Though our temperatures have been slow to warm up, the calendar does indicate that spring has arrived. We’re finally stowing our snow shovel and pulling out our lawnmower. This change serves as a reminder that it’s time for us to complete spring home maintenance tasks. Our home is a huge blessing and we’re committed to being faithful … [Read more...] about Spring Home Maintenance
organized living
Why and How I Plan Monthly Menus
I’m often asked about why and how I plan monthly menus for my household. Usually these questions are accompanied by an exasperated statement such as “I could never be that organized.” Believe it or not, it’s pretty easy to plan monthly menus. Additionally, it has saved my family so much time and money that I haven’t considered reverting … [Read more...] about Why and How I Plan Monthly Menus
How to Afford Healthy Eating
Last week I shared some price comparisons that debunked the myth that healthy foods cost more than unhealthy foods. Of course, if you shop carelessly then it is unlikely you’ll be able to purchase nutritious foods for the same price as junk foods. However, by judiciously enlisting some simple strategies, you can eat healthily and stay … [Read more...] about How to Afford Healthy Eating
Maximize Lithium-Ion Battery Life
Do you have electronic devices in your home that run on lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries? If you have a laptop computer, cell phone, digital camera, and/or power tools, then chances are that you do. These batteries can be costly and inconvenient to replace, so it's wise to maximize their longevity. What things can we do to help them run … [Read more...] about Maximize Lithium-Ion Battery Life
Date Ideas for Every Season and Every Budget
While working on a Valentine’s Day gift for my husband (A Year of Preplanned Dates), I was reminded of how challenging it can be to come up with unique date ideas. Fortunately, a little brainstorming and a quick internet search yielded numerous ideas that span far beyond the stereotypical dinner and a movie. In fact, I quickly … [Read more...] about Date Ideas for Every Season and Every Budget
A Year of Preplanned Dates Gift Idea
When my husband and I were in premarital counseling, our facilitators placed a lot of emphasis on continuing to date once we were married. We thought it sounded like a nice idea, but didn’t understand why they emphasized it so much. Fast forward to now and hindsight shows us why. Life is busy and full of demands that draw our attention … [Read more...] about A Year of Preplanned Dates Gift Idea
Winter Home Maintenance
I hope you and your family fared well if you were affected by the recent cold snap that touched much of the U.S. We had a pipe freeze, but thankfully we were able to thaw it without incurring any damage. This incident served as a reminder that it’s time to see to winter home maintenance tasks. In my household, we’re committed to completing … [Read more...] about Winter Home Maintenance
Convenient Freezer Labels
Have you ever pulled a dish or baggie from the freezer and been unable to determine what is frozen in it? You can eliminate this problem by diligently labeling foods before freezing them. This sounds straightforward, but I know I sometimes omit this step when I’m in a hurry. Hopefully these cute, convenient freezer labels will make it … [Read more...] about Convenient Freezer Labels