Of The Hearth

Quick Jambalaya

July 3, 2013 By Shannon 3 Comments This post may contain affiliate links and this site uses cookies. Click here for details.

My husband enjoys the taste of Cajun food every once in a while. I used elements from several recipes to create a version that I can make with ingredients I have on hand for this summer’s menu. My apologies to Cajun food enthusiasts—I realize this dish isn’t very authentic! Regardless, we’ve enjoyed the convenience and spicy taste of … [Read more...] about Quick Jambalaya

Book Review: Managing God’s Money

July 1, 2013 By Shannon 3 Comments This post may contain affiliate links and this site uses cookies. Click here for details.

In our continued attempt to be wise stewards of our resources, my husband and I have been reading books on finances. Our most recent read was Randy Alcorn’s Managing God's Money: A Biblical Guide. Managing God’s Money contains six sections: (1) Money and Possessions: Bible 101, (2) Perspectives That Impede Faithful Money Management, (3) Our … [Read more...] about Book Review: Managing God’s Money

The Benefits of Couple Friendships

June 28, 2013 By Shannon 18 Comments This post may contain affiliate links and this site uses cookies. Click here for details.

Do you and your husband have “couple friends” (i.e., couples you and your spouse socialize with as a couple)? When was the last time you spent time with them? I’ve always appreciated the couple friendships my husband and I have. We enjoy hanging out with our couple friends and we share meaningful fellowship with them. I recently came … [Read more...] about The Benefits of Couple Friendships

Sloppy Joe Macaroni & Cheese

June 26, 2013 By Shannon 15 Comments This post may contain affiliate links and this site uses cookies. Click here for details.

No, you’re not experiencing déjà vu. This is indeed another variation of homemade macaroni and cheese! Unlike the Italian and Mexican varieties I’ve already shared, this version contains meat. Like the other varieties, this version is delicious, easy to prepare, and affordable. Ingredients 3 cups macaroni, uncooked measure 4 cups … [Read more...] about Sloppy Joe Macaroni & Cheese

Frugal TIPbits: Ways to Salvage Bruised Fruit

June 24, 2013 By Shannon 6 Comments This post may contain affiliate links and this site uses cookies. Click here for details.

Sometimes it’s a rogue apple that rolls off the counter onto the tile floor. Sometimes it’s a carefully selected peach that is carelessly bagged by a supermarket cashier. Sometimes it’s a forgotten plum that becomes squashed in the back of the produce drawer. Whatever the cause, bruised pieces of fruit are unsightly and, in many cases, … [Read more...] about Frugal TIPbits: Ways to Salvage Bruised Fruit

It’s the Little Things About Summer

June 21, 2013 By Shannon 4 Comments This post may contain affiliate links and this site uses cookies. Click here for details.

Summer 2013 officially begins today! It’s the little things about summer that gladden my heart and put a smile on my face. Going barefoot. I’ve set my feet free from their shoes. I can feel cool grass tickle them and moist soil give way to their prints. Not only does this feel great, but there’s less laundry to do because we use fewer … [Read more...] about It’s the Little Things About Summer

Easy Tortellini Tomato Soup

June 19, 2013 By Shannon 5 Comments This post may contain affiliate links and this site uses cookies. Click here for details.

All of us need a few quick, easy-to-prepare recipes in our repertoires. This is one of those recipes. I came up with it several weeks ago when we were low on groceries and I needed to quickly prepare a meal. Surprisingly, we enjoyed the result so much that I put it on our menu for this summer. Ingredients 32 oz. chicken broth 1 cup … [Read more...] about Easy Tortellini Tomato Soup

Common Housekeeping Conundrums: Rust in Bathtubs and Sinks

June 17, 2013 By Shannon 12 Comments This post may contain affiliate links and this site uses cookies. Click here for details.

My husband and I purchased our house last year. A new bathtub was installed by the previous owner right before we made the purchase. Unfortunately, during the short time the house stood vacant before we moved in, a spot of rust developed in the tub where some water had pooled around the drain. Why did pooled water cause rust to form? … [Read more...] about Common Housekeeping Conundrums: Rust in Bathtubs and Sinks