We’re about to spend three long days on the road as we move across the country. I find it challenging to be cooped up in the car for long periods of time like this, but snacks somehow make the experience more tolerable. Instead of absentmindedly consuming tons of high-fat, high-sugar, and/or high-sodium snacks, I’m identifying and … [Read more...] about Healthy Snacks for Road Trips
Simple Strategies to Help Your Home Show Well
Our move across the country is only a couple of weeks away. We’ve listed our house here and are hoping it sells quickly. Of course, hoping isn’t all we’ve done. We are working closely with a real estate agent and have enlisted some strategies to help our house show well. Our house isn’t brand new and it certainly doesn’t have the most … [Read more...] about Simple Strategies to Help Your Home Show Well
BBQ Chicken Potato Skins
Every now and then I want to try something really fun and new for dinner. I had a couple of dishes on our menu that used potatoes, so I figured I’d come up with an additional recipe that would finish off the bag. I also had a couple of chicken breasts available, so I found a fresh way to use the chicken and potatoes together. The result was an … [Read more...] about BBQ Chicken Potato Skins
Christmas in July: Celebrating Christmas with Family Members Who Live Far Away
Where has the first half of this year gone? Somehow July has crept up on me! I imagine that December—and Christmas—will do the same. Thankfully, I take time each July to plan and prepare for Christmas. As I’ve explained previously, this is not an attempt to usher in the Christmas season prematurely; it is one way my family avoids a chaotic … [Read more...] about Christmas in July: Celebrating Christmas with Family Members Who Live Far Away
Tips for a Budget-Friendly Move
The expenses associated with moving to a new home can add up quickly. This is especially true of long-distance moves. Though some expenses are unavoidable, others can be avoided or minimized with careful planning. Here are some of the frugal strategies my family is using as we move across the country this summer. Strategies for a … [Read more...] about Tips for a Budget-Friendly Move
Italian Penne Bake
We eat spaghetti with meat marinara each month because it is an affordable and easy-to-prepare dish. When I saw a recipe for Spaghetti Pie on a fellow blogger’s website (see the link below), I thought it was a neat alternative to traditional spaghetti with meat sauce. I made a couple of tweaks to the recipe (including changing the type of … [Read more...] about Italian Penne Bake
25 Outdoor Activities for Babies to Enjoy During the Summer
After being cooped up indoors for a good portion of the winter and spring, my daughter and I are loving the summer sunshine and warm temperatures. She’s not capable of running and jumping yet, but that doesn’t mean she can’t enjoy playing outside. There are a number of age-appropriate outdoor activities that infants can take part in … [Read more...] about 25 Outdoor Activities for Babies to Enjoy During the Summer
Meatloaf Parmesan
Every now and then I come across a recipe that I immediately know will be a hit in my household. When I saw a recipe for Meatloaf Parmesan—moist, flavorful meatloaf topped with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese—I knew it was one of these recipes! Ingredients (Adapted from this recipe.) 1 lb. ground meat (I used turkey) 1 egg … [Read more...] about Meatloaf Parmesan
