Year of Dates || 12 Months of Pre-planned dates with your Husband

I've been seeing the infamous 'Year of Dates' idea floating around social media and pinterest for years now but anytime I thought "I should do that" it was right before a holiday or anniversary with not enough time to actually get it done, so I moved on and decided not to do it. Last year was a really hard year for us, I lost a baby. And a lot of things went on the backburner, including date nights. So towards the Fall, I thought, I NEED to do that 'Year of Dates' idea! Marriage IS important! … [Read more...]

Homeschool Student Planner {plus Free Printable}

SEE NEW POST WITH UPDATED PLANNERS HERE! With this being our first year full-time homeschooling, I knew I needed a plan in place. I had planned and selected our curriculum but was still trying to find a way to keep my kids accountable with their school work and responsibilities. I am not really one for the unschooling. In life there are things that must get done, even if you don't want to do it. But this is not a post about not agreeing with "unschooling".. I do like this post if you want to … [Read more...]

How to be less busy

Written by Lydia @ Frugal Debt Free Life, Contributing Writer Do you ever feel like you’re long on to do and short on time? I have spent so many months, years even, feeling that way. It wasn’t until recently that I came to fully understand the amount of control I actually did have over my time and how I spent it. In fact, it seems like that is one of the things that I do have near-complete control over. Sure, I have small children and a husband, a business, and obligations. There is a … [Read more...]

Set Yourself Up to Succeed

Written by Starla, Contributing Writer On the heels of New Year's come the New Year resolutions that we all make.  Whatever the goals or resolutions: healthier way of eating, weight loss, financial goals, marriage goals and/or spiritual goals they all can be accomplished if we set ourselves up to succeed.  I prayfully chose a word and a Bible verse to focus on throughout this year.  Now that a theme word, goal or resolution has been chosen, what's next? How do we … [Read more...]

Christmas Wreath Card Display

Written by Kari, Contributing Writer I know there are hundreds of ways to display those beautiful Christmas cards we get each year. I’ve done most of them over the course of my beautiful life. Everything form hanging them from decorative ribbon to placing them in a crystal bowl. A couple years ago I was reading Living Magazine and found a quick and inexpensive way to display cards. I needed a change and this was perfect. A simple wooden wreath. Well, more like an embroidery hoop with … [Read more...]

DIY Crocheted Wreath Ornament/Gift Tag

Written by Karen @To Work With My Hands, Contributing Writer When I was pregnant with our second son, I had a lot of time on my hands. Our oldest son was in public school at the time, my husband was at work, and I was home alone all day. When the Christmas season arrived that year, I was in the midst of the second trimester - past the yucky first, and not yet into the bulky last. I finally felt better and was eager to get my hands into something. It was during those few weeks between … [Read more...]

All Purpose Citrus Cleaner

Written by Contributing Writer, Kari at Living Strong, Health & Wellness Cleaning. We all have to do it and if you think about it, this is a constant activity in our lives. Whether we are personally the ones cleaning our homes or someone else is, the fact is, you have to use cleaners. Unfortunately, the cleaners most people have in their home are extremely toxic and dangerous to our health. If you think about how often cleaners are used in our home, you can get a good picture of … [Read more...]

How To Attract Butterflies and Birds To Your Yard

Written by Karen @ To Work With My Hands, Contributing Writer I love spring! It's my favorite season of all. When the dull gold-green grass brightens to vibrant, fresh green and the tender leaves begin sprouting on trees and bushes, I get eager to turn my attention outdoors. The garden calls, and I'm ready to clean out dead leaves that have littered the beds, repot plants that need larger homes, and bring some fresh new color to the garden and yard. And on the days I spend many hours … [Read more...]

What It’s Like to Afford Fresh Organic Produce and How You Can Do It Too

Written by Reelika @ Financially Wise On Heels, Contributing Writer **Please meet Reelika, a new contributor... she would love to hear from you! -Rachel You are a great mommy. You want the best for your kids and family. It is the hope of many families to be able to provide organic veggies, fruits and berries to their family and especially to the kids. Unfortunately the downside of organic produce is the cost. But what if I told you there are ways that you can still provide the best … [Read more...]

Jammin Strawberry Jam

Are you guys getting overwhelmed with fresh, ripe, delicious, sugary, fruit?  My goodness, spring and summer are just the best eating!! My kiddos and I love to go picking.  We pick anything we can get our hands on (in Massachusetts... strawberries, cherries, blueberries, peaches, apples, etc).  Last year I canned tomatoes and applesauce... this year I wanted to try jam.  We LOVED the results of this jammin jam! How to make Jammin Starwberry Jam: What you need: 10 cups of cleaned, … [Read more...]