We have a bottom-freezer fridge in our kitchen. At the top of the freezer there is a shallow drawer, and at the bottom is a large bin. The space between the two is minimal. Because the freezer was a bit full (or pretty disorganized so it seemed full), I managed to accidentally push an ice pack over the back edge of the bin, leaving it stuck at … [Read more...] about Step Back and Look from Another Angle
current events
Under Construction: Please Excuse the Mess
I’ve been writing posts here on Of The Hearth for over a decade. So much has changed during that time! This is true in my personal life, of course, but it is also true in terms of technology and current events. For this website to remain useful to you, I need to make some updates. I’ve been working on a few of these behind the scenes, … [Read more...] about Under Construction: Please Excuse the Mess
2022 Year in Review
My husband asked me a couple of days ago if I’d ordered a new calendar to replace the 2022 version that is hanging on the front of our fridge. I hadn’t ordered one yet, but his question reminded me that—ready or not—2023 is about to begin! As we start this new year, I’m taking a moment to reflect on 2022. Winter I began the year by … [Read more...] about 2022 Year in Review
Kindness: A Boost Amid the Battles
Many, many years ago, when I was in elementary school, I had a teacher who had the following recommendation posted on her wall: Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. I didn’t think about this quote very much when I was in her class, but I’ve thought about it a lot in recent months. As is often the case, experience is … [Read more...] about Kindness: A Boost Amid the Battles
Today is Special Enough to Use the Special Things
I pulled a storage tub of old clothes out of my closet last week. These clothes have been in the tub since we moved into our current home two years ago. They’re in the tub and not hanging in the closet because they are too small for me to wear. When I packed them in there, I was hopeful I would eventually lose enough “baby weight” to fit in … [Read more...] about Today is Special Enough to Use the Special Things
Save Money on Your Electric Bill by Avoiding the Oven
I try to avoid using the oven to prepare dinner during the summer months. This is because the whole kitchen gets hot when I use the oven. We’ve been having 100°F temperatures, so our air conditioner is working hard enough without me adding heat from the oven! Electric ovens require a lot of electricity to create this heat, so keeping the … [Read more...] about Save Money on Your Electric Bill by Avoiding the Oven
How to Process Our Suffering When We See That Others Have it Worse
When I see my troubles juxtaposed with the struggles and challenges being faced by others (for example, the missiles being hurled at the people of Ukraine), I realize that the things I face barely qualify as “challenges.” Others have it so much worse. Though this is objectively true—hardships like noisy neighbors and minor illnesses are … [Read more...] about How to Process Our Suffering When We See That Others Have it Worse
Your Suffering is Valid, Even When Others Have it Worse
Like many of you, I have sat this past week and watched the horrors being perpetrated on the people of Ukraine. It’s depraved. It’s horrifying. It’s heartbreaking. I’m struck by how interwoven yet independent our lives here on earth are. What happens on the other side of the world absolutely impacts us. However, unlike for the people of … [Read more...] about Your Suffering is Valid, Even When Others Have it Worse
