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It is just about that time. The time when we begin to feel the need to shake off the cobwebs of winter (I mean figuratively, but possibly literally). If it is warm enough where you live to open up the house to let it air, then it is time to begin your spring cleaning. Spring […]
For a great many people, the month of March offers hope for the end of winter. It has been another long and snowy one, and though I do not kid myself that it is over (snow is pouring out of the sky as I type this post), March offers hope that spring is around the […]
My children do not get sick very often. They do not have any chronic illnesses that cause them to see the doctor once a month. In fact, the last visit we had was for physicals for all 3 children about a year ago. However, that does not mean that we have not had enough practice […]
My husband likes to keep the Christmas decorations up through New Year’s and every year, I think I will try to make it until then. However, the decorations that looked so pretty just a few days ago look terribly cluttered the day after Christmas. None if means the same to me the day after Christmas. […]
We just came out of a 24-hour power outage. When we woke in the morning to no electricity, I thought it was no big deal. My kids have limited TV time during the day, so we can surely make it a few hours with no electricity. But as the hours marched on, I became increasingly […]
Though it becomes increasingly difficult to round up your children when they get a little older and have started to become involved in so many activities outside of the house, it is still important that they see that living in a family is like being on a team. Everyone works together. Everyone contributes. By making […]
Once children begin school, they begin to learn some self-discipline. They have more responsibilities at school, so they should also be ready for more responsibilities at home. When a child reaches school age, they are ready to become more accountable for their own space and more understanding of their role at home. Below is a […]
Even when children are young, a certain amount of responsibility gives children a sense of place in a family. Everyone should be given the opportunity to learn what it means to contribute to the success of a family. Though scrubbing toilets may not be an appropriate task for a 3-year-old, there are several chores a […]
Although a 20-month-old is only learning how to be self-sufficient, he or she will welcome the chance to follow mom around with a dusting cloth or use a little handbroom to help sweep the floor. Young children consider chores to be a form of play. Who are we to take away a child’s fun, right?! […]
Monday, September 22nd is the first day of fall, and with fall comes lower temperatures, colorful leaves, and pumpkins and apples galore! Though it may be a little early to start preparing for Halloween, there are plenty of things you can pull out now that will get you in the mood for fall. Members to […]
Guest Blogger – Jessica Ryan My friend Marie told me that she had friends that stopped by suddenly last night. While she was thrilled to see them, she felt badly that she had nothing to offer them to munch on (she did have wine on hand!). So that got me to thinking… what would I […]
This is a hard one. It is like asking a mother who her favorite child is. These are the pages that I print most frequently, tote around with me in my binder, or hang on my refrigerator. If you have never made some of these and would like some help with them, please feel free […]
For years I have been on the hunt for the perfect way to store my lists and workpages and journal pages. I have tried every variety of 3-ring binder. I’ve even done a lot of experimenting with spiral notebooks and notepads. I had just about given up and had been using a clipboard to hold […]
by Guest Blogger, Erin Kokoszka Sixteen.16. Seize. Dieciseis. That’s how many in-laws I have at my house right now. Yes, yes, I know that all of you ladies out there are thinking, ‘well, sister, that’s what you get for living in the paradise known as Martha’s Vineyard.’ I hear you. But, still. They are here […]
Like I said, times have certainly changed since my grandmothers raised a family. While they stayed very busy cooking and cleaning, parents today are busy in a different kind of way. Electronics have brought many conveniences to modern families, shifting mom’s time from cooking (microwave) and cleaning (dishwasher, washing machine) to other types of family […]
Times have changed since my grandmothers were keeping house for their young families. Though I have given birth and own a home, that is where many of our similarities end. Here are just a few things my grandmothers did that I (almost) never do: Ironed clothes and sheets Cooked hot breakfasts and lunches Regularly cleaned […]
Baking soda is an all-natural ingredient, and with today’s rising cost of groceries and supplies, a great tool to stock up on. Here is a list of just a few things you can do with a box of baking soda: Neutralizes odor in your refrigerator or closet Makes a mild scouring powder with a little […]
Guest Blogger – Jessica Ryan Please be sure to wash everything really well before handing items off to the kids! yogurt containers sour cream containers cream cheese containers peanut butter jars mayonnaise jar plastic honey bear coffee tins (those with resealable tops) maple syrup bottles butter tubs plastic juice bottles egg containers salad dressing bottles […]
The vacuum and its attachments can make cleaning a house quick and easy. There are a lot of places and things that would benefit from a quick run-over with the vacuum. Here are some things to keep in mind next time you have the vacuum out. Carpets and Rugs Upholstery (sofas and chairs) Ceilings and […]
Some things are not even fit for the trash can because they can be hazardous to the humans or animals that might handle them. Some wastes have the possibility of leaching dangerous chemicals into drinking water. Whether once a week, once a month, or once a year, gather these items together and make a run […]
Guest Blogger – Elliott Kim A quick and easy meal doesn’t have to mean, “pierce film to vent. rotate once during heating.” If you make Hamburger Helper often enough to skip reading the instructions, we have a problem. Step 1 is to take the advice of personal finance bloggers. Cooking at home saves money. Further, […]
Living in Maine means lots of company (which we LOVE) in the summertime! If you are expecting company where you live, then here are a few things that might help you prepare. Plot out meal ideas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Using your meal plan, create a careful grocery list (you do NOT want to […]
Summertime in Maine means beautiful weather, days at the beach, festivals galore, and lots of guests. I love having friends and family come and visit, but there are many things to be done before I feel comfortable letting them sleep in our beds and brush their teeth at our sinks. Prepare menu of all meals. […]
By Guest Blogger, Christie Crowder Some of us who are blessed to be able to work from home on a full-time or part-time basis can sometimes find it hard to work efficiently due to the many distractions that can present themselves during the day. The lure of household chores, needs of children, phone calls from […]
You’ve heard of the sock monster that lives in the dryer and gobbles up just ONE sock from each pair. I’ve heard many moms say they don’t know what to do with those solo socks. Some keep a basket on the dryer to deposit solo socks into in case they find the other one. Some […]