother Nature has the perfect answer for summer bugs- mosquito repelling plants! We can grow annuals, perennials, and herbs that will keep the bugs away naturally. With summer comes lots of outdoor living. Sadly, that can mean lots of mosquitoes. I don’t like to use chemical products so this natural solution is great for keeping…
It is ant season again! You can kill ants with various home remedies, but are there are lots of other things that you can do to keep ants out of the house? As soon as the weather starts to heat up, and particularly after a warm rainy day, ants decide that indoors is a good…
These 25 fun succulent planters will show you that if it can hold dirt, it can be planted with a succulent! From teacups to wooden drawers, these planters are unique and a fun way to pot your succulent houseplants. Succulents are so versatile and easy to care for. They are very drought tolerant, perfect if you…
Peeling onions is something that many cooks do on a daily basis but the job brings along tears. Do you know why onions make you cry? There are many types of this versatile vegetable and most will make you cry when you chop them. Find out about the onion varieties here. Onions are easy to grow…
Are you thinking more about your overall health and fitness? These 11 food and drink substitutes help me with my weight loss, and also have other beneficial effects for my general health. I had a scare late last year that had me in the hospital for a few weeks worrying about my heart and my…
Setting up a pretty festive table does not have to be stressful. Just follow these 15 easy holiday party ideas to make entertaining a joy. Entertaining this time of the year is so much fun. It is the time for trimming the tree and decorating the house (don’t forget to use Christmas plants!) It’s also…
Cleaning a Dry Erase Board and eraser can be a challenge, depending on how long the marks have been left on it. A dry erase board can be a useful household tool for keeping the home organized. Fortunately, I have just discovered an easy way to to the job! Keep reading to learn how I…
ThisDIY Cutting Board Holder that fits neatly behind my cabinet door and holds my wire racks too!. Are you looking for a place to put your cutting boards? I have been storing mine on my counter tops, but I have been wanting to de-clutter the look in my kitchen lately, so I came up with…
This DIY Grocery Bag Dispenser Tutorial gives me a place to keep my used plastic bags and is super easy to make, too. Are you a grocery bag hoarder? I have always been one. They have so darn many uses, that it is a shame to just throw them away when you come back from…
This pantry closet makeover tutorial will show you how to make a tiny kitchen closet into a mini walk in pantry. My kitchen is small. It’s a gallery kitchen with very little counter space, so I am always optimizing it for extra storage. The pantry is the size of a small closet and every single…
Learn how to season cast iron cookware in just minutes with these easy tips! Cast iron cookware is my new best friend. My daughter has raved about the benefits of cooking with it for years and I only started using it recently. It is important to season cast iron cookware before using it, though. It’s…
Do you have plans for a dog road trip this year,? These 10 easy tips should cover all the bases and make the trip lots of fun for you and your four legged friend. For my husband and me, summer is a time for family road trips. i have a large family in Maine, and…
Cooking in parchment paper is a method of cooking fish, chicken or other proteins in their own cooking bags. It is also called “en papillote” (French for “in parchment”) or “al cartoccio” (Italian for baked in foil or aluminum.) Typically, folded parchment paper is used but al foil, paper bags or other materials can also…
Coconut oil is not just used as a great cooking oil source. There are so many other uses for coconut oil that you not have thought of. There are few things that are more talked about right now than coconut oil. It seems as though every time I open a magazine or browse my timeline…
Don’t let pain stop you from your favorite hobby. These 11 tips for gardening with arthritis may be just the thing that you need, too, to keep enjoying your time in the garden this summer. Getting older does not mean that the love of gardening has to be abandoned. Everyone who reads my blog knows…
If you garden a lot, you will likely have a run-in with poison ivy at some point. These natural ways to treat poison ivy will help you beat the itch. Leaves of three, leave them be. That is the old saying for dealing with poison ivy. If you garden a lot, you will most likely,…
Making lunch time healthy is easy if you follow these tips. With a bit of thought and a little planning ahead, you can make sure that your lunch time is healthy by choice. If you are like me, you may find that preparing a healthy meal at lunch can be a bit of a challenge….
I have to admit it. I love a girls’ night in. It gives me a chance to have a few of my gal friends over, watch some chick flicks without the guys complaining about it, and enjoy some of our favorite foods. It is a no stress night that is filled with laughter and fun,…
Are you thinking of getting healthy in the New Year? Practice these 5 tips. New Year, New Thoughts….time to take stock, think back on last year, and make plans for the coming year. For many of us, that means focusing on getting healthy or losing weight, in the New Year. Is that one of your…
Those of you who have a space problem will enjoy my favorite organization tips for small kitchens. There may be some ideas you have not considered doing. New Year – New Order. That is my motto every January – especially on January 14, which is Organize Your Home Day. I live in a small house…
For the last few years, my thinking has shifted from one that involves thoughts of deprivation to one that focuses on the words “moderation and smart choices.” Each January, I take stock of the past year and focus on how I would like my coming year to be. For me, this often means a reset…
Following a paleo diet is easy if you have the right products on hand. I’ve found 12 delicious ways to use hazelnut butter. Did you know that February 5 is considered Nutella day? If you love chocolate and hazelnuts, you have likely tried Nutella. But what happens in you wish to follow a Paleo diet?…