Have any of you read the book Anna Hibiscus? There is a quote by one of the aunts that makes me laugh. She tells Anna’s mother that taking care of three children and a man is too much work for one woman to do alone! Ha. Wiser words were never spoken. And many of us … more
Crockpot oatmeal is one of the most important dishes in my recipe arsenal. It is super-easy and allows you to offer a hot breakfast to a group without any morning prep. I often serve it to overnight guests who need to leave early in the morning. Or at least, before I feel like getting moving. … more
In the homemaking life, meals are not my strong point. Despite coming from a family of chefs and loving good food, I dislike cooking and all the surrounding duties of meal planning, grocery shopping, and kitchen cleanup. If you have noticed a dearth of meal-related posts, it’s because I’m still figuring it out! But … more
Mathematics is a frequent subject of curriculum searches, and most homeschoolers go through a few different programs during their tenure. We’re all looking for a curriculum that teaches the maximum amount of math understanding with the minimum amount of pain. With the multitude of products available these days, and the belief that “different things work … more
If you are lucky enough to have a good windowsill in your kitchen, it makes a perfect place to keep your table butter once the weather gets cold. It stays cool, but spreadable. I love this butter crock, which I purchased while vising the Red Wing Pottery factory awhile ago. (It is a worthwhile stop … more
Since it is Christmas-shopping season, it seemed a good time to publish this post I’ve had on my mind for awhile. I think one of the ways in which our culture is most consumerist is in the area of TOYS. Don’t you agree? The average big-box store has aisles and aisles of colored plastic ready … more
Until recently, I would have considered that an oxymoron. I grew up in a family that was really into coffee and its attendant paraphernalia. My parents were ahead of their time and owned a restaurant coffee maker. When I was a teen, they obtained a commercial espresso machine. Later came a coffee bean roaster. As … more
Every woman needs a tote bag, right? And we all have ideas of what a tote should be. One sees everything from posh designer leather to plastic grocery bags being used as totes. (Don’t be too quick to discount the grocery bags. There really is nothing better for putting wet or poopy clothes into.) I … more
I decided to do something new this year and post a quick review of the curriculum we used last year so we can all see how well it worked. 10th Grade Jacobs Geometry – I will admit it was a rough start, since Dusty was transitioning to self-teaching with a textbook from a video-based program. Once … more
I don’t know if there’s anything more overwhelming than shopping the vast beauty industry. At least for me. When I was younger, it seemed like every other girl had a natural knowledge of skincare, haircare, and makeup that I lacked. I floundered for awhile, then was swallowed into the super-conservative world for several years. Faces … more