If you receive the Untrained Housewife newsletter, you know that there is a call for you to hit reply if you want to share what you’re struggling with right now. The struggles can range from an angry chicken to a recipe that fails time and time again – sometimes, it’s a deep personal struggle. Not […]
Preserving Your Heritage: Conducting an Oral History
“Mom, is that REALLY great-grandpa’s voice?” One of the best gifts that you can give yourself and your family is something that’s not expensive, but one day will be priceless: an oral history with older family members. For those of us interested in homesteading, sustainable living, or history, knowledge about agriculture and early 20th Century-style […]
Save Money on Food During a Family Road Trip
Picking up snacks and drinks at typical gas stops during your family road trip is what those convenient marts are counting on. However, you can still stay on budget and enjoy your trip with just a bit of extra planning. Here are my best tips for overcoming budget pitfalls in the area of food costs. […]
Shows from the ’90s for Kids and Teens – the Good and the Bad
When it comes to watching shows and movies with your children, you only want the best. Sometimes, though, things we remember from our youth aren’t are great as we think. Sometimes they are fabulous. Recently, I reviewed three titles that have been around for years. Two were wonderful, and one wasn’t so great. The Pros […]
I’m Home! – Fostering Family Bonds and a Sense of Home
“Mommy, I’m home!” two-year-old Ethan hollered. He had just been to Sunday School and was returning to the class room where is own mother was the teacher. Considering where Ethan had just been, where he was and where he was going, perhaps those words are more profound than we realize. Home is Where the Family […]
Family Friendly Fall Fun
As a Christian home-school mom, I am aware that there is a yearly debate among some on whether or not Christians should even acknowledge Halloween. A few years ago, I wrote an article that addressed some of these concerns with Family Alternatives to Halloween. While some may not agree with me, and that is their […]
The Blessing of Grandparents
Grandparents. An extension of your family that can be such a huge blessing. And definitely has been for our family. Sidney and I married, and his job sent him to West Texas, 7 hours away from family. After the birth of our second baby we had a chance to move much closer and we jumped […]
Get Prepared – What to Look for at Yard Sales
Preparing your family for a power outage does not need to be expensive. Just by thinking ahead, you will be surprised what you can find at sales and re-sale shops – or even in hand-me-downs! Clothing. Keep an eye out for blue jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts, shoes and socks. None of these has to fit well […]
Get Prepared – Shoes and Clothing for Emergencies
In our “Get Prepared” Series, we’ve been learning to plan ahead for a 2-4 week power outage. We’ve talked about laundry and water . . . but what clothes would make the duration more comfortable? Plan to store some clothes for each member of the family, and keep the sizes updated. And Go Large. It […]
Novel Destinations: China with “Wild Swans”
Wild Swans, by Jung Chang, is a non-fiction work about three generations of Chinese women, beginning in the early 20th century. Jung’s grandmother had bound feet, was sold as a concubine, and lived through the Kuomintang Revolution, The Cultural Revolution and The Great leap Forward. (None of them were as grand as they sound!) Her […]
Bedtime Battles – Calming Your Little Ones
Like most moms, some days I eagerly await the hour when it’s time to put the kids to bed so I can sit down (or get started on all the other things I need to do), but it can be an epic battle just to get them to go to sleep! And any parent knows […]
How to Select Essential Oils
Essential oils can help to promote healing in your body, whether it’s emotional or physical. My husband J. L. Geiger MD, the OilMD, and I have recently started teaching classes on “Reinventing Healthcare With Essential Oils.” I believe that allopathic (traditional) medicine is a need, don’t get me wrong there are times when we do need to see a doctor. I believe in yearly […]
