What is the longest period of time you’ve gone without electricity? A couple of hours after a bad thunderstorm? A few days while camping? A week while on a mission trip to a developing country? During the aftermath of Hurricane Ike in 2008, I went 15 consecutive days without electricity. This episode wasn’t exactly convenient, but I learned … [Read more...] about Dare to Prepare: Introduction to Disaster Preparedness
Archives for 2013
Fall 2013 Menu
The weather is still pretty warm where I live, but the calendar indicates fall is quickly approaching. Among other things, this means my household is ready for a new monthly menu! You may recall that I periodically develop monthly menus. We use each for 3 consecutive months before moving on to a new one (you can read more on why I plan monthly … [Read more...] about Fall 2013 Menu
Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Seasoning Mix
Do you love ranch mix but hate monosodium glutamate (MSG)? Or perhaps you’re not sure you want to eat a mix that has maltodextrin (a food additive derived from starch) as a first ingredient? If this describes you, then get excited: It is super easy to make ranch seasoning mix from scratch! I played around with a couple of recipes I … [Read more...] about Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Seasoning Mix
Using Your Husband’s Love of Sports to Strengthen Your Marriage
My husband and I were out with friends at a baseball game a couple of weeks ago. Though we were focused more on conversation than the game, my husband always knew what was happening on the field. Occasionally he’d comment on plays or erupt in cheers. A similar thing happens when the topic of sports comes up in conversation. He knows what teams … [Read more...] about Using Your Husband’s Love of Sports to Strengthen Your Marriage
Mini Breakfast Stratas
Have you tried any of the recipes featured in the Cereal Killers post? I’ve been trying (and enjoying!) many of them. I don’t always have all of the necessary ingredients on hand, so sometimes I improvise. That’s precisely how I came up with this recipe for mini stratas. These savory bites are affordable and can be reheated quickly on busy … [Read more...] about Mini Breakfast Stratas
Jazzing Up Leftovers
Dinner leftovers comprise the majority of the lunches in my household. By eating them, we save money and avoid wasting food. Sometimes we really enjoy leftovers, but other times we merely tolerate them. Let’s be honest: Some foods just aren’t as good the second time around! In an attempt to avoid mushy, monochromatic remnants, we’re … [Read more...] about Jazzing Up Leftovers
Common Housekeeping Conundrums: Power Cord Management
Do the electrical cords behind your desk or entertainment center look like a bowl of spaghetti? No matter how neatly I lay the cords when I first plug them in, after a few months they become tangled. The cords on floor lamps are also a challenge. They look quite unattractive and can get out in walkways and become a stumbling … [Read more...] about Common Housekeeping Conundrums: Power Cord Management
Use the Special Things
I tried to wear my favorite pair of Capri pants last week. Unfortunately, “tried” is as far as I got—I was unable to zip them up. (Apparently I’ve gained a few pounds since last summer!) I was stunned. No, it wasn’t that shocking that I’d gained some weight. What was shocking to me was how infrequently I’d worn the pants back when I could. I … [Read more...] about Use the Special Things
