It feels so good to laugh, especially when you’re having a long week or facing a difficult season. Of course, laughter does a lot more than just elevate your mood. Researchers have found that it provides a number of health benefits, including improved immune function, pain relief, and stress reduction. Laughing on my own is great, but … [Read more...] about How Humor Benefits Your Marriage
Slow Cooker Smothered Pork Chops
This particular dish isn’t on my menu this summer. However, I’ve made it a couple of times because it is so convenient and tasty! I came up with it one day after I purchased some pork chops that were marked down at the grocery store. I tossed them in the Crock Pot with a few other items in anticipation of a busy evening. We loved the … [Read more...] about Slow Cooker Smothered Pork Chops
How to Keep Your Cool When Your Baby Won’t Stop Crying
If you’ve ever had a newborn, then it doesn’t surprise you to hear that babies cry. Sometimes they cry quite a bit. In fact, sometimes they cry inconsolably for hours with no apparent reason for the crying. There are many great articles out there that suggest strategies to calm fussy newborns (see a couple examples here and here). That … [Read more...] about How to Keep Your Cool When Your Baby Won’t Stop Crying
The 10 Best Recipes on Of The Hearth
When it comes to recipes and food, “best” is very subjective. You and I have different taste preferences, which is why the most popular recipes here on Of The Hearth aren’t necessarily my personal favorites. In fact, many of my favorite recipes—those that I think are the best—are relatively unpopular. I’m going to use today’s post to … [Read more...] about The 10 Best Recipes on Of The Hearth
Calling Others on the Phone Can Be Hard—But It’s Worth It!
Today’s post is from AnneMarie, a guest contributor from Sacrifice of Love. I quickly peeled the foil wrapper off of the chocolate and popped the dark, slightly bitter morsel into my mouth. As I savored the creamy texture, my eyes glanced down at the wrapper that now lay empty on the table. A message, printed on the inside, gleamed up at … [Read more...] about Calling Others on the Phone Can Be Hard—But It’s Worth It!
5 Morning Activities That Lead to Productive Days
I don’t know how things work in your house, but my family has found that the morning tends to set the tone for the rest of the day. This is why it is so critical for us to be intentional about engaging in morning activities that help us have productive days. Here are five of those activities. Morning activities that set a productive … [Read more...] about 5 Morning Activities That Lead to Productive Days
Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken
To handle a toddler and an infant, I’m using several slow cooker recipes this summer. This simple one uses very few ingredients and is good on its own or great when dressed up with various spices and vegetables. Ingredients (Adapted from this recipe.) 1 ½ lbs. chicken breast tenderloins 3 tablespoons olive oil ½ cup honey ½ cup … [Read more...] about Slow Cooker Honey Sesame Chicken
Christmas in July: Christ-Focused Advent Traditions
Traditionally, the term “Advent” has referred to the first season of the Christian church year. Advent is a period of prayer, reflection, and fasting that begins four Sundays before Christmas, preparing followers to celebrate Christ’s birth and building expectation for Christ’s final coming. Even for Christians who don’t use the church … [Read more...] about Christmas in July: Christ-Focused Advent Traditions
