Of The Hearth

Fall 2013 Menu

August 30, 2013 By Shannon 8 Comments This post may contain affiliate links and this site uses cookies. Click here for details.

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

August 28, 2013 By Shannon 16 Comments This post may contain affiliate links and this site uses cookies. Click here for details.

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

August 26, 2013 By Shannon 12 Comments This post may contain affiliate links and this site uses cookies. Click here for details.

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

August 23, 2013 By Shannon 19 Comments This post may contain affiliate links and this site uses cookies. Click here for details.

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

August 21, 2013 By Shannon 11 Comments This post may contain affiliate links and this site uses cookies. Click here for details.

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

August 19, 2013 By Shannon 4 Comments This post may contain affiliate links and this site uses cookies. Click here for details.

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

August 16, 2013 By Shannon 18 Comments This post may contain affiliate links and this site uses cookies. Click here for details.

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

Frugal TIPbits: Give Haircuts at Home

August 14, 2013 By Shannon 19 Comments This post may contain affiliate links and this site uses cookies. Click here for details.

Couples typically encounter a surprise or two when they create a budget for the first time after getting married. The biggest surprise for me was how much money my husband spent on haircuts. He prefers to keep his hair short, so this requires a monthly trim. At approximately $20 per cut, he was spending $240 each year for … [Read more...] about Frugal TIPbits: Give Haircuts at Home