This summer, I planted some chocolate mint in my garden. I love the smell of fresh mint, and chocolate mint is one of my favorite flavored mint varieties. If you’re not aware, mint grows quickly and loves to spread. I placed my mint in containers to help keep it from taking over my garden. Still, […]
Restaurant Style Sweet-n-Sour Chicken
We love Chinese food. And my family goes gaga for the Sweet-n-Sour Chicken. They practically beg for it on a regular basis. What I don’t like about Chinese take out, other than the price to feed 2 growing teenagers and a little brother who tries to keep up, is the added ingredients. MSG being the […]
Trellis Point Crochet Tutorial
Would you love to have linens decorated with beautiful crocheted lace, but don’t love the $100 price tags? Perhaps you need a special wedding or Christmas present, but you’re on a budget? This crochet pattern is fairly simple to learn and makes an elegant edging for linens. Once you learn the basics, you can easily add different elements […]
DIY Composition Notebook Covers with #ScotchExpressions Tapes
When we went shopping for back-to-school supplies, my daughter made an observation. The bulk school supplies are (and I quote), “Sad and boring.” She’s kind of right. Bulk = good for schooling five children, but it lacks the beautiful designs that kids are attracted to. Plus, if they all look the same, that’s bad. You […]
Sit-Upon Seat Cushions
A music festival that we went to not long ago received a TON of rain, and there were very few people with dry butts. Thankfully, we were ranked among the few! Why? We had our sit-upons on hand. I used the handles to strap them to our backpacks so we could walk around without holding them. […]
Build a Vertical Gardening TeePee DIY
Vertical gardens may seem like a fad, but it is popular for good reason. Even when you have a good sized garden space to use, there are great benefits to growing your veggies off the ground. We’ve found that squash in particular does much better when it’s up off the ground. No rotten spots for […]
A Homemade Natural Insect Repellent with Essential Oils
Essential oils are natural, chemical-free alternatives to store-bought bug sprays. Many essential oils are mosquito repellents. Lemongrass and Citronella are the most commonly used in natural bug sprays, but most lemon-scented essential oils are insecticides. Other good options include Eucalyptus and Lavender. Eucalyptus essential oil deters mosquitoes and other insects, and it works even […]
Homemade Lip Balm
Personal care products are one of those things that can be intimidating to make at home. Sure, I can whip up a loaf of bread or some spaghetti sauce in no time and without much thought, but what about shampoo? Homemade lotion or deodorant? Or lip balm? On the surface, a lot of these items seem […]
Homemade Fruit Snacks
If you are anything like me, you try to keep your kids’ snacks as natural and “whole” as possible. So when I came across several different recipes recently for homemade fruit snacks, I got excited. My kids are just as susceptible to marketing and bright shiny colors as the rest, and fruit snacks are one […]
How Do You Make Soap – Hot Process Lye Soap
Making soap at home is a fun process that ensures your soap is free of harsh chemicals and allergens such as artificial colors and fragrances. Homemade soap can be given as gifts to friends and family. Get your kids in on the action and teach them a fun lesson in chemistry with this soap recipe. […]
Chicago’s Urban Oasis: Midwestern Beach Trip
I’m so ready for vacation. It’s next to impossible for me to concentrate on running errands, meeting deadlines, and finishing projects when I can feel the mercury rising outside and see the sun finally peeking its overly shy head out from the clouds. Even though it’s still too chilly to unpack a bathing suit, I’m […]
Dandelion Infused Lotion
Dandelions are not really weeds. They have so many uses and are so versatile! In salads, wine, and even lotion — yes, lotion! It makes a soothing after gardening salve for your hands. And, today I am going to show you how. First, pick the heads of the dandelions, and lay out to dry. […]
