Though I really enjoy being creative, I’m not all that skilled when it comes to most crafts. I always picture great results in my mind, but I can only execute my ideas successfully about half of the time! In order to save a few dollars, I try to make greeting cards whenever my husband and I need them. Despite my history of inconsistent … [Read more...] about Easy Handmade Birthday Cards
Housework as Exercise
I’m motivated to maintain my house and keep it clean for a number of reasons: stewardship, comfort and safety, the look and feel of clean surfaces, creating a warm environment for guests, etc. Now I can add physical fitness to the list. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, many housekeeping activities constitute … [Read more...] about Housework as Exercise
Clarifying Credit (Part 1)
Many of you know that my husband and I strive toward debt-free living. We avoid taking on new debt and we work hard to pay off our existing debt, which includes student loans, our mortgage, and a small amount we owe on my husband’s car. Though we’ve gleaned a lot of information about credit throughout our adult years, in examining our finances … [Read more...] about Clarifying Credit (Part 1)
Ridiculous Lawn & Garden Gadgets
My husband and I spent last Saturday morning working in the yard. It could really use some improvements, so we’ve been contemplating various options and pricing the materials we would need. In the process, I’ve come across some outrageous gadgets for the lawn and garden. Hose Clothes – Do you have an unsightly garden hose? Camouflage it … [Read more...] about Ridiculous Lawn & Garden Gadgets
Navigating the Nutrition Maze: BPA
The Navigating the Nutrition Maze series is an ongoing exploration of nutrition-related issues to help navigate the turns, dead ends, and intricate passages to healthy eating. BPA is an abbreviation for an industrial chemical (bisphenol A) that is used to make certain plastics and resins. Several years ago the public was virtually unaware … [Read more...] about Navigating the Nutrition Maze: BPA
Germ Hot Spots in the Home
Which surface in your home has the highest concentration of germs? A toilet seat? A trashcan? What researchers found from swabs of common household surfaces may surprise you. The 10 germiest places in the home In 2011, researchers at NSF International conducted a study to identify the top 10 germ-laden surfaces in the home. Here’s what … [Read more...] about Germ Hot Spots in the Home
Italian Sausage Stew
This stew is another dish on my household’s menu this spring. The recipe for it is an amalgamation of recipes I’ve come across for similar dishes. I love that it can be prepared using only one pot and that it contains numerous vegetables. Don’t let the vegetables fool you, though—it is very filling and the taste of savory Italian sausage … [Read more...] about Italian Sausage Stew
Easter Reflections
I’m rarely at a loss for words. However, today—a day situated between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday—I find myself with very little to say. Instead, I’m drawn to Scripture as I reflect on the events commemorated on these days. I’ve been reading the words of Isaiah regarding the Suffering Servant—words embodied by Christ centuries after … [Read more...] about Easter Reflections
