Of The Hearth

Password Security

March 13, 2013 By Shannon 3 Comments This post may contain affiliate links and this site uses cookies. Click here for details.

The need for passwords for online accounts has become nearly ubiquitous in our society. There’s email, online banking, social media sites, online retailers, payment websites for utility companies, etc. (Just now I attempted to count how many usernames and passwords I have, but I gave up once I reached two dozen sets…and I know I didn’t cover … [Read more...] about Password Security

Common Housekeeping Conundrums: Onion-Induced Tears

March 11, 2013 By Shannon 6 Comments This post may contain affiliate links and this site uses cookies. Click here for details.

Sometimes my husband comes home to find me weeping as I prepare dinner. He was concerned the first time it happened; now he knows it only means there’s onion in our dinner. There’s no lack of ideas regarding how to prevent this problem. In fact, it seems like every chef, homemaker, and student completing a science fair experiment has a … [Read more...] about Common Housekeeping Conundrums: Onion-Induced Tears

Time Change Safety Cues

March 9, 2013 By Shannon 2 Comments This post may contain affiliate links and this site uses cookies. Click here for details.

When was the last time you tested your smoke alarms? If you’re like me, your answer is a shrug (I sure hope your answer isn’t that you don’t have any!). Given by background in nursing and public health, I’m generally very attentive to safety issues. However, I haven’t managed to find the motivation to test my smoke alarms at the recommended … [Read more...] about Time Change Safety Cues

Burrito Bowls

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

I gladly have burrito bowls as an item on my menu this spring. In addition to being one of my husband’s absolute favorites (because they’re so tasty!), they are relatively affordable and healthy. Ingredients 1 ½ cups long grain rice (brown or white) 2 tablespoons lime juice Dash of salt ½ cup chopped cilantro 1 can (15 oz.) … [Read more...] about Burrito Bowls

Spring Cleaning the Heart

March 4, 2013 By Shannon 20 Comments This post may contain affiliate links and this site uses cookies. Click here for details.

While the origins of the term are debated, “spring cleaning” is generally used to describe episodes of intense and thorough cleaning, traditionally completed as the bright warmth of spring illuminates and generates life out of quiescent winter. Just as dust gathers on drapes and grime accumulates on windows, sin can collect in our hearts … [Read more...] about Spring Cleaning the Heart

Spring 2013 Menu

March 2, 2013 By Shannon 9 Comments This post may contain affiliate links and this site uses cookies. Click here for details.

My husband and I have found it beneficial to have a monthly dinner menu. Each time I develop one we’ll use it for 3 consecutive months. There’s plenty of variety on the menu, so we don’t tire of the meals (plus we leave 3 days open to allow us to have guests over or to prepare something spontaneously). After 3 months we’re ready for a change, … [Read more...] about Spring 2013 Menu

My Food Philosophy

February 27, 2013 By Shannon 1 Comment This post may contain affiliate links and this site uses cookies. Click here for details.

After publishing a post one week ago about embracing a food philosophy without judging others, I’m featuring a snapshot of my food philosophy. I do not assert that my philosophy is “correct” or “the best.” In fact, issues such as food allergies, diseases that are influenced by diet, and nutrient deficiencies mean that there is no philosophy … [Read more...] about My Food Philosophy

Hospitality in a Less-Than-Perfect House

February 25, 2013 By Shannon 31 Comments This post may contain affiliate links and this site uses cookies. Click here for details.

I am so grateful for the house my husband and I own. We are blessed to have a home we can afford that is cozy and has every feature we need. Though we are quite pleased with it, you’ll never see it grace the cover of a home decorating magazine. Why? There is nothing remarkable about the architecture of the house, certain features disclose the … [Read more...] about Hospitality in a Less-Than-Perfect House